Ronald Lee Robbins, 81, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2015, surrounded by his family. Ron was born Aug. 13, 1933, in Scott City, the son of Orville and Garnett (Ballentine) Robbins.
Ron served in the United States Army during the Korean War, attaining the rank of corporal. After his service, Ron earned a bachelor’s degree at McPherson College in McPherson, and a master’s degree at Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Ron was an active and caring minister for the United Methodist Church, as well as combined Methodist and Presbyterian churches, serving in Hazleton, Stanley, and Des Moines, Iowa, Bennington, Diamond City, Omaha and Yellville, Ark.
Ron enjoyed bird watching, carving, singing and sharing stories.
He married Carol Ann Robbins in 1987, and they spent many wonderful years in Yellville, Ark., before moving to Salina.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Alisa (Mike) Smith, Randy (Doe) Robbins and Terry (Celeste) Robbins; two brothers, Gary (Mary Ann) Robbins and Ed (Ruth) Robbins; one sister, Judy (Dale) Taddiken; stepchildren, Stacey (Jim) Gingell and Creigh (Keri) Bell; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and countless other loved ones.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Michael Smith.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery, Ellsworth.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.
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Ellen Loretta “Ellie” Stenzel, 71, of Salina, died Sunday April 5, 2015. She was born Nov 6, 1943, in Salina, the daughter of Wayne and Ailene (Applebee) Young. Ellie was a homemaker and mother of two. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Miller Grain Co. She enjoyed being with family and friends. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert; three brothers, Richard Young, Gary Young, and Tom Young; one sister, Patty Masters; and one step-son, Steve Stenzel.
Survivors include son, Devin Fiske and daughter, Cherie Commerford, both of Salina; six brothers, Fred (Rene) Young, John (Donna) Young, Jim (Kaylene) Young, Chuck (Nancy) Young, all of Salina, and Bob Young of Greenfield, IN, and Jeff Young of Kansas City, MO; three sisters, Royann (Harold) Larson, Judy (Harold) Crawford, both of Salina, and Mary (Dennis) Rider of Solomon; two step-daughters, Susan (Mike) Martin of Olathe, and Debbie (Blaine) Herron of Ponca City, OK; and ten grandchildren, Kiley, Clayton, Hannah, Riley, Ashley, Christopher, Sierra, Kit, Quinn, and Hannah H.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at the Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, with family greeting visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday at the mortuary with burial in the Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Memorials are to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
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Ward K. Watkins, 79, Brookville, died Sunday, April 5, 2015. He was born August 19, 1935 in Tescott, Kansas to Arbie L. and Irma (Johnson) Watkins. At the age of two, he moved to Brookville, where his parents operated the grocery store. He graduated from Brookville High School in 1953.
He served with the U.S. Army in the Korean War. On May 9, 1958 he married Janet Bieber at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salina. For many years, he was the postmaster at the Brookville post office. He was a member of the Brookville United Methodist Church, the Postmaster Association, Brookville Rounders Rodeo Club, Squirrels Unlimited, served on the school board, and was the fire chief.
He is survived by his wife Janet; son Dennis Watkins and wife Leah, of Wichita; daughter Dana Watkins of Brookville; two grandchildren Chelsea Moeder and husband Preston of Clearwater, Kansas and Dalton Watkins of Wichita; and a great- granddaughter Miranda Mae Moeder; and many friends.
There will be no visitation. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Brookville United Methodist Church, Brookville, with Pastor Lori Persigehl officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date. The family suggests memorials to the Make-A-W ish Foundation, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina, Kansas 67401.
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CASTLETON — Genrose Louise O’Halloran, 96, of Castleton, died Sunday April 5, 2015. She was born April 25, 1918, in Olpe, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Steffes) Arndt.
Genrose graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia with a librarian degree in 1940. She worked as a librarian for Hutchinson Public Library, Hutchison Naval Air Station and for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo.
She married Leo Robert O’Halloran on April 3, 1948, in Olpe, and became a homemaker and loving mother. She was an active member of the Castleton community and St. Agnes Catholic Church Altar Society.
Genrose was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo; two brothers, John and Frederick; and three sisters, Marian ImMasche, Dorothy Luther and Louise Arndt.
Survivors include one son, Michael (Beth) O’Halloran, of Hesston; four daughters, Kevin (David) Gitchell, of Hutchinson, Gail (Edward) March, of Londonderry, N.H., Frances (Clayton) Staton, of Salina, and Maura O’Halloran (Michael Killion), of Topeka; one sister, Joanne Brinkman, of Emporia; 21 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, with vigil at 6:30 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 9, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina, with burial at 2:30 p.m. in St Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Castleton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sisters of The Immaculate Heart of Mary.