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Mayor of Newton found dead in his home

HARVEY COUNTY — The city of Newton is mourning the loss of Mayor David A. Nygaard.

Nygaard-photo city of Newton

On their Facebook page, the city wrote, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mayor David A. Nygaard, who was found deceased in his home Tuesday.

He was a tireless community volunteer for four decades, serving dozens of Newton organizations. He was elected to the City Commission in 2015 and had been serving as mayor since January of this year.

Dave exuded pride for Newton and was passionate about making it a better place to live and raise families. As he often said, he was a “Newtonian by choice” and loved the community. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

HHS seniors receive scholarships for community work

Seniors may apply to become Community Ambassadors. Ambassadors have the opportunity to gain scholarships based on their work.

By ALLISON HILLEBRAND
HHS Guidon

Young men and women are given the opportunity to become Sunflower Bank Community Ambassadors, which provides them with knowledge of how local business and government are run.

The Community Ambassadors from Hays High School are seniors Kamree Markley, Erin Muirhead, Autumn Hohmann, Mark Schuckman, Sara Rohleder, Alyssa Owens, Kaitlyn Schaben, Trinity Callis, Mallory Linn and London Keller.

“A Community Ambassador is a leader for one’s peers,” Keller said. “We learn about what is to come in the future and tips to help us in our lives.”

Keller said he enjoyed the program because of the valuable skills he has been taught to better his leadership.

To become an ambassador, a high school senior must fill out an application and be accepted by Sunflower Bank employees, Muirhead said.

“As a community ambassador, we get the opportunity to meet important people within our community and learn about the future of our generation,” Muirhead said. “At the end of the program, there are also scholarship opportunities.”

The scholarships depend on the member’s participation and volunteer work throughout the year.

“I feel very honored to be a community ambassador,” Muirhead said. “It has been a wonderful experience so far, I am extremely thankful to have gotten the opportunity.”

Charles Edwin Vachal

It is with great sadness that the family of Charles Edwin Vachal, announces his passing. Charles, 71, of Lindsborg, KS died Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Bethany Home. Charles was born August 16, 1946 in Lindsborg, KS to the late Charles Edward and Helen (Johnson) Vachal.

Charles worked as a farmer in the Lindsborg area. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard. Charles was a graduate of Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS.

He is lovingly remembered by his sister: Annamarie (Sal) Brancaccio of Arlington, TX; nieces, Marian Brancaccio of New York City, NY; and Helen (Paul) Davidson of Flower Mound, TX; nephews, Dr. Frank (Dr. Anne) Brancaccio of Dallas, TX; and Charles Brancaccio of Mansfield, TX; as well as great nieces and nephews, Austin, Brandon, and Carmen Davidson, and Sal and Vince Brancaccio.

Visitation will be from 2pm to 4pm and from 5pm to 7pm, Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 12 at Benton Cemetery, Old KS Hwy 254, Benton KS, with Chaplain Phillip Hett, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Memorials may be sent in care of Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Robert ‘Bob’ Weigel

Robert “Bob” Weigel, 76, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving wife, Carol, & daughter Nikki, April 6, 2018.

Bob was born January 27, 1942, in Hays, Kansas. The son of Marcus Weigel and Sophia Nowak, Bob was born into a loving, beautiful family of 15 brothers and sisters. They all looked out for one another, helping each other daily, learning and practicing life’s lessons of kindness and caring. They always looked out for one another. These early lessons in life were a gift to Bob as he carried this throughout his life.

Bob was a simple, hardworking man, with a great sense of humor and quick wit. He never wanted a fuss and loved his family dearly, along with his precious and faithful canine companion, Dezi. During Bob’s illness, Dezi never left his side, watching over him daily.

Bob’s father Marcus ran his own grocery store in Hays, Kansas where he employed a good part of the family. This was where Bob learned his skills of market management, store management, and working with people and employees. He worked harder then anyone, always trying to set a good example for his family, friends, & employees.

Brothers & sisters who preceded in death were Dolores, Marvin, Don, Ken, Leroy, Darrel, & JoAnn. He is survived by siblings, Charlotte, Mark, Duane, Donna, Carol, Cheryl, & Dennis. Bob is survived by his loving wife Carol, of almost 55 years of marriage, his loving daughter Nikki Weigel, Granddaughter Paige Helt, Grandson, Christopher Helt, wife Caitlin Helt & his great grandaughter, Charlotte Jane Helt, Bob will be laid to rest next to his beloved grandaughter, Olya Helt.

Bob went to work for Dillons in 1962 and retired in 2000. He was transferred often & worked in the towns of Larned, Dodge City, Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, Winfield, and finally moved to Lawrence, KS in 1984, where he and his family remained.

Bob quickly became a Jayhawk Fan, loved to golf, and loved his family and church.

Bob retired in 2000, due to his second treatment for cancer, always bouncing back, trying to stay positive. Bob’s favorite saying, was “It will get better. We will beat this.” Bob went through cancer treatment for the third time just recently but never stopped having hope & faith even towards the end. He was a rock and role model for his family & friends.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for April 11th, 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 1234 Kentucky St. Lawrence, KS. Burial services to immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th Lawrence KS with a dinner at St John’s church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bob’s life. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Lawrence Humane Society.

The family would like to thank Dr. Luke Huerter, the LMH Oncology Center & staff, Dr. Darren Klish & staff, Dr. Kevin Stuever & staff, Dr. Krishna Rangarajan, Dr. Ben Powers from the KU Cancer Center, Dr. Sosinski & the Hospice staff & also the Visiting Nurses.

Willie Eller

Phillipsburg resident Willie Eller passed away April 9, 2018 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 52. He was born June 16, 1965 in Smith Center, KS, the son of LeRoy & Helen (Manion) Eller. He was a welder.

Survivors include 2 sons, Scott of Kirwin & Phillip of Beloit; his daughter, Tiffani Killion of Kearney, NE; his fiancé Melinda VanKooten of Phillipsburg; his mother, Helen of Phillipsburg; his sister, Donita Buck of McCook, NE and 4 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the Heartland Worship Center, Agra, with Pastor Monte Brunner officiating. Burial will follow in the Kirwin Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Willie Eller Memorial Fund.

Ruth A. Smith

gra resident Ruth A. Smith passed away April 5, 2018 in Smith Center at the age of 102. She was born August 12, 1915 in Phillips County, the daughter of Ira & Lillie (Jacobs) Cox.

Survivors include her son Arnold & wife Linda of Madison, KS, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Becky Saddler officiating. Burial will follow in the Agra Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Tuesday & Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Agra United Methodist Church.

Gordon John Christensen

Gordon John Christensen was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ivor John and Helen Violet (Weston) Christensen on July 9, 1925. He passed away April 6, 2018, at the Christian Rest Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 92.

Gordon attended Franklin High School and then Seattle Pacific University. His education was interrupted by polio during his second year at S. P. U. He went to North Park College and North Park Seminary, graduating in 1950. That year he was ordained into the ministry and sailed for the Belgian Congo, where he was married to Geneva Noren on September 1, 1950. Gordon’s Sunday School teacher led him to the Lord when he was about 10 years old. He enjoyed Bible Camp during the summers where they usually had missionary speakers. Influenced by them, he decided he would like to share the Good News he had received with those who hadn’t as yet heard.

Gordon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, with his major in teaching high school English. He also took some special studies at Fuller School of Missions in Pasadena, California, with Dr. Donald McGavran and Dr. J. Edwin Orr. In Gordon’s own words, “My passion is the renewing of the Church locally, nationally, and internationally. I’m excited about what God is doing in the Evangelical Church these days. My root gift is that of encourager. My greatest satisfaction comes when someone, whether high-schooler, collegian,or young married is encouraged through the mutual study of the Word and through prayer. I feel that obedience to the Word of God is the key to success, growth spiritually, and delight in the Lord.”

He will be remembered by many as a man of prayer and the Word. Gordon was a prolific writer, producing helpful booklets for the Christian life such as: “The Poison Cup”, “Puberty Rites”, “The Family”, “The Worker and his Word”, etc. No doubt the greatest gift to the African church is the three volume New Testament Commentary, Mai na Bomoi (LivingWater). They were written in their own language at the request of the church and have been used as textbooks in many Bible schools. After retirement, both Gordon and Geneva served in interim pastor capacities in several places and were involved in Schools of Prayer and Evangelism, and Spiritual Intervention.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Geneva; his three children and their spouses ; Susan and Dale Lovercheck, Michael and Angela Christensen, and Mary Lynn and Dennis Carlson; and five grandchildren: James, Timothy, Kristin, Nathan, and Katelin.

Gordon was preceded in death by his grandson, Phillip Christensen; sister, Kathleen Hoffman; and brother, Ernest Christensen.

Click HERE for service details.

Zane K. Edwards

Zane K. Edwards, 88, Bison, Kansas, died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mr. Edwards was born August 16, 1929, in rural Bison, Kansas, the son of Everett O. Edwards, Sr., and Frances (Bitter) Edwards. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1947 graduate of Bison High School, Bison, Kansas, he was a farmer.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas; a former member of the Bison Elementary School board; a former member of the USD 403 school board; a former member of the La Crosse Co-op board; and a former member of the Rush County ASCS board.

On December 9, 1951, he married Ila Mae Lewis at the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas.

Survivors include: his wife, Ila Mae Edwards, Bison, Kansas; two sons, David Edwards (Nancy), Norman, Oklahoma, and Brian Edwards (Karen), Bison, Kansas; one daughter, Gay Graham (Ron), Colorado Springs, Colorado; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Elbert “Bert” Edwards, Bison, Kansas; and two sisters, Ruth Anne Krug, La Crosse, Kansas, and Holly Brack, Spearman, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert Edwards, Everett “Peck” Edwards, Jr., Thomas Edwards, and Forrest Edwards; and five sisters, Ladine Peterson, Lois Edwards, Elma Edwards, Hazel Stump, and Minetta Smith.

Visitation will be Friday, April 13, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, April 14, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor David Edwards, and Pastor Ron Graham officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas, or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Doris Marie (Browning) Anderson

Doris Marie (Browning) Anderson was born March 19, 1923 in Sidney, Nebraska to John W. and Lucinda Pearl (Troxel) Browning. She went to be with the Lord April 9, 2018 at the age of 95.

Doris was one of twelve children. They family moved around when she was young, her father helping various farmers. When she was seven the family came to St. Francis for a while and then moved on into Colorado. They stayed there for a while and then moved back to St. Francis. Her father decided they would not move anymore and made a home here. Doris finished her schooling in the St. Francis School.

When Doris met Norris, she was introduced to his parents Justice and Ethel Anderson who led her to the Lord. Her faith was very important to her. They read out of the Bible every morning after breakfast before starting their day. She made sure her children and grandchildren all new about the bible and the Lord.

On March 19, 1964 Norris and Doris were united in marriage. They enjoyed 54 years together on the farm southwest of town. They raised cattle, registered quarter horses, registered blue heeler cattle dogs, chickens and hogs. They went around the United States to showing their blue heelers. They moved to St. Francis in 2000 and in September due to failing health they moved into the Good Samaritan Village.

Doris loved to sew. She made most all of her clothes and Norris’s shirts as he was so long he couldn’t get them in talls at that time.  She made several wedding dresses for family members and their attendants including Sherry’s. She was asked how she could make a wedding dress with all the layers  and she said it was just a dress with lace. If she was not sewing she was knitting or crocheting something. She liked to keep busy. She also liked to read a lot.

Preceding her in death was her son Ned Wolbach, her parents, all of her eleven siblings. Great grandson Michael Engelland, her in laws Ethel and Justice, sisters in law Valetta Clemans and husband Warren, Chloris Krien, and bother in law Norvin Anderson and wife Lillian.

She is survived by her husband Norris, daughter Sherry (O’Leary) Weeks and husband Dale. Grandchildren Lori Engelland ( Brett) of Hutchinson, KS, Scott Houtman (Sara) St. Francis, Lucinda Straub (Sean) St.Francis, Laura Richardson (Jeff) Greeley Co., Kevin Hannum (Amy) Greeley, Co., Ryan Weeks of Wamego Ks, Heather Boyson (Nick) Bird City, KS. Annetta Rieber (Skip) Burlington, Co. and Kevin Wolbach and twenty three great grandchildren. Brother in law Ferdinand Krien and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Doris will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 10:30 AM CT at the Peace Lutheran Church in St. Francis with Pastor Randy Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery, St. Francis, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM CT at the Knodel Funeral Home in St. Francis.

Memorial contributions in memory of Doris may be made to the Good Samaritan Village or the Peace Lutheran Church.

Service arrangements are entrusted to Knodel Funeral Home in St. Francis, Kansas.

Geraldine Kay “Gerri” Taylor

Geraldine Kay “Gerri” Taylor, age 75, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. Gerri was born November 24, 1942 at Ransom, Kansas, the daughter of Glenn D. & Dorothy Eileen ( Grate ) Cooley.

She was a homemaker and had been a resident of Leoti since 1947.

On January 4, 1972, she married Robert M. Taylor in Leoti, Kansas. Robert passed away on July 30, 2014 in Leoti, Kansas.

Gerri’s surviving family includes-

One son-
Robert Taylor-Leoti, Kansas

Four daughters-
Martha & Sam Vallejo-Leoti, Kansas
Debbie Young-Garden City, Kansas
Glenita Nodine-Colby, Kansas
Sheila & Kevin Edwards-El Dorado, Kansas

One brother-
Roger & Toni Cooley-Scott City, Kansas

Two sisters-
Phyllis & Frank Black-Edson, Kansas
Deana & Daniel Fahrenholtz-Granby, Colorado

Eight Grandchildren and Eleven Great Grandchildren

Her parents and husband precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Leoti, Kansas with Pastor Dustin Fritzmeier officiating.

Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas

Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Health Center or Leoti E.M.T.’s in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com

U.S. Attorney for Kansas: Protecting rights of crime victims is high priority

U.S. Attorney for Kansas Stephen McAllister

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Protecting the rights of crime victims is a high priority, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said Wednesday in a news release.

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Kansas is joining advocates from across the state in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 8-14, 2018.

“As a society we must not lose sight of the costs and suffering that crime inflicts on those who are victims,” McAllister said. “Many organizations — federal, state and local — provide support and services to the victims of crime. The Constitution creates and requires recognition of several rights for those accused of crime, and rightly so. But our society also must recognize the dignity of the victims of crime, strive to ease the pain and loss many have suffered, and fully support victims’ legitimate interest in seeing justice done.”

McAllister said victim assistance staff members will be participating in the 21st Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference in Topeka, April 11 and 12. In coming months, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be co-hosting the 2018 Indian Country Conference in Omaha, Neb., May 9-10, and hosting the 2018 Human Trafficking Conference in Manhattan, Kan., July 10-11.

Events across the nation this week recognize the Crime Victim’s Rights Act, which guarantees victims protection from an accused, accurate and timely information about court proceedings and the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy.

Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Offices take part in events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s theme is Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.

The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2018, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers.

More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at https://ojp.gov/. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas’ Victim Witness Program at 316-269-6481.

Alice Allen

Alice Allen, of Hutchinson, 99, died April 9, 2018. She was a longtime resident of Graham County, Kansas.

She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Mackey) Kerr.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph A. Allen, one son, a stepbrother and infant grandson. Survivors include: three daughters: Norma (Bill) Imel of Paola, Marie (Ed) Sharpe of Hill City and Linda Naiman of Hutchinson; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

Gaylyn Jean Andrews

Gaylyn Jean Andrews passed away on April 9, 2018 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita at the age of 81. She was born on the family farm near Codell, Kansas on December 10, 1936 to Everett Aaron Lamb and Eula Madeline (Winters) Lamb. On May 23, 1954 she married William Carroll Hutton in Codell, Kansas. They were blessed with 5 children: Vickie, Joleen, Janiece, Dawn, and Vawn. They later divorced and on June 12, 1965 she married Eldon Dean Andrews in Stockton, Kansas. They were blessed with a daughter: Tialisa.

Gaylyn attended school in Codell. She played basketball and the clarinet in the band. She started working when she was in 7th grade at Apple’s Café. Gaylyn graduated from Codell High School in 1954. While her children were young she was a homemaker and worked as an avid seller for Avon. She later worked for Smith’s Furniture in Stockton from 1984 until it closed. Gaylyn had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around. Her favorite day of the year was April Fools’ Day. Not too long ago she made cupcakes stuffed with cotton balls in the middle to share with many of her loved ones. She also loved Halloween, bowling in her earlier years, and her dog Coco.

Gaylyn is survived by her children Vickie St. Clair and husband Scott of Stockton, Joleen Hutton and husband Robert Lanham of Loveland, CO, Janiece Cook and husband Wes of Plainville, Dawn Palmer of Stockton, Vawn Hutton and wife Karen of Stockton, and Tialisa Muir and husband Patrick of Stockton; sisters Karolyn Eastep and husband Don of Sedalia, MO, Sharolyn Gramm and husband Don of Mountain Home, AR, Beverly Nelson of Lee-High, FL, and Jacquelyn Werner and husband Ron of Plainville; 18 grandchildren, Chad Hutton (Julia), Raelyn Holmes, Stefani Fitts, Zach Plante, Tyler Plante (Julie), Quintin Plante (Randi), Wayne Cook (Brooke), Lynn Finnesy, Jennifer Lucio, Krista Klingenberg, Robert Klingenberg, Heath Muir (Lacey), Monica Hutton, Tabitha Meier (Ryan), Nathan Palmer, and Shayla Palmer; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Everett and Eula Lamb and infant son Everett Dean Hutton.

Gaylyn was a hardworking and fun-loving woman. She knew how to have fun and enjoy life along the way. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow in the Stockton Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

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