Lon Robert Vass, 55, of Salina, passed away Monday, October 31, 2016. He was born January 11, 1961, to Rex Rolland and Marthena Mae (Funk) Vass in Salina, Kansas.
Lon applied his ingenuity in multiple aspects of his life, including: his patented invention of the Kansas Pigeon Post, with son, Dylan Vass, as well as tinkering on vehicles and his beloved boat, and in his spare time he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was always known for his strong family values, vast knowledge to fix anything he touched with a detailed explanation, and to make people laugh.
Survivors include his children, Travis Vass, Paige and husband Justin Vazeii, and Dylan Vass and girlfriend, Kaylee Brown; grandchild, Kerrick; siblings, Larry Vass; best friend, Tim Arnold.
He is preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Vass; parents; and brother, Max.
A celebration of life will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at Courtyard Marriott, Salina in the Smoky Hill Room.
A private burial will be in Morrison Cemetery.
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Kjirstin Renee Anderson, 25, of Marquette, Kansas, died Monday, November 7, 2016 at Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born September 23, 1991 in Salina to Keith and Gayle (Collins) Anderson. She worked for nursing homes as a C.N.A. and C.M.A.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Darrell and DeeAnn Collins and an uncle, Kory Anderson.
Kjirstin is survived by her parents, Keith Anderson of Marquette, Kansas and Gayle Collins of Hutchinson, Kansas; half-brother, Brian Benewiat of Wichita; half-sister, Jennifer Benewiat of Hutchinson; and grandparents, Eyler and Delores Anderson of Salina.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina, with Rev. Kent Happel officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Marquette, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Ryan Mortuary. Those attending the services are encouraged to wear Kansas City Chiefs, KU Jayhawks, or Western attire.
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John B. Toone, age 65, of Concordia, KS, left this earthly life on Tues., Nov. 8, 2016 while visiting his sister in Midland, TX. John was born on Aug. 22, 1951 in Pecos, TX to James B. & Melba K. (Keen) Toone.
John graduated from high school in 1969 in Pecos, TX. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Texas Tech University. He married Danette E. Jensen on October 8, 1983 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Salina, KS. John worked as an engineer for Central Power & Light, Texas Electric Service Company & Oncor Electric. John attended church at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Salina. He was a member of Rotary, International and active in the Chamber of Commerce’s in the various communities he served. After retirement, John found a passion for restoring antiques of all kinds. He enjoyed camping and traveling and most especially he enjoyed his coffee group.
John is survived by his wife, Dr. Danette Toone, Concordia, KS; daughters, Madison Sanderford (Russ), Wilmington, NC & Morgan Toone, Dallas, TX; sister, Jamie Dillingham (Don), Midland, TX; grandchildren, Ethan & Dylan Sanderford & several nieces & nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents & a sister, Sherma Raymond.
The family selected cremation and Memorial services will be at 10:30 am, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at the Arley Bryant Gymnasium at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, KS with Rev. Kent Happel officiating. Friends may sign the register book on Sun, Nov. 13, 2016 from 12-8 pm with the family greeting friends from 4-6 pm at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Cloud County Community College Foundation, PO Box 1002, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
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FURLEY – Oliver Duane “Dewey” Sanders, age 90, was born September 5, 1926, the only child of Oliver Gideon Sanders and Dola Edith (Hecker) Sanders. His life was filled with family, farming, community service, church service, and wit. He was a family man, a farmer and stockman, a singer, an auctioneer, and a servant of the community and of God. He passed away November 7, 2016, in the same home where he was born, near Furley, Kansas, as was his long-held wish. He began raising sheep and working with his father on the family farm at the age of five. He continued farming for nearly 65 years. On April 24, 1949, he was united in marriage to Isabella A. “Bella” Hutchinson. They were blessed with three daughters. Dewey and Bella ran a diversified farming operation. They raised cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, wheat, soybeans and milo. Dewey served the community as a school board member, a 4-H club leader, and was an organizer of the Furley Co-op. Later in life he was Farm Bureau President, for which he received numerous leadership awards. He served on the Lincoln Township Board, the Soil Conservation Board, the Extension Board, and the Andale Co-op Board. He also served as President of the Township Board Association, and he spearheaded efforts to change state statutes regarding three different matters. He was also the song leader at Northside Church of Christ, and later Greenwich Road Church of Christ; positions he greatly enjoyed for 62 years. Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Dola Sanders; his wife of 60 years, Bella Sanders; and his daughter, Roxy Miller. He is survived by his daughters, Patty Lewis and husband Randy of Leavenworth; and Cinda Dienst and husband Jerry of Valley Center; his grandchildren: Jarrod Miller and wife Karen of Caney, Jessie Cummings and husband Ronnie of Howard, Leona Odle of Howard, Kiley Miller and husband Mike of Valley Center, and Kody Dienst of Valley Center; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m., Thursday, at Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater. The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2016, at Northside Church of Christ, 4545 N Meridian, Wichita. The Interment will follow at Green Valley Cemetery, Furley. Memorial Funds have been established for Know Your Bible or Green Valley Cemetery, in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154, Online Condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.
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Donald E. Skipton, the son of Jesse O. Skipton and Florence E. (Congleton) Skipton, was born February 20, 1931 at Concordia, KS and passed away on November 8, 2016 at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, KS at the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 18 days.
Donald grew up and attended school in country schools South of Haddam, KS, graduating from Haddam High School in 1948. He then attended Emporia State Teachers’ College where he attained a Bachelor of Science and later a Master Degree.
From 1956 until his retirement in 1991, he was a Teacher, Principal, and School Superintendent, living in the Haddam community, Ashland, KS and Lenora/Norton, KS. Following his retirement, he was a bus driver for the Norton School System until 1997 and also was on the Norton City Council.
On December 17, 1955, he was united in marriage to Marlene Cross and to this union 3 sons and one daughter was born. The couple has made their home in Belleville, KS for the past 2 years.
Donald was a member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the DAV and the American Motorcycle Association.
He served with the US Navy during the Korean War from Jan. 16, 1951 until his honorable discharge on November 23, 1954, attaining the rank of Boilerman Second, Class, USN-1.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Danna D.; brothers,
Freeman, Sherman, Jesse Jr. and John, and one sister Virginia.
Donald is survived by his wife Marlene Skipton of Belleville, KS; three sons,
Donald (Anne) Skipton, Jr., of Tomball, Texas, Marlin Skipton of Edmonds, Washington, and David Skipton of Smith Center, KS; three grandchildren, Jesse (LeeAnn) Skipton, Lisa (Chris) Conover, and Amy (Sean) Harris; three great grandchildren, Payton, Riley, and Skylar Conover; two brothers, Virgil Skipton of McPherson, KS and Darrell Skipton of Jacksonville, FL; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Cremation was selected and memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Haddam, KS. with Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock, officiating.
Inurnment will be at the Haddam Cemetery, Haddam, KS with Military Graveside Rites by the U. S. Navy Honor Guard.
Friends may call to sign the book from 1 PM until 8 PM on Friday at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS with the family greeting friends from 5 PM until 7 PM on Friday.
Memorials are suggested to the Republic County Hospital or donor’s favorite charity.
Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.
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William E. Hodgins Jr. of Belleville, Kansas Age 93
Passed away on November 9, 2016 at Belleville, Kansas
He was born June 25, 1923 at Belleville, KS, the son of Earl Hodgins and Ola Elvira (Cory) Hodgins
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ola Hodgins, one son, Thomas Laverne Hodgins, one grandson, Timothy Jarboe,
one brother, two sisters.
He is survived by two sons, John J. (Donna) Hodgins of Riley, KS., William Allen Hodgins of Belleville, KS.,
four daughters, E. Marie (Rev. Ralph) Jarboe of Salina, KS., Maida A. Lancaster of Artesia, CA., Barbara J. Hodgins of Belleville, KS.,
Judith G. (Don) Melby of Scandia, KS., 8 grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren
Funeral services will be held Two PM, Monday, November 14, 2016, Bachelor-Surber Memorial Chapel, Belleville, KS.
Interment will be in Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS.
Memorials may be given to Family Choice
Friends may call on Sunday, November 13, 2016 from 1 PM to 9 PM at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS.
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS in charge of arrangements
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Naomi Flo Miller, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, November 08, 2016, at her home in Russell.
A celebration of Naomi’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, November 14, 2016, at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Sunday, November 13, 2016, at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Sunday evening. Memorials may be given to the Otterbein United Methodist Church or Russell Senior Center and can be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.