Rufus Paul Haas, 95, died February 20, 2019, at AdventHealth, Apopka, Florida. He was born January 10, 1924, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Daniel and Louise (Lehning) Haas.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, rural Hoisington. Rufus was a current member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, Kansas.

Besides his farming, he worked at several jobs including the oil field, seeding roads, operating the road grader, construction, and running the family dairy. He also served on the township board, school board, and the church board.

On July 26, 1945, he was united in marriage to Alvina Boger in Hoisington, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2012. To this union two children were born, Larry and Sharon.

He is survived by: son, Larry Haas and wife Lois of Phillipsburg; daughter, Sharon Kampe and husband Lanny of Apopka, Florida; three grandchildren, Michelle Haas-Heinrich and husband Duane of Wichita, Kimberly Kampe of Apopka, Florida, and Bradley Haas of Wichita; and two great grandchildren, Mackenzie Haas and Greyson Haas-Heinrich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, William Haas, sister, Lucille Shaffer, twin grandsons, Trevor and Travis Haas, and granddaughter, Trisha Haas.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Rhonda Templing, PMA presiding. Family would like to invite friends to join them for a meal prior to the service, at noon at the Emmanual Lutheran Church in Hoisington.

Burial will be in Hoisington Cemetery, following the service.

Memorials may be made to Kans for Kids or United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Phillipsburg resident Della F. Still passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at her home at the age of 79.

Della was born October 3, 1939 in Lexington, NE the daughter of Delbert M. & Roberta F. (Duffy) Wilson.

She was united in marriage to Billy F. Still on January 12, 1958 at Kirwin, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 27, 2013.

Survivors include her son Brent and wife, Vesta Jo of Phillipsburg; daughter, Sheri Corrick and husband, David of Wichita, KS; sister, Darlene Gerstner of Quinter, KS; brothers, James Wilson of Elkhorn, NE and Larry Wilson of Kansas City, KS; and two grandchildren, William and Kate Still.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mrs. Still will lie in state from noon to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Hospital.

William “Bill” Gillespie, age 93 of Ft. Collins, Colorado formerly of Ellis, Kansas passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Center in Ft. Collins.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Ellis United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will be at 1 PM Thursday at the Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Kansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday 6 PM – 8 PM at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

A complete obituary is pending.

Sheila S. Stewart, 85, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Via Christi Village, Hays, KS.

Sheila was born August 9, 1933 in Willingham by Stow, Lincolnshire, England, the daughter of Charles C. and Dorothy May (Rowley) Stothard. On October 15, 1955 she married Harlan Stewart in Lincoln, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Harlan.

Sheila is survived by a daughter, Glenda (Marc) Wentworth of Edwards, CO; five sons, Steve Stewart of Smith Center, Kim (Jeri) Stewart of Hays, KS, Kyle (Julie) Stewart of Grand Island, NE, David Stewart (Cindy Beckman) of Smith Center, KS, Eric (Chris) Stewart of Cimarron, KS; three sisters, Brenda Goh of Sitiawan, Perak, Malaysia, Patricia Wood of Sumter, SC and Ann Watkins of McPherson, KS; thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2019 with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Graveside services will take place in the Round Springs Cemetery, Hunter, KS at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Harlan Church and sent in care of the funeral chapel. www.allfaithsfuneralchapel.com

Jean Cavanaugh was born June 27, 1924, to Orrin Ellsworth Van Horn and Golda Mae Howard at Lake City, Iowa, and then lived in the neighboring town of Lohrville, Iowa. She passed away on Feb. 21, 2019 at her home in Great Bend.

During her school days in Lohrville, she played clarinet for six years in the band, orchestra and German Band. She was an avid speller and won the Calhoun County spelling contest in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and at the latter level she placed second in oral and third in written at the state contest. During her high school days, she was also active in Girl Scouts and worked on the school newspaper. She was the graduating class salutatorian.

Following her high school graduation, she worked for the FBI for two years in Washington, D.C. and alphabetized cards, and was in the first fingerprinting reading class for women, and then became a shorthand transcriptionist for Clyde Jolson in the agent’s division. She also played in the Government Girl’s Band, and won a government employee’s spelling contest. She then attended the University of Minnesota and Grinnell College.

After her husband, Dr. Clair J. Cavanaugh graduated from medical school, they were married at Iowa City, Iowa, in March 1947, and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, and also lived in Honokaa, Hawaii, Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas, New Mexico before moving to Great Bend in 1952. Clair passed away on Dec. 26, 1994.

Jean was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose, Pilot Club, Etudion Club, Commission on Aging, Volunteers in Action, Senior Center Advisory Council, KOOD PBS, and a former member of Athenian, Northwest EHU, Cosmopolitan Club, Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, Clara Barton Hospital Board, GBHS Hall of Fame recipient, initial recipient of the Kansas State and Martin Luther King award for civil rights, and served on USD #428 school board and the community concert board for 32 years. She was a past governor of the Pilot Club, and past president of the former Kansas Medical Auxiliary, now called Medical Alliance. She served on the national AMA Auxiliary/Board for 7 years, and served as national chairman for it’s Education Research Fund for 4 years. She has been involved in listening to Riley School children read to her for about 14 years, and is a supporter of the high school and area soccer teams, sponsoring several bus trips to Sporting K.C. events.

Jean was an 11 year Girl Scout leader and also a Cub Scout den mother. She was a bloodmobile volunteer, and was a former Lohrville Savings Bank, Lohrville, Iowa bank director. She received honorary awards from the Chamber of Commerce and Barton College Foundation. In December 2013, she was the grand marshal for the Christmas parade. She was also crowned the Cinco de Mayo Queen in May 2014. She enjoyed substitute teaching for 16 years at Roosevelt and Harrison Junior Highs. A sample of Jean’s community support has been demonstrated through generosity for the Plaza De Cavanaugh room at the BCC Library and the Jean Cavanaugh Wellness Center at the Great Bend Recreation Center. She played bridge, was an avid reader, loved politics, and traveled to all the USA states and had many overseas trips.

She is survived by four sons, Thomas Cavanaugh and his wife Linda of Canton, GA, Dr. Michael Cavanaugh and his wife Deysi of Pinecrest, FL, Dr. Terrance (Jones) Cavanaugh and his wife Cheryl of Pinetop, AZ and James Cavanaugh of Portland, OR; one daughter, Kathleen (Bitsy) Cavanaugh and her husband Ric Rapp of Kamuela, HI; a sister, Joan Linsley of Houston, TX; a brother, Bob Van Horn of Glidden, IA; seven grandchildren, Pamela Mohr, Karen Farley, Mickey Cavanaugh, Megan Cavanaugh, Dr. Courtney Cavanaugh Sagar, Cole Cavanaugh and Trey Cavanaugh; and three great-grandchildren, Collin Farley, Gavin Farley and Hannah Mohr. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dr. Clair J. Cavanaugh.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, all at Bryant Funeral Home. An Altar Society Rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or the Cavanaugh Scholarships at Barton Community College Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Wanda Gale Smith, age 60, of Great Bend, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. She was born on March 14, 1958 in Smithville, Missouri, to Jessie and Grenelle Wegener. She married Gary Smith on April 17th 1993 in Kansas City Missouri.

She moved to Great Bend from Kansas City Missouri in 1995, she was a stay at home mother until she started working at Countryside Veterinary Associates in Great Bend. She enjoyed spending time with her family and being amongst her friends. She did not know a stranger. She was known as a huge animal lover by all of those who knew her. She was a great wife, mother and also a friend.

Survivors include her husband Gary Smith of Great Bend Kansas, daughter Jessie Gates married to Scott Gates of Great Bend, daughter Jennie Smith, engaged to Ryan Huntington of Bethany Oklahoma, and son Brett Routon of St. Joseph Missouri.

Funeral arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. A celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date.

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

Mona M. Peterman, 92, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019 in Ellsworth. She was born November 8, 1926 in Ellsworth County to William, Sr. and Minnie (Haase) Wachs.

Mona was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where she married Clarence Peterman on May 25, 1947. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of rural Ellsworth where she was the church organist for 50 years and a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Mona was a homemaker and site manager for the Ellsworth Senior Center. She was also a 4-H leader and loved playing cards.

Mona is survived by her son, Karl (Paulette) of Altura, MN; son, William (Lynette) of Hutchinson; daughter, Susan Klotz (Mark) of Leavenworth; son, Arthur (Shirley) of Coffeyville; son, Gary (Leesa) of Salina; son, David (Cheryl) of Yukon, OK; daughter, Pamela Dunaway (Mark) of Olathe; 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; brother, William Wachs, Jr. of Ellsworth; and sisters, Della Ranker of Ellsworth, Alice Bednasek of Holyrood, and Nancy Wachs of Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Clarence.

Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2019 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m.

Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Ellsworth.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Ellsworth Senior Center, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

Heaven gained another angel as Norbert passed away peacefully at Via Chrisit Village in Wichita.

Norbert was born and raised in Hays, KS with his sister Mary Jean (Schmeidler) Marvin. He was a retired teacher (Campus High school in Haysville) and retired from Lear Jet after 30 years.

Norbert was preceded in death by his parents (Norbert and Regina).

Norbert will be remembered by his wife Sharon (Moyer), sister Mary Jean Marvin, children: Norbert III (Jennifer), Catherine (Mark) Pratt, Carolyn (Dennis) Thomas, Christine (Robert) DeWitt and Cheryl (Betty Jo Lawson) Schmeidler, 11 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.

Norbert loved reading and teaching, the love for his family was so apparent, there was nothing more important to him.

Friends and family are invited to attend the rosary on Monday, Feb 25th at 7:00pm and Mass will be on Tuesday, Feb 26th, 10am at St. Anne Catholic Church in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Thomas Moore Prep-Marion, Hays, KS.

Carolyn Jean Hoyer, 71, died on February 15, 2019, at Diversicare, Hutchinson.

Arrangements are pending with Beckwith Funeral Home.

Martha Mary Fringer was born February 8, 1930 in Morland, KS to Edward Martin and Laura Mable (Cox) Adams. She passed away February 19, 2019 in Oberlin, KS at the age of 89.

Martha attended schools in Selden, Dresden and Kanarado. She married Max Fringer in 1964 in Oberlin, KS. She enjoyed having family gatherings, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of the United Church of Oberlin.

Martha is survived by daughters: Charlene Mowrey of Colby, KS and Lori Rogers of Colby, KS; step-children: Rick Fringer of Lompoc, CA, Randy (Janice) Fringer of Richmond, TX and Linda Forgue of Richmond, TX; sister, Lila Keenan of Oberlin, KS; daughter-in-law, Sharon Cline of Scott City, KS; sister-in-law, Doris Fringer of Oberlin, KS; 10 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Laura; husband, Max; son, Ron Cline; step-children: Larry Fringer, Connie Atkinson, Allen Adams and Darrel Adams; sister, Velma Reed; brothers: Earl and Robert Adams; sister-in-law, Mona Adams; brother-in-law, Lloyd Keenan; step-grandsons: Todd Forgue and Scott Mowrey and step-son-in-law, Kenneth Forgue.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday, February 25, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin, KS. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 am – 1:00 pm before the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to Pauls Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Karen Huffman, 78, of Quinter, Kansas went Home to her Savior and her beloved Galen on Feb. 19, 2019.

Karen was born August 29, 1940 to Dale and Leona Stoner of King Ferry, New York. She and her two brothers, David and Dick, grew up on the family dairy farm, learning to work hard and to love the Lord. She attended McPherson College where she met the love of her life, Galen Huffman. They married in 1960 and graduated together in June of 1963, Karen having earned her degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. They made their home in Quinter, Kansas, where they lived most of their lives raising their five children. In 1989 they founded Formation Plastics, a business dedicated “to the glory of God and our neighbors’ good.”

Karen had a servant’s heart and an almost endless supply of energy. Their home was frequently an overnight stop for friends travelling across the country on I-70. Both she and Galen served as deacons in the Church of the Brethren and were actively involved in teaching Sunday school and other church work. Both also dedicated tremendous amounts of time and service to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, an organization that houses and supports special needs adults, including their son Eric. She loved singing, bell choir, games with the family, gardening, helping with the business, quilting, and travelling, but her favorite thing was being a mother and a Nana. She gave her time and love abundantly and selflessly in helping her adult children with their own growing families.

Karen is survived by her five children: Jana (David) Pote, Wichita; Scott (& Carolyn) Huffman, Lawrence; Eric Huffman, Hays; Penny Callantine, Wichita; and Jeff (& Shawna) Huffman, Lawrence; twelve grandchildren, Jordan Pote, Joshua Pote, Jacob Pote, Courtney Summers, Jessica Sharpe, Alexis Luinstra, Garrett Luinstra, Tim Huffman, Patrick Huffman, Stephen Huffman, Matthew Callantine, and Audrey Callantine, two great-grandchildren Tenley Pote and Beckett Pote; brothers David Stoner and Richard Stoner and their families.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Dale Stoner; her mother, Leona Buckhout Stoner; and her dear husband, Galen Huffman.

A family hosted memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 3 at the Quinter Church of the Brethren. The family wishes to invite the community and all who wish to attend to a potluck fellowship dinner and gathering time at the Quinter Church of the Brethren immediately following Sunday worship (approx.. 12:00 p.m.) in the church’s fellowship hall. Karen’s memorial celebration in the sanctuary will follow the meal.

Memorials are suggested to the Church of the Brethren in Quinter and may be sent to the Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant St, Quinter, KS, 67752.

The family wishes to thank all who reached out and supported Karen and her children through these past few difficult months. The outpouring of love has been humbling, and we feel we have truly been touched by the hands of God through every act of kindness and generosity.

Lifelong Phillips County resident Evelyn E. Ferguson earned her wings and went to her eternal home to join her life companion, Orval, on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Phillips County Retirement Center, Phillipsburg at the age of 87.

She was born north of Long Island, Kansas in Phillips County the daughter of Oscar N. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Ross.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Orval L. Ferguson on June 19, 1949 in Almena, KS. He preceded her in death on June 9, 2011.

Those left to treasure her memories are her children, Kent of Glade and Melody Murdock and husband, Max of Concordia; her 3 grandchildren, Justin Murdock & wife, Megan of Concordia, Brandon Murdock and Fiancé, Anne of Salina and Kaci Ferguson and Fiancé Nick of Auckland, New Zealand; 6 great grandchildren, Taley & Tracer Murdock, Nash & Hollis Murdock and Kate & Claire Jack; 3 sisters, Phyllis Halderman and husband, Lynne of Alma, NE, Wilma Ross of Holdrege, NE and Loretta Atchison and husband, Gill of Phillipsburg, Kansas; and brother, Maynard Ross and wife, Carol of Alma, NE.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 25, 2019 in the First Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Dave Hutson and Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mrs. Ferguson will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church.