Day: May 27, 2020

Gerald “Jerry” W. Ryan, age 90, passed away, Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at his home in McPherson. Jerry was born in Jerseyville, IL on January 28, 1930, to James and Aline Ryan, the only boy of five children.  Jerry graduated from high school in Delavan, IL at the age of 16. He enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. After his discharge, Jerry received a chemical engineer degree from the University of Illinois.  Jerry began his career with UOP in Chicago and then spent the rest of his working years as a Process Engineer at the NCRA Refinery

Micheal Jess Baird, 71, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 4:55 a.m., Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 unexpectedly at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. Mike was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska on September 16, 1948, son of Marvin Jesse and Mary Lou (Hahn) Baird. Mike attended McPherson grade school, McPherson Junior High and graduated from McPherson Senior High School, McPherson, Kansas in 1966. Mike then attended Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas. Through the years Mike worked for Pyle Construction, M&P Construction, Sterling Drug, Sanofi Winthrop, Abbott, Hospira and retired from Pfizer Mfg, McPherson, Kansas in 2019. Mike was a member of USSSA.

Barbara Jeane (Nelson) Blair, of Independence, Missouri formerly of McPherson, Kansas passed away May 24, 2020, at the age of 97.  Born in Virgil, Kansas on April 21, 1923, to Floyd Q. Nelson and Flavis K. (Wilson), she spent her first years in McPherson County including her K-12 education.  She met her husband, Laurence G. Blair, while in high school, and they were married in 1942. She was predeceased by her husband, parents, and one great-grandson. She is survived by 3 children, Larry, Jr. (Denae) Merriam, KS, Lon R.,Denton, TX, Kathy Buerge (Alden), Joplin, MO.  There are 7 grandchildren:  Dawn (Bill) Stone, Matt (JoAnn)