Gary L. Miller, age 72, passed away on October 25th, 2016 at his home. He was born in Sacramento, California on May 2, 1944 to Vernon Leroy Miller and Laverne Frances (Britton) Miller. He was married to Jeanne (Montgomery) Hunt on October 26, 1991.

Gary was a 1962 graduate of Cordell High School, Cordell, Oklahoma, and in 1994 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. After high school he was an auto Technician and parts and service manager for an auto dealership in Cordell, Oklahoma. He joined Kiwash Electric Cooperative as an apprentice lineman and worked his way up to Assistant Line Superintendent and safety Coordinator. Gary joined Midwest Energy, Inc in Hays, Kansas in 1987 as Safety Manager.One of his highlights of his safety career was winning the Kansas Governor’s Safety and Health Award for the company working one million hours without a lost day. Gary retired to the Kaw Lake area in 2007.

Gary is survived by his wife Jeanne of the home. Sons, Cris Miller, Andy Miller and J.R. Hunt and wife Bobbi. Grandchildren, Jayden and Peyton Hunt, and Hillary and Andrew Rupp. Brothers, Sam and Ricky Miller. Sisters, Edwinna Smith, Utiva Lammons, Dianna Sherrill, Lela Hicks, Brenda Rable, and Gail Prysiazny. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trout Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice Of North Central Oklahoma 445 Fairview, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or BearCreek Rural Fire Department. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Lifelong Quinter resident Velvyn Eileen (Lahman) Jarboe passed away Monday, October 31, 2016, at Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care Facility.  She was 88 years of age.

Velvyn was born September 27, 1928, on the family farm west of Quinter, Kansas to Ralph and Carrie (Jamison) Lahman.  She attended Fairview country school and graduated from Quinter High School in 1946.  After high school, Velvyn attended McPherson College for one year.  On July 27, 1947, Velvyn was united in marriage to Russell Jarboe at the Church of the Brethren in Quinter, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on June 21, 2013.

Velvyn was an active member and life-long deaconess of the Church of the Brethren in Quinter, KS.  She made herself readily available to help with church events in any way needed.  Velvyn was a member of the Quinter Athenaeum Club and the Women’s Circle group at church.  She was very hospitable and regularly had people over for meals. She and Russell enjoyed visiting with people, whether at their home or in the hospital.  One of their favorite activities was playing cards with several other special couples.  Velvyn had a deep devotion to her mother who was in the nursing home for over seven years and visited her nearly every day.  She was always willing to help with her daughters’ many 4-H, church, and school activities.  She and Russell rarely missed any of their school programs, concerts, plays, or ballgames.

Velvyn’s favorite activity was working in her flower and vegetable gardens.  She spent numerous hours raising produce to can and freeze and often shared that produce with others.  She was active on the farm helping her husband with the sheep, harvesting crops, and binding feed.  When her girls were young, she sewed many garments for them and enjoyed doing embroidery.  Velvyn loved spending time with her grandchildren and was always willing to help out with babysitting, even putting aside her own plans many times to watch the children.

Velvyn will be dearly missed by her three daughters, Marilyn Bess of  Bone Gap, Illinois, Debbie and husband Curtis Simon of Quinter; and Lori and husband Alan Moore of  Hays; seven grandchildren Michelle and husband Steve Edmundson, Suzanne and husband Justin Simmons, all of Bone Gap, Illinois, Stephen Simon and wife Sarah of Quinter, Becky and husband Lance Bruna of Barnes, Andrew Moore of Wichita, Ashley Moore of Hays, and Angela Moore of Niigata City, Niigata, Japan; two brothers, Dwayne and wife Anna Beryl Lahman of Port Ritchie, Florida, Roger and wife Jane Lahman of Longmont, Colorado, two sisters, Delores and husband Bud Fillmore of Wilder, Idaho,  Judy and husband Ron Boyd of  Nampa, Idaho; eight great-grandchildren, Aidan Waggoner, Jacob Simmons, Austin and Ashlyn Wise, Taylor and Madison Bruna, and Oliver and Autumn Simon; one step-great-grandson, Trenton Simmons; and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Jarboe; her parents Ralph and Carrie Lahman; a daughter Suzanne Jarboe; and a son-in-law Douglas Bess.

Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Quinter Church of the Brethren with Pastor Keith Funk officiating.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 4:00 to 6:30 at the funeral home in Quinter.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Church of the Brethren.  Donations made to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be sent to the family by signing the online guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Patricia Lee Walter-Flannigan, age 80, passed away in the home of Rodney and Carol Bussen, in Wallace, KS on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 1:10pm. She was in the loving presence of her daughters, Carol Bussen and Nicole Flannigan and her first born grandson, Cody Bussen at the time of passing.

She was born on November 9, 1935 in Frederick, MD to Lawrence and Mary Walter. She married Thomas J. Flannigan Jr. in Frederick, MD on June 1, 1957.

Following Thomas’s career in the United States Navy, they resided in many places all over the United States until Thomas retired in Fountain, CO in 1974.

Left to honor Patricia “Pat” and remember her love are her five children, Michael Flannigan, Joseph (Sophia) Flannigan, Carol (Rod) Bussen, Patrick (Esther) Flannigan, and Nicole Flannigan. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Cody Bussen, Caimen (Brennan) VanAllen, Thomas Flannigan, Carl Flannigan, Lily Flannigan, Brenna Baker, and Ashlyn Baker; one great-grandson: Brantlee VanAllen; siblings Daisy Smith, Mary Beach, Ricky Walter, and Linda Sergent as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great friends.

Patricia “Pat” was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas, a brother Andrew and a sister Margaret.

She will always be remembered as an amazing, loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt. She was a great friend to anyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.

Memorial services for Patricia will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM MT at the Wesleyan Church in Sharon Springs, KS with Reverend Paul McNall and Pastor Seth McGregor officiating.  Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO.

Memorials are designated to Kids First Fund in Wallace County and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, Kansas 67735-1555.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsfuneralhome.com

Memorial services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Helen C. Meder, 83, Hays, died Monday, October 31, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born November 14, 1932 in Liebenthal, Kansas the daughter of Leo and Elizabeth (Burgardt) Herrman. On October 3, 1949 she married Gilbert Meder in Liebenthal. Gilbert died on April 21, 1989. She was a CNA with Home Health and Hospice, worked at Travenol for twenty years, and was a Senior Companion for many years. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and was past member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer, the Christian Mothers, and the Sunflower Polka Club.

Survivors include seven sons; Jerome Meder (Teresa) of Kansas City, MO, Terrance Meder (Debra) of Atlanta, Georgia, Tim Meder (Connie) of Overland Park, KS, Marty Meder of Hays, Dale Meder (Bertie) of Hays, Brian Meder (Bernadette) of Hays, and Greg Meder (Amy) of Hays, six grandchildren; Helen Elizabeth Garrison-Straub, Nathan Meder, Ross Meder, Heath Meder, Emily Meder, and Taylor Meder, six great grandchildren; Morgan Garrison, Canon Meder, Braxton Meder, Harlo Meder, Olivia Meder, and Berkley Meder, two sisters; Leona Vsetecka and husband Chuck of Victoria and Lucy Herrman and husband Bill of LaCrosse, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers; Wendelin Herrman, Francis Herrman, and Leon Herrman, three sisters; Cecilia Herrman, Dorothy Urban, and Agnes Randa, and four half-brothers and three half-sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Pfeifer. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A VFW auxiliary service will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00, both on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Lowell Russell Flora was born February 16, 1924 on a farm near Quinter to Norman and Lizzie (Delp) Flora, 7th of 10 children. He passed away on October 28, 2016 at the Gove County Long Term Care at the age of 92 with his wife Cora and daughters at his side.

Lowell grew up in the Quinter area, graduated from Quinter High School in 1942. Lowell attended Fort Hays State College for one year then took a job in San Diego as a dock worker for the U.S. Naval Air Station. Lowell enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1944. He was sent to the Marshall Islands and then to Guam where he learned to be a cook. From there he was sent to Iwo Jima to secure the island. He had medals for Expert Rifleman & Marksman. He was responsible for preparing the food and hauling it to the men at the front lines. 1945 he was sent to China for 6 months and then on June 14, 1946 was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps with the rank of Lance Corporal. Upon returning to Quinter he worked at the Coop, assisted in the construction of the Sheridan County Dam and farmed with his dad. During this time he received his pilot’s license for small planes which he utilized to swoop over the Bittel family farm and impress his sweetheart.

October 21, 1950 he married Cora Evelyn Bittel at St Michael Catholic Church in Collyer. They moved to the Flora farm seven miles northeast of Quinter where they raised their daughters and farmed until 2008. Lowell also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and was a custom wheat harvester in Oklahoma, South and North Dakota. Lowell’s love and conservation of the land was evident in the care of his crops of wheat and irrigated corn, cows and calves and pigs he raised.

He was a member of the American Legion where he served as commander for 2 years and was part of the honor guard. Lowell was a member of the 2012 Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial. This fulfilled a dream of his to go to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer and after moving into Quinter, was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park, Kansas.

Lowell is survived by his wife Cora, of 66 years and 3 daughters, Gayleen Bernal and husband Jesse, Garden City; Coleen Tummons and husband Dwight, Quinter, and Mickie Mason and husband, David, Mulvane. 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Rosa Pyles, Denver; Sara Lee Bentley, Shields, Angie Fishburn and husband Al, Lawrence and brother Sylvus and wife Martha, Roanoke, West Virginia. Brother in-law Charles Bittel and wife Pat, Blue Springs, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Norma Kilpatrick, Sue Demarteau, and Dorothy Reinicker; and two brothers, Samuel and D. Allen Flora.

Lowell will especially be missed by his family and the staff of the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care and Hospital. He loved being called Mr. Wilson, which was part of his sense of humor and grin that brightened their day. He also loved being kissed on his bald head by his grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandfather, farmer and cattleman, hunter, gardener and was extremely patriotic and loved his country like the land he cared for.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter with military honors provided by the United States Marines.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil to follow at 7:00, at the funeral home in Quinter.



Memorial contributions are suggested to Gove County LTC to be used for a resident blanket warmer. Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

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

Chardell Myers Parke, 59, Hays, died Sunday, October 30, 2016, at her home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born January 16, 1957 in Sherman, Texas, the daughter of Carl and Carolyn (Ogburn) Myers and spent her youth in Garden City, Kansas.

She married Patrick Parke on January 5, 1980, in Garden City. She received degrees from Colby Community College (Animal Hospital Technology), Kansas State University (General Sciences), and Topeka School of Medical Technology. She worked her entire career in health care, most recently as Laboratory Manager for Quest Diagnostics in Hays.

She served on the USD 489 Board of Education for eight years, the Head Start Advisory Board, Barton County Community College Medical Laboratory Technology Advisory Board, Northwest Kansas Technical College Medical Assistant Advisory Board, and as a volunteer for Kansas Special Olympics. She was an instructor for the Hays Pathology Laboratory School of Medical Technology.

Survivors include her husband; Patrick of the home in Hays, a son; Eli Parke (Tamvana) of Madison, Wisconsin, a daughter; Carlee Hawkins (Jon) of York, Nebraska, a granddaughter; Finleigh Grace Hawkins of York, Nebraska, her mother; Carolyn Myers (Dick Woods) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and three brothers; Craig Myers (Ann) of Wamego, Kansas, Rear Admiral Ross A. Myers, USN (Deidre) of San Diego, California, and Mike Myers (Cindy Funk) of Portland, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her father; Carl Myers, and her grandparents; Merle and Roberta Myers and Everett and Bernice Ogburn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, November 4, 2016 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th, with Fr. Jarett Konrade and Fr. Dan Scheetz officiating. Private family inurnment will be in Christ the King cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 and on Friday from 10:00 am until service time, all at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the church and all vigil attendees are invited to wear purple in memory of Chardell.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or to the FHSU Foundation to establish a medical technology scholarship, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays Kansas, 67601.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Roberta Kay Plante, 54, Salina, died Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Kay was born March 22, 1962 in Colby to Agnes E. Meissen Plante and Edmond F. (Pete) Plante, Damar, KS.

Kay retired from UPS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and father; Fred E. Nurse.

Kay enjoyed design and sewing gifts for the Children’s Christmas Gift Program and for Catholic Charities.
Survivors include Kay’s son, Joe Geske of Seattle WA, 3 brothers; Fred E. Nurse, George H. (Jeanna) Plante and Chris (Rhonda) Plante, all of Salina, 3 sisters, Belinda Shannon of Denver, Jody Patten of Hays, Marcy Schlitter of Denver and 3 nieces, 5 nephews and their families.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, family suggest memorials be made to Kay Plante in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.

LaVina L. Erbes, 98, La Crosse, Kansas, died Sunday, October 30, 2016, at Rush County Memorial Hospital, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Erbes was born May 29, 1918, in Bison, Kansas, the daughter of Adam and Eve (Krug) Kleweno. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1936 graduate of Bison High School, Bison, Kansas, she was a homemaker, farm wife, and bookkeeper for Erbes Meat Market, which she and her husband, Loris, owned and operated from 1939 to 1953.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

On November 29, 1939, she married Loris E. Erbes at La Crosse, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 1, 2000.
Survivors include: one son, Lawrence E. Erbes, La Crosse, Kansas; two daughters, Lucinda Lazarus (Lloyd) Kansas City, Missouri, and Rita Copenhafer (Robert), Mendon, Michigan; four grandchildren, Jennifer Lazarus, New York City, New York, Jason Lazarus, Tampa, Florida, Nathan Copenhafer, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Tracy Scheffler, Gainesville, Florida; and three great grandchildren, Ryder J. Liou, Kyla Copenhafer, and Mya Copenhafer.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Harvey Kleweno, Harry Kleweno; and an infant brother, Milton Kleweno.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 3, 2016, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Funeral service will be Friday, November 4, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Angie Vertz officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Rush County Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Rush County EMTs.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.