Madeline Grosse, age 75, died Mon., Sept. 7, 2015 at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, KS. She was born on Feb. 24, 1940 in Concordia, KS to Isaac L. & Josephine A. (Winsett) Briggs.

She graduated from Concordia High School & later Emporia State Teachers College. She taught school at Turner High School in K.C. before she married Ben Grosse on June 9, 1963 at the First Presbyterian Church in Concordia. She and Ben lived & farmed around Jamestown, Jewell & Randall, KS. They later moved to Concordia in 1977. Madeline was a homemaker and helped with everything around the farm. She was active in her children’s activities & various groups when they were young. She was a member of the Women’s Study Club.

She is survived by her husband, Ben, Concordia; daughter, Corey Grosse, Manhattan; son, Frank Grosse, Jamestown & sister, Margene Cash (Gary), Clyde.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marilyn Briggs & brothers, Max & M.L. “Ike” Briggs & an infant brother, Rex Dean.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Sat., Sept. 12, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Concordia with Rev. Bob Frasier officiating. Burial will follow at Jamestown Cemetery, Jamestown. Visitation will be from 9 am to 9 pm with family greeting friends from 6-8 pm, Fri., Sept. 11, 2015 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Rebecca A. Morrison House, Salina or the Donor’s Choice in care of the funeral home.

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Mae M. Sanders, age 66, died Sat., Sept. 5, 2015 at Park Villa Nursing Home, Clyde, KS. She was born on June 23, 1949 in Concordia, KS to Averill W. & Luella M. (Loeffler) Copple.

Mae graduated from Concordia High School in 1967. She married Ronnie Hallack on May 3, 1967 and to this union, two sons were born. She later married Roy G. Sanders on Jan. 2, 1997 and he preceded her in death on Feb. 26, 2014. Roy & Mae lived in several towns across Kansas and Oklahoma before settling in the Cloud county area. She worked as a cook at Mt. Joseph Senior Village.

She is survived by her sons, Bill (Jennifer) Hallack, Burleson, TX & Warren Hallack, El Dorado; sister, Shirley Gropp (Bill), Concordia; brother, Richard Copple (Angela), Hollis; grandchildren, Dallas, Kyra, Christian & Carson & 1 great granddaughter, Zaylana Bliss.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy & her parents.

It was Mae’s wishes to be cremated and the family will have private services & burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to Park Villa Nursing Home in care of the funeral home.

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Mary Beth Lenhart passed away at the age of 89 on September 6, 2015, in her home at Abilene, Kansas.

Mary Elisabeth was born March 22, 1926, to Willis Albert White and Macie Elzina (Gump) White in their rural home northwest of Abilene.

She attended Sand Springs School ; Hobbs Creek near Gypsum, KS; and Abilene city schools. She attended Blue Rapids High School for her junior and senior years. Following graduation in 1944, she attended Kansas City Secretarial School. While in Kansas City, she was employed at headquarters of Consumer Cooperative Association (now Farmland Industries). Upon returning to Abilene in 1946 she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company; and later transferred to Salina to become secretary to the District Manager.
On June 8, 1949, she was united in marriage to Charles Lyle Lenhart in the Christian Church in Abilene. He also was born and raised in Dickinson County. To this union five children were born.

Mary Beth was a homemaker and belonged to many clubs and organizations. She was the first secretary for the Sand Springs 4-H Club when it was organized in 1939. While her children were in Harmony Hustlers 4-H, she was a leader in sewing and foods projects. She loved family genealogy and so appreciated her membership as a Abilene Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution. She started Chatter Club in her home in 1951; and in August 2001, she hosted the Club’s 50th anniversary. She was a member of the Buckeye Homemakers for over 45 years; wherein she served as safety chairman for Dickinson County; and secretary for the Dickinson County Extension Council. Mary Beth enjoyed many friendships made in several bridge clubs, LC Club, doll club, Native Daughters of Kansas, two quilt guilds, Dickinson County Historical Society, Charter member of Buckeye Saddle Club, and Rural Life. Mary Beth was a member of the Buckeye Church of the Brethren and always glad to claim Abilene and the surrounding areas for home.
Much to her delight, she achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states. She visited the first state in the fifth grade; and, the last in 2003 on a bus trip to Louisiana with the Kaw Valley State Bank Heritage Club, which she was a member of.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; a son Galyn, her parents and a brother , Robert LaVerne (Bob White). She is survived by her son Dennis (Liz) , Milford, KS; three daughters, Shari Lou Lenhart (Jim Livingston), Abilene; Lacinda Beth (Larry) Heller, Wamego, KS; and Leesa Darie (Tod) Hettenbach, Woodbine, KS; 7 grandchildren, several step-grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mary Beth will be 10:30 A.M., Thursday, September 10, 2015 at the First Christian Church in Abilene with Reverend Daneale White officiating. Burial will follow at the Union/Livington Cemetery Rural Abilene. Family will receive friends 4:30 – 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, September 9th at the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene. In lieu of flowers, the family of Mary Beth suggests memorials in her name be given to the Dickinson County Hospice, Buckeye Church of Brethren or the Abilene DAR Chapter. Memorials be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410.

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Duane Darrel Reilly, 87, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 4:55 a.m., Saturday, September 5th, 2015 at Brookdale McPherson.

Duane was born April 23, 1928 on the farm in Northeastern Dickinson County. He was the third of four children born to Thomas and Ethel (Bass) Reilly; Harold, Marvin, Duane and Marjorie.

Duane attended Industry Grade School through 8th grade and then Chapman High School. He completed the 10th grade and willingly left school to farm with his Dad and uncles while Harold and Marvin were called to serve in World War II.

Duane and Lois Mary Espenshade were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Abilene, Kansas on March 7, 1952. They made their home on the family farm North East of Abilene. Stephen Duane was born on February 4, 1953 and much to Steve’s chagrin, Debra Dawn arrived on July 30, 1958.

Duane was immensely proud of the Reilly homesteaded farm and made his wishes strongly known that his father and he wanted the farm kept in the family and not sold. He raised cattle, pigs for awhile, planted and harvested wheat, corn, milo, soybeans and alfalfa to name a few.

For many years, Duane farmed in partnership with his brother, Marvin. He admired Marvin greatly and they were good friends as well as brothers. He missed him immensely after he passed away in July, 2001.

Duane was not fond of dressing up or social events however he loved to “visit” with people…….. at the corner gas station, Shouse’s John Deere Implement, the ASC office or wherever he could “bend an ear”. In his last years, he continued to bring joy to the wonderful people who provided his care at Heartland Haven Senior Living and Brookdale with his stories and wit. He did love to talk!!

Duane and Lois were devastated by the loss of their son and future farmer, Steve, on December 24, 1969. Life on the farm was never the same.

Duane always had a dog as his faithful friend and travel buddy; Link, Link Jr. (both dauchsand mixes), Wally and finally, Blossom, who is 14 1/2 years old and retired in McPherson in 2010 to provide love to Chad and Deb.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Steve, and his brothers, Harold and Marvin Reilly.

Duane is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois, daughter Deb (Chad) Clark, her children; James, Kristie and Sam and her added children Dan (DeShell) and Joe Clark, great grandchildren, Aidan, Haley and Evan Clark, sister, Marjorie (Clayton) Coulson and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private graveside burial service at Abilene Cemetery prior to a memorial service on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the Glidden-Ediger Chapel in McPherson, Kansas with Reverend H. Dick Reynolds, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Reilly Family Memorial Fund for future agriculture scholarships are requested and they can be sent in care of the Glidden – Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.

We pray that God will enlist Duane’s help on the farmland in Heaven.

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Lois Madaen Buell-Hilton, 94, of Andover and formerly of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 4:00 p.m., Monday, September 7th, 2015 at Andover Court, Andover, Kansas.

Lois was born in Augusta, Kansas on April 9, 1921, a daughter of Ina May (Stinson) and William Floyd Blandin.

Lois attended the Augusta grade schools and graduated from Augusta High School, Augusta, Kansas in 1939.

She was a member of McPherson Church of Christ McPherson, KS.

Lois was a homemaker and worked at Boeing in Seattle as a riveter during the war, worked for U.S.D. 418 McPherson High School, as a cook, worked for Sterling Drug as a lineman in McPherson.

Lois enjoyed shopping, crafts, traveling, spending time with her family, and her church.

Lois M. Blandin was united in marriage to George Arthur Buell on July 29, 1939 at Hutchinson, Kansas. They established their first home together Augusta, Kansas. In 1945 they moved to McPherson, Kansas after the war. In 1966 they moved to Electra, Texas. On November 13, 1974 Lois and her family were deeply saddened by the unexpected death of George. In 1976 Lois moved back to McPherson, Kansas. Lois was united in marriage to William “Bill” Leroy Hilton on February 15, 1985 in McPherson, Kansas. Bill died on March 8, 1994.

Surviving family members include her daughters, Mary Lois Wilson and her husband Steve, of Andover, Kansas and Marilyn Kay Brauer and her husband Gary, of Derby, Kansas; her three grandchildren, Michael Wilson and his wife Angela, Angela Hartzell and her husband Shawn, and Tim Brauer and her husband Trisha; her five great-grandchildren, Connor Wilson, Emily Condella, Brendon Condella, Ricky Clements, and Mariah Clements; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband George Buell, her second husband Bill Hilton, a granddaughter, Melissa Wilson-Condella; 2 brothers, Raymond Floyd and William Delmer Blandin; 1 sister Mary Darrah.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Glidden – Ediger Chapel, McPherson.

The funeral service will be held at the Glidden – Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11th, 2015 with Mr. Gary Witcher officiating.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Cemetery of Augusta, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be given to McPherson Church of Christ in memory of Lois and they can be sent in care of the Glidden – Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.

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DATELINE:  Lyons, Kansas
NAME:  Austin Hoffman
AGE:  16
DATE OF DEATH:  September 4, 2015
PLACE OF DEATH: Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas
DATE OF BIRTH: March 16, 1999
PLACE OF BIRTH:  Chanute, Kansas
PARENTS: Dustin and Amanda Hoffman
RESIDENCE: He has resided in Lyons since 2012, moving from Hutchinson
OCCUPATION:  Austin was an avid fisherman and a life guard at the Lyons City Pool for the past two years
EDUCATION: He was a junior at Lyons High School, where he was a member of the Lyons High School debate team, wrestling team, tennis team, and was a pole vaulter on the track team
SURVIVORS: his parents, Dustin and Amanda Hoffman of Lyons; siblings, Christian Dale and Ramie Jo Hoffman, both of Lyons; paternal grandparents, Joanne and Michael Pope of Kansas City, Kansas, and Archie and Vanessa Hoffman of Hutchinson; maternal grandparents, Hank and Mary Willems of Lawrence, Kansas; paternal great grandmother, Geraldine Ayres of Baldwin City, Kansas; aunt, Stephanie and Mark McKelvy of Omaha, Nebraska; uncle, Jason and Nancy Willems of San Mateo, California; other family members, Jason Hoffman and Tally Hoffman; and many cousins, and close friends; most faithful friend and dog Meisje
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY:  paternal grandmother, Isabelle Hoffman; 3 great uncles, Butch Hoffman, Wiley Stevens, and John Wilkinson, Sr.; and a great aunt Patricia Stevens
SERVICES: 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 12, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Lyons, KS
OFFICIATING:  Pastor Joel Grizzle
BURIAL: Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons,
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Friday, September 11, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Lyons
MEMORIAL: Austin Lee Hoffman Memorial Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home

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DATELINE:  Sterling
NAME:  Mary Ann Clayton
AGE:  91
DATE OF DEATH: September 5, 2015
PLACE OF DEATH: Mantey Heights Nursing Home in Grand Junction, Colorado
DATE OF BIRTH: August 15, 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH: Detroit, Michigan
PARENTS:  John and Josephine Karmajek Marmul
RESIDENCE: Sterling for 60 years having lived the past year and a half in Grand Junction, Colorado
OCCUPATION:  She worked in the cafeteria and in housekeeping at Sterling College for over 20 years.
MEMBERSHIPS: She was of the Catholic Faith and recently was attending the American Lutheran Church in Grand Junction.
DATE OF MARRIAGE:  September 20, 1954
PLACE OF MARRIAGE: Arkansas
SPOUSE: Joe R. Clayton Sr.
SPOUSE DECEASED DATE: January 30, 2014
SURVIVORS: 2 sons, John and Marlene Clayton of Ellinwood, Joe R. Clayton Jr. and Larry Schneider of Grand Junction, Colorado; 1 daughter, Elaine Kapelanski of West Bloomfield, Michigan; 5 Grandchildren, Alex Clayton, Hannah Clayton, Maggie Vinduska and Conner Joe Quarry.
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY:  Parents; 7 brothers and 1 sister.
SERVICES: 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 11, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood.
OFFICIATING:  Father Terrance Klein
BURIAL: Raymond Hilltop Cemetery
VISITATION: 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, September 10, 2015 with Vigil Service at 7:00 at Birzer Funeral Home in Sterling.
MEMORIAL: Hope West Hospice in Grand Junction or the Sterling Public Library in care of the funeral home.