Vernon Lee Evel, age 80, passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas on January 2, 2016.

He was born on April 2, 1935 in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Bryan and Esther (Kruse) Evel.

He was a cattle and grain farmer in Utica for all of his life.

On August 31, 1958 he married Luzella Smith. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, Jim Evel, Utica, KS; daughters Lorene (Larry) Koch, Douglas, KS, Patricia (Arnie) Hess, Ransom, KS; brothers, Eddie (Ann) Evel, Monument, CO, Gary (Judy) Evel, Utica, KS; sister, Della (Joe) Herrman, Utica, KS; grandchildren, Aaron Koch, Derek Koch, Dustin (Stepfaine) Koch, Arrow Hess, Tiffany (Jay) Freese, Jessica Gould; ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Robert Evel.

Viewing will be Wednesday, January 6, 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, and Thursday, January 7, 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Thursday.

Funeral service will be Friday, January 8, 2016, 2:00 P.M. at the Utica Methodist Church, Utica, KS.

Burial in Utica Cemetery, Utica, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Childhood Leukemia Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.

Kenneth Eugene Howard, age 81, of WaKeeney, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Trego Manor, WaKeeney.  He was born July 6, 1934 in Ness City, to John Donald and Agnes (Burling) Howard.  He was raised near Utica.  Kenneth married Barbara Rohr at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park on August 25, 1952.

Kenneth worked as a farm hand for Doyle Schoen near Lenora for several years, then as a cattle foreman at Pioneer Feed Lot in Oakley, before moving to Gove in 1980, where he became Gove County Road and Bridge Supervisor for 18 years.  He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, and was a past member of the Order of the Oddfellows in Gove.  His health forced him to retire in December of 2000.  Kenneth and Barbara then moved to WaKeeney, where they remained until his passing.

Kenneth loved working with cattle and horses.  In his younger days, he enjoyed racing horses.  He loved his animals, and enjoyed coon hunting with his son and grandsons.  He cherished his time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was known for his ornery teasing.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of the family home; three sons, Fred (Melinda) Howard of Grainfield, Ted (Darcy) Howard of Oakley, and John (Linda) Howard of WaKeeney; a daughter, Collette Buchholz of Ellis; fifteen grandchildren, Amy (Clint) Gibson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Amanda (Jerry) Gallentine of Grainfield, Dr. Kristy (Jason) Booker of Oakley, JD Draper of Oaklay, Ron (Whitney) Nieman of Colwich, Denny (Traci) Nieman of Gem, Mindy (Parker) Christensen of Rexford, Julie (Warren) Ziegelmeier of Gem, Greg (Ericka) Nieman of Edmond, Oklahoma, Johnny (Jessica) Howard of WaKeeney, Jay Dee (Veronica) Howard of Commerce City, Colorado, Dewey (Amy) Howard of WaKeeney, and Cody Howard of WaKeeney, Tracy (Jessica) Buchholz of Ogallah, and Scotty (Christina) Buchholz of Ellis; thirty two great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald “Dee Dee” (Ruth) Howard of Utica; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, Travis Eugene Howard and Kenneth John Howard; and two brothers, Bill and Russell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney. A parish vigil service will follow at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Kenneth Howard Memorial Fund. Checks made to the fund can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Condolences may be left at www.schmittfuneral.com.

 

Terry Frank Blakely, age 72, passed away at Willow House Care Home, Hays, Kansas on January 1, 2016.

He was born on August 12, 1943 in Ness City, KS, the son of Frank and Alice (Watson) Blakely.

He was a farmer and stockman. He was also an associate board member of the Beeler COOP, and an Eden Township board member.

On December 13, 1983, he married Berniece Kisslinger. She survives.

Other survivors include his sons, Darrin Thornbrugh, Houston, TX, and Michael (Linda) Thornbrugh, Springfield, MO; brothers, Jimmie (Twila) Blakely, Albuquerque, NM, Max Blakely, Beeler, KS, and Bob Blakely, Beeler, KS; sisters, Glenda Roane, Ness City, KS, Lila Wilson, Lakeside, CA, and Judy (Maurice) Bleumer, Wright, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Charles Blakely.

No viewing as cremation has taken place per family’s request.

Funeral Mass will be at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City, KS on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.

Inurnment will follow later that day at Beeler Cemetery, Beeler, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given for Masses, or Willow House Care Home, Hays.

Brian Douglas Brungardt, age 48, of Bison, Kansas passed away Thursday, December 31, 2015 in Bison. He was born October 3, 1967 in Hays, KS to Kenneth and Bernice (Korbe) Brungardt. He graduated from Colby High School in 1986.

He had worked for Nex-Tech as a Telecommunications Switch Manager. He was a US Navy veteran with the rank of ET-2. He enjoyed woodworking, outdoor activities, hunting, fishing and especially being with his children, family and friends.

He is survived by two sons, Joshua Brungardt of Bison and Adam Brungardt of Victoria; a daughter, Amanda Brungardt of Bennett, CO; four brothers, Mike Brungardt of Dallas, Kevin Brungardt of Sublette, Steve Brungardt of Denver and Tom Brungardt of Holcomb; three sisters, Rene Morris of Danbury, NE, Sonya Medberey of Tampa, FL and Gina Smith of Hutchinson and his girlfriend, Kristy Luck of Bison.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gary Brungardt.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Military Honors courtesy of the Hays VFW.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney.

Visitation will be Tuesday 5:30 PM – 8 PM with a parish vigil service at 7 PM and Wednesday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials in his memory are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or may be sent in care of the funeral chapel.

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

Bernard “Bernie” J. Schreiner, age 69, of Ogallah, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Hays Medical Center. He was born November 15, 1946, in Hays, to Richard and Juliette Ann (Ferland) Schreiner.

Bernie was a 1964 graduate of Trego Community High School. He served our country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and was a very proud Veteran. On June 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Valree Ziegler. After Bernie’s military service, he settled with his wife and three children in Ogallah, KS, where he owned and operated Schreiner Trucking for many years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, and was a lifetime member of the VFW. Bernie was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, camp, and travel. He loved to ride his motorcycle, and was a proud member of the Harley Owners Group. Bernie loved life and had many hobbies, but most important to him was time spent with his beloved wife Valree, and all of his kids and grandkids. Bernie left fond memories in the hearts of his family and friends – Many camping trips, boat rides, vacations, family gatherings, polka dances and parties. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his wife Valree, of the family home; a son, Bernie E. Schreiner (Cheryl Amundson) of Littleton, Colorado; two daughters, Lisa (Allan) Reiter and Amy (Jamison) Miller, all of Ellis; five grandchildren, Olivia Reiter, Haley Reiter, Maxson Miller, Evalyn Miller, and Jillian Miller; two brothers, Richard A. (Lucy) of Puyallup, Washington, and Alvin (Danene) of Woodland Park, Colorado; four sisters, Deanne (Jack) Level of Plano, Texas, Terri Budzyna of Springfield, Missouri, Nanette (Joel) Woodall of WaKeeney, and Cindy (Gary) Werth of Quinter; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis. Burial will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Visitation will be at the funeral home in WaKeeney, Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00, with a parish vigil service to follow at 7:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Dreiling-Schmidt Cancer Institute. Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences: www.schmittfuneral.com

Hays, Kansas resident Leland W. McGuire age 96, died Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at his home in Hays.

He was born July 16, 1919 in Mingo, Kansas, the son of John L. & Mable R. (Trowbridge) McGuire. He was a farmer and a truck driver.

Survivors include his wife, Faye of the home; sons, Larry McGuire of Branson, MO, James McGuire of Chapman, KS, Eddy McGuire of Phillipsburg and Kurtis Hunziker of Hays, KS; 3 daughters, Judy Hopson of Holcomb, KS, JoLene Bay of Kansas City, MO and Jacqueline Ausmas of McKinney, TX; two brothers, Don McGuire of Bartlesville, OK and Harvey McGuire of Oakley, KS; 5 sisters, Marthanell Turley of Scott City, KS, Retah Lemmons of Oakley, Lue Ellegood of Oakley, Elizabeth Salters of Stockton, MO and Velda Cox of Wichita, KS; 18 grandchildren; and 26 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held as 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Wesleyan Church in Oakley, KS with Pastor Clyde Graham officiating. Burial will follow in the Pyramid View Cemetery, Gove County, KS, with Military Honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Mr. McGuire will lie in state on Monday, January 4, 2016 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661 from noon until 9:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakley V.F.W.

Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.

The funeral service for lifelong Sherman County, Kansas, resident Lucille Fenner, 86, will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2:00 PM MT at First Baptist Church in Goodland. Interment will be in the Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share respects Wednesday, January 6, one hour prior to the service at the First Baptist Church in Goodland.

Memorials may be made to Lucille Fenner Memorial and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.

Online condolences may be made at www.koonsfuneralhome.com.