Merle Dean Ellner (better known as Dean), age 89, of Hays, Kansas, died Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born November 7, 1929, on a farm near Lebanon, Kansas, to Lewis Merle Ellner and Frances Mable(Finch) Ellner.

On December 18, 1955, Dean and Jennie Lee (Klingenberger) were married at the First Baptist Church, Superior, Nebraska. They moved to Smith Center, Kansas.

Dean graduated from Lebanon High School in 1947. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge he was employed as a crane operator for the Smith County Road Department. In 1959 they moved to Hays where Dean joined Bob Finch Construction. In 1960, he received his real estate license with Bob Finch Real Estate. He was also licensed with Equitable Life Insurance Company. He and his uncle, Bob Finch formed Ellner-Finch Insurance in 1960. In 1965, he graduated from the Missouri Auction School, also graduate from Realtor® Institute, and Certified Residential Specialist.

Dean was a charter member of the Hays Board of Realtors®. He was President in 1972 and 1990. In 1981 and 1991, he was honored as Realtor® of the year. He served as Zone VII Vice President of the Kansas Association
of Realtors® from 1989 to 1992. Dean received his Broker license January 1, 1974 and on May 1, 1974, Dean founded Dean Ellner Realtors®. The firm became Ellner-Bickle, Inc., Realtors® when he was joined by partner Donald G. Bickle in 1978. The firm also joined Electronic Realty Associates (ERA), a national franchise. In May, 1989, the corporate stock was purchased, and the firm again became Dean Ellner Realtors®.

Dean is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Deacon, and an Elder, a life member of the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076, a life member of RPAC, Hays American Legion, and Past member of Rotary and Jaycees, Hays Chamber of Commerce, past member of Junior Chamber of Commerce, he served as a fund raiser for Fort Hays State University, Benefactor of Thomas More-Marian High School, Past Board of Directors St. Johns, past member of Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, charter member of Hays Board of REALTORS®, President, Hays Board of REALTORS® in1972, and 1990, President Elect, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1989, Vice President, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1988, Treasurer, Hays Board of REALTORS® in1987, Secretary-Treasurer, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1970, Secretary, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1988, Director, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1974, REALTOR® of the Year, Hays Board of REALTORS® in 1980, and 1991, Chairman, Hays Multi-List in 1989, Zone VII Vice President – KAR from1989 to1992, Kansas Association of REALTORS®, National Association of REALTORS®, and retired in 2007. Dean has been a resident at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays since 2013.

Survivors include his wife, Jennie Ellner, of the home; three daughters, Kristi Jean Duncan, Hays, KS; Kelly Lee Leiker, Hays, KS; Robyn DeAnn Kisner, and husband, Craig, Hays, KS; one brother, Delbert Lee Ellner and wife, Marilyn, Holdrege, NE; one sister in law, Gladys Marie Dederman, Lincoln, NE; five grandchildren, Michael Dean Duncan, Melissa Dawn Oldfield, Hope Catherine Kisner, Cooper Dean Kisner, and Jenna Grace Kisner; two step grandchildren, Jeff Duncan and wife, Megan, Dianna Wright and husband Tom; four great grandchildren, Aireyana Skye Oldfield, Kamani Syncere Jones, Caliyah Unique Jones, and Lileigh Jean Duncan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, John and Elva Klingenberger; a son-in-law, Paul Duncan; a brother -in-law, Arthur Dederman; and a nephew, Patrick Ellner.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at The First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays, Kansas. A private family inurnment will be at Mount Allen Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601, and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at The First Presbyterian Church. The family suggests memorial to the Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Betty L. Froelich, age 84, died Sunday, July 14, 2019, at The Shepherd’s Center in Cimarron, Kansas. She was born July 26, 1934, in Gorham, Kansas to Celestine and Clara (Bieker) Hammersmith.

Betty was a cook for over 60 years, starting at the age of 14 at the Coffee Shop in the Gorham Motel, and then cooked with her father at the C & D Café in Gorham. She retired at the age of 75 in 2009, and moved to Cimarron, Kansas. She owned and operated the TEE BOX in Hays, and cooked at the Hungry Farmer in Hanston, Hays American Legion, Hays V.F.W. and the Gorham Café.

She grew up in Gorham, and was a 1952 graduate of Gorham High School. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, and lived in Gorham and the Ellis county area. She enjoyed her cooking and her cooking lessons over the years, and making others happy with a full meal. Betty enjoyed playing bingo, trips to the casino, her family, and all the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, Howard Froelich, Wichita, KS; Stewart Froelich, North Carolina; Steve Froelich, Hays, KS; three daughters, Deb Lewis, and Denise “Dee Dee” Rupp and her husband, Dave, both of Hays, KS; Audrey Campbell and husband, Curt, Cimarron, KS; one brother, Joe Hammersmith, Hays, KS; two sisters, Doreen Smith and husband, Mike, Centennial, CO; Barbara Haggerty, Lawrence, KS; 20 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son Richard Froelich and his wife, Barbara Jean Froelich; one brother, Robert Hammersmith; and one sister-in-law, Firma Hammersmith.

A Celebration of Her Life Service is at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at the Gorham Senior Center, Gorham, Kansas. A private family Inurnment will be at Winterset Cemetery South of Gorham.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Saturday, at the Gorham Senior Center. The family suggests memorial to the Shepherd’s Center of Cimarron, Kansas.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Linus I. Berens, age 84, of Victoria, Kansas died Monday, July 15, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born September 9, 1934, in Oakley, Kansas to Ignatius H. and Sophia (Kuhn) Berens.

He was a District Food Supervisor for Path-Mark Supermarkets for 28 years. He started out as a baker, and worked his way up as a District Supervisor overseeing a number of stores in New Jersey and the East coast when he retired. He was a cattle breeder for John Metlar of New Jersey for ten years. Linus grew up in Monument, Kansas, and was a 1952 graduate of Monument High School. He attended Kansas State University, and was a US Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, V.F.W. Post No. 1751, and moved to Victoria in 2000.

Survivors include two son, Linus J. Berens and wife, Lucille, Ocean, NJ; Paul S. Berens and wife, Laura, Raleigh, NC; one daughter, Venera A. Berens, Asheboro, NC; four brothers, Manire Berens and wife, Laurine, Derby, KS; Denis Berens and wife, Gerry, Austin TX; Leroy Berens and wife, Berniece, Wichita, KS; James Berens and wife, Patty, Topeka, KS; two sisters, Jeanice Boody and husband, Gordon, Wichita, KS; Alvera Vail, Bethany, OK; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Melissa, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Anna; and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one infant brother, Gerald Berens.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 19, 2019, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post #1751. A private family inurnment will be held at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Thursday, and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Friday, at
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service with a V.F.W. rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas. The family suggests memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Phillipsburg resident James I. Miller passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 83.

He was born October 12, 1935 in Phillips County, the son of Guy Miller & Sylvia (Wallace) Miller.

On November 27, 1992, he married Joanne (Strohmeier) Philbrick. Jim worked as a land surveyor for the Bureau of Reclamation for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne, and his stepdaughter, Stacey Moon, both of Phillipsburg; and three stepsons: Michael Philbrick of Seneca, KS, Eugene Philbrick of Wichita, KS and Gregg Philbrick of Sugarland, TX.

Visitation will be Thursday from noon – 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, where the family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 – 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Memorials may be given to The Center in Phillipsburg or Hospice Services.

November 1, 1933 – July 16, 2019

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click HERE for service details.

Rose Ann Rupp, age 87, of Hays, passed away Monday July 15, 2019 at Via Christi Village – Hays. She was born September 3, 1931 in Schoenchen, KS to Carl and Lucy (Herl) Zimmerman.

She married Francis A. Rupp on August 16, 1948 in Hays. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2001. She was a homemaker, farm wife, and the Register of Deeds in Ellis County for over 25 years.

Rose was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Activities she enjoyed included: her flowers, taking day trips, her grandchildren and holidays with family and friends.

Survivors include three sons: Harland E. (Edna) Rupp of Victoria; Gary F. (Connie) Rupp of Tribune; and Patrick C. Rupp of Garden City. Together with one daughter: Marie (Wes) Stramel of Hays.

One brother: Carl (Doris) Zimmerman of Schoenchen; Sisters-in-law: Ruth Zimmerman, Blanche Vonlintel, Shirley Rupp and Sally Rupp – all of Hays.

14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Roy Zimmerman and Lester Zimmerman.

Funeral services will be 10 AM on Friday, July 19, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the St Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday 4 PM to 8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 PM and Friday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Via Christi Village – Hays

Condolences may be left on Rose’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Jan Dirk Heyns, aka Jan Du Bruyn, beloved son of Izak Johannes and Isabella Margietha (Steinmann) Du Bruyn, was born May 1, 1950 in Lichenburg, South Africa. One of Jan’s biggest dreams was to come to the United States. On July 10, 2019, at the age of 69, Jan passed away at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas.

Jan met Elmarie at the end of 1973. They fell in love and married in 1975 and to this union four loving children were born. Jan was working with his son in Lenora as a rancher.

Jan was a very loving and compassionate person. He loved to play practical jokes amongst his family and make others laugh. He also enjoyed telling stories and helping people wherever he went. Jan would give his last cent to help someone who was in need. He also enjoyed being outdoors and taking walks. His greatest love was his family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Jan was a wonderful man who will be missed by anyone who knew him.

Left to mourn his passing are four beloved children, Elmar Du Bruyn; Izak Du Bruyn; Anina Du Bruyn; Willem Du Bruyn; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his beloved, Elmarie; one brother, Izak; one sister, Sarie; several other relatives and friends.

Jan is now rejoicing in heaven with his parents and one brother, Pite.

Jan will be taken home to George Western Cape, South Africa where his family will celebrate and honor his life.