Andrea Sue Metzler, 62, of Brewster, KS was called home to our Lord on March 25, 2019 in Crossville, TN after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sue was born May 8th, 1956 in Colby, KS the youngest child of Alvin and Allie Helin. She attended Brewster High school where she had many friends and participated in multiple sports and activities. During High School, she worked at Unitec in Brewster along with serving food in her parents’ restaurant in Brewster. Many of her close friends will recall countless hours riding horses with Sue or listening to tunes in the basement of the Helin home. Sue graduated in 1974 and attended Fort Hays State University.

Sue didn’t have to look very far to find the man of her dreams. In 1967, Bill’s family moved, not just to Brewster, but right across the street from the Helins! On June 14th, 1976, she married William “Bill” Metzler, her best friend and longtime sweetheart, at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Sue was a devoted wife and mother and together they raised three children while traveling around the US wherever Bill was stationed. When Bill retired in 2018, they settled in the mountains of TN, where Sue could enjoy the breathtaking mountain views.

Sue’s favorite past times were traveling and watching sports. She loved watching the Kansas City Royals, Denver Broncos, and the KU Jayhawks! One of her favorite memories was when she had the opportunity to attend a Royals game with her father, Alvin. She and Bill also enjoyed cruising with family. Their most recent, being this Feb. when all the Metzlers were able to enjoy a Caribbean Cruise together. Although Sue’s health was failing, they were so thankful to share this memory together. Her favorite vacation was a surprise anniversary trip spent with Bill and her family in the mountains of Tennessee. Bill and Sue loved being with family and enjoyed watching their grandchildren participate in as many activities as they could. Sue accepted Christ as a young girl and was a woman of deep faith. While her sweet smile will be missed here on earth, her family is comforted by her heavenly homecoming.

Sue is survived by her husband Bill of Tennessee; her three children, Melissa (Dave) Wilhelm of Orlando, FL, Timothy (Amy) Metzler of St Cloud, FL, and Rachel (Chris) Bromley, of Holly Springs, NC; her brother, Jerry (Doris) Helin, of Colby, KS; her sister Daryl Ann (Russell) Jorgensen, of Brewster, KS and eleven grandchildren, Kaylee Wilhelm, Alanna Wilhelm, Quinn Wilhelm, Aria Metzler, Lily Metzler, Brie Metzler, Jasmine Chandler, Anthony Chandler, Nick Chandler, Kelsey Bromley, and William Bromley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Helin and Allie (Lewallen) Helin and her father-in-law, Merle Metzler.

Services will be held at 10:30 on Saturday March 30th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Brewster, KS followed by interment at the Brewster Cemetery. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21.

Shirley Louise (Marsh) Hundley, 81, of Atwood, KS, formerly of Horton, KS passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. She was born March 28, 1937 to John Frederick (Fred) and Louise (Kupferschmied) Marsh of Fanning KS, the fourth of four children.

She was baptized and confirmed as a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church (RLDS) of Fanning on May 1, 1945; now known as the Community of Christ Church. She graduated from Highland High School in 1955.

Shirley married Jim Hundley on May 26, 1956 in Manhattan, KS. This union was blessed with six children, Debbie, Sandra, Brenda, Cheryl, Darryl and Melanie. She was a dedicated homemaker and stay at home mother to their children in their younger years. She helped with and supported her children faithfully in all their school, church and community activities including 4-H and FFA. Later in life, she worked at the Bank of Horton and in the Colby School District as a para professional.

Jim and Shirley were also House Parents for several years at the United Methodist Youthville Group Home in Dodge City, KS. They eventually returned to his roots of a dairy farm by working for Holste Homestead Dairy of Ludell, KS.

She was an active attender and participant in the United Methodist Church all of her adult life. In Horton and Atwood, she took the church bulletins to members in nursing homes and shut-ins and shared a summary of the sermon. She helped with Vacation Bible School and the LatchKey Kids after school program, and taught Sunday School. In addition, she was a member of United Methodist Women (UMW). She was also a 4-H Leader and supported Jim as an FFA advisor’s wife for 33 years. She was gentle, kind and nurturing; the quintessential example of a loving Christian mother. Her greatest joys in life were her faith, her family and serving the Lord. She also treasured spending time with extended family at reunions. She loved growing flowers, spending time with her kids, grandkids, and later great-grandkids and going to all their activities.

She was a loving sister and aunt, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Along with six children, her legacy will live on through her 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Fred and Louise Marsh; sister Virginia (Virgie) Marsh Twombly and husband Sam; brother Charles Marsh and wife Mary Lou; and brother Rollin Marsh and wife Sallye.

Survivors include daughter Debbie and husband Ed Poe, Oakley, KS; daughter Sandra and husband Don Wick, Smith Center, KS; daughter Brenda and husband Mark Wolters, Atwood, KS; daughter Cheryl and husband Gene Soderlund, Atwood, KS; son Darryl and fiancé Michelle Hoffman, Muscotah, KS; daughter Melanie and husband Michael Musselman, Clifton, KS; Grandchildren, Craig Poe and wife Lindsay, David Poe and wife Chris, Diane and husband Aaron Traffas, Holly and husband Luke Van Skike, Caleb Wick and wife Ashley, Calee and husband Michael Boller, Emily and husband Mark Rotert, Laura and husband Drew Basgall, Kevin and Abbey Wolters, Dakota and Cheyanne Soderlund, Riley Hundley and wife Sagan, Ramsey and wife Baylee, Raven and husband Caleb McElroy, Michaela, Luke, Lane and Levi Musselman; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 1 at the Community of Christ Church in Fanning, KS with Kathy Twombly officiating. The family will greet friends 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, KS. Burial will be in Wheatland Cemetery, rural Horton, KS. A memorial will be established in her name to the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood, KS and the Community of Christ Church of Fanning, KS. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com

Carolyn Grindle, 83, was born on December 4, 1935 in Palco, Ks. She lived most of her early life in the Bogue and Hill City area of Ks. She lived 5 years in Colorado Springs, Co and then in Kansas until 1999 when her mother, Bertie Brown, became ill and she moved to Mesa, Az to take care of her parents.

She lived there until 2017 when she had a stroke and then moved to Gallatin, Mo with her daughter, Brenda and granddaughter, Courtney. She moved to Lakewood, Co in 2018 to live with her daughter, Rhonda. After about a month and a half on hospice, she went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2019. Carolyn loved serving in her church, Apache Wells Community Church in Mesa, Az. in the kitchen, special luncheons, the heifer project and dresses for orphans.

She had a foster athlete at FHSU and made over 250 dozen cookies for everyone on the track, cross country and basketball teams. She loved blue glass, the KU Jayhawks and pug dogs. She enjoyed going to our family cabin in Woodland Park, Co for Thanksgiving, Christmas in July and spending time there.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Bertie Brown, two husbands, Max Grindle and Floyd Erickson, her sister, Sandy Thompson, son, Jamie Gordon, son-in-law, Mitch Hensley, and great grandson, Benjamin Lake.

Left survivors are her daughters, Brenda Hensley, Gallatin, Mo, Rhonda Grindle, Lakewood, Co, step-daughters, Susan Rome, Olathe, Ks, and Wendy Hookey, Oracle, Az, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for the memorial to go to dresses for orphans.

Walter C. Ehrlich, 90, of Great Bend, Kansas and former resident of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. John Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Walter was born on September 3, 1928 in rural Russell County, Kansas, the son of Godfred and Regina (Boger) Ehrlich. He grew up in Russell County and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1947. He was married to Isabelle Ehrlich, also from Russell, Kansas, from 1952 – 1982. Walter and Isabelle had two children, Rosalee Robinson (Michael, DDS), Leavenworth, Kansas and Keith Ehrlich (Patty), Wichita, Kansas. He had three grandchildren, Amanda Calovich (Ryan), Lawrence, Kansas, Ian Ehrlich, Overland Park, Kansas, and Nathan Ehrlich, Wichita, Kansas. Additionally, he had one step grandson through marriage, Jacob Kenton (Paige), Leavenworth, Kansas, and two step great grandchildren, Olivia and George Kenton, Leavenworth, Kansas. Walter is also survived by one brother, Edward Ehrlich (Lynda), Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leon and Louis.

Walter grew up on a farm then farmed as a young adult before entering the United States Army in February, 1951. He was honorably discharged in May, 1951. Following his service, he returned to farming until 1959, then began a career in trucking. He drove for Thies Packing Company, Great Bend, Kansas for approximately 20 years and then various other companies. He enjoyed traveling the highways as a truck driver. The highways turned into with the Garden City, Kansas School District, from where he eventually retired in 1998.

He was formerly a member of The Eagles and The American Legion in Great Bend. His most recent enjoyment came from singing in the church choir, while attending church at First Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend, Kansas. Walter was also an avid coin collector. He frequently traveled to auctions and coin shows and enjoyed sorting through his treasures with his son-in-law, Mike.

A celebration of Walter’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 29, 2019, at First Southern Baptist Church, 3301 19th Street, Great Bend, Kansas, with Pastor Timothy Singleton officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday at the Russell City Cemetery. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas will host the visitation from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 610 N. Maple Street. The family will receive guests from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M.

Memorials may be given to First Southern Baptist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Tracy Raye Engel, 48, Hays, died Tuesday, March 26, 2019 surrounded by family at her home.

She was born July 11, 1970 in Hill City the daughter of Merril A. and Donna M. (Schafer) Engel. In 1988 she graduated from Hill City High School and she studied Sociology at Kansas State University and received her B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Fort Hays State University. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club in Hays, volunteering to help with various club events including the Easter Egg Hunt and Flag Project. She worked at her friend Bud’s insurance office, and volunteered at the Humane Society of the High Plains, Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and helped with religion classes and daycare at IHM Catholic Church. She loved spending time with and babysitting her nieces and nephews, helping children and animals, and was very unselfish, strong, inspirational, and a friend to everyone. Tracy was an avid sports fan and relished watching and rooting for the Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas City Royals.

Survivors include her fiancé; Garrick Augustine of Hays, her mother; Donna Engel Schmidtberger and husband Dan of Hill City, sisters; Stephanie Jacobs and husband Francis of Hays, and Melanie Archer and husband Cameron of Norton, brother; Matt Engel and wife Marti of Oakley, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father and infant twin sisters; Philomena and Leona Engel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Barry Brinkman and Fr. Henry Saw Lone officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 pm on Friday at St. Michael’s Cemetery in LaCrosse, Kansas. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:30 am until service time on Friday, all at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Kiwanis Club of Hays, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Tracy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Billy Ray Brinson, 72, passed away March 25, 2019 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. He was born June 24, 1946 at Paris, Texas to Alvin & Janie (Wallace) Brinson.

Coming from Garland, Texas in 1981, Billy was a Great Bend resident. He served in the United States Air Force and was the project manager for Praxair. He was a past President/Secretary/Treasurer for the Eagles and a member of Shriners. He liked bird watching, hunting, fishing and building cars.

Survivors include, his wife Janice Johnson of the home; four daughters, Kimberly Manuel and husband Howard of Wylie, TX, Melissa Howell and husband David of Temple, TX, Amanda Molnar and husband Terry of Monument, CO, and Jennifer Voorhies and husband Jacob of Lyons; one son, Jason Drake and wife Marci of Russell ; one brother, Don Brinson and wife Barbara of Seabrook, TX; one sister, Julia Prasco and husband Phillip of Houston, TX; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jason Johnson; and brother, Buddy Brinson.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Schaffner presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Diabetes Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Marion Leroy Burris, 90, died March 26, at Almost Home, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born October 22, 1928, in Mildred, Kansas, the son of Edgar Ernest and Gladys June (Jayne) Burris.

Marion served in the United States Army following WWII.

A longtime Hoisington resident, Marion worked in the oil field his entire life starting as a roughneck, then a tool pusher, and retiring as Vice President of Operations from Chief Drilling.

Marion loved spending his free time fishing, gardening and tending his lawn, reading, and woodworking. He was a great storyteller and loved reminiscing with his children.

On August 13, 1950, he married Helen Lucille Flott in Emporia, Kansas. She preceded him in death on July 5, 2013.

Survivors include; six children, Tom Burris and wife Susan of Riverside, MO, Donna Ash and husband Pete of Blanchard, OK, Kathy Burke and husband Ed of Antelope, CA, Kerry Underwood and husband Pat of Blanchard, OK, Mark Burris and wife Sonja of Ruston, LA, and Troy Burris and wife Cindy of Bushton; brother, Ed Burris and wife Margaret of Marble Falls, TX; a special nephew, Jim Burris and wife Millie of Hoisington; 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers, Clarence, Paul, and Hugh Burris.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date in Hoisington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Almost Home in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

SMITH CENTER – John Wayne Wiehl, age 70, of Smith Center, Kansas, was called home Sunday, March 24th, 2019.

John was born in Smith Center, to Carl and Valeria (Nedrow) Wiehl. He attended grade school in Portis, Kansas and graduated from Smith Center High School with the class of 1966. He later attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas. In 1969, John moved to Stockton, Kansas, when he accepted a position as a parts technician with an International Harvester dealer, Ostmeyers.

Later that year, John met his future wife Cheri Balderston. They were married on October 16th, 1971. They had three children, Travis, Torri and Traci. John’s work with International Harvester eventually took him to Hays, Kansas where he worked for Mid-West International. John and his family moved to Strasburg, Colorado in 1988. For 20+ years, he worked for Case Power and Equipment/Ellen Equipment. After they closed the doors, John spent the next 5 years working for Cummins Rocky Mountain Diesel. In 2016, he retired and moved back to his hometown in Smith Center, Kansas. John was a loyal, dedicated employee and was always known for his strong work ethic and giving his all to his employers.

One of John’s favorite pastimes was ‘cruisin’ in his Ford Mustang. He loved KU basketball, and fishing and hunting. But more than anything, spending time with his family. If you knew John, you loved John. He did not know a stranger and would do anything for anyone. John’s family was the most important part of his life. John will be remembered as a loving, giving, humble man. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. The best of the best.

John is survived by his wife, Cheri Wiehl, of 48 years. Three children, Travis (Pamela) Wiehl, Glendale, AZ. Daughter, Torri (Jason) Schultz, North Platte, NE. Daughter Traci Wiehl, Strasburg, CO. Grandson, Tyler (Naomi) Schultz of North Platte, NE. Granddaughter, Shelbi Smith, Strasburg, CO and great-granddaughter, Quinn Schultz, North Platte, NE. Brothers: Dwight (Gay) – Hutchinson, KS, Russell (Marcia) – Smith Center, KS, Randy (Mary) – Olathe, KS, Bryce, Smith Center, KS. Sisters: Dixie (Marlin) Brown – Wichita, KS, Della Ainsworth – Arvada, CO, Judy Joy – Smith Center, KS, Marge Gilpin – Russell, KS, Connie (Stan) Adams – Shawnee, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.

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George Henry Hess, age 88, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2019, at Topeka Center in Topeka, Kansas.

He was born on January 23, 1931, in Garnett, Kansas, the son of Everett and Katherine (Setter) Hess. George graduated from Richmond High School in 1951. He attended Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Business Degree. George was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

George was united in marriage to Shirley Marie Ryan on August 15, 1960. Their union was blessed with five children.

Mr. Hess worked in Topeka as an auditor for the State of Kansas for many years. In 1975, the family moved to Hays, Kansas. George and his family owned and operated Hays Concrete Products. George enjoyed remodeling homes, researching family genealogy and keeping up with the lives of his children and grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Francis Hess, Everett Hess and wife, Jody Hess.

George is survived by Shirley, his five children and thirteen grandchildren: Mary Therese Abib and husband, Roberto, of The Woodlands, Texas; Mary Jane Reed and husband, James, of San Antonio, Texas; George E. Hess and wife, Melissa, of Amarillo, Texas; Mark J. Hess of Austin, Texas; Patricia Marie Gross and husband Len of Dumas, Texas; thirteen grandchildren: Christopher Abib, Megan Abib, Elizabeth Abib, Anthony Abib, Ryan Reed, Chelsea Reed Holba and husband, Andrew, Ashley Reed, Corenda Hess, Katarena Hess, Keon Hess, Michael Gross, Patelyn Gross, and Emily Gross; one brother, Joe Hess and wife Virginia of Hays, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Ann Hess of Olathe, Kansas and his cousin Joan Dyrdek Reed and her son Tyler Reed of Topeka, Kansas.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Scipio, Kansas. Burial followed at St. Boniface Cemetery. A rosary was held at 6:00 PM Sunday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 219 S. Oak Street, Garnett, Kansas, 66032. Memorials may be made to TMP-MHS. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com