Christopher Neal Espinosa, 50, passed away Sept. 21, 2019, at St. Luke’s on the Plaza, Kansas City. He was born July 17, 1969, at Great Bend to Lawrence Francisco and Karla (Neal) Espinosa. He married Rebecca Anderson on April 18, 1992 at Great Bend. She survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Christopher was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He enjoyed weightlifting and was the founder of Brutal Strength weightlifting of Great Bend, and a member of Club One Fitness. Christopher also loved listening to music and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include, his wife, Rebecca of the home; his parents, Lawrence and Karla Espinosa of Great Bend; one son, Zachary Espinosa of Great Bend; one daughter, Jazmine Jones of Great Bend; one brother, Michael Espinosa and wife Graciela of Great Bend; two grandchildren, Natalie Jones and Harley Jones; and two nephews, Michael Espinosa and Marco Espinosa of Great Bend.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, with Edward Forton presiding.

Memorials are suggested to the Christopher Espinosa Expense Fund or Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

HEALY- Jason Carl “JP” Penka, 44, died on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Lane County. He was born on July 18, 1975 at Scott City the son of Larry J. and Brenda Lee (Powers) Penka.

Jason was a lifetime Lane County resident. He graduated from Healy High School in 1993 and joined the family farm. He was a lifelong farmer and also did some part-time jobs such as helping Rick Roemer dig graves. He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church of Dighton and the Lane County Bowling Association. He enjoyed cooking, fixing things, mechanics and especially being involved with youth.

He was preceded in death by his mother-Brenda Penka, step-mother-Jody Penka and sister- Monett LaPointe.

He is survived by his father Larry Penka of Healy, brother Michael and Jamie Penka of Healy, niece MacKenzie Penka and seven nephews Nathan Penka, Trenton Cantrell, Brian Penka, Skyler Cantrell, Mitchell Penka, Quinton LaPointe and Kaleb LaPointe.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St Theresa Catholic Church in Dighton with Father Bernard Felix officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. Memorials are suggested to Jason Penka Memorial Fund in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Stella Marie Vonfeldt, age 90, of Aurora, Colo., passed away Sept. 19, 2019 in Aurora.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by a parish vigil all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine,  Hays, KS 67601.

Brenda K. Urban, age 74, of Ellis, Kan., passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 peacefully at Hays Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones. May she now rest after suffering so long. She was born on May 3, 1945 in Hays, the eldest daughter of Earl and Eleanor (Stramel) Saunders. Brenda grew up in Hays and graduated from Hays High School in 1963.

Brenda was united in marriage to Darrell Dodge and this union was blessed with her daughters Dena and Kristi. Brenda was later united in marriage to the true love of her life Edward G. Urban. Brenda and Ed made their home in Ellis, Kan.

Some of Brenda’s greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren. Brenda also enjoyed traveling, especially if the destination was a casino. During her later years, Brenda suffered from numerous strokes as well as cancer. Throughout her illnesses she maintained her love of life and family. Brenda made a point to never miss a grandchild’s school program or ball game. Brenda loved to work on puzzles with her daughters while listening to Elvis.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Ed of the home; daughters, Dena Kreutzer and husband Kevin of Abilene, Kan., and Kristi Whitman and husband Fred of Paradise, Kan.; step-daughters Tammy of Oakley, Kan., and Debbie of Colby, Kan.; a step-son Mike of Oakley, Kan.; sisters Pam Bryant and husband Ernie of Hays, and Gloria Capaluto and husband David of Redlands, Calif. Brenda’s greatest legacy lives on in her four grandchildren that she loved so dearly. Brett Kreutzer, Holly Whitman, Ryan Kreutzer and Kyle Whitman who will carry fond memories of their grandmother throughout their lives. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Eleanor Saunders of Hays and her sister Barb Heuser of Ventura, Calif.

A celebration of Brenda’s life will be at a later date. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

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

Fredrick Oliver Mitchell, Sr., 82, of Great Bend, Kansas, died on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Ellinwood Hospital in Ellinwood, Kansas.

Fred was born on October 30, 1936, in rural Russell, Kansas, on the family farm, the son of Oscar Rolland and Zelda Beatrice (Carroll) Mitchell. He grew up on the farm in Russell and attended local schools. He joined the United States Army and served during the Korean war. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Virginia Ann Hill on January 29, 1961, in Russell, Kansas.

He was self-employed installing irrigation systems and later worked in the oilfield. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend, Kansas. He enjoyed farming, fishing, playing cards, preaching the word of God and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Virginia of the home, sons Fredrick O. Mitchell, Jr. and Martin Mitchell and wife Kathey all of Great Bend, Kansas; brother Stanley M. Mitchell and wife Earlene of Garden City, Kansas; sisters Glenna Pascal and Marceline Bender both of Russell, Kansas; 3 grandchildren: Trinity Mitchell, Ashley Stanley, and Chelsea Mitchell; and 3 great grandchildren Charlotte, Peter & Claire Stanley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jason John Mitchell; brothers Kenneth and Charles Mitchell, Gail Terry and Oscar B. Mitchell; sisters Margaret Kennedy and Daisy Pfannenstiel.

A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Josh Foster officiating. Family will greet guests the day of the service from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the church. No visitation will take place at the mortuary. The family will host a funeral dinner at the church immediately following the church service. A graveside service will be held at 2 P.M. Thursday afternoon at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.

Memorials can be given to the First Church of the Nazarene and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Mary D. Mead, 103, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the Wheatland Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on January 15, 1916, in Johnston, Rhode Island to Germano and Anastasia (Girardi) Torrice who were immigrants of D’Evandro, Italy. Mary was one of 7 children and grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island. She was a secretary in the Pentagon during WWII. She met her future husband Jay Mead, who was from Waldo, Kansas, in Washington DC at a ballgame. Jay and Mary met while Jay was a soldier waiting to be shipped out for overseas duty.

After Jay’s return, Mary and Jay were married on October 02, 1944, at the Church of Saint Teresa of Avila in Providence, Rhode Island. Mary would say that her new life began when she moved to Kansas, which meant life would be without butchers and bakers and a great distance from everyone and everything she knew. She was a quick learner becoming a wonderful homemaker, and everything was made from scratch and laundry was done on a wringer washer and hung outside to dry. She often said she came to Kansas and got healthy. She resided at the homestead near Waldo until November 2000, when she moved to September Apartments in Russell and enjoyed many activities with the ladies who lived there.

Mary will be remembered for her ability to put on a meal for a crowd with seemingly little effort. She was a master at cinnamon rolls, homemade pizza and lemon meringue pie that people fought over at community dinners.

Mary is survived by her sons Stephen Mead of Hesston, Kansas, Allen Mead (Sandy) of Kismet, Kansas and Mark Mead (Patty) of Russell, Kansas; daughter Jackie Brown (Kevin) of Oberlin, Kansas; ten grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, sister Yolanda DePalo of Providence, Rhode Island, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

A celebration of the funeral mass for Mary will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Burial will follow at the Grand Center Cemetery north of Waldo, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, September 23, 2019, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday evening. Immediately following the graveside service the family would like to invite all funeral guests to join them for a lunch at the Waldo Senior Center in Waldo, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Waldo Senior Center and sent in care of the mortuary.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Melody Y. Stevens, age 60, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.

She was born on May 24, 1959, the daughter of Herbert A. & Margie B. Stevens. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 2005 moving from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she was a Ball Room Dance Teacher and in Advertising Sales.

She attended the First Christian Church as well as the First Baptist Church. Melody was a 1977 graduate of Scott Community High School and of Fort Hays State University and performed as a member of the Tiger Debs.

Survivors include her Father – Herbert Stevens of Scott City, Kansas, Mother – Margie Stevens of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers – Rick Stevens of Scott City, Kansas, Stacy Stevens of Colorado Springs, Colorado, One Sister – Colette & Steve Robinson of Vienna, Virginia , Five Nephews – Chad & Mara Stevens of St. Johns, Florida, Corbin & Heidi Stevens of Scott City, Kansas, Curtis & Theresa Stevens of Salina, Kansas, Sean Stevens of Kansas City, Missouri Seth Stevens of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Two Nieces – Crista Stevens-Kirchhoff of Smith Center, Kansas, and Stefanie Stevens & Mario Lozoya of Kansas City, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by One Brother – Mark Stevens and One Nephew – Brannon Chayston Stevens.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 23, 2019 at the First Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas with Pastors Rodney Hopper and Steve Payne presiding.

Inurnment will be held at a later date and time.

There will be no calling times.