2016 – Page 972 – Hays Post Archive

Walker Franklin Rexroat

Posted on January 7, 2016

Downs — Walker Franklin Rexroat, 97, passed away January 6, 2016 in Osborne, Kansas.

He was born December 21, 1918 in Covert, Kansas, the son of Jordan and Alice (Barber) Rexroat. He was a retired farmer/rancher.

He is preceded in death by his wife Oletha in 2014, infant son, Robert, granddaughter, Kimberly Rexroat, grandson, Josh Rexroat, a brother, Jordan Junior, and two sisters, Naida Arasmith and Marjorie Gates.

He is survived by children:
Richard (Opal) Rexroat-Downs
Judy (Terry) Walker-Duncan, Ok
Linda (Gary) Jordan-Osborne
Dan (Sharron) Rexroat–Argyle, TX
Bruce (Darcel) Rexroat–Downs
Rita (Chad) Swank–Pocatello, Idaho
Brother Bill (Nedra) Rexroat of Salina, KS
13 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Downs. Visitation will be Friday, January 8 from 7-8:30 at the church.

Memorials may be given to the church and Osborne County Memorial Hospital in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437

Kansas man arrested in wife’s Mississippi stabbing death

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been arrested in his wife’s stabbing death in Mississippi.

Riley County police took 34-year-old Edward Alexander Broom, of Manhattan, into custody Tuesday on a warrant for extradition to Leflore County, Mississippi. He was indicted there Monday on a capital murder charge in the death of his wife, 29-year-old Lakeyla Broom.

It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney.

Lakeyla Broom was found dead in her Greenwood, Mississippi, home after a man called 911 saying he had been tied up and stabbed.

Police found Edward Broom tied up on a bed and his wife’s body on the floor next to the bed according to Greenwood Police Chief Ray Moore.

Moore said authorities believe the crime scene was staged. Broom moved to Kansas after his wife’s death.

Beth M. Sellers-Buikstra

Posted on January 7, 2016

Downs — Beth M. Sellers-Buikstra passed away Monday, January 4, 2016 in Osborne, Kansas. She was born October 18, 1927 in Smith County to Benjamin Tunis and Edith (Stark) Kuiken.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, “Cobb” Sellers in 1998, a son, William Sellers in 1999, 2 sisters, and a brother.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Henry Buikstra of Downs; daughter, Patricia (Jim) Scott of Hays; a son, Richard (Teresa) Sellers of Anchor Point, Alaska; step-daughters, Leah Buikstra of Downs, Norah Buikstra-Spoden of Nashville, TN., daughter-in-law Barbara (Rick) Beard of Garden City, MO.; 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Downs United Methodist Church. No Visitation. Memorials may be given to the Downs Senior Center and the church in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437.

NW Kansas towns boast K-State PRIDE community recognition

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

By MARY LOU PETER
K-State Research and Extension

MANHATTAN – The Kansas PRIDE program has honored 11 communities across the state with its Community of Excellence award for their ongoing accomplishments in community development.

The Kansas PRIDE program is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.

This year’s recipients include Alton, Ashland, Grinnell, Humboldt, Iola, Lakin, Leonardville, Lenora, Lucas, Potwin and Rossville.

The award is given to local PRIDE volunteer groups that continuously work to improve their communities through activities such as determining the community’s needs, establishing goals, creating projects and celebrating successes, said Jaime Menon, program manager with Kansas PRIDE. Volunteers form a local PRIDE organization that works with K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce to accomplish its goals.

Community of Excellence award winners are eligible to apply for Partners in PRIDE matching grants of up to $2,000 to fund future community improvements. The Community of Excellence designation is awarded to a community for a set period of three years.

“Kansas PRIDE is a volunteer-led organization,” Menon said. “These awards highlight the hard work the volunteers provide for communities in the state. Each community has its own unique structure, culture, and assets, and Kansas PRIDE volunteers work to bring out the best in their communities and promote what they have to offer. It is through the work of these volunteers that Kansas communities continue to thrive and be a great place to live and raise a family.”

Police use Special Response Unit to arrest Kansas man

Posted on January 7, 2016

LIBERAL- Law enforcement authorities in Seward County are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged aggravated assault.

Just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were called to a residence in the 200 Block of South Roosevelt in Liberal for a reported domestic disturbance, according to a media release from Liberal police.

A 35-year-old woman reported her 35-year-old male partner would not let her leave the residence.

Officers observed the man shove the woman outside. He locked himself in the residence and refused to come out.

The officers learned the man had threatened the woman with a knife during the earlier dispute. She was not injured.

The Liberal Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) was summoned to the scene.

After an aerosol irritant was introduced inside the residence, the man surrendered peacefully

He was taken into custody and transported to the Seward County Jail.

He was booked on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated intimidation of a victim, domestic violence battery and interference with law enforcement. An affidavit will be submitted to the Seward County Attorney for the filing of formal charges.

There were no injuries to the suspect or any officers. Liberal Police have not responded to a request for a name of the suspect.

Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer

Posted on January 7, 2016

Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer, 84, our beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas. Martha was born December 1, 1931, in Ellis, KS to Joseph and Sophie (Weber) Augustine. She married William Beer on October 17, 1949, where they began their lives in WaKeeney, KS.

Martha was a devoted, long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was actively involved with the Altar Society, CCD teacher, the choir, and Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader for all her children. For over fifty years, she was a member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha where she held various officer positions. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several card clubs. Education was something she strongly believed in thus she spent many years as a World Book Consultant. This gave her the opportunity to work in schools and share her love of learning. Later in life, Martha comforted many people by working at Schmitt Funeral Home. She loved her flower gardens, canning pickles from Bill’s garden and cooking for family and friends. She always kept her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart and shared her lovely smile with everyone.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Bill and her children: Bernadette (husband Tom) Crayton of La Grande, OR, Arlin (wife Debbie) Beer of Wichita, KS, Daniel Beer of New York, NY, Sheila (husband Tim) Shaw of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren: Tadd (wife Sarah) Crayton of Austin, TX, Shandi (husband Brian) Ricciotti of Dana Point, CA, Kellen Beer, CA, Connor Beer of Denver, CO, Arisa Shaw of Wichita, KS, and Casey Beer, Wichita, KS; four great-grandchildren: Concetta and Valentino Ricciotti, Abigale Crayton and Eden Eberle Beer; sisters: Dorothy Younger of McPherson, KS and Janie Daniels of Laramie, WY; brothers: Leonard Augustine and Elmer Augustine, both of Hays, KS and Harold Augustine of Hutchinson, KS and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons, and brothers Robert, Donald and Larry Augustine.

Visitation will be Friday, January 8, 2016, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Rosary will follow that evening at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Private family burial will be at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family has requested memorials made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Checks made to the church or hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

14 dogs die in Kansas house fire

Posted on January 7, 2016

Image- Lawrence Journal World — Image- courtesy Nick Krug, Lawrence Journal World

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Fourteen dogs have died in a northeast Kansas house fire that their owner narrowly escaped.

Watch firefighters battle the blaze here.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Kevin Matthews awoke Tuesday morning to smoke filling his room. He broke through a bedroom window of his home near the Douglas County town of Baldwin and jumped out.

Matthews says he then flagged down a driver, who helped him call 911. The fire was under control within an hour, but the house is considered a total loss. Willow Springs Fire Department Assistant Chief Clint Hornberger says the cause appears to be accidental.

Matthews says nine adult dogs and five puppies died in the fire. Several of the dogs were personal pets. He says he had rescued others and was working to find people to adopt them.

Now That’s Rural: Clyde Cessna

Posted on January 7, 2016

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

The world’s most popular airplanes. That’s one description of the planes built by the Cessna Aircraft Company, maker of more light aircraft than any company in the world. It was all started by a rural Kansas farmboy. And he’s the subject of today’s Kansas Profile.

Clyde Cessna was born in Iowa. When he was one year old, his family moved to Kansas and lived on a farm near the rural community of Rago in Kingman County. Rago is unincorporated. It’s located east of the town of Spivey, population 79 people. Now, that’s rural.

As a farmboy, Clyde learned to be a good mechanic and handyman. He helped area farmers with their equipment and then branched out into working on automobiles. He became an auto mechanic and then a car salesman in Enid, Oklahoma.

One day in 1910, he went to Oklahoma City and saw what was called an “air circus”: An exhibition by a group of touring stunt pilots. He was so intrigued by the airplanes that he quit his job and moved to New York to take a job in aircraft construction.

He learned the craft of airplane manufacturing and then moved back to Oklahoma to build his own planes. Cessna crashed on his first flight attempt but made his first successful flight in 1911, eight years after the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. With that flight, he became the first person to build and fly a powered aircraft in the heartland of America, between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

Clyde Cessna tried to generate income by flying exhibitions, but money was scarce in those times. He finally moved his family back to the farm in Kansas, where the only building still standing was a barn. Believe it or not, the family moved into that barn temporarily. The family literally lived in the hayloft while Clyde worked on trying to build better airplanes. Each year he built a new and improved model.

In 1916, Cessna had a unique opportunity. A Wichita car-building company named “Jones Six” invited him to build an airplane in its auto factory to publicize the company. So, Cessna came to Wichita and built a new plane with the words “Jones Six” painted on the wings in giant letters which could be read from a thousand feet below.

It was the first airplane ever built in Wichita, Kansas – the first of more than a quarter million airplanes, which would help earn Wichita the name of Air Capital. Cessna continued to build and upgrade his planes. In 1917, his plane named Comet set the U.S.-national speed record of 124 miles per hour.

After World War I, Cessna joined with two legendary partners: Lloyd Stearman and Walter Beech, who was also a test pilot. In 1925, they formed a company called Travel Air Manufacturing.

This company became one of the nation’s leading airplane manufacturers. Two years later, Clyde Cessna set out on his own, to build a high-performance, single-wing plane that could outperform the biplanes of the time. His monoplane model would be able to reach speeds of 145 miles per hour and fly more than seven hours in length, a remarkable achievement for the time.

However, the Great Depression hit and the company put the business on hold. Clyde Cessna went back to the farm, but his nephew Dwayne Wallace was still working in aviation. Dwayne encouraged Clyde to restart the business and together, they did so. Clyde retired in 1936 but his nephew would continue to build the company.

The company grew and changed through the years. For example, the 1956 Cessna Skyhawk would outsell every other light airplane in the world. Today, the Cessna Aircraft Company is considered one of the world’s largest makers of small aircraft.

The world’s most popular airplanes. That was one description of the planes built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. We salute its founder and namesake Clyde Cessna for making a difference with entrepreneurship in aviation.

And there’s more. Before revitalizing Cessna, Dwayne Wallace had been working for none other than Clyde’s former partner Walter Beech who founded his own airplane company. We’ll learn about that next week.

HPD Activity Log Jan. 6

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 29 traffic stops Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At Large–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 8:26 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Fort St, Hays; 9:37 AM
Welfare Check–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:36 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 25th Terr, Hays; 11:32 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block W 22nd St, Hays; 12 AM; 11:55 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:30 AM; 12:31 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–Hays; 12:34 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block E 43rd St, Hays; 1:05 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1:10 PM
Disorderly Conduct–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:14 PM
Burglary/vehicle–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 11/30 8 AM; 12/6 8 AM
Shoplifting–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 2:04 PM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Jefferson St, Ellis; 2:18 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:49 PM
Welfare Check–200 block W 37th St, Hays; 3:28 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block Main St, Hays; 4:05 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block Indian Trl, Hays; 4:25 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–2500 block Indian Trl, Hays; 4:46 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:39 PM
Unwanted Person–700 block Vine St, Hays; 9:15 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:23 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 37th St, Hays; 11:13 PM

Arraignment set for Kan. man accused in grocery store sting operation

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

HUTCHINSON— A Kansas Convenience store owner was bound over for trial on Wednesday, accused of selling items police believed were stolen from Dillons and for being in possession of K-2 or synthetic marijuana.

In May of 2015, Chris Patel, 43, was arrested in Hutchinson and charged with possession of K-2 with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, no drug tax stamp, and possession of stolen property.

His arraignment is set for February 2.

Police say Patel, the owner of the Zip Trip located at 200 East Avenue A in Hutchinson was purchasing what he believed to be stolen goods from a member of Kroger’s organized retail crime unit.

The stolen goods, included cases of Red Bull energy drink, Tide laundry detergent and cigarettes.

Testimony from witnesses Wednesday showed that Patel made numerous purchases, then stored the items in another building.

The items were secretly marked and eventually showed up in Patel’s store. A search warrant of Patel’s home turned up more items as well as 45 bags of K-2.

Patel remains free on Bond.

Mitchell L. ‘Mitch’ Homburg

Posted on January 7, 2016

Mitchell L. “Mitch” Homburg, age 61, of Fort Worth, TX formerly of Ellis, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Downtown Health and Rehab Center in Fort Worth. He was born January 14, 1954 in Hays, Kansas to Harold A. and Uberta L. “Bert” (Warta) Homburg. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1972 and attended Central Missouri State University and Fort Hays State University.

Mitch had worked as a graphic designer and was an accomplished guitarist and keyboardist.

He is survived by his brother, Kevin Homburg and wife Marla and a niece, Abbey Homburg all of Hays.

Memorial services will be 11 AM Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in Hays or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Robert J. Staab

Posted on January 7, 2016

Robert J. Staab, Hays, Kansas, age 89, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 17, 1926, at Catharine, Kansas, to Albert J. and Ida (Wiesner) Staab. He married Alice Marie (Windholz) on September 11, 1946 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a driver and delivered freight for the Graves Truck Lines for over 25 years out of the Hays Office. He was a lifetime resident of Ellis County and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Knights of Columbus and V.F.W. Post No. 9076 all of Hays.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served in the battle of Iwo Jima where he witnessed the famous raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was also involved in the liberation of Okinawa and observed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from aboard his ship. Bob was a avid sports fan and enjoyed fishing, golfing and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Staab, of the home; six sons, Robert Dean Staab and wife, Dorothy, Plainville, KS; William Staab and wife, Wendy, Hays, KS; Kenneth Staab and wife, Connie, Hays, KS; John Staab and wife, Debby, Orlando, FL; David Staab, Austin, TX; Randy Staab and wife, Paula, Hays, KS; one daughter, Sandy Staab, Garden City, KS; four brothers, Paul Staab, Firestone, CO; Frank Staab and wife, Irma Denver, CO; Norman Staab and wife, Barbara, Tucson, AZ; Joe Staab, Deertrail, CO; one sister-in-law, Catherine Staab, Brighton, CO; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Terry Staab; three brothers, Albert W. Staab; Fred “Buddy” Staab; Richard Staab; two sisters, Rita Billinger and Eileen Bollig; one granddaughter, Jessica Staab; one great grandchild, Rachel Alexander; and one great-great grandson, Kayden Weilert.

Service are at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

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 Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 11:00 to 1:45 P.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Catholic Charities. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Firma Hammersmith

Posted on January 7, 2016

Firma Hammersmith, Gorham, Kansas, age 76, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas.

She was born April 1, 1939, in Victoria, Kansas to Alfred P. and Anna (Braun) Rohr. She married Joe A. Hammersmith on April 1, 1959, at Victoria, Kansas.

She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis at Victoria and the Daughters of Isabella at Gorham. She was a 1957 graduate of Victoria High School. Firma was a person full of life and zest.

She had a strong devotion for her faith, family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Joe A. Hammersmith, of the home; one son, Todd Hammersmith, Gorham, KS; one daughter, Carmen Lyczak and husband, Victor, Wichita, KS; two grandchildren, Victoria Lyczak and Cooper Hammersmith; two brothers, Jerry Rohr (Mary Ann), Russell, KS; Leon Rohr (Sandy), Lincoln, KS; five sisters, Bernita Schrant, Victoria, KS; Shirley Hammersmith (Marvin), Horton, KS; Vera Rohleder (Norman), Russell, KS; Mary Ann Kuhn, Kansas City, MO; Arlene Giebler (Ivan), Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Floyd Rohr; one infant brother, Larry Andrew Rohr; and one brother-in-law, Norman Schrant.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to the Dreiling-Schmidt Cancer Center Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].