Verna J. Riemann, 90, died November 9, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellsworth, Kansas.  She was born January 13, 1927, in Wilson, Kansas, the daughter of Vincent A. and Josephine F. (Tymer) Pejsha.  Verna graduated from Wilson High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University.

On May 26, 1952, she married Vernon J. Riemann, in Dallas, Texas.

Verna worked as a teller for the First National Bank in Hoisington and also as a teacher for 7th and 8th Grade in Holyrood.

She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Hoisington.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Vernon J. Riemann; a daughter, Michelle B. Kunz and husband Dale of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; and good friends, Curtis and Kathy Hitschmann of Hoisington.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Richard Pejsha.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Don Fisher presiding.  Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery. Friends may call 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 13, 2017, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel with family to receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Golden Belt Humane Society or Claflin Ambulance in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Darlene Marie Dean, age 66, died November 8, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.  She was born June 25, 1951 at Hays, to Aloysius and Cleopha Elizabeth (Herrman) Leiker.

Darlene married Dwayne Bender Feb. 8, 1969, at Great Bend, then later divorced.  She then married Billy Dean April 18, 1991, at Great Bend.  He died Oct. 29, 2013.

A long time Great Bend resident, Darlene was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose and the Altar Society, both of Great Bend.

Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Lang and husband Kendall of Great Bend, and Chantell Schartz and husband John of Derby; one brother, Donald Leiker and wife Toni of Great Bend, one sister, and Dolores Burgardt and husband Elmer of Great Bend; seven grandchildren, Alyssa Schartz, Kelci Turner, Michael Schartz, Mikayla Lang, Haylie Schartz, Monica Lang, and Kathryn Schartz; and one great-grandchild, Kamryn Paige Turner.

Memorial Services have been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore.  Inurnment will be at Great Bend Cemetery North.  An Altar Society Rosary will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt 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

 

Leota June Mettling, age 93, of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away on November 3, 2017 in the loving hands of her daughter Deanne and her husband Marv Amerine.  She was born June 10, 1924 to Ross and Lizzie Crawford in Seward, KS, south of Great Bend.  The family moved around for many years to different farms, mainly north of Greensburg, KS.  Leota graduated from Greensburg High School and was the only one of the 5 children to graduate.Leota June Mettling, age 93, of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away on November 3, 2017 in the loving hands of her daughter Deanne and her husband Marv Amerine.  She was born to Ross and Lizzie Crawford in Seward, KS, south of Great Bend.  The family moved around for many years to different farms, mainly north of Greensburg, KS.  Leota graduated from Greensburg High School and was the only one of the 5 children to graduate.

She met the love of her life on Main Street of Greensburg, KS, and married him 5 months later in Centerview, KS, on November 14, 1942.  She was living with Wayne’s parents near Lewis, KS, when their daughter Linda Deanne was born while he was overseas as part of the Allied Forces occupying Japan after WWII.

She and Wayne lived in the following cities: Lewis, Winfield, Montezuma, Kinsley, and Great Bend, all in Kansas.  They moved to Lake Jackson, Texas in 1995 to be close to their daughter Linda Deanne and family.  Wayne passed away May 25, 1997.

Leota enjoyed sewing and made many of her own and her daughter’s clothes.  She expressed her innate creativity in a variety of crafts.  She passed on her love of crafts to her granddaughter Kirsty and great-granddaughter Abby.  A favorite pastime was playing games with friends and family.  She greatly enjoyed traveling with her family and had traveled through most of the 50 states.

She was a life-long Republican, proudly believing in our duty to be informed and vote.  It was important to her in recognizing that our United States of America was founded on Christian principles.  She was not shy in sharing her patriotism and encouraging others.

In earlier years she was on committees at Trinity United Methodist Church in Great Bend, Kansas and Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson.  Her friends and fellow Christians were important to her.  She moved to Hearthstone Assisted Living in 2010 which later became Elmcroft Senior Living.  Her ministry there began with serving others with friendship, giving directions, and giving voting advice.

We know that Leota would be honored if donations were made in her memory to one of her favorite charities: Billy Graham Evangelism Association, Covenant House of Texas, and Prison Fellowship Ministry, or Chapelwood UMC.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wayne, parents Ross and Lizzie Crawford; 3 brothers Lewie, Frank, and Ross Jr.; sister Erma Woods;  parents-in-law Ora and Daisy Mettling, brothers-in-law Ray and Betty Mettling, Carl and Frances Mettling, Harold Mettling, and Gordon and Velma Mettling.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Deanne and husband Marv Amerine, grandson Dan Amerine of Tulsa, granddaughter Kirsty and husband Brad Merrell and great granddaughter Abby Merrell of Katy, TX, nephew David and wife Carol Woods of Chouteau, OK, niece-in-law Pat Crawford of Hutchinson, KS and cousins Leila Griffitt of Ellinwood, KS and Karen Post of Great Bend, and Byron Healzer of Lake St. Louis, MO.   Since Wayne was one of five boys, Leota is survived by many Mettling nieces and nephews and her special sister-in-law Cora Mettling of Udall, KS.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.  A celebration of Leota’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017, at Chapelwood.

Visitation in Great Bend, KS, at Bryant Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Sunday, November 12.  Visitation also from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Monday.  Funeral service at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, KS, at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 13.  Burial will be next to her beloved husband 2:00 p.m. at Wayne Cemetery in Lewis, KS.

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

Lawrence Emil Demel, 85, died November 5, 2017, at the Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood.  He was born November 24, 1931 at rural Redwing, to Alois and Christina (Schneweis) Demel.  Lawrence married Sidone (Demel) October 4, 1955 at Beaver. She survives.

A lifetime Hoisington area resident, Lawrence was a farmer and stockman.  He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army 224th Infantry Regiment, from 1953 to 1954, being honorably discharged as the rank of Sergeant.  Lawrence was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus, both of Odin.  He also served on the Odin School Board for 7 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sidone Demel of the home; six sons, Michael Demel and his wife Sandy of Hoisington, Richard Demel and wife Kay of Hiawatha, Kenneth Demel of Warrensburg, MO, Ronald Demel and wife Karen of Hoisington, Duane Demel and wife Deborah of Salina, and Francis Demel and wife Rebecca of Hoisington; six daughters, Lorene Rajewsky and husband Joe of Ellinwood, Maryanne Couture and husband Len of Great Bend, Lynn Meek and husband Rex of Hoisington, Arlene Oberle and husband Scott of Greensburg, Donna Keil and husband David of Great Bend, and Anita Blackwell and husband Jim of Hoisington; four brothers, Bernard Demel of Norman, OK, Ambrose Demel of Hoisington, Harold Demel of Hutchinson, and Edwin Demel of Lenexa; three sisters,  Theresa Bieberle of Great Bend, Dolores Lane of Hoisington, and Kathleen Chacon of Great Bend; 29 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 2 step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Tony Demel, and by one grandson Joshua Demel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin.

A Vigil with a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, with Father Terrence Klein.  Interment will be at Holy Family Cemetery, Odin, with Military Rites conducted by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington.  Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or Woodhaven Care Center, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

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

ROLAND   J. STROBEL 

Roland J. Strobel, age 81 years, of Seward, Kansas, passed away on Thursday morning, November 2, 2017 at Diversicare of Larned Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Larned, Kansas.   Roland was born on December 29, 1935 on the family farm near Seward, Kansas to George A. and Sadie Ann (Moore) Strobel.   He lived and worked on the family farm until his mother passed away, after which he bought a home in Seward and lived there for the remainder of his life. Roland attended Hickman School in Stafford County to the 5^th Grade; he then went to St. Francis Xavier School and graduated from the 8^th Grade. He attended Radium High School for his freshman year, and then attended the Kansas School for the Blind from 1950-1953.   Roland loved watching television, and he listed his favorite TV shows as Gunsmoke, The Real McCoys, Lawrence Welk, Ted Mack, Ed Sullivan, and Jeopardy. He was of the Catholic faith.

Roland is survived by one brother, George Strobel of Great Bend, Kansas; three sisters: Pauline Schartz of Great Bend, Kansas, Joann (and her husband, Archie) McElroy of Chetopa, Kansas, and Ruth (and her husband, Mike) Johnson of Great Bend, Kansas; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.   Preceding Roland in death were his parents; three brothers:   Richard, Ray, and Ralph Strobel; one sister, Virginia Smith; two brothers-in-law: Jerome Smith and Cletus Schartz; and two sisters-in-law: Carol Strobel and Charlene Strobel.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Seward, Kansas with Fr. Louis Trung Dinh Hoang officiating.   Inurnment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery at Seward, Kansas at a later date.   Memorial donations are designated to the Seward, Kansas Playground Project (please make checks payable to the City of Seward at 519 Lincoln Avenue, Seward, KS   67576. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary 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

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Gerald Frank Hamilton, 83, died November 3, 2017, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington.  He was born July 24, 1934, in Moundridge, Kansas, the son of Theodore Frank and Katherine (Head) Hamilton.

Gerald graduated from Hoisington High School in 1953.  He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.

A longtime Hoisington resident, Gerald was a truck driver for Graves Truckline of Great Bend.

He was a former member of the United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the V.F.W., and had served as commissioner of the V.F.W. and the 7th District V.F.W., and was a Buddy Poppy Chairman, for the state of Kansas V.F.W.

On July 18, 1975, he married Lucille Yager in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She preceded him in death on March 31, 1988.

He is survived by his companion of 29 years, Ruth Brack of Hoisington; two stepsons, Charles Yager of Holyrood, and Larry Yager of Lee’s Summit, MO; step daughter, Marji Heiken of Blaine, WA; and a step grandchildren, Brian Yager and wife Sherry of Great Bend, Dori Cariker and husband Brent of Dallas, TX, Christy Lewis of Blue Springs, MO, and Kim Klug and husband Chris of Kansas City; and a good friend, Jackie Pritchard of Hoisington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ted, Bill, and Don Hamilton; and two sisters, Nadine Sears and Peggy Torrez.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 10, 2017, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. Reuben Lang ‘at presiding.  With military rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.  There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.  Inurnment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Holyrood.

Memorials may be made to Country Place Senior Living or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND — Jerry J. Stoecklein, 85, died Nov. 1, 2017, at his home in Great Bend.  He was born in Ellinwood Sept. 19, 1932, the son of Alexander C. and Anna Margaret (Wolf) Stoecklein.  He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1952.  Mr. Stoecklein was a United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict from 1953 thru 1955.  He married Merlyn L. Fischer Aug. 20, 1960, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend.  She died July 7, 2015.  A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Mr. Stoecklein retired from Central Kansas Utilities.

Mr. Stoecklein was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111.  In his younger years, Jerry enjoyed hunting, bowling, camping, dancing, tinkering in his garage and fixing things around his house.

Survivors include two sons, Karl Stoecklein of Houston, TX, and Alan Stoecklein of Olmitz; two sisters, Aggie Stueve and her husband Ken of Great Bend, and Esther Staub of St. John; and many nieces and nephews, including Lea Ann LeRoy of Great Bend, Gordan Simpson of Dodge City, Monty Simpson of Bay St. Louis, MS, Audrey Fry of Great Bend, and Father Ted Stoecklein of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by six brothers, infant George Stoecklein, Eddie Stoecklein, Virgil Stoecklein, infant Alvin Stoecklein, Ted Stoecklein and Les Stoecklein; and three sisters, Florine Stoecklein, Virginia Shawn and Theresa Mortimer.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Don Bedore officiating.  Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Remi Mauler Medical 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 —

It is with great sadness that Michael Orion Blackman was called home, from Great Bend Regional Hospital, on  Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, at the age of 36.  Michael was born on Dec. 19, 1980, at St. Joseph Hospital, Wichita, to Priscilla (Woodward) and Wayne M. Blackman.

Growing up, Michael was a mischievous little boy living in Jacksonville, NC. In 1998, he moved to Great Bend, where he graduated proudly from Great Bend High School – Class of 2000.  Michael worked at Wal-Mart as a customer service representative. He then moved on to be a manager at McDonald’s for a while.  He was known most for his sense of humor and his caring heart. His hobbies included his love of dragons, playing video games, and spending time with his family.

Michael will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Priscilla (Woodward) O’Connor of Great Bend; father and step-mother, Wayne and Kristin Blackman of NC; step-father and companion, Matt O’Connor and Faye Taylor of Great Bend; five sisters, Crystal Harshman and her husband Andrew of Enid, Okla., Kim Roach and her husband Cody of Milberger, Kaylene Vaughn and her husband Michael of Wichita, Marissa O’Connor of Dodge City, and Jamie Harden and her husband Joe of PA; nephews, Hunter and Eathan; and nieces, Caitlyn, Jaila, Breezy, Kenzy, Annabelle, Leabella, and Alyssa.  Michael will also be forever remembered by his numerous aunts, uncles, extended family, and dear friends.

Memorial service will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Don Paden officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are requested to Michael Blackman Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.