LIBERAL FIRST
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HUGOTON – Julie Annette Caffee Cruz, 62, died Saturday, July 27, 2024.
She was born Sept. 24, 1961.
After graduating from Elkhart High School in 1979, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from West Texas State University in 1985.
Through dozens of surgeries, joint replacements and other medical procedures, she persisted in her drawing and painting, and found people to be her favorite subjects.
Richard Lee Wessler, known to his friends as “Bud”, age 93, died on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at his residence in Liberal, Kansas.
Bud was born on January 16, 1931, in Kismet, Kansas, to Edward and Della (Smith) Wessler. He graduated from Kismet Kansas High School before furthering his education at Boyles Business College to become a telegraph operator, a skill he loved to show his grandchildren and great grandchildren on his personal telegraph key.
He dedicated 42 years of his life to the Rock Island Railroad, Cotton Belt and Southern Pacific Railroads. Bud worked in several different positions and locations before retiring as the Liberal, Kansas station agent in 1993.
Bettie Pauline Bach, 100, died Monday, July 22, 2024 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hugoton.
She was born August 26, 1923 to Milton and Mary (Taylor) Keeten.
She married Paul William Bach Jan. 12, 1947. He preceded her in death.
Richard "Dick" Wayne Titus Sr., 81, died Sunday, July 21, 2024 in Hugoton.
He was born June 16, 1943 to Wayne and Lola (Hills) Titus.
He married Bonnie Kay Grubbs June 11, 1957. She preceded him in death Aug. 15, 1995.
Jesse Leroy Ellis, 64, died Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal.
He was born July 27, 1959 to Junior and Pauline (McMayhill) Ellis.
He was a graduate of Turpin High School with the Class of 1978.
