CHAPMAN — Oris DeWayne Thomas Jr., 75, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. He was born in Highland, Kan., to Oris Thomas Sr. and Dellaphine (Richardson) Thomas.
Oris was a lifelong over the road trucker, hauling pipe for the Alaska Pipeline in the 1970s. Oris was an active member of the Abilene Senior Center and captain of their billiards team. He always had a joke and loved to tell a good story, even publishing a few in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.
He is survived by: his mother; daughter, Trena Spear of Gypsum; sons, Travas Thomas (Kim) of Abilene, and Tim Thomas of Leavenworth; grandchildren, Jessica Knudson, Robert Spear, Jimmy Thomas, and Keshia Thomas; three great-grandchildren; mother of his children, Rose Thomas; and best friend, Ruth Phillips.
Oris was preceded in death by: his father; son, Tom Thomas; and brother, Harley Thomas.
Family and friends will celebrate Oris’ life from 10-Noon Friday, Nov. 25, at the Abilene Senior Center, 100 N. Elm, Abilene.
Memorials may be made to the Abilene Senior Center in care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
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Leta J. Burks, 63, Beloit, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be given to Leta Burks memorial fund, to be designated at a later date, in care of Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments, 302 N. Hersey Ave., Beloit, Kansas, 67420.
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Dwight – Lorene Esther Litke Eisenhut was called home by her Lord and Savior on November 17, 2016. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Lorene was born July 13, 1926, in Alta Vista, to Jerry and Esther Litke. She graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1945. After high school, she worked at Woolworth’s in Junction City and candled eggs in Alta Vista.
Lorene was united in marriage to Donald Eisenhut on October 1, 1949 at White City and they made their home in rural Dwight, KS, where they operated a dairy, crop, and livestock farm. She was your typical farm wife and could be found milking cows and feeding calves, as well as being in the home cooking, baking, and taking care of her family. Lorene was a very giving, caring, and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved to cook and bake. No matter how old you got, she never forgot a birthday, and always made you a cake. If you came to the house, you were always offered cookies or cake. She was famous for her no-bake cookies and never fail chocolate angel food cake.
Lorene’s family was her pride and joy, especially when it came to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never said “no” to a sleepover with the grandkids. She always made sure they had enough to eat, had a flashlight when it was dark, and a jacket when it was chilly. Visiting with her family is what made her happy.
Lorene was always happy, smiling, and never complained, always relying on God to guide her, even when her health was declining. She made sure that everyone had full bellies and their pets were doing well.
She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, KS.
Lorene was preceded in death by: her parents, a brother, Cecil, and sisters, Helen and Marie.
She is survived by her loving family: husband Don; son Gary of Dwight, daughter Deb Hewitt and husband Stan of Alta Vista, son Terry and wife Julie of Alta Vista; grandchildren Jami Maike and husband Brian of Manhattan, Dustin Hewitt and wife Brianne of Riverdale NJ; Kari Eisenhut of Lenexa; Shelbie Eisenhut and Chris Shade of Alta Vista; Lucas Thompson of Tecumseh; and great-granddaughters Daisy Rae Shade and Jordyn Grace Hewitt.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, November 22nd, at Zeiner Funeral Home from 5 to 7:30. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lorene Eisenhut Memorial Fund, which will be designated later. They may be sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
At Lorene’s request, cremation has taken place. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
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Cedar Point – Yvonne L. Allen, 87, of Cedar Point, Kansas, passed away November 17, 2016, at Diversicare of Council Grove.
She was born Mary 20, 1929, in Cedar Point, KS to Guss and Ida Carpenter. She married Steve Allen.
Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Steve, son Greg Allen, two brothers and 3 sisters.
She is survived by her grandson Justin Allen, of Council Grove; great-grandchildren Bree and Abby; brothers Gerald Carpenter, of Cedar Point, Guss Carpenter, Jr., of Eureka; and sister Cleta Scott, of Strong City.
At her request, cremation has taken place and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
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Barbara Tucker, 83 died November 18, 2016. She was born May 26, 1933 to Arthur and Nita (Cox) Hay. Barbara graduated from Miltonvale High School. She married Charles Tucker. They made their home on a farm near Miltonvale. Barbara also worked as a cabinet maker in Minneapolis for many years. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother, and 1 sister.
Survivors:
Sons: Guy (Jamie) Tucker, New Cambria, KS
Alvin Tucker and companion Linda Knox, Miltonvale, KS
Don (Sue) Tucker, Wells, KS
Ron Tucker, Tescott, KS
Sister: Louise Sherbert, Nickerson, KS
17 Grandchildren 21 Great Grandchildren
Private family services will be held at a later date.
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Dorothy May Johnson, 79, of Sterling passed away November 20, 2016 after a long illness. She was a farmer’s wife and homemaker. Dorothy was born January 17, 1937 in Great Bend, KS to Solomon and Wilhelmine Dietz. She was a graduate of Bethany College and taught elementary school for two years in Great Bend.
She married Duane A. Johnson on August 27, 1961 in Milberger, KS. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in August. A member of the Sterling United Presbyterian Church, Dorothy was a former deacon and served as the chairperson for the kitchen committee for many years. She was well known for her bread-baking skills, was a state fair championship bread baker and a Festival of Breads champion. She shared her talents as a 4-H breads project leader. Dorothy was also an accomplished seamstress and blessed many people with gifts she made using her embroidery machine. She enjoyed photography as a hobby and used her photos to make her unique “Greetings by Dot” cards.
She is survived by her husband, Duane and three daughters; Sheryl Kyle (Paul) of Shawnee, Gwen of Andover and Brenda Schwing (Aaron) of Andover; six grandchildren; Ben Kyle (Melissa), Ashley Stewart (Eli), Megan Kyle, Jessica Kyle, Caleb Schwing and Karissa Schwing; two great grandchildren, Creighton Stewart and Ember Kyle; sister, Ruth Bortz, Grand Island, NE; and two brothers, Emil Dietz (Theresa) of Galatia and Walter Dietz (Margaret) of Wichita. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Martin Dietz and Robert Dietz.
Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Church, Sterling with Rev. John Haspels officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present 5:00 to 6:00 P.M.
Dorothy deeply loved God, her husband and family, and her friends; she will be missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice & Home Care of Reno County, Sterling College or the Sterling United Presbyterian Church.
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Gerald Dee Lewis was born to Glenn A. and Reta T. Sewell Lewis on February 23, 1924 on a farm northeast of Hoxie, Kansas, and parted this Life November 20, 2016 at the age of 92. He received his education in rural school District 44, and graduated from Sheridan Community High School with the class of 1942.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, received his basic training and was sent overseas with the 383rd Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division. He was wounded near St. Lo, France, and received a Purple Heart.
Dee and Norma Jean Schropp were married on May 1, 1945 in Hoxie at the Methodist Parsonage while he was on leave from Winter General Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. They spent about three years in various Army hospitals trying to save his leg. He received an artificial limb after being discharged from Fitzsimons General Hospital and the Army in May of 1948. In November 1948, they returned to take up life on a farm northeast of Hoxie where they raised three children, Deanna Jean, Tim Edward and Dan Dean. He was a farmer and rancher. They moved to Hoxie in December of 1988 but he continued to help farm until a few years ago when his eye sight began to fail.
He was a member of the Sheridan County Farm Bureau and a Lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and watching high school wrestling throughout the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma Jean’s parents Max and Ida Schropp, and a granddaughter, Karen Lynn Lewis.
Survivors are his wife, Norma Jean, his daughter, Deanna and husband Larry Kness of Apache Junction, Arizona, and their children Troy and Tonya Allen of Brighton, Colorado, and their family, Tammy and Ed Loftis of Craig, Nebraska, and their family, Lanny and Kim Kness of Boulder, Colorado. His son Tim and Kristine Lewis of Concordia, Kansas, and their children Tracie Lewis of Overland Park, Kansas, Tad and Suzanne of Columbia, S. Carolina, Andy Lewis of Wichita, Kansas. Dan and Gail Lewis of Dresden, Kansas, and their children, Kyle Lewis of Irving, Texas, Dustin and Deadria Lewis of Osawatomie, Kansas, Jay and Heather Lewis of Hoxie, Kansas, Jeremy and Bethany Samson of Wakeeney, Kansas, and Jeffrey and Misty Samson of Ludell, Kansas. In total, he had 11 Grandchildren, 18 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Grandchild.
Funeral services will be held on Nov. 26th, 2016, at 10:30 P.M., at Hoxie First Presbyterian Church with Stan Smith officiating. Interment will be made at the Hoxie Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held Nov. 25 from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Hoxie High School Wrestling Team or the Sheridan County Benefit Walk and sent in care of the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, P.O. Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
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Alan Carl Mossberg, 65, of Kanopolis Lake passed away Saturday, November 19, 2016 at his home.
He was born April 6, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Jasper and Kathrine (Stenford) Mossberg. He was a Bethany College graduate. Alan was a longtime employee of Hospira Incorporated in McPherson. He married Lori Hill on January 27, 1994 in Miami, OK.
Alan’s parents precede him in death.
Alan leaves behind many loved ones, including his wife Lori, of the home; sons, Kristofer and Michael Mossberg, both of Albuquerque, NM; step-sons, Justin (Eyeisha) Holm, of McPherson, KS, Travis Holm, of McPherson, KS, and Brandon Holm, of Kanopolis Lake; brothers, Gordon (Linda) Mossberg, of Albuquerque, NM, and Robert (Marcy) Mossberg, of Wichita, KS; as well as 9 grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2016.
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Betty JoAnne (Kilian) Dumler, 89, died November 18, 2016, at the Stratford Commons memory care facility of Overland Park, Kansas, surrounded by nine family members, following complications from a fall.
Betty was born February 8, 1927, in Russell, Kansas, to Alma (Mai) and Sam Kilian. The beautiful Russell High School drum majorette married dashing high school track and football star, Richard Henry Dumler, on June 1, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell. They made their home in Russell and Hill City, Kansas, before moving to Great Bend, Kansas, in 1960. She worked as an accounting assistant for Western Power Company for 23 years. They were members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Great Bend and the Elks Club. They were former members of the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She was an avid reader and bowler and loved Royals baseball, KU basketball and fishing. Betty and Rich lived in Great Bend for 54 years before moving to Rose Estates assisted living in 2014.
She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Peggy Jo (Paul) Brown of Victoria, Texas, and Sharon Anne (Roger) Banbury of Overland Park, Kansas. Her five grandchildren are Nathan Brown of Austin, Texas; Jason (Michelle) Brown of Fort Worth, Texas; Monica Stewart of Olathe, Kansas; Amy (Jeremey) Fritson of Overland Park, Kansas; and Dustin Banbury, also of Overland Park. Her five great grandchildren are Hannah and Kaitlyn Stewart, Evan and Teagan Fritson and Lyla Brown. She is survived by sister Patty Walker and brothers Don, Bill and Dennis Kilian, all of Russell.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard, who died on October 14, 2014.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from Noon to 8 P.M. on Friday, November 25, 2016, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Golden Belt Humane Society and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.