Daniel Chavez Sr.
Daniel Chavez Sr., 76, of Salina, KS, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born March 25, 1949, in San Antonio, TX, to Alfonso Chavez Jr. and Mary H. Chavez
Daniel was a welder; he enjoyed music and was an author of four books. He liked doing the research for his books, and was a joker, loving to “embellish” his stories to friends.
Survivors include his son, Daniel Chavez Jr (Cindy).; daughter, Dani Leslie Loveseth; brothers, Oscar (Linda), Rosendo (Jean), Paul, and Victor; half-brother, Fosty Martinez (Diane); sisters, Albina Arceo (Cres), Phyllis Loder (Clint), Elisa Hernandez, and Barbara Chavez; half-sister, Suki Renteria (Isamel); grandkids, Holly Strickland, Tyler Loveseth, Kelsi Chavez, Lindsey Clark, and Kiley Chavez; great-grandkids, Cortland Clark,and Lane and Jaylynn Strickland; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shelia Chavez; brothers, Alfonso III, Andrew, and Felipe; and half-sister, Patsy Martinez.
Services will be held at a later date.
Jean O. (Cruce) Ludes
Jean O. (Cruce) Ludes, aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Tustin, California, with her loving family by her side. Jean was born on December 10, 1926, in Fulton, Kentucky, to Raymond and Georgie Lee Cruce. After graduating from Salina High School, she began her professional journey at the telephone company. It was during this time that she met and married William Ludes, the son of Genevieve and Bernard Ludes from Salina, Kansas. Bernard worked at Planters State Bank and owned Ludes Liquor Store on E. Iron.
Jean and William, affectionately known as Bill, made it a priority that their six children remained connected to their Kansas roots. After relocating their family to Southern California, where Bill began his career as an elementary school teacher, they spent their summers in Salina, ensuring that their children grew up knowing their extended Kansas family. These summers were filled with joyful memories at the Salina Country Club's golf course and swimming pool, lively fish fries at Smokey Hill Park, and frequent visits to the Cozy Inn, all in the company of over twenty-five cousins.
Jean’s family owned Cruce Produce on South 4th Street, and she was proud of her heritage. In California, Jean established a remarkable career in Human Resources at I. Magnin and Saks Fifth Avenue, earning respect as hardworking and extremely knowledgeable in her field. Following her retirement, she moved to Garden City, Kansas, where she worked alongside her brother, Cotton, at Cruce Produce. She managed the front office and cherished the fond memories she created there.
Jean was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her children and grandchildren deeply and was loved by all in return. She was fun, smart, and spirited, always thoughtfully engaging in conversation with both young and old. Jean had a great sense of style, a wry sense of humor, and loved to laugh, play cards, and spend time with family.
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William, who passed away in 1988, and by her son, Mark, who passed in 2022. She is survived by her children: Carol Savoy of Glendale, Arizona; Rick Ludes of Mission Viejo, California; Janie Vasilia of Tustin, California; Jeff Ludes of Newport Beach, California; and Brad Ludes of Santa Ana, California. In addition to her children, Jean leaves behind a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
During the last two decades of her life, Jean resided primarily in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she developed many cherished friendships with her neighbors and Arizona family members. Her warmth, kindness, and energetic spirit touched all who knew her. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of her family and friends.
Jean will be buried next to her husband William in a private ceremony in the the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina.
Betty Jo Keck
Betty Jo Keck, 78, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 21, 1947, in Salina, Kansas, Betty was the daughter of Donald Lee Clark and Mary Maxine (Willis). From an early age, she carried a quiet strength and a deep love for caring for others—qualities that guided her throughout her life.
Betty dedicated more than 25 years to pediatric nursing. First at Salina Regional Health Center in the nursery and then working alongside Dr. William Null at the Salina Clinic. She then worked with Dr. Matt Shaffer offering gentle, steady care to countless families until her retirement.
Her compassion extended beyond people to the animals she adored. As a volunteer with Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter, Betty was a loyal advocate for dogs and a loving presence to every animal she met.
In recent years, Betty found renewed comfort in her faith, reaffirming her Catholic beliefs at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Gardner, Kansas, through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Family was the heart of her world. She rarely missed a grandchild’s game or event, cheering them on with pride. Creative at her core, Betty found joy in wood burning, painting, crafting, and embroidery—her hands always busy making something beautiful.
Betty is survived by her children: Tracy Springer (Eric) of Gardner, Kansas; Anne Walker (Brian) of Gardner, Kansas; Jenny Johnson-Hall (Andrew) of Salina, Kansas; Kari Keck of Salina, Kansas; and Casey Keck (Jessica) of Shawnee, Kansas.
She leaves behind her grandchildren—Matthew Springer, Caden Springer, Lane Johnson (Madison Taylor), Aidan Nolte, Landon Johnson (Emilee Blythe), Chase Walker (Cayleb Pollock), Alex Walker, and Oliva Hall—and her great‑grandchildren, Brimleigh Todd and Baylor Springer. She is also remembered with love by many nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her siblings, Mary Wilcox, Ronald Clark, Becky Chambers (Mike), Richard Duncan, and Debbie Wheat.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Walter Koberstein; husband, Michael T. Keck; her lifelong friend, Kenneth Kloc; brother, John Parson; sister‑in‑law, Vicki Clark; and son-in-law, Jeramia “JJ” Johnson.
Honoring her wishes, Betty will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, on Monday, January 26th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salina, Kansas.
The family requests donations be made to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 555 W Main St. in Gardner, Kansas 66030 in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
