Dateline – Enid, Oklahoma 

Sabrina Ann Trout-Shrum, 24, passed away Tuesday October 1, 2019, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Sabrina was born September 6, 1995, in Great Bend, Kansas the daughter of Paul and Melissa (Roberts) Trout.

She was a 2014 graduate of Central Plains High School, Claflin, Kansas.

Sabrina was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood and the Driftwood Fellowship, Enid.  She loved music, singing, computer games, movies, and was an animal lover.

She is survived by parents, Lonnie and Melissa Watson of Holyrood, and Paul and Alana Trout of Oregon; her former husband Cody Shrum of Enid, Oklahoma, grandmother, Cheryl Montoya of Holyrood; sisters, Vanessa Watson of Hoisington, Kristen Watson of Holyrood; half brothers and sisters, Dayson Trout, Trenton Trout, Sariah Trout, Elise Trout, Lorelia Trout; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alberta Watson, Steve Montoya, Glenn & June Gabbard, and Mike and Fran Roberts.

Friends may sign the book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday at the funeral home. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2019, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Sabrina Shrum Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline – Hoisington 

Lois Louise (Schremmer) Klug, 81, died October 2, 2019, in Great Bend, Kansas. She was born September 6, 1938, in Russell, Kansas, to Gus and Dale Schremmer. She spent her youth on a farm near Hoisington with her parents and seven siblings. She graduated from Hoisington High School in 1956 and married Leon J. Klug on October 3, 1956.

Lois was a homemaker with three children until she started a long career at Beaver Bank. Lois loved her sisters, brothers, children and grandchildren. She loved attending the grandchildren’s events and was fiercely proud of them. She enjoyed flowers, loved fishing, and was an avid gardener, antique collector, country music fan and an excellent cook. Lois was very involved in the Altar Society at St. John’s Church. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leon Klug; her son, Dr. Kirby Klug of Overland Park; daughter, Kala Crites-Clary and Jim Clary of Overland Park; son, Kelly and Cindy Klug of Columbia, MO; grandson, Nick and Leslie Klug of Great Bend; granddaughter, Katie Klug of Leawood; granddaughter, Maggie Klug of Leawood; grandson, Brady and Kelsi Crites of Lenexa; and granddaughter, Brooke Crites of Prairie Village. She also adored her great-grandchildren, Olivia Klug of Great Bend, and Kaden Crites of Lenexa. Lois is also survived by; sister, Pat Proksch; brother, Ron and Betty Schremmer; brother, Bill and Bonnie Schremmer; and brother, Gene and Cheryl Schremmer, all of Hoisington; and sister-in-law, Helen Schremmer of Great Bend.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Karen Bishop and husband Paul; brothers, Earl Schremmer and Jim Schremmer and wife Kitty; and brother-in-law Richard Proksch.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with family to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel.  Vigil with Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP.  Burial will follow in St. John Church Cemetery, Hoisington.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Kans for Kids or to Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, where Lois was a Pink Lady for many years, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Condolences may be left at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

ELLINWOOD – Luelma Irene Hejny, 102, passed away September 28, 2019, at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was the daughter of August & Helena (Unruh) Base, born on November 19, 1916, on a farm northwest of Pawnee Rock. She lived all her life in Barton County. She attended School District #48 and was a Pawnee Rock High School graduate of 1935.

She married Frank Hejny on May 22, 1938, in the New Jerusalem Church in Pawnee Rock. She was a member of the New Jerusalem Church, Ladies Service Alliance of the Church and a past President of the Gold and Silver Club.

Survivors include, many beloved nieces and nephews; and one special son of the heart. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank; son, Gary Dean; five brothers, Elmer, Leo, Everett, Vernon and Dan; and two sisters, Edith and Lavina.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 3, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Susan Galvan presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the New Jerusalem Church or the Great Bend Senior Center, 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 – Jean Maureen Schlitter, 55, passed away September 26, 2019, at her home in Great Bend. She was born April 10, 1964, at Orange Co., California to Theodore Shelton and Helen Elizabeth (Green) Parker.

A Great Bend resident since 2007, previously living in California, Jean was a homemaker.

Survivors include, husband, Dennis of the home; one son, Curry Thompson of Manhattan; one daughter, Briana Thompson of Great Bend; four sisters; one brother; and three grandchildren.

There will be no services as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Jean Schlitter 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

 

 

GREAT BEND – Christopher Neal Espinosa, 50, passed away September 21, 2019, at St. Luke’s on the Plaza, Kansas City. He was born July 17, 1969, at Great Bend to Lawrence Francisco & Karla (Neal) Espinosa. He married Rebecca Anderson on April 18, 1992, at Great Bend. She survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Christopher was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He enjoyed weightlifting and was the founder of Brutal Strength weightlifting of Great Bend, and a member of Club One Fitness.  Christopher also loved listening to music and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include, his wife, Rebecca of the home; his parents, Lawrence and Karla Espinosa of Great Bend; one son, Zachary Espinosa of Great Bend; one daughter, Jazmine Jones of Great Bend; one brother, Michael Espinosa and wife Graciela of Great Bend; two grandchildren, Natalie Jones and Harley Jones; and two nephews, Michael Espinosa and Marco Espinosa of Great Bend.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 26, 2019, with Edward Forton presiding. Memorials are suggested to the Christopher Espinosa Expense Fund or Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 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

 

Fredrick O’Brian Rupp, 62, of Bushton and Hays, Kansas, died on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Fred was born on November 15, 1956, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of Linus and Bernice (Weigel) Rupp.  He grew up and attended school in Cheyenne and also lived in Denver, Colorado, Bushton, Kansas and Hays, Kansas.  He worked for Sun Oil in the oil field for many years.  He was a member of the Catholic Church.  He enjoyed working with leather crafts, painting and watching Denver Broncos Football.  Most of all he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family and friends.

Surviving family included his sister Janice Yanda (Daryel) of Gorham, Kansas and brothers  Curt Rupp of Bushton, Kansas and John Rupp (Kim) of Mooresville, Indiana, Step Mother Mary Ann Rupp of Lyons, Kansas. Step Sisters Tina Sims, Katrina Sims and Step Brothers Tim Sims, Billy Wade Sims and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Dale Yanda.

Fred’s wishes were to be cremated and have a Celebration of Life to be held on a later date that was warm so all his buddies could ride their bikes! The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday September 28^th at Lincoln Park in Russel, KS at the corner West 3^rd Street and North Lincoln Street from 2pm and 5pm.   Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service  arrangements.

WICHITA – Thelma Louise Pettijohn, 87, passed away September 17, 2019, at Sandpiper Health & Rehab, Wichita. She was born November 29, 1931, in Clinton, MO, to Emmett R. and Nettie Ethel (Love) Lowe. She married Richard Pettijohn at Great Bend. He passed from this life September 29, 2004.

A Wichita resident, previously living in Eucha, Okla., and living the majority of her life in Great Bend, was of the Baptist faith. Thelma was a newspaper carrier for the Wichita Eagle and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include three sons, John Sutton and wife Vicki of Amarillo, Texas, Mark Pettijohn of Brighton, Colo., and Phillip Pettijohn and wife Rhonda of Wichita; three daughters, Barbara Palmer and her significant other Brad Reich of Denver, Becky Ramirez and husband Leon of Woodward, Okla., and Sue Joiner and husband Jay of Virginia; 17 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Pettijohn; parents; and four sisters, Dora, Wanda, Joyce and Emma Lou.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the family present, Sunday, September 22, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 23, 2019, at Golden Belt Memorial Park, with Rev. Dick Ogle presiding. Memorials are suggested to Thelma Pettijohn Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

GREAT BEND – Jack L. Merten, 91, passed away September 19, 2019, in Wichita. He was born June 6, 1928, at Great Bend to Ralph Albert & Audra Vivian (Larason) Merten. He married Wilda Whala, February 23, 1957, at Oklahoma City, OK. She survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Jack was a technician at the power plant for 46 years. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and in the United States Navy. He loved cars, airplanes and Nascar. Jack especially loved his family and playing with his dachshunds, Kooper and Gordie.

Survivors include, his wife, Wilda of the home; one son, Michael Merten and wife Pamela of Great Bend; one daughter, Lahree Jenkins and husband Ken of Comanche, OK; five grandchildren, Bradley Jenkins, Jaclynn Jenkins, Ryan Jenkins, Cordell Merten, and Kyler Merten; and one nephew, Lew Erhart. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy (Merten) Erhart; and one niece, Monica.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 20, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019, at First Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.