Wayne A. Knoll, 80, a long-time Assistant Professor of English literature at Georgetown University and former Victoria, Kansas resident, died at his Springfield home on Nov. 10, 2013.

He was a former Jesuit priest who taught at Georgetown for over 40 years. He was the eldest of nine children, was born on Sept. 14, 1933, in St. Peter, Kansas.

He later left the Jesuit order to pursue family life, he is survived by his wife of 20 years B. Anne Gehman; his siblings Omer, Lester, Carroll, Janie and Larry Knoll; daughter Rhonda St. Amant; son-in-law Christopher St. Amant; grandchildren Rachel, Madelyn, Sophia and Ryan; and many beloved nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services are at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 4, 2014, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Inurnment is at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671, and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.m. Friday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s Mortuary Victoria, Kansas. Memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected]

Fairfield, California – Judith C. “Judy” (Scheck) Brooks, age 65, died Monday, April 21, 2014 in Fairfield, California.

She was born November 26,1948, in Hays, Kansas, to Seraphine and Arnita (Dinkel) Scheck. She married Kenneth Schmidtberger and separated, than later she married Eric Brooks on June 1, 1981 in California.

She worked at the Fairfield-Suisun School District in Fairfield, California. She was a 1967 graduate of Victoria High School and moved to California in 1968. Judy enjoyed gardening, reading, taking long walks and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Eric Brooks, of the home; one son, Eric Schmidtberger and wife Edna, Fairfield, CA; one daughter, Meagan Almony and husband, Joe, Fairfield, CA; two grandchildren, Evan Schmidtberger and Bailey Almony; her mother, Arnita Scheck, Victoria, KS; six brothers, Joseph Scheck and wife, Jeanne, Jacksonville, FL; Dennis Scheck and wife, Connie, Dodge City, KS; James Scheck and wife, Becky, Victoria, KS; Daniel Scheck, Marysville, WA; Norman Scheck and wife, Pam, Victoria, KS; Tim Scheck and wife, Bev, Prosper, TX; two sisters, Marjorie Dinkel and husband, Kenneth, Plainville, KS; and Jeanie Goetz and husband, Jerry, Ponte Verda Beach, FL.

She was preceded in death by her father, one infant son, Evan Robert Brooks; and one niece, Tammy (Dinkel) Gilliland.

A Memorial Mass will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria, Kansas.
A St. Fidelis Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, at the Basilica. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at the Basilica.

Memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Gerald “Gerry” Braun, 84, Hays, died Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at his home.

He was born March 7, 1930 in Vincent, Kansas the son of Daniel J. and Helen (Dreiling) Braun. He attended Vincent Grade School and Victoria High School. He was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps on August 1, 1951. He served 14 months in Korea, returning in July of 1953. He then served for six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1959.

On August 9, 1954 he married Wilma Marie Klaus in Antonino, Kansas. They would have been married 60 years this August. He was an auto mechanic at James Motor Co. for 34 years and later worked at Midwest Energy until his retirement in 1993.

He was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church since its start, was a member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, was a life member of the Hays VFW Post #9076 and the Hays Marine Corps League, and was very active with the VFW Honor Guard until earlier this year when his health forced him to stop. He was a member of the IHM Building and Renovation Committee since 1995, was a Eucharistic minister, and helped set up and serve at all of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church funerals.

He enjoyed all of his volunteer work at his church, fixing things, being a mechanic and handyman, took great pride in his yard, enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, of the home, a son, Jim Braun and wife Debbie of Hays, a daughter Joann Werth and husband LeRoy Werth, Jr. of Hays, a sister Delores McMillin and husband John of Hays, step brothers Harold and Howard Linenberger, a sister-in-law Linda Braun, seven grandchildren, Renae Unrein and husband Lance of Wichita, Jason Braun and Andrea Braun of Wichita, Ericka Hammons and huband Stephen of Nashville, TN, Ashley Kennedy, Gavin Braun, and Peyton Werth, all of Hays, eight great grandchildren, Macy Unrein, Miley Unrein, Bryce Hammons, Clay Hammons, Emma Hammons, Kaycie Kennedy, Zoey Braun, and Quin Braun.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Donald Braun, and a step brother Alfred Burdell Linenberger.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine St. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW and Marine Corps League will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 until 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Building Fund at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Joseph S. Fuller, 87, Freedom House at Air Force Village II, San Antonio, TX formerly of Hays, Kansas, passed away on June 20, 2014.

Joe was born in Little River, KS on June 12, 1927 to John and Doris Stoughton Fuller.

Joe was married to Beth Moss on June 1, 1947; they were married for 37 years. After Beth’s death in 1984, Joe married Fern Wilhelm in 1986, they were married for 28 years until her passing on June 6, 2014.

Joe worked as VP of Sales for Pepsi Cola for 32 years and sold real estate for Dean Ellner of Hays for 17 years.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, remodeling houses and polka dancing.  He was also actively involved in the First United Methodist Church, Cancer Counsel of Ellis County, Sunflower Polka Club, American Legion Post 173, 40 & 8, VFW Post 3184, Masonic Lodge, all of Hays, Ks.; ISIS Shrine of Salina and FOE.  Joe served in the US Navy during WWII.

Joe is survived by his children Patty Cobb of Sanborn, IA, Carol Marben and husband Ron of Carlsbad, CA , Larry Fuller and wife Sharie of San Antonio, TX, Rita Coker of Waco, TX and Jana Fuller Ward of Casa Grande, AZ. 8 grandchildren, 4 great grand children, 1 brother Stephen Fuller, Richmond, Virginia; 3 Sisters, Marilyn LaRue Wall, Green Valley, Az., Sharon Roelfs, McPherson, KS, Judy Speer, Mineral, Virginia; 11 Nieces, 7 Nephews.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Beth Fuller, second wife Fern Fuller, Parents, 2 Sisters Nadine Fuller and Mary Virginia Wothe;  6 Brothers, Howard, Paul, Bernard, Glenn, John & Kenneth LaVerne Fuller .
The funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Friday, June 27, 2014 at the United Methodist Church, Little River, KS., Rev. Marvin Ewertt officiating.  Burial will be in Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors by the U.S. Navy.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present. Memorials suggested to Cancer Counsel of Ellis County care of Birzer Funeral Home of Lyons, KS.

Richard Paul “Rick” Patrick Jr., 55, Hays, died Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born September 7, 1958, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Richard Paul and Rose Marie (Clark) Patrick Sr.  On June 11, 1998, he married Thonda “T.J.” Jennings in Reno, Nev.

He was a graduate of Hubbard High School in Hubbard, Ohio, in 1976.  He went on to play baseball at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. He worked at Hays Ford Toyota, was the manager of the Hays Alco Store for many years, was a cook at The Pheasant Run for the last 2 ½ years, and owned and operated his own food truck, Rick’s Rollin Roadhouse.  He enjoyed cooking, playing golf and bowling, loved his dogs Aspen and Reno, took pride in his 1987 Chevy El Camino, and enjoyed tinkering and repairing things.

Survivors include his wife, of the home in Hays, his mother, Rose Patrick of Hays, and his godmother, Donna Jean Morgan of Hubbard, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his father Richard Paul Patrick Sr. in 2008, a sister Colleen Marie Patrick and a brother, Philip Paul Patrick.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm on Friday, June 27th, at the Pheasant Run restaurant in Hays.  Cremation has taken place.  Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice or to the Rick Patrick memorial fund, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Martin Schumm, age 105, of Ellis, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at Trego-Lemke Long Term Care in WaKeeney.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 7 PM at the funeral home.

A complete obituary is pending.

Pauline M. (Rupp) Weigel, age 77, of Hays, passed away Monday, June 23, 2014 at her home. She was born December 9, 1936 in Liebenthal, Kansas to Joseph and Sophia (Pfannenstiel) Rupp. She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1954. She married Mark R. Weigel on February 14, 1955 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.

She was a homemaker and a secretary for Lehrers Flowers and Alpa Airlines Association both in the Denver area. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles.

She is survived by her husband Mark of Hays; a brother, Mark J. Rupp and and wife Pat of Wichita; three sisters, Lucille Rupp and husband Bob Shanahan of Hays, Zita Zimmerman and husband Bob and Cathy Geyer and husband Jack all of Canon City, CO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Stephen; four brothers, Severin, Harry, Virgil and Hank Rupp and five sisters, Alice Herrman, Sandy Moore, Mary Werth, Ann Cox and Irene Leiker.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, June 26, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Inurnment will be in Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado at a later date.

Visitation will be Thursday 9:00 AM until service time with a rosary service at 9:40 AM all at the church.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of hays Medical Center, Wounded Warriors or St. Joseph’s Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].

Amy Jo Weimer, 36, Leavenworth, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at her home in Leavenworth.

She was born November 24, 1977, at Hadley Regional Medical Center in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Kenneth and Patricia (Jensen) Weimer. She graduated from Westerville South High School in Westerville, Ohio as well as Southeast Career Center. She was very active in the Special Olympics, participating in many sports and loved being independent. In her free time her hobbies included listening to country music, latch hooks and puzzles. Her nieces, nephews and her dog McKeila, held a special place in her heart.

She was survived by her parents of Leavenworth, two brothers, Andy and wife Maia of Naperville, IL, Matt and wife Teresa of Calgary, Canada, nieces Cidnye, Sophi, Jada, and Aubri, and nephew Miles, uncles Raymond Jensen of Hays, Jerry Weimer and wife Angie of Illinois, David Weimer of Eagle River, AK, Tom Jensen and wife Linda of Kansas City, aunts Kay Funk and husband Dale of Newton, KS, Kathy Hamor and Merry Keith, of Moline, IL, Christine Leighty and husband Ed of Port Byron, IL, Patty Ann Olson and husband Dan of Minnesota, and several great aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Harold and Bonnie Jensen, Kenneth and Lorraine Weimer, and uncle Mark Weimer.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.  Burial will be at the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Friends may call on Monday from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and on Tuesday from 9:00 am until the service time at the funeral home.   Memorials are suggested to the Special Olympics and any mental health advocacy, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Lifelong WaKeeney resident William “Willy” Reitmayer died Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at Reddy House in Wichita. He was born July 26, 1927, in rural Trego County, the son of John and Clara (Schuster) Reitmayer.

He was united in marriage to Hilda Dietz on May 29, 1947, in Goodland. They enjoyed 46 years of marriage together until her death on July 18, 1993. Willy spent most of his working life as a carpenter. He was known for his talent and skill in that trade. He was a member of the Randal Reid VFW Post 3449 in WaKeeney and the WaKeeney Volunteer Fire Department. Later in life, he enjoyed taking bus trips to the casinos. Willy will be missed by many friend and family.

Survivors include two sons Rex and wife Saundy of Dallas, Texas, and Doug and wife Sue of Maize; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother Clem and wife Katherine; and two sisters Anna Rohn of Colby and Minnie Kirksick of Strasburg, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Hilda; two brothers Carl and Joe; and three sisters Regina, Mary and Betty.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014, at Schmitt Funeral Home of WaKeeney. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to VFW Post 3449. Checks made to that organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Words of comfort may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Alex Bazan, age 26, of WaKeeney, passed away Monday, June 16, 2014 at Hays Medical Center.  He was born March 5, 1988, in Garden City.  He was a WaKeeney resident most of his life.

Alex loved his job as a roughneck in the oil field.  He worked for Shields Oil Co. He cherished his time spent with family; especially his children. Alex always looked forward to a fishing trip with his grandpa.  He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church of WaKeeney. He was united in marriage to Nikki Ochoa.  To this union, two children were born. They later divorced. Alex then entered a relationship with girlfriend, Sophie Olivas. They have two children together.  Upon Alex’s passing, he gave the gift of sight with the donation of his corneas. He will be missed by many.

Surivors include his children, Mason, AhnaLee, Devanee, and Julissa; parents, Dina and husband Richard Mohr of WaKeeney and Ramon Bazan of Garden City; grandparents, Juan and Rosentina Mendoza of Garden City, Maria Bazan of Holcomb, and Frieda Mohr of WaKeeney; brothers, Marcus Bazan of Hays and David Mohr of Tampa, Florida; sisters Amy and husband Dewey Howard of WaKeeney and Jane and husband Grady Gaschler of Kansas City, Kansas; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Alvin Mohr and Ramon Bazan, Sr.; uncles Gary Mohr and Gerald Bazan; and good friend Sean Reeder.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30, Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Christ the King Catholic Church of WaKeeney. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service immediately following at 7:00. All will take place at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alex Bazan Memorial Fund (for his childrens’ education) and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Words of support and sympathy may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Reba Jean Mullen, 96, Hays, died Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

She was born August 30, 1917 in Civit, Oklahoma the daughter of Henry C. and Cora B. (McWilliams) Morehead.  On October 30, 1938 she married Laurence E. Mullen in La Crosse, Kansas. He died September 8, 1969.

She was a secretary for the Soil Conservation District in LaCrosse for many years, retiring in 1979. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Hays, the First United Methodist Women Esther Circle, was very active in her church, and was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and a volunteer at Hadley Hospital. She was a graduate of La Crosse Rural High School, and loved crocheting, reading, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles and gardening.

Survivors include two sons, James Mullen and wife Ruth of Hays, and John Mullen of Wichita Falls, TX, a daughter Carole Probasco and husband George of Hays, eight grandchildren, Jill Waltemath, Jennifer Bull, Wes Mullen, Scott Mullen, Erin Mullen, John “Kaleo” Mullen, Shelly Mullen, and Jacob Mullen; five great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter in law, Elaine Mullen.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, June 20, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, Hays.  Burial will be at 9:30 am on Friday at the La Crosse City Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Hays Medical Center, or to the Hays Good Samaritan Society, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com