William Dean Cole, age 90, passed away on July 7, 2019, at Sunrise of Lenexa.

He was born September 2, 1928 in Bazine, KS to Don and Dorcas Cole. Bill attended Joint 1 Rural School in Ness County and graduated from Bazine High School in 1946. He began teaching in the Fall of 1946 in a one-room schoolhouse, Francis Rural School. He married Dorothy Mae Foos on July 30, 1950, in LaCrosse. He joined the Air Force in 1952 during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Parks Air Force base in Livermore, California. Dorothy joined him there and their first two children, Colette and Susan, were born at the base hospital.

After his service, he returned to Bazine to continue his teaching career and acquired his degree in elementary education from Fort Hays State College. Three more children were added to the family, Patricia, James, and Mary. Bill taught and coached in the Bazine School System for over 38 years. Bill loved teaching and spending time with his students and was dedicated to his profession. He was proud to have taught all five of his children in grade school. In the summers, you could find Bill at the ballpark, coaching baseball and softball. He also kept busy helping family and friends with farm work and harvest and taking care of his own livestock. Bill was a loving father, husband, and son. He was blessed over the years to find wonderful companions to share his life.

He lost his wife, Dorothy, on March 13, 1989. He then retired from teaching in May of 1990 but continued to be involved with the school for many years and was a fixture at all the sporting events. Bill took great pride in his grandchildren, attending their ballgames and school activities as much as possible.

Bill found a loving companion in Alvina McCormick Foster and they married on July 30, 1991. They resided in McCracken and enjoyed ten years of marriage, spending time together and traveling to visit extended family and old friends. Bill was active at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, becoming a Eucharistic Minister. Alvina passed away on December 8, 2001.

While visiting friends in Arizona, Bill reconnected with a high school classmate, Celesta Schaben Bondurant, and they were united in marriage on October 3, 2003 in Youngtown, Arizona. Bill and Celesta enjoyed their time together relaxing in sunny Arizona. He always looked forward to his children visiting him in the spring and attending many spring training baseball games with them. Celesta passed away on August 23, 2016.
Bill returned to Kansas, residing in Ness City until moving to Lee’s Summit, MO in October 2017 to be closer to his family. When his health started to decline, he moved to Sunrise of Lenexa, KS in February 2019, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Bill was proud to live in Ness County and was always an active community leader and happy to help organize community events. He was a member of many organizations and helped organize the Bazine High School reunions during Old Settlers. Bill took part in the many community events and was honored to be the Grand Marshall of the Bazine Picnic parade in 2014. He was a long-time member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ness City. Bill was a charter member of the Bazine Lions Club and then a member of the Ness City Lions Club. He was a member of the Bazine American Legion Post #392, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Kansas National Education Association.

Surviving him are his children, Colette (Perry) Traxler, Overland Park, KS; Susan (Dwight) Lilly, Mentor, KS; Patricia (Rod) Bruntz, Valley Center, KS; James (Monica) Cole, Long Island, KS, and Mary (Jeff) Carter, Lenexa, KS; 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, his sister, Donna Stahl, Plainville, KS, his sister-in-law, Fay Foos, Wichita, KS and many other relatives and friends.

Rosary and Parish Vigil will be on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home at 7:00 P.M. Funeral service will be on Friday, July 12, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church in Ness City at 10:00 A.M., with burial in the Bazine Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart Church or Ascend Hospice.

David A. “Dave” Dreiling, 57, Schoenchen, died Tuesday, July 9, 2019 surrounded by family at his home.

He was born September 21, 1961 in Hays, the son of Hubert A. and Clementine M. (Zerr) Dreiling. In 1979, he graduated from Thomas More Prep-Marian High school. On April 20, 1985, he was united in marriage to Margie A. Roth at St. Fidelis Church in Victoria, and they celebrated 34 years of marriage. He was a Facilities Specialist / Welder at Fort Hays State University. His memberships included The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, and Helping Hands of God. Dave enjoyed welding, golfing, mowing, washing vehicles, being outdoors, and cooking. He liked cattle, old tractors, beer, playing pinochle, and loved to spend time with his granddaughters.

Survivors include his wife; Margie of the home in Schoenchen, a son; Nicholas D. Dreiling and fiancé Jennifer Rome of Hays, a daughter; Sara A. Zimmerman and husband Kyle of Schoenchen, three granddaughters; Abigail and Ellie Zimmerman and Mindy Dreiling, a brother; Chris Dreiling of Victoria, a sister; Sandy Gottschalk of Hays, his mother-in-law; Jean Roth of Victoria, his brothers and sisters-in-law; Tom Roth of Victoria, Chris Roth and wife Kara of Fort Collins, CO, Joe Roth and wife Christine of Russell, and John Roth and wife Annie of Casper, WY, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law; Bernard Roth, and his brother-in-law; Keith Gottschalk.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:00 pm on Friday, July 12, 2019 at The Basilica of St. Fidelis with Fr. John Schmeidler officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 2:00 pm until service time on Friday, all at the church. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm, all on Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the TMP-Marian Future Farmers of America Chapter, Tammy Walker Cancer Center, or The Basilica of St. Fidelis, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas. Condolences and memories of Dave may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Virginia Lee (Brethauer) Scott, 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, July 8, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Virginia was born October 6, 1935 in Bunker Hill, Kansas. She was one of three children born to Raymond and Marie (Heinitz) Brethauer. She grew up in Bunker Hill and Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1953.

Virginia was working at the Dream Theater in Russell, when she met Reese Scott. They were united in marriage on June 26, 1953 in Russell. This union was blessed with two children; Brad and Reesa. They made their home in Russell. Reese preceded her in death on August 23, 1982.

Virginia was a Legal Secretary for the Holland & Holland Law Firm for almost 50 years. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She also was a Life Member of the Russell V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Russell Elks Lodge. She enjoyed visiting and eating with her friends and family. But her real passion was spending time with her granddaughter and great grandchildren.

Virginia’s surviving family include her son, Brad Scott of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Reesa Waymaster (Rick) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sisters, Pat Young (Wayne) and Sylvia “Jody” Hopkins (and the late Ronald), all of Salina, Kansas; granddaughter, Anna Crill (Clint); three great grandchildren, Calvin Crill, Adlee Crill and Alexandra Crill, several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, Lloyd Houdyshell, husband Reese, and great granddaughter, Ada Ruby Crill.

Celebration of Virginia’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Visitation will be held the day of the service starting at 9:30 AM at the Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Great Grandchildren’s Educational Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Virginia W. Boxberger, 95, passed away on July 6th, 2019 at Almost Home in Great Bend, Kansas.

Virginia was born on July 26th, 1923, at the family farm near Milberger, Kansas, the daughter of George and Mary K. (Kraft) Steinert. She grew up in the Milberger community.

She was united in marriage to Clarence Boxberger on February 25th, 1945 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Parsonage in Russell. From this union, Virginia and Clarence were blessed with two daughters, Beverly and Mary, and son, Tim. She was a homemaker and also worked for USD #407 as a school cook and later ashead cook and supervisor at Simpson Elementary School in Russell. She lived the majority of her life south of Russell in a home she and Clarence built by hand.

Clarence preceded her in death on June 4th, 1977. She found companionship and love again two years later and married Russell K. Ehrlich in November of 1979. He passed away in July of 1985.

She and Clarence were longtime members of St. John Lutheran Church. She was a previous member of Prairie Mates EHU, Russell V.F.W Auxiliary, Russell American Legion Auxiliary, a board member of the Russell Senior Center, and a 4-H Community Leader for Sunflower 4-H Club.

She enjoyed crafting, drawing, sewing, quilting, fishing, playing bingo and cards, and was an accomplished baker and cook. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving family members include daughters, Beverly Miller of Leawood, Kansas, Mary Holliday of Russell, Kansas, and son Tim (Laura) of Great Bend, Kansas; four grandchildren, Shelly Dorrel (Alan), Rebecca Griffen (Jim), Brandon Winter (Crystal), and Matt Langhofer; nine great-grandchildren, Jessica Clevenger, (Joey), Taylor Dorrel, MaKenzie Miller, Dylan Winter, Samuel Winter, Matthew Langhofer, Logan Langhofer, Laura Langhofer and Lacey Langhofer; and sisters Edna Tittel and May Karst.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 32 years Clarence Boxberger, second husband Russell K. Ehrlich, brother Reuben Steinert, sister Rosa Boxberger, grandson Douglas Langhofer, and son-in-law, Steven Miller.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 12th, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 11th, with the family present to greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Memorial has been established with Almost Home, Inc. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.