Obituaries - Tuesday, March 17
Obituary for Kenneth A. Veltman
Kenneth A. Veltman, 90 years old, of Salina, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Salina Presbyterian Manor.
Kenneth was born in Abilene, KS to Arnold F. & Helen (Smith) Veltman on April 24, 1935. He was a graduate of Abilene High School.
On October 6, 1956, he was married to JoAnn (Hutchison) in Salina. They were married for 69 years. To this union a daughter, Kerry Ann, was born.
Kenneth owned & operated Veltman Transport, a fuel transport company which was established & operated in Abilene by his parents. After his father's death Kenneth acquired the business. For 42 years, Ken delivered fuel to his many Central Kansas customers. Always with a smile, rarely with a complaint & even in inclement weather, Ken never missed a day driving down the highways of Kansas. In 2000 Ken parked his truck and retired.
Kenneth leaves behind his wife JoAnn; daughter, Kerry Chaput; grandsons, Chad (Sara) Chaput & Matt (Kristen) Chaput; great-grandchildren; Bria Byerley, Emma Chaput, Ella Chaput & Easton Chaput; and a sister, Rosanne (Roger) Cox. He also leaves his Presbyterian Manor "family" which he had formed close bonds with.
Kenneth is proceeded in death by his parents & son-in-law, Mike Chaput, who was more like a son.
Kenneth's funeral will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Salina.
In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, do random acts of kindness in memory of Ken.
“Be kind & compassionate to one another.” Ephesians 4:32
The family would like to extend their appreciation to all the Presbyterian Manor employees, and a special “Thank You” to the Assisted Living staff for the care that was given to Ken.
Obituary for Rev. Gillis "Gene" Eugene Davis
The Reverand Gillis Eugene “Gene” Davis, 93, of Salina, KS, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026. He was born on May 4, 1932, in Metropolis, IL.
Gene was joined in marriage to Janese Jilek on February 12, 1955, in Chicago, IL. He retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years, including service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He graduated valedictorian from Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO, and spent 44 years as a Baptist Pastor. He led churches in South Carolina, Maryland, and Kansas, most recently serving as Pastor Emeritus of Faith Baptist Church of Salina.
Survivors include his children, Philip Davis (Sue) and Rebecca Zrubek (Mike), both of Salina; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Janese.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, Salina. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 19, at First Southern Baptist Church, 2401 S Ohio St, Salina, with burial to follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 639 Max Ave, Salina, KS 67401.
Berniece Irene Knotts Obituary March 14, 2026 - Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
Hand delivered by a local florist
Friday, March 27, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Berniece Irene Knotts, 83, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Berniece was born on January 6, 1943, in Salina, Kansas, to Helen (Henry) and Robert Reeves. She grew up in Gypsum, Kansas, and graduated from Gypsum High School. After high school, she graduated from Brown Mackie College and was a lifelong resident of Saline County.
Berniece proudly served in the United States Army Reserves for 21 years and retired from Tony's Pizza in the Human Resources Department. She was a master gardener with a special love for lilies and was a member of the Daylily Society.
In her free time, she treasured time spent at her lake house in Kanopolis, which brought her much joy and peace. She also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs, the NBA, and was a devoted Oklahoma City Thunder fan.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Halloween was especially meaningful to her and her family; even when she was unable to hand out candy herself, she made sure everyone else was recruited to help continue the tradition on Highland Avenue.
Survivors include her two sons, Douglas Mortimer (Joy) and Vaughn Mortimer (Ellen); and her daughter, Lynn Mortimer. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Chad Mortimer (Audrey), Austin Mortimer, Holly Mortimer, Matthew Mortimer, Haley Mortimer (Ciara), Hannah Mortimer, Stefan Coble, and Logan Coble; great-grandchildren, Branch, Spencer, Grace, and Jacob; and nieces and nephews, Crystal, Bobby, and Mason Reeves.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Robert Reeves; and her siblings, John Reeves, Doris Davidson, and Jacqie Coleman.
Berniece’s wishes were to be cremated.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the VFW, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
Friday, March 27, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home
500 South Ohio Street,
Salina,
KS 67401
Obituary
Donna Jean Sprouse, 80, passed away March 14, 2026, in Salina, Kansas.
Donna was born on August 20, 1945, in Walsenburg, Colorado to Charles Francis Rader and Lulu May (Campbell) Rader. She graduated as Valedictorian from Ordway High School in Ordway Co. and then from Adams State College in Alamosa, Co. She married William Sprouse on her birthday in 1964. As a military wife, she lived in Colorado at Fort Carson and Colorado Springs; in Germany at Augsburg, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt; and in Kansas at Enterprise and Abilene. They traveled all over Europe with their young family. After William retired from the Army, they returned to Ordway, and Donna worked for the Ordway Postal Service for 23 years before retiring. The last few years she has lived near her sons in Beech Bluff, Tennessee, Hico, Texas, and Salina, Kansas.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, cake decorating, and playing pinochle. She entered and won many recipe contests throughout the years. Her recipes showed up on Twinkie boxes and in magazines. She even traveled to a National Dandelion Competition in Ohio. She loved being a grandmother, and she could often be seen with a baby in her arms.
She was an active member of the the church of Christ. She served as a children’s bible class teacher. She supported preachers and children’s homes, and she was the first to volunteer for any activity of the church.
Donna is survived by her children, William (Carrie) of Enterprise, Kansas, Robert (Kathy) of Salina, Kansas, Steven (Heidi) of Beech Bluff, Tennessee, and Jeremy (Erynn) of Dublin, Texas; grandchildren, Cy, Ryan (Sara), Trey (Blake) Vercher, Thea (Nicholas) Hagnauer, Hunter (Reilly), Alexander (Mackenzie), Hannah, Caleb, Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn; great-grandchildren, Carter, Caysen, Chloe, Haden, and Noah; Brothers, Larry Rader and John Rader; sisters, Joyce Witt, Linda Wind, and sister in law Jewel Rader; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband William, father Charles Francis Rader, mother Lulu May, brother Billy Rader, and sister Betty Lucero.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rocky Ford Church of Christ, 518 S. Main St., Rocky Ford, CO 81067.