March 20, 1960 - December 20, 2020 

Dixon J Vincent, aka John Vincent, of Topeka, Kansas passed away in the early morning on December 20, 2020 at Hospice Midland Care of Topeka. He was born in Topeka on March 20, 1960 to parents Dixon J Vincent of Grand Junction, CO and Joyce M Lake of Topeka, KS, both deceased.

Dixon was a Seaman High School graduate. He joined the army and was stationed in Germany. He worked at M. Katch, and Company, now Langley Recycling, for several years. He went on to obtain his CDL License and worked for Meier’s Ready Mix as a dump truck and cement mixer driver.

February 13, 1950 - December 09, 2020 

Stephen M. (Steve) Byers passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center.  He was born February 13, 1950, to Donald L. and Mary Jane (Janie) Byers.  

Steve attended high school in Topeka and Little Rock Arkansas before being drafted where he served 2 terms in the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) and received the Bronze Star for his service.  

Steve loved the outdoors, especially fishing, where he spent many a day and evening at nearby lakes with his brother-in-law Jerry.  He loved a good fish fry with all the fixings and was a great all around chef.  He enjoyed sitting around visiting and sharing stories with family and friends.  Steve never met a stranger and will be fondly remembered by the many patrons met while operating a vegetable stand for several years in southwest Topeka.

December 30, 1985 - November 26, 2020 

May 29, 1975 - November 22, 2020 

Greg Kevin Villegas passed away peacefully on November 22, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on May 29, 1975 to Jesse and Angela (Barranco) Villegas. He attended Our Lady of Guadalupe, then went on to graduate from Hayden High School.

In his young life, he worked at Payless Shoe Source and Goodyear Tire & Rubber. He then went on to pursue his career as an operator at Frito Lay, Inc. in Topeka, Kansas.

Greg is survived by his twin sons Anthony and Adrian Ramirez-Villegas, his partner Jenny Valdivia (daughter Raymie), his mother Angie, his sisters Jennifer Villegas-Foy (Clifton) and Amie Alvarado (George), his brother Jesse Villegas (Lora) and his nieces and nephews Trey, Carmelo, Dorothea, Antonio, Natalia and Alicia.

July 13, 1947 - November 30, 2020 

Joe Blede, 73, of Carbondale, Kansas passed away peacefully at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas Monday evening, November 30, 2020. Memorial Services will be held at a later date due to COVID-19. 

Robert Joe Blede was born July 13, 1947 in North Platte, Nebraska, the youngest child of Harlan Edgar and Della B. (Lewis) Blede. He was named after his uncle Joe George Lewis. As a young child, Joe lived in Brady, Nebraska and helped at the Blede homestead in Brady. When Joe was eight years old, he moved with his parents, brother, and sister to a farm near Overbrook, Kansas in 1955. Joe helped with his daily farm chores and attended school in Overbook, graduating from Overbrook High School with the Class of 1965.

After graduation, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy on May 10, 1966, serving as an E-5 until February 15, 1970. After returning from the service, Joe attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1974. Joe then returned to the service, serving in the Army National Guard as an E-5 from August 10, 1976 to July 21, 1978. He then transferred to the Kansas Air National Guard and retired as an E-7 on August 9, 1992. While in the Air National Guard, Joe served in security and as a customs inspector in Topeka with the 190 the Air Refueling Wing, also known as the “Kansas Coyotes.” His nickname was “G.I. Joe.” He was very proud to have served as an E-5 in three different branches of the United States Military.

Joe married Karen Ranee (Vail) Gleason on July 12, 1990 at the Pomona Lake Dam Outlook in Vassar, Kansas. Joe was a farmer and enjoyed watching the many deer and coyotes on his property. He was especially proud of his many John Deere tractors over the years. Joe also enjoyed driving his 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T, playing the lottery, and going to the casino. He was notorious among his family for his good luck. Those who truly knew Joe knew he was a very giving person. Joe had lived in Carbondale for 35 plus years.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Della Blede; brother, Harlan Lewis Blede; and sister Catherine Lou (Blede) Turner.

Joe is survived by Karen Blede; step-son Kirk Gleason of Neodesha, KS; two nieces, Lisa (Blede) Dye of Overland Park, KS and Ann (Turner) O’Brien of Burnsville, NC; two nephews, Mike Blede of Raymore, MO and Greg Turner of Gainesville, FL; as well as six cousins.

Joe will be cremated and a private burial will be held at the Washington Creek Cemetery in Douglas County, Kansas next to his parents, brother, and sister.

October 05, 1948 - November 29, 2020 

Carolyn Roberta Strawbridge (nee Deloach) passed away on November 29, 2020 in Topeka, Kansas. Carolyn was born in Miami, Florida to Felix and Marion Deloach on October 5, 1948, and spent her childhood in Savannah, Georgia.

Carolyn celebrated 43 years of marriage to Evan Strawbridge, and they called home to many places around the world before retiring in Kansas. She was a devoted mother to Sheree, who cherished her protective maternal love that passed through the generations from Carolyn’s mother on to granddaughter Katherine.

Carolyn also had a distinguished 32 year career in the Army civil service where she was highly respected in every duty station she worked. After her retirement, Carolyn and Evan enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. Carolyn was most known to family, friends, and colleagues for her kindness, loyalty, generosity, and warm smile. She will be dearly missed.

August 04, 1941 - November 16, 2020 

Ralph Larry Lorentzen passed November 16, 2020 surrounded by family. He was born August 4th, 1941 in Norton, Washington to Thomas and Veryl Lorentzen. He was raised in Darby, MT. Joined the Air Force after graduating from Darby High School in December 1959. Met Sandra K Walter in Great Falls, MT. They married on November 25th, 1961. Lived on various Air Force bases during 26 years of service. Retired December 31st, 1985 in Mountain Home, ID. Moved to Grangeville, ID October 1987. Worked for Highland Enterprise as a mechanic and master blaster. In 2011, moved to Topeka, KS to live with his daughter Susan Naylor. He was a member of the Meriden Antique Engine and Threshing Association. He enjoyed working on antique engines, watching the Seattle Seahawks play football and NASCAR. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Archie, sister Pauline, wife Sandra, son Charles, granddaughter Angelique R Stewart. Survived by his children Thresa (“Terri”) Stewart, Max Lorentzen, Susan Naylor (Gary), and Lawrence Lorentzen. His grandchildren Desiree Naylor, Harvey (“JJ”) Stewart III, Margaux (“Maggie”) Stewart, Patricia Naylor, Rachel Clark (Brian). Great grandchildren Alice Michele Leann Cox and Michael Thomas Ramirez.

There will be no services at this time instead there will be a burial in Harpster, ID in the spring of 2021. Memorial contributions may be made to Meriden Antique Engine & Thresher Association  25655 Parallel Rd Tonganoxie KS 66086.

March 23, 1978 - November 23, 2020