John L. Welcher, age 60 years, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Sunday morning, June 11, 2017 at his home in Great Bend. John was born on August 23, 1956 at Los Angeles, California to Sam L. and Millie (Tyler) Welcher. He was united in marriage to Susanne Kay Renchko on January 6, 1973 in Los Angeles County, California, and they moved to Great Bend, Kansas in 1982. John formerly worked as a Cashier at Dillon’s in Great Bend for 11 years and later worked for Venture Corporation in Great Bend for 12 years. John loved to go fishing, loved watching TV, and enjoyed going for a drive.

John is survived by his wife, Susanne K. Welcher of Great Bend, Kansas; two sons: Kevin Lee Welcher of Hays, Kansas and Matthew Cane Welcher of Great Bend, Kansas; his mother, Millie Macey of Great Bend, Kansas; one brother, Tom (and his wife, Debbie) Welcher and one sister, Sally Welcher all of Great Bend, Kansas; several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has been chosen. No services have been planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made in care of the Golden Belt Humane Society.

Kevin “John” Workman passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas at the age of 46. He was born on November 26, 1970 in Russell, Kansas to the late William D. and Alma Adalin (Roberts) Workman. He grew up in Plainville, Kansas graduating from Plainville High School with the Class of 1989, and going on to attend Fort Hays State University for one year. On August 23, 1997 he was united in marriage to Mindy Bruna in Plainville. They were blessed with a son, Dawson.

John worked hard as an Oilfield Production Manager for Venture Resources out of Plainville. When he wasn’t working, you most likely would find him outside, playing hard, and enjoying every moment he could with those he loved the most. An avid hunter, it didn’t matter the season or the game, he was always up for a good hunt, especially with his dogs, who really were his babies. He also liked fishing, camping, golfing, and was a crazy Chiefs fan and Jayhawk’s basketball fan. But the greatest love of his life was his family and friends. To know John was to be a member of his family. He was a proud father at every one of Dawson’s games and sporting events, with fatherly love, pride, and encouragement that he shared with all of Dawson’s friends and teammates as well.

John is survived by his wife Mindy Workman and son Dawson Workman of the home in Plainville; brother Tim Workman and wife Sheri of Dodge City; father-in-law and mother-in-law Mike and Janet Bruna of Plainville; nephew Weston Workman; niece Wendi Workman; and a host of great friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Alma Workman, and brother-in-law Adam Bruna.

It is said, “A great mind can produce a great man, but it takes a great heart to guide him in the right ways.” John was a man of great heart and mind, always willing to give of himself to anyone who had need. He was the epitome of a true husband, father, friend, and neighbor. He will forever hold a place in our hearts and memories that only he can fill.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, June 16, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Palco. Visitation will from 1:00-8:00pm on Thursday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm.

Thomas George Neuburger, born April 2, 1953 in Hays, KS passed away unexpectedly with his wife by his side on June 11, 2017 in Lawrence, KS.  He was the son of Ed and Kathleen (Wiesner) Neuburger and grew up in Ellis, KS.

Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.  He had a zest for life and looked at “everyday as an opportunity.”  Tom was a faith filled man and active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Parish in Lawrence, KS.

Tom was the owner of ABC Seamless of Topeka, KS and Metal Roof Products.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila (Giebler) Neuburger; three children, Jill Marie Brungardt of Kansas City, MO, Sara Ann Neuburger (Tracy Dover) of Lawrence, KS and Paul Thomas Neuburger and his wife, Erin (White) Neuburger of Kansas City, MO; a son-in law, Kenneth Scott Brungardt of Lawrence, KS; six grandchildren, Faythe Brungardt, Austin Neuburger, Jackson Brungardt, Isabella Neuburger, Beau Neuburger and Lawson Brungardt; two great grandchildren, Kenzleigh and Denton;  siblings, Glen Neuburger, Dean Neuburger, Billie Jean Fuller, Kathleen Morris, Donetta Robben and Peggy Waldschmidt.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Daniel and Mark.

The family will receive friends from 5- 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway Lawrence, KS 66049.  Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2017, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Mulvany presiding. Committal Service and burial will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hays, KS with Father Gale Hammerschmidt presiding. Memorial contributions are suggested to Corpus Christi Catholic Church. The Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville, MO has been entrusted with the final arrangements.  Memories of Tom and condolences may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

(March 17, 1946 – June 10, 2017)

Funeral Service: Friday, June 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rexford Community Church with Pastor Lane Purcell officiating

Burial: Rexford Cemetery

Memorial Fund: In her name, in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749

Visitation: Friday from 8:00 a.m. until service time at the church

Albert Steven Schwarzenberger passed away May 21, 2017 at the age of 84.

He was born January 13, 1933 in Gove County Kansas to Alexander and Wallburga Schwarzenberger. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce and sons Randy and Mitchel.

Albert was in the Army from 1952 until 1954. Albert married Joyce Schremmer August 26, 1961. He owned and operated Al’s Sales and Service for over 25 years. Al worked for the Trego County Road Department for many years then for local farmers. He refinished furniture in his garage, which was a meeting place for friends and neighbors to come relax and have a cold one.

He will be greatly missed by his children; Monica (Ron) Grossman, Karla (Tim) Langhorne, Troy (Paula) Schwarzenberger, Mercedes ( Victor) Lystedt and Esther (Jammie) Head, his grandchildren Shawn, Timothy, Blake, Alex, Grace, Zack, Christal and Alisa as well as all of his great-grandchildren.

The children would like to thank the family and friends for the love and care they showed Al in his last days.
There will be a graveside service at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 3:00 pm followed by a reception at the Eagles Lodge.

The family has been involved with the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington and ask that memorials be sent to: Brain Injury Alliance of Washington, PO Box 3044 Seattle WA 98114. Condolences may be left for family at www.haysmemorial.com

Maurice Alan McClure, 89 — retired farmer and rancher, loyal husband and first-rate father — passed away Thursday, June 8 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

One of ten siblings, he was born April 23, 1928 to Lester and Leto McClure. Prior to attending college at Kansas State University, Maurice won several sheep shearing competitions, one of which provided him a college scholarship. While at KSU, he participated in ROTC and studied agriculture, excelling as a livestock judge. In the spring of 1953, he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

Later that year, on Sept. 10, 1953, with less than a week’s notice to those attending the wedding, he married Joyce Janean Jackson at the chapel at KSU and then shipped out to El Paso, Texas, where he started his short army career as a second lieutenant. After being honorably discharged from the army, he and Joyce moved back to Joyce’s childhood home where Maurice farmed. He was active in his church and community, serving often as the Glade Methodist Church lay leader and as a 4-H leader who helped to found the Speed Skyliners 4-H Club. He continued as a farmer or farm manager — raising sheep, cattle and hogs and numerous crops — until advanced prostate cancer forced him into the Leonardville Nursing Home a few months before his death.

Throughout his adult life, Maurice was known among family members for his generosity and his oft-repeated comment, “I didn’t think I’d raised any stupid kids,” which, in context, meant that he didn’t think he’d raised any sons who would turn down a free gift. He provided not only many lunches but also home, automobile, and education loans – many of which he forgave before they reached their term.

Survivors include his widow, Joyce, three sons – Gary (Melony) McClure (Salina), Steve (Shelly) McClure (Clay Center), and Greg (Pam) McClure (Manhattan). He had nine grandchildren — Mark McClure, Max McClure and Marissa Jones (Jacob); Michaela Larson (Jared), Kyle McClure (Kelsey); and Kelsey McClure, Morgan McClure, Samantha McClure and Ryan McClure — and two great-grandchildren, Sophia Larson and Micah Larson. His surviving siblings are Betty Lou Smith (Newton), Janice Capps (Tolleson, Ariz.), and Joyce Dufriend (Newton). Deceased siblings include Viola Gilmore, Thelma Minard, Virgil McClure, Clayton McClure, Theda Merritt, and Marvin McClure.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lew Van Der Wege, officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.

The family will greet friends on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Glade United Methodist Church or the Donor’s Choice.

Alberta Ann (Vrbas) Ayers, the daughter of Albert and Betty (Gray) Vrbas, was born February 23, 1952, in Stratton, Nebraska. She passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at her home in Estherville, Iowa, at the age of 65 years.

She attended grade school in McDonald, Kansas and later high school in Colby, Kansas.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth Ray Ayers on August 11, 1973, in Hill City, Kansas. The couple made their home in Kansas, where they began raising their family. Along with being a homemaker and mom, Bert was employed outside the home as a nurse aide. In her leisure time she enjoyed taking pictures of windmills, painting and art work. Her greatest treasure in life was spending time with friends and her beloved family. Ken died June 8, 2010. Bert eventually moved to Estherville, living with her daughter and son-in-law, to be closer with her family and spend time with her grandchildren.

Left to cherish Bert’s memory are her son, Michael Ayers of Topeka, Kansas; daughter Bobbi Jo Paulson and her husband, Mike of Estherville; granddaughter, Amanda Paulson of Estherville; grandson, Dale Paulson of Estherville; her siblings, Marlene Jahnke and her husband, Richard of Elmore, Minnesota, Josie Whisler and her husband, Gary of Atwood, Kansas, Susie and Lyn Scrivner of Norcatur, Kansas, Linda Boen of Belton, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.

Bert has been preceded in death by her husband, Ken; parents and nephew, Conrad Whisler.

Burial for Bert will be held at a later date in Kansas.