Rolo S. Ewers Jr. passed away on Monday, October 3, 2016 at Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 90. One of six children, he was born in Tasco, Kansas on August 24, 1926 to the late Rolo S. and Mary Louise (Carter) Ewers. He graduated from Glendale High School in Glendale, Arizona, and seven days after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving as one of the youngest radar men at the time. On December 12, 1948 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Patricia Ann Hobbs in Glendale, Arizona. Together, they raised their family of six children.

Even before the Navy, Rolo worked in construction, a trade he carried on for many years. He was an outstanding tennis player, gymnast, and diver. He enjoyed racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and flying airplanes. Rolo never knew a stranger. Family and friends alike, remember his storytelling and silly jingles he insisted on sharing with everyone. He had the ability to make you smile and brighten your day no matter what.

Rolo is survived by his wife Patricia of the home, Hoxie; sons Randy Ewers and wife Karen of Phoenix, AZ, and Bruce Ewers and wife Shannon of Hoxie; daughters Cynthia Nielsen and husband Merlin of Goodyear, AZ, Sheri Ewers of Goodyear, AZ, Tina Miller and husband Paul of Carrollton, GA, and Laurie Farber and husband Rob of Hoxie; sister Delina Whithworth; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, and three sisters.

A private family inurnment will be held Monday, October 24, 2016, 10:00 A.M., at Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. Family will receive friends from 1:30-3:00pm on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Hoxie 4-H Building. Memorials are suggested to the Rolo S. Ewers Jr. Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, P.O. Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Rolo’s most cherished time was always spent with his loving wife and family. In honor of his memory, the family asks you to take a moment to hug your children, grandchildren, friends, or neighbors. Pause for a few minutes, or an hour, or a day to laugh and share a meal, a walk, or just sitting and visiting. After all, time waits for no one…

Ronald (Ron) Wick was born July 31, 1958 in Hays, KS to Albert Lyle Wick and Vera Mae (Chapman) Wick. He passed away Sunday, October 16, 2016 at his home in Dodge City at the age of 58.

Ron grew up in Hutchinson, KS and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1976. He received an associate’s degree from Hutchinson Community College. He spent his career as an electrician and reached the status of master electrician. He was employed at Cargill in Dodge City.

Ron had a passion for playing golf, cars, motorcycles, politics and his family.

Survivors include his mother, Vera Wick of Wamego, KS; one sister, Linda Gietl and husband, Ed of Denver, CO; one brother, Jeff Wick and wife, Tina of Wamego, KS. Three nephews, Peter Gietl, Nathan Gietl and Jacob Wick; one niece, Samantha Wick.

Preceding him in death were his father, Albert (Lyle) Wick and his twin brother, Donald (Don) Wick.

Graveside services will be held at Utica Cemetery on Saturday, October 22 at 2:00 pm.

Following the services there will be a reception at the First Christian Church of Utica.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wamego Area Youth Golf Foundation, in care of Boomhower Funeral Home, PO Box 891, Dighton, KS 67839.

Condolences can be made online at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.

Elizabeth “Bette” Claire (Brown) Gragson, passed away while sleeping in the early hours of October 14, 2016.

Bette was born on November 11, 1931 in Hays, Kansas. She was the fourth of eight children born to Lawrence L. and Mary (Brungardt) Brown. Bette graduated from the Girls Catholic High School in 1949.

After High School, Bette worked for Kansas Claim Service performing secretarial and accounting responsibilities. Later in life Bette became owner of Kansas Claim Service of Topeka. She was a member of Shell Knob Lions Club and was Bingo Chairman. She had a lifelong passion for music and was a talented singer.

In Hays Bette met her husband James “Jim” Leonard Gragson who she married on August 22, 1955.

Bette is survived by her husband Jim, their son Leonard, wife Diana of Olathe, Kansas and their son Jeff; their son John, wife Donna of Topeka, Kansas and their children Tommy, Rachael and James; their son Phillip of Topeka and his sons Dylan and Nicholas; and son Doug, wife Alison and their daughter Ali of Springfield, Missouri; five great grandchildren, Anthony, Brelyn, Adylyn, Scarlett, and Violett; a sister Mary Alice Carroll of Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers, Bernard Brown and his wife Phyllis of Hays and Jerry Brown of New York City and 15 nieces and nephews.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Flora Lee Fuchs and Theresa Brown; two brothers Lawrence F (Red) Brown and William F (Bill) Brown; sister-in-law Mary Kay Brown and brother-in-law Joseph Carroll.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 21, 2016 in Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Reverend Hank Grodecki will conduct the services.

Phillipsburg resident Frances E. Cote passed away Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS at the age of 69.

She was born October 31, 1946 in Ottawa, Illinois the daughter of Leo & Josephine (Hanley) Kerrins.

Frances was united in marriage to Ralph J. Cote on April 15, 1967 in Kankakee, Illinois. He survives.

Other survivors include her two daughters, Shelly Cote & Kelly Cote, both of Phillipsburg, her son, Thomas Cote of Amarillo, TX; ½ sister, Kathy Deminsky of Sun City, AZ; 8 grandchildren; & 8 great grandchildren.

Cremation was planned. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016 in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating.

Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with family receiving friends for visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fresenius Dialysis Center of Hays.

Former Phillips County resident Alan R. Chestnut passed away October 15 at the Conway Regional Hospital in Conway, AR, at the age of 71. He was born Jan. 31, 1945 in Phillipsburg, the son of Roy & Norma (Hoover) Chestnut.

Survivors include his wife Shirley of Greenbrier, AR; his son Clint of Blanchard, OK; his daughter, Jennie Smith of Omaha, NE; 2 brothers, Larry of Glade & Dennis of Speed; 4 sisters, Connie Reese of Glade, Joyce Campbell, Joan Russo & Terri Chestnut Greer all of Speed; 1 grandchild & 2 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Friday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.

Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Memorials have been established to his great grandchildren’s education fund.

Pamela “Pam” Werth, 62, Hays, died Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at her home.

She was born December 25, 1953 in Hays, one of twin daughters to Austin and Edith (Smith) Dillon. She graduated from Hays High School in 1971. On December 19, 1972 she married Anthony “Andy” Werth in Hays. She was a homemaker and worked at the Alco store and at Tandy’s Hallmark. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was an excellent cook and baker, and she rarely needed to measure ingredients. She always had an extra plate in the oven for anyone who came over, and her cookies, burritos, and cheesecake were family favorites. She was the consummate caregiver, always putting others’ needs first. She loved to go shopping, was very punctual, and enjoyed traveling and decorating her home for the holidays. She loved her family, her husband, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and extended family.

Survivors include her husband, Andy, of the home, two sons; Kirk Werth and wife Gail of Hays, and Jared Werth of Hays, a daughter; Andrea Jensen and husband Luke of Hays, two brothers; Loren Dillon and wife Sharron of Wichita and Mitchell Dillon and wife Sherene of Orlando, FL, her twin sister; Pat Herl and husband Danny of Victoria, KS, her grandchildren Sheldon Niernberger and Hailey Jensen, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister; Marilyn Dillon in 1997.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and on Friday from 9:00 am until service time at the church. A family rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to North Oak Community Church or to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Robert A. “Bob” Ruder, 80, Hays, died Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at his home.

He was born May 13, 1936 in Hays to Anton and Anna (Wasinger) Ruder. He graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in 1954. He was in the U.S. Army from 1957 until 1959. On May 18, 1959 he married Ila Mae Pfannenstiel in Hays. He attended Fort Hays State University for two years then worked for 28 years at the Farmers Co-Op first as an accountant then as department manager of feed and fertilizer. He was head custodian for USD 489 for 21 years and then custodian at Holy Family Elementary School for nearly 5 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Schoenchen.

Survivors include his wife, Ila Mae, of the home, a son; Tony Ruder and wife Janet of Wichita, three daughters; Cathy Hawley and husband Greg of Farmersville, TX, Barbara Flesher and husband Kevin of Broomfield, CO and Vicky Morton of Broomfield, CO, a brother; Earl Ruder and wife Mary of Edmond, OK, a sister; Diana Dome of Hays, a sister-in-law Norma Ruder of Liberal, KS, nine grandchildren; Nicole Hawley, Adam Hawley and wife Vanessa, Cecilia Welwood and husband Eric, Rachel Hawley and fiance Michael, Andrew Flesher, Abigail Flesher, Angela Flesher, Robert W. Ruder, and Aidan Morton, a great granddaughter; Bernadette Welwood, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother; LeRoy Ruder.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 9:45, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a parish vigil at 6:30, and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Holy Family Elementary School or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Lawrence J. “Larry” Unrein, age 81, of Hays, passed away, Monday 17, 2016 at Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater, Kansas. He was born December 17, 1934 on the family farm in Rush County, Kansas to Peter and Agatha (Leikam) Unrein. He married Frances Claire Rohr in 1956.

He was a combination Journeyman and Service Tech for Midwest Energy retiring after 30 years of service. He was a US Marine veteran serving from 1950 – 1952 and he was a member of St. Joseph’s Church.

He is survived by a daughter, Joan Weber and husband Jerry of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; two granddaughters, Bobbie Jo Fuentes and husband Francisco of Lees Summit, MO and Megan Dawn Sales and husband Jason of Manhattan, KS; great grandchildren, Nevaeh Phillips, Noah Weber and Isabella Fuentes. Two brothers, Clem Unrein and wife Viola of Hays, Kansas and Frank Unrein and wife Charlene of Gorham, Kansas and a sister-in-law, Wilma Unrein of Hays, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joseph Unrein; a sister, Josephine Quint; 9 half-brothers and 4 half-sisters.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Friday, October 21, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will be at 2 PM Fridayat the Kansas State Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church or for Masses.

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

Gerald L. “Jerry” Wagner, age 67, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born January 2, 1949 in Hays, Kansas to Marvin J. and RoseMary (Molleker) Wagner. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1967 and attended Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University. He married Vickie (Wagner) in Burlington, Colorado on May 30, 1975.
Jerry was the former owner of Maiwuer Tropical and Dog Grooming in Hays. He also worked as a computer programmer. He was a US Navy veteran. He volunteered his time coaching several recreation commission and traveling teams in all sports. He was named Hays Recreation Commission Coach of The Year. He was also the TMP-Marian Softball coach for two seasons. Jerry was an avid K-State, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals fan. Above all Jerry was a proud grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Vickie of Hays; two sons, Eian Wagner and fiance Kellie Stanley and Evan Wagner and fiance Kelli Riley all of Hays; a daughter, Erin Wagner and fiance Nathan Baczkowski of Hays; a brother, Terry Wagner and wife Shirley of Battlefield, Missouri; grandchildren, Colton Stanley, Emmie Wagner, Conor Wagner and Wyatt Gerald Wagner arriving in December.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Anton and Catherine Wagner and Jacob and Catherine Molleker.

Services will be 3:00 PM Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Flag presentation courtesy of the Hays VFW.

Memorial contributions suggested to the Gerald Wagner Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date.

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

Virgil D. Stratton, 68, died Aug. 9, 2016, in West Plains, Mo.

He was born July 6, 1948, in Scott City, the son of George Stratton

and Rita Marie (Lauber) Stratton Nickel.

He served two tours in the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing when his health was good.

Survivors include: one son, Matthew Stratton, Wichita; two sisters, Vicki (Stratton) Wright, and husband, Wilbur, Scott City, and Deanna Nickel Russell and husband, Lynn, Brandsville, Mo.; one brother, Darrell Nickel, Sydney, Nebr.; one granddaughter – Mariah Ida May Stratton of Wichita, Kansas, Three Nephews, Four Nieces, Four Great Nephews, Six Great Nieces, One Great Great Nephew and One Great Great Niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two nephews, one great-nephew and Two great-nieces.

Graveside service will be Fri., Oct. 21, 1:00 p.m., at the Scott County Cemetery with military rites.