Ernestina “Tina” Chavez, age 54, of Hugoton, Kansas, died Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Baptist St. Anthony Hospital in Amarillo, Texas. She was born April 6, 1968, in Valle Verde, Qrt, Mexico, the daughter of Filimon and Daria (Orozco) Marquez.  Ernestina grew up in Mexico and married Silvino Chavez on January 16, 1988. They moved to Hugoton in 1988. She worked at McDonald’s for 8 yea...

Cipriano Ortiz Soto, age 71, died Monday, March 13, 2023, at his residence in Turpin, Oklahoma. He was born on October 26, 1951, in Chihuahua, Mexico the son of Rito Ortiz Chavez and Juana Soto Chavez. Cipriano was united in marriage to Tina Romero on March 8, 1983, in Perryton, Texas. He was the father of four sons, Balente, Juan, Agustine, and Nicolas, and one daughter, Maria. He...

Earl Branstetter, 91, of Liberal, KS passed from this life Sunday evening March 12, 2023 at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, KS. The son of Roy and Eva (Austin) Branstetter, he was born January 9, 1932 in Stone County, Missouri. As a young boy the family moved to southwest Kansas where he attended Rolla schools. On October 3, 1954 Earl married the love of his life, Frances Davis of Greensburg, K...

Demetria "Dee Dee" Ward, 51, formerly of Liberal, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023 at her home in Wichita, KS. She was born on June 10, 1971 to Nelson Ward Jr. and Gloria Witherspoon in Liberal, KS. Dee Dee was a graduate of Liberal High School: class of 1990. She also attended classes at Seward County Community College. She enjoyed comedy, detailing her 07' Dodge Charger, and loved t...

Sharon Kay Johns, age 76, died February 25, 2023, on her own terms at Wheatridge Park Care Center in Liberal, Kansas. She was born on September 11, 1946 to Leonard and Mary Rist in Dodge City, Kansas. She claimed the distinction of a “World War II baby”. Sharon was one of five children. She married at a young age to Gary Snodgrass. Together they raised five children, Joey, David, Tammy, Lin...

John Wayne Priest, age 85, of Oklahoma City, OK and lifelong resident of Elkhart, KS passed away peacefully Sunday, March 5, 2023 at his apartment in The Vitality Living Village. He was born March 29, 1937 in Wilburton, KS, the son of Edgar Woodrow and Agnes Louise (Kemp) Priest. John Wayne or better known as JW, Dub, or the Duke spent most of his life in Elkhart, but also spent time during WWII...

Tammey Franz, 41, of Salina Kansas passed away Wednesday January 4th, 2023 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS. She was born on March 10th, 1981 to Mary (Kathy) Bohannan and Steven Franz at Beaver County Memorial Hospital in Beaver, OK. When Tammey was young she lived in Turpin, OK and went to school. She moved to Gorham, KS where she met Daren Kingsbury and graduated at Wilson...

Howard E. (Bud) Doerflinger, Jr., passed away Saturday evening, March 4, 2023, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas. He was born December 27, 1941, at El Dorado, Kansas, the son of Howard E. and Helen (Susie) (Smith) Doerflinger. As a young boy, he attended school in Wichita, graduating from Wichita West High School. He later attended Butler County Community College. In 197...

Betty Rummans, 82, of Liberal, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Kansas Heart Center in Wichita, KS. She was born on August 6, 1940 to Rebecca Hart and FL "Little Buddy" Ricks at Pickens, AR. Betty moved to Liberal at a young age. She finished school and went on to help take care of the elderly. Later Betty worked as a CNA at Wheatridge for 22 years; retiring in 2018. She lo...

Mark Edward Hale, 46, died Monday February 27, 2023 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born August 28, 1976 in Garden City, the son of Henry and LaVonne (Hammer) Hale; they survive. Mark spent his entire childhood in Satanta, Kansas, graduating from Satanta schools. He was active on their football and basketball teams. Mark especially loved woodworking in his high school s...