Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips (Daniels), age 83, of The Villages, FL, passed away on July 19, 2022 with her daughter, Shawn Fanshier, by her side.
Born January 25, 1939 on the family farm in Kinsley, KS. Barb was a life-long learner with a passion for following her dreams. Barb’s connection to the family farm did not stop at her birth. A myriad of holidays, summers, and special events were spent on the farm throughout her life. For many years, Barb would assist her Uncle Jr. , Aunt Mattha, & cousin Alan Burcher with the harvest duties to help assure the legacy of their family home. Due to her strong ties, she, her children, and grand-children always refer to the farm as “home,” no matter where they find themselves in the world.
Barb graduated from Great Bend High School in 1957 and pursued her BA in English from Wichita State University graduating in 1970 and in 1998 earned her MA from Fort Hays State University. Barbara taught High school English in Syracuse from 1975-1978, touching many students’ lives. Barbara retired from education in 2001 in Wamego, KS leaving her imprinted legacy for future generations.
Barb started her family while in college and, with her first husband, raised 3 children, David Fanshier, Shawn Fanshier, & Lisa Fanshier. In 1996 she met the love of her life, Donald V. Phillips and they married in 1999 in Kinsley, KS.
Never one to stop learning herself, Barb was always one to take up new interests and followed her passions throughout her life. She could be found learning a new art form, square dancing, acting, singing, enjoying music, games, and sports. After retirement, Barb & Don moved to The Villages, FL where Barb delved into genealogy, data basing an extensive family tree, winning a medal in billiards in the Senior Olympics, concentrating on publishing her books, volunteering at the Catholic Charities Clinic, enjoying water yoga, and traveling with and spending time with Don. Barb had a great sense of travel and explored on 6 continents over her lifetime, many of her trips were enjoyed with family and dear friends. This wonderful gift of exploration is passed onto and enjoyed by her family.
Barbara is proceeded in death by her mother, Harriet Daniels; father, Edward Daniels; husband, Donald V. Phillips; beloved pets, Happy, Candy, Monet, and Pepper; and is survived by her sister, Sherry German; 3 children; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; her extended family by marriage, and a host of long time friends. A memorial service will be held in Kinsley, KS at McKillip Funeral Home on September 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM and Barbara will be laid to rest at the Hillside Cemetery, immediately followed by a life celebration. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Barbara to Vitas Hospice Care https:// vitascommunityconnection.org/ or to another charity that Barb loved (local community theater, Habitat for Humanity, etc.).
OBITUARIES
Barbara Thompson
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Judy Hill
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Cynthia Anne Long
Cynthia Anne Long, age 89, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Evergreen Health & Rehab Center. Cynthia was born on November 19, 1936, in Syracuse, Kansas, to the late Albert Mickey James and Rowena (Lockridge) James. She pursued... [More]
Jamie (Kennedy) Coleman
Jamie Alyn (Kennedy) Coleman, age 54, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 23, 2026, in Syracuse. She was born on January 7, 1972, in Wichita, Kansas, to James Allen Kennedy and Diana Grace (Vernon) Kennedy. Jamie began her life in Wichita and she moved with her family... [More]
Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez
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Richard “Dick” H. Sharp
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Carla (Pfefferkorn) Younger
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Fern Maxcine Shetterly
Fern Maxcine (Campbell) Shetterly was born August 15, 1932,in Holly, Colorado to Roy and Augusta Campbell. She died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 23, 2026. Maxcine was born into a hardworking farm family during the height of the Great Depression.... [More]
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SPORTS
HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
STATE GOLF RESULTS
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
JH BASKETBALL WINS
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!
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NEWS
Health Department Adds New Services
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Everybody Has A Story: Dana Watts - From Syracuse To Washington, D.C.
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Bennett is Reserve Champion In Arizona
Cole Bennett has been riding horses since before he could walk. His tireless efforts sometimes come with broken bones, soreness, and not much glory. But eventually, things pay off. Last weekend, Cole competed at the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale,... [More]
Angie Moser Retiring, Running For Commissioner
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C Double Liquor Open House
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Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas
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OPINIONS
God Shows Up
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More love, less hate
Happy Thursday! I am writing this Wednesday morning . When this paper goes out, I need to start on next week’s, the final edition of the year. There won’t be a newspaper for January 1, 2026. The calendar last year left zero room for a break and I am desperately... [More]
Purpose in the Pain
It’s November! It’s a beautiful cool, fall Wednesday morning as I write this. I took a walk with my dogs, chatted with my friend, and coughed. But the cough has been way better! Tuesday was Election Day. The contest for mayor of Coolidge was one many were watching.... [More]
Fruit of the Spirit
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Where Can God Use You Today?
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How Vulnerable Are You?
Thanks for your patience last week. I am still recovering but have returned to the land of the living! I get frustrated with how slow it takes to recover sometimes when really I should focus on the fact that I am recovering. I truly feel like I am getting stronger and then... [More]
Let God
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Breathing Space
I slipped away for a quick getaway for back to school clothes shopping, visiting family, some good food, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. We left Thursday afternoon and returned Sunday. It was triple digit heat when we left our sheep in good hands to be taken care... [More]
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