Glade resident Richard F. “Dick” Shields passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at his home. He was 82.

He was born October 25, 1936 in Phillips County, Kansas the son of Orval and Fern (Keeten) Shields.

Dick was united in marriage to E. Arlene Miller on July 27, 1956 at Kensington, KS. She preceded him in death on March 18, 2010.

Survivors include an adopted son, J.W. Vandiever and wife, Gayle of Blanchard, OK; his sister, Roberta McCall of McPherson, KS; 2 step-grandchildren; and 6 step great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Ted Stapleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.

Dick will lie in state from Noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23 & 24, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson Cancer Research Center, Kansas State University c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

Judith Lynn “Judy” Kemp (Anderson) passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2019, at the age of 73. Judy was currently living in Danberry at Inverness in Birmingham, AL.

Judy will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Laurie (Craig) Cox and grandchildren: Reid Fehr, Kylie and Trent of Topeka KS; son, Dustin (Keri) Kemp and granddaughter, Isla of Birmingham AL; and son, Casey of Grandview MO. Judy will also be fondly remembered by her sister, Karen Johnson, of Leawood KS and her niece, nephews, and their families.

Judy was born on November 17, 1945, in Hays, KS to Hazel and Robert Anderson. She graduated from Hays High School in 1963. While growing up in Hays, she was involved in high school musicals and competition baton twirling. She was the 1962 Kansas for World Peace queen and competed in several other pageants while growing up in Hays, KS. After high school, she obtained a degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University. Judy married William “Bill” Kemp, an elementary educator as well, in 1967. They moved to Kansas City, MO, where both Judy and Bill began working for the Hickman Mills School district as elementary school teachers and spent their entire careers with the district before they retired 2001. She taught kindergarten most of her career and loved the hundreds of “Kemp Kids” as her own. Judy took great pride in teaching her students to read. She especially loved writing and directing performances for her classrooms to take part in. Whether it was celebrating our country or Christmas, she always had a song and dance. After retirement, she and her husband traveled the world together, fulfilling lifelong dreams of seeing distant countries and experiencing different cultures. Judy could also be found spending countless afternoons at Longview Lake on her boat with friends and family. Judy enjoyed her backyard full of her favorite flowers and plants with her beloved dogs. Being a life-long resident of Kansas City, she cheered loudly for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs and enjoyed going to games and tailgating with her family. She loved adventure and would seek out zip-line courses, hot-air-balloon trips, and helicopter tours during her travels. Judy was the life of family gatherings and she will be forever missed.

During the last year, she became a resident at Danberry at Inverness in Birmingham, AL where she found a new love of life. She made new friends and was enjoying new activities, while also getting to know her baby granddaughter, Isla. Judy found her beautiful smile and laugh again.

A service is scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, March 23 at Longview Funeral Home and Cemetery at 12700 SE Raytown Rd, Kansas City MO. The family will be there at 9 am for visitation and a reception is to follow at RCs in Martin City, MO. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Judy’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at UAB, c/o UAB Gift Records, AB1230, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0112, or by visiting https://www.uab.edu/give/now/

Earl J. Befort, age 92, of Munjor, KS, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center. He was born on January 16, 1927 in Munjor, KS to Jacob and Lidwina (Leiker) Befort. He graduated from Schoenchen High School.

On November 10, 1955, he married Mary Ann Gabel. Earl was a mail carrier for over 30 years, primarily delivering mail in downtown Hays. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor and was a member of Singer Bund, which was a gospel singing group and had played in polka bands in his younger days.

Earl is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of the home; two sons, Jake Befort and his wife Mitzi of Bison, KS and Lyle Befort and his wife Linda of Sublette, KS; one brother, Vernon Befort of Mechanicsburg, PA; six grandchildren, Amy Davidson and her husband Michael, Ryan Befort and his wife Sarah, Morgan Befort, Dusti Befort, Kali Befort, Dawn Befort as well as two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and Marvin Befort.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 22, 2019 at St. Francis of Assis Catholic Church in Munjor. Inurnment will follow services at St. Francis Cemetery-Munjor.

A memorial visitation will be on Thursday, March 21 from 5-7:00 P.M. with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7:00 P.M. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions can be made in Earl’s loving memory to TMP-Marian High School.

Condolences my be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].

Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Michael “Mike” T. Kern, 58, passed away March 19, 2019 in rural Barton County. He was born November 25, 1960 at Great Bend to Terry J. & Marie V. (Heckens) Kern.

A lifetime area resident, Mike lived in Ellinwood. He was a drilling supervisor and tool pusher for Pickrell Drilling in Great Bend. He loved 4 wheelers, racing, storm chasing and BBQ’s. He especially loved his family and being with his grandchildren.

Survivors include, his parents, Terry and Marie Kern of Great Bend; one son, Jared Kern and wife Shelby of Great Bend; one brother, Pat Kern of Great Bend; two sisters, Loretta Murphy and husband Jim and Lisa Mohr and husband Wes, all of Great Bend; two grandchildren, Jett and Nova Kern; three nephews, Rex Kern and wife Lacey, Dalton Murphy and Slade Mohr; three nieces, Taylor and Kylee Mohr and Madison Murphy; and two great-nephews, Trenton and Kale Kern.

There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2019 at the Great Bend Events Center, with Rev. Dick Ogle presiding. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Grandchildren’s Education Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Arleen A. Wittman, age 76, of Hays, Kansas died Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at her home. She was born June 17, 1942, in Pueblo, Colorado to John J. and Clara (Romme) Falkenstein. She married Wayne J. Wittman on June 5, 1965, at Pueblo, Colorado.

She was a bookkeeper at the Hadley Hospital in Hays, Kansas for over 20 years. She also worked at APAC of Hays, Midland Marketing of Hays, CASA of the High Plains and in 2007 she retired from High Plains Mental Health. After she retired Arleen was a Senior Companion for seven years. She grew up in Pueblo, Colorado and was a 1960 Graduate of Pueblo’s Girls Catholic High. She moved to Hays in 1965 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne J. Wittman, of the home; one son, David Wittman, of the home.

She was preceded in by her parents, one brother, Leroy Falkenstein and his wife, JoAnn and one sister, Margaret Falkenstein.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic, 215 West 13th Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to8:00 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or First Call for Help.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be send via e-mail to [email protected]

Billy Jean Wahl, 78, of Russell, Kansas passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Hays Medical Center.

Billy was born on on November 7th, 1940 in Denver, Colorado. She spent most of her childhood and all of her adult life in Kansas. For the last 29 years, Billy lived in Russell, served by Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. Billy enjoyed dancing and singing to music, shopping for new clothes, wearing big sunglasses, hats and jewelry, and spending time with friends. Billy will be deeply missed by many loving friends and staff.

A memorial service to celebrate Billy’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on March 28, 2019 at the Pioneer Developmental Center at 15 N Maple in Russell, KS. Memorials can be given to help with the funeral and can be made and sent to the mortuary. Burial of cremains will take place after the service at the Russell Catholic Cemetery.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the arrangements.

Stephan R. “Steve” Barnes, 60, Hays, died Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at his home.

He was born April 21, 1958 in Hays, the son of Tom R. and Mary C. “Cathy” (Werth) Barnes. He graduated from Hays High School and attended Fort Hays State University.

On April 28, 1990 he was united in marriage to Kim S. McNeal at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. They celebrated over 28 years of marriage. He worked for the City of Hays as the sexton for Mount Allen Cemetery and Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, enjoyed playing guitar, treated people well, and was always smiling and had the right thing to say. He always put his family first, was very hard working, and was a loving husband, daddy, and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife; Kim of the home in Hays, two sons; Jeseph Scott “Jesse” Barnes and John Paul Barnes, both of Hays, three daughters; Hayley Dawn Barnes, Brandi Marie Barnes, and Bailey Nicole Barnes, all of Hays, four brothers; John Barnes and wife Mary of Hays, Howard Barnes and wife Lucy of Yocemento, Tom Barnes II and wife Lori of Topeka, Wilfred “Willie” Barnes of Hays, three sisters; Tamera Lang and husband Wayne of Hays, Glenda Grosnick of Ocala, FL, and Ronda Hall and husband Ron of Enid, OK, an adopted brother; Tyron Barnes of Sarasota, FL, three granddaughters; Jacey, Bentley, and Peyton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 9:30 am on Friday, March 22, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 8:30 am until 9:15 on Friday all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A combined vigil service and rosary will be at 7:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County. Condolences and memories of Steve may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

MaryAnn Funk, age 87, a loving wife for 39 years, a devoted mother of four, a grandmother of eight, and a great-grandmother of fourteen, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at The Addison of Pleasant Prairie.

Born in Hays, Kansas on October 1, 1931, she was the oldest child of Rose and Clement Urban. MaryAnn was educated in Hutchinson, Kansas and moved to Colorado, where in 1951, she married Louis H. Funk. One of their first dates, to her mother’s utter delight, was a Sunday Mass.

They moved to the family farm in Paris, WI and had four children: Janice, Joseph, Jill, and Jackie.

MaryAnn worked at a hospital and on the farm; baked delectable apple pies; traveled to Palm Springs, Hawaii and Florida; and played pinochle and golf with a passion. When she was 62, she hit a hole-in-one.

When she lost her favorite travel partner, Louie, in 1990, she kept taking trips with friends and family, touring China, Germany, Florida and Alaska. She also loved to watch her beloved White Sox play baseball.

She is survived by her three oldest children, Janice (Bruce) Bosman of Kenosha, Joseph (Dianne) Funk of Union Grove and Jill Oscarson of Pleasant Prairie; all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jim and Jerry Urban; and a brother-in-law, Jerry Turner.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; their youngest daughter, Jackie; nine sisters and brother; and her son-in-law, Richard Oscarson.

Click HERE for service details.