MARION – Vernolis F. Siebert, 95, passed away January 27, 2015, at St. Luke Living Center, Marion. She was born at Lamont, the daughter of James Dudley and Ora Lovetta (Watt) Gillingham. She was a graduate of Hamilton High School and had attended Wichita Business College. On May 8, 1955, she was married to Rex L. Siebert. This marriage would blend their families to include five children. She worked in the Marion County Treasurer’s Office for 25 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex; her sons: Ronald Breech and Francis Breech; and her brother, Delbert Gillingham. She is survived by her step-children: Linda Campbell (Bob) of Salina; Ladd Siebert (Mary Jo) of Eureka, SD; and John Siebert (Marianne) of Florence; 15 grandchildren and their families. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 1, 2016, at Zeiner Funeral Home of Marion, with Pastor Jeff Lee officiating. Inurnment will be in the Marion Cemetery. A Memorial Fund has been established for the Marion Central Park or the Aulne United Methodist Church in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS, 66861.
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John T. Hyde, D.V.M., 73, Minneapolis, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 28, 2016. He was born May 30, 1942 in Wichita to John H. and Joyce R. Hyde.
John and Evelyn Jilka were married on June 4, 1966 in Delphos. He worked as veterinarian in Douglass and Minneapolis. John was also a farmer and was very active in the Community Bible Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece Kimberly Wielhouwer.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Evelyn; children Nathan Hyde, Kari Hyde, and Karyn Clanton and her husband Aaron; sister Cathy Harmon and her husband Gary; and two grandchildren Jacob and Talia Clanton.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis where the family will receive friends from 3-5. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday at the Community Bible Church, Minneapolis. Burial will be in the Glasco Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pregnancy Service Center or Operation Christmas Child.
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Julia Ann Oriez, 51, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Julia worked for many years at Jim’s Formal Wear.
Julia was preceded by her parents, Orville and Alice (O’Neal) Meyer; and brother, Robert Meyer.
She is survived by her husband, Brad Oriez; daughter, Mindy LaFontaine; step-daughter, Amanda Nestler; sister, Shannon Reidelberger; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Burial will be at 2:00p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 in Avoca Cemetery, Avoca, Neb. Memorials may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.
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Wilma J. Willenborg, 65, of Salina and formerly of Belleville, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. She was born Oct. 16, 1950, in Steele City, Neb., to William Elmer Daugherty Sr. and Lois E. (Garton) Daugherty. She served in the U.S. Air Force and the National Guard and was a truck driver.
She is survived by her children, Angela Kay, Jamie, Erin and Devon “Bud”; brothers, William Daugherty Jr., Alan Daugherty, Clifford Daugherty and Melvin Daugherty; sister, Evelyn Daugherty; nephew, Richard Daugherty; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Sarah, Phillip, Amiya and Braxtyn; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation was selected. Memorial services will be in the spring with inurnment in the Union Valley Cemetery, near Belleville, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to Ryan Mortuary, Salina, to assist with funeral expenses.
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Charles Wayne Kniebel passed gracefully to heaven on Thursday, January 28th, 2016, with family at his side. Charles was proud to be known as C.W. Kniebel. He was the 3rd generation of the Kniebel’s to till the soil and raise his family as a farmer/rancher. He had an extremely short bout with pancreatic/liver cancer.
Charles was born to Carl and Amanda (Lawrenz) Kniebel on December 21, 1930. He was the 3rd born with 3 sisters; Arlene, Twila, and Lois. He was the only heir namesake to carry on the family name. Charles was baptized on a cold January day in 1931 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, White City. He was confirmed May 27, 1945. Charles attended 1st-8th grade at Baxter School riding his pony with his sister Twila to school. He enjoyed his high school years at White City High School graduating in 1948.
Charles was drafted into the Army in 1954 attending Basic Training in El Paso, Texas. He was lucky to return home with a short stay and resume farming on the homestead west of White City with his father.
His passion for farming brought him interest in enjoying a farming class with other young farmers around the area. He was meticulous at sowing a crop with the straightest rows, but the biggest bit of pride was driving the Case International 4-Wheel drive tractor. As much as he loved tilling the soil, his favorite highlight of farming were feeding his cattle and watching them grow from birth to finish. The most unique aspect of Kniebel Farms was that they never sold calves, always finished cattle, for 5 generations!
Charles was united in marriage with Donna Jean Ruppel on December 7, 1958, in Herington, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with three children; Kim, Kevin, and Chuck. Donna preceded in death in 1990.
Charles was united in marriage to Mona Mae McDiffett on November 6, 1998, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shady Brook, of Woodbine. They enjoyed 17 years of marriage while he still farmed with his sons. They both cherished their bus trips and casino trips together making new friends.
Charles leaves his sons Kevin and Chuck to carry on the legacy with the land and cattle. Charles and Donna received two Soil Conservation Awards in the 31 years of marriage. There was also another Conservation Award for Charles and Mona, Kevin, Maryann, Chuck and Kim and families, along with the prestigious Beef Improvement Federation Commercial Producer of the Year, 2008.
Charles will be greatly missed by his widow Mona Mae, his daughter Kim (Alan) Bontrager: especially by his sons whom he worked with daily; Kevin (Maryann) Kniebel; Chuck (Kim) Kniebel. He leaves six grandchildren Amanda (Thad) Julian, Chelsey (Tanner) Stucky, Cassandra Kniebel, Clayton Kniebel, Spencer Bontrager, and Ali Bontrager. He also was blessed with 2 great grandsons, Connor Julian and Bentley Kniebel. Charles is survived by a sister Lois (Jack) Webb and many nieces and nephews.
Charles is also survived by his extended family of step-children; Kayla (Bob) Dieball; Greg (Linda) McDiffett; and step-grandchildren Callea and Chad Briener; Cory and Sally Dieball; Shannon and John Wertzberger; Rusty and Pam McDiffett, and Jake McDiffett. Step-great grandchildren; Karsten and Kasen Briener; Taylor and Cole Dieball, Maddie and Mitchell Wertzberger, and Casey and Chase McDiffett.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife Donna, grandson Chase Kniebel, along with his sisters Arleen Johnson and Twila Theel.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00a.m., Monday, February 1st, 2016, at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington, with Rev. Troy Slater, officiating. Burial will follow at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, White City. A prayer service will be held at the church, Sunday evening at 7:00 pm. The services are under the direction of the Zeiner Funeral Home, Herington Chapel.
The family requests memorials to the St. John’s Cemetery Fund, or the Good Shepherd Hospice House of Manhattan or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church; and may be sent in care of the Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS 67449-3038.
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Council Grove – Doris Elizabeth Horton, 89, of Americus, Kansas passed away January 29, 2016 at Diversicare of Council Grove.
Doris was born May 10, 1926 in Wilsey, KS to LeRoy H. Peterson and Edith Peterson (Richardson).
She attended Wilsey High School and graduated in 1944.
She married G. Dean Horton September 26, 1944 in Salina, and they made their home in the Diamond Springs area. They moved to the Americus area in 1947, where they farmed and ranched.
They had three children, Dean L., Connie Sue and Peggy Lee. They were married 61 years.
Doris was a homemaker all of her life. She loved to cook for her family and enjoyed working side by side with her husband on their family farm, Hidden Acres, where they grew crops and raised cattle. She was a member of two ladies clubs, Kahola Social Club where she served as secretary, treasurer, president and vice president at various times and also the Willing Helpers Social Club. Doris and Dean were members of the Peppy Pitch Club, where they enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends over cards. Doris enjoyed meeting yearly with her High School Classmates at their annual reunion and took pride that they still met 50+ years later annually.
In High School Doris worked at the Riegels Store in Wilsey and after her and Dean were married she worked part time at Colby’s Toggery Store in Council Grove for over 25 years. After Dean departed this world in 2006 Doris started volunteering at the Council Grove Senior Center where she enjoyed working with her daughter Peggy in the kitchen and visiting with friends. She also was able to travel with her friend Anna May Olson and family members on bus trips.
She is survived by her son, Dean L Horton and wife Marybeth of Americus, daughter Peggy Peters and husband Alan of Americus; grandchildren Matt Horton and wife Stacie of Americus, Ali Stufflebean and husband Curt of Galva, Joe Horton of Hutchinson, Melissa Lindburg and husband Brandon of Americus, and Amanda Palmer and husband Wade of Adair, OK; great-Grandchildren Dillon, Kara & Coy Horton, Cody Stufflebean, Logan Horton, Derek & Austin Korte and Wade R. Palmer. She is also survived by her brother and sisters-in-law, Gene & Peg Colby, Weslaco TX, Guy & Donna Horton, Emporia, and Bert Horton, Council Grove, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Dean, parents LeRoy & Edith, a brother Leon & wife Billy Peterson, an infant daughter, Connie Sue and several brother and sisters-in-law including, Carl & Wilma Bennett, Leo & Grace Horton, Don Horton, Leland & Carolyn Horton.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Zeiner Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, from 6-8pm.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, February 3rd, at Zeiner Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Wilsey Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Doris Horton Memorial Fund. They may be sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
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Council Grove – Patricia Ann Smith, 79, of Alta Vista, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 29, 2016, at Morris County Hospital.
She was born March 23, 1936 in Dunlap, KS, to Ira “Bus” and Audrey (Pykiet) Worcester. She graduated from Bushong High School and went to work as a telephone operator in Emporia.
Patricia married Carol Smith on June 9, 1961 in Council Grove. They moved to Alta Vista shortly after, where they raised their children. Pat was very active in her church and in her children’s activities, as a room mother, Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, traveling and loved spending time with family.
She was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary of Dwight and the United Methodist Women.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Carol, of the home; children, Mike Marlar and wife Eunice, of Mesa, AZ, Tim Marlar and wife Karen, of Newton, Greg Marlar and wife Tammy, of St. George, and Sheryl Crooks and husband Jack, of Alta Vista; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren; brothers, Paul Worcester and wife Pat, of Portland, OR and Roger Worcester and wife Marian, of Destrehan, LA; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Zeiner Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
Funeral services for Patricia will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, February 4th, at Simpson United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Alta Vista Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Simpson United Methodist Church. They may be sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
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FRED A. SORTOR, 93 died January 28, 2016 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, KS. He was born on April 25, 1922 in Clay Center, KS, the son of Fred and Anna (Tolin) Sortor. Fred was raised in Clay Center and graduated from CCCHS in 1940. He served in the US Army during WWII. Fred married Louise Weller on April 2, 1948. Following the war, he worked as a sheet metal fabricator, a plumber and as a heating and air conditioning serviceman Brenner’s Heating. Louise preceded him in death on January 30, 1990. Fred was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the American Legion, both of Clay Center. He participated in the men’s bowling league. He is preceded in death by parents, step-father, Andy Forsyth, Sister, Betty Eustace and special friend, Kay Coleman
Survivors:
Daughter: Liana and husband Larry Eagan, Manhattan, KS
Daughter: Anita and husband Steven Stallsmith, Manhattan, KS
Brother: Ned and wife Dixie Sortor, Clay Center, KS
Sister: Eva Sebring, Overbrook, KS
Granddaughter: Anita Eagan, Manhattan, KS
Grandson: Kaden Lemaster, Manhattan, KS
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center, KS
Officiating the service will be Pastor Paul Tessaro
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, KS
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 2-5 PM atNeill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Hospice House c/o the funeral home
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CHARLENE ANN MCMAHAN, 79 died January 29, 2016 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS. She was born on July 20, 1936 in Clay Center, KS, the daughter of Harold and Lillian (Habluetzel) Haake. Charlene was raised in Clay County and graduated from CCCHS in 1954. She married Ned McMahan on March 19, 1955 and he survives of the home. She was a member of the St. Paul Episcopal Church in Clay Center. She was preceded in death her parents.
Survivors:
Husband: Ned McMahan, Clay Center, KS
Son: Mike and wife Gale McMahan, Clay Center, KS
Son: Mitch and wife Denise McMahan, Clay Center, KS
Daughter: Jamie and husband Larry Bloomfield, Clifton, KS
Brother James and wife Colleen Haake, Albuquerque, NM
11 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 2pm at the St. Paul Episcopal Church in Clay Center.
Officiating the service will be Susan Sawyer
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, KS
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 2-5pm at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: St. Paul Episcopal Church or CCARE (Clay County Animal Rescue and Education Center) c/o the funeral home.
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Robert “Bob” K. Curl, 64, of McPherson, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at his home in McPherson. For 32 years, he worked as a heavy equipment operator, foreman, and leadman for Apac (formerly J.H. Shears), retiring in 2012.
Bob was born on August 31, 1951, in Kellogg, Idaho, the son of Kelsey Marion and Joyce Irene (Lewis) Curl. He attended high school in Goodland, KS. On February 22, 1976, Bob was united in marriage to Vicki Frost in Goodland, KS.
He was an avid supporter of McPherson High School Wrestling.
Survivors include: two sons, Cory Lee Curl and wife, Bryn, and their son, Brayson, of McPherson, KS and Christopher James Curl and fiancée, Sara, and their daughter, Rosalyn, of McPherson, KS; brothers, Harold Curl and wife, Missy, of McPherson, KS, Herbert Curl and wife, Cheryl, of Maquoketa, IA, and Delbert Curl of Billings, MT; sister, Juanita McClung and husband, Darwin, of Florida; and several nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kelsey and Joyce Curl.
The memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with Bishop Quintin Moore officiating. Inurnment will be at the McPherson Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be given to McPherson High School Wrestling Program or Valley Hope of Moundridge in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.