Obituaries – Sumner NewsCow (2024)

On August 14, 2024, Ruby “Kathy” Katherine Lee, a lifelong resident of Wellington, died peacefully. Born on July 27, 1949, in Nashville, Kansas, Kathy spent her life dedicated to her family and her work. She was a respected aircraft inspector, a role she held with pride and precision. In her retirement, Kathy made spending time with her family her priority, often stating that her family was what mattered most to her.

Kathy is survived by her sons, Robert (Tabatha) Trafecanty Jr. and John Powell, her daughter, Angela Powell, and her sisters, Evelyn Craig, Fay Broyles, and Ellen Agronis. She also leaves behind her brother, Frank (Dotty) Schrimp, and her extended family, including Michael Cooper, Scott (Pam) Dailey, Tabitha UrRab, John Perez, Jack Jude, and Johnny Sullivan. Kathy’s joy for life will live on through her grandchildren, Evelyn and Charlotte Trafecanty.

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Daniel Ray White died quietly at his home with his loving wife and son, Rachel and Ashton, at his side, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Danny was born on February 20, 1972, at Denver City, Texas, to Anna M. and Ray B. White, Sr.

He attended Wellington schools, graduating from WHS in 1990.

He married Rachel Foulk on June 1, 2002, at Mayfield Federated Church.

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Marcus Leroy Thompson, 68, died on August 12 at Riverbend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Loveland, Colorado. Marcus was born in Wellington to Leslie and Eva Pearl Thompson on February 14^th, 1956.

He attended Wellington High School and then Hutchinson Community College; he met and married Denice (Goss) Thompson in 1977. Marcus worked hard to provide for his family. He worked on the Santa Fe Railroad, was an entrepreneur, and retired from the US Postal Service. Marcus was enlisted in Air National Guard in 1983 and retired a Master Sargent in 2007. Marcus took such joy in life, known for playing harmless pranks and laughing until he cried.

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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Peggy Diane Sandell, age 84, who departed peacefully on August 11, 2024.

Born December 30, 1939, to Loyal and Verna Brown in Anthony, Kans. Peggy was preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers, Ronnie and Larry, and beloved husband Jimmy. Surviving sister Janne (husband Butch) of Greenwood, Ark.

Peggy found the love of her life and married Jim R. Sandell on June 15, 1957, in Medford, Okla. and raised three children. Mike (wife Anna) and Jeff (wife Sonja) of Wellington, and Kristen (husband Stacey) of Austin, Texas, she is the grandmother to 9 grandchildren, Ryan Sandell, Aaron Sandell, Shelbe Sandell, Morgyn Sandell Cain, Garrett Sandell, Kyle Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Trey Johnson, Taran Johnson; 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

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Marjorie Oleta Short, 91, of Winfield, died Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Cumbernauld Village.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Oxford Funeral Service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cumbernauld Village Employee Education Fund, and donations may be left in the care of the Oxford Funeral Service.

Marjorie was born December 30, 1932, in Canadian, Okla. to parents Chester and Lillie (Smith) Gray. She graduated from Canadian High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central State University. Marjorie was united in marriage to the love of her life, William “Bill” Short, on August 8, 1954 in Canadian, OK. Together, the couple owned and operated W.D. Short Oil Co. for many years. Marjorie was a member of the Oxford Methodist Church. She enjoyed working, reading, and traveling to destinations worldwide, but most important to her was spending time with her family.

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Brenda Lawless died on Aug. 10, 2024. She was 76.

Brenda was born to Richard Minihan and Violet (Murphy) Minihan on February 7, 1948. On August 11, 1983, she married Glenn Ray Lawless, the love of her life. From a previous marriage to J. S. Emerson, she had three daughters, Jennifer Emerson of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, Jayme Lowe (Kevin) of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and Jessica Kreiner (Matt) of Hurst, Texas, and the girls gifted her with seven beautiful grandchildren and four beautiful great-grandchildren.

Brenda graduated from Wellington Senior High School in 1966. Brenda worked for the Wellington Daily News and eventually moved to Shidler, Okla. where she owned the Shidler Review, publishing and writing articles for the paper. She went to Kaw City and owned the Kaw City Rambler also publishing and writing. She moved on to Garrett Denture Clinic, where she worked for several years and retired.

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Todd Lowell Graves of Wellington, died on August 8, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. Todd was born the son of Thomas and Katherine (Briley) Graves on November 10th, 1960 in Wellington.

Todd spent his early years alongside his father surrounded by horses, where his passion began. Later he joined his father in training and racing horses. On November 11,1989 Todd and Kathryn Mitchell were united in Marriage in Hastings, Nebraska. Together, they celebrated 35 years of marriage. He continued his passion for horses while working at the Winfield Livestock Auction which he later retired from. His favorite pastime was team roping, and spending quality time with his family.

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Paula Garlene Carden, 73, longtime Conway Springs resident, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center of Ascension Via Christi Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita.

She was born on July 27, 1951 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of James Franklin and Roberta Shaw Carter. Garlene was raised in the Bethany, Missouri area, graduating from Bethany High School and later attended Northwest Missouri State University.

She worked for many years for the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, until she later decided to stay home full-time and raise her daughters.

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Carla Suzanne Moses, 68, of Haysville, died beside her loved ones on August 4, 2024.

Carla was born the daughter of John and Patricia Moses on February 2, 1957, in Wichita.

During her childhood years Carla spent most of her time with her many siblings, going to rodeos and working alongside her family. At a young age Carla learned to sew, a talent that she carried with her throughout her life.

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Micheal Douglas Wilson, 48, of Wichita, found peace on August 2, 2024. He was born July 17, 1976, in Wellington, to Doug Wilson and Cecilia (Chila) Burk.

Micheal graduated from Wellington High School in 1994. He had a passion for music, traveling, fishing, grilling/smoking meat and going to the lake. He loved to go on cruises and see new places. He especially loved playing and spending time with his grandkids. He was a very loving and caring man. He would drop anything he did to be there for his family or friends whenever he was called. He was a very loyal fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and would try to never miss a game, whether it be in person or watching it on TV.

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Charles Eugene Watson, 98, died on June 23, 2024, in Wichita. Born on October 11, 1925, in Sapulpa, Okla., Charles was raised by Gladys and Henry Hall, whom he considered his father. Charles, or “El Magnifico” (his self-concocted nickname), was a witty and adventurous soul who carried these qualities throughout his life. Settling in Wellington, he was a renowned attorney recognized for his sharp intellect and generous spirit.

Charles was a voracious reader and enjoyed traveling with his wife: a memorable trip to France and a short-lived hobby of sailing at Winfield Lake were among his cherished experiences.

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Gary Seyfert, born on August 6, 1946, in Clarksville, Ark., died on July 26, 2024, at his residence in Wellington. A generous and humble man, Gary spent most of his life working in the aviation overhaul industry as an Aircraft Mechanic before retirement. Known for his resilience, he was a master at repairing lawnmowers and had a soft spot for caring for the neighborhood squirrels.

His compassionate heart extended to his love for gardening, camping, fishing, and attending and working auctions. Above all, what mattered most to Gary was his family, a testament to the humility and generosity that he carried throughout his life.

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Mervin died on June 25, 2024, at age 84, in Santa Barbara, Calif. He was born in Wellington on September 7, 1939, and lived there until 1981,when he moved to Santa Barbara, Calif.

To say that Mervin was an enthusiastic sports fan would be an understatement. Mervin was a committed fan of the Wellington Crusaders and Blue Knights, attending almost every game for decades, home and away, as well as boys and girls, varsity, and JV.

Longtime fans will remember Mervin in the stands holding a radio to his ear so he could keep track of another game while watching all of Wellington’s games and matches. In addition to being a Wellington fan, Mervin was also a fan of KU, Oklahoma State, Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals (baseball) teams.

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Larry Francis Foster of Wellington died after a short illness at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the age of 81.

Larry was born on April 21, 1943, in Wellington, the son of Carl and Mildred (Schilling) Foster.

Larry was a talented and dedicated mechanic who left an indelible mark on the automotive industry and the lives of those around him. His reliable nature and generous spirit were the cornerstones of his character, which made him a pillar of strength to those who knew him.

Larry’s passions were as vast and varied as the engines he worked on. A fervent fan of drag racing and NASCAR, his heart would race with the engines and his favorite driver, Dale Jarrett. His love for racing was only surpassed by his love for his family and his dedication to helping others, and his kindness was his legacy.

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Johnna Wynell Merritt, 92, died peacefully in Wakita, Okla., on July 16, 2024, with her husband by her side.

Born August 11, 1931, to Mildred and Jimmy Johnston, Wynell was raised in Blackwell, Okla., where her father was a barber, and her mother was a FACS (Home Ec.) teacher. She loved music and was classically trained in piano. She attended Northern Oklahoma College, where she met Bob Merritt, and they married a year later, on August 30, 1950. Their marriage was for life, spanning 73 years and 11 months. The couple loved bike riding and enjoyed Cherokee Strip celebrations.

Wynell owned her piano studio in Lamont. She loved watching students advance to new levels. After raising her children, she finished her degree at Northern Oklahoma College and then graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught third grade at Caldwell Elementary but was also interested in private sector schools. She taught in Oklahoma schools that used the Montessori methodology.

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William Greg O’Neal, of Wellington, died at his home on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the age of 67.

Greg was born the son of William and Betty (Sawyer) O’Neal on October 6, 1956 in Wichita.

Greg was a man of reliable dedication and inspiring loyalty. Greg spent his years making a positive impact on those around him. He was a beacon of strength and kindness in his community, a state of being that was deeply rooted in his unwavering love for his family, his neighborhood, and his beloved Kansas Jayhawks.

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Kaylene Joy French, 44, died Thursday, July 11, 2024, at her home in Wellington. She was born on June 30, 1980 in Wellington, the daughter of Donald Gene and Gayalene Geiken French. Kaylene attended Grace Christian Academy in Wellington.

Kaylene moved to Herrington, Kansas where she lived for several years and later lived in Springfield, Missouri and Miami, Oklahoma until returning to Wellington.

Through the years she had worked as a C.N.A. in nursing homes.

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Donald Eugene McCracken, of Wellington, died at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the age of 91.

Don was born in Hazelton on January 16, 1933, the son of H. Bryan and Blanche (Freeman) McCracken.

A loyal and dedicated soul, Don, was a testament to reliability and talent. His dedication was reflected in his lifelong service as a Power Plant Superintendent, a role in which he unfailingly demonstrated his skills and commitment.

Don was a man of many passions, each reflecting a unique aspect of his personality. He had an unparalleled love for pool, shuffleboard, and country music, his feet often tapping to its rhythm as he danced his heart out. His love for the earth was evident in the time he spent in his garden.

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Gladena Jean “Dino” Nylander, of Wilsonville, Oregon, died on June 19, 2024. She was born in Wellington, Kansas on September 6, 1949. Known for her spirited personality, Dino was celebrated as a loving wife and mother, whose sassy and caring nature left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was also an avid animal lover, particularly of cats, which resonated through her support of animal welfare organizations.

Dino had a passion for gardening, which not only brought beauty to her surroundings but also joy to those who had the pleasure of experiencing her garden. Her enthusiasm for sports was evident as she was a dedicated fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks, celebrating each game with excitement and spirit.

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With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of my beloved husband, Gary J. Simpson, on July 7th, 2024. Born on February 26th, 1940 in Lansing, MI. Gary served in the Army from 1960-1963 in Germany and lost 50 pounds because he didn’t want to stand in line for food. When he got home, he joined his mother and father to help run Simpson’s Fashions, where he remained for 30 years. Following the store closing, Gary was a devoted mail handler, serving the Postal Services with pride and dedication before his well-deserved retirement.

He was a man of many interests, including a deep love for animals, a passion he displayed by caring for numerous strays that crossed his path. He loved driving, working hard, and finding sweet treats for his family, which he would procure until we pleaded for mercy. Gary loved parties, but his favorite part was always leaving early. After retirement, he found joy in the simple pleasures of life, often found sleeping in his recliner with the latest MTV music videos playing in the background.

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