MARCH 03, 1945 - JULY 10, 2025

William Dennis “Bill” Bales, 80, of Muscotah Kansas, passed away on Thursday July 10 th 2025. Bill, son of the late Elizabeth “Betty” & Delbert Bales, was born March 3 rd 1945 in Horton, Kansas. He spent his early life working on the family dairy farm near Muscotah and later worked in Atchison at Walmart, Country Mart, & Orschelns.

He married Sue Faught, they had 2 sons, D.J. & Travis, but later divorced.

Bill attended the Muscotah United Church. Bill loved to garden, raise chickens, fish, & enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs & KU basketball with C.J. He spent the last few years tending to his large garden, raising chickens, selling eggs and produce at the Farmer’s Market in Atchison.

Bill is survived by his special friend C.J. Hanson, son Travis (Darcie) Bales, and grandsons Grant & Owen Bales; sisters Nancy Bales & Patricia Murray; brother John (Kathleen) Bales, Maranda Jones, who is like a daughter to him and her family; multiple nephews and nieces as well as great nephews and great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; son D.J.; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Murray.

He would like to express his love to all the friends he made over the years at work and the Farmer’s Market. The family would like to express their gratitude to Midland Care in Topeka and ask that memorial contributions be sent to Midland Care Hospice House, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

All those whose lives Bill touched are invited to join the family at the Muscotah United Church in Muscotah KS for the visitation on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 6p.m.-8p.m.

Memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Muscotah United Church.

Private family distribution of ashes will take place at a later date.

AUGUST 16, 1928 - JUNE 17, 2025

Auburn Kansas – Donna Lea Silsby formerly of Mankato, KS passed away Tuesday June 17, 2025, at Midland Hospice House. Donna was born on August 16, 1928, in Pretty Prairie Kansas to Clarence (Darb) and Golden Daisy Busick) Blew. She was the oldest of five children followed by Doris, Margaret, Merle and Melba. The family moved from Pretty Prairie to a farmstead west of Burr Oak, KS in 1945. Donna graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1947 and attended Fort Hays University where she received her elementary teaching certificate. She was united in marriage to James (Boyd) Silsby on May 17 th , 1949, in Burr Oak, KS. Donna and Boyd moved around the states of Kansas, Wyoming, and Nebraska as Boyd worked for a large construction company.  In 1965 they moved to the Blew family farmstead in Burr Oak and then to Mankato in 1967 as Boyd became partners with his brother-in-law Merle at Mankato Welding and Machine.  Donna was active in Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS)/United Methodist Women; Eastern Star; General Federated Women’s Club; North Central Kansas Association of Artists; VFW Auxiliary and as a 4-H leader in the local club and county.

Survivors include her sisters, Margaret Patten of Longmont, CO, Melba Johnson of Auburn, KS and children Renee (June) Holl Lawrence, KS, Cliff (Susan) Silsby Auburn, KS, Tadhi (Doug) Hayes Amarillo, TX and Clay (Anna) Silsby Jackson, OR as well as 16 Grandchildren, 27 Great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents; grandsons Travis Silsby, Aaron Holl and Ryan Silsby; one step great granddaughter; sister Doris Long, brother Merle Blew, Brothers-in-law Frank Johnson, Andrew Patten, and Howard Long; sisters- in-law and spouses Thelma (Doyle) Pierson, Belle (Alvin) Kandelin, Fern (Lynn) Harris, Mary (Louis) Ohmstede, Madeline (Charles Pinkston, Edythe (Harold) Francis, Glendora (Jim Paxton, Berniece (Charles) Harris, and Brother-in-law and spouse Doyle (Dorthia) Silsby.

Donna was a loving Mother, Granny, Teacher, Artist and Gardener. She loved seasonal colors and even with failing eyesight would express wonder with nature’s beauty. Hummingbirds were her favorite birds to watch.

Donna will be laid to rest with Boyd in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mankato KS at a date yet to be determined.

JUNE 23, 1946 - JUNE 28, 2025

Robert A. Keehn, Jr., 79, of Holton, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his home.

Robert was born on June 23, 1946, in Corning, KS as the oldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, seven children, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Private family services are being held.

AUGUST 15, 1963 - MAY 19, 2025

Kelly Gene Elkins age 61, of Clay Center, was sent to his eternal home on May 19, 2025, at Stormontvail Hospital. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 15, 1963 to the late Harold and Betty (Goldsmith) Elkins. He had six siblings.

He met the love of his life Sandra K White in 1981 and married her in 1982. They had four children.

Kelly is survived and missed by his loving wife Sandi Elkins of 43 years; and his children Amber (Casey) Bowser, Jeremy (Rebecca) Elkins, and Megan (Jeremy) Carter. Forever cherished and remembered by his five grandchildren, Gary Bowser, Angel Bowser, Domenique Carter, Jazminne Carter, and Wyatt Elkins. Siblings and their spouses the late Lee and (Rita) Gibbs, Tommy Gibbs, Artie (Mary) Elkins, Rickey (Melanie) Elkins, and one sister Paula (Richard) Smith. His memory lives on with his nephews Jason (Gia) Wells and family and Chris (Victoria) Klapper and family. Many other nieces and nephews.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Betty Elkins, his step-mother, Gert Elkins, his brothers Georgie Elkins and Lee Gibbs, and his son Kelly Gene Elkins Jr..

Kelly enjoyed spending time with family, playing frisbee golf, BBQing, spending time outdoors, telling jokes, visiting the mountains and sleeping. He would always say "My beds calling me." His favorite TV shows were westerns, Storage wars, Counting Cars, Parking wars, and Judge Judy. He enjoyed older rock and roll bands specifically from the 70's. He collected knives, walking staffs, steins and zippos. He and Sandi would go away for vacations to one of his favorite places, the mountains in Colorado.

Kelly worked at Steele and Pipe and a few fence companies over the years and up until his death he worked at One Accord fencing.

The family will be having a come and go celebration of life on July 12th 2025 from 2-4 PM at the 4-H Building at the Clay Center Fairgrounds for those who want to celebrate his life.

OCTOBER 25, 1956 - JUNE 16, 2025

James Thomas ( Jamie ) Stratton 68, of Topeka passed away peacefully on June 16 2025 after a brave battle with cancer. Born on Oct 25 1956 in Topeka.

Jamie spent a joyful childhood on the family farm where he developed a deep appreciation for nature and animals, and hunting along side his father and brother Jon. He lived with his mother tell her passing in 2010.

He loved his daughter Shana and sister Justine ( Gus ) with all his heart. Jamie will forever be in the hearts of those who knew him and never be forgotten. A private memorial service will be held in the near future.

Blessed are those that morn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

DECEMBER 25, 1948 - JUNE 01, 2025

Lloyd 'Keith' Willes, Jr, 76, passed away June 1, 2025 at home. He was born Christmas Day 1948 in Topeka (where he lived his entire life) to Lloyd and Mary (Williamson) Willes.

Keith attended Seaman High School, where he worked as a janitor, while attending Topeka Technical College for electronic repair.

Keith passions included golf (any chance he could get), hot air balloons (of which he was a chase team member), watching Australian football (the only kind of football, he would say) and attending hockey games and playing bingo with his father.  A trip for the two of them to the casino was not out of the question.

Keith married Norma Snyder who preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Daniel Willes and daughter, Stephanie Warner; granddaughters, Ashley (Nathan) Cotton and Jordan Warner and great grandsons Skylar and Riley and many nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss his greatly.

His daughter fondly remembers Keith coaching youth softball and bowling while she was growing up.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Lois and Horst Dell.

A celebration of life for Keith will be held Saturday,  July 5th, 2025 from 1-3pm at the clubhouse located at 1414 SW Arbor Valley Dr, Topeka 66615