Joseph Dedonder Passes Away

Joseph Achille DeDonder, 77, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, in Topeka.

Joe was born November 2, 1946, in Wamego, the son of Philip V. and Louise C. (Zeller) DeDonder.  He was raised in the Sandy Hook Community and graduated from St. Marys High School.  Joe served in the Kansas National Guard.

As a young man, Joe was part of the Sandy Hook 4-H club and as a father, he was involved in the Jayhawks 4-H club with his children. Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, bee keeping, camping, hunting, watching KSU and Chiefs football, and attending the many events of his grandchildren.

Joe was a farmer and stockman.  He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Joe was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 657 and a 4th Degree Member of Thomas A. McNeive Assembly No. 289.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Christopher, Robert, and Francis and a sister-in-law, Marsha DeDonder.

On August 5, 1967, Joe and Bonnie Schwindt were married at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Topeka.  She survives at their home. 

Other survivors include two sons, Michael (Missy) DeDonder, Kansas City, MO, and John DeDonder, Lenexa; three daughters, Christi (Bobby) Martin, Seneca, Sheryl Clark, DeSoto, and Deborah (Mark) Bylkas, Manhattan; brothers, Richard (Cathie) DeDonder, St. Geroge, William (Donna) DeDonder, Greg DeDonder and Tim DeDonder, all of St. Marys and Andrew (Susie) DeDonder, Wetmore; sisters, Karen (James) Mulligan, St. Marys, Mary Ann (Don) Davis, Silver Lake, and Peggy (Malcom) Smith, St. Marys;  a sister-in-law, Becky DeDonder, St. Marys; 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren with four on the way.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Joe will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. followed by the rosary on Friday, November 24, 2023, the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, or the St. Marys Food Pantry and sent in care of the funeral home.

 

Deborah Smith (74) Passes Away

Deborah Sue "Debbie" Smith, 65, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022. She was born July 9, 1956 

in Topeka, the daughter of George N. and Carolyn S. (Peterson) Smith.

Debbie graduated from Rossville High School and attended Emporia State University. She was employed by 

Walmart for a number of years before retiring.

Survivors include her siblings, Anita Feldhausen of Kansas City, Kansas, Pamela Bird of Topeka, Linda Harris 

of Manhattan and Nelven "Lane" Smith of Topeka and several nieces, nephews and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Debbie's Life will be held at a later date. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Children’s Miracle Network, 205 W 700 South, 

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Carol Jory Passes Away

    Carol was born November 26, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA., the daughter of David Mulvane Hughes and Martha Mittenzwei Hughes. She attended Marlborough School and then studied Art History at the University of Chicago.
    Carol operated the Mulvane family's farm and pastures in Kansas after the death of her parents, but was involved in many other activities. In Los Angeles she was a 
volunteer docent at the LA County Museum of Natural History and cleaned fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits. In Kansas she served on the boards of the Historic Ward Meade Park, Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, and Topeka Cemetery. She was awarded Washburn University's Person of the Year in 2004. She contributed anonymously to Washburn University Foundation, Mulvane Art Museum, Baker University, KTWU Public Television, Topeka Rescue Mission, Topeka Zoo, performing arts organizations, and the public libraries in Topeka and Rossville. She contributed to many other groups for historic preservation, conservation, the visual, musical and performing arts, animal welfare, and the senior center. She was an Auxiliary member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion in Rossville KS.
    Here are things people say about Carol Jory. A larger than life figure in the community; 
a very social person, but also very private. Kind, generous, gentle, artistic, a lover of wildlife and nature. Occasionally, mischievous and a rebel. She always had time to talk and an interest in what others were doing. We all felt lucky to have had you in our lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son David S. Jory (1986), and former husband Farnham S. Jory (2004). Survivors include her daughter Lelean A. Smith, her son Ross M. Jory, and sister Deborah A. Hughes.
    A private graveside service will be in the Topeka Cemetery. Memorial services in Topeka KS and the Bay Area, CA will be held on a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation of a book may be made to the Rossville Elementary or High School or the Rossville Community Library. Memorial contributions may also be made to David J's Place at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, the Rossville Senior Center, American Legion of Rossville, Helping Hands Humane Society or the Topeka Rescue Mission. Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Glenn Rees (64) Passes Away

    Glenn E. Rees, 68, of Silver Lake, entered into his eternal life on Thursday, October 16, 2014. Glenn was the son of Harry and Nellie Rees and was born on the family farm near Grantville.
     When Glenn was 5 the family moved to Rossville where Glenn attended Stone School, a one room school house until the 4th grade. He then attended Rossville grade school and graduated from Rossville High School in 1964.
    Glenn married Mary Smith in 1970. They were blessed with two children, Phillip Eugene and Brenda Ruth. They made their home north of Topeka. Mary passed away in 1999. Glenn retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber after 36 years of service in 2001. In addition to Mary, Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister, Betty, a brother, Roy Rees, and his daughter Brenda Rees.
    Glenn married Deborah Anderson in 2001, when he moved north of Silver Lake. Glenn enjoyed a passion for flying and at one time in his life owned his own single engine plane. He logged hundreds of hours during his life including flying in Hawaii. Glenn also enjoyed camping, his church and his family.
    Survivors include his wife Deb of Silver Lake, son Phil and Susan Rees and their son Noah of Topeka; children by marriage, Jenifer and Todd Davidson, their children, Shelby, Jacey, Hannah, Julia and Zachary of Topeka; J.D. and Joy Hanna and their daughter Ashley of Silver Lake; brother, George Rees of Holton; family by marriage Hap and Marcia Anderson of Silver Lake, Randy and Connie Anderson of Silver Lake and Alan and Tammy Zlatnik of Rossville; many nieces and nephews also survive.
    The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Friday evening at Bethel Community Church on NW Landon Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 18th at Bethel Community Church. Interment will follow at the Grantville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Community Church, Midland Hospice or the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas, Topeka KS 66608.