Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Peter John McCallum, 55, was born Nov. 14, 1960, in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Norman McCallum and Marjorie (Hudspith) McCallum Harrington. He died in Topeka, Kansas on Dec. 7, 2015.

Peter moved with his family to Great Bend, Kansas where he attended school from Kindergarten through high school. He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1978 and from Barton County Community College in 1980 with his associates degree.

Peter worked in Salina, California, Wichita, Great Bend, and Topeka where he made many wonderful, close and lifelong friends. His interests included acting, movie going, and sports. He was an avid sports fan and loved following KU basketball, Great Bend Panther football, the KC Chiefs, and the Royals. He loved dogs especially his two dogs Frannie and Cha Chi.

Peter was preceded in death by his father, Norman McCallum and his mother, Marjorie McCallum Harrington. He is survived by his sisters Brenda Kelley and her husband Tom of Grand Junction, Colo., and Rosalind Neeland and her husband Dennis of Great Bend, nieces Suzanne Smith and her husband Christopher of Aurora, Colo. and Hillary Emerson and her husband Aaron of Great Bend, nephews Sean Kelley of Dover, Del. and Graham Neeland and his wife Alex of Tonganoxie, Kan., as well as five great nieces and nephews, Sarah and Joshua Smith and Elaine, Oliver and Avery Emerson. He is also survived by step sisters Joan Harrington of Great Bend, and Norma Hodges of Kelseyville, Calif. and step brother Gerald Harrington of Russell.

A memorial graveside service will be held at the Great Bend Cemetery on Sat., Mar. 19, 2016, at 2:00p.m. with a reception following at The Front Door 1615 10th Street in Great Bend. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Front Door.

Peter will always be remembered for his quick wit, his gentle character, and his kind and loving way with people. We loved him dearly and we will miss him greatly. Donations may be made to the Golden Belt Humane Society or to Valeo Recovery Center of Topeka, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend.

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

Dateline: Otis, Kansas
Name of Deceased: Jessica “Billy” Cruz Wagner Age: 25
Date of Death: December 28, 2015
Place of Death: University Of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, after a 12 day battle of heart surgery complications
Date of Birth: January 4, 1990 at Colby, Kansas
Parents Name: David Arthur Pantoya and Kristy Ann (Havel) Wagner

OBITUARY INFORMATION
An Otis, Kansas, resident, Jessica owned and operated a cleaning business, “Cleaning Cruz”. Jessica was a genuine lover of all animals, especially her dog (pit bull mix), Marley. She loved the outdoors, being active, and sports! From swimming, boating, 4-wheeling, fishing, playing frisbee, basketball, etc. Jessi also loved going to sporting events, such as, football, hockey, baseball, drag strip racing, and NASCAR. Jessica played the violin in the orchestra in high school, where she attended in Burleson, TX. She later graduated From Great Bend High School, Great Bend, KS. She was awarded the Kansas State University math award (KATM) for a math/art project in 1998. She also volunteered at several concession stands for the Weatherford Blue Bonnet dance team while living in Texas. We will all remember and miss her cute little giggle and beautiful infectious smile!

SURVIVORS
Mother: Kristy Ann Wagner
Father: David Arthur Pantoya
Adoptive Father: Richard Lee Wagner
Step father: DeWayne Cagle
One sister: Kori Nevada Mitchell
Step brother: Stephen Edward Cagle
Brother-in-law: Nicholas Mitchell
Two nieces: Sophia Leigh Mitchell and Scarlette Grace Mitchell
Grandparents: Erwin and Carol Havel, Lois Wagner, Pauline Pantoya
Great grandmother: Olive Havel
Companion: Tyler Seems
Several half brothers and sisters, and many aunts and uncles and cousins.
Preceded in death by her half-sister, 2 grandfathers, great grandparents, great uncle, and few other members of the family.

SERVICE INFORMATION
Memorial Service: 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 19, 2016
Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, KS
No visitation, as cremation has taken place
Officiant: Pastor Don Paden
Inurnment: Otis Lutheran Cemetery, Otis, Kansas
Memorial Fund: Golden Belt Humane Society, 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: Helene Ann Elizabeth Dixon Age: 82
Date of Death: March 11, 2016
Place of Death: Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, Kansas
Date of Birth: April 5, 1933 at Ava, Missouri
Parents Name: Ulysses and Rebecca (Clinton) Freeman

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Gerald Dixon September 30, 1963.
She was an in-home caregiver.
Mrs. Dixon was a Great Bend, Kansas resident for more than 55 years.
She was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and camping at the lake.

SURVIVORS

Husband: Gerald Dixon, of the home
One son, Gerry Dixon of Franklin Lakes, N.J.
One daughter: Arlene Williams of Ontario, Ore.
Four grandchildren: Jason Morin, Kelly Jones, Katie Dixon and Blake Dixon
Four great-grandchildren: Madison, Molly, Kendall and Ryan

Mrs. Dixon was preceded in death by twelve brothers and sisters and three great-grandchildren, Jonas, Hope and Faith.
SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home with the Reverend Dick Ogle officiating. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Brushy Knob Cemetery in Ava, Mo. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to service time, Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home and from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2016 at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo. Memorials are requested to Alzheimer’s 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: Hoisington, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Robert E. Ray

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Robert E. Ray, 88, died December 20, 2015, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born June 17, 1927, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Ralph E. and Thelma (Frakes) Ray.

When Robert was 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII, as a Fireman First Class. After returning from the war he worked many places, but most recently as a truck driver for both the Oil Fields and the Sterling CO-OP. Robert was also a beekeeper and owned and operated R.J. Apiary.

After retirement Robert served as a councilman for the City of Hoisington and was a member of the zoning commission during the busy times after the 2001 tornado. He was a member of the local Horseshoe Club and was a 50 year member of the Masons along with being a worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

In 1948, he married Wanda L. Williams. They later divorced. He then married Judy K. Nickels on December 31, 1969, in Sterling, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judy K. Ray, of the home; a daughter, Debbie Laudermilk and husband Terry of Wichita; two grandchildren, Ryan Laudermilk of Topeka, and Cara Cramer and husband Dan of Wichita; two great granddaughters, Alice Cramer and Julia Ray Cramer; mother-in-law, Wanda P. Witt of Claflin; brother, Art Ray and wife Sharon of Siletz, Oregon; nephew, Gerry Ray of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and a niece, Laurie Schmit and husband Gerry of Houston, Texas; and two great nephews, Andrew Schmit and wife Samantha of Columbus, Ohio and Michael Schmit of Houston.

Graveside services have been rescheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Sterling Community Cemetery, with honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers and food, family would prefer memorials to Kans for Kids or the Hoisington Public 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: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Elmer C. Becker                                                   Age: 81

Date of Death: March 9, 2016 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 27, 1934 at Nashville, Kan., the son of William and Rosa Cecilia (Hageman) Becker

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Marvella Krueger April 6, 1966 at Las Vegas, Nevada.  A Great Bend resident most of his life, Mr. Becker was co-owner and operator of Al’s Drive In, Great Bend. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran.

SURVIVORS

Survivors include his wife: Marvella Becker, of the home; five sons: Steve Becker and his wife Clarissa of Kingfisher, Okla., Greg Becker of Wellington, Ron Becker and his wife Gina of Branson, Mo., Todd Becker of Great Bend, and Shane Becker and his wife Julie of Great Bend; two step sons, Kevin Beakey and his wife Debby of McPherson, Kenny Beakey of Great Bend, one step daughter, Rhonda Shelton of Great Bend; five brothers: Eugene Becker of Enid, Okla., William Becker, Jr. of Isabel, Victor Becker of Maize, Walter Becker of Wichita and Don Becker of Cunningham; six sisters: Irene Spade of Phoenix, Ariz., Loretta Schwartz of Kingman, Marie Cooley of Maize, Caroline Dyke of Cunningham, Gladys Randolph of Phoenix, Ariz., and Pat Zubeck of Wichita; 22 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one step one daughter-in-law, Barbara Becker; one step-son, Jim “Bimbo” Beakey, one step-son-in-law, Michael Shelton; one brother, Herman Becker, and two sisters, Helen Kerschen and Marcella Orth.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Monday, March 14, 2016

Time of Service: 11:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: The Reverend Dick Ogle

Inurnment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, at a later

Visitation:  1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Elmer Becker Funeral Expense Fund, 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

Hoisington – Cameron Wayne Burd, 25, passed away March 7, 2016 in Great Bend, Kansas.

He was born April 10, 1990, in Great Bend, the son of Scott and Beverly Gilgenbach Burd. A longtime area resident, he was a lumber and sales associate at Sutherlands in Great Bend.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larned.

Survivors include: his parents; a brother, Shaun (Emily) Burd, Ellis; a sister, Stephanie Burd (Matt Anderson), Burdett; significant other, Tandy Webb, Hoisington; two step children, Meilah and Ryken Webb, both of the home; three nieces; two nephews and a grandfather, John R. Gilgenbach, Phillipsburg.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dolores Gilgenbach and Verle and Barbara Burd.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Father Warren Stecklein presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in the Brown’s Grove Cemetery, Burdett.

Memorials may be sent to the Webb children educational fund, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

KENNETH  WALTER  MATSON 

Kenneth Walter Matson, age 89 years, of Great Bend, Kansas (and formerly of Seward, Kansas) passed away on Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2016 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend.  “Ken” was born to Walter E. Matson and Martha (Satela) Matson on September 8, 1926.  He grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Ken enlisted in the Army Air Core in November 1943 and served in Occupied Japan from Feb to Dec. 1945. He was discharged in Nov. 1946.

He married Laura Kent in 1945 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  He was a farmer.  In 1951 Laura died.  He had 3 young sons by then.  In 1956 Ken married LuWana Adams Barney.  They had one son together.  They lived in Fortuna, California.  In 1966 they bought a 32 foot sailboat and over the next 15 years sailed around the world.  In 1990 LuWana died.

On April 12, 1993 he married Delfina Remedio in Cebu, Phillippines.  They lived in Dexter, Maine.  In 1994 they lived in Florida on a sailboat and later sailed thru the Panama Canal and ended up in San Diego, California after 5 years.  In 2003 after traveling the world and seeing much of the USA Ken finally settled down in Seward, Kansas.

Ken is survived by his wife, Delfina Matson of Great Bend, Kansas; one son Eric (and his wife, Peggy) Matson living in Auburn, California; two step-daughters: Galyn (and her husband, Terry) Haake from Carlsbad, New Mexico and Gloria (and her husband, John) Siefkes from Great Bend, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. Kenneth was preceded in death by his mother and father, 2 wives and 3 sons (Herbert Matson, Kerry Matson and Mark Matson).

According to Ken’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. There will be no viewing or visitation.  Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5851 Eisenhower Ave., Great Bend Kansas with Bishop Peter Solie presiding.  Memorials may be made in care of the family.  Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.

Arrangements Entrusted To

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS  67530

(620) 793-6161

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Thelma D. Brack, 86, died March 5, 2016, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born November 24, 1929, in Hoisington, Kansas, the daughter of William Glen and Nellie B. (Westover) Gruber. Thelma graduated from Hoisington High School in 1948.

In August of 1949 she married John E. Koeller, in Hoisington. He died February 7, 1957. She then married Glenn J. Brack on August 19, 1957, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He died February 1, 2016.

A lifetime Hoisington resident, she worked as the chief telephone operator for Western Power and Light and later as a clerk for Dillons. She also gave many piano lessons at her home.

Thelma was a longtime member of the Hoisington Bible Church, where she played the piano and organ for many years.

She is survived by a son, Burton Todd Brack, of Salina; a daughter, Breta Markay Nunez of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Kyle Brack, Krystyne Brack, Derrick Brack, Brandon Brack, Justin Nunez, and Jazmin Nunez; and a brother, Arthur C. Gruber of Norman, Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, William G. Gruber, Dr. Eugene E. Gruber, and Milton J. Gruber; and three sisters, Pauline Gruber, Louise M. Reed, and Lucille P. Hester.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., March 9, 2016, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Reverend Gary Clark presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Hoisington Bible Church or Gentiva Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

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