Obituaries - January 14, 2025

Ilene Marie McWhorter

Ilene Marie McWhorter, 80, of Bennington, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025.

Ilene was born in Lost Springs, Kansas on December 1, 1944, to Leah Nely and Earnest Cheever.

Ilene and Harrison McWhorter were married in Kansas City, Missouri on November 8th, 1965. They spent many happy years together before his passing in 2010.

Ilene loved football, Dr. Pepper, and dirt track racing.

Survivors include daughter, Janetta Buttery (Donnie); three sons Michael McWhorter (Maegan), Harrison McWhorter Jr. (Michele), John McWhorter (Traci); two brothers, Kenny Cheever (Ida), Donald Cheever; and sister Mary Ann Davis.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Quintin Zamecnik, Donavon, Zamecnik, Matthew McWhorter, Timothy McWhorter, Christopher McWhorter, Kaden McWhorter, Grace McWhorter, Madelyn McWhorter, Kaitlyn Tellez, Jacob Tellez, Keegan Reeves, Ashley Reeves, Ethan McWhorter, Paige Nguyen, Taylor McWhorter, Kirsten McWhorter, Daisey McWhorter, Deliliah McWhorter, Jeremiah McWhorter, and Micah Long.

Surviving great grandchildren, Jessika McWhorter, Meeya Snyder, Regan Zamecnik, Elijah Zamecnik, Braelynn Zamecnik, Paisley Zamecnik, Makenna Tarn, Madelyn Tarn, Kasyn Reeves, Ellie Reeves, Charlie Reeves, Beckham Reeves.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Shirley Dix; and two brother-in-law’s Gerald Dix, and Lee Davis.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 24 at 500 S. Ohio in Salina, Kansas.

The family requests donations to Interim Healthcare of Salina.

Clara Lackey

Clara L. (Wempe) Lackey of Beloit, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Nicol Home in Glasco, Kansas.

Clara was born on March 30, 1936, to Paul and Augusta (Voet) Wempe. She was the youngest of 13 children. She graduated from St. Peter & Paul High School in 1953. After graduation, Clara began working at Winterscheidt Milling in Seneca, Kansas.

On May 30, 1957, Clara married John E. Lackey at St. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca.The couple later moved to Beloit, Kansas, due to John’s work. Clara dedicated herself to her family as a homemaker until 1979, when she began working in the cafeteria at St. John’s Schools. In 1984, she joined Mitchell County SRS, where she took great pride in assisting the elderly and cleaning their homes. Clara retired in 1998.

Clara found joy in baking and seldom did the kitchen counter lack a baked good for dessert. But Clara’s best days were watching any kids compete on the athletic fields, especially her own sons. Basketball season was her favorite. Many will remember her at basketball games with her notepad keeping everyone’s statistics. Her purse was also good source of candy for any of the kids.

Clara’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to helping others left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She loved her family deeply and cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John E. Lackey; her sons Greg (Polly), Chris (Trena), and David (Tamme); five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, January 14 at the St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit. Graveside services will be at 3 PM Tuesday at the St. Michael's Cemetery in Axtell. A rosary service will be at 6:30 PM Monday at the Church, & visitation will be from 5 PM until the rosary service begins. Memorials may be given to the Nicol Home or St. John's Schools.