John William Dugan passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born on May 14, 1931 in Alton, Kansas to the late James R. and Florence (Forman) Dugan. He grew up in Alton, working with custom cutting crews as a young man, and graduating from Alton High School with the Class of 1949. He served as a First Class Boiler Tender in the United States Navy, during the entire Korean War conflict, from March 1950 to December 1953, aboard the USS Frank Knox. On August 10, 1958 he was united in marriage to Nadine Aust at St. John Lutheran Church north of Ellis, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Cindy and Dyrk.

John drove cattle and tanker trucks prior to September 1955 when he became owner/operator of Dugan Oil Company, a service station and bulk fuel delivery service. Before retiring in July 2001, it is estimated that he hired somewhere between 200-300 kids as they worked their way through high school and college. Always a hardworking man, he also liked to play hard at times. He was a talented snow and water skier, with an affinity for skiing backwards behind boats on his “banana peel” skis and homemade round wakeboards. He bowled for many years, and was an avid golfer and member of Rooks County Golf and Country Club. He served many years on the school board, was a member of First Christian Church having served as a Deacon as well as doing odd jobs and repair work around the church, VFW Post #8871 helping with the Honor Guard, Paradise Masonic Lodge #290, Isis Shrine of Salina, and the American Legion. However, the job he cherished the most was being a loving husband, dad, and granddad. He supported every activity his family was involved with, and was a huge sports fan, holding season tickets to KU basketball for 28 years, and attending all of the Plainville Junior and Senior High athletic events whenever possible.

John is survived by his wife Nadine Dugan of the home in Plainville; daughter Cindy Bechard and husband Armond of Leawood; son Dyrk Dugan and wife Kris of Overland Park; brother George Dugan and wife Mary Lou of Osborne; sister Margaret VanScyoc of Surprise, AZ; and grandchildren Christian Bechard, Danté Dugan, and Jessica Dugan.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Florence Dugan, sister Marie Brown, and brother Jimmy Dugan.

It is said, “Life has meaning only to the degree it is lived in the service of others.” John lovingly gave of himself to family, friends, neighbors, and community because he valued them above all else. His legacy of honor, integrity, and faith will continue to inspire those who knew him best, until we all meet together again, in that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at First Christian Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at Plainville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-7:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00pm.

Eldon E. McWithey, age 77, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on July 6, 1939 in Meade, Kansas, the son of Harry Lee and Vera Mae McKinnis McWithey. He was a resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1974 moving from Claflin, Kansas and was retired from working as an Oil Driller for Slawson Exploration Company.

Survivors include his Five Daughters – Christine R. DeHart of Clinton, Missouri, Lisha L. Dirks of Scott City, Kansas, Tanya R. McWithey of Garden City, Kansas, Rhonda R. Morgan of Lenexa, Kansas, Shanna J. John of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Robert McWithey of Kansas, One Sister – Mickie Philpott of Udall, Kansas, Thirteen Grandchildren and Seventeen Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Three Brothers, One Sister and Two Granddaughters.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Dennis Carter presiding.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Friend Of Scott Lake Park.

There will be no calling times.

Stan Maskus, 63, of Hays, Loving husband and father, went to be with the Lord Friday, June 23, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on December 11, 1953 in Dodge City, KS to William and Irene (Weiss) Maskus. Stan graduated from Jetmore High School. He attended Dodge City Community College where he played baseball and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University. He married his beautiful bride, Donna (Bowman) in 1975.

Stan started his working career in Phillipsburg, KS at Farmland Industries. They built their life in Hays and raised two boys, Mark and Matt. He began his dedicated career at Midland Marketing until his retirement then took a position as the courier for Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and Saint Rose Health Center. Stan loved gardening, hunting with his son, operating a combine, playing baseball and softball, and WWII history. He was actively involved in Duck’s Unlimited and a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; sons, Mark and Matt; mother, Irene; brother, Bill; sister, Shirley Jaeger in-laws, Herb and Kathy Bowman; brothers-in-law, Jeff Jaeger, James Eberwein, Gregg Sexton, and Mark Lessard; sisters-in-law, Lana Maskus, Dee Eberwein, Shelly Sexton and Sharon Lessard; and numerous nephews, nieces, friends, and coworkers.

He is preceded in death by his father, William and sister, Kathy.

A celebration of life will be at the Messiah Lutheran Church Wednesday, June, 28 at 10:30 a.m. A private family inurnment will be held at a later time.

Visitation will be held at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601 on Tuesday, June 27, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays Medical Center Foundation, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation, and Ellis County 4-H.

Condolences can be left by guest book at www.kiethleyfunteralchapels.com or e-mailed to [email protected]

Myrna Margaret McCoy, age 71, of Ellis, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Hays Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Monday, June 26, 2017 at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Visitation will be Sunday 6 PM – 8 PM at St. Mary’s Church.

A complete obituary is pending with Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.

Lena Babcock, 100 , passed away on May 19, 2017 at the Archstone Care Center in Chandler, Arizona .  She was born on May 24, 1916 near Castle Rock, Gove County, Kansas the daughter of Clade and Edna (Light) Martin.

She married Ross K. Babcock on August 16, 1936 in Dighton, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 17, 1990.  Lena and Ross made their home in Utica, Kansas until she moved to Chandler, Arizona to be near her daughter.

Survivors include two daughters, Patty Bollinger, Chandler, Arizona, and Linda Walt and her husband Lavern, Collyer, Kansas; son, Ross Babcock, Utica, Kansas; five grandchildren, Carmen McNamara and husband Richard, Phoenix, Arizona, Michael Bollinger and wife Debbie (Walt), Durango, Colorado, Jim Walt, Hays, Kansas, Jason Walt, Collyer, Kansas, and Pamela Babcock; 5 Great Grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son-in-law, Vernon Bollinger and daughter-in-law, Carlyn Babcock.

Memorial service and burial will be on Friday, July 7, 2017, 10:00 AM, at the Utica Cemetery, Utica.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church, Utica.

Victor Neil Carlisle, 82, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, June 19, 2017, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Victor was born on January 28, 1935, in Madison, Kansas, the son of William Howard and Helen (Bumgardner) Carlisle. He moved to Russell in 1941, when he was 6 years old. He attended local schools and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1953. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Laura Nevell Gossett on March 19, 1954, in Russell. From this union Victor and Nevell were blessed with two children Vicki and Curt. At age 17 Vic went to work at his first job with Russell Supply. Later, the company was sold to Buckeye Supply and Vic worked for them as an oilfield supply store manager until his retirement at age 63. He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. He was a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge #177, Isis Shrine and Elks Lodge. He enjoyed golf, Kansas University Basketball, Kansas City Royals baseball, hunting, watching television. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and attending their activities.

Surviving family include his wife of 63 years Nevell of the home; daughter Vicki Desbien and husband Bill of Abilene, Kansas and son Curt Carlisle and wife Diane of Joplin, Missouri; brothers Richard Carlisle and wife Maria and Cecil Carlisle and wife Margarita and sister Sharon May and husband Phillip all of Wichita, Kansas and sisters Rita Brougdon and husband Don Johnson of Texas and Reba Ludwick and husband Mike of Sterling, Kansas; 5 grandchildren Britt, Haley, Chase, Blake and Meg and 3 great grandchildren Brayden, Addison and Jett.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Victor’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, July 01, 2017, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening.

Memorials may be given to the Trinity United Methodist Church Maintenance Fund and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Thomas J. “T.J.” Dreiling passed away at Good Samaritan Society of Hays on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

T.J. was the third child born to Rose (Wolf) Dreiling and Edmund J. “E.J” Dreiling. T.J. was 86 at the time of his death, having been born on January 18, 1931.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jim Dreiling, a sister Judy Dreiling Vollmer, and two nephews; Chris Dreiling and Stan Dreiling.

He is survived by his sister Imogene “Imy” Leard (Loyal) of Overland Park, KS. T.J. never married but was like a father to his nieces and nephews; Maryellen Marr (Steve) of Louisburg, KS, Margaretanne McJunkin (friend Michael McPherson) of Jefferson City, MO, Stephen Dreiling (Diann) of Aurora, CO, Dr. Roger Dreiling (Lynn) of Lawrence, KS, and David Dreiling of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly.

T.J. graduated from St. Joseph Elementary School, attended St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA and then graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in 1949. He attended Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO and after his freshman year he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent his entire Navy career on the USS Midway aircraft carrier as storekeeper in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. He had many Navy tales to relate to family and friends. On his return to Hays, he attended and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a B.A. degree in business. He was employed at the Midwest Tobacco and Candy Company, which was also an Anheuser Busch distributor, which he eventually owned and operated. This franchise was in the family for over 65 years, having been started by his grandfather, Carl Wolf, and then run by his father, E.J. Dreiling. T.J. and all of his siblings worked there in some fashion as children and the boys their entire lives.

T.J. was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council #1325, Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and also the Hays VFW Post #9076. He was a devout Catholic of St. Joseph parish.

A special tribute to Suellyn Stenger and Heather Rupp and staff at Good Samaritan of Hays for their tender loving care, also Dr. Henry and Hays Medical Center, and though Hospice provided only one day’s care, that proved to be of great importance in making his transition a peaceful one. We’ll close with a dog story. A few years back on a December evening while bringing groceries into the house, T.J. fell backwards onto the garage floor and could not get up. With his thinking cap on, he scooted along the floor, retrieved a rake from the wall, and used the end of it to open the electric garage door and proceeded to call out in a frail voice for help. Instantly, the next door neighbor’s one year old golden retriever named Riley began barking incessantly at which time they let him out of the house. He ran into the cul-de-sac, looked around, then ran into T.J.’s garage finding him disabled on the cold, cement floor. Riley’s mom Tina brought T.J. to his feet, checked his status, and then assisted him into the house. We feel Riley saved T.J’s life that day. So let’s not forget the heroism of man’s best friend, and the comfort and joy they bring to our lives.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th. Interment with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:30 am until 10:30 on Saturday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined third and fourth degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or Hays Good Samaritan Society, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Louise V. Parkinson, née Heyne, 102, died Monday, June 19, at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas, after a fall at her home in May. She was born July 18, 1914, at Red Lion, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Blanche (Hannigan) Heyne of 124 North Franklin Street, Red Lion. She was elder sister to Mayfield E. “Babe” Grove, Richard S. “Dick” Heyne, Daniel W. “Tuck” Heyne, and younger sister to adopted brother Nevin S. “Nevvy” Hannigan all of whom preceded her in death.

Louise graduated from Red Lion High School, class of ’32, at the height of the Great Depression. She put herself through nursing school at Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia where she earned a degree as a registered nurse in 1935. She worked as a general duty nurse at both Hahneman and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

In 1942, several months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, receiving her second lieutenant’s commission and orders to ship overseas to Australia in 1943. She arrived at Sidney just as US and Australian forces were putting Japan on the defensive across the Coral Sea in New Guinea, where she was soon deployed.

Louise served with the 133rd General Hospital Unit, living and working one step from the front line, treating combat casualties. In October, 1944, then a first lieutenant, she was awarded her third battle star for the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. While stationed there she met and married Louis (L.D.) Parkinson, a first lieutenant in the Navy, at Tacloban, Leyte, The Philippines, on November 2nd, 1945. All together, Louise served 29 months in Australia, New Guinea, the East Indies, and the Philippines.

The couple moved to Scott City in 1946, where they farmed, raised livestock, grew a family, and lived together for 67 years. Louise was a full-time housewife, mother, and avid swimmer– receiving a Presidential Physical Fitness Award in her 65th year. She was honored to be inducted into The Leo Club Hall Of Fame of the Red Lion Area School District in September of 2016. Louise is survived by daughters Vicki Burr and Beth Tuck both of Scott City, Anne Marchin of Kansas City, and sons Louis “Bo” Parkinson and Daniel Parkinson both of Scott City. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Louise was preceded in death by her husband Lou, and one son, Richard.

Memorial services will be held at a later date and time.

Memorials may be given to the Scott County Library in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.

There will be no calling times.