Donald Michael Schmidt, age 64, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Trego Manor in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born November 3, 1952 in LaCrosse, Kansas to Paul Michael and Jeannine (Obenhaus) Schmidt. He graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1970. Donald enjoyed spending time with his brother Greg and family on the farm.

He is survived by three brothers, Danny Schmidt (Debbie) of Lawrence, Kansas, Greg Schmidt (Dawn) of Ellis and Gary Schmidt (Karen) of LaCrosse; two aunts, Dorothy Almquist and Alfreda Barry both of LaCrosse; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John and Dennis Schmidt.

Memorial services will be 10 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Inurnment will follow services in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

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

Harold Claydeen Davidson, age 88, of Hays, Kansas passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society Ellis, Kansas. He was born August 17, 1928 in Ellis, Kansas to Harry and Cecile (Price) Davidson. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1946. On July 6,1953 he married Luella Mae Bechard at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. She preceded him in death on February 4, 2017.

Harold worked for the State of Kansas Employment Office in Hays for 33 years. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 3rd degree Knights of Columbus St. Joseph’s Council, and the VFW all of Hays. He enjoyed woodworking, bingo and outdoor activities including fishing, camping, and gardening. Harold was also a US Army veteran serving during the Korean War stationed in Okinawa.

He is survived by a son, Gregory Davidson (Rose) of Marion, Kansas; three daughters, Diana Riley (Edward) of Preston, Missouri, Roxie Ruder (Harvey) of Hays and Jeanette Schroeder (Dan Hake) of Tipton, Kansas; a brother, Lloyd Davidson (Diana) of Emporia, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ivan and Ardon Davidson.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Monday, July 31, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Sunday 6 PM – 8 PM and Monday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

A combined parish vigil service and rosary will be 7 PM Sunday at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Activities fund at the Good Samaritan Society of Ellis.

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

(May 18, 1929 – July 26, 2017)

Funeral Service: Saturday, July 29th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rexford Community Church with Pastor Lane Purcell officiating

Burial: Rexford Cemetery

Memorial Fund: Rexford Cemetery Tree Fund

Visitation: Friday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin and Saturday after 9:00 a.m. at the church in Rexford

Alfred Peter (Pete) Heeke, 84, died July 22, 2017 in Conroe, Texas. He was born September 8, 1932, at Windthorst Ford County, Kansas to Harry and Emmeline (Ackerman) Heeke. He attended Windthorst schools, graduating in 1950. He was united in marriage to Marcella Hattrup on April 24, 1951 in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Windthorst.

He farmed in that area and worked in construction and carpentry until retirement in 1996 at which time he moved to Hays, Kansas. Mr. Heeke was a member of the St. Leon Council, Knights of Columbus, Windthorst from 1950 to 2013 when he transferred to the Hays Council of Knights. The couple moved to Conroe, TX in 2016.

Mrs. Heeke survives; also surviving are his sons, Daryl (Nan) Heeke of Taylor, Texas, Ronald (Cynthia) Heeke of Kearney, Missouri; two daughters, Theresa Davidson of Emporia, Kansas, Elaine (Albert) Rambaud of The Woodlands, Texas; grandchildren, Matthew Davidson, Amanda (Adam) Zuch, Kyle Heeke, Brian (Hailey) Heeke, Sean Heeke, Kim (Pete) Taylor, Aimee Rambaud, Emilee Rambaud, and two step-grandchildren, Jayci (Willie) Stratton and Joshua (Amanda) Hamilton; five great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Evelyn Durler of Dodge City and Julie (Tony) Durler of Dodge City. He was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Downey and two brothers-in-law.

Funeral mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Spearville on Monday July 31, 2017 at 10:00 AM with Rev. John Forkuoh presiding. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Windthorst. Vigil service will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Dodge City on Sunday July 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund of Hays, Immaculate Heart of Mary Heritage, Inc. of Windthorst, and Holy Cross Cemetery Fund of Windthorst. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.

Francis T. Wildeman, of Grainfield, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter. He was 81 years of age. He was born March 27, 1936 on the family farm in Gove County, to Daniel and Mary (Ziegler) Wildeman.

Francis was a graduate of Grainfield High School. He went on to serve our country in the U.S. Army. On September 5, 1964, Francis was united in marriage to Doreen Brungardt, in Hays. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage together. Francis was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Not only was he a lifelong farmer, he worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation, in highway maintenance, from 1973 until his retirement in 2001. Francis was known for his ability to fix about anything. Francis was especially handy with a welder and a lathe. He was good with his hands, and ingenuity was his strong suit, as he was able to make an idea become a reality if it helped him in getting a job done. Francis will be missed by many friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Doreen, of the family home; a son, Troy Leon (Kimberly) Wildeman of Grainfield; two grandchildren, Dalton Stoabs of Gove and Elizabeth (James) Roller of Cashion, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren, Harper and Haddie Roller of Cashion; a brother, Vernard (Fran) Wildeman of Los Angeles, California; a sister, Annunicate Weber of Park; a step-brother, Alvin (Debbie) Gillespie of Winfield; and a step-sister, Bonnie(Mark) Cooksey of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Mary Wildeman; a step-mother, Wanda Gillespie; brother, Pius; and an infant sister, Carolyn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2017, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield. Burial will be in the Grainfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m., all at the St. Agnes Religious Education Center, Grainfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Grainfield American Legion or Masses. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

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

Wendi Richelle Kjellberg, age 51, died on July 26, 2017 at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on January 18, 1966 in Ransom, Kansas the daughter of Fred Herman and Darlene J. Rauch Kraft.

She married Larry Kjellberg on June 16, 1984 in Ransom, Kansas. He survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Amber Zimmerman and her husband Cody of Dighton, Becca Venters and her husband Brad of Kinsley, and Chelsey Shapland and her husband Justin of Dighton; son, Lucas Kjellberg of Ness City; four brothers, Lon Kraft and his wife Sharon of Bennett, Colorado, Rick Kraft and his wife Vona of Ransom, Brent Kraft and his wife Bev of Ransom, Jody Kraft and his wife Ladonna of Plains and five grandchildren, Kenzie and Kollin Zimmerman, Conner Venters, Jarret and Bentley Shapland.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Wendi had been a daycare provider for 16 years. The single thing she loved the most was spending time with her grandchildren.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church, Ness City with burial following in the Ness City Cemetery.

Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 2-9 p.m. and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Lucas Kjellberg educational fund.

Darrel E. Miller, 87, of Downs, KS, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2017 in Hays, KS. He was born on May 21, 1930 to Earl Lewis & Sarah Abigail (Carpenter) Miller in Lebanon, KS.

Darrel married Ruth Cheryl DeBey and to this union, 3 children were born.

Darrel was a publisher and editor of several local newspapers including the Downs News and the Smith Co. Pioneer. He was also a Past President of the Kansas Press Association.

Darrel is survived by: daughters, Michelle Doherty of Rockville, MD & Lara Ketter of Tipton, KS; son, Randy Miller of Bethesda, MD & 7 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ruth in 2013.

Click HERE for more on Miller’s life from the Kansas Press Association.

Janet Lynn (Moeder) Crawford, 47, Spearfish, South Dakota, formerly of Hays, unexpectedly passed away at home on July 22, 2017.

She was born March 5, 1970 in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of John E. and Dorothy A. (Werth) Moeder. Janet was the third of four children. She leaves behind her loving and dedicated husband, Chris Crawford, married August 13, 1994, their children, Dane Crawford, Andrea Bednar (Luke), and Alek Crawford (Shyla), her parents, her siblings, John Gary Moeder (Amy), Joannah Applequist (Myron), and Julie Brull (Jeffrey), her four darling grandsons, Tavis, Noah, Brantley, Elijah, and many more beloved family members and dear friends. 

Janet graduated from TMP-Marian High School in 1988 and received her degree in nursing from Fort Hays State University in 1995. She spent her nursing career at Hays Medical Center as a registered nurse in both the Emergency and Recovery rooms. She also worked in the Cardiac Care Unit at Hays Medical Center. She was passionate about helping and caring for others. She enjoyed traveling with her family, and was especially intrigued with visiting lighthouses across the country.  Janet was a kind, gentle, loving woman who will be deeply missed by many. 

Janet and Chris have spent the last year living in Spearfish, SD, making their way through many new adventures. Janet enjoyed volunteering at Black Hills State University, and her local Kiwanis group, and she enjoyed attending Countryside Community Church.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at the Robbins Center, north of Gross Memorial Coliseum, on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St., and on Saturday from 9:00 am until service time at the Robbins Center, One Tiger Place.

Memorials are suggested in Janet’s memory to TMP-Marian High School or to the Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com of via email at [email protected].

Viola M. Castens, 82, of Atwood, died Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Atwood. She was born April 2, 1935, in Atwood, to William J. and Irene (Zwickle) Rummel. Viola married Harvey Wright on Dec. 21, 1952 and to this union three children were born. As the children grew up, the family lived on a farm in Achilles, where she helped with the farm duties and raised the children. After moving to town, she worked for the hospital before joining the Rawlins County Extension Office, where she worked for over 25 years. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, flowers, and keeping a meticulous yard.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harvey Wright, Harlan Ross and Donnie Castens; her parents and grandson, Tate Schneider.

She is survived by her children, Kathy (Mike) Schneider, Collyer, KS, Debbie (Mike) Fanders, Atwood and Lynn Wright, of Achilles, KS; brother, Bill (Barbara) Rummel, Topeka, KS; grandchildren, Adam, Kahl and Chauncy Schneider, Becky Hammeke, Mary Herskowitz, Cassidy, Tegan, and Dayne Fanders and Nathen, Shelby and Cody Wright and twenty two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood, with inurnment in Fairview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Rawlins County Fair Board -beautification plantings-, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com