Obituaries

Apr 23, 2023

William Steve "Bill" Ferguson, age 83, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023, at his home in Independence, Kansas, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on September 13, 1939, in Drumright, Oklahoma, to Reid and Sarah Ferguson. Bill was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.

Bill is survived by his loving wife,...

Apr 23, 2023

Jesse Mendoza Ortiz, 86, of Independence, Kansas passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Potts Chapel. Parish rosary will be 9:30 am on Friday, May 5th at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Independence, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am.

A life-long Independence...

Apr 21, 2023

Julie Brown, of Oswego, Kansas, left this world on April 21,2023.

Julie was a strong minded woman who could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Julie was born July 8, 1972 to Marilyn and Larry Brown.

She enjoyed arts and crafts as well as cooking, baking, and canning for her loved ones. On her...

Apr 9, 2023

Gary L. Fisher, age 73, of Independence passed away April 9, 2023, peacefully at his home. Cremation is taking place under the direction of Potts Chapel and no services are planned at this time.

Gary was born May 20, 1949, in Larned, Kansas to Vern and Myrtle Fisher. On August 12, 1969, in Kansas City, Missouri, Gary...

Apr 5, 2023

On April 5, 2023, Danny Carroll, age 80, left his family and friends for a better life.  A door on a windy day and a cup of sweet ice tea all conspired against him.

Danny was born in Independence where he spent most of his life.  He joined the Army in 1960 at the age of 17,...

Mar 27, 2023

James H. Hare, formally of Independence, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 27th, 2023 in Joplin, Missouri. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 1st, 2023, at 11:00am at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. The family will be greeting friends and family at visitation, held before the service from 9:30-10:45am at Potts Chapel....

Mar 19, 2023

Helen I. Mishler, age 94 of Independence, passed away March 19, 2023.

Helen was born September 17, 1928 in Fredonia, Kansas to Leland and Harriet Kingsbury.

She attended Merino School in Fredonia through the 8th grade. She later attended Independence Community College from 1960-1963.

She worked for the Ike Graves reality from 1963-1964...

Mar 17, 2023

Larry Lee Hart, 67, went to join his Lord Jesus on March 17th, 2023.  He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dana (Shepard) Hart; one daughter, Rosa Lee and husband Angel Gonzalez, one son, Levi Hart, and grandson Otto Hart, all of Independence; two sisters, Judy Hart Wheeler, of Girard, KS and Rita, and husband Jim Cloke,...

Mar 14, 2023

Minnie (Granny) Sumner, 93, of Independence passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Independence. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 20, 2023 at Potts Chapel with the family receiving visitors from...

Mar 10, 2023

Peggy A. Medsker

May 2, 1949 – March 10, 2023

Beloved wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma

Peggy A. Medsker, 73 of Independence, Kansas passed away at her home surrounded by friends and family on March 10, 2023. Cremation has taken place with Potts Chapel. A Celebration of Peggy’s life will be held at a later date.

Peggy was born...

Mar 8, 2023

Judith (Judy) D. Graham, 85, of Independence, KS, passed away at her home at Eagle Estates on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Judy was born on October 22, 1937, in Parsons, KS, to J.H. (Jack) and Maude (Lewis) Barnes. Judy attended school in Parsons, KS, until moving to Independence in 1954. She graduated from Independence High School in 1955. Judy...

Mar 3, 2023

Evelyn Ruth (Jabben) Clover, 80, of Sycamore, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 at Glenn Carr Memory Care, Derby, Kansas. Evelyn was born January 19, 1943 in Independence, Kansas the daughter of Carl and Theda (Hendrichs) Jabben, the eleventh child of thirteen children.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 10:30 am at the...

Feb 7, 2023

John William Welch, 86, of Independence, KS passed through Heaven’s gates on February 7, 2023, cared for in his final days by his family. John was born in Chattanooga TN on December 29, 1936 to Herman E, Welch, Sr. and Hattie McNabb Welch. He spent his childhood and youth in a little bungalow on Tremont St, making wonderful memories...

Jan 31, 2023

Geraldine E. Long, formerly of Cherryvale passed away January 31, 2023, in Overbrook Kansas. Geraldine was born October 3, 1926 to Obediah and Sarah Cole in Cherryvale. She attended school in Cherryvale graduating High School in 1944. Geraldine attended Pittsburg State University earning her degree in education. On February 16, 1946 she married the love of her life, Harry Long....

Jan 27, 2023

Kenneth Gregory Campbell 68, of Independence Kansas passed away on January 27th, 2023. He was born to his parents Gerald and Betty Campbell on Aug. 5th, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the third oldest of six children. Kenny was loved by many and lived a very full life. Some of his favorite activities included: riding motorcycles, pool tournaments,...

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...