Fred McAllister, 68, passed away June 28, 2019, in Hill City, Kansas. He was born January 2, 1951, the fifth child of Willis Eugene and Gladys Christine (Roper) McAllister in Gunnison, Colorado where the family was living at the time. Fred went to grade and high school in Gunnison, and was a history major and graduate of Western State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. It was there that Fred met Jerry L. Ems. They were married December 19, 1972, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Following graduation, Fred took his first teaching job in Rangely, Colorado. There he taught junior high for two years and then moved to the high school classes. It was here that his coaching career began. First it was junior high track, and then high school football and head girls’ basketball coach. During this time, the couple met Brady and Lisa Beek. They became almost instant friends. Not only were the guys coaching together, but each family had a toddler: Fred and Jerry’s son, Jason, and the Beek’s daughter, Candice. Although the Beeks left Rangely in 1976, the couple’s friendship spanned the distance between them.

Fred left teaching for several years and worked for an oilfield company in Rangely. However, his life was about to take another course, with just a phone call. It was from Brady informing him about a teaching position in Hill City. Fred was interested. His interview was over the phone with then Superintendent Bernard Allen. So the family, which had grown with the birth of Erin, packed up and headed east. They moved into a house in Bogue and Fred began teaching in the fall of 1982. His love for history was transferred to his students in his classes, of which The American Indian-American West, was his favorite to teach.

Now Fred didn’t know anything about the sport of volleyball, but that year he became the head volleyball coach. He held this position for 13 years, where he and his teams enjoyed many successes. He was also the golf coach for a few years. Fred was always willing to help out wherever necessary. Fred and Jerry worked tirelessly in the Ringneck concession stand. During the summer months Fred was employed as a crop adjuster, a job he enjoyed, especially since he loved the outdoors.

Fred had an innate ability to see those who were struggling with school or personal problems and was ready and willing to help them. He also paid very close attention to those who were having trouble academically. His door was always open, even well before classes started for the day.

Tragically, Fred was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when their youngest son, Matthew, was in grade school. Determined not to give in to the disease, he kept teaching. Gradually the MS took a toll, until Fred was forced to use a wheelchair. For two years, each early morning there would be Jerry driving up the school sidewalk, and Fred would begin his teaching day. And each late afternoon, Jerry was there to pick him up.
Fred so enjoyed the weight room and had a weight-lifting class. On the way to the Annex, the students would fight over who would push Mr. Mac up the hill! Gradually, this disease forced him to retire.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carolyn. Left to mourn his passing are his wife Jerry of Hill City; one daughter, Erin (Ben) Bond of Olathe; two sons: Jason (Andrea) McAllister of Holdrege, Nebraska, Matthew McAllister of Hill City; brothers: Don (Carol) McAllister of Littleton, Colorado, Bob (Jook) McAllister of Gwinn, Michigan; sisters: Myrna (Elmer) Hicks of Bridgeport, Texas, Leila (Norman) Brashers of Whitefield, Colorado; and six grandchildren.

So many will remember his smile that just lit up his face and that unforgettable laugh. Those students who were around during his tenure will, no doubt, gather together every once in a while and say, “Remember Coach Mac when he did this….”

The family would like to share the following that was written by former student, Leigh Anne (Smades) Seeman, the night she heard the news of his death: “I can’t get Tracy Engel and Coach off my mind tonight. Is there volleyball in Heaven? Is he running her through some drills right now? I hope so! But I’m certain in Heaven there are no Triangles and no Balls in the Box, On the Red Line!!”

Click HERE for service details.

Joan Louise Michaelis, 84, went to be with the Lord on July 4, 2019, at Via Christi St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita. She was born July 15, 1934 at Dorrance, the daughter of Dan and Marie (Dick) Herbel.

Joan has been a resident of Hoisington since 1971, when they moved to the family farm. She was united in marriage to Clifford Michaelis on January 27, 1952, in Russell. He passed away on April 17, 2004. Joan was a homemaker until she started working for Town and Country Supermarket and the Dairy Queen, she then retired from the Hoisington School System as a baker after twelve years. She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington, the ELCA Women’s Sewing Club and also was a Pink Lady for Clara Barton Hospital. She enjoyed crafts and nature, she loved being with her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids.

Survivors include one son, Dan Michaelis and his wife Linda of Claflin; two daughters, Kathy Rothweiler and husband Rick of Salina and Stacy Schneider and husband John of Olmitz; 7 grandchildren, Marty Michaelis (Jennifer), Kelly Bachar (Jay), Amy Strowig, Jacob Rothweiler (Miranda), Emily Schepmann (Jerry), Molly Schneider, and Clayton Schneider; 8 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ken Michaelis of Branson, MO., sister-in-law, Peggy Blanding of Kansas City, KS; and her loving dog Chico. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford Michaelis; and brother Norris Herbel.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 13, 2019, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington with Rev Wayne Baldyga and Rhonda Templing, PMA officiating. Friends may sign the book 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No visitation will be held as cremation as taken place. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established with the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Sunday, November 30th, 1952 – Friday, July 5th, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

David Bruce Grabbe, 63, left this earth for his heavenly home on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Methodist Hospice in Memphis, Tennessee. Dave’s humor, compassion and warm nature made him a friend to many, both in his professional and personal life.

Dave was born March 3, 1956 to Clarence and Lillian (Coupal) Grabbe in Hays, Kansas. He attended Thomas More Prep-Marian along with several of his siblings. While working for Air Midwest, Dave met his wife, Kathryn Gentleman, while they attended Fort Hays State University. Dave and Kathy were married July 18, 1981 in Hays. Over the next 37 years of married life, Dave and Kathy moved several times around the Midwest with Dave’s career in the aviation field. After many moves, Dave and Kathy moved to Kansas City, where they began a family with the arrival of their son, Cody in 1985. In 1988, a daughter, Kailee, was born.

After Kailee was born, Dave continued his career in aviation with Federal Express, taking the family to Memphis, Tennessee and later Indianapolis, Indiana where their children would grow up. Dave loved his job with Federal Express, as it allowed him to combine his interests in both aviation and weather. During this time, Kathy worked in the healthcare profession as a nurse. In 2015, Dave was transferred back to Memphis, Tennessee.

A humble, compassionate, unassuming and hard-working man with a wonderful sense of humor, Dave was much loved by his Air Midwest and Federal Express colleagues. He kept many of his former colleagues connected throughout the years. Dave reflected with fondness and often on his time at Air Midwest as a part of the “ZV” family. He kept his own large Grabbe family connected over the years as well and was much loved by his siblings and many nieces and nephews.

Dave was also an avid golfer, car enthusiast, photographer and lover of dogs. Several of his photographs were published in numerous magazines over the years. His love of photography spilled over into their daughter, Kailee, who holds a degree in photography from Purdue University. Dave’s love of aviation spilled over into their son, Cody, who could tell you every other detail of planes they saw at a young age. The family had multiple dogs through the years, all very well loved by Dave.

Dave leaves behind his wife, Kathryn Grabbe of Southaven, MS; son Cody Grabbe and son-in-law Josh Harraman of Metuchen, NJ; daughter Kailee Koehler and son-in-law Benjamin Koehler of Brownsburg, IN; sisters Frances (Jim) Gordon, Donna (Bob) Farrell, Pat (Leroy) Newell, and Lorri (Doug) Leibbrandt; brothers Wayne (Judy) Grabbe and Richard (Cheryl) Grabbe; and sister-in-law Sharon (Rex) Keister along with a cavalcade of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who all loved him dearly and will miss him. Dave is preceded in death by his sister Marian (Sam) Warfel; his parents Clarence and Lillian Grabbe; and in-laws Lawrence and Betty Gentleman.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 6 at 2 pm at Graceland Christian Church, 2126 Stateline Rd E, Southaven, MS 38672.

With many of Dave’s family members living in Kansas, a Celebration of Life will be held there at a future date this fall.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund via Zelle to [email protected] with the memo “Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund” or check to Kathy Grabbe with the memo “Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund”. Funds will be used for medical expenditures and the remainder will be split between the First Tee Tennessee Youth Golf Program in Memphis, TN and the Misty Eyes Animal Center of Avon, IN.

Jordanne (Riley) Elisabeth Troy Hackerott, 28, of Nashville, TN died on Friday, June 28, 2019 at her home. Jordanne was born on August 9, 1990 in Manhattan, Kansas to Troy and Caroline Hackerott. Jordanne grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma and graduated from Hays High School in 2008. Following graduation, Jordanne moved to Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA before settling in Nashville, TN. In Nashville, Jordanne performed and recorded as Android Girlfriend. Through music and an outgoing personality, Jordanne created a large family of friends. Despite challenges, Jordanne was known for the light they brought the gathering of those they loved.

Jordanne is survived by a brother, Jay (Lizzie) Hackerott of Yukon, OK and their children Bradley and Liliya; grandparents Roger and Glenna Hackerott, Russell, KS; aunt Shauna Hackerott, Great Bend, KS; aunt Amanda Hackerott, Great Bend, KS, uncle David (Kelly) Sherry, Norman, OK; uncle Richard (Michelle) Sherry, Olathe, KS; uncle Kurt (Victoria) Sherry, Wichita, KS; several cousins and a family of friends. Preceding Jordanne in death were maternal grandparents James and Caroline Sherry of Abilene, KS.

A celebration of Jordanne’s life is planned for July 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org), or the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org) be made in Jordanne’s name.

Lucille Perez, age 94, of Oakley, passed away on June 30, 2019 at her home. She was born February 28, 1925 to Joe and Maria (Franco) Perez. She was a motel housekeeper.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Guadalupe “Lupe” Avila, Pete Perez, and Amos Avila; and sisters: Rose Hernandez and Vera Hernandez.

Survivors include her sister, Anita Oliveros of Sutherland, NE, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation: Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home with a vigil servi1ce at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials to St. Joseph’s Church may be sent to the funeral home, PO Box 221, Oakley 67748. www.kennedykosterfh.com

R.H. “Dick” Taggart, age 95, formerly of Hays, Kansas passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, KS.

Dick was born on a farm near Olpe, Kansas to Logan Coyd and Dessie Almira (Oakley) Taggart on April 7, 1924. The family moved to Wichita, KS in 1935 where he attended public schools. He served three years in WWII as a Radar Technician with the 310th Bomb Group 57th Wing 12th Air Force of the United States Army Air Corps in Europe.

He obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering after attending WSU and K-State and moved to Hays, KS in 1950 to work for the Central Kansas Power Company until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Hays Masonic Lodge #195 A.F. and A.M., the United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Hays Optimist Club. He was active in community programs for the Boy Scouts of America, youth baseball, and softball. His hobbies were golfing, fishing, hunting and woodworking.

He married Margaret Louise Parham on December 27, 1946. They later divorced. Together they had four children. He later married Esther Jane Owen on November 22, 1967, with four children.

Dick is survived by four sons: Thomas (Janet) Taggart, Bunker Hill, KS; R. Bruce (Germaine) Taggart, Hays, KS; Lonnie R. (Annie) Hill, Kipp, KS; William P. Hill, Tallahassee, FL; four daughters: Connie S. Taggart, Shawnee Mission, KS; Phyllis L. (Steve) Shipley, Gladstone, MO; Tamara K. (Joseph) Vega, Pueblo, CO; and Theresa F. Hill (Ty Rupp), Ellis, KS. Fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Esther, and brothers: D. Coyd, Dale L. and William A. Taggart.

Memorial services will be 10 AM on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment with Military Honors provided by Hays VFW Post No.: 9076 will follow the services in the Fort Hays Memorial Gardens, Hays, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays Community Assistance Center.

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