Downing & Lahey Mortuary

Joseph "Joe" Latas passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021. He was born on January 14, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas. Joe attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he enjoyed playing basketball while earning his degree in 1952. After graduation, he married his lifetime love and moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he began his very successful and highly respected career at Cessna Aircraft Company, retiring in 2002 after more than 50 years. Joe will be fondly remembered for his thoughtfulness and generosity, kind-hearted friendly nature and ability to see things from a different perspective. He is survived by daughters, Karen J. Latas of Wichita, KS, and Nancy J. Latas of...

Mary Anne Veesart, 89, died Sunday, October 24, 2021. Graveside Service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Washington City Cemetery, Washington, KS.

Michael "Mick" Lynch, of Wichita, died Saturday, June 5, 2021. Mick was born April 30, 1953, in Topeka, KS to Melvin and Lois Lynch. A graduate of Topeka High School in 1971 and Kansas State University in Accounting in 1975. After 40 years of service, he retired from IMA as Senior Vice President. Mick was an avid sports fan and participant. He played for the varsity tennis team at KSU with golf later becoming a favorite as well. Rarely did he miss any activities participated in by his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed supporting children in the Wichita community as a Junior Achievement volunteer. Preceded in death by his parents. Survived by his children Jeff Stauffer,...

Donald Albers, 87, Retired from the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors, died Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Raised on a farm in Iowa, Don graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Business Economics. Following graduation, he met and married Connie Stephens and the two enjoyed boating, square dancing, and participating in community theater together. Don climbed the corporate ladder as he and his family moved from state to state, making many friends along the way. Golf was Don's favorite pastime. He enjoyed playing, working PGA tournaments and getting to know the Pros, as well as helping develop young golfers by heading up Junior Golf programs. When retirement came Don and Connie...

Judith Elaine Loganbill, died December 19, 2020. Private Service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, March 19, 2021. Search "Judy Loganbill Memorial Service" on Facebook https://fb.me/e/23WGnsol9

Richard William Relph, 64, Bel Aire, Kansas formerly of Everett, WA went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 12, 2020. A devout member of the St. Mary Magdalen Catholic parish, he worked as a machinist with the Boeing modification group. He lived in Everett from 2006 until retiring and returning to Kansas in 2018. He was born April 13, 1956 to Roger and Patricia Relph who survive. He also is survived by his wife, Lyly; six children: sons, Benjamin (Audra) Relph; Michael Relph; daughters, Jennifer (John) Riddel, Katie (Chase) Tipton, Christina (Nicholas) Kreutzer, daughter, Hwina Yu; 16 grandchildren; two sisters Trisha (Dan) Peters; Mary Hope; five brothers, Ron (Kelly) Relph;...

73, of Wichita, Official Court Reporter for District Court 18 in Wichita, died Sunday, July 26, 2020. Sheila was a tireless advocate for the profession of court reporting and was recognized as one of the finest real time reporters in the country. Since 2009, Sheila was an active member of the State Board of Examiners the Kansas of Court Reporters. Before returning to Kansas, she reported in Washington D.C. for the Federal Trade Commission, Senate and House of Representatives committees. Services and celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff at Reed's Cove Rehab for their loving care. Preceded in death by her parents, John J and Lola...

66, died Friday, May 15, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. Michael worked 42 years for Beechcraft, retiring as Test Flight Coordinator. He was a skilled hunter and an avid outdoorsman. Preceded in death by his father, H. Tillman Sowell; mother, Eleanor Vaughn. Survived by his wife, Peggie Sowell; son, Jason Fritts; daughters, Amie (Benjamin) Harper, Angela (Ryan) Bulson, all of Wichita; sisters, Lynn S. Weeks of SC, Kimberly Alexander of FL; grandchildren, Arthur and Zoie Harper, Michael and Jackson Bulson, Joseph Fritts. Visitation begins at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, May 20, 2020 with Rosary at 7:00 pm at All Saints Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at...

99, of Wichita, died Thursday, February 6, 2020. Graveside Service will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, February 17, 2020, at Memorial Park Cemetery. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.

STOP THE PRESSES Who? Elaine St. Aubyn Staples Adkins; What? Dead at age 88; Where? Haysville, KS; When? September 18, 2019; Why? Because to everything there is a season; How? Of old age. With a nod to the basics of good journalism, Elaine Adkins wanted her obituary, her final story, to begin just like that. Elaine was born the only child of Violet Stith St. Aubyn and Edward J.B. St. Aubyn on August 6, 1931 in Liberal, KS. Her stepfather, Guy W. Staples, became her father upon his adoption of her as an adult. Guy was a geologist and during Elaine's childhood her family lived in many states. She attended twenty-one different grade schools, three middle schools and three high schools. She...