February 2, 1936 – March 21, 2019

Alvin S. Johnson was born on February 2nd, 1936 on the family homestead in Kanona, Kansas. He passed away March 21, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He attended school in Kanona and Decatur Community High School. He furthered his education at Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. He farmed on his family farm raising wheat and cattle until he was 75, when he retired and focused on his family. He enjoyed being a steward of the land and teaching his kids the same love of family and passing that love onto his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While in Hays, Kansas, he met his wife, Sharon A. Wickham, and they were married in 1960. They spent their lives as stewards of the land.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his sister Elizabeth Dean, and Cindy Johnson. Their three children, Douglas and Terri Johnson (Colorado); Jeannie and Roger Lavers (Kansas); and Dallas and Becky Johnson (Missouri). His grandchildren are Travis Johnson; Kirsten Lavers; Meghan Tracy, Caitlyn Acuff, AJ, Gage and Quincy Johnson. Great-grandchildren are Kyler and Kohen Johnson and Case Tracy.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Alvin and Frances Johnson, siblings Christine Hayes and Eldon Johnson and granddaughter Tiffany Johnson.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations to Decatur County Hospital in his name in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Elizabeth “Betty” Franken Anschutz, of Hoover, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

She was born on May 29, 1934 in Cologne, Germany to the late Katharina and Otto Franken into a large family of eight sisters and one brother. After surviving WWII in Germany, she came to the United States in 1958. She self-taught and mastered the English language and went on to become a US Citizen in 1974.

Elizabeth “Betty” was strong willed, passionate, and full of life. She loved to spend time in the kitchen cooking and baking and was known for her amazing chocolate chip cookies. She also enjoyed swimming, camping, fishing, and spending time with family.

She is survived by her husband, with whom she celebrated their 47th Anniversary on Valentine’s Day, Wayne Anschutz; her children, Heide Hinds (Billy), Sue Stevens (David), Becki Hess (Ron), and John Johnson Jr. (Dorothy); eight grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Elizabeth “Betty” will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at 2:00 PM at Saint John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.southernheritagefunerals.com for the Anschutz family. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the graveside funeral service arrangements.

Melvin Andrew Flegler, 86, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Revask Center of Wichita, Kansas.

Melvin was born September 20, 1932, in Hays, Kansas, one of three boys born to Elsie and Andrew Flegler. He grew up on the family farm south of Russell and graduated from Russell High School.

Melvin served his country in the U.S. Army- attached to U.S. Air Force SCARWAF Engineer Unit during the Korean War. After his tour of duty, he returned to the family farm to help his father.

Melvin was united in marriage to Juanita Krug on September 11, 1960 at the Trinity Lutheran Church south of Russell. This union was blessed with three children; Kim, Kevin and Kristen. They made their home on the family farm.

Melvin was a man who loved his family and the outdoors. He was proud to be a Kansas Farmer and Rancher. He was also the owner and operator of the Melvin Flegler Dirt and Sand Company from 1985 to 2010. In his spare time, he also helped out at Radke Implement in Milberger. He was a member and Church Council member for St. John Lutheran Church. He formerly was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, Township Board President and Treasurer, past Grant School Board Member, AGCO member of Board of Directors, Russell County Livestock Association, Farm Bureau Board Member, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Steering Committee of County Solid Waste Disposal, past chairman of county Extension Executive Council, Electrical Leader of Sunflower 4-H Club, 1968 Outstanding Young Farmer from Russell County, 1971 received Kansas Bankers Award in Soil Conservation, 1969 Beef Cattle Production Certificate Award, Heartland Camping Club. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, playing horse shoes, helping local farmers with his welding skills, watching all types of racing, watching college football and basketball, and loved taking every opportunity to be with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Melvin’s surviving family include his wife of 58 years, Juanita of the home; daughters, Kimberly Stoppel (Blaine) of Russell, Kansas and Kristen Pfeifer (Dave) of Hays, Kansas; son, Kevin Flegler (Denise Simpson) of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Roger Flegler of Russell, Kansas and Dwaine Flegler of Hays, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Brooke Whitney, Blake Stoppel, Jennifer Gantt, Caitlyn Porter, Brady Stoppel, Tanner Pfeifer, Victoria Boos, Alexandra Flegler and Caleb Pfeifer; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 25, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the Bender Hill Cemetery, where Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Kans for Kids. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Donald Kenneth Polifka, 95, of Brigantine, N.J., passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

Donald “Don” Polifka was born in Hays, Kansas, to the late Charles and Elisabeth Polifka. He was an honors graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy, Hays, Kansas, class of 1942. Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army, he served as an instructor for Ft. Hays Kansas State College, Kansas.

Don is survived by his daughter Mary H. Crane (Glenn) of Brigantine, NJ; Donald K. Polifka, Jr. (Judy) of Kinsale, VA; and son Christopher A. Polifka of Kona, Hawaii; four grandchildren: Deborah Batson (Robert), Wendy Bates (Alan), Amy White (Tom) and Donald K. Polifka, III (Joyce); nine great grandchildren: Samantha Fabrizio, Michael Fabrizio, Jade Bates, Gannon Bates, Elle Polifka, Luke Polifka, Jane Polifka, Amalia White and Isabella White; and great great grandson Nicholas Fabrizio. Don was predeceased by his sisters Helen Vitztum and Alice Polifka, and brothers Charles and Alvin Polifka.

Donald met his wife Winnie while in the hospital after World War II. Winnie, who was from Atlantic City, NJ was a nurse and Donald, originally from Hays, Kansas was an Army officer. He had 62 wonderful years with Winnie who passed ten years ago in Brigantine, NJ. Don was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to everyone.

Don is a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War, where he earned several medals, including the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. He was wounded in the South Pacific and received other commendations for his dedication and bravery. In addition, Don received the Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters representing his meritorious service while stationed at Ft. Myers and Ft. Monroe, Virginia. He held such positions as Ceremonial Officer for the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery and Ft. Myers, Virginia and held a key military headquarters position at Ft. Monroe, Virginia. During this time, he was responsible for organizing and overseeing General MacArthur’s funeral, President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade and was a key decision maker during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After 24 years of military service, Don retired as a Lt. Colonel. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the U.S. Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Following his military career, he retired in Virginia and he and Winnie bought a store in Upperville, Virginia. At this point in his life, going back to a more slower country lifestyle was just his thing – he grew up on a farm near Hays, Kansas, where he learned to plow fields, sow and harvest wheat, herd cattle and help with the multitude of tasks that come with farm life. This latest move was a great segue as he excelled at organizational leadership and turned a small country store into a thriving and personable business.

In the late 1980’s, Don and his wife decided to move back to where they met. They settled in Brigantine and Don fully retired. For many years, he volunteered for Meals On Wheels, and was a star player for the Bocce Ball team. He remained in Brigantine for the rest of his life and proclaimed this is “the city you would love for life.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Don’s Life Celebration gathering on Tuesday April 2, 2019 from 10 to 11 am with a Memorial Service to follow at the Brigantine Community Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Brigantine Avenue, Brigantine NJ. A final military salute will follow the memorial service. Concluding the service, all are welcome to attend a reception at the American Legion, Brigantine Post # 396, 3218 Brigantine Avenue, Brigantine, NJ. Don’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, VA.

Nile L. “Mick” Cochran, 82, passed away Friday, March 23, 2019, at the Andbe Home, Norton, KS.

Mick was born November 29, 1936, in Norton, KS, the son of Vance and Elsie (McCrea) Cochran. Mick grew up in Norton County on a farm north east of Norton. He graduated from Norton High School, class of 1954.

On August 18, 1957, he married Ida Marie Nuttycomb in Almena, KS, and to this union they were blessed with two children, William “Billy” Frank and Tamra Ellen. Mick and Ida made their home in Norton until 1959 when they moved to Belleville, KS, and resided there until 1962.

In June of 1962, Mick began his career with the United States Bureau of Reclamation building the Norton Dam in Norton, KS Mick stayed with the Bureau of Reclamation for thirty-one and half years working dams, canals, laterals and substations. Mick worked jobs in Kansas, Nebraska, Washington State (Grand Coulee Dam), Northern CA, Montrose, CO, Utah, Page, AZ and Grand Junction, CO until June of 1992. He moved back to Norton in May of 1997 from Grand Junction, CO.

Mick had many hobbies throughout his life including leather craft, mechanics, carpentry, cabinet making, general handyman, but he truly loved to go hunting and fishing with his son Billy. While his favorite was pheasant hunting, he enjoyed hunting elk and deer whenever he could. He also enjoyed camping and 4-wheeling with the whole family while living in Colorado. He loved his Labrador dogs, too, and owned one of each color throughout his life. Mick enjoyed playing the fiddle. He often played square dances with his folks as a young man.

It was very rare for Mick to have missed a concert in which his daughter, Tamra, was either directing or performing. He was totally devoted to his wife, Ida Marie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ida Marie, son Billy, three brothers, Gene, Earl, and Lowell Cochran and two sisters, Leta Rooney and Claire Poage.

Mick is survived by his daughter Tamra Cochran of Norton; two sisters-in-law, Velma Cochran of Syracuse, KS and Mona Cochran of Bentonville, AR and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Church of God, 1010 Churchill Dr., Norton, KS, with Pastor Rob Mohr officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2019, at the Church of God, Norton, KS. Burial will take place in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena, KS. Memorials may be given to Nile L. Cochran Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.

Doris A. Holloway, 102, formerly of Alton, passed away on March 21, 2019 at the Bethany Home in Lindsborg, KS. Doris was born on September 29, 1916 to Johnathan B. and Almeda G. (Campbell) Allison in Rapid City, IA.

Doris’s family moved from Iowa to Minnesota and then on to Kansas. The family moved to Alton and then on to Woodston, KS, which became their home.

Doris met the love of her life, Murray F. Holloway, at a dance at the Bohemian Hall north of Alton, KS. The two were married on May 25, 1935 and made their home on Murray’s grandmother’s farm where they lived all their married lives. To this union, 2 children were born.

Doris never let anything get her down. When she began a project, she always completed it. Doris loved babysitting her grandchildren and taking them to church. Church was very important to her and was very active in her church. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting and quilting.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Murray in 1992; 4 stepbrothers; grandson: Dean; 1 great-granddaughter: Christy J. Nonamaker; 1 great-grandson: Jessie J. Stroup; 1 son-in-law: J. D. “Bud” Boland.

Doris is survived by son: Robert (Arlene) Holloway of Lindsborg, KS; daughter: Jeanie Boland of Osborne, KS; 8 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren.

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J. Dean Lamm, 93, of Osborne, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 11, 1926, in Osborne Co., KS to Clyde & Inez (Cole) Lamm.

Dean graduated from the Alton High School in 1943. He began farming at an early age. Dean had already started farming before he graduated from high school. He helped his dad on the farm and other farmers in the area on their farms. In 1991 after he turned 65, Dean semi-retired. He sold his cow herd, rented part of his land and all his pasture to a neighbor. He grew wheat after that and looked after the farm.

In 1957, Dean married Esther Ann Whaling, a farmer’s daughter from southwest of Osborne. To this union, one daughter was born in 1959. Dean & Esther moved in to Alton in 1957. In 2000, they moved into Osborne and have lived there ever since.

Dean was an active member of the Mt. Ayr Friends Church. He held a variety of positions in the church and taught Sunday School for many years.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Jane in 1984.

Dean is survived by his wife, Esther of Osborne.

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Alvin S. Johnson was born on February 2nd, 1936 on the family homestead in Kanona, Kansas. He passed away March 21, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He attended school in Kanona and Decatur Community High School. He furthered his education at Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. He farmed on his family farm raising wheat and cattle until he was 75, when he retired and focused on his family. He enjoyed being a steward of the land and teaching his kids the same love of family and passing that love onto his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While in Hays, Kansas, he met his wife, Sharon A. Wickham, and they were married in 1960. They spent their lives as stewards of the land.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his sister Elizabeth Dean, and Cindy Johnson. Their three children, Douglas and Terri Johnson (Colorado); Jeannie and Roger Lavers (Kansas); and Dallas and Becky Johnson (Missouri). His grandchildren are Travis Johnson; Kirsten Lavers; Meghan Tracy, Caitlyn Acuff, AJ, Gage and Quincy Johnson. Great-grandchildren are Kyler and Kohen Johnson and Case Tracy.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Alvin and Frances Johnson, siblings Christine Hayes and Eldon Johnson and granddaughter Tiffany Johnson.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations to Decatur County Hospital in his name in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com.

Services are pending.

Mary Ellen Zwenger-Burton, 67, Catharine, died Thursday, March 21, 2019 at her home.

She was born February 14, 1952 in Hays, the daughter of Eddie and Agnes (Kuhn) Zwenger. She was a graduate of Marian High School in the class of 1970. While living in Missouri, she won many awards for raising chickens for Tyson Foods. She moved back to Hays in 2005 and was the secretary at Epworth Towers.

She was united in marriage to LeRoy “Lee” Burton on June 1, 2007 in Catharine. They celebrated over six years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October 17, 2013. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, loved all kinds of animals, enjoyed feeding the birds in her yard the finest birdseed, and was a wonderful hostess who made family reunions a blast. The residents of Epworth Towers adored Mary, and she honored them with monthly birthday dinners.

She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan, and loved to watch Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights with her mother. Mary lived life to the fullest, was very patriotic, and had a very strong Catholic faith. She had a crazy sense of humor and was able to see humor in everything. She was a brave gentle soul, always ready to help where needed, and loved spending time with her best friend, Eileen “Ag” Haselhorst, and her family.

Survivors include her mother; Agnes Zwenger of Catharine, two daughters; Dawn Smyth and husband Shawn of Larned and Trina Schwartz, two sisters; Kathleen Zwenger Randolph and husband Edd of Waldo, Ruth Zwenger Campbell and husband Keith of Catharine, three brothers; Sam Zwenger and wife Nina of Fisherville, KY, Tim Zwenger and wife Christy of Hillsboro Beach, FL, and Patrick Zwenger and wife Paula of Bellevue, NE, three granddaughters; Amanda Peck and husband Ross of Wichita, Hannah Smyth and fiancé Zach Henderson of Emporia, and Brittany Arnold and husband Tyler of Red Oak, OK, best friend; Eileen “Ag” Haselhorst of Allen, TX, six great-grandchildren, Shawn, Shea, and Sydney Peck, Hunter and Bentley Henderson, and Haisley Arnold, and numerous nieces and nephews that dearly loved their Auntie.

She was preceded in death by her father; Eddie and husband Lee.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time, and a rosary will be recited at 9:45, all on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains, Hospice of HaysMed, or for masses, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Mary may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

John Cline Jr., was born October 6, 1934, in Harper County, Oklahoma to John Henry and Lillie Mae (Seidel) Cline.

In the early 1940s, the family moved to Beeler, Kansas. On June 9, 1953, John and Emma Arlene (Coker) were united in marriage at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Ness City, Kansas. To this union, three sons and one daughter were born. John and Arlene were married for 65 years, 9 months and 14 days.

John worked for the Beeler Co-op until 1966. In 1967, they moved to WaKeeney. For a few years, John worked for a carpenter and then later went to work for the WaKeeney Co-op until 1996 when he took retirement.

John took great enjoyment in teaching his sons how to handle guns, hunt, fish, and camp; he also taught his wife these skills. The family enjoyed all these activities together and there was lots of competition between the whole group.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Randy and wife, Sandy Cline of WaKeeney; Daniel and wife, Cynthia Cline of WaKeeney; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Allen Cline; daughter, Linda Kathleen Cline; brothers: James, Jack, and Jerry Cline; sisters: Florence Stiawalt and Luella Fercking.

Visitation will be March 28, Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Services will be held Friday, March 29, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in WaKeeney, with burial to follow at the City Cemetery.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, Memorials are suggested to the Trego Community High School Trap Shooting Club. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Harry Junior Ostrom, 95, Hays, died Saturday, March 23, 2019 surrounded by family at his home.

He was born July 1, 1923 in Hays the son of Harry and Dorothy M. (Joy) Ostrom. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving two tours in the Pacific Area as a searchlight crewman and power supply mechanic during World War II. He worked in the construction business for Pierce Schippers Construction, retiring in 2005 at the age of 82. On April 15, 1950 he was united in marriage to Carol Morris in El Monte, California, a union which would span nearly 69 years. He was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, and the VFW, American Legion, and Marine Corps League. Harry enjoyed gardening, planting trees, woodworking, and family and family reunions were very important to him. He was proud of his U.S. Marine Corps service, was very kind and gentle hearted, and he never held a grudge or knew a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Carol of the home in Hays, four sons; Harold Ostrom and wife Kathy of Hays, Gary Ostrom and wife Debbie of Hays, Jon Ostrom of the home in Hays, and Jeff Ostrom and wife Andromada of Hays, a daughter; Dorothy Renninger and husband David of Titusville, PA, two brothers; Steve Ostrom and wife Laura of Hays, and George Ostrom and wife Pat of Natoma, two sisters; Marilyn McMillin of Richmond, KY, and Edith Ward and husband Steve of Ellis, eleven grandchildren; Timothy and Kristina Renninger of Warren, PA, David and Paula Renninger of Grove City, PA, Tasha Ostrom of Hays, Renee and James Meis of Hays, Gina Olivo of Colorado, Jerred and Brandi Ostrom of LaCrosse, Chris and Tressa Matal of Meriden, KS, Brian and Cookie Matal of Topeka, Shannon and JC Ramos of Fort Drum, NY, Gavin Braun of Hays, and Kyle Ostrom of Hays, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, a family friend; Ron Bradshaw of Topeka, cousin; Velma Baker of Hays, his two four-legged family members; Charlie and Trouble, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter; Elizabeth Prator, brothers; Orton Ostrom, Kenny Ostrom and infant brothers John and Robert Ostrom, a grandson; Joey Matal, and great grandchildren; Lindsey and Luckas Matal.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Burial with military honors by the United State Marine Corps funeral detail, the E.A. Schumacher Marine Corps League #740, the Hays VFW Post #9076, and the American Legion Riders Post #173 will follow in the Mount Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, or to Hospice of HaysMed. Condolences and memories of Harry may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com