Charles C. McDonald, 87, Hays, died Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Willow House in Hays.

He was born June 14, 1928 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Charles H. and Caroline (Salem) McDonald.

He worked in the oil field for over sixty years, as a pumper and later a production superintendent. On January 11, 1948 he married Carol J. Heidel in Council Grove, Kansas. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean War. He was a member of the Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church in Hays, Gideons International, and the Hays VFW Post #9076. He enjoyed handing out Gideon’s Testaments and he loved the outdoors, animals, and nature. He enjoyed caring for the birds and tending to his flowers and rose garden. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and leading them on rock and fossil hunts. He loved his friends, wife and family and spending time with them.

Survivors include his wife Carol, of the home, two daughters; Peggy Flanders and husband Bill of Fort Davis, Texas and Susan McDonald of Russell, four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter Mary Colleen McDonald and a half sister Thelma Kitch.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church, 1605 E. 29th Street, Hays. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will be in the Mt. Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 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 Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church or to Gideon’s International, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Earl R. Drake, 93, passed away on April 8, 2016 at the Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City, KS. He was born on May 27, 1922 in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Ralph and Sophrona (Talley) Drake.

He was an engineer of railroad maintenance with KC Southern. He retired after 40 years. He married Dorothy (Leikam) on November 25, 1940 in Ness City. She died April 7, 1996. He married Wilma (Munch) on Tuesday, September 2, 1997 in Ness City. She survives.

Other survivors include stepsons, Kenneth Wasinger, Ness City, Layne Wasinger, Ness City, Alan Wasinger, Ness City; stepdaughters, Linda Cox, Hanston, Lavonne Mishler, Hays, Luciann Ogden, Canon City, CO; sister, LaVeta Moeller, Quincy, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Dorothy; brother, Merrill Drake; stepsons, Jim and Verlyn Wasinger; stepsons-in-law, Rick Cox and Tom Cole; grandsons, Justin Cox and Tanner Mishler; and great-granddaughter, Courie Cox.

Friends may call at Saturday, April 9, 1 – 9 P.M. and Sunday April 10, 10 A.M. – 9 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home.

Rosary will be Sunday, April 10, 7 P.M. at the funeral home.

Funeral Service will be on Monday, April 11, 2016, 11 A.M., at the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City.

Burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ness City.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, or Comfort Warriors in care of American Legion.

Hays, Kansas – Carol June Brethour, age 86, died Friday, April 8, 2016, at Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

She was born August 31, 1929, in Lake City, Florida to Milo and Knox (Barris) Thomas. She married John R. Brethour Sr. on August 16, 1964, in Lake City, Florida. He died May 29, 2007.

She was teacher and a homemaker. She grew up in Lake City, Florida and graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secretarial Science and graduated from University of Florida with a M.S. Degree in Elementary Education. Carol taught Language Arts in Jr. High and High School at Lake City, Florida and she taught Business and Beginning Accounting at Fort Hays State College. She moved to Hays in the early 1960’s. She became a member of the First United Methodist Church, and joined a women’s group called Naomi Circle. She was a avid reader, bridge player and was a member of the ACVL Bridge Club. She enjoyed being part of the Smokey Hill Country Club. She was also a member of the PEO woman’s group.

Survivors include one son, John R. Brethour Jr. and his fiancé Jean Leechan; and one grandson, John R. Brethour III.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Milo Thomas and James “Bones” Thomas.
Services are 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 11, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church Hays, Kansas. Burial will be later in the week at the Memorial Cemetery in Lake City, Florida.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday, at the First United Methodist Church

Memorial to Doctors Without Borders in care of Cline’s Mortuary of Hays. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Margaret E. “Peggy” Heather, 84, Hays, died Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellis.

She was born October 17, 1931 in Springer, New Mexico the daughter of Milo Orville and Margaret Sarah (Browne) Chaffee. On July 24, 1952 she married Donald Smith in Estes Park, Colorado. He died January 12, 1966. She later married Jack R. Heather on August 4, 1974 in Hays. He died July 26, 2011.

She was an elementary school teacher, teaching in Downs and Sanford, Kansas before moving to Hays and teaching fifth grade at Wilson Elementary School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hays, the United Methodist Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ellis County Historical Society, and the Hays Arts Council. She sang in the church choir for many years and loved to play the piano, paint paintings, do crafts, and paint ceramics. She enjoyed playing cards, board games, her bridge club, gardening, and her dogs. She especially loved spending time with her many friends and family and being a teacher.

Survivors include one son; Stanley Smith of Fairbury, Nebraska, two daughters; Nora Myer and husband Spencer of Sacramento, California and Elizabeth “Betsy” McCreery of Hays, two step daughters; Brooke Adams and husband Dennis of Darby, Montana and Dawn Heather of Ft. Collins, Colorado, two sisters; Catherine Chaffee of League City, Texas and Martha Tompkins and husband Don of Pittsburg, Kansas, a sister in law Dortha Lee Chaffee of Owasso, Oklahoma, fourteen grandchildren; Emily Tyler, Erin Weber, Jennifer Rinard, Sarah Woods, Russell Weber, Heath Walz, Adam Walz, Beth VanVleck, Heather Smith, Christopher Binder, Amber Harvey, Shelby Englert, Meagan Englert, and Jesse Englert, and numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Donald and Jack, a daughter Linda Miller, three brothers Russell Chaffee, James Chaffee, and John Chaffee, and two sisters; Elizabeth Fritz and an infant sister Sarah Chaffee.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th, Hays. Burial will be at 2:30 pm at the Browns Grove Cemetery in Burdett, Kansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:30 am until service time on Tuesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested in Peggy’s memory to the First United Methodist Church or to the Jack and Peggy Heather Scholarship Fund at Fort Hays State University in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel, 1906 Pine Street, Hays,KS 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Irene Dorothy (Ebersole) Brown passed away peacefully at her apartment in El Dorado on April 7, 2016. She was born October 3, 1920 on a farm near Conway Springs, KS, the daughter of Arthur & Adra Ebersole.

Her family moved to Wichita in the mid-twenties. Irene married Vernon H. Hanan on December 31, 1939. They had four children, Vern Wayne, Sherron, Steven and Debra. She and Vernon moved to Ness City, KS in 1946 where their children grew to adulthood. She married Dr. J. Paul Brown on December 10, 1966 at the Methodist Church in Ness City, KS. They later moved to Wichita, KS. Some of her favorite past-times were reading, sewing, playing bridge, arts & crafts and especially oil painting.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Vernon Hanan and J. Paul Brown; son, Vern Wayne; granddaughter, Christina Marie Hanan Sommer; and brothers, Leo and Harvey Ebersole. She is survived by her children Sherron Rein, Steven Hanan, Debra Zogleman; step-daughter, Paula DeSchepper; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be given to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Monday, April 11, 2016 with Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 207 North Pennsylvania Ave., Ness City, KS

Memorial services for “Will” Johnson, aka “Doc” Johnson, will be held on Sunday, April 17, at 2:00 PM at the Church of Christ, 1100 Centennial Blvd., Hays, Kansas.

Emory William Johnson entered this life on September 1st, 1945, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. He was the son of Emory William Johnson Sr., and Bettee Enice (Gilmore ) Johnson. Will passed away in Sanger, Texas, March 16th, 2016, at the age of 70 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

On December 24th, 1985, he married Vera Lynn “Maggie” Howthorne in Oxnard, California.

Will served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a servant of the Lord and answered his call to the Ministry. He served as minister for the Church of Christ in Hays, and in Ransom, Kansas. Will was very active in the Hays community. He was a volunteer and board member at the Ellis County Historical Society, he served as “Sheriff” of the Old Hays City Corral of the Westerners (a history club), and was a volunteer and board member with First Call for Help.

Will was passionate about history, especially the Wild West. In addition to being a saddle maker and leatherworker, he was also a gunsmith. We will all miss him. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Military honors will be conducted.

NO FLOWERS PLEASE, suggested memorial to Ellis County Historical Society.

North Hampton, N.H. – Bob T. Miller, 76, of North Hampton, died peacefully Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth with family by his side.

He was born August 23, 1939 in Hays, KS a son of the late Jess and Mabel (Tilford) Miller.

He was raised in Natoma, KS and graduated from Natoma High School with the Class of 1957 and from Wichita State University where he was a member of the ROTC.

After graduation from Wichita State, he enlisted and served honorably as a pilot and Captain in the US Air Force from 1962-1968. He was the recipient of two air medals and Vietnam service medal. From 1969-1972 he served with the 910th and 28th Air Refueling Squadron, NH Air National Guard.

Bob served as a pilot with Eastern Airlines for 23 years and for 5 years with Kiwi International Airlines retiring in 1997. He made his home in North Hampton since 1969 where he was a member of the United Church of Christ and served on the church council. In his earlier years he also coached Little League, and was a member of the Jaycees, He was a member of the American Legion.

He shared 55 years of marriage with his wife, Hope (Kroenlein) Miller.

In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Bradley Miller and his wife Mary of Andover, Mass., Tim Miller and his wife Emily of Indian Hills, CO, six grandchildren, Jessica, Brian, Sara, Paxton, Brigid and Adelaide, and his brother, Jim Miller and his wife Aggie of Hays, KS.

Visiting hours will be from 4-7 P.M. Friday, April 8, 2016 at the STOCKBRIDGE FUNERAL HOME, 141 EPPING ROAD, EXETER. Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the United Church of Christ, North Hampton. Burial will follow in the Center Cemetery, North Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only. The family suggests donations to the United Church of Christ, 295 Atlantic Avenue, North Hampton, NH 03862. Arrangements are by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, Hampton: www.RemickGendron.com.

Bonnie Faye (Walker) Thompson passed away Tuesday, April 05, 2016 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 70. She was born on March 10, 1946 in Woodston, Kansas to the late Harlan Eugene and Mildred Luciele (Spargo) Walker. She graduated from high school in Wichita, Kansas with the Class of 1964.

Bonnie owned and operated the Captain’s Table restaurant in Stockton, Kansas before moving to Plainville, where she owned and operated the Prairie Hotel and Restaurant. She was an avid gardener, and enjoyed growing and tending both flower and vegetable gardens, and was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary in Plainville. For fun, when she had opportunity, you could find her at any of the area casinos, working the slot machines, hoping and pulling for the Jackpot. She was also famous, among family and friends, for baking and decorating the best cakes around, especially wedding cakes.

Bonnie is survived by her sons Max Gilmore and wife Lisa of Stockton, and Michael Gilmore and wife Diana of Plainville; step-daughters Kim Mangiaracino of Wichita, and Christine McCoy of Wichita; brothers Larry Wildrix of Humble, TX, Edward Walker of Logan, and David Walker of Stockton; sisters Linda Groff and husband Jim of Stockton, and Patty Eggers of Sterling; grandchildren Michael Christopher Gilmore, Lyndsey Marie Gilmore, Blythe Cimarron Gilmore, Janie Rose Gilmore, and Jessie Lynn Gilmore, and great-granddaughter Rowan Christine Gilmore.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harlan Walker and Mildred Walker, step-father Lee Wildrix, husband Jim Thompson, and infant daughter Kimberley Dawn Gilmore.

Bonnie was a hardworking woman who showed her love by serving and caring for her family, friends, and neighbors. With the same love and patience required to grow her gardens, she planted in each one of us the seeds of faith, hope, and love. Through her daily example, she showed us that the greatest of these is love.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Stockton Cemetery. Inurnment will follow. Visitation will be from 1:00-8:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the Bonnie Thompson Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st Street, Stockton, Kansas 67669. Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Lela Alma Emma Weinman was born in Phillips County on September 12, 1926 to Michael M. Weinman and Anna Barbara (Wagner) Weinman and passed away at the Phillips County Retirement Center on April 4, 2016 at the age of 89.

She became a child of God in Holy Baptism on October 10, 1926 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, KS. In 1940 she reaffirmed her faith at her confirmation at Emmanuel. She attended Iowa Union Country School through the 8th grade, grew to adulthood on the farm north of Stuttgart and helped her family on the farm until she was 17 years old. She moved to Phillipsburg and worked at the Ben Franklin store for a couple years before going to work at Lumpkin’s Super in 1945.

On April 2, 1949, Lela married Lindly Lloyd (Sam) Kipp at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. To this union a son, Terry, and two daughters, Mary and Becky, were born. The couple moved to a farm east of Almena in early 1953. Lela was a farm wife and young mother who worked hard raising her family and milking cows along with all the other chores on the farm. The family moved to Phillipsburg about 4 years later and that was their home until they bought a farm northwest of Stuttgart in 1974. Lela went back to work at Lumpkin’s Super in the meat market and worked there for over 40 years total until her retirement in December 1988. She also helped out in the Phillipsburg Locker from time to time. Many people in the community brought laundry and ironing to her as well, which she squeezed into her busy day working and raising a family.

Lela was a member of the Farmingdale Country Club in Almena for a number of years and also a 25+ year member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. She gave back to her community by being an on-call blood donor and was called many times late at night to come to the hospital to give blood to someone who had been in an accident. Emmanuel Lutheran Church was her lifetime church except for a few years when she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg. She enjoyed life on the farm northwest of Stuttgart, especially after she retired. Her most precious memories were made when her grandchildren stayed with Grandma and Grandpa at the farm when they were younger. Special memories included playing in the hayloft in the barn; feeding chickens; riding horses, and family Fun Day in the Fall. Lela loved to tend her flowers, especially peonies, tulips and iris; raise chickens and rabbits; crocheted rag rugs when her eyesight began to fail and she made the best apple pie, egg noodles and fried chicken in the country.

Lela remained on the farm a number of years after Sam’s death, but moved to Westview Homes in Phillipsburg with her beloved dog, Trixie, due to health issues. She enjoyed living there until her health required her to move to the retirement home where she lived the past five years. Lela always wanted to keep busy, so often took other residents coffee in the morning, watered the plants in the common area and helped move tables and prepare for activities. She could be found playing solitaire with her large number cards in the dining area near the entrance to Phillips County Retirement Center and spoke to everyone who came and went. Many tough battles were won by this hard working lady in her lifetime and she will be missed by many who loved her. Preceding her in death were her husband, Sam; her parents; her sisters – Lydia Davis, Lula Patterson, Lucinda Kaiser. Survivors include her son, Terry and Jayne Runnion, Long Island; daughters, Mary and husband, Allan, Phillipsburg and Becky and husband, Alan, Prairie View; brother, Arlynn Weinman; and sister, Linda Zordel and husband, Bob. Six grandchildren: Tina McMannis, Tara Marshall, Christopher Whitney, Staci Manning, Adam Kipp and Jessica Brackney; 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, KS, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie View Cemetery, Prairie View, KS.

Mrs. Kipp will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday & Friday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or the Phillips County Retirment Center Activities Fund.