Melvin “Mel” James Pfannenstiel, age 76, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at HaysMed. He was born February 27, 1942 in Munjor, Kansas to Theodore “Ted” J. and Pauline (Wittman) Pfannenstiel. He was a graduate of Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.

Mel was a car salesman for Happy’s Auto in Hays. He was an avid sports fan particularly the KU Jayhawks.

He is survived by a son, Theodore J. Pfannenstiel of Syracuse, NY; three brothers, Kenneth J. Pfannenstiel and wife Ann of Hays, Thomas J. Pfannenstiel of Kansas City, KS and Gordon F. Pfannenstiel and wife Lynn of Russell, KS and a sister, Annette Pfannenstiel-Brhel of Syracuse, NY.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services was 10:30 AM Monday, July 9, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. Inurnment followed in the church cemetery with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiated.

A Memorial visitation was Monday at the church 9:30 AM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Francis Church.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

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

Vivian Ann (Long) Herrmann was born December 21, 1937 in her grandparents’ home in Union Township, Sheridan County, Kansas to John and Ura (Launchbaugh) Long. She attended one-room school in Waverly, Kansas and then earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Emporia State University.

She married her husband of 47 years, John Herrmann, on December 27, 1958. After her graduation, John and Vivian moved to California where she taught middle-school Home Economics until the birth of their son. Vivian then focused on raising her family and added a daughter. Once her children entered high school, Vivian returned to work as a Quality Assurance Specialist for Rockwell International, working on the B1A and B1B Bombers. She returned to college and earned her Master’s degree in Business Management.

When Vivian retired in 1994, she and John returned to the family acreage in Sheridan County where they built their dream home. Vivian was an active and wholehearted member of the McGraw Methodist church, serving as pianist and treasurer for more than 20 years. Throughout her life she enjoyed sewing and crafting and always had a book of anacrostic puzzles in the works. She delighted in her flower garden, koi pond and animal friends of all kinds but without question, her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

Vivian passed away on July 9, 2018 in Hays, KS at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her brother, Vernon Long, her husband, John, and her son David Herrmann. She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Smith, and her husband Adam, and grandchildren, Kyle Broxson of Yuba City, CA, Noah, Levi, and Emily Smith of Hays, KS; her daughter-in-law, Diane Herrmann, and granddaughter Sara of Oketo, KS; and nieces Jeanne Brooks and Joanne Long and nephews Jeff Long, Joe Long, and Jim Long.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at McGraw United Methodist Church, with burial following in the Hoxie Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2018 at the funeral home. Arrangements were made by the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.

Rex Arnold Gebhards, lifelong Weskan farmer and rancher passed from this life on Monday night, July 2, 2018. He was a kind, generous and loving soul who will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who had opportunity to know him.

Rex was born in Goodland, Kansas to Sheila Dobbs Gebhards and Jim Gebhards on March 10, 1954. They took him home to the farm south of Weskan where he spent most of the rest of his life, except for his college years in Hays, Kansas where he earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1976 and a short time teaching elementary school in Great Bend. He then decided to return to the farm to work with his dad.

Rex enjoyed the life of a farmer and rancher, especially gardening and raising colorful flowers in unique “found” planters like chair seats and old washer tanks. He liked raising chickens, cats and several beloved dogs, most especially his last canine companion Digsby whose ashes will be buried with him.

He enjoyed hosting his “city” cousins but never faulted them for their lack of country “smarts”. The girl cousins were outnumbered by the boys but often found Rex as their protector when things took a turn for the worse in the horse tank or on the car hood sled in the pasture.

Life on the farm was not as laid back as John Denver would have you believe. Rex worked hard, making the best of the tools and equipment at hand. He and Randy finally gave up the use of a particularly evil pair of fence pliers by placing them in Jim’s “eternal” tool box when they placed his ashes there in July, 2015.

People found Rex a good listener, one who put you at ease and wanted to hear what you had to say. He didn’t judge, wanting to understand what was going on with those he met. He didn’t just listen, he actively helped. He offered gardening advice when he saw a tree in need of care, he traveled to collect furniture when told of a need, and performed many more acts of generosity known only to those who enjoyed his kindness.

Going before Rex were his dad, Jim; his grandparents Herman and Elizabeth Gebhards and F.H. and Elsie Dobbs; aunts Edith Dobbs, Velma Gebhards Smart, and Loretta Gebhards Smart; and uncles Logan Dobbs and Dale Gebhards. He is surely enjoying listening to and catching up with them.

Left behind with broken hearts are his mom, Sheila; his big (in age but not height) brother Randy and his wife Lou Ann; Aunts Irene Gebhards Gittinger and Sheila Kay Gebhards: Dobbs, Gittinger, Gebhards and Smart cousins, and friends too many to name.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church with Pastor Galen Crippen and Reverend Paul McNall officiating. Burial will follow in the Weskan Cemetery, Weskan, KS.

Memorials may be designated to the Wallace County Ambulance Service 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 are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Wichita – Ronald Persinger, 62, passed away Wednesday, July 4th, 2018.

He was born October 10th, 1955 to Norman and Vivian Persinger in Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Persinger and Vivian Shaw.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Cheryl Persinger; daughters, Carrie Cecil (TJ), Ronda Rosenberg (David); son, Aaron Gerstenkorn (Carin); grandchildren, Sierrsha McAllister, Brenna Rosenberg, Leilani Day, Aidan Emberton, Georgia Emberton, Charlie Cecil, Joshua Cecil and brother, Rusty Persinger (Eileen).

Visitation will be held from 1-5 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2018, family will greet friends from 1-3 pm, at Smith Family Mortuary 1415 N Rock Rd, Derby, Kansas 67037. Funeral Service: 2:00 pm, Monday, July 9th, 2018 at Smith Mortuary, Derby 1415 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67037. Interment to follow at Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Kansas on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Cheryl Persinger to help with final expenses. www.SmithFamilyMortuaries.com

June 30, 2018

Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Age 64, died suddenly on June 30th. He was born on August 15th, 1953 in Hays Kansas to Edgar and Geneva Dies. He served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1994. Retired, he enjoyed his life traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

Proceeded in death by parents Edgar and Geneva Dies. Survived by wife Genette Ferris Dies. Children: David Dies, Tara Van Hemert (Scott), Tony Dies (Robyn), Nick Witter (Lisa), Angelique Kellogg (Matt), Veronique Walker (Brian), and Monique Stenzel (Ted). Grandchildren: Nicholas, Tessa, Vincent, Andrew, Isaac, Isabella, Chloe, Olivia, Matthew, Julieann, Corbin, Lillian, and Evelyn. Sisters: Carmen Armantrout and Dixie Dies.

His service with be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery 7601 34th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55450. A committal service is scheduled for Barry Dies at 1:45pm on Monday July 9, 2018. Please have your family and friends meet in Assembly Area 2 at 1:30pm. Enter Fort Snelling National Cemetery at the second gate marked Funeral Cortege, turn left when you reach your Assembly Area, and proceed to the end of the block to park. A Cemetery Representative will meet you at the Assembly Area, review forms and lead your vehicle procession to the Committal Shelter for the service. https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftsnelling.asp#gi

Following the ceremony, there will be a luncheon held at St. Lucas Community Church at 1195 Manning Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN 55042

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers.
Memorials may be sent in care of the family to:
Nick Witter
653 Cimarron
Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Verlin F. Dreiling, age 90, former Hays, Kansas resident, died Sunday, July 8, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Wichita, Kansas. He was born January 1, 1928, in Victoria, Kansas, to Frank J.A. and Basilia (Billinger) Dreiling. He married Henrietta “Janie” (Brown) on July 12, 1948, at Hays, Kansas. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2010.

He was a Linotype Setter at The Hays Daily News for 42 years and retired in 1990. He was a 1946 graduate of Hays High School, a veteran of the US Army and served in Korea. He was member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9076 both of Hays, Kansas. Verlin moved to Wichita in 2009.

Survivors include one son, Kevin Dreiling and wife, Jan, Hutchinson, KS; three daughters, Linda Lesovsky and husband, Don, Lakewood, CO; Lois Smith and husband, Jerold, Marion, KS; Judith Purdy and husband, Jim, Wichita, KS; one brother, Marvin Dreiling and wife, Katie, Hays, KS; one sister, Edna Wagner, Wheatridge, CO; one sister-in-law, Norma Jean Dreiling, Denver, CO; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four brothers, Gerald, Elmer, Linus and Norman Dreiling; and four sisters, Lorraine McCormick, Luella Munk, Vera Pfannenstiel and Susie Weisgerber.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays

Memorials to American Cancer Society or Amedisys Hospice.

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

Lila K. (Blair) Jones, 64, born August 14, 1953 in Oakley, KS to Clyde J Blair and Naida L (Blevins) Blair. Lila joined family in Heaven on July 5, 2018 at Logan County Hospital.

Lila graduated Oakley High School in 1971. Lila married Kenneth L. Jones on November 2nd 1979. Lila worked for Golden Plains Motel during her school years, she then went to work for Andy’s Drive In. Lila started working for St. Joseph School in the kitchen and spent many many years there and loved all the children. Lila and Kenny started Three Jokers Trucking Company and then Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill. Lila was part of the VFW Auxiliary, Altar Society, and was one of the founding members of Tri-County Cruisers.

Above all Lila loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. Lila loved reading, writing, singing, puzzles, Taco Tuesdays, genealogy, rocking her grandbabies, Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends, and treasure hunting at thrift stores and antique shops.

Lila is survived by her husband Kenny, two cats (Lucky and Grumpy), one dog (Maggie) all of the home, mother Naida Blair of Oakley, father in law Bill Jones of Oakley, two sisters, one brother, children JJ Margheim, Goodland KS, Amy (Kevin) Foster, Baldwin City KS, Jesse (Tessa) Jones, Oakley KS, Katie (Mike) Chrisler, Oakley KS, step children Klee Jones, Goodland KS, Lance Jones, Hays KS, Traci (Robert) Smith, Bolivar Mo, 22 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Lila was preceded in death by her grandparents, her dad Clyde J Blair, mothers in law Betty Jones and Joyce Hoeb, stepfather in law Charles Hoeb, brother in law Lynn Luetke and sister in law Carol Huffman.

Visitation will be Tuesday July 10th, 2018 at 2:15 with services following at 3pm at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House.

Lila’s life motto’s

“If you don’t love me you didn’t know me”

“If you can’t remember me with a smile don’t remember me at all”