Obituaries

Aug. 8, 1948 – June 23, 2019

LYNDON — Ila Smoot died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at her home in Lyndon. She was 70.

She was born Aug. 8, 1948, at Topeka, the daughter of Clayton Ray and Beulah Basel. She was later adopted by Harry Anderson.

She was raised in Topeka, until the family moved to Berryton in 1959. She attended grade school and middle school in Berryton.

Jan. 7, 1935 – June 20, 2019

OSAGE CITY — Buddy Stuart Steinle, Osage City, died Thursday, June 20, 2019, at home. He was 84

He was born Jan. 7, 1935, at Burlingame, the son of Ernest and Anna Steinle. He attended school at Burlingame, graduating in 1953. He was very athletic and participated in football, basketball and track during high school. Following high school he attended Emporia State University graduating with a degree in business education.

Feb. 18, 1966 – June 15, 2019

TOPEKA — Darrin Lee Briggs, Burlingame, died Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, after an extended illness. He was 53.

He was born Feb. 18, 1966, at Topeka, the son of Dean and Lyla Rae Lieshman Briggs. He lived Scranton, and graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in 1985. He attended Scranton United Methodist Church until its closure.

July 5, 1935 – June 13, 2019

TOPEKA — Leonard Elmore, Vassar, died Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Topeka. He was 83.

He was born July 5, 1935, at Arkansas City, the son of Clarence and Gladys Leonard Elmore. He grew up in Wellington and lived in Topeka before moving to Osage County in 1970. He lived near Vassar for several years.

He worked for Santa Fe Railroad as a draftsman and then head car inspector. He enjoyed restoring cars and tractors, playing in a band and riding motorcycles. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar.

Feb. 15, 1958 – May 30, 2019

LEBO — Eric Eugene Johnson, Lebo, died May 30, 2019, at his home. He was 61.

He was born Feb. 15, 1958, at Ottawa, the son of Leon Johnson and Sharon Lee Gragg Johnson. He graduated from Melvern High School in 1976. He spent most of his life as a construction welder and mechanical maintenance technician, both here and abroad.

He married Beverlee Dian Peavy, March 30, 1979. To this union were born two children. They were later divorced.