Downing & Lahey Mortuary

Aaron Patrick Kerschen, born August 9, 1998, 25, employee of Arma Coatings of Wichita, Inc., passed away Monday, August 21, 2023. Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Sunday, August 27, 2023; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Monday, August 28, 2023, both at Church of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Aaron was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan who had a passion for gaming and loved playing baseball. He had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He was hardworking - never missing a day of work - kind-hearted, generous, and would do anything for his family and friends. Preceded in death by his grandparents, Roman and Rosemary Kerschen, John and Pauline Wetta. Survived by his parents, Dennis...

Franklin Douglas "Doug" McDonough, 72, died Wednesday, August 16, 2023, after a long illness which he battled courageously and with optimism. Private family services to be held. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Ervin and Aileen (Scoggins) McDonough. He attended Chattanooga Central High School and graduated in 1969. Doug served in the United States Army including a deployment to Vietnam and was a member of the American Legion. He graduated from Wichita State University. He retired from the retail home improvement industry preceded by a long career in restaurant management. Doug was passionate about baseball and golf, enjoying both playing and watching, and lived life to the...

Marvin Flickinger, 84, died Sunday, July 30, 2023 at home with his family present. Memorial Service will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, August 4, 2023, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Anna Flickinger; son, Todd Flickinger. Survived by his wife, Rita Flickinger of Wichita; daughter, Amy (Andrew) Carro; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Lucas) Munds, Alexander (Victoria) Carro; great-granddaughter, Ava Munds. A memorial has been established with: Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill St., Wichita, KS 67206. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com

Wilbur W. Bruce, 88, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on July 21st, 2023. Wilbur was born in Sturgis, South Dakota on July 7th, 1935, the eldest child of Ora Clarence and Alice Bruce (Horn). After the death of his father in May 1939, he and his two younger siblings, Frank E. and Florence M. Bruce, were left to be raised by his maternal aunt, Frances E. Danniel (Horn), thereafter known as "mom". He lived in rural Castle Creek, SD briefly, then moved to Rapid City, SD. As a young boy of seven years old, he began selling newspapers on the street corner in Rapid City to help his mother (Frances) support their family. He bought the papers for 2 cents and sold them for 5 cents,...

Wichita, KS - Wilbur W. Bruce, 88, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on July 21st, 2023. Wilbur was born in Sturgis, South Dakota on July 7th, 1935, the eldest child of Ora Clarence and Alice Bruce (Horn). After the death of his father in May 1939, he and his two younger siblings, Frank E. and Florence M. Bruce, were left to be raised by his maternal aunt, Frances E. Danniel (Horn), thereafter known as "mom". He lived in rural Castle Creek, SD briefly, then moved to Rapid City, SD. As a young boy of seven years old, he began selling newspapers on the street corner in Rapid City to help his mother (Frances) support their family. He bought the papers for 2 cents and sold them for...

Rex Eugene Friend Jr., 74, died Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Memorial Service will be at 10:30am, Monday, July 17, 2023, at Midland Baptist Church. Survived by his wife, Dianna Friend; children, Michelle Gulick, Jaims Friend, Karmisa Wood, Katrina Friend; siblings, Steven Friend, Gary Friend, Regenia Basham, Terresa Maples. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: University of Kansas Endowment Fund and Midland Baptist Church. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com

Larry Gene Bensch, 87, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on June 20, 2023. Larry was born on December 12, 1935, to Carl and Helen "Billie" Bensch in Wichita, KS. After he graduated from Wichita North High School in 1953, Larry attended Wichita State University but left college after one year to begin a 42-year career at Western Auto. His career with Western Auto took him all over the country and resulted in many lasting friendships. Larry is survived by Myrna Harper-Foster, his first wife and mother to their four children, daughter Cheryl Fornshell and her husband Robert (Phoenix, AZ), son Alan Bensch and his wife Trish Cobb (Kingman, AZ), son David Bench and his wife Laura Clendenin (Newberg,...

Ryan Jilka, 50, Assistant Superintendent for Goddard USD 265, died Monday, May 29, 2023. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Central Community Church. Services will be live streamed through the church's website. Survived by his wife, Kerrie Jilka; father, Robert (Linda) Jilka of St. George, UT; mother, Ernestine (Bob) Allen of Salina, KS; daughters, Natalie Jilka, Morgan Jilka, and McKenna Jilka all of Wichita, KS; brothers, Rob (Tammy) Jilka of Bennington, KS, Chris (Mindy) Allen of McPherson, KS; sister, Angie Allen of Brooklyn, NY; step-sister, Stacey (Dave) Turis of Los Alamitos, CA; step-brother, Chris (Holly) Fundaburk of Ewa Beach, HI; several nieces and...

Cal Padgett, 93, of Kansas City, MO passed away May 21, 2023. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, service at 10:30, visitation at 10:00, at Country Club Christian Church in the Chapel, NE corner of 61st & Ward Parkway, KCMO 64113. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be given as a tribute gift to the National WWI Museum and Memorial (Liberty Memorial). Cal was born November 18, 1929, the son of Winona Youmans Padgett and Earl C. Padgett, MD. His education included Border Star Elementary School, Prairie School, Pembroke Country Day School, Shattuck School, Westminster College and Williams College. He graduated from Williams College in 1952 with a degree in...

Phyllis Jean Hughes, 91, Teacher, died Saturday, April 15, 2023. Services pending. Preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Esther Broman; husband, John Joseph Hughes, III; grandson, Alex Smith; brother-in-law, R. Dan Johnson. Survived by her son, Mark (Karen) Hughes; daughter, Kathy (Mark) Hammond; granddaughter, Robin Fertner; great-grandchildren, Leif and Viktor Fertner; sister, Kay Johnson; niece, Jennifer (Chad) Clark. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Meals On Wheels c/o Senior Services of Wichita, 200 S. Walnut, Wichita, KS 67213. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com

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...