April 13, 1954 – July 23, 2019

An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.

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Goodland resident Ethel L. Slusher, 80, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society-Sherman County in Goodland. 

Ethel was born in Kingsville, West Virginia on March 12, 1939.  She was one of three children.  Ethel attended school in West Virginia and received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from West Virginia University.  She worked for many years as a psychologist and a housewife.

In 1963, Ethel married Harold Slusher in Kansas City, Missouri.  They were married for 48 years.  To this union, two children Harold and Alfred were born.

Ethel moved to Goodland in 2003 to be close to family.  While living in Goodland, Ethel attended the First Christian Church.  She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband Harold, her sister Helen Curry and her brother Alfred King.

She is survived by two sons, Harold Slusher of Springfield, Missouri and Alfred Slusher of Goodland, KS.  She is also survived by three grandsons, two granddaughters and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Doug Amend officiating.

Memorials may be designated to the Ethel Slusher Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland is in charge of arrangements.

Patsy Leone (Smith) Michael, 75, of Norton, KS, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019, at Hays Medical Center in Hays.

She was born April 26, 1944 in Almena, KS to Ivan Raymond and Mildred Erma (Keene) Smith. She attended country schools in Norton County and then Norton High School. She lived most of her life in Norton and worked various jobs with the last being in the kitchen at Norton Hospital.

Patsy will greatly be missed by all who knew and loved her!

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Eugene Smith.

Survivors include her brothers, Wayne L. Smith (Barbara) of Norton and Kenneth R. Smith (Lois) of Atwood; nieces, Rochelle Dearman (John) of Mooresville, NC, Robin Wiggins (Jeff) of Austin, TX and Kypris Cooper of Lavon, TX; nephews, Michael Smith (Heather) of Phillipsburg, KS, Brian Smith of Norton, Timothy Smith of Norton, Luke Smith (Shannon Pettijohn) of McDonald, KS and Jason Smith (Amber) of Colby, KS; six grand-nephews, five grand-nieces and one great-grand-niece. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

The family will conduct a memorial service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 27th, 2019 in the Church of God, Norton, KS. Memorials may be made to Guardian Home Care of Norton, Kansas c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

Armella Marie Kruse, 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at the Prairie Senior Living Center in Colby, Kansas. Armella was born on October 12, 1924, to Herman and Mary Lintel. She grew up and lived most of her life in Oakley, Kansas.

On January 24, 1944 she was united in marriage to Ralph J. Kruse in Oakley, Kansas, and was privileged to celebrate 55 years of marriage. Together they made a life of farming and their marriage was blessed with eight children. Armella spent much of her time cooking, baking, doing laundry, canning, and maintaining the household. She would spend time in the summers traveling with Ralph and his harvest crew to cook meals for all of them.

She enjoyed spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens and with her sisters, brother, and their families. Armella also took delight in spending the winters with Ralph in Texas, California, or Arizona, after the children left home.

Armella was an active member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, and the Altar Society, where she served in many capacities.

Mrs. Kruse is survived by seven children, Karol Swart (Terry), Rodney Kruse (Mary Lu), Ralph Jr. Kruse (Cheri), Connie Renner, Berny Kruse (Missy), Janice Wilkening, and Robert Kruse (Chan); 26 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; her sister, Geraldine Swart; brother, Donnie Lintel and son-in-law Lanny Hockersmith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph J. Kruse; her parents, Herman and Mary Lintel; her daughter, Marilyn Hockersmith; son-in-law, Rod Wilkening and her sisters Marietta Coats, Elaine Hammerschmidt, Eunice Weber, LaVerna Robben, and Lila Heier.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic School or Hospice Services, Inc., in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 204, Oakley, Kansas, 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Robert H. Fox, 90, died on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was born on June 30, 1929 in Stafford County the son of Henry Maurice & Gladys Elizabeth (Shull) Fox. He married Bonnie J. Schroth on July 18, 1948 at Hugoton.

Bob graduated from St John High School and moved to Lakin to farm. In 1951 he moved to Dighton to work for Kalo Hineman for over 30 years. He and his wife then opened Fox Jewelry Store in Dighton and later got into the insurance and investment business with his office in Dighton. He drove the activity bus for Dighton schools for many years and had served as an EMT, city council board member, JOY Center Board member, Lions Club offices and was a former deacon and elder at the First Christian Church. He currently was a member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed attending Kansas State University sporting events, traveling and especially being involved with his Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his Parents and Brother- Dale Fox, 2 Sisters-In-Law- Wilma Fox and Jean Fox, Son-In-Law- Russel Speer, Great Granddaughter- Laramie Jo Smith and 2 nephews.

He is survived by his Wife- Bonnie Fox, 4 Daughters- Karen Wilson (Don) of Ness City, Penny (Harold) Hallmark of Garden City, Sheila Fox of Wichita & Shari Speer of Dighton, 4 Brothers- Earl G. Fox of Great Bend, Jack Fox of Ellis, Don Fox of Spokane, Washington & Jim Fox of St John, Sister- Doris Keeler of Great Bend, 14 Grandchildren & 17 Great-Grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be at 1:30 PM Friday at United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM on Thursday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, United Methodist Church or JOY Center in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Rod Petty, 64, died on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home in Garden City surrounded by family. He was born on December 6, 1954 at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado the son of Francis Eugene & Norma Jean (Hobson) Petty. He married Vickie Regan on June 4, 1994 at Garden City.

Rod was a 1972 graduate of Sharon Springs High School. Foregoing opportunities to play football at the next level he immediately started working for the Sharon Springs Co-op pumping gas and fixing tires, and quickly worked his way into the ranks of management. In 1991 he moved to Garden City to manage the tire distribution center for Cenex for 4 years. He then moved to Mt Pleasant, Iowa to become Vice President of Petroleum for the Co-op there. In 2000 he moved back to Garden City to be Vice President of the Garden City Co-op Petroleum Division. In 2008 he became the manager of APM Energy and after it was bought Rod became a self-employed consultant for MFA out of Columbia, Missouri. Rod was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church and enjoyed traveling, hunting and especially fishing. He was preceded in death by his Father.

He is survived by his Wife- Vickie Regan Petty, Mother- Norma Jean Petty of Lakin, Daughter- Stephanie Regan of Fairfield, Iowa, Son- Stephen Regan of Montezuma, Iowa, Brother- Jerry Petty (and wife Jo) of St George, Kansas, nephew Tim Petty of Wamego, Kansas, niece Amy Glaves (Scott) of Clay Center, Kansas, & 3 grandchildren Kevin, Taylor, and Brooklyn of Iowa.

Vigil Service will be at 7:00 PM Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM Thursday at St Dominic Catholic Church with Rev. Warren Stecklein as Celebrant. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to St Catherine Hospice in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Robert Joseph “RJ” Dickman Jr., 76, of Grinnell, died Sunday, July 21, 2019, at his home.

He was born July 16, 1943, in Wichita, KS, to Eunice (Andregg) and Robert Joseph Dickman, Sr. RJ graduated from Grinnell High School in 1961 and served in the United States Army from 1965-1967, stationed in Germany. He married Leona Schwarz on November 21, 1973, in Grinnell. RJ farmed with his grandfather, Walter Andregg, until 1994. He then started his own mechanic and electric shop in 1995 “RJ’s Repair”. RJ went to work for CD Clark and Sons, in Oakley, from 1999 to 2001, when he started Dickman Memorial with his wife. He also ran a mail route for four years. RJ was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and served as the church cemetery sexton.

RJ was preceded in death by his parents and brother Tommy Dickman.

He is survived by his wife, Leona, of the home; sons Walter (Julie) Dickman, of Grinnell and Jeffrey (Bretta) Dickman, of LeCompton; siblings, Julie (Neal) O’Brien, of Scott City, Becky Roberson, of St. Francis, Cindy Degenhardt, of Oakley and Ben (JoAnn) Dickman, of Grinnell and five grandchildren, Trevor, Taryn, Rylan, Regan and Theodore.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, Grinnell, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grinnell, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church or Hospice, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com