Pauline Deutscher, 98, died at Someren Glen nursing home, Centennial, Colorado, on August 23, 2015. Born in Lindsborg, Kansas on January 29, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Petrus and Ellyn (Hjerpe) Sundquist.

Pauline taught first grade in Ellis, Kansas starting in the fall of 1954. She became the Ellis school district’s librarian in the fall of 1961 where she served until her retirement in 1981.

Pauline loved music; she sang in the Ellis United Methodist Church Choir. She was a member of PEO, serving for a time as the Ellis Chapter President. Circle Cleo, a bowling team and The Cosmos Club were also groups she enjoyed… She was an avid reader and embroidery expert. She loved working outside at their family farm.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Campbell and her husband Buddy, and her son James Scott, and his wife Jane, her sister-in-law, Betty Calvert, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, four nieces and six nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Malcolm (Doris) and Karl and her beloved husband, Harold Deutscher.

The funeral will be held at the Ellis United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 10:30 am. A graveside service will follow.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ellis United Methodist Church or to the PEO Scholarship Fund.

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

Regina Schuster, age 96, of Ellis passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at her home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, August 29 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.

Visitation will be Friday 6 PM – 8 PM with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7 PM all at Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

A complete obituary is pending.

Steve T. Little, age 64 and Kathy A. Little, age 62 of Hays passed away Thursday, August 20, 2015. Steve was born May 13, 1951 in Wichita, KS to Thomas and Onita (Steen) Little. Kathy was born January 12, 1953 in Hays, Kansas to Walter and Helen (Frost) Staab. Both were graduates of Hays High; Steve in 1969 and Kathy in 1971. They were married May 28, 1972.

Steve was a Fleet and Commercial Vehicle Specialist with Lewis Ford of Hays. He was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed fishing. Steve had a knack for being able to repair and build just about anything. Kathy was a homemaker and co-owner of Romantic Keepsakes and Little’s Antiques with her husband. She enjoyed traveling, family and spending time with Steve at the lake.

They are survived by their children: Mike Little and wife Heather of Olathe, KS, Corey Little and wife Courtney of Anderson, SC and Liza Sorrels and husband Michael of Hays, four grandchildren: Amanda Little, Jacob Little, Joshua Little and Braydin Little, as well as one grandchild on the way. Steve is also survived by two brothers: Robert Little of Topeka, KS and David Little of Camdenton, MO and Kathy is survived by a sister, Cindy Staab of Goodland, KS.

They were both preceded in death by their parents and Kathy was also preceded by a brother, James Staab.

There will be no public funeral services.

Friends are encouraged to sign a memory book at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601 Friday 1 PM – 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be used according to the wishes of the family to be designated at a later date.

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

Melvin Joseph Scheck, 85, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at his home.

Melvin was born February 8, 1930 in Victoria, Kansas, the seventh child of thirteen children to Joseph and Magdalena (Windholz) Scheck. He grew up in the Victoria and Walker area and graduated from Victoria High School in 1949. His senior year he was award the Certificate of Proficiency from South-Western Publishing Co. for being the top of his class in typing.

Melvin served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a supply specialist. After his service he returned to the Victoria area.

Melvin was united in marriage to Maxine Wyant on August 20, 1955 in Gorham, Kansas. This union was blessed with three sons; Charles, Kenny and Chris. They made their home in Russell.

Melvin worked for the Kansas Power and Light Company for over 32 years. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he was a weekday Mass server for 20 years and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the Russell American Legion Post #99. He enjoyed doing handy work for the elderly, tending his vegetable garden, making his famous noodles, camping and fishing, and doing woodworking.

Surviving family include his wife of 60 years, Maxine of the home; two sons, Kenny Scheck (Stephanie) and Chris Scheck both of Russell, Kansas; two brothers, Ed Scheck of Russell, Kansas and Linus Scheck of Maxville, Kansas; three sisters, Lena Meder and Katie Scheck both of Victoria, Kansas and Bina Dinkel of Oakley, Kansas; four grandchildren, Corey Scheck, Matthew Scheck, Jessica Scheck and Aaron Scheck; and three great grandchildren, Allison Scheck, Maggie Scheck and Evelyn Scheck. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Charles Anthony Scheck; four brothers and three sisters.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 29, 2015 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 5 PM at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, August 28, 2015 at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. A Memorial has been established with the St. Mary’s Building Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Victoria, Kansas – Francis Dean Gross, age 66, died Wednesday, August 19, 2015, in Reno, Nevada.

He was born March 4, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Herman J. and Evelyn Clara (Schmidtberger) Gross.

He was a 1967 graduate of Victoria High School. He spent 26 years in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1996 from the Navy Reserves as a naval recruiter. He also was a postal mail carrier and retired from the U.S. Post Office in 2009. He lived in California, Texas, Montana, Washington, Colorado, Missouri and moved to Victoria in 2010. He enjoyed reading, cooking, canning, gardening, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and relation.

Survivors include one son, James Gross, Fulton, MO; one grandson, Brendan Gross; one brother, Gary Gross and wife, Brenda, three sisters, Judy Wahlen and husband, Steve, Kansas City, MO; Mary Lou Rupp and husband, Charlie, Salina, KS; Carol Kuhn and husband, Ron, Scottsbluff, NE; three step-brothers, Don Pfannenstiel and wife, Myra, Hays, KS; Bob Pfannenstiel and wife, Gloria, Topeka, KS; Dennis Pfannenstiel and wife, Pam, Hays, KS; two step-sisters, Marlene Sloan and husband, Howard, Hays, KS; and Shirley Werth and husband, Les, Schoenchen, KS; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Mabel Pfannenstiel Gross, two brothers, James and Thomas Gross.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Military honors will be conducted by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences can be sent via e-mail [email protected].

Ethel Teresa (Billinger) Hillman passed away August 22, 2015 at the age of 83 years, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Ethel was born to Raymond and Katherine (Flagler) Billinger on March 13, 1933 in WaKeeney, Kansas. She went to Collyer schools until high school where she graduated in 1951 from Trego Community High School. After high school, Ethel worked in Hays at the telephone company until she married her high school sweetheart, Dale Hillman, on October 18, 1952. Dale preceded her death on July 20, 1981. To this union, a daughter and three sons were born.

Ethel was a homemaker and volunteered at the schools her children attended as well as Brownies, Cub Scouts and the WaKeeney Willing Workers 4H Club. She enjoyed working at the Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Ethel was a member of the Town & Country Extension Club. She loved to play bridge and belonged to several card clubs. She and Dale enjoyed square dancing and could often be found at the VFW where dances were held. Ethel was a Librarian at the WaKeeney City Library from 1968 until she retired in 1994. She sang in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church choir. Ethel loved to travel and often hopped a bus with friends for tours across the country as well as traveling overseas. She also loved to attend all types of vocal and theater productions especially at Fort Hays State University. In later years, Ethel began to paint which brought her much joy, as well as doing needlework of all types.

Ethel is survived by her children Debbie Hillman Leiker (Leon), Olathe, KS; Rex (Becky), Bartlesville, OK; Mark (Gina), Bucyrus, KS; and Curtis, Merriam, KS; two grandsons Chad Leiker (Kelly), Edina, MN; Joel Leiker (Lindsey), Woodstock, GA; and four great-grandchildren Lauren and Jacob Leiker, Edina, MN; Noah and Chase Leiker, Woodstock, GA; sister Betty Hendrickson, Hutchinson, KS; and family.

Funeral Services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, with Pastor Randy Gibbs officiating. Burial will follow in the WaKeeney City Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital- LTC or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Checks made to the organization can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home 336 N. 12th St WaKeeney, KS 67672.

WaKeeney resident Hulda (Mai) Bloom passed away Sunday, August 23, 2015 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. She was 95 years of age. Hulda was born August 5, 1920, in WaKeeney, to Peter Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Wolf) Mai.

Hulda was a 1941 graduate of Trego Community High School. On August 3, 1941, she was united in marriage to Keith Hockman in WaKeeney. To this union, five children were born. They later divorced. On June 12, 1971, Hulda married Harry Hendra in Sacramento, California. He preceded her in death on January 25, 1975. On August 23, 1980, she was united in marriage to Walter Vincent Bloom in Lake Tahoe, California. They enjoyed 29 years of marriage together, until his death on September 11, 2009. Hulda and Walter loved polka dancing and traveling in their RV all over the country and spending the winters in Arizona. She was very active in 4-H, having been very instrumental in bringing it to the Trego County area. Hulda was a founding member of the Em Cro Knit Club in WaKeeney which was organized in 1946. Family and friends knew her for her talent in the kitchen; she was known for her homemade ravioli and cinnamon rolls. Family was very important to Hulda. She always kept her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart. She will be dearly missed by many.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Hockman and wife Lillian of Rancho Cordova, California, and Ric Hockman and wife Cleo of Hill City; two daughters, Diane Cooper of Hays, and LaDonna and husband Ed Mattke of Ogallah; stepson, David Bloom and wife Carmelita of Bishop, California; ten grandchildren; two step grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and one great great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; a son, Keith, Jr.; a grandson; a step granddaughter; three infant brothers; one brother; three sisters; and a stepson, Ron.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at Ogallah Christian Church, Ogallah with Pastor Stan Faulkender officiating. Hulda’s burial, and inurnment of her late husband, Walter ’s ashes, will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.

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

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Checks made payable to the Foundation may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Hays, Kansas- Ann Schmidt, former Plainville, Kansas resident age 93, died Monday, August 24, 2015, at Via Christi Assisted Living Center Hays, Kansas.

She was born September 3, 1921, in Catharine, Kansas, to Frederick “Fred” and Margaret (Dinkel) Schmidt. She married Bennie Schmidt on September 13, 1938, in Severin, Kansas. He died October 16, 2001.

She was a day care provider for 42 years in Plainville, a nurses Aid for 7 years at the Rooks County Nursing Home. She was a farmer’s wife and lived on farms near Hays, Zurich, and Norton before moving to Plainville in 1955. She was owner with her husband of Bennie’s Tank Service in Plainville. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ladies Guild, Daughters of Isabella all of Plainville and Christian Mothers of Norton. She was a charter member of the Swing “N” Wheels Square Dance Club and a past vice-president of the Kansas State Square Dance Association. She enjoyed square dancing, knitting, crocheting, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include one son, Robert Schmidt and wife, Margaret, Salina, KS; two daughters, Janice Benedick and husband, Ray, Plainville, KS; Marla Yowell and husband, David, Moberly, MO; one son-in-law, Rusty Mills, Oklahoma City, OK; three sisters, Tina Likiardoplous, and Marge Schmidt, both of Wichita, KS; Frances “Jane” Jacobs and husband, Marvin, Brooklyn Park, MN; one sister-in-law, Armella Schmidt, Hays, KS; 18 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Plainville, Kansas. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery Plainville, Kansas.

A Ladies Guild rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Friday, a vigil service and a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday, all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Plainville, Kansas.

Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Plainville, Kansas.

Memorials to the Sacred Heart Grade School Plainville, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Waunita May Gilmore, age 75, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at her home in Leoti, Kansas.

Waunita was born August 29, 1939 in Leoti, Kansas, the daughter of Fred & Lucille (Wilken) Graf. She was a 1956 graduate of Wichita County High School in Leoti, Kansas. She was a Homemaker, Farm Wife, and Librarian and served as a Para at the Wichita County Junior High.

Waunita was a member of the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, was a former Cub Scout Den Mother, and an Aide at Special Olympics across the state.

On July 15, 1956 she married Lloyd E. Gilmore at Leoti, Lloyd passed away on December 14, 2001 in Scott City, Kansas.

Waunita’s surviving family includes-

Her Son and his wife

Rick & Renee Gilmore- Leoti, Kansas

Grandson and his wife-

Jeffrey & Jessica Gilmore- Geneso, Illinois

Great Grand daughter-

Kambrea Gilmore- Geneseo, Illinois

A sister – in – law –

Gail Graf- Amarillo, Texas

Her parents, husband and two brothers precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Brad Kirk officiating.

Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Amusement Association or the Leoti Emergency Services in care of

Price & Sons Funeral Home

PO 161

Leoti, Kansas 67861.