Valencia Machree (Casey) Jones, 88, McCracken, died Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse. She was born Nov. 10, 1926, in Forsyth, Missouri, to Ralph and Pauline Casey. She married Thayne W. Jones, Jan. 31, 1952, in Forsyth, and soon after marriage she joined her husband, serving in the U.S. Army in occupied West Germany, where they completed their honeymoon in the Bavarian Alps.

After discharge, she lived with her husband in Columbia as he completed his degree in Journalism at Missouri University. She moved with her husband to St James, MO, where they published the weekly St James Journal for three years, until sale of the newspaper to the Rolla Daily News. (Today the paper is published from St. James as the Journal-Leader).

She moved with her husband in 1956 to Raymond, Washington, where he was employed as News Editor of the weekly Raymond Herald and Advertiser. In 1958 they returned to Rush County, joining the Jones family farm business.

Before marriage she had lived with her family in various communities in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. She became skilled as a Linotype operator in the days when newspapers were printed from hot cast metal type. She was a member of St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Hays where she had served one term on the church Vestry.

She is survived by her husband of McCracken, her son Thayne Christian, his wife Marites (Tess) and her grandson, Ethan Michael all of Wichita.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Patrick, her parents and two brothers who drowned before their teen years after falling through the ice in Lake Taneycomo, Missouri.

Memorial Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 17, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 2900 Canal Blvd. in Hays. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in the Casey family Cemetery in Forsyth, MO. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials in her memory may be donated to the McCracken Library or Museum.

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

John Alfred Wallace, 87, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Luray, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

John was born on the family farm north of Luray on March 23, 1929, the son of William Smith and Jean Grace (Whiteley) Wallace.  John grew up and attended school in the Luray area which is located between Paradise and the Garden of Eden. His father passed away when John was 15 years old leaving John to take over the family farm.

John married Louse Alice Verhage on August 19, 1951 in Osborne.  They were blessed with three children; Patricia, Vicki and Roger.  They made their home on the Wallace family farm where John grew up.

John was a lifelong farmer and rancher working side by side with his wife Louise.   He lived on the family farm for over 80 years until he and Louise retired and moved to Russell in 2009.  In his free time, John enjoyed playing cards and always had a newspaper close at hand. When he could, he attended farm auctions and enjoyed driving around the beautiful Kansas countryside.

John’s surviving family include his wife of 64 years, Louise; daughters, Patricia Colglazier of Rozel, Kansas and Vicki Hemmerling (Dwight) of Hutchinson, Kansas; son, Roger Wallace (Mara) of Elkhorn, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, Derrick Colglazier (fiancée Miranda Walker), Roy Colglazier, Sarah Hemmerling, Zachary Hemmerling (Emily), Zane Hemmerling (Megan), Riley Wallace and Avery Wallace; and some nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Pearl and Ruby, and son-in-law Daniel Colglazier.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Vincent Cemetery in Osborne County.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 18 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  A Memorial has been established with the Luray City Library.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.

Carol J. Keil-Sawyer, 79, of WaKeeney, Kansas, and former Russell resident died on Monday, May 09, 2016, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Carol was born on December 01, 1936, in rural Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of Gerhard and Elma (Galliart) Keil.  She grew up in the Barton County and Russell area and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1953.  She was united in marriage to Leon A. Keil on  August 14, 1955 in Russell, Kansas and from this union Carol and Leon had a son they named Bradley.  Leon preceded her in death on February 09, 2003.  Bradley also preceded her in death in 2005.

For many years she worked at the city of Russell as the secretary to the city manager.  She also worked with UMB Bank as a customer representative and also worked as a secretary with Sprint.  She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. Later, she found love again and was united in marriage to Lionel B. Sawyer on December 01, 2005, in Wichita, Kansas.  Carol and Lionel spent the rest of Carol’s life living in WaKeeney, Kansas.  Throughout her life she was also a member of the Trego County-Lemke Hospital Auxiliary and gift shop, V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Cross Blood Drive. She enjoyed playing bridge, flower gardening, fishing, traveling, Friday night dinners with family and friends and watching baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving family include her husband Lionel Sawyer of the home; sisters Deloris Nuss of Russell, Kansas and Geraldine Counts of Lawrence, Kansas; 3 step children and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leon A. Keil and son Bradley L. Keil.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 13, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the mortuary.  Family will be present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

A. Corinne “Connie” Wilson, 90, Salina, formerly of Hays, died Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at the Salina Regional Health Center.

She was born November 4, 1925 in Great Bend, Kansas the daughter of Maurice and Elsie (Spring) Miller. On August 24, 1947 she married E. Jerry Wilson in Pawnee Rock, KS. He died October 20, 1998. She received her BS degree in English and her teaching degree from Fort Hays State University. 

She taught English at Hays High School, Washington Elementary School, and was a substitute teacher in the school district. She was a teacher assistant at Holy Family Elementary School, and was very active in the Friendship Family Program at FHSU as well as the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at FHSU. She loved being an educator and language teacher, was an active Foster Grandparent, loved history and reading, and was very outgoing and gregarious. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the church choir, the United Methodist Women, the Sorosis women’s club, was a founding member of the Prairie Garden Club, and a member of the Delta Zeta sorority at FHSU. She was very proud to live in Hays, Kansas and enjoyed crocheting, golf, bridge, gardening, tennis, aerobics, holiday decorating and gift giving, traveling, and singing Happy Birthday on her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays. She was a violinist with the Hays Symphony Orchestra and she kept active in education with the exchange students that lived in her home.

Survivors include a son; Marc Wilson and wife Cathi of Manhattan, two daughters; Linda Collins and husband Barry of Salina, and Carolee Little and husband Barry of Castlewood, SD, a brother; Leon Miller and wife Laura of Dallas, TX, seven grandchildren; Amy Collins, Robbie Collins and wife Kati, Isaac Little, Eli Little and wife Jessica, Chenin Wilson, Brandon Prough and wife Shaina, and Gary Jon Prough, six great grandchildren; Emry, Madison, Cassidy, Brian, Stone, and Jarrod.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Allen Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Thursday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine, and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church. 

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or to the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at FHSU, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Florence Louise Shaffer, 84, died May 7, 2016 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born December 6, 1931 at Great Bend, the daughter of John J. and Sophia B. (Gleissner) Bahr.She married Benjamin J. Shaffer November 26, 1952 at Olmitz, Kansas. A Great Bend resident since 1995, she had previously resided in Hays from 1953 to 1969, Great Bend from 1969 to 1985, and Ness City from 1985 to 1995. Mrs. Shaffer was a Registered Nurse and private care provider.

Mrs. Shaffer was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altar Society and St. Rose School of Nursing Alumni, Great Bend.

Survivors include her husband: Benjamin J. Shaffer, of the home; three sons: Kenneth Shaffer and his wife Donna of Great Bend, Tom Shaffer and his wife Sue of Wichita, and Dan Shaffer of St. John; six daughters: Linda Elliott and her husband Thomas of McPherson, Patsy Giangrosso and her husband Charli of Gladstone, Mo., Treva Goodman and her husband Allen of Hays, Cathy Shaffer of Hays, Laurie Logan and her husband Richard of Clay Center, and Sharon Denney and her husband Joe of Great Bend; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Bahr; and five sisters, Irma VonPessl, Valeria Malek, Matilda Spicka, Marie Maneth and Margaret Wendel.

Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. and Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will following in St. Ann Cemetery, Olmitz. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Sister Aquinata Penka Nursing Scholarship or Prince of Peace Parish Altar Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Dr. John J. Streck, 93, Hays, died Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born in Russell, KS, on June 7, 1922, the son of Jacob and Lena (Berscheur) Streck. He graduated from Russell High school in 1940 and went on to the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he earned his dental degree in 1944. While in the Army, 150 men were selected to have their education paid for and receive medical and dental training. John was chosen to study and graduated as a Dentist and Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon.

John was drafted into the army in 1941 and later went on to serve and practice as a surgeon during the Korean War in the 8055 Mobile Army Surgical Unit or MASH hospital units, at the 39th parallel near Seoul, South Korea. Following that, he served in Japan, coming home to the U.S. in 1954. All in all, John spent a total of 11 years in the military serving his country, and was awarded 10 medals of Honor, including the Silver Star.

John married Norma Jean Kelsch of Ellis, KS on August 15th, 1948. The newlyweds then moved to Hays where John set up his dental practice for 54 years. They have been married for 68 years.

Dr. Streck was a renaissance man and an inventor, whose first important work was the invention of wiring jaws and facial bones together while he was in the Army. John was an accomplished artist who enjoyed photography, sculpting and painting and exhibited his works at the Hays Arts Council, Fort Hays State University, and other local, regional and statewide venues. John was a published author, his first book called “Nakagima House”; he had two other books in the works at the time of his death. John was a history buff and avid hunter and sports fisherman, as well as an avid KU and Wichita State basketball fan. He was past President for the Kansas ADA, and also was elected to the Hays USD 489 School Board, serving on it for 9 years, and as President of the school board for 2 of those years. John was also active in the American Legion, Rotary, Shriners, Elks and Lion’s Clubs.

He is survived by his wife Norma, of the home, four daughters; Stephanie Streck Watson, Leawood, KS, Carla Streck Perez and husband Jim, McKinney, TX, Susan Streck Moss, Norwalk, CT, and Lisa Streck Dunn, Houston,TX, ten grandchildren; Andrew Richard Watson, Prairie Village, KS, Brittany Erin Moss, New York, NY, Robert Allen Moss Jr., Norwalk, CT and Tyler Jacob Moss, Norwalk, CT, Sara Thomason Breeze, Honolulu, HI, Lyndsay Thomason Watts, Lake Jackson, TX, Kelly Anne Thomason, Tacoma, WA, and Jordan Brett Vargas, Corpus Christi, TX, Ashley Michelle Boultinghouse, Kansas City, KS, Audra Perez, McKinney, TX, and four great grand-children; TayShawn, Lilyauna, Coral, and Caleb.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lena Streck, his only brother Herman Streck, and his 7 sisters; Thelma Mai, Marie Honomichael, Mae Barclay, Dottie Dumler, Viola Bodenhammer, Mildred Haselhorst, and Lillian Craig.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort Street, Hays. Burial with Military Honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard and Hays American Legion Riders will be at 2:00 pm in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street and from 9:30 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Hays State University or to the Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com