Judith (Judy) A. (Philippi) Deterding, wife, mother, grandmother, soon to be great-grandmother, and friend died on Friday, August 10, 2018, at the age of 77. She was born in Hebron, NE on February 6th, 1941, to Elden and Lorraine Philippi of Byron, NE. She moved to Bruning, NE, when she was 2 years old.

She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Bruning, NE, and graduated from Bruning High School in 1959.

She was united in marriage to Robert Deterding of Hebron, NE, February 14, 1960. To this union, a daughter and four sons were born. She was a stay-at-home mother until all of the kids were in school.

She enjoyed working outside with her flowers and gardening. She also enjoyed traveling in their RV and finding antiques.

She was preceded in death by her father, Elden Philippi, and mother, Lorraine Philippi, and grandfather, Ed Rippe, and grandmother, Elisabeth Rippe.

Survivors include her loving husband, Robert Deterding, 5 children, Bruce (Julie) Deterding of Wichita, KS, Lori Greene of Wichita, KS, Mark (Tammy) Deterding of Hays, KS, Todd (Christine) Deterding of Lindsborg, KS, and Brian (Melanie) Deterding of Greensburg, KS, 11 grandchildren, Kyle (Katy) Deterding, Kelby (Adam) Veenis, Adam Deterding, Nick Deterding, Ethan Deterding, Emily Deterding, Kate Deterding, Jordan Greene, Taylor Greene, Brady Deterding, and Brock Deterding.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 16th, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, with family greeting friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 17th, at the American Lutheran Church in Belleville, Kansas, Pastor Ethan Feistner officiating. Interment to follow at the Belleville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center or to Hospice. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville is entrusted with arrangements.

Charitable donations may be made in Judith (Judy)’s memory to the following organization:

Tammy Walker Cancer Center
Salina, Kansas

On Monday, August 13, 2018, Ocie Taylor Neuschwander, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed peacefully to her heavenly home.

Ocie Alice Taylor was born on January 9, 1921 in Devol, Oklahoma to Jess and Mary Stewart Taylor. They lived in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado before they settled in Greeley County during the Dust Bowl days when she was 11 years old. From that time on she called Tribune and Greeley County her home. She graduated from Greeley County High School in 1937 and from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Home Economics in January 1943.

On D-Day, December 7, 1941, Ocie, a junior at Kansas State University, had a blind date with John Neuschwander, a graduate student. John was inducted into the Army and he and Ocie were married at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana on February 14, 1943. Following WWII, they moved to Lanai, Hawaii in 1946 where John worked for the Dole Pineapple Company. In 1951 they returned to Greeley County and lived on their farm east of Tribune. Ocie lived on the farm until January 2018 when she moved to the Long Term Care in Tribune.

Ocie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Dale Taylor and his wife Margaret, and sister Jessie Kline and her husband Gene. She is survived by her children J. Taylor (Cindy) Neuschwander, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Mary (Bob) Collins, Council Grove, Kansas; Ginger (Ron) Foos, Tribune, Kansas, her grandchildren; John (Jenny) Collins, Chrissy (Quinton) Rust, Jess (Anna) Collins, Lynn (Brice) Sawin, Sandy (Tony) Hanson, Tandi (Matt) Wells, Zac (Marie) Collins, Lacy (Mark) Davenport, Leslie (Logan) Davignon, and Samantha (Connor) Stephens; great-grandchildren, Reinessa and Haylee Palacios, Bryant and Lindsey Sawin, Elizabeth Collins, Ava and Capri Collins, Brody Hodges and Kaleb Davenport, Savanna, Colton, and Rylee Hanson, Klayton and Kolby Davignon, Marcel, Felix, and Albert Collins, and Brendan, Teagan, and Finnley Wells; great-great granddaughter, Olive Hamilton.

In 1958, Ocie became the first full-time county Extension Home Economist in Greeley County, a career that she loved and devoted herself to for 23 years. She described her job as “a blessing” because of the people she met and worked with. She was honored to be the first Kansan to receive the Florence Hall award from the National Association of Home Economists. She thoroughly enjoyed working with the youth through 4-H, supporting the Extension Unit program, judging at County Fairs and the educational programs that Extension offered. The First Presbyterian Church of Tribune was the center of Ocie’s spiritual life. She served as a Sunday School teacher, on a variety of committees and as an Elder in the church. In her retirement years Ocie enjoyed visiting friends at Long Term Care and the Senior Center, sharing her caramels, writing letters and cards, reading, and she became known as “Grandma Ocie” to the children and youth of the community as she volunteered in the school and as a 4-H Foods leader,

Her pride and devotion to her community was only surpassed by her pride and devotion to her family.

A Celebration of Ocie’s life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (MT) at the First Presbyterian Church in Tribune, Kansas with Terry Woodbury officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas

Friends may call from noon until 8:00 pm Thursday and from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the John & Ocie Neuschwander 4-H Scholarship Fund or the First Presbyterian Church in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com

Olmer J. Wittman – Hays, Kansas, age 92, died Sunday, August 12, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

He was born September 14, 1925, on the farm at Vincent, Kansas to Michael and Anna (Brungardt) Wittman Jr. He married Mildred L. (Windholz) on October 19, 1948, in Emmeram, Kansas.

He was a sewing machine salesman and service technician for over 30 years. He worked for the universal Sewing Machine Center of Wichita, Singer Sewing Center and Hays Vacuum / Sewing Center both in Hays until he retired in 2012. He attended Vincent Grade School and was a 1945 graduate of Victoria High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph 3rd degree Knights of Columbus and 4th degree member of Bishop Cunningham Assembly all of Hays. He was a past member of the Sunflower Polka Club.

He played the mandolin with his father’s band “The Mike Wittman Band” later, he and his two brothers-in-laws, Augie and Leroy Windholz, formed the group “The Dutch Hop Boys”. Finally Olmer, formed his own group “The Polkaneers”. Between these three groups he shared the joy of polka music with the community and surrounding area for over 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, of almost 70 years, Mildred Wittman, of the home; two sons, Alan Wittman and wife, Sammy and Larry Wittman and wife, Michelle, both of Hays, KS; three daughters, Wanda Krug and husband, Jerry, Wichita, KS; Karen Disch and husband, Don, Edmond, OK; Brenda Schremmer and husband, Perry, Topeka, KS; one sister-in-law, Katie Windholz, Quinter, KS; nine grandchildren; 11 step grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren.

Olmer was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lillian Romme and husband, Harry; Valeria Rome and husband, Wilmer; Lucille De Young; one brother, Vernon Wittman and wife, Armella; two brothers-in-law, Linus Windholz and wife, Ida; and Leroy Windholz.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 13th and Ash, Hays. Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at St. Joseph Church, Hays, Kansas.

A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, a Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree rosary will be at 6:45 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays. The 4th Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at the mortuary.

The family suggest memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Good Samaritan Society of Hays or Hospice of Hays Medical Center.

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

Marianne Anderson, age 93, of Hays, Kansas passed away Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Via Christi Village of Hays. She was born March 14, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri to Charles and Barbara (Fehrenbach) Dorizzi. She married Frank B. Anderson Jr. in Kansas City on January 14, 1950. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her parents and infant sister.

Marianne had a Biology degree from UMKC. She decided to go back to school after raising her three children and get a degree in elementary education. Teaching was her passion.  She taught in Overland Park and Hays, Kansas. After retiring from Wilson Elementary school in Hays, she continued to give back to the community. She worked as a tutor at Wilson school. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays and worked at the food pantry for the church.

She is survived by her children, Judy Daugherty and husband John of Flagstaff, AZ, Bruce Anderson and wife Susie of Scottsdale, AZ and Barbara Gottschalk and husband Rick Pfannenstiel of Hays; seven grandchildren, Kelly Daugherty of Flagstaff, Sarah (Chad) Beiser of Wichita, Emily Gottschalk (fiance, Leland Smith) of Hays, Jenna (Joe) Princ of Osborne, Jason (Ashlee) Pfannenstiel of Wellington, FL, Jeff Anderson of Tempe and Emily Anderson of Scottsdale as well as five great grandchildren, Billie Daugherty Thompson, Jaxton Princ, Jaymes Princ, Laurel Beiser and Gunnar Pfannenstiel.

Visitation will be 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7 PM on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Private family services will be held at the Chapel at Via Christi Village, Hays with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Hospice at Hays Medical Center.

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

Ralph Wesley Moore, age 86 of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Ellis Good Samaritan, LTC, Ellis, Kansas. Ralph, or “Weck” as he was known to his friends, was born on the family farm south of Penokee in Graham County Kansas, October, 10, 1931, to Ralph Waymon and Eva Marie (Hite) Moore.

Ralph graduated from Morland High School in 1951. He married Glenda Mae Beach on March 6, 1955. Ralph operated tractor trailers hauling mainly livestock and grain to each of the lower 48 states in the USA. He moved with his family back to the farm near Penokee in 1972 where he farmed until his retirement in 2002. During these years Ralph continued to drive truck occasionally and worked in the oilfield as well. Ralph was always happy to help his neighbors and loved to visit and tell a joke or share a story. His big laugh and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Glenda of the home; a son, Carl Moore of Gilbert, Arizona; a son, Eric and wife Carla of Morland, Kansas; and two grandchildren, David See and his wife Rachel of Oakley, Kansas; and Olivia Moore of Gilbert, Arizona; two great grandchildren; as well as a brother Donald Moore and wife Arlene of Overland Park, KS.. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughters Rosetta Schaefer and Patricia See; a grandson, Wesley Davidson; his sisters Eunice Moore, LoRee Baker and Vyonne Nickelson; and a brother Darrel Moore

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 17, 2018, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Burial will follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Good Samaritan of Ellis, Kansas. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Steven M. Corcoran passed away at his home in Oberlin, Kansas on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the age of 26. Steven was born in Oberlin, Kansas to Mark and Paula (Brown) Corcoran on August 20, 1991. As a young boy, Steven was a member of Boy Scouts. He attended school in Oberlin and graduated from the Decatur Community Junior/Senior High School with the class of 2010.

Steven joined the workforce after graduation. He cleaned rooms for Frontier Motel, worked as a dietary aide for Good Samaritan Home-Decatur County, and most recently at the Pizza Hut as a cook. He enjoyed the food service and was very good at it.

Steven enjoyed playing video games, watching movies, and music. His dogs were one of his favorite things, and he played with them whenever he could. Steven had good friends who loved and protected him. Steven enjoyed being with his friends but also enjoyed his time alone. He was the kind of guy who was never in a hurry.

Steven is survived by his mother Paula Corcoran of the Home in Oberlin, Kansas; a brother, James Altfilish of Oberlin; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Corcoran and an infant sister, Anna Marie Altfilish.

A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, August 17, 2018, 10:30 A.M. at the Assembly of God Church-Oberlin with Pastor Royce Leitner officiating. There is no visitation. There will be a private family inurnment. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Steven M. Corcoran Memorial fund and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Avenue, Oberlin, Kansas 67749. Online condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Steven’s time was all too brief. He would ask you not to lengthen it now with undo grief. He wants you to hold his memory in your hearts and share with him unending love for memories and love never die.

John Preston “JP” Franz died peacefully at home in Weir, KS, surrounded by family on August 9, 2018.

John was born in Colby, KS on June 17, 1937. He was a lifetime resident of Kansas, and resided in Colby until he retired in 1999. He was a 1955 graduate of Colby High School. John is a veteran of the United States Army. He also worked in many industries and finished his career as a professional salesman. John moved to Southeast Kansas to be closer to his two children Kevin and Lisa.

John had a very active retirement. When he wasn’t spending his time fishing with Kevin, he became an international traveler with his son Kevin and his wife Nadine, getting his first passport at age 75. John made trips to Jamaica, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and all over the Caribbean. Each trip always consisted of a fishing trip with his son Kevin. John really enjoyed these family trips and looked forward to them yearly.

John loved spending time with his daughter Lisa, her husband Gary, and their three children. Lisa loved having her dad as her next-door neighbor, as they were able to share many visits while exploring their shared love of politics.

John loved helping his daughter and at the start of every school year could be seen helping her setup her library, or during the school year he would help her and Gary judge at their debate and forensics tournaments.

John’s other passions included KU basketball and woodworking. But at the end of the day, family was most important to John. John was his children’s biggest cheerleader in their lives, never missing a school activity and always being their biggest supporter in their chosen professions.

As a grandfather of three, he was very involved in attending recitals, baptisms and other activities.

He loved to spoil his family at birthdays, Christmas and every opportunity he could when the family was together. His last request was to have everyone over for a family barbeque. It was a perfect day for John as his whole family was together for a day filled with good food, good stories and lots of laughter.

John is survived by his son Kevin Franz and his wife Nadine of Overland Park, KS, his daughter Lisa (Franz) Leiker, her husband Gary, and their three children Kaitlyn, Adriana and Alex of Weir, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents Arvid and Zelma Franz.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of John P. Franz to Avalon Hospice at https://www.avalon-hospice.com/donate.

Richard “Dick” Ochs, AKA Daddio, left this world on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at the age of 77.

Dick is survived by his overly-patient and accepting wife Sandy (Ficken), who was a cheerleader in high school and he was the quarterback. They were married in 1961.

He is also survived by his daughter; Kenda Fischer and husband Rodger, inherited grandkids; Nicole Bollig and husband Tom, and Brianna Myers and husband Nate, great grandchild; Addy Bollig, plus three granddogs.

Dick was born in Bison, Kansas at the Storks Nest, to John and Frances Ochs. He later moved to LaCrosse, Kansas where he graduated from high school. Along with his high school friends that school and staff were never the same again.

Dick worked for SWB (formerly AT&T), and after 40 years of begrudging service he retired. He worked as a lineman where he accumulated many sweaty, smelly shirts that Sandy had to wash. He also worked as an installer, repairman, and on pay phones.

He enjoyed many things such as: fishing, hunting, shooting guns, camping, watching the Military Channel, Bonanza, History Channel, war movies, KU sports, KC Royals, John Cash, and above all his family.

He couldn’t give a damn about most material things and cars were never to be bought new. He believed the only good carp (fish) was a dead carp.

Dick died knowing that Tombstone was the best movie ever and young Clint Eastwood was the best badass man ever.

Dick believed that Thousand Island dressing and Keebler Club Crackers went hand-in-hand. Snicker candy bars and Hershey Bars with almonds were a food group in itself. He loved Sandy’s fried chicken and homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. Watermelon was of course the best on a hot, windy, Kansas day. A cold bologna sandwich with mustard was the bomb. He also grossed out his daughter Kenda when he ate a Spam sandwich or Vienna Sausages. Last, but not least, a good cold red beer was never ever wrong.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Kenneth Ochs.

Many thanks to: Kathy Morton and Sara Baltazor at home health, Nate Myers for being a private caregiver for a year, Centennial Towers, and Hospice of Hays. Much love to Locust Grove Village for all the exceptional care and love they give. Daddio loved you all.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Hays VFW Hall, 2106 Vine Street, for family and close friends. A private family burial will be at Mt. Allen Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be left for the family, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. In memory of Dick, you may also visit your favorite watering hole, where you are instructed to tie a few on and tell fishing tales of the great Dick Ochs, AKA my daddio. Rest in paradise catching only the biggest fish, Daddio. Condolences and memories of Dick may be left at www.haysmemorial.com

Florence “Lucile” Romine, 95, of Homosassa, Florida died Friday, August 3, 2018 in her home at Sunflower Springs Assisted Living. She was born June 15, 1923 in Osborne, Kansas to Franklin LaVerne and Iva Jean (Claytor) Rothenberger. Lucile married Richard Romine, May 21, 1950, in Osborne, Kansas. They made their home in Palco, Kansas and had three sons: Ricky Alan, Reggie Lynn, and Rory Lane.

Lucile graduated from Kansas University with a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance and earned her teaching certificate from Fort Hays State University. She taught choral and/or instrumental music in Palco, Holyrood, Colby, Natoma and Logan, Kansas for 17 years combined. She operated a private piano studio in her home for many years. She was also co-owner of and bookkeeper for Thunderbird Oil Company before retiring.

Lucile was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband and two sons, Ricky and Rory Romine.

She will be missed by her son, Reggie of Hernando, FL; granddaughter, Autumn (Romine) Braun and grand son-in-law, Chad Braun; great grandson, Bo Braun, all of Hays, KS along with extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 18th at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, Kansas with a reception following the service. Arrangements in care of Cline’s Keithley Mortuary 1919 E. 22nd street Hays, KS 67601.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601.

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

James M. “Jim” Staab, 65, Hays, died Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. 

He was born October 14, 1952 in Hays the son of Frank and Mary (Weigel) Staab.  He graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in 1970.  On June 26, 1987, he was united in marriage to Therese “Terry” Brungardt in Hays, and they celebrated 31 years of marriage.  Jim worked at S&W Supply as a Purchasing Agent for Warehouse, Inc. until retiring in May.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Catharine Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #11687. 

He was a K-State, KC Royals, and KC Chiefs fan, enjoyed tinkering in his shed and other woodworking projects, and telling big stories with neighbors.  He loved spending time with his family, playing a competitive game of pitch, telling his grandchildren stories of his high school years, and watching his grandsons play football and a granddaughter play volleyball. 

He is survived by his wife Terry of the home, two daughters; Patricia “Trish” Cook and husband Sedrick and Nicholle “Niki” Staab and Frank Lewis all of Olathe, a stepson; Cory Phlieger and wife Christy of Shawnee, a stepdaughter Patricia “Pat” Mares and husband Daniel of Norman, Oklahoma, and nine grandchildren; Kirk Meier, Alexis Staab, Kiley Phlieger, Marques Cook, Abigail Mares, Rikai Cook, Ty’juan Lewis, Rayquan Lewis, and Laronte Lewis; two brothers; Delbert Staab and wife Jeannie of Texas and Terrance “Terry” Staab and wife Jacque of Florida, a sister; Virginia Chada of Missouri, and a sister-in-law; Betty Staab of LaCrosse.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Verlin and Jerry Staab, a sister; Nadine Hopkins, two brothers-in-law; Hoppy Hopkins and John Chada, and a sister-in-law; Sonja Staab.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays.  A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a St. Catharine Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm, all at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or The Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Jim may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com