All Obituaries

Eloise Belle (Holmes) McCarty, 78, of Independence, Kansas passed away peacefully at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Eloise was born on March 7, 1941 in Independence, Kansas to Alvin and Mabel (Hendrix) Holmes. She attended Jefferson School for eight years and then attended and graduated from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville in 1959. On March 16, 1962 Eloise married Virgil “Wilke” McCarty. The two made their home in Jefferson for...

Denzell E. “Red” Jones June 18, 1926 – December 2, 2019 Red Jones, farmer and long-time owner operator of Red’s Restaurant in Independence, passed away on December 2, 2019 at his daughter’s home in Kingman, Kansas Red was born in Peru, Kansas but grew up and lived in the Independence area from a very young age. He attended Independence schools and graduated from IHS in 1943. He worked and farmed immediately after graduation until joining the United States...

Julia Kay Flowers passed away in Laredo, Texas on November 22, 2019, at the age of seventy-three. Julia was born on March 22. 1946 in Fort Worth, Texas to James and Dorothy Strickland. Julia met Gail Flowers in Liberal, Kansas in 1962. The first time she saw him she said, “I’m going to marry that man.” They were married on July 11, 1963 in Liberal, Kansas and were happily married for fifty-six years and eight months. Julia and Gail had two children Julie Anne Flowers...

Judy Ann Valentin (Simmons), 68, of Lenapah, Oklahoma, passed away at her home on Sunday, November 17, 2019. Judy was born on January 6, 1951 in Independence, Kansas to John W. and Elnora B. (Thompson) Simmons. She graduated from Independence High School in 1969. Judy then married Angel Valentin in Independence on October 5, 1970. Through this union they welcomed 2 children, Leslie and Christy. Judy was employed at ACC for 16 years, Emerson Electric for 6 years and Amazon for 5 years. Judy...

Longtime Liberty, Kansas resident, Eva Faye Ross passed away at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. Eva Faye Ross was born on October 19, 1942 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to James C. and Opal M. (Pinkston) Ross. Eva attended rural schools in Elk City, Kansas and rural Labette County. In 1967 Eva moved to Liberty, Kansas where she made her home for the past 52 years. During her parents later years, Eva helped care for them and take care of the everyday activities of...

Pauline Daisy Vestal age 87 of Independence passed away on November 9, 2019 at Medicalodges. Pauline was born on December 3, 1931 in Elk City to Charles Wallace and Vesta (Wheeler) Simmons. She attended country schools and graduated from Elk City High School. After high school she was untied in marriage to Nathan D. Vestal Jr on August 1, 1951. The couple made their home south of Longton for 16 years before calling Independence home. Pauline took pride in caring for the home, making sure...

Lorna K Beam age 73 of Independence passed away on November 8, 2019 at St Johns Medical Center. Lorna was born on February 22, 1946 in Fredonia to Loren and Verna (Myers) Smith. The family made their home in Burlington where Lorna attended grammar school and graduated from Burlington High School. After high school Lorna married longtime friend and the love of her life Danny Beam, the couple had met when she was five when they moved next door in Burlington. The couple was blessed with a son...

Jeannie Darlene Lucas, age 56, passed on the evening of November 3, 2019. She was a long time Independence, KS resident. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Potts Chapel at 1:00pm. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 6th, 12:00-7:00pm, family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00pm. Jeannie was born on May 1, 1963 to Junior “Tody” Ray Clay and Mary Nell Bennett in Talihina, OK. Jeannie moved to Kansas in 1979 with her family. She attended Independence...

Claire Yvonne (Tucker) Paniagua, 89, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming passed away on October 16, 2019 at 5:39 a.m.   Claire was born January 29, 1930 in St. Louis, Oklahoma, daughter of Carl H. and Lula M. (Daniels) Tucker, Sr.   Claire was a loving mother and worked at many various jobs throughout her life.  Her many interests included gardening and fishing.  She and her previous husband, Delbert Dean Romig, had four children.  She later married Mariano Garcia Paniagua...

Ronald Stephen Mills, 66, of Elk City passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019. A Celebration of Life Service will be Monday, October 21, 2019 at 11:00am at Potts Chapel in Independence, KS. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00am before the service. Ronald S. Mills was born January 10, 1953 in Independence, KS. He was the son of John and Helen Margaret (Magee) Mills. He was raised in Independence and graduated from Independence High School in 1971.  Ronald worked at Woods Lumber, a...