JANUARY 09, 1932 - SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Lelia Gail Habiger of Topeka, KS, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 18, 2025. She was born Jan, 9, 1932, and grew up on a farm outside of Pomona, KS. Lelia married John Habiger on July 9, 1951 . They started dating in 6th grade and continued dating through high school. John was a bus driver and Lelia was his first pick up and last drop off. (Hmm) John enlisted in the Air Force and when Lelia graduated, he came home on leave, they got married and he took her back to Great Falls, Montana, where he finished his enlistment in the Korean War. Lelia lost the love of her life in 2015. She was also preceded by death by her parents, John & Elizabeth; a brother, Glen; and two sisters, Iris & Valera. Survivors include one son, Rendy Habiger (Sherry); one daughter, Denna Murray (Frank Deceased); four grandkids; 13 great grandkids and many nephews & nieces.

Lelia loved her family and her Sunday outings for ice cream. She was also an avid KU & Chiefs fan, Graveside Services will be at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS

JULY 15, 1950 - AUGUST 09, 2025

Sharon Catherine (née Mraz) Matayka, 75, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on August 9, 2025. She was born on July 15, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. She was one of five children, along with her siblings, Rita, John, Barbara, and Bob.

She met her husband, Joe Matayka, and they were married. They welcomed their son, Kevin, on February 7, 1984, and their daughter, Meghan Matayka (later Dillman), on December 12, 1986. In 1996, Sharon and her family moved to Topeka. Joe passed away in 2010 at the age of 72.

Sharon is survived by her son, Kevin Matayka, who lives in Topeka, and her daughter, Meghan Dillman, and son-in-law, Alex Dillman. Her two grandchildren, Isabella, 13, and Avery, 10, live in Hampton, Virginia. Her siblings and many close friends will also miss her. Sharon will be reunited with her beloved husband, Joe, her parents, Paul and Margaret, and her beloved pets.

A true animal lover, Sharon adored her cats. She was known for her quick wit, kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. Her family will always remember her over the top disdain for Donald Trump. She was a proud registered Democrat.

She loved hosting her friends and was a fierce competitor at the Bunco table, known for her boisterous laughter and fun-loving spirit. She was an avid reader and a lover of literature since childhood.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Beacon in Topeka, Kansas, on October 3, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. Central Time. For more information about the venue, you can visit The Beacon’s Founders Room website: https://www.beacontopeka.com/founders-room.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the local animal shelter: https://www.hhhstopeka.org/make-a-donation/. 

MARCH 5, 1970 - SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Dawn M. Jones, of Holton, passed away on Friday September 19, 2025.

Dawn was born on March 5, 1970, in Lemoore, California. She was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her three children, Amanda Campbell, Dalton Jones, and Devon Jones, four grandchildren, mother, and six siblings. 

Private family services are being held. 

MARCH 5, 1970 - SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Dawn M. Jones, of Holton, passed away on Friday September 19, 2025.

Dawn was born on March 5, 1970, in Lemoore, California. She was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her three children, Amanda Campbell, Dalton Jones, and Devon Jones, four grandchildren, mother, and six siblings. 

Private family services are being held. 

JANUARY 10, 1953 - SEPTEMBER 07, 2025

William Andrew “Bill” Walker, 72, of Lyndon passed away September 7, 2025 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.  He was born in Emporia, Kansas on January 10, 1953 to Clarence Andrew and Margaret Lorraine (Finney) Walker.  Bill graduated from Emporia Senior High and studied at Flint Hills Technical College where he achieved certification as a CNC Machinist and worked as a machinist until his retirement from VekTek. He worked at Hopkins Manufacturing for many years where he worked on a new and improved ice scraper. That year, every member of his family received the ice scraper (except for the Arizona crew)!

He was a beautiful baby with flaming red hair and dark blue eyes. Later, when he started Little League he went to the first practice with his ball cap pulled down over his head to try to hide his red hair. For Bill’s mother’s family Thanksgiving was the most special holiday of the year and they would get together for an extended family reunion. His cousin remembers him as ornery and funny, which are perfect adjectives to describe “Billy”. Bill loved motorcycles, the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. For many years he would travel to Oregon to fish on the Columbia River where he would catch big salmon! Bill most often had a dog by his side. Barney was quite the hound with short legs and a long, large body. His Beagles, Oscar and Amos, were faithful, often naughty, companions. Oscar preceded him in death and Amos misses him so much. 

Bill graciously accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior before his death and is now in Heaven with his parents and sister. 

His father, mother, sister Lavonne Sullivan, and brother-in-law Lee Smyres preceded him in death.

He is survived by: a sister, Virginia Smyres, Warren, OR; nieces Mindy (David) Sass, Rachel (Blake) Meyer, and Kerrie Smyres (Hart Shafer); nephew Tim (Breann) Sullivan; great-nephews Caden Sullivan and Richard Sass; great-nieces Laiklyn Sullivan, Susannah Sass, and Michelle Sass; brother-in-law Walter Sullivan and many cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at The Wild Ones Grill in Lyndon, KS from 1:00 – 3:00 in the afternoon. There will be a private inurnment at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, KS.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association in his memory either online or mailed to P.O. Box 7034, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. 

Darlene Jane Wiens 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 10, 2025 in Topeka, KS.

Darlene Siemens was born on February 02, 1933 in Hutchinson, KS, the daughter of Art F. Siemens and Minnie Warkentin Siemens.

She married Paul Wiens on May 22, 1953. Together they raised their boys Gregory Paul and Emery Fulton. Darlene and Paul enjoyed 70 years together.

During her late teen years, she cared for her mother in failing health. Her husband Paul would later say she was instrumental in his own coming to faith in Jesus.

In the home she created, her love of Jesus was evident in everything she did. She read and taught the Bible to her boys. She taught Sunday School and co-lead her church’s youth program even before her boys were of that age. She enjoyed cooking for her family, especially made from scratch cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake and rhubarb pie.

Music was a great love of Darlene. In high school, she played the saxophone. She gave up her last year as a cheerleader in Inman High School to devote herself to increased practice time to preserve her 1^st chair status. She also played the piano. Over time she accumulated a substantial collection of vinyl recordings of music.

Darlene’s creative talents were evident in her sewing, crocheting and knitting. As a child she sewed many of her own clothes. Following her creative interests, she found employment at several retail stores. In Hillsboro, KS she ran her own arts and crafts store “Needle Niche” and always had many projects going for her business and family. Later in life, she kept busy sewing doll clothes to sell at area craft boutiques. She also enjoyed puzzles and her card table was often full of puzzles in progress.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, her brother Phil Siemens and sister Melba Odneal. She is survived by her sister Joan Hutter, Gregory (Heidi) and Emery (Donna), and grandchildren Amber, Andrew (Kelsey), Aaron, Nathan (Jena) and Caleb (Kara) as well as 10 and ½ great grand children.

Celebration of Life Service will be at Lighthouse Bible Church, Sunday September 28, 2025 at 2pm

NOVEMBER 10, 1946 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2025

Diana Jean Myers (née Rissman), age 78, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, in Meriden, Kansas. Born on November 10, 1946, in Lawrence, Kansas, Diana lived a life marked by kindness, dedication, and deep love for her family and community.

Diana graduated from Lawrence High School and went on to attend Emporia State University. Her professional journey began at Douglas County Bank before she found her true calling working with children as a school secretary for USD 497. She served at both New York Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School, where she cherished the relationships she built with students and staff alike. Her warmth and compassion left a lasting impression on all who crossed her path. Diana opened the Before and After Children’s and Maternity Clothing store and enjoyed being a business owner which later in life led she and her husband to opening their own store. Later in
life, Diana and her husband Jim owned and operated Myers Retail Liquor store for over twenty years. Their partnership in business reflected the strength of their bond—a bond that remained steadfast throughout their lives together. Even after retirement, Diana continued to seek meaningful ways to connect with others. She worked as a bus monitor for First Student, once again finding joy in being around children. Diana was deeply devoted to her family.

She is survived by her beloved husband Jim, whom she adored to the very end; her daughter Amy and son-in-law Patrick; her
grandchildren—who lovingly called her Gigi; her cherished sister Linda; her nephew Christian and niece Danielle—both of whom were like children to her; and her brother- in-law Benton. Diana also held close friendships that spanned decades—Norma, Judy, Sammi, Mary Ann, Candy, Kathy, Cathi, and Sherry—friends who became chosen family over more than thirty years of shared memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Lois Rissman; her beloved sister Dorothy; and dear friends Carolyn and Bob. Diana’s passions extended beyond work and family.

She was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority and a proud Douglas County Master Gardener. Her love for animals was evident in the care she gave to dogs throughout her life—especially Abby—and she found great joy in helping raise her grandchildren. Known for her generous spirit, Diana believed deeply in giving to others—whether through a smile, a kind word, or simply being present when someone needed support.

Though dementia eventually took its toll on her memory, it never diminished the love she carried for those around her or the light she brought into their lives.

A memorial service celebrating Diana’s life will be held with family and friends in the Lawrence community. Donations in Diana’s honor can be sent to the Lawrence Humane society
or Cottonwood Inc.

May the memory of Diana Jean Myers bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.

MAY 14, 1990 – SEPTEMBER 08, 2025

Amanda (AJ) Gallion, 35 of Topeka, KS passed away Monday September 08, 2025.

She was born May 14, 1990 in Topeka, KS. She was the child of Jane A. Gallion.

AJ graduated from Topeka West 2008.

AJ enjoyed fishing, gaming, Anime and loving both dogs, Luna and Patches.

She is survived by her mother, Jane Gallion, her sister Heidi Young (Greg Young) and her two nephews Rylan and Harkin Young.

Private service at a later date.

She will be missed by all.

MARCH 19, 1959 - SEPTEMBER 05, 2025

Micheal Dean Nelson, 66, of Topeka, KS passed away Friday, September 5, 2025.

He was born March 19, 1959 in Concordia, KS. He was the child of Harold “Dean” Nelson and Mary Day.

Mike attended Seaman district schools and married Marsha Kay Moore on June 8, 1978.

He worked at Essex Wire for 22 years until the plant closed in 1999. He also worked for AAA Towing and Kansas Sand.

Mike enjoyed cars. In his earlier years, he raced cars at Topeka Raceway and Thunderhill, in Mayetta. He liked to go to car shows, and he was a member of the Topeka Classic Chevy Car Club for his 68’ GTO and 69’ Camaro. He also loved to play video games.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha; Three sons: Jason (Ashlea), Brian and Shawn Nelson; Mother, Mary Foreman-Harvey; Ten Grandchildren: Kyrah, Devin, Silas, Tryston, Tyson, Caden, Macyn, Paisley, Victoria and Jordan; Three Great Grandchildren: Lucas, Emilio and Willow; and his beloved dog, Bella.

He is proceeded in death by his infant sister, Kathy; father, Dean Nelson; and his in-laws, Billy and Donna Moore.

His memorial service will be held in North Topeka at Family of God Church, 1231 NW Eugene St. Topeka, KS 66608 on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 10:00 am.