Copeland – Robert F. “Bob” Briggs, 82, died June 1, 2018 at Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby. He was born on October 21, 1935 in Holyoke, Colorado to Claude James and Bessie (Jones) Briggs.

Bob was raised in Holyoke, Colorado where he graduated from high school in 1955. He went to Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado playing football, basketball and track. Later he continued his education at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska where he received his Bachelor’s of Science. Bob then earned his Master of Science degree from Fort Hays State University.　　

In 1957, Bob began a teaching, coaching, and administrative career that spanned 41 years. He taught and coached at Madrid and Wauneta, Nebraska, Wray, Colorado, and Atwood, Kansas. Later he held principal positions at Moscow, Copeland, Dighton, and Fairfield-Langdon. He ended his career as Superintendent/Principal at Bazine and Ness City. After his official retirement from education, Bob continued to coach football and basketball for another eight years as well as working for Heartland Crop Insurance.

On June　21, 1956, Bob married Shirley Milner in Holyoke, Colorado. To this union five children were born, Rhonda Jo, Melinda Jane, infant son, Rodney Lee, and Troy Mitchell. In 1985, he became good friends with a colleague, Gay Beth Moore. They were married on June 10, 1990 at the Copeland Christian Church. Bob enjoyed fishing, camping, playing golf, and traveling. His greatest enjoyment came from attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was a member of the Sublette Christian Church, Elks Club, United School Administrators, Kansas Association of Secondary Principles, Kansas Athletic Directors Association, National Coaches Association, Kansas Coaches Association, Kansas Football Association, and Atwood Ambassadors. He also was a former deacon at the First Christian Church in Atwood.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gay Beth Moore-Briggs of Copeland; two daughters, Rhonda Berry and husband Gaylon of Port Aransas, Texas and Melinda Fikan of Colby; two sons, Rodney Briggs and wife Michelle of Independence, Missouri and Troy Briggs of Sublette; three step children, Dale W. Moore and wife Faith of Owings, Maryland; Doug Moore and wife Shannon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Vicki Hesser and husband Troy of Louisburg; a brother, James C. Briggs and wife Beverly of Apache Junction, Arizona; two sisters, Betty McConnell of Greeley, Colorado and Maxine Stegall and husband Keith of Leadville, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Briggs of Sublette; sister-in-law, Ruth Wyckoff and husband Don of Norman, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren, Alicia Fikan Siruta and husband Jason, Bradley Fikan and wife Shannon, Meredith Berry Castor and husband Charles, Amy, Stacy, Brooke and Bailey Briggs, Dustin Moore and wife Amy, Michael Moore and wife Elena, Cutter and Blade Moore, Stephanie Hesser Unruh and husband Jeff, and Brigit Hesser; 16 great grandchildren, Ashley Mosier and husband Josh, Callie and Jadon Siruta; Taden, Ella, Emery, Brasen, Rence, and Pierce Fikan, Mia, Parry, Gage, Lyra, and Atti Moore; and Paige and Jace Unruh, one great-great grandson, Maxen Mosier and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Willard Briggs and wife Jean; brother-in-law, Everett McConnell; and infant son; and one granddaughter, Tiffany Ann Briggs.

Funeral service will be held at Sublette Christian Church on Wednesday June　6, 2018 at 2:00 PM with Pastors Brandon Mildren and Doug Harris　presiding. Burial will follow at Copeland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Tuesday June 5, 2018 from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Bob Briggs Memorial Fund to be designated by the family at a later time. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.

Esther Lillian Russell, age 94 years and 11 months, died on June 3, 2018 at Long Term Care in WaKeeney.

Esther was the 11th child of 12 of Alexander and Katharina Elisabeth (Flath) Graf. The first 3 children of Alexander and Katharina Graf were born in Neu Weimar, Russia — Esther was born in Wiley, Colorado.

Esther attended grade schools in Marion & Dickinson counties and like all her siblings, took first grade twice — the first year to learn English, the second year to learn first grade.

Esther attended high school in Longford, KS and was the second in her family to graduate from high school. Esther studied NORML training in high school but suffered from rheumatic fever her first year out of high school so never did teach, although she always remembered her NORML training.

Esther’s siblings were all in Milwaukee, WI by 1943, so Esther went there also and worked in factories supplying arms for WW II. Esther was laid off like everybody else on the last day of WW II, and she returned to Clay County, KS. On February 24, 1948, Esther Lillian Graf married Johnnie William Russell in the parson’s home in Longford, KS.

Johnnie and Esther lived in Talmage, then moved to Colby in 1955, then to Collyer in 1960, and to WaKeeney in 1967. Esther was a homemaker until 1964. She then worked in the Quinter and WaKeeney hospitals, then Travenol in Hays, and then Johnnie and Esther opened the Thrift Shop next to their home and Esther ran that for several years.

Esther enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, gardening, her fruit trees, western movies, genealogy, making Bierrocks & Schlagerbam, and collecting antiques along with her husband of nearly 70 years, Johnnie William Russell. Johnnie passed on February 16, 2018.

Esther is survived by daughter Sharon LeCount, son Warren, a granddaughter, 2 greatgrandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be in the Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to the Trego County Historical Society or the Trego Community High School, or to do a small favor for a friend or a complete stranger.

SMITH CENTER – Bill J. Brown, 93, passed away June 4, 2018 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, Kansas.

Bill, the son of Fred and Beatrice (Grewell) Brown was born on March 10, 1925 on the farm in Pawnee Township, Smith Center, Kansas. He attended Fairview Grade School and Lebanon High School where he excelled in school, FFA, Football, and Basketball; starting as a Junior and Senior. He always looked forward to watching KU and KSU Football and Basketball,as well as, Redmen football. From the time Bill was a little boy, he knew that he wanted to be a farmer, so after graduation, he started his farming career.

Bill married Ardis Shipman on August 8, 1951 and shared nearly 67 years of marriage and memories together. They purchased the farm next door to where he grew up in Pawnee Township; where they lived until moving to Smith Center in 1992. This union was blessed with two children, Jerry Dell Brown and Janet Kae Brown. Bill took great pride in his farm receiving the Kansas Bankers Association’s Soil Conservation Award in 1999. He took an even greater pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Bill was a model for what it means to be a friend, to serve others, and to love deeply. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and put others first. He enjoyed attending the activities of his children, church activities and his friendships, but being with family gave him the greatest joy.

He is survived by his wife, Ardis (Shipman) Brown of Smith Center, KS; a son, Jerry Brown of Smith Center, KS; a daughter, Janet Brown of Salina, KS; four grandchildren: Brandon Simmelink and wife Lisa of McPherson, KS; Chris Brown of Russell, KS; Matt Brown and fiance Alicia of Smith Center, KS; Jessica Tolson and husband Brad Reed of Salina, KS; and four great-grandchildren: Hannah, Baylee, Bryant, and Emma.

He was preceded in death by one great-grandchild KaeLynn Tolson.

Click HERE for service details.

Patricia “Pat” Jane Richter, 83, of Stockton, KS, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at Arbor House Assisted Living in Midwest City, OK. Born November 14, 1934, in Follett, TX, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Vera Laubhan.

Pat attended Woodward High School and completed one year at Oklahoma State University. She married Earl G. Richter in the spring of 1973 and moved with her sons to Cherryvale, KS where she worked at Jim Gill Insurance agency as a real estate agent and office support staff. They moved to Stockton, KS in the early 1980’s where Pat continued her work in office support at the Rooks County Treasury Office. Pat enjoyed card games, board games, puzzles and going antiquing with her husband. She had a quick wit that stuck with her even when the dementia set in, and made everyone who met her love her.

Pat is survived by her sons Darel Kip Valentine and his wife, Amber, of Shawnee, KS; Craig Valentine and his wife, Janece, of Fort Dodge, IA; stepson Richie Richter and his wife, Glenna, of Midwest City, OK; grandchildren, Cammie Valentine and Mia Valentine of Olathe, KS; Crystal Canaday and her husband, James, of Oklahoma City, OK; Cody Richter and his wife Brittany, of Choctaw, OK; sister, Sydney Courington and her husband Newt, of Castle Rock, CO; sister-in-law Karen Laubhan, of Enid, OK; 6 nieces and nephews; 5 great-grandchildren; and many other friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Peggy Green on September 15, 2013; Douglas Laubhan on October 11, 2015, and stepson Rusty Richter on July 17, 1981.

Earl Glen Richter, 89, of Stockton, KS, passed away on Wednesday May 23, 2018 in Midwest City, OK. Born May 21, 1929, in Cherokee, OK, he was the son of Delmer and Blanche Richter.

Earl left Cherokee in his teen years when his parents moved to Parsons, KS. He graduated from Erie High School and attended Pittsburg State University on a basketball scholarship. After his 3rd year, Earl enlisted in the Army, during the Korean War and after serving, he returned to Pittsburg State to graduate with a degree in education.

Earl started his career in education as a teacher but advanced quickly to the administration level and did what he loved most, being a principal. Some of his favorite places were the Kansas communities of Glen Elder, Cherryvale and Stockton, where he retired. He later served as a Councilman for the City of Stockton.

In 1973, Earl married his soulmate Patricia Richter and moved to Cherryvale to begin their 44 year loving journey together. Earl loved to fish but his great enjoyment was going to estate sales collecting his antiques. Dad loved to share his enthusiasm for college basketball season and especially his loved Kansas Jayhawks. He loved having company for many card games and the pure genuine joy of spending time with his family, neighbors and friends.

Earl is survived by his son Richie Richter and wife Glenna of Midwest City, OK; stepson Kip Valentine and wife Amber of Shawnee, KS; stepson Craig Valentine and wife Janece of Fort Dodge, Iowa; grandchildren Crystal Canaday and husband James of Oklahoma City, OK, Cody Richter and wife Brittany of Choctaw, OK, Cammie Valentine of Colorado Springs, CO, Mia Valentine of Olathe, KS; and 5 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Delmer and Blanche Richter, son Rusty Richter, sister Shirley Jarbo and brother Rex Richter.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the funeral home in Stockton. A private family inurnment will follow at a later date.