AUGUST 6, 1943 - FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Viola Jean Wood (Poe)

DECEMBER 22, 1934 - FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Faye Henry

December 22, 1934 – February 9, 2024

Faye Henry, 89, passed away on February 9, 2024 at Nancy’s Place at Aldersgate
Village, in Topeka, Kansas.
Faye was born December 22, 1934 in Lasita, Kansas, to Verona and Herb Gustafson.
She graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1952. After graduation she moved to
Topeka, where she met and then married Kenny Henry, on June 17, 1956 in Blue
Rapids. After they were married they moved to Auburn, Kansas, where she lived for the
next 65 years until July 2022, when she moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka.
Faye enjoyed camping, traveling, gardening, canning, attending kids sporting events,
doing puzzles, watching and feeding birds, and sewing. She embroidered and
crocheted many quilts. Her favorite thing to talk about were the places she had traveled
with her husband and friends. Many weekends were spent camping with those same
friends. Faye worked several jobs over her lifetime, but most years were spent at home
taking care of her family. After retirement, she spent 23 winters in Harlingen, Texas, as
a Snowbird, where she met and enjoyed many new friends.
Faye is survived by two daughters, Darla (Mike) Lewis, Topeka, Kansas, and Tricia
(Ron) Pletcher, Mape Hill, Kansas. Eight Grandchildren, Renae Willard, Travis (Jaime)
Henry, Cory Henry, Kristi (Drew) Kemp, Traci (Eddie) Peterson, Laci (Ryan) Fike,
Kelsey (Scott) Rinehart, and Kyle Lewis. Sixteen Great-Grandchildren, Cade, Gabe,
Kinlee, Jarah, Jett, Jerzi, Leah, Jace, Kanon, Tristin, Bronx, Dexton, Cambri, Collins,
Navy and Mav. Also survived by her dear friends, and new caretakers of her beloved
dog Lucie, Geary & Candi Beeson, Chrisann and several nieces and nephews and their
families.
Faye was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Henry; a son, Marvin Henry; and a
brother, Charles Gustafson.
Family will have a graveside service at the Auburn Cemetery at a later date.
Special thank you to Aldersgate Village nurses and staff, Interim Hospice Healthcare,
and Angels Above Cremation Services.

JULY 04, 1969 - FEBRUARY 03, 2024

Lant Scott Blazek
07/04/1969 – 02/03/2024

Lant sadly passed away on February 3, 2024, after a long battle with heart disease. He was a
sassy character who loved getting breakfast every morning with his friends and cooking dinner
with his family. He loved country music and his rescue dog, Trudy.
Lant was born and raised in Dodge City where he met and married Anna (Liberty) Crabtree on
8/12/1989. They later divorced. Lant is survived by his three adult children: Miranda Blazek of
Emporia, Joshua Blazek of Iola, and Trenton Blazek, of Emporia. He is also survived by his
sister Teresa Blazek and lifelong friend Kirk Bain, both of Iola.
Lant was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Paul and Carol Jean Blazek, his brother Tracy
Blazek, and nephew Tavon Blazek.
As per the family’s request, no service will be held.
To honor Lant’s memory, we will be holding a Celebration of Life on July 4 th , 2024 in Emporia,
KS on what would have been his 55 th birthday. Friends and family are welcome to reach out to
Miranda Blazek for details. Please bring any pictures you have of Lant and plan to share lots of
love.

OCTOBER 11, 1953 - JANUARY 3, 2024

OLIVER XENTHO HATTON

Oliver Xentho Hatton (Butchie aka X) was born October 11, 1953, at Chester County Hospital, West Chester, P ennsylvania. He was the son of the late Elmira Mary Hatton Reason of Philadelphia, PA. Oliver lived and was raised by his grandparents, the late Oliver and Ada Hatton of Berwyn, PA.  He attended Hillside Elementary School, Howellville, Pennsylvania and graduated from Conestoga Sr High School of Berwyn, PA. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1972 with a Honorable Discharge from Baumholder, Germany.  He attended Colorado and Kansas State Universities. At a young age he attended Mount Zion AME Church, Devon and Highway Mission (Sister Jackson’s) Howellville, Pennsylvania.

Oliver X. Hatton celebrated his new life Jan 3, 2024 at 7:15pm at his home in Milford, Kansas. He leaves behind to cherish fond memories, his daughter, Clare O Nderagakura; granddaughter Olvia Auroa Dietz, grandson Soren Immanuel Nderagakura Granger of Lawrence, Kansas; 7 sisters Mari Hatton-Haynes, Bertha Graham, Ada Dominguez, Iris  Pina, Fayetta Acosta, Lamira Hurt and Anna Maria Figueroa; son-in-law Desmond C Granger; 3 brother-in-laws, James Graham, Walter Pina, Pablo Acosta and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.  He was predeceased by his brothers Louis E Hatton and Henry S Hurt.

Oliver worked with his brother’s business Hatton’s Rubbish Removal. Butchie then started his massage business, Healing Hands which he loved doing. Upon relocating to Kansas his passion for playing and coaching rugby took off. Played with The Grey Wolves, a minority rugby club that travels the country promoting rugby as an alternative to drugs and gangs, Kansas State Rugby and Junction City local Teams. Oliver organized the first Olathe Rugby Youth Football Team. This is where his nicknames ``X, X-Man and Coach" came from. He loved talking and teaching young children and helping those in need.

His hobbies ranged from landscaping, fishing and cooking. Enjoyed listening to country and western, jazz and R&B oldies and watching any Kansas sports. He loved his nieces and nephews. However, nothing trumped his true love, his grandchildren. A memorial service will be held February 10, 2024 at 10 a.m.

Mount Zion AME Church

380 N Fairfield Road

Devon, Pennsylvania

LARRY MOGGE AGE 71, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF TOPEKA, KS PASSED AWAY

JANUARY 30, 2024. LARRY WAS BORN SEPTEMBER 17, 1952 IN TOPEKA, KANSAS. HE WAS PRECEEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS, LAWRENCE & OLGA MOGGE.

LARRY IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, RITA, STEPSON, ROD STEWART AND WIFE DEANNE, AND FOUR GRANDCHILDREN, BRANDON, ALEX, ALYSSA & JORDAN.

LARRY ATTENDED TOPEKA SCHOOLS, GRADUATED FROM TOPEKA HIGH IN 1970, GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL WITH A JURIS DOCTORATE DEGREE IN MAY 1978. SPENT FIVE YEARS AS A LAWYER AND WORKED FOR THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

LARRY WORKED SUMMERS AT GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER TO PAY FOR HIS EDUCATION AND HAD NOT INCURRED ANY STUDENT DEBT BY THE TIME HE HAD GRADUATED. HE WORKED FOR GOODYEAR FOR 28 YEARS AND RETIRED IN OCTOBER 2013.

LARRY WAS A GREAT ADMIRER OF THE WORLD WAR II GENERATION AND THUS ACQUIRED A UNIQUE MILITARY VEHICLE COLLECTION. HE BELIEVED IN PRESERVING THIS COLLECTION, “LEST WE FORGET”. HE WAS FEATURED IN THE CAPITAL JOURNAL AND LOCAL NEWS STATIONS FOR HIS COLLECTION. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY VEHICLE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION FOR MANY YEARS. HE ALSO WAS AN AVID FAN OF STEAM RAILROADING.

LARRY & RITA DID EXTENSIVE TRAVELING IN THE UNITED STATES VIA AMTRAK & CAR TRIPS. ATTENDED THE 50TH & 55TH D-DAY ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES IN EUROPE.

THE FAMILY WISHES TO THANK THE STAFF AT OAKLEY PLACE SENIOR LIVING FACILITY FOR THE LOVING CARE LARRY RECEIVED THERE DURING HIS STAY.

CREMATION ARRANGEMENTS BY ANGELS ABOVE. A MEMORIAL PARTY WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND TRANSITION.

September 23, 1948 - January 15, 2024

Cheryl A. Denny, 75, of Topeka, KS passed away on January 15, 2024. She was born to Dwayne and Evelyn Denny on September 23, 1948. She grew up in Burlingame, KS and graduated high school in 1967.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Stacy Wessel, shortly after birth. Survivors include her sons, Cory Ashton and Christopher Ashton of Topeka, Jesse Wessel of Burlingame, daughter, Kim Smerchek (Dennis) of Topeka, and granddaughters Amanda Vanschaick of Dallas, Carly Smerchek and Tayler Wessel of Topeka, and Lakyn Wessel of Osage City.

Honoring Cheryl’s wishes, cremation is planned with a private burial at a later date.

May 06, 1955 - December 30, 2023

Rhonda Elaine Reed (Johnson), 68, passed away at Midland Hospice House on December 30, 2023 with her children by her side. Rhonda was born into this life May 6th, 1955 in Concordia, KS to (Albin) Renold Johnson and Gladys Lucille Johnson (Aspergren). Rhonda was one of five children. She is survived by her siblings, Verlene Watson (Richard) of Hardy, NE, Alma Dean Johnson of Salina, KS and John Johnson of Courtland, KS. She is reunited with her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Shirley Dahl (Norman) and her niece, Vonda Hahne, as well as her favorite uncles and aunts, and cousins, in heaven. 

Rhonda was proud of her Lutheran upbringing and was baptized at Ada Lutheran Church in Kackley, KS. She also attended Kackley grade school and graduated from Courtland Hight School. Rhonda married Price Clifford Jones and to this union Dane Dominic Reed (Jones) was born. Married Michael Ellsworth Reed and to this union Janine Claire Heincker (Reed), Davin Thomas Reed and Marisa Anne Reed were born. Her stillborn son, Aaron welcomes her to heaven. 

She is survived and missed greatly by her family. Her housemates feel the hole in their hearts deeply. Carl Heincker and Janine Heincker (Reed) miss making her meals and receiving her wise words and laughs- what a blessing it was to serve each other. Their children, Bailee, Blair, Bella, Blaise, Eden, Brené, and Basil of Topeka, Kansas will miss hearing her songs, smelling her coffee, checking in throughout the day and wowing her with homeschool creations and yummy meals. Her daughter, Marisa Reed of Wichita, KS will miss her encouragement to be creative. Her granddaughter, Ruca Dirks (Reed) of Texas will miss their phone chats and cards back and forth. Her son Dane Reed of Colorado will miss their phone chats and cherished the times they were able to visit in person. Her son Davin Reed and girlfriend Jackie of El Dorado miss sharing chocolate and pet stories with each other. Her furry best friend, Rafael, is missing his napping buddy and he’s currently keeping sleeping kids warm and staying busy in “Grandma’s basement” with the Heincker family. 

Rhonda was a farm girl to the end and had a life-long love for nature and art. She enjoyed spending time in nature, whether it was fishing at the lake or enjoying the breeze off her patio with her favorite flowers, especially amaryllis and perennial daylilies. She soaked up life and her art pieces in many mediums reflecting her eye for God’s beautiful creation. Upon retirement as Activity Director at the nursing home, she cherished having time to paint acrylic art work and enjoyed gifting them to family. 

Her children and grandchildren had special time with her over the last year of her life in Janine’s home. She was often found having a phone chat with her siblings. Eating fried chicken, mashed potatoes and dessert, were a weekly treat that reminded her of her cherished family gatherings throughout her life. She loved working on her family story books and daily puzzles, alongside her grandchildren as they played and talked her ear off. Her chronic illness brought her to the hospital, back to the Heincker home, and finally to the Midland Hospice house where she passed away on December 30, 2023 at 5:55pm with her children by her side. Her last wishes were that her family and friends remember her fondly and share stories and laughs about her beautiful life. Her family is forever grateful to Midland Hospice and memorials may be sent there in her honor. 

Rhonda kept to herself and her family, and thus her final wishes were to be cremated and brought to her final resting place at the Ada Lutheran cemetery, Kackley, KS. Her family plans to have a private celebration of her life and graveside service in the Spring. Contact her daughter, Janine Heincker, for details.

March 21, 1946 - January 03, 2024

William H. Stevens, 77 of Alma, Kansas formerly of Independence, MO passed away peacefully in his home on January 3, 2024.  Bill was born in Hannibal, MO where he was raised with his sisters Penny, Susie, Perky and brother Vernon.  He attended public schools and spent many summers swimming in the Mississippi River, which is where he became a fantastic swimmer.  After school, he joined the workforce and spent his career working for Avon Distribution, Commerce Bank and The Waldinger Corporation, retiring in 2012.  In 1988 he met and married Linda Keys Doak.  They enjoyed 35 wonderful years together and spent most of their time attending events for their children and grandchildren and loved spending time in antique stores and with family.   Bill, or PaPa Bill, will be remembered as a man always available and ready to help anyone in need.  He was a great mentor with a listening ear, a calm demeaner and a smile to make everything better.  He was no stranger to hard work, always working odd jobs as a young man before entering the workforce and never being without a job.  One of his most enjoyable jobs was driving a water truck in Colorado delivering water from the base of a mountain to the top.       

Bill was preceded in death by his only son, James in 2008.  Also preceding him in death are his mother, Margaret, sister Elizabeth Penny Clark and brother Vernon Salisbury.  Survivors include his wife Linda of the home, daughter Jennifer Frank (Jeff), sisters LaVerne Eversmeyer and Susie (Mike) Roberts.  Grandchildren Tayler, Kateara, Shelby, Ileigha, Stephen, Alloura, Jackson, Zachary and Cole.  Great-grandchildren Brittney, Karter and Kamden.  Father and Mother-in-law Harvey and Betty West.  Several brothers and sisters in law, cousins and nieces and nephews.   

Private services will be held at a later date.  The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to St. Croix Hospice.