Harlan F. Murphy

Harlan F. Murphy, age 82, passed away Monday, September 19th at St. John’s Health Care Center of Hays. He was born on February 11, 1929, in Blue Earth, Minnesota to William and Isabelle (Willette) Murphy. He married Carlyn Burcham on January 3, 1953, in Abilene, Kansas.

He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Korea and retired from the Army Reserves as a Command Sergeant Major. He had worked in various administrative positions within the banking and Energy industries, until retiring from Midwest Energy, Inc., after 38 years of service. He held numerous positions with Midwest Energy and its predecessors, including President, Vice-President and Manager of Operations. In addition, he was involved in various community based organizations and committees, holding memberships and positions with the Hays Chamber of Commerce, Hays Public Housing Authority, United Way, Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, Hays VFW and American Legion, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus Council #1325. He was also a member of Kiwanis for over 50 years, serving as past President of the Hays chapter, past Lt. Governor District 12 of Kansas, and he received the George F. Hixson Fellowship award in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Carlyn of the home; his daughter, Connie Bollig of Hays; four brothers, Gerald and his wife Mary Ann of Guckeen, MN; William and his wife Beverly of Murfreesboro, TN; Stanley of Reno, NV; and Kevin of Blue Earth, MN; two sisters, Naomi Paul and her husband George of Easton, MN; and Teresa Reed of Olympia, WA; three grandchildren, Alison Alfonsi and her husband Corey of Topeka, KS; Ryan Bollig and Aaron Bollig, both of Kansas City; and a great-grandchild Carson Alfonsi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Cindy Murphy; two brothers, Duane and Clem Murphy; one sister, Mary Murphy; and a son-in-law Robert J. Bollig, Jr.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in hays. Burial will follow in St. Joseph cemetery with military honors by the Hays VFW and American Legion.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. and Thursday 9:00 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. at Brock’s North Hill Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS. 67601.

There will be a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday followed by a parish vigil at 7:00 P.M. all at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or St. John’s of Hays. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

 

Blaine Matthew Billinger

Overland Park, Kansas – Blaine Matthew Billinger, age 29, died Saturday, September 17, 2011, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland
Park, Kansas.

He was born to Kenneth and Patty (Sander) Billinger. He graduated from Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Hays,, Kansas, in 2000 and attended Friends University in Wichita. He was also active in Boy Scouts while living in Hays and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1996. He also served as a volunteer for the Kansas Special Olympics Basketball Tournament each year in Hays.

While in high school he worked as part-time radio announcer Blaine Matthews for KJLS, KKQY and KFIX. He lived in St. Louis 5 years working as an account manager for the May Company and then moved to Kansas City where he joined his father in the insurance business and also worked in the lawn and landscape business. Blaine loved animals, NASCAR racing, baseball, music and especially his Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include his parents, Overland Park, girlfriend Stephanie Smiley, Overland Park. Numerous aunts and uncles including: Brad and Alice Sander, Murdock; Gladys and Bob Swindler, Ellis; Darrell and Wanita Sander, Gorham; Marty and Saundra Sander, Hutchinson; Rich and Diane Weber, Victoria; Bob and Marilyn Billinger, Victoria; Kathy and Norman Kuhn, Victoria; Jeanne and Vernon Riedel, Yocemento; Dan Billinger, Ulysses; cousins Shannon Sander, Hays; Darrell Wayne Sander, Hays; Mandi Stephenson; Cheney; Kelly Sander, Marquette, NE; Jennifer Grayek, Camp Lejeune, NC; Irwin Sander, Hutchinson; Josh Sander, Hutchinson; Melissa Schmidt, Victoria; Richard Weber, Hays; Douglas Kuhn, Victoria; Angela Sack, Hays; Danny Kuhn, Victoria; Michael Billinger, Victoria; Aaron Riedel, Raytown, MO; Amanda Billinger, Grandview, MO, Brandon Billinger, Tonganoxie; Amy Billinger, St. Petersburg, Russia: and his beloved dog, Boston.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Alvin P. and Bonnie (Irwin) Sander and paternal grandparents, Daniel and Angelita (Giebler) Billinger; an uncle, Irv Sander, an aunt, Barbara Weber, and his best friend and buddy, Eddie Brungardt.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 22, 2011, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Vigil service is at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, followed by a 2000 class rosary at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, both at St. Fidelis Church Victoria,
> Kansas. Visitation is from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday at Cline’s Mortuary 412 Main Victoria, Kansas 67671, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday at St. Fidelis Church Victoria, Kansas and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Thursday at Cline’s Mortuary Victoria, Kansas. Memorial to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].