Mitchell Larry Miller, 55

Mitch was born in Colby, Kansas, on March 20, 1961, to Larry and Margaret (Juenemann) Miller. He passed away peacefully on December 29, 2016, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas.

Mitch graduated from Golden Plains High School in 1979. He went on to study at Kansas University before graduating from what is now, Northwest Kansas Technical College in Diesel Mechanics. He married Doyleen Mitchell on August 1, 1981; they later divorced. In 2008, his helpful heart and love of people inspired him to receive his LPN Nursing Degree from Brown Mackie College.

For several years, Mitch worked as the Rawlins County EMT Director and also managed the NAPA Parts store in Atwood, Kansas. Once he began his nursing career, he cared for people in Abilene, Great Bend, Leavenworth, Kansas City and Wichita.

Mitch is survived by his beloved Parents, Partner Tyson Wright, Brothers, Mark (Lori) and Mike (Tammy). He was a proud uncle to 7 nieces and nephews, Josh Miller (Christy), Abbie Cox (Terry), Jesse Miller (Ashley Kennedy), Karly Brown (Chris), Kami Miller, KayCee Miller and Kassie Miller. He also leaves 7 great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Miller in 1966, his grandparents, Wilbur & Dorothy Miller and August & Estella Juenemann and aunts, uncles and other relatives.

He grew up in Rexford and later resided in Winona, Brewster, Atwood, Great Bend, Salina & Kansas City. In 2010, he met Tyson and made his home in Wichita, Kansas. Mitch described himself as a “MOPAR man for life.” He loved tinkering on cars and trucks. At one time, he owned a total of 60 classic cars. He loved camping and spending time with family and friends. Mitch had a way of not meeting a stranger and making those people feel loved from the moment he befriended them.

At the age of 8, Mitch was diagnosed with Leukemia. After 5 years of treatment, he won his first battle with cancer. In 2014, Mitch was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He enjoyed a year and a half of remission before it returned in August, 2016. The last few months, Mitch again fought a courageous battle, with a smile, love and laughter. He never stopped caring for people, even in his last days, he wanted those he loved to be taken care of and protected.

Services will be held at 11:00 am, on January 7th, 2017, at the Kersenbrock Funeral Home in Colby, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any contributions be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or a charity of your choice, in care of Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, 745 S. Country Club Dr., Colby, KS 67701 www.kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com

Hoxie, KS-Linda Kay Cook, 61, passed away. Saturday, December 30, 2016, at her home in rural Sheridan County, Kansas. Linda was born August 19, 1955 to Kenneth and Elaine (Scarecliff) Langer in Des Moines, Iowa . She attended school in Des Moines graduating from Hoover High School. On October 22, 1988 she was united in marriage to John C. Cook in Oakley, Kansas. She went on to attend Colby Community College and graduated with an Associates Degree in 1991. She worked at the Country Cottage in Hoxie, Kansas as a Floral Designer.

She is survived by her husband, John C. Cook of the home; Father, Kenneth Langer of Des Moines, Iowa; brother, William Lagner and wife Sheri of Perth, North Dakota; Uncle, John Lagner of Dennison, Iowa; Nephew, Matthew Lagner and wife Kayla of Bismark, North Dakota; Niece, Melissa Lagner and son Michael of Omaha, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine ( Scarcliff) Lagner.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Linda Kay Cook Memorial and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Mary Jane (Janie) Townsley, 95, passed away January 2, 2017, at Main Street Manor in Russell. She was born October 30, 1921, to Walburga (Riedl) and Emanuel “Monte” Krug in Hoisington. The family moved to Great Bend where she attended school, being named Homecoming Queen in 1939.

She married Russell T Townsley on August 21, 1942, in Great Bend where she worked at the high school and Phillips Petroleum. After stints in Campaign, IL., Boston, MA, and Boca Raton FL., while Russ was in the service, they returned to Great Bend and moved to Russell in 1948 when they acquired the Russell Daily News. With Russ attending lengthy school board and city council meetings, she became adept at cooking casseroles which frequently were cussed and discussed in her husband’s weekly column although universally acclaimed by often unexpected guests that included area and national journalists covering events in Russell. She played bridge and encouraged and supported activities of her children as well as those of her friends and family.

A child in the depression and dust bowl and a new wife and mother during World War II, Mary Jane possessed a positive, warm spirit that did not falter through her final days. Cherishing her spirit are a daughter, Alice Bair (Mike); grandson Trevor Bair (Sarah) and great grandsons Connor and Caleb Bair of Longmont, Colorado; and a son in Overland Park. Her parents and husband preceded her in death.

Celebration of Janie’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 9, 2017 at the First Congregational Church with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held Monday morning at First Congregational Church with the family present to greet friends from 9:30 AM to Service time. Memorials have been established with First Congregational Church or Artist Helping The Homeless. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.

Patrick “Pat” Lee Balthazor passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 64. He was born on December 23, 1952 in Plainville, Kansas to the late Philip Paul and Dorothy Ellen (Warren) Balthazor. He graduated from Palco High School in Palco, Kansas with the Class of 1970. He went on to graduate from Fort Hays State University in 1978 with a degree in Petroleum Geology. In 1978, he was united in marriage to Susie Reynolds in Hays, Kansas. They later divorced. In 1995 he married Kay Kelley in Enid, Oklahoma. They were blessed with a son, Beau Thomas.

Pat worked throughout his lifetime, in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas with a reputation for being one of the best geologists in the oilfield business. He enjoyed fishing, and having grown up with horses, he was an avid reader, especially of history novels and cowboy novels by author Zane Grey. He was very creative with an affinity for the arts and music. During his spare time, he helped build sets for the Cornerstone Studio Theatre at Friends University in Wichita. Whenever the oilfield was slow, he liked using his skills in cabinet building and carpentry work.

Pat is survived by his son Beau Balthazor and husband Cameron of Enid, OK; brothers Greg Balthazor and wife Karla of Stockton, and Terry Balthazor and wife Kay of Columbia, MO; sister Paula (Balthazor) Prochazka of Gold Canyon, AZ; granddaughter Kallen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Philip Paul and Dorothy Balthazor.

Pat was a hardworking man who wasn’t afraid to get dirty, sometimes a little rough around the edges or stubborn, but always passionate, driven, and strong. His ambition and talent allowed him to put his heart into everything he did. Although he will be greatly missed, his love and memories will be with us forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial will follow in St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Zurich. There will be no visitation.

Catherine Rose (Billinger) Millard, 64, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away from illness on December 22. Cathy was born August 28, 1952 to Alvin and Marie Billinger in Collyer, Kansas.

Cathy was a graduate of Trego Community High School and attended Kansas State University. Cathy was joined in marriage to Jerry Millard on November 7, 1975 and had 2 children, son Jeremy and daughter Megan.

She is survived in death by: husband, Jerry Millard of WaKeeney; son Jeremy Millard & his wife Ashley of Grand Island, NE; daughter Megan Mowery & her husband Jason of WaKeeney and their 4 children, her grand-babies Jessica, Kiera, Brylee, and Taryn; mother Marie Billinger of WaKeeney; sisters Judy Bollig & husband Eddie of WaKeeney, Janie Billinger of Waco TX, and brother Larry Billinger of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as 11 nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Alvin Billinger, brother Timothy Billinger, grandmother Francis & grandfather Pete Billinger; grandmother Mary and grandfather August Moos.

Cathy was a fiercely loving wife, mother, grandma, daughter and sister. In addition to raising her family, Cathy was a co-owner of the Western Kansas World where she did payroll & taxes, wrote articles, and managed the office before taking over as Editor in 2012 when Jerry retired. The newspaper was in her blood and she loved the paper to her last moments. Cathy was described by her family as a remarkable woman who had the ability to spread love and joy to everyone she encountered. When not working on the paper, Cathy enjoyed tending her flower gardens across the farm. She loved walking around the farm appreciating the flowers and playing with the many cats and kittens that lived in the gardens and barn. Cathy was a devout Christian who spent many hours each week reading scripture and filling pages of notebooks with her favorite passages.

Cathy enjoyed brightening people’s days. Whether it was lending an ear, giving a hug, making a purchase at a local business, or donating to a charitable cause, she would always be there for others.  Her last wish was to donate her organs to those in need and help out one more time before being cremated and laid to rest.

There will be a celebration of life/informal visitation on Friday, January 6, 2016, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. This is a come and go event to express your condolences and share memories with others in an informal setting. 

Memorial service will take place in the Spring of 2017 and will be hosted by the family.

Longtime Sharon Springs resident Louise Pearce, 96, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Wallace County Community Care Center in Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Louise Mae Evans was born on March 22, 1920, in Gove County, Kansas, to Will (Bill) and Blanche Evans. She graduated from high school and attended college in Hays, Kansas, before marrying a neighbor boy, Frank Kennett Pearce on June, 2, 1940, at her parent’s residence. They had four children: Cecil, Rita, Bryan and Evan.
She taught school in a little one-roomed school house south of Gove, Kansas, where she was a teacher, coach, and cook.

Frank and Louise and their four young children moved to Wallace County, Kansas in the spring of 1950 where the family “ tore out fence and built fence” with the little boys helping Louise tamp posts, Rita guiding the “power wagon”, Cecil throwing posts from the truck, following Frank who was on the tractor drilling the posthole. Louise also began to give piano lessons. After her children were grown, she completed hours to get her teaching certificate, and said later: “Everyone needs to get their education. Then, they need to USE their education.” She started teaching music at the Harrison Flats School and Wallace Grade School and did some teaching and subbing in the Sharon Springs School, before becoming full-time teacher, band and music instructor as well as “coach” at the Wallace Grade School for many years, retiring after 20 years. Even after that, she continued to give piano lessons to many children in the area until she moved into Assisted Living at The Wallace County Community Care Center in December 2012.

She taught 6 of her own grandchildren who had to learn to call her Mrs. Pearce at school and Grandmother at family get-togethers, which sometimes confused the little first graders at the Wallace School, who also called her Grandmother at times. She spent many summers taking her grandchildren on exciting travel trips to other states, which she seemed to enjoy as much as they did.

Louise was a member of Rebekah Lodge in Wallace where she played the pump organ for meetings, a member of Busy Bee Club, and taught Sunday school for many years at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church. She and others gathered news from the Wallace area for many years, which she continued until about 6 months before her death.
She likes to watch sports and many Friday nights in the fall she could be found parked at the Northwest Corner of the local football field in Sharon Springs, eating popcorn and sandwiches and watching former students play – although as she said about her own sons’ football years, she “watched them play just to make sure they got up again.”

At the Assisted Living in WCCCC, she often played the organ on Thursday morning for all to hear and sometimes sing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Blanche Evans, youngest son Evan Pearce, and husband Frank Pearce. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life is her son Cecil and wife Jayne Pearce and family, daughter Rita and husband Lynn Kirkham and family, and son Bryan and wife Lois Pearce and family, including 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She told her family before she passed that she had had a good life, a good husband, a family that loved her and a family that she loved, and God was in control.

Funeral services for Louise were held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Reverend Paul McNall and Pastor Duncan Ibuuri officiating. Burial followed in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Memorials are designated to the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs or to USD 241 School Library and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS, 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services were entrusted to the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Dorothy Jean Musil, 72, passed away on New Year’s Day of 2017 at her home in Edson, KS. She was born in Elwood, Indiana, on October 8, 1944 to Floyd and Charlotte (Stafford) Ramsey.

During her teen years, Dorothy moved to Florida with her family and graduated high school in Tampa, Florida.Dorothy was introduced to Melvin after his aunt and uncle persuaded him to write her in Iowa. During the following months, they wrote dozens of love letters and met in person only a few times. Once the crops were taken care of, Melvin went to Iowa to propose. The two lovebirds were soon married on October 18, 1964. Dorothy quickly learned the lifestyle of a farmer’s wife including making harvest meals for dozens, butchering chickens and always knowing the way to her husband’s heart which was through his stomach.

Melvin and Dorothy were parents to two daughters, Tina and Anita, and two sons, Melvin Jr. and Shaun. While the kids were at home, Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom who faithfully attended all of her kids’ activities. Once the kids were grown, Dorothy then spent the rest of her years taking care of others including cleaning, care giving, and nursing. She cared for her mother-in-law at her home, and most recently served as a cook at the Goodland Senior Center which she enjoyed so much, as her passion was working with older people and her family. Dorothy always loved playing games with family and enjoyed bowling with her husband and friends for many years. Dorothy dedicated much of her free time to being with family, especially her 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

As of this October, Melvin and Dorothy celebrated 52 years of marriage. ​Dorothy was loved by many who passed before her including her parents; granddaughter, Kayla; daughter-in-law, Kellee; daughter-in-law, Cindy; sisters-in-law, Rebecca and Yvonne Musil; and brother-in-law, Marlin Musil.

​Dorothy’s family who are still with us are her husband, Melvin, of Edson; daughter, Tina (Bruce) Hansen, of Colby; daughter, Anita (Stacy) Owens, of Edson; son, Melvin Jr. (Lynn) Musil, of Colorado Springs, CO; son, Shaun (Heather) Musil of Hays; grandchildren Chandi (Kevin) Reed of Atwood; Staff Sergeant Tyson (Robyn) Reed of Ft. Benning, GA; Maura Hansen of Manhattan, KS; Tristan and Tanner Owens of Edson; Kiera (Josh) Goodwin of Sharon Springs; Christy Musil of Sharon Springs; Misty (Kyle) Ruggles of Kingman, Arizona; Brandon, Corey and Meghan Musil of Hays; great-grandchildren Jayden Reed, Raeth and Thorin Worthy; Lynk and Myck Reed; Nicholas Bartlett, Eli, Gracie, and Ariella Goodwin; Teale and Reace Becker; and Eric Ruggles.

Funeral Service will be Friday January 6, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. MT at First Baptist church at 1121 Main in Goodland with Pastor Mike Pinkleman officiating, burial will be at 1 p.m. MT in the Brewster Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, January 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home at 211 E. 11th Goodland.

Memorials will be donated to the Goodland Senior Center and may be sent to the Funeral Home at P.O. Box 278 Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences: www.batemanfuneral.com.

LaMonte Russell Tuttle, age 65, of WaKeeney, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. He was born August 24, 1951 in Omaha, Nebraska to Everett Russell and Lela Mae (Morell) Tuttle.

LaMonte graduated from high school in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Upon completion of high school LaMonte served our country from December 30, 1969 to May 15, 1972 in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Corporal. LaMonte served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged due to an illness. LaMonte was united in marriage to Ruth Ella Fabrizius on December 29, 1972 in WaKeekney. LaMonte and Ruth had 4 children together, and then later divorced.

LaMonte attended Colby Community College and Fort Hays State University obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice. LaMonte’s life can be summed up by saying he was very versatile, as he worked as a police officer, restaurant manager, and owner/operator of a service station and campground. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, Kansas Freemasons and Vietnam Veterans of America. LaMonte loved Boy Scouting, hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, family and Chevrolet cars. He retired in 1991.

LaMonte will be missed by family and friends. Survivors include, four children, Heather Tuttle, WaKeeney; Heidi Tuttle and Andrew Quinley, Salina; Holly and husband Travis Decker of Russell; and Jeremiah Tuttle of Fort Collins, CO; seven grandchildren, LCPL Kristian Tuttle, Madeleine Tuttle, Mollie Goble, Camrie Tuttle, Ashton, Liberty and Bo Decker; three great grandchildren, Maxuim, Justin and Riley Daniels; brother, Wayne and wife Anissa, Topeka; sisters, Pamela and husband Gary Minear, Grandby, CO; Wanda and husband Bud Luker, Pauls Valley, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dewey Tuttle, infant sister and great grandson, Jaxson Daniels.

A time of visitation and remembering will be Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:00 am at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, with a short memorial service to follow at 10:45 am. Inurnment will follow at the WaKeeney Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Marines.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Lodge or Boys Scouts of America. Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Vera Myrtice Wyatt, 94, Norton, died Monday, December 26, 2016 at Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas.

She was born March 26, 1922 in Lloyd, Jefferson County, Florida to Rhondo Boyd and Annie Myrtice (Crowell) Thompson. She graduated high school in Tallahassee, Florida and attended school to become a Key Punch operator. She worked in the sewing room of Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas.

Vera married Eldon Fuller Wyatt on December 8, 1942 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi just before his WWII deployment. He preceded her in death on March 24, 1995. She worked in a wartime assembly plant in Jacksonville, Florida. Vera moved to Norton, while Eldon was in the U.S. Army, to assist in running the Wyatt Farm for most of her life. Cooking, gardening, preserving food while raising chickens, pigs, and four children was all part of her farm life. When Vera and Eldon retired they moved to Ellis, Kansas where Vera began caring for community seniors.

The Lord was very important to Vera. She attended Sunday morning church at Grace and Glory Chapel and Sunday evening church at the Full Gospel in Norton. Vera was committed to teaching the growing Wyatt generations about His love and salvation, and prayed for her family and friends diligently.

Survivors include three daughters; Lonesa Ann Wyatt of Norton, KS, Linda Kay Cohen of Palantine, IL, and Deanna Lynn Rife of Medford, OR, a son; Kent Eldon Wyatt of Siloam Springs, AR, three brothers; Adriel Barnette Thompson, Talmadge Boyd Thompson, and Weldon L. Thompson, two sisters; Miriam Bond and Frances Burns, eight grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eldon.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00pm on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Cornerstone Church, 313 SW. Lincoln St. in Norton. Burial will take place in Norton City Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 1:30pm until service time at the church.

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

Norton, Kansas, resident Howard Eugene Gill, 91, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Center-Sherman County, in Goodland, where he had been a resident for about 3 weeks.

Howard was born on July 25, 1925, in Fairgrove, Missouri to Eddy A. and Gladys I. (Wollen) Gill.  He was one of 10 children.

Howard grew up and attended school in Wilsonville, NE, graduating from Wilsonville High School in 1944.  In March of 1944, Howard joined the United States Navy and served during WWII until 1946.  On July 21, 1946, Howard married Betty Wilson in Norton, Kansas, and to this union, three children; Daniel, Dixie and Douglas were born.

Howard worked as a lineman for Great Plains Electric Coop for 36 years.  He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing cards.  He always loved animals.  He loved taking daily walks and loved visiting with the neighbors along the way.  Howard was very instrumental in establishing the Sharon Springs Golf Club and was the active President for many years.  He was also a BIG Nebraska Husker fan.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Betty, and 8 siblings.

He is survived by his three children; Daniel (Janet) Gill of Salina, KS, Dixie (Verlan) Penn of Robinson, KS, and Douglas (Tanya) Gill of Goodland, KS; one sister Oleta Lueking of Oxford, NE, 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM CT at the Wilsonville Cemetery in Wilsonville, Nebraska with Pastor Brian Fugleberg officiating.

Memorials are designated to the NWKS Animal Shelter and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at: www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Goodland, Kansas.

Jane Short Ellis, 79, Hays, died Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Willow House in Hays.

She was born November 17, 1937 in Lucedale, Mississippi the daughter of Dougle Stewart and Rosa Lee (Cassity) McLeod. She attended Mississippi College in Clinton, MS.

She married Gary Edward Short on April 21, 1962. They later divorced. On April 28, 1992 she married Edward “Tom” Ellis in California. He preceded her in death on May 10, 2010. She was an Avon District Manager in Illinois and California, an Administrative Assistant at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and she enjoyed acting as a movie, TV, and commercial extra with her husband Tom throughout Southern California. Her most memorable scene was being kissed on the cheek by Martin Sheen on West Wing. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Tom, walking on the beach, reading Danielle Steele novels, and watching and hearing about her grandson, Allen’s golf game. She loved babies and enjoyed being “Nanny” when her grandchildren were born. She loves children so much, she and her first husband were foster parents to fourteen children. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the PEO Chapter IH, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Survivors include a daughter; Julie Zollinger and husband Brett of Hays and their son Allen, a son; David Short and wife Catherine of Lebanon, Ohio and their children Lucy, Maggie, Ted, and John, three step-children; Doug Ellis and wife Irma of Citrus Heights, California and their children Nicholas and Natalie; Stephanie Davis of Milton, WA and her children Race, Alex, and Jenna; and Missy Ellis of Medford, OR.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom, a brother Earl McLeod, and sisters Billie Caldwell, Margie Allen, and Anna Robinson Seyler.

A Celebration of Jane’s life will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, Hays, 305 W. 7th Street, with Reverend Mike Rose officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested in Jane’s memory to the Hays High School Boys Golf Team or to the Willow House, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Dr. Herman Dwane “Sandy” Santala, DVM MS, age 83, died December 23, 2016 at his home near Woodbury, TN.

Dwane was born September 26, 1933 in Grant County, Kansas, the son of Herman L. Santala, an immigrant from Merikarvia, Finland and Barbara Edith Headrick Santala of Satanta, Kansas.

On September 23, 1956, Dwane married Marilyn Leone Cowen and together they graduated from Kansas State University. Upon graduating with a DVM MS from veterinary school Dwane joined Pfizer Co. in their research dept.

In 1971 Dwane established a veterinary practice in Ness City, Kansas where he and Leone lived until moving to Tennessee in December 2014 to be near their daughter, Sheri Lynne Fenton and family.

Survivors include his wife, Leone, a daughter, Sheri Lynne Santala Fenton and her husband Robert of Woodbury; 2 granddaughters, Holly Nicole Fenton of Athens, GA and Kathryn Pereira of Murfreesboro, TN.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Eldred Santala of Satanta, KS and 2 sisters, Helen Pickens of Flagler, CO and Alma Lee Zizza of Pueblo, CO.

Dwane was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Hugoton, KS and Wichita, KS. In 1972 he was named in Who’s Who in the Midwest for his contributions in the cattle industry. He was a lieutenant in the US Army. Dwane was the secretary/treasurer of The National Bovine Association and school board member in Ness, KS for 8 years.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Saturday at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Salvation Army.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences to his family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Nila Mae Emmert, 92, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at the Main Street Manor in Russell.

Nila was born on September 19, 1924, in Esbon, Kansas, the daughter of John and Rose (Nebel) Kindler. She grew up in Esbon and graduated from Esbon High School in the class of 1942. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Billy Jay Emmert on May 04, 1947, in Mankato, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with two sons Larry and Kim. He preceded her in death on December 29, 1957, when her sons were ages 9 and 3 years old. As a single mother she raised her sons on her own and worked as a retail clerk and homemaker. She did not drive a car so she rode the City of Russell Transit Bus to get around town and sometime enjoyed riding the bus for fun. In her spare time she enjoyed singing, playing the piano, shopping, was a Russell Broncos fan and also enjoyed watching KC Royals, KC Chiefs, the Olympics and College basketball. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving family include her sons Larry Emmert of Russell, Kansas and Kim Emmert and wife Heidi of Maize, Kansas; and 2 grandchildren Derek and Avery Emmert.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her 2 brothers Lyle and Gail Kindler.

A memorial graveside service to celebrate Nila’s life will be held at the Russell City Cemetery with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment will take place immediately following the memorial service. Memorials may be given to the Russell Ride Transit Bus Service and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell was in charge of the funeral service arrangements.