Melvin G. “Mel” Koerner, 72, Hays, died Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born June 20, 1944 in Hays, the son of George and Angela (Staab) Koerner. On November 27, 1965 he was united in marriage to his wife of over fifty-one years, Rose Marie Stecklein, in Hays. He worked in the oilfield and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was a former member of the Eagles Lodge. His hobbies included woodworking, playing games and cards, baseball, bingo, and casino trips. He enjoyed family gatherings and parties, and spending time with his grandchildren and dog, Teddy. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Rose, of the home, two daughters; Lisa M. Fose and husband Joel of Ellis and Tamala LaPosa and husband John of Wichita, three brothers; Jim Koerner and wife Arlis, Danny Koerner and significant other Diane, and Robert “Rocky” Koerner and wife Janet, all of Hays, five sisters; JoAnne Barton, Carol Hustead and husband Roy, and Judy Dreher and husband Don, all of Hays, Marlene Dyke and husband Bob of Miami, OK, and Linda Hammerschmidt and husband George of Victoria, a brother-in-law; Ron Hamel of Plainville, a sister-in-law; Jean Koerner of Hays, four grandchildren; Trina, Ashley, Scott, and Heather Hupka, seven great-grandchildren; Evelyn White, Nathaniel Galle, Addilynn Gerrild, Lexi Gerrild, Tori Keller, Drake Leach, and Brooklynn Baumann, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Arlen and Kenny Koerner, sisters; Mary Lou Hamel, Rosalyn “Rosie” Koerner, and Janet Batman, and a brother-in-law; Jerry Barton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A rosary and vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family wishes, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Beverly Erb, age 68, passed away on January 31, 2017 at Country Living, Larned, Kansas.

She was born on April 13, 1948 in Lawrence, Kansas the daughter of L.A. (Roy) and Marjorie Cochran Krug.

She was a 1966 graduate of Ness City High School and attended Kansas State University. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Bazine.

On June 1, 1984, she married Stan Erb in Bazine, Kansas. He survives. Other survivors include daughter Michelle and Paul Woydziak, Hoisington; grandson, Ryan Woydziak; nephews, Tony Erb, Jason Huxman, and Jeremy Huxman; and nieces, Teresa Erb and Ashley Schultz. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Lindsey (Young) Lawrence.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Bazine United Methodist Church or Christ Pilot Me Hill.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced later.

James Leonard “Jim” Gragson, age 85, of Shell Knob, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the home of his son in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born May 18, 1931 in Kansas City, Missouri the son of Leonard Orville and Emily Julia (Trexler) Gragson. On August 22, 1955 in Hays, Kansas he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Clare “Bette” Brown, who preceded him in death on October 14, 2016. Also preceding him in death were his parents.

Surviving are his son Leonard, wife Diana of Olathe, Kansas and their son Jeff; his son John, wife Donna of Topeka, Kansas and their children Tommy, Rachael and James; his son Phillip of Topeka and his sons Dylan and Nicholas; and son Doug, wife Alison and their daughter Ali of Springfield, Missouri; five great grandchildren, Anthony, Brelyn, Adylyn, Scarlett, and Violett; one brother, Dr. Teddy Gragson, wife Gay of Athens, Georgia and a sister, Katherine Rosser, husband Richard of Graham, Texas.

Jim attended EC White Elementary School and Southwest High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He then attended DeLaSalle Military School in Kansas City and graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri. During the Korean War he served in the United States Navy. As a child, he was very active in Boy Scouts. For thirteen years, he was business manager at St. Anthony’s in Hays, Kansas, and several years he was Director of Provider Relations for Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Kansas and served as a representative to Blue Cross, Blue Shield to train hospitals in Medicare and other important trainings. Prior to moving to Topeka, Kansas he created a band known as J. Leonard Band in which he played the drums and continued with the band after moving to Topeka. While his boys were growing up he coached baseball for nineteen years and was athletic director for his sons’ school. In 1993 he moved from Topeka, Kansas to Shell Knob to make his home. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Shell Knob, was active in Shell Knob Lions Club, Shell Knob VFW, American Legion in Shell Knob and Hays, Kansas and was Man of the Year in 1960 in Hays. He was also a member of Toastmasters, Kiwanis and active in United Way in Hays, Kansas. He loved camping, fishing and traveling and enjoyed creating brass lighting and brass items.

Services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, February 3, 2017 at Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob. Reverend Henry Grodecki, C.M. will conduct the services. Military honors will be conducted by VFW #2203.

Lifelong Quinter area resident Rex D. Albin passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter.  He was 81 years of age.  Rex was born November 6, 1935, on the family farm south of Quinter, to Glen and Lila (Mendenhall) Albin.

Upon graduation from Quinter High School, Rex enlisted in the Army and served our country proudly.  On July 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to Verda Delaney.  They enjoyed 60 years of marriage together.  He was a farmer and rancher.

Rex will be dearly missed by many friends and family.  Survivors include his wife, Verda, of the family home; four children, Nancy Hargitt of Quinter, Diana (Lorne) Middleton of Colby, Terri (Bryan) Evans of Gove, and Bill Albin of Quinter; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-six great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Connie Sue and Debra Alice Albin; and three sisters, Frances Deines, Glenna Eutsler, and Doris Parker.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Quinter United Methodist Church with pastors Michael Brown and Stan Smith officiating.  Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center or Quinter United Methodist Church.  Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Haviland, Kansas – Robert “Bob” Young, age 67, died Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis Wichita, Kansas.

He was born May 13, 1949, in Kansas City, Kansas and was adopted by Carl L. and Sarah L. (Ford) Young. He married Linda M. (Schmidt) on December 27, 1969, at Hays, Kansas.

He worked as a substance abuse counselor and a Support Housing Attendant at the Iroquois Center for Human Development, Inc. in Greensburg, Kansas for 10 years. He grew up in Haviland and Pratt and was a 1967 graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, Kansas. Bob attended Kansas University in Lawrence and graduated in 1970 from Wentworth Military Academy.

in Lexington, Missouri. He has lived in Haviland since 1972 and was a Long Term Care Administrator for 25 years for the Siesta Homes in Haviland and Pratt. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greensburg, KS; member of the American Legion Post No. 157 and past Commander in Haviland, KS. Bob served as a commissioned officer in the Kansas Army National Guard for over 15 years. He commanded several units including the 995th maintenance company in Hays as well as the 161st field artillery unit in Dodge City. Bob was proud of his military service and proud of those he served with and all those who have served. Especially those who have given their lives for this Country. Bob was an avid Harley rider and enjoyed going fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Young, of the home; one son, Robert C. Young and wife, Shayna, Greensburg, KS; one daughter, Aimee Albin and husband, Kevin, Hays, KS; three grandchildren, Haley Peeler, Abigail Peeler and Robert D. “Rowdy” Young.

He was preceded in death by his adopted parents.

Services are at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. Inurnment will be at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, at St. Joseph Church. Memorials to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School or St. Fidelis Cemetery.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email to [email protected].

Agnes Marie (Schwarzenberger) Berens passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born on October 12, 1927 to the late Alex and Walburga (Ziegler) Schwarzenberger, Sr. on the family farm south of Quinter, Kansas. She graduated from Quinter High School and went on to attend Fort Hays State College where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught school for three years during World War II, and on June 1, 1948 she was united in marriage to Elmer F. Berens in Collyer, Kansas.

Agnes and Elmer ran the Berens Dairyette and she was well known for making wonderful pies. Along with being an excellent cook, she loved reading, was a great seamstress, and lovingly pieced together many quilts for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles so much, that she became known as the “Puzzle Lady” to all of her friends. She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Agnes is survived by her daughters Deborah Wade and husband Alvis of Hoxie, Rebecca Brungardt and husband Kevin of Sublette, Sarah Miller and husband Fred of Liberal, and Deidre Ferguson and husband Bob of Spearman, TX; son Greg Berens and wife Michele of Tampa; brothers Frank Schwarzenberger, and Albert Schwarzenberger; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Walburga Schwarzenberger, Sr., husband Elmer Berens, five sisters, one brother, an infant grandson, and one great-granddaughter.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:30am on Monday, February 6, 2017 at Grainfield Cemetery, Grainfield, Kansas with Pastor Micah Howery officiating. Visitation will be from Noon-6:00pm on Sunday, February 6, 2017, at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie with family receiving friends from 3:00-5:00pm. Memorials are suggested to The Sheridan County Library or Grainfield American Legion, George M. Scott Post #301 and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Agnes was a hardworking woman who lovingly taught her children to be responsible and work hard as well. Through her character, strength, and dependability she taught us to never give up, keep a happy heart, and love one another unconditionally. She will be greatly missed because she was greatly loved.

Lifelong Quinter area resident Rex D. Albin passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter. He was 81 years of age.

Rex was born November 6, 1935, on the family farm south of Quinter, to Glen and Lila (Mendenhall) Albin.

Upon graduation from Quinter High School, Rex enlisted in the Army and served our country proudly. On July 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to Verda Delaney. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. He was a farmer and rancher.

Rex will be dearly missed by many friends and family. Survivors include his wife, Verda, of the family home; four children, Nancy Hargitt of Quinter, Diana (Lorne) Middleton of Colby, Terri (Bryan) Evans of Gove, and Bill Albin of Quinter; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Connie Sue and Debra Alice Albin; and three sisters, Frances Deines, Glenna Eutsler, and Doris Parker.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Quinter United Methodist Church with pastors Michael Brown and Stan Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center or Quinter United Methodist Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Harold T. Payne, 85, of Salina, passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. He was born Aug. 8, 1931, in Hays to Thomas and Agnes Payne.

Harold was the devoted husband of Anita J. Payne.

Harold grew up in the Ellis and Hays area, where he graduated from Hays High. He was a locomotive engineer for Union Pacific Railroad, working there for 43 years and retiring in 1992. His time on the railroad fostered a lifelong love for trains both at and away from work.

He was preceded in death by: his father, Thomas, and mother, Agnes Brown; and sister, Delores Ruder.

He is survived by: his wife; one daughter; two sons; three stepdaughters; two stepsons; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Ryan Mortuary.

Memorials: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the donor’s choice.