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.

May 06, 1955 - December 28, 2023

Denny Tryon passed away at the age of 75 on December 28th, 2023.

He made close friends from neighbors and school in Perry and college in Emporia. His connections continued through service in the Army Reserves and with a career as a sales representative for motor carriers. He had interests during his life in hunting, golfing, boating, fishing, and classic cars that furthered his connections with people. His legacy and zest for life will live on through his stories and the memories he created with all who knew him. He continued to amuse others through his final days.

Denny is survived by Donna, his wife of 32 years, children Jeff Tryon (Jenny), Jolene Ogden, Andrew Buchholz (Betty), Alicia Wylie (Eric), son-in-law Chad Wormstadt, sister Carol Chelton (Herb), Uncle Chuck Tryon (Charlotte), 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Please gather with his family in his memory on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Reynolds Lodge (3315 SE Tinman Circle, Lake Shawnee, Topeka, KS 66605). A small service and burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, Kansas at a later date.

Because of Denny's interest in providing youth with outdoor learning, memorial contributions may be made to BSA Troop 357, 910 E. 1st Street, Tonganoxie, KS 66086.

February 20, 1971 - December 17, 2023

Serena Lynn McLaughlin was born February 20, 1971, and passed away December 17, 2023.
Serena was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and also lived in Lyndon, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas. She attended Highland Park High School for 3 years, before transferring to Topeka High, where she graduated in 1989. She worked many years in the food service industry, a short while as a DJ, and in Security, before starting a family.
Proceeded in death by her grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Serena is survived by her parents, Kathy & Lester Vest, Jim Tevis, 2 siblings Sherry (Ryan) Bizoe, Jimmie Tevis, 4 children, Michael (Jamie) Tevis, Brandon Allensworth, Maria McLaughlin, & Kristina (Hunter) Huggins, 3 grandchildren, Mason Heath, Kaden McLaughlin, & Sadie Huggins, 1 niece, Delaney Bizoe, 1 nephew, Corey Tevis, & to many aunts, uncles, & cousins to list.
Serena enjoyed music, writing, crafts, cooking, & spending time with those she loved. She will be greatly missed. Serena was 52 years old.

Services will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the Topeka Free Methodist Church, 3450 SE Indiana Ave.

Jessica Rai Henson December 05, 1980 - December 13, 2023

Baylie Raianna Henson May 08, 2013 - December 13, 2023

Jessica Rai Henson, 43, of Wamego, formerly of the Goff/Wetmore area was called to heaven with her daughter Baylie on December 13th, 2023.

Jessica was born December 5th, 1980, in Topeka, KS, to Rick and Joleen Kirk. Jessica grew up in the Goff/Wetmore area and graduated from Wetmore High School with the class of 1999. 

She was united in marriage to Del Henson in 2003 in Wetmore and later divorced. They had three children together. 

Jessica was a caregiver her whole life. She was licensed as a Certified Nurses Aid at 16 and worked at several nursing facilities, spreading her love to the elderly that she took care of. She took care of friends and family in their homes. She was also a primary caregiver for her mother while she was in hospice.

Jessica loved to have fun and enjoyed camping with her family, listening to live music, attending festivals and carnivals, and spending time with her family near and far. 

Survivors include her son Ayden, 16 of the home, father Rick (Goff), brother Sam (Goff), companion Jessie (of the home), close friend Del (Wamego), Grandmother Mary Ann (Goff), nephews Wyatt, Noah, Theodore and niece-Allyson, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter Whitney, mother Joleen, grandparents Clarence and Goldie Faunce and Walter Kirk. 

Baylie Reanna Henson, 10, of Wamego was called to heaven with her mother Jessica on December 13th, 2023. Baylie was born May 8, 2013, in Montana, and shortly after she and her family moved back to Kansas. She lived in Wamego most of her life. Baylie attended Wamego Elementary most of her life and had many friends.

February 24, 1947 - December 07, 2023

Kelly Lynn Rudolph, 76, passed away peacefully at home on December 7, 2023 with his dog Bailey at his side. Kelly was born February 24, 1947 in Smith County Kansas. He was the seventh child of eight children born to Floyd Vesper and Freda Frances (Lehman) Rudolph. Kelly grew up in Smith County on a farm near Bellaire and graduated from Smith Center High School in 1965. Throughout high school he loved playing football, basketball and baseball. 

After high school, Kelly attended Kansas Wesleyan University. While studying at Kansas Wesleyan, he lived in the faculty quarters at St John Military school where he assisted with students. He played baseball for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes and was selected for the KCAC team in 1967. He was inducted into the Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame for Baseball in 2006. Kelly graduated with a teaching degree and moved to Grainfield KS for his first teaching position. After a couple years, he returned to Salina and St. John’s Military School which began his long teaching career shaping the lives of the boys at SJMS. He taught  History, Social Studies,PE/Health for 42 years. He was most remembered as “Coach” for the football team.  Kelly completed a Master’s degree at Ft Hays State University in 1979. In 1999, Kelly was commissioned as an Honorary Colonel by St John’s.  He retired in May 2009. 

Kelly was an avid outdoorsman. Being outdoors was his favorite place to be, especially when fishing or hunting with his brothers or great friends from St John’s. He was a member of the Pioneer Lake Association in Salina. He continued being involved with sports including bowling and golf throughout his life. He also followed his favorite teams every season and never missed watching Kansas City Royals, K State Wildcats, and Kansas City Chiefs on TV. Kelly was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 62. He married Connie Olson 1998 and they were often at the Legion together. 

Those left to remember Kelly include his sister Colleen Ryan of Smith Center, Sisters-in-law Shirley Rudolph of Mankato and Pam Rudolph of Troy Il; plus many nieces and nephews, long time friends and former students. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brothers, Jerome Rudolph, Billy Rudolph, Larry Rudolph, and JR Rudolph; sisters, Phyllis Bargman and Donna Rudolph; brothers-in-law, Bill Ryan and Fred Bargman; sisters-in-law, Leeta Rudolph and Willa Rudolph.

A celebration of life is planned January 20, 2024 at 3pm at The Blind Pig in Salina Ks. There will be a graveside service later in the spring at the Leasburg cemetery in Smith County.