March 20, 1925 – December 29, 2018
An obituary is pending with Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.
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Author: Hays Post
Gary L. ‘Bear’ Prester
Gary L. “Bear” Prester, 72, of Russell, Kansas passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital.
Gary was born August 17, 1946 at his parent’s home in Fairview Township near Lucas, Kansas. He was one of seven children born to Alex and Lilly (Heinze) Prester. At the age of 8, Gary and his family moved to Dorrance, Kansas, where he grew up and attended school.
Gary was united in marriage to Carol Krause on September 14, 1963 in Dubuque, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children; Brad and Debra. They lived in Dorrance and Kingman, until they moved to Russell, Kansas in 1966.
Gary was a truck driver traveling coast for coast for Schwan’s, until becoming an independent driver leased to Allied Cementing Inc. Later he drove for Farmers Oil, where he retired. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and shooting sporting clays. He also was a member of the coffee group at Buckeye Supply.
Surviving family include his wife of 55 years, Carol of the home; son, Brad Prester (Cheryl) of Russell, Kansas; daughter, Debra Spoonemore of Boonville, Missouri; three brothers, Larry Prester of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Leon Prester (Helen) of Salina, Kansas and Terry Prester (Alice Mae) of Lyons, Kansas; sister, Patty (Roger) Kaufman of New Braunfels, Texas; four grandchildren, Corielle DeWitt (fiancé Zack Dilse), Chantal Prester, Caitlyn Spoonemore, and Chase Prester; and one great grandson, Grayden Dilse.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother LeRoy Prester, and sister Mary Fern Bickelman.
Celebration of Gary’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 4, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time at the Church. Cremation has preceded the services, and a burial of ashes will be held later that day. A memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church or Russell Regional Hospital. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Judy C. Chance
Judy C. Chance, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, December 28, 2018, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Service information is pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell.
Allen Brooks
Allen Brooks, 81, of Colby, died Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby. He was born December 12, 1937, in Broken Arrow, OK. Allen served in the United States Army National Guard. He married Catherine “Annie” Carpenter on November 14, 1969, in Reno, NV. Allen had worked on the oil pipe line in California for many years and in the 1970’s he worked for the Atwood Police Department and as a Rawlins County Deputy. He then worked for Murfin Drilling for 18 years. Allen enjoyed fishing, golf, hunting, camping and going to dances. However, his favorite was getting to spend time with his family, especially his grandson and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Annie, of the home; children, Carey Brooks, Allen Brooks, Jr., and Jacque Brooks-Horner; grandson Dusken (Emily) Juenemann; great grandchildren, Dakota and Elam Juenemann and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials are suggested to the Allen Brooks Memorial Fund or the American Legion, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Marvin R. Poe
Marvin R. Poe passed away Friday, December 21, 2018, at the age of 82. He was born November 9, 1936,. in El Dorado, Kansas. He found the love of his life, Ruby Dougherty, in December 1953. They were married June 5, 1955, in a double-wedding with his sister, Betty Poe, and her husband Merlin Glover.
He worked in the oilfield and eventually started his own business, Poe Well Service, Inc. Marvin was a hard-working family man and Ruby took care of the kids and the books for the business.
They took the family fishing and camping as much as possible. On family vacations, he always made sure they stopped at a motel early so the family could have a sit-down meal together as they did at home each night. The family loved Sunday drives to out-of-the-way places and would enjoy an ice cream dessert. The family would sit together and watch The Lawrence Welk Show and have popcorn and apple slices. When he was home, everyone knew the recliner was his. Kids could always climb up in the chair and sit with him. As the grandkids came along, they continued the tradition of climbing up on Grandpa’s lap. When the babies were tired, they would end up rocking with Grandpa and falling asleep across his belly.
Marvin had nicknames for his and Ruby’s nieces and nephews and continued the tradition with the grandkids. Most of the granddaughters were Ugly #1, Ugly #2. and so on. They would tell him they were pretty and he would agree they could be Pretty Ugly, just to continue to tease them. His daughter-in-law, Debbie Ann, knew he was always teasing since he had actually bought his first granddaughter a pretty dress and took it to her at the hospital all by himself. His teasing taught life lessons. He told the Leddy kids he was lost and they had to tell him which way to go to get from their house to Lori’s house.
When they made it to Lori’s due to James pulling through with directions, Ruby assured the kids their Grandpa knew where he was going, but wanted them to learn to remember directions. He may not have said much at times, but through all his teasing, he taught us how to love without taking life too seriously. Our family has been getting together a few times a year ever since the kids of Marvin and Ruby were all out of the house. Marvin and Ruby Poe have created an amazing legacy in the wonderful family they have!
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Libbie A. (Borecky) Sebesta
Libbie A. (Borecky) Sebesta died Monday, December 24, 2018 at her home in Wilson, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born November 20, 1929 to John and Marie (Janda) Borecky in Palacky Township, Ellsworth County. At the age of three, her family moved to a farm in Noble Township near Black Wolf. Libbie attended South Black Wolf School through eighth grade. She attended Wilson High School for two years, transferring to Ellsworth High School because her brother wanted to play football, graduating in 1947.
Libbie worked for numerous families as a hired girl during high school summers. Following graduation, she worked at the Black Wolf Store as a clerk and cream tester. Libbie wanted a better life so she with her sister Vi attended Brown Mackie Business College in Salina, Kansas. She convinced Black Wolf State Bank to loan her $500 without collateral to pay her education. Libbie worked at the cleaners on South Santa Fe to pay her living expenses while attending Brown Mackie.
Libbie married Joseph J. Sebesta on May 12, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church in Wilson, Kansas. To this union, two children were born, Diane Marie and Mark Jon. Libbie was a busy farm wife, mother, and community volunteer. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Noble Extension Homemaker Unit, and a Wilson Girl Scout Leader. Libbie was a member of numerous lodges associated with the Wilson Opera House. Eventually she became the volunteer caretaker and museum curator. Libbie was devastated when the Opera House burned.
Libbie was preceded in death by her husband Joseph J. Sebesta; parents John and Marie Borecky; her brother Lester Borecky; and sisters Vivian Kratzer and Vi Jiricek.
She is survived by her daughter Diane Deaver and husband Tom of Manhattan; son Mark Sebesta and wife Susan of Wilson; grandchildren Allyson and Zachary Deaver and Lukas and Rachel Sebesta; sisters Mildred Hynes of Sylvan Grove and Myrene Soukup of Wilson; sister-in-law Elsie Sebesta of Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services are planned for 10:30 AM Friday, December 28, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson with burial to follow in the City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 PM until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Heritage Museum or the Lange Memorial Library and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson, Kansas 67490.
Goodwin Sporting Goods to close downtown Hays store
Goodwin Sporting Goods, a staple in downtown Hays since 1952, has announced it will be closing its doors next month.
Goodwin, located at 109 W. 11th, is owned by Terry Bright.
NW Kansas man dies after pickup rolls over in Thomas Co.
THOMAS COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Thomas County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford pickup driven by Jarrod S. Taylor, 39, Colby, was southbound on Thomas County Road 11 eight miles north of Levant.
The pickup left the roadway to the left and the driver overcorrected. The pickup came back onto the roadway and rolled into the east ditch.
Taylor was transported to Citizen’s Medical Center where he died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Police: Kansas felon used stolen truck during kidnapping
SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged kidnapping and a long list of additional charges.
Just after 11p.m Sunday, police responded to the Traveler’s Inn, 3846 SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka on the report of a kidnapping, according to Lt. John Trimble. They were able to make contact with a witness to the incident who led them to the victim. He told police had he been approached by 36-year-old Joshua William Banfield, Sr. who brandished a handgun and ordered the victim into a truck. Banfield then drove the victim throughout the city and repeatedly struck him in the face with the handgun before bringing him back to the motel.
Officers were able to locate Banfield at the motel where he was taken into custody without incident. The investigation showed the truck that Banfield used was a stolen vehicle. The handgun used in this incident was also recovered. Banfield was also found to be a convicted felon which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
He also had a felony Shawnee County Warrant for a Probation violation with the initial charge being possession of stolen property.
He was taken to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked in on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, FelonyPossession of Stolen Property X2 and the Felony Warrant, according to Trimble. Banfield has previous convictions for theft and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Kansas Supreme Court establishes policy for employee paid parental leave
KS SUPREME COURT
TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court announced Friday it has established policy to give judicial branch employees six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
“To effectively compete for employees, the judicial branch must offer benefits and pay comparable to what is currently available on the job market,” said Chief Justice Lawton Nuss. “This leave policy is an action we can take to remain competitive while we continue to seek funding that allows us to pay our employees at market rates.”
The new Supreme Court policy, which is defined in Administrative Order 299, allows judicial branch employees to receive up to six weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of the employee’s child or the placement of a child for adoption. The leave must be taken in the first 12 weeks immediately following the child’s birth or placement.
The judicial branch has about 1,600 employees who work as court administrators, court services officers, court reporters, clerks, and in other administrative and clerical positions.
According to a salary study conducted by the National Center for State Courts, Kansas judicial branch employees are paid below market rates, ranging from a few percentage points to as much as 18 percent below market.
The Supreme Court’s latest biannual budget request, submitted in September, asks for funding to bring employee compensation rates to market levels.
Holiday refuse/recycling collection changed for New Year’s Day
CITY OF HAYS
Due to the observance of the New Year’s holiday, Tuesday, January 1, 2019, refuse/recycling route collection schedules in Hays will be altered as follows:
Monday, December 31, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, will be on Monday, December 31, 2018.
There is no anticipated change to Wednesday, Thursday or Friday’s collection schedules.
Although collections many not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7:00 AM, and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.
City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.
KDWPT approves $50 backcountry pass at new Logan Co. state park
KDWPT
WICHITA – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KWPT) Commission conducted a Public Hearing to hear proposed regulations during the evening session of its meeting in Wichita on Dec. 13, 2018.
Commissioners heard Secretary’s Orders setting Free Fishing Days, June 1 and 2, 2019, as well as dates proposed for Free Park Entrance Days. All Kansas state parks will be open to free entrance (camping fees still apply) on May 4, 2019. Additional free park entrance days were also set and are available at individual state park’s pages at ksoutdoors.com.
The commission approved the addition of a $50 Backcountry Access Pass for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, the newest state park, which is located in Logan County. When the park opens later this year, visitors will only need a $5 daily vehicle entrance permit or annual vehicle entrance permit to enjoy the overlook trails. However, to ensure the fragile Niobrara chalk formations are not degraded, access to the interior of the 330-acre park will be limited. The $50 Backcountry Access Pass will allow visitors to participate on a guided tour into the heart of the park. Only hikers age 16 and older will be required to purchase the pass for guided hikes.
Commissioners approved fishing regulation amendments, including prohibiting the take of channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish with bowfishing equipment in streams and rivers. Catfish can still be taken with bowfishing equipment in lakes and reservoirs that don’t have a length limit for any species.
A regulation limiting the amount of paddlefish eggs that may be possessed was approved to help prevent the poaching of paddlefish for their eggs. The regulation also prohibits transporting a paddlefish carcass out of the state without first removing the entrails.
Two Type 1 Trout Waters were added to the list of waters to be stocked with rainbow trout during the Nov. 1-April 15 trout season: Coffeyville LeClere Lake and Eisenhower State Park Pond.
Various fishing length and creel limits were approved, including a 35-inch minimum length limit for blue catfish at Kanopolis Reservoir, a 10-inch minimum length limit on crappie at Glen Elder Reservoir, and a 10-inch minimum length limit and 20-fish daily creel limit at Lovewell Reservoir. Anglers can view a complete listing of length and creel limits for all public waters in the 2019 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary that will be available in January.
The current structure for the fall turkey season was maintained, establishing the 2019 dates: Oct. 1-Dec. 3, 2019 and Dec. 16, 2019-Jan. 31, 2020 and is open in Turkey Management Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. The bag limit is one turkey per fall turkey permit. See complete fall turkey regulations, as well as a management unit map, at ksoutdoors.com.
The current structure for the spring turkey season was maintained, establishing the 2020 seasons: Youth and hunters with disabilities – April 1-14, 2020; archery – April 6-14, 2020; and regular season – April 15-May 31, 2020. Bag limit is one turkey per permit and one turkey per second turkey game tag.
The next KWPT Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2019, Foley Meeting Room, Douglas County Fairgrounds.
2 dead in vehicle fire at McConnell Air Force Base
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two people are dead after a vehicle fire at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita.
A base official says a “fatal vehicle accident” happened around 11 p.m. Sunday at the west gate of the base. Base fire personnel responded and found two people dead. The base says it is working with Wichita police and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.
No other information was immediately released, including the names of the victims.