Guy Richard Ryan Jr., 92, died on the evening of July 10, 2016. He was born to Guy R. Ryan Sr. and Flora (Benz) on July 23, 1923 in Salina. A graduate of Salina High and student at Kansas Wesleyan, Guy served as a WWII Airman for the United States Army. After returning home, he ultimately followed in his father’s footsteps and joined Ryan Mortuary as a licensed mortician in 1948. He maintained his licensure for over 60 years.
Guy married Mary Jane “Merk” (Ludes) on February 12, 1944. They had three boys, and worked together at the mortuary for many years. After retiring as a funeral director, Guy and Merk moved to their farm near Brookville, KS where he was a cattleman,farmer, and raised buffalo for over 25 years. He also had horses, goats, guineas, chickens, and raised homing pigeons, which he enjoyed taking out of state for races. The farm provided his family with decades of fun times spent hunting, fishing, ice skating, sledding, having pig roasts, and enjoying the family cabin.
A multifaceted man, Guy served as a Scout Leader and member of many clubs over the years, including The Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, and Elks, where he was able to achieve the highest office of Exalted Ruler. He spent his life in the pursuit of knowledge and adventure and was fortunate to travel extensively, both stateside and abroad, an ambition he was able to pass on to his children, and their children too.
“Big Guy”, as Merk called him, was large in both stature and personality. His mind was as sharp as a tack. He took pride in teaching himself to speak Spanish and German, and found amusement in rattling off phrases no one could understand. He enjoyed entertaining others, and until his last days could still be heard reciting poems, limericks, and the many sayings and witty jokes he had learned over the years.
Guy was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Flora, his siblings Kenneth and Virginia, and his wife of 72 years, Merk Ryan.
Survivors include his three sons, Guy III (Rhonda), Jim, and Jerry (Rhonda); ten grandchildren, Marci, Mandie, Cara, Tara, Jeremy, Jimmy, Heather, Matt, Erin, and Jaime; and ten great-grand children, Kelsey, Kyle, Grace, Anna, Nathan, Makenna, Colton, Kaitlyn, Tanner, and Mazie.
Visitation will be from 4-8p.m. Friday, July 22, at Ryan Mortuary.
A graveside service is to be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 23, Guy’s 93rd birthday, at Hillcrest Mausoleum, Gypsum Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School or Sacred Heart Cathedral, in care of Ryan Mortuary.
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Jim E. Allen, 79, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016. He was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Wolbach, Neb., the son of Ervin and Selma Allen.
Jim served in the United States Air Force as a dental tech for four years. He was employed at Gibson’s, Beech Aircraft and Sears before starting his own business, Eastside Dental Lab.
After retirement, Jim enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed spending time working on projects.
Survivors: wife, Melda; daughter, Jennifer Catlin, of Salina; sons, Tuck Allen (Cynthia), of Arizona, and Jim Allen (Adrienne), of Salina; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Frances Berney, of Virginia Beach, Va., Ellamae Townsend and Marjorie Townsend, of St. Paul, Neb.
Preceded in death by: parents; sisters, Paula Eppenbach, Minnie Nagorski and Jeanne Clark; and brothers, Howard Allen, Don Allen and Edward Allen.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 18, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 302 S. Seventh St., Salina, with burial following at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.
Memorials may be made to: Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Hospice of Salina or St. John’s Lutheran Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.
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Virginia R. Liepitz, 81, of Salina, died Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Mrs. Liepitz was born June 23, 1935, in Luray, to Henry and Ella Siemers. She married Donald L. Lieptiz on Oct. 7, 1956, in Vesper.
She attended Brown Mackie College and later worked and retired from Simpson Oil Co. and Plaza Style Shop. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Virginia was past president of the VFW Auxiliary and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. She worked, called and played bingo for several years. She enjoyed traveling the back roads of Kansas with family and friends.
She is survived by two sons, Damon Liepitz, of Salina, and Kevin (Ellen) Liepitz, of Spring, Texas; a daughter, Pamela (Al) Madrona, of Spanaway, Wash.; two brothers, Wayne and Delbert Siemers; and three grandchildren, Damie Liepitz and Matthew and Markus Madrona; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenny Petty, in 1955, and her second husband, Donald Liepitz, in 2004.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today, July 15, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, where the family will receive friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Ryan Mortuary, with the Rev. Amy Truhe officiating. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Vesper Cemetery, Vesper. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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Everett G. Roop, the son of Kermit Walter Roop and Mary Elizabeth (Herzfeld) Roop, was born November 21, 1944 at Belleville, KS and passed away on July 14, 2016 at Chester, NE at the age of 71 years, 7 months, and 23 days.
Everett grew up and attended the local public schools of Chester, graduating from Chester-Hubbell High School in 1963. Following his graduation, he served three years with the U. S. Army and was stationed overseas in Germany for 18 months. He also served 3 additional years inactive.
He worked at Peake Transport after returning and attended the Welding School of Milford, NE, graduating with an Associates of Applied Arts Degree in Welding Technology. He moved to Wichita, KS where he worked for his Uncle: Walter Herzfeld manufacturing double wide mobile homes for three years. He returned to Chester and in 1970 began employment at Foote’s. Everett later was the Deputy Marshall of Chester and the Assistant Police Chief of Hebron for several years. He then was the head custodian and maintenance man for the Chester School District for 18 years until his retirement.
On February 5, 1967 he was united in marriage to Cathy Woodside. The couple has made their home in Chester and she survives.
Everett was a member and Master of Masonic Lodge # 43, Hebron, NE and also was secretary of Eastern Star. He was serving in his 28th year on the Chester City Council and was an officer and member of the County Fireman’s Association.
He was a volunteer with Chester Fire and Rescue for 46 years and was certified as an EMT/first aid for over 50 years. Everett also umpired softball and baseball games for 27 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Chester, NE for 50 years, active in many offices and boards. He also was a member of the American Legion State Line Post # 317.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kermit A. Roop, Jr, half-brother Richard Propp, daughter-in-law, Lynn Roop, and many aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife Cathy Roop of Chester, NE, three sons, Scott (Tammy) Roop of Lincoln, NE, Todd Roop of Chester, NE, and Gary (Jamie) Roop of Belleville, KS; Six Grandchildren: Jessica, Joshua, Brandon, Tanner, Raquel and Richard; 3 great grandchildren: Carter, Myles and Kyzer; one sister Linda Woebbecke of York, NE; one brother Robert (Linda) Roop of Belvedere, NE; one half-sister Willa Hunter of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Norma Propp of Phoenix, AZ; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, July 16, 2016
at the United Methodist Church, Chester, NE with Pastor Young Je Kim, officiating.
Interment will be at the Chester Cemetery, Chester, NE.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Legion State Line Post # 317.
Masonic Graveside rites will also be conducted.
Visitation will be from One PM until 9 PM on Friday, July 15, 2016
at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS with the family greeting friends from 6 PM until 7 PM.
Memorials are suggested to Chester Fire & Rescue or the Church.
Online condolences at www. bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.