Melba M. Trout, age 92, passed away at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas on Monday, December 24, 2018.  She was born on August 3, 1926 in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth H. & Nellie R. Keenan Ackerman.  A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and a past member of the St. Joseph Altar Society and the Alpha Omega Sorority.

On June 8, 1946 she married Harold C. Trout in Scott City, Kansas.  He passed away on June 16, 2003 in Wichita, Kansas.

Survivors include her One Son – Kenneth & Carol Trout of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter – Kateri & Stanley Couchman of Scott City, Kansas, Seven Grandsons – Andy & Susan Trout of Scott City, Kansas, Matthew & Lisa Trout of Colwich, Kansas, T.J. & Katie Trout of Scott City, Kansas, Michael & Stacy Trout of Scott City, Kansas, Caleb & Leasha Couchman of Scott City, Kansas, Cody Couchman of Scott City, Kansas, Colborn Couchman of Overland Park, Kansas and 11 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and One Grandson – Brandon John Couchman.

Vigil Services will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Funeral Services will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 28, 2018.

Memorials can be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church or Park Lane Nursing Home in care of  Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

 

Don R. Belt, 68, passed away Dec. 22, 2018, at Hays Medical Center. He was born June 16, 1950, at El Dorado, to A. D. and Fayrene (Usrey) Belt. He married Connie Suchy June 26, 1976, at Great Bend. She survives.

Don, a resident of Great Bend since 1965, coming from Louisiana and El Dorado, was a truck driver for Linde Global Helium, retiring in 2012. Don was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, and enjoyed restoring old cars along with his son, Justin.

Survivors include wife, Connie Belt, of the home; one son, Justin Belt of Great Bend; one daughter, Caitlin Belt and fiancé Brandon Radenberg of Claflin; one sister, Connie Dickinson and husband George of Marquette; one brother, Ron Belt and wife Debbie of Maize; one grandchild, Autumn Harman Belt of Great Bend; brother-in-law, Roger Suchy of Great Bend; sister-in-law, Linda Suchy Ramey of Midlothian, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Bobby Belt.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Jon Brudvig presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, and 9 a.m. until noon Thursday, Dec. 27, all at Bryant Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Memorial funds have been established with the American Heart Association or Donor’s Choice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Herbert A. Hoff, died Dec. 24, 2018, at Clara Barton Hospital. He was born Jan. 16, 1937, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Herbert W. and Rose Marie (Leiker) Hoff. Herbert graduated from Claflin High School in 1956.

A resident of Claflin since 1953, he was a bulk tank agent for Standard Oil for over 40 years. He was also a bus driver for USD 112 for 15 years.

Herbert was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was active in his community, serving on the city council, as a volunteer fire fighter and an auxiliary deputy. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

On Aug. 17, 1967, he married Rhoda Marie Selness in Claflin, Kansas. After two short years of marriage, she died on Aug. 3, 1969. He then married Mary Richardson, with which he adopted a daughter, Kim. He and Mary later divorced. Then on June 28, 1975, he married Jane C. Weber in Coldwater, Kansas. They were married for 42 years when she died on Nov. 12, 2017.

Survivors include: daughter, Kim Traum and husband Harry of Arvada, Colorado; brother, Steve Hoff and wife Carol of Laramie, Wyoming; sisters, Annette Bourne and husband Gene of Ellsworth, and Dolores Hoff of Iola; four grandchildren, Joshlyn, Alexis, Mattea, and Danielle Traum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, Rhoda and Jane, and an infant daughter, Alexandra Marie Hoff.

Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Vigil and Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Terrance Klein. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Claflin Community Scholarship or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Glade, Kansas, resident, Byron D. “Tom” Morgan, age 79, passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at his home.

He was born March 20, 1939 in Glade, the son of Byron “Barney” and Etta (Spicer) Morgan. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired from the Kansas National Guard.

Tom was united in marriage to Lela M. Bennett on Dec. 8, 1959 in Oxnard, California. She survives.

Other survivors include his three daughters, Brenda Chance of Phillipsburg, Carla Bruning of Glade and Diana Gross of McCook, Nebraska; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. Burial with Military Honors conducted by the Kansas National Guard will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, Kansas.

Mr. Morgan will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, family request memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Healthcare Foundation.

James Eugene Henson, age 52, of Hays, Kansas passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018 in Hays.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

Jack Wilber Stevenson, 88, died Dec. 24, 2018. He was born April 5, 1930.

Interment location is Orion Cemetery, Gove Road S and Gove Road 22, Grinnell, Kansas 67738.

Baalmann Mortuary, 304 E 8th St., Oakley, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.

It is with great sadness that the family of Verna Alene Ritter announces her passing on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018, at the age of 97 years at the WCCCC in Sharon Springs, KS.

She was born December 16, 1921 in Geary County Kansas, the daughter of Harry and Bertha (Jones) Lee. She attended a rural school in Geary County, KS and high school in Junction City, KS. After high school she then pursued her Teachers Certificate.

On April 25, 1943 Verna Lee married Orie N. Ritter in rural Geary County at the family residence. In 1947 the couple moved to Sharon Springs where they raised their family and were married for 66 years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, 2 brothers, five sisters and one son-in-law Ovidio Perez.
Verna is Lovingly Remembered by her daughter Glenda Perez of Oakley, KS; son William E. Ritter and his wife Bertha of Lamar, CO; daughter Geraldine Linder and husband John of Kearney, MO; son Leonard Ritter of Cullman, AL; Lenora Kraft and her husband Alan of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Emma Boucher and her husband Clayton of Tacoma, WA; daughter Delphine Hill and her husband Gary of Sharon Springs; twenty-four grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren.

Verna was a long-time member of the Hi-Plains Baptist Church, was active in WMS, Eastern Star and was also a 4-H leader. She found joy in sewing, needlework, crochet, quilting, gardening, canning, reading and traveling with her husband. Verna was immensely proud of her family, and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.

Funeral services for Verna will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at the Gateway to Grace Church in Sharon Springs, KS with Pastor Rick Dewees and Reverend Paul McNall officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Memorials may be designated to the Wallace County Ambulance Association and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com. Funeral services were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Paul Frederick Rempe went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Wichita County Long Term Care Center at the age of 87. He was born on March 16, 1931 in Plainville, Kansas to Ernest and Mary (Hoff) Rempe. Paul married Ruth Ferland on May 4, 1954 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Damar, Kansas. To this union 7 children were born; Mary, Christine, Robert, Louise, Anthony, Daniel, and Colette.

Paul grew up in Rooks County and attended Plainville High School. He was a standout athlete and lettered all 4 years in every sport he competed in. He was also the first person to ever receive the Bair Award in football. Paul graduated as Class President in May of 1949 and began farming after high school. A hard working man that was a jack of all trades, he could fix just about anything with a little duct tape and bailing wire. Paul spent 81 years in Rooks County on the farm until he was moved to Leoti, Kansas where he spent the remainder of his days.

Paul was gifted with a personality that didn’t allow him to know a stranger. He was a loving and devoted family man, and friend. Paul belonged to the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville for many years. He enjoyed the simple things in life, loved to drive around looking at crops, and was a fisherman and pheasant hunter in his spare time.
Paul is survived by his wife, Ruth of the home; children, Mary (Larry) Abbott of Brighton, CO, Christine (Mike) Marcy of Leoti, KS, Robert (Belinda) Rempe of Mountain View, AR, Louise VanDyke of Greensburg, KS, Anthony (Dawn) Rempe of Cartersville, GA, Daniel (Vonda) Rempe of Piedmont, OK, Colette (Drew) Gilliland of Goldhill, OR; brothers, Gene (Charlotte) Rempe of Geneva Il and Jim (Louanna) Rempe of McPherson, KS; sister Theresa (Bill) Jones of Norman, OK; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Rempe; brother Joseph Rempe; and sisters Mary Ruth McCune and Rita Brand.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville starting at 2:00 until 4:00 P.M., the visitation will be moved to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville and will start at 6:00 P.M. running until 8:00 P.M. with Vigil service at 7 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the St. Anthony’s Building Fund – Leoti or the Wichita County Long Term Care – Leoti and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.

Wanda L. Jacobs, 82, La Crosse, Kansas, died Friday, December 21, 2018, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Jacobs was born February 27, 1936, in Otis, Kansas, the daughter of Dan Ochs, Sr. and Violet (Shetler) Ochs. She was a 30 year resident of La Crosse, Kansas, moving there from Great Bend, Kansas. She was a cook at the Rush County Nursing Home, La Crosse, Kansas, before her retirement.

She was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Kansas.

On November 24, 1954, she married Melvin A. “Sonny” Jacobs at Great Bend, Kansas. He preceded her in death July 14, 2004.

Survivors include: four sons, Melvin G. Jacobs, Great Bend, Kansas, Theodore “Teddy” J. Jacobs, Goodland, Kansas, Paul A. Jacobs (Lori), Great Bend, Kansas, and Patrick L. Jacobs (Sally), Rush Center, Kansas; one daughter, Diana Lynn Bakeberg (Randy), Gastonia, North Carolina; eight grandchildren, Tyson Jacobs (Tami), Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Aaron Jacobs (Jennifer), Carrollton, Texas, Andrew Jacobs (Amanda), Hays, Kansas, Alex Jacobs, Larned, Kansas, Austin Jacobs, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Adam Jacobs, Hays, Kansas, Katrina Jacobs, Rush Center, Kansas, and Megan Jacobs, Rush Center, Kansas; six great grandchildren, Leslie Stanley, Taryn Jacobs, Teagan Jacobs, Jovie Jacobs, Knox Jacobs, and Reverie Jacobs; one brother, Dan Ochs, Jr., Great Bend, Kansas; and two sisters, Norma Jean Foos, Holdrege, Nebraska, and Donna Smolik, Timken, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Wayne Jacobs; one daughter in law, Clydene Jacobs; two grandchildren, Kimberly Jacobs, and Elizabeth Jacobs; and one sister, Leona Hanhardt.

The family will receive friends Friday, December 28, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorial service will be Friday, December 28, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating. Inurnment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785-222-2517.

Goodland, KS resident and former Leoti, KS resident Zacharriah Isaiah Chavez passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS.

Zach was born on October 28, 1997 in Scott City, KS to Melissa and Reyes Chavez. He attended Wichita and Greeley County High Schools up through the 11th grade.

Zach enjoyed playing his electric guitar, working with wood work and had recently taken an interest in MMA with his very first title fight to take place in 2019. Zach enjoyed spending time at home with his mother and siblings every chance he could get. One of Zach’s biggest hobbies was working on his prized 1967 Corvair. 

Preceding Zach in death were his grandfather Joe Richard Chavez and an uncle Richard (Choch) Chavez.

He is survived by his mother Melissa Chavez (Cody Fisher) of Tribune, KS, his father Reyes Chavez (Monica Moreno) of Oakley, KS, three brothers Jose, Manuel and Rey Chavez of Tribune, KS, one sister Alexis Chavez of Tribune, KS, his fiancé Rachel Lehman of Goodland, KS, and his grandmother Debbie Chavez of McPherson, KS. He is also survived by many cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Zach will be held on Monday, December 24, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at the Greeley County High School Gymnasium in Tribune, KS with Pastor Justin Sherer officiating. Burial followed in the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, KS.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 23, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Memorials may be designated to the Zacharriah Chavez Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Gilbert Booker, age 83, passed away at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas on December 20, 2018. He was born on February 11, 1935 in Howland Maine, the son of William and Ethel (White) Booker.

On February 24, 1963 he married Barbara Drumeller in Colorado Springs. She survives. He was a graduate of Colorado State University at Pueblo with a degree in psychology and elementary education. He had several different occupations, including an NCO in the U.S. Army, an elementary school teacher, a nursing home administrator and owner/operator of a Dude Ranch in Colorado.

Gil attended the Coat of Many Colors Lutheran church and served as lay minister from time to time. Music was always a part of his life and he enjoyed singing, together with his love of gardening, bird watching, woodworking and being one of the leaders of the youth group Iglesias Luterana.

Gil is survived by his wife, Barbara, son Scott (Joan) Booker of Garden City, Granddaughter Ashley Booker of Wichita, Grandson, Alex Booker of Garden City and sister Laura Shorey of Old Town, Maine.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Price and Sons Funeral Home at 10:30 A.M. Visitation will be from 5-7 on Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at the Valley View Cemetery in Garden City, Kansas.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Garden Valley Retirement Village or Sacred Heart (Sagrado) Lutheran Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St. Garden City, Kansas 67846.

Jetmore – On Thursday, December 20, 2018, Doris Joan (Jody) Moore passed away gently in her sleep at the age of 85. Jody was born on April 7th, 1933 in Ottumwa Iowa, to Ralph Fisk and Mildred (Boyles) Fisk. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1951 and then attended a business college in Ottumwa. On June 1st, 1952 she married Orval Shewry. They had three children, Becky, Pete and Mindy. Orval passed in 1971. In 1988 she married John Moore.

Jody was loved and adored by everyone who met her. Her sense of humor often surprised people. Her compassion and genuine love of life shined as a bright light. Countless friends called her Mom. She was a stranger to no one. She loved animals, especially her sweet Chiquita (who passed a year ago) and her new found buddy Pepper. She had a special place in her heart for apes and monkeys. She made life fun in so many ways.

Jody was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ralph and Richard Fisk and her first husband. She is survived by her husband, John Moore, her brother Don (Joyce) Fisk, and her children, Becky (Jerry) Shaffer, Mindy (Phil) Gehrt, Pete (Kim) Shewry and Brenda Case. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emily (Tim) Van Antwerp, Orval (Andrea) Shewry, Sara (Kye) Bennis, Steven (Amie) Shewry, Justin (Jinoos) Gehrt, Johanna (Eric) Miller, Morgan Marcos and Travis ( Amy) Case. She had thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Her wishes were to be cremated, the family will have a private service to honor her. Arrangements with Beckwith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithfuneralhome.com.