Joshua David Berens, 15, of Colby, died Thursday, July 4, 2019. He was born August 6, 2003, in Goodland, KS, to Kevin and Angela (Flickner) Berens. Josh was saved through faith in Christ June 20, 2019. He followed in believer’s baptism June 30, 2019. Knowing Jesus and heaven as Josh does now, face to face, he would urge you to repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and only hope of Salvation. We have faith we will see Josh again.

Josh had a close relationship with his family. He was very social and could start a conversation with anyone. He loved people, especially kids, animals and had a smile that could light up a room. Josh took time to pick berries and share them with a friend, play with neighborhood kids, hold a baby, share a smile and lend a helping hand. He also desired to help others by being an organ and tissue donor.

Josh loved working at Bellamy Farms. He enjoyed being part of the First Baptist Church of St. Francis, Colby Swim Club and Solomon Valley 4-H Club, participating in woodworking and shooting sports. His hobbies included reading, knife making and trap shooting. He also participated in AWANA’s, youth group, basketball, yearbook staff, readers theater, choir, musicals and plays, most recently preparing for the role of Prince Charming in a production of Cinderella. He was educated through Soli Deo Gloria Homeschool and was a member of the Heartland Christian School Scholar’s Bowl team, attending the National Academic Championships in 2018.

Josh was preceded in death by his grandmother Sharon (McQueen) Flickner; great grandparents, Dave and Margaret Flickner, Garland and Freda McQueen, Wendell and Ann Berens, Robert and Pansy Barton, and Frankie Lee Nichols.

He is survived by his parents, Kevin and Angie Berens and brother, Matthew Berens, of Colby; grandparents, Ellis Flickner, of Kingman, KS, Gary and Marsha Berens and Barbara Nichols, of Colby, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

Visitation is 4-6:00 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2019 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Celebration Church, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials are suggested to Matthew Berens Education Fund, First Baptist Church of St. Francis, Colby Swim Club or Pioneer Memorial Library, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Margaret Marie Chrisler, 85, of rural Gorham, Kansas, died on Friday, July 05, 2019, at the Via Christi Assisted Living Center in Hays, Kansas.

Margaret was born on October 22, 1933, in Natoma, Kansas, the daughter of George and Agnes (John) Eickhoff. She grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma High School and lived in the Osborne and Ellis county areas most all her life. She worked as a clerk at Smardo Appliance Store before marriage. She was united in marriage to Ralph Chrisler on September 07, 1952, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Natoma. From this union Margaret and Ralph were blessed with 3 daughters Debra, Patricia and Lisa. She worked as a farm wife, helping Ralph manage the farm, as well as a homemaker raising their daughters. Ralph preceded her in death on July 07, 2017. She and Ralph were longtime members of the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma and held several church offices. She was a member of the EHU Homemakers, Gold Circle and Life Member of the Russell V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a member of the election board. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, crafts, mowing and riding her 4 wheeler. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and enjoyed her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchild.

Surviving family include daughters, Debra Sprick of Salina, Kansas, Patricia “Patty” Mullen (Rick) of Plainville, Kansas and Lisa VanHorn (Kevin) of Hays, Kansas; four grandchildren Don Sprick, Nicole Burl (Greg), Kristina VanHorn-Cook (Eric), Bryan VanHorn (Kiley); Great Grandchildren Tori Burl & Rowen Cook; Great-Great Granddaughter Olivia; brother Ben Eickhoff, sister in-law Adeline Eickhoff, brother in-law Gene Chrisler (Dorene)

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 65 years Ralph Chrisler, brother Bob Eickhoff; brothers in law Delmar Chrisler and wife Myra & Eldon Chrisler; sister in law Ellen Ruth Strang.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 09, 2019, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma with Pastor Michael Schmidt officiating. Guests are invited to join the family for lunch at the church immediately following the funeral service. Burial will take place after the lunch at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas around 1:30 P.M.. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. the day of the service. Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church or Honor flight and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Natoma, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Mary Ann (Vontz) James, 73, of Colby, died July 5, 2019 at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas surrounded by her loved ones. She was born July 17, 1945, in McCook, Nebraska, the oldest child of Leonard John and Esther (Brown) Vontz.

Mary grew up on the family farm south of McCook, and attended grade school at District 8, graduating from McCook High School in 1963. On April 15,1964 she married Gurnie (Sonny) Eugene James, in McCook. To this union two daughters, Michelle Dawn and Lisa Marie and a son Rhett Walker were born. The family had lived in several places in Nebraska until 1975 when they moved to Colby and made Colby their permanent home. Mary & Sonny divorced in 2002.

Mary started working downtown at Svend’s Bakery, then went to work in the deli, at Larry’s IGA, she was nicknamed the “salad lady” making many salads over the years. Once the deli closed, she then went on to own her own business, Carroll Lee Donuts, for 14 years with co-owner Susie (Harper) Williams until they retired in 2001, when the building was torn down to allow for the expansion of the car wash. Mary really enjoyed the backdoor friendships of those who come to visit them in the early morning hours while they made the donuts. She really cherished those friendships and thought of you as her family. She still talked of you often as if it was just yesterday.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Esther Vontz.

Survivors are daughters, Michelle (Dick) Snider and Lisa James, son Rhett (Julie) James, all of Colby; grandchildren, Cody (Caroline) Hatfield, Westminster, CO, Brena (Homero) Vargas, Selden, KS, Trenton (Melissa) Jones, Goodland, KS, Brock & Gage James, Colby, KS; step great grandchildren, Siena & Estella Vargas; great grandchildren, Makynslee & Emery Vargas and Joseph Hatfield; sisters, Judy (Mike) Ross, of Bartley, NE and Janet (Bob) Brenning, of McCook, NE; brothers, Tom (Mary) Vontz, and Terry Vontz, both of McCook, NE and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service is Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 2pm at the Gathering Place, 745 S Country Club Dr, Colby, KS 67701, with burial in Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Genesis Food Bank in Colby, KS or the Citizen’s Health Foundation and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For Information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

M. Lynne Wooster, 72, passed away July 5, 2019, at the University Of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus. She was born January 15, 1947 in Wichita, to Benard “Ben” & V. Marian (Ludlow) Sauer. She married Paul Wooster on August 2, 1980 in Great Bend. He survives.

Coming from Wichita in 1956, Lynne was a bookkeeper for Globe Exploration in Great Bend. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She enjoyed her family, visiting with friends and cooking.

Survivors include, her husband, Paul Wooster of the home; one grandson, Nathan Fishburn of Salina; one stepdaughter, Patricia Gottschalk and husband Gregg of Hays; one stepson, Robert Wooster of Great Bend; three step grandchildren, Shayla Gottschalk, Janelle Wooster and Jayla Wooster; and one sister, Katrina Sauer of Aurora, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Thomas Romme; two brothers, Larry Sauer and David Sauer; and one step grandson, Shane Gottschalk.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mon., July 8, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tues., July 9, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Father Don Bedore presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Shane Gottschalk Shane Strong Memorial Scholarship at Fort Hays State University, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Malinda Deel, 52, Hays, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2019 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita surrounded by the ones she loved.

Malinda was born on February 16, 1967 in WaKeeney to Sylvanus and Firma Jean “Jeannie” (Rupp) Rome. On March 11, 1989 she married Shawn Hulse in Plainville, and to the marriage they brought two children, but later divorced. In 2006 she found Rick Deel, her puzzle piece and the love of her life, the one that made her life complete, and they were married November 16, 2013 in Walker. Malinda was employed by Cutty Six Hair Salon in Hays among a few other salons before deciding to stay at home with the children.

In later years, she pursued her love of nursing by starting out as a CNA and CMA at St. John’s Nursing home of Hays and later Via Christi Village and Brookdale Senior Living. She eventually had to give up her dream of nursing and quit working when her cancer progressed. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Hays and joined the Daughters of Isabella in Ellis, along with her mother and daughter to be together as a family in the group. Malinda helped with St. Joseph’s Religious Education for several years before she took ill to her cancer and had to stop. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, fishing, baking, sewing, and most of all camping with all her family whenever she got the chance.

One of her biggest joys was spending time with her grandson Boston whom made her heart so complete. When her cancer didn’t allow her to work anymore, she started pursuing her bucket list where, together with her husband and sometimes daughter and grandson, she went to multiple music concerts and MLB and NFL games.

Malinda is survived by her husband; Rick of the home, one son; Nathaniel Hulse and family of Topeka, one daughter; Hannah Hulse and her son Boston of WaKeeney, three step-children; Charles Deel of Proctor, VT, Allen Deel and his daughter Dalynn of Oakley, CA and Mechelle Nevin and husband Justin and their son Dominic of Garden City, her parents; Sylvanus and Jeannie Rome of Paradise, her in-laws; Charles and Peggy Brucker of Wilson, two brothers; Dennis Rome of St. Peter and James Rome and his wife Sandra and their daughters Lexie and Alyssa of Ellis, a sister; Lucinda Smith of Nebraska, a niece; Jenna Smith of Grandview, MO, and a nephew; Justin Smith and his son Weston of Hill City.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law; Joe Deel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Walker, Kansas, with Fr. John Schmeidler officiating. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Thursday at the church. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:30 pm followed by a vigil service at 7:00 pm, all on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Church or the Cancer Council of Ellis County. Condolences and memories of Malinda may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Phillipsburg resident Mary Ann Merklein passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 at the Phillips County Hospital, Phillipsburg, at the age of 94.

She was born January 25, 1925 in Stuttgart, KS the daughter of Fred and Barbara (Weinman) Preuss.

She was united in marriage to Ehrhart Merklein on April 11, 1948 in Stuttgart, KS. He survives.

Other survivors include her two daughters, Jane Kirchhoff and Jolene Posson, both of Stuttgart, KS; two grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Verna Huiting, also of Stuttgart.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, KS with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.

Mrs. Merklein will lie in state from noon to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church or Prairie Wind Villa.

Alma, Nebraska, resident Wilma V. Nash passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 in the Colonial Villa in Alma at the age of 97.

She was born February 20, 1922 the daughter of William Henry and Hazel Iva (Glaum) Ayers.

Wilma was united in marriage to Marven D. Nash on September 9, 1937 in Phillipsburg. He preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Virgil and an infant son, Billie Burt Nash.

Survivors include her daughter, Twila Ingram of Almena, KS; 2 grandchildren, Craig Ingram and Deanna Isabell; 4 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Jim Bendorf officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Island Cemetery, Long Island, KS.

Mrs. Nash will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with family receiving friends Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Valley Schools.

Esther Marie (Molleker) Schmidt, age 90, of Hays died Friday, July 5, 2019, at her daughter’s home in Hays. She was born January 2, 1929, at Hyacinth, Kansas to Jacob and Catherine (Brungardt) Molleker. She married Alfred “Al” Schmidt on June 3, 1958, in Hyacinth, Kansas. He preceded her in death on March 8, 2008.

She was a homemaker and a day care provider in her home for 26 years. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Hays. She enjoyed bingo, crosswords puzzles, her friends, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include one son, Keith Schmidt and wife, Janice, Hays, KS; two daughters, Josette Klaus and husband, Jan V., Hays, KS; Christine Holtshouser and husband, Ed, Borden, IN; five grandchildren, Angela Schmidt, Alyssa Dechant and husband, Josh, Kaley Klaus, Kelli Holtshouser, Chloe Holtshouser; six great grandchildren, Tyra Schmidt, Mason Fredde, Skyy Fredde, Harlie Schmidt, Damian Schmidt, Marley Dechant, and expecting a new great granddaughter in September of this year; one brother, Daniel Molleker, Bothel, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one grandson, Jason Schmidt; four brothers, Leo Molleker, Paul Molleker, Donald Molleker, and Jake Molleker; three sisters, Martha Brungardt, Bertha Molleker, Rosemary Wagner, and one infant sister, Rosemary Molleker.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18 & Vine, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

A V.F.W. Auxiliary service and rosary with the Daughters of Isabella and the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration joining will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd , Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

The family suggests memorial to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

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

Bernice Ione Martin passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Oberlin, KS at the age of 98.

She was born March 20, 1921 in Oberlin, one of three children of Jess and Dora Robertson.
Bernice attended school in Oberlin and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1939 and just celebrated her 80th alumni reunion.

In 1940, Bernice was united in marriage to Kenneth Martin in Norton, KS. They made their home on a farm south of Oberlin, where they raised their three children. They moved to Oberlin in 1988. Bernice was a homemaker and worked in various restaurants in Oberlin as a cook. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and Fairview Community Club. Bernice loved quilting and was an avid racing fan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents, and two brothers, Edwin and Jim Robertson.
Survivors include her three children: Rolan Martin and wife Carol of Littleton, CO, Lee Martin of Oberlin, and Roxie Erickson of Manhattan; five grandchildren: Dr. Ken Erickson, Kris Erickson (Farah), Lindsay Martin (Shane), Erica Martin and Drew Martin; seven great-grandkids; in addition to other relative and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Monday, July 8, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum or the Oberlin Amusement Authority. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

June 4, 1945 ~ July 3, 2019

An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Click HERE for service details.