Obituaries

Thelma Brown Byers, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished member of the Jewish community, passed away on Nov. 18, 2023, at the age of 95.

Merriam Rae Sukiennik, loving wife, mother and grandmother, died on Nov. 19 in Kansas City after a valiant fight with cancer.

Lisbeth "Beth" Blair Lurey, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Nov. 14 in Merriam, Kansas.

Richard Alan Optican, lovingly known as "Dick" to family and friends, peacefully passed away at his residence of the past decade, Village Shalom, in Leawood, Kansas, on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Judy Chaiken, 84, of Overland Park, Kansas, died Nov. 1, 2023.

Gloria Lee Gersh passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, on Oct. 28, 2023, due to complications from heart surgery. 

Arvin D. Pfefer passed away on Nov. 5 at the age of 95.

Barbara Bushman Goodman, 91, passed away on Oct. 10 after suffering a severe stroke in April.

Susan Marsha Fisher, 71, of Olathe, Kansas, and Marlborough, England, died on Wednesday, Sept. 27. 

Kay G. Martin (née Goldschmidt), 62, passed away on Oct. 21 after living a life filled with music.