Lance Thomas Shepard, 38, Ellis, passed away Friday, April 11, 2014, at his home. He was born July 10, 1975, in Hugoton, Kansas, to Keith Sullivan and Glenda Fern (Little). His parents are Steve and Glenda Fern (Little) Shepard. He graduated from Stanton County High School in 1994 and also graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Animal Science. He married Anita Jo Zordel March 23, 2013, in WaKeeney, Kansas.

He was currently working for Eck and Eck Construction in Ellis. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and shooting, spending time with his children and family, he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Ellis Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Anita of Ellis; two sons, Thomas Lance Shepard and Quinton Isaiah Shepard; two daughters, Adelita Rose Shepard and Josie Ann Shepard all of Ellis; his parents, Steve and Glenda Shepard of Johnson, KS; a sister, Bonnie Montoya of Johnson, KS; a step brother, Stephen Shepard of Salina; a step sister, Reta Shepard of Archie, MO;a half brother, Aaron Sullivan of Weatherford, TX; and a half sister, Brandy Phillips of Ada, OK.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Hannah Shepard.

Local Funeral services will be 3 :00 PM Wednesday at the Ellis Baptist Church with Visitation Tuesday 5:00 PM – 8:00 Pm at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637 and Wednesday 2:00 PM – service time at the church.

Johnson, Kansas Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, April 18, 2014, at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Johnson, Kansas Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson.

Memorials are suggested to the Ellis Recreation Commission or the Ellis Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

Irene M. Unrein, age 85, of Hays passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014, at her home. She was born November 1, 1928 in Liebenthal to Boniface and Mary (Legleiter) Herrman.  She married Paul A. Unrein November 12, 1946, in Liebenthal. He preceded her in death on Feb. 18, 2010.

Irene worked at Travenol and had her own sewing business for many years. She also did alterations for Mam’Zelles for over 25 years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Altar Society and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by four sons, Ron Unrein and wife Judy of Hays, Arlyn Unrein and wife JoAnn of Russell, Glenn Unrein and wife Holly of Hays and Curtis Unrein and wife Diane of Victoria; five daughters, Sheila Marcotte and husband Bill of Salina, Kathy Peterson and husband Vernon (Pete) of Hays, Becky Martin and husband Philip of Larned, Melinda Fross and husband Tom of Hays and Kristie Baker of Colorado; twenty two grandchildren, Steven, Chris, Ken, Jackie, Dan, Donna, Wayne, Kevin, Kendra, Eric, Jill, Brian, Andy, Angie, Joe, Jayson, Derrick, Michael, Darren, Kelly, Kelton and Logan; twenty-five great grandchildren, Ben, Gary, Shelby, Kilie, Chrissy, Seth, Amber, Jordan, Bella, Brett, Joshua, Taegan, Lane, Owen, Emma, Harper, Hannah, Lily, Lennox, Harleigh, Kadalen, Tatum, Rossie, Ethan, Aspen, and two great-great grandchildren, Isabelle and Elijah and one brother, Richard L. Herrman of Emporia, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Alfred, Benny, Clem and Clarence Herrman; three sisters, Clementine Klaus, Victoria Klaus and Frances Barry; a grandson, Wesley Molleker and a great grandson, Kaden Shannon.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 3 PM – 8 PM and Monday 9 AM – 10 AM at Brock’s North Hill Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS. 67601.

A rosary and parish vigil service will be Sunday at 7:30 PM at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested by the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

John E. Kundred, age 90, of Hays passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Harvard Square Assisted Living in Aurora, CO where he had been a resident since January of 2014. He was born September 9, 1923 in Shenandoah, PA to Alex and Anna Kundred. He graduated in 1941 from J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah, PA. He married Mary Alice Staab in 1943. They were married 70 years before she preceded him in death on March 9, 2013.

John was a retired truck driver from Graves Truck Line. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII with his service including the Air Offensive Japan, China Defensive and India Burma Air Combat,. His decorations included Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. John was also an avid baseball player and coach having played for the Catharine Owls and coaching Little League and American Legion teams with one of his Legion teams winning a state championship. He was also the girls softball coach at Fort Hays State University.

Survivors include a daughter, Jacqueline “Jackie” Havel of Denver, CO; five grandchildren, Curt (Julia) Kundred of Danville, CA., Jenny (Dave) Leichner of Highlands Ranch, CO., Eric (Shahna) Kundred of Highlands Ranch, CO., David (Julie) Havel of Golden, CO., and Kristi (Nick) Garcia of Littleton, CO. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Cecilia Staab of Hays as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, John A. Kundred Jr, a brother, Alex Kundred; a sister, Anne Yuditsky and a daughter-in-law, Lynna Kundred.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW.

Visitation will be Tuesday 5:00 PM – 8 PM and Wednesday 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM at Brock’s Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A  rosary service will be Tuesday at 6:45 PM followed by a parish vigil service will be 7:00 PM all at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested for Masses . Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

Helen Marie Aust, age 75 of Ellis, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney. She was born May 28, 1938 in rural Ellis, Kansas to John and Maria (Homburg) Aust. She graduated from Ellis High School in 1956.

Helen was a long time secretary for IMA Insurance of Wichita. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and she enjoyed sewing, crocheting and attending craft fairs.

She is survived by two sisters, Adabelle Zachman and husbvand Ernest of Ellis and Clara Keller of Yuma, CO; two nieces, Diane Henderson of Ellis and Debbie Zwirn and husband Russell of Otis, CO; a nephew, Darrell Zachman and wife Annie of Hays; 3 great nieces, 2 great nephews and 2 great-great nephews.

Her parents; infant sister, Alice Aust and a brother-in-law, Herman Keller preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday, April 14, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church 7 ½ miles north of Ellis.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS. 67637 and Monday 1:30 PM until service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

Dr. Howard C. Reynolds, age 99 of Hays, KS passed away April 10, 2014 at Hays Medical Center. He was born May 1, 1914 to George Washington and Marion Irene (Spear) Reynolds in Seward County, Nebraska.

He was a 1931 graduate of Seward High School; U.S. Army WW II Veteran; earned his BS, Masters and PhD from University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Botanist with Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS for 25 years; Dr. Reynolds received the Excellence in Botany Award in the state of Kansas in 2008; member First United Methodist Church, Hays, KS; charter member of Seward VFW #4755; member of Hays VFW #9076; other memberships:  Botanical Society of America, American Association of Plant Taxonomists and many horticultural societies.

A number of fossil plants, Nasella reynoldsii (a grass seed), Prisca reynoldsii ( a flowering stem) and Reynoldsiophyllum nebrascense (a leaf), have been named for him by his professional colleagues in recognition of his contributions in teaching, discovery, and research in botany and paleobatany.

In 2011 the Hays Optimist Club, in partnership with the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, created the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail in his honor. The trail is located just west of the Sternberg’s west parking lot and is open to the public.

He is survived by a sister, Marion Eskildsen, Richland, WA; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 14 at First United Methodist Church, Hays, KS. Services in care of Brock’s Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials may be made to Elam Bartholomew Herbarium Fund at Fort Hays State University Foundation or the First United Methodist Church, Hays, KS in care of  the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

Graveside Services and Inurnment will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday April 15, 2014 at Seward Cemetery, Seward, NE with full Military Honors.  Family and friends will gather at the Zabka Funeral Home in Seward, NE. at 10:30 a.m. and will then proceed to the cemetery.

The Brian Ruder Agency, with American Family Insurance, was selected as the state of Kansas agency of the month in March.

In order to be eligible for the recognition, an agent has to be with American Family for two years, have positive growth within the agency, and obtain specific criteria regarding the number of applications and quotes.  Another requirement within the process involves life insurance sales within each agency. The eligible agencies in the state are rated on the different aspects of sales, along with customer satisfaction numbers for this honor.

The Brian Ruder Agency ranked in the top three in four of the five categories, and in the top 10 in the remaining category.

GEORGETOWN, Texas — Anne Bannister, Hays, was among the students who participated in Southwestern University’s 2014 Research and Creative Works Symposium, which was held April 8.

Bannister presented a creative work titled “Warm of Heart: A Visual Story of Rural Thailand.” The research was done with Professor Mary Visser.

Southwestern University is a selective, nationally recognized undergraduate liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,500 students. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas. For more information on Southwestern, visit www.southwestern.edu.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Quaid Calvin Haase, 19, Hays, was arrested at 11:54 p.m. April 12 in the 500 block of West Seventh on suspicion of underage purchase/consumption of alcohol.

Perry Corke, age 87, Quinter, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter.

Longtime WaKeeney resident June M. McKinley passed away Monday, April 14, 2014, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita.  She was 87 years of age.  June was born January 21, 1927, in WaKeeney, to Ralph R. and Bertha M. (Britt) Berry.

On March 25, 1944, June was united in marriage to Andrew E. McKinley in WaKeeney.  They enjoyed 27 years of marriage together before Andrew’s death on January 13, 1972.  June worked in many areas of the banking industry for 39 years. She was a proud member of WaKeeney VFW Auxiliary Post 3449 for 55 years.

She will be dearly missed by many friends and family.  Survivors include her daughter, Andrea (Bill) Packard of Wichita; 10 grandchildren, Michael Packard (Rami) of Smithville, MO, Aaron Packard (Shelley) of Wichita, Wendy Packard Tolleson (Glen) of Suwanee, GA, Suzanne Packard Ferley (Shane) of Goddard, Jamie Packard Newman (John) of Halstead, Blain Packard (Alison) of Florence, AZ, Thad Packard (Kathryn) of Olathe, Jared Packard (Laura) of Wichita, Andrew Packard (Jessica) of Wichita, and Ryan Packard of Wichita; thirty great-grandchildren; and a brother, Joe Berry (Virginia) of WaKeeney.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Schmitt Funeral Home of WaKeeney.  Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11:30 to service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Victory in the Valley (a cancer support organization) and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

LAWRENCE — Adam Dean Denning age 38, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at his apartment in Lawrence.

He was born May 24, 1975, in Wichita, Kansas.

He was an computer code writer of software and was a chief project engineer. He spent most of his adult years in Lawrence, Kansas. He was a 1993 graduate of Hays High School and a graduate of Fort Hays Sate University with a degree in philosophy. He was an avid KU basketball fan, he enjoyed golfing, bicycling and spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his parents, Dean and Arlene (Leiker) Denning, Hays, KS; one sister, Jennifer Taggart, Hays, KS; three nephews, Charlie Stieben, Max Stieben, Jesse Taggart; one niece , Meg Taggart and his beloved cat, Daisy.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Max J. and Frances (Kreutzer) Denning, Clarence J. and Mary A. (Leiker) Leiker; and one nephew, Joey Hammerschmidt.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th & Vine, Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Monday, and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials are to the Community Assistance Center or First Call For Help. Condolences can
be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net

Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County has a ReStore in Hays!

The ReStore is located at the south end of The Mall with an outside entrance.  Hours are 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.  Donations of building materials, furniture and appliances are accepted during business hours.

ReStore Pick ups and Deliveries:
Deliveries will be made on exceptional situations only and will incur a minimum delivery fee of $10.
Pickups will be made, but donated items must be at ground level or in the garage.
Tigers in Action have agreed to help also.  If you need something picked up please call them at 785 628-5537.  They will need to be notified in advance.
Please remember that we do not accept clothing, bedding, mattresses, TV’s, computers and computer equipment.
All donated items must be clean and in good working condition.
For questions, please call 785 432-5030.

A Habitat ReStore is a facility that supports the services provided by its local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.  The income generated goes specifically toward expanding the building program of the local Habitat affiliate.

ReStores recycle overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials as well as furniture and appliances donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals.  These donated items are sold to the public or used in construction of Habitat houses.  All revenue from sales goes to the local affiliate in support of its building program.

The Mall is donating the space for the ReStore to HFHEC with the understanding that if a commercial venture wishes to use the location, HFHEC will have to vacate the space.  HFHEC pays all the utilities.

Those who work at the ReStore are volunteers donating their time.

Perry A. Corke, age 87, of Quinter, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Gove County Medical Center – Long Term Care.  He was born November 10, 1926 in rural Sheridan County to Ray G. and Rena Floy (Breeden) Corke.  He was a Hoxie High School graduate.  Perry went on to serve our country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps.

On July 19, 1953, Perry was united in marriage to Betty L. White.  They have enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. Betty survives him. Perry owned and operated Perry’s Electric for many years.  He started his career working on appliances, and as his experience developed, he went out on his own as an electrician.  He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

Perry is survived by his wife, Betty; three daughters, Treva Corke of Quinter, Rena and husband Paul Finster of Overland Park, and Lora Gurley of Overland Park; four grandchildren Dan and Sarah Gurley and Nathan and Aaron Finster, all of Overland Park; a brother Kenneth Corke of Goodland; and four sisters Frances Corke of Pratt, Paula Koogler of DeBary, Florida, Kathryn Morgan of Smith Center, and Lois Kaiser of Hartford, South Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Verna Corke.

Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 21, 2014, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, rural Studley. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to service time at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Caring and Sharing Fund, Gideon’s International, or Hospice Service, Inc. and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Jesse Daniel Pfannenstiel, age 40, of Woodston died Friday April 18, 2014, north of Hays, Kansas, due to a automobile accident.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville.

Visitation will be Monday 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Tuesday 12:30 PM until service time all at the church.

A parish vigil service will be 7:00 PM Monday at the church

Arrangements in care of Brock’s Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. A complete obituary is pending.

Hedwig (Rohr) Staab, age 93, passed away  January 26, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. She was born December 15, 1920 in Munjor, KS.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, April 21, 2014, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

Donations may be made in Hedy’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter, Southern Arizona Region, 3003 S. Country Club Road, Ste. 209, Tucson, AZ 85713.

Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net

HAYS, Kan. — Rita (Staab) Billinger, age 93, died Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Hays Good Samaritan Center.

She was born March 10, 1921, in Las Vegas,  NM, to Albert J. and Ida (Wiesner) Staab.  She married Leo R. Billinger on August 27, 1940, in Catherine, Kansas.  He died November 27, 2002.

She grew up in Catherine, Kansas, and made her home in Victoria and was a substitute cook at the Schools in Victoria.  She enjoyed playing cards, music  and spending time with her family.   She was  a member of St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Daughter of Isabella all of Victoria, Kansas.

Survivors include four sons, Vernon Billinger and wife, Dorothy, Macomb, Mich; Earl Billinger, Rich Billinger and wife, Jeani, Bill Billinger and wife, Cindy, all of Hays, KS; two daughters, Marlene Brown and husband, Ken, Attica Mich; Mary Kay Pfeifauf and husband, George, Capac, Mich; five brothers, Robert Staab and wife, Alice, Hays, KS;  Paul Staab, Frank Staab and wife, Irma, both in Denver, CO; Norman Staab and wife, Barbara, Tucson, AZ; Joseph Staab, Dear Trail, CO; three sisters-in-law, Rosie Suppes, Hays, KS;  Dorothy Billinger, Kansas City, KS; Catherine Staab, Denver, CO; 24 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Wayne Billinger; three brothers, Albert, Richard, Fred Staab; one sister, Eileen Bollig and one great grandson, Aaron Koehn.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas.  Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A Daughters of Isabella/Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a vigil services at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas  67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. Wednesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to St. Fidelis Daughters of Isabella and St. Fidelis Cemetery.  Condolences can be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net

Marvin Sprenkel, age 92, of Quinter, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014, at Gove County Medical Center-Long Term Care.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Roger Lyle Gray, 69, Hays, was arrested at 8:55 a.m. April 14 in the 2300 block of East Seventh on suspicion of failure to report an accident.

Services for Dean M. Misegadis, 88, Rush Center, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center.

Burial will be at Locust Hill Cemetery, Rush Center.

Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

Irene Bittel, 97, a longtime Hays resident, died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the Overland Park Regional Hospital.

She was born March 31, 1917, in Catharine, Kansas, the daughter of Paul and Mary (Seitz) Miller. In 1945, she married Isidore Philip Bittel, Hays, at the Army Base Chapel in Alamogordo, N.M. He died November 7, 1989. Irene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, and the VFW Auxiliary. She worked at St. Anthony Hospital/Hays Medical Center for 45 years and was the recipient of the Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award in 1996. She resided in Hays until 2010 when she moved to the Kansas City area to be near her family.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Ann Tsucalas and husband Chris of Elkridge, MD, Carol Andersen and husband Tony of Overland Park, KS, and Jane Moran and husband Jim of Overland Park, KS; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Tsucalas and wife Erin of Charlotte, NC, Hillary Tsucalas of Baltimore, MD and Justin Tsucalas and wife Michele of Baltimore, MD, Allison Dreiling Gutierrez and husband Jacob of Lenexa, KS, Todd Dreiling of Overland Park, KS, Alice Andersen of Overland Park, KS, and Natalie Moran of Overland Park, KS; three great grandchildren, Thea and Brynley Tsucalas of Charlotte, NC  and Oliver Tsucalas of Baltimore; two sisters, Louise Hammerschmidt of Victoria, KS and Mary Agnes Hayes of Topeka, KS; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and 13 brothers and sisters,  Alphonse, Otilla, Joseph, Marcel, Severin, Rudolph, Rita (Bieker), Leona (Smith), Edgar, Cyrilla (Dinkel), Gilbert, Eugene and Robert.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30, both on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of Hays Medical Center, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.