Obituaries

Jan 24, 2023

Elizabeth Mildred “Bette” Dunbar, 99, an Independence native, passed away January 24th in Gunnison, Colorado.

Bette was born in Independence on March 10, 1923, to August and Mildred Baden. She grew up with siblings, Robert Baden (deceased), Sylvia Zwingelberg of Aurora, CO., and Ken Baden of Westminster, CA.

After high school and college, Bette worked...

Jan 23, 2023

Randy Walton Hudson, age 75 of Owasso, Oklahoma, passed from this life on January 23, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Randy was born in Independence, Kansas to Russell and Maxine (Overfield) Hudson on October 24, 1947.

Randy grew up in Independence, graduated from Independence High School in 1965, and attended Independence Community College.

On March 12,...

Jan 21, 2023

Lee Etta Rice Knuth

Sunrise October 19, 1924 -  Sunset January 21, 2023

Lee, 98, passed peacefully on January 21, 2023.  She was born in La Monte, Missouri to John Avery Rice, Sr. and Esther Matilda (Yost) Rice.  She graduated La Monte High School, attended Central Missouri State, and continued her education at...

Jan 20, 2023

Barbara Anna Jabben, age 90, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at Eagle Estate in Independence. Barbara was born March 26, 1932 to Amos and Luella Asmussen in Cherryvale, Kansas.

At the young age of three Barbara began music lessons, which she continued until 1950. She attended and graduated from Cherryvale schools.

On April 23,...

Jan 15, 2023

Barbara Ann (Whittaker) Coddington of Independence, Kansas passed peacefully from this world to her Heavenly home on January 15, 2023.

Barbara was born on June 20, 1934 to Claude and Anna (Downing) Whittaker in Phillipsburg, Missouri. Barbara married the love of her life, Darrell Coddington in Decatur, Alabama in 1967. Barbara enjoyed attending annual family reunions and...

Jan 9, 2023

Longtime Independence resident Teresa Louise Strecker passed into eternal life with her family by her side on Monday, January 9, 2023.

On September 8th, 1943, John and Catherine (Wolken) Paulie welcomed their daughter, Teresa, into this world in South Mound, Kansas. Teresa was a proud 1961 graduate of St. Paul high school, regularly attending reunions. On June...

Jan 8, 2023

Charlene M. Royse, 89 of Independence, Kansas passed away at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on Sunday, January 8, 2023. Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 13th at 2:00 pm at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Jan 8, 2023

Rickie Dale Hills, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8th, 2023 at the Oklahoma State University Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cremation has taken place with Potts Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 10:00am at the Harrisonville Cemetery, rural Independence.

Rickie Dale Hills was born May 18th, 1950 in Coffeyville,...

Jan 8, 2023

Kathianne Denny, 51, of Centerville Iowa, passed away Sunday (January 8, 2023) in Tyro, KS.

She was born April 7, 1971, on Blytheville Air Force Base, AR to Lloyd and Mary Beth Jones. She grew up in the Caney area where she attended school.

On July 14, 1990 she married William (Bill) Denny in Caney,...

Jan 6, 2023

Phyllis Jean (Trotter) Maugans

Phyllis was born July 7, 1930 to William and Daisy (Kettleman) Trotter.  She passed away at OSU Medical Center in Tulsa on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the age of 92. The last several years she resided with her granddaughter Lacy King (Mickey) in Independence.

Services to honor Phyllis will be...

Jan 1, 2023

Longtime Independence area resident Alfred "Lee" Fobian, 88, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Lee Fobian was born on March 9, 1934, to Alfred and Johanne Marie (Jensen) Fobian in New Hartford, Iowa. He graduated high school in 1953 from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Lee proudly served in the United States Navy for...

Dec 29, 2022

Thomas Richard Lowry, 82 of Independence, Kansas, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

Tom was born in Arkansas City, Kansas on June 29, 1940 to Thomas “Reuel” and Jessie A. Lowry. He attended grade school in Wellington until his family moved to Caney, Kansas. Tom graduated from Caney High School in 1959....

Dec 28, 2022

Charles (Charlie) Timothy Bredehoft, age 68, Of Independence, passed away December 28, 2022, peacefully at his home. Charlie was born June 15, 1954 in Independence, Kansas to Reinhold and Clara (Dittmer) Bredehoft. Charlie grew up in Independence, joining New Beginnings at the age of 10, where he made lifelong friends.

One sure way to see Charlie smile...

Dec 23, 2022

Mary Louise Adams, age 84, passed away December 23, 2022, at Medicalodges in Independence. Mary was born February 8, 1938, in Independence to Bill Johnson and Viola Prather. She married Leonard Adams Sr. and they were married for 50 years before his death. The two made their home in Blue Rapids, Kansas before moving to Montgomery County.

...

Dec 13, 2022

Everett Frances Bower, 81 of Elk City, Kansas passed away at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Everett was born in a farmhouse on July 21, 1941 in Niotaze, Kansas to Everett Paul and Mary (Dunham) Bower. He attended Atwater CA Schools and graduated in 1960. In January of 1964, Everett joined the United...

Dec 11, 2022

On December 11th at 11:00 p.m., Robert won the final battle and went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   Robert Bruce Dunham born April 10, 1963 in Independence KS to George Bruce Dunham and Leah Virginia (Payne) Dunham. He grew up in the Elk City area with his brothers, Garryl, Glynn, and Monte along with...

Dec 9, 2022

Daleen Steele passed away at her home after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease on December 9, 2022. Daleen was born November 2, 1951 in Independence to Dale and Barbara (O'Brien) Hilyard. She attended schools in Independence, graduating from both Independence High School and Independence Community College. On May 25, 1974 she married Michael Steele. She spent many years...

Dec 4, 2022

Roger P. Leeseberg, 83 years young, of Independence passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Roger was born on July 18, 1939 to Herman E. and Flora A. (Bruns) Leeseberg in Brookfield, IL.

Roger Leeseberg attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas where he met his lovely bride, Sharon. The two married on August 22,...

Nov 29, 2022

On Tuesday, November 29, 2022 William “Wild Bill” Steen lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer.

One of Bill’s final wishes was to be wed to the love of his life before he departed this world. On November 21st Bill married Jessica Davis at the Grace United Methodist Church in Independence, Kansas. Wild Bill was...

Nov 26, 2022

John “Gilbert” Watson passed away November 26, 2022 at the age of 83.

He was born in Independence, KS to Carl and Paraline Watson of rural Wayside. He is survived by one brother, Phillip (Pat) Watson of rural Havana. He was united in marriage to Lavonna R. Hannigan of Elk City, KS on January 18,1959. She preceded him in death...