Kyle Urban, age 31, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019 in rural Trego County, Kansas. He was born August 22, 1987 in Hays, Kansas to James and Jill (Kehr) Urban.

Kyle was a floor hand with Discovery drilling and had worked for WW Drilling, Shields Drilling and Abercrombie Drilling. He enjoyed fishing, coyote hunting with his brothers and being with friends.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Clinton and Kevin Urban both of Ellis; grandmother, Josephine Urban as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Urban and his maternal grandparents, Robert and Faye Kehr.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, June 14, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.
Visitation will be Thursday 6 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM all at the church.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kyle Urban Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date.

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

Helen (Markwell) Hartman, of Hays, Kansas who recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends from around the country passed away Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Brookdale of Hays.

She was born May 15, 1919 in Hays, Kansas to Robert S. and Minnie (Wells) Markwell. She graduated from Hays High in 1937. She attended Fort Hays State University and then the University of Kansas where she graduated from the school of Journalism in 1941. On August 23, 1941 she married Van Hartman. He preceded her in death in January of 2000.

She was a homemaker and had worked as a CNA during WWII. Helen was a long time Pink Lady volunteer at Hadley Hospital and Hays Medical Center where she was recently recognized for 50 years of service. She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Hays, PEO and Kappa Alpha Theta.

She is survived by two sons, Mark Hartman and wife Kim of Raymore, Missouri and Dr. William “Bill” Hartman and wife Kim of Shawnee, Kansas; two daughters, Deb Guffey and husband Rich of Hays and Kathy Hartman of Lenexa, Kansas; a brother, Calvin Markwell of Denver, Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Aside from her husband Van she was preceded in death by her grandson, Matt Guffey.

Funeral Services will be 3 PM Saturday June 15, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Hays. Inurnment will follow in the Mt. Allen Cemetery, Hays.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association.

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

Loretta May McCall, 52, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, June 04, 2019 at her home in Russell.

Loretta was born on July 12, 1966, to Buford and LuCretia Croslin.  She moved to Kansas in 1976. 

She enjoyed outdoors, spending time with her family and friends.  Loretta was a very good friend and proud mother.  She will be missed dearly.

Loretta is survived by 4 sons Timothy L. Bridges (Cathy) of Russell, Kansas, Jonathon L. Bridges (Jessica) of Hays, Kansas, David A. Bridges of Nashville, Tennessee and Michael S. Bridges of Codell, Oklahoma; 2 sisters Barbara Demoret and Connie Carbajal; 3 brothers Richard, Thomas and Michael Croslin.

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

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of her arrangements.

Paul A. Jones was born October 27, 1937, at the family farm in Crystal Plains Township, Smith County, Kansas.

He was born ninth of ten children to Archie and Georgia Allena (Lanus) Jones. Paul went to be with the Lord on June 10, 2019, at the age of 81. Paul had many happy memories of his childhood, many of them involving fishing experiences. Often on a summer evening, after the supper dishes were washed, his mother would take up her fishing pole, and with Paul in tow, would walk to the nearby farm pond to fish. When his oldest brother, Joe, and wife Mildred would come home on leave from the Army, they would come for Paul and take him camping and fishing.

The Lanus grandparents would take the Jones kids with them on fishing trips to Shady Bend or other places along the Solomon River. Paul also remembers his older brothers sitting around the big stove in the basement and telling stories about their experiences in World War II.

Paul started his early schooling at Pleasant Dale rural school until the family moved to Smith Center. His dad, and later some of his brothers, took over managing the Center Cabins and gas station out on the curve of Old Highway 36, just west of Smith Center. During high school, Paul worked as floor manager of the local skating rink. Paul was active in sports in high school. He played center on the football team, was elected captain by his teammates, and selected to the all-league team his senior year. Paul graduated from Smith Center High School in 1956. He wanted to join the Navy, but his mother was very opposed to it. She had sent four sons off to World War II and thought she had done more than her part. A few days after graduation, she and daughter Sondra left on the train to visit relatives in Oregon. Her last words to Paul were, “Now don’t you go and join the Navy while I’m gone!” A few days later, Paul and his buddy Gary Overmiller were standing in front of Bolton’s Gas & Electric waiting to board the bus to Kansas City to join the Navy. Before Paul left, his father shook his hand and said, “Well, giv’em hell son.” Gary and Paul completed basic training in Great Lakes, IL. They both made the Navy their career, each serving 20 years. Paul served at Navy bases in Norfolk, VA, Great Lakes, IL, and Charleston, SC. He mostly served on destroyer ships in the Atlantic Fleet in the Caribbean and Mediterranean areas. Paul’s ship picked up Enos the chimpanzee after he had been launched into space. Paul said he was “one mad chimp!” Paul’s ship participated in the Cuban blockade and he stood at General Quarters ready to fire on the Russians if necessary. Paul later retired from the Navy in 1976, with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Paul married Joyce Overmiller on March 13, 1958. Three sons were born to them; Jeffrey Paul, Christopher Guy, and Joseph Scott. When Paul retired from the Navy in 1976, the family moved back to Smith County and the boys finished school at Smith Center. Paul gained employment with the City of Smith Center to overhaul the water treatment plant and then did general equipment maintenance and repair.

In retirement, Paul indulged his passion for flying. He spent hours building and flying model airplanes and was a member of a club. Later, he took flying lessons and purchased his own one-seater ultralight plane. It was a sad day for Paul when he was no longer able to fly.

Paul faithfully attended the Presbyterian church and made a profession of faith in his youth. After marriage, the family was active in church wherever Paul was stationed. Upon retirement and returning to Kansas, the family attended the Thornburg church, where Paul was an active member until he was no longer able to attend.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Joe (Mildred) Jones, Jack (Irene) Jones, Leroy, Warren, and Lloyd Jones; sisters Joan (Dale) Moser, and Frances Cochran.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons Jeff (Lynette) Jones, Norton, KS; Chris (Janet Griffith) Jones, Smith Center; Scott (Lisa) Jones, Lawrence, KS; sisters Barbara Rowland, Kingsland, GA, and Sondra (Ken) Schoenhofer, Erie, KS; brother in law Bill Cochran, Norton, KS. Paul has many grandchildren and great grandchildren including Karlie (Nate) Stroup, Ayla & Ayden, Basehor, KS; Kara Jo (Michael Sprigg), Chapel Hill, NC; Kamilla Jones, McPherson, KS; Zach Jones, Ruger & Wesson, Smith Center, KS; Jordan (Kelli) Jones, Kaley, Elle, Sadie & Delilah, Smith Center, KS; Travis Jones, Smith Center, KS; Laine Pike, Chase & Josh, Wichita, KS; Lauren Pike and Ashlee, Wichita, KS; Samantha (Joel) Morgan, Gardner, KS; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Click HERE for service details.

Kala Barnett, 70, died on Monday, June 10, 2019 at her home in Dighton. She was born on November 17, 1948 at Anthony, Kansas the daughter of Arloe & Maxine (Phillips) Snodgrass. She married Mac Barnett on February 2, 1968 at Dighton.

Kala moved to Dighton during her schooling years and graduated from Dighton High School in 1966. She then attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma for a year. After her marriage she and her husband lived in Dighton until moving to Osage City for 12 years where she worked as a seamstress and for a insurance agency in Lyndon. In 1987 they moved to Healy and back to Dighton in 1991. After moving to Dighton, she was a longtime employee of the Frigid Crème. She was a member of the First Christian Church where she was very active and was a Past President of the Kansas Disciples Women’s Fellowship and a member of the Board of Regents of Christian Church of Kansas. She enjoyed crocheting and making crafts, mainly dolls to give away. She was preceded in death by her Father and 3 Grandchildren.

She is survived by her Husband- Mac Barnett of the Home, 2 Sons- Mac Barnett, Jr. of Dighton & Marc Barnett of Kansas City, Kansas, Mother- Maxine Snodgrass of Dighton, 2 Brothers- Eric Snodgrass of Arlington, Texas & Alan Snodgrass of Jetmore, 2 Sisters- Arla Mae Beal of Billings, Montana & Mara Adkins of Richland, North Carolina & 4 Grandchildren.

Graveside service will be at 9:00 AM Saturday at Healy Cemetery in Healy followed by Memorial Service at 11:00 AM Saturday at the First Christian Church in Dighton with Rev Aerii Smith officiating. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Ohio “Pete” Donald Aumiller was born June 9, 1943 in Hoxie, KS to Glen and Margie (Batchelor) Aumiller. He passed away June 11, 2019 at the Citizens Medical Center, Colby at the age of 76.

He was raised in Selden and graduated from Selden High School in 1961. In the late 1960s, he moved to Colby and worked for Thomas County Rd Dept. for 37 years. Pete married Delores Korte on September 21, 1973 in Colby, KS. He also worked for Caterpillar in Colby doing custodial work. Pete moved to Hoxie, KS in 2015. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed Nebraska Football, following sports, fishing and teasing people.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Delores; two infant sisters and one infant brother; brothers: Roy Lee Aumiller and Claude Aumiller; sisters: Nova Mader, Levita Aumiller, Glenadine Rodriquez, and Pauline Ashbaugh. He is survived by his daughter, Roxanne and husband Eric Baker of Colby; sister, Alice Stillwell and husband Chuck of Topeka, KS; brothers, Gary Aumiller and wife Evelyn of Lenora, KS and Winslow Aumiller of Hoxie and granddaughter, Jennifer Baker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Selden, KS. Burial will follow at Selden Cemetery. Visitation will be 1-7:00 pm Thursday, June 13, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Selden. Family will receive friends from 5-7:00 pm. A Rosary will be said at 7:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Selden Recreational Committee and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

April 4, 1981 – June 10, 2019

An obituary is pending with Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.

Click HERE for service details.

Clara Edna Cook, 90, passed away on June 7, 2019, in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born April 11, 1929, to Jacob and Salamena (Radke) Boger. She married Carl F. Cook in 1950.

She grew up on the family farm north of Hoisington until she married and moved to Great Bend. She was a very loving mother, homemaker and was very active in her church. She worked for Gibson’s and Fuller Brush. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, being with her family and especially keeping her grandchildren overnight.

Survivors include three daughters, Sally (Gary) Tournear of Great Bend, Anna (Gary) Burke of Great Bend, Pam (Paul) Clark of Peyton, CO; five grandchildren, Garrett Tournear, Kari Lankerd, Amy Larm, Scott Burke, Donny Clark and Amanda Clark; five great grandchildren, Arlon Clark, Tanner Ford, Tommie Lankerd, Kian Tournear, Hayden Clark. She was preceded in passing by her mother and father; husband; one son, Don Cook; one grandson, Carl (Chuck) Tournear; two brothers, Emmanuel and Armen; and five sisters, Wilma, Tillie, Irene, Alvina, and Mary Lou.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 17, 2019, at First Southern Baptist Church, Great Bend.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Lewis Wayne “Bud” Eulert, 87, of Hays and Paradise, Kansas, died on Friday, May 31, 2019, at the family farm in Paradise, Kansas.

Bud was born on October 18, 1931, in Rural Paradise, Kansas, the son of Otto C. and Elsie (Reich) Eulert. He grew up in Paradise and graduated from Paradise High School. After high school he graduated from Ft. Hays State University. After achieving his degree, he served his country by joining the United States Army. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Kathryn A. Wolf on March 06, 1954, in Natoma, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with 6 children David, Max, Peggy, Anna Lou, Amy and LuAnn. Bud and Kathryn were happily married for 54 years before preceding him in death on September 13, 2008 . Losing his wife was devastating for him, but Bud was fortunate to find love again and was united in marriage to Ann (Morgan) McGlocklin on December 24, 2010, in Hawaii. Bud enjoyed working as a farmer and rancher and spent countless hours managing his cattle and farm. Bud would tell you he loved his farm but later in life, what really intrigued him was managing his oil investments. He was co-owner of ESP Development. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Kansas Herford Association, Kansas Wheat Growers Association and was on the Paradise School and Township Boards. He enjoyed collecting Indian Artifacts, painting and gun collecting. Most of all he enjoyed spending his time with his family.

Surviving family include his wife Ann of Hays, Kansas, sons David Eulert of Lenexa, Kansas, Max Eulert (Sally) in Ellis, Kansas; daughters Peggy Eulert of Paradise, Kansas, Amy Groom (Tim) of Wellington, Kansas and LuAnn Eulert of Kirkland, Washington; brother Donald Eulert and companion Ute of San Diego, California; sisters Irene Schmidtberger (Linus) of Corpus Christi, Texas and Lynda Koelling (Warren) of Paradise, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Reese Eulert, Fay Eulert, Otto Eulert, Oliver Eulert, David Keil (Gela Parish) Drew Keil (Crystal Hill), Owen Keil, Ian Groom and Brody Groom, 2 great grandchildren Elsie & Scarlet Woods; step daughters Heather McGlocklin of Wichita, Kansas and Bobbi Hase (Collin) of Miami, Florida, step grandchildren Memphis and Liberty Hase.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kathryn; sisters Eleanor Laubhan and Joyce Gillett; brother Harold Eulert and infant daughter Anna Lou Eulert.

A memorial service to celebrate Bud’s life will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Wes Oakley officiating. The family will have a 2 P.M. graveside service, at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas. Memorials may be given to Hays Hospice or the Russell County Area Community Foundation and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Bill J. Cunningham, age 86, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019 in WaKeeney.

Graveside services will be 10:30 AM on July 5, 2019, at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney.

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

A complete obituary is pending with Brock’s-Keithley Funeral chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine hays, KS 67601

LaVern Heller passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County in Oberlin, Kansas at the age of 91. He was born on September 25, 1927 near Leonardville, Kansas to Otto and Ethel (Johnson) Heller. On December 25, 1949 LaVern was united in marriage to Wanda Lee Mickey at her parent’s home in Wakefield, Kansas. They were blessed with two children: Kathleen Anne and Robert LaVern.

LaVern grew up around Leonardville where he attended Lee School District 79 until 1937. He then attended the Leonardville Grade School for a year and later Riley Grade School. He graduated from Riley High School in 1946 and then enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Rifleman and a Bugler in the B Troup, 8th Calvary. He was stationed at Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Knox in Kentucky, Camp Stoneman in California, and Camp Omeiga in Japan. LaVern’s honorable service was recognized with the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan.

LaVern worked as a manager of the Bala Elevator and bookkeeper for the Riley Feed Store for 7 years until he moved to Palco where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Slick’s Ditching Service for 34 years. LaVern was an active member, treasurer, and “coffee man” for the United Methodist Church for many years. During his spare time he enjoyed square dancing at the Palco Community Hall, keeping his yard looking nice, and fishing. When the weather got cold his favorite thing to do was travel with his wife to various locations in Arizona. LaVern was devoted to a life of serving God and his beloved family.

LaVern is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Shaffer and husband Brent of McCook, NE; son, Robert Heller of Palco, KS; grandchildren, Alicia Leith, Kirstyn Shaffer, and Andrew Heller; and great-grandchild, Zapleigh Zander.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Ethel Heller, wife, Wanda Heller, and sisters, Arlene Gravenstein and Darlene Maginness.

It is said, “Life has meaning only to the degree it is lived in the service of others.” LaVern lovingly gave of himself to family, friends, neighbors, and community because he valued them above all else. His legacy of honor, integrity, and faith will continue to inspire those who knew him best, until we all meet together again in our everlasting home.

Memorial Services will be determined at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County or the Palco United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.