eType Editor

eType Editor

  • Joined: December 14, 2022
  • Articles: 2022

KENNETH “SHAWN” EASTERLY

Kenneth “Shawn” Easterly passed away unexpectedly due to medical complications on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. He was born on March 6, 1968 in Wellington, Kansas, the long-awaited and much treasured first child of Kenneth G. “Kenny” Easterly and Barbara L. “Bobbie” (Cox) Easterly. Shawn spent his childhood surrounded by his little sister, many foster siblings who found respite in their family home, and dear neighborhood friends. After graduating with the Wellington High School Class of 1986, Shawn spent more than a decade as a Law Enforcement Officer in multiple Kansas counties. He left law enforcement to pursue his personal business interests, including establishing and operating Easterly Automotive in Wichita. From there, Shawn went on to learn the ethanol industry, ultimately forming his own company, Zephyr Acres Consulting. Established in 2016, today Zephyr provides comprehensive operational consulting and hands-on systems management support to ethanol plants across the United States and in Europe. Shawn met his love and life partner, Fawn Keith, in 2020. The two were inseparable, and they enjoyed caring together for their many animals, spending time with friends, and especially their Sunday dinners on their farm with their kids and grandkids. Shawn’s most cherished gifts in this life were his five children. He will be immeasurably missed by Chelsea Easterly of Wellsville; Cassi Easterly of Oxford; Chayse Easterly (Coty) of Wellington; Candi Fisher (Will) of Junction City; and Chloe Brown (Joel) of Wellington, all of whom were born from his marriage to Becky Yoder of Wellington. “Papa Shawn” will be remembered with great love and affection by his grandchildren, Kensley Avina, Sailor Avina, Hyde Easterly, Jackson Easterly, and Ezra Brown. Shawn also leaves behind his sister, Shannon Easterly, beloved niece, Schaefer Wright, and his brotherin-law, Phil Wright, all of Shawnee, Kansas, as well as cherished members of his extended family. He was prece

Revitalize or Die.

A reader recently reached out to me to ask if I had ever written anything about a community’s struggle to improve in the face of negativity. I had not, but this post is an attempt to correct my omission.

Mattresses, Couches, Pools and More!

Trucks were lining up before volunteers arrived at 7am to start unloading them as the community took advantage of the free “Wellington Fall Clean Up” day at Sellers Park last Saturday. Over 11 tons of debris from the homes and yards of local residents were collected and hauled to the Wellington Landfill.

Buzz From the Beehive

The Hive has been buzzing with a retreat group of 19 women that spent a full week quilting projects they brought in to work on as well as making quilts using Villa Rosa Designs “Newsflash” pattern. “I’ve been doing ‘Rita’s Quilt Retreat’ for 10 years,” said organizer Rita Figg.

Stories from Caldwell’s Main Street

Last Monday, the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society hosted the authors of “These Old Bones: the Stories of Caldwell, Kansas’s Main Street” at the Wellington Memorial Auditorium. Sisters Michelle Schiltz Lou Ann Jamison wrote the tabletop book in an effort to document and preserve the history of the buildings in the community.

Wylie Qualifies For State

The KSHSAA 4A Regional Cross Country meet was held at the Cessna Activity Center last Saturday. Sophomore Luke Wylie will advance to compete at the State Cross Country meet this weekend at the Wamego Country Club in Wamego, KS.

Pet of the Week

Jack is almost 3 years old and a large mixed breed boy at 65 pounds. He originally came to the shelter as a tiny puppy that was found in the country. He was adopted, but due to life circumstances beyond his control, his family had to return him. Jack enjoys lots of attention, getting pets, playing, and especially cuddling on the couch! He is learning to play with other dogs in a playgroup and doing an excellent job. This long-legged handsome boy is ready for a furever home to spoil him! Come in this week to meet Jack. We are open Wednesday through Friday 3-7pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. If you are interested in adoption, please fill out the online application to speed up the adoption process. We go in order of application received, so the sooner you get in your application, the better! Jack has $50 off his adoption fee during his week. Combined that discount with our October Adoption Special and Jack’s adoption fee is waived during his week!