Guy E. Stewart, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on October 31, 1939 in Grigston, Kansas the son of Tom & Mildred Payton Stewart. Guy was a lifetime Scott City resident and was a retired printer and worked for USD 466 as a janitor in Shallow Water, Kansas for 20 years and was currently a School Bus Driver.

On October 26, 1958 he married Valarie Harp in Friend, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Valarie Stewart of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Edward G. Stewart of Scott City, Kansas, Two Daughters – Carolyn D. Rowland of Scott City, Kansas, Melissa R. & Norman Tedford of Garden City, Kansas, Seven Grandchildren – Levi M. Heinrich of Holcomb, Kansas, Tia Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, Kayla Stewart of Moberly, Missouri, Kelly LaMasters of Meade, Kansas, Evin Tedford of Garden City, Kansas, Josh Tedford of Garden City, Kansas, Courtney Gravett of Mexico, Missouri and Nine Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Three Brothers and Three Sisters and One Great Grandson.

Memorial Funeral Services will be at the Shallow Water School in Shallow Water, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2018 with Don Williams presiding.

Memorials can be made to the Pence Community Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Inurnment will be held at a later date.

There will be no calling times.

Dennis McLaughlin, 65, Schoenchen, died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at his home.

He was born December 28, 1952 in Larned, Kansas the son of Boyd and Loretta M. (Vratil) McLaughlin. He was a carpenter and a truck driver. He enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, and watching KU basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by companion; Debbie Fuzzell of the home, and five brothers; Galen McLaughlin, Hays, Terry (Dana) Wilson, Parshall, ND, Craig (Chris) McLaughlin, Hays, Mark Wilson, Fountain, CO, and Monte Wilson, Hays.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step-father; Charles B. Wilson, and a step-brother, Randy Wilson.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2017 at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church, 29th and Indian Trail, Hays. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Gorham. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Dennis McLaughlin memorial fund to help with expenses and checks can be written to Galen McLaughlin in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Helen Shirley (Ptacek) Reeves passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Via Christi Hospital St, Francis in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 81. She was born on December 14, 1936 in Dorrance, Kansas to the late Frank C. and Anna M. (Kepka) Ptacek. After graduating from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1954 she went on to earn her associate’s degree from Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas.

On December 30, 1957 she was united in marriage to Richard E. Reeves at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson, Kansas. They were blessed with eight children.

Helen worked as a Registered Nurse for 32 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. She also served with the Altar Society. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking; but the greatest love of her life was her husband and family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever she had opportunity.

Helen is survived by her husband Richard Reeves of the home in Sylvan Grove; children Diane Reeves of El Dorado, Julie Sanborn and husband Jeff of Abilene, Alan Reeves and wife Becky of Wilson, Lori Reeves and partner Marilyn Garcia of Sylvan Grove, Kim Alexander and husband Wynn of Coldwater, Todd Reeves and wife Cherish of Courtland, Scott Reeves of Sylvan Grove, and Pam Johanek of Andover; brother Francis Ptacek of Russell; sister Anna Mae Janda of Lyons; thirty grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Anna Ptacek; and siblings Edward Ptacek, Alfred Ptacek, Beatrice (Ptacek) Gerstekorn, Wilfred “Mike” Ptacek, Fr. Maurice Ptacek, Mary Ann Ptacek, and Ernest Ptacek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial will follow in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church with Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Henry Lee “Hank” Hartman, 70, Hays, died Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at his home.

He was born in McCook, Nebraska on October 28, 1947, to Harold V. Hartman and Bertha A. Pettera.  He lived most of his life in Herndon, Kansas, and later in Hays, Kansas.

He attended elementary and high school in Herndon and also St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and spent a year in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, earning the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return to the states, he enrolled at Fort Hays State University. There he met his future wife, Cathy Hartman. They married in 1969, and lived in both Wichita and Kansas City before returning to Hays in 1971.  He graduated from Fort Hays in 1974 with a BS degree in Business.

Hank, as he was called, by those close to him, worked in construction for Shade Construction and Reever Construction then later started his own company, Alright Construction, along with partner, Larry Knox.  In 1981, he started a new company, Kleerwater Pools and Spas that he and Cathy have operated until the present day.

Survivors include former wife, Cathy; two sons; Craig Hartman and wife Mindy of Gardner, Kansas, Austin Hartman and wife Janie of Arvada, Colorado; two daughters; Jenessa Hartman and husband Mo Ayach of Hood River, Oregon, and Elizabeth Hartman and partner Thomas of Russell, Kansas, two sisters: Natalie Hafner of Redding, California and Julita Hauptman of Granada Hills, California, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son; Bryan J. Hartman.

Henry enjoyed vacationing in Colorado where he spent time with his Grandpa Pettera as a boy. He traveled to many different places as an adult and enjoyed seeing other cultures. He enjoyed playing pool and poker with his friends in addition to boating, fishing, and classic cars. He was a loving father to his children and very proud of all of their accomplishments. Henry had a deep faith in God. He was very generous to his friends and family and was known for helping people who were in need, even complete strangers. His heart was solid gold.  He was a leader, a builder and a doer all of his life and constructed many dwellings and commercial structures, and many more swimming pools across Kansas and surrounding states for everyone to use and enjoy.  Being a leader, he taught and influenced many of his co-workers and employees throughout the years, affecting many lives.  He will be missed.

Graveside services with Fr. Leo Blasi officiating and military honors by the Fort Riley U.S. Army 1st Inf. Div. funeral detail will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, WaKeeney.  Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans or to the Hays VFW Post #9076, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays,KS 67601.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Nan Mae (Cassidy) Conaway was born on the family farmstead at Monument, Ks.,  March 11, 1915, to Walter Brown and Nora Belle (Martin) Cassidy.  She was the fourth of five daughters and one son.  She earned her wings on April 14th, 2018, at Redbud Village, Plainville, Ks.  She had been an Oakley resident for most of her life.

She attended Monument schools and graduated with the Class of 1932.  She was a center for the girl’s basketball team and sang in the glee club and choir also performing solos at music contests and singing for funerals.  At the time of her death she was the oldest living Monument alumnus.

While growing up with four sisters in a four-room house, a bedroom was shared by the five with three in one bed and two in another.  It gave the sisters a closeness that was shared their entire lives.

She then attended Salina Beauty Academy to become a beautician.  She returned to Oakley where she was part owner of a beauty salon and later the sole owner. Her beautician career lasted over 40 years; she retired in 1978.

While attending a Rebecca Lodge meeting she met Harold Conaway.  They were married on Groundhogs Day, Feb.2, 1941, in Scott City, Ks. They settled into a happy life and were blessed with a daughter, Lynnis Lee, March 12, 1942.  Their lives were changed when WWII started and Harold was drafted into the Army.  She and Lynnis followed him to his different posts living in Virginia and California before he was deployed to the Philippine Islands.  Nan ran a beauty shop while he was gone and he sent some of his salary home so they could save money for a house.  After his return they put a down payment on their first home and again settled into married life in the home they affectionately called the Little House. They were thrilled to learn they were to have another baby. Kayla Sue was born Nov. 22, 1946.  In 1954 they built a new house on the front lots of the little house property. Later on the Little House would become the Nan Conaway Beauty Shop.

Throughout Nan’s life she enjoyed sewing by making dresses for her girls, quilts, teddy bears, embroidery, braiding rugs and many miscellaneous projects most people wouldn’t have tackled.  A pattern usually wasn’t used or if one was needed, she made it herself.   She was musically inclined, and after having only three lessons could play the piano and later added the harpsichord and continued singing for various occasions.   She wrote music and composed songs which included some of her own poetry.   She wrote and had a book of her poems published, entitled, “Because I Love Poetry”.   Cooking was a favorite of hers and she was the happiest in the kitchen or in her garden where not only vegetables were grown, but beautiful roses and all kinds of flowers.  At any time you could find her with a Scrabble board, crossword or jigsaw puzzle nearby. Her love for all animals was extended to her life in the nursing home when she received an interactive cat from her family this past Christmas.

Nan was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Oakley.  She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir and was nursery department superintendent for 12 years  only retiring when her mother became ill. 

Although Nan thought her life couldn’t get any happier, her daughters married and she was truly blessed with three grandchildren, Jeff Wilderson, Cyndi Circle and Steve Reed.   As grandparents they enjoyed spending every minute they could with their grandkids.  She always made holidays memorable whether it be by food, gifts or just making many memories.   Great-grandchildren added to their joy when Kayla, Kimberlynn, Kyle, Braeden, Olivia and Jackson were born.  She lived to see the fifth generation with her great-great grandchildren, Yousef, Tala, Talia, Salem, Dayton and Tallon.

Surviving her in death are daughters,  Lynn Wilderson, Borrego Springs, Ca., Kay Reed and her husband Robert , Stockton, Ks.; grandchildren, Jeff and Kris Wilderson, Gatesville, Tx., Cyndi and Stan Circle, Silver Lake, Ks., Steve and Kathy Reed, Hays Ks.; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Talal Al-Salem, Kuwait City, Kuwait,  Kimberlynn Uhl and husband Jake, Silver Lake, Ks., Kyle Wilderson, Cincinnati, Oh,  Braeden Lockhart, Silver Lake, Ks., Olivia and Jackson Reed, both of Hays, Ks.; great-great grandchildren, Yousef, Tala, Talia, Salem Al-Salem, Dayton and Tallon Uhl and her beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death is her  husband, Harold who died in 2002 after 61 years of marriage; her parents; sisters, Myrtle, Gertrude, Ethel and Helen and infant brother, Durward Walter.

Graveside funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Oakley City Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Oakley United Methodist Church.  Donations to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12^th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Carol Ann Wadley, age 69, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas.

Carol was born June 25, 1948 in Leoti, Kansas, the daughter of John Dewey & Ellen Caroline (Lonberger) Wadley. Carol graduated from Wichita County High School in 1966 and attended Dodge City Community College, graduating in 1968. She was a Medical Dietician serving in Denver, Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri, Salina, Manhattan, Syracuse and Dodge City, Kansas. Carol returned to Leoti, Kansas following her retirement in 2010.

Carol was a member of the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas.

Carol is survived by her extended family, her cat, Callie, her church family and many friends, who will miss this gentle woman.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Brad Kirk officiating.

Inurnment will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

There is no visitation scheduled.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Library or United Methodist Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO 161, Leoti, Kansas 67861.

Elaine L. (Karst) Becker, 90, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Milberger, Kansas, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Elaine was born January 5, 1928 in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Hubert and Martha (Nuss) Karst. She grew up on the family farm near Galatia, Kansas. She attended a rural school in the Galatia area and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1944.

Elaine was united in marriage to LaVern H. Becker on September 30, 1945 in Milberger, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children; Janet and Martin. They made their home on a farm in the Milberger area. LaVern preceded her in death on May 19, 1995.

Elaine was a devoted wife and homemaker for her family. She was known as the “Income Tax Lady” due to the fact that she helped her neighbors and friends do their taxes. She was a Bookkeeper at the Russell Livestock Commission and also a Receptionist at Stricker Farm – Sewing Industry. She was an active member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church; where she was a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the ALCWomen, and was the Church organist and Choir Director for over 50 years. She was also very active in her community. She was a Sunflower 4-H Leader, was on the Russell County Extension Executive Board, the Russell County Republican Central Committee, the Russell Prairiesta Committee, the Milberger Activity Association, Germans from Russia Association; the Martin Luther Home Board of Directors and the Prairie Mates FCE. In her spare time she enjoyed cooking for her family and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Surviving family include her daughter, Janet Funk (Wayne) of Russell, Kansas; son, Martin Becker (Susan) of Russell, Kansas; five grandchildren, Doug Funk (Teema), Warren Funk (Erica), Deric Funk (Mandy), Ryan Becker (Micah) and Megan Becker; seven great grandchildren, Riley Becker, Reagan Becker, Elijah Becker, Silas Becker, Lakin Funk, Camille Funk and Kaitlyn Funk; and three step great grandchildren, Chloe Dohe, Macy Howard and Makayla Howard.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Orlen Karst.

Celebration of Elaine’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger. Burial will follow at the Milberger Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday, April 16, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday at the Mortuary. Memorials have been established with the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the Prairie Mates FCE. Contributions and condolence may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Jerald (Jerry) A. Ross, 67, was born December 12, 1950, at Russell, Kansas, the son of Lee E. and Mary Catherine (Quint) Ross, and died April 12, 2018, at his home. Jerry graduated from Luray High School in 1969. He loved high school sports and played football at Butler County Community College. He then transferred to Fort Hays State University where he graduated with an Industrial Arts degree in 1973. On April 12, 1975, he married Cindy Borger in Meade, Kansas. Jerry and Cindy were blessed with three children—Jennifer, Jeralyn and Jonathan.

Jerry loved wheat harvest. In his younger years he owned and operated a custom cutting business and traveled from Oklahoma to South Dakota. Later he enjoyed giving his kids and grandkids a ride on the combine. He was proud to teach his son and grandsons about the farming operation. He also enjoyed reminiscing about the “good old days” growing up on the family farm west of Luray. In more recent years, he loved attending his grandchildren’s many sporting events as he was proud of each and every one. Jerry also had many odd jobs over the years including working at Larned State Hospital as an MHDD. His most recent job was a cashier at Russell Travel Center where he enjoyed meeting new people, as he never met a stranger.

Throughout his life, Jerry was a member of various civic organizations including the Bunker Hill Lions Club and the local Kiwanis Club. While his family was actively involved in 4-H, he served on the Russell County Fair Board. He was also proud to be a Russell County Commissioner for several years. Jerry was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and had served on the Property Committee. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone.

Surviving family includes Cindy of the home, daughters Jennifer McNett (Douglas) of Larned, Kansas, and Jeralyn Jefferson (Ellis) and son, Jonathan Ross (Heather), of Russell, Kansas. Jerry was also blessed to have 9 grandchildren: Ross, Reed, Ella and Emma McNett; Jasmine and Ellise Jefferson; and Brygette, Jaxon and Karrsyn Ross. He is also survived by 7 brothers–Joe Ross (Carol), Abilene, KS; Richard Ross (Jeanette), Olathe, KS; Kelly Ross, Oklahoma City, OK; Gary Ross, Plano, TX; Brad Ross (Linda), Raymore, MO; Robert Ross, Nashville, TN, and Harlan Ross (Kim), Manhattan, KS; 2 sisters–Cathy Nelson (Larry) and Mary Pat Waymaster (Lance), both of Russell, KS, as well as many nieces and nephews, and his mother-in-law, Katherine Borger, of Meade, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Mary Catherine Ross.

The funeral service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the mortuary with family available to greet people from 6 to 7 P.M. The family has set up a memorial to be given to Pheasants Forever or St. John’s Lutheran church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Lifelong Sherman County and Wallace County famer Jesse Lee Craft, 87, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018 at his home in Goodland, Kansas.

He was born on January 5, 1931 in rural Sherman County, to Everett and Elva (Dillinger) Craft. He married Doris Sieck on August 8, 1948 in Goodland. They started farming just two miles from where they both grew up. They were blessed with three daughters, Shirley, Karen and Marsha.

Jesse loved farming, but as he always said, “we had our ups and downs”. He served his community and was involved and served on many different state and local boards. He especially liked anything that involved young ones, 4-H, sports, etc.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Darrell Craft and his wife Connie, and an infant great grandchild Hadley Grace Schilling.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Doris, of the home in Goodland, his three daughters Shirley (Ron) Busse of Edson, Kansas, Karen (Les) Lampe of Shawnee, Kansas and Marsha (Ron) Schilling of Edson, KS; eight grandchildren, Justin (Amity) Ihrig, John (Tisha) Ihrig, Jessica (Tom) Nittler, Anne (Nate) Rahmeier, Paul Lampe, Cash (Amanda) Schilling, Chance (Emily) Schilling and Clay (Kaycie) Schilling, seventeen great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services for Jesse will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson and Pastor Brent Flanders officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Goodland Cemetery. The family would like to invite everyone to the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall after the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to the NWKS Shrine Club or to the United Methodist Church in Goodland 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.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.