Jack Payne Ellis, 83, passed away peacefully Sept. 10, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society–Liberal.

Jack was born July 2, 1943, in Danville, Ill. to James Payne Ellis and Leslie Elizabeth Ellis (Hansbrough).

After graduating from Community R-VI High School near Laddonia, Mo., he worked in farming before proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967. He served as a cook aboard the USS Arneb, USS Hickman County, and USS Iwo Jima. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

ULYSSES – Jill Menzie Clinesmith died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 in Ulysses. 

She was born Dec. 15, 1947 in Wichita, and adopted by Geraldine (Jerry) and Virgil Menzie.

She was a lifetime resident of Kansas-Cimarron and Ulysses. She received her teaching degree at Fort Hays University and taught art in the area for 35 years. Her job was more like a hobby, and she enjoyed her friends, riding her horse and being with her grandchildren.

Cruz Montoya Santillan, 79, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at her home in Moscow.

She was born May 3, 1947 to Heriberto and Candelaria (Favela) Montoya. 

She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church of Hugoton.

Charles Eugene “Gene” Myers Jr., 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 at Westhaven Nursing Home in Stillwater, Okla. 

He was loved and appreciated at the nursing homes he resided in, and all residents and staff loved and appreciated the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and harmonica songs he played.

He enjoyed participating at Guymon Pioneer Days in May of each year, and he and his brothers supported Ground Hog Suppers in surrounding communities and all other supported meals.