Obituaries – Page 50 – Great Bend Post Archive

Kenneth Craig Wiltse

Posted on April 16, 2018

Dateline: Timken, Kansas

TIMKEN — Kenneth Craig Wiltse, 71, passed away April 12, 2018, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Ken was born April 23, 1946, at Great Bend, to Charles Joseph and Mary Karline (Dyer) Wiltse. He married Karen Elizabeth (Hagerman) August 27, 1966, at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Albert.

Ken, a long-time resident of Rush County, coming from Great Bend, was a farmer and stockman and a member of Peace Lutheran Church. He was a Rush County 4-H leader, Peace Lutheran Councilman, and served as a board member for the Timken Co-op, Mid-State Co-op, Rush County F.S.A., and Rush County Fair. He was a devoted church member, who taught Sunday School, and substituted in pastoral duties, in the absence of the minister.

Survivors include wife, Karen Elizabeth Wiltse, of the home; two sons, Curtis Wiltse and wife Amy of Westfield, Ind., Kevin Wiltse and wife Mandy of Timken; one daughter, Leane Palmer and husband Noel of Kearney, Neb.; two sisters, Jodi Wiltse of San Jose, Cal., and Gail Hamilton and husband Bob of Edmond, Okla.; and eight grandchildren, Ryan Wiltse, Shay Wiltse, Evan Palmer, Emily Palmer, Luke Palmer, Maitland Wiltse, Maddie Wiltse and Macie Wiltse. He was preceded in death by brother, Larry Wiltse; and sister, Patricia Wiltse.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Albert, with Rev. Wayne Baldyga officiating. Interment will follow at Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, April 16, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial funds have been established with Rush County Fair Association or Peace Lutheran Church, 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

Phyllis Maneth

Posted on April 16, 2018

GREAT BEND — Phyllis Maneth, 92, passed away Thursday April 12, 2018, at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend. Phyllis was born July 26, 1925, to Bernard and Dorothy (Brayton) Krampe, in Ellinwood. She was united in marriage to Fred C. Maneth October 25, 1948, in Great Bend. Fred passed away December 11, 1998.

A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Bernadine Phyllis was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, Altar Society and D. of I. She loved playing cards with her friends, crafts, crocheting, reading and enjoyed her social groups.

Survivors include her children, Cheryl Yunk and husband Dan of Manhattan, Carla Wynn-Griffin and her husband Kenneth of The Woodlands, Texas, Kent Maneth and wife Debbie of Gilbert, Ariz., and Ron Maneth of McPherson; six grandchildren, Carey Rawson, Jill Riffel, Craig Yunk, Kelly Kearney, Cory Dodson, and Jacob Maneth; and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Richard Maneth, and three sisters, Lorraine Belford, Natalie Skillings and Arlene Lawrence Sampson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2018, St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, April 15, at Bryant Funeral Home, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil with a D. of I. Rosary at 7:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.

A memorial fund has been established with Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Judy Ann Rusco

Posted on April 11, 2018

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

GREAT BEND – Judy Ann Rusco, 77, passed away April 9, 2018, at Abilene Memorial Hospital, Abilene, Kan. She was born February 4, 1941, at Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Walter Thomas and Margaret Bridgette Louise (Start) Chumley. Judy married Alfred Wayne Rusco January 1, 1960 at Ellinwood. He died July 3, 2006.

A long time Great Bend area resident, Judy also previously resided in Liberal, Chanute, Wichita, Woodward, Okla., and Tyrone, Okla. She was a dedicated farm wife, holding prior employment with Merle Norman Cosmetics, E and E Paint and Glass, and Dr. Stone, DDS, Dentistry. Judy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and served her community and family as a Brownie and 4-H Community leader. She expressed her love for music by singing in the church choir, BCC musicals, and directing the church choir.

Surviving are three daughters, Gail McDermott and husband John of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Lynn Simpson and husband Gordan of Dodge City, and Vicki Keffer and husband Bill of Great Bend; one brother, Jim Chumley and wife Sharon of Sun Valley, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Johna McDermott, Kylie McDermott and partner Adam Fein, Tyler Simpson, Brice Simpson and wife Allison, Dustin Keffer and wife Crystal, Erica Keffer, and Megan Willich and husband Jarrod; six great grandchildren, Marshall Simpson, Makenzie Simpson, Madison Simpson, Will Keffer, Beckett Willich, and Kaisa Willich.

Memorial services have been scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, with The Reverend Barbara Jones officiating. Inurnment will follow at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. The register book will be available to sign 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 13, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time, Saturday, at Trinity Lutheran Church fellowship hall. Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Cheyenne Bottoms Visitor’s 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

Elsie Hogan

Posted on April 9, 2018

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

GREAT BEND — Elsie Hogan, 100, passed away March 9, 2018, at Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Olathe. She was born August 21, 1917, at Redwing (Barton County), to Joseph and Katherine (Courange) Hickel. Elsie married Marvin Hogan March 29, 1937, at Holyrood. He died November 10, 1988.

Elsie, a long-time resident of Great Bend, was a homemaker also holding previous various clerical and secretarial positions. Elsie was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend, and the Altar Society.

Survivors include her grandson, Kelly Hogan of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Jane Hogan of Gardner; several nieces, nephews; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by son, Jim Hogan; grandchild, Scott Hogan; and brother, Art Hickel.

A memorial service Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. Memorial funds have been established for Prince of Peace Parish or Evergreen Community of Johnson County, 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

Dale Francis Stoecklein

Posted on April 9, 2018

Dale Francis Stoecklein passed away at his home in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 25, 2017. He was 56. Born on Aug. 25, 1961, in Colby, Dale was the fifth of nine children of Theodore and Pauline (Wirtz) Stoecklein.

After graduating from Colby High School in 1979, Dale received an associate’s degree from Colby Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. In the years that followed, Dale made his home in many places throughout the country, including Oklahoma, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Denver.

Dale discovered that he had a unique gift for working with people, listening to their issues and needs, and making them feel important. He recently earned a national award for being one of the top customer relations representatives with IKEA.

There is a lot that Dale loved.

He loved spending hours exploring libraries. He loved watching baseball. He loved karate. He loved to laugh. He loved being an uncle. And he loved being one of those Stoecklein kids growing up in Colby—running barefoot on the hot sidewalks to the local pool, getting his fishing line tangled with those of his brothers, playing all sports and excelling especially in competitive swimming, and posing for photos with his brothers and sisters under the big tree in the backyard.

There is a lot that Dale loved. And there are a lot who loved Dale. We miss you, brother.

He is survived by his brothers Mike of Lakeville, Minn., Mark of Seattle, Wash., Paul of Idyllwild, Calif., and Fr. Ted of Great Bend; his sister Mary Disberger of Wamego; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Kenneth and David, and sister Linda Holzhuter.

Vigil will be 7:00 p.m. Monday April 9, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at St. Rose Catholic Church with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to the Dale Stoecklein funeral expense fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Visit bryantfh.net to leave condolences for the family.

James W Rockhold

Posted on April 9, 2018

Great Bend—James W Rockhold, 95, passed away April 6, 2018 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on August 17, 1922 at Nowata, Okla. to Howard R. & Huetta (Waugaman) Rockhold.

James married Bettye Erwin on May 12, 1953 in Albuquerque, N.M. She preceded him in death in June 5, 2005. James was a Petroleum Engineer graduating with double degrees from OSU and OU. Mr. Rockhold was a Great Bend, resident and a member of KIOGA (Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association), OU Alumni Association, a pioneer member of the Oil and Gas Museum in Great Bend, Kansas Engineering Society, Cottonwood Gun Club and the Hoisington Gun Club.

James is survived by one son, Jeff and wife Kim Rockhold of Great Bend; one daughter: Lori and husband Chuck Hilton of Gentry Ark.; two sisters: Peggy Sellers of Sapulpa, Okla. and Margaret Garrett of Woodbine; three grandchildren, Megan Ragan and companion Richard Estes, Katherine and Jesse Lovett, and Tyler Rockhold; five great grandchildren Kassidy and Roger Lovett, Dace and Kylee Ragan and Zain Estes. He was preceded in death by son, James Randall Rockhold and two brothers; H. R. Rockhold, and Bill Rockhold.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home. With Pastor Larry Schumacher officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00-9:00 on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 with family receiving friends and relatives from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend. A memorial has been designated to the Kansas Oil and Gas Museum of Great Bend, 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

Pauline Darline Mong

Posted on April 9, 2018

Great Bend—Pauline Darline Mong, 85, passed away April 6, 2018, at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Pauline was born April 3, 1933, in Wakeeney the daughter of Orville and Tabea (Eichman) Pierce.

Pauline was a resident of Great Bend since 1957 coming from Russell Springs. She was united in marriage to Clayton Mong on September 2, 1951, in Hill City. She was a homemaker that took care of her family and loved them dearly. Pauline was a volunteer at the Senior Center, an officer with the Elks Lodge and a member of TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly).

Survivors include husband Clayton of the home; son Clinton Mong and wife Cindy of Spearville; daughter Barbara Bitnoff of Belpre; brother David Leroy Pierce and wife Luella of Wakeeny; sisters Lillian Large of Wakeeney, Shirley Glider and husband Gene of Denver, Colo., Lucille Reif and husband Charles of Plainville, and Myra Kraft and Jack; ten grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by son Anthony Mong.

No services will be held. Cremation has taken place. Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret E. Gorsline

Posted on April 9, 2018

Great Bend–Margaret E. Gorsline, 94, passed away Tuesday March 13, 2018, at Cherry Village Care Home. She was born November 23, 1923 in Kansas City, KS to O.H. and Ester (Gelahar) Bender. She was a resident of Great Bend for forty years.

Survivors include son Miles Linroth of Stanwood, Wash.; sister Maxine Brown of Pocatello, Idaho.; brothers William Bender of Kansas City, Kans., Jim Bender of Farmington, N.M.; granddaughter Emily Linroth of Pullman Wash. She was preceded in death by husband George Gorsline, sister Florence Foster, brothers Robert, Chuck and Harry Bender.

Memorial service will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday April 11, 2018, at Cherry Village Care Home Chapel with Rev Dick Ogle officiating. Cremation has taken place.

Memorial has been established with Cherry Village Care Home, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Robert E. “Bob” Pryor

Posted on April 6, 2018

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Robert E. “Bob” Pryor, 73, died April 3, 2018, at Almost Home, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born June 22, 1944, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, the son of F.L. and Sarah Lucille (O’Dell) Pryor. Bob attended schools in Polo, Missouri, until moving to Raymore, Missouri, where he graduated from Raymore High School. He then joined the Air Force and served as an Airman First Class from 1965 to 1971.

Bob was a resident of Great Bend since 1985 moving from Omaha, Nebraska. He worked his whole lifetime in sprinkler fitting and was President of Pryor Automatic Fire Sprinkler.

He was a member of the NRA, the Local Union #669, and National Fire Sprinkler Association. He enjoyed his family, annual fishing trips, and most importantly celebrating his birthday.

On June 7, 1985, he married Mary Zink-Haberman in Great Bend, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Pryor of the home; and three children, Michael L. Pryor and wife Marla of Blue Springs, Missouri, Wendy L. Lockwood and husband Kevin, and Shelly A. Arnberger and husband Kevin, all of Great Bend; a sister, Donna Messick and husband Bill of Omaha, Nebraska; and five grandchildren, Curtis Arnberger, Representative Tory Marie Arnberger, Thomas Lockwood and wife Brittany, Ethan Lockwood, and Hunter Pryor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Roger Pryor, parents-in-law, Leo and Marilyn Kaiser, and two grandchildren, Michael Pryor, Jr. and Brooklyn Pryor.

Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. with Vigil at 7 p.m., Sunday, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 9, 2018, at St. Rose of Lima, Prince of Peace Parish, Great Bend, Kansas, celebrated by Father Ted Stoeklein. Burial will follow in Holy Name Cemetery, rural Bushton, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to Barton County Transfer, Almost Home, or Kindred Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Dolores Stevens

Posted on April 6, 2018

Great Bend—Dolores Stevens, 88, passed away April 4, 2018, at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. Dolores was born April 1, 1930, in Oil Hill, the daughter of Earl and Opal (Wood) Dowler.

Dolores was a Great Bend resident. Dolores married Marion Dean “Smokey” Stevens on August 24, 1950, in Great Bend. He passed away June15, 1994. She was a homemaker, holding previous employment at the nursing home in Greensburg and Friends Bible College in Haviland. She enjoyed bible studies, teaching Sunday School and making quilts and crafts. Dolores was a member of Western Area Women’s Aglow, serving as treasurer, and the Friends Church in Haviland.

Survivors include sons, Ricky Stevens and wife Carmen of Haviland, Kelly Stevens of Larned and Joe Stevens and wife Kayleen of Haviland; daughter Susan Coulson and husband George of Great Bend; sisters, Earleen Offutt of Trinity, Texas and Flora Lee Ceskue of Hernando, Miss.; grandchildren, Brannan Coulson, Megan Shanley, Staci Moore, Cody, Logan, Amber, Natasha, Kyle, Braden, and Tanner Stevens. She was preceded in death by daughter Linda Stevens, brothers Jim and Keith Dowler.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018, with Rev. Matt Schaffer officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday April 6, 2018, all at Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery.

Memorial has been established with Angels Home Health, 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