Lorita May (Dougherty) Mahoney, 88, of Salina, Kansas and former Bunker Hill, Kansas, resident, died on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.

Lorita was born on October 12, 1928, in Bunker Hill, Kansas, at a family ranch now submerged under the waters of Wilson Lake. She was the daughter of Elmer L. and Nettie (Anspaugh) Dougherty. She grew up in Bunker Hill and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in the class of 1946. She graduated and received her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas and later attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She was married to Robert J. Mahoney in 1946, from this union they were blessed with four children Alan (Rod), Tom, Pamela and Bradley. She was a Home Economics Teacher in Natoma and Codell, Kansas areas. She also worked as an agent for the Rooks County Extension and 4-H Offices in Stockton, Kansas. She was a member of YMCA and Parents Without Partners. She enjoyed sewing and making clothing, bowling, gardening and using her culinary expertise while cooking for her family and friends. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her son Alan Roderick Mahoney (Jane) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, son Thomas G. Mahoney (Sherrie) of Salina, Kansas, daughter Pamela A. Mahoney (Joan Toben) of DeSoto, Kansas and son Bradley R. Mahoney (Blanca) of Lindsborg, Kansas; brother Elmer L. Dougherty of Laguna Beach, California; sister JoAnn Borthwick of Salina, Kansas; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Douglas D. Dougherty, and former husband, Robert J. Mahoney.

A gathering service to greet the Mahoney family will be held from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday, December 03, 2016, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. A private burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be given to Salina Meals on Wheels and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

WAKEENEY – Elizabeth “Betty” M. (Haffner) Miller, 92, WaKeeney, died November 30, 2016 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.  She was born on November 18, 1924, on the family farm southeast of Hoxie, to John and Frances (Lang) Haffner.

Betty married Frank J. Miller on November 19, 1946, in Park, KS. He preceded her in death November 20, 2003.  She was a housewife and lived on the Miller farm east of Collyer until she and Frank retired to Hays, in 1982.  She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. John’s of Hays Auxiliary, and a long-time volunteer at St. John’s Nursing Home/Via Christi Village, and for the IHM Funeral Dinners.  She attended grades 1-8 in a one-room country schoolhouse.  Betty enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing cards, and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include four sons, Frank, Katy, TX; Bill (Debbie), Council Grove; Terry, Medicine Lodge; Tim (Ann), WaKeeney; three daughters, Loretta Beckner (Mike), Aiken, SC; Mary Beattie (Scott), Steamboat Springs, CO; and Jeanie Michaelis (Mike), Hays; 15 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and 5 sisters, and a grandson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 5, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 412 N 9th St, WaKeeney.   Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.  A parish vigil and rosary will follow at 7 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trego County Hospital – LTC.  Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12^th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Condolences may be left by signing the online guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com.

William Weston Artz was born August 10, 1977 in Hays, Kansas, to Ken & Linda Artz. He completed their family and brought immense joy, light, and laughter into their lives. On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, he passed away unexpectedly at the West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, CA at the age of 39.

Will accepted Jesus as his Lord & Savior at an early age while attending the Englewood Wesleyan Church in Phillips County. As a boy he loved living on the farm next to his Grandma & Grandpa Artz where he enjoyed riding on the tractor with his Grandpa. He also enjoyed raising bucket calves and riding his Welch pony named Sunny Pony. But sometimes Sunny’s disposition wasn’t so sunny, and when Will would get on his back, Sunny Pony would head for the pond and roll in the water, baptizing Will by total immersion.

In the summer of 1983 our family hosted an exchange student, Ola Sjolander, from Kramfors, Sweden. He became like a son to us and brother & friend to Will, and still is to this day. He and his family – wife, Mika, and son, John – are an integral part of our life and Will’s life and memory.

Will was an active member of the Iowa Union 4-H Club and Boy Scouts, was trained and excelled in taekwondo karate, and was actively involved with the City Park Project in Phillipsburg.

Will attended Phillipsburg schools and graduated with the P.H.S. class of 1996. In high school he loved playing football and studying American History. He was fiercely patriotic and proud to be an American. After graduation he attended Fort Hays State University on a track scholarship and graduated with honors in the spring of 2001. Later he trained and worked with the Phillips County EMS, earning an EMT-I status.

In his early adult years he farmed with his Dad, specializing in alfalfa production. Will & Ken also enjoyed their “Harley” trips to Sturgis and Grove, Oklahoma, touring the Green Country Tri-State Area with friends, Ed & Kendra DeClue.

Several years ago Will moved to Orange County, CA where he entered the program offered at “Hope By The Sea”. He completed their program and entered college to become an addiction specialist for the state of California. His license, CATC 3, enabled him to become a counselor, addiction specialist, and friend to many.

One of his closest friends in California, Aaron Estrada, was a monumental force in Will’s life. Sunday mornings would find Will accompanying Aaron’s family to the South Coast Christian Church and on Friday nights attending a faith-based 12-step program.

Since his sudden passing, Will’s Facebook page has been full of messages & testimonials like the following one: “I am at a loss for words right now. You will never know how much I appreciated you for saving my life. You always knew what to say when I was struggling. You saved so many lives from this disease. Rest in peace, brother. You will be missed by so many.”

Left to mourn are his loving parents, Ken & Linda Artz of Phillipsburg, KS; his Swedish family, Ola, Mika and John, of Taby, Sweden; his aunt & uncle, Jackie & Steve “Pete” Horacek of Almena, KS; a host of loving cousins and innumerable friends.

Cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating.

Friends may sign the book from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday and Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope By The Sea.

Myles Dean Jennings, 29, passed away on Nov. 28, 2016. Myles was born April 7, 1987 in Oakley, Ks. the son of Greg and Tammy (Kester) Jennings.

The Rosary will be on Friday, Dec 2, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. with the Mass on Sat. Dec. 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. both at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Garden Plain, Ks. with Father Sam Pinkerton officiating.

Myles is survived by his wife: Anna, daughter; Kennedy, son; Coleman, parents; Greg and Tammy Jennings, grandmothers; Marie Kester, Lucille Jennings, brothers; Kody & wife Brianna Jennings and daughter Landry, and Lucas Jennings. Mother in law; Suzy Perry, Sister in Law; Jana & husband Eddie Weber and daughters Hazel and Nora, Brother in laws, Randy & wife Megan Perry, Kyle & wife Katie Perry.

Memorial Fund is to the Myles Jennings Memorial c/o Renwick Education Foundation. Wulf-Ast Mortuary, Garden Plain, Ks.

Edith “Kay” Catherine (Williams) Eggleston passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at her home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 94. She was born on May 17, 1922 in Plainville to the late Edward and Edith (McClay) Williams. She grew up in the Plainville area and graduated from Plainville High School with the Class of 1940. She went on to attend Business College for one year in Topeka, Kansas.

Kay’s life adventures took her to California and then settled in Nevada for 45 years before returning to Kansas. Her office, secretarial skills, and self employment kept her busy until retirement. Her travels during these years took her to Europe, Ireland, Russia, Alaska and 18 months in Africa.

She truly believed in “Busy Hands, Happy Heart”. Her love of sewing, knitting, crocheting and embroidery produced many beautiful creations. As an avid quilter, Kay was a charter member of both Truckee Meadows Quilters in Reno, Nevada and Crossroads Quilters in Stockton, Kansas. For 40 years, she made and donated quilts to various charities across the country, with over 100 given in the last ten years to Hospice of Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Kay is survived by her son Charles L. Kittrell and wife Pat of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughter Karen K. Sears of Plainville; sister Mary Stepp of Plainville; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Edith Williams; sisters Lois Macke, and Flora Wilbur; and son Francis Edward Kittrell.

Every stitch, of every block was given with love pouring from Kay’s heart, through her hands, to touch the lives of more people than can be counted, many of whom she never met. Although she will be greatly missed, our hearts will be encouraged, and we will stay wrapped in her warm and loving arms with every quilt she made.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Inurnment will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Josita “Jo” Pfannenstiel, 83, Hays, died Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born October 6, 1933 on the family farm near Codell, Kansas, the daughter of Nick and Philomena (Dreiling) Rohleder.   She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1952.  On August 4, 1952 she married Arthur “Art” Pfannenstiel in Emmeram, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on March 3, 2014.  She worked at the Tempo store for seven years, at K-Mart for 14 years, and was in the Custodial Department at Fort Hays State University for eleven years.  She was a former 4-H leader, and was a Foster Grandparent for many years in the Head Start program.  She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, the Christian Mothers of Munjor, and the Daughters of Isabella in Hays.  She enjoyed baking and was known for her delicious Christmas cookies.  She loved having grandchildren out at the farm and spending time with them.

Survivors include three sons; Tom Pfannenstiel and wife Danielle of St. Paul, MN, Doug Pfannenstiel and wife Cathy and Dan Pfannenstiel and wife Michele, all of Hays, a daughter Gloria Pfannenstiel of Hays, a daughter-in-law Sue Pfannenstiel of Apple Valley, MN, a brother Val Rohleder and wife Tina of Abilene, a sister; Rita Wolf of Hays, six grandchildren; Melissa Pfannenstiel and husband Markus Anderson, John Pfannenstiel, Taylor Pfannenstiel, Kylee Pfannenstiel, Rachel Pfannenstiel, and Barry Baumfalk and wife Dr. Romana Baumfalk, four great grandchildren; Sydney, Bryant, Brenyn, and Kennedy Baumfalk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Art, a brother Ron Rohleder, three sisters; Petronella Graf, Theresa VonLintel, and Mary Jane Polifka, and a brother-in-law; Jerry Wolf.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:30 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A combined Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30, both on Thursday at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to the St. Francis Cemetery fund or to donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com