DIGHTON — Richard Allen Hemel, 65, died on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at his home in Dighton. He was born on March 13, 1953 at Garden City the son of Clifford & Dorothy (Hull) Hemel. He married Linda Spencer on March 2, 1973. He later married Theresa Venters Townsend on June 5, 1986.

Richard grew up in Dighton where he was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Dighton High School with the Class of 1972. He was a auto mechanic all of his life and worked at J & B Conoco, Hemel Repair, Haynes Repair in Chapman, Scheib’s Repair and was the Manager of Bumper To Bumper Auto Parts in Dighton. He enjoyed golfing at Cat House Recreation, hunting, fishing, country music concerts, John Wayne Western movies, car races, restoring his old Mustangs and especially his family activities. He was preceded in death by his Parents and Step-Parents- Jay Doris and Jean Doris.

Survivors include his Children- Mark Hemel of Scott City, Heather Hemel of Salina, Sherri Doris of Dighton, Randy Townsend of Salina & Shelly Townsend of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2 Brothers- Dale Hemel and Craig Doris both of Dighton, 3 Sisters- Denise Lamb of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Jacque Hodge of Greenwood, Missouri and Mitzi Ciesielski of Goddard & 15 Grandchildren- Christopher, Skyler, Blake, Emma, Dakota, Brooke, Jillian, Makenzie, Ireland, Macy, Christian, Jordan, Genevia, Mason & Katrina.

In keeping with Richard’s wishes no services will be held. Memorials are suggested to Boy Scouts of America in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Eldon D. “Pee Wee” Witthuhn, age 70, of Hays, Kansas died Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at his home.

He was born September 21, 1948, in Great Bend, Kansas to Harold and Harriett D. (VanDegrift) Witthuhn. He married Teresa L. (Showalter)-Baldwin on December 19, 1970, at Lawrence, Kansas.

He worked in the Speech-Language Pathology field for 30 years , most recently with Aegis Therapies at area nursing homes and home health services. He retired in 2016 due to his health. He grew up in Bazine, Kansas and was a 1966 graduate of Bazine High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degrees in Speech and received his Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology both at Fort Hays State University. While in College he was a member of the RATs at Fort Hays State. He lived in Lawrence for a few years, then lived in Bazine for 16 years and moved to Hays in 1989. Eldon enjoyed golfing, blues music and the family trips they had every year.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa Witthuhn, of the home; three sons, Ryan Shrader and wife, Kandra, Houston, TX; Kelly Witthuhn, Denver, CO; Jonathan Witthuhn, Hays, KS; two daughters, Amy Cook and husband, Miles, WaKeeney, KS; Sarah McCarty and husband, Chad, Hays, KS; six grandchildren, Chloe and Abbott Shrader; Hayden and Carson Cook; Katelynn and Ethan McCarty; two brothers, Hal Witthuhn and wife, Sherry, Ellis, KS; Kevin Witthuhn and wife, Debbie, Bazine, KS; one nephew, Trent Witthuhn and wife, Kendra; and one niece, Wende Witthuhn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Verta Witthuhn.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held at the Hays V.F.W., 22nd and Vine Street, Hays, KS on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

A memorial is suggested to Eldon’s family in care of Teresa Witthuhn.

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

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

February 23, 1938 ~ November 26, 2018

Wayne’s life began on February 23, 1938 in Hays. He is the son of Martin A. and Bridget (Burgardt) Leiker. Wayne is a 1956 graduate of Hays High School.

He was united in marriage to the former Edith M. Klaus on June 21, 1958 in Hays. Wayne worked in the oil fields doing everything from driving trucks to production supervisor to being a self-employed independent oil operator. He was a parishioner at St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Wayne enjoyed woodworking and made several “grandfather” and “grandmother” clocks. He and Edith enjoyed motorhome travel and watching his TV shows.

His greatest joy was his family which includes his wife Edith Leiker of El Dorado, sons Wayne (Connie) Leiker, Jr. of Norman, OK and Colonel Cameron (B.G. Maria Biank) Leiker of Stuttgart, Germany; grandchildren Erica (Brendon) Van Dorn of Fort Worth, TX, Daniel (Stephanie) Leiker of Norman, OK, Christina (Chris) Zimmerman of St. Francis, KS. and Julia Leiker of Stuttgart, Germany; and eight great grandchildren.

Wayne passed away on November 26, 2018 at Lake Point of El Dorado. His parents, one brother and five sisters precede him in death.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church led by Father John Lanzrath. He will be laid to rest at a later date in Munjor. Memorial contributions in Wayne’s name may be directed to Interim Hospice. Carlson Colonial Funeral Home is serving the family.

Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Wayne at www.carlsoncolonial.com.

Dr. Sharon K. Zenger, 83, Olathe, Kansas, formerly of Manhattan, died Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Evergreen Community of Johnson County.

She was born January 5, 1935 near Miltonvale, Kansas to Ray J. and Maudie E. (Woolard) Winters. She graduated as Valedictorian from Concordia Kansas High School in 1952 and earned a B.S degree from Emporia State University in 1956 having received academic and music scholarships. Also she was active in student government and was editor of both the campus newspaper and yearbook. In 1971, Sharon received a M.S. degree from Fort Hays State University and, in 1981, a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. All of her degrees were in education.

Dr. Zenger taught at the secondary level in Barnes, Salina, Lawrence, Hays, Kansas and Vacaville, California. She then was a Professor of Education at Fort Hays State University, Marymount College, Salina, Kansas, and Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas. On May 27, 1956 she married Weldon F. Zenger, of Haddam, Kansas, in Glasco, Kansas. He also became a Professor of Education; and with him, she researched and wrote educational materials. Drs. Sharon and Weldon Zenger co-authorized eight educational books and thirty articles in professional educational journals, and she was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary educational organization.

Dr. Sharon was a curriculum planning and development speaker/consultant for school systems as well as for state and national educational associations. Her accomplishments included being in The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership and also selected as an outstanding College Educator in South Central Kansas Colleges/ She was active in church work in several capacities including pianist and Sunday School teacher. At the time of her death, she was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Manhattan, Kansas. Also in the community she was a frequent volunteer, donating much of her time to hospitals, libraries, and the American Red Cross.

Dr. Sharon Zenger was preceded in death by her parents; husband Weldon in March of 2018; son Sheldon; and twin brothers Dorlan and Norlan Winters. She will be forever remembered by her daughter Shannon Myers and husband Kevan of Prairie Village, Kansas; son Dr. Sheahon Zenger and wife Pam of Lawrence, Kansas; 5 grandchildren, Collin Myers of Houston, Texas and Camron Myers of Prairie Village, Luke, Abby, and Jake Zenger of Lawrence; sisters-in-law Margaret Winters, Salina, Kansas and Dorothy Cox, Cuba, Kansa; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 30, 2018 at 12:00pm Noon at the United Methodist Church in Haddam, Kansas. She will be laid to rest by her husband, Dr. Weldon Zenger in Haddam City Cemetery. Visitation with family receiving family and friends will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Tabor College School of Education c/o the family or funeral home.

Burlington, Colorado, resident Eugenia (Esquivel) Rodriguez, age 83, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

Eugenia was born September 6, 1935 in Queen Creek, Arizona to Bernardino and Maria (Alvarado) Esquivel. She grew up in Mexico and moved to Texas in 1965. She moved to Goodland in 1970, back to Texas in 2005, and came back to Goodland in 2012. She moved to Burlington in 2015 where she currently resided.

On August 30, 1954, Eugenia married Pedro Rodriguez in Cd. Acuña Coah, Mexico.

Eugenia was a loving wife and mother. She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her family. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church of Goodland.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, Anatolio Esquivel; and her sister, Cresencia Dominguez.

She is survived by her husband, Pedro; son Pedro Jr. (Gloria) Rodriguez of Garden City, KS; daughter, Eloise (Raul) Fuentes of Burlington, CO; son, Joe Rodriguez of Dodge City, KS; son, Tino (Jackie) Rodriguez of Castle Rock, CO; son, Roy Rodriguez of Texas; daughter Patricia Rodriguez of Goodland, KS; daughter, Mary (Hector) Burillo of Garden City, KS; 32 grandchildren; 46 plus great grandchildren; and 4 great great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11 a.m. MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 307 West 13th Street in Goodland. Interment will follow the service at the Goodland Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 30, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland.

Memorials will be designated by the family later and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences and information www.batemanfuneral.com

Patty Chestnut, age 82, of Quinter, passed away Monday, November 26, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 5, 2018, at the Church of the Brethren, Quinter.  Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in Quinter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Patty Chestnut Memorial Fund.  Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be left for the family by signing the guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Mary Jean Lohoefener of Oberlin, 92, passed away Monday, November 26, 2018 in Colby, Kansas. Mary was born November 8, 1926 to Lorenzo (Rennie) H. and Jessie L. (Woolley) Barnes in Oberlin, Kansas. She was proud of being a great niece to James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok (via her paternal grandmother, Lydia Hickok Barnes).

Mary graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1944. She married Wayne Lohoefener, and spent many years being a wife, farmhand and mother. In 1973, Wayne mentioned that his friends’ wives worked… Mary went to work at Decatur County Hospital, and loved being a nurse aide for thirty-five years, retiring at age 83. Mary cared for any animal, particularly her cats and her last dog, Sam. She enjoyed arrowhead hunting, digging for bottles, collecting antiques, and refinishing/repairing her many finds. After she gave up her driver’s license, Mary spent years riding her bike around Oberlin, enjoying her independence.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sisters: Irel (Barnes) Hayes, Velma (Barnes) Ater, Beverly (Barnes) Higley, Ethel (Barnes) Nicodemus, and Ruth Barnes.

She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Evelyn (Barnes) Lindberg of Gordonsville, VA; children: Bill (Sharon Erickson) Lohoefener of North Platte, NE, Dr. Ren (Lyn Lohmeier) Lohoefener of Sacramento, CA, and Jo Ellen (Phil) DeYoung of Colby, KS; grandchildren: Chad (Julie) Lohoefener, Zoë & Oliver of Tampa, FL, Ryan Lohoefener of Phoenix, AZ, Brett Lohoefener of Ames, IA, and Cole Lohoefener of Lincoln, NE.

There will be no visitation. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life at a later date. Suggested memorials are to the Decatur County Health Systems and the North Platte City Animal Shelter (in memory of Sam) and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral home, 121 N. Penn Ave, Oberlin, KS 67749.