Ronald “Ron” Leon Michel, 67, died Aug. 20, 2015, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born May 11, 1948, in Hays, to Leon G. and Onita Mary (Stanton) Michel.

Ron graduated from Belpre-Trousdale High School in 1966 and attended the University of Kansas as a lineman. He was employed for Cobb Cable TV in Great Bend and later became manager of Fredonia Cable TV in Fredonia. Several years later, Ron, along with business partner, Jerry McClure, purchased Murphy Electric in Fredonia, where they built a successful business. After Murphy Electric, he owned and operated Michel Electric. He then became a master electrician for KSIR. During his time in Fredonia, he served as a volunteer on the Fredonia Fire Department. Ron was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, gardening and cooking.

On Feb. 14, 1992, Ron married Mary Elizabeth Gibson in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include: son, Christopher Michel of Wichita; daughters, Katherine Michel of the Wichita area, Kirsten Weishaar and husband Brian of Lawrence; stepdaughters, Debra Watters of Boise, Idaho, Tricia Thompson and husband Larry of Lawrence, Tanya Rempel and husband Gregg of Wichita; grandchildren, William Ferguson, Rhiana Ferguson-Beck, Brooke Thompson, Cody Thompson, Jordan Rempel, Jacob Rempel, Kamryn Weishaar; great-grandchildren, Jayden Beck and Billy Ferguson; mother, Onita Michel-McBride of Haysville; brother, Ed Michel and wife Gloria of Derby; sisters, Jan Middlemist and husband Mark of Holton, Jeri Meier and husband Dennis of Muskogee, Okla.; and sister-in-law, Sharon Michel of Liberal. Ron was preceded in death by his father and brother, Tom Michel.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Burial will follow at 4:30 p.m. in Farmington Cemetery, Macksville, with Father Warren Stecklein officiating. Family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Elliott Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

James H. Piland, 91, of Waldo, Kansas, died on August 20, 2015, at the Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

James was born in Waldo, Kansas on September 12, 1923, the son of Elmer and Bessie (Burgar) Piland. He graduated from Waldo High School in 1941 and moved to California to build airplanes to aid in the war effort during World War II.

He returned to Waldo after the war and went on to be a farmer and rancher. He met, fell in love with and was united in marriage to Jean E. (May) Piland on June 09, 1960, in Luray, Kansas. James and Jean raised 3 children from a previous marriage, Bill, Shirley and Karen Lahar. Later in life he became the Post Master of the Waldo Post Office and retired from there after many years of service. He also enjoyed farming and ranching and spent countless hours tending to his cattle and managing the farm.

James was an active member of the Waldo United Methodist Church. He was also a former member of the Waldo Fire Department and served as a Waldo city council member and Mayor of Waldo for several terms. James and Jean were avid conservationists and bird enthusiasts. Together they constructed and placed hundreds of bird houses on their farm and throughout Russell County. He also enjoyed Royals baseball, flower gardening, building bird houses, animals, computers and his beloved cat AFLAC. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. After 45 years of marriage, Jean preceded James in death on January 29, 2006.

James is survived by his son Bill Lahar and wife Barbara of Douglass, Kansas; daughter Karen Carney and husband Jim of Hoisington, Kansas; 8 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life – Jean, step daughter Shirley Harrington, 1 brother and 3 sisters.

A memorial service to celebrate James’ life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at the Waldo United Methodist Church in Waldo, Kansas with Pastor Scott Tempero officiating. Cremation has preceded the service and there will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be given to the Waldo United Methodist Church or the Waldo Senior Center and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Jean Wannamaker Benedict, 56, Lenexa, formerly of Hays, died Thursday, August 20, 2015, at her home.

She was born November 15, 1958, in Hays the daughter of Jim and Agnes (Waldschmidt) Wannamaker. On September 19, 1987, she married Russell L. Benedict in Ellis, Kansas. He died January 3, 2013.

She was manager of Maurices clothing stores for over 35 years, starting as manager of the Emporia store, and then moving to Hays to manage the Hays store and finally manager of the Maurices in Ottawa, KS.

She was a member of the North Oak Community Church in Hays, the Lenexa Baptist Church, graduated from Bauder Fashion College in Dallas, Texas, and was manager of the year for her district with Maurices. She loved her work and loved shopping for clothes.

Survivors include her mother Agnes Wannamaker of Ellis, mother in law Mary F. Benedict of Hays, a brother Pete Wannamaker and wife Teri of Topeka, a sister Jackie Shubert and husband Bruce of Manhattan, four nephews JJ Wannamaker and wife Lindsey of Overland Park, Jarod Wannamaker and wife Rachel of Hutchinson, Sam Schubert and wife Lisa of Manhattan, and Ben Shubert of Manhattan, two nieces, Mattie Benedict of Gravett, Arkansas and Sonya Simpkins of Los Angeles, CA.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jim, husband Russell L., and sister, Jennifer Simpkins.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street, Hays. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Monday at the North Oak Community Church and from 9:30 until service time on Tuesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to North Oak Community Church or Lenexa Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home.

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

Lorene Pfannenstiel passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Cedar Village, Ness City, Kansas.

Services are pending and will be announced soon.

Dwight Warren Dillinger was born September 2, 1921 to Troy Clyde and Amanda (Thompson) Dillinger. He grew up on the family farm located 8 ½ miles northwest of Brewster, KS in Sherman County.

He attended New Hope School, located 1 ½ miles from his home, through his 8th grade year. He then attended and graduated from Brewster High School in 1939. After graduating from High School, he farmed in the area until entering the Army Air Corp in November 1942. He served with the 509th Bomb Group until January 21,1946. He was a member of the Colby American Legion.

He married Ethel Marie Bieber March 12, 1945. After discharge from the service they spent 12 years in Idaho before returning to northwest Kansas.

Dwight was preceded in death by his wife Ethel Marie (Bieber) Dillinger, a grandson Garth Brian Dillinger, 6 sisters Elna Bice, Clarice Blakely, Oleta Snow, Elva Craft, Olga Shwartzkopf, & Alta Kerton. 2 brothers, Sidney Dillinger and Troy Dillinger.

Survived by daughter Bernita (Dallas) Conley of Emporia, Kansas. Sons Kieth (Janice) Dillinger of Phoenix, Arizona; Ronald (Nan) Dillinger of Bivins, Texas; Donald (Eunice) Dillinger of Hays, Kansas; Larry (Pam) Dillinger of Mansville, Oklahoma. Also 13 grandchildren and 23 Great-grandchildren.

He retired from the Kansas Dept. of Transportation in Colby, Kansas. After 21 years of service. He then worked for Wal-mart in Colby as a greeter for 15 years. In 2005, he retired and moved to Hays. In April 2014, he was moved into Prairie Senior Living Center in Colby, where he lived until his Death on August 18, 2015

Church service will be Friday August 21, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at Brewster Methodist Church.

Visitation: 2pm – 8pm Thursday August 20, 2015 at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel – Colby, KS

Margaret L. “Marge” Moore, 95, La Crosse, Kansas, died Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend, Kansas.

Mrs. Moore was born July 23, 1920, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph J. and Mary A. (Schukman) Walters. She was a lifelong Rush County, Kansas, resident. She was a cook in the food service industry.

She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael’s Social Commission, Past President of St. Michael’s Altar Society, VFW #3147 Auxiliary member, a former pack leader of the Cub Scouts, and also assisted with 4-H, all of La Crosse, Kansas. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Hays, Kansas.

On June 17, 1941, she married Warren E. Moore at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. He preceded her in death November 12, 2007.

Survivors include: one son, Richard Moore (Agnese), Mesa, Arizona; four daughters, Vickie Barr, Hoyt, Kansas, Mary Beth Higgins (Robert), Hoisington, Kansas, Terri Gray, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Shari Johnson (Greg) Topeka, Kansas; foster daughter, Lisa Jacobs (Randy), Scott City, Kansas; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one brother, Wally W. (Dollie) Walters, Palm City, Florida; two sisters, Evelyn Joy, Portland, Oregon, and Charlene Weigel, Salina, Kansas; and one sister in law, Kathy Walters, Hutchinson, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one granddaughter, Jenny Moore; one son in law, Larry Barr; one brother, Joseph J. Walters; six sisters, Florence Schmidt, Lucille Urban, Mildred Harmon, Ruth Harmon, Vernetta “Betty” Schmeidler, and Clara Mae Walters.

Visitation will be Friday, August 21, 2015, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Church visitation will be Saturday, August 22, 2015, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Matthew Kumi officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family HERE.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517

Gorham, Kansas – Agedia Ann (Leiker) Haselhorst, age 88, died Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Via Christ Village Care Center Hays, Kansas. She was born July 26, 1927, in Munjor, Kansas to Paul and Ida (Befort)Leiker. She married Walter J. Haselhorst on August 31, 1948, at Munjor, Kansas. He died June 29,1998.

She was a homemaker, a farmer and has lived at Gorham since 1955. She was a graduate of Schoenchen High School, a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella both of Gorham, Kansas, a member of Sunflower Polka Club, a thrift shop volunteer at the ARC of Central Plains of Hays, and a former member the St. John’s Rest Home Auxiliary.

Survivors include four sons, Dan Haselhorst and wife, Vicki, Great Bend, KS; Leon Haselhorst and wife, Sharman, Great Bend, KS; Laren Haselhorst and wife, Cindy, Gorham, KS; Dean Haselhorst and wife, Julie, Hays, KS; one daughter, Pamela Truan and husband, Kent, Gorham, KS; two sisters, Virginia Schmidt and Pauline Miller, both of Hays, KS; 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter-in-law, Bev Haselhorst; one great grandson, Justin Haselhorst; two brothers, Norbert Leiker and Gilbert Leiker; one infant brother, Justin Leiker; three sisters, Alexia Robben, Mary Kuhn-Frank and Tillie Windholz; and one infant sister, Irene Leiker.

Services are 10:30 A.M. Monday, August 24, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gorham, Kansas. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gorham, Kansas.

A Gorham Daughters of Isabella rosary is at 6:30 P.M. Sunday and a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Sunday both at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gorham, Kansas.

Visitation is from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday and from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Monday all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gorham, Kansas.

Memorials to St. Mary’s Cemetery or Capuchin Province of Mid-America. Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Otillia “Tillie” Augustine, age 84 of Ellis, passed away Monday, August 17, 2015 at Via Christi Village, Hays. She was born March 23, 1931 in Ransom, Kansas to Paul and Mary (Augustine) Flax. She married Leonard Joseph Augustine on August 21, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis.

Tillie was a homemaker and farmwife. She was very active in running the family’s dairy farm. In 1977 she went to work at Mid-America Dairy until 1993. She then worked part time for Alloways’ restaurant until her retirement. Tillie was strong in her Catholic faith and was active in St. Mary’s church and the Daughters of Isabella. Her hobbies were taking care of her family and traveling to music halls with Leonard while he played polka music with the Dutch Masters.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard of Hays; children, Loretta (Elmer) Zerr, Melvin (Becky) Augustine all of Salina, Dewayne “Dewey” (Pam) Augustine, Kenneth “Luther”(Donna) Augustine all of Colby, Richard (Deanna) Augustine of Hays, Michael (Linda) Augustine of Ellis, Randy (Elaine) Augustine of Hays, Darrell Augustine, Leonard Jr. (Cheryl) Augustine all of Ellis, Kathy (Rod) Stack all of Salina, Timothy (Lori) Augustine of Ellis and Mark (Noalee) Augustine of Hays; sisters, Sr. Loretta Clara Flax of Hays, Eleanor (Leon) Dreher of Englewood, CO and Barbara (Raymond) Sanders of Longmont, CO; a sister-in-law, Millie Flax of Hays; 24 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Twila Younger, a brother, Frank Flax, a grandson, Eric Augustine, brothers-in-law, Mark Younger and Leon Dreher

Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM with a D of I rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil at 7:00 PM all at St. Mary’s Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or Via Christi Village, Hays.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].

Martha Emergene “Jean” (Stroup) Kincaid passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 90. She was born on December 28, 1924 in Phillips County, Kansas to the late George Amos and Faye (Gaines) Stroup.

Jean graduated from Kirwin High School with the Class of 1943. Later that same year she taught school in a one-room school house. On June 14, 1944 she was united in marriage to Oscar “Virgil” Kincaid in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Together they lived on a farm for two years before moving to Stockton in 1946 where they resided in the same home during their lifetime.

Jean worked in several different retail stores including the Maris Store and as an Assistant Manager for the Ray T. Jones Variety Store, which later became Scott’s Variety Store. She always enjoyed people, being with old friends, and making new ones. She loved going to the Kirwin Alumni Reunions every year, and even attended this past Memorial Day Weekend. She gained special recognition as the oldest attending graduate to this year’s reunion.

Jean had a standing hair appointment at Sandy’s Beauty Shop every Thursday. She looked forward to getting out, visiting, and seeing people around town. Because she did not have a driver’s license and never learned to drive, someone always drove her to her appointment, and Jean made sure to take them out for lunch afterwards. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Assembly of God Church in Stockton. A woman of deep love and abiding faith in her Lord, and for her church, she never missed a Sunday unless she was ill and helped with serving dinners.

Jean is survived by her brothers George Edward Stroup and wife Judy of Beloit, Virgil Stroup and wife Evelyn of Calvert City, KY, and Melford Stroup and wife Frieda of Yuma, AZ; and sister Karen Evans of Oklahoma City, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents George Amos and Faye Stroup, husband Virgil Kincaid, brother Donald Stroup, and sisters Nellie Campbell, Joy Wolfe, Beulah Jones, and Judy Yarger.

Just like her flower garden that she enjoyed so much, Jean lived every day of her life sowing the good seed of God’s love and word into the lives of her family, friends, and neighbors. Although she will be greatly missed, we rejoice today because now she sees, and hears, and fully understands the eternal love, joy, peace, and grace of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sabina “Toby” Ostmeyer, 94, died August 16, 2015. She was born August 25, 1920 In St. Peter to Michael and Margaret (Braun) Graf. She was a homemaker.

Preceded in death by parents, husband Robert J. Ostmeyer, daughter Janet Egbert, brothers Bonnie, Adolph and Bob, sister Liddy Schoenfeld, sons-in-law George Wolf and Cliff Tillett.

Survivors include sons: Ralph (Kay) of Grinnell, Mike (Charlene) of Oakley, Randy (Judy) of Oberlin, Bob (Annette) of Ozawkie, Bill (Lesa) of Topeka, and Gary (Cheryl) of Oakley, and daughters Carole Wolf of Hays and Connie Tillett of Augusta; 28 grandchildren,47 great- grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, August 21 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Angelus. Visitation 5 – 9 Thursday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, with Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund and masses may be sent to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley, 67748.

Online condolences to www.kennedykosterfh.com.