Obituaries - Wednesday, March 4

Dianna Lynn (Arnett) Gillies

April 28, 1955 ~ March 2, 2026

Dianna Lynn (Arnett) Gillies, of Alton, passed away March 2, 2026, in Salina, Kansas.

Dianna was born April 28, 1955, in Pratt, Kansas, to Wilbur and Freeda (Conant) Arnett. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Ryan Tucker.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Gillies; her son, Michael Tucker; her daughters, Catina Cooper and Macalla Carlson; her brother, Bruce Arnett; her sisters, Virginia Peterson and Brenda Maldonado; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services to celebrate Dianna’s life are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2026, at Mt. Ayr Friends Church, 1265 Co Rd 657, Alton, KS 67623, with a luncheon to follow.

Memorials in Dianna’s name may be made to the Morrison House, 513 S 8th St, Salina, KS 67401.

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Joe A. Bowman

June 3, 1953 ~ March 1, 2026

Joe A. Bowman, 72, of Salina, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026 at his home on Kanopolis Lake. He was born in Salina to Virgil and Dorothy (Sprague) Bowman on June 3, 1953.

Joe grew up in Salina and married Barbara Anderson on March 3, 1973. He worked for Southwestern Bell then AT&T for 38 years. Joe enjoyed everything outdoors especially days on the lake fishing, hunting upland game and waterfowl, playing softball and golf, searching for treasures with his metal detector and relaxing in South Padre Island.

As his family grew, Joe loved spending time with his children and then grandchildren, cheering them on during all their activities.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barb; children, Chris Bowman (Taylor), Lisa Engelman (Andrew), Lacey Huffman (Mike); 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Glenda Rittel; and brothers, Steve Bowman and Rodney Bowman.

Joe lives on, just at a different address. A celebration of life for family and friends will be held this summer.

Memorials to Tammy Walker Cancer Center, 511 S. Santa Fe, Salina, KS 67401.

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Virginia (Schlagel) Laber

April 6, 1931 ~ February 28, 2026

Virginia (Schlagel) Laber, 94, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026 in Independence, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John Laber; her parents; and her 11 siblings.

She is survived by her children: Janice (Gary) Brown of Lee’s Summit, MO; Julie Ross of Cheney, KS; and David Laber of Independence, MO; as well as four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Born April 6, 1931, in Longmont, Colorado, Virginia was the sixth of 12 children. She graduated from Lafayette High School in 1949, where she was active in cheerleading, student council (serving as president), choir, and was recognized in “Who’s Who in American High Schools.” She later trained in dental nursing in San Francisco and worked as a dental assistant for various dentists in Denver, CO and Salina, KS.

Faith and family were central to her life. She was active in churches in Colorado and Kansas, taught Sunday School for over 20 years, served in United Methodist Women leadership, participated in conference ministries, and was active in church choirs and bell choirs throughout her life.

A private graveside service will take place at Roselawn Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to Church of the Cross, 1600 Rush St., Salina, KS 67401.

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Yvonne Marie (Kerns) Chard

November 12, 1930 ~ March 2, 2026

Yvonne Marie (Kerns) Chard of Salina, KS, passed away on March 2, 2026, in Salina. She was known as Von.

She was born on November 12, 1930, in Beloit, KS, the daughter of Floyd and Jessie (Muckey) Kerns. She was raised on a farm outside of Hunter, KS and graduated there in 1948.

On November 23, 1950, she married Howard D. Chard in Beloit, KS and they made their home in Lincoln, KS. To this union seven children were born: Linn, Tim, (twins) Karin and Karli, Rick, and (twins) Marcia Jan and Melissa Jo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Verna Kerns, husband Howard, infant daughter Marcia Jan, grandchild Shawna Chard, daughter-in-law, Sherri (Brady) Chard, stepdaughter, Sue (Chard) Mattingly, and stepson, Dave Chard.

Survivors are sons: Linn Chard of Salina, KS, Tim (Donna) Chard of Talmage, NE, Rick Chard of Wichita, KS; daughters: Karin (Walter) Savage of Ellsworth, KS, Karli (Arlen) Schultz of Holyrood, KS, and Jo (Jim) Henry of Salina, KS.; brother Vern (Bert) Kerns of Salina, KS and step-daughter-in-law Henri Chard, Salina, KS. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, two great- great grandchildren, several nephews, and step-grandchildren.

Von was a homemaker and after the death of Howard she went to work in various nursing homes. She was an avid reader and loved to travel, especially to Branson, MO. She eventually rented a little house in Salina and in 2006 she retired and moved into Oakdale Plaza Apartments where she lived the rest of her life.

She chose cremation and no service, just wanted her family to have a get-together.

Memorials can be made to the Donors’ choice.

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