Joni Ellen Vargas, 43, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at her home in Topeka, Kansas. She was born on September 4, 1972 in Horton, Kansas the daughter of Vickie DuPuis. Joni graduated from Bryan Beauty College and worked as a beautician for many years. She was a member of the Kickapoo Tribe and Drum Religion. Survivors include her husband, Oscar Vargas of the home, Topeka, Kansas; daughter, Mariah Wahweotten of Topeka, Kansas; son, Benjamin Wahweotten of Topeka, Kansas; sister, Shawnee Cerca of Topeka, Kansas; brother, Albert Murata of Horton, Kansas. Drum services were held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Kickapoo Community Building on the Kickapoo Reservation. Burial was on Friday at the Anderson-Negonsott Cemetery.