Dr. Troy Wayne Kerby, age 51, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2018 in Hays. He was born January 28, 1967 in El Paso, Texas to Glenn Kerby and Carol Fryar.

Dr. Kerby was a US Navy veteran and was working at HaysMed as a radiologist. He enjoyed traveling, golf and flying.

He is survived by his mother, Carol Kerby of Centennial, Colorado; his father, Larry Ray Jackson of El Paso; a brother, Lynn Kerby and wife Beth of San Martin, California and a sister, Geri Prins and husband Les of Aurora, Colorado.

Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays Med Foundation in Dr. Troy Kerby’s name for the benefit of the Hays Medical Center Imaging Department.

A Memorial Service will be held September 30th at 3:00 PM at Vista Hills Country Club 2210 Trawood Dr El Paso, TX 79935.

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

Susie L. Ruder, age 83, of Hays, KS, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at the Hays Medical Center. She was born on April 7, 1935 in Hays to Herbert and Martina (Leiker) Weigel. On June 29, 1953, Susie married Norman J. Ruder at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. Together, they shared 65 years of marriage.

Susie graduated from Hays High School in 1953. She was a homemaker that prided herself on raising her four children with Norman. She enjoyed cooking, baking and reading. She was an avid golfer throughout her life and she loved to travel with her husband and friends. In her later years, Susie and Norman retired and spent over 25 years spending time between Rio Verde, AZ and Hays. She was very active and social within both communities. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brought her the greatest joy.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Norman of Hays; son, Douglas Ruder and Terry Derr of Hays; two daughters, Linda Ruder and her fiancé Bruce Burkholder of Hays, Kathy Taylor and her husband Roger of Fountain Hills, AZ; brother, Herbert Weigel, Jr. and his wife Ines of Hutchinson; two sisters, MaryAnn Taylor and her husband Robert of Grand Lake, CO, Sheila Rohl of Madera, CA; five grandchildren, Blythe Brown and her husband Mike of Victoria, KS, Breanne Nelson of Merriam, KS, Jamie Cornelsen and her husband Ryan of Olathe, KS, Ryan Taylor of Austin, TX, Kelsee Gordon and her husband Mike of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as eight great-grandchildren. Susie also leaves behind a loving extended family that includes many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.

Susie is preceded in death by her parents and a son, Norman J. Ruder, Jr.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 25 from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601 and on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the church.

A combined rosary and parish vigil service will be Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to HaysMed Hospice and/or Cancer Council of Ellis County. Contributions can be made or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences for Susie, please visit, www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be made by email at [email protected].

Arrangements are made by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Arleta Beth Byrd (Colwell) was born July 23, 1937 in her family home in the Osborne area. Her parents were Leslie Guy Colwell and Sylvia Josephine Colwell (Kunish). Arleta met Bryan James Byrd, after his service in the Marines during the Korean War – and they married July 24, 1955.

Survivors include her husband Bryan of the home; her eldest daughter is Lori Byrd of Los Angeles, CA; Son, James Byrd and wife Rebecca of Osborne; Daughter, Lisa Byrd Reinert and husband Paul of Osborne and Daughter, Gina Byrd Tripp of Osborne.

Click HERE for service details.

Marjory Williss passed peacefully on September 20th, 2018 in Fort Collins, CO at the age of 89.

Marjory is survived by her children, Charles Williss and Pamela Rodriguez, her grandchildren Jessica Wood, Anna Frecker, Jacob Chacko, Amanda Chacko, and Pierce Wolfe, her siblings, Lavae Williams and Bob Mulkey. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Charles Williss, in 2007.

Marjory was born in 1929 and spent most of her life working as a rancher, home decorator, antique collector, doll-maker, and the best grandma in the world. She was a devoted Methodist, deeply tied to her family, and a compassionate woman who spent most of her free time trying to making others happy.

Click HERE for service details.

SMITH CENTER, KS – Ivan Eugene Burgess, age 93, passed away Saturday September 22, 2018 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.

Survivors include his wife Laura of Smith Center; his sons Ted (Eileen) Burgess of Kenyon, MN Larry (Judy) Burgess and Kelly (Becky) Burgess both of Smith Center, KS; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

Susie L. Ruder, age 83, of Hays, KS, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at the Hays Medical Center. She was born on April 7, 1935 in Hays to Herbert and Martina (Leiker) Weigel. On June 29, 1953, Susie married Norman J. Ruder at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. Together, they shared 65 years of marriage.

Susie graduated from Hays High School in 1953. She was a homemaker that prided herself on raising her four children with Norman. She enjoyed cooking, baking and reading. She was an avid golfer throughout her life and she loved to travel with her husband and friends. In her later years, Susie and Norman retired and spent over 25 years spending time between Rio Verde, AZ and Hays. She was very active and social within both communities. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brought her the greatest joy.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Norman of Hays; son, Douglas Ruder and Terry Derr of Hays; two daughters, Linda Ruder and her fiancé Bruce Burkholder of Hays, Kathy Taylor and her husband Roger of Fountain Hills, AZ; brother, Herbert Weigel, Jr. and his wife Ines of Hutchinson; two sisters, MaryAnn Taylor and her husband Robert of Grand Lake, CO, Sheila Rohl of Madera, CA; five grandchildren, Blythe Brown and her husband Mike of Victoria, KS, Breanne Nelson of Merriam, KS, Jamie Cornelsen and her husband Ryan of Olathe, KS, Ryan Taylor of Austin, TX, Kelsee Gordon and her husband Mike of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as eight great-grandchildren. Susie also leaves behind a loving extended family that includes many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.

Susie is preceded in death by her parents and a son, Norman J. Ruder, Jr.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 25 from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601 and on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the church.

A combined rosary and parish vigil service will be Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to HaysMed Hospice and/or Cancer Council of Ellis County. Contributions can be made or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences for Susie, please visit, www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be made by email at [email protected].

Arrangements are made by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Thea Ladell Boeckner of Hays, Kansas, age 63, died Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born January 11, 1955, in Hays, Kansas, to Dean and Marjorie (Loreg) Boeckner.

She worked for DSNWK for a number of years and was manager of New Age Services. She was a 1973 graduate of Geneseo High School and attended McPherson College. Thea lived most of her adult life in Hays.

Survivors include her two sons, Joseph M. Boeckner and wife, Jodi Boeckner, Hays, KS; David L. Boeckner, Hays, KS; her mother, Marjorie Boeckner, Hays, KS; two brothers Dan Boeckner and Dean Boeckner, both of Hays, KS; four sisters, Avea Mahan, Roeland Park, KS; Tammie Acheson and husband, David Acheson, Palco, KS; Tanya Boeckner and Jessica Boeckner both of Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Services are at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 24, 2018, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Graveside services will be at 2:30 P.M. Monday, at the Paradise Center Cemetery in rural Rooks county.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

The family suggest memorial to New Age Services. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels,com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Tevin Jordan “TJ” Freel, 26, passed away on September 19, 2018 at his home in Ness City, Kansas. He was born on April 21, 1992 in Dodge City, Kansas the son of Kevin and Justina Cordova Freel.

He was the manager of the car wash in Ness City. He was the “Grillmaster” of the family. He enjoyed drawing and was an avid video gamer. He graduated from Jetmore High School in 2010.

Survivors include: his parents, Kevin and Justina Freel; brothers, Marcus, and wife, Chelsei Freel, and Trey Freel and girlfriend, Angelena Copeland; a niece, Kadence Freel; a nephew, Karson Freel all of Ness City; uncles, Anthony and Joe Cordova of Richmond, IN, and Kent Freel of Atoka, OK; aunts, Sonja Cordova Thompson of Richmond, IN, Rachel Cordova of Charlotte, NC, Berlynda Barnes of McCook, NE, and Janet Williams of Jetmore; his grandmother, Linda Cordova Van Meter of Richmond, IN. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Anthony Cordova and Jack and Carol Sue Searle Freel.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 10:00 A.M., at the United Methodist Church, Ness City, Kansas. Burial will be in the Ness City Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. and on Monday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., with the family present on Monday, September 24, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Trey Freel Scholarship Fund.

Douglas Clark McChristian, 71, passed away September 14, 2018 in Tucson, AZ.

Mr. McChristian was the son of Allen and Eileen McChristian and was a native of LaCrosse, Kansas. He was a 1969 graduate of Fort Hays State University.

During his nearly 35 years as a career employee of the U.S. National Park Service, McÇhristian served at various time as a field ranger and historian, park manager interpretive specialist, and research historian. He was an award-winning author of numerous articles and several books, including Fort Bowie, Arizona: Combat Post of the Southwest, 1858 – 1894.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; a brother, Ray A. McChristian of Hutchinson, Kansas; a daughter, Kim R. Velez and two grandchildren, who reside in Thornton, Colorado. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2018 at Tortolita Church, 10710 N. Thornydale Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Casa de la Luz Foundation, 7740 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson 85704. Arrangements by Desert Sunset Funeral Home.