Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Douglas O. “Doug” Hein, 34, died May 14, 2016, at Great Bend Regional Hospital. He was born April 4, 1982, in Great Bend, the son of Don and Sheila (Spatz) Hein.

Doug started his school life at Berean Christian School in Great Bend, changing to USD 431, Hoisington, in 4th Grade. He graduated from Hoisington High School in 2000, and then attended Salina Vo-Tech and graduated with a degree in HVAC.

He worked for Werth Heating and Air and later for Geo Search, in Great Bend. Doug then went to work for RCL out of Benbrook, Texas. He graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, and became a patrolman for Great Bend Police Department. He was currently working for C&E Door in Great Bend.

Doug was full of life, loving people, and working well with children. He was a handyman and had good work ethics, always going the extra mile when called upon. He loved spending time with his best friend and brother Shawn. He also loved hunting, fishing, shooting targets, sports, and spending time with family and friends. Doug loved his dogs, especially Elvis, Lady, and Cyrus. He also loved his “adopted” grandparents, Emanuel and LuElla Miller who cared for him when he was young.

He was baptized and confirmed as a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Doug was also a former member of the FOP and the NRA.

He met, fell in love with, and married Tonya Sullivan. They were married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Hoisington, on July 14, 2007. Together they raised Tonya’s daughter, Paige Raven Byerly. Earlier this year that household increased with Keisha Briggeman, Tonya’s oldest daughter.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife Tonya Hein of Great Bend, stepdaughters, Paige Byerly, and Keisha Briggeman of the home; stepson, Keith Briggeman of Pratt; his parents, Don & Sheila Hein of Hoisington, mother-in-law, Bernadine Sullivan of Great Bend; brother, Shawn Hein of Bartlesville, OK; sister-in-law, Tammy (Sullivan) Zumalt and husband Kenny of Springfield, Missouri; and a brother-n-law, Delbert Barlow of Great Bend; uncles and aunts, Jim and Cindy Balthazor of Russell, John and Julie Hein of Hoisington; cousins, Joelle Jacobs, Jensen and Jozie Jacobs, Teryn Yarmer and husband Neal, Aiden and Brinley Yarmer, and numerous other cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Dave and Elvina (Michaelis) Hein, Ben and Geneva (Quick) Spatz, Aileen (Wilson) Spatz; cousin, Kirk Balthazor; and father-in-law, Harold W. Sullivan.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Rev. Shelly Klingensmith presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Golden Belt Humane Society, or Great Bend Library or Hoisington Library, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Irene C Bitter – 1927 – 2016

Irene C. Bitter, 88, of Hoisington, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Cherry Village in Great Bend. She was born December 9, 1927 at Barton County, KS, the daughter of Fred and Amelia (Bitter) Deutsch. She was a lifelong resident of Northern Barton County and Hoisington until moving to Cherry Village Nursing Home in 2014.

Irene married Harry Bitter on November 21, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Susank. He preceded her in death on September 23, 2014. Mrs. Bitter was a farm wife and worked as a C.N.A. at Central Kansas Medical Center and Hoisington Clara Barton Hospital. She was a member of LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) and the Dorcas Society.

Survivors include one son, Kenneth and wife Cindy, of Powell, OH, grandchildren, Josh and wife Kelly, Kurt Bitter, Shaelynn Bitter, Zachary Bitter, Trey Bitter, Cole Bilbrey, Sydnie Bilbrey; and two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Lucas Bitter; one brother Junior Deutsch of Hoisington, KS, two sisters, Theresa Dumler of Hoisington, KS, daughter-in-law, Heather Bitter (surviving spouse of Greg), of Hoisington, KS, and Wilma Haesemeyer of Hutchinson, KS.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Frederick J. Bitter and Greg Bitter; eight brothers, Armin Deutsch, Raymond Deutsch, Leland Deutsch, Dean Deutsch, Edward Deutsch, Edwin Deutsch, Robert Deutsch, Paul Deutsch; and one sister Helena Mai.

The funeral service will be Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church in Hoisington, with the Reverend Mark Lovett officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, KS. Interment will be at Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Hour, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Dateline: Salina, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Francis Joseph “Fritz” Lang                          Age: 76

Date of Death: May 12, 2016

Place of Death: Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas

Date of Birth: April 22, 1940 at Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: Frank and Gertrude (Eckert) Lang

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Sharon Weber July 20, 1963. They later divorced. He married Agnes R. Stos November 20, 1981 at Hoisington, Kansas.

He was an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad and a driver for Mid-Continent LP Service.

He was a member of American Legion, Hoisington, and United Transportation Union Local #804, where he served as past chairman.

 

SURVIVORS

Wife: Agnes R. Lang, of the home

two sons: Keith Lang and his wife Michelle of Hoisington, and Rod Hitschmann of Fort Worth, Texas

one sister: Lorene Reif and her husband Don of rural Hoisington

one brother: Melvin Lang and his wife Yvonne of Perry, KS

four grandchildren: Kody Lang, Kyle Lang, Kortney Lang and Garrett Hitschmann

former wife, Sharon Lang

 

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lyle Lang and Kenneth Lang.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Time of Service: 10:30 a.m.

Place of Service: St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend

Officiant: Father Ted Stoecklein

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: American Lung Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

 

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                      Arrangements by    Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road       Great Bend, Kansas         67530

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Marcella Ann “Sally” Vink Age: 94
Date of Death: May 12, 2016
Place of Death: River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kansas
Date of Birth: July 21, 1921, in rural Odin, KS.
Parents Name: Emil R. and Mary Theresa (Kinzel) Zecha

OBITUARY INFORMATION

She married Melvin F. Vink June 1, 1943 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellinwood. He died February 17, 2007.
A 45 year resident of Great Bend, Sally was a homemaker and a devoted mother, raising five children. Being the oldest of nine siblings, she developed a deep appreciation and love for her family. She was a beloved grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be missed by all. Above all she was dedicated to her Church and God.
She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Altar Society, Great Bend. She enjoyed flower gardening.

SURVIVORS

three sons: Craig Vink and his wife Kim of Great Bend, Kenny Vink and his wife Cindy of Ellinwood, and Terry Vink and his wife Sandra of Great Bend
one daughter: Kathy Berkley and her husband Mike of Forestburg, Texas
three sisters: Clarissa Blessing of Great Bend, Bernice Henderson of Great Bend, and Ethel Ricker of Nashville, Kan.
two brothers: Norbert Zecha of Portland, Ore., and Bernard Zecha of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Eleven Grandchildren: Scot Vink, Dawn Martin, Chelsea Mermis, Abby Riegel, Leslie Wheeler, Lyndsae Hertel, Gavin Vink, Jessica Bates, Matthew Vink, Kaley Berkley and Braden Berkley
Great-grandchildren: Eight

She was preceded in death by one son, Michael Vink, three brothers, Irvin Zecha, Norman Zecha and Joe Zecha, and one grandson, Bryan Vink.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. and Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Holy Family School Endowment or Healing Hearts Ranch, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Dateline: Great Bend

Ruth J. Dailey, 80, passed away May 10, 2016, at Brookdale Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kansas. Ruth was born October 9, 1935, to Kenneth and Martha (Wittig) Rice in Hoisington.

On November 23, 1960, she married Orvel Wayne Dailey, in Miami, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on September 9, 2009.

Ruth was a resident of Great Bend for 40 years. She was well known for her friendly and outgoing personality through her waitress work in local restaurants, as a cashier at Safeway Grocery, and a driver for Doonan GMC.

Ruth grew up on farms in Hoisington, Washington State and Nebraska. She worked very hard helping with farm work and being a second mother to her 7 siblings. Ruth attended schools in Hoisington, St. Paul Lutheran in Ogallala, Nebr. And High School in Bruhle, Nebraska.

Survivors include; her daughter, Hunter St. Claire of Kansas City; granddaughter, Ami Huntley of Kansas City; grandson, Ben Huntley of Chicago, Ill.; and a great grandson, Joseph Gras. She is also survived by brothers, Jerry Rice and wife Marilyn of Greenwood, Ark., Richard Rice and wife Dana of Driftwood, Texas, George Rice and wife Jane of Hoisington, John Rice and wife Judy of Edmond, Okla., and Ben Rice of Great Bend; a sister, Martha DeHaven and husband Denny of Cresson, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Orvel Dailey, brother, Kenneth Rice and a nephew, Eric Rice.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, with the Rev. Joshua Leu presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, with family to receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Name of Deceased: Paul Ray Bishop                                                  Age: 72

Date of Death: May 9, 2016

Place of Death: At home in Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: January 15, 1944 at Ingram, Arkansas

Parents Name: Cloys William and Nova Neaomi (Hayes) Bishop

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Karen Sue Schremmer August 24, 1968 at Great Bend, Kansas.

He was a salesman for Doonan GMC.

Mr. Bishop was a Great Bend, Kansas resident since 1967 coming from Timken, Kansas.

He was a United States Army veteran, stationed in Germany.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Hoisington Horseshoe Club. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing and camping.

 

SURVIVORS

Wife: Karen Sue Bishop, of the home

two sisters: Betty Chlumsky of Great Bend, and Willie Ellis and her husband John of Parsons, Kan.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Cherie Ann Bishop and Tammy Sue Bishop.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, May 12, 2016

Time of Service: 10:30 a.m.

Place of Service: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend

Officiant: Father Don Bedore

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Kans for Kids or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

 

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                      Arrangements by    Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road       Great Bend, Kansas         67530

(620) 793-3525

GREAT BEND — Herman Leo Debes, 71, died May 8, 2016 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita. He was born March 29, 1945 at Great Bend, the son of William N. “Bill” and Frances Marie (Keeley) Debes. He was a 1963 graduate of Great Bend High School.

Mr. Debes was a United States Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, having served two tours of duty. While in the Air Force, he was stationed at Minot Air Force Station, Minot, N.D.; Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam; Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colo.; Phang Rang Air Base, Vietnam; Clear Air Force Station, Alaska; Zwiebrucken Air Force Base, Germany; Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Okla.; Suwon Air Base, Korea; Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla.; and numerous temporary duty assignments throughout the world.

His decorations, awards and medals included the Meritorious Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four devices, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three devices, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Service Award Ribbon with three devices, Air Force Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with one device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He retired in August 1985 as Master Sergeant (E-7) in the United States Air Force, Security and Law Enforcement Section, serving more than 20 years. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Debes lived on the family farm north of Radium in Stafford County, where he was a farmer, stockman, gardener and hunter.

Mr. Debes was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111, both of Great Bend, Knights of Columbus Council #7485, Andover.

Survivors include one brother, William E. Debes and his wife Jolene of Hutchinson, one sister, Caroline F. Moeder and her husband Aaron of Rose Hill; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Loren Thomas Debes.

Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 16, 2016 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein celebrating. Burial with military graveside rites by the United States Air Force Honor Guard will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Stafford County, Kansas. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Holy Family School Endowment or Radium Rangers, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                      Arrangements by    Bryant Funeral Home         1425 Patton Road       Great Bend, Kansas         67530