MARION – Gary W. “Gooey” Tomlinson, age 43, passed away December 1, 2016, at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, Kansas, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 15, 1972, in Hillsboro, Kansas. He was the son of Jeff and Rita (Stika) Tomlinson. He was a graduated high school in 1992, and went on to became a Certified Nurse Aide which he truly enjoyed because of his compassion to take care of others and make their days more comfortable. His family and friends will miss his laughter and orneriness. He was a joy to be around and was always making everyone laugh. He made friends with everyone he met. Gary’s hobbies included playing his guitars, reading, fishing, detailing vehicles and adding to his various collections. He seldom complained during the course of his illness and faced death with a positive attitude, courage and bravery. He embraced life until the last moments and was an encouragement to all who met him. Gary was preceded in death by his dad, Jeff Tomlinson in May, 2013; and his grandma, Sarah Stika in February, 2016. He is survived by his mother, Rita Tomlinson of Marion; two sons: Caleb Tomlinson of Cottonwood Falls; and Jackson (Bryant) Tomlinson of El Dorado; a sister Karen Dornbush and her children Jimi and Emily of Marion; Karen’s fiance, Don Wedd and his children of Peabody; his grandpa, Louis Stika, Jr. of Marion; his aunt and uncle Janet and Doug Marler of Marion; and his cousin Kevin Marler and wife Amanda and their daughters. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at Zeiner Funeral Home, of Marion. Inurnment will be in the Marion Cemetery. A Memorial Fund has been established for Zeiner Funeral Home, to assist the family with final expenses. Online Condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.
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Clara Colleen (Koppes) Burroughs passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas at the age of 68. She was born on September 4, 1948 in San Mateo, California to Nicholas “Nick” and Veda (Bane) Koppes. After graduating from Miami Coral Park High School in Miami, Florida, she went on to graduate from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas in 1984 with a degree in nursing. In 1967 she was united in marriage to William E. Burroughs in Miami. They later divorced. They were blessed with a son, Bryan.
Colleen had a huge heart that was evident in everything she did. She enjoyed helping people, and her career as a nurse gave her the opportunity to touch countless lives; always encouraging her patients and bringing smiles to their faces, even in difficult times. As an animal lover, time with her German shepherds, Major and Dirk, was just as uplifting for her heart as it was for theirs. But the time she cherished the most was when she had opportunity to love on, and spoil her granddaughters.
Colleen is survived by her son Bryan Burroughs of Salina; daughter-in-law Cindy Burroughs of Topeka; and granddaughters Lexus and Jade Burroughs.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nick and Veda Koppes.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 5, 2016 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow at the Stockton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Monday at the funeral home.
Colleen showed us by her daily example how to live uncomplicated in life, and unconditionally in love. Her heart and spirit were a continual source of strength and encouragement for those she loved and cared for. Although she will be greatly missed, she will forever be in our daily thoughts, words, and deeds.
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Charley C. Minium, 85, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. He was born at the rural family home north of Morland, Kansas July 12, 1931. He was the fourth of six children born to Lynn and Verna (Waggoner) Minium. The Minium children attended Rural Grand View Country School through the eighth grade. Following grade school, Charley attended Morland High School, graduating in 1948. He was active in football, breaking his nose while competing for a divisiontitle.
Growing up on a farm, Charley and the other Minium children learned the value of hard work, something Charley carried with him until his final days. His father fell ill and was partially paralyzed when Charley was around ten years old. Following this illness his father relied on his children to run the farm. He liked to harvest wheat and started Charley and his brothers custom harvesting at a young age. Charley would drive the tractor while his cousin Donna (Minium) Toll would run the combine. They harvested from Oklahoma to North Dakota. After the invention of self-propelled combines, South Dakota became one of their best stops. Even at a young age, the Minium Brothers were in charge while away from home. When they got older, the brothers would take turns running the harvest crew, until Vuel (Pete) joined the service. When Pete returned, Charley was happy to turn over operations to Pete for “his turn”.
Charley purchased the local fuel delivery and gas station from Mrs. Hedgepath in 1955, shortly after marrying Faye (Riggs) Minium. When Charley took over this business, his chief assets were only an old truck and an adding machine. Due to his strong work ethic and good business sense, the Bulk Fuel and Gas Station were soon thriving, with Charley delivering fuel and getting new accounts. He supplied fuel to large projects including the construction of Highway 24 and Sheridan Lake. Brother Pete ran a trucking business and supplied fuel to Charley, sometimes as many as twelve loads a month. Along with fuel delivery, they repaired cars, trucks and even expanded into fertilizer.
Charley was united in marriage to Faye E. Riggs on February 5, 1955 and they were an inseparable pair for 60 years until she passed on July 13, 2015. They started their life together in a small apartment in WaKeeney until purchasing the Sinclair Station and moving to Morland.
Charley and Faye were involved in many organizations and very active members of the Morland Community. Charley was a member of the Morland Community Foundation, Morland United Methodist Church, a Charter member of the Morland Lion’s Club, Rural Telephone Board of Directors, Citizens State Bank Board of Directors, Member of Milbrook Lodge #281 AF & AM, Scottish Rite, Shriners and Solomon Valley Hwy 24 Heritage Alliance.
Charley had a passion for fishing. One of his favorite times of the year was the Annual Spoonbill Fishing Trip to Lake Texhoma, Oklahoma with friends and family. He also enjoyed hunting. On one trip, Charley even successfully brought down a mangy moose, who still resides prominently in the Prairie Junction Restaurant.
He was always active and had a unique talent for welding and forging. Some of the things he created were a sawmill and hand forged frogs. His creations are still on display at Prairie Junction. Charlie could also be called a tinkerer, he had a way of taking “old junk” and making it into “new junk”!
Charley was a people person, whom children couldn’t resist. He could often be found with a young person tagging along. Charley and Faye sponsored five foreign exchange students. He was even brave enough to teach Sophia from Greece how to drive!
Charley and Faye liked to travel, taking trips to Amsterdam and Finland to visit the families of students they had hosted. They also hosted the students’ families in their home. One trip they always laughed about was their Kansas mountain climbing experience with good friend Dave Harding.
During later years, Charley raised buffalo in his pasture on the north side of Morland. He loved to take treats to his animals, the buffalo quickly learned to come on the run when Charley honked his pickup horn! Charley’s favorite was the bull, “Studly” who would always be the first to arrive, taking the biggest share of whatever treat Charley brought.
Charley will be remembered for his quick wit, unique one liners, and his talents which he gave freely to one and all.
Charley will be deeply missed by: a brother, Pete Minium, of Morland; a sister, Mary Banister and husband Terry, of Mesa, Arizona; sisters-in-law: Charlotte Keith of Morland, Marilyn Rowlison and husband Jack, of Morland, and Beulah Brown of High Springs, Florida and many, many, nieces and nephews.
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Donald W. Stinemetz, 68, passed away surrounded by his loving family, November 22, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. Born and raised on a farm near Hill City, Kansas, Don was a fun-loving, kind-hearted man that never had an enemy until he was diagnosed with cancer in September 2014. Despite the battle, Don found joy in his circumstance, having quality family time during chemotherapy and getting to know the nurses and medical staff that treated him. Don lived being an example of the kind of person we should all strive to be.
Don was the son of Fred and Muriel (Bethell) Stinemetz. Don married Maureen Rogers on September 7, 1968. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this year with an intimate vow renewal ceremony pledging their love from beginning to end. Don is survived by his wife Maureen Stinemetz; their three children: Jennifer Smith, husband Kevin; Danielle Graham, husband Todd and Brian Stinemetz, wife Kari; three grandchildren: Chloe Smith, and Jackson and Kathryn Graham: and his brother, Phil Stinemetz, wife Susie and their three children.
Don grew up with his younger brother Phil on the family farm. With two ornery boys afoot, there was never a dull moment. Whether it was hunting or helping dad, the boys always had a good time together. Don attended grade school and high school in Hill City, Kansas, graduating with the Class of 1966. During his trip to Hill City this past summer, he attended his 50th high school reunion. One of his crowning achievements was earning his college degree from Northern Illinois University in 1990. During Don’s successful career in telecommunications, he was often promoted and transferred, having lived in Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas. Don started his college education in 1970 and each time he moved, many college credits did not transfer. True to his character, Don showed absolute determination to earn his college degree. When Don graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree, he had enough actual credits for a doctorate!
Don loved the Lord and his family. Though Don moved from Hill City, he never forgot where he came from and the values his parents instilled. Don lived his life by those values, whether he was harvesting wheat or sitting in a corporate boardroom. Despite his business success, Don was humble and never too proud to show kindness to strangers, which he did so often. He was a strong family man and a faithful friend. Don loved to cook and will always be remembered for his turtle cheesecake, chocolate chip pecan pie and his extraordinary Thanksgiving meals. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
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Anneva R. Anderson, 82, Oregon, WI, died Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Sienna Meadows Memory Care in Oregon after a long illness. She was formerly a long-term resident of Mentor, KS.
Mrs. Anderson was born on February 2, 1934, in Topeka, KS to Francis L. and Ruth A. (Farquer) Johanson. She married Arvid E. Anderson, Jr. on August 2, 1953 in Topeka, KS. A loving and devoted wife and mother, she was a homemaker for many years. After her husband died in 1982, she worked as a bookkeeper and office manager at Western Star AG Resources until her retirement in 2004.
As a youth, she committed herself to Christ and was baptized. She lived out her faith in service to others all through her life. Mrs. Anderson was an active member of the Mentor United Methodist church for many years.
Survivors include her children, Steven E. (Vicki), Wichita, KS; Stanley D. (Janette), Kingsville, TX; Karen D., Fresno, CA; Kent D. (Brenda), Oregon, WI; and Lori E., Madison, WI, as well as eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, December, 10, 2016 at the Mentor United Methodist Church, Joe Anderson officiating. A lunch will be served afterwards. Visitation will be before the service, starting at 10 a.m.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Salina Rescue Mission (www.salinarescuemission.com) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
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Lorita May (Dougherty) Mahoney, 88, of Salina, Kansas
and former Bunker Hill, Kansas, resident, died on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.
Lorita was born on October 12, 1928, in Bunker Hill, Kansas, at a family ranch now submerged under the waters of Wilson Lake. She was the daughter of Elmer L. and Nettie (Anspaugh) Dougherty. She grew up in Bunker Hill and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in the class of 1946. She graduated and received her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas and later attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She was married to Robert J. Mahoney in 1946, from this union they were blessed with four children Alan (Rod), Tom, Pamela and Bradley. She was a Home Economics Teacher in Natoma and Codell, Kansas areas. She also worked as an agent for the Rooks County Extension and 4-H Offices in Stockton, Kansas. She was a member of YMCA and Parents Without Partners. She enjoyed sewing and making clothing, bowling, gardening and using her culinary expertise while cooking for her family and friends. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her son Alan Roderick Mahoney (Jane) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, son Thomas G. Mahoney (Sherrie) of Salina, Kansas, daughter Pamela A. Mahoney (Joan Toben) of DeSoto, Kansas and son Bradley R. Mahoney (Blanca) of Lindsborg, Kansas; brother Elmer L. Dougherty of Laguna Beach, California; sister JoAnn Borthwick of Salina, Kansas; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Douglas D. Dougherty, and former husband, Robert J. Mahoney.
A gathering service to greet the Mahoney family will be held from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday, December 03, 2016, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. A private burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be given to Salina Meals on Wheels and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.