Lewis E. “Mitch” Mitchell passed away at Scott County Hospital on September 22, 2015, as the result of pneumonia and lymphoma. He was born on November 28, 1924, in Dodge City, Kansas, and was the oldest son of Walter C. and Myrna Cleo Henderson Mitchell.

Mitch married Donis C. Hughes on August 13, 1949, and they celebrated their 66th anniversary this past August. Mitch is survived by his wife Donis, his four children—Meredith Mitchell of San Francisco, California; Marc Mitchell of Lawrence, Kansas; Melanie and her husband Stephen Key of Providence, Rhode Island; and Marci and her husband John Duys and his granddaughter Catie Duys, all of San Anselmo, California.

When Mitch was five, his family moved to Ingalls, Kansas, and Mitch graduated from Ingalls High School and started the University of Kansas in 1942, where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. After that first year, Mitch enlisted in the army at the age of 18. He was anxious to serve and fully expected to be in the infantry. However, he was assigned to the 445th Ordinance HAM Company and ended up serving 20-30 miles behind the front lines in France and Germany, where his unit serviced and repaired heavy trucks and equipment. After the war, Mitch played the string bass with a military dance band that toured all over Europe playing American big band music for the soldiers who were still serving overseas. The band was invited to play on Armed Forces Network, and were joined by a singer named Joe Bari, who later changed his name to Tony Bennett. Mitch’s written recollections of the war said that his personal experience was generally positive, and “The most important thing n my mind was to do what I could to help win the war.”

Mitch’s parents moved to Scott City, and while visiting them after his discharge in Ft. Leavenworth, his sister took him to the high school May Fete where he first met Donis Hughes. Their courtship continued after Mitch returned to the University of Kansas and Donis enrolled at Stephens Women’s College in Columbia, Missouri. They married in 1949 and returned to Lawrence, where Mitch completed his degree in mechanical engineering.

Mitch and Donis returned to Scott City, and have lived there ever since. They farmed south of Scott City for many years and raised their family. In 1972, Mitch began a new career as the General Manager of Wheatland Electric Cooperative, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He also served as president of the Sunflower board for 12 years, and was involved in building a coal-fired generating plant in Holcomb, Kansas.

Mitch was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, the Masons, and the Scott City Investment Club. He also served his community by working with the County to develop a solid waste management plan and as chairman of the board of the First National Bank.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Carroll.

Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2015 with Pastor John Lewis presiding. Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas. Memorials in Lieu Of Flowers may be given to Scott County Hospital in gratitude for the wonderful care given to Mitch and his family by many members of the staff during his illness or to the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

Longtime Rooks and Ellis county resident Carol Ann McCall, 81, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Via Christi Hays, Kansas. She was born August 4, 1934 to Charles and Nellie Kern on the family farm in Phillips County near Speed, Kansas. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend to all.

She grew up there and graduated from Stockton High School in 1951. During this time she met Walter McCall. They married on December 19, 1953 while Walt was home on leave from the United States Air Force. Following Walt’s retirement from the service they moved to Hays Kansas with their two children, Jeffery and Teresa. She was active in their school’s PTA as well as working alongside Walt in his appliance repair business. They retired to Aztec, New Mexico in 1994.

Following the death of Walt in 2007, Carol moved to Denver, Colorado for six years before returning to Stockton, Kansas in August 2013 where she resided until August of 2015. She is preceded in death by her husband Walt, five brothers, mother and father.

She is survived by her children; daughter Teresa and her husband Brian Garrett of Westminster, Colorado and her son Jeffrey McCall of San Diego, California; one brother Larry Kern of Bullhead City, Arizona; one sister Linda Kern of Stockton, Kansas and many loving nieces and nephews who fondly called her “Annie”.

It was at her request that there be no memorial services and her ashes be scattered by immediate family in one of her favorite locations. Teresa, Brian and Jeff ask that you celebrate and remember Carol’s life. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in Carol’s name to Hospice at Hays Med, 2200 Canterbury Dr., Hays, KS 67601 or Via Christi, 2225 Canterbury, Hays, KS 67601. Cremation services were provided by Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine St., Hays, Kansas 67607 785-625-3215.

Earl LeRoy Sunley, 77, rural Hays, died Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at his home.

He was born November 17, 1937, in Hays the son of Paul L. and Hazel B. (Feitz) Sunley. In 1955, he graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays. He then went to Technical School in Kansas City and graduated in electronics repair.

He owned and operated Earl’s TV service in Hays and was a farmer and cattleman and an oilfield pumper. On September 3, 1962, he married Elaine Frances Hammerschmidt in Hays.  They later divorced and she died on April 23, 2014.

He was a member of the St. Anthony Council #4166 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus in Schoenchen, Kansas, and was Past Grand Knight. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and caring for his cattle.

Survivors include five sons; Kevin Sunley of Aventura, FL, Steve Sunley and wife Kerri of Hays, Brian Sunley and wife Helena of Salina, Eric Sunley and Duane Sunley, both of Hays, one daughter; Pam Cain of Topeka, a sister JoAnn Curtin and husband Larry of Atwood, six grandchildren; Kayla Urban and husband Joe, Brady Sunley, Noah Sunley, Kelsey Cain, Jonathan Sunley, Krystina Sunley, and Kinzie Sunley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his ex-wife Elaine, and a sister Sandra Marie in 1953.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Burial will follow in the Our Lady, Help of Christians Cemetery in Antonino, Kansas. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until service time Saturday, all at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hays Medical Center, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Julia Ann Honas, age 83, of Ellis, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Ellis Good Samaritan Center. She was born January 13, 1932 in Hays, Kansas to Jacob and Elizabeth Younker. Julia married Ralph Honas on August 30, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis. He preceded her in death September 2, 2013.

Julia was a homemaker with the full time job of raising her many children. In the last years of her life, she quilted more than 100 quilts, which she lovingly gave to her children and grandchildren. Her advice to her family members was to always “love and help each other.”

Julia is survived by children Jim and Lauree Honas, Doris and Ed Collins, Susan Eaton, Bernice and Mark Karlin, Rosemarie and Richard Dunkin, all of Ellis; Alice and Rand Long, Falls Church, VA; Robert and Debbie Honas, Newton; Kenneth and Christine Honas, Christopher and Lori Honas, and Janice and Tony Wilson, all of Wichita; She is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents; children Ralph, Jr., Patricia, and Richard; brother Don Younker; and son-in-law Donnie Eaton.

Funeral services will be 10 am Friday, September 25, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday 5 pm – 8 pm at St. Mary’s Church. A rosary service will be Thursday at 6:30 pm followed by a parish vigil at 7 pm all at the church.

Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s School or St. Mary’s Church.

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

Victoria, Kansas – Reverend Aloysius B. Brungardt, age 72, died Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas.

He was born February 26, 1943 in Salina, Kansas to Dr. Balthaser A. Brungardt and Margaret E. Schwerman.
Fr. Al’s family home, in which he and his 18 siblings were raised, located at 103 N. 9th Street, Salina, is presently the residence of Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger. It was also the residence of Bishop George K. Fitzsimons and Bishop Paul S. Coakley, and was once the home office to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Salina.

He attended Sacred Heart Grade and High Schools, Salina, KS; Loras College, Dubuque, IA; Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, MO; and Conception Seminary, Conception, MO, where he received his BA in Philosophy and M. Divinity degrees. He also completed post graduate studies in clinical pastoral ministry from Western Missouri Mental Health Hospital and Bethany General Hospital.

His diaconate ordination was held May 31, 1970 by Bishop Cyril J. Vogel at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, KS. He was ordained on June 12, 1971 by Bishop Cyril J. Vogel at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, KS.

His Pastoral Assistant appointments included: Sacred Heart, Colby (1970), St. Francis Xavier, Junction City (1971), St. John the Baptist, Beloit (1971), St. Joseph, New Almelo (1972), St. Francis Xavier, Junction City (1973), and St. Mary, Salina (1983).

His Pastoral appointments included: St. John, Logan, with mission St. Mary, Densmore (1975-1987), and St. Joseph, New Almelo added as part of a Diocesan Team Parish Ministry (1980-1987); St. Aloysius, Osborne with missions St. Mary, Downs and St. Mary, Smith Center (1987-1991); Sacred Heart, Plainville with mission St. Ann, Zurich (1991-1997); and St. Francis Xavier, Junction City (1997-2013).

His Chaplain appointments included: St. John’s Hospital, Salina (1981-1983), Catholic Daughters of America and the Junior Catholic Daughters of America (1993). Fr. Al retired on June 1, 2013, with his residence in Victoria, Kansas.

Survivors include three brothers, Mike Brungardt and wife Mary, Baldwin, KS; Paul Brungardt and wife Marg, Battle Creek, NE; Tony Brungardt, St. Charles, MO; two brothers-in-law, Ray Hoefer, Longview, TX; and Jim Dimitry, Webster Groves, MO; one sister-in-law, Margaret Brungardt, Victoria, KS; sixty-two nieces and nephews and over 125 great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Dr. Bernard, Dr. Tom, Francis, Dr. Joe, Bill (age 3), Jerry, and Bill Brungardt; an infant brother, Joseph Brungardt; eight sisters, Mary Buser, Agnes McDowell, Margaret Hart, Theresa Taquino, Clare Hoefer, Ann Dimitry, Zita Monica and Katie Linenberger.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 25, 2015, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:30 P.M. Thursday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Thursday and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Diocese of Salina.

Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Hays, Kansas – Paul J. Baier, age 83, died Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born November 23, 1931, in Victoria, Kansas, to William M. and Adolphine (Dreiling) Baier Sr. He married Lucy M. (Schippers) on November 6, 1954 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a farmer, dairyman, electrician. He was a veteran of the US Army and served 16 months during the Korean conflict.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, and former member of St. Boniface Catholic Church Vincent for 36 years and served on church committee; V.F.W. Post No. 1751 and Past Commander, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree Assembly all of Victoria, Kansas, and one year as Grand Knight at Victoria and two years at Russell and two years as Faithful Navigator at Victoria.

He served four years on U.S.D. 432 Victoria School Board, the Herzogfest Board, and called Bingo for the Visual Impaired at Victoria and Hays. He served 13 years on Ellis County Fair Board and 11 years as Chairman; Ellis County Extension Board, Ellis County Farm Bureau Board; Ellis County Historical Board, 16 years on the Ellis County Rural Fire Advisory Board; three years on Ellis County Farm Service Agency; five years on the Ellis County Planning and Zoning Board.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy M. Baier of 60 years, of the home; four daughters, Susan Legleiter and husband, Ron, Hays, KS; Mary Pfeifer and husband, Steve, Victoria, KS; Jane Schumacher and husband, Brian, Hays, KS; Betty Johnson and husband, Marty, Lincoln, NE; two sisters, his twin, Armella Schippers, Olathe, KS; Alice Erickson and husband Ed, Arkansas City, KS; one brother-in-law, Marvin Klaus, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Blanche King, Dallas, TX; 12 grandchildren, Jason Pfeifer and fiancé Sarah Roach, Stephanie Harris (Mike), Jill Pfannenstiel (Clint), Dustin Schumacher (Becky), Christina Cline, Jennifer Amrein and companion Jeff McQuade, Derek Schumacher (Vanessa), Jared Pfeifer (Morgan), Kayla Merritt and companion Jace Bausch, Blake Merritt and fiancé Katelyn Kerkman, Dylan Schumacher and Nathan Merritt; four step grandchildren, Renee Legleiter, Brent Legleiter, Amy Hellerich (Jeff) and Amber Bronson (Travis); 12 great grandchildren and 7 step-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Elizabeth (Dreiling); one daughter, Amy Baier; one brother William Baier Jr.; two sisters, Mary Frances Klaus, Martha Westhusin and husband Leo; one brother-in-law, John F. Schippers.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.

A Victoria Daughters of Isabella rosary at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, a vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a VFW-Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree rosary at 7:30 P.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Visitation is from 3:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorials to St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria V.F.W. or Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].