Hays, Kansas – Robert W. “Bob” Gerstner, age 72, died Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at his home in Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas.

Jimmie Lee Bailey, age 62, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on June 26, 1955, the son of Vernon Eugene and Dorothy Louise Brown Bailey. He was a resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1990 moving from Newton, Kansas.

On May 22, 1993 he married Betty Ivey in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Betty Bailey of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter – Samantha McKinney of Newton, Kansas, One Son – David Bailey, Two Step Daughters – Stephanie Casper of Levant, Kansas, Katrina McLean of Cripple Creek, Colorado, Five Step Sons – Ben Cavens of Haysville, Kansas, Adam Blau of Mission, Texas, Bobby McLean of Scott City, Kansas, Eddie McLean of Scott City, Kansas, Joe Cavens of Larned, Kansas, One Brother – Charlie Bailey of Burrton, Kansas, Two Sisters – Debra Work, Patricia House, One Granddaughter – Shayla Maxine McIntosh of Newton, Kansas, Seven Step Grandchildren, One Aunt – Carol Rizley of Rogers, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his Parents and Two Brothers – Eldon & Eugene Bailey.

Memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Kyle Evans and Rev. John Lewis presiding.

Memorials may be made to Jimmie L Bailey Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Gates/Scott City, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Plainville – Elvira Lee Gehring, 72, passed away Friday, October 13, 2017 at Rooks County Heath Center, Plainville, KS.

She was born April 22, 1945 in Lucas, KS, the daughter of Ray Vaughn and Bernice Marie (Williams) Gehring.

Vi graduated from Lucas Public Schools and Brown Mackie Business School. She attained her LPN license at McPherson College of Nursing. She went on to receive her RN license at Concordia College of Nursing.

Her 44-year nursing career began and ended in Plainville. She loved her family, her career as a nurse and her beautiful animals.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Plainville; and a member of High Plains Theater Group.

Vi was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. We LOVED her and could always count on her being around to support everyone in their activities. (FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL, POWER LIFTING AND BASKETBALL). She enjoyed being a Big Cardinal Fan! She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Carolyn Gehring.

Vi is survived by her son, Bernard and wife, Hollie, Wylie, TX; three granddaughters, Cheyenne, Sonni and Tatum Gehring; a brother, Marion Gehring and wife LaDonna, Newton; four nephews, Monte (Lisa) Gehring, Mike (Sandy) Gehring all of Plainville, Mick (Perlita) and Mark Gehring all of Texas, and their children, Brandon (Tina) Gehring, Bailey (Mark) Belisle, Blake Gehring, Brent Gehring, Ben Gehring, Adam Gehring, James Gehring, Zack (Jada) Gehring, Matt Gehring and Nick Gehring.

A celebration of Vi’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at First Baptist Church, 100 S. Washington, Plainville, KS, with Pastor Todd Bohrer presiding. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Inurnment will take place in the Lucas Cemetery, Lucas, KS. Memorials may be given to the Elvira L. Gehring Memorial Fund and sent in care of the funeral chapel.

Linda Jane Denning, 60, unexpectedly passed away on September 30, 2017 of a pulmonary embolism at her home in Russell, Kansas.

She was the youngest of five siblings, the daughter of Cyril (C.J.) and Margaret Denning. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Denning (Jim) Anschutz, Midland, Michigan, Jean Denning (Mike) Festa, Unionville, Connecticut and brothers Carl Denning, Russell, Kansas, John Denning (Carole), Gainesville, Virginia, nieces, Alicia Anschutz-Grazioli, Northville, Michigan, Susan Denning-Unger, Lexington, South Carolina, nephew David Denning, Grapevine, Texas, aunt Virginia Wasinger, Hays, Kansas and uncle Elmo Dauber Salina, Kansas.

Linda graduated from Russell High School in 1975. Early in her career she held the position of News Director at KRSL Radio Russell, Kansas. Later she became the Program Manager at the Smokey Hills Public Television Station in Bunker Hill, Kansas. A few years later she moved to Manhattan, Kansas to pursue a degree at Kansas State University. After living in Austin, Texas for a short time, she returned to Manhattan, Kansas accepting a position at Fort Riley, Kansas as a military housing property manager.

Linda truly lived life to the fullest through the simple pleasures of caring for and deeply loving her pets, Henry, Libby, Rusty and Alco. Her intelligence and creativity was apparent in every project she undertook. She was a passionate reader and loved the arts and music. She also enjoyed hours of cultivating her plants and making her yard beautiful. Linda was always willing to stand up for the defenseless; she had a soft heart but strong will and nurturing arms.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday, October 20, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas.

A Celebration of Linda’s life will be held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2017, at the Fossil Creek Hotel & Suites, Dole-Specter Conference Center, Russell, Kansas. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Linda J. Denning to: Humane Society-High Plains, 2050 E US Highway 40, Hays, Kansas 67601 or the Riley County Humane Society, PO Box 1202, Manhattan, Kansas 66505. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Albert A. “Al” Hamel Jr., of Hays, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was born february 27, 1934 in Damar, Kansas to Albert and Rosa (Desaire) Hamel. He married Roseline Frances (Klaus) on August 25, 1956 in Hays. She preceded him in death March 3, 2015.

Al worked in the oilfield most of his life and later owned and operated a restaurant and antique store along with his wife Rose. He was a US Army veteran serving from 1954 – 1956 serving as a medic. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and the companionship of his faithful cat, Molly.

He is survived by five daughters, Charlene Taggart (Pat) of Towanda, KS, Melinda “Nin” Dreiling (Bob) of Hays, KS, Julie Craig (Mark) of Wichita, KS, Brenda Dreiling (Mike) of Derby, KS and Theresa Riisoe (Glenn) of Kinsley, KS; three brothers, Gene and Alvin Hamel both of Damar and Ron Hamel of Plainville; four sisters, Betty McNabb of Olathe and Tina Bobek, Dorothy Staab and Kayleen Hamel all of Plainville; 20 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays,KS 67601. Burial will follow at Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Wednesday 5 PM – 8 PM and Thursday 9 AM until service time all at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be used according to the wishes of the family to be designated at a later date.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email at [email protected]

Adolph Billinger passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Rooks County Medical Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 92. He was born on February 21, 1925 in Graham County, Kansas, on the farm near St. Peter, to the late Michael and Barbara (Richmeier) Billinger. He grew up in St. Peter and attended St. Anthony Catholic School before going to Morland High School.

Adolph enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served during World War II where he received a purple heart for his service. After the war he was united in marriage to Margaret Spies on October 3, 1949 in St. Peter. They settled in the Plainville, Kansas area and were blessed with three girls, Diane, Linda, and Cindy. In 1957 the family moved to the farm near Zurich, Kansas.

Adolph was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tending his vegetable garden, and had a special passion and talent for carpentry work. But the greatest love of his life was his family, especially his grandchildren. He always took them on his outdoor excursions and made sure to butcher a couple of steers every year in order to cook for them and feed them.

Adolph is survived by his wife Margaret of 68 years; daughters Diane Gross and husband Paul of Gorham, Linda Brin and husband Arlen of Zurich, and Cindy Balthazor and husband Dennis of Palco; sisters Lucine Horak of Denver, CO, Caroline Wittman of Topeka, Maryann Rome and husband Neilus of Aurora, CO, Barbara Rome and husband Ron of Aurora, CO, Dorothy Fagan and husband Dennis of Florida, Agnes Rome of Denver, CO, and Shirley Kuppetz and husband John of Ellis; brother John Billinger and wife Sara of Hill City; grandchildren David and Jennifer Mongeau, Lisa and Jason Nyp, Marla and Ryan Verlinde, Mark and Kate Mongeau, Jason and Megan Brin, Jeff Brin, Justin and Cathy Brin, Jessica and Dallas Lehmann, Steve and Sarah Balthazor, Sara and Karim Touijer, Dana and Zurab Tsereteli and James and Heather Balthazor; and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Barbara Billinger; sisters Bridget Mann, Elaine Knoll, and Clara Herman; brothers Pete Billinger, and Lewis Billinger; brothers-in-law Vic Wittman, Paul Rome, Ike Mann, and Stanley Horak; and sister-in-law Ablena Billinger.

The Psalmist said, “Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it.” Adolph was a man who used his own hands to build things around his farm, but trusted the Lord to build his spiritual house, for himself and his family, eternal in the heavens. He leaves a legacy of faith, love, and devotion that will continue to grow and build for generations to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will from 12:00-4:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home and from 5:00-7:00pm at the church with a Parish Vigil and Rosary Service at 6:00pm.

Andrew Lynn Richmeier, age 43, of Hays, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. He was born March 26, 1974 in Hays to Marilyn Rome and Charles Leiker.

He graduated in 1992 from TMP-Marian High School and attended Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University. He had been working as an Audio Video Technician and had also worked on custom cutting crews. Andrew enjoyed remote control cars and aircraft and the Kansas City Royals.

He is survived by a son, Ryan Richmeier of Hays; his parents, Leon and Marilyn Richmeier of Hays; a brother, Shawn Richmeier and wife Erin of Hays and two sisters, Kelly Bradstreet and husband Dustin of Hays and Emily Baker and husband Garret of Cedar City, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Leiker in 1981.

Services will be 10 AM Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Munjor, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

A Memorial visitation will be Tuesday 6 PM- 8 PM with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7 PM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ryan Richmeier Education Fund.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email at [email protected].

Rose M. Schukman, Addison, Texas, formerly of Hays, passed away October 13, 2017 in Carrollton, Texas.

She was born February 14th, 1925 in Downs, Kansas, to John and Susan (Kuhn) Wallsmith. She married Ralph Schukman on June 4th, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. He preceded her in death September 2, 2012.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Christian Mothers, the Altar Society, the Counsel of Catholic Women, the Daughter’s of Isabella, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary (past President) and the V.F.W. Auxiliary. She was a Girl Scout Leader, beautician, and homemaker.

Survivors include a son, Harold Schukman and wife, Diane, Knoxville, Tennessee, two daughters, Carol Baker and partner, Tom Wallsmith, Levant, Kansas, and Gloria Griffin and husband, Larry, Addison, Texas; a sister-in-law, Irene Leiker, Wichita; 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, five sisters, Lucy and Evelyn Wallsmith, Catherine Mermis, Laurine Smith, Clara Schoenfeld, and Ann Schukman and three brothers, Fred Wallsmith of Colby, Kansas, Alvin Wallsmith of Mulvane, Kansas, and Duane Mader of Hays.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday, all at the funeral home. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice or have Masses said for Rose at the Catholic Church of your choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com