Verdell A. Mathiesen, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Belleville Health Care, Belleville, KS. He was born on July 30, 1930 in Rural Chester, NE to David C. & Frances I. (Lehman) Mathiesen.
Verdell grew up in the rural Chester area and was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chester. Verdell was a lifelong area resident and farmed north of Belleville until 1985 when he moved to town. He began working at the Republic County Hospital maintenance dept. in 1985 and was a staple at the hospital for the next 25 years until his retirement. Verdell married Freda Allen on Aug. 10, 1952 and to this union were born four children; Debra, David, Doug & Denise. Verdell later married Lillian (Schroetlin) Stroh on Jan. 16, 1975 in Belleville. Verdell was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chester.
Verdell is survived by his wife, Lillian, Belleville; daughters, Debra (Tom) Skucius, Cuba & Denise Mathiesen, Louisville, CO; sons, David (Brenda Shelton) Mathiesen, Berthoud, CO& Doug Mathiesen, Overland Park; step-sons, David (Lisa) Stroh, Midwest City, OK & Mark (Kathie) Stroh, Belleville; sister, Norma Jean Brunsilius, Belleville; 19 grandchildren & 34 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Geraldine (Mathiesen) Graham, two brothers-in-law, Harold Graham and Therman Brunsilius, and one niece, Rhonda (Brunsilius) Fuller.
It was Verdell’s wishes to be cremated and Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thurs., June 30, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chester, NE with Pastor Christopher Gerdes officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow at Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS. Friends may sign the register book Wed., June 29, 2016 from 1-8 pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville. In lieu of flowers, Verdell requested memorials to the Republic Co. Hospital. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia is handling arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
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Funeral services for Velma B. McConkey, age 94, of Abilene will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at the Prairie Mound Cemetery. Mrs. McConkey passed away Saturday, June 25, 2016 at her home in Abilene.
She was born April 23, 1922 in Jewell, Kansas the daughter of Fred and Agnes Abram and graduated from Clyde High School in 1941.
Velma was a bookkeeper for Ronald Rice Motors in Abilene before retiring. She then worked in Home Health Care for many years.
On April 1, 1951 she married Eldon G. McConkey in Salina. To this union two children were born Steven and Sharon.
Velma was a member of the Emmanuel Methodist Church, the Eagles Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the KPL Janes.
She is survived by her loving son Steve and his wife Norma McConkey of Tonganoxie, Kansas; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Eldon on October 7, 2007, her daughter Sharon Heesch in 1995, and her sisters Katherine Hanson, and Violet Hanson, and Dorothea Dyas, and her parents.
Friends may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Dickinson County Home Health and Hospice and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410.
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Donald B. Havel, age 95, entered into rest on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Cloud County Health Center. He was born June 5, 1921 in Cuba, Kansas to Henry and Anna (Valek) Havel.
Don married Dorothy L. Fief on February 13, 1945 in Cuba, Kansas. They were united in marriage for over 71 years.
He worked for Northern Natural Gas Company as a Heavy Equipment Operator for 35 years.
Don always had a love for music and played drums with the Rhythm Aces band for 45 years.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy of the home in Clyde; 6 sons, Lynn (Joni), Gunnison, CO.; Michael (Juanita), LaGrange, IL.; Martin (Joyce), Cheyenne, WY.; Cameron, Salina, KS.; Nicholas (Elaine), Wichita, KS., and John Havel, Sydney, Australia.; 11 Grandchildren & 16 Great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, Leora Pentico.
He has bequeathed his body to Kansas University School of Medicine Willed Body Program.
There will be a private family memorial service held at a later time.
Memorial Contributions may be given to a local charity of your choice c/o Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia.
Online condolences may be sent to www.chaputbuoy.com
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Betty Jane Schneider was born February 4, 1936 to Paul Vern and Dorothea Anna Horn Grittman at Simpson, Kansas. She departed this life of 80 years, 4 months, and 19 days early Thursday morning, June 23, 2016 at the Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kansas.
Betty was the middle child of three girls born to Paul and Dorothea. She grew up in Simpson.
It was on September 6, 1953 that she married Edwin Walter Lynch at Beloit, Kansas. Three children David, Mark, and Lynn were born to this union. Her husband had a refuse hauling business and besides raising her children, she was the bookkeeper for the family business.
After her children were grown, she continued her education and became a registered dietician, working for a time at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit and later at the Mid America Nursing Home in Lincoln. Mr. Lynch died in 1986.
On July 20, 1986 she married Loren Eugene Schneider Sr. They made their home in Beverly. They were privileged to enjoy several years together before his death in 2014.
Although Betty moved around a lot during her lifetime, most of her life was spent living in North Central Kansas.
Betty will be remembered as one who cared for her family, had a strong work ethic and always spoke her mind. She was very artistic and engaged herself in quilting, leather crafting, embroidery, and upholstery. She loved music and played the accordion in a band. She loved dogs and had a special affinity for her poodles.
She was baptized into Christ in the Lutheran Church.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, and her husbands Edwin Lynch and Loren Schneider Sr.
Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her children David Lynch and wife Patricia of Simpson, Mark Lynch, Lynn Brock and fiancé Lance Wacker of Ellsworth; two sisters Billie Jean Crowe of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Brenda Fairchild of Duncan, Oklahoma; five grandchildren Regina Lynch, Patrick Lynch, Karissa Lynch, Tamara Lynch and Harley Truan; one great grandchild Zane Jones, along with many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 27, 2016 at the McDonald Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery near Beloit. Memorials may be given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6242 Auxiliary or the Kanopolis United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Sunday at the McDonald Funeral Home.
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Monte L. Tipton, 66, of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 25, 2016, surrounded by family at his home in McPherson. He was co-owner and operator of Tipton Brothers Farm & Agency.
Monte was born on April 2, 1950, in McPherson, KS, the son of William “Bill” L. and Rosella L. (Perkins) Tipton. He graduated from McPherson High School in 1968 and attended Hutchinson Community College. On May 23, 1981, Monte was united in marriage to Cari L. Johnson in McPherson.
Monte was a member of B.P.O.E. #502 and was on the Blaze Fork Drainage Board.
Survivors include: wife, Cari of the home; four children, Doug Underwood of Vancouver, WA, Chase Tipton and wife, Katie, of Wichita, KS, Alisa Tipton of Wichita, KS, and Caden Tipton of McPherson, KS; brother, Mark Tipton and wife, Melissa, of McPherson, KS; two grandchildren, Alexis Tipton and Luke Underwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Scott officiating. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 29, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Memorial donations may be given to First Christian Church or McPherson County Humane Society in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
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Beloved husband and father, Hadley Fergus Hicks, 83, longtime resident of Sterling KS, went home to be with his Savior on June 21, 2016. Hadley was born in Bisbee, Arizona, on April 1, 1933, to Hadley Hugh Hicks and Margaret Fergus Hicks. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Mike Hicks of Inman, KS. Hadley graduated from Bisbee High School in 1952, where he was a star athlete. He was on the All American High School Football and Track team 1951-1952 and the school retired his #20 football jersey when he graduated. He was the Governor of Arizona Boys State in 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Arizona State University where he also played baseball. In 1958, he played on a rookie team for the Chicago Cubs in Pulaski, Virginia. He later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Montana and served on the board of the Arizona Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an outstanding teacher and a coach for his entire career, which included positions in Carmel CA, Prescott AZ, Flagstaff AZ, Sioux Falls SD, and Sterling College. He retired in 2013 from the Sterling Public Schools. He authored two books: The B Shines Brighter: The Bisbee High School Legacy, about his childhood in Bisbee and So You Wanna be a Legend. So Did I., about teaching, coaching, and life. He was a member of Faith Bible Church in Lyons KS. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Nancy Hicks of Sterling KS; sister, Quila Rider of Showlow AZ; and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Linda Hicks of Bisbee AZ; daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Dennis McDonald of Camp Verde AZ; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Lori Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; daughter-in-law, Jean Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Scott Randolph of Sterling KS; and son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Mieka Stecker of Spirit Lake IA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael and Taylor Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; Jason McDonald and and wife Camille of Paris, France; Megan McDonald of Camp Verde AZ; Joanna Street and husband Kiefer of Pineville NC; Luke Hicks and wife Breanna of Camp Verde AZ; Elizabeth Hicks of Oklahoma City OK; Harrison, Addisyn, Jolie, and Quentin Randolph of Sterling KS; and Annika, Adrie, Dylan, Ethan, Bennett, and Evan Stecker of Spirit Lake IA; and great grandchildren, Nolan, Rylan, and Rae Lynn Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; and Calvin Street of Pineville NC. There will be a private graveside ceremony for the family with military honors at the Sterling Community Cemetery. A memorial service, open to friends and family, will be at Faith Bible Church in Lyons KS on July 2, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Phil Green officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established that will be used to honor Hadley’s desire to support various ministries. Memorials can be sent in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.
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James H. “Jim” Zordel, 59, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, June 24, 2016, from a motorcycle accident while enjoying an evening ride on Pioneer Road, south of the Smokey Hill River.
Jim was born on December 12, 1956, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Edgar L. and Irma (Kohler) Zordel. He grew up in Russell, Kansas, and attended Russell Public Schools. He was united in marriage to Catherine F. Mauro on June 19, 1976, in Russell, Kansas for 11 years. From this union they were blessed with two daughters Amber and Angela. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, Catherine and Jim remained close friends, working together to raise their two daughters. Jim was good working with his hands and worked as an auto mechanic for many years. He worked as a mechanic with his father for several years at Eddies Auto Repair. In his early 40’s he attended and graduated from Truck Driving School and worked as a truck driver for several years. The last 10 years he worked for White Energy in the maintenance department. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, off road driving in Colorado, bowling, good music and good food. He was an avid NASCAR fan with his favorite driver being Dale Earnhardt, Sr.. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his close friends and family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his daughters and grandchildren.
Surviving family include his daughters Amber Mask and husband John of Russell, Kansas and Angela Zordel and significant other Kyle Hoeffner of Bennington, Kansas, brother Donald Zordel and wife Tammy of Baldwin City, Kansas and sister Carol Thomas and husband Tim of Bailey, Colorado; ex-wife Catherine Pasek and husband David of Russell, Kansas; and 3 grandchildren Gabrielle Mask, Caleb Mask and Cayden Bauer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert Zordel and sister Rita Zordel.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 2 P.M. on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas with Pastor Jim Alexander officiating. Guest book will be available for friends and family to sign from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at the mortuary. Services will conclude at the mortuary and cremation will follow the services. Memorials may be given to the Zordel Grandkids Education Fund and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.