DORIS D. GILLIS

Posted on September 13, 2013September 13, 2013

DORIS D. GILLIS

Doris D. Gillis, age 72 years, a longtime resident of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 10, 2013 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansasafter a brief illness. Doris was born on October 14, 1940 at Marshfield, Missouri to Lloyd and Ella Mescal (Matthews) Gideon. The family moved to Ellinwood, Kansas when she was eleven years of age, and later lived in Albert, Kansas for a period of time. Doris worked many years as a Cook and Waitress at various area restaurants, and also worked for ten years as a Senior Companion through Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging based out of Hays,Kansas. She was a member of the Heritage Baptist Church in Great Bend. Doris had a passion for playing bingo, was an avid Scrabble player, and loved to sing karaoke.

Survivors include five sons: Mark (and his wife, Teresa) Ukens of Great Bend, Kansas, Eugene Ragan (and his companion, Joni Carr) of Great Bend, Kansas, Kelly (and his wife, Marta) Smally of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Dean (and his wife, Linda) Wood ofJetmore, Kansas, and Randy Weaver (and his fiance’, Robyn Willard) of Olmitz, Kansas; two daughters: DeEtta L. (and her husband, Frank) Komarek of Florissant, Colorado and Lorinda (and her husband, Joe) Hanes of Wamego, Kansas; thirty grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren; two brothers: Fray (and his wife, Florence) Gideon of Topeka, Kansas and Ron (and his wife, Darlene) Gideon of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at theHeritage Baptist Church, 2000 Monroe Street, Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Ken E. Gray officiating. Graveside Committal Services will follow at 3:00 PM on Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in rural Great Bend, Kansas. There will be no viewing or visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Doris D. Gillis Memorial Fund, with the funeral home in charge. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Arrangements Entrusted To

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-6161

TINA M. WIDIGER

Posted on September 13, 2013

TINA M. WIDIGER

Tina M. Widiger, age 57 years, of Great Bend, Kansas and formerly of Jetmore,Kansas and Boise, Idaho, passed away on Monday afternoon, September 9, 2013 at Great Bend Regional Hospital in Great Bend after a brief illness. Tina was born on October 7, 1955 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Floyd and Betsy (Moore) Sauter. Primarily a native ofNorth Dakota, she was united in marriage to William P. “Willy” Widiger on October 5, 1974 atGoodrich, North Dakota. The couple lived in Jetmore, Kansas for thirteen years, then moved to Boise, Idaho for three years prior to moving to Great Bend in 2009. Tina worked as a Certified Nurse Aide in North Dakota for five years and also as an In-Home Caregiver inJetmore, Kansas for three years. The rest of her adult life was spent as a homemaker, where she loved to cook, do beadwork, and read Christian Mystery books. Tina attended the First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, William P. “Willy” Widiger, Sr. of Great Bend, Kansas; one son, William P. “Billy” Widiger, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Great Bend, Kansas; one daughter, Jennifer Marie Widiger of Great Falls, Montana; three grandchildren: Anissa Rae Widiger, Jordan Ewing, and Korbin Widiger; one brother, Rick (and his wife, Stephanie) Sauter of Felton, Pennsylvania; five sisters: Donna (and her husband, Fred) Gorwell of Garretson, South Dakota, Cindy (and her husband, Rick) Zumbaum of Minot, North Dakota, Peggy (and her husband, Tom) Schemelfenig of Bowdon, North Dakota, Roseanne (and her husband, William) Pritchett of Wayne, West Virginia, and Helen Sauter of Jamestown, North Dakota; many nieces and nephews. Tina was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Sauter on March 18, 1991, her mother, Betsy (Moore) Sauter on March 13, 2013, and her precious black and white Shih Tzu dog of eight years, Baby Rufus in February of 2013.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Dwight D. Dozier and Pastor Dottie Dozier officiating. Cremation will follow with inurnment to take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas. Memorials may be directed to Kingdom Women Ministry at First Assembly of God Church,Great Bend, Kansas. Online condolences may be left by friends for the family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Arrangements Entrusted To

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-6161

Carol Ann Miller

Posted on September 11, 2013

Larned – Carol Ann Miller, 66, passed away September 10, 2013 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born August 8, 1947 in Durant, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles (Buster) and Ola Locke White. A longtime area resident, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Grace Community Church in Great Bend.

On August 15, 1965 she married Eddy Miller in Alden. He survives.

Other survivors include; a daughter, Sharon Boswell (Ernie), Larned; a brother, Charles White, Great Bend; two sisters, Doris Robertson (Jim), Grandberry, Texas and Betty Rennolet (Rod), Hutchinson; three grandchildren, Chandler Greathouse, LaCrosse, Ernie Boswell, Jetmore and Aaron Boswell, Dodge City and one great-grandchild, Brooklynn Boswell, Jetmore.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Shelley Miller and a grandson, Trevor Greathouse.

Funeral will be 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Grace Community Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Jay Beuoy presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Trevor Greathouse Scholarship Fund or the Grace Community Church, both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com

Dr. Ruth Boxberger

Posted on September 10, 2013September 10, 2013

Name of Deceased: Dr. Ruth Boxberger Age: 93

Date of Death: September 8, 2013

Place of Death: Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas

Date of Birth: September 28, 1919 at Russell County, Kansas

Parents Name: Henry G. & Eugenia (Becker) Boxberger

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Dr. Boxberger attended Russell County Schools, graduating from Russell High School. She attended Colorado Women’s College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and her Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a PhD in music therapy.

She taught school at Severy High School, Severy, Kan.; and at Pawnee Rock High School, Pawnee Rock, Kan. She was Professor of Music at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio; the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.; and East Carolina University for twenty years, until her retirement in 1987. She also did hospital work for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville, Iowa; U. S. Army Hospital, Battle Creek, Mich.; and Shepherd Air Force Regional Hospital, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Following her retirement, Dr. Boxberger moved to Great Bend, Kansas, in 1993, coming from Greenville, North Carolina.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, National Music Therapy Association, and University of Kansas Alumni Association.

SURVIVORS

Two Sisters: Esther Ethem of Parker, CO, JoAnne Kreie and her husband Jim of Great Bend, KS

Six nieces and nephews: Gary Boxberger, Linda Boxberger, Audrey Vaughn, Kirk Kreie, Lynne Petzold, and Henry Ethem

Numerous Great Nieces and Nephews

Dog: Missy

She was preceded in death by one brother, Carl William Boxberger, one sister, Virginia Rein, and one niece, Karen (Rein) Penland.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Graveside Service: Saturday, September 14, 2013

Time of Service: 11:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Russell City Cemetery in Russell

Officiant: The Reverend James A. Strasen

Interment: Russell City Cemetery, Russell, Kansas

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: American Cancer 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

Roxanna Lee (Finch) Schneider

Posted on September 10, 2013

Roxanna Lee (Finch) Schneider

Roxanna Lee (Finch) Schneider was born in Hays, Kansas on October 29, 1953 to Robert M. Finch and Betty Jean (Rubendall) Finch. Roxie, as she was known to family and friends, passed away at her home in Great Bend, Kansas on Friday, August 30, 2013. She was a graduate of Hays High School and also had a Fine Arts Degree and at one time was an Adjunct Professor of Design at Fort Hays State University. Roxanna was an associate, American Society of Interior Designers.

Roxie married William Constand Schneider, December 1, 1973 and they have two daughters, Mura Bette Schneider and Amanda Finch Schneider. Mura Bette preceded her in death April 27, 1975. She was also preceded by her father, mother and sister, Deborah Jean Finch and her mother-in-law, Beth Catherine Schneider as well as her sister-in-law, Norma Young.

In the 1970’s, Roxie and William were shareholders in and later owners of Bob Finch and Associates, REALTORS, a Coldwell Banker affiliate. Roxie also owned and operated RFS Interiors in Hays, and later worked as a designer for Ethan Allen Galleries and also Lazy Boy Galleries in Wichita, Kansas while her husband was managing residential real estate offices for J.P. Weigand and Sons. Later she worked for American Furniture and Design inColorado Springs, Colorado. She and William made a move to Lee’s Summit, Missouri and created a property management company which managed units for multiple owners. They lived in Lee’s Summit for twenty years, retired and came to Great Bend five years ago.

Surviving are her husband of nearly forty years, William Schneider and her daughter, Amanda Schneider and two grandsons, William Christopher Schneider and Nicholas Brody Schneider, the loves of her heart, all of Great Bend, Kansas. She is also survived by her five brothers-in-law: Bob J. Young of Wichita, Kansas; Don and Donna Schneider of Charlestown, Indiana; Lee and Carolyn Schneider of Ellinwood, Kansas; Jay and Terri Schneider of Great Bend, Kansas and Jon and Amye Schneider of Bison, Kansas; fourteen nieces and nephews, fifteen grand-nieces and nephews and five great-grand-nieces and nephews as well as many Ellner, Finch, Willis and Ward cousins and best friends, Dr. Roy and Elizabeth Neil and Carol Purdy of Hays.

Graveside inurnment will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2013 at Mt. AllenCemetery in Hays, Kansas. Memorial Services will follow at 1:45 PM on Friday, September 13, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays, Kansas with Reverend Celeste Lasich officiating. As it was Roxanna’s wishes to be cremated, there will be no visitation or viewing. Roxanna started a trust fund for her grandsons’ future education and anyone wishing make memorial contributions is welcome to donate to this or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers with the funeral home in charge. Online condolences may be left by friends and family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed athttps://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Arrangements Entrusted To

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-6161

Doris Jean Tuzicka

Posted on September 10, 2013

Name of Deceased:Doris Jean TuzickaAge: 84

Date of Death: September 7, 2013

Place of Death: At home in rural Otis, Kansas

Date of Birth: January 24, 1929 at rural Otis, Kansas

Parents Name: William and Lillian (Johnson) Suchy

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Doris married Clarence Tuzicka January 10, 1951 at LaCrosse, KS.

Mrs. Tuzicka was an active farm wife, living her entire life on the family farm.

SURVIVORS

Husband: Clarence Tuzicka, of the home

Two daughters: Diana Hertel and husband Gary of Great Bend, KS

Linda Wagner and husband Myron of Otis, KS

Four Grandchildren: Matt Hertel, Darin Hertel, Cory Wagner, Jason Wagner

Two Great-grandchildren: Logan Wagner and Jaylie Wagner

She was preceded in death by an infant stillborn boy and by one sister, Dolores Vsetecka.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Time of Service: 10:30 am

Place of Service: St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz, KS

Memorial Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Time of Memorial Service: 7:00 pm

Place of Memorial Service: St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz, KS

Officiant: Father Ultan Murphy

Interment: Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington, Kansas

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Kans for Kids in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544

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

Leona Gertrude Karst

Posted on September 10, 2013

Name of Deceased:Age: 92

Date of Death: September 6, 2013

Place of Death: Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 6, 1920 in Hodgeman County, Kansas

Parents Name: Henry and Bertha (Bitter) Niedens

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Leona married Alvin Maier March 16, 1941 in Susank, KS. He died November, 1945.

She then married Constantine Karst April 8, 1947 at Milberger, KS. He passed away December 2, 1984.

A homemaker, Mrs. Karst was a Great Bend, Kansas resident since 2001 coming from Hoisington, KS, and previously from the farm near Hoisington.

Leona was a member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Milberger, KS

SURVIVORS

Two daughters: Darlene Goscha and husband Ron of Carbondale, CO

Deanna Davis and husband Danny of Phoenix, AZ

Two sisters: Viola Dumler of Russell, KS

Lola Wilks of Wichita, KS

Eight Grandchildren

7 Great Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by one son, Duane Karst, and by three brothers, Otto Niedens, Marvin Niedens, and Albert Niedens

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Time of Service: 11:00 am

Place of Service: United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger

Prayer Service: Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Time of Prayer Service: 7:00 pm

Place of Prayer Service: Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

Officiant: Nancy Mitchell, Interim

Interment: Milberger Cemetery, Milberger, Kansas

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm , Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Milberger Cemetery Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544

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

Ed Batchman

Posted on September 10, 2013

Name of Deceased:Ed BatchmanAge: 68

Date of Death: September 6, 2013

Place of Death: Rossville Health and Rehabilitation Center, Rossville, Kansas

Date of Birth: August 24, 1945 at Ellinwood, Kansas

Parents Name: Ernie and Bonnie (Baxter) Batchman

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Ed married Connie Petz September 24, 1971, at Ellinwood, KS.

Mr. Batchman was a longtime resident of Otis, Kansas, working for BOC Gases as an electronic technician.

He served during Vietnam War in the U.S. Navy.

He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, KS

SURVIVORS

Two daughters: Jill Swarts and husband Ty of Shawnee, KS;

Staci Massieon and husband J.T. of Wamego, KS

One brother: Bill Batchman of Bushton, KS

Five grandchildren: Luke Swarts, Taya Swarts, Brady Swarts, Layla Massieon, and John Massieon

He was preceded in death by brother, Ron Batchman.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Time of Service: 10:30 am

Place of Service: St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz, KS

Vigil Service: Monday, September 9, 2013

Time ofVigil Service: 7:00 am

Place ofVigil Service: Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

Officiant: Father Ultan Murphy

Interment: St. Ann Cemetery, Olmitz, Kansas, with Navy honors.

Visitation: noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 9, 2013 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: St. Ann Catholic Church , in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

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

Dorothy S. Wittrock

Posted on September 10, 2013

Name of Deceased: Dorothy S. Wittrock Age: 88

Date of Death: September 6, 2013

Place of Death: Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas

Date of Birth: August 17, 1925 at Strong City, Kansas

Parents Name: Harry E. & Josephine (Houdeshell) Sisson

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Lloyd Ray Wittrock December 22, 1957 at Great Bend, Kansas. He died July 25, 1998.

She was an Elementary and Special Education Teacher for Unified School District 428, Great Bend.

Mrs. Wittrock was a longtime Wichita, Kansas resident, coming from Great Bend.

She was a member of East Heights United Methodist Church and UMW, both of Wichita.

SURVIVORS

one son: Alan Wittrock of Wichita, KS

She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Sisson and Charles Sisson, and one sister, Edith Goins.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Time of Service: 2:00 p.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: Pastor Christopher Fleet

Interment: Peace Church Cemetery, Hudson, Kansas

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, September 9, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Friendly Acres, 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

Michael Allan Wilkerson

Posted on September 9, 2013

Larned – Michael Allan Wilkerson, 31, passed away on September 9, 2013, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.

He was born April 15, 1982, at Larned, the son of Alan Wilkerson and Patricia Plotner. A longtime area resident, he worked in the oil field and was a rough necker.

He was of the Christian faith.

Survivors include: two sons, Kaiden Strickland and Gavin Wilkerson, both of the home; two daughters, Gabriela and Sophie Wilkerson, both of the home; parents, Alan Wilkerson, Draper, Utah and Patricia (Robert) Plotner , Kinsley; a spouse, Nina Adams, Kinsley; grandparents, Bob and Alice Hughes, Larned; two brothers, Preston Hughes, Larned, Daryl (Amber) Wilkerson, Great Bend; two sisters, Debra (Manuel) Holguin, Kinsley, Trisha Wilkerson, Great Bend; Numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Pastor Alvin Wilkerson presiding. Visitation will be from 9a.m. to 8p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorials may be sent to the Michael Wilkersons Children’s Educational Fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550. Condolences may be sent to www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Great Bend Post Archive

Category: Obituaries

DORIS D. GILLIS

TINA M. WIDIGER

Carol Ann Miller

Dr. Ruth Boxberger

Roxanna Lee (Finch) Schneider

Doris Jean Tuzicka

Leona Gertrude Karst

Ed Batchman

Dorothy S. Wittrock

Michael Allan Wilkerson