Janice LaRue Coker, 88, died June 22, 2019, at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born April 16, 1931, in rural Rice County, Kansas, the daughter of Samuel Franklin and Lucy Mathilda (Allinger) Stackhouse. Janice graduated from Bushton High School in 1949.

On September 4, 1949, she married Kenneth Victor Coker in Bushton. He preceded her in death on September 19, 1972.

A longtime Hoisington resident, Janice was a homemaker, a seamstress for Suburban Cleaners, and the custodian for the First United Methodist Church for 12 years.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She also volunteered at Friendship Meals. Janice loved cooking and canning everything she grew in her garden. She was an accomplished seamstress, she made clothing and quilts for all of her grandchildren, and also taught them how to sew, crochet, and embroider. She loved spending time with her family, especially the holidays where she would cook a big meal for them.

She is survived by five children; Richard Coker (Deanna) of Hutchinson, Keith Victor Coker of Hoisington, Cheryl Coker of Hutchinson, Rita Lillard (David) of Houston, Texas, and Nancy Shives (Ron) of Hoisington; a sister, Margaret Williams of Welch, Oklahoma; 14 grandchildren, LaMonte Lillard (Crystal), Virginia Lillard (Lewis Nunez), Frank Coker (Debra), Kenny Coker, Carrie Achilles (Martin), Delbert Flanders, Sherry Smith (Garrett), Kayla Curtis (Danny), Landon Coker, Mary Coker, Janice “LaRue” Coker, Candi Coker, Golden Coker, and Darrell Shives (Amber); 34 great grandchilden and 6 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Gerald Ray Coker, brother, Norman Stackhouse, and a brother-in-law, Jack Williams.

Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.. Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Seong Lee presiding. Burial will follow in Clafin Cemetery, Claflin, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Norman Lee Kimber, 82, passed away June 20, 2019, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born October 16, 1936, at Great Bend to Howard and Genevie (Yahne) Kimber. He married Norma Jean Schmidt June 23, 1956, at Hoisington.

After living in Larned, Pratt and Great Bend, Norman and Jean had resided in Hoisington since 1960. He worked for Exxon Oil Co. as a pumper and roustabout in Kansas, as well as the gas plant in Hennesey, Okla., retiring in 1994. Norman, a 1954 graduate of Great Bend High School, was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 286, both of Hoisington, American Legion Argonne Post 180, V.F.W. Post 3111 and the Elks BPO Lodge 1127, all of Great Bend. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, earning the rank of Private First Class. He enjoyed square dancing, round dancing, polka dancing, playing cards, dominos, mowing, fishing, bow hunting and golf. Norman and Jean loved to travel, taking great pride in visiting all 50 of the United States.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Kimber of the home; two daughters, Sherri Kephart and husband Mike of Atlanta, Ga. and Tammi Carpenter and husband Doug of Wichita; two brothers, Russell Kimber and wife Donna of Great Bend and Leo Kimber and wife Kathy of Gladstone, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Jean Kimber of Great Bend; and four granddaughters, Andrea Kephart, Chelsea Kephart, Shelby Carpenter and Ashley Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald Kimber; one sister, Shirley Bobeck; and one brother-in-law, Roy Bobeck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019; 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 24; and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 460 W. 9th, Hoisington, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Rev. Gary Wolf presiding. Interment will follow in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, with Military Rites conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or Concordia Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

The family of H.D. “Spec” Woods is sad to report that he has passed away. His death occurred Friday, on June 14th at 7:00 AM in Bishop Spencer Place of Kansas City, Missouri.

He was 94. Born December 11, 1924 and raised during the “Great Depression” in Lubbock, Texas, Spec joined the Army Air Corps right out of high school. He used the GI Bill when he returned home to go to college at Texas Tech. There he met & married the “love of his life” Margaret (Peg) Johnson. He & Peg moved to Hays in the summer of 1952 to raise their family, and he partnered with Richard R. “Dick” Starr to form Woods & Starr Architects.

Together they made a lasting, physical statement for modern architecture in both Hays and western Kansas that will last for decades. In love with flying, both Spec & Peg became private pilots. They traveled far and wide but always preferred to be at home, in Hays. He resided in Hays continuously until April of this year when he relocated to Kansas City to be closer to his family.

In his final days, he was surrounded by 3 generations of his descendants, and he left a lasting memory of steadfast love for all of us. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peg who passed away December 18, 2012, by his parents, and by all the aunts and uncles of his own generation. He was indeed the last one standing.

He is survived by his son Cris Woods and his wife Corine (Price, also from Hays) of Kansas City, Mo., his daughter Patti Revell of Plano, Texas, his 5 grandchildren Faye, Beth, Steve, Kati and Ben, and his 2 great-grandchildren, Maxx and Jimi. We miss him already.

The family is planning a private inurnment ceremony at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney on Thursday, June 27th, 2019.

Visitation will be held the next day beginning at 1:00 PM with a “Celebration of Life Ceremony” to follow at 2:00 PM, Friday, June 28th at The First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall, in Hays. With the presentation of the US Flag by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076. All of Spec’s friends are welcome.

The family suggests memorials to High Plains Mental Health Center, Hays, Kansas.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolence can be sent to [email protected] or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

JoAnn Katherine Bieberle, 82, died June 20, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington. She was born October 13, 1936, in Ellinwood, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Josephine (Straub) Luebbers. JoAnn graduated from Claflin High School in 1954.

On June 9, 1958, she married Clarence Bieberle at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington.

A lifetime Barton County resident, JoAnn was a homemaker. She was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society, and a former member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and Altar Society in Dubuque, Kansas. She was a former member of the Daughters of Isabella, and the Clara Barton Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clarence Bieberle of the home; four daughters, Sandra Demel (Mike), Donna Nett (Dwight), all of Hoisington, Betty Evers (Dave) of Great Bend, and Janel Rugan (Richard) of Claflin; 9 grandchildren, Adam Demel (Corinna), Kiley Demel, Dayona Nett, Dayton Nett, Logan Evers, Hannah Evers, Sydney Rugan, Brady Rugan, and Delaney Rugan; and one great grandchild, Harlow Demel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Norbert & John Luebbers, and five sisters, Beatrice Mooney, Dorothy Mae Bishop, Annette Mall, Louise Schreifels, and Alice Smith.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with Altar Society Rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday, all at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 24, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or Kindred Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Leona Walters, age 98, of Borger, Texas formerly of Hays passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Caprock Nursing and Rehabilitation in Borger. She was born December 21, 1920 in Victoria, Kansas to Anthony and Catherine “Katie” (Wiesner) Lang. She married Ernest Walters on April 27, 1948 in Victoria. He preceded her in death March 29, 1956.

Leona had worked at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays, St. Anthony Hospital and the Hays Area Children’s Center. Prior to moving to Texas, she was a member of St. Joseph’s Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Dianne (Jerry) Wiedeman of Hays, Linda (Rusty) McDowell of Plainville and Janet (Mike) Slaton of Fritch, Texas; a brother, George Lang of Hays; three sisters-in-Law, Melinda Lang of Hays, Dorothy Lang of Catharine and Bertha Lang of Hays; five grandchildren, Tammy (Bill) Wierman of Hays, Shannon (Emily) Wiedeman of Wadsworth, Ohio, Lance Wiedeman of Kansas City, Missouri, Bryce McDowell of Plainville, Brock (Jill) McDowell of Plainville; a step grandson, Stuart McDowell of Mulvane, Kansas; 10 great grandchildren, Travis Wierman, Shane, Ella, Evangeline, and Sawyer Wiedeman, Bradyn, Brynlee, Mason and Caden McDowell and Jaxon McDowell; two great stepdaughters, Brooke McDowell and boyfriend, Jon and kids Cooper and Thea and Mercedes McDowell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son; a sister, Olivia Pfannenstiel and husband Edward; four brothers, Clarence, Isadore, Anthony and Ralph and a sister-in-law, Lenora Lang.

Funeral services will be 10 AM on Monday, June 24, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Severin Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 PM and Monday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley

Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church or Masses

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

Judy C. McDonald, 74, passed away June 19, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born July 9, 1944, at Great Bend to Howard Leon & Murva (Rogers) Klapp. She married Francis Ensminger, Jr. on June 18, 1964. He died in 1969. She later married Gary McDonald on March 7, 1973 at Ellinwood. He survives.

A lifetime Ellinwood resident, Judy was a homemaker. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Ellinwood. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved collecting DVD’s. She especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include, her husband, Gary McDonald of the home; two daughters, Teresa Grubb and husband James of Ellinwood and Christina Rowell and husband Jim of Great Bend; and three grandchildren, Gary Grubb, Judy Grubb, and Emily Rowell. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Francis Ensminger, Jr.; and two sisters, Betty Medlock and Norma Jean Osbon.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood, with Pastor Rick Standlee presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Judy McDonald Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Deborah Kathryn Schmidtberger, 66, of Hays, died Monday, June 17, 2019 at her home.

She was born February 25, 1953 in Hays the daughter of Daniel and Edna (Quint) Goetz. She graduated from Hays High School class of 1971.  On July 19, 1971, she married Karl A. Schmidtberger in Hays KS and they were happily married for 44 years.

In 1981, Debbie and Karl took ownership of Goetz Shoe Service from Debbie’s parents.  Over time they converted the shop to Pedorthic Specialists and ran the business until they retired in 2013.  They both managed Nova Properties LLC.

She loved spending time with her family, enjoyed making flower arrangements, remodeling homes, landscaping, and volunteering her time helping people.

She was a member of Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church where she enjoyed being a Eucharistic Minister.

She was an active member of Healing After Loss.  She volunteered her time helping people after the loss of a loved one.

Survivors include two sons Jesse Schmidtberger and wife Jennifer of Olathe and their children Josie and Julia, and Blake Schmidtberger and his son Eric Schmidtberger of Overland Park, KS.

She was preceded in death by her husband Karl Schmidtbeger and her parents Daniel and Edna Goetz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating.  Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.   Memorials are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or to the Hays Community Assistance Center.  Condolences and memories of Debbie may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

February 1, 1962 – June 17, 2019

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click HERE for service details.

Kirk Kalvin Brown, known to many as KB, Brownie or Captain Kirk was born in Oberlin, Kansas on June 29, 1957. He was the youngest of three children, born to Raye and Violet (VanPelt) Brown. Kirk passed away at his home in Oberlin, KS on June 18, 2019 at the age of 61.

Kirk was raised in Oberlin and graduated from DCHS in 1975. After high school, he did some construction work with Ronnie Black before returning to the family business. He bought Raye’s Grocery from his sister and husband, Lee and Jackie Frickey. It was during these years that his two daughters were born. Jenny in 1975 and Ashley in 1989.

Kirk enjoyed life. He took pride in watching his children and grandchildren grow and loved to spoil them whenever possible. When he was younger, he took every chance he could to take his Harley out for a ride. Kirk also enjoyed a good day of fishing and had an extensive album collection that he enjoyed listening too and took pride in.

Another love of his was Raye’s Grocery. It had become his home away from home, and he considered all the employees that worked there as part of his family. Kirk was well known for the many ways in which he supported the local community. One event he especially enjoyed was sponsoring the Lunch Box Derby every year.

Survivors include daughter, Jenny Kasson and husband Matt of Norcatur, KS; daughter, Ashley Brown and fiancé Allen Porter of Oberlin, KS; four grandchildren: Mike, Dennis Raye and Dru Kasson, and Avery Porter; sisters: Janie Neal and husband Rich and Jackie Frickey and husband Lee, plus many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father Raye Brown, his mother Violet Brown, his cousin Kerry Brown and many close friends that had become family.

Funeral services will be 2:30 pm Friday, June 21, 2019 at The Gateway Event Center in Oberlin, Kansas. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7:00 pm Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin. The family will receive friends from 6-7:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 70 or the Oberlin ~ Decatur Economic Development. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Phyllis Irene (Harbaugh) Bodine, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday the 15th of June 2019 in Russell, KS.

Phyllis was born March 27, 1925 on her parent’s farm on Big Creek southwest of Russell. She spent her early years on the farm, until moving to Great Bend in the 7th grade. She married Bob Bodine in 1946, who was an airman stationed in Great Bend during World War II. They lived in Great Bend, followed by service at air bases in Wyoming and Michigan, before Phyllis moved to Colorado Springs in 1958. There she found work at First National Bank of Colorado Springs, where she worked in various roles until her retirement in 1985. She retired to a small house she had moved to the farm of her youth on Big Creek. Later she moved into town, residing for over 10 years at Lincoln Manor in Russell. Phyllis was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 30 years. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, dogs and reading, and was an avid student of the Bible. Although childless, she shared her love and care with countless nieces, nephews, their children, and even their grand children, generously sharing her books, experiences, and love.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, James and Bertha (Ringeisen) Harbaugh, brothers Earnest, Lloyd, James, Willis, Ralph, Richard and Warren, and sisters June and Lillie Jean. She is survived by her younger sister Bonnie. Although childless, she shared her love and care with countless nieces, nephews, their children, and even their grand children, generously sharing her books, experiences, and love.

A graveside memorial service to celebrate Phyllis’ life will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, June 21, 2019, at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Burial of the ashes will follow the graveside service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the memorial service arrangements.