VICTORIA — Viola Ann Lodovici, age 91, died Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at the Kelly House of Meriden South Care Center in Meriden, Kansas.

She was born July 8, 1923, in Victoria, Kansas, to Frank M. and Elizabeth (Weigel) Schmidtberger.  She married Olinto F. ‘Shine” Lodovici on June 1, 1944, at the Walker Air Base, Walker, Kansas.  He died September 9, 1996.

She was a homemaker and a cook and was at the Sigma-Phi-Episolon House at Fort Hays State College for 10 years.  Then she was a cook at Victoria Grade School for 10 years and cooked at Taste Freeze, Dean’s Cafe and Chartel Restaurant all in Victoria, Kansas. She spent one year with the Women’s Army Corp. at Fort Knox, Kentucky. She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Mothers and V.F.W. Auxiliary all of Victoria, Kansas.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, playing cards, bowling, reading and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include one son, Dennis Lodovici, Palmdale, CA; five daughters, Lamanda Bennegfield and Sharon Lodovici, both of Wichita, KS; Anita Englert and husband, Gary, Topeka, KS; Vickie Martin and husband, Tom, Las Vegas, NV; Gail Flax and husband, Danny, Ozawkie, KS;  24 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; one brother, Eldon Schmidtberger and wife, Alberta, Victoria, KS; one brother-in-law, Chuck Vestecka and wife, Leona, Victoria, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Michael Lodovici; one daughter-in-law, Jean Lodovici; one brother, Edwin Schmidtberger; one infant sister, Evelyn Schmidtberger; eight sisters, Loretta Braun, Catherine Melchoir, Melfreda Rucker, Evelyn Gross, Virginia Wilkes-Schmeidler, Estella Vestecka, Marian Vance and Vera Mae McClurg.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 20, 2015, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.  Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella/Christian Mothers rosary and a V.F.W. Auxiliary memorial service all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Thursday and 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. Friday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorial to the Kelly House of Meriden South. Condolences can be sent via email to
[email protected].

Willis Olen Crowley, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at Wichita County Health Center LTCU in Leoti, Kansas. Willis was born December 22, 1928 at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, the son of Asher J. & Myrtle Emma Putnam Crowley. A resident of Wichita County since 1957 moving from Greeley, Colorado, he was a Cowboy and Rancher. Willis served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

Willis was a member of the United Methodist Church, Kansas Farm Bureau, Wichita County Amusement Association, Rough Riders Saddle Club and Wichita County Rodeo Association all of Leoti, Kansas.

On September 14, 1952 he married Margaret Mabel Bateman at Mansfield, Illinois.

Willis’s surviving family includes-

His wife-

Margaret Mabel Crowley- Leoti, Kansas

Nine children-

Linda & Willard Sanders- Scott City, Kansas

Marilyn & Mac Vass- Thermopolis, Wyoming

Alan & Kim Crowley- Doyline, Louisiana

Richard Crowley- Sunray, Texas

Glen & Jan Crowley- Cabot, Arkansas

Carol & Terry Laws- Leoti, Kansas

Mark & Raquel Crowley- Ellensburg, Washington

Sharon Jessen- Spokane, Washington

Carolie & Eddy Watkins- Vanderwagen, New Mexico

Twenty-Eight grandchildren, Thirty-Two great grandchildren and Six great great grandchildren.

His parents, a sister, Doris Crowley, a grandson, Tim Sanders and a great granddaughter, Jennifer Emaheizer precede him in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, February 20, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Brad Kirk and Elder Terry Laws officiating. Inurnment will be in Leoti Cemetery.

Memorial may be given to the Wichita County Amusement association in care of the funeral home.

Joan Marie Fisher, age 57, of Ellis passed away Monday, January 16, 2015 at Hays Medical Center.

She was born August 1, 1957 in Hays, Kansas to George and Adeline (Haas) Fisher .
Joan was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Ellis. She enjoyed being with her group home friends, eating out and playing records and listening to music.

She is survived by three brothers, Marvin and Kay Fisher of Hays, Norbert and Sherry Fisher of Ellis and George Jr. and Debbie Fisher of Derby; two sisters, Charlene and Kenneth Staab of Topeka and Lillian and George Bongartz of Ellis; two sister-in-laws, Connie Fisher of Salina and Anita Dreiling of Hays; a brother-in-law, Eddie Dinkel of Assaria as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ronnie and Kenny Fisher and a sister, Lou Ann Dinkel.

Memorial services will be 11 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Church, DSNWK or Via Christi Village, Hays.

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

Grainfield resident Sheila A. Selensksy passed away Thursday, February 12, 2015 at KU Medical Center, Kansas City. She was 66 years of age. Sheila was born April 28, 1948, in Hays, to Isador “Izzy” and Evelyn (Schmidtberger) Dreher.

After graduation, Sheila attended beauty school in Hays. On April 29, 1978, Sheila Dreher was united in marriage to Robert H. Selensky at the Cathedral of the Plains in Victoria. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage together. She spent most of her working life as a proud farmwife, mother, and grandmother. Sheila cherished her family, and loved getting together with them for any occasion. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Sheila was a member of Sacred Heart and St. Agnes altar societies of Park and Grainfield, as well as the Northwest Kansas Technical College School Board. She was known for her talents with crochet and sewing. Decorating for the holidays was something Sheila always looked forward to. She will be dearly missed by many friends and family members.

Survivors include her husband, of the home; a son, Trampus Selensky and wife Sara of Olathe; two daughters, Melinda and husband Aaron Bruna of Salina, and Jeree and husband Shawn Hughbanks of Lehigh; and five grandchildren, Caleb and Paige Selensky, Natalie Smith, and Adin and Austin Bruna. She was preceded in death by her parents, and daughter, Renee Selensky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service immediately following at 7:00 p.m., both at the funeral home in Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Sheila Selensky Memorial fund in care of funeral home. Checks made to the organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Hays, Kansas – Thomas D. Pyke, age 62, died Thursday, February 12, 2015, at his home in Hays, Kansas.

He was born December 12, 1952, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Kenneth Raymond and Carole Louise (Allison) Pyke. He married Kathy (Newlin) on June 19,1976, in Overland Park, Kansas.

He was a sales representative for 34 years with Kraft Foods and retired in 2007. He grew up in Abilene and was a 1970 graduate of Abilene High School. He earned a B.S. in Business in 1974 at Fort Hays State College and has been a resident of Hays since 1976. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and was an avid KU sports fan.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Pyke, of the home; one son, Scott Pyke and fiancée, Amanda Johnson, Hays, KS; one granddaughter, Cobie Pyke and one expected grandchild; his parents, Kenneth & Carole Pyke, Abilene, KS; one brother, Dale Pyke and wife, Dianne, Springfield, MO; one niece, Amanda Bayless and husband, Matt; and one nephew, Chris Pyke.

Services are 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Burial in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to Fort Hays Men’s Golf Association or grandchildren’s education. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Paul Binder, 97, Munjor, died Thursday, February 12, 2015 at his home.

He was born December 24, 1917 on the family homestead near Munjor the son of Joe and Maggie (Befort) Binder.  On November 25, 1946 he married Ruby Klaus at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor.  He attended Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.

In 1942, during WWII, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the 333rd Engineers serving in England, Belgium, France, and Germany.  He was awarded five campaign stars and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant.  He was a grain farmer and dairyman and served on the St. Francis of Assisi Church Council, District #8 School Board, Marian High School Board, Farmers Credit Union, 4-H Fair Board, and Board of Directors of Farmers Co-op.

Survivors include his wife, of the home in Munjor, three sons, Ernest and Lilly (Legleiter) Binder of Munjor, Stephen and Carolyn (Beaudet) Binder of Washington, MO, and Thomas and Mary Beth (Wheeler) Binder of Marion, IA, one daughter, Margaret Ann and Willie Schaffer of Hoxie, Kansas, ten grandchildren, Elliot Binder, Preston Binder, Stephanie Schaffer-Howie and husband Tom, Tami Schaffer-Chievous and husband Derrick, Jennifer Binder, Julie Binder, Joe Binder and wife Carola, Annie Binder, Katie Binder, and Peter Binder, and five great grandchildren, Braydon Binder, Tahki, Malia, and Aven Chievous, and Ruby Binder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Isidore, Alois, Adolph, and Julius Binder, sisters Mary Lafferty, Helen Gross, and Bertha Drees, and an infant brother Adolf.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor with Fr. Daryl Olmstead officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 honor guard will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.  A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

John Dice, age 82, of WaKeeney, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.  He was born November 19, 1932 in Acosta, Pennsylvania, to Clarence Albert and Iva Melissa (Puttman) Dice.

John proudly served our country in the United States Army.  On October 1, 1954, he was united in marriage to Greta Gorsky at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney.  John drove truck over the road for several years before going to work at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, in the Maintenance Department.  He retired from the hospital in 1996 after 18 years.  He loved fishing, camping, and getting together with family.  He was known for his talents in the wood shop, as he could build almost anything.  John was a member of the VFW, Oddfellows Lodge and Eagles Lodge.

Survivors include five children, Dawn and husband Gary Cookus of Marion, Robin and husband Rodney Armbrister of Ellis, Deanna and husband Richard Augustine of Hays, John Dice and wife Marci of Hastings, Nebraska, and Joan and husband Brian Townley of WaKeeney; eleven grandchildren, Andrea Northcutt and family of Iola, Aaron Cookus and family of Marion, Randy Armbrister of Derby, Dana and husband Kody Ellis of Hays, Craig Augustine and family of Hays, Tera Linenberger and family of Olathe, C.J. Dice and family of Hastings, Nebraska, Darin Dice of Hastings, Nebraska, Bonnie Dice of Hastings, Nebraska, Tanner Townley of WaKeeney, and Ryan Townley of WaKeeney; thirteen great-grandchildren, Dakota, Remingtyn and Easton Cookus of Marion, Christopher, Johanna, Breanna, and Kolton Northcutt of Iola, Noah and Lane Linenberger of Olathe, Emilee and Madison Augustine of Hays, and Tuff and Gracie Dice of Hastings, Nebraska; his grand animals, donkey – Gus, horse – Bailey, dogs – Annie, Mollie, Chyna, Tyson, Jerico, Joey, Jessie, Snuggles, Abby, Dakota, Daisy, and Ace, cats – Lucky and Rueben.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Amalie Gorsky; brothers, Albert and Wayne; brothers-in-law, Julius, Edwin, and Joe Gorsky, Bob Conness, and Carl McGuire; sisters-in-law, Helen Conor, Ruth Conness, Marvel McGuire, and Betty Dice; and pets, Buttons #1 and Buttons #2.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to service time at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Walk-A-Thon For Health.  Checks made to the organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.