Obituaries

Aug 6, 2023

Charles Allen "Chuck" Winchell, 68, of Balko, OK passed away on Sunday August 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born on November 14, 1954 to George and Martha (Dobson) Winchell in Liberal, KS.

Chuck was a graduate of Liberal High School; class of 1972. Chuck was a lifelong Truck...

Aug 4, 2023

Diana Sue Cross, 58, of Turpin, OK passed away on Friday August 4, 2023 at the BSA Hospital in Amarillo, TX. She was born on October 8, 1964 to Arthur and Linda (Copelin) Keeter at Coldwater City, MI.

Diana was the TEMU Queen, she enjoyed drawing, sewing, and embroidering. She loved horror movies, and collecting "Hobbies", but...

Jul 14, 2023

Dakota James Hollis, 30, of Liberal, passed away on Friday July 14, 2023 at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, TX.

He was born on January 22, 1993 to John and Denise (Roybal) Hollis at Liberal, KS.

Dakota worked as a mechanic for over five years at National Carriers. He also worked with Dillon and Peanut...

Jul 5, 2023

Aldan David Decker, 5 months old, of Tyrone, OK passed away on Wednesday July 5, 2023 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas. He was born on January 31, 2023 to Samuel and Emily (Banning) Decker at Liberal, KS.

Aldan was a happy and loving baby boy. He loved to dance with his Daddy, getting attention from...

Jun 30, 2023

Donald Lee Smith, 83, of Liberal, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 at his home in Liberal, KS. He was born on December 26, 1939 to Marrion and Mary Frances (Gerard) Smith in Syracuse, KS. On July 19, 1969 he married Frances "Fran" Linenberger at Garden City, KS. Don owned and operated Smith Organ Service and worked as...

Jun 30, 2023

Dr. Jess Willard Koons, 95, of Liberal passed away on Friday, June, 2023 at his home.

Jess was born at home two miles northwest of Sedan, Kansas December 29, 1927. His parents were Arthur and Laura Bell Henson Koons. He graduated from Sedan High School in 1946. He then served in the Army of the Occupation in...

Jun 19, 2023

Lucia "Lucy" C. Ruiz, 72, of Liberal, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal She was born on March 2, 1951 to Aristeo Cardenas and Monica Zubia at Rosales, Chihuahua, Mexico Lucy had worked as a Custodian for USD480 from 2006 to 2018 before retiring. Lucy loved to sing and play her guitar;...

Jun 5, 2023

Tony Alexander Washington, 54, of Columbia, MO formerly of Liberal, KS passed away on Monday June 5, 2023 at his home in Columbia, MO. He was born on January 16, 1969 to Willie and Berlinda (Ricks) Washington at Liberal, KS.

Tony graduated from high school in Las Vegas Nevada.  After high school he enlisted into the US...

Jun 5, 2023

Al-Jalon Xavier Hill, 46, of Liberal, passed away on Monday June 5, 2023 at his home. He was born on April 13, 1977 to John Robert Hill Sr and Glory Callaway at Liberal, Kansas.

Al-Jalon enjoyed cooking, working on cars, fishing, spending time with family and friends. Al-Jalon is survived by his loving mother Glory Ross and...

Jun 4, 2023

Norman J. Brungardt, 86, of Liberal, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas. He was born on May 19, 1937 to Isidore V. and Mary (Braun) Brungardt at Gorham, KS.

On August 15, 1959 he married Sharon Kay Conner at Russell, KS; she preceded him in death on May 17,...

Jun 1, 2023

Karen K Swank, 71, of Liberal passed away at her home on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

She was born on June 11, 1952 in Wichita, KS to Leona and Blaine Stockton. Her father, Blaine owned the Kurby business on Main Street for many years.

Karen, the youngest of three children, grew up in Liberal Kansas...

May 29, 2023

Liz Marie (Padilla) Valles, age 47, of Tyrone, Oklahoma died Monday, May 29th, 2023 at Star Médica in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

She was born February 23rd, 1976 in Ulysses, Kansas to Deborah Padilla and Guadalupe Pando.

Liz grew up in Ulysses, KS and married husband Jesus Manuel Valles on April 11th, 2000...

May 24, 2023

Jesus Amelia Ruiz, 60, of Liberal, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 21, 1962 to Efren and Evangelina (Sauceda) Yanez at Sinoloa, Mexico.

On August 2, 2015 she married Francisco Ruiz in Liberal, KS.

She worked for 15 years at National...

May 18, 2023

Marion "Jim" Crosier, born on November 21, 1944, in Canadian, Texas, to Robert Bryan and Anna Mae (Powell) Crosier, peacefully passed away on May 18, 2023, in Kansas City, KS. Jim's life was filled with diverse experiences and an unwavering dedication to his family.

Jim began his journey by graduating from Canadian High School in Texas. Throughout...

May 7, 2023

Nadine C Christian, 86, died Sunday, May 7, 2023 in Denver, CO

She was born August 8, 1936 in Liberal, KS to Lamie & Mildred (Hockman) Caffee.

Nadine attended school in Liberal.  She worked for the USDA in Sublette, KS for 26 years. Nadine moved to the Denver area in 1984.

She is...

May 6, 2023

Tammy Renee Liby-Greer, 52, of Sharon Springs, KS passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS. She was born on May 3, 1971 to John and Patricia (Fehrenbach) Greer at Garden City, KS.

Tammy was a graduate of Liberal High School; class of 1989. She enjoyed traveling to see her...

May 6, 2023

Wesley Allen  Payton, 35, of Turpin, passed away on Saturday May 6, 2023 in Liberal, KS. He was born on October 13, 1987 to Allen and Marion (Land) Payton in Tucumcari, NM.

On February 1, 2014 he married Cara Hendrickson in Tucumcari, NM.

Wesley was a graduate of Tucumcari High School; class of 2004. He...

Apr 26, 2023

Larry Lee Smith age 71, formally of Liberal, KS, passed away on April 26, 2023 in Sacramento, CA. Larry was born November 20, 1951 to James Sloan and Lola Smith in Liberal, KS.

Larry attended school in Liberal, KS, until joining the Job Corps. Throughout his life, Larry was a hard worker and dedicated family man. He...

Apr 20, 2023

LeRoy Allen Vader, 52, of Liberal, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas. He was born on November 23, 1970 to Doug Titus and Effie (Hassler) Vader at Red Cloud, NE.

As a child LeRoy loved Evil Knievel, which began his lifelong love of motorcycles. LeRoy had many...

Apr 15, 2023

Gwendolena "Gwen" Fisher, 97, passed away on Saturday. April 15, 2023 at her home near Liberal, KS. She was born on November 1, 1925 to Montie and Fannie (Flanagan) Gourley at Lycan, CO.

On September 16, 1955 she married Donald John Fisher in Springfield, CO; he preceded her in death on December 4, 1993.

Gwen...