Monty Joe Fross, 52 years of age, passed away due to an unexpected massive attack in his home, in Lake City, South Carolina on Sunday, June 12, 2016. He was accompanied at the time of his death by his companion, Wendy Clement. He was born and baptized in the Catholic Faith in Hays, Kansas on April 9th., 1964 in Saint Anthony’s Hospital. He graduated from Thomas More Prep High School in 1982.

On June 25, 1988 Monty married Nancy Book and they had 2 children, TYLER JOE FROSS and HAYLEY ELAINE FROSS. After 8 years of marriage, they separated and started new paths in their lives apart. The children stayed with their mother and with outside help from their father they were raised to be wonderful adults.

Monty is survived by his parents, John and Beverly Fross, his 2 children Tyler Joe and his wife Justine and Hayley Elaine Gottschalk and her husband Derek and 3 Great Grand Children, Skylar John, Leigha Elaine and Lily Elaine, his Maternal grandmother, Mildred Hance and Monty’s companion Wendy Clement.

He also had his best friend, Chummy, a large Blue & Gold MaCaw Parrot. They went everywhere together.
Monty spent many years traveling the USA selling golf clubs and golf equipment. He had a great passion for playing Golf and Bowling. Before he had to quit Bowling because of an elbow injury, he rolled six (6), 300 perfect games and he also carried a PBA card.

He was a car salesman at several different car dealerships in Kansas and also in Texas. He attained many awards as top salesman in all the dealerships that he worked at. At one point, he went on the road chasing hail storms and working with a partner doing Paintless Dent Removal. Monty worked at finding storm damaged locations and then set-up retail stores in the towns with hail damage. He did all the adjusting on the vehicles for hail damage on the vehicles. In January 2016, he had an offer from a friend in Lake City, South Carolina to come to work for him and be an apprentice to learn the Body Shop Business. The name of the Body Shop was Lee’s Body Shop, Lake City, South Carolina. It was owned by Mr. Richard Lee and his two (2) sons, Rod Lee and Mitch Lee.

Monty had many friends and was always making more. He was very easy to talk to. It had been said that “HE COULD SELL A FREEZER TO AN ESKIMO”. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone that needed help if he was able to help them in anyway.

Memorial services will be 1 PM Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Joseph Church Rectory Remodeling Project.

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

Lifelong WaKeeney resident Delmer Lynd age 81, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Trego County Lemke Long Term Care. He was born August 12, 1934, in WaKeeney to William Edward and Hilda (Johnson) Lynd.

Delmer graduated from Trego Community High School with the class of 1952. On August 20, 1956, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Marie Hobbick, in WaKeeney. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage together.

He was a farmer and rancher his entire life. He loved his way of life on the farm. He was a horseman most of his life, often talking about riding a horse to school. When you saw Delmer, he most always had a smile on his face. He was a kindhearted, loving man, who would do anything for anyone. In his later years, he enjoyed sprinkling grain out on his driveway to watch the birds come and eat. Delmer was also especially fond of his dog. He cherished time spent with family and friends. He left a wonderful impression on many people throughout his life.

He will be deeply missed.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Dorothy of WaKeeney; a son, Todd (Chrisi) of Hays; four grandchildren, Brooke (Brad) Fabrizius of Manhattan, Corey (Justin) Sherfick of WaKeeney, and Trey and Chase Lynd of Hays; three great-grandchildren, Brecken and Brittyn Fabrizius of Manhattan, and Jackson Sherfick of WaKeeney; two brothers, Marvin (Reva) Lynd of WaKeeney and Ronald Lynd of Louisiana; one sister, Neva Butcher of WaKeeney; and Penny Hafliger, daughter-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Toby Del Lynd (3/30/2006); two brothers, Alden and Raymond Lynd; and a sister, Twila Clark.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Schmitt Funeral Home of WaKeeney. Burial will be in the city cemetery.

There will be a short visitation with family present one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, Long Term Care. Donations made to the LTC may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

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

Ralph B. Payne, age 93, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on May 2, 1923 in Larned, Kansas, the son of Edward Barnett & Viola Belle Butler Payne. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1933 moving from Sublette, Kansas, he was a Pharmacist Assistant and Clerk at Van Antwerp Drug Store in Scott City, Kansas.

He was a member of the First Christian Church and VFW in Scott City and was a past City Council Member of Scott City, Kansas. He was a US Army Air Corp Veteran of WWII serving in the 79th Aerodrome Squadron.

On June 2, 1946 he married Dee J. Unruh in Scott City, Kansas. She passed away on July 10, 1996 in Scott City, Kansas. On March 7, 1998 he married Willetta Dirks Ullom in Montezuma, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Willetta Payne of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sons – Steve & Valyndia Payne of Scott City, Kansas, Bill & Lynette Payne of Pueblo, Colorado, One Daughter – Janice & Darren Wright of Amarillo, Texas, One Step Daughter – Kim & Garrett Panzer of Lakin, Kansas, Nine Grandchildren and Fourteen Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, One Wife – Dee, One Son – Robert Payne and One Brother – Wally Payne.

Funeral Services will be held at the First Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 with Pastor Scott Wagner & Pastor Chris Gorman presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Ralph B. Payne Memorial Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Julius John Rohr, 90, Hays, died Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 at Hays Medical Center.

He was born April 11, 1926 in Munjor, Ks. to John and Anna (Riedel) Rohr. He married Lillian Ann (Gerstner) on October 11, 1948 in Hays, Ks.

Julie was a WW II Veteran serving in the Navy, and worked as a machinist at S&W Supply. He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Church and the Hays VFW. Julie was an avid reader, enjoyed fishing, golf and his dogs. He was a kind yet strong man, who lived his life for his God, family, and country.

He is survived by his wife Lillian, of Hays, his three children, Beth Huston and her husband Doug, Michael Rohr and wife Wanda, Carol Rome and Ron Rome, all of Hays. A brother-in-law, Ralph Engel of Hays, a sister-in-law, Kathy Rohr of Hays, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Jarrett Rome, step-mother Emma Rohr, brothers, Alex, Ignatius, Isadore, and Gene Rohr, his sisters Albina Befort, Marcella Ruder, and Bernita Engel.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 30th, 4:00-8:00 p.m, with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7:00 p.m. and Friday July 1st, 9:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. at Brock’s Keitheley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Street, Hays, Ks. 67601.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2016 at St. Nicholas of Myra Church in Hays. Burial with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Nicholas Faith and Family Center.

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

Dixie Ekberg, 85, Colby, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Citizens Medical Center, in Colby.

She was born June 25, 1931, to Elmer and Alice (McQuilken) Upchurch, in Concordia, KS. Three years later they moved to Colby. Dixie attended the Colby Public School. On June 17, 1949, she married Robert Ekberg.

Dixie worked in the banking industry for 20 years, working at F&M Bank and Thomas Co. National Bank (now Sunflower Bank), until retiring in December, 1993. She was a member of the Levant Community Church for over 45 years, where she served as the organist for 42 years, was a Sunday school teacher and served on the Board of Elders. Dixie was the secretary for over 20 years for the Levant Missionary and the Levant Ladies Aid. Music filled Dixie’s life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Julie Kay, in-laws, Merle & Morris Ekberg; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Duane & Lois Jean Dawes and brother-in-law Pete Vlassos.

Dixie is survived by her husband, Bob; sister Alice Jean Vlassos, St. Charles, MO; sons, Gerald (Nikki) Ekberg, Burlington, CO and Scott (Karen) Ekberg, Great Bend, KS; daughters, Penny Fryback, Colby, Janet (Jim) Ekberg Hinton, Hays, KS and Alicia (Eric) Moore, Colby; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter and many nieces & nephews.

Visitation is from 12-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016, with the family receiving friends from 4-7, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 also at the mortuary, with burial to follow at Beulah Cemetery, Colby.

Memorials are suggested to the Levant Community Church or Citizens Medical Center, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.