Bradley Gene Knight, 54, of Salina, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at Salina Regional Health Center.

He is survived by his parents, Rene “Skip” and Carla (Blaske) Knight, of Salina; three brothers, Ron (Rene’), of Kansas City, Mo., Brian, of Salina, and Dan (Lisa), of Manhattan.

Brad was the third son and was born Aug. 19, 1961, at St. John’s Hospital in Salina. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Salina. He attended Grace E. Stewart Grade School, Salina South Junior High and Salina South High School, graduating in 1980.

Brad was a talented carpenter who worked for many contractors and his work still stands today. He began his career as a framing carpenter and ended as a trim carpenter. Brad was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved woodworking. He enjoyed playing softball for the “Bandits” for many years and was lovingly known as “Whitey,” “Cottontop,” “Heavy” and “Heavy Duty” to just name a few of his nicknames.

Brad also leaves behind nephews, Bradley (Aimee) Knight, of Edmond, Okla., Craig Knight, of Visalia, Calif., Chase (Jocelyn) Knight, of Kansas City, Mo.; niece, Danielle Knight, of Topeka; three great-nephews, Logan, Liam and Leo; three aunts, Phyllis Powell and Margie Blaske, both of Salina, and Linda (Wayne) Shadel, of Indianapolis; uncle, Harold Fritzson, of St. George; two great-aunts, Phyllis McDowell and Marian Bonin-Thornton, both of Salina; great-uncle, Elmer (Eva) Blaske, of Topeka; and many cousins.

Brad was preceeded in death by paternal grandparents, Milton “Olin” and Adda (Hunter) Knight; maternal grandparents, Edward and Mathilde “Tillie” (Bonin) Blaske; aunt, Donna (Blaske) Fritzson; and three uncles, Veryl Blaske, Ira Powell and Gene Blaske.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 702 S. Ninth, Salina. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Salina Animal Shelter and send to Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.

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Vernon Harold Hickman, 85, died September 20, 2015 at his home in Barnard.

Vernon was born June 14, 1930 on a farm north of Barnard to Austin and Irene (Pierce) Hickman. He was the oldest of five children. Vernon graduated from Barnard High School and farmed until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He spent 2 years in the Army stationed in Germany. When he returned from the Army he left farming to start a dirt construction business, many of the ponds and terraces around this area were built by Hickman and Sons Construction. During those years Vernon met and married the love of his life Bette Reno, a widow originally from St Louis. When he married Bette he was blessed with 4 children, Rick, Barb, Michael and Douglas and the next year Amy was born.

Vernon later bought the service stations in Barnard and Ada, worked as a mechanic at Quartzite Stone Company in Lincoln, and the Engine Exchange in Salina. Later in life after he retired, although those who knew him know he never really retired, he felt a calling to help others. He started Energy Plus and ministered to many people through alternative medicine at his offices in Minneapolis and Salina. Vernon also worked for the City of Barnard, taking care of the little town he loved. He was always very active in his church and was loved by many.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife Bette in 2007, son Douglas, brothers Don and Dean.

He is survived by his children, Rick and Kim Reno of Harrison, Arkansas, Barb and Bradd Smith of Sequim, Washington, Michael Reno of Florida, and Amy Clark of Tescott, Kansas, 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, sisters Lois Pixler and Laura Godsey.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday October 3, 2015 at Wilson Family Funeral Home in Minneapolis followed by a time of fellowship for friends and family at the Scout Hall in Markley Grove Park. Memorial contributions made to the Vernon H. Hickman Memorial Fund and may be sent to Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467

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Donald L. Dailey, 73, Universal City, Texas, died Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on July 24, 1942 to Donald and Dorothy (Guth) Dailey.

Don was a 1960 graduate of Roosevelt High School. After high school, he served in the United States Air Force. On August 15, 1969, Don was united in marriage to Karen Constable. To this union, one son, Shawn Howard, was born. Don worked as an aircraft manager for 45 years. Don loved working on clocks, quilting, woodworking, and gardening.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; son Shawn; and brothers Dave and Dan Dailey.

Survivors include his wife, Karen and their two special Yorkie girls, Maggie and Bella.

Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis at 3P.M. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Visitation will be held from 1:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. Wednesday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. The family requests casual attire, as Don would have wanted. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for childhood cancers.

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Robert E. Glauser Robert Elmer Glauser was born March 11, 1927 to Emil and Sophia Krueger Glauser on a farm northeast of Glen Elder, Kansas. He departed this life of 88 years, 6 months, and 15 days on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas. Robert grew up on the family farmstead southeast of Glen Elder. In his youth, he was a gifted football player and became the Football Homecoming King in his senior year. He attended a country school and then graduated from Glen Elder High School in the Class of 1945. A veteran of World War II, Robert was drafted into the United States Army while a senior in high school; his principal was able to secure an educational deferment for him until after graduation. He served in the Alaskan Service Base of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and on December 27, 1946 received his honorable discharge. He was a dedicated and faithful member of the Glen Elder American Legion Post No. 143 and later became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6242 in Beloit. It was on December 18, 1951 that he married Opal Mae Shoemaker, a high school classmate. Two children Larry and Sharon were born to this happy union. They lived on several farmsteads in Mitchell and Jewell County. During his younger years, he enjoyed riding in rodeos and in the Saddle Club. He loved to hunt and fish. Robert was a person of great determination and resourcefulness. He was injured in 1958 which left him wheelchair bound for the remainder of his life. He devised ways to continue farming and won a conservation award for the terraces he built utilizing a small Ford 801 tractor. He was a great mechanic and could repair just about anything. One of his passions was woodworking where he made many wonderful things. He also enjoyed reading westerns and pioneer stories. While a bit reserved, he loved to visit, often sharing his strong political viewpoints. Above all, he loved his family and looked forward to family gatherings. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Lester Glauser who died at age 9, Albert Glauser, and one sister Charlotte Housh. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Opal of the home, son Larry Glauser and wife Diane of Glen Elder, daughter Sharon Fletchall and husband Marty of Beloit; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren and many relatives and friends. Pastor James Brackett of First United Methodist Church in Beloit will officiate at Graveside Services on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Athens Cemetery near Glen Elder. Military honors will be provided. Memorials may be given to the Glen Elder American Legion. Robert will lie in state from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home.

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CHESTER LEE GRUBAUGH, 87 died September 27, 2015 at his residence in Clay Center, KS. He was born on February 9, 1928 in Parkland, OK, the son of John and Emily (Roberts) Grubaugh. Chester was raised in Oklahoma. He served in the US Army, seeing action in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. Chester retired from the US Army on July 31, 1975 at Fort Riley, Kansas. He married Virginia Edmonds on April 8, 1949. They moved to Clay Center in 1962. Chester was a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church. He is preceded in death by his parents and son, Christopher Grubaugh.

Survivors:

Daughter: Glenda Lee and husband Patrick Parente, Charlotte, NC

Son: John Grubaugh, Kansas City, MO

Son: Stephen and wife Donna Grubaugh, Berryton, KS

Granddaughter, Elizabeth

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Clay Center, KS

Officiating the service will be The Rev. Susan Sawyer

Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, KS

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 3-8 PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home

Memorials: St Paul’s Episcopal Church or Meadowlark Hospice c/o the funeral home

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Stuart Francis Noyes passed away in the loving presence of family members on December 16, 2014, in Denver, Colorado. He was 83.

Born December 13, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, Stu was raised in McPherson, Kansas, graduating from MHS in 1949. He graduated from Kansas State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He served in the United States Army, Mountain Troops Division, during the Korean War.

Stu married Ann Hellman in McPherson, Kansas in 1966 and they were blessed with four daughters. He was employed by the Social Security Administration, working in the Topeka and Kansas City area offices until 1977, when he transferred to the Denver office, retiring in 1993.

Stu was predeceased in death by his wife, Ann, and parents, George J. and Frances (Simpson) Noyes. Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Julie & Doran Smolkin of Bellingham, WA; daughter, Carol Johnson of Chicago, IL; daughters, Jean Noyes and Susan Noyes, both of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Kaitlin Carlson of Seattle, WA and Andy Carlson of San Diego CA; a sister, Nancy (Noyes) Sager of McPherson KS as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the McPherson Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the East Room of Perkins Restaurant. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Stu’s life.

Memorials may be made to Talking Books and can be sent in care of the Glidden – Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.

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Ruth Marie Root, 99, passed away, Friday, September 25, 2015 in Ellsworth, KS. She was born June 4, 1916 in Ellsworth County to Julius and Emma (Schultz) Panzer.

Ruth was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where she was a farmer in the Blackwolf area and cook at the Ellsworth schools for 29 years. She was also a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was an active member of the Ladies Aid for many years and former secretary for the local chapter of AAL Thrivent.

Ruth enjoyed her family and especially liked playing cards, dancing, family gatherings, and cooking for others. She also relished being a grandmother.

Ruth married Albert “Bert” H. Root on October 20, 1940. He preceded her in death in 1990. She was also preceded in death by a son, Albert Phil, four brothers, and three sisters.

Ruth is survived by sons, Jon (Kay) Root of Bainbridge Island, WA and Donald (Lyn) Root of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Kimberly (David Dingman) Root, Jeffrey (Nicole Marlenee) Root, Ryan (Jennifer) Root, and Brittony (Douglas) Goes; and seven great grandchildren.

Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Parsons Funeral Home with family present 6-8 p.m.

Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth with burial following in Ellsworth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

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Louis R. Vopat, 76, passed away September 25, 2015. He was born October 24, 1938 in rural Kanopolis to Rosa A. (Stepanek) and Arthur F. Vopat.

Louis married Marsha L. Zvolanek in Santa Fe, NM on December 28, 1959. He was a farmer and stockman, ran H&R Block in Ellsworth with his wife Marsha, and was also a jack of all trades working many different jobs throughout the years. He was a former FFA member and NFO member and officer.

Louis is survived by his son, Valan Vopat (Beverly) of Ellsworth; son, Vawn Vopat (Linda) of Lyons; sister, Ruth Hulse (Robert) of Ellsworth; sister in law, Pat Zvolanek of Ellsworth; grandchildren, Leigh (Kyle) Nemechek, Kimbre Vopat, and Sheldon Louis Vopat; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marsha; and brother in law, Ronnie Zvolanek.

Visitation will be 1-8 p.m., Tues. Sept. 29, 2015 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wed. Sept. 30th at Ellsworth Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth County Volunteer Fire Department, Ellsworth County EMS, or Ellsworth County Medical Center, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

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Clifton Ray “Corky” Stout, 85, of McPherson, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2015, surrounded by family at The Cedars, McPherson. He had worked at M.E. White Pipeline, Roth Poultry, and retired from McPherson County Public Works after 35 years of service.

Corky was born on July 20, 1930, in Hamil, Arkansas, the son of James and Wretha (Mars) Stout. He attended the Hamil schools and worked on the family farm in Hamil until moving to McPherson, Kansas in 1949.

On October 17, 1954, Corky was united in marriage to Matilda Ann “Tillie” Friesen in the Inman Mennonite Church, Inman, Kansas. She preceded him in death on April 30, 2015.

Corky’s hobbies included hunting and fishing, and in his later years, he enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles.

Survivors include: a son, Rick Stout and wife, JoLynn, of McPherson, KS; two grandsons, Christopher Stout and wife, Nicole, of Olathe, KS and Nicholas Stout of Gardner, KS; and two great-granddaughters, Charleigh and Logan Stout of Olathe, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Wretha Stout, wife, Tillie, brother, Jesse Lehman Stout, and sisters, Jewell Gregory, Wilma Weatherly, and Hattie Cremeens.

The graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at McPherson Cemetery with Rev. Tom Griffith officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, September 29, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to Clifton “Corky” Stout Memorial Fund (for great-grandchildren’s education) in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

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Jennifer Toomey, 54, of Herington, died Saturday, September 26th, 2015, at her home. She was born April 14th, 1961, at Bowling Green, Ohio, the daughter of Worth C. and Rosella M. (Parker) Grilliot.

The family will receive friends Saturday, October 3rd, 2015, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory, Herington Chapel. Cremation will follow.

Mrs. Toomey was a homemaker. She also worked at Barb’s & Bobby’s Place. Graduated from North Baltimore High School with the class of 1979.

Married Marc A. Toomey on May 3rd, 1997, at Hammansburg, Ohio; he survives of the home. Also survived by a son: Peter Joeseph Kern of Westmont, IL; a daughter Nicole Opel (Kern) Lipford of West Memphis, AR; two (2) sisters: Crystal Dull (husband-Tom) of Harietta, MI, & Nancy Grilliot of North Baltimore, OH; two (2) brothers: Steven Grilliot (wife-Patty) & Charles Grilliot (wife-Patty) both of North Baltimore, OH; three (3) grandchildren; and a sister in law Vicki of North Baltimore, OH.

Preceded in death by her father Worth Grilliot in 2012, her mother Rossella Grilliot in 2010, and a brother Robert Grilliot in 2014.

Family request memorials to the Herington Youth Center; and may be sent in care of the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory, Herington Chapel, 404 South Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449-3038.

To share a memory of Jennifer, or leave a special message for her family, please click the Share Memories button above.

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DATELINE:  Lyons
NAME:  Clayton Lee Bilson
AGE: 67 yrs
DATE OF DEATH: September 26, 2015
PLACE OF DEATH: Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River
DATE OF BIRTH: June 4, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH: Wichita, Ks.
PARENTS: Bill & Audrey Butler Bilson
RESIDENCE: Hutchinson most of his life
OCCUPATION: Truck Driver for the Salvation Army
MEMBERSHIPS:
SURVIVORS: Son, Jeremy Bilson, Lyons; Daughter, Naomi Glenn; Ex-wife, Paula Sue Keener, LaCrosse, Ks. Brother, James Bilson; Sister, Carol & James Lawrence, Lyons; 6 Grandchildren
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY:  Parents; Brother, Joe Bilson; Sister-in-laws, Pam Bilson,
Rebecca Bilson
GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 10:30 A.M., Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Lyons Municipal Cemetery
OFFICIATING:  Rev. Robert Friesen
BURIAL: Lyons Municipal Cemetery
VISITATION: 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 30, 2015, Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons
MEMORIAL: Clayton Bilson Memorial Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home Lyons

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Lehigh – Sharon Kristine Wasemiller, 57, died September 27, 2015 at Lehigh, Kansas.  She was born May 18, 1957 to Kenneth and Helen (Ataberry) Maples in Long Beach, California.  She was a nurse aid.  She married Sid Wasemiller July 24, 2004 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.  Survivors include: spouse, Sid Wasemiller of Lehigh; sons, Sam Dial of Mulvane, Zechariah Petersen of Hillsboro, Christian Petersen of Wichita; daughter, Brandy Dial of Wichita; brothers, John Maples of Wichita, Lee Maples of Wichita; 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; mother, Helen Maples of Wichita.  Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.  Memorials to American Cancer Society or Humane Society in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063.