Jeffrey Jay “Jeff” Bunker, 52, Hays, died Wednesday, July 23, 2014 in Hays.

He was born June 28, 1962 in Hays, KS the son of Clyde L. and Melanie M. (Deutscher) Bunker. He was a chef in numerous restaurants in Hays including Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays American Legion, and the Hays VFW. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays and a graduate of Hays High School. He attended Fort Hays State University, enjoyed fishing, reading, coin collecting, and was an animal lover, especially his dog Jeffrey.

Survivors include three sisters, Carolyn Murphy and husband Lonnie, Shirley Rohleder and husband Kenneth, and Becky Graver and husband Robin, all of Hays, nephews David Murphy and Tanner Graver, nieces Heidi Rohleder, Wendy Rohleder-Sook, Marcie Rohleder, and Diana Murphy, great nephews Blake Graver, Marshall Sook, and Kasen Zorn, and great nieces Jayde Jantzen and Chelsie Graver. He is also survived by many Aunts and Uncles and his beloved dog, Jeffrey.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be at 6:00 pm on Monday, July 28, 2014 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine, with Rev. Jerre Nolte officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Mt. Allen Cemetery, Hays. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until service time on Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested in Jeff’s memory to a charity to be designated later. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Loyal R. Mapes, 93, Hays, died Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Via Christi Villages in Hays.

He was born March 7, 1921 in rural Norton County, Kansas the son of Elmer and Blanche (Mathes) Mapes. He graduated from Norton Community High School in 1938. He married Beulah States October 3, 1940. He then entered into the United States Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1944, awarded the Purple Heart. Beulah died September 17, 1992 and Loyal later married Creta Bennett on March 20, 1993. Creta died on March 12, 2014. He was a member of the First Church of God and American Legion Post 63 in Norton. He also loved fishing, hunting, spending time watching birds, and riding in the parades in his 1929 Ford.

He was survived by his son, Eldon Mapes and wife Phyllis, Baldwin City, a daughter, Leta Rice and husband Larry, Laferia, TX, four grandchildren, Daveda Leppke and husband Kent, Bonner Springs, Evan Mapes, Houston, TX, Melissa Russell and husband Travis, Wichita, Brant Rice and wife DeLynn, Hays, and seven great grandchildren, Brandon and Danae Leppke, Landry, Kelly and Chloe Rice, Cooper and Bryles Russell, a sister, Dorothy Goodon, Toney, AL, and a brother-in-law, Earl Wright.

He was preceded in death by wife Beulah and wife Creta, two brothers, and four sisters.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm on Monday, July 28, 2014 at St. John’s Chapel of Via Christi Villages, Hays. Friends may call on Monday from 12:00 pm until the time of the service at St. John’s Chapel. Memorials are suggested to First Church of God, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. Condolences may be left for the family at ww.haysmemorial.com.

Visitation services for Vernon Leland Stoecker, 88, of Lawrence, KS will be held at 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.  He died on July 19, 2014 at Pioneer Ridge.  He had lived in Lawrence since 2009.
Funeral services will be held at the Oakley United Methodist Church at 1pm on Thursday, July 24, 2014, with burial to follow at the Oakley City Cemetery.

Vernon was born just south of Oakley, KS on April 12, 1926, the third son of Carl and Bertha Wassemiller Stoecker.  Older brothers Arnold and Floyd (Jack) and younger sister Velma, all preceded him in death.  Early years were a mix of farm chores and sports.  He would say the Stoecker’s could field their own baseball team and often did.  The one room school house just across the road was a normal fixture in rural America, often the teacher living in their home.

During his early years (1930’s), the financial depression and dust bowl era, along with very successful parents, shaped strong values and a conservative approach to life and business. Respectful and always kind to others, he was a model to children, grandchildren and the community.

He began farming as a very young man, first at his Home place in “Stoeckerville” and later acquiring and moving to Margie’s parent’s farm south of Oakley.  He lived, farming wheat and raising cattle, in Logan County his entire life. His life spanned the use of thrashing machines to modern day farm equipment. When the work was done he enjoyed a round of golf. Wheat harvest and family members visiting Oakley were wonderful times for him.

Vernon was a longtime member of the Oakley United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years.  He was also an active volunteer for local and agricultural groups.

He was married to Margie Catherine Boston on January 29, 1946 in Oakley, KS. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Sharon (Dennis) Spratt, of Lawrence, KS; a son, Randall(Gwen) Stoecker, of Raleigh, NC, six grandchildren; Tanya Renee Heller, Stephanie Michelle Schmidt, Christopher Jason Stoecker, Tiffany Renee Mountz, Lindsay S. Henson, and Kristin Marie Unruh, and 20 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Cottonwood, Inc., of Lawrence or to the Oakley United Methodist Church in his name.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com

Gerald Eugene “Butch” Schartz, age 60, of Ellis, passed away Friday, July 18, 2014, in Ellis. He was born March 23, 1954, in Hays, Kansas to Gerald N. and Shirley (Ross) Schartz. He graduated from Hays High School in 1972 and received a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Fort Hays State University.  He married Lois Holste in Hays, Kansas, on November 25, 1978.

Butch was a longtime stone mason, owning Schartz Masonry. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in Vietnam. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and the NRA. He enjoyed carving and sculpting with wood, clay and stone. He also enjoyed visiting with people and spending time and playing games with his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife, Lois of Ellis; two sons, Shane Schartz and wife Misty and Jake Schartz and wife Jenny all of Ellis; two grandchildren, Carson and Trenton Schartz of Ellis; four brothers, David and wife Regina of Texas, Steve and wife Jennifer of Denver, Mark  and wife Brenda of Salina and Al of Hays; five sisters, Sue Martinez and husband Chuck  of Denver, Karen Stadelman and friend Butch of Texas, Laura Schartz of Denver, Debra Colosi and husband Tony of Naples, Italy and Marilyn Schartz of Hays as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Rick Schartz.

Memorial services will be at 3 PM Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the Kansas State veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. A reception will follow services at the Ellis VFW.

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

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Butch Schartz Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Carol Dee Collins, 69, Overland Park, Ks, concluded her life peacefully, July 15, 2014, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Carol was born August 1, 1944, and was raised in Plainville, Ks by her loving parents Kenneth and Mary Ann (Windholtz) Resley-Walters. She attended elementary and high school in Plainville, then a year of college at Ft. Hays State University, Hays, Ks.

She married Russell “Rusty” Collins, in September 1963. They lived in California then Plainville, settling in Hays, Ks, in 1973 where they raised their family. While living in Hays, she owned C .C.’s Fashion Alley women’s clothing store and was active in the Chamber of Commerce and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

She left Hays and began working in women’s clothing sales for Dillards and Von Maur in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas before retiring in Overland Park, Ks.

Carol is survived by her son, Shane Collins of Overland Park, KS; granddaughter, Kylie Collins of Dodge City, KS and a brother Ken Resley, Jr. of Salina, KS as well as countless friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, July 25th at St. Nicolas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th St., Hays. Inurnment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gorham, Ks.

Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Thursday, July 24th at Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine St., with a rosary being said at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS, St. Nicholas Catholic Church or Kansas City Hospice House, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway #200, Kansas City, MO 64114.

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

Robert Lee “Bob” Dreher, 63, Hays, died Thursday, July 17, 2014 at his home.

He was born March 9, 1951 in Hays, Kansas the son of Wendelin and Sophia (Dreiling) Dreher.  On June 19, 1971 he married Lois A. Weber in Hays.  He worked for Frito Lay in Hays for many years, retiring in 2012.  He was the owner of Dreher’s Pools and Spas in Hays.  He graduated from Hays High School in 1971, was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, the Sons of the VFW, and was a Troop Master of Boy Scout Troop #113 in Hays for many years.  He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them, enjoyed parades, his work and his customers, camping, and his dogs.

Survivors include his wife Lois, of the home in Hays, two sons, Ryan Dreher and wife Shelly and Rick Dreher and wife Tonya, all of Hays, a daughter Renee Medina and husband Frank, Jr. of Hays, two brothers Don Dreher and wife Judy and Ron Dreher and wife Kathy, all of Hays, ten grandchildren, Talisha, Deavon, Shelby, Michaela, Parker, Mason, Presley, Chloe, Olivia, and Trey.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, July 21, 2014 at the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays.  Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on 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 Chloe Medina Medical Fund at Sunflower Bank, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

John C. Thorns, Jr., age 88, of Hays, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Hays Medical Center. He was born April 14, 1926 in Denver, Colorado to John C. and Margaret B. (Hallauer) Thorns. He married Catherine Gallagher on August 9, 1952. She preceded him in death in December of 1958.

John was a retired professor of art at Fort Hays State University where he had taught since 1954 and chairman of the art department since 1973. He studied at FHSU, Indiana University and the University of Iowa, where he received an MFA in architectural design. He served as national president of Delta Pi Delta honorary art fraternity was named Outstanding Educator of America in 1975 and is listed in Who’s Who of American Art.

The cultural climate of western Kansas has been enriched by Thorns’ involvement. He was a founder and president of the Hays Arts Council and has served on the Kansas Arts Commission’s visual arts advisory panel. He coordinated the exhibitions scheduled at FHSU and was art consultant to Hadley regional Medical Center and Farmers State Bank in Hays. He also served as advisor to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Museum in Logan. He developed the MFA program at Fort Hays State University and curated the Kansas national Exhibition of Small Paintings each year. He was architectural designer for the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, the Art Department in Rarick Hall and the Campanile at FHSU. In 1987 the FHSU art gallery was named the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in honor of Thorns and Dr. Moss, his predecessor as chairman. The Art Exhibition Association honored him with the “Art Enhancer Award” in 1988. Thorns retired in 1990.

In his paintings, Thorns suggests rather than depicts nature by using graceful areas of color within moving forms. His works appear to be representations of vast, lonely, imaginary terrains, contrasted with the reality of plant life or underwater forms incorporated into the works by combining collage and acrylic.

John was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church and was part of the Founding board of the Center for Life Experiences at the church.

He is survived by a daughter, Karen Thorns; a sister, Margaret Schmidt; a brother, James Thorns; a niece, Margaret Ann Bicher and husband Vernon all of Hays; nephews, John Alan Laurer and wife Brenda of Bonita Springs, Florida, David Laurer and fiancé Tracy Mots of Kansas City, Kansas and Steve Laurer of Carl Junction, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Jennifer Ruth Thorns.

Funeral services will be 4:00 PM Sunday, July 20, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church 2900 Hall, Hays, KS.
Visitation will be Saturday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the church.

Private family burial will be on Monday in the Sylvan Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel of Hays.

Memorials are suggested to FHSU Foundation/Art Museum, First Presbyterian Church of Hays or Hays Medical Center Foundation/Heart. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Alberta Knieling, 86, Ellis, died on July 9, 2014, at Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 7, 1927 in rural Trego County to Christ and Anna (Armbrister) Armbruster.  She was united in marriage to George F. Knieling on September 24, 1946 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis.  They were married for 43 years before his death in 1989.

She attended rural schools and one year at Hays High School.  She received her GED in October 1969 and attended a semester at Fort Hays State University in the early 1980s.  Throughout her life she cooked at the Lynd School north of Ellis, Ellis Lanes and the Eleventh Frame Club.  She worked at Travenol Laboratories until its closure.  Over the years she baked many wedding, anniversary, and birthday cakes for family and friends.  She was well known in the community for her crochet doilies, angels and Christmas ornaments some of which were sent as far as Germany for gifts.  Her family remembers her well for her crocheting, her famous chicken & dumplings, and dill pickles.

Alberta was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ellis, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 173 in Hays, and VFW Auxiliary in Ellis.  She was the coordinator for the Heartland Share/Prairie Land Food Program in Ellis for 17 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by three of her children, Kathryn Hart, Cambridge, IL; Chris, Ellis; Gene (Kim), Rush Center; and Ruth (Terry) Lang, Hays; seven grandchildren, Steve Hart, Dawn Hart, Mallory Knieling, Jarret Knieling and wife Katie, Brittany Lang, Brock Lang, and Jenna Lang; five great-grandchildren, Erika and Andrea Seabloom, Wiley Hart, Jaiden Knieling, and Payson Knieling; brother, Gerald Armbruster and wife Leona, and sister Doris Peterson and husband Ron.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; son, Duane; son-in-law, Walter B. Hart, Jr.; and sister, Carol Bowman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. , Monday, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, north of Ellis.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 4 to 8 p.m. at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th in Ellis and Monday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

An American Legion Auxiliary prayer service will be held Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Condolences can be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].

Irene J. Kippes, 86, Hays, died Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the Via Christi Villages.

She was born September 18, 1927 in Catherine, Kansas the daughter of Leo J. and Albina (Jacobs) Dreiling. On September 22, 1948 she married Gilbert F. Kippes in Victoria, Kansas. He died November 9, 1999. She was a homemaker and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. John’s Auxiliary, Ellis County Historical Society, and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed shopping, cooking, and Thomas Kincaid artwork. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Glenn Kippes and wife Charisse of Dallas, TX, and Warren Kippes and wife Angie of Hays, two daughters, Sharon Wegele and husband Gary of Hays and Sheila Allen and husband Don of Wichita, Kansas, a sister Lillian Schumacher and husband Leland of Victoria, Kansas, and a sister-in-law Marian Dreiling of Colorado, nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Leo F. Dreiling, Jr., Thomas Dreiling, and John Dreiling, infant brothers Virgil and Frederick Dreiling, sisters Anita Feltis and Shirley Gross, and an infant sister Lillian Dreiling.

Private family services will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Irene’s memory to Via Christi Assisted Living, Hospice of Hays Medical Center, or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.haysmemorial.com