Francis Joseph Kuhn, age 88, of Victoria, Kansas died Friday, August 5, 2016, at the Willow House in Hays, Kansas.He was born April 29, 1928, on the farm at Emmeram, Kansas to Joseph M. and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Kuhn. He married Mary Jane (Kisner) on August 22, 1950, in Pfeifer, Kansas.

He was a clerk for the U S Post Office in Topeka, Kansas and retired in 1994. He was a U S Army veteran and served from 1950 to 1952. He attended grade school in Emmeram and was a graduate of Victoria High School. He was a very skilled woodworker of black walnut furniture, a devoted husband, dad and enjoyed his friends for coffee at the Victoria Coop. He moved to Victoria in 2003 and was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis Church and Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Kuhn, of the home; two daughters, Pam Dougan and husband, Johnnie, Prescott, Arkansas; Peggy Fitzpatrick, Victoria, KS; two grandchildren, Joey Dougan and Carrie Paslay, and husband (Timothy); one great grandson, Zachary Doty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son-in-law, John Fitzpatrick; eight brothers, Raymond, John, Leo, Eugene “Ike”, Joseph, Clarence, Conrad, and Anton Kuhn; eight sisters, Celestina “Dena” Riedel, Margaret Dinkel, Delphina Copp, Hilaria “Larry” Windholz, Mary Brungardt, Leona Roholder, Lillian Windholz and Martina Bieker.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emmeram, Kansas with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post
No. 1751.

A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Monday followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Monday both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Monday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers family suggest memorial to American Heart Association. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].

Mary Stecklein, 99, Hays, died Friday, August 5, 2016 at her home.

She was born January 1, 1917 in Victoria, Kansas the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Graf) Wasinger.  On February 6, 1934 she married Alex Stecklein in Victoria.  They celebrated nearly seventy years of marriage before he died on June 24, 2003.  She was a homemaker and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  She excelled at cooking and baking, was very neat and religious, and loved to go to dances and polka dance with her husband.

Survivors include her two children, a son Kenneth Stecklein of San Mateo, CA and a daughter Jeanie Baker and husband Ken of Pinellas Park, FL, five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Anna Marie Donahue and Patrick Donahue, two grandsons, Dean Michael Jacobs and Michael Donahue, and by seven sisters and three brothers.

A celebration of her life will be at 10:30 am on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time on Monday at the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

George Frank Benisch, 83, died August 4th, 2016 at Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long-Term Care. He was born September 25, 1932, in rural Trego County, to Frank and Nellie (Ptacek) Benisch. George married Ruth Loene Schoenthaler in 1957, and was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant and hospital maintenance supervisor.

George joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War in various capacities maintaining the aircraft of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), Tactical Air Command (TAC), and later the Strategic Air Command (SAC). After the Korean Conflict, George started his family and lived in Salina, KS (Schilling AFB), Casablanca, Morocco (Nousseur AFB), Clinton, OK (Clinton-Sherman AFB), and Rapid City, SD (Ellsworth AFB). Master Sergeant Benisch retired from the USAF and moved his family to his hometown of WaKeeney in 1971, where he worked in hospital maintenance until 2003 at Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include son, Gary and wife Sue of Wakeeney; daughter, Julie Miller and husband William of Plainfield, IL; son, Tim and wife Susan of Quinter, KS; son, Jim and wife Suzanne of Osborne, KS; 13 grandchildren include, Chris Benisch and wife Hannah of Olathe, KS; Jason Benisch and wife Mishaun of Inman, KS; Heather Hargitt and husband Brett of Quinter, KS; Ashley Schmidt and husband Nick of McPherson, KS; Tyler Stenzel of WaKeeney; Samantha Dunker and husband Eric of Naperville, IL; Victoria Miller of Plainfield, IL; Ross Benisch and wife Amy of McPherson, KS; Kirby Benisch of Colby, KS; Abby Benisch of Hays, KS; Dustin Benisch of Lee’s Summit, MO; Courtney Benisch of Lees Summit MO; Julia Worley of Osborne, KS; 8 great-grandchildren; and sister, Helen (Benisch) Flax of WaKeeney; brother, Joe Benisch and wife Mil of Davenport, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Nellie (Ptacek) Benisch; his wife Ruth; Sisters Mildred and Millie; Brother Clarence and 3 infant children.

George loved spending time with his family and friends. He passed his love and passion of off-road vehicles to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to continue the traditions he started. George was known to spend hours working on four-wheelers and spending time with the family at the sand dunes near Waynoka, OK. George’s lively personality and ornery sense of humor in a conversation will forever be missed but cherished forever.

A visitation will held on Sunday, August 7th from 5-7 pm at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, KS. A funeral service will be held Monday, August 8th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, KS at 10 am. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery with military honors by the United States Air Force.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to “George Benisch Memorial Fund”. Contributions to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

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

Victoria, Kansas – Francis Joseph Kuhn, age 88, died Friday, August 5, 2016, at the Willow House in Hays, Kansas.

He was born April 29, 1928, on the farm at Emmeram, Kansas to Joseph M. and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Kuhn. He married Mary Jane (Kisner) on August 22, 1950, in Pfeifer, Kansas.

He was a clerk for the U S Post Office in Topeka, Kansas and retired in 1994. He was a U S Army veteran and served from 1950 to 1952. He attended grade school in Emmeram and was a graduate of Victoria High School. He was a very skilled woodworker of black walnut furniture, a devoted husband, dad and enjoyed his friends for coffee at the Victoria Coop. He moved to Victoria in 2003 and was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis Church and Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Kuhn, of the home; two daughters, Pam Dougan and husband, Johnnie, Prescott, Arkansas; Peggy Fitzpatrick, Victoria, KS; two grandchildren, Joey Dougan and Carrie Paslay, and husband (Timothy); one great grandson, Zachary Doty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son-in-law, John Fitzpatrick; eight brothers, Raymond, John, Leo, Eugene “Ike”, Joseph, Clarence, Conrad, and Anton Kuhn; eight sisters, Celestina “Dena” Riedel, Margaret Dinkel, Delphina Copp, Hilaria “Larry” Windholz, Mary Brungardt, Leona Roholder, Lillian Windholz and Martina Bieker.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emmeram, Kansas with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post
No. 1751.

A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Monday followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Monday both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Monday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers family suggest memorial to American Heart Association. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].

HAYS, KS – Martha Jean (Sandidge) McCabe, age 83, Hays resident, died Monday, August 1, 2016 at her home.

She was born May 24, 1933 in Winona, Mississippi to Henry and Minnie Mae (Austin) Sandidge. She married Edmund Lee McCabe on July 31, 1953 in Wichita, Kansas.

She was a graduate from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor and Master Degree in Business Administration, serving on the faculty of the Business Department at Fort Hays State University as an instructor in the Business Department from 1974 through 1995. Martha grew up on a farm and attended school in Winona, Mississippi. She was a 1951 graduate of Winona High School. After retirement, she was an active member of the Hays Medical Center Volunteers Crafters, a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Unit at Good Samaritan Nursing Home and the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband Ed, of the home: two daughters, Martha Lee McCabe, Wichita, KS; Amy Stump and husband, Frank, Thornton, CO; daughter-in law, Teresa McCabe, Quitman, GA; one grandson, Matthew Dorzweiler, Hays, KS; two granddaughters, Sara Masura and husband, Jon, Durango, CO; Lisa Dorzweiler, Littleton, CO; four step-grandchildren, Nathan Dreiling and wife, Kasey, Hays, KS; Scott Stump and wife, Sarah, Macon, GA; Jim Stump, Portland, OR; and Jennifer Stump, Lakewood, WA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Raymond Sandidge; her in-laws, Lester and Ella (Penn) McCabe, and her son, John Ed McCabe.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 13, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 12th and Fort, Hays, KS. A private family inurnment held in Winona, Mississippi at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, KS 67601 and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at the First Baptist Church, Hays, KS.
Memorials may be designated to Angels Care Home Health or Hospice at Hays Medical Center.

Condolences can be left by guestbook art www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or sent via email to [email protected].

Phyllis Geraldine “Gerry” (Hill) Fink, 92, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, August 02, 2016, at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Gerry was born on December 9th, 1923, in Hominy, Oklahoma, the daughter of Hance and Katherine (Wheeler) Hill. Later her family moved to Russell, Kansas, where she graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1941. She was united in marriage to Marvin Fink on May 08, 1943, in Hays, Kansas. From this union Gerry and Marvin were blessed with 4 children Terry, Dennis, Patricia and Anna. The family made their home in Russell and Gerry worked as a homemaker taking care of her husband and children. She was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. She was also a member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Russell Elks Lodge.

She enjoyed playing golf, cards, bingo, wahoo, swimming, reading books, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with her family and grandkids.

Surviving family include her daughter Ann Ostmeyer (Todd) of Russell; five grandchildren Wendy Macoubrie (Jeff) of Olathe, Kansas, Keegan Dick (Trisha) of Russell, Brian Krotz (Amanda) of Park City, Kansas, Amber Whitmer (Tim) of Russell and April Webb (Rick) of Russell; 7 great granddaughters and 3 great grandsons and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Marvin; her parents; two sons Terry and Dennis; daughter Patricia and several brothers and sisters.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, August 08, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Sunday, August 07, 2016, at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Hannah Maria Thomas went to her heavenly home on August 4, 2016 at 4:40 am following a long battle with the BEAST, called cancer. Her final days were spent at home so she could be close to her family and the animals she loved so much.

Hannah was born in Hays, KS October 29, 2004. She is the 6th child of Ward and Tanya (Bohacz) Thomas. Her 5 brothers, Ean, Nathan, Shiloh, Mario, and Gabriel; 2 sisters, Lucretia and Natalee; and her precious dog, Jubilee, survive her.

Hannah’s spirit touched many at the hospitals across the country that she visited, camps she attended, and community events she participated in. Her strong and courageous spirit is a testament to our Lord’s Word – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Hannah’s life was a gift to us from our loving God. He created her with an outstanding love and appreciation of animals. She cherished her hogs, rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks, and most importantly her calves that she bought and raised under her business name HT Livestock. She loved her time being a 4-H member and showing at the county fair. Hannah loved to hunt with her daddy and anyone else who would allow her to tag along. Hannah also enjoyed spending time at the lake with her family boating, tubing and camping. She loved to watch cooking shows with her brothers and bake. She was a Dallas Cowboy fan and dreamed of attending Kansas State University to study Animal Science to pursue her life dream of being a rancher’s wife.

Hannah’s battle with cancer began December 18, 2009. She was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a rare pediatric kidney cancer. It accounts for about 5% of all childhood cancers. Wilms tumor occurs most often in young children between the ages of 3 and 4. It is uncommon after age 6. Only 4% of cancer research in the United States is given to pediatric cancers. We ask that you join us in finding the cure that takes 7 children every day from their families.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the Town Site Shelter at Webster State Park at 4:00 P.M. with Pastor Tim Clever officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Private interment will be in Bethany Cemetery near Hunter, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669, to:

Pablove Foundation: A pediatric cancer foundation that provides research grant monies for one of the clinical trials that Hannah was on and gave her extra days with us.

HT Livestock Memorial Scholarship Fund: A Scholarship fund available for Rooks, Mitchell, and Phillips Counties senior ladies attending Kansas State University pursuing a degree in Animal Science.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.