Donald P. Werth, 85, Hays, died Friday, June 1, 2018 at Via Christi Village.

He was born February 2, 1933 on the family farm near Schoenchen, Kansas one of eleven children to Wendelin W. and Brigitta (Dinges) Werth.   On October 11, 1955 he was united in marriage to Charlotte A. Herl in Munjor, Kansas, a union that would span over 62 years.  He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a farmer, oil pumper, cattleman, and dairyman.  Memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church, the third degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166 in Schoenchen, and the Hays VFW Post #9076.  He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, fishing, walking and exercise, driving around and seeing friends and family, helping at harvest time, and was an avid Kansas City Royals fan.  He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife; Charlotte of the home, three sons; Ronald L. Werth and wife Mary Margaret of Hutchinson, Richard J. Werth and Janice Goff of Hays, and Randal C. Werth and wife Michelle of Hays, a daughter; Renee Michaud and husband Gerard of Hays, three brothers; Linus Werth of Victoria, LeRoy Werth, Sr. and wife Christa of Schoenchen, and Paul Werth and wife Donna of Great Bend, three sisters; Laura Klaus of Hays, Clarice Stoecklein of Ness City, and Dorothy Moeder and husband John of Hays, seven grandchildren; Anne Werth, Phillip Werth, Ryan Werth, Jennifer Werth, Randi Gerstner and husband Derek, Monica Michaud and Hannah Michaud, eleven great grandchildren; Trexton Murphy, Kaycee Murphy, Keegan Copelan, Bryson Werth, Corbin Werth, Weston Werth, Maxwell Gerstner, Dalton Werth, Zoe Gerstner, Bentley Gerstner, and Atlas Werth, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother; Ralph Werth, Sr., and three sisters; LaVera Schuckman, Joyce Klaus, and Mary Catherine Barnes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13^th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating.  Burial will follow with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:30 am until 10:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus Council #4166 rosary at 7:00, both on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or for masses, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences for the family and memories of Donald may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Timothy Charles “Tim” Fry passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018 after sustaining injuries from a motorcycle accident, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 63. He was born on December 16, 1954 in Leavenworth, Kansas to the late Charles and Dora (Luttrell) Fry. On October 16, 1971 he was united in marriage to Roberta Lynn Selbe at the home of Roberta’s parents in Plainville, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Kandie and Shane. They later divorced.

Tim worked most of his adult life in the oilfield. Always one to enjoy a good time, he not only worked hard, he played hard as well. Being out on his Harley, traveling to wherever the road took him, and spending time with family and friends, were the highlights of his life. Of course his grandchildren always held a special place in his heart reserved only for them.

Tim is survived by his children Kandie Morain and husband Roy of Plainville, and Shane Fry and wife Mandy of Plainville; brothers Darell Fry and wife Pam of Kansas City, Lynn Fry of Des Moines, IA, and Eddie Fry of Kansas City; sisters Kathy Richardson and husband Ken of Tonganoxie, and Mary Beth Sharpe and husband Ted of Kansas City; grandchildren Dominic, Alexis, Jami, Jenna, Kyron, Kane, and Braelynn; and great-grandchild Kaisley.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dora Fry, brother Edward Fry, sister Cheryl Stevens, and former spouse Roberta Fry.

Tim died just as he lived, with his boots on. Never one to slow down, he loved living life to the fullest, and in the fast lane; but his tender heart and joyful spirit always shown through to those he loved the most. Until we see him again, he will be greatly missed, as he rolls up yonder, riding on to a better place.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in Plainville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Sunday at the funeral home in Plainville with family receiving friends from 2:00-3:00pm.

Marilyn J. Hockersmith, 71, of Oakley, died Wednesday, May 30, 2018. She was born July 1, 1946, in Colby, KS, to Ralph and Armella (Lintel) Kruse. Marilyn graduated from Oakley High School. On December 27, 1962, she married Lanny Hockersmith, in Oakley. Together they made a life farming. Not only was she a wonderful farm wife, but an amazing cook, gardener, quilter, and artist. There wasn’t a role she couldn’t fill. Her family was her top priority, especially spending time with her grand-kids. Her home was a gathering place where she enjoyed hosting. She has taught us about unconditional love, forgiveness, strength and faith. Her selflessness was apparent to anyone that knew her, always willing to help. Much of the community remembers painting ceramics in her shop, H&H Ceramics. She also loved sharing her knowledge of gardening by working at Golden Plains Garden Center in Colby, KS. Marilyn’s great strength was evident in her fight against cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones at home during her last days.

She was preceded in death by her father Ralph and grandparents, Ben and Carrie Kruse and Herman and Mary Lintel.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Lanny; mother Armella Kruse; children, Troy (Jeanette) Hockersmith, J.R. Hockersmith, Clinton (Michele) Hockersmith and September (Brent) Mariman; siblings, Karol (Terry) Swart, Rodney (Mary Lou) Kruse, Ralph (Cheri) Kruse, Connie Renner, Berny (Missy) Kruse, Janice (late Rod) Wilkening and Robert (Chan) Kruse and grandchildren, Alex Benitez, Hannah Hockersmith, Jordon (Barbara) Hockersmith, Kayla (Nick) Hanna, Kenzie Hockersmith, Corey, Carsyn and Luke Hockersmith, Tanner and Nathan Lee and Jake Mariman.

Visitation is 3-5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, with a Vigil at 5 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 4, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Ashley Frances Wolf was born Aug. 7, 1991 in Quinter, Kan. She was the youngest child of Steve and Brenda Wolf of Grinnell. Ashley passed away Thursday, May 31 2018 in Hays at the age of 26.

Ashley attended Grinnell Elementary and Jr. High and Oakley High School where she graduated in 2010. Ashley received services from many amazing educational professionals through the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center.

Ashley was a member of the VFW Auxiliary # 1361 and was an Athlete of the Special Olympics of Northwest Kansas. She enjoyed working at Hometown Grocery and Checkers and His in Grinnell. She greatly enjoyed spending her free time down at the Senior Citizen Center in Grinnell where she would do exercises and play the Wii game. Ashley was also an active member of the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.

Ashley was always smiling and could light up any room. She had an incredible impact on anyone who met her. Ashley never let her cerebral palsy define who she was or what she could accomplish.

Ashley was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Marlene Wolf; maternal grandparents, Lawrence ‘Lavern’ Coker and Frances Carlman; uncle Timothy Coker; and twin infant siblings.

Ashley is survived by her parents, Steve and Brenda (Coker-Carlman) Wolf of Grinnell; a brother Brandon (Sarah) Wolf of Colby; a Niece Bailey Wolf and Nephew Axten Wolf; paternal grandfather, Melvin Wolf of Grinnell; paternal aunts, Pat (Dave) Farris of Nixa, Mo., and Melanie (James) Slayton of Tyler Texas; paternal uncles, Rick (Marcie) Wolf of Grinnell and Anthony (Judy) Wolf of Quinter; maternal aunts, Marie (Don) Taylor of Great Bend and Cynthia (Dave) Ortman of Mankato; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, Grinnell, Kan., with a vigil at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grinnell, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Grinnell Senior Center or the Ashley Wolf Memorial Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Candra Jo Shinn, age 51, of Wichita, KS, formerly of Stockton, KS, died Saturday May 26, 2018 at St. Francis Via Christi Campus, Wichita, KS.

She was born September 28, 1966 in Plainville, KS to Roy Lee and Rosalea (Maddox) Palmer.  She graduated from Stockton High School in 1985. She married Harold Shinn May 25, 1985 and they later divorced.

Candra graduated from Hays Academy of Hair Design in 1987 and operated Candra’s Hair Design for several years in Stockton before she went on to nursing school where she received her RN license.  She worked at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, KS, Phillipsburg Manor in Phillipsburg, KS, and Plainville Rural Hospital in Plainville, KS before she relocated to Wichita, KS.

Survivors include her three children, Son Cassidy Palmer, Downs, KS,  Daughters,  Sharrelle Shinn, Norton, KS and Bryanna Smith, Newton, KS;  her significant other, Danny Burnett ,Wichita, KS;  two brothers, Ray (Chris) Palmer, Hays, KS, and Mack (Angie) Palmer, Stockton, KS;  two sisters,  Carlene Pelster, Elgin, NE, and Kathy (Brian) Maughan, Meadow Grove, NE;  Two very dear friends,  Roberta and Nancy Wichita, KS, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Lee and Rosalea Palmer; her grandparents, Merritt and Ollie Mae Maddox, and George and Mable Palmer; and niece Courtney Pelster.

Graveside Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday June 16, 2018, at the Stockton Cemetery, Stockton, KS with Jeff Miller officiating.

Rita Marie Wolf, 86, Hays, died Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at HaysMed.

She was born October 2, 1931, on the family farm near Severin, Kansas, the daughter of Nick and Philomene (Dreiling) Rohleder. The fourth of seven children, Rita quickly learned the essence of hard work and the importance of family and God. She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1949 and resided in Hays. On June 6, 1951, Rita was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Wolf of Schoenchen at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emmeram. He preceded her in death on August 20, 1998.

She was a homemaker and worked for 14 years as a cook manager for USD 489 at Roosevelt Grade School. She also gave of her time volunteering at the ARC Thrift Shop for 36 years and the Hays Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary for 20 years. She was a member of Daughters of Isabella and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Survivors include two daughters; DeBra Prideaux of Hays, Susan Hamilton and husband Rick of Hastings, NE, one son; Gerard Wolf of Hays, four grandchildren; Lola Baalman, Michelle Terry, Miranda Rakes, and Nathan Hamilton, 15 great-grandchildren; Aidan, Miles, Tucker, Kendall, Courtney, Peyton, Paige, Paxton, Payvn, Konor, Kooper, Landyn, Lauryn, Adalyn, and Kaidyn, and one brother; Valerius Rohleder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald, one brother; Ronald Rohleder, and four sisters; Petronella Graf, Theresa Von Lintel, Josita Pfannenstiel, and Mary Jane Polifka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date in the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 7:00 on Sunday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. A rosary and vigil service will be at 6:00 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gerald “Jerry” and Rita Wolf Scholarship at Fort Hays State University established in the construction science arena or for masses in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Rita may be left at www.haysmemorial.com

Enid ‘Peggy’ J. Gordon, age 99, of Topeka passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Meriden.

Peggy was born March 25, 1919 in South English, Iowa the daughter of Samuel and Maude Starkey McNeal. She graduated from high school in Richland Center, Wisconsin. She married Orville McCauley, they later divorced. She married Harlan Hoover, they later divorced. She then married Willis Gordon Sr., he preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons, Roger (Linda) McCauley of Topeka and Alan D. Hoover of Corsicana, Texas; one granddaughter; two step granddaughters and many great grandchildren. Peggy loved to crochet. She was a member and local past champion in 1954 of the American Women’s Bowling Association.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. She will lie in state Thursday from 1:00- 8:00 p.m. with visitation from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. davidsonfuneral.com.

Joe Warren Yoxall, 91, passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at the Phillips County Medical Center, surrounded by all of his children.

Joe was born on October 5, 1926 in Woodston, KS to the late Everett and Ollie Ellen Jane (Wasson) Yoxall. He attended Woodston schools where he participated in football and basketball. On December 31, 1949 in Kensington, KS he married Marvel Mason. They were blessed with three children, Cheryl, Jeff, and Barry.

Joe farmed in Woodston for the first few years of their marriage, but times were difficult, and later pursued the gas station business. He owned and operated full-service gas stations in Russell, Stockton, Glade, and Phillipsburg, in addition to delivering gas to area farms. Joe instilled in those who worked for him to always treat the customer right, a belief he held throughout his years in business.

Both Joe and Marvel played an active role in the lives of their children and grandchildren. The couple attended many school activities, especially sporting events. If friends or family stopped in for a visit, they would find the television tuned in to whichever sport was in season. Joe and Marvel also enjoyed traveling; together, the whole family visited Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the Black Hills, Las Vegas, and various places in Colorado.

After 59 years of marriage, Marvel lost her long battle with cancer. Joe continued to live in their home until he relocated to Westview Apartments, where he enjoyed the meals and visits from family and friends.

Conversations with Joe centered on family, sports, or stories reminiscent of earlier days or family vacations. Joe looked forward to his card-playing adventures in Stuttgart and anticipated the times when Ron Lower accompanied him. He expressed his appreciation many times for all the work Leo Manz put in to make these fun afternoons possible. Well-known to play a savvy game of Poker, in his final game of cards a few weeks ago, Joe came home a winner. He was a humble man who never boasted about himself, and he sincerely appreciated the simple kindness of others.

When it became too difficult for Joe to reside on his own, he moved to the Phillips Country Retirement Center where he lived until his death. Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl and husband Brett of Phillipsburg; two sons, Jeff and wife Jody of Kensington, and Barry and wife Candy of Phillipsburg; 10 grandchildren: Barrett, Lindsey, Jason, Kristen, Brandi, Travis, JoAnn, Michael, Greg, and Jamison, 15 great-grandchildren: Lily, Ava, Mya, Miles, Alyse, Layla, Brayden, Brody, Alivia, Brecken, Adelynn, Braxton, Mia, Abel, and Allyana; sisters-in-law Kay (Mason) Riffel, Elaine Yoxall, and Doris Mason; brother-in-law Don Mason, and several other relatives.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lew VanDerWege officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Friends may sign the book from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westview Homes or the Phillips County Health Dept.

Former Phillipsburg resident Calvin L. Schra passed away May 26, 2018 at the Ravenna Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna, NE at the age of 83. He was born June 19, 1934 in Phillips County, KS, the son of Klaus & Ella (Boeve) Schra. He was a farmer.

Survivors include his wife Dianne of Hastings, NE; his step-son, Brian Anderson of Phillipsburg; 2 sisters, Maxine Harbers and Audrey Wiltfong both of Norton; 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat. June 2 at 10:00 a.m. in the Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Chris Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday and Friday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Presbyterian Church.