Lenard Ribordy, 91, of Oakley, died Friday September 29, 2017. He was born August 29, 1926 on a farm northwest of Grainfield to parents, Levi and Margaret (Trembley) Ribordy. He grew up on this farm with seven brothers and sisters. In 1943, as a seventeen-year old, Lenard traveled to Kansas City to enlist in the Navy. His amphibious training was received at Farragut, Idaho. He also spent time in Little Creek, Virginia, and completed his high school degree in Newport, Rhode Island. Ultimately, at quartermaster rank and with the job of navigator, Lenard served in the South Pacific on the USS LSM 227, a supply ship for the American South Pacific fleet. His ship entered Nagasaki five days after the atomic bomb had been dropped and Hiroshima too. He was part of an occupation force.

In 1946, after World War II had ended, Lenard returned to Kansas where he worked as a carpenter in Oakley. It was where he would meet Pauline Heinrich on a blind date and just two months later ask her to marry him. On August 26, 1947 they were married in Grainfield.

As a married couple, Pauline and Lenard lived in Oakley where he continued to work as a carpenter and later as a farm hand. Two years later they moved to Grainfield where Lenard entered into a business venture with another individual and opened R & R Body Shop.

Just as his new shop was beginning to take off, so too did he and Pauline’s family. In the next few years Sheila, Loretta, and Keith were born. It was around this time that Lenard became busier with the shop because he became sole owner after buying out his partner. Even though the shop demanded so much of his time, he was still able to tend to the chickens in the coop, hunt with his English retriever, and spend time with Pauline and the kids.

Just when the family seemed settled, Connie and then Leanna were born. Now with five kids, more room in the house became a necessity. So Lenard used his carpentry skills and built on a new addition. It was a wise decision, because a few years later Donita and Kristy were born.

On weekends Lenard would take his family boating on Cedar Bluff lake. It was one of their favorite activities. Socially, Lenard and Pauline enjoyed square dancing and round dancing with their friends in the Jolly Time Dancing Club and being active in the American Legion.

Many years after Lenard opened the body shop, he developed respiratory problems. It was found that he had developed an allergy to car paint. This necessitated his leaving the Body Shop and selling it to his brother. Lenard then worked as a school bus driver and janitor for the Grainfield school system, as well as selling insurance.

Because Lenard enjoyed the sport of baseball, he helped start the Gove County American Legion baseball team. He also became certified as an Amateur Softball Association Umpire and eventually became the District Commissioner for the ASA, a position which required the training of other umpires. Lenard was active in both his children’s baseball and softball teams, serving at times as coach, assistant, and supporter.

In 1965, the family moved to Oakley where Lenard became the manager of Western Auto. The family settled in a large house on Freeman Avenue where they were to remain for almost two decades.

In 1970 Lenard left Western Auto to become a salesman for the Lambert Manufacturing Company selling gloves, hats and other products throughout Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It was during this job that he was hit by a semi-truck, resulting in a back injury which required him to retire from the job. So Lenard turned his attention to the Oakley Recreational Commission. In this role, he was instrumental in getting the four-diamond ball complex built. During this time he also sold Bon Del water purifiers and Westinghouse appliances

In retirement Lenard also spent time driving both the hospital bus and the senior citizen bus. He also served as the Director for the Senior Citizen Board. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and spending time with his family.

Lenard was a member of St. Joseph Catholic church where he once served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a proud veteran of World War II and of the United States Navy. Lenard was a member of the American Legion.

Just years ago, Lenard was able to join the Heartland Honor Flight to visit and reflect at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Here he was honored for his sacrifice and service to our country. It was one of his most cherished moments of his long life.

Lenard now joins his wife Pauline and daughter Sheila in God’s holy kingdom along with his parents; brothers, Kenneth and Leon and sisters, Madeline Rumback and Marcelene Rowland.

He is survived by his son Keith (Michele) Ribordy, Oakley; daughters, Loretta (Fred) Teeter, Oakley, Connie (Kim) Jonely, West Jordan, UT, Leanna VanDonge, Oakley, Donita (Everett) Harper, Lenexa, KS and Kristy (Glenn) Sears, Howells, NE; 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and sisters, Rita Truetken, St. Louis, MO, Maryann Racette, Oakley and Marcella Albers, Oakley.

Visitation will be 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2017, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley; with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Adolph “J.R.” Grabbe Jr., 79, Hays, died Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born August 8, 1938 in Hays the son of Adolph A. “Sam” Grabbe, Sr. and Leona (Weigel) Grabbe.  A 1957 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy, he joined the U.S. Navy where he worked on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier and was also a boxer.  

In 1965 he married Susie Tallman and he later married Barbara Watts in 1996.  He worked as a parts salesman for S&W Supply and as a custodian at Fort Hays State University, making many friends with each job.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and he liked to go to the mountains, snow ski, be outside, and watch his kids’ ball games.  He was an avid Royals, Chiefs, and KU fan.  His favorite thing was having his grandkids and kids come see him for the holidays always enjoying the gag gifts and jokes.

Survivors include Barbara Grabbe of Hays, his children; Jill Miller and husband Michael of Kansas City, Amy Grabbe of Hays, Brian Watts and RoJene Broeckelman of Hays, Julie and Shawn Sulzman of Hays, five sisters; Terri Demel of Sun City, AZ, Carol Osborne and husband John of Wichita, Judie Ford of Hugoton, Mary Kay Holmes of Kansas City, KS, and Connie Bourbina and husband Art of Independence, KS, 10 grandchildren; Elisabeth Miller, Sam Miller, Ethan Grabbe, Maggie Housman, Elise Housman, Cody Watts and wife Tracy, Cade Watts, Shelby Bach and husband Andrew, Kirsten Sulzman, and Sydney Sulzman, and two great granddaughters; Elaina Bach and Sadie Watts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers; Bud and Jerry Grabbe.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, with Fr. Fred Gatschet and Fr. Gilmary Tallman officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. 

Memorials are suggested in J.R.’s memory to Hospice of HaysMed in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

ATHOL – Don A. Gerstenkorn age 73 passed away Friday September 29, 2017 at the Smith County Health & Rehab in Smith Center, KS.

Click HERE for service details.

Larry M. Clark, 59, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at his home in Russell.

Services are pending at this time, please check back later for funeral service date and time. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Another WWII U.S. Army-trained “farmer/pilot” has left us. Donald Melvin Griffin, 91, passed away on July 27, 2017, at his home in Wilton, Calif., with his wife by his side. Don was born Oct. 6, 1925, on his Grandfather Manley’s homestead farm in Kirk, Colo., to George Melvin Griffin and Berniece Manley Griffin. He graduated from Natoma High School in Natoma, Kan., in 1943.

Don is survived by his wife of 22 years, Marsha Griffin; a brother, David Griffin of Natoma; two sisters: Evelyn Kee and Berneita Schneider, also of Natoma; four children: Jennifer Schock, Constance Griffin, Penny Griffin and Julie Davis, all of Phoenix; a stepdaughter; a stepson; and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Virginia Heffner, and daughter Ruth Voelker; and by his brother Lowell Griffin and sister Barbara Deschner.

Initially, he began his military career at Walker AFB in 1943, which led up to his becoming a veteran military Regular Officer and career pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Don retired in 1983 as a full Colonel after 38 years of combined service to his country. After WWII, he became a commercial flight instructor and worked in civil aviation. He flew with the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve and transitioned to the U.S. Air Force when it became an entity. Don returned to active duty in May 1953. He was a Strategic Reconnaissance pilot during the Cold War; a Standardization/Evaluation Instructor Pilot; and one of the original RB-66 reconnaissance pilots. He flew the RB-47H and the RC-135C in Cold War Sino-Soviet peripheral reconnaissance areas and in the Vietnam combat zone.

Don was stationed around the United States and the world, including airfields in Texas, California, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska, Korea, Japan and Spain. He also served in England, Turkey, Okinawa and the Philippines on extended temporary duty. He was a Strategic Air Command Wing Commander of two separate wings and was continuously associated with Reconnaissance and Task Force Operations. A highly decorated officer, Don’s medals include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and more. He accumulated more than 10,000 flying hours. Don was a loving father and enjoyed his family and grandkids. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts. He leaves this earth having already made his mark in history as a great pilot, commander of men, and one of those who proudly defended the United States with every fiber of their being.

A memorial is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017, at the Natoma Community Center, in Natoma. Inurnment will follow in Natoma Lutheran Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240. Guests are invited to return to the Community Center for lunch. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warriors Foundation. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Natoma, Kansas, is in charge of the memorial service.

Ronald George Hopkins, 86, of Salina, Kansas, died on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.

Ronald was born on April 13, 1931, in Utica, Kansas, the son of Arthur J. and Eunice (Pevey) Hopkins. Ronald grew up in Utica and graduated from Utica High School in the class of 1949. After high school, he attended Ft. Hays State University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and a Master Degree in Educational Administration. After earning his degrees he served his country as a corporal in the US Army specializing in Infantry Operations and War Dog training. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Sylvia Jo “Jody” Brethauer on August 04, 1957, in Russell, Kansas. From this union Ron and Sylvia were blessed with 3 sons George, Greg and Grant.

In 1955, Ron took a job with Russell High School as a physical education teacher and coach of football, basketball and track. In 1967, he left Russell to accept a position in Garden City, Kansas, with the Garden City Community College where he worked for 20 years serving primarily as Dean of Student Services and 2 years as GCCC baseball coach. In 1987, he took a position as Director of Financial Aid at Pittsburg State University, retiring in 1996. He and Jody moved to Salina in 2002. They attended the Methodist Church and he was also a member of the U.S. War Dog alumni and the American Legion. He enjoyed gardening and researching family history but was most passionate about coaching, especially when coaching his sons. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include his wife Jody of the home, sons George Hopkins (Lori) of Garden City, Kansas, Greg Hopkins (Stephanie) of Twinsburg, Ohio and Grant Hopkins of Wichita, Kansas; sister Elma Castor of Acworth, Georgia; 5 grandkids Mitch, Matthew, Beau, Spencer and Erika and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers Harold, Art and Gene Hopkins.

A memorial service to celebrate Ronald’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment of the remains will follow the memorial service at the Russell City Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Family will greet guests from 9 A.M. to service time the day of the service. Memorials may be given to the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the memorial service.

Kenneth Wayne Hartman, 45, passed away on September 27, 2017 at his home in Utica, Kansas. He was born on July 7, 1972 in Ransom, Kansas the son of Norman and Areta (Ummel) Hartman.

He graduated in 1991 from Utica High School. He was a janitor at the Utica Community Cafe and enjoyed working with wood.

Survivors include two sisters, Pamela and Kevin Ice – Lynnville, Indiana and Sandra Hartman – Utica, Kansas; one brother, Roger and Darlene Hartman – Hays, Kansas; three nieces, Jamie Ice, Samantha and Zach Miller and Syndi Hartman and Marcus. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral service and burial will be on Monday, October 2, 2017, 1:30 p.m., at the Ransom Cemetery, Ransom, Kansas. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m..

Memorial contributions may be given to the Kenneth Hartman Family memorial fund.

Trisha Ann Groom, 72, of Bennington, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 26th, at Holiday Resort, Salina, Kansas.

Trisha was born in Gove County, Kansas on May 17, 1945, a daughter of the late Ina Mae (Merrit) and Delmer Wilson.

On June 16, 1963, Trisha married Daryl Groom in Gove, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband Daryl of the home; son, Tim Groom and wife Amy, of Wellington, Kansas; daughter, Catherine Rush and her companion AJ Ward, of Hays, Kansas; sister, Delores Stineke, and husband Herb, of Gove, Kansas; brothers, Calvin Wilson and wife Jean, of Dighton, Kansas, Boyd Wilson and wife Margie, of Seldon, Kansas, Floyd Wilson and wife Vivian, of Crawfordsville, Indiana. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Ian Groom, Brody Groom, both of Wellington, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Groom; brothers, Delmer Wilson Jr., Lawrence Wilson, Lloyd Wilson; sister, Eva Flowers, and Candy Wildeman.

At the family’s request there will be no visitation as cremation has been chosen.

No services are planned at this time.

Family request donations to Tammy Walker Cancer Center 511 S. Santa Fe Salina, KS 67401.

John Henry Dillon, 58 of Litchfield Park, Arizona, died on September 27, 2017. John was born on January 1, 1959 to John and Katy Dillon in Rawlins, Wyo. John worked for The local Harley Davidson dealership in Hays from 1999 – 2014.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a life member of Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club. John is survived by his brother, Jerry Dillon and wife Jill of Hays, Ks. Two daughters, Sherry Newacheck and husband Scott and Brittney Unrein and husband Jason all of Russell, Ks. Two nieces and 7 grandchildren. John was preceded in death by both parents.