March 10, 1927 – April 17, 2019

An obituary is pending with Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.

Click HERE for service details.

Jerome N. Heim of Hoxie, Kansas passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at Hays Medical Center at the age of 88. He was born to William and Marie (Mannebach) Heim, at their home in Leoville, Kansas on September 14, 1930. Jerome grew up and attended school in Leoville. While in school, he enjoyed playing in the band and participating in basketball. During high school he helped his father by working in his store and helping with construction projects. He graduated from the Leoville High School with the Class of 1948. He entered the United States Army and served from July 24, 1952 until May 28, 1954 in the Korean War. He was stationed in Suwon, Korea and held the rank of Sergeant in the 78th Division Anti-Aircraft Artillery Radar Division. Nineteen men were under his command. Jerome served in the Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged on July 23, 1960.

After serving in Korea, Jerome returned home and worked with his father doing construction work and helping to build Highway 24. He decided he did not want to do either of those things the rest of his life and made the decision to go to Denver, Colorado to attend the Television-Radio Repair Institute. Completing his training, Jerome returned home and opened Heim Radio and TV in the Odd Fellow Building in 1956. In 1960, he moved his store to 724 Main Street and, In 1969, he built a new store in the current location. In 1984, he added Heim Auto Sales to his business. From 1972 to 1982, Jerome owned and operated Heim TV and Appliance in Hays, Kansas.

Jerome and Pauline Walden were united in marriage on June 4, 1958 at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary last June. They became the parents of six children, Sue, Nick, Bob, Steve, Alan, and Doug. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. He was a member of the Hoxie Lions Club, serving as secretary; the Hoxie Elks Lodge 2415, serving as the 3rd Exalted Ruler; Hoxie Chamber of Commerce; he served on the St. Frances Cabrini Church Building Committee in 1979, served as a Bank Director of Peoples State Bank Rexford, Kansas, and was a member of the Grinnell VFW Post #2864. When asked what his hobbies were, everyone would say “work”; however, he did enjoy attending his grandkids activities, watching them race, and playing cards.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Pauline of the home, Hoxie, Kansas; daughter, Sue Katt and husband Allan of Hoxie, Kansas; sons, Nicholas Heim and wife Beverly of Hoxie, Kansas, Robert Heim of Hoxie, Kansas, Steven Heim and wife Sheila of Hoxie, Kansas, Alan Heim and wife Christy of Hoxie, Kansas, and Douglas Heim of Hoxie, Kansas; brothers, Gerald Heim and wife Helen of Hoxie, Kansas, Joseph Heim and wife Sharron of Carmel, Indiana, Don Heim of Phoenix, Arizona, Bill A. Heim and wife Grace of San Diego, California; sisters, Bonnie Lager and husband Alfred of Hoxie, Kansas and Mary Niblock and husband Don of Hoxie, Kansas; grandchildren, Jared Truetken and wife Andrea, Caitlin Katt, Connor Katt, Ryan Bellew, Misty Stewart and husband Jason, Mathew Heim and wife Brooke, Aaron Heim, Christopher Heim and wife Taylor, Colin Heim, Landon Heim, Abigail Heim, Adam Heim and Makenna Heim; and great-grandchildren Jenna Bondegard, Emily Truetken, Allie Truetken, Brayden Stewart, Kasyn Stewart, Gordon Heim, and Savannah Heim .

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Heim; brother, James Heim; sister, Eileen Thompson; sisters-in-law, Jan Heim and Gail Heim, and brother-in-law, Phil Thompson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 22, 2019, 10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas. Interment will be immediately following the service in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie, Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. and on Sunday April 21, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. The Vigil and Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home on Sunday, April 21, 2019. The family suggests memorials to the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church Remodeling Fund or the Sheridan County Amusement Company and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Jerome was a man who loved his Lord Jesus Christ, his family, and life itself. He was a long-time, friendly face on the Main Street of Hoxie, Kansas. Everyone has a “Jerome” story or can speak of the deal he gave them when purchasing a new appliance, T.V., furniture, or car. Family and friends will carry his memory in their hearts for all time to come.

Rosella May (Balls) Hoch passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at the Ellsworth Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kansas at the age of 95. She was born on October 27, 1923 to the late George and Clara (McIntosh) Balls. Rosella grew up in the Hays, Kansas area and graduated from Hays High School in 1941. She then went straight to work for the Bell Telephone Company where she worked as a switchboard operator. Rosella met the love of her life, Ernest Hoch, at the Walker Air Base during a USO dance in 1945. They were united in marriage on October 21, 1947 and were blessed with two children: Robert and Steve.

Rosella and Ernest moved to Wilson, Kansas in 1947 where she was a stay at home wife and mother and helped her husband run Hoch Lumber Company until 1990. Rosella stayed busy with various clubs such as Mother’s Club, card clubs, and being a Cub Scout Leader. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years and was a member of the Episcopal Church in Hays.

Rosella liked to be outdoors and loved her flower and vegetable gardens. She also enjoyed canning, quilting, and sewing. Rosella was very proud of her children and grandchildren, and loved to speak on their successes. She was vivacious, very sure of herself, and stubborn, as she lived out her years independently in her own home up to the last few weeks she was with us.

Rosella is survived by her son Robert Hoch and wife Shirley of Austin, TX; five grandchildren, Garett Hoch, Dave Hoch and wife Kristin, Dr. Heather Hoch and husband Chris, Christopher Hoch and wife Christina, and Anthony Hoch; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Clara Balls; her beloved husband Ernest Hoch; son Steve Hoch; and brothers, George Jr., James, and Frederick Balls.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2019 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson. Burial will follow in the Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, April 18, 2019, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, and Friday before the service from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Auxiliary or the Wilson Senior Center and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.

Lora Belle (Smith) Hastings was born on February 13, 1930 in Spearville, KS. She was the first of three children born to Mike and Hazel (Crouse) Smith. Later that decade, brother Chester Dale and sister Patricia Ann would complete the family. Her early years were not easy as she grew up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl Days in southern Hodgeman County. She attended one room schools for her early education then studied and graduated from Jetmore High School in 1948. She then went to Cosmetology school in Dodge City and had a short career in hair dressing.

December 19, 1948 was the day Lora Belle married James Grant Hastings of Jetmore at the Jetmore Methodist Church. After a short stay in Jetmore, Jim and Lora Belle moved to the farm southeast of Hanston. To this marriage was born five children; Steven LaVern, Nancy Irene, Lawrence Alan, James Gordon, and Arnold Lee.

It was to this family that Lora Belle devoted her life. A farmer’s wife and homemaker was her title but so much went into these roles. Helping with farm work until children grew up enough to help was some of her early work. Being a mother of five children would be her biggest and most important responsibility. Jim and Lora Belle were members of the Hanston United Methodist Church so the children were “raised up right in the church”. They also instilled a strong work ethic that would serve the children well. This way of rearing children was not unique to them, as most “farm kids” from that era shared such an upbringing.

A growing family that needed a steady and bigger farm income was one of Lora Belle’s biggest challenges. The result was lots of chickens. One thousand chicks were purchased early in the spring then allowed to “free-range” all summer. In the fall, the current laying hens in the two-story barn were sold, the barn was cleaned, and the new laying hens moved in. Lora Belle was the chief egg gatherer, washer, grader, and egg case filler. Jim or the sons feed the chickens. It was a big and busy operation that went on for years.

When Lora Belle wasn’t busy working with the eggs or caring for her family; she worked to keep a beautiful yard and to plant a garden. The result was a perfect lawn, colorful flowers, and good, healthy food on the table.

Like us all, Lora Belle’s life was not a perfect one, but she did know Jesus. Her bible that she received at ten years of age was worn and filled with clippings of prayers and other Christian writings. Her church attendance dropped as she grew older but she would always watch the Billy Graham Crusades and some of the Sunday church services. She suffered back-to-back heartaches as she lost her husband and one of her sons. Jim died June 20, 1999 after fifty years of marriage. On January 6, 2001 she was told that her son, Larry, had died at his home in Wichita.

Lora Belle’s final four and a half years of her life was at the Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center. She received loving and compassionate care from all the staff. It was reported that she made the day more enjoyable for those around her with her humorous remarks. It was the home and care she needed to finish her time on earth but as the bible tells us “this is not our home.” She is now home.

Lora Belle leaves behind son Steve of Hanston, KS, daughter Nancy (Mike) Graves of Wichita, KS, son Jim (Margaret) of Stilwell, KS, and son Arnold (Cory) of Merriam, KS. Six grandchildren from the Kansas City area survive. Jim and Margaret’s children Adam, Emily, and Aaron, Arnold and Cory’s children Amy (Collin), Carly, and Noah. Also surviving is brother Chet Smith of Wichita, KS and sister Pat Snyder of Dodge City, KS. Many nephews, nieces, and cousins will also mourn her passing.

The funeral services will be held April 23, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Hanston United Methodist Church with Pastor Cyd Stein presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.

Memorials may be given to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center or Hanston United Methodist Church in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.

November 24, 1926 – April 17, 2019

Eleanor Swank of WaKeeney, Kansas

Eleanor Swank, 92, of WaKeeney, passed away April 17, 2019.

Arrangements are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home.

Orville K. Anstaett, 87, died Monday, April 15, 2019 at Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. He was born June 9, 1931 in Springdale, Ohio the son of Lawrence & Marie (Blackburn) Anstaett.

Orville moved with his family to Garden City in 1950. He graduated from Holcomb High School in 1950. Orville served in the United States Air Force from September 3, 1952 to September 2, 1956 during the Korean War. After the service, he returned to Garden City and lived in Garden City until the early 2000’s when he moved to Ingalls. He has lived in Ingalls since. A lifetime farmer and stockman, Orville was a pilot where he enjoyed spending his time flying. He later worked as school bus driver for Ingalls schools. He was a member of the Cimarron United Methodist Church of Cimarron, served as a Lt. Col. In the Air Force Reserves, and served on the Ingalls City Commission.

Survivors include two brothers Jack & wife Nita Anstaett of Garden City, Kansas and Mike & wife Kay Anstaett of Goodland, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Frances who died in 2004. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Charles Anstaett and Byron “Pat” Anstaett; and two sisters Emily Gaines and Jean Gibbons.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Cimarron United Methodist Church in Cimarron, Kansas with Pastor Mike Keating officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. also on Saturday, April 20 at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites conducted by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to service time at the Cimarron United Methodist Church. The family suggests memorials given to the Cimarron United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.

Virgil F. Kober Sr., 80, passed away April 16, 2019 at Leisure Homestead in St. John. He was born November 8, 1938 at Rural Olmitz to Alfred and Mary (Stremel) Kober. He married Violet Ridley June 27, 1958 at Seattle, WA. She died January 23, 1995. He then married Melva (Sohm) Mays in 2001, in Great Bend. She survives.

A lifetime Barton Co. resident, Virgil lived in Great Bend. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose, the NRA and Knights of Columbus. He was owner of Sunflower Backhoe & Trenching, Inc. and a farmer. He was veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include, one daughter, Julie Braymer and her husband Cary of Great Bend; three sons, Virgil Kober, Jr. and Fred Kober, Sr., both of Great Bend, and Leonard Kober of Colorado Springs, CO; Melva’s two children, Dr. Joe Rosenberg and his wife Tammy of St. John and Dan Rosenberg and her grandchildren; one brother, Al Kober of Boise, ID; three sisters, Leona Prosser of Great Bend, Bernadette Schmidt of Wamego and Helen Beebe of Wichita; 14 grandchildren, Melissa Swanson, Michael Braymer, Madisen L. Braymer, Chasity Levingston, Chelsea Kober, Craig Kober, Melanie Taylor, Shannon Kober, LaTosha Alvarez, Fred Kober, Jr., Sherri L. Kober, Jordan Kober, Tara Click and Jarrod Kober; 21 great-grandchildren; and his dogs, Mickey and Lucky. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Violet; and two sisters, Betty Stolzenburg and Agnes Kober.

A Vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein presiding. Inurnment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Prince of Peace Parish or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Gladys Louise Swart was the tenth of fourteen children born to George Martin and Zula May Gilkerson Swart. She arrived in this world on January 14, 1930 at the Swart Homeplace in rural Gove County, Kansas near Campus. Gladys departed her life on earth on April 15, 2019 at Brookdale Senior Living in Denver, Colorado.

Gladys grew up on a working farm and learned at a young age how to cook, clean, perform daily chores, sew, embroider, and play card games and dominoes. She began her education in 1935 in the first grade at Star School, a country schoolhouse near her home. Next, she attended primary school in Donna, Texas. Her parents and the younger children lived in the lower Rio Grande Valley while her father George trucked citrus fruit north to Kansas. When the family returned to Kansas, Gladys completed her education in Grinnell, graduating with the Grinnell Rural High School Class of 1947. The Swart Family worshipped at the Grinnell Methodist Church.

Gladys attended both the University of Kansas in Lawrence and Brown-Mackie School of Business in Salina. While attending KU, she met a fellow student from Ohio enrolled in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Gladys and Carl Robert “Bob” Rowley were united in marriage on May 24, 1950 at the Oakley Methodist Church. To this union three children were born: Deborah, Brenda, and Michael. Bob’s employment opportunities took Gladys and her family to Alberta, Canada, followed by North Dakota, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio.

In 1960, Gladys returned to western Kansas to raise her three young children. She was employed at The Oakley Graphic for one year followed by the next 37 years at The Farmers State Bank, retiring in 1998.

Gladys was a member of the Oakley United Methodist Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of Eastern Star, National Association of Bank Women, Cameo Club, Sunflower Club, and several pitch and bridge card groups. She enjoyed following her children and grandchildren in their activities and often traveled with them on vacation. Her hands were always busy with sewing, handwork, crocheting, knitting, ceramics, crafts, and cooking. Many a delicious meal was shared at her big dining room table. She was a great pen-pal, remembering family and friends with greeting cards, letters, and e-mail notes. Community events were always enjoyed: hot air balloon rides, the Logan County Fair and BBQ, Kansas State Cornhusking Contest, and even a ride in a stunt plane. Gladys was an avid KU Basketball fan.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Martin Wilbert “Bill” (Alma), Alfred “Alf” (Barbara) (Janice), Dorothy (John) Tatum, Ernest “Ernie,” Georgia May, Don, Jessie (Aubrey “Cub”) Park, Bettie Burns, John Swart, Carol Swart; brother-in-law Roy Smoots; sister-in-law Betty Durham Swart; husband “Bob” Rowley, and many extended family members.

Gladys will be missed and is survived by her three children: Deborah (Jeffrey) Mercer, Brenda (David) Gray, Michael (Debra) Rowley; her six grandchildren: Sarah Mercer Anderson, Aaron (Jessica) Mercer, Rachel Gray, Jordan Rowley, Hannah Gray, and Grant Rowley; and four great-grandchildren: Cole Anderson, Leo Mercer, Jack Anderson, and May Mercer. She is also survived by her sister Ethel Smoots, her brothers Lloyd (Norma) and Oura “Lee,” brother-in-law Allan Burns, sister-in-law Geraldine Lintel Swart, as well as several cousins, many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday April 19, 2019 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2019, at the Oakley City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gladys’ memory to the Logan County Healthcare Foundation in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 204, Oakley, Kansas 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Lifelong WaKeeney resident Kim Bernard Ebbert passed away Monday, April 15, 2019 at his home in WaKeeney. He was 60 years of age. He was born April 3, 1959, in WaKeeney, to Samuel Bernard and Barbara Ann (DeWitt) Ebbert.

Kim was a 1977 graduate of Trego Community High School. On September 29, 1984, he was united in marriage to Monica Lea Lemon, in Plainville, Kansas.

Kim enjoyed animals starting as a child, though he had one nemesis, the opossum. He got into hunting and fishing in his youth and until the end with his daughters and good friends. He had many crazy adventures, such as going fishing in the middle of the storm; somehow fell out of the tree with just a scratch; and recently got to call a tom turkey in a cemetery. He cherished seeing and hearing all the critters while hunting. He had many occupations in his life, as a child delivering milk, with farm and harvest help, and Road and Bridge. He always worked hard for what he wanted yet happy to help others, which led to help Merle Sherfick and 15 years with Keith Dienes. He also enjoyed music; went to Collyer Dances and recently many concerts at the Stiefel Theater, such as ZZ-Top, Kansas, George Thorogood… Not only that, he was artistic with drawing, paint, photography, and more. No matter how his day went, there always was a smile on his face and would say something creatively off the wall for a good laugh.

Kim cherished his time with his family and especially with his girls. He had a shared hobby and interest in radio controlled airplanes with his dad too. He was also a member of the KWHA and got everything ready for the events. He was a father figure to many people, including Mariana and Maria Paniagua of Bolivia.

Survivors include his wife Monica, daughters Kelly and Rachel Ebbert of WaKeeney, Kansas; a sister, Leana and husband Rodney Johnson of Kansas; two brothers, Kerry Ebbert and wife Jolene of, Oklahoma, and Daryl Ebbert and wife Peg of, Missouri; a niece, Sara and husband Kevin Bradley and their son, Nolan of Texas; and nephew, Daniel Ebbert and wife Megan, of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and many extended family members.

Funeral services – 10:30 a.m., April 20, 2019 at the funeral home- WaKeeney. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation – prior to service on Saturday, 8:30 to service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Kim Ebbert Memorial Fund c/o Schmitt Funeral Home, 336, North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.