Joan Kathleen Henry, 87, formerly of Hays, entered the kingdom of heaven on Friday, August 18, 2017. She died at Bryan East Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was born March 16, 1930, in Agra, Kansas, to Gladys (Dixon) and Harry Beedy. On June 14, 1952, she was united in marriage to Vernon C. Henry. He preceded her in death in 2009. Joan graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1954 with a degree in Music Education. She was an administrative assistant at Felten Middle School and the director of Christian education at the First United Methodist Church, both in Hays. She was a member of the Chapter EC PEO, Sigma Alpha Iota, Federated Music Club, United Methodist Women, Kappa Phi, Sigma Kappa sorority and was a Hays Medical Center volunteer. She was an active participant in many musical organizations in Hays and attended every musical performance of her daughters for six decades.

Survivors include two daughters, Michele Filbert (Dwight), Suzanne Petersen (Barry); six grandchildren, Rob Petersen, Kelli Gorley (Brit), Courtney Filbert, Casey Rhoads (RJ), Kyle Petersen, Kevin Petersen (Kristine) and Dayna Petersen; 6 great grandchildren and a brother-in-law, Bill Bixenman.

She was preceded in death by husband Vernon; her parents Gladys and Harry; a Grandson, Dustin Filbert; and two sisters, Pat Theis and Harriet Bixenman.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 25, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays, with Rev. Michael Rose officiating.

Inurnment will follow in Mt. Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until service time at the church on Friday. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church Trustees or to Fort Hays State University Department of Music, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Katherine “Katie” Alexandria Miller passed away Monday, August 15, 2017 at her home in Roeland Park, Kansas at the age of 70. She was born on August 22, 1946 in Wilson, Kansas to the late Levi and Irene (Zelenka) Miller. The second of three children, she grew up in Wilson graduating from Wilson High School with the Class of 1964. She went on to attend college for three more semesters.

Katie worked as an executive assistant for J.E. Dunn Construction Company out of Kansas City. She was a great cook, and especially enjoyed making chocolate chip cookies, which she always shared with fellow employees and neighbors. She enjoyed gardening and her home and yard were always full of beautiful flowers. Above all, Katie had a huge heart and was willing to help anyone who had need. She was a great lover of cats, and always had several furry friends to take care of her entire life.

Katie is survived by her brother Luther Miller of Roeland Park; brother-in-law Jon Jones of Wichita; nephew Taylor Jones and wife Tiffany of Manhattan, with great-nephews Levi and Hunter Jones; and niece Page (Jones) Nelson and husband Scott of Wichita.

She was preceded in death by her parents Levi and Irene Miller, and sister Patricia (Miller) Jones.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “The unfading beauty of a gentle spirit is of great worth in God’s sight.” Katie showed us by the example of her loving and gentle heart, that nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing so gentle as true strength. Her legacy of love will live on in the hearts and lives, of all of her family and friends, for generations to come.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Foster Mortuary in Wilson. Inurnment will follow in the Wilson City Cemetery.

David L. Seibel, age 80, of Ellis, Kansas died Friday, August 18, 2017, at his home after a battle with cancer. He was born in Hays, Kansas on March 14, 1937, to Edwin and Anna (Gaschler) Seibel. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1955. On June 9, 1964, he married Verla Bromlow.

He worked in the oilfield industry and was a farmer and stockman for most of his life. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, served on St. Mary’s Home and School committee, Golden Belt CO-OP and Ellis Credit Union Board of Directors. He was a loving husband, amazing father and the best silly grandpa. He thoroughly enjoyed his family, friends, boating, camping and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include his wife Verla of 53 years of the home, children Sharon Wielbeski (Steve), Kodiak, AK; Donna Brown (Kevin Fabrizius), Kerrville, TX; Steve Seibel (Peggy), Ellis; Gary Seibel (Terri), Salina; Lora Gottschalk (Jude), Hays; Natalie Fischer (Craig), Salina; Lana Seibel (Jamey Garner) Lawrence; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers Don Seibel, Liberal; Darrell Seibel, Hays; Jack Seibel, Peoria, IL; and sister Carol Babcock, Phoenix, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Mark.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the church with a combined rosary and parish vigil service at 7:00 pm. Arrangements under the direction of Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.

Memorials are suggested to either Hospice at HaysMed or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis.

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

Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Lucille Elizabeth Nash, 89, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center following a brief battle with cancer.

Lucille was born in Ruleton, Kansas on December 21, 1927 to Fred and Ellen (Duell) Nelson. She was the 5th of seven children. As a child, she attended school in Ruleton and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1945.

In May of 1948, Lucille married Robert E. Nash in Goodland. To this union, two children Terry, and Cindy were born. A third child, Julie, died at birth. Lucille spent most of her time working as a medical assistant and later helping her husband with his bulk tank business and raising their children. She was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Church Circle. She was well known by many people for always attending many sporting events involving the high school students. However, most important to Lucille, was the time spent with her family. She cherished every moment of it.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and an infant daughter Julie Kay Nash. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Martin, Melvin and Harry Nelson, 2 sisters, Irene Peter and Esther Peter.
She is survived by her son Terry Nash and his wife Linda of Germantown, Tennessee and daughter Cindy Swayne and her husband Marvin of Wichita, Kansas. She is also survived by one grandson Ryan Swayne of Augusta, KS, and one brother Carl Nelson and his wife Elmarie of Ruleton, Kansas.

Funeral services for Lucille will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson. Interment will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.
Visitation was held on Monday, August 21, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be designated to the United Methodist Church and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, Kansas.

Harry E. Shank, age 94, died on August 20, 2017 at Cedar Village, Ness City. He was born on February 12, 1923 on the family farm near Bazine, Kansas to Will and Katie Meyer Shank.

Harry was a 1940 graduate of Bazine High School and a graduate of Kansas State University. He was a United States Navy Veteran having served during World War II. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Bazine and he served on numerous boards and committees throughout the years.

He married Bettie Jean Lent on June 8, 1947 in Bazine. He is survived by his wife, Bettie; his son, Harold Shank and his wife, Jan of Hanston; his daughter, Jean Petersilie and her husband, Doug of Ness City; five grandchildren, Katie and Travis Ruff, Jared and Erin Petersilie, Travis and Laurie Petersilie, Brad and Tara Shank, and Kalyn and Kyle Newman; and 13 great grandchildren, Garrett, Jessie, and Kody Ruff, Ethan and Jadyn Petersilie, Emma, Isabel, and Aubrey Petersilie, Devin, Talon, and Ryker Shank, and Koby and Kade Newman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Glenn, Clyde, and Lloyd Shank.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, August 24, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City with burial following in the Crandall Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 pm on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church, Bazine or Cedar Village, Ness City.

SMITH CENTER – Trevor L. Rempe, age 26, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017 in Portis, KS.

Click HERE for service details.

Lialda L. (Mader) Walker, 86, Hays, died Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Hays Medical Center.

She was born February 7, 1931 on the family farm near Vincent, Kansas the daughter of Louis and Lidwina (Mermis) Leiker.

She was united in marriage to Duane J. Mader on November 12, 1951 in Vincent. From this union seven children were born. Duane preceded her in death in 1986. She was then united in marriage to Lynn E. Walker on April 21, 1992. He preceded her in death in 2007.

She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, and the Eagles Auxiliary. She worked in the bakery at U-Save and other various jobs throughout her lifetime. Her passion was making homemade quilts and homemade noodles for her children and grandchildren. She was very hardworking and generous with her time, serving others by helping clean the church, providing desserts, including schwartzbeeren kuchen for Eagles Bingo prizes and serving as coordinator for the annual Eagles Octoberfest and other Eagles events. She loved dancing with the Sunflower Polka Club, crocheting, and needlepoint.

Survivors include her children; Art Mader and wife Margaret of Brighton, CO, Marilyn Mader of Hays, Allen Mader and wife Virginia of Fort Worth, TX, Jeff Mader and wife Marcia of Centennial, CO, Duane Mader, Jr. and wife Sue of Hays, and Scott Mader and wife Kim of Lakeside, AZ, two brothers; Verlin Leiker and wife Katy of Topeka and Joe Leiker and wife Erlene of Olathe, one sister; Lydia Wallace of Wichita, 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a daughter; Mary Jo, three brothers; Elbert, Robert, and Adrian Leiker, and a granddaughter, Samantha Jo.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, August 21, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1806 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil at 6:30 pm, both on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Lialda’s memory to Angel’s Care Home Health, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

(March 6, 1919 – August 13, 2017)

Funeral Celebration: Saturday, August 19th at 1:30 p.m. at our funeral home in Oberlin with Stan Smith officiating

Burial: Oberlin Cemetery

Memorial Fund: Veda Heisel Memorial Fund, in care of the family or funeral home (121 N Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749)

Visitation: Friday 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m.; Saturday after 10 a.m.

In Loving Memory:

Veda Iola Heisel passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017, at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas, at the age of 98, 5 months and 7 days. She was born March 6, 1919, to Clarence and Jennie (Brintnall) Black in a sod house on the farm his parents homesteaded south of Dresden, Kansas.

Veda was the fourth of five children in her family and was reared on the family farm. She attended the McSwan school, a one-room school south of Dresden near her home.

On December 8, 1940, Veda married Ralph Heisel in Dresden. Four sons and four daughters were born to their union. Veda was a very loving and devoted wife and mother who worked hard to provide a good home for her family.

During their marriage, Ralph and Veda resided south of Dresden, and in Studley, Oberlin and Lenora. While living in Oberlin, Veda worked as a cook for the 5th Wheel Cafe for 22 years. After moving to Lenora, she cooked for Karen’s Cafe and the Senior Center. Veda was known for her delicious homemade pancakes and homemade syrup.

She was a member of the Assembly of God in Oberlin, Church of God in Lenora, FCE, and Red Hat Society. In addition to cooking, Veda enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading and working on picture puzzles. She was a kind and caring person who was liked by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include three sons, Verle Heisel of Log Lane Village, CO, Vivan Heisel and wife, Victoria, of Brush, CO, and David Heisel of Gill, CO; four daughters and their husbands, Karen and Allan Carpenter of Norton, Reta and Michael Barlow of Lenora, Lorena and Larry Taylor of Lenora, and Connie and Denis Shea of Post Falls, ID; sister-in-law, Mildred Black of Oberlin; 22 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and 30 great-great grandchildren.

Veda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; son, Loyal Heisel; three brothers, Keith, Eldon and Edwin Black; and sister, Louise Black; and two infant siblings.

John Franklin Francisco, 76, of Lindsborg, KS returned home to join his wife, Mary Margaret Shaffer Francisco on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at Riverview Estates in Marquette, Kansas. Mary, who passed over on July 26, 2015 was waiting for him at the gates which we all are certain she was not happy in his delay of departure of two years. John served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War as a musician whom traveled around the world entertaining the combat troops, communities, and foreign dignitaries. Following his service to his country, John returned home to complete his college education to teach instrumental music from Fort Hays State University where he met the love of his life Mary Shaffer.

Mary, also a music major and music educator found an uncanny bond with John and agreed to join him in an adventure of a lifetime. John and Mary were joined in matrimony on August 10, 1969 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Salina, Kansas which began an amazing adventure for both that lasted for almost 46 years. This inseparable couple was a dynamic team who had built successful music programs in Dighton, Pretty Prairie, and Oakley Elementary, Jr High and High Schools.

By early 1980s this dynamic duo decided to make a career change by moving to Lindsborg, Kansas to pursue other careers. John attended Kansas Technical Institute (which is now K-State-Salina), to earn a degree in computer technology. Following graduation John was hired as an Assistant Professor in the computer technology department which he continued to guide and inspire students for another 20+ years. During this time, Mary chose a healthcare career path and earned her Certified Medical Assistant certification to care for the older adult population at Bethany Home for many years.

Upon their retirement of their careers, John and Mary spent as much time traveling the country visiting friends, relatives, their children who were stationed in other states and countries, and enjoying the different adventures they could accomplish. The inseparable bond between the two was admired by many including their children, Sam and Julie. It was their wish to be buried and memorialized together when the time came for them to pass to the other side.

John was greeted at Home by the love of his life, Mary, whom may have had words for his lateness, John’s parents, Ercil and Geneva, his cousin and best friend San D Francisco, Uncles, Aunts and old friends who have passed on were there to greet him as well. John leaves his wisdom, guidance, and love to his children Julie (Tom) Martin, and Sam (Mandy) Francisco, all from Lindsborg, Kansas. John and Mary also were blessed with 6 grandchildren, Daniel Martin, TJ Martin, Gracie, Campbell, Rhett and Saylor.

This celebration of this amazing couple will be held on Monday, August 21, 2017, 10:00am at Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, Kansas with Pastor Ethan Feistner officiating. Inurnment will performed with full military honors at the Smoky Hill Cemetery following the celebration.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Cancer Center. Memorials may be sent in care of Christians Funeral Home.

Norman “Darrell” Smith, age 66, of Ellis, passed away following cardiac complications at Hays Medical Center on August 9, 2017. Darrell was born in Hays on April 4, 1951, to Norman and Teddy (Wyatt) Smith. He graduated from Ellis High School and attended Washburn University where he played for the basketball team. Darrell settled in Ellis, married Linda Vanaken, and together they raised five children.

He worked in construction for twenty years, and then worked in plumbing until retirement. Darrell enjoyed being a part of the Ellis community. He played basketball for the Ellis city recreational team for many years, and was a strong advocate for youth sports. Darrell was fond of music and had a wonderful singing voice. He liked to tinker with antique cameras, take photographs, and videotape family events. He always made time for family and friends, and regularly offered a helping hand to those in need. Darrell’s children, and especially his grandchildren, were the light of his life.

Darrell is lovingly remembered and survived by his children, daughter Jenna Sander and husband Darrell, and grandchildren Cooper, Ezra, and Russell, of Gilbert, Arizona; daughter Maren Smith of San Antonio, Texas; son-in-law Don Gilbert and grandchildren Rachel and Hailey of Garnett, Kansas; son Andrew Smith and wife Erin, and grandchildren Paige, Eli, Aiden, and Christopher, of Ottawa, Kansas; son Lee Smith of Dodge City, Kansas; brothers David Smith and Ken Smith; sister Debra Vigil; and his former wife and friend Linda (Vanaken) Smith and her partner Brett Weaver.

Darrell was preceded in death by his daughter Adell K. Gilbert, his oldest brother George Smith, his oldest sister Sondra Donnel, and his parents Norman and Teddy Smith.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday August 19th at 10:30am at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory at 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will be in Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ellis Recreation Commission, care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel.

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

(March 6, 1919 – August 13, 2017)

Funeral Celebration: Saturday, August 19th at 1:30 p.m. at our funeral home in Oberlin with Rev. Stan Smith officiating

Burial: Oberlin Cemetery

Memorial Fund: Veda Heisel Memorial Fund

Visitation: Friday 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m.; Saturday after 10 a.m.