Elizabeth Ileen “Betty” Zimmerman, 83, passed away Nov. 20, 2017, surrounded by her family at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend. She was born June 4, 1934, at Hays, the daughter of Edgar Joseph and Helen Lucida (Hammerschmidt) Sanders. She married Donald Dean “Zip” Zimmerman Oct. 21, 1952 at Hays. He passed away April 23, 2005. A Great Bend resident since 1952, coming from Hays, Mrs. Zimmerman was bookkeeper and car detailer for Zip’s Service, and did finish work for the homes she and Zip built.

Mrs. Zimmerman was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was long-time treasurer of the Altar Society. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, making drapes, tailoring and quilting.

Survivors include two sons, Joey Zimmerman and his wife Sara of Great Bend, and Denny Zimmerman and his wife Stacy of Searcy, Ark., and; two daughters, Yvonne Sumner and her husband Greg of Norcatur, and Linda Johnson and her husband Mike of Great Bend; one sister, Gladys Webster of Great Bend; and 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three sons, Donald “Beaver” Zimmerman, Jr., Ronald “Roon” Zimmerman and Rick Zimmerman; one daughter, Debbie Branstetter; three brothers, Dennis Sanders, Leon Sanders and Donald Sanders; one sister, Charlotte Shearrer; one granddaughter, Amanda Zimmerman; and one great-grandson, Brandon Sumner.

Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home. Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Ted Stoecklein celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Prince of Peace Parish or River Bend Assisted Living, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Shay Aura (Blackman) Meckenstock went home to her Heavenly Father on Friday, November 17, 2017. She was surrounded by her husband, daughters, son-in-law, sister, and niece. She died at Pikes Peak Hospice Care at Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, after a courageous three-year battle with metastasized breast cancer.

Shay was born Sept 1, 1958 in St. Louis, MO. She was the oldest child of Elton L. Blackman and Betty Biebel of St. Louis. She attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She was united in marriage to Bobb A. Meckenstock of Hays, Kansas, November 25, 1978, in St. Louis. They were married almost 39 years.

At the time of her death, Shay was licensed by Dove Christian International Fellowship as Senior Elder of Hays Fellowship House Church. Shay earned a Bachelor of Practical Ministry and held a Certificate for Deliverance Ministry from Wagner Leadership Institute. She was author of Mysteries of Christ and a cookbook, A Taste of Home, co-authored with her daughter Heather. Formerly, Shay was Director of Stephen Ministries, Women’s Ministry Director, and co-founder of Inside Out Club at the Hays Presbyterian Church; and from 1996-2006 Young Life Area Director for Hays, KS.

Survivors include her husband, Bobb A. Meckenstock, of the home. Daughter Sarah and son-in-law Brian Weimer; grandsons Noah, Jack, and Miles, of Hays, KS. Daughter Gennifer and son-in-law Levi Marconette; grandchildren Meran and Wesley, of Cedar Park, TX. Daughter Heather and son-in-law Daron Jamison; grandchildren Basha, Joseph, Emma, and Asher, of Redding, CA. Mother Betty Biebel of Ballwin, MO. Father Elton L. and his wife Carol Blackman, of Black, MO. Sister JoAnn and husband George, of Black, MO. Brother Jim and wife Wenny, of Katy, TX. Brother Paul, of Black, MO. Half-brother Brian Blackman, of Las Vegas, NV. Sisters-in law Mary Meckenstock and Lea Bush. Brother-in-law Dan Meckenstock and wife Cindy. Nine nieces and nephews.

Shay was preceded in death by her stepfather Harold Biebel; brothers-in-law David Meckenstock and Bill Bush.

Services will be held at 11 am Saturday Nov. 25 at North Oak Community Church in Hays.

Shay wished to be cremated and some of her ashes interred at Mt. Allen Cemetery at the family plot in Hays.

A celebration of life will be hosted by the family in the spring of 2018, where her ashes will be spread at Sourdough Ranch, in Woodland Park, CO.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be given to Kansas City Renewal Fellowship in honor of Shay Meckenstock. Donations can be sent to 2301 NW 86th St., Kansas City, MO 64154.

Condolences can be sent to the family at 3715 Fairway Dr., Hays, KS 67601.

Lydia Schoenberger was born June 13, 1921 to the late John and Amelia (Herman) Kreutzer in Rush County.  She passed away November 20, 2017 at 1:38 pm at the Long Term Care in WaKeeney, KS.  Lydia was 96 years of age. 

She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Parochial School in Marienthal, Kansas.  Lydia worked in Garden City from 1939 to 1940 for the National Women’s Organization.

On October 22, 1940 Lydia married Vic Schoenberger in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marienthal, KS.  They lived in LaCrosse for seven years, then purchased a farm south of Collyer where they lived for several years farming and raising 11 children.  Upon retiring they moved to WaKeeney where they built a new home.  She resided there until moving to the Long Term care where she passed away.

Lydia was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and Altar Society, Randall Reid VFW Post, and Trego County Hospital Auxiliary. Lydia loved to embroider, play cards, work in her flower garden and have her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren visit her.

She is survived by three daughters and seven sons:  Verlene Wilson, Mary Jo and husband Bob McCoy, all of WaKeeney, Phyllis and husband Gene Steiben of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Vic Jr. and wife Colleen, Martin and wife Carolyn, Wayne, Kevin and wife Tracey, Gerard and wife Amy, all of WaKeeney, John (J.D.) and wife Georgette of Elephant Butte, New Mexico, and Jim and wife Peggy of Russell; also surviving Lydia are 27 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vic, son Kenny, son-in-law Jack Wilson, grandson Brian Schoenberger, great-granddaughter Anna Bergquist, stillborn twins, seven sisters, and four brothers.

Lydia was a humble person who committed herself to God’s plan for her life, accepting everything that came into her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney.   Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7 with a parish vigil service following at 7:00.  Both will be at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, Long Term Care or Hospice Services, Inc.  Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12^th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

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

Frances Agnes (Herrman) Ridler, age 94, of Hays passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 in Castle Rock, Colorado. She was born June 16,1923 in Liebenthal, Kansas. She graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1941. She married George “Max” Ridler on June 28, 1944 in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Fran took great pride in her leadership and volunteer positions as past President of the VFW Auxiliary, her many years as a volunteer for Hadley Hospital Auxiliary and she enjoyed playing golf.

She is survived by her three sons, Robert and wife Melody of Mannsville, NY, James and wife Donna of Buffalo, MN and Randy and wife Pam of Castle Rock, CO and son-in-law David Carey, Carlsbad, CA; five grandchildren, Marcella Ridler, Christopher Ridler, Michael Ridler, Ryan Ridler and Lance Ridler as well as 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Agnes Herrman, husband, Max and a daughter, Gladys Carey.

A Visitation and Recitation of the Rosary will be Wednesday, November 22, 10:00 am at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

Graveside service will be Wednesday, November 22, 11:30 am at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney.

John Elijah Bird passed away on November 18th at his home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 96. He was born on a farm near Lincoln, Kansas on November 29, 1920 to Henry C. and Lillian M. (Howard) Bird. John was raised by his grandparents, Elijah Fuller and Parrie Belle (Thomas) Bird, on a farm near Lincoln, Kansas following the death of his mother in 1922. He later moved to Russell, Kansas where he graduated from high school in 1939. He then joined the US Army Air Corps and served in WWII until 1945.

John married Norma Jean (Jean Hornbeck) on November 16, 1942, in Tallahassee, Florida. They were married 62 years and were blessed with 3 children. John lived most of his adult life in Codell and Plainville, Kansas. He worked many years in the oil fields, was the owner and operator of Bird Enterprises Oil Company, and built homes with his cousin, Albert Bird. He was also a promoter of motorcycle races and events in the local area of Stockton and Plainville. He worked many hours a day in his Harley Davidson motorcycle shop where he was able to mentor many young men who visited there. John was very active in hunting, fishing and playing music. He was a very interesting and caring person and loved traveling. His trip on the Kansas Honor Flight for Veterans was a highlight of his life. He was very proud of his WWII Service.

John is survived by his son Gerald “Jerry” Bird of Plainville, Kansas; two daughters, Janet Kaba-Moss of Victoria, Kansas and Constance Von Feldt and husband Jim of Victoria, Kansas; half-brother Jim Bird of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Wilinda Harmon and husband Greg of Fairview, Oklahoma, Doug Kaba and wife Jana of Paso Robles, California, Steve Kaba of Topeka, Kansas, and Chad Teichman and wife Candi of Stafford, Kansas; grandson-in-law Joe Shaffer of Wichita, Kansas; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jean Bird, brother Vernon, half-sister Donna Hendricks and granddaughter, Leaa Renee Teichman-Shaffer.

Services will be held Saturday, November 25 at 2:30 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Plainville, Kansas. Interment will follow at the Plainville Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday with family receiving friends at the First Baptist Church in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Honor Flight for Veterans, Rooks County Fair Motorcycle Race Fund, or donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, Kansas 67663.

Elnor Hope (Hinderliter) Krehbiel, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017, at the Lane County Hospital in Dighton. She was born April 4, 1921 in Cleveland, Kansas the daughter of Daniel Ernest and Abbie Marie (Buntain) Hinderliter.

Elnor grew up in the Cleveland area and graduated from Kingman High School. In her childhood years, she was nicknamed “Hopie” & “Little Miss Sunshine”, for her ready smile and the mischievous glint in her eyes.

On November 24, 1938, she married Orville Lloyd Krehbiel in Cleveland. They had been married almost 56 years when he died on October 18, 1994. To this union 8 children were born; Judy (Ron) Musselwhite of Dighton, Tony (Judi) Krehbiel of Bixby, OK, Jim (Genelle) Krehbiel of Scott City, KS, Barbara Huber of Hays, KS, Lawrence (Vicki) Krehbiel of Dighton, KS, Mark (Kit) Krehbiel of Norton, KS, Pamela Schnuelle of Beatrice, NE, and Rick (Amy) Krehbiel of Greeley, CO. She is also survived by a brother Daniel Ernest Hinderliter, Jr. of Wichita, KS; 28 Grandchildren, 55 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great Great-Grandchild. Elnor is preceded in death by her husband Orville, her parents, 1 brother, and 3 sisters.

Her career was that of a wife & mother, to which she excelled. She loved her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren very much and tried to instill in each one the importance of having the Lord in their life.

In 1997, she became a Charter member of Bible Fellowship Church in Dighton where she served on the Pulpit Committee; a choir member; worship and outreach committees. She also enjoyed Bible reading, music, embroidery, photography, gardening, canning, finishing woodwork, running the combine during harvest, nature, sports, and all of the activities the kids were involved in (and there were many!).

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at Bible Fellowship Church in Dighton with Pastor Darrin Hammond officiating. Burial will follow at the Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday at Boomhower Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials given to the American Bible Society, In Touch Ministries, or Coral Ridge Ministry all in care of the funeral home.

Iola Marian (Litton) Packard, 95, of Salina, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017. She was born on April 20, 1922 in Gove County to James Richard Litton and Beatrice (Tustin) Litton.

Iola received her teaching certificate from Fort Hays College in 1940 and taught grade school in Gove County for one year before marring James A. “Jim” Packard October 31, 1942.

Together they had two children, a son; James E. “Jim” Packard; and daughter, Nola Marie (Packard) Tryon.

In 1951 they moved to Salina. In the 1960’s Iola worked as a bookkeeper for Larson Lumber Company in Salina.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; daughter, Nola Marie; sisters, Nola Merson and Betty Owens; and brother, James R. Litton.

Iola is survived by her son, Jim and wife Vicky of Marquette, KS; three grandsons, Phillip Stillwagon of Salina, Brad Packard of Wichita, Richard Tryon and wife Lisa of Terra Haute, Indiana; and granddaughter, Julie (Tryon) Cuffle and husband James of New Goshen, Indiana; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild.

Visitation will be from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Ryan Mortuary. Following visitation, a graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Merlin Grimes, 83, died Nov. 17, 2017, at his home in Great Bend. He was born Sept. 22, 1934, in Osborne County, the son of Carl Lloyd and Georgia Anita (Perfect) Grimes. He married Nelva Wallace Jan. 19, 1956, at Alton. A Great Bend residence since 1956, coming from Alton, he started his career as a cattle buyer for Thies Packing and later he owned and operated Golden Belt Feeders and was co-owner of Ellinwood Packing.

Mr. Grimes was a long-time active member of First Christian Church, Great Bend; was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, Board of Directors of Community Bank of the Midwest, and Fort Hays State Difference Makers.

Survivors include his wife, Nelva Grimes, of the home; three daughters, Kim Guesnier and her husband Bernie of Great Bend, Brenda White and her husband Chuck of Wichita, and Jana Kaiser and her husband Stan of Kansas City; eight grandchildren, Abby Foster and her husband Brandon, Emily Ledford and her husband Cameron, Jacob Williamson and his wife Amy, Lindsey Ralston and her husband Robert, Kyle Kaiser and his wife Erin, Courtney Pierson and her husband Kyle, Brett Kaiser and Connor Kaiser; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Homer Grimes and Carol Grimes.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at First Christian Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Josh Leu officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 Monday, November 20, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Golden Belt Community Foundation for the Benefit of First Christian Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Alvin “Al” G. Surmeier, age 68, of Ellis, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis after battling Parkinson’s for many years. He was born December 26, 1948 in Colby, Kansas to Tony and Gertrude (Fellhoelter) Surmeier. Al graduated from Oakley High School in 1966 and attended Colby Community College.

He had worked as a Certified Federal Meat Inspector and a Soil Conservation Technician. He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Mankato, Kansas. Al enjoyed playing the accordion, snow skiing, bowling, attending horse races, scratch off tickets, playing cards and swinging on his porch swing while reading the daily newspaper. He was an avid sports fan enjoying the KC Royals, KC Chiefs, Denver Broncos and the K-State Wildcats. Church and family gatherings were things Al enjoyed and especially being able to attend his children and grandchildren’s events.

He is survived by a step-son, Manny Motto and wife Michelle of Deshler, Nebraska; two daughters, Michelle Livengood and husband Levi of Minneapolis, Kansas and Brandy Becker and husband Chris of Ellis, Kansas; three brothers, Henry (Sharen) Surmeier of Springfield, Oregon, Fr. Bill Surmeier of Hays and Tony Surmeier of Colby; a sister, Clara (Ralph) Zimmerman of Oakley; grandchildren, who knew him as “Papo”, Ashlee, Miranda, Mariah, Manny, Ariana, Carly, Ryley, Micaela, Lauryn, Taelyr and Kamryn as well as 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Theresa Surmeier, sister-in-law, Marilyn Surmeier, and nephew, Michael Surmeier.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial will take place at 3:30 PM in St. Joseph Cemetery Oakley, KS.

Visitation will be Monday 5 PM – 7 PM with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the wishes of the family to be designated at a later date and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

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

Shawna K. Foster, age 59, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on January 9, 1958 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of George & Virginia Krause DeWitt. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas she was a wife, mother and grandmother.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Scott City, Kansas.

On November 12, 1977 she married Lloyd Foster in Scott City, Kansas. He survives.

Survivors Include her Husband – Lloyd Foster of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sons- James Foster of Ellis, Kansas, Jeff Merz of Napoleon, Ohio, Two Brothers – David & Anita DeWitt of Wamego, Kansas, Pat & Diane DeWitt of Scott City, Kansas, One Sister – Lori DeWitt of Scott City, Kansas, Three Grandsons – Karston Merz of Napoleon, Ohio, Triston Merz of Napoleon, Ohio, Owen Foster of Ellis, Kansas, Two Granddaughters – Madison Merz of Jacksonville, Florida and Anna Foster of Ellis, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials are requested to the Shawna Foster Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.