Roland Oral Foster-Balloun, age 70, of Russell, Kansas, died May 22, 2022, in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada.He was not an astronaut, but some called him Astronaut. He grew up working and managing his mother’s restaurants and always excelled in sports—a natural athlete his whole life. At 17 he joined the Navy, served 4 years, and was honorably discharged.He opened his own restaurants and succeeded. He opened a retail camera business and succeeded. He opened a travel agency and succeeded. He went back to college in his late 30s to earn a business degree. He graduated from Tulane Law School

Lester Gene Satchell, 75, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Medicalodges in Goddard, Kansas. Lester was born on January 27, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of E. Paul and Irene Emma (Waymaster) Satchell.  He grew up in Bunker Hill, Kansas and graduated from Bunker Hill High School.  After high school, he attended Ft. Hays State University for a short while.  In 1966 he joined the United States Marine Corp from 1966 to 1970 and fought in the Vietnam war.  After serving his country he worked in California as an owner and operator of his

Carol Jean Wood, 74, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. Carol was born on October 02, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of John and Marge (Henn) Johnson.  She grew up in Hays and graduated from Hays High School.  After high school she attended Ft. Hays University where she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Gale Ray Wood on June 03, 1967, in Ellis, Kansas.  From this union Carol and Gale were blessed with two children a son Kelly and daughter Cindy.  The family lived in

Benjamin Clement Griffin, 86, of LaFayette, Georgia, (formerly of Russell, Kansas) passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022. Benjamin was born on December 16, 1935, in Bunker Hill, Kansas, the son of Roland and Mary (Bostick) Griffin.  After high school, he served his country by joining the United States Army and fought in the Korean War.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Carol Jean Stoppel on October 24, 1964, and from this union they were blessed with 2 daughters Teresa and Darlene.  Carol preceded him in death on July 16, 1998.  He found love a second

William E. “Bill” Kuntzsch, 84, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Bunker Hill, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at the Russell Regional Hospital. Bill was born March 26, 1938 in Russell, the son of William H. and Margret F. (Reddig) Kuntzsch.  He grew up in the Russell area and attended country schools. Bill was united in marriage to Mary L. Weathers on May 6, 1956 in Russell.  This union was blessed with four children; William, Jr., Malinda, Glenda and Alan. Bill worked in the oil fields his whole life.  He was a proud volunteer of the Bunker Hill

Judith Lee Janssen, 79, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, April 01, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Judith was born on December 04, 1942, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Willis W. and Elsie (Bender) Harbaugh.  She grew up in Luray, Kansas, and graduated from Luray High School.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Wayne Harry Janssen on June 20, 1964, in Russell, Kansas.  From this union Judith and Wayne were blessed with two boys Dean and Douglas.  She worked as a bookkeeper at Gatewood Nursing Home.  She also worked as

Virginia Ann (Hill) Mitchell, 79, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away Friday, March 25, 2022 at her home. Virginia was born September 23, 1942 on the family farm in Lincoln County, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Harvey H. and Alice M. (Kral) Hill.  She grew up in the Dorrance and Wilson area and graduated from Dorrance High School. Virginia was united in marriage to Fredrick O. Mitchell, Sr. on January 29, 1961 in Russell.  This union was blessed with three sons; Fredrick, Jr., Martin and Jason.  They moved around some early in their marriage before moving to Great Bend

Melva Arlene (Rassette) Peirano, 86, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Melva was born August 24, 1935, in Dorrance, Kansas.  The daughter of Walter and Minnie (Kaufman) Rassette.  She grew up south of Dorrance on a farm and graduated from Dorrance High School with the class of 1953.  The summer of her junior and senior year, Melva worked at the Russell State Bank.  After graduation, she earned a permanent position and worked there for 35 years.  She retired in 1996.  Melva married Franklin Dean Peirano on October 17, 1954. 

Tyner A. Wittman, 84, of Russell, Kansas, passed away March 12, 2022 in the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Tyner was born March 22, 1937 in Russell.  He was the son of Leslie A. and Floreine (Lancaster) Wittman.  He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School. Tyner was united in marriage to Berniece Reinhart on April 26, 1980.  They made their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tyner was a Manager of a motel in Colorado Springs for over 30 years.  Then moved back to Russell and worked at Fossil Station for 12 years.  He was a