Myrtle Marie “Myrt” (Cline) Oswald, 93, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Luray, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Health Care Resort of Wichita, Kansas.

Myrtle was born on April 16, 1926 on the Cline farm east of Bunker Hill, Kansas and was the daughter of John Marion and Marie T. “Daisy” (Sechtem) Cline. She grew up in Bunker Hill and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1943 and attended one year at Ft. Hays State University and one year at Brown Mackie College of Salina.

Myrtle was united in marriage to Ralph Laverne Oswald of Luray on February 16, 1947 in Salina, Kansas. The union was blessed with four children; John, Cheryl, Roger and Janis. They made their home in Luray until moving to Russell in 2016. Myrtle was a devoted wife and homemaker for her children and also worked part-time at the People State Bank as a teller. She wrote articles for the Natoma/Luray Independent and served on the Russell County Election Board. While her boys were young, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was a member of the Luray United Methodist Church and enjoyed square dancing, gardening, quilting, crocheting and scrapbooking. For more than 28 years she and Ralph enjoyed RV traveling as “snowbirds” in Texas and Yuma, Arizona.

Myrtle’s surviving family include her husband of 72 years, Ralph; daughters, Cheryl Gibson of Pittsburg, Kansas and Janis Kelley of Frontenac, Kansas; sons, John Oswald (Judith) and Roger Oswald (Sue) all of Wichita, Kansas; sister, Phyllis Hampl (Eldon) of Luray, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Nathan Moore (Anita), Jordan Moore (Gary), Joshua Barr (Kristin), Jared Barr (Natalie), Jordan Barr (Elba), Morgan Douglas (Allan), Alicia Simon (Michael) and Grant Kelley; and 11 great grandchildren.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lois Crissman, half-sister Bessie Phillips and son-in-law Neil Gibson.

Celebration of Myrtle’s life will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the Luray United Methodist Church with Pastor Les Rye officiating. Burial will follow at the Luray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with Luray United Methodist Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler, Russell, Kansas

William “Bill” Wray Evans, age 88, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Wichita County Long Term Care in Leoti, Kansas.

Bill was born July 19, 1930 in LaJunta, Colorado, the son of Henry “Hank” Hobson & Alice (Goudy) Evans. A resident of Leoti, Kansas, since 1954 moving from Twin Falls, Idaho, he was a farmer.

Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas

On January 30, 1954, he married Bertie Ann Adam at Crowley, Colorado.

Bill’s surviving family includes-

His wife
Bertie Evans-​Leoti, Kansas

Five Children-
Patsy & Bob Zeller-​Garden City, Kansas
Gail & Gene Wells-​Garden City, Kansas
Linda & Dan Cress-​Aurora, Colorado
Jeanie & Mike Thimgan-​Greeley, Colorado
Joni Evans-​Greeley, Colorado

One brother-
George Evans-​Scott City, Kansas

Thirteen Grandchildren and Fourteen Great Grandchildren

His parents and four siblings precede him in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas with Pastor Gary Salmans officiating.

Burial will be in Leoti, Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Long Term Care in Leoti, Kansas in care of:

Price & Sons Funeral Home
PO 161
Leoti, Kansas 67861

Carmen M. Groothuis, 68, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Parkview Care Center, Osborne, KS.

Carmen was born June 4, 1951 in New York City, NY, the daughter of Vicente and Antonia (DeJesus) Ortiz. She was married to Ralph Edward Groothuis.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Carmen is survived by her husband Ralph Groothuis of Osborne; three sons, David (Kathleen) Ortiz of San Diego, CA, Alex (Shannon) Ortiz, Charlie Ortiz all of California; a daughter Becky Ortiz of Indianapolis, IN; two sisters, Merriam Ortiz-Burger and Vicki Ortiz both of Florida and twelve grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorials may be given to Parkview Care Center, Osborne, KS and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.

James “Jim” LaVerne Housman, 80, passed away July 13, 2019 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS.

He was born November 6, 1938 in Hanston, the son of James W. and Pauline V. Smith Housman. A longtime area resident, he was a custom harvester and rancher.

He was of the Christian faith and was a member of the American Angus Association and served on the Kansas Angus Board.

On July 20, 1963, he married Linda J. Bamberger in Jetmore. She survives.

Other survivors include: brother, Terry (Shari) Housman, Jetmore, KS; sister, Jana (Jerry) Rima, Shell Knob, MO and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Michael Jay Housman.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church, Jetmore, with Harmon Bliss and Rev. Peter Mtuamwari presiding. (Family requests casual dress) Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the 4-H Building Fund in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.

Keith E. Mongeau, 68, passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born in Plainville, Kansas on January 25, 1951 to Levi and Grace (Meyers) Mongeau. He attended and graduated from Palco High School. After graduation, he attended Fort Hays State University. Keith was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. On August 21, 1971 he married the love of his life, June Fisher in Zurich, Kansas. They were blessed with three children, Matthew, Scott, and Laurie.

Keith worked for Kansas Nebraska Energy/Midwest Energy for forty-four years, served as Fire Chief with the Plainville Fire Department and raised crops. Even after his retirement from Midwest Energy and the fire department, he continued his passion for farming. Keith was an excellent farmer and took pride in being a remarkable steward of the land. When he was not farming he enjoyed working on and showing his antique tractors and trucks, gardening and entertaining others with his storytelling. His next passion project, prior to his passing was beginning the restoration of the actual 1966 Chevy Impala Super Sport he owned in high school that he recently discovered in a local wrecking yard.

Visiting Yellowstone National Park, Four-wheeling in Little Sahara State Park and taking in the sun in California were three of his favorite activities and places to visit. The greatest love of his life was caring for his family and spoiling his grandchildren.

Keith is survived by his wife June of the home, Plainville, Kansas; sons, Matthew (Janelle) of LaCrosse, Kansas and Scott (Karen) residing in Trabuco Canyon, California; daughter, Laurie Augustine (Craig) of Plainville, Kansas; brothers, Greg (Kaylene) of Bullard, Texas and Gail (Clarise) of Plainville, Kansas; and sister, Sheila Deckert (Ross) of Colorado; grandchildren, Samantha Tremblay (Ryan), Brooklyn Miller (Josh), Meghan Augustine, Brianna Augustine, Kale Mongeau, Kinley Mongeau, and Ally Mongeau; great-grandchildren, Kaydence, Cooper and Carter Tremblay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Grace Mongeau.

A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, July 16, 2019, 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, Kansas. Visitation will be held Monday, July 15, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St. Plainville, Kansas 67663. Condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com

Keith was a benevolent man who deeply loved his family. The family asks you to remember all the best times, the laughter, the stories and his love of life. He will undoubtedly be looking down from heaven and hold you deeply in his heart.

Robert “Bob” Wise passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at Rooks County Health Center, Plainville, Kansas at the age of 71. He was born to Don E. and Maxine Marie (Gibson) Wise on February 28, 1948 in Hays, Kansas. He attended school in Plainville. Bob was united in marriage to Kathy Brown on August 16, 1968 in Plainville. They had three children, Craig, Mike and Julie.

Bob was the street supervisor for the city of Plainville for 24 years before retiring in 2011. Bob was always one to provide service and help when and where he could. He served as a member of the Plainville Fire Department for 37 years, and retired as the Assistant Fire Chief in Plainville in 2007. His father started the Plainville Rescue Squad in which Bob was an active member. He was also a member of the Plainville Police reserve and the Plainville Ambulance Service. Bob enjoyed spending time fishing, and coyote hunting with his greyhounds. The most important thing in his life was spending time with his family. Bob’s infectious smile and caring heart will always be remembered by many.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kathy of the home, Plainville, Kansas; sons, Craig Wise (Melinda) of Plainville, Kansas and Mike Wise of Ellsworth, Kansas; daughter, Julie Cole (Arthur) of Stockton; sisters-in-law, Mary Wise of Plainville, Kansas and Tonya Wise of Ellsworth, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Colton Wise and fiancée Jaci Benoit, Kristen Wise, Ashley Wise, Dillon Cole and significant other Matt Doud, Paige Peterson (Tyler), Zeb Cole, Skyler Wise, Riley Wise, Courtney Wise, and Trinity Wise; and great- granddaughter, Ava Wise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Maxine Wise; brothers, Ronnie and Dennis Wise; and grandson, Brayden Wise.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Plainville United Methodist Church, 10:30 A.M. Interment will be in the Plainville City Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, Plainville, Kansas and on Thursday, July 18, from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the Plainville United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Plainville Fire Department and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, Kansas 67663. Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com

December 26, 1928 – July 11, 2019

An obituary is pending with Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.

Clicl HERE for service details.

Betty Jane Robinson, 77, passed away July 12, 2019, at Via Christi Village of Hays. She was born August 22, 1941, at Great Bend, to Alvin Henry and Emma Louise (Hommon) Otte.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, living in Colorado for a while, Betty worked at Larned State Hospital for over 17 years as an RN, more recently volunteering for RSVP. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, 4-H Alumni and GBHS Class of 1959. She loved her dog, Susie, and enjoyed playing Pitch.
Survivors include, her daughter, Cherish Anne Robinson-Smetek and husband Robert of Spring, Texas; one brother, Vern Otte and wife Brenda of Leawood, Kan.; and three sisters, Arnita Schultz and husband Ron of Haviland, Alvina Mabry and husband Don of Golden, Col., and Myrna Holthaus and husband Gerald of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no viewing, as cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Rev. Seong Lee and Rev. Reuben Lang’at presiding. It has been requested by the family that you would please jot down a story or two of how Betty influenced your life, as the family will be collecting them for a scrap book. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Humane Society, RSVP or Trinity United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Frieda Bernice Karst, 97, passed away July 12, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, Kansas. She was born July 26, 1921, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Gotfried and Helene (Stoppel) Mai. She grew up in Russell County and attended Mount Brokaw to 8th Grade. Frieda was baptized and confirmed in the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas.

On November 20, 1938 she was united in marriage to Robert Karst at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in rural Russell, Kansas. To this union two daughters were born, Bonita and Brenda. They shared 75 years of marriage together.

Frieda loved to bake, quilt, crochet and help other people. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a former member of the Prairie Mates E.H.U., the Milberger Church circle and helped the quilting women at the St. Mary Catholic Church at Russell, which she enjoyed very much.

She is survived by her two daughters; Bonita Ney and husband Merlin of Russell, and Brenda Riedl and husband Frank of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Bruce Ney of Austin, Texas, Kevin Ney of Long Beach, California, Merlin Ney, Jr. and wife Brandy of Russell, Jason Ney and wife Nicale of Russell, Annette Stahl of Topeka, and Matthew Riedl and wife Lori of Omaha, Nebraska; ten great grandchildren, Shannon and Shelby Ney, Kale and Luke Stahl, Jacob Ney, Jaden Ney, twins Cooper and Camry Ney, and Maci and Trent Riedl; two sisters, Nadene Albrecht of Topeka, and Jude Scheck of Hays; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister, Esther Stettinger, and a brother, Karl Mai.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, with Sharon Custer, PMA and Rev. Martin Albrecht presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Galatia.

Memorials may be made to the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fairview Cemetery Fund, or Wheatland Nursing Center, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Ronald J. “Ron” Stecklein Sr., 70, Olathe, died Thursday, July 11, 2019 at his home.

He was born October 30, 1948 in Hays, the son of Joe C. and Catherine (Wasinger) Stecklein. Ron served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On September 4, 1971 he was united in marriage to Linda Stecklein at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays, and they celebrated over 47 years of marriage. He enjoyed playing the drums and played polka and country music with The Younger Band.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home in Olathe, four sons; Ronald “Ronnie” Stecklein, Jr. and Melanie Rohe of Clay Center, Kelly Stecklein and wife Karmen of Russell, Mike Stecklein and wife Michelle of Olathe, and Eric Stecklein and wife Susan of Olathe, a daughter; Amy Stecklein of Olathe, a brother; Leroy Stecklein of Osawatomie, two sisters; Theresa Gottschalk of Hays and Charlene Weigel and husband Dennis of Gorham, seventeen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Rich, Elmer, and Donnie Stecklein, and two sisters; Dolores Dreher and Rose Koerner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post No. 9076 Honor Guard and the Expendables Motorcycle Club of Kansas will follow at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Expendables Motorcycle Club of Kansas or to Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Condolences and memories of Ron may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com