Services are pending for Annunciata “Ann” Weber. She died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 in Hoxie.

Arrangements are being handled by Baalmann Mortuary.

Andrew Wesley Totten – infant son, of Tom and Sara (Vine) Totten, of Hays, Kansas died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born Feb. 14, 2019 in Hays, Kansas.

Survivors include his parents, Tom and Sara Totten, of the home; one brother and one sister, Lukas Totten and Ashlyn Totten, of the home; grandparents, Trace and Sherry (Combs) Totten, Hays; Kevin and Patty Vine, Ellis; Renee (Herrman) Vine, Hays; great-grandparents, Larry and LaVonne Totten, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Larry and Julia Hoke, Russell; Roy and Hilda Herrman, Hays; Sharon Height, Bartlesville, Oklahoma;  two uncles, Alan Vine, Hays; Robert Sanetta, Ellis; two aunts, Shawna Becker and husband, Caleb, Overland Park; Denise Ball and husband, Jack, Ellis; and eights cousins.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Harold and Wauneta Vine.

Funeral services is at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019, at Westview Church, 3000 W. 41st St., Hays, with burial in Mount Allen Cemetery, Hays.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, at Westview Church.

Memorials are suggested to Tom and Sara Totten.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601.

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

Robert “Bob” Wilson, 82, passed away Feb. 25, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. He was born on March 19, 1936 at Weaubleau, Missouri to Henry and Nellie (Skinner) Wilson. He married Evelyn Andrew on Aug. 9, 1953 at St. John. She survives.

Coming from St. John in 1953, Robert was a truck driver for the Co-op, until he retired in 2001. He loved riding motorcycles, collecting trucks, fishing and camping. He also played Santa at Christmas Fantasy Village.

Survivors include, his wife, Evelyn of the home; two daughters, Connie Wildeman and husband Paul of Hays and Sandra Stevens and husband Tommy of Wichita; three grandchildren, Bob Roller, Twila Lasiter and Elizabeth Keller; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and Kenneth Wilson; and four sisters, Veda Boley, Carol Ann Blankenship, Nancy Sue Wilson and Mary Jo Mendoza.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home.

The funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at Church of Christ in Great Bend, with Pastor John Turner presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Laddie E. Merryfield, 87, formerly of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Lenexa, Kansas.

Laddie was born to Clyde E. and Virginia C. (Emery) Merryfield on October 20, 1931 in Minneapolis, Kansas.

He graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1949. Laddie married Lola Mae Rasmussen on June 1, 1950 and together they enjoyed a lasting marriage of over 50 years. Laddie and Lola Mae moved to Lindsey, Kansas where they planned to be farmers.

The flood of 1951 changed those plans, and Laddie enlisted in the United States Air Force later that year. After training in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Laddie was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas, for training and service as an Airman First Class for four years.

Laddie and Lola Mae’s first son, David, was born there in 1953. Laddie was then posted to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. His service ended in 1955, and he and Lola Mae decided to return to Kansas to be closer to family. Laddie was offered the State Farm Insurance agency in Russell, Kansas, a job he held for the next 40 years. 

Soon after arriving in Russell, their second son, Roger, was born in 1957. While raising their family, Laddie and Lola Mae built his State Farm agency into a successful business that continues today.  Laddie was an active member of the community and contributed in multiple ways, including constructing two office buildings on Main Street, and serving in leadership roles for both the Kiwanis Club and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Laddie retired from State Farm in 1996. In early retirement in Russell, Laddie enjoyed bridge, gardening and woodworking, building heirlooms for his children and grandchildren at his shop. 

In 2003, Laddie and Lola Mae moved to Lakeview Village, a retirement community in Lenexa, Kansas. They didn’t have long together at Lakeview, as Lola Mae was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away in 2005. Laddie later met and married Sally Stokes in 2008 and they enjoyed an active life at Lakeview, including volunteering at the Lakeview thrift shop. Sally’s family embraced Laddie and he enjoyed his time with them. As Laddie’s needs increased, Sally served as his truly loyal caregiver.

Laddie was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ronald, his sister Trula (Merryfield) Cox and his first wife, Lola Mae (Rasmussen) Merryfield.

He is survived by his wife, Sally (Stokes) Merryfield, his son, David Merryfield (Sue), his son, Roger Merryfield (Zoann), his stepsons Steve Stokes (Karen) and Stan Stokes (Donna), his grandchildren Jessica (Merryfield) Blanford (Adam), Alex Merryfield (Stephanie Grass), Cassandra Merryfield (fiancè Julian Garcia) and Spencer Merryfield (Jacquelyn); his step-grandchildren Erica Stokes Spielbusch (Donovan), Shawna Patch (Andrew), Jaymie Davis (Tyler), Scott Dixon, Joel Dixon (Sarah), Will Dixon (Melissa), two great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

A gathering service will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. A private inurnment of the ashes will be performed at a later date. 

Memorials have been established to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Russell or to the Good Samaritan Fund—Lakeview Village Foundation.

Donations may be sent in care of the mortuary at 610 N. Maple, Russell, KS 67665. If you are moved to remember Laddie, we encourage donations in lieu of flowers.

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

William H. “Bill” Gillespie, 93 of Ft. Collins, Colorado, formerly of Ellis, Kansas, passed away on Feb. 20, 2019 at Centre Avenue Rehab in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

He was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, on Nov. 30, 1925 to parents Millard F. and Bettie (Davis) Gillespie. He spent his early years in Oklahoma, moving to California shortly after the start of WWII in 1941.

He moved to Kansas in 1943 at age 17 where he met and married Verneita Fischer.  They were both working at Boeing Aircraft on the second B29 that Boeing was building for the war.

He joined the US Navy in January 1944 and was originally trained as a tail gunner for the Douglas SBD plane but the war had ended in Europe so he was sent to Hawaii for radar counter measure training and was assigned to a night Air Group VTN 52 aboard the carrier ‘Bon Homme Richard’.

After leaving Pearl Harbor, he was put on hold at the Island of Guam because two atomic bombs had been dropped on Japan. He was fortunate not to have been in actual combat and was discharged in February 1946.

He had several business ventures in his long life from owning the Fairlawn Dairy, the Firestone store and oil hauling truck in Kansas. After moving back to California in 1955 he worked for Helm’s Bakery and Coca Cola while waiting to be begin the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy.  Bill had many interesting experiences working as a Sgt. homicide detective for Los Angeles County, unfortunately he suffered a severe heart attack in July 1974 and was medically retired. 

He and Verneita moved back to Kansas in 1977 and spent several years traveling and visiting their family. They traveled to all 50 states in their lifetime plus Germany, Hong Kong, China, Egypt, Philippine Islands, and England. Bill visited veteran memorials with the Honor Flight in Washington DC in 2010. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Verneita, of 56 years in 1999. Also two brothers, Millard C. Gillespie and Eugene L. Gillespie. 

He is survived by his wife Lois (Kelsch-Geyer) Gillespie of the home in Ft. Collins, Colorado; sons Ron Gillespie (BettyJo) of Alpine, Utah; Gene Gillespie (Rinda) of Ft. Collins, Colorado; daughters Pat Deutscher (Steve) of Clay Center, Kansas; Karen Ware (Danny) of Blanchard, Oklahoma; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren,  four step-children, four step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren. 

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Ellis United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th St., Ellis, KS 67637 and9 a.m. until the service time Thursday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Ellis Public Library .

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

Helen Marie Dannenberg, age 78, of Gaylord, Kansas passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Smith Center Health and Rehab in Smith Center, Kansas.

Helen was born May 22, 1940 in Smith Center Kansas to Arnold and Esther (Kirchhoff) Beckmann. She was the oldest of six children. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church of Gaylord, Kansas and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1958.

On October 25, 1959 she married Max Arden Dannenberg, also at Christ Lutheran Church.

Helen worked many years in nursing, receiving her Associates Degree and becoming a Registered Nurse in 1982. She worked at Smith County Memorial Hospital and served as the Director of Nursing for several years before her retirement.

Helen had a passion for gardening and flowers. During her retirement, she enjoyed participating in many activities including Garden Club, Red Hats, and FCE. She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church of Athol and joined in many Bible studies and Morning Circle. Helen had a great love for her grandchildren and relished the time spent with them.

Helen is survived by her husband, Max of the home. Son Maurice and Inci (Duysak) of Wildwood, MO and their three sons Kenan, Erek, and Devran. Son Mark and Jocelyn (Conaway) of Littleton, CO, and daughter Marsha and Anthony Fangman of Overland Park, KS and their four children Ellie, Jack, Sam, and Logan. She is also survived by one sister, Rebecca and Ronald Powell of Southern Pines, N.C., one brother, Dennis and Kathy Beckmann of Mankato, KS, sister in-law Roberta Beckmann of Wichita, KS, brother in-law Andy Corcoran of Topeka, KS, sister in-law Cindy Beckmann of Gaylord, KS as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul Beckmann of Wichita, KS, sister Laura “Ann” Corcoran of Topeka, KS, and brother David Beckmann of Gaylord, KS.

Click HERE for service details.

Ernest Edward Poe, age 90, went home to be with his Lord and Savior February 22, 2019 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, KS.

Ernest (Ernie) Poe was born on October 29th, 1928 on the Poe homestead in Weldona, Colorado. He was the youngest child of Ernest and Lola Mae Poe. He grew up in Weldona and graduated high school in 1946.

Ernest married Marjorie Wacker January 1, 1950 in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Through the years, Ernest worked as a farmer and rancher moving from Colorado to Healy, KS in 1958. It was while working as a partner on the Maddox Ranch in Healy that Ernie began his fine barbed wire collection.

He moved with his family to Wallace County in 1970 to continue farming and ranching while also selling grain bins and seed. Ernest later owned Poe Building Systems and installed many buildings and grain storage systems across the area.

Ernest was a member of the American Baptist Churches. He served the American Baptist Men’s Central Region as President for several years. Ernest was involved in the community in many ways and served as Mayor of Sharon Springs for 8 years. He enjoyed volunteering, especially his time working with and providing horses for Camp Christy and helping at the Fort Wallace Museum.

In his retirement, he expanded his barbed wire adventures by creating barbed wire sculptures. Ernest made anything from small birds that are treasured by all of his grand-children and great-grandchildren to life size horses. His greatest creation is the buffalo that stands proud in front of the Fort Wallace Museum. Ernie loved roping, spending time with family, and visiting with friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers Reverend Harry Poe, John Poe, and P.A. Poe and sisters Reverend Margaret Poe and Francis Faires-Cross.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Marjorie Poe of Sharon Springs; Sister Minnie Mae Gardner of Denver; Son Edward (Valerie) Poe of Sharon Springs, Son Kenneth (Becky) Poe of Sharon Springs, Daughter Linda (Greg) See of Leoti; 8 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

LeRoy Kreutzer, 69, Hays, died Saturday, February 23, 2019 at HaysMed.

He was born May 1, 1949 in Hays the youngest child of Isidor and Lidwina (Younker) Kreutzer. On June 22, 1968 he was united in marriage to Sandra “Sandy” Linenberger in Denver, Colorado. LeRoy was the Mechanic Supervisor for the City of Hays Service Division for 26 years, retiring in 2015. He then became the maintenance man for Cedar View/Homestead of Hays for three years. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and was a Boy Scout Leader of Troop #113, and a little league baseball and soccer coach. He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan, enjoyed fixing things and helping others, helping with family home projects, golfing, fishing, camping, traveling, walking his dog Gunner, and the occasional trip to the casino. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and going to their games and performances. Family was extremely important to him and he was fortunate to have thirty-nine of his family members go on a family cruise last June as he and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife Sandy, of the home in Hays, two sons; LeRoy Kreutzer, Jr. and wife Jenny of Wichita, Kyle J. Kreutzer and wife Jaime of Hays, four grandchildren; Cody and Brady Kreutzer of Hays and Kelsie and Karlie Kreutzer of Wichita, a sister; Firma Pfannenstiel of WaKeeney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Marvin, Kenneth, and an infant brother LeRoy, and six sisters; Anna, Alice, Verla, Millie, Neola, and Viola.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:30 am until 10:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) or to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church building fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of LeRoy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com