BAKERSFIELD, CA – Robin Lynn Howard aka Trisha Robin Wills Davisson is the daughter of Ellis Howard of Shenandoah, IA and Dianne Hammons Higby of Lebanon, KS.

Robin was born on 6 April 1982 in Loveland, CO and passed away 4 September 2018 in Bakersfield, CA.

In 1993 Robin and her two siblings were taken from their Mother, Dianne and adopted out to Debbie Wills and her husband.

The children were able to keep their first names and to add other names. That is how Robin became known as Trisha Robin Wills.

In May 2008, Robin had found her biological Mother, Dianne, once again. She then proclaimed, “That is so pretty cool!” When Dianne and her present husband, Wes Higby, asked what … Robin said, “My Mom married my Best Friend’s (Curt Higby) Dad!” She then turned to Wes and said, “Dad, Thank-You for taking care of my Mother!”

On 10 August 2008, Robin was Baptized at the First Christian Church of Smith Center, KS.

Robin told Dianne and Wes that she was married to Codi Davisson and had a daughter, Trissy, then divorced Codi.

Then Robin married Roger Dom and had two children, Nevaeh and Carlas.

Then in October, Robin and Navaeh went back to CA. Because Robin didn’t want to lose contact with her Mother, they called each other often.

Robin is survived by her Mother and Step Father, Dianne and Wes Higby, of Lebanon, KS, her Father, Ellis Dean Howard of Shenandoah IA,, Brother, Timothy Virgil Wills, and Sister, Tiffany Marie Wills of Chanute, KS, Ex Husband Codi and Daughter Trissy Davisson, Roger Dorn, and Daughter Nevaeh and Son Carlas of CA, Step Brothers and Sisters are: Teresa Mohler and Joel White of Lebanon, Tina and Eston Jones of Red Cloud, NE, Michelle and Brad Vonfeldt of Great Bend, KS, Curtis and Virgene of Grinnell, KS, and Nellie and Del of Dodge City, KS.

Robin then asked where her maternal Grandma was buried. So, Dianne and Wes took her to Dianne’s Mother’s burial site in MO. Robin then found her Grandmother’s, Dovie Lee McGuire Hammons, burial Plot.

Robin is preceded in death by: Adopted Mother: Debbie Wills, Aunt Sherry Howard, Uncle Larry Howard, Step-Father Leonard McPherson, Grandparents: Dovie Lee McGuire Hammons, Joan Taylor, James and Grace Bachelder Higby, Virgil and Lillian Helms McPherson, Great Grandparents and several Great Aunts and Uncles.

Kenneth George Weimer, 70, of Leavenworth, went to his heavenly home, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. He was born Nov. 15,1947, in Moline, Ill., the son of Kenneth Howard and Lorraine Marcella (Foley) Weimer.
Kenneth Weimer

On Jan. 10, 1970, Kenneth married Patricia Jensen. She survives at the home. He is also survived by two sons, Kenneth “Andy” (Maia) Weimer and Matthew (Teresa) Weimer; two brothers, Jerry (Angie) Weimer and David Weimer; three sisters, Christine (Ed) Leighty, Kathy Hamor and Patty Ann (Dan) Olson; five grandchildren, Cidnye, Miles, Jada, Sophi and Aubri; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam. Following his service, Kenneth was active in the Hays VFW and served as post commander. He was honored by President Jimmy Carter as a young Vietnam Veteran for his community service. Boy Scouts and young athletic activities occupied his time while the children were growing up.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Mark Weimer; a sister, Merry Keith; and a daughter, Amy Jo.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at the Pilgrim Community Church (500 Arch St., Leavenworth, KS). A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the church. Burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at 9 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements in care of R.L. Leintz Funeral Home.

Jane D. (Trent) Brumley, 97, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Jane was born May 31, 1921 in Keifer Creek, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of D.E. and Iva (Brown) Trent. She grew up in Fairfax and Ralston, Oklahoma area. She was a graduate of Gray Horse High School in Fairfax.

Jane was united in marriage to Harold L. Brumley on September 8, 1962, in Ralston, Oklahoma. This union was blessed with four children; Felix, Harold, Sue and Marcella. They made their home in Okeen, Oklahoma until 1951 when they moved to Wichita, Kansas. Harold preceded her in death on December 6, 1953.

Jane was a devoted wife and homemaker. During the war she worked in Oklahoma City making B-17’s. When living in Wichita, she worked at the Boeing Aircraft Company as a telephone operator. She then moved to Russell in 1953, then to Salina in 1988 and then returned to Russell in 2014. Her life revolved around her family.

Surviving family include her sons, Felix Brumley and Harold Brumley both of Russell, Kansas; daughter, Sue Decker of Scottsdale, Arizona; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harold; daughter, Marcella Brumley in 1982; and sisters, Zella Downing and twin sister Thelma Bolsenga.

A Gathering Service will be held at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Monday, November 5, 2018. A private family burial of ashes will follow at Russell City Cemetery. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.

Arlan Dean Parker, son of Harold H. and Leona M. (Stowell) Parker was born in Cotesfield, NE, on August 12, 1933, and went home to glory on October 29, 2018, in Ness County Hospital at the age of 85 years 2 months, and 17 days.

At a young age, his family moved to the Utica, Shields, Dighton, KS, area where he lived until 1953 at which time he enlisted in the United Sates Navy and served during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy in May, 1957.

On June 16, 1957, he married Juanita Kay Pember in Ness City, KS. They shared 61 years of marriage. To this union one son, Harlan Duane was born. A daughter Patricia Anne was adopted in September, 1969, and became an integral part of their family.

After their marriage, Arlan spent the rest of his life in Ness City, During this time, he was a farmer/rancher, custom harvester, store clerk, fuel delivery person, and a custom planter. The highlight was probably when he and Juanita started a herd of registered Salers cattle. Their cattle were recognized for their gentle disposition and ability to produce quality offspring.

After Juanita’s retirement in 1998, the couple enjoyed many trips and cruises together. One of their favorite vacation spots was Branson, MO. Arlan loved the country/western shows. He especially loved driving to Baltimore to see Harlan and his family with a stop in Missouri to see Patty and her family.

Arlan was noted for his ability to listen. If one had a problem, Arlan was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Ness City, and served in many different areas of church life.

He also served as a member of the first Auxiliary Police Group in Ness City.

Survivors include his wife Juanita, son Harlan (Laura) Phoenix, MD; grandchildren Elysha McAdoo, Springfield, MO; Dylan Parker, Townson, MD; Benjamin McAdoo, Lake St. Louis, MO; and Christian Parker, Phoenix, MD. Special friends are Barbie, Taylor, and Brett Scholes, Hutchinson, KS; Mike & Shell Hill, Great Bend,KS, and Caleb and Mandee Rogers and daughters, Polo, MO.

Arlan was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia; two sisters, Mildred Parker, and Pearl Walker, son-in-law Stephen McAdoo, and two brothers-in-law, Bill Walker and Eugene Birdsong.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, at First Baptist Church in Ness City, with internment in Ness City Cemetery.

Memorials to First Baptist Church, Ness City, are suggested.

Betty Jane Bittel, 88, passed away on October 30, 2018 at the Logan Manor, Logan, Kansas. Born on October 20, 1930 on a farm near Hanover, Kansas, to Joseph West and Anna Marie (Moravek) Jandera.

Betty Jane was raised in Hanover. She attended grade schools in Hanover, Goodland, Hill City, Oberlin and Downs before her family settled in Logan, Kansas. She attended high school in Logan, graduating in the class of 1948. She started working for D. G. Hansen Trust right out of high school. She was the personal secretary for Dane Hansen and then Dane Bales until her retirement in 2013.

In 1952, she met Alvin Walter Bittel. They were married on August 4, 1954 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Logan. They had 2 children, Kay Elaine and Kevin Alvin. Kevin was stillborn on April 13, 1962 and her husband, Alvin passed away on June 27, 1969.

Betty Jane enjoyed traveling, quilting, collecting toothpick holders, tumble-ups, Czechoslovakian glassware and riding the motorcycle with her friend Eldon Gilbert. She loved being with her family and spent many hours researching her parents family history and genealogy.

Betty Jane is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, son-in-law, Neil Biery, infant brother, Joseph Jandera, Jr. and sister, Loretta Becker.

She is survived by her daughter, Kay Biery, Hays, Kansas; granddaughter, Jennifer Biery, Madison, Wisconsin; brother, Jerrold Jandera & wife, Wanda, Logan, Kansas; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Logan, KS with Fathers George Chalbhagam and Daryl Olmstead officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan, KS.

Scriptural Wake and Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 5, 2018 in the Logan Funeral Home, 102 East Church Street, Logan, KS.

Mrs. Bittel will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and again Monday from Noon until 9 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. that evening at the Logan Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Manor Nursing Home or the St. John’s Catholic Church.

Albert Douglas “Doug” Hardman was born November 7, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas to Irv and LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman. He was the second of five children.

He attended grade school and high school in Hill City, Kansas. He received his Degree in Pharmacy from Kansas University in 1968. Doug enjoyed learning and was always ready to explore new technology and try out new cooking methods and equipment.

He spent most of his professional life in San Francisco working as a pharmacist for Walgreens. Shortly after Doug began his career in San Francisco, he took a leave to join the Peace Corps. He spent time in Brazil and made many lifelong friends while he was there. He then returned to San Francisco for the remainder of his career. After his retirement in 2005, he moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, living there until 2015. He returned to Lawrence, residing there until his death October 21, 2018.

During his life, Doug frequently came back to Kansas to visit friends and family. When our mom needed more support in her later years, Doug was a tremendous help. He had a special way of teasing her that she always enjoyed.

Doug is survived by Blaine and Sharon Hardman, Debbie and Stewart Harley, Nancy Hardman, Mindy and Brad Loveless and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends were very important to him. His sharp wit and great sense of humor will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

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Doris Ilene Desbien, 88, died October 29, 2018, at Dawson Place Nursing Home, Hill City, Kansas.

She was born June 23, 1930 on a farm near Penokee, Kansas to Russell M. and Agnes A. (Garrison) Overturf. She married Harvey A. Desbien June 15, 1948, in Damar. To this union two daughters were born: Debbie and Susanne.

Doris was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend. Anyone who was around Doris, even for a short time, knew she was full of fun and yet didn’t put up with any nonsense. She called it exactly like it was! She definitely did things her way. She had a hard time pronouncing her great granddaughter’s name, but not to worry, she just nicknamed her Coco, a name that has stuck. By the way, you never called Doris during a KU basketball game, or if you did, she wouldn’t answer the phone. Her grandchildren’s school activities were very important to her and she was always in the stands cheering them on.

She especially enjoyed April Fool’s Day, Susie recalled that one April 1st as they were eating supper, Doris yelled that one of the cars was on fire! She had everyone jumping up at once. Doris did not like to cook. Therefore, it was left up to Harvey to prepare the meals. Doris loved her family unconditionally and especially enjoyed the holidays with them. However, Amy recalls that after big holiday dinners, she and Grandma always got stuck doing the dishes. They decided that one of these years they would go to Jamaica for the holiday and get out of doing dishes. It became a running joke every year. They never made it to Jamaica but did start using paper plates!

Doris was so fortunate to always live close to her kids and grandchildren. When they were young, Grandma was the one in charge of haircuts. She must have been very good at giving perms too. When Amy was about five, she admired her perm in the mirror and said, “Oh Grandma, I look just like an angel.” Doris loved it and reminded Amy of that often.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey and daughter Debbie Kaiser. Survivors include: her daughter, Susanne Bell and husband Gaylen of Bogue; a sister Norma Adams of Bogue; four grandchildren: Darcy Kaiser, Darin Kaiser and (Tiffany VanAusdale), Amy Bell Roeder and (Dani), B.J. Bell and wife Emily; and nine great grandchildren.

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