Category: Obituaries

Donna Jean (Hemelrick) Strom

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Donna Jean Hemelrick (Strom) passed away January 5, 2026 unexpectedly, at University of Kansas Hospital.

She was born May 13, 1978, in Lawrence, the daughter to Donald (deceased) and Sylvia Hemelrick. She attended Oskaloosa, KS schools, then received her GED and later attended Pinnacle Career College.

Survivors include her mother Sylvia Hemelrick, two sisters, Karen Woelk and Mary Hemelrick.
Five brothers David Wilks, Jeff (Amber) Wilks, Shawn Reid,  Justin Hemelrick and Seth Parker. Four children: Zachary Hemelrick, Morgan Hemelrick, Autumn Hefner and Abby Hemelrick. Also twelve grandchild and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Proceeded in her death was her father Donald Hemelrick, brother Chipper Wilks and son Aaron Hemelrick. Grandparents Frank and Ivy Reid and Deloris Jean Becker.

Donna loved to live life to the fullest, her love for her family, children and grandchildren was unconditional. She spent her life taking care of others as a home health care provider and then became an assistant manager at Joe’s Kwik Mart.

Donna was known for her kind heart, beautiful eyes and smile. Always wanting to help everyone else.

Donations can be made to Rumsey Yost Funeral home in care of Donna Strom funeral expenses.

A celebration of life will be at a later date.

Benjamin Brabant Allen Jr.

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Ben Allen Jr.  passed away Saturday January 3, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas with his family by his side.  He was born December 18, 1960 in Alton, Illinois to Ben and Trudi, Benjie was the oldest of three children. Ben graduated from Alton High School in 1979 and went on to attend The University of Oklahoma.  He was a talented and self-taught musician and artist. Ben began playing the piano as a child and quickly became prolific in classical and later contemporary music. He was in constant pursuit of knowledge, curious about the workings of the world. From antiquities to current events, he was a wealth of knowledge, which, sometimes to the chagrin of his family, was usually superior. Ben had a mind of his own and informed opinions that he was happy to share. He was a skilled and avid chess player as well. Benjie enjoyed childhood summers in Saugatuck, and one special summer spent with his Uncle Hube managing the archeological dig in Morgantina, Sicily.  Ben moved to Lawrence in 2004 to be closer to his beloved University of Kansas.  Ben was preceded in death by his dear friend and cousin Lee Allen, and his grandparents, Hub and Berta Allen and Al and Na Weber.

Benjie is survived by his parents, Ben and Trudi, his brother Peter (Gina), and his sister Betsy (Eddie Sholar), 7 cousins and 5 nieces and nephews.  Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.  Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

Robert Henry Hess

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Robert Henry Hess, 87, of Lawrence died January 4, 2026 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

Bob was born April 29, 1938 in Iola, the son of James George and Genevieve (Ellis) Hess, the fourth of eight children. He grew up on the Hess family farm southwest of LaHarpe and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1957. On October 5, 1957 he married Ellen Susan “Susie” McVey at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Humboldt. They celebrated 68 years together. They initally lived in Fort Scott, where Bob worked for the Singer Sewing Machine company as the local manager. He was transferred to Lawrence in 1958 to manage the Lawrence Singer store. Over the years he also worked for Lawrence Furniture and White’s before opening Bob’s Bernina Sewing and Vacuum Center in Holiday Plaza in December 1980. He sold the business in 2010 and retired at that time.

Bob had a boundless curiosity and love of life. He enjoyed gardening, a yearly trip to Mazatlan and getting to know everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife; sons Michael (Kathleen) and Mark (Ty Fuller) of Lawrence; granddaughter Gretchen Hess of Chicago, IL.; three grandsons Scott Fuller, Seth Fuller and Spencer Fuller; sister Mary Joan Brigham of St. George; and brother Bernard of Humboldt. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Jerome, Phillip, and Charles; his sisters Ann Ballenger and Julie Hess; and infant sons Timothy and Patrick.

On Friday, January 9th a visitation is scheduled at 9:30am with the Funeral Mass starting at 10:30am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.  Burial will be in St. Joseph cemetery in Humboldt at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society. Bob’s family is very appreciative of the excellent care he received at Lawrence Memorial Hospital during his illness.

Leslie Allen French

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Services for Leslie Allen French, 63, will be at 10:00 am Monday, January 5, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. French died Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at home.

Mr. French was born June 4, 1962, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Delbert Ray French and Carolyn Mae French. He graduated in 1980. He moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1968.

Mr. French was employed as a drywaller and did asphalt and seal coating for businesses around Lawrence, Kansas. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and being on his boat.  Mr. French enjoyed collecting coins and bragging about ones that were graded that he had.

He married Jane Ford on September 22, 1981, in Oskaloosa, Kansas.  They divorced.  His significant other Samantha Spencer Lawrence, Kansas survives of the home.

Other survivors include his mother Carolyn Mae French Lawrence, Kansas; sisters, Thelma French-Gomez Lawrence, Kansas, sister Tina Rae French (Trino) Lawrence, Kansas, brother Delbert Ray French II Lawrence, Kansas and many nephews and nieces.

Daughter Jessica French (Decker) (Matt) Downers Grove, Illinois

Daughter Jennifer French (Decker) Bolingbrook, Illinois and five grandchildren.

His father Delbert Ray French died earlier, his niece died August 3, 2024.

Visitation and viewing will take place from 10:00 am – 11:00 am on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  The family will proceed to Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 East 15th Street Lawrence, Kansas 66044 at 11:00 am for graveside services.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home for funeral expenses, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Dr. Richard E. Nelson

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Dr. Richard Elliott Nelson, 89, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Richard was born November 4, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Roy and Blanche (Silver) Nelson. He graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1954 and went on to attend Emporia State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 1958 and his master’s degree in 1961.

He began his career in education at Tonovay High School and later served as a guidance counselor at Towanda High School. Richard then worked as a guidance counselor and principal at Hutchinson Junior High School before moving to Hutchinson High School as a counselor. He later accepted a position with the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka. In 1975, he earned his Ph.D. from University of Missouri in Columbia, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Richard joined the University of Kansas School of Education. He retired in 2007 after a long and distinguished career dedicated to students and educators.

Richard was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church.

On September 1, 1957, he married Barbara Ann Johnson in Salina, Kansas. She survives. Additional survivors include their children, Jeff Nelson, J.D. Nelson, and Jody Miller (Scott); grandchildren, Taite Nelson, Kelsey Gotsche (Adam), Logan Miller, Kinsey Nelson, Kaylin Nelson, Kaleb Nelson, and Caitlin Matthews; and great-grandchildren, Lilah Nelson, Collins Gotsche, Kyler Gotsche, and Elliott Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings JoAnne Nelson, Edward Nelson, Eula Johnson, Robert Nelson, and Muriel Strange; grandson Tyler Miller; and daughter-in-law Mary Beth Nelson.

Richard was very proud of his Swedish heritage and held a deep love for Lindsborg, Kansas. He enjoyed fishing and camping, golf, photography, and cheering on KU basketball. Most of all, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service honoring Richard’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial of the urn will take place at Pioneer Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum, 120 E. Mill Street, Lindsborg, KS 67456, or online at www.oldmillmuseum.org/donations/.

Cheryl Kay Taylor

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Cheryl Kay Taylor, 80, of Lawrence, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 of complications from dementia.

The daughter of Geraldine Frances (Petersen) Robinson and Joel A. Robinson, she was born May 12, 1945 in Topeka. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1963 and married George William Taylor June 30, 1963.

They lived in Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Plainfield, N.J., before divorcing in 1975.

Ms. Taylor returned to Lawrence to raise three children while working a variety of jobs before joining the team at Hallmark’s Lawrence Production Center where she worked for about three decades before retiring.

She was an active member of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lawrence where she was a member of the Altar Care Team, a member of a call committee to find a new pastor, and she served a term as the Trinity Lutheran Council President. Perhaps the most rewarding job of her service to the church was as a member of Trinity’s Women of the ELCA (WELCA) where she met many, many people she considered close friends for the rest of her life.

Out of deference to the holiday commitments of those who knew and loved Ms. Taylor, her children have decided to proceed with cremation with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to the World Wildlife Fund.

She is survived by a son, Wm. Paul Taylor, Woodbridge, Va.; a daughter Pamela Suzanne (Taylor) Kaercher, Shiloh, Ill.; a son, Christopher Scott Taylor, Lawrence; a brother, David Arthur Robinson, Wichita, Kan. and seven grandchildren: Cameron Seeley Taylor, Woodbridge, Va.; Nicholas Graham Taylor, Woodbridge, Va.; Peyton Elizabeth Kaercher, Monroe, Mich.; Hannah Grace Taylor, who preceded her in death in 1998; Olivia Renee Taylor, Lawrence; Joseph Christopher Taylor, Lawrence; Lannie Catherin Kaercher, Shiloh, Ill.; and Mae Grace Taylor, Lawrence.

 

Ernest Kent Hayes

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Ernest Kent Hayes, age 88, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on December 18, 2025. Kent was born in Bronson, Kansas, to Clare and Lois (nee Osborne) Hayes, who were longtime residents of Topeka. He spent his youth in Holyoke and Alamosa, Colorado, and Baldwin and Topeka, Kansas. He attended Baker University and was a proud graduate of Washburn University.

At Baker University he met Betty Carolan of Kansas City, Missouri. They married and had three children: Michael Hayes of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Mark Hayes (Brenda) of Burlingame, Kansas; and Lisa Greene (Jack) of Carolina Beach, North Carolina. The marriage ended after 25 years. Kent then fell in love with Virginia (Ginger) Lyman, who had a son, Scott Lundemo, now in Anchorage, Alaska. Kent and Ginger were then proud to welcome a son, Nicholas Hayes (Brandy), who lives in Lawrence.

Straight out of college Kent spent his career advocating for children. He ultimately became a nationally recognized authority in concepts of care for abandoned, abused, and neglected children. He first served as chief probation officer of the Shawnee County Juvenile Court and then became superintendent of the Boys’ Training School in Kearney, Nebraska. Along the way he partnered with Dr. Karl Menninger to develop a new concept for the care of delinquent, abandoned, and neglected children (The Villages). Thereafter, he became codirector of the Menninger Youth Program, known as the CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights: Legal, Educational, and Emotional) program, which developed and administered a nationwide network of community-based alternative child care systems in eight states and the District of Columbia.

His experiences with children in the direst of straits resulted in the publication of numerous articles and two fictionalized accounts of their situation, which he cowrote with his program codirector, Dr. Alex Lazzarino: Broken Promise (Putnam, 1978) and Find a Safe Place (McGraw-Hill, 1984). Both books became made-for-television movies. In 1989, he published a third book, Why Good Parents Have Bad Kids (Doubleday). These publications earned him appearances on numerous national television and radio shows, like The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Phil Donahue Show, Larry King, CNN, and NBC’s Today Show.

He was proud that his life’s work, his books, and the attention that they drew produced meaningful progress in the care of abandoned, abused, and neglected children throughout the United States.

Kent loved to play golf and became quite good, winning several local tournaments. Even more, Kent loved to be with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He liked to travel to the Rocky Mountains as often as possible and always had a book by his side. He was particularly fond of murder mysteries both in books and on television.

Kent is survived by his loving wife, Ginger; his five children, 10 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren; and his brother, Kenneth Hayes.

At this time, no service is planned. Details regarding any future service to honor Kent’s memory will be shared when it becomes available.

Virgie Mae Farmer

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A Celebration of Life gathering for Virgie Mae Farmer, 85, of Eudora, will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Family and friends are warmly invited to come together to honor, remember, and celebrate Virgie’s life and the many memories she leaves behind.

Virgie passed away at her home on Friday, December 19, 2025.

She will be fondly remembered for her deep love for her family and the unwavering care, kindness, and devotion she showed throughout her life. Her gentle presence and giving heart touched all who knew her, and she will be dearly missed.