Obituaries - Sunday, August 16

Rebecca "Becky" Walters

October 23, 1957 - August 4, 2026

Rebecca Jo “Becky” Walters , 68 joined our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven on August 4, 2026. Though Becky had struggled for the last few years with the severe symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia, she passed peacefully in her cozy room at Cedarhurst Memory Care in the early hours of the morning while in the company of her loving and devoted husband, Robert “Bob”. Becky was born on October 23, 1957 in Salina, Kansas to Clinton Wayne and Mildred Darlene (Yordy) Phelps, as the 4th of 5 children.

Becky grew up in Salina and graduated in 1976 from Central High School and worked three different jobs during her high school years. She was a waitress at Maxy’s Hamburgers, worked food service at Asbury Hospital, and cleaned houses.

Becky and Bob met on August 14, 1975 at a demolition derby in Abilene, Kansas, where they’d been invited by mutual friends. They were married exactly one year later on August 14, 1976. They were just 10 days from celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when Becky passed away.

While Becky and Bob were devastated by the loss of their premature twins, Sonny and Sandra, in 1977, they were later blessed with 4 more daughters. Their family of 6 often sang together at home, in the car, and at church. Becky and Bob also sang at over 40 weddings and at least 30 funerals. The girls attribute their love for music to their parents. The Walters family continued to grow with the addition of 4 sons-in-law, and 14 grandchildren. Becky never missed an opportunity to support her children or grandchildren. She was always so excited to cheer them on at sporting events, attend concerts, theater productions, or bake treats for a party or fundraiser.

Becky always had a deep love for babies and children. She was also able to demonstrate her love for children during her 26 years of employment at the Ell-Saline USD 307 kitchens as a cook, and later as the food service director for the district. She was even invited to speak in front of the state food convention in Kansas City about how she sourced local foods for the school kitchens. She treasured the opportunity to serve so many children over the years. She is still well-known for her famous cinnamon rolls. Becky retired from this position in 2020 as her Lewy Body Dementia progressed and she felt she needed to stop working. Even later as her memory was failing, the sight of someone wearing red and black would prompt her to ask, “Did you go to Ell-Saline?”

Becky loved God with all her heart and wanted to share Him with everyone. She and Bob enjoyed serving in many ministry roles at Bel-Air Southern Baptist Church for 34 years. She served in the nursery at church when her girls were young. She taught children’s Sunday school classes, sang in the choir, and taught cooking classes, and provided food for VBS, along with many other ministries. She and Bob have served at First Covenant Church for 15 years. Until the last 16 months, they sang in the choir together. Something especially important to Becky was the opportunity to bring these seasonal music programs into Kansas prisons, worshipping, visiting and praying with inmates. In addition, she truly enjoyed shopping for, praying over, and donating “shoeboxes” to Operation Christmas Child, where these gifts were sent around the world to bring the word of God to children in other nations.

Becky was a member of the Hedville Ladies Club for over 30 years and served as club President for many years. She enjoyed serving in this position and organizing a variety of fundraisers through the years to benefit needy families in the community. Always thinking of others, she voluntarily stepped down when her failing memory caused her to doubt her ability to properly fill the position. Furthermore, she was also active in neighborhood Bible studies and Mom’s In Touch prayer groups. Throughout those years she always looked forward to baking treats to share with her dear friends during the fellowship at their regular club meetings, Bible studies, and prayer meetings.

Becky was preceded in death by her twin children; parents, Clinton and Darlene Phelps; grandparents, John Lester and Mabel Phelps and Dwight and Irma Yordy; sister, Marjorie (Marjie) Powell. Left behind to mourn her are her husband, Bob; daughters, Jessica (Canaan) Ohlde of Palmer, KS, Andrea (Daniel) Zachary of Salina, Katerina (Tanner) Pabst of Hays, KS, Tessa (Cameron) Brandenburg of Hays, KS; and grandchildren, Faith, Parker, Conner, Greyson, Avery, Reagan, William, Charlie, Rowan, August, Maisie, Evangeline, and Johnny. Becky is also survived by her siblings, Larry (Connie) Phelps, Dennis Powell, Susan (Larry) Jameson, Thomas (Kimberly) Phelps, and many nieces and nephews along with family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Memorials may be made to the family for Becky's headstone expenses, First Covenant Church (Memo: Operation Christmas Child), or the charity of your choice.

Ryan Mortuary

Robert "Mike" Michael Glassburn

September 27, 1954 - August 11, 2026

Robert Michael “Mike” Glassburn, 71, of Salina, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. He was born in Salina, on September 27, 1954, to Robert Harold and Shirley Ann (Boos) Glassburn. Mike attended South High School and was in the second graduating class in 1972. Shortly after graduation, Mike joined the United States Navy as a Sonar Technician and worked on the USS Scamp and USS Ethan Allen submarines from 1972-1978.

Mike worked as a courier for FedEx in Salina, for 30 years before retiring in 2016. He was an avid sports fan and proudly supported the K-State Wildcats, Kansas City Royals, Washington Redskins, and Boston Celtics. He loved his family dearly and cherished every opportunity to spend time with his children and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was their biggest fan and never wanted to miss a game.

Mike also had a generous heart and passion for helping others. Each Thanksgiving, he enjoyed visiting the local homeless shelter, where he would give a turkey to those in need.

Most importantly, Mike was a devoted follower of Christ. He loved the Lord deeply and found great comfort and joy in spending time in God’s word. He faithfully read his Bible each day, and his faith was an important part of who he was and how he lived his life. His love for Christ, his family, and those around him will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, JoEllen, of the home; children, Tiffany Glassburn, of Salina, Jacob Glassburn (Lesley), of Manhattan; grandchildren, Kiersten Schmitt, Khadin Glassburn-Heang, Khaleb Glassburn-Heang (Arianna Ibarra), and Paxton Hull, all of Salina; great-grandchildren, Parker Schmitt, Raya Schmitt, and Amelia Glassburn-Heang and niece, Melissa Adkins, of Salina; great nephews Taven Haith, Remedy Adkins of Salina.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Denise Robinson.

Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2026, at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in Gypsum Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors and Diabetes Association, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations