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Julia Ann Geisinger

Julia Ann Geisinger, 78, of Selden, died Saturday, January 5, 2019. She was born March 27, 1940, in Atwood, KS, to August and Ann (Haller) Martin. Julia attended Marymount College where she received her nursing degree. On February 4, 1961, Julia married John R. Geisinger, in Herndon, KS. She enjoyed gardening, canning and sending produce to the farmers market and truly enjoyed the customers who came to the farm. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Leoville, where she was a member of the Altar Society and planned and prepared many funeral dinners.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband John R., of Selden; children, Jacqueline (Mike) Wiens, of Colby, John Geisinger, of Selden, Joe (Patty) Geisinger, of Austin, TX and Jason (Dana) Geisinger, of Selden; sisters, Cecelia (Ron) Lehman, Lucy (Butch) Evans and Irma (Terry) Jones; brothers, Robert (Liane) Martin, Dick Martin, John (Catalina) Martin and Henry (Lorri) Martin; ten grandchildren, Johnna (Josh) Dexter-Wiens, Kaylin Wiens, Madison Wiens, Josh (Brittany) Geisinger, Jessica Geisinger, Libby Geisinger, Mary Geisinger, Jake Geisinger, Karlee Geisinger and Nash Geisinger and two great grandchildren, Luca and Aubrey.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Leoville, KS, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2019 also at the church, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery, Leoville. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Bill Lumpkins

June 10, 1935 – January 5, 2019

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click HERE for service details.

Moran: Government shutdown will soon impact farmers

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran says he wants the shutdown to come to end, saying it will soon start to affect farmers and aircraft manufacturers.

Senator Moran discussed the government shutdown on a tour in NW Kansas -photo courtesy Sen. Jerry Moran

Moran said Friday after touring three Wichita businesses that he’s “sorry” the government is in a shutdown. He added that people who are dissatisfied with the government sometimes say, “Shut her down, it doesn’t matter.” But Moran says “the things that government does are important to many people.”

He says one effect of a protracted shutdown will be that aircraft manufacturers will be unable to deliver planes because the Federal Aviation Administration office in Oklahoma City that issues aircraft titles is closed. He says farmers hurt by the trade battle with China also will have to wait for federal aid.

Phillips Co. Sheriff seeking information about suspect who tampered with aircraft

PHILLIPSBURG — The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a suspect who tampered with aircraft at the Phillipsburg Airport.

The incident occurred Saturday night.

“We hope surveillance cameras in the area caught the activity and we’ll be able to identify the suspect(s) and refer them to federal authorities,” the department said in a social media posting. “If anyone has information on this situation, we ask that you contact us at (785) 543-6885.”

Pregnant professor alleges Wichita State retracted job offer

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An Ohio professor alleges in a lawsuit that Wichita State University retracted an employment offer after she told them she was pregnant.

Evangeline Heiliger photo courtesy Oberlin College

Evangeline Heiliger says that she revealed her pregnancy for the first time and asked about childcare in March when she was offered a tenure-track job as the assistant professor of women’s studies. The suit says a dean told her the next day in an email that he “had become aware that she was no longer available for the position” and was removing her from consideration.

The suit says Heiliger never indicated she wasn’t available. Heiliger is a 41-year-old visiting assistant professor of gender, sexuality and feminist studies at Ohio’s Oberlin College.

The university says its investigation determined that no laws were broken.

ABC Program supporting education kicks off its 18th year

DENVER – Sunflower Bank’s annual signature ABC Program has raised over $1.2 million since 2001 for local schools and students in its Sunflower Bank and First National 1870 communities. The ABC Program runs January 1 through March 31, 2019 and supports approximately 300 schools across Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. Recipients use the ABC Program funds for much needed educational supplies, equipment and books.

“We believe in solving problems and making possibilities a reality for our customers and our communities,” said Mollie Carter, Chairman of Sunflower Bank. “In 2001 we recognized that Sunflower Bank could meet an important need by helping provide funds to our local schools and motivate students for scholastic achievement. This is why we continue to expand the ABC Program each year through outreach to new schools and communities.”

Based on community participation during the campaign, the bank provides money to benefit local K-12 students and their schools by making ABC Program donations based on every Spend & Sign & Save checking and savings account package opened and registered to a participating school, and through “Cash for Swipes” when school-registered debit cards are used for signature transactions.

In addition, Sunflower Bank and First National 1870 branches invite all students to bring their report cards to their local branch for a chance to earn up to $100 for their As. Five report card winners per branch are chosen from entries by students. This year registered schools receive a matching donation if one of their student’s report cards are chosen.

“ABC donations were used to purchase supplies for ‘crisis kits’ for classrooms and district vehicles, which can save lives in the event of an emergency. Funds were also used for after school care, milk for children, and other worthwhile programs,” stated John Thissen, USD 489 Superintendent in Hays, Kansas.

Visit a local branch or SunflowerBank.com/ABC to learn more about the ABC Program and to register a Sunflower Bank or First National 1870 Debit Card to a specific participating school in support of education.

Schools are registered each fall for the next year’s ABC Program through a community outreach effort by their local bank branches. There is no cost to a school to register. As a new program benefit in 2019, the school that raises the most money in each participating state receives $500 toward a school spirit celebration.

— Submitted

Ellsworth Leo Murphy

Ellsworth Leo Murphy, age 85 of Smith Center, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 3rd 2019. He was born on August 25, 1933 to Leo and Mabel (Bragdon) Murphy in Reserve, Kansas. Ellsworth married his high school sweetheart Shirley Anne Browning in Smith Center on December 27, 1953. To this union five sons were born; Steve, David, Kevin, Darin and Sean.

Ellsworth was a 1951 graduate of Smith Center High School. Hoping to travel the world, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953. Serving his country for four years as a Flight Engineer and Aircraft Mechanic with the majority of his time spent in Texas and Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. With the Korean War nearing an end, he was discharged with a rank of Sergeant on February 7, 1957 one day before his second son was born.

Following his time in the service, Ellsworth obtained a degree in Accounting at Fort Hays State University. Employed by a local accounting firm after graduation and seeking to further his career, he went to work for the Internal Revenue Service in Des Moines Iowa in the Audit department.
He was quickly promoted to Special Agent in Criminal Investigations.

Ellsworth and Shirley raised their family in Iowa where many great relationships were born. He loved the lake, spending family time on the boat nearly every weekend and when it was frozen he could be found ice fishing in his Ice house.

Retiring from the IRS and relocating to Smith Center in 1983, Ellsworth and his son Steve opened “Murphy Service and Carwash”. Shortly thereafter, Ellsworth was elected Sheriff of Smith County, Kansas on two separate occasions. He loved meeting people and was always willing to lend a helping hand for others. He was a proud member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, sharing the family heritage with his sons. He was a man of high integrity and many talents shown throughout his life with his carpentry and mechanical skills. Building bicycles from scrap parts as a young man to a complete home renovation in his mid-60’s. Ellsworth loved working with his hands throughout his life.

His family will mourn the passing of a kind and warm hearted man but take comfort knowing he had a personal relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ.

Missing him dearly are his wife Shirley and their sons, Steve and wife Marlene of Smith Center, David and wife Donna of Atascocita Texas, Kevin and wife Angela of Austin Texas, Sean and wife Shelly of Spring Texas, and son Darin who is deceased. Also mourning his loss are daughters-in-law Kim Murphy and Kym Solly.

Ellsworth is survived by thirteen Grandchildren: Michelle Rust and husband Kirby, Stephanie Bainter and husband Kevin, Ryan Murphy, Matt Seeman and wife Cassie and Breckyn Murphy; Joel Murphy and fiancée Courtney Weems, Jordan Murphy and wife Brandi and Justin Murphy; April Murphy, Ashley Murphy and Brandon Murphy; Genevieve Murphy and Myles Murphy. Also eight Great Grandchildren: Iva, Sydni and Lexi Rust, Madison, Dominic and Jada Bainter, Eli and Easton Murphy. Ellsworth is also survived by his brother Patt Murphy and wife Lynn of Salina Kansas, brother-in-law Lee Schroeter of Topeka Kansas, sister-in-law Carol Limer of Warrenton North Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Ellsworth often said “Adios”, so to a special husband, father, grandfather and friend we say “Adios, you will be missed dearly.”

A service honoring Ellsworth’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday January 12th 2019 at New Covenant church Smith Center Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Ellsworth to the New Covenant Church 117 W. Kansas Ave. Smith Center, Kansas 66967 or the American Cancer Society.

Shirley Mae (Reimer) Doll

Shirley Mae (Reimer) Doll, 88, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away December 30, 2018.

She was born April 19, 1930 in Albert, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Myrtle (Andree) Reimer. She was a longtime resident of both Larned and Lawrence, Kansas.

Growing up Shirley attended Stony Seven elementary school in rural Rush County as well as Otis Rural High School in Otis, Kansas. During high school she was a member of both the school band and pep band and played the saxophone and clarinet in addition to being a cheerleader. She also graduated from the bookkeeping program at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas.

She married her husband Edwin Doll on November 1, 1980. They loved to travel and wintered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Together they sang in the Lake Havasu Young at Heart Choir and traveled to Edwin’s horse shoe competitions.

Shirley was a member of The First Christian Church of Larned and was a member of the Sonshine Sunday School class. She also volunteered at the church thrift shop. She later became a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas and was a member of the bell choir.

She was a talented pianist and loved to sing and play church hymns on the piano. She was an excellent cook and her family loved her meatloaf, special cucumbers, green beans, deviled eggs and pecan pie. Shirley had beautiful cursive handwriting and was known for sending cards and long letters to her family and friends that included artistic drawings and doodles.

Shirley loved to garden and grew beautiful roses. She was an active square dancer and had a soft spot for all animals including her cat. She was a devoted and loving grandmother, and was always present for swim meets, t-ball and baseball games, school concerts and events. Her grandchildren adored her and loved spending time with her, including many overnight sleepovers.

She had a kind and loving heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. She often visited elderly friends in the nursing home taking them her roses and fresh apples she cut for them. She had a bubbly personality, a witty sense of humor and easily made friends with anyone she met. She will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Myrtle Reimer; husband, Edwin Doll; brother Kenneth Reimer; and sister, Norma (Reimer) Garner.

She is survived by her brother Keith Reimer (Deana), Lawrence; daughters Diane Morgan, Wichita and Dawn Dirks (Bob Ham), Lawrence; nephew Tyson (Val) Reimer, Lawrence; nieces Keena Schmidt (Chet), Lawrence, Chris Garner, Hutchinson and Sheri Elliott (Gary), Topeka; great nephews and nieces Grayson Schmidt, Caeson Reimer, Rileigh Schmidt, Crosby Reimer and Ava Rivera, all of Lawrence; grandchildren Amy Vogel (Jason), Wichita, Chelsea Dirks-Ham, Springfield, Missouri, and Seth Dirks-Ham, Lawrence; and great grandchildren Jack and Harper Vogel, both of Wichita.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2019 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Pastor Scott Goltl presiding. Visitation will be Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Beckwith Mortuary Larned. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorial contributions may be given in honor of Shirley to the American Cancer Society, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

Royal Desmond Reid

September 23, 1930 ~ January 5, 2019 (age 88)

An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home

Donations may be made to: VITAS Innovative Hospice Care in Lenexa and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland KS 67735.

Click HERE for service details.

Joyce Ellen Mello

Joyce Ellen Mello, 79, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, January 04, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending for 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, January 09, 2019, at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Edna Lee Degenhardt

Edna Lee Degenhardt, 88, Hays, died Sunday, January 6, 2019 at HaysMed.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel.

Macalene M. (Barnhart) Olson

Macalene M. (Barnhart) Olson, 89, of Atwood, formerly of McDonald, KS, died Jan. 5, 2019. She was born August 15, 1929, in St. Francis, KS to Harvey and Irene Evelyn (Moore) Barnhart.

She attended a rural school near their home and later attended and graduated from St. Francis high school.

She worked as a telephone operator in McCook, NE for a time. She then married Alden “Hank” Olson from Ludell, KS. They were married in St. Francis on August 13, 1950. They made their home in Atwood, KS. They had five sons: David Alden, Randal Ames, Kent Douglas, Richard Lynn, and Gregory Alan.

They moved the family to McDonald, KS in 1959 for Hank’s new teaching job. Macalene was a stay at home mom for many years while the boys were growing up. She was hard working and took very good care of the home. She didn’t have much extra time for other activities. She did dabble in ceramics and enjoyed reading and listening to CD’s, especially country music. She later became interested in bird-watching.

In 1970, she began working at The Peoples State Bank in McDonald. Once the boys were grown, Macalene and Hank enjoyed traveling together.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, John, James, Manota, Jerdine, and Maurice and a great-grandson Lyndon.

Surivivors include her husband Alden; sons, Dave (Marty), Randy (Peggy), Kent (Karen), Rick and Greg (Sandee); 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Wilma Petsch and Willa Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 am, Wed., Jan. 9, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Visitation will be the hour prior to funeral service. Burial will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of McDonald or the Atwood Good Samaritan, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences, please visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

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