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Vonda G. (Leichliter) Laird

Vonda G. (Leichliter) Laird, beloved daughter of Clifford and Nell (Mapes) Leichliter, was born in Norcatur, Kansas on March 8, 1942, and peacefully passed away with her loving family by her side in Frederick, Maryland, on October 7, 2019, at the age of 77.

Vonda grew up in Norcatur and graduated from Norcatur High School. She had an illustrious career in the Federal government in a variety of positions, ending her career at NORAD in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Vonda was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend to many.

She is survived by: her sister, Judy, and husband, Gerald Jackson; her children, son Bradley, and wife, Rhonda; daughters, Marilyn; Valerie; son, Clifford, and wife Susan; grandchildren, Stacie and Shane; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Vonda was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Laird; parents, Clifford and Nell Leichliter; sister, Ellen Lea, and husband, Sam Powell; brother Lyman, and wife, Lora Linn Leichliter.

FUNERAL SERVICE – Monday, October 14, 2019 – 10:30 A.M.
PLACE – Norcatur Methodist Church – Norcatur, Kansas
VISITATION – Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Enfield Funeral Home in Norton.
INTERMENT – Clayton Cemetery – Clayton, Kansas
MEMORIALS – Vonda Laird Memorial Fund

Darlene Bedore

Darlene J. Bedore passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at the Solomon Valley Manor at the age of 85. She was born on November 8, 1933 on a farm in Smith County, Kansas to Ebon and Irene (St. Clair) Strain. She attended school at Harlan High School and graduated with the class of 1951. She was united in marriage to James Riedel of Tipton, Kansas in 1953 and they were blessed with two children: Ron and Rick. Jim and Darlene later divorced and several years later she married Delaine Bedore who farmed southwest of Stockton. Delaine later passed away in March of 1988.

Darlene worked various positions throughout her life. She was, a secretary for Smith County ASCS office, a bookkeeper for the Stockton National Bank for many years and later the Catholic Church in Stockton and a customer service sale’s clerk at the Stockton Pharmacy until her retirement in the spring of 2016. She was a member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Ladies VWF Auxiliary.

Darlene liked to sew, quilt and do needle point. She loved to read fiction novels and she was an avid gardener and loved indoor flowers. Above all, Darlene loved cats, she used to brag, when she was a little girl on her family farm, she had 33 cats and had names for all of them. Throughout her whole life she always had a favorite cat to keep her company and sit with her for relaxing moments.

She is survived by her sons, Ronald Riedel and wife Renee of Linn Creek, MO and Rick Riedel of Salina, KS; two grandchildren, Melissa Dorris and husband Jimmie and Meghan Riedel; and a new great-grandchild, Ava Dorris.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Ebon and Irene Strain; and brother, Armond Strain.

Darlene will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten. For each one of us who had the privilege of knowing and loving her, she leaves a legacy of kindness, deep caring, and devoted love.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Plumer Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow at the Stockton Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Ladies Auxiliary and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home at 723 North 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.

James ‘Jim’ Lawrence Hoffman

James “Jim” Lawrence Hoffman, age 84, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. He was born December 31, 1934 in Plainville, Kansas to Lawrence and Josephine (Karlin) Hoffman. On May 30, 1964 he married Vera Sander in Hays, Kansas.

Jim worked for the City of Hays for 27 years and for Alco for 17 years. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church of Hays. He enjoyed playing polka and gospel music on the piano, playing cards, watching sports especially the Kansas City Royals, gardening and listening to Johnny Cash.

He is survived by his wife, Vera of Hays; a sister, Lillian Pfeifer of Hays as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ralph Hoffman and his wife Delores;  a niece, Barbara Winston and a nephew, David Hoffman.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will be in the St. Anne’s Cemetery, Walker, KS.

Visitation will be Saturday 9 AM until service time with a rosary service at 9:30 AM all at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to HaysMed Hospice or the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. Arrangements in care of Brock’s

Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Police: Teen allegedly brought gun to school in Salina

SALINA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen who allegedly brought a gun to school in Salina.

On Thursday, Salina Central High School administrators received information of a student in possession of a firearm at the school, 650 E. Crawford in Salina, according to a media release.

The school administration confronted the student who then fled the school on foot. The Salina Police Department School Resource Officer pursued the subject on foot, and the student Samuel Cheney, 16, Salina, was apprehended a few blocks away by a Saline County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Upon searching the immediate area where Cheney was apprehended, a 9mm pistol was recovered. The gun was reported stolen by a family member after being contacted by the Salina Police Department.

There is no indication at this point that Cheney had threatened anyone with the firearm.

Cheney was transported to the North Central Kansas Regional Detention Center Facility in Junction City on requested charges of  Criminal Use of a Weapon, Criminal Carrying of a Weapon, Interference with Law Enforcement, Battery, Theft of a Firearm and Probation Violation,

NOTE: Kansas state law allows law enforcement to release the names of juveniles age 14 and older involved in criminal cases

Maskus outlines changes for upcoming general election

ES&S sales representative Angie Frison explains voting equipment during a February demonstration in Hays.

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

When Ellis County voters head to the polls in November, they will be casting their ballots on brand-new election equipment.

In April, the Ellis County Commission approved the purchase of new voting equipment from Election Systems & Software of Omaha, Neb.

Voters will see significant change with the new equipment, with the return of paper ballots. Everything was done electronically through the previous touchscreen machines.

Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus said voters will still have to present their ID to the poll worker and sign the electronic poll pad but, once that voter is identified, they will get a paper ballot specific to them.

“Then that voter can sit down at a table that will have privacy sleeves,” Maskus said. “There will be more opportunities for voters to sit down and vote.”

Maskus

Once the voter has finished voting, they will then feed their ballot into a ballot scanner.

“It can be upside down, it can be backside, it can be front side, it’s going to tabulate it,” Maskus said. “The voter will be able to see that the count is increased by one so that ballot has gone through and tabulated.”

The new machines allow the county to comply with Kansas law requiring every county to complete an election audit. Maskus said a three-member board will verify votes in competitive race selected by the Secretary of State.

Maskus said Trego, Barton and Sedgwick counties all have similar equipment and have had good experiences.

“There election equipment is certified, and it has to be approved by the secretary of state’s office through testing before we even look at that equipment,” Maskus said. “We’re real pleased. We’re real excited.”

For those voters who have ADA requirements, Maskus said a machine is available. That machine also produces a paper ballot that is run through the ballot scanner.

With the Nov. 5 Election Day now less than a month away, the deadline to get registered is quickly approaching — Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“The only time that you need to re-register is if you move or change your name,” Maskus said.

If you are not sure if you are registered, you can check at voteks.org.

The website, administered by the Secretary of State’s Office, allows voters to find their registration information, polling place, past voter history and a sample ballot.

Advanced voting in Ellis County begins on Monday, Oct. 21, at the Ellis County Administrative Center at 718 Main.

“We start at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, up until the day before the election, on Nov. 4 at noon,” Maskus said.

She also reminded voters to bring a valid ID to the polls.

“Before you vote at any time, you have to show that voter ID,” Maskus said. “Most people just use their driver’s license.”

Voters can also request an advance ballot through the county election office up until Tuesday, Oct. 29. Those ballots can be returned to any polling site on Election Day, the administrative center or through the mail.

Ballots returned through the mail must be postmarked by Election Day.

A list of candidates, poll site locations and general election information for the upcoming election can also be found on the County Election website at ellisco.net.

The election office can also be reached at (785) 628-9410.

Donna Lowry

Donna Lowry passed away Tuesday, October 8th in Logan, KS at the Logan Manor at the age of 75. Donna was born June 19, 1944 in Almena, KS to Roland and Maxine (Price) Glenn. The family moved to Pueblo, CO when Donna was an infant and later returned to Norton in 1959 where Donna graduated from Norton High School.

Donna married Max Lowry in the First Christian Church in Norton, KS on June 10, 1962. Together they had three children, Kirk, Pam and Mark.

After getting married Donna and Max moved to Dodge City, KS where Max attended college. Donna worked at several jobs and enjoyed being a homemaker and new mother.

Donna and Max then traveled to Colorado and lived there for many years. They enjoyed their time in Colorado and entertained many family members vacationing in Colorado. Donna shared memories of seeing the tourist attractions many times with family and especially some of the nerve racking trips up Pikes Peak on the narrow gravel road.

The family moved to Logan, KS in 1976. Donna enjoyed a love of children and ran a home-based daycare for over 38 years where she loved and helped raise countless children in the Logan community. Many of her kids remained a large part of her life and she enjoyed sharing their achievements and growing families. At Christmas time Donna was proud to show pictures and Christmas cards from her kids to everyone and share their accomplishments. She was proud of all her kids.

Donna served her community on the Logan Library Board and was a member of the Logan First Christian Church where she taught Sunday school. She enjoyed helping with activities and events in Logan and with her church. Donna also enjoyed family events and activities, and especially hosting her family for the Christmas holidays.

One of the things Donna also loved was the color purple. She enjoyed attending K-State football games with Max and other family but more so loved the color. From clothes and jewelry to home decorations and her purple Christmas tree she enjoyed anything in purple.

Later in life Donna had a great affection for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to attend their events and programs and looked forward to every visit and call from them.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Maxine Glenn and a sister, Deb Jones.

Donna is survived by her husband, Max Lowry, Logan, KS; son Kirk Lowry and wife, Heidi of Brush, CO; daughter Pam Crist and husband, Dan (D.C.) of Phillipsburg, KS; son Mark Lowry and wife, Sally of Stockton, KS; sister Rovella Shearer and husband, Gary of Norton, KS; and brother in law Jerry Jones of Norton, KS; 15 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat. Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Logan Christian Church with Pastor Troy Buss officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday & 12:00 to 9:00 Friday at the Logan Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or the Logan Community Development Foundation.

Twila Landauer

Twila Landauer, 86, passed away Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. She was born Nov. 24, 1932 in Hays.

Twila had a love for music. She loved singing at church in the choir and dancing either polka or square dancing with her husband Milfred and her children. She taught CCD and worked as a cook at school for 25 years. She and Milfred would spend their winters in Mission, Texas, and met many people while traveling.

She is survived by: her children, Warren Landauer, and Rhonda JoAnn “Rhoda” Wray (Larry), all of Salina, Donna Mayes (Ken) of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Wanda Mitchell (Steven) of Vacaville, Calif.; brother, Edward Rohr (Charleen) of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; and twin sister, Lyla Lesser.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with vigil service at 4 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, Salina, with Fr. Keith Weber as celebrant. Burial will follow in All Saints Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Masses, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Fort Harker film screening Sunday

“Fort Harker: Gateway Post to the Frontier”, the newest documentary on Kansas history. Fort Harker, located in Kanopolis, is one of the most important, yet little known 19th-century Kansas military posts west of the Missouri River.

This documentary film explores the history of this Central-Kansas military post through its triumphs and tragedies and those who defined the history of this land.

There will be a screening of this documentary is Sunday, October 13 at 3 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main, Hays.

Steve Stults, Post Rock Studios of Kansas, is the filmmaker and cinematographer.

Jeffry Allen Eller

Jeffry Allen Eller, age 60, lost his battle to Frontotemporal Dementia on October 7, 2019, at The Bay of Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center, Burlington Wisconsin.

He was born July 27, 1959 in Tachikawa, Japan, son of Gary L. Eller and Kay (Bates) Eller Tittel.

He was a 1977 Graduate of Hays High School and worked in the field of Civil Construction & Design. He enjoyed playing pool and his beloved guitars.

Survivors include his wife Heidi, DeKalb, Illinois; one son Matthew Aaryn Eller and wife Melissa, Emporia, KS; father, Gary Eller and wife Lela, Hays, KS; mother, Kay Tittel, Pea Ridge, AR; one sister Lori Bieker and husband Robert, Hays, KS; five stepsisters Micki Kuhlmann, Smith Center, KS; Marla Copper and husband Jeff, Hays, KS; Fern Hess and husband Gary, McPherson, KS; Lana Girrens and husband Tim, Wichita, KS; Jana Methany and husband Frank, Kansas City, KS; one stepbrother Mike Moore and wife Pam, Springtown, TX; two nephews Devin Legleiter and wife Mariah and Derek Legleiter, Hays, KS; two great nieces; two step grandchildren and numerous step nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Kenneth and Lola Bates and Ross and Gladys Eller and stepfather Ralph Tittel.

A memorial and interment will take place at a later date.

Police arrest Kan. suspect who pushed passenger from car, drove away

Photos courtesy Topeka police
Stephens photo Shawnee Co. Jail

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and after asking the public for help to identify and locate two suspects have made two arrests.

Just before 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, police were dispatched to the Kwik Shop located at 1700 SW
Topeka Boulevard in Topeka in reference to an aggravated burglary to a vehicle, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

A female suspect reportedly entered the vehicle which was occupied by a passenger. The suspect forced the passenger out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The vehicle was located a short time later, unoccupied, near NW Jackson and Crane in Topeka.

On Wednesday, police arrested 28-year-old Samantha R. Stephens and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery.

Photo Topeka police

The male suspect was interviewed and found to not be related to the case. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for multiple felony warrants associated with a separate investigation, according to Koenen.

———–

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking the public for help to identify and locate two suspects.

Just before 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, police were dispatched to the Kwik Shop located at 1700 SW
Topeka Boulevard in Topeka in reference to an aggravated burglary to a vehicle, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

A female suspect reportedly entered the vehicle which was occupied by a passenger. The suspect forced the passenger out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The vehicle was located a short time later, unoccupied, near NW Jackson and Crane in Topeka.

Police are attempting to identify two persons of interest in this case and have released security camera images.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police.

Bonnie Jane Klein

Bonnie Jane Klein, 82, died October 9, 2019 at her home in Burdett.

She was born September 23, 1937 in Anderson, Indiana to Raymond and Ola (Wise) Badger.

On June 10, 1955 she married Gene Raymond Neeley. He died on May 23, 1994. They were the parents of three sons, James Howard “Jim” Neeley, Ronald Eugene “Ron” Neeley, and Clarence Allen Neeley.

While living in Virginia, Bonnie was employed as a licensed beautician and also worked as a substitute cosmetology instructor at two private and two public schools. Following Gene’s Retirement from the U.S. Army in 1975, she was employed at John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Chesterfield, Indiana, taking early retirement in 1989. She graduated from Anderson High School, class of 1955. She received her BA from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, double majoring in criminal justice and social work. She received her master of social work degree from Indiana University. She was involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister program for nine years, as well as volunteering for several years at a male maximum security prison at Pendleton, Indiana and a women’s prison in Indianapolis. Employment included The Center for Mental Health, Anderson, Indiana, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Georgia. She also worked briefly at Larned State Hospital in Larned, Kansas, and retired in 2007 from St. Joseph Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit, also in Larned, Kansas, as a clinical social worker.

On February 2, 2002 she married Roy Allen Klein in Rozel, Kansas. Bonnie Attended the Rozel Methodist Church. Her favorite hobby was genealogy, which she avidly pursued for several decades.

She is survived by her husband, Allen Klein, Burdett, Kansas; two sons, Jim (Irina) Neeley Fairfield, Ohio; Clarence (Cori) Neeley, Alexandria, Indiana; four stepchildren, Tim (Noreen) Klein, Abilene, Kansas, Randy (Debbie) Klein, Paola, Kansas, Jol (Sherri) Klein, Wamego, Kansas, Marta Klein, DR-Congo, Africa; a sister, Carol (Jerry) Neeley, Indianapolis, Indiana; eight grandchildren: Jim, Jason, Anthony, Clay, Chance, Kayla, Cameron, and Kelsie Neeley; fifteen step-grandchildren, Caleb (Jami) Klein, Bel Aire, Kansas, Joshua (Stephanie) Klein, Kansas City, Missouri, Seth (Kayla) Klein, Ozark, Missouri, Micah Klein, Manhattan, Kansas, Tasha (Brad) Rice, Baldwin City, Kansas, Oree Klein, Canton, Kansas, Gabriel (Daniel) Jensen, Wamego, Kansas, Mollie (Patrick) Hobbs, Manhattan, Kansas, Jacob Klein, Wamego, Kansas, Anya Radzivon; four great grandchildren, Brionna Durham, Zoe Neeley, Myles Neeley, and Addison Neeley; six step-great-grandchildren Jackson Klein, Olivia Klein, Isabella Klein, Jax Rice, Oren Klein, Joyce Klein.

Bonnie was predeceased by her parents, brother, Lee Badger (U.S. Army, retired), and son Ron Neeley (U.S. Army, retired).

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 21, 2019 at Rozel United Methodist, Rozel. The family invites friends to join them in fellowship with a meal at noon at Rozel United Methodist Church, Rozel. Memorials may be given to the Rozel United Methodist Church or Burdett EMS in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Donna M. Fronterhouse

Donna M. Fronterhouse, 73, passed away October 10, 2019, at Homestead Assisted Living, Wichita. She was born October 23, 1945, to Louie & Martha (Maier) Bender. She married Terry Fronterhouse in Great Bend on December 18, 1965. He survives.

Donna, a longtime resident of Great Bend living previously in Wichita and Phoenix, was a cosmetologist, owning and operating a salon in Great Bend and Phoenix. She was a current member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Wichita, and formally St. Joseph Catholic Church, Phoenix and Prince of Peace Parish, Great Bend.

Survivors include, husband Terry Fronterhouse of Overland Park; one son, Troy Fronterhouse of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Dee Hettinger of Wichita; one sister, Lela Johnston of Phoenix, AZ; two aunts, Eleanora Postlethwaite of Great Bend and Leona Slankard of Wichita; three grandchildren, Natalie Herndon and husband Nicholas of Wichita, and Blake Hettinger and Tate Hettinger, both of Wichita; and four great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

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