Lifelong Phillipsburg resident Noma M. Keesee passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018, in the Phillips County Retirement Center, Phillipsburg, at the age of 88.

She was born December 4, 1929 in Phillips County, KS the daughter of Erl & Theresa (Schulke) Haskett.

She was united marriage to Lowell Keesee on February 9, 1950 in La Junta, Colorado. He preceded her in death on March 4, 2009.

Survivors include her 3 sons, John of Shirley, Massachusetts, Robert of Phillipsburg and Tony of Mannford, Oklahoma; 2 daughters, Amy Gordon of Trevor City, Michigan and Rita Graham of Haltom City, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and her sister, Bernice Werner of Phillipsburg.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. Burial will follow in the Agra Cemetery, Agra, KS.

Mrs. Keesee will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from Noon until 9 p.m. Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends Sunday evening at the funeral chapel from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ or Senior Companions.

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Graveside Memorial Service: Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 am at Big Timber Cemetery, rural Jennings, Kansas, with Kent Morgan officiating

Military Rites: Oberlin American Legion Post #70.

Memorial Fund: Decatur County Food Pantry (contributions may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749)

In Loving Memory
Lee Edward Franklin passed away March 4, 2018, at the age of 72. He was born October 6, 1945, in Oberlin, Kansas, to Leo H. Franklin (1913-2001) and Charlotte J. (Cilek) Franklin (1916-1988).

Lee spent his youth on the family farm northwest of Jennings and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1963. He attended Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. Lee joined the US Air Force where he rose to the rank of Captain during the Vietnam War. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. Lee was a proud veteran who loved his country and understood through real experience that freedom isn’t free.

After leaving the Air Force, he completed his university studies then worked in the securities and exchange business for many years in Colorado before retiring to the family farm near Jennings. In his retirement, Lee spent countless hours promoting economic development in rural counties. He was also an accomplished chef and barbeque pro, well known for his special Memorial Day gatherings.

In December 1968, Lee married Ardis Marie Crouse in Haigler, Nebraska. They later divorced.

Lee is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Christian and Kristen Franklin of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Ryan and Kate Franklin; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Allen Hooper of Oberlin; two nieces; and many cousins. His parents preceded him in death. Because of his mother’s blood connection to the original Decatur County pioneer families of Cilek, Rohan, Heiman, Tacha, Hess, and Petracek, Lee is related to hundreds of people in the area. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Vivian Loene (McCabe) Skrdlant, beloved daughter of Lowell and Naomi (Ritter) McCabe, was born October 8, 1928 in Norton County, Kansas, and left this earthly life on March 7, 2018 at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas, at the age of 89.

Vivian grew up on the family farm nine miles west of Norton. She attended Davis country school #111, grades first through eighth. She then attended Norton Community High School and graduated with the class of 1946. She enjoyed running and winning the county three legged and sack races as a child.

She was united in marriage to Emil Skrdlant on November 14, 1948 in Norton, Kansas. To this union four wonderful sons were born: Walter, Roy, Darrell, and Gary.

After Vivian’s marriage, she lived on a farm north of Norton, spending the first year even without electricity. She was a farm wife who also had a garden, raised chickens, and sold eggs to most of the restaurants in Norton. She greatly enjoyed crocheting and doing many handcrafts. She crocheted Afghans, for all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren except for the last ones when her health gave out. She was a member of the Sunshine Club, and she and Emil belonged to the Norton Squarenaders Square Dance Club. She enjoyed life, traveling coast to coast, and always worried about animals that had to stay outside in the heat or cold. Her greatest joy in life was her family and friends, and spending time with them. She enjoyed being a mother and grandmother. Emil and Vivian moved into Norton in 1983. Emil passed away in 1993. Vivian lived by herself until 2014, when she moved to Whispering Pines, and later to the Andbe Home. She was a member of the Norton Christian Church.

Survivors include: four sons, Walter, and wife, Elaine Skrdlant, Norton; Roy, and wife, Jean Skrdlant, Norton; Darrell, and wife, Kathie Skrdlant, Norton; Gary, and wife, Wendy Skrdlant, Manhattan, KS; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Aletha Rule.

FUNERAL SERVICE- Saturday, March 10, 2018 – 10:30 A.M.
PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – Norton, Kansas
VISITATION – Friday, March 9, 2018 from 5:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M
PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – Norton, Kansas
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, Kansas
MEMORIALS – Vivian Skrdlant Memorial Fund

Geraldine “Jerry” Shaw, age 86, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sheridan County Health Complex, Long Term Care, Hoxie, Kansas.  She was born September 27, 1931 in Quinter to M.A. and Osie (Stubbs)  Gillespie. 

Jerry was a 1949 graduate of Grainfield High School.  She was united in marriage to Curtis Shaw on June 19, 1949 in Wichita.  They were married for 51 years until his death on March 3, 2001.  For 54 years, Jerry worked as a bookkeeper for Shaw Motor Company.  She was a member of the Grainfield United Methodist Church and American Legion Auxiliary. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, quick wit, and sarcasm.

Survivors include a daughter, Jann (Herman) Zerr of Grainfield; a son, Gene Shaw of Grainfield; eight grandchildren, Brian (Silvia) Zerr of New York City, Brett Zerr of Chicago, Ryan Shaw of Oakley, Lee (Evan) Miller of Kansas City, Missouri, Miles (Tara) Shaw of Oakley, Dillon (Jamie) Shaw of Salina, Kyle Shaw of Grainfield, Dayna (Jonathan) Alexander of Garden City; and six great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Loretta Shaw and Beulah Gillespie.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Jack, Bill, and Don Gillespie; and three sisters, Joy Coberly, Betty Priefert, and Shirley Verhoeff.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Grainfield.  Burial will be in the Grainfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Grainfield United Methodist Church, Grainfield American Legion, or Grainfield Opera House.  Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Velma Louise Underwood, 83, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, Marych 07, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Services are pending at this time and cremation has been selceted by the family. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangments.

Geraldine “Jerry” Shaw, age 86, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sheridan County Health Complex, Long Term Care, Hoxie, Kansas.  She was born September 27, 1931 in Quinter to M.A. and Osie (Stubbs)  Gillespie. 

Jerry was a 1949 graduate of Grainfield High School.  She was united in marriage to Curtis Shaw on June 19, 1949 in Wichita.  They were married for 51 years until his death on March 3, 2001.  For 54 years, Jerry worked as a bookkeeper for Shaw Motor Company.  She was a member of the Grainfield United Methodist Church and American Legion Auxiliary. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, quick wit, and sarcasm.

Survivors include a daughter, Jann (Herman) Zerr of Grainfield; a son, Gene Shaw of Grainfield; eight grandchildren, Brian (Silvia) Zerr of New York City, Brett Zerr of Chicago, Ryan Shaw of Oakley, Lee (Evan) Miller of Kansas City, Missouri, Miles (Tara) Shaw of Oakley, Dillon (Jamie) Shaw of Salina, Kyle Shaw of Grainfield, Dayna (Jonathan) Alexander of Garden City; and six great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Loretta Shaw and Beulah Gillespie.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Jack, Bill, and Don Gillespie; and three sisters, Joy Coberly, Betty Priefert, and Shirley Verhoeff.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Grainfield.  Burial will be in the Grainfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Grainfield United Methodist Church, Grainfield American Legion, or Grainfield Opera House.  Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Jimmie L. Jeffery, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on October 28, 1935 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Roy & Beth Hein Jeffery. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1960 moving from Wisconsin, he was a Paint Contractor and Roofer.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

On March 24, 1956 he married Nathella McLaughlin in Merrillan, Wisconsin. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Nathella Jeffery of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Wade & Shawn Jeffery of Hays, Kansas, Two Daughters – Jimalene & Randy Haddon Of Ellinwood, Kansas, Nathella & Calvin Humburg of Ness City, Kansas, Six Grandchildren and Three Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents.

Memorial Services will be held at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018 with the Rev. Robert Nuckolls presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Park Lane Nursing Home or Scott County Hospital in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

There will be no calling times.

Betty Jane (Barcus) Wagner, age 95, passed away Tuesday March 6, 2018 at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, KS. She was born the daughter of Ira (Ike) and Blanche (Dillon) Barcus on March 20, 1922 in Lebanon, Kansas. Betty attended Barefoot Nation, a one room school, then Portis schools through her sophomore year. She transferred to Smith Center for junior and senior years. It was at Smith Center High where she met her future husband, Junior (J.S.) Wagner. Betty and J.S. were married June 9, 1945 at Jacksonville, North Carolina. Betty and J.S. were blessed with three children, Nancy, James and Joel. Betty was a wonderful wife and mother. Betty was a cancer survivor in the 1950’s but never let the surgery or the after effects interfere with her devotion to family and community.

Betty was active in the church, legion auxiliary and school activities. She enjoyed gardening and baking. Her holiday meals were her pride and joy.

Betty is survived by her husband of 72 years (J.S.), daughter Nancy (John) Weber, Oakley KS, sons James (Susan), Topeka KS, Joel (Diane), Manhattan KS, and grandson Greg Wagner, Manhattan KS. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Joey Weber.

Click HERE for service details.

Jimmie L. Jeffery, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.

He was born on October 28, 1935 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Roy & Beth Hein Jeffery. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1960 moving from Wisconsin, he was a Paint Contractor and Roofer.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

On March 24, 1956 he married Nathella McLaughlin in Merrillan, Wisconsin. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Nathella Jeffery of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Wade & Shawn Jeffery of Hays, Kansas, Two Daughters – Jimalene & Randy Haddon Of Ellinwood, Kansas, Nathella & Calvin Humburg of Ness City, Kansas, Six Grandchildren and Three Great Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his Parents.

Memorial Services will be held at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018 with the Rev. Robert Nuckolls presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Park Lane Nursing Home or Scott County Hospital in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

There will be no calling times.

Sheryl M. Fuss, 75, of Hays, KS, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society-Hays, KS. Funeral services are pending and will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.