***Closings***    Holton Senior Center - Closed Wednesday *** Jackson County Courthouse Closed Wednesday *** NEK-CAP Offices & Centers - All Closed on Wednesday *** Nemaha County Meals on Wheels and Public Transportation Closed Wednesday *** Cardiac Rehab at Amberwell Hiawatha Cancelled for Wednesday *** Harvesters Distribution at Nemaha Comm. Center cancelled Wednesday also at Sabetha *** Auburn Head Start Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Head Start Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Public Schools Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Sacred Heart Closed Wednesday *** Highland Community College - All Campuses and Classes Cancelled Wednesday *** Humboldt Table Rock Steinaur Closed Wednesday *** Johnson County Central Schools Closed Wednesday *** Kickapoo Nation School - Closed Wednesday *** Maur Hill - Mount Academy closed Wednesday *** Pawnee City Schools Closed Wednesday *** Saint Benedict Catholic School closed Wednesday *** Sterling Schools Closed Wednesday *** Table Rock Head Start Closed Wednesday *** USD 111 Doniphan West closed Wednesday. No parent/teacher conferences *** USD 113 Prairie Hills - Closed Wednesday *** USD 114 Riverside - Closed Wednesday *** USD 115 Nemaha Central--closed Wednesday *** USD 322 Onaga, Havensville, Wheaton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 335 Jackson Heights - Closed Wednesday *** USD 336 Holton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 337 Royal Valley - Closed Wednesday *** USD 338 Valley Falls - Closed Wednesday *** USD 340 Jeff West - Closed Wednesday *** USD 341 Oskaloosa - Closed Wednesday *** USD 342 McLouth - Closed Wednesday *** USD 343 Perry Lecompton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 372 Silver Lake - Closed Wednesday *** USD 377 ACCHS - Closed Wednesday *** USD 409 Atchison-closed Wednesday *** USD 415 Hiawatha--closed Wednesday *** USD 429 Troy - Closed Wednesday *** USD 430 South Brown County--closed Wednesday ***
Obituaries Announcements

Eugene “Gene” Frank Morris Jr.
Mercer Funeral Home in Holton
Holton, KS

Eugene Frank Morris Jr., aged 79, of Holton, passed away on January 20, 2025, at the Holton Hospital.

Born on July 3, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Frank and Kathleen Morris. Gene's early work ethic was shaped in southern Missouri, where he served as a cave guide in the Ozarks at the age of eleven. He was married to Sue Morris in Roswell, NM in 1974.

His professional journey in telecommunications began as a technician with significant roles at Penasco Valley Telephone, Western New Mexico Telephone, and later transferring to Wetmore, KS as General Manager of JBN Telephone Company in Wetmore, KS where he retired as President/CEO.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed various recreational activities.

Gene is survived by his devoted wife, daughters Kayla and Trisha Morris of Holton, KS, brothers: George Morris, Brad Morris, and Mark Morris, brother-in-law Glenn Hopkins, sisters: Susanne Stanfil, and Kathy Huffman, numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren: Olivia & Erik Heape, Calista Hunt, Daniel Hunt, Kierstyn Hunt, Connor Gaboury, and Scarlett Gaboury, and great-grandsons Owen and Graysonn Heape and a great-grandson on the way, all from Holton.

Gene will be greatly missed, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to the telecommunications industry and a profound personal impact on those around him.

Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS. Gene was cremated and will also have a Celebration of Life later in Artesia, New Mexico. Memorials may be made to the Heart of Jackson Humane Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com