March 10, 1933 - February 15, 2022

Charles E. Dugan, of Delia, KS passed away February 15, 2022, at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born at the family farm in rural Circleville, KS to John and Lazetta Dugan, the oldest of their five children.  He attended Ontario, Oak Grove, and Circleville schools. Charles left school at age 16 to help on the family farm. He was drafted during the Korean War and served overseas in Germany.  While stationed there, he discovered a love of photography and was an avid photographer the rest of his life.  Charles photographed many wedding and anniversary celebrations in the Delia and Rossville communities.  He also helped take pictures for the Rossville High School yearbooks. He was a past member of the Holton and Topeka Camera Clubs.  He returned to the family farm following his military service. He later began working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, where he was employed for 41 years until his retirement in April 1996.  He was proud to have helped develop and build the first Hummer tire at the Topeka plant.  He was a member of Local 307 Rubber Workers.  In 1957 he met and later married Letha JoAnn Baldwin Hundley.  They enjoyed 64 years together.  At the time of marriage Charles welcomed becoming the father of JoAnn’s three little girls, Christine, Edy, and Jeri Lynn, later adopting the girls as his own.  The family started out living in the rural Circleville and Netawaka areas, and then moved to Delia where they have lived for many years. Their son Charles Scott was born in 1961 and son David Lamoine in 1963.  Charles, as a youth, was a charter member of the Ontario Busy Bees 4-H Club, and became an avid supporter of the Delia Early Birds 4-H Club when his children joined that group.  He served as a project leader and enjoyed helping with their 4-H events.

In his youth, Randy raced motocross.  He began working with his Dad at a young age helping with the family septic tank business (Acme Septic Service).  As an adult, he was a heavy equipment operator and later owned and operated a septic and lateral business (A-Z Septic Service).  

In the last few years of his life, he became ill with Vascular Dementia and heart disease.  He was a kind man during this time with a gentle heart.  He loved talking about his children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments, going to family gatherings and other events with his sister Donita, and going out to eat at a local Mexican restaurant where he would partake in that one margarita.  

July 05, 1955 - February 04, 2022

Frank A. Bernatowicz, age 66, of Topeka, Ks, passed away February 4, 2022. He was born July 5, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan to Evelyn Lumsden Maxwell and Elsmont Francis Bernatowicz.

Frank served in the Navy on an air craft carrier from 1972- 1975.He also spent many years as a long-haul truck driver as well as working as a mechanic. He spent the latter years of his life enjoying time with his family and grandchildren.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents Evelyn Lumsden Maxwell and Elsmont Bernatowicz and by his half- brother Michael Maxwell.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Suzi Sides, biological daughter Lizzie Worley of Kingsville, Ms. 12 step children, 8 grandchildren, 24 step grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, his sister Agnes Totman, half-sisters Sue Brown and Martha Arreola and a half-brother John Maxwell.

There will be a celebration of life for those who want to come celebrate and remember him with family and friends on Sunday February 20, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the Melissa Ann Hanger community room located at 2230 SE 28th St. in Topeka Ks.

*May the winds of heaven blow softly, and whisper in your ear, how much we love and miss you, and wish you were here*

January 10, 1959 - February 06, 2022

August 14, 1951 - January 29, 2022

Robert "Bob" William Nowack passed away January 29th 2022 in Kansas City, KS at the age of 70 years old.

He is survived by his daughters Nicole Ralston (Lee) of Topeka, KS and Danielle Nowack of Meriden, KS. Two granddaughters Lauren and Emily. Ex-wife Donna Nowack. His siblings Ann Edwards (John) Hamden, CT. Pat Champagne of Port St. Lucie, FL. Joan Hack of Derby, CT. Lynn Meenan (Peter) of Atlanta, GA. Sister-in-law Diana Nowack of Williamston, NC along with many nieces and nephews.

His is preceded in death by his mother Louise Nowack, father Lester Nowack, and brother Ray Nowack.

Born and raised in Bridgeport CT. He joined the Air Force at the age of 19 and was stationed at Forbes Field in Topeka, KS. He worked for Goodyear tire & Co for 30 years until retirement

Bob had a good sense of humor and a quick wit. He was always ready with a joke. He will be missed. 

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will have a private service at a later date.

March 28, 1969 - January 26, 2022

Sean David Gooding, 52, died on January 26, 2022, following a battle with aggressive melanoma. At the end, he was surrounded by family members in his home in Council Grove, Kansas.

Sean was born March 28, 1969, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Gary and Sharon (Pitts) Gooding. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1987 and began a lifelong career in Emergency Medical Services in 1988, when he became an EMT. After becoming certified as a paramedic in 1991, he co-owned and operated Lifeguard ambulance service in Osage County for two years. Sean served for many years with Douglas County EMS and became a lieutenant in the Lawrence Fire Department when they merged in 1997.

Sean married Ruth Elizabeth Simpson on March 9, 1996, in Overbrook, Kansas. The couple later divorced, but the marriage resulted in three children: Jacob Tyler Gooding on August 9, 1996; Gage Michael Gooding on August 30, 2000; and Emma Christine Gooding on May 12, 2004.

As Sean continued to serve, he also continued to learn. He earned an associate degree from Johnson County Community College in 2005. In 2008, he graduated cum laude from Ottawa University, where he studied health care administration and health management, and graduated from Hutchinson Community College with his nursing degree. He continued to work in a variety of roles throughout Kansas, Oregon, and South Dakota. In 2020, he became Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Morris County Hospital in Council Grove.

April 15, 1963 - January 30, 2022

Lori Lea Wilkinson, 58, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at her home in Delia, KS.

Lori was born April 15, 1963 in Topeka, Kansas to Peggy Ann Lawson and Chester Max Bolton. She met her husband Rodney Lee Wilkinson in March of 1987 and they wed on April, 30 1993. 

Lori found joy in many things including fishing, camping, arts and crafts, working with her plants and spending time outside with friends and family. She loved exploring new places and finding hidden wonders on her adventures down the back roads. Lori was a loving wife, mom, daughter, sister,  grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by many. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney "Rod" Lee Wilkinson; one daughter, Nikole Lea Wilkinson; Mother ,Peggy Ann Lawson; one brother Terry Keith; two sisters Brandy Thomas-Zeilinger, and Cheri L. Foster; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Justin Eugene Little; and her father Chester Max Bolton.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life on April 15th, 2022 at a place to be determined for family and friends.