J. Alan Winter, age 65, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. J. Alan was born February 9, 1950 at Scott City, Kansas the son of Joseph Edward & MaryAnn Claire Baker Winter, he had been a Larned, Kansas resident since 2015 moving from Cheney, Kansas. He was a retired crop adjuster.

J. Alan was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas as well as a 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus.

J. Alan’s surviving family includes-

His wife

Rita Winter- Larned, Kansas

Two sons-

Richard Winter- Goodland, Kansas

Aaron Winter- Marienthal, Kansas

Three daughters-

Renee & David Hamilton- Ada, Oklahoma

Amanda & Chad Mische- Cheney, Kansas

Becky & Brent Cagle- Lawrence, Kansas

Five siblings-

Caecilia & Terry Gropp- Scott City, Kansas

Randy & Barbara Winter- Livingston, Montana

Tony & Jennifer Winter- Leoti, Kansas

Jim & Carla Winter- Columbia, Missouri

Sydney & Julie Winter- Chandler, Arizona

10 Grandchildren

His parents, Joe & MaryAnn Winter, and in 2001, a daughter, Anaclair “Annie” Winter, precede him in death.

Vigil services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas with Father Benjamin Martin officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Memorial gifts may be written to St. Mary Catholic Church or Leoti EMT’s and mailed to : Price & Sons Funeral Home; PO 161; Leoti, Ks 67861.

Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer, 84, our beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas. Martha was born December 1, 1931, in Ellis, KS to Joseph and Sophie (Weber) Augustine. She married William Beer on October 17, 1949, where they began their lives in WaKeeney, KS.

Martha was a devoted, long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was actively involved with the Altar Society, CCD teacher, the choir, and Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader for all her children. For over fifty years, she was a member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha where she held various officer positions. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several card clubs. Education was something she strongly believed in thus she spent many years as a World Book Consultant. This gave her the opportunity to work in schools and share her love of learning. Later in life, Martha comforted many people by working at Schmitt Funeral Home. She loved her flower gardens, canning pickles from Bill’s garden and cooking for family and friends. She always kept her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart and shared her lovely smile with everyone.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Bill and her children: Bernadette (husband Tom) Crayton of La Grande, OR, Arlin (wife Debbie) Beer of Wichita, KS, Daniel Beer of New York, NY, Sheila (husband Tim) Shaw of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren: Tadd (wife Sarah) Crayton of Austin, TX, Shandi (husband Brian) Ricciotti of Dana Point, CA, Kellen Beer, CA, Connor Beer of Denver, CO, Arisa Shaw of Wichita, KS, and Casey Beer, Wichita, KS; four great-grandchildren: Concetta and Valentino Ricciotti, Abigale Crayton and Eden Eberle Beer; sisters: Dorothy Younger of McPherson, KS and Janie Daniels of Laramie, WY; brothers: Leonard Augustine and Elmer Augustine, both of Hays, KS and Harold Augustine of Hutchinson, KS and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons, and brothers Robert, Donald and Larry Augustine.

Visitation will be Friday, January 8, 2016, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Rosary will follow that evening at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Private family burial will be at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family has requested memorials made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Checks made to the church or hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Mitchell L. “Mitch” Homburg, age 61, of Fort Worth, TX formerly of Ellis, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Downtown Health and Rehab Center in Fort Worth. He was born January 14, 1954 in Hays, Kansas to Harold A. and Uberta L. “Bert” (Warta) Homburg. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1972 and attended Central Missouri State University and Fort Hays State University.

Mitch had worked as a graphic designer and was an accomplished guitarist and keyboardist.

He is survived by his brother, Kevin Homburg and wife Marla and a niece, Abbey Homburg all of Hays.

Memorial services will be 11 AM Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in Hays or the American Diabetes Association.

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

Robert J. Staab, Hays, Kansas, age 89, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 17, 1926, at Catharine, Kansas, to Albert J. and Ida (Wiesner) Staab. He married Alice Marie (Windholz) on September 11, 1946 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a driver and delivered freight for the Graves Truck Lines for over 25 years out of the Hays Office. He was a lifetime resident of Ellis County and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Knights of Columbus and V.F.W. Post No. 9076 all of Hays.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served in the battle of Iwo Jima where he witnessed the famous raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was also involved in the liberation of Okinawa and observed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from aboard his ship. Bob was a avid sports fan and enjoyed fishing, golfing and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Staab, of the home; six sons, Robert Dean Staab and wife, Dorothy, Plainville, KS; William Staab and wife, Wendy, Hays, KS; Kenneth Staab and wife, Connie, Hays, KS; John Staab and wife, Debby, Orlando, FL; David Staab, Austin, TX; Randy Staab and wife, Paula, Hays, KS; one daughter, Sandy Staab, Garden City, KS; four brothers, Paul Staab, Firestone, CO; Frank Staab and wife, Irma Denver, CO; Norman Staab and wife, Barbara, Tucson, AZ; Joe Staab, Deertrail, CO; one sister-in-law, Catherine Staab, Brighton, CO; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Terry Staab; three brothers, Albert W. Staab; Fred “Buddy” Staab; Richard Staab; two sisters, Rita Billinger and Eileen Bollig; one granddaughter, Jessica Staab; one great grandchild, Rachel Alexander; and one great-great grandson, Kayden Weilert.

Service are at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 11:00 to 1:45 P.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Catholic Charities. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Firma Hammersmith, Gorham, Kansas, age 76, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas.

She was born April 1, 1939, in Victoria, Kansas to Alfred P. and Anna (Braun) Rohr. She married Joe A. Hammersmith on April 1, 1959, at Victoria, Kansas.

She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis at Victoria and the Daughters of Isabella at Gorham. She was a 1957 graduate of Victoria High School.  Firma was a person full of life and zest.

She had a strong devotion for her faith, family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Joe A. Hammersmith, of the home; one son, Todd Hammersmith, Gorham, KS; one daughter, Carmen Lyczak and husband, Victor, Wichita, KS;  two grandchildren, Victoria Lyczak and Cooper Hammersmith; two brothers, Jerry Rohr (Mary Ann), Russell, KS; Leon Rohr (Sandy), Lincoln, KS; five sisters, Bernita Schrant, Victoria, KS; Shirley Hammersmith (Marvin), Horton, KS; Vera Rohleder (Norman), Russell, KS; Mary Ann Kuhn, Kansas City, MO; Arlene Giebler (Ivan), Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Floyd Rohr; one infant brother, Larry Andrew Rohr; and one brother-in-law, Norman Schrant.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to the Dreiling-Schmidt Cancer Center Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Colter J. Berry, age 28, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 in south Finney County, Kansas as the result of an automobile accident. He was born on December 12, 1987 in Scott City, Kansas, the son of Harold Dean and Shannon Marie Dunagan Berry. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, he was a measurement technician for Northern Natural Gas.

Colter was a 2006 graduate of Scott Community High School, a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Scott City, Kansas and was a member of the NRA.

On June 4, 2011 he married Kelli Crouch in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Kelli Berry of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Clay Thomas Berry of Scott City, Kansas, Parents – Harold & Shannon Berry of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Shelby Thomas Berry of Kansas City, Missouri, One Sister – Shantel Berry-Lobmeyer of Scott City, Kansas, One Niece – Cami Lobmeyer of Scott City, Kansas, Grandparents – Thurman & Delinda Dunagan of Scott City, Kansas, Grandmother – Martha Berry of Scott City, Kansas and a Great Grandmother – Cecile Billings of Scott City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by One Grandfather – Samuel Berry, Great Grandparents – Willard & Julia Dunagan and Nathan Billings and Two Cousins – Laura Dunagan and Olivia Dunagan.

Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 with the Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to the Clay Berry & Cami Lobmeyer Scholarship Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

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

Ruth Marie (Suppes) Engel, age 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Center of Hays.

She was born on February 18, 1930, on the family farm near Loretto, Kansas, to Adam Suppes Jr. III and Mary (Herrman).

Coming from a family of German immigrants, Ruth learned English as a second language before entering school. She loved the outdoors, animals and spending time with her older sister and six brothers.

Ruth married Edwin A. Engel on October 17,1949, in Loretto, Kansas. They lived in the Loretto area, where their five girls were born and raised.

She was a Mother, housewife, farmer, seamstress, owner of Loretto Grocery Store and specialized in the best homemade German noodles in the county.  Ruth enjoyed riding horses, dancing, playing cards and dominoes, pool, and attending her children’s activities.  Her favorite activity was being with her family.  She was a faithful servant of the Lord and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Loretto and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays and St. Fidelis Daughters of Isabella, Victoria.

Survivors include five daughters, Donna Woolen and husband, Doral, Coupeville, WA; Sandra Caballero and husband, Philip, Encounter Bay, Australia; Paula Robben and husband, Bill, Walker, KS; and a set of twins, Joan Ice and husband, Andrew, Johnson City, TN; Joyce Thompson and husband Kirk, Lancaster, KS.

Three brothers, a set of twins, Julius Suppes and wife, Elsie, Otis, KS; Eugene Suppes and wife, Alma, Great Bend, KS; Clarence Suppes and wife, Mary Louise, Otis, KS.

11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, Dr. Heather Robben and husband, John Benkelman; Russell Robben and wife, Rachel and children, Walker and Carter; Colleen Quick and husband, Preston and children Atticus, Scarlett and Lincoln; James Ice and wife, Alissa and child, Genevieve; Danielle Woolen; Matthew Robben and wife, Brianna and children, Rylie and Brinley; Jessica Hurley and husband, Adam and child, Harper; Ryan Ice and wife, Michelle and children, Tesla, Jackson and Charles; Cassondra and husband, Matthew Scheipeter; Korie Thompson; and Colin Ice.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edwin A. Engel passed away on September 29, 2011; parents; one great grandson, Oliver Adam Hurley; three brothers, Primus  Suppes  and wife, Delores; Tony Suppes and wife, Agnes; Reinhold Suppes and wife, Ruby; and one sister, Helen Schuckman and husband, Herb.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 8, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Loretto, Kansas.  Burial in St Mary’s Cemetery in Loretto, Kansas.

A Daughters of Isabella rosary is at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Thursday both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Thursday at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Loretto, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Shrine of Loretto, Kansas.