Dateline – Claflin 

Coleen I. Bilyew, 66, died December 4, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born April 10, 1952, in Hoisington, Kansas, the daughter of LaVerne and Gladys (Ehrlich) Nettleingham.  Coleen graduated from Hoisington High School in 1970.  She then received her AA in Secretarial Science from Barton County Community College.

On April 29, 1978, she married Steven D. Bilyew in Hoisington.

A resident of Claflin since 1981 moving from Great Bend, Coleen was a medical records clerk.  She worked at Clara Barton Hospital and Smith and Brozek Medical Park. Coleen also sold Avon for 15 years. She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Hoisington.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Steven Bilyew; daughter, Cara Bilyew of Manhattan; son, Scott Bilyew and wife Jennifer of Ft. Worth, Texas; parents, LaVerne and Gladys Nettleingham of Galatia; two brothers, Kent Nettleingham and Kevin Nettleingham, both of Galatia; a sister, Colette Keeler and husband Ray of Great Bend; and three step grandchildren, Kaleb, Christopher, and Brianna Ramsey of Ft. Worth, Texas; and great granddaughter, Kalina Bilyew.

Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 10, 2018, at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Pastor Gary Wolf presiding.  Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Margarita-Agnes Mura, age 78 years, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Thursday evening, November 29, 2018 at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, Kansas. Margarita was born on February 14, 1940 in Mulhouse, Alsace-Lorraine, France to Joseph and Leonie-Marie (Doppler) Schreck. She came to America with her family on Christmas Eve of 1949 from Brunstatt, Alsace-Lorraine, France. Margarita was united in marriage to Eugene Mura in December of 1961 in France. Eugene preceded her in death on October 31, 1983. Margarita worked as a nurse and surgical tech for 30-plus years, having practiced in Wichita, Ellinwood, and Great Bend, Kansas as well as Glendale, Arizona. Margarita was a long-time member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Prince of Peace Parish in Great Bend, Kansas. She dearly loved history and Celtic and folk music, cooking (especially Mexican cooking), and was very much a do-it-yourselfer.
Survivors include one dauther, Maria-Catharina Mura (and her husband, Michael LeClair) of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers: Maurice (and his wife, Janet) Schreck of Hutchinson, Kansas and John Schreck of Texas; nieces and nephews. Margarita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her aunts and uncles: Laurent Schreck, George and Louisa Stritt, and Joseph Stritt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, Kansas with Fr. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Interment will be in Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery at Ellinwood, Kansas. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, December 3, 2018 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Church visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM on Tuesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Memorials may be designated to the Golden Belt Humane Society or the Food Pantry, both of Great Bend, Kansas. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary notice 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

GREAT BEND – Ruth E. (Unrein) Slater, 81, passed away November 29, 2018, at her home in Great Bend. She was born January 22, 1937, at the Baker Hospital in LaCrosse. She was the daughter of Jacob and Apollonia (Kreutzer) Unrein. She married Walter L. Slater March 27, 1956 at Raton, New Mexico.

Coming from California in 1976, Ruth was formerly of Bison, LaCrosse, Ellinwood and currently Great Bend. Ruth worked diligently as a medical transcriptionist for 25 years for both CKMC and Dr. Jeffrey Brozek, being very committed to her profession. In her early employment years, she worked as a waitress, soda jerk and nurse aide.  While residing in California she was employed as a secretary for various companies, including the City of Hope, Los Angeles, and as a temp for Kelly Girls.  Ruth enjoyed music, reading, playing cards, auctions, gardening, cooking, antiques, traveling and family reunions.  She was a member of the World Wide Church of God and United Church of God, both in Hays, and involved in many different Bible study groups. She loved spending time with her family and being a grandmother, but especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include, one daughter, Elizabeth “Elle” Slater and fiancé Ryler Bass of Great Bend; three sons, James A. Slater and wife Blanca of Orlando, Florida, Timothy J. Slater and wife Deb of Jacksonville, Florida, and Matthew Slater and wife Kimberly of Great Bend; 5 grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary Unrein and wife Janet of Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Cindy Unrein; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Apollonia Unrein; four brothers, Edwin Unrein, Marvin Unrein, James Unrein, and Kenneth Unrein; and seven sisters, Martina Flax, Mary Weber, Mildred Kirmer, Hedwig Bucl, Rosa Unrein, Catherine Unrein, and Elizabeth Unrein.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Curly Leiker presiding. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Schoenchen. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Home Health & 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

GREAT BEND – Nicholas J. “Nick” Schmitt, 74, passed away November 29, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. He was born May 29, 1944 at Hays, to Victor & Irene (Herman) Schmitt. He married Rose Oberle, May 4, 1965 at Holy Name Catholic Church, Bushton.

Coming from Kansas City in 1968, Nicholas was a Great Bend resident. He was an auto mechanic. He loved woodworking, collecting antiques and John Wayne.

Survivors include, wife, Rose Schmitt of the home; two sons, Tony Schmitt and wife Karen of Ellinwood and Bill Schmitt and wife Amy of Burdett; one daughter, Cindy Funk of Great Bend; five grandchildren, Savannah Schmitt, Sara Schmitt, Justin Schmitt, William Funk and Raymond Funk; two great-grandchildren, Hayden Gatewood and Lily Funk; and two sisters, Shirley Harris and Betty Bender, both of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Irene Schmitt; two grandchildren, Amber Schmitt and Brandon Funk; and a sister, Virginia Stroud.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Father Ted Stoecklein presiding. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Holy Name Catholic Cemetery, Bushton. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s 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

 

Steven A. Kaeberle, 69, passed away Nov. 24, 2018, in Great Bend.  He was born Oct. 15, 1949, in El Dorado, Kan., to James Francis and Rosalyn Elizabeth (Snyder) Kaeberle Fishburn.  He married Diana Beth Beckum on June 20, 1992, at Wilson Lake, Kan.  Diana died on April 25, 2015.

Steven, a long time Claflin resident, was a retired fabric welder for USA Gymnastics and Supplies.  He was a member of First Street Church of God, Hoisington, Kan., and a lifetime motorcycle enthusiast.  He served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. He loved being with his grandchildren. Hobbies included darts, pitch, poker and gambling.

Survivors include one son Steven Kaeberle and wife Hillary of Great Bend; two daughters, Cindy Ochs and husband Brett of Great Bend and Laura Mason and husband Tom of Great Bend; Nine grandchildren, Joshua Crawford, Stephen Crawford, Tommy Kaeberle, Christian Mason, Elizabeth Giersch, Analeah Ochs, Chason Ramsey, Jordan Ochs and Amber Ochs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Diana; and brother, James F. Kaeberle.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, with military rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.  The Reverend Dick Ogle will preside.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials may be given to the Steven Kaeberle 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

 

LARNED – Carolyn J. Dewey, 70, passed away November 24, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. She was born March 4, 1948 in Great Bend to Harold & Flossie (Burhenn) Dewey.

Having lived in Larned for the past 35 years, Carolyn was a dog breeder and formerly a psychologist at Larned State Hospital. She loved to read and her koi pond but especially loved her dogs and farm.

Survivors include, four sisters, Vivian Dewey and lifetime partner Gail Dumler of Palmview, Texas, Marlene Dewey and companion Ron Jasper of Great Bend, Janis Chase and husband Frank of Wichita, and Catherine Horner and husband Allen of McPherson; one brother, Jeffrey Dewey of Great Bend; and three nephews, Joshua Chase, Jeremy Chase and Tyler Horner. She was preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested Golden Belt Humane Society or the Pawnee County 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