David F. “Fred” (Doc) Erwin, Jr. D.V.M., died on May 18, 2015 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

He was born January 12, 1931, in rural Sumner County, Kansas. The son of David Fred, Sr. and Freda (Weyen) Erwin. Fred’s formative years were spent helping his father and brother on the family farm. In 1946, the family moved to rural Cowley county, Kansas. Fred graduated from Burden High School in 1948. Following graduation he attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas for one year and then enrolled in Oklahoma A&M, Now Oklahoma State University where he majored in Fisheries biology. After his graduation in 1952, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He completed officer’s candidate school and served a tour of duty in Korea and he was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant in January 1955. Fred was then accepted in the college of Veterinary medicine at Kansas State University. It was there that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Bartley. They were united in marriage on August 19, 1956 in Great Bend, Kansas. Fred graduated from K-State in 1959 and entered into a mixed practice partnership with Dr. Glenn N. Stafford in Russell. Dr. Erwin practiced veterinary medicine in Russell for 46 years until his health forced him to retire. Fred loved to hunt and fish and on occasion, to pilot an airplane. He enjoyed being a veterinarian and he also enjoyed his many client friends.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Russell, life member of the Kansas State University Alumni Association, life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and affiliation with several Masonic bodies.

Fred is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Libby” Erwin of the home; sons David Erwin (Lori) of Jasper, Georgia and Matthew Erwin of Urbandale, Iowa; sister Betty Boggs of Columbia, Missouri; sister in-law Maxiene Erwin of Wellington, Kansas and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Frank Erwin, niece Deanna Boggs, brother Vincent Erwin, brothers in-law Kenneth Boggs and Leo Blakley and step mother Tressa Erwin.

A memorial service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at the First Congregational Church in Russell with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating. A private inurnment will take place at a later time. Family will meet with friends the day of the service. Cards and condolences can be sent to the mortuary and memorials given to the First Congregational Church of Russell. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Iona Mae Dierks, age 86, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Wichita County LTCU in Leoti, Kansas. Iona was born February 16, 1929 in Greenwood County, Kansas, the daughter of James Owen & Margaret Almira (Hirsh) Tatman. A Wichita County, Kansas resident since 1948, she was a farm wife and homemaker.

Iona was a member of the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas.

On March 28, 1948, she married W. Clair Dierks at Madison, Kansas. Clair passed away on June 20, 2000 in Leoti, Kansas.

Iona’s surviving family includes-

Two daughters-

Jana & Ed Simon- Marienthal, Kansas

Ruth Ritter- Leoti, Kansas

Six Grandchildren-

Aaron Dierks- Casper, Wyoming

Matt Dierks- Sheridan, Wyoming

Paul Simon- Marienthal, Kansas

Amber Stevens- Junction City, Kansas

A.J. Simon- Leoti, Kansas

Laura Callen Leoti, Kansas

Eight great grandchildren

Her parents, seven brothers , one sister, her husband, 2 sons, Harold Dierks and Mark Dierks, a grandson, Hans Dierks and son in law, Michael Ritter precede her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Gary Salmans officiating.

Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

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

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Long Term Care Unit in care of the funeral home.

Evelyn Korbe, 86, Munjor, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at her home.

She was born October 29, 1928 on the family farm near St. Peter, Kansas the daughter of Jacob J. and Marcianna (Rohleder) Gerstner. She attended school in Collyer, Kansas up until her junior year of high school and graduated from Hays High School in 1947. On September 6, 1949 she married Felix F. Korbe at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. He died April 23, 1999.

She spent thirty plus years working at various banks in Hays including the Farmers State Bank, Hays State Bank and Sunflower Bank, until her retirement. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor, the Altar Society Christian Mothers of Munjor since 1954, and was a former parish council member. She was very active in her church and community and was active in the ministries of praise, the traveling chalice ministry for vocations, and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

She was a foster grandparent, helped with parish picnics and soup suppers, and loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. She made wedding cakes, loved working in her yard and gardening, quilting, crocheting, and sewing. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, was an excellent bookkeeper, and was an avid sports fan. She cherished time with family, her children, and grandchildren and told them that her favorite hobby was dancing with her husband, Felix.

Survivors include a son, Gregory “Greg” Korbe and wife Lois of Edmond, OK, two daughters, Suzanne Leikam and husband Steve of Hays and Vicky Hammerschmidt and husband Dennis of Manhattan, seven grandchildren, Bobbi Jarrett and husband Jason, Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt, Misti Grady and husband T.J., Lindsay Seibert and husband Will, Matthew “Matt” Leikam, Samuel “Sam” Korbe and wife Lisa, and Tina Dzurisin and husband Ryan, fourteen great grandchildren, Alex, Abigail, Amanda, and Allison Jarrett, Madilyn, Garrett, and Tanner Grady, Andi, Kaiden, Cameron, and Hudson Seibert, Sammy and Benjamin Korbe, and Stella Dzurisin, four brothers, Wendeline “Windy” Gerstner of Collyer, Alfred “Al” Gerstner of Colby, Joseph “Joe” Gerstner and wife Sandra of Scott City, and Rudy Gerstner and wife Pam of Sun Lakes, AZ, and two sisters, Josephine Dinkel of WaKeeney, and Evelyn’s twin sister Carolyn Klaus of Hays.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother Adolph Gerstner, and three sisters Katie Dechant, Euphrosine Scheck, and Mary Katzdorn.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor, Kansas. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 until 10:00 am, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. An Altar Society Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 pm, both on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Prayer in Action Mission Program of the Salina Diocese or to masses, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Hays, Kansas – Robert A. “Bob” Billinger, age 71, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born April 7, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, to Pete and Martha (Kuntzsch) Billinger. He married Wanda M. (Weigel) on June 24, 1967, at Hays, Kansas.

He owned Pete’s Rubber Stamps and Printing By PRS, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a 1962 graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy and attended Fort Hays State College. He served in the Kansas National Guard for two years and retired in 2015. He was an avid KU Basketball fan and enjoyed gardening and cooking.

Survivors include his wife Wanda Billinger, of the home; one son Scott Billinger, Hays, KS; one daughter, Dawn Rajewski and husband, Joshua, Lenexa, KS; one brother, Pete Billinger Jr. and wife,
Edna, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Marge Billinger, Denver, CO; two step grandchildren, Carver and Kaley Rajewski.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald Billinger; one sister-in-law, Carol Billinger; and one infant sister.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 23, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, 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 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorial are suggested to to TMP-Marian High School.

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

Fara Mae (Brack) Popp, 81, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Fara was born on July 13, 1933 on the family farm north of Otis, Kansas, the daughter of Edwin and Phoebe (Keil) Brack. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Otis High School.

Fara was united in marriage to Paul Popp on June 15, 1958 in Otis, Kansas. This union was blessed with a son Allan. They made their home in Russell, Kansas.

Fara was a devoted wife and homemaker. She also was known for making pies for restaurants in Russell, like the Tower and Sale Barn Café. Early in life she worked for the grocery store in Otis. She also assisted her parents on the farm when needed.

Fara was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards on the computer, sewing, crocheting, and joining her friends with the McDonald’s Breakfast Club.

Surviving family include her husband of 56 years, Paul of the home; son, Allan Popp (Colette Gnad) of Hays, Kansas; sister, Mary Ann LeRoy of Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM. A Memorial has been established with the American Diabetes Association. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Richard Wheeler, 76, died Oct. 25, 2014, at his home in Norco, Calif., from cancer.

Richard Joseph Wheeler was born Jan. 11, 1938, the son of Quincy “Dutch” and Ressa Irene (Conine) Wheeler in Scott County.

He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Richard made his home in Norco for the last 45 years. He worked for the City of Anaheim for 35 years and was a farrier for 25 years.

He was a member of the Saddle Sore Riders –  Corral 22, Norco Horse Week, and Norco Horseman’s Association.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lynda, Norco; one daughter, Wendy Hagaman, and husband, Jason, Windsor, Calif.; step-daughters Judi Aroves, Lubbock, Tex., Jane Sullivan, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Jennifer Summers, Oem, Utah; one son, Joe Wheeler, Santa Rosa, Calif.; one step-son, Rich Tillema, Norco, Calif.; one sister, Rhonda Hudson, and husband, Mike, Scott City; two brothers, Robert Wheeler and wife, Neta, and Rodney and wife, Pamela, Scott City; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Loretta Alene Wakeland and Lou Ann Wheeler.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at the Scott County Cemetery on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. In Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials may go to Saddle Sore Riders, Inc., Box 276, Norco, Calif. 92860 or Norco Horseweek, Box 582, Norco, Calif. 92860.

Harley Glen North, 86, longtime resident of Brownell, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Rhode Island Suites Nursing Home, Ransom, Kansas.

He was born February 11, 1929 in Ransom to D. K. and Bessie (Taylor) North. He graduated from high school in Brownell.

He married Donna Marie Scott on December 1, 1949 in Ransom. He was a lifetime farmer/stockman of Trego and Ellis county.

Survivors include his wife, Donna, Ransom; sons William (Ramona), rural Ellis, Harley Joe (Kathy), Raleigh, NC; daughters, Rita North, Bartlesville, OK, and Enid John and Diana North, both of Hays, KS; 16 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith North; and sister-in-law, Wilma “Billie” North.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Rhode Island Suites, Ransom.

June Edith Ruff, age 88, passed away at Rhode Island Suites, Ransom, Kansas on May 15, 2015.

She was born June 20, 1926 in rural Brownell, the daughter of William and Nina Green Horlick.

She was a nurse’s aide at Grisell Memorial Hospital for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Brownell; Senior Companion, and Senior Citizens, Brownell. She also volunteered at daycares and preschools in Ness City, and volunteered at the Brownell Library.

On April 20, 1948, June married Gayle Ryan. He preceded her in death April 13, 1983. On August 10, 1991, she married Kenneth Ruff. He preceded her in death May 30, 2001.

She is survived by her son, Thomas (Carol) Ryan, Brownell; daughter, Julie (Ted) Nuttle, Brownell; grandchildren, Neila (Scott) Osborn, Jeremy (Kari) Ryan, Justin Ryan, Tyler Nuttle, Chad (Holly) Nuttle; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Arlene Brown, Bucklin; and two sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brothers, Billy, Eddie, and Jack.

Viewing will be Tuesday, May 19, 2015 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015 11:00 A.M. at Praise Fellowship Church, Ransom, Kansas.

Burial at Vansburg Cemetery, Brownell.