Susan Noble (Hancock) Benkelman passed away on the afternoon of April 29, 2019.  She was born on May 16, 1945 in Baltimore, MD to John Harvey Hancock and Joan (LaGarde) Hancock.  She grew up in St. Francis, KS. After graduation, she attended Kansas State University for 2 years.  She married William S. Benkelman “Bill” on June 8, 1966. They moved to WaKeeney in 1967 to establish their family.

Susan was a professional volunteer including:  A 55 year member of P.E.O., also serving a term as President of the Kansas State P.E.O. Board, past state president of Kansas Optometric Association Auxiliary, American Optometric Association Auxiliary Woman of the Year, WaKeeney Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator, Trego County Library Board Member, and an active Member of FUMC.  Susan and Bill were team members on 10 Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity trips.

Her hobbies included reading, cribbage, bridge, Rummikub, and entertaining.

Susan had a way of making everyone she met feel welcome and loved.  Many people considered her a second mother. Susan could also be a feisty lady not afraid to speak her mind.  She will be dearly missed by all the lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father.  Her legacy that she shared with her husband of 52 years Dr. William Benkelman consists of son Barry H. Benkelman and wife Susan of Lawrence, KS, son John H. Benkelman and wife Dr. Heather Robben of rural Riga, KS, two grandsons William L. and Jackson K. Benkelman of Lawrence, KS, her younger brother John L. Hancock of Jacksonville, AL and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be on Friday May 10th at 11am at the First United Methodist Church in WaKeeney.  Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 that morning in the Church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to P.E.O. Chapter CT, PO Box 458, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Marilyn Kunzler, 70, of St. Joseph, Mo., passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph . Marilyn Miller (Merm) was born February 8, 1949 in Russell, Kansas. She was the daughter of Maxwell and Vivian (Dawson) Miller.

Marilyn was born into a musical family hearing from an early age music played and sung by her siblings and parents. She began learning piano from her grandmother. Marilyn’s love of music was encouraged with vocal and flute lessons.

During her high school years, Marilyn won recognition at district and state music contests in both instrumental and vocal divisions.

Marilyn was known for her sense of humor and sharing herself with others. She volunteered at the Russell City Library, was active in Russell Congregational Church, the Order of Rainbow for Girls, Girl Scouts, and many school organizations. She graduated from Russell High School in 1967 and from Fort Hays State College in 1972, where she majored in music. She was a member of the music honors society Sigma Alpha Iota and worked in the music department library.

She taught elementary music in Northeast Kansas schools including Troy, later working as a counselor in Wathena, having earned a Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University in 1979.

She married Dwayne Kunzler on January 10, 2004, joining him in their music business and teaching lessons to many children and adults.

Before her last illness, she was giving flute, piano, and voice lessons.

Marilyn was preceded in death by father, Max Miller, mother, Vivian Miller.

Survivors include, husband, Edward Dwayne Kunzler, Sr. of St Joseph, brother, Tim Miller of Hays, KS, brother, Doyle (Betty Smith) Miller of Branson, MO, sister, Gwendolyn Johnson of Hays, KS, sister, Emilie Miller of Elk Grove Village, IL, brother-in-law, Roger (Gail) Kunzler of Agency, MO, step-daughter, Tania Dawn Clymer of Saint Joseph, MO, step-daughter, Kimberly (Jack) Wright of Amazonia, MO, step-son, Edward Dwayne Kunzler, Jr. of Pennington Gap, VA, sister in-law, Kathy (Samuel) Cupp, 11 grandchildren, Allison, Ashley, Hannah, Haylee, Hudson, Jackson, Madison, Makayla, Samantha, Sierra and Stephanie, great-granddaughter, Courtlynn and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Abundant Faith Church of God. Pastor Mark Smith, officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Abundant Faith Church of God . Mrs. Kunzler will be cremated following services.

Memorials are requested to the Friends of the Animal Shelter, 701 Lower Lake Road Saint Joseph, MO 64504.

Carol Sue Ludlum, 76, passed away May 1, 2019 at HaysMed, The University of Kansas Health System, Hays.

She was born March 28, 1943 in Stark, Kansas to Sherman Martin and Violet Wilma Gier Goff.

On January 4, 1964 she married Alfred A. Ludlum at Stark; he preceded her in death on November 25, 2016.

A longtime area resident since 1972, she was a cook for USD 496. She was a member of Rozel United Methodist Church, Widows Club, and enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Kevin (Edie) Ludlum, Ellsworth; Kenneth (Berniece) Ludlum, Dighton; Daughter, Deanna Carr, Rozel; a brother, Jerry (Marconia) Goff, Kansas City; Sister-in-law Betty Jo Goff, Virgil; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; her beloved dog, Butch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters, Georgia Romine, Florence Burlakoff; three brothers, Wilford Goff, Virgil Goff, Lawrence, Goff.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2019 at Rozel United Methodist Church, Rozel, with Pastor Berniece Ludlum presiding. Interment will be in Rozel Cemetery, Rozel. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned.

Memorials may be given to Rozel United Methodist Church or Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

Jo Murphy, 76, Hays, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at HaysMed.

She was born April 15, 1943 in Estherville, Iowa the daughter of Donald and Rose (Whitlow) Coyle. Jo was working as a lab technician at Mayo Clinic when she met Jim Murphy, and on June 4, 1966 they were united in marriage in Rochester, Minnesota. They celebrated nearly 53 years of marriage. She attended Indiana University, Western Illinois University, and earned her Volunteer Management Program Certification from the University of Colorado in Boulder and her Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services Certification from the American Hospital Association.

In 1980, she became a volunteer at Hadley Regional Medical Center. In 1986 she started her employment at HaysMed as Director of Volunteer Services, retiring in 2014. Jo’s wholehearted dedication and pride in being part of HaysMed was equal to her passion for their volunteers and the difference they make. In 2014 she received the Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award at HaysMed, one of the highest awards of honor an associate can receive. Jo was very much loved by her HaysMed friends and family and will leave a void in many lives. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the PEO chapter BQ, was an excellent cook, enjoyed baking, gardening, flowers, listening to birds, drinking coffee, and reading. She was always striving for self-improvement, helping people be better, had a huge capacity of love for others, and saw beauty and potential in all she met. She was kind, classy, generous, and loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Jim of the home in Hays, a son; Sean Murphy of Hays, a daughter; Erin Storer and husband Doug of Hays, four brothers; David Coyle and wife Dana Reno of Georgetown, TX, Richard Coyle and wife Sue of Big Lake, MN, Patrick Coyle and wife Colleen of Coon Rapids, MN, and Kevin Coyle and wife Suzanne of Green Valley, AZ, a sister; Peggy Undem and husband Kevin of Eagan, MN, two grandchildren; Courtney and Hunter Storer, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister; Virginia Judd.

A celebration of life for Jo will be on Monday, May 6, 2019 from 9:00 am until 11:00 at Fort Hays State University in the Memorial Union Stouffer Lounge. A private family inurnment will be at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. Memorials are suggested to the HaysMed Volunteer Fund in honor of Jo Murphy, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Jo may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Thomas Lee Charles Rupp, age 69, of Russell, Kansas passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. He was born January 23, 1950 in Hays, Kansas to Edward and Leonilla (Schmidt) Rupp. He married Jeanie (Seib) on December 9, 1989.

Thomas was currently working for the Russell County Road and Bridge Department. He had worked for APAC for 27 years as a Heavy Equipment operator and he was a past fire chief in Pleasantview, Colorado. He enjoyed woodworking, guns and mechanic work.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Rupp of Russell; a son, Eric T. Rupp of Colorado; a daughter, Michelle Wheeler (Joseph) of Colorado; two step sons, Greg Schaffer (Amy) and Brian Schaffer (Jennifer) all of Hays; a step daughter, Sonya Schaffer of Amarillo, Texas; two brothers, Norman and Edward Rupp both of Hays; two sisters, Sandy Cantu of Trinidad, Colorado and Pamela Russell of Dodge City as well as 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 2:30 PM Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation will be Friday 4 PM – 8 PM and Saturday 1:30 PM until service time all at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

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

Gerald “Jerry” Crotinger, age 80, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday May 1, 2019 in Hays. He was born January 14, 1939 in McCracken, Kansas to Alfred and Lucille (Allen) Crotinger. He graduated from McCracken High School in 1957 and had a bachelor’s degree in Art from Fort Hays State University.

Jerry was a farmer and remodeling contractor. He enjoyed art of all kinds including photography, oil and watercolor painting and ceramics.

He is survived by two sons, James Crotinger (Laura) of Kirkland , Washington and Daniel Crotinger (Amber) of Salina, Kansas; a daughter, Theresa Crotinger of Salina; a step son, Frank Boutin (Maria) of Defuniak Springs, Florida; two step daughters, Tina Augustine (Lonny) of Eaton, Colorado and Clorice LaBarge of Hays; a sister, Dorothy Graham (Sam) of Kingman, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Suzanne Crotinger and a grandchild.

Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Monday, May 6, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Burial will follow services in the Locust Hill Cemetery in Rush Center, Kansas.

Visitation will be Sunday 4 PM – 8 PM and Monday 12:30 PM until service time all at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the McCracken Library.

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