In Loving Memory of

Mary L. Meier

1928 – 2022

Mary L. Meier died April 23, 2022, at Lexington Park Health & Rehab, surrounded by her loving family.  Mary was born on November 9^th, 1928 on the family farm northeast of Holton, the daughter of John C and Josie Lee (Price) Robison. 

Mary attended Carbon Grade School northeast of Holton, and was very active in 4-H.  Prior to entering high school Mary left the family farm to move into a boarding house so she could attend high school - Mary graduated from Holton High School in 1946.  After graduation she worked for the Draft Board in Holton, KS.

Mary was united in marriage to John L. Meier in Holton, KS at St. Dominic’s Catholic church on January 7, 1947 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage before John’s passing on December 27, 2013.  She was preceded in death by her son, Arthur Leon Meier in 1978, sister Neva Heiselman and her husband Therll; her brother, Robert Robison and his wife Mary Maxine; half-sister Mildred Brown; three half-brothers, Kenneth, Glenn and Wilbur Robison.

Mary worked throughout her life performing secretarial duties, selling real estate, legal secretary, and retiring from KPL (Evergy) as a paralegal.

December 30, 1936 - April 16, 2022

Irmgard "Irmi" Pryor was a caring wife, mother, Oma (grandmother), sister, and friend. She left this world suddenly April 16, 2022 at the age of 85.

She was born to Heinrich and Hildegard Burghard in Munich, Germany on December 30, 1936. After studying as an opera singer and model, she met the love of her life, Major Bernard Pryor in Germany. They married and moved to the United States where they raised three daughters: Gabriele, Gisella, and Gudrun.

Irmi loved spending time with her children and friends, regaling them with amazing stories regarding growing up during World War II. She taught herself English and her intelligence, pride and strength allowed her to become a Naturalized American citizen.  She never knew a stranger.  Her kindness, compassion and generosity caused her to open her home to anyone in need. 

Irmi loved her family beyond words and after losing her husband in 1986, she became mother, father, and provider to her children. She started her career in banking in 1977 with First National Bank, Topeka, retiring in 1997 as manager of the safety deposit department with Bank of America.

June 04, 1947 - May 02, 2022

RaEtta Sue McKinnon peacefully passed away on May 2, 2022 at Midland Care Hospice House in Topeka, KS at the age of 74.  She was born June 4, 1947 in Seneca, KS to Louis F. and Mary Helen Little Jerome.  She attended Corning High School, obtained a college degree of AA paralegal from Washburn University, was a licensed massage therapist and was a CNA.  She served in the USNR Reserve from 1986 to 1994.  

She was the sister to 6 siblings:  Richard Jerome, Kenny Jerome, Dean Jerome and Marilyn Fund, Helen (Lolly) Slattery, Della Steinlage.  Dean, Helen (Lolly) and Della survive her.   RaEtta married twice and divorced twice. First to Marlin Wiltz in which two daughters were born, Marla Rae (Larkin) and Paula Sue (Hanes).  Second to John McKinnon in which a son was born, Todd (Yishai) Alex.  She considered her children as her greatest accomplishment of her life.  She loved them dearly. She was grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  They all survive her with the exception of John McKinnon.  She had many nieces and nephews.

RaEtta loved Elvis.  Her favorite color was blue.  She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, walking, writing poems and short stories, going to the casino and watching old time TV.  She was spiritual and believed that God was all around.

It was RaEtta's written wishes not to have a memorial service and to be cremated.

December 13, 1950 - April 20, 2022

Johnny L. Free passed away on April 20, 2022 at the age of 71at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, KS. He was born on December 13th, 1950 in San Bernardino California to Charlie Lee Free and Madrue Edith Malone at the San Bernardino County Hospital. Johnny Free went to San Bernardino High School, where he was in the San Bernardino Honor and Acapella Honor Choir as well as served on the Junior Varsity and Varsity sports teams for Wrestling. He also received high honors for Judo with the YMCA youth center in San Bernardino California during the 1968 open Judo Championship placing first in his class.

Johnny then went on after graduation to the employment of the Santa Fe Railroad in July of 1969 until he was drafted in 1970 by the U.S. Army. Johnny then served in the Army as a Combat Engineer attaining the rank of E-5 (Sergeant) while stationed in Germany. Johnny served on multiple fronts including the 1972 Olympic Hostage Crisis in Munich as well as the mining of Haiphong Harbor also known as Operation Pocket Money until his honorable discharge in 1974.

Johnny married Theresa Ann Hodges on April 1 1972. Following his marriage and discharge from the military, Johnny went on to return to the Santa Fe Railroad as a machinist in the San Bernardino Shops. Johnny served as a scout leader with the Boy Scouts of America, founded troop 110 of Rialto California, and while under this service produced 7 Eagle Scouts including his own son. During his tenor, Johnny received many awards and nation recognition toward his devotion to scouting including the High Vigil Honor Award from the Order of The Arrow with Cahuilla Lodge #127 in 1992.

Johnny was transferred with his job from California in 1992 to Topeka Kansas and remained with the BNSF railroad until his retirement in January of 2011 after serving 41 years. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Free, His daughter Jennifer Tipton, His son John Free and by six grand children.

June 28, 1931 - April 21, 2022

Donald L Hite passed away on April 21st, 2022 at the age of 90 years old at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, KS.  He was born in Uniontown, Kansas on June 28th, 1931.  He served in the United States Army from June 10th 1954 to May 18th, 1956.  He married Patricia Hite on March 10th, 1958. They were married for 64 wonderful years.  He worked for Firestone Tire company for over 30 years. He retired from Firestone in 1993. 

August 20, 1931 - April 16, 2022

Our mom, Roberta Mae (Troughton) Miller, known affectionately as “Bert” passed peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2022 in Topeka, KS. She was the only daughter of Thomas Donald Sr. and Mildred Blanche (Bontrager) that celebrated her birth August 20, 1931 in Wetmore, KS.  She was raised on a farm along with her brother Thomas Donald Jr and step brother LeRoy McKeever. She loved growing up on the farm with her prized 4-H pigs and cows. She graduated from Wetmore High School in 1948 and was proud to be a Wetmore Cardinal.

She was in awe of our dad Jack Miller from the big city of Holton, KS. She spoke often about him being a superb skater at the roller rink and a WWII sailor. They married September 3, 1950 and started their family in Holton, KS on a farm that is now the location of Holton Community hospital. Together they raised 4 children, Jackie (Diane), Pamela (Robert) Wood, David (Tamara), and Sherri (Kevin) Clark. While living in Holton she worked at Cooper’s Drug Store, Slimmer’s Dress factory, and was a telephone operator for Bell telephone.

Jack and Roberta moved their family to Topeka, KS in 1963. She worked nights as a telephone operator at St. Vail Hospital while attending Stewarts Beauty School. After graduating from Stewart’s she opened Bert’s Northland Beauty Salon at Northland Shopping center and also later at her home. She and Jack owned and operated Miller’s Northland Standard in the same shopping center. They later divorced.

June 14, 1947 - April 14, 2022

Carol A. Kincade, age 74, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was born June 14, 1947, in Clay Center to Betty (Sortor) and Wilford “Jeep” Eustice. Carol was a 1965 graduate of Topeka High School. She married Ron Webb, Sr. in 1967. They had four children and were later divorced. She married Kurt Kincade in 1982. They were also later divorced. Carol worked for Scotch Fabric Care in Topeka for over 30 years. She started out as a clerk and eventually became the Bookkeeper. She was the matriarch of her family, all whom she clearly loved and devoted her life to. She enjoyed people and adored various wind chimes as well as her beloved pets over the years. She is preceded in death by both her parents, her son, Chris Webb, and a Great-Grandson, Christiaan Shaw. Carol is survived by her sister, Beverly (Kenneth) Barton of Perry, KS; Son, Ron (Renee) Webb, Jr. of Saginaw, TX, Daughter, Deana (Terry Johnson) Webb of Topeka, KS, Son, Tim (Sherry) Webb of Topeka, KS, 20 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Carol “Nana” will be greatly missed by many. There will be a Celebration of Life held in Carol’s honor over Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 28^th, 2022, at Central Park Christian Church, 1535 SW Clay St, Topeka, KS 66604. The celebration will be held from Noon-4pm.

March 11, 1951 - March 12, 2022

Creath Kimberly Fleskes, 71, Auburn, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022. A proud California native, Creath was born in Palo Alto on March 11, 1951. Creath was a graduate of Topeka West High school in 1969 after a move to Topeka from Wichita, KS where she attended Wichita North High School. Creath attended the University of Kansas for 1 year before being given the opportunity to live abroad in Spain. She returned to Topeka to start her family before moving to Oregon. The Pacific Northwest quickly had her heart. She was a true environmentalist, lover of nature and wildlife; instilling this love and respect in her daughters. She was the happiest when exploring and wandering the beautiful, pristine Oregon Coast, and hiking the National Forests. Creath was a devoted daughter to her parents who precede her in death, Claude Creath Moore (2003) and Betty Jane Moore (2020,) where the better part of the last 20 years she provided home care for her parents. Creath is survived by her two daughters, Kimberly Dobson (Jay) in California; Hilary Creath Edwards (Tyler) in Colorado; sister, Susan Jonette Fleskes (Mickey) in Oregon. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Thomas Dobson and Emily Dobson; as well as a niece, Jenna Marie Jacobson and her children, Brady, Sawyer, and Dylan; a nephew, Justin Michael Fleskes (Mia) and their son, Summit. Creath aspired to make a positive impact on the planet with her conservation efforts and beliefs to protect the environment and wildlife. Services will be held in July along the Oregon Coast. In lieu of flowers or cards, contributions may be made to WWF/World Wide Fund for Nature (worldwildlife.org), the ASPCA (aspca.org), or the Ocean Conservancy (donate.oceancoservancy.org) all to which she loyally contributed.

June 02, 1974 - March 31, 2022

Christon Shughart, 47, of Topeka passed away on March 31st, 2022. She was born June 2nd, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois.

She worked many cleaning jobs throughout her life. She would complain but she actually loved doing it until she could no longer work due to health complications.

She spent her last few years in a nursing home with her husband. She enjoyed visits from her family. She always looked forward to game nights with her friends. Most of all, she loved visits from Harley and Scooby, her "fur babies", as she called them. She showed them off to everyone she met. She was loving and kind. As her friends called her "a little spit fire".

Survivors includes her husband, Manuel Shughart; two daughters, Chelsea Shughart, Lindsey Shughart; Brother-in-law, Mike Shughart; four nephews, Michael Shughart, Corey Shughart, Aaron Shughart, Brandon Shughart, nieces and many beloved friends.

A Celebration of Life for Christon will be held at a later date as the family wants to take the time to mourn.