Phyllis Evelyn Birrer Frary, 100, of Cazenovia, passed away Sunday.

She was born in Grainfield, Kansas on December 20, 1916. She was the daughter of Edward and Matilda Birrer. Phyllis received her B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of Kansas at Lawrence in 1940.

Phyllis taught school at Wallace, Kansas for two years and was a bookkeeper at the Grainfield COOP elevator for a short time before uniting in marriage to Rev. Arthur Frary on December 10, 1944. As minister and wife, they served churches in Colorado and then in Kansas, at Alma-McFarland-Paxico, Howard, Haviland, Wichita Waco Church, and Rose Valley and Downs. They retired after 42 years to make their home in Salina, Kansas.

God blessed them with a daughter, Sherilyn (and husband David), granddaughter Shannon and grandson Morgan, and a son, Deryl (and wife Janice), granddaughters Dominique and Vanessa.

In her later years, she moved to Cazenovia, New York to live with her daughter and family. Phyllis was a member of the Manlius United Methodist Church. She loved people, God’s beautiful creation, music, poetry and writing.
Her husband, Arthur and son, Deryl preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter and grandchildren in Cazenovia, New York, and her son’s wife and granddaughters in Denver, Colorado.

To loved ones, she would quote Miller: “Only one life, so live it well, And keep your candle trimmed and bright. Eternity, not time, will tell The radius of that candle’s light.”

May each life cast a bright light!

Mary Frances Goetz, 87, Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Hays, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at her home in Tucson.

She was born June 27, 1929 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Mathew and Mary Catherine (Gross) Dinges. She married Ernest J. Goetz on August 1, 1948. He preceded her in death in 1975.

Mary Frances loved reading and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would exercise daily and played volleyball with her friends at her independent living community. She was a Red Hat Society Member and a devout Catholic, and she supported both church and community charities.

Survivors include two daughters; Janelle McDonald and husband Allan of Portland, OR and Connie Austin and husband Steve of Tucson, AZ, a sister; Ann Triplett of Conway, MO, six grandchildren; Carly Austin of Phoenix, AZ, Jeremy Austin of Tucson, AZ, Adam Austin of Tucson, AZ, Tyler Austin of Tucson, AZ, Logan McDonald of New York, NY, and Amelia McDonald of Portland, OR, and six great grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers; Marvin Dinges, Paul Dinges, Linus Dinges, Robert Dinges, Leonard Dinges and Fred Dinges, and a sister; Lucille Dinges.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time and a rosary will be at 9:30, all at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Delbert E. Leiker, 87, Hays, died Sunday, January 22, 2017 at his home, surrounded by family.

He was born October 26, 1929 in Ness City, Kansas the son of Peter C. and Amelia (Ruder) Leiker. On June 15, 1953 he married Dolores E. (Schmidt) Baumgartner in Hays, Kansas. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a BS degree in Business Administration in May 1951 and in May 1971 with a Masters Degree in Business Education. From June 1951 to May 1953 he was drafted and served during the Korean War and was recalled with the Army National Guard during the Viet Nam War from April 1968 to December 1969. He was employed by the U.S. Civil Service Commission, and worked for the Dept. of the Army Reserve Components, mainly The Kansas Army National Guard and was last permanently stationed in Hays, Kansas from December 1969 until retirement. In October 1984, he retired from the U.S. Civil Service Commission and from the U.S. Army and National Guard in June 1985 with 34 years of service as Chief Warrant Officer W-4.

Memberships include; St. Joseph Catholic Church, life member of the National Guard Association of the United States, life member of the National Guard Association of Kansas, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the American Legion, life member of the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association, and member of the Sisters of St. Agnes Associates.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores of the home in Hays, four daughters; Gail Staab and husband Tim, Brenda Berens and husband Tom, and Sandy Losey and husband Jim, all of Hays, and Lisa Cunningham and husband Steve of Olathe, two sons; Rick Leiker and wife Glenda of Salina, and Michael Leiker of Hales Corners, WI, a half-sister; Florentine Schuckman, thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Cyril Leiker and wife Georgine and Melvin Leiker and wife Mary, one sister; Sister Cecelia (Elvira) Leiker, and a grandson; Kevin Staab.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays. Burial with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Funeral Detail will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday and from 9:00 until 9:45 am on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Sisters of St. Agnes Associates rosary will be at 4:00 pm, a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm, followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30, all on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the rectory renovation project at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Sharron “Cheri” Lois Smith, age 78, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. Cheri was born December 30, 1937 in Louisville, (pronounced Louuuuville) Kentucky, the daughter of Walter Lloyd & Mary Lucille (O’Brien) Zoeller. She was the wife, secretary and associate of Richard G. Smith Law offices and Wichita County Attorney in Leoti in the late 1970’s and 80’s.

On October 30, 2016 she fell and broke her hip. When they say that’s The End, they mean it. Cheri was active, feisty, ornery, social and a real fighter, but once she realized she would never walk again, she gave up on life. Her last words were “I love you Honey”.

On February 25, 1977, she married Richard Smith at Clayton, New Mexico. Richard passed away on March 22, 1987 in Leoti, Kansas.

Cheri’s surviving family includes

Two daughters

Terri Matta- Phoenix, Arizona

Toni and Terry Toman- Phoenix, Arizona

Four grandchildren-

Brandy Barker- Spokane, Washington

Nikki Gessner- Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Cody Smith- Phoenix, Arizona

Misty Matta- Seattle, Washington

Three great grandchildren

Ethan Barker- Spokane, Washington

Conner Barker – Spokane, Washington

Joey Gessner- Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Three siblings

Walter & Marylou Zoeller- Louisville, Kentucky

Susan Timberlake- Louisville, Kentucky

Steven Zoeller- Louisville, Kentucky

Cheri’s ashes will be interred next to her husband, Richard, in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas at a later date.

We, the family, know Cheri is in Heaven, livin it up, smoking a cigarette and drinkin a cocktail. Cheers! We love you Mom.

Dorothy Lea Fulton was born December 16, 1946 to James and Marie Fulton in Bethany, Missouri. She left her life on earth December 13, 2016 in Wichita, Kansas.

She grew up in Jetmore, Kansas and was a resident of Kansas for her adult life. She had a Bachelor’s Degree from Wichita State University, a Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University, and a PhD from the University of Kansas. She was an associate professor at Fort Hays State University until her retirement in August 2016.

She is survived by her mother, Marie Litzenberger of Hays, KS; her children, Chad Glunt of Derby, KS, Heather Thurber and husband, Travis of Martha’s Vineyard, MA; her sister, Ramona Jackson and husband, George of Perry, GA; her niece, Jocelyn Thompson and husband, Dave Wagle of Nokomis, FL; and her nephew, Joel Jackson of Colorado Springs, CO. She was preceded in death by her father, James Fulton; her step-father, Isaac Litzenberger; and a nephew, Jeffrey Jackson.

The loves of her life were her grandsons, Brahmin Thurber-Carbone, Cabot Thurber, Ethan Glunt, and Jordon Glunt.

A memorial service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Hays Memorial Chapel, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with FHSU Foundation-Dr. Dorothy Fulton Memorial, Robbins Center, One Tiger Place, Hays, KS 67601.

She lived her life with enthusiasm and leaves many good friends to mourn her passing.

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

Maddlena Renelda “Maggie” Hilscher age 85, formerly of Hays, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at The Village Health Care Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

She was born on May 31, 1931 in Grainfield, Kansas to Charles and Katherine Keller (Selenke). She was married to Willie “Bill” Hilscher Oct 1, 1949 in Edgeley North Dakota. They were divorced in 1977.

She was a homemaker and employed at St. John’s Nursing Home, Good Samaritan Society in Hays along with being a cook and waitress in different restaurants in her life.

She is survived by her children, Shirley Ann (Don) Tiegs of Mukwonago, WI, Larry W. Hilscher of Ardmore, OK, Stevie A. “Steve” Hilscher of North Dakota and Peggy J. Herrman (Ken) of Hays, KS; a step daughter, Delaphine (Edgar) Francis of Boise City, OK; two sisters, Josephine (Chelsy) Shults of Bartlesville, OK and Mary Brown of Yukon Mo; two brothers, Tony (Bev) Keller of Eunice MO, and Bill (Lili) Keller of Highland Ranch CO; her grandchildren, Don Tiegs Jr., Stacy Kennedy, Sheila Cordel, April Brunk, Travis Hilscher, Andrew Hilscher and Evan Herrman; step grandchildren, Delline Tooley, Sandra Thompson, Vickie Ottinger, Kyle Herrman, Kendra Herrman, and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters, and stepmother Helen Keller (Kelly) and a great granddaughter Makayla Rena Herrman.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas.

Graveside service will be 1:00 PM Mountain time on Monday January 23, 2017 at the Calvary Cemetery in Stratton, Colorado.

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

Margie J. (Walker) Rohr, age 84, of Munjor, died Friday, January 20, 2017, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born November 19, 1932, in Garden City, Kansas to Ted and Helen (Hipp) Walker. She married Eugene Rohr on September 25, 1954, in Wichita, Kansas.

She was a registered nurse for over 50 years and a homemaker. She attended St. Joseph Nursing School in Wichita and worked in Wichita for a few years then at Hadley Hospital and Hays Medical Center. After her retirement she worked In-Home nursing care. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Christian Mothers both of Munjor, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene Rohr, Via Christi Village Hays, KS; one son ,Tom Rohr and wife, Therese, Rogers, AR; three daughters, Patricia Rohr, Minneapolis, MN; Laura VonLintel and husband, Bill, Hays, KS; Cheryl Bohacek and husband, Matt, Omaha, NE; one brother, Ray Walker, Wichita, KS; one sister, Mary Jean Williams, Wichita, KS; one sister-in-law, Jeanette Walker, Wichita, KS; seven grandchildren, Katie Griest (Justin), Mary Beth Rohr, Annie Rohr, Ben VonLintel, Nick VonLintel, Hannah Bohacek and Cate Bohacek; four great grandchildren, Carter VonLintel, Charlotte Griest, Jack Griest and Benjamin Griest.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Jim Walker.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor, Kansas. Burial in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Munjor, Kansas.

A Munjor Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Monday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Monday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Munjor, Kansas.

Memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas.

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

Stanley Eugene Simpson died Saturday, January 21, 2017 in the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton at the age of 91. Stanley was born January 24, 1925 in Hays, Kansas to Clarence E. and Emma A. (Riesen) Simpson. At the age of ten his mother Emma died and step-mother Verda helped his father raise him. He grew up on the family farm in the Saline River Valley north of Hays in Ellis County. He graduated the 8th grade in a one room school house known as the Upper Turkville Grade School. He graduated from Codell High School and Ottawa University where he received a BA degree. He also received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West at Berkley, California.

He was drafted into the United States Army at the end of World War II and served in the Army of Occupation in Italy and was honorably discharged in May of 1947. He was drafted again in 1950 and served during the Korean Conflict where he received a combat infantry badge. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1952 and from the reserves in November of 1956.

Stan was ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Codell Baptist Church in Kansas and was a member of the Idaho Falls First Baptist Church and served as one of its Deacons for two terms. He served as Chaplain of the Juvenile Corrections Center near St. Anthony for over 24 years and also served as a Chaplain of the St. Anthony V.F.W. Yellowstone Mountain Post 9425.

Stan enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and climbing the Grand Teton and Mt. Borah. He visited every continent in the world except Austrailia. Stanley enjoyed riding his motorcycle from coast to coast and from the Arctic circle to the tropics of Mexico.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Emma Simpson; step-mother, Verda Simpson; three brothers, Edwin, Herbert, and Allen Simpson; step-brother, Elwyn Teasley and step-sister, Orma Teasley.

Stan is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at the Congregational Church in Stockton. Inurnment will follow at Norman Cemetery in Ellis County, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the Senior Companions or the Congregational Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N First Street, Stockton, KS. 67669. Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com

William E. “Bill” Radke, 77, died Jan. 19, 2017 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born June 17, 1939 at Downs, the son of Paul & Clara (Brack) Radke.

He married Patricia Debes Sept. 14, 1961 at Hoisington.

Bill was a 1957 graduate of Hoisington High School, then furthered his education at Emporia State University, graduating in 1962.

Bill taught senior and general sciences on the secondary level in Wright City and Warrenton, MO. Bill later worked for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, St. Louis, and later transferred to Amoco Petroleum, Oklahoma City. He returned to Barton County in 1974 to work for Mo-Pacific Railroad, obtaining locomotive engineer status, retiring in 1997. He was an avid sports enthusiast, especially football, and took pride in being a self-taught photographer. He also enjoyed relaxing in his spare time at his cabin at Tuttle Creek.

Survivors include his wife Patricia Radke, of the home; two sons, Brent William Radke and wife Brenda of Halstead and Blaine Owen Radke of Victoria; one daughter, Lisa Ann Gottschalk and husband Lloyd of Centennial, Colo; one brother, Allan Radke of Pinedale, Wyo; Four grandchildren: Hannah Radke, Isaac Radke, Austin Radke, and Cristian Gottschalk.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Clinton Radke, Norman Radke, and John Radke.

Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home with Father Anselm Eke officiating. Inurnment will be at St. John Church Cemetery, Hoisington. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family receiving from 5 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Fund: In lieu of flowers, HaysMed Foundation or Kans for Kids or Almost Home, Inc., in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington, KS

Aloysius J. “Winnie” Schmidt, 89, Hays, died Friday, January 20, 2017 at his home.

He was born April 22, 1927 on the family farm west of Schoenchen the son of Alex and Josephine (Werth) Schmidt. On November 5, 1951 he married Betty Schmidt in LaCrosse. Inducted into the United States Army in July, 1945, Winnie served as an interpreter in Austria and Germany and was honorably discharged in 1947. For many years, he worked for Hunter Construction and Graves Truck Line, where he retired after 32 years. He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, the Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Forty & Eight. Family and friends were always the joy of his life. Playing cards, working in the garden, fishing, and woodworking were his hobbies, but golf was his real passion.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Schmidt of the home in Hays, two daughters; Cindy Schmidt of Gardner, KS and Ruth Legleiter and partner Erik Eaton of Hays, a son; Dale Schmidt of Hays, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; Ben and Julie Ann Jacobs and their children, Banks and Bennett, Bree and Chad O’Gara and their children, Sabryn, Gavin, Kamry, Brody, and Beckam, and Brent Legleiter and Holly Newell, two brothers; Melvin Schmidt of Hays, and Francis Schmidt and wife Ann of Longmont, CO, and two sisters; Josephine Haselhorst of Longmont, CO and Delores VanOudenhoven of Neenah, WI, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers; Edwin, Walter, John, and Irvin, and four sisters; Armella Miller, Rose Schmidt, Barbara Basgall, and Bertha Stary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, January 23, 2017 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Monday from 9:00 am until 9:30 am, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree rosary at 7:00, both on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Winnie’s memory to First Call for Help, the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard, or to masses in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Juliana Dreher Unrein, 83, Hays, KS, joined the Lord Thursday, January 19, 2017, at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, Pueblo, Colorado.

She was born December 21, 1933, in Rush County Kansas the daughter of Philip and Wilhelmina (Schuckman) Dreher. On September 10, 1951 she married LaVerne J. “Vernie” Unrein. He preceded her in death on September 3, 2012. Juliana was a homemaker, motel owner, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers Altar Society.

Survivors include four daughters; Verna Moorhous, Kansas City, KS, Vera Schreurs and husband Steve, Peculiar, MO, Vicky Unrein, Miami, OK, and Venita Hernandez, Aurora, CO; two sons; Darrell Unrein and wife Norene, Hays, KS, Richard Unrein and wife Gerry, Pueblo, CO; three granddaughters; Lisa Linenberger, Tuscon, AZ ; Diana Unrein, Coffeyville, KS; Lacey Unrein, and fiancé Colby Schippers, Hays, KS, five grandsons; David Linenberger, Gardner, KS; Terry Jones II, Raytown, MO; Dylan Unrein, Columbus, OH, Tanner Unrein, Hays, KS, Matthew Bruner, Great Bend, KS; and two great grandsons, Noah and Lane Linenberger, and one sister; Betty Hill and husband James, Hutchinson, KS.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; Philip, January 18th, 1975 and Wilhelmina, December 11th, 1998, a sister; LaVerna Herl on December 8th, 2014, two brothers; Leon Dreher, August 8th, 2012 and Ralph Dreher, September 14th, 1997.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Liebenthal, Kansas. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Juliana’s memory can be made to Alzheimer’s Research at ALZ.org or left in care of the funeral home.

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