Norma I. (Barnes) McRae, age 79, of WaKeeney, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Hays Medical Center, Hays. She was born April 18, 1936 to Cleo and May (Flynn) Barnes in Graham County.

Norma was united in marriage to H. Wayne McRae on August 18, 1953. He passed away in 2008. She was a 1954 graduate of Hill City High School. She was a member of the Ogallah Christian Church and the VFW Auxiliary. Being an avid reader, she also belonged to the WaKeeney Literary Club. Norma was a Foster Grandma at Trego Grade School. She retired from the ASCS/FSA Office in 2001. She cherished time spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was always there to cheer them on in sporting events.

Survivors include her children, Ronald W. (Marcia) of Holton, Terry L. (Jane) of Topeka, and Patty J. (Bill) Wynn of WaKeeney; eight grandchildren, Ginger (Scott) Binkley, Rob (Sherrie) Shaw, Josh (Kelli) McRae, Justin McRae, Mitzi (Kellin) Fagan, Kari (Todd) Coffman, Daniel (Tammi) Wynn, and Willie (Kelsey) Wynn; nineteen great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Virden, Charles, and Everett Barnes; and one sister, Cleona Pommerehn.

Norma had many friends and family that she treasured and loved to keep in touch with through cards and emails. He friend, Bonnie, summed it up best, “Everywhere she went, she left a piece of herself.”

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Ogallah Christian Church with Pastors Stan Faulkender and Wayne Lofton Officiating. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Ogallah Christian Church (for youth group). Donations to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent to www.schmittfuneral.com.

Ralph Windholz was born November 13, 1932, in Victoria to Raymond J. and Adelaide (Wasinger) Windholz. He died Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at Via Christi Village Care Center Hays, Kansas.

He married Mary Ann Schumacher on November 13, 1950, in Hays. She preceded him in death on February 12, 1981. He married Mildred “Millie” (Crockett) Hammersmith on July 19, 1999, in Las Vegas, NV.

He owned Ralph’s Place, a Victoria tavern, for seven years until 1961. He then purchased Victoria Planing Mill in Victoria from his father, where Ralph designed and built cabinets. In 1963, he began building homes and changed his company name to Windholz Construction. He retired and sold the business to his sons, Julius and Ralph Jr., in 1982. During his retirement, he spent his time building furniture and various wood crafts which were often gifts given to his children and others at Christmas.

Ralph was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and Knights of Columbus, both of Victoria. In earlier days, he was a Victoria School Board member, a Lions Club member, and served on the Farmers National Bank Board of Directors.

Among the many things he enjoyed were fishing, woodworking in his shop, riding motorcycles, gardening, welding, swimming with his family in the backyard pool on weekends, playing cards, seining crawdads and eating them around the picnic table with family and friends, sitting on a swing on the front porch in the evenings, and visiting with the many neighborhood children who often dropped by for a piece of gum and just to say, “Hi, Ralph.”

Survivors include his wife, Mildred, of the home; three sons, Julius Windholz (Susie) of Victoria, Ralph Windholz Jr. (Ginny) of Salina, and Michael Windholz of Louisburg; seven daughters, Wanda Klaus (Jerry) and Connie Windholz, all of Victoria, Paula Thomas (Bill), Mary Marshall (Mike), and Margaret Kay (Mitch), all of Salina, Patty Kuhn (Louie) of Omaha, Nebraska, and Dotty Legleiter (Dale) of Munjor; one step-son, Allen Hammersmith (LouAnn) of Gorham; two step-daughters, Peggy Wohler of Victoria and Donna Weigel (Chris) of Gorham; a step-daughter-in-law, Vernetta Hammersmith of White City; a sister, Alice Staab of Hays; a half-sister, Kathleen Schumacher (Dennis) of Hays; and two sisters-in-law, Virgie Windholz of Hays and Janet Crockett of LaJunta, Colorado; two brothers-in-law, Charles Crockett of Brandon, Colorado, and Dan Crockett (Darla) of Brighton, Colorado; and 17 grandchildren, Ken Windholz (Jill), Chris Windholz (Kristy), John Windholz (Dani), Dan Windholz (Melissa), Jenny Montgomery, Wendy Eckhart (Kyle), Callie Windholz, Jake Laas (Julia), Reilly Klein (Jacob), Michelle Davis (Josh), Brian Legleiter, Andrea Legleiter, Lance Windholz (Courtney), Rachael Windholz, Niki Crowe (Josh), Sara Marshall, and Miranda Kay; 17 great-grandchildren, Jaxson Windholz, Maggie Windholz, Cooper Windholz, Kinley Windholz, Nate Windholz, Sam Windholz, Jace Windholz, Bria Windholz, Jake Montgomery, Ava Montgomery, Mary Eckhart, Cade Laas, Leah Legleiter, Addie Legleiter, Carter Dominquez, Devyn Dominquez, and Ezra Brown; 18 step-grandchildren; and 23 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Agedia Windholz; his first wife, Mary Ann; five brothers, Julius, Sylvester, Alvin, Raymond, and infant brother, Anthony; four sisters, Georgine Wasinger and Theresa Wood and two infant sisters, Johanna Marie and Dolores Catherine Windholz; a step-son, Robert Hammersmith; and a step-son-in-law, James “Fritz” Wohler.
Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 16, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A Gorham Daughters of Isabella rosary is at 6:30 P.M. Friday, vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, all at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 10:45 A.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.
Memorial contributions to The Basilica of St. Fidelis or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Diana “Dottie” Windholz, 82, Hays, died Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born February 18, 1933 in Hays the daughter of Ben M. and Agnes Louise (Younger) Rupp. She graduated from Hays High School in 1951.

On June 16, 1952 she married Delmar A. Windholz in Hays. He died on May 8, 2011. She loved to tell people that she worked for 38 years, 8 months, and one day for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, first as an operator and later as a clerk.

She was very generous and faithful, loved her family, and enjoyed working outside in her flower garden. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, the Telephone Pioneer Club, and the Prairie Garden Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Windholz Dreher of Hays, a sister Melvia Jane Leiker of Hays, two grandchildren Andrea Lynn Baker of Wichita and Garret Baker and wife Emily of Cedar City, UT, a sister in law Viola “Ollie” Rupp of Hays, and many nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Delmar, a brother Charles M. Rupp, a brother in law Donald W. Leiker, and two nieces Deborah Ann Marie “Debbie” Rupp and Kayla Augustine.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 1:00 pm until 1:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 pm, both on Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Wayne Richard Coffel, age 71, of Quinter, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Gove County Medical Center. He was born November 14, 1944, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Max and Dorothy (Cook) Coffel.

On February 14, 1997 he was united in marriage to Amy Salyers. They adopted Brittany at birth in March 1999. They resided in Mesa, AZ until they moved to Quinter, KS in 2007 to be closer to family.

He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1963 and later moved to Mesa, AZ. He worked in the Tire and automotive business all of his Adult life, owning a Big O Tire Store in Scottsdale, AZ for several years before retiring in 2006. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing and spending time with family. After retiring he enjoyed working on small engines and going to watch all of his daughter activities.

He is survived by his wife Amy and daughter Brittany of the home, two daughters Lisa Guild of Gilbert, AZ and Sherrie (Chris) Stinger of Maui, HI, four grandchildren Jarret and Jaxson Stinger and Morgan and Paige Guild. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 14, at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter from 5-7 PM with a Memorial Service following at 7 PM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brittany Coffel Education Fund. Contributions made payable to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home.

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

Brian Kent “B.Y.” Yost, 70, Hays, died Friday, January 8, 2016 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

He was born May 19, 1945 in Hays the son of Reuben Leo and Rose Loretta (McCormick) Yost. He was a 1963 graduate of Alexander High School and attended Fort Hays State University. 

On April 20, 1968 he married the love of his life, Yvonne Annette Byer in Ingalls, Kansas. He worked for Schult Homes in Plainville for many years and was a woodworker at Ken’s Woodworking.  He was a passionate man who loved working with his hands. He was usually found working with wood in his workshop, making many things for his family, or working outside in his garden or at the farm.  He instilled his love for these hobbies in his grandchildren, and his #1 rule was to “never put paint on a good piece of wood.” 

He loved his wife and daughters, and rarely missed an event his grandchildren were involved in. He loved his red pick-up truck, and enjoyed fishing, movies, watching the History Channel, or any home improvement show. He was a loyal Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and the 3rd degree Knights of Columbus Council #1857 in Plainville.

Survivors include his wife Annette, of the home in Hays, two daughters, Kimberly J. Fellhoelter and husband Andy of Ness City, and Amy L. Staab and husband Curt of Hays, four grandchildren Sydney and Payton Fellhoelter and Addison and Caden Staab, many sisters and brothers in law, nieces and their families, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Rose Marie Yost.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. 13th, Hays.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 10:00 am until 10:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Tuesday at the funeral home. 

The family suggests memorials to the Ellis County Emergency Medical Service or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Charlotte Fay (Hilburn) Snyder, 75 of Jewell, KS passed to her Heavenly home on Wed., Jan. 6, 2016.

Charlotte was born August 31, 1940 in Sheridan County to Willard and Lula (Bunch) Hilburn. She graduated from Hoxie High School in 1958. Charlotte accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and professed her faith as a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Quinter, KS.

Charlotte is survived by her husband Albert Snyder of the home; son Tom (Annette) Chestnut of Alabama; daughter Sally (Malcom) Ulrich of Sylvan Grove; stepson Virgil Merlau of Wichita; stepdaughter Angela Stromitis of Nebraska; grandchildren Aspen Ulrich, Tyler Chestnut, Sierra Ulrich, Colby and Kaitlyn Chestnut; step-grandchildren Leighton (Stephanie) Merlau and Liberty Merlau; five step-great-grandchildren; brothers Jimmie Hilburn, Keith Hilburn and Clarence Hilburn; sisters Margaret Wilson, Kathryn Van Meter and Grace Hartman. She was preceded in death by her son Jimmie Elmer Chestnut; her parents; brothers Wilford, Clyde, Oliver, Merle and Dean; sisters Hazel and Gladys.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am Mon., Jan 11^th at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Quinter. Burial in Baker Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Sunday at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter. Suggested memorial contributions to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Quinter, Charlotte Snyder Memorial Fund or Relay For Life. Checks made payable to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com

Estella Helen “Cobbie” Rogg, 98, of Russell, Kansas passed away Monday, January 4, 2016 at the Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

Cobbie was born December 24, 1917 at her parent’s home in Bunker Hill, Kansas. She grew up in Bunker Hill and graduated from Bunker Hill High School. She then attended two years at a Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Cobbie was united in marriage to Earl Rogg on October 22, 1936 in Hays, Kansas. This union was blessed with three daughters; Pat, Barbara and Debbie. They made their home on a farm southwest of Bunker Hill in the Pioneer area. She was a devoted farmer’s wife and homemaker for her daughters. In 1958, Cobbie and Earl, moved into Russell. Earl preceded her in death on October 23, 1996.

Cobbie was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. When her daughters were young, she was very active as a 4-H Leader. Cobbie and Earl enjoyed playing cards, watching high school sports, attending community activities and boating with family and friends at Lake Wilson.

Surviving family include her three daughters, Pat Ludes (Ed) of Great Bend, Kansas, Barbara Maloy (Michael) of Boulder, Colorado and Debra Rogg (Natalie) of Chisago City, Minnesota; six grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and four sisters.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 1 P.M. Monday, January 18, 2016, at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell with Father Michael Elan and Father James Grennan Burial of Ashes will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. No visitation being held. Memorials have been established with Vintage Place of Russell or the Bunker Hill Public Television. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.