Barbara Ann Decker
Barbara Ann Decker, 88, passed away on July 10, 2025, at her home in Wichita, surrounded by loved ones.
Barbara was born in Tribune to Chase and Marguerite Hunt. She grew up in Greeley County, attending local schools before furthering her education at Emporia State University and KU Medical Center, where she earned her nursing degree and became a Registered Nurse—a career she cherished.
On August 17, 1958, Barbara married Larry Bays and together they had two sons, Todd and Scott Bays. Later in life, she married John Decker on October 16, 1982, blending their families. Her children, stepchildren, and extended family are left with countless memories of her love and kindness.
Barbara’s life was centered around her faith and community. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Wichita, where she dedicated much of her time and energy. She was also a proud member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Barbara had a deep love for her family and friends, and she truly enjoyed playing cards—a hobby that brought her joy and countless moments of laughter.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Chase and Marguerite Hunt, and her husband, John Decker. She is survived by her sons, Todd Bays (Claire) of Lawrence, Scott Bays (Kim) of Wichita; her stepchildren, Patricia McMains (Randall) of Arkansas City, and David Decker (Ivy Arroyo) of Leander, Texas; as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandsons, who will all miss her dearly.
Services will be conducted at First United Methodist Church in Wichita, at 10:00 AM on July 17, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway St., Wichita, KS 67202; Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212.
Barbara will be laid to rest in the Enterprise, Kansas cemetery in a private ceremony.
Barbara’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was a true blessing to everyone whose life she touched.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com.
OBITUARIES
Thelma I. Carlson
Thelma Isabel Carlson of Longmont, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the age of 97. Thelma arrived at the Ferne and Oscar Carlson home in Tribune on December 16, 1928. She joined two-year-old Selma and one-year-old Velma. In the following two years both John... [More]
Arla Peter
Arla Peter, age 71, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune. She was born on September 17, 1954, in Tribune to Lawrence and Marjorie Woelk Peter. She was a lifelong member of the Tribune community. Surviving family includes her brother... [More]
Judson P. Price, Sr.
Judson P. Price, Sr., age 96, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Sunrise of Sandy Senior Living Center in Sandy, Utah. He was born on April 21, 1930, in Sabetha, the son of Lyle Phillips and Ruth Mildred Hall Price. He was the past owner and operator of... [More]
Becky Lynn Keller
Becky Keller, 74, of Olathe, passed peacefully into God’s arms on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Becky was born on July 14, 1951, to her loving and devoted parents, Israel “Harry” and Thelma Trigg in Ottawa. Her childhood was spent in rural southwestern Kansas, where... [More]
Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith
A Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune. Memorials can be given to the Derek Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.
Shawn Harney
Shawn Harney, age 61, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his friends and family. Born on January 14, 1965, in Norfolk, Shawn grew up with a strong work ethic, a love for family, and a passion for the simple things in life. He graduated from Clarkson... [More]
Don E. Moore
Don Eugene Moore was born on March 3, 1962, in Tribune. He was the son of Emmit C. Moore and RoseElla (Kuder) Moore-Graham. He attended Greeley County High School and graduated in 1980. In 1982, he married Cindy Tillis and they had two children Amanda (Bobby) Ward of... [More]
John Warren “Skip” Conard, Jr.
John Warren “Skip” Conard, Jr., born September 1, 1943, in Syracuse, passed away on April 4, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving family. He grew up in Coolidge with his brother, Edward Dale Conard, and his sister, Barbara (Conard) Latty; his sister... [More]
More Obituaries
- Rose Edna Fuller
- Max Gwaine Steele
- Pauline (Finkenbinder) Fecht
- Ivan Earl Parks
- Carl Levi Evans
- David Northrup
- Lloyd E. Surprise
- Celebration of Life for Daryl Miller
SPORTS
Braxon Mangan named to First Team All-State
Tribune golfer Braxon Mangan was named to First Team All-State Honors by the Kansas Golf Coach’s Association. According to Keith Slattery, Head Coach of the Greeley County High School team, Braxon had a scoring average of 77.8 this season, the lowest in at least... [More]
Trap Team shoots at state competition in Sedgwick over the weekend
Photo caption: Trap Team members taking part in last weekend’s state Trap Shooting tournament in Wichita were front row, from left to right, Mia Reynolds, Klayton Davignon, Tristen Evans, and Jackson Phillips. In the middle row, from left to right, are Cyril Kleymann, Scotty... [More]
Girls' Softball
Ryleigh Gooch pitches the ball during last Monday night’s home softball game. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger.
High School and Junior High Football Camp held last week
Among the high school boys at last week’s football camp were, left to right, Jeff Heine, Drayke DaSilva, Hayden Myers, Rowdy Grubb, and Luke Grubb. Coach Austin Coffman led Tuesday night’s practice with help from John Niehues.
Summer Basketball
High School girls taking part in last weekend’s basketball tournament in Greensburg were front row, left to right, Addy Kennedy, Scarlett Shafer, Shaydan Howell, Kamri Myers, and Charlize Shafer. In the back row are Coach Kyle Shafer, Mia Reynolds, Tylee Cavenee, Briana... [More]
Tennis Camp held
Students and their high school tennis camp coaches huddle around Coach Jacque Myers at the end of Monday’s tennis camp. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger.
Greeley County Recreation youth soccer teams play in Leoti league
Photo caption: Members of the fourth through sixth grade teams were, front row, left to right, Antonio Rascon, Kasen Myers, Maverick Moritz, Brantley Cavenee, Rosendo Figueroa, and Kale Harkness. In the back row, from left to right, are Coach Bret Harkness, Rhett Reynolds, Macyn... [More]
GCHS plays at 1A State Golf Meet at Turkey Creek in McPherson
Photo caption: Braxon Mangan shot a 39-40-79 on Day One and a 39-43-82 on Day Two at the 1A State Golf Tournament at Turkey Creek in McPherson. He tied for 12th place in 1A. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The GCHS Golf Team competed at the 1A State Championship Golf tournament... [More]
More Sports
- Seven Jackrabbits compete at all classes KSHSAA State Track Meet
- Jackrabbits host regional meet; seven qualify for state meet in Wichita
- Jackrabbits place third at sub-state, secure spot at state meet
- Kansas State High School Clay Target League State Tournaments quickly approaching
- Jackrabbit golfers score wins at home, named Northwest Kansas League champions
- Junior High Track finishes season at NWK League Tournament in Oberlin
- High School Track competes in NWK League meet, prepares to host Regionals
- Jackrabbits compete in Dighton Meet
NEWS
Harvest underway, stalled by Sunday rain
Harvest is well underway for some farms and has already wrapped up, ahead of schedule, for others. Sunday night storms brought a halt to most harvest activity, but there is wheat that remains to be cut in the county. Reports have mostly indicated low yields and shorter-than-normal... [More]
Payton Walk began role as Community Development director for Greeley County on Monday, June 1
Payton Walk, a 2022 graduate of Greeley County High School, officially began her new role as the Greeley County Community Development director on Monday, June 1. Walk, who graduated from K-State University in May with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, said... [More]
Lt. Governor Candidate Joe Newland visits Tribune
Photo caption: Lt. Governor Candidate Joe Newland, left, and Representative Jim Minnix visit with Linda and John Peterson after Thursday’s Town Hall meeting at the Senior Center. Approximately 15 area residents attended a Town Hall meeting held at the Senior Center on... [More]
Dan, Dan the Magic Man today
The Greeley County Library will once again be hosting Dan, Dan the Magic Man for our summer library program. The magic show will be held on Wednesday, June 24, at 1:30 p.m. Dan and his Magic Man family will be presenting “Jurassic Magic” for the enjoyment of kids... [More]
Country Fresh Market kicks off today
The first Country Fresh Market of the season is scheduled for today, Wednesday, June 24. The market will take place from 4:30 – 6 p.m. in front of and on the lot south of the Greeley County Library, just north of the Greeley County Republican newspaper office. Vendors... [More]
Summer Library Program wraps up Friday
The summer library program is coming to an end. After our performance from Dan, Dan the Magic Man on Wednesday, June 24, at 1:30, we will have one more session on Friday, June 26, at 1:00. We will be awarding prizes to those who have attended summer library events. Each... [More]
NEK-CAP, Inc. announces Community Services Block Grant Expansion
Hiawatha, Kansas (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)-NEK-CAP, Inc. has some exciting news that we would like to share! After the recent closing of another agency, NEK-CAP, Inc. was given an opportunity to apply for expanded funding through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) for... [More]
Greeley County firefighters receive over $14,000 from Kansas Department of Insurance
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, today, announced, that the Kansas Department of Insurance has made its annual distribution to local Firefighter Relief Associations (FRAs). Pursuant to the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act, $14,801.00 has... [More]
More News
- Board of Supervisors meeting notes
- Welcome rains slow harvest progress
- Unapproved minutes of the regular meeting of USD #200 Board of Education
- Southwest Kansas Research Extension Station hosts Wheat Field Day
- Rep. Minnix, Sen. Clifford to hold Town Hall meeting on Thursday, June 18
- Dan Dan the Magic Man in Tribune Wednesday, June 24
- Country Fresh Market set to begin Wednesday, June 24
- The Fourth of July: A 250th Star-Spangled Celebration
OPINIONS
From the Editor’s iPhone, at the corner of Kiowa County’s Road J and 76
No, there’s not a true intersection there, just a county road, a trail, and a corner post marking the field lines. But there are some free-range yaks - maybe just out of their pen - within a couple of miles. You never know what you’re going to see during harvest…or... [More]
From the editor's desk
Change isn’t my favorite. Though I like to think I’m open-minded and forward-looking, I can become rooted in patterns, comfortable in the way things are done. If I can navigate the mental maze of getting from point A to point Z several times, then just follow... [More]
Letter to the Community: We need lifeguards
How lucky are we to have a small-town swimming pool? Honestly–very. It’s more than just a place to cool off. It’s where summers happen. Kids learn to swim, teens hang out, families relax, and the whole community comes together in one spot. In a small... [More]
In Pursuit: Lesson #1 – From George Washington
Editor’s Note: The Kansas Press Association and Kansas Humanities have partnered to provide access to a series of essays honoring the 250th Anniversary of our nation. There is so much we can learn from the lessons of our past. In Pursuit is a new initiative from... [More]
FFA isn’t all sows, plows, and cows
Photo caption: Anna Marquardt, left, attended the ACC Conference in Lakin last week. Courtesy photo. FFA is growing tomorrow’s leaders, instilling confidence in members, and preparing members for career success and the ACC Conference did just that. ACC stands for authentic,... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Passing the Rotor Act is Plane Common Sense
Failure to pass it means another day, week, month that we put at risk the safety of all passengers who fly our skies. By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) March 6, 2026 Crafted as a response to the deadly midair collision that occurred over the Potomac River in January... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Many of your readers may be interested to learn an artist of national reputation has painted a landscape entitled, Greeley County Summer. It may be viewed on the artist’s website: catherinefreshleyart.com. Click on prints, select paper or canvas and scroll until you find... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Trump promises handouts to farmers. Politicians promise development benefits. We pay for it all.
As has been widely speculated, Monday brought news that the Trump administration will provide several billion dollars in bailouts to farmers, with an emphasis on corn and soybean growers. Only a small portion may go to Kansas wheat farmers. Predictably, political dances followed... [More]
More Opinions
- Letter to the Editor
- Right to repair
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the editor: Political uncertainty shakes Kansas farmland values, and prosperity hangs in the balance
- From the Editor’s desk: Reflecting on the Symphony in the Flint Hills
- Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers
- Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king
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