William O. Marcotte, 71, of Salina, passed away Monday, April 9, 2018. He was born Oct. 19, 1946 in Plainville, to Melvin and Eula (Miller) Marcotte. He married Sheila Unrein, June 22, 1996.

Bill had a deep love of his faith, country and family. He was an avid golfer and loved to fish and hunt. He served in the Navy from Oct. 1965-Oct. 1969. Bill retired from Hawker Beechcraft in 2012.

Survivors include: his wife, Sheila of the home; children, Jon Marcotte (Cindy) of Sacramento, Calif., Chris Bell (Rhonda) of Beverly, Wayne Bell of Minneapolis, and Kendra Alter (James) of Kansas City, Kan.; grandchildren, Christina Small (Robert) of Salina, Seth Bell (Lindsay) of Ottawa, Amber Bell (Shawn Anderson) of Roxbury, Jordan Bell of Minneapolis, and Bella Alter of Kansas City, Kan.; siblings, Leverett Marcotte, Gail Marcotte, Helen Wheeler (Paul), Carol Williams (Delbert), Pamela Dietrich (Delbert), and Theresa Mohn (Kenny); great-granddaughter, Dilexi Small; and a great-grandson due in May.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with a Vigil at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1000 Burr Oak Lane, Salina, with Fr. Keith Weber as celebrant. A rosary will begin at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Reception at the church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post #1432, or First Tee, Salina, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Phyllis Dorene Sleichter, 90, Wichita, formerly of Hays and Palco, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Regent Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Wichita.

She was born October 23, 1927 in Palco, Kansas the oldest child of Hugh and Zelma (Marcotte) Meade.  She graduated from Palco High School and attended nursing school at Fort Hays State and received her teacher’s certificate from Fort Hays State University.  She taught at Palco Grade School and was a substitute teacher for many years.  On September 20, 1947 she was united in marriage to George H. “Slick” Sleichter at the First United Methodist Chapel in Hays.  He preceded her in death on March 4, 2010.  She was a housewife, living in Phillipsburg, Kansas while her husband worked for Kansas Nebraska Gas Company.  They later moved back to Palco where they started Slick’s Ditching Service.  In 1991, they moved to Hays where they belonged to the First United Methodist Church and Dorene belonged to the Naomi Circle.  She enjoyed being a mother and grandmother, was very faith filled and giving, was an awesome cook, and she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter; Sheryl Terry and husband Bill of Great Bend, Kansas, a son; Kirk Sleichter and wife JeanAnn of Wichita, a sister; Jean Berland of Hays, five grandchildren; Angela, Chad, Shawn, Meredith, and Lydia, and six great grandchildren; Triston, Darby, Kalyssa, Payton, Cameron, and Rocco.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, and two brothers; Marion and Harlan Meade.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7^th, Hays with Pastor Mike Rose officiating.  Private family interment will be in the Pleasantview Cemetery in Palco, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and on Saturday from 1:30 pm until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the First Evangelical Free Church in Wichita or to Gideons International, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Gaylyn Jean Andrews passed away on April 9, 2018 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita at the age of 81. She was born on the family farm near Codell, Kansas on December 10, 1936 to Everett Aaron Lamb and Eula Madeline (Winters) Lamb. On May 23, 1954 she married William Carroll Hutton in Codell, Kansas. They were blessed with 5 children: Vickie, Joleen, Janiece, Dawn, and Vawn. They later divorced and on June 12, 1965 she married Eldon Dean Andrews in Stockton, Kansas. They were blessed with a daughter: Tialisa.

Gaylyn attended school in Codell. She played basketball and the clarinet in the band. She started working when she was in 7th grade at Apple’s Café. Gaylyn graduated from Codell High School in 1954. While her children were young she was a homemaker and worked as an avid seller for Avon. She later worked for Smith’s Furniture in Stockton from 1984 until it closed. Gaylyn had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around. Her favorite day of the year was April Fools’ Day. Not too long ago she made cupcakes stuffed with cotton balls in the middle to share with many of her loved ones. She also loved Halloween, bowling in her earlier years, and her dog Coco.

Gaylyn is survived by her children Vickie St. Clair and husband Scott of Stockton, Joleen Hutton and husband Robert Lanham of Loveland, CO, Janiece Cook and husband Wes of Plainville, Dawn Palmer of Stockton, Vawn Hutton and wife Karen of Stockton, and Tialisa Muir and husband Patrick of Stockton; sisters Karolyn Eastep and husband Don of Sedalia, MO, Sharolyn Gramm and husband Don of Mountain Home, AR, Beverly Nelson of Lee-High, FL, and Jacquelyn Werner and husband Ron of Plainville; 18 grandchildren, Chad Hutton (Julia), Raelyn Holmes, Stefani Fitts, Zach Plante, Tyler Plante (Julie), Quintin Plante (Randi), Wayne Cook (Brooke), Lynn Finnesy, Jennifer Lucio, Krista Klingenberg, Robert Klingenberg, Heath Muir (Lacey), Monica Hutton, Tabitha Meier (Ryan), Nathan Palmer, and Shayla Palmer; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Everett and Eula Lamb and infant son Everett Dean Hutton.

Gaylyn was a hardworking and fun-loving woman. She knew how to have fun and enjoy life along the way. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow in the Stockton Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

COLBY — Nicolee J. Leebrick, 67, passed away Monday, April 9, 2018. She was born Aug. 13, 1950, in Atwood, to Wilbur and Virginia Leebrick.

Survivors: brothers, David Leebrick of Indian Land, S.C., and Lance Leebrick of Atwood.

Preceded in death by: parents; and sister, Linda Leebrick.

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, Colby.

Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 12, at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, with burial in Stevens Chapel Cemetery, rural Rawlins County.

Memorials to be designated at a later date, in care of the funeral chapel.

Robert “Bob” Weigel, 76, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving wife, Carol, & daughter Nikki, April 6, 2018.

Bob was born January 27, 1942, in Hays, Kansas. The son of Marcus Weigel and Sophia Nowak, Bob was born into a loving, beautiful family of 15 brothers and sisters. They all looked out for one another, helping each other daily, learning and practicing life’s lessons of kindness and caring. They always looked out for one another. These early lessons in life were a gift to Bob as he carried this throughout his life.

Bob was a simple, hardworking man, with a great sense of humor and quick wit. He never wanted a fuss and loved his family dearly, along with his precious and faithful canine companion, Dezi. During Bob’s illness, Dezi never left his side, watching over him daily.

Bob’s father Marcus ran his own grocery store in Hays, Kansas where he employed a good part of the family. This was where Bob learned his skills of market management, store management, and working with people and employees. He worked harder then anyone, always trying to set a good example for his family, friends, & employees.

Brothers & sisters who preceded in death were Dolores, Marvin, Don, Ken, Leroy, Darrel, & JoAnn. He is survived by siblings, Charlotte, Mark, Duane, Donna, Carol, Cheryl, & Dennis. Bob is survived by his loving wife Carol, of almost 55 years of marriage, his loving daughter Nikki Weigel, Granddaughter Paige Helt, Grandson, Christopher Helt, wife Caitlin Helt & his great grandaughter, Charlotte Jane Helt, Bob will be laid to rest next to his beloved grandaughter, Olya Helt.

Bob went to work for Dillons in 1962 and retired in 2000. He was transferred often & worked in the towns of Larned, Dodge City, Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, Winfield, and finally moved to Lawrence, KS in 1984, where he and his family remained.

Bob quickly became a Jayhawk Fan, loved to golf, and loved his family and church.

Bob retired in 2000, due to his second treatment for cancer, always bouncing back, trying to stay positive. Bob’s favorite saying, was “It will get better. We will beat this.” Bob went through cancer treatment for the third time just recently but never stopped having hope & faith even towards the end. He was a rock and role model for his family & friends.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for April 11th, 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 1234 Kentucky St. Lawrence, KS. Burial services to immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th Lawrence KS with a dinner at St John’s church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bob’s life. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Lawrence Humane Society.

The family would like to thank Dr. Luke Huerter, the LMH Oncology Center & staff, Dr. Darren Klish & staff, Dr. Kevin Stuever & staff, Dr. Krishna Rangarajan, Dr. Ben Powers from the KU Cancer Center, Dr. Sosinski & the Hospice staff & also the Visiting Nurses.

Phillipsburg resident Willie Eller passed away April 9, 2018 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 52. He was born June 16, 1965 in Smith Center, KS, the son of LeRoy & Helen (Manion) Eller. He was a welder.

Survivors include 2 sons, Scott of Kirwin & Phillip of Beloit; his daughter, Tiffani Killion of Kearney, NE; his fiancé Melinda VanKooten of Phillipsburg; his mother, Helen of Phillipsburg; his sister, Donita Buck of McCook, NE and 4 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the Heartland Worship Center, Agra, with Pastor Monte Brunner officiating. Burial will follow in the Kirwin Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Willie Eller Memorial Fund.

gra resident Ruth A. Smith passed away April 5, 2018 in Smith Center at the age of 102. She was born August 12, 1915 in Phillips County, the daughter of Ira & Lillie (Jacobs) Cox.

Survivors include her son Arnold & wife Linda of Madison, KS, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Becky Saddler officiating. Burial will follow in the Agra Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Tuesday & Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Agra United Methodist Church.

Gordon John Christensen was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ivor John and Helen Violet (Weston) Christensen on July 9, 1925. He passed away April 6, 2018, at the Christian Rest Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 92.

Gordon attended Franklin High School and then Seattle Pacific University. His education was interrupted by polio during his second year at S. P. U. He went to North Park College and North Park Seminary, graduating in 1950. That year he was ordained into the ministry and sailed for the Belgian Congo, where he was married to Geneva Noren on September 1, 1950. Gordon’s Sunday School teacher led him to the Lord when he was about 10 years old. He enjoyed Bible Camp during the summers where they usually had missionary speakers. Influenced by them, he decided he would like to share the Good News he had received with those who hadn’t as yet heard.

Gordon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, with his major in teaching high school English. He also took some special studies at Fuller School of Missions in Pasadena, California, with Dr. Donald McGavran and Dr. J. Edwin Orr. In Gordon’s own words, “My passion is the renewing of the Church locally, nationally, and internationally. I’m excited about what God is doing in the Evangelical Church these days. My root gift is that of encourager. My greatest satisfaction comes when someone, whether high-schooler, collegian,or young married is encouraged through the mutual study of the Word and through prayer. I feel that obedience to the Word of God is the key to success, growth spiritually, and delight in the Lord.”

He will be remembered by many as a man of prayer and the Word. Gordon was a prolific writer, producing helpful booklets for the Christian life such as: “The Poison Cup”, “Puberty Rites”, “The Family”, “The Worker and his Word”, etc. No doubt the greatest gift to the African church is the three volume New Testament Commentary, Mai na Bomoi (LivingWater). They were written in their own language at the request of the church and have been used as textbooks in many Bible schools. After retirement, both Gordon and Geneva served in interim pastor capacities in several places and were involved in Schools of Prayer and Evangelism, and Spiritual Intervention.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Geneva; his three children and their spouses ; Susan and Dale Lovercheck, Michael and Angela Christensen, and Mary Lynn and Dennis Carlson; and five grandchildren: James, Timothy, Kristin, Nathan, and Katelin.

Gordon was preceded in death by his grandson, Phillip Christensen; sister, Kathleen Hoffman; and brother, Ernest Christensen.

Click HERE for service details.

Zane K. Edwards, 88, Bison, Kansas, died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mr. Edwards was born August 16, 1929, in rural Bison, Kansas, the son of Everett O. Edwards, Sr., and Frances (Bitter) Edwards. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1947 graduate of Bison High School, Bison, Kansas, he was a farmer.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas; a former member of the Bison Elementary School board; a former member of the USD 403 school board; a former member of the La Crosse Co-op board; and a former member of the Rush County ASCS board.

On December 9, 1951, he married Ila Mae Lewis at the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas.

Survivors include: his wife, Ila Mae Edwards, Bison, Kansas; two sons, David Edwards (Nancy), Norman, Oklahoma, and Brian Edwards (Karen), Bison, Kansas; one daughter, Gay Graham (Ron), Colorado Springs, Colorado; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Elbert “Bert” Edwards, Bison, Kansas; and two sisters, Ruth Anne Krug, La Crosse, Kansas, and Holly Brack, Spearman, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert Edwards, Everett “Peck” Edwards, Jr., Thomas Edwards, and Forrest Edwards; and five sisters, Ladine Peterson, Lois Edwards, Elma Edwards, Hazel Stump, and Minetta Smith.

Visitation will be Friday, April 13, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, April 14, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor David Edwards, and Pastor Ron Graham officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas, or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.