Hays, Kansas – Armella Wittman, age 92, died Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Kearney, Nebraska.

She was born on October 31, 1924, in Munjor, Kansas to Jerome and Philomena (Pfannenstiel) Herl. She married Vernon M. Wittman on April 16, 1945 in Vincent, Kansas. He died October 25, 2000.

She was a homemaker, worker at Travenol Labs., a member of the Victoria Daughters of Isabella
and attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She moved to Hays in 1965 then moved to Kearney, Nebraska in 2010, to live with her daughter.

Survivors include one son, Lloyd Wittman and wife, Diana, Andover, KS; two daughters, Carol Gregg and husband, Eldon, Hays, KS; Connie Wittman, Kearney, NE; one sister, Alice Kreutzer, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Herl, Victoria, KS; four grandchildren: Eric Wittman and his fiancé, Cristina Frank, Dr. Maria Wittman and her husband, Dr. Garrett Hooker, Daryl Gregg, Denise VanderGiesen and husband, Bill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Celestine Herl, Edwin Herl, Alvin Herl; one infant brother, Ralph Herl; four sisters, Regina Leiker, Irene VonFeldt, Leona Geist and Marietta Herl.

Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 East 13th Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

A Victoria Daughters of Isabella 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 9:00 P.M. Monday, and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

Memorial to the Cancer Council of Ellis County. Condolences can be left by guestbook at
www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].

Joyce E. Waldschmidt, Hays, died Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Hays Medical Center on her 73^rd birthday.

She was born January 7, 1944 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Robert and Violet (Hinkhouse) Johnson.  She married Eldon Chrisler in 1964.  They were married 17 years.  She later married Arnold Joseph “A.J.” Waldschmidt on March 16, 1990.  He preceded her in death on September 9, 1994.  She graduated from Palco High School in 1962.  She was a homemaker and beginning in the late 1980’s she worked in the physical therapy department at St. John’s Nursing Home.  She was active, always happy, and loved her work and the patients she helped.  She was involved in her daughter’s activities, never missing a game.  She loved bowling, dancing, her dogs, and was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan.  She attended the First United Methodist Church and the Church of the Nazarene. 

Survivors include a daughter; Marilyn Chrisler of Olathe, Kansas, a brother; Russell Johnson and wife Evelyn of Fort Dodge, IA, a sister; Connie Ferland of Wichita, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Eldon, her second husband, A.J., two sisters; Shirley Westhusin and Mary Jane Lang, and two brothers-in-law; Levi Ferland and Ronald Westhusin.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral home, 1906 Pine.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Monday from 1:00 pm until service time at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested in Joyce’s memory for a memorial to be determined at a later day.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Lawrence F. “Larry” Weiser, 97, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2017, at his Great Bend residence. He was born Sept. 4, 1919, at Odin, the son of Rudolph J. and Mary Louise (Grellinger) Weiser. He was a 1939 graduate of Odin High School and then attended St. Joseph Military Academy, Hays, until he was drafted into the United States Army in the summer of 1941. He was a decorated World War II combat veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater and was involved in the liberation of the Philippine Islands in 1945. He returned home and married Leona Victoria Beck May 5, 1947, at Great Bend. She passed away July 14, 2011, after 64 years of marriage.

After returning home from military service, he along with brothers Bernard and Clem, founded Weiser Brothers Grocery in Great Bend. Mr. Weiser later owned and operated Weiser’s Gamble Store in Great Bend for 25 years, while maintaining his real estate license.

Mr. Weiser was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #862, American Legion Argonne Post 180, Veterans of Foreign Wars Morris-McFadden Post #3111 and Great Bend Realtors Association, all of Great Bend. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, including hunting, fishing and golf; but, playing, coaching and teaching baseball was his number one love. He was an avid University of Kansas basketball, football and baseball fan. He had a warm sense of humor and a great appreciation for the arts as a painter and guitar player.

Survivors include three daughters, Connie Weiser of Great Bend, Linda Barnes and her husband Bill of Wichita, and Patricia Harbaugh and Doug of Kansas City; three sons, Don Weiser and his wife Lynne of Salina, Michael Weiser and his wife Lexie of Salina, and Kent Weiser of Emporia; one brother, Al Weiser of Hayward, Wisc.; three sisters, Mary Ann Wassinger of Sun City, Ariz., Trudie Sturdy of Sun City, Ariz., and Kathleen “Katie” Reif of Wichita; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Nick Weiser, Rudy Weiser, Tony Weiser, Bernard Weiser, Clem Weiser and Herb Weiser.

Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery North, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Amy Marie Hale, 51 passed away Wednesday January 4, 2017 in Hutchinson Kansas.

She was born in Hays, Kansas, to Richard and Catherine (Waldschmidt) Rodriguez. She graduated from Elkhart High School in May 1983 and later graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught in education for 26 years at Garden City, Trinity Catholic High School, Morgan Elementary, and finally at Holy Cross Catholic School.

Amy’s passions were her love of God, family, friends, and serving her community. She loved watching her children participate in their sporting activities and extra- curricular events. She was known to be present for each and every activity that her children were involved in, no matter how far the distance was that she and Steve had to travel. She was active in music with both singing in weekly celebrations and leading the Teen Choir. She loved cheerleading, gardening, being outdoors, and anything that involved her family. She was known for always putting everyone before herself and as a prayer warrior by all in the community.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Catherine Rodriguez, and both paternal and maternal grandparents.

She is survived by her husband of 27 years; Steve Hale, children; Tori Hale, Joseph Hale, Katie Hale, and Michael Hale, Father; Richard (Karen) Rodriguez, brothers; Curt (Darci) Rodriguez, Clint (Shelley) Rodriguez, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Visitation, 12:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel. The Rosary in honor of Amy is scheduled for Sunday January 8, 2017 at 7:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial is Monday January 9, 2017 at 11:30 AM. Both events will take place at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson Kansas. Interment will be Tuesday January 10, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to: Trinity Catholic High School, Cancer Council of Reno County or Hospice House all in care of the funeral home.

Hays, Kansas – Harriet Wasinger, age 88, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, at The Good Samaritan Society-Hays Care Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born November 6, 1928, on the family farm south of Hays, Kansas. She married G. Don Wasinger on June 21, 1948, in Hays, Kansas. He died June 3, 2012.

She was a proofreader for the Hays Daily News for over 15 years, a homemaker, a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and St. Nicholas Ladies Guild, Hays, Kansas. In 1980, she and her husband moved to Aurora, Colo., where he operated a small printing business and she made draperies. In 1994, they returned to Hays, she enjoyed cooking and crocheting.

Survivors include two sons, Dave Wasinger and wife, Karen, Rob Wasinger and wife, Joanne, both of Hays, KS; six grandchildren, Austin Wasinger and wife, Krista, Lynae Freeman and husband Lee, Kyle Wasinger and Wife, Stacey, Andy Wasinger, Katie Wasinger and John Paul Wasinger; four great grandchildren, Bayley Wasinger, Myley Wasinger, Daxtyn Wasinger and Ryker Wasinger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Clarence Schmidt and wife, Helen, Ralph Schmidt and wife, Rosalie, John Schmidt and wife, Alma; seven sisters, Zelma VonFeldt and husband, Isadore, Eleanor Befort and husband, Richard, Irene Rohr and husband, Ted, Virginia Wiesner and husband, George, Stella Riedel and husband, Lawrence, Alice Rohleder and husband, William, Mary Adams and husband, John; and one infant sister, Regina Schmidt.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 9, 2017, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 East 13th, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, and a St. Nicholas of Myra Ladies Guild rosary will be at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays ,1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

Memorials to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or the St. Nicholas Ladies Guild. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via email to [email protected].

Harold Edward Myers, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Prairie Living Senior Complex in Colby, Kansas.

Harold was born April 13, 1924 in Plains, Kansas, the son of Paul Archie & Carrie Inez (Malone) Myers. He graduated from Plains, Kansas High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving on Okinawa in the Philippines during World War Two as a crane operator moving supplies. After watching him work, one world traveled Merchant Marine said he was the best crane operator he had ever seen.

Following his return to civilian life, he accepted Christ as his Savior while talking with a pastor who gave him a ride home. Harold worked as a crane operator building bridges for Rhodes Construction Company for many years, helping build the Kansas Turnpike System. Moving to Wichita County in 1960, he began his career as a farmer. He was an innovator with cropping systems such as the Orthman Bedder and the first in the area to use center pivot technology on flat ground. He was a member of Parks Presbyterian Church, (now called Carwood Community Church) where he served as Sunday School Teacher and on the Board of Elders. He was part of several Men’s discipleship groups and he and Lila enjoyed hosting Missionaries in their home. He was also the treasurer for Augustine Township in Logan County, Kansas for over 40 years. Most important to him was his faith in Jesus Christ and spending time with his family.

On June 22, 1958 he married Lila Marie Niswonger in Wichita County, Kansas. Lila passed away on November 18, 1999 in Tribune, Kansas.

Harold’s surviving family includes-

Four sons-

Mark & Ronda Myers- Colby, Kansas

Paul & Martha Myers- Leoti, Kansas

Craig & Shannon Myers- Colby, Kansas

Stephen & Kathy Myers- Colby, Kansas

One sister-

Mary Farley- Hutchinson, Kansas

Sister in law

Ann Myers- Smyrna, Tennessee

13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren

His parents, Wife, siblings- Verda Remick, Olive Alder, Kathleen Keller, Dan Myers, Kenneth Myers, Lewis Myers and a grandson, Jacob Alan Myers precede him in death. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 7, 2017 at West Bethany Free Methodist Church in rural Wichita County, Kansas with Pastors Paul McNall, Tom Peyton and Justin Ingram officiating. Burial will be in Carwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Thursday and Friday with the family in attendance from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday evening at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to Carwood Community Church or Heartland Christian School in Colby, Kansas in care of the funeral home.

Jonathan R. Wuytack, Hays, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at the age of 53. He was born in April of 1963 in Evanston, Illinois. 

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln.
 
There will be no services held.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to; The Humane Society of the High Plains, 2050 E. Old Hwy 40, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

Michael Vernon Jewell, 60, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas from his battle with ALS.

Michael was born May 7, 1956 in Hill Field, AFB, Utah, the son Carl V. and Grace (Warner) Jewell. His father was in the military and his family moved from base to base. Most of his school years were in California. He graduated from High School in California.

Michael was united in marriage to Sharon Berens on October 2, 1987 in Lynwood, Washington. Later in life they divorced, but continued their friendship and later Sharon was his Caregiver.

Michael was working for Midas in Washington state before they moved to the Russell area. He worked for King Of The Road and was a welder for Apco Wire. Later he was a screen printer for many years with Atlas in Russell and Gone Logo in Hays. He loved all aspects of motorcycles. He also enjoyed art work, fishing and doing motorcycle models.

Michael’s surviving family include his two sons; Daniel Jewell of Russell, Kansas and Michael Jewell, Jr. of California; caregiver, Sharon Jewell of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Rick Jewell and Jim Jewell both of California; step son Jim Nelson of Russell, Kansas; step daughter Elizabeth Nelson of Riverton, Wyoming; Uncle and Aunt Harold & Lois Jewell of Green Valley, Arizona; brother-in-law, Jim Giguiere of Arizona; sister-in-law, Shelby Doty (Jim) of Hays, Kansas; nieces Catie Doty of Hays, Kansas and Ashley Mitchell (Kevin) of Wichita, Kansas; and grandnephews, Jeter Mitchell and Rivera Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Vernetta Giguiere.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday, January 8, 2017. Visitation will continue Saturday morning with the family present to greet friends from 9:30 AM to Service Time. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.