Murrel Wesley Bland, Age: 84
Jun 05, 1941---Nov 17, 2025

Murrel Wesley Bland, a longtime Kansas City journalist and community leader, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was 84.

Murrel was born on June 5, 1941, on a farm near Enid, Oklahoma. In 1949, he moved with his family to another farm just north of Ottawa, Kansas. After graduating from Ottawa High School, he attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism.

While at KU, Murrel met Carol Wilkinson. They were married in 1962 and chose to build their life together in Kansas City, Kansas, where Murrel began his career as a photojournalist, writer, and reporter for The Kansas City Star. In 1968, Murrel and Carol started a weekly newspaper, The Wyandotte West, which became a cornerstone for community reporting in western Wyandotte County and later expanded to include The Piper Press.

Throughout his career, Murrel was an active member of the Kansas Press Association and served a term as president. He was inducted into the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2022 for his contributions to the profession. He also served in various community, business, and volunteer groups over the years, including the William Allen White Foundation, Business West, the Wyandotte County Historical Society, the Unified Government Landmarks Commission, the KCK Chamber of Commerce, and Cancer Action.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Kansas, since 1972 and served on the Vestry and as senior warden for multiple terms. He authored a book about the church’s 150-year parish history published in 2007.

Murrel was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Tennyson Bland, and his sister, Marilyn Bland. He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Kimberly Bland, and son-in-law, Chris Seidel; brother, Milton Bland, and sister-in-law, Joan Bland; sister-in-law, Betty Wilkinson; a niece; two nephews; two grandchildren; and other beloved family members.

Final arrangements are in the care of Porter Funeral Home, Kansas City, Kansas, with columbarium interment at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Kansas.

Murrel will be remembered for his dedication to community journalism and freedom of the press, his lifelong service to Wyandotte County and efforts to help build a more informed and connected community, and his devotion to his family, friends, church, and much-loved Kansas Jayhawks.


Condolences

Paul Montague Nov 20, 2025

Friend ,Kansas City ,Kansas

I and my pharmacy spent 15 interesting and wonderful years sharing the Alpine Building with Wyandotte West.....many happy memories with Murrel and family there. The world has lost a valuable contributing citizen and all around great person.

Dr. DeeAnn Behrens Nov 20, 2025

Murrel hired me to report the results of the West Branch YMCA swim team back when I swam for the team. It was a memorable responsibility to me and gave me an interest in journalism. I was later the co-editor of the Washington High School newspaper because of that interest. Years and years later, I was in Business West where Murrel was director, as a business owner. I always felt a special relationship to Murrel and Carol because of the faith they had in me as a teenager.

Richard Hartman Nov 20, 2025

Friend ,Portland ,Oregon

Murrel was always kind to us when we would visit St. Paul’s. I grew up in Wyandotte County but left after graduating from Washington. Some how, he remembered me and my brother, Larry. Murrel will be forever in our hearts.

Jamie Kohn (Rentfro) Nov 21, 2025

Former employee ,Vienna ,Virginia

Murrel was my first boss when I was 14 and started doing subscription sales for the paper in 1999. I worked for the Wyandotte West for 4 years. Murrel and Carol were great bosses. I learned an incredible amount that I still use in my work today. I can still remember Murrel telling me to "ask the Boss Lady, because she's really in charge. Isn't that right, Boss Lady?" I am so grateful for my time at the West. Sending love to Carol and Kim and the rest of the family. <3 Jamie

Darryl Thomas Nov 21, 2025

Condolences to Carol and family. Worked for and with Murrel for many years and he taught myself a lot about business in the printing field.

Kenneth Weyand Nov 21, 2025

Business partner in the 1970s ,North Kansas City ,Missouri

So sorry to hear of Murrel’s passing. I have many fond memories of our mutual efforts in community publishing. My sincere condolences to Carol, Kim, and the family.