Robert C. Deines, age 67, of WaKeeney, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016. He was born June 25, 1948, in WaKeeney, to Edward and Rosie (Norton) Deines.

Bob was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, KS. He graduated from Trego Community High School in 1966 and served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970. After his military service, Bob spent an entire career in the grocery business, including about 10 years at the BestYet store in Hoxie, KS, and more than 20 years with Crest Foods in Oklahoma City, OK.

He recently retired in the summer of 2014 and moved back to WaKeeney, where, despite health challenges, he very much enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends and being of service to his neighbors at Keeney Village. We are grateful to have had time with him recently to reminisce about old memories and make new ones. His sudden passing leaves a void—we will miss his good-humored teasing and quiet, ornery sense of humor.

Bob is survived by three siblings, Gene (and wife Kim) of Hoxie, Richard (and wife Elizabeth) of WaKeeney, and Janelle Miller of WaKeeney; as well as many nieces & nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, followed by burial at the Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney. Military honors will be provided by the US Army.
There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Keeney Village. Contributions made payable to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Longtime Ellis County resident, Thomas J. “Tom” Younger, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Hays Medical Center.

Tom was born February, 4, 1934 in Catharine, Kansas to Jacob P. and Catherine (Mader) Younger. He married Bernadette “Det” (Roth) August 19, 1963, in Victoria, KS.

He was a 1951 graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. He was a self-employed business man owning Tom’s Machine Shop in Plainville and Hays, T & D Oil, Das Younger Haus Bed and Breakfast and Tommy’s Place. He was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree both of Victoria and a member of the Hays American Legion.

He was an avid KU sports fan and loved his Royals. He enjoyed cooking for others and spending time with family and friends. He was proud of his Golden Gloves championship while at St. Joseph Military Academy. He will be remembered for his homemade brauts, BBQ ribs and his ability to make others laugh.

Survivors include his wife, Det Younger, of the home; five children, Cathy Boos and husband, Don, Salina, KS; Amy Siebenmorgen and husband, Matt, Atchison, KS; David Younger and wife, Stacy, Windsor, CO; Blaine Younger and wife, Suzy, Olathe, KS; Beth Ricke and husband, Jonathan, Olathe, KS; twelve grandchildren, Blake, Grant, and Nate Dreiling, Ashley Herl (Clint), Cole and Abe Siebenmorgen, Madalyn and Emma Younger, Miles and Leo Younger, Henry and Harrison Ricke; one great granddaughter Scarlett Herl; three step grandchildren, Lauren, Joey and Bonnie Boos; one brother, John C. Younger and wife, Ethel, Victoria, KS; one sister, Nadine Pedersen, Rogers, MN; two sisters-in-law, Jeanette Younger, Victoria, KS; LaVerna Younger, Hays, KS; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Richard Younger, Albert Younger, Jack Younger and Bernie Younger; and five sisters, Lucille Miller, Rita Desch, Lietta Niernberger, Catherine Bitterman and Sister Patricia Younger.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.
A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 8:30 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to the Door Replacement Fund for The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Arlene Bright Leikam, 91, Hays, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born February 26, 1925 in rural Graham County the daughter of Charles W. and Ella (Veverka) Smith. She graduated from Palco High School and received her teaching degree from Fort Hays State University. On January 5, 1946 she married Billy T. Bright in Russell, Kansas. He died December 28, 1977. She later married Elmer L. Leikam on February 14, 1983 in Hays. He died July 10, 2005. She was a school teacher in Graham County for many years, worked in a fabric store, and worked at Gullivers Book Store in Hays for many years until her retirement. She was a member of North Oak Community Church in Hays. She loved to read, tend to her rose garden, and go for rides in the car. She was an excellent cook, rarely needing to measure or use a recipe. She was a gifted seamstress, sewing clothes for her sisters and herself, and she made dolls and doll clothes.

Survivors include a son, Terry T. Bright of Hays, a sister Alice Bowans of Palco, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, two brothers, William George Smith and Charles W. “Johnny” Smith, Jr., and two sisters, Edith Dillon and Veda M. Miller.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street in Hays. Burial will be in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.