GREAT BEND — Gerald Dean Dixon, 85, died Feb. 16, 2017, at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend. He was born Dec. 20, 1931, at Pawnee Rock, the son of Fredrick Earl and Gladys (Ermel) Dixon. He married Helene Ann Elizabeth Freeman Sept. 30, 1963, at Miami, Okla.  She died March 11, 2016. A long time Great Bend resident, Mr. Dixon was a truck driver for Marlette Homes and AirCo Industrial Gases. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Eagle’s Aerie.

Survivors include one son, Gerry Dixon and his wife Carrie of Franklin Lakes, N.J.; one daughter, Arlene Williams of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Jason Morin, Kelly Jones, Katie Dixon and Blake Dixon; and four great-grandchildren, Madison, Kendall, Ryan and Molly.

He was preceded in death by one son, Albert Dixon; six brothers, Lee Ray Dixon, Fredrick Eugene Dixon, Marvin Alvin Dixon, Charles Irvin Dixon, Bobby Earl Dixon and Donald Richard Dixon, and eight sisters, Ruth Eilene Dixon, Janice Joan Dixon, Phyllis Jean Becker, Thelma Elaine Methvin, Martha Ann Varnell, Mary Beth Gholson, Frances May Miller and Okla Marie Addington; and three great-grandchildren, Jonas, Hope and Faith.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at Brushy Knob Cemetery, Ava, Mo. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, and 1:30 p.m. to service time, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Disabled American Veterans or Alzheimer’s Association, 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 — Margaret Irene Shobe, 73, died Feb. 15, 2017, at her home in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 3, 1943 at Great Bend, the daughter of Chester L. and Dorothy M. (Hunter) Shobe. A lifetime Great Bend resident, Miss Shobe was a client of Rosewood Services.

Miss Shobe was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one brother, Franklin D. Shobe and his wife Carolyn of Muncie, Ind.; two nephews, David Shobe and Martin Shobe; one niece, Nora Fletcher; and step niece, Mary Ellen Hobson. She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Martha Jean Shobe.

Funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Lenard Maxwell officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Friends may call from 2 p.m. to service time, Saturday at the church. Memorials have been established with Rosewood Roots and Wings 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

GREAT BEND — Katherine Elda “Kate” Campbell, 92, died Feb. 14, 2017, at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend. She was born June 26, 1924, at Great Bend, the daughter of Arthur Alvin and Mary Ellen (Keenan) Campbell. A lifetime Great Bend resident, Miss Campbell was a teller and bookkeeper for American State Bank and Wichita State Bank, and was a secretary at Central Kansas Medical Center, retiring in 1989.

She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Survivors include three sisters, Dorothy Greer of Bristow, Okla., Patricia Gerstenkorn of Great Bend, and Mary Ellen Nieman of Chino Hills, Calif; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Henry M. Campbell; and four sisters, Mary Drake, Ruth White, Grace Schneweis and Delores Maggiora.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang officiating. Inurnment will be in Great Bend Cemetery. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials have been established with Prince of Peace Parish, 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 — Thomas Joseph Bahr, 64, died Feb. 14, 2017, at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita. He was born May 12, 1952, at Great Bend, the son of Raymond John and Catherine H. (Schneweis) Bahr. He met the love of his life, Vivian Zamarripa, in 1981 and decided she was the one to spend the rest of his life. They were married Nov. 6, 1985. A lifetime Great Bend area resident, Mr. Bahr was a truck driver for Great Bend Packing, Phil Wagner Trucking and Venture Corp. He was a United States Army veteran.

Due to health reasons, Mr. Bahr retired and took over all the duties at home as Vivian continued her work. He enjoyed having a meal on the table when she came home from work for lunch and in the evening.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian Bahr, of the home; two daughters, Kelly Henry and her husband Ray of Great Bend, and Terry Bieberle of Great Bend; and three grandchildren from a previous marriage. He is also survived by one brother, Kevin Bahr and his wife Jennifer of Olmitz; one sister, Sue Schmidt and her husband Mike of Raleigh, N.C.; one step-son, Michael Zamarripa and his wife Linda of Sacramento, Calif.; one grandson, Jaron Zamarripa and his wife Amy and their son, Geddy Paul Zamarripa of Garden City; and his second family, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Carmen Skelly, Paul Zamarripa and his wife Gina, Steve Zamarripa and his wife Judy, Mary Ingram and husband Ray, Rose Sands and her husband Lonnie, Josie Morrison and her husband Dennis, Isabelle Earegood and her husband Don, Angie Ingram and Eldon Ingram, Becky Morrison and her husband Craig Sr., and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael R. “Mike” Bahr.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with First Street Church of God, 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: Hays, Kansas

Larry Michael Nicholson, 75, of Hays, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 at home.

He was born Nov. 22, 1941 in Nevada, Missouri, to Nina Potter Nicholson and Lee Nicholson. He married Celia Eveleigh July 26, 1964 in Hoisington, Kansas.

After graduating high school in Hoisington, KS he earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. He took his first job as a biochemistry professor at University of Missouri-Rolla before coming to Fort Hays State University, where he served on the faculty from 1976 until his retirement in 2008. He served as the Chair of the Chemistry Department from 1988 to 2001.

Larry was a member of the Kansas State Alumni Association, Lions Club of Hays, Kansas, Hoisington Masonic Lodge #331, Hoisington, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the American Chemical Society.

He loved to travel, read, and spend time with family. He is survived by his wife Celia of Hays, Kansas; son, Eric Nicholson and wife Tracy of Ames, Iowa; daughter, Jill Nicholson-Crotty and husband Sean of Bloomington, Indiana; brother, Bill and wife Pattie of Hoisington, Kansas; and four grandchildren, Jordan, Noah, Finn, and Iris.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Nina Nicholson, and an infant sister, Kay Nicholson.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7p.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at Brock’s North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine Street in Hays, Kansas.  Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February. 16, 2017, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N Main, Hoisington, with Reverend Dr. Reuben Lang’at presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Dr. Larry and Celia Nicholson Undergraduate Research Opportunity Award, care of the Fort Hays State University Foundation or Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas. 

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

 

GREAT BEND — John A. Wagner, 97, died Feb. 12, 2017, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend. He was born Jan. 20, 1920, at Wichita, the son of John B. and Carrie Ann (Huggins) Wagner. He married Margie Giltner Dec. 20, 1944, at Wichita. They later divorced. He then married Viola M. (Parker) Tobias April 17, 1970, at Great Bend. A Great Bend resident since 1945, coming from Wichita, Mr. Wagner was a mechanic for Pickerell Drilling. He was a United States Army veteran serving in the Aleutian Islands during World War II.

Mr. Wagner was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and Great Blenders Chorus for 13 years. He also attended Central Baptist Church. He was an avid fisherman and loved to camp.

Survivors include his wife, Viola M. Wagner of the home; three sons, Matthew T. Wagner of Axtell, Mark H. Wagner and his wife Alma of Axtell, and Rick A. Branson and his wife Khrista of Ashland; three daughters, Patricia Stallbaumer and her husband Galen of Topeka, Mary E. Krouse and her husband Butch of Bonner Springs, and Vicki A. Ellis of Wichita; one step-son, Gary Tobias and his wife Sonnie of Lampasas, Texas; three step-daughters, Beverly Roberts and her husband Rob of Mesa, Ariz., Judy Burke of Grand Lake, Colo., and Debbie Potter and her husband Shane of Great Bend; 25 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and 33 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, John M. Wagner; two daughters, Judith C. Thornton and Kathleen A. Smith, one step-daughter, Shirley Spitzmiller; three brothers, Joseph D. Wagner, William T. Wagner and Howard R. Wagner; and two sisters, Gladys L. Reddick and Vera M. Coats.

Vigil Service will be at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Holy Family School Endowment, 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

JERRY   L. SCHRADER,   DVM 

Jerry L. Schrader, DVM, age 84 years, longtime Great Bend, Kansas Veterinarian, passed away on Saturday evening, February 11, 2017 at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, Kansas after a brief illness.   Jerry was born on November 24, 1932 at Ellinwood, Kansas to Irvin and Louise (Kellam) Schrader.   He attended school in Great Bend and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1950.   Jerry then attended Kansas State University, where he graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree.   He practiced for two years in Iowa and Arkansas before establishing Countryside Veterinary Associates in Great Bend in 1959, where he practiced until his death – a career that spanned 60 years.   Jerry was a member of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, where he was selected as the 2013 Kansas Veterinarian of the Year.   He also received the Central Kansas Greatest DVMs Award.   His Professional Memberships included the KSVMA and the AVMA.   He served on the Board of Trustees at Barton Community College in Great Bend in 1967, served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank in Great Bend, he was on the Governor’s Pet Advisory Board as Kansas Veterinary Medical Association Representative, was Past President and Board Member for many years of the Golden Belt Humane Society in Great Bend, a Member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and Past Exalted Ruler of B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1127 at Great Bend, Kansas.   Jerry was united in marriage to the former Yvonne (Besperat) Nordman on August 24, 1998 at Gunnison, Colorado.

Survivors his wife, Yvonne Schrader of Great Bend, Kansas and one step-son, Dustin (and his wife, Amy) Nordman of Clovis, New Mexico.   Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.

Private family Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday at the Great Bend City Cemetery in Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Larry Schumacher officiating. Public visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend.   The family has requested that memorials be designated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left 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—Thomas L. “Tom” Brack, 71, died February 10, 2017 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. He was born February 15, 1945 at Great Bend, the son of Dan and Lydia (Muth) Brack. He married Sharon Prosser April 15, 1971 at Great Bend, she passed away January 7, 2012. Tom was a lifelong Great Bend resident. He worked for Becker Tire as a mechanic.

Tom’s greatest pleasure in life were the many times he and his wife spent at Lake Wilson, camping and fishing with friends. Also their many gambling trips.

Survivors include his sisters, Wilma Cody and husband Bill of Welaka, FL, DeAnna Robinson and husband Tom of Broken Arrow, OK; brother Wilbur Brack and wife Diane of Farmington, NM; special niece Faye Schartz of Sebastian, FL and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Dan and Orville, sisters Evelyn Deines, Marlyn White, Dolores Fricks and Bonnie Flowers.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 13, 2017 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend with the Rev. Adam D. Wutka. Friends may sign the register book Monday February 13, 2017, from 9 to noon at Bryant Funeral Home, there will be no viewing. Memorials have been established with Golden Belt Humane Society or the Golden Belt Home Health and 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 — Esther Maher, 92, a long-time resident of Great Bend, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at Almost Home, Inc., surrounded by her family. Esther, daughter of Anthony J. and Rosa Dreiling Pfeifer, was born on Jan. 29, 1925, in Victoria. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Donald Maher on Nov. 7, 1949, at Victoria. Donald preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 1997. Esther was a devout life-long Catholic and an active member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick’s Church.

Before being a homemaker, she worked at First National Bank in Victoria, Chandler National Bank in Lyons, and First National Bank in Great Bend. In 1975, Esther began pursuing art, taking classes at Barton County Community College where she continued taking classes until she was nearly 90 years old. She enjoyed many media, including watercolor, ceramics, jewelry, wood carvings and pressed flowers. Esther was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed playing with friends and family until shortly before her death. Throughout her life, Esther volunteered her time towards many endeavors, including being a Cub Scout Den Mother and volunteering at Argonne Rebels Bingo Hall.

The family wishes to extend thanks to the staff at Almost Home, Inc., in Great Bend for the exceptional care they provided Esther in her final days.

Esther is survived by her children, Debra and John Jorgensen of Wichita, Pamela and Richard Burgett of Santa Margarita, Calif., Donna Becker of Great Bend, and Robert Maher of Santa Margarita, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Nicole Nix, Sarah Walker, Levi Burgett, Joni Lindahl, Ashley McGrath, Zachary Becker, Jana Winkelbauer, Megan Burgett, and Jordyn Kennedy; 13 great-grandchildren; her siblings Robert “Bobby” Pfeifer of Hays, Albertine “Tini” Rajewski of Victoria and Wilma VonLintel of Victoria; numerous nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.

Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m., and Vigil service will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Holy Family School Endowment or Heartland Cancer Patient Care and Support Endowment Fund or Barton Community College Foundation for the benefit of the Art Department, 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