Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home

Cary John Wilson, 81, passed away September 29, 2024, at his home in Wamego, Kansas, surrounded by his family. Cary was born December 19, 1942, in Dodge City, Kansas, as the only child and son of John D. and Lydia E. (Ochs-Herzberg) Wilson. Cary grew up on his family's farm north of Dodge City and graduated from Dodge City High School in 1960. He was baptized as a child and was a lifetime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Dodge City. Upon high school graduation, he farmed and raised cattle with his father. He was a farmer, stockman, and entrepreneur his entire life. He moved from the farm in Hodgeman County to Wamego in 2011 to be closer to his grandchildren. Cary was...

Cary John Wilson, 81, passed away September 29, 2024, at his home in Wamego, Kansas, surrounded by his family. Cary was born December 19, 1942, in Dodge City, Kansas, as the only child and son of John D. and Lydia E. (Ochs-Herzberg) Wilson. Cary grew up on his family's farm north of Dodge City and graduated from Dodge City High School in 1960. He was baptized as a child and was a lifetime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Dodge City. Upon high school graduation, he farmed and raised cattle with his father. He was a farmer, stockman, and entrepreneur his entire life. He moved from the farm in Hodgeman County to Wamego in 2011 to be closer to his grandchildren. Cary was...

LaVera Marie Webster, 91, of Fostoria, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan, Kansas. Born October 28, 1932, in Clay Center, Kansas, LaVera was the daughter of Clarence and Lillian Marie (Bergsten) Fritzson. She graduated from Cleburne High School and Clarks Business School of Topeka. She married Lyle Eldred Webster on February 14, 1952. He preceded her in death on January 19, 2011. LaVera, a dedicated homemaker, also contributed to her community by working at the Westy Care Home, Westmoreland, Kansas, for 27 years. Her love for baking, sewing, and creating beautiful hand-sewn quilts was only surpassed by her mastery of...

Jeffrey Allan "Jeff" Churchill, 64, of Belvue, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday (July 30, 2024) at his home. Born September 29, 1959 in Dowagiac, Michigan, Jeff was the son of Luther and Mary (Cooper) Churchill. He met Fran Jilka when she worked as plant manager at the flour mill in Dowagiac and he was a driver for the mill. They were married on April 29, 1995 in Kansas City, Missouri. She survives. Jeff was a long haul driver and concrete truck driver for many years. Most recently, he had been employed as a carpenter for J. S. Home Builders until his retirement. Jeff loved taking care of his family, which included his many pet dogs, and was a stay at home dad for a time when...

Wilma Ruth Tunison, affectionately known as Billie, age 97, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024, at the Community Hospital in Onaga, Kansas. Billie was born August 8, 1926, to Bert and Margaret (Mabe) Hart at their Westmoreland, Kansas, home, the same home Billie resided for much of her life. Growing up in Westmoreland, Billie attended both Westmoreland elementary and high school. During high school and the WWII years, Billie and her sister Marilyn assisted their parents in operating the Westmoreland Hotel & Restaurant. After graduating high school in 1944, Billie attended Baker University only to have her college cut short due to an auto accident resulting in extended hospital...

Warren Marvin Cottrell, age 70, of Onaga, passed away in his sleep on February 21, 2024, at his home. He was born on August 7, 1953, in Seneca, KS to Marvin and Mary (Harries) Cottrell. He graduated from Onaga High School in 1972 and then went on to Beloit Vo-Tech to study electrical technology. He worked for 36 years at Jeffery Energy Center and retired in 2014. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 304. He was a long-time member of the Kansas Mini-Pullers Association and the Nebraska Outlaw Mini Rod Pulling Association. He and his dad built their own mini rod pulling tractors and competed from 1978-1998 across Kansas and...

Earl J. Straub, 92, of rural Wamego, Kansas, passed away Monday (February 19, 2024) at Wamego Health Center. Born November 4, 1931 on the family farm in rural Wamego, Earl was the son of Isadore and Loretta (Umscheid) Straub and lived on that same family farm almost all his life. Earl graduated from Flush High School in 1950 and served his country in the U. S. Army from 1954 to 1956. Following his discharge, he was employed at the Western Auto store in Wamego and later for J.D. Appliance in Wamego where he made repairs all while working on his family farm. He also became a civilian helicopter technician at Ft. Riley until his retirement on August 14, 1988. Earl was known as "Mr....

Earl J. Straub, 92, of Wamego, died Monday (February 19, 2024) at Wamego Health Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday(February 26, 2024) at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Flush. Visitation will be Sunday (February 25, 2024) from 4:00 to 7:00 at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. A Rosary will be Sunday evening at 7:00 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are requested to St. Joseph Catholic Church and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com

Bernie (Bud) William Eidson Jr., age 73, died on February 5, 2024, in Muskogee, Oklahoma Bernie was born on March 6, 1950, in El Dorado, KS, the son of Bernie William Eidson Sr. and Betty Mae (Baum) Mealor. At 18 years old, he joined the Army, serving in the Vietnam War; once he returned home, he married Janice May Fairchild on August 16, 1971, in El Dorado. They later divorced. He has two sons Albert and Donovan. He worked for Willbros Pipeline, drove for ABF, and had his own Stone Masonry business that he did on the side. ...

Bernie (Bud) William Eidson Jr., age 73, died on February 5, 2024, in Muskogee, Oklahoma Bernie was born on March 6, 1950, in El Dorado, KS, the son of Bernie William Eidson Sr. and Betty Mae (Baum) Mealor. At 18 years old, he joined the Army, serving in the Vietnam War; once he returned home, he married Janice May Fairchild in El Dorado on August 16, 1971. They later divorced. He has two sons, Albert and Donovan. He worked for Willbros Pipeline, drove for ABF, and had his own Stone Masonry business that he did on the side. ...

Jerry Ross, 87, of Olathe, passed away Tuesday (January 16, 2024) at the Olathe Hospice House. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Kathleen; his son, Benjamin E. Ross (Jenny) of Olathe, KS; his grandchildren, Caitlin Rose Ross of Kansas City, MO and Lillian Joely Ross of Olathe, KS; his sister, Patricia Schumacher of Tampa, FL; his half brother, Phil Ross (Sandra) of Kansas City, MO; his half sister, Phyllis Larimore of Olathe, KS; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents; his brother in law, Lewis Schumacher; and his half brother in law, Melvin Larimore. A memorial visitation will be Thursday (February 1, 2024) from 10:00 to 12:00 Noon...

Raymond Allen Chapen, 75, formerly of Springfield, Oregon, passed away on December 25, 2023 in Topeka, Kansas. A full obituary is published and online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com

David Ernest Smies, 81, of Wamego passed away peacefully on December 12, 2023 in his own home. He was surrounded by his daughter's, Amber and Sarah's love. Born February 6, 1942 in Corpus Christi, TX he was the son of John Smies and Gladys (Behrends) Smies. He attended Courtland High School and graduated 1960. David served in the US Navy between 1963-1969. His Dad knew the draft lady, she warned him he had two weeks before he would get his draft letter. He joined the Navy before he was drafted. He was sworn into the Navy by his Father, Lt. Commander John J Smies. After Basic training, in the cold of January 1963, he served in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Bennington, CVS 20....

Julian A. Siebert, 100, of Flush, Kansas passed away on Tuesday (December 5, 2023) at his home with his family at his side. Born November 28, 1923 in Flush, Kansas, Julian was the son of Frederick and Aurelia Rose (Umscheid) Siebert. He married Barbara Prockish on July 11, 1956 in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Flush. She survives. Mr. Siebert served his country as a Corporal in the U. S. Army during WW II, serving in the European, African, Middle Eastern theater. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was captured on Christmas Day, 1944 and was a P. O. W. until the wars end. He earned a Bronze Star Medal, a POW Medal and a EAME Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. Julian was a...

Keith B. Oney, 71, of Alma, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023 after complications from Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia (CLL). Born July 19, 1952 in New London, Ohio, Keith was the son of Ernest and Verlie (Case) Oney. He married LaNelle Kay Wegner on July 3, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives at the home. Keith attended New London public schools, graduating in June 1970 and enlisted in the Army to serve his country during the Vietnam war. He completed Airborne Ranger school while in Vietnam and served in the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit for the G-75th Rangers. He was stationed at Fort Riley and honorably discharged September 1973. Keith enjoyed all things...

Rosetta W. (Rethman) Umscheid, 89, of Flush, Kansas passed away peacefully Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Good Shepard Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas. Funeral services were held Saturday (November 18, 2023) at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Flush, Kansas . Burial was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Flush. A Rosary Service was held Friday (November 17, 2023) at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Flush. In lieu of flowers, Rosie requested memorial contributions be made to the St. Mary Cemetery Fund of St. Benedict, Kansas, the St. Joseph Cemetery Fund in Flush or the American Diabetes Association and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48,...

Ruth Ann Miller, age 80, of Wamego, passed away at Good Shepherd Hospice House on October 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Cross Point Community Church 612 E. 24th Highway, Wamego, KS, with Pastor Steve Ratliff officiating. The family invites friends and family for a luncheon following the funeral service at the Cross Point Community Church reception room. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Iron Clad, 427 Lincoln Ave, Wamego, KS, with family greeting friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Graveside burial will take place at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, November 2, 2023, in Newton,...

Merti O. (Miller) Richter, 64, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday (October 28, 2023) in her home after a courageous two year battle with glioblastoma. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning (November 4, 2023) at 10:30 at Peace United Church of Christ in Alma, Kansas. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery near Alma. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at Peace United Church of Christ in Alma. Memorials contributions are requested to Operation Underground Railroad and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may be sent to www.campanellastewart.com

Alfred J. (Al) Eichman 92, Wamego, passed away on October 25, 2023. Al was born on September 14, 1931, in Wamego, KS, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Schluterman) Eichman. He graduated from Wamego High School in 1949. He served in the US Navy Seabees during the Korean War conflict from 1951 to 1955, serving in North Africa, Newfoundland, and Cuba. After his military service, Al joined his father, Henry, and brother, Ike, in the Wamego Sand Co. business, founded by his father in 1927. After growing the business over a period of decades, it is now known as Midwest Concrete Materials (MCM) and continues today as a 4th generation family-owned business. Al was a Life Scout, a...