Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: James Milo “Hambone” Newkirk, Sr.      Age: 72

Date of Death: June 15, 2015

Place of Death: Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas

Date of Birth: June 3, 1943 at Osage City, Kansas

Parents Name: Forrest and Elizabeth (Korf) Newkirk

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Nadine Adams May 1, 1962 at Great Bend, Kansas.  They later divorced.

He was owner and operator 281 Auto Salvage and the Silver Slipper.

Mr. Newkirk was a long time Great Bend, Kansas resident.

He was a member of First Street Church of God and SRCA drag strip. He was the beloved father to five but dad to many.

SURVIVORS

former wife and friend, Nadine Erskin

one son: James M. “Mike” Newkirk, Jr. of Great Bend, KS

four daughters: Angela Noblitt and her husband Bob of Great Bend, KS, Jacque King and her husband Jeremy of Great Bend, KS, Jessica Peoples and her husband Marshal of Great Bend, KS, and Jennifer McKenna and her husband Sean of Larned, KS

one sister: Betty Davis of Hoisington, KS

two brothers: Frank Newkirk of Hoisington, KS, and Don Newkirk and his wife Diane of Great Bend, KS

nine grandchildren: Michel Noblitt Maneth, Kimber Noblitt, James Milo “Trey” Newkirk, III, Griffin King, Grae King, Kannyon Peoples, Kynnedy Peoples, Lili McKenna, and Alex McKenna

two great-grandchildren: Pyper Maneth and Ryker Maneth

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Eugene Newkirk; two sisters, Lucille Stout and Georgia Dyer.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Memorial Service: Thursday, June 18, 2015

Time of Service: 10:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: The Reverend Dick Ogle

Inurnment: Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Clara Barton Foundation or First Street Church of God, 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: Gary A. Skelton Age: 68
Date of Death: June 12, 2015
Place of Death: At home in Great Bend, Kansas
Date of Birth: May 29, 1947 at Larned, Kansas
Parents Name: George and Juanita (Deighton) Skelton

OBITUARY INFORMATION
Gary married Irma L. Wilson on April 24, 1970. She passed away on Sept. 6, 1990.
Following Irma’s death, Gary found love for the second time, marrying Patricia L. (Davis) Svatos on Dec. 30, 1995, at Great Bend, KS.
A 30 year employee of Southwestern Bell, retiring as manager in 2000, Gary was a Great Bend resident since 1989, coming from Topeka, KS. After retirement, he worked part time for Waters True Value.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era and the National Guard.
Gary was of the Christian faith.

SURVIVORS
Wife: Patricia Skelton, of the home
One son: Greg Skelton and wife Christy of Wichita, KS
One daughter: April Skelton and companion Gary Gucciano of Auburn, KS
Three step daughter: Mystie McGee and husband Andrew of Halstead, KS
Kristie Maurer and husband Trevor of Atlanta, GA
Kim Svatos of Great Bend, KS
Two sisters: Sandy Moore and husband David of Larned, KS
Coleen Houser and husband John of Larned, KS
13 Grandchildren: Grace and Emily Skelton; Joseph Gucciano; Steven, Kalee, and Matthew McGee; Ryan, Allyson, and Tyler Peppenhorst; Zac and Megan Maurer; Courtney, Zachery and Elysse Ellis

SERVICE INFORMATION
Memorial Service: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Time of Service: 11:00 am
Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home
Officiant: Rev. Josh Leu
Inurnment: Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard

Memorial Fund: Gentiva Hospice or Almost Home, Inc., 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: Albert, Kansas

Name of Deceased: P. Dale Wagner                                                    Age: 84

Date of Death: June 10, 2015

Place of Death: La Crosse, Kansas

Date of Birth: May 3, 1931 at Shaffer, Kansas

Parents Name: Phillip Henry and Emma (Bardel) Wagner

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Gladys Schnell September 5, 1952 at Enterprise, Kansas.

He was a farmer and stockman, and worked for Albert Coop, Marlette Homes, and the FSA Office.

Dale was a lifetime Rush County, Kansas resident.

He was a United States Army veteran.

SURVIVORS

wife: Gladys Wagner, of the home

two sons: Lenard Wagner, M. D. and his wife Jeannene of Hobbs, NM, Todd Wagner and his wife Miriam of Walla Walla, WA

two daughters: Sandy Hold of Tulsa, OK, and Kayla Booth and her husband Richard of Moberly, MO

eleven grandchildren

one great-grandchild

He was preceded in death by one brother, Howard R. Wagner, one sister, Arlyn Miller, and two grandsons, Nathan Wagner and Andrew Hold.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 804 Columbia, La Crosse, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Private family inurnment will be in Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery, Shaffer, Kansas. The family will receive friends following the memorial service. Memorials are requested to Albert Fire Department or Rush County EMS, 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: Alyce M. Draney                                Age: 80

Date of Death: June 8, 2015

Place of Death: At her home in Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: April 9, 1935 at Bertrand, Nebraska

Parents Name: Jesse and Madge (Stevens) Dyer

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Ralph E. Draney October 30, 1950

She was a homemaker and an avid flower and vegetable gardener.

Mrs. Draney was a Great Bend, Kansas resident since 1958.

SURVIVORS

Husband: Ralph E. Draney, of the home

two sons: Bob Draney and his wife Gail of Derby, KS, and Ron Draney and his wife Becky of Great Bend, KS

two daughters: Susan Detter and her husband Mike of Great Bend, KS, and Sandra Smith and her husband Curtis of Great Bend, KS

two brothers: Doug Dyer of Kearney, NE, and Bruce Dyer of Aurora, NE

eight grandchildren: Ryan Draney, Ross Draney, Stacy Runyan, Ron Draney, Jr., Brandi Gruber, Amanda London, Jessica Beck, and Emily Beck

great-grandchildren: Fifteen

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Leonard Dyer, Dean Dyer, and Larry Dyer, and two sisters, Beulah Stehl and infant Iona Dyer.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Thursday, June 11, 2015

Time of Service: 2:00 p.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: Pastor Larry Schumacher

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  Noon to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Great Bend Children’s Learning Center or St. Rose Health Center Endowment Fund for Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, 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: Scottsdale, Arizona

Name of Deceased: Janlyn Miner Morrison                                    Age: 75

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Janlyn Miner Morrison died May 13, 2015. Born December 18, 1939 in Dodge City, Kan., to Arline (Collins) and Robert Dudley Miner, “Jan” was the great-granddaughter of two pioneering western Kansas farm families. The family moved to Great Bend, Kan., in 1946 where Jan attended public schools and then Kansas University her freshman year.

Jan married John Arthur Morrison August 1, 1959. The couple moved to Tucson, Ariz., and she attended the University of Arizona.  She received her master’s degree in education and taught in Tucson Unified School District for twenty years.

After retirement, they resided in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her creative eye was close to perfection as an artist, fashion designer and interior decorator.

Jan is survived by her devoted husband John, son John Taylor “Ty” Morrison (Denise), grandson Josh Nichols (April), sister Jolene Miner Swanson, two nieces, Jennifer Jo Dukes (Kent), Malinda Jane Danielson  and many grand nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher officiating. Inurnment will be in Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Barton County Historical Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Dateline: Junction City, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Heather Dawn Allen                                         Age: 41

Date of Death: June 7, 2015

Place of Death: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 14, 1973 at Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: Michael Dale and Sharon (Bruno) Vanaman

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Shawn Allen October 10, 1999 at Great Bend, Kansas.

She was a LPN.

Mrs. Allan was a Junction City, Kansas resident since 2006 coming from Great Bend.

SURVIVORS

Husband: Shawn Allen, of the home

Mother and step-father: Sharon and Steve Oszman of Junction City,

two brothers: Spanky Vanaman and his wife Veronica of Great Bend, KS, and Levi Ellis and his wife Amanda of Holyrood, KS

three nieces: Natalie, Makayla and Jasalyn

She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Dale Vanaman, and grandparents, Ernie and Marian Vanaman and J. B. and Mary Bruno.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Time of Service: 2:00 p.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: The Reverend Dick Ogle

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Heather Allan 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

Houston, TX – John Paul Gordon, age 45, passed away on May 10th, 2015 in Copperas Cove, TX after a battle with stomach cancer.

John Paul Gordon, born April 22, 1970 in Saigon, Vietnam, the son of Gary A “Scratch” Gordon Sr and Nu Thi “Cindy” Gordon. He was a longtime resident of Houston, TX and is survived by three children: Derek Gordon of Larned, KS, Kasey Gordon and Jade Gordon of Houston, TX. He also leaves behind his mother Nu Thi “Cindy” Gordon, Midland, TX, his sisters Ly Anne Whisenhunt, Copperas Cove, TX, Christine Bozenske, Denton, TX, Susan Drake, Midland, TX and his brother Gary Gordon Jr, Michigan. He is also survived by fifteen nephews and nieces and seven great nephew and nieces.

John Paul Gordon served in the United States Navy during the Persian Gulf War aboard the USS Josephus Daniels and received numerous medals including the armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Coast Guards Special Operations Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Letter of Commendation, Navy Battle “E” Award and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He grew up in Larned, KS, where he graduated from Hutchinson High School May 1988 and joined the US Navy, serving a four year tour. After his tour of duty with the Navy, he relocated to Houston, TX where he became a machinist and worked his way into management within several oil pipeline companies. He took pride in his work and his team was proud to work with him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gary A “Scratch” Gordon, Sr.

Cremation was performed in Copperas Cove, TX and graveside services will be held June 13, 2015 at 10:30 am at Larned Cemetery for family and friends.   Inurnment will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas. Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., Larned, Kansas is in charge of arrangements and personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Dennis “Dingbat” D. Batt, of Hoisington, KS, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita. Dennis was born in Defiance, Ohio, on May 12, 1945, and was the son of the late Al and Helen (Justinger) Batt. Dennis was a Navy veteran and served on the USS Union during Vietnam.

On May 21, 1967, he married Shirley (Heine) Batt, still of the home.

Dennis had been a longtime resident of Hoisington coming to Hoisington in 1967.
He worked as a master mechanic for Kansas Brick and Tile for 40 years. He had also worked at the Tap Room.

Dennis was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #7428, of Hoisington and the American Legion Post #180, of Great Bend. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was involved in many facets of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Throughout his life he had many interests and hobbies including hunting, playing cards and watching sports. During his life he volunteered as a firefighter and president of little league baseball. Above all Dingbat’s greatest love in life was for his family. Being “Gpa” to his grandchildren brought him joy beyond measure. Despite declining health issues, he never forgot his family and was so proud to have received his high school diploma the same year as his granddaughter. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Batt; two sons, Brian Batt of Hoisington, and Todd Batt and wife April of Hoisington; two grandchildren, Gabrielle and Benjamin Batt; three sisters, Patricia Walter of Defiance, OH, Kathleen Boyd of Broken Arrow, OK, and Mary Fitzenrider-Cox and husband Stan of Defiance, OH; two brothers, Eugene Batt and wife Marge, and Fred Batt, all of Defiance, OH. Sister-in-law Betty Batt and Mary Rickard both of Defiance, OH.

He was preceded in death by both parents, a sister, Carolyn Leonard, and seven brothers; Victor, Paul, Jerome, Ronald, Harold, Jim, and Thomas.

Vigil with Rosary, led by the Knights of Columbus, will be 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2015, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington, with military rites conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Suggested memorials are to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or to the donor’s choice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

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