Dighton- Nikki E. Hemel, 70, died on Friday, December 15, 2017 at his home in Dighton. He was born on September 19, 1947 at Dighton the son of Edwin S. & Emily Jean (Rowe) Hemel. He married Mary Wempe on March 1, 1969 at Hutchison. He later married Beverly Kerkhoff on July 20, 1999 in Lane County.

Nikki graduated from Dighton High School in 1965 and earned his Auto Body Certification from Goodland Area Vo-Tech. He served as a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. He moved to Hutchinson in 1977 and to Victoria in 1985 before returning to Dighton in 1990. He worked as a Body Shop Manager in Garden City, Hutchinson & Hays. After returning to Dighton he worked for Lane County as the Weed Director and Road Supervisor. He later was a truck driver, and Parts Man at Bretz Inc.

He was a member of St Theresa Catholic Church in Dighton, Ness City Knights Of Columbus and American Legion Post # 190 of Dighton. He served on many American Legion Funeral Honor Guards and was looking forward to going on the Honor Flight this coming April. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, cribbage & playing pool.

He is survived by his Wife- Beverly Hemel of the Home, 2 Sons- Adair Hemel of Ness City & Kegan & Danell Hemel of Atwood, 2 Step-Daughters- Rhonda & Mike Bainter of Grainfield & Laurel & Kenny Burbrink of Halstead, Brother- Rikki Hemel of Van Alstyne, Texas, 2 Sisters- Alana Chapman & Alicia Pike both of Dighton, 17 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchild.

Rosary will be at 7:00 PM Monday and Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM Tuesday both at St Theresa Catholic Church in Dighton with Rev Warren Stecklein presiding. Burial will be in Healy Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post # 190 and Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. Calling Hours will be from Noon to 5:30 PM Monday at Boomhower Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to St Theresa Catholic Church, St Catherine Hospice, American Legion Post # 190 or American Cancer Society in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.

Richard L. Cain, age 85, passed away December 14, 2017, in Baytown, Texas. He was born November 11, 1932 to Frank and Twyla (Skinner) Cain, in Harvey County, Kansas.

Richard graduated from Trego Community High School. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Baytown, Texas, and Clear Lake (Kemah) Elks Lodge #2322, Kemah, Texas. On October 31, 1952, he was united in marriage to Vearle Louise Tevis of Wheatland, Missouri. He was a veteran of the Korean Police Action, serving in the United States Army. After he returned home, he went to work in the oilfield, in WaKeeney, for Imperial Oil, then he moved to Russell, Kansas where he worked for Cities Service Oil Company, in production. Richard later transferred to NGL and moved to Wichita, and then Baytown, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vearle; two brothers, John and Frank “Bud”; and son-in-law, David Anderson. Survivors include two daughters, Twyla and husband Scott Leake of Baytown, Texas, and Penny Anderson of Ellis, Kansas; grandsons, Jason Brown and wife Nan, and Jeff Brown of Ellis, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Harley, Kassi, Abby, Trenten, and Makal Brown of Ellis, Kansas; granddaughter, Carol Moore of Baytown, Texas; grandson, Keith Leake and wife Rebecca of Baycliff, Texas; great-granddaughters, Taylor Moore of Baytown, Texas and Kinsey Leake and great-grandson, Joshua Alexander of Baycliff, Texas; and two sisters-in-law, Marsha Cain of Hays, Kansas and Betty Cain of Oakley, Kansas.

Graveside funeral service and burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 21, 2017 at WaKeeney Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas.

There will be no public visitation.

Memorial contributions are suggested to T.E.I. (to benefit Texas Elks Children’s Services) 1963 FM1586, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Greg Wellbrock, age 51, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses. He was born February 1, 1966, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Louis Jr. and Maxine (Goble) Wellbrock.

Greg grew up in Hays and Emporia, then moved back to Hays and graduated from Hays High School in 1984. He continued his education at Northwest Kansas Vo-Tech School. Greg married Cindy Munk on February 6, 1991 in Hoxie, Kansas. Greg worked for CLT and then Landmark Appraisal in Ulysses since 1992. He was the County Appraiser for Grant, Haskell, Morton, Stanton, and Stevens Counties. Greg loved life. He enjoyed playing golf, going camping and hiking, driving jeeps, making model airplanes, and listening to vinyl records.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy of the home; sons, Brent Wellbrock of Hays, and Aaron Wellbrock of Holcomb; mother, Maxine Wellbrock of Hays; brothers, Mark Wellbrock and wife Linda of Jetmore, and John Wellbrock and wife Heather of Hays; sister, Susan Drake and husband Robert of Osage City; mother-in-law, Mary Alice Munk of Hoxie; two granddaughters, Daylee and Parker; a granddaughter, Iliana on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Greg is preceded in death by his father, Louis Wellbrock, Jr.; father-in-law, Lester Munk; grandparents, Harold and Gladys Goble, and Louis and Louise Wellbrock.

Funeral service will be Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 10:00 AM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses with Reverend Kelly Gindlesberger officiating. Graveside service will be Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 3:00 PM at Fort Hays Memorial Garden Cemetery in Hays, Kansas, with Pastor Ken Ediger officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 15, 2017, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.

Richard L. Cain, age 85, passed away December 14, 2017, in Baytown, Texas. He was born November 11, 1932 to Frank and Twyla (Skinner) Cain, in Harvey County, Kansas.

Richard graduated from Trego Community High School. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Baytown, Texas, and Clear Lake (Kemah) Elks Lodge #2322, Kemah, Texas. On October 31, 1952, he was united in marriage to Vearle Louise Tevis of Wheatland, Missouri. He was a veteran of the Korean Police Action, serving in the United States Army. After he returned home, he went to work in the oilfield, in WaKeeney, for Imperial Oil, then he moved to Russell, Kansas where he worked for Cities Service Oil Company, in production. Richard later transferred to NGL and moved to Wichita, and then Baytown, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vearle; two brothers, John and Frank “Bud”; and son-in-law, David Anderson. Survivors include two daughters, Twyla and husband Scott Leake of Baytown, Texas, and Penny Anderson of Ellis, Kansas; grandsons, Jason Brown and wife Nan, and Jeff Brown of Ellis, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Harley, Kassi, Abby, Trenten, and Makal Brown of Ellis, Kansas; granddaughter, Carol Moore of Baytown, Texas; grandson, Keith Leake and wife Rebecca of Baycliff, Texas; great-granddaughters, Taylor Moore of Baytown, Texas and Kinsey Leake and great-grandson, Joshua Alexander of Baycliff, Texas; and two sisters-in-law, Marsha Cain of Hays, Kansas and Betty Cain of Oakley, Kansas.

Graveside funeral service and burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 21, 2017 at WaKeeney Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas.

There will be no public visitation.

Memorial contributions are suggested to T.E.I. (to benefit Texas Elks Children’s Services) 1963 FM1586, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Travis Lee Smith, 27, passed away on December 13, 2017 3/10 mile North of Hwy K-96 on X Rd east of Ness City, Kansas. He was born on June 03, 1990 in Hays, Kansas the son of Jeff and Jennifer (Moore) Smith.

He was a Roustabout.

Survivors include his parents; grandparents, Delroy and Avis Moore; his aunt, Mary (Fred) Erb of Longmont, Colorado; his uncle, Shannon (Jeanette) Moore; sister, Brittany (Nick Snodgrass) Smith; nieces, Nickole and Hannah Snodgrass; his dog, Blue all of Ness City. He was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Hobart Smith; and his Grandmother, Colleen Smith.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 10:00 AM, at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kansas. Burial in the Ness City Cemetery, Ness City, Kansas. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Tuesday December 19, 2017 from 9:00a.m.–8:00p.m., with the family present from 6:00-8:00p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Nickole and Hannah Snodgrass Educational Fund in Ness City, Kansas.

Gail Louis Harris, age 77, passed away on December 14, 2017 at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City. He was born on October 6, 1940 in Larned, Kansas the son of Clifford and Helen (Andersen) Harris.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Ness City. Gail was a retired farmer/rancher and school bus driver. He was previously a USD 302 Ransom Board of Education Member and Ransom Junior Farmers 4-H Club Community Leader. Gail was a veteran of the US Army and served as a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper.

On January 26, 1963 he married Kaye Stieben in Bazine, Kansas. They worked and raised their family in the Ransom area and moved to Ness City after retirement.

Gail is survived by his wife, Kaye; son, Jay Harris and his wife Kris of Hays; daughters, Kimberly and her husband Mitch, of Ness City and Kristin Pendergraft of Spring Hill, Tennessee; brother, Arlyn Harris and his wife Nancy of Jenks, Oklahoma; two sisters, Bertha Shannon of Liberty, Missouri and Carol Halsey and her husband Larry of Loveland, Colorado; five grandchildren, Hailey Hawkinson and her husband Dal, James Pendergraft, Kyle Harris, Jordan Pendergraft, and Kade Harris; and three great grandchildren, Paizley and Cruze Hawkinson and Kennedy Pendergraft.

He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Don, Merle, and Carl Harris.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 2:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ness City followed by burial in the Ransom Cemetery. Viewing will be on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church, Ness City from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church, Ness City.

Melissa Jo (Resley) Schremmer, 54, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2017 after a courageous battle against Ovarian Cancer with her loving family by her side.

Melissa was born October 9, 1963 in Plainville, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and LaDeanne (Coles) Resley. She grew up in the Plainville and Natoma area and graduated from Plainville High School in the Class of ’82.

Melissa met, fell in love with and was united in marriage to Robert E. “Bob” Schremmer. This union was blessed with two daughters; Danielle and Adrienne. They lived a short time in Plainville before moving to Russell in 1983.

Melissa was a devoted wife and homemaker. She was the owner/operator of Angels-N-Training Daycare for over 18 years. She was a waitress for the Russell Elks Lodge. She was the C-Store manager at Agco, Inc. for over 15 years. She sold Mary Kay cosmetics for many years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was very active in the RHS Booster Club, Safe Night After Prom and many other activities of her daughters. She was a proud supporter of Relay For Life activities. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, but giving people a hard time at Agco & making people smile was a real passion of hers.

Melissa is survived by her husband of 35 years, Bob of the home; daughters, Danielle Bachman (Caleb) of Russell, Kansas and Adrienne Schremmer of Russell, Kansas; three brothers, Bob Resley and Brian Resley both of Wichita, Kansas and Shane Macke of Catherine, Kansas; three sisters, Debbie Burton and Mitzi Keith both of Wichita, Kansas and Becky Eklund of Spingdale, Arkansas; and three grandchildren, Chaysie Bachman, Koby Schremmer, Breygan Bachman. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, step-father Leo Macke and two brothers, Danny Resley and Richard Resley.

Celebration of Melissa’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established with Hays Hospice. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Victoria, Kansas – Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Edsall, age 66, died Saturday, December 16, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born August 29,1951, in Hays, Kansas to Alvin P. and Shirley Jean (Weigel) Braun.  She married Jerry Spiess and later she married Ivan R. Edsall on March 23, 1996, in Hays, Kansas.

Kathy was a homemaker, a day care provider and was a cook at St. John’s Rest Home in Victoria for a few years.  She grew up in Victoria and was a 1969 graduate of Victoria High School.  She was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas,    enjoyed cooking, crocheting, music, fishing and her pets.

Survivors include her husband, Ivan R. Edsall, of the home; one son, Jason Spiess and his companion, Nicole Wallace, Victoria, KS; two daughters, Kelly  Wellbrock and husband, Brett; Melanie Spiess and her fiancé, Travis Dennis, all of Salina, KS; one brother, Dennis “Mike” Braun, Hays, KS; four sisters, Marilyn Stoffel and husband, Jerry, Victoria, KS; Deborah Seitz and husband, Steve, Victoria, KS; Rosie Hammerschmidt and husband, Gerald, Hays, KS; Paula Younker and husband, Dale, Jetmore, KS; one sister-in-law, Yvonne Braun, Victoria, KS; five grandchildren, Sophia Spiess, Gage  Spiess, Jace Spiess, Carson Wellbrock and Julia Wellbrock; three step-grandchildren, James, Kelton and Lakyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, Adam and Clemetine Braun; Dan and Catherine Weigel.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 21, 2017, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.  Inurnment will be at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Clines-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Thursday all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]