Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Roy Eldredge Savage, Jr., 78, passed away at his home in Great Bend on August 14, 2018.  He was born June 24, 1940, in Devine, Texas to Roy Eldredge, Sr. and Dollie Mae (Anders) Savage. On August 25, 1961, he married Kay Donna Cargill in Plainview, Texas.  She survives.

Pastor Roy received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  He pastorally served in Colorado and Texas, coming to Great Bend from Laredo, Texas in 1992. He was the Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church and Founding Pastor of Heartland Community Church.  He had previously served as the Missions Director of the Central Kansas Southern Baptist Association, trustee of the Southern Baptist Seminary, trustee of the Mary Hardin Baylor Seminary and held a position on the International Missionary Board of Southern Baptists, serving in West Africa on the Ivory Coast.

Survivors include, wife, Kay Savage of the home; two sons, Dr. Cary Savage of Lincoln, Neb. and Pastor Greg and wife Heidi Savage of Salina; one daughter, Krista and husband Mark Ball of Great Bend; two sisters, Twila Herring and Beulah Anderson of Devine, Texas; thirteen grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on the way; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. and Dollie Savage, and three brothers, Hal, Theron and Don Savage.  

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.  Memorial Service will be held, Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., at Heartland Community Church in Great Bend, with Pastors Greg Savage and Matt Schaffner presiding.  In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are suggested to the F.H.S.U. Christian Challenge Summer Missions, 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 

Leah Babette Burhenn, 84, died August 10, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.  She was born January 20, 1934, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the daughter of Leo M. and Gladys (Graham) Daugherty.  Leah attended schools in Ellinwood and graduated in 1952 from Hudson High School, Hudson, Kansas.

On June 11, 1952, she married Vernon D. Burhenn at Alva, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on July 2, 2001.

A longtime Hoisington resident, she lived in Gilbert, Arizona, from 1986 to 2001, and then returned to her home in Hoisington.

Leah was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society. She belonged to many bridge clubs and loved traveling, KU sports, and her animals.

She is survived by her five children; Pamela Dietz and husband Richard of Oak Grove, MO, Sandra Rebel and husband Gerald of Manhattan, David Burhenn and wife Tracey of Basehor, Russell Burhenn and wife Sheryl of Belle Vista, Arkansas, and Kelli Smith and husband Donald of Hoisington; 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, Mark Slous and a granddaughter, Jessica Burhenn.

Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Rosary led by the Altar Society at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke.  Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Hoisington Veterinary Stray Animal Fund or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Lawrence, Kansas

LAWRENCE — Betty Lou Brack, 80, passed away May 25, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan.  She was born August 19, 1937, at Great Bend, Kan., to Wilbur B. and Harriet W. (Dorfshaffer) Armstrong.  She married C.M. Brack December 10, 1960, at Great Bend.  He passed away August 17, 2008.

Betty was a resident of Lawrence since 1969, coming from Great Bend, and was a 1955 graduate of Great Bend High School.  She had worked at Equifax and Motocross Shack in Lawrence, holding previous employment at Sol Brack Insurance Agency and American State Bank in Great Bend.  She was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Great Bend, and was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and KU basketball fan.  She was a wonderful cook, especially her pies and cinnamon rolls. A loving and devoted mother and enjoyed working in her flower garden.

Survivors include one daughter, Connie Brack Shelton and husband Kelly of Hayward, Cal.; one son, Steve Brack and wife Natalie of Stilwell, Kan.; grandchildren, Kristina Shelton of San Francisco, Cal., Kameron Shelton and wife Kate of San Mateo, Cal., Kody Shelton of Hayward, Cal., Sophia DeSimone of Stilwell, Kan.; one sister, Karen Naylor and husband Terry of Great Bend; one sister-in-law Janet Engleman of Great Bend, Kan.; and  many nieces, nephews, and great nephews and nieces; and beloved cat, Chloe.  She was preceded in passing by one sister, Virginia Engle, and one brother David Armstrong.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Mike Munz presiding.  Inurnment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society or the Lawrence 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

 

GREAT BEND — As one of the few remaining veterans of the “Greatest Generation” Lonnie wanted to reach 100 but was three weeks short of his 99^th birthday when he was taken from us.  He died peacefully surrounded by family at Hays Medical Center on August 10, 2018 from complications of a heart attack. Lonnie was born in Cuthan, TX on August 30, 1919 to Ira and Ona (Eaves) Wright.  He grew up in Nebraska and graduated from North Platte High School in 1938.  Enlisting in the US Army Air Corps in Jan 1940 he became an inflight engineer and aerial gunner on a B17 Flying Fortress.  He was stationed at Hickham Field, Hawaii, and survived the Japanese attack of Dec 7, 1941 with a perforated eardrum from a near miss bomb blast.  He was later assigned to the 19^th Heavy Bomber Group’s famous 435^th “Kangaroo Squadron” which flew bombardment and reconnaissance missions from air fields in Australia.

He was credited with downing several Japanese Zeros and was severely wounded in aerial combat over Papua, New Guinea and Guadacanal.  His major decorations include Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with V for Valor, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Pearl Harbor Survivor Medal. He returned to the US in 1943 and was stationed in TX and FL before helping to establish and supervise the gunnery school for B29 bombers at the Great Bend, KS, Army Air Base in 1944.  There he met and married Alberta (Bertie) Mary Fleske his wife of 73 years. After his discharge he began farming on the Fleske family farm near Albert, KS.

In 1950 he moved to Palmer, AK to try his hand at far north farming.  Later he homesteaded near Big Lake outside of Wasilla, AK, where he build a log cabin, stocked the adjacent small lake with trout and supplemented the family stores with bear, moose and salmon.   Finally the family moved to Anchorage, AK, where he eventually became manager of a logistic warehouse at Fort Richardson Army Base.

In 1960 the family moved back to take over the family farm near Albert, KS. There he raised wheat, alfalfa hay and cattle.  He and Bertie also raised their two sons, Alvin and John.  He was active in the DAV, the American Legion Argonne Post 180 and VFW Post 3111. He retired from active farming in 1995 and kept busy helping Bertie with gardening and doing the yard work necessary to keep the home looking good. They moved to Great Bend in 2012 and have enjoyed the close friendship of their neighbors.

He is survived by wife, Alberta; sons, Alvin (Cindy) and John (Pam) Wright; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Rob) Allen, David (Lenka) and Jeffrey (Erica) Wright, Amy (Mark) Arias and Jonathon Wright; and seven great-grandchildren, Tabitha and Naomi Wright, Jackson and Oliver Allen, Addison Abbey and Aspen and Kaiya Arias.  Preceding him in death were brothers, James and Lynn; and sisters, Bertha Frederick and Lela Morris.

A celebration of life officiated by Rev John Grummon was held with family and close friends Saturday August 11, 2018. Memorial donations may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 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 

Arthur Glenn “Art” Morgan, 92, died July 31, 2018, at Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse, Kansas.  He was born February 10, 1926, in Sheridan County, Kansas, the son of John Franklin and Elsie (Quakenbush) Morgan.

On May 12, 1943, he enlisted with the United States Navy.  He served during both World War II and the Korean War. Art continued his career with the Navy until June 1, 1964, retiring after 20 years as a MCPO.  He then went to college and later received his master degree.  He was one of the founding teachers of Barton County Community College, teaching for 13 years, and retiring in 1982. Arthur returned to his farming roots in 1972 when he and Mary purchased a farm in rural Hoisington.  After retirement from BCCC until shortly before his death, he was able to pursue his love for the Kansas prairie and cattle ranching. Art was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

On December 27, 1947, he married Mary Theresa Rahall in Mansfield, Ohio.

Survivors include; his wife of 70 years, Mary Morgan; three children, Ann Eulert and husband Bud of Hays, Hope Krug and husband David of Topeka, and Scott Morgan of Great Bend; three grandchildren, Heather McGlocklin of Wichita, Bobbi Hase of Kansas City, and Austin Krug of Overland Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Glenn Morgan and 9 siblings.

Family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow in Olivet Cemetery.  Friends may sign the book now until Saturday, there will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Hays Med or Alzheimer’s Association in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Rosarie M. Jecha, 90, Timken, Kansas, died Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Jecha was born October 7, 1927, in Wayne, Kansas, the daughter of Vincent Matthew and Ella Anna (Blazek) Baxa. She was a resident of Rush County, Kansas, for 70 years, moving from Cuba, Kansas. A 1945 graduate of Belleville High School, Belleville, Kansas, she was a homemaker. She also was an elementary school teacher for one year at the Kunkel School, Cuba, Kansas, and was employed for five years as the Timken Elementary School secretary, Timken, Kansas.

Rosarie was devoted to her church, and dedicated many hours serving as the church sacristan at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas. She was also a member of St. Ann’s Altar Society, Timken, Kansas.

On May 4, 1948, she married Edward Joe “Ed” Jecha at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Belleville, Kansas. He preceded her in death May 19, 2006.

Survivors include: two sons, Thomas Jecha, Wichita, Kansas, and Edward Jecha, Hutchinson, Kansas; five daughters, Cecilia May, Lawrence, Kansas, Margaret Waterman (Elmer), Bonaire, Georgia, Mary Casselman (David), Arlington, Texas, Rita Andress (John), Great Bend, Kansas, and Jane Jacobs (John), Garden City, Kansas; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Joe Jecha; four sisters, Alice Baxa, Magdalena Pachta, Frances Winbinger, and Elizabeth Oborny; and seven brothers, Vincent Baxa, Henry Baxa, Fred Baxa, Alfonso Baxa, Alois Baxa, Edmund Baxa, and Edward Baxa.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 8, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Church visitation will be Thursday, August 9, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas, with Father Eric Gyamfi , Father Henry Baxa, and Father Matthew Kumi officiating. Interment will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Timken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas, or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php. Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Dateline: Odin, Kansas

Margaret Gertrude (Birzer) Reichuber 

Margaret G. Reichuber, 96, died Monday, August 6, 2018, at Brookdale of Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born November 13, 1921, in Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph Francis and Mathilda (Beran) Birzer.

A homemaker and a farmwife, Margaret was a lifelong area resident.  She attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Barton County.  On August 12, 1941, she married Edwin H. Reichuber at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in rural Ellinwood, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on January 28, 1978.  Margaret was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society, both in Odin.  Margaret worked for 29 years for Central Kansas Medical Center in housekeeping. She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and needle work.

Survivors include; four sons, Edwin E. Reichuber and wife Aileen of Hutchinson, Kenneth Reichuber of Burrton, Richard Reichuber and wife Mary Jane of Hoisington, Gary Reichuber and wife Janie of Wichita; sister-in-law, Leona Birzer; 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 5 brothers; 12 sisters; and a grandson Nicholas Reichuber.

Friends may call noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Vigil and Rosary led by the Altar Society will be at 7 p.m., Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, August 10, 2018, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kansas, with Father Terrence Klein presiding.  Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Sts. Peter and Paul Heritage Association or Holy Family Cemetery Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Dr. Richard C. Preston, 76, of Great Bend, Kansas, died at his home on Sunday, August 5, 2018, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Culver City, California, on March 29, 1942, and was the oldest of four sons, born to Edgar T. and Monica Irene (DeBusk) Preston.

He was raised in Macksville, Kansas, where he graduated from high school in 1960. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Kay Ordway Preston on February 23, 1962, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Three children were born of this marriage: Jay R. Preston, Amy Lynne and Anne Marie. Dr. Preston and his family made their home in Great Bend since 1977, after leaving the U.S. Army medical service at West Point, New York and Vicenza, Italy, where he was stationed for three years with his family.  He was engaged in a long and successful internal medicine practice in Great Bend until 2010 when he retired. Dr. Preston graduated from the University of Kansas, the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1969 and completed his internship and post-doctoral specialty training in internal medicine at Fitzsimons Army General Hospital in Denver, Colorado in 1973.

Dr. Preston was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, American College of Physicians, American Board of Internal Medicine, over 50 years membership in the Masonic Lodge, AF and AM Lodge 15-32nd Degree Master Mason, ISIS Shrine, York Rite-Directors Staff, University of Kansas Alumi Association, and the Kansas University Medical Center Alumni Association.  He served on the board and was a past Director of the Board at the Central Kansas Medical Center and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned, Kansas from 2000-2005.  Dr. Preston received the James Edwards Memorial Award for outstanding service to the Great Bend High School USD 428 Athletic program, where he served as the team physician for over 20 years.

Dr. Preston was preceded in death by his father, Edgar T. Preston; his mother, Monica Irene Preston; his son, Jay R. Preston in 2006; his brother, Michael in 2012; and his beloved wife, Marilyn in 2014. He is survived by daughters, Amy Lynne (Britt) Guthrie of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Anne Marie (Bill) Paden of Great Bend; brothers, David J. Preston of Mesa, Arizona, and Dr. Kevin L. Preston of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; step-brothers, Kenneth C. Fenwick, Larned, and Larry D. Fenwick, Macksville; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Preston will be remembered for his lasting dedication to his family, friends and many devoted patients, many of whom traveled great distances for his care through more than 30 years of his practice.  His community will remember him for his character, professionalism and great citizenship.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 8, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, with Pastor Mike Munz presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.  Masonic Rites will be conducted by the AM Lodge 15 and Military Rites will be conducted by the United States Army.  In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are suggested to the Sunflower Shrine Travel Fund or Cancer Fund at Golden Belt Community Foundation, 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 W. “PeeWee” Lewis, 56, Galatia, Kansas, died Sunday, August 5, 2018, at his home. “PeeWee” was born February 13, 1962, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Frank and Diana (Engel) McGhee. He was a long time resident of Rush County, Kansas, and Barton County, Kansas.

A 1981 graduate of Victoria High School, Victoria, Kansas, he worked for Flame Engineering, Inc., La Crosse, Kansas, for several years. He was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas; and UA Local 669.

“PeeWee” enjoyed anything outdoors. Two of his favorite pastimes were hunting, and fishing.

Survivors include: his mother and step father, Diana and Raymond Gallegos, Galatia, Kansas; one son, Jesse Lewis, and his wife, Audrey Lewis, Ellinwood, Kansas; four grandchildren, Jaxon Lewis, Braden Lewis, Keaton Lewis, and Addilyn Lewis; one brother, Joseph Lewis, Salina, Kansas; and one sister, Saska Pfannenstiel, and her husband, Greg Pfannenstiel, Hays, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 7, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Eric Gyamfi officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz, Kansas. Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php