Walter John Blanken, Jr., 84, of Pittsburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born January 6, 1942, in Pittsburg, the son of Walter John Sr. and Theresa (Colles) Blanken. He attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from Colgan High School. He played all sports in High School and coached his children's teams. Mr. Blanken lived in Pittsburg his entire life. On July 18, 1966, he was united in marriage to Judith Totman in ...

James “Jim” M. Huddleston, 85, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away at Mercy Hospital on July 9, 2026.  Jim was born June 27, 1941 to Vernel and Marie Nausley Huddleston in Champaign, IL. Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Connie (Jones) Huddleston of the home, and their children, Cheryl Huddleston (Cristian Macelaru); Dr. Stephen James Huddleston (Dr. Josie O’Gara); Dr. Jayne Brandel (Michael Brandel) and the Hon. Beth Toland (Lt. Gov. David Toland). He is also ...

Marilyn Marietta Smith, 93, of Pittsburg, passed away at 2:45 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Girard Medical Center. She was born March 20, 1933, in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Ira Douglas Jr. and Hulda Wilhelmine (Barner) Bonham, where she was one of eight children. She was united in marriage to Theodore A. Smith. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1999. In her younger years, she worked as a secretary. She then took time off to raise her family. After raising her ...

Carla Ann Markley, 82, of Pittsburg, formerly of Parsons, passed away at 7:06 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at home. She was born September 18, 1943, in Parsons, Kansas, the daughter of Carl and Wilma (Murphy) Albertson. She attended schools in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School in 1961. She graduated from Labette Community College with her nursing degree. On July 10, 1966, she was united in marriage to Bob Markley in Parsons. They were later divorced. Mrs. Markley was a ...

William “Bill” Orville Samuels passed away on July 2, 2026. He was born on February 22, 1936, in Carthage, Missouri, to Warren Lee Samuels and Marguerite Ann Goff Samuels. Bill grew up in Carthage, where he was a standout athlete at Carthage High School. He continued his education and athletic career at Pittsburg State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and became part of the proud tradition of Gorilla athletics. As a ...

Jeanne Lee, 81, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away on July 01, 2026, at her home in Pittsburg, KS. Jeanne was born on August 1, 1944, to Lenard and Mildred (Smith) Barrett in Eufaula, OK. She graduated from Arvin High School in Arvin, CA. She was united in marriage to Bob Lee on August 4, 1962, in Arvin, CA. Jeanne was as a homemaker before working as an EKG/EEG Technician for Cox South for 20yrs. She and her husband lived in Willard, MO, Fordland, MO, Springfield, MO, and Pittsburg, KS, for ...

Lennie Lee Westervelt, 84, of rural Cherokee, passed away at 8:18 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Girard Homestead Assisted Living in Girard. He was born January 30, 1942, west of West Mineral, Kansas, the son of Maurice Lee “ML” and Genola (Richardson) Westervelt. He attended school at Star School until his family moved to Cherokee in 1955. He then attended school in Cherokee and graduated from Crawford County High School in Cherokee. He and his brother, Alvin farmed and ...

Randall Frederick Guinn passed away on April 10, 2026 at The Oaks in Lakewood, WA while in hospice care. Randall was born in Pittsburg, KS on January 13, 1941. He attended Emerson Elem in Girard, KS before the family moved to Pittsburg for his 6th-8th grade years. A final move to Nevada, Missouri allowed him to attend Nevada High School until his graduation in 1959. After graduation, Randy attended college and worked various jobs before landing the position he loved most, delivering milk ...

James Alan "Jimmy" Rodabaugh, 70, of Weir, KS, passed away on June 08, 2026, at his home. Jimmy was born on November 18, 1955, to Jack and Patricia O. (Neil) Rodabaugh in Pittsburg, KS. Jimmy lived his life on the farm with his parents until their passing, where he lived with his brother Dan (Pati) since. He never met a person he didn't like. Jimmy was active in the Special Olympics and part of the New Hope Bulldogs. Jim participated in basketball, flag football, softball, ...

Sylvan Lee McWilliams of Pittsburg, Kansas passed away June 8, 2026 peacefully at Comfort Care in Pittsburg with his wife of 34 years, Cynthia Triplett, by his side. Sylvan was born March 30, 1943 in Pittsburg, Kansas as the only son of Glenn Howard and Vivian Irene (Owens) McWilliams and was known throughout his adult life to friends and family as Mac.   Sylvan graduated from College High Laboratory School in Pittsburg in 1962 and in July 1962 joined the United States Army. ...