Obituaries

Loren Henry Wools, Jr. of Eureka, a man who could lay carpet as flawlessly as he served his country, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at St. Francis Hospice, in Wichita, at the age of 80. Loren was born March 21, 1944, in Topeka, the son of Loren Henry and Agnes P (Crouch) Wools. His Topeka roots ran deep and he graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1962, leaving his mark on the school’s athletic scene.

WICHITA - Father Peltzer was born August 4, 1953, in Omaha, Nebraska, and died Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His family moved to Andale, when he was just a few weeks old, and then on to Wichita, where he attended Christ the King and St. Francis of Assisi schools. After graduation from Bishop Carroll High School in 1971, he attended Kansas Newman College before entering the Seminary of St. Pius X in Erlanger, Ky. After completing his theological studies at Mt. St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., he was ordained by Bishop Maloney on May 10, 1980, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Wichita.

Ethel Louise Cox, 62, of Wichita, passed away Monday, April 1, 2024 at her home surrounded by her partner and two daughters. She was born December 26, 1961, in Boca Raton, Fla. and was the daughter of Herbert “Leroy” and Mildred “Marie” (Johnston) Cox. Ethel had two daughters Misty Dawn Metcalf, 40 and Kristie Ann Metcalf, 34, with Ray Metcalf who proceeded her in death. Survivors include partner of 17 years, Kevin Marshall of the home; three sisters; daughters, Misty Metcalf and Kristie Metcalf, one stepson, Den Marshall, one stepdaughter, Abby Reed and 10 grandchildren.

March 15, 1987 - April 1, 2024

Joyce Arlene Dewell passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 31, 2024 in Winfield. She was 91 years old. Joyce was born in Bucklin, on June 28, 1932 to James Ernest (J.E.) and Mayme Melvina Birney (Frazier). She was the youngest of three children. Joyce grew up in western Kansas and graduated from Bucklin High School in 1950. During high school, she played tenor saxophone in the band, did track (hurdles and pole vaulting), and was a drum majorette. She attended Emporia State University and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Later, while she was living with her sister Wynona and brotherin- law Harold McCarty in New York, she received a marriage proposal from Hal in a letter, while he was enlisted in the Air Force and serving in England.

Fern Irene Nunn Flournoy, 85, died on December 26, 2023 in Whitewater.

Donna Rachel Kirkpatrick, formerly of Eureka, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Wichita, at the age of 43. She was born on May 24, 1980 in Wichita, the daughter of Donal Paul and Nora Toletha (Raines) Kirkpatrick. She was raised in Eureka, graduating from Eureka Junior Senior High School with the Class of 1998. On December 5, 1998, Donna was united in marriage to John Cheever in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. To this union, one daughter was born. This marriage later ended in divorce. Donna worked at Washington Elementary School in El Dorado as a Building Aid, and later she worked as a Legal Assistant for an attorney.

Deborah Ann Coe, 64 of El Dorado, Kansas, passed away March 20, 2024, in Wichita. She was born November 30, 1959, in Council Grove to Fred and Mary Ann (Carlson) Garrett. She graduated from Council Grove High School. Debbie married David Coe in 1979 and had two children, Tracy and Trenton. Debbie and David later divorced.

Imogene E. McDaniel of Eureka died on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka at the age of 101. She was born on Sept. 4, 1922, in Corwin, the daughter of Harry and Ida (George) Bonham. She graduated from Attica High School, and prior to graduation she met her future husband, Harry McDaniel. Harry was drafted into the Army during WWII. While Harry was off to war, Imogene was hired as one of the first women at Boeing as a “Rosie the Riveter” working on the B-29 plane and witnessed the first flight of this plane referred to as Doc.