Joyce Casper, 82 of Wamego, KS, passed away on October 05, 2026 at The Heritage Home in Alma. Arrangements are in the care of Campanella Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. A Celebration of Life will follow there at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Wamego City Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested and may be made payable to the Heritage Home and left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, Kansas 66547. Online condolences at https://www.campanellastewart.com/

Karl Frederick “Fred” Schwarz, 85, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Onaga, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka. Visitation prior at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Duluth, Kansas. Memorial contributions to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.

Carl Criss Mayfield, III, 83, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Legion Post 172 or an organization helping veterans of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com

March 26, 1936 - September 16, 2026 John Edward Simmer, 90, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka after complications from a stroke. John was born March 26, 1936, in Wamego, KS, the son of Frank Joseph and Cecelia (Umscheid) Simmer. He was a member of the community his entire life, attending local schools and graduating from Wamego Rural High School in 1954. During his high school years, he was a letterman in track and football, earning first team league honors as a center. While attending a dance in Newbury, KS, he met his future wife, Patty Anderson. They were married December 12, 1964, in Olathe, Kansas, and made their home in Wamego. They shared many great times taking trips, house renovations, coaching their daughter's softball teams, and being avid K-State football fans traveling to watch the team play. They had one daughter, Aimee Laurel. After 49 years of marriage, Patty passed away on December 23, 2013. After graduating from high school, John worked construction around the area, and in 1957 he enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving actively until 1963. He began his career with the Kansas Department of Transportation Maintenance division in Wamego in 1958, eventually working his way up to being the supervisor. He enjoyed the many friendships he made with his crews and people in the district, and took pride in the job that they did to keep the roads safe for the public. After 38 years with the state, he retired in 1996. Upon retiring, he found many projects that needed to be done around the house but as spring neared he took a position with Wamego Country Club grounds crew. He loved mowing for them, creating patterns on the fairways, and meeting new friends and seeing old ones. He found a love for the game and took it on as a new hobby, but a frustrating one. John always enjoyed practicing the guitar, listening to country music, remodeling projects for others, trips to Colorado, and sports involving Wamego, K-State, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He enjoyed trying his hand at photography, rode motorcycles for a time, and coached girl's softball teams for many years. When Patty was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he stood by her for years and cared for her at home as long as he could. In later years, he was overjoyed to have grandkids, first Grant, then six years later, Kendall and Cole. Grandpa was the best title ever. He followed soccer matches, baseball and basketball games, and volleyball matches. His grandsons brought him back to the course when they started playing golf, and he loved to watch them play and was appalled at how far they could hit the ball. His family was always at the top of his list and he was always checking on the kids to see how they were, and was so very proud of each one. He will be missed. John is survived by his daughter, Aimee Heinisch, and husband, Brad; three grandkids: Grant and twins Kendall and Cole Heinisch, all from Wamego; as well as his special friend Patricia Krause, Westmoreland, and numerous sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and all of his siblings: Bob Simmer, Donna Johnson, Joanne Simmer, Jerry Simmer, Betty Jensen, Jimmy Simmer, and Bill Simmer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, September 28, 2026, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Burial will follow in the Wamego City Cemetery. A visitation for John will be held prior to his service at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas Honor Flight-Wamego High School or the WAYGolf (Wamego Area Youth Golf Foundation) and may be left in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.

Nyla Mae Zerbe, 92, of rural Wamego, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center. She was a life-long resident of the area. Arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home.

Dylan Joseph Higgins, 17, of Wamego, Kansas, left us far too soon on September 13, 2026. Arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego

Oct 12, 1939 - Sept 13, 2026 Carol Jean (Ebert) Pitney, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend passed away Sunday, September 13th, 2026 at Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, Kansas. She was born on October 12, 1939 to Emil "Butch" and Dorothy (Beard) Ebert at Genn Hospital, Wamego, Kansas. She was raised on the farm and preferred being outdoors with her twin brother doing farm chores or riding horses (in her words, she was a tomboy). Known by the locals, she was one of a set of twins -Carl and Carol (aka Carlie and Carolie). She attended St. Bernard Grade School and graduated from Wamego High School in 1958. She married Jerome (Jerry) Pitney in December, 1958, later divorcing in 1996. She was an active member of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Taking communion to the homebound was one of the ministries she enjoyed the most but for health reasons was forced to retire from this ministry and other church ministries. Her first job was working as an aid at Genn Hospital. She worked side-by-side with Jerry in the Pitney Auction Service. She also worked 20 plus years as a dental assistant for Dr. Bill Ditto at Wamego Dental Center where she truly enjoyed interacting with the patients. After retiring from the dental office, she became a certified CNA and Home Health Aid and worked for Big Lakes Development Center for 8 years and then did Home Health Care in the Wamego and Manhattan Area. She enjoyed traveling with her grandson via train to New Mexico; with her prayer partners to Medjugorje and Rome, charismatic retreats and other exciting places. One of the highlights of her life was tandem skydiving on her 70th birthday. She loved sports and enjoyed attending the boys' activities when they were in school and watching them in their wrestling meets (they were intense to watch but she soon became a fan). She also enjoyed K-State Women's Basketball where she held season tickets and watching Chiefs football on TV. Family was very important to her and she hosted many family reunions, Fourth of July and other celebrations. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Deanna Louise, twin brother, Carl Ebert, brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Evelyn Ebert. She is survived by three sons, Jerome (Neoma) Pitney, Fredericksburg, TX; Russell (Wanda) Pitney, Abilene, KS and Rodney (Pam) Pitney, Alma, KS; grandchildren, Brandy (Andy) Braun, Alexandria, LA; Sophia (Avery) Simecka, Overland Park, KS and Eli Pitney, Talmage, KS; great-grandchildren, Jynger Woodward, Mason, Dallas & Cody Braun, Madeline & Chloe Simecka; brother, Tom (Fran) Ebert, Wamego, KS and numerous other relatives. She will be greatly missed but her love will live on in the family she loved so much. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday morning (September 24, 2026) at 10:30 at St. Bernard Catholic Church with Fr. Mike Peterson officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday evening (September 23, 2026) from 5:00 to 7:00 at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. A Rosary Service will be will be Wednesday evening (September 23, 2026) at 7:00 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Bernard Catholic Church or the Good Shepherd Hospice House of Manhattan. Please make checks payable to the organization of your choice and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547

September 3, 1938 - August 31, 2026 Richard V. Hill Sr, age 87, of Wamego and formerly of St. George, passed away August 31, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society Retirement Community in Wamego. Richard was born on September 3, 1938, in Paynesville, Ohio, the son of Lawrence and Sarah (Pekkanen) Hill. His mother passed away when he was 6, along with his dad he was raised by his step-mother Lilian. He attended schools in Centerville, Pennsylvania and graduated from Centerville High School with the class of 1956. On November 15, 1960, in Centerville, Pennsylvania, Richard was united in marriage to Frances Watson. The union was blessed with two children: Richard Jr. and Kimberly. Richard served in the US Army Reserves and then entered the US Army and served in Vietnam from 1966 until 1967. After his retirement from the army, Richard earned his bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in Horticulture. He worked for many years in the KSU greenhouses and on Fort Riley. He was proud of his service time to his country and being a career military man. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Manhattan and was a past president. In 2021 he was part of the Kansas Honor Flight from Wamego. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Frances and his daughter Kimberly. He is survived by his son Richard Hill Jr. of Cummings, Kansas, and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Friday September 18, 2026 at 1:00p.m. at the St. George Cemetery in St. George, Kansas. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Richard to the Kansas Honor Flight. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com

August 29, 2006 - September 6, 2026 Hawley Nicole Winkler, 20, Topeka, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on September 6, 2026. Hawley was born August 29, 2006, the daughter of John Michael and Heather Nicole Harkness Winkler. She graduated from Hope Street Academy in 2024 and earned her CNA from Washburn Technical College. Hawley led a loving vibrant life. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Her sisters were her best friends. Hawley is survived by her parents; sisters, Lillian Winkler (fiancé, Drew Burenheide), Grace Winkler, and Lucy Winkler; brother, Marshall Winkler; grandparents, Steven and Catherine Harkness and Johnny and Donna Moore; niece, Emersyn Winkler; and great aunt, JoAnne Minihan. Hawley was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Richard and Myrline Winkler. Visitation will be Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, September 14, at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. The family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made in Hawley's memory to Christ the King Catholic School, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, Kansas 66614. Contributions will help establish a scholarship, providing the gift of a Catholic education. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Nora Jean Lietz, age 98, of Paxico, Kansas, passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 14, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, Kansas. The family will greet friends at a visitation prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will be held at 1:30 pm at Bethlehem Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, McFarland or Lutheran Hour Ministries. www.campanellastewart.com.

October 27, 1948 - June 17, 2026 Beloved mother and grandmother, Janice Leah Diehl, 77, of San Diego, CA, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026. Leah spent her life in the service of others, raising three daughters while working full-time as an ER nurse for 45 years. Born October 27, 1948, in Manhattan, Kansas, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, traveling around the world, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. Inspired by her caring parents, Marion and Agnes Temple, Leah was drawn to the nursing profession early and, at 16, began working at Wamego City Hospital as a nurse's aide. Leah graduated from the prestigious Stormont-Vail Nursing School in Topeka, Kansas, in 1969, where she met lifelong friend Linda Woody Sutterfield. In that same year, Leah married Paul Diehl, and eventually the couple moved to Hermosa Beach, California. After separating from her husband, Leah moved to San Diego with her daughters and transitioned from caring for adults at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance to becoming a charge nurse at the newly opened Rady Children's Hospital. Even after retiring in 2014, Leah continued caring for others by delivering Meals on Wheels until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018. As her illness progressed, her family learned to meet her where she was and found joy in treasured moments, like one last girls' trip to Dollywood and celebrating the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl. Even as Alzheimer's took her memories, it never touched the love she gave and received. Leah was predeceased by her parents, Marion and Agnes Temple; siblings Archer and Charles Temple, and Ana Monroe; and her partner, Tony Linardi. She is survived by her three daughters, Lori O'Brien, Brandy Mercier, and Diana Jendoubi; her grandchildren, Andee and Jake O'Brien, Tyler, Cole and Ryan Yates, Ethan, and Nicole Mercier; and her siblings, Dorothy Stevens, Ramona Stueve, Therese Kent, Herman, and Larry Temple. The family will gather privately in Wamego, Kansas, to celebrate her life and honor her memory.

James Lambley, 84 of Paxico, Kansas, passed away on August 29, 2026 at his home in Paxico. Arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, September 2, 2026, at 10:30 at the Paxico McFarland United Methodist Church, followed by burial at Bethlehem Cemetery near Paxico, Kansas. The family will greet friends on Wednesday morning, September 2, 2026, from 9:30 until the service begins at the Paxico McFarland United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Paxico McFarland United Methodist Church or the Wabaunsee County Historical Society. Please make checks payable to the charity of your choice, and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547 . Online condolences at https://www.campanellastewart.com/