Henry Lee Vinyard (Aka Black Hawk) 317 NE 12th St of Abilene passed away on November, 20, 2016. He lived in Abilene for 13 years (2003 to 2016); prior to that he lived in Salina for 24 years. Henry was born February 21, 1943, in Fayette, MO. He was the son of Rhoda Mae Vinyard and Edward Vinyard Jr. In 1963, he joined the United States Army in which he served 3 years. He worked for the Salina Journal for several years as a janitor.
He was preceded in death by his natural father; Roscoe Clayton Broadus, 1996; mother; Mae Vinyard, 2002; father by choice; Edward Vinyard Jr, 2003 and a brother; Maurice Vinyard, 1964.
He is survived by his Brothers: William C. Vinyard and wife Bertha Vinyard, Marcus Vinyard, all of Salina; Rufus Broadus, of Columbia, MO; Roger Broadus, of Columbia, MO; sisters: Natalie Bradley and husband Nicholas Bradley, of Studio City, CA; Shelia McElfresh and Dan Lane, of Jonesboro, AR; one uncle: Frank Petty, of New Franklin, MO; two aunts: Helen Fisher, of New Franklin, MO; Arnesta Vaughan, of Sacramento, CA; nieces: Alicia Perry and Tonya Vinyard, both of Salina; Andrea Longden, of Studio City, CA; nephews: Adain Bradley, of Studio City, CA; Alastair Bradley, of York England; many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and a special longtime friend of many years Mary Jackson of Chillicothe, OH.
Visitation: 2:00pm to 6:30pm, Wednesday, November 30 at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina, where the family will receive guests from 5:00 to 6:30pm.
Funeral services at 10:00am, Thursday, December 1, at the Chapel, with Pastor Roy Rawls, officiating.
Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Veterans section, Salina.
Memorials to: Abilene Senior Citizen Center, 100 N Elm St, Abilene, KS 67410.
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Robert “Bob” Thompson Highgate, 83, passed peacefully in his home in Salina on Friday, Nov. 25 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy A. (Frame) Highgate; parents, Robert I. and Mary T. Highgate; and sister, Jean Woodard.
Bob was born in Memphis, TN on Aug. 13th, 1933. In youth, he achieved his Eagle Scout Badge and attended the National Jamboree
in Washington D.C.
Bob graduated from South Side High School in Memphis and then attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC and received his Bachelor of Arts from Ouchita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, AR. Bob attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries in Kansas City. He also served his country from 1959- 1961 in the United States Army.
While working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Bob met his future wife, Nancy A. Frame, and on April 8th, 1961, they exchanged vows in Parsons.
Bob worked at a consulting firm in Kansas City, and in his free time, he enjoyed traveling around the world with Nancy. Their adventures included scuba diving, sports car racing, and bird watching.
Bob and Nancy moved to Arlington, TX, where Bob started his own consulting firm, Gainline. In 2001, they moved to Salina to be near
Nancy’s daughter, Alison Frame Littell; husband, Charles D. Littell; his 2 grandchildren, Zachary and Katie Littell; and his 2 great-grandchildren Karsyn and Tynlee Littell
Bob dedicated many years working at the Salina Rescue Mission.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 29th from 3pm until 8pm, with family present from 6pm to 8pm,
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday November 30th, at 1pm at Trinity United Methodist, 901 E. Neal Ave., Salina.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be made to the Salina Rescue Mission, 1717 Summers Rd. Salina, KS 67401.
For online condolences, please go to www.roselawnsalina.com
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Helen L. Balthazor, age 86 of Concordia, passed away on Sun., Nov. 27, 2016 at the Smoky Hill Health & Rehab Center, Salina, KS. Helen was born on Nov. 9, 1930 in Concordia, KS to Grant Palmer & Sophronia Helen (Buoy) Appleby.
Helen attended schools in the Ames area. She married Armand J. Balthazor on Sept. 14, 1948 in Clyde, KS. During the 50’s, Helen and Armand operated several local restaurants in the Clyde and Clifton area, including the Clyde Cafe. They also operated a restaurant in Eugene, OR until returning to Concordia to operate the Frontier Cafe. Helen also worked at Nicholson Drug Store for many years and later returned to school and was an LPN at St. Joseph Hospital in Concordia. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia. For the past two years, Helen was a resident of the Smoky Hill Rehab Center in Salina where she enjoyed a renewed quality of life.
As the last of her generation, Helen is survived by her husband, Armand, Concordia; sons: James Balthazor (Cindy), Russell, Fred Balthazor, Overland Park, Greg Balthazor, Shawnee, Patrick Balthazor (Jamie), Concordia; daughters, Cynthia Cleveland (Michael), Salina & Christine Sevigny, Topeka; several grandchildren & great grandchildren & numerous nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Martha Jane Partch (Leo) & Bonnie Caron (Joe); a brother, Wilbur Appleby (Josephine); grandson, Kirk Balthazor & infant great grandson, Benjamin Cleveland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Thurs., Dec. 1, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia with Fr. David Metz & Fr. Larry Letourneau officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Clyde. Visitation will be Wed., Nov. 30, 2016 from 10 am to 9 pm with a Vigil service and Altar Society Rosary at 6 pm, with the family greeting friends after the Rosary, all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
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George H. Link
(November 6, 1933 – November 23, 2016) 
George Henry Link was born on November 6, 1933 to George Earl and Mabel Harriett Smay Link at Lowery City, Missouri. He departed this life of 83 years on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas after a long illness.
George graduated from Appleton City High School and then entered the working world at an early age.
George spent much of his life in the Kansas City area. There, he was a carpenter and became a Construction Superintendent for Neighbors Construction Company and then for Straub Construction Company. George knew everything about construction and was always on the job with the crew. He was always there when the job needed to be done. He refurbished many homes in the Kansas City area and even several in Beloit, Kansas. He retired in 1996 and built a home on the Lake of the Ozarks until moving to Beloit in December, 2006.
He was married to Bonnie Boch in 1954 and four children Glenda, Rick, Lisa, and Bradley were born to this union which was later dissolved. On July 23, 1983 he married Roberta “Bobbi” Minges and they enjoyed 33 years together.
A quiet man of few words, George loved woodworking, refinishing furniture, and his job. His leisure time was happiest spent fishing and boating on the Lake of the Ozarks.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, Beloit.
His parents, one brother Floyd Link and one sister Miriam Mills preceded him in death.
George is survived by his wife Roberta “Bobbi” Link of the home, children Glenda Jo Bailey and husband Phillip of Warsaw, MO, Rick Link and wife Beth of Edwardsville, KS, Lisa Goldman and husband Perry of Bonita Springs, FL, Bradley Link and wife Jerry of Kansas City, MO; 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at First Christian Church. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be given to the church or Solomon Valley Hospice. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.
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Michelle Ohlde, 46 years died November 26, 2016 in Clay Center, KS. She was born on October 17, 1970 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Nancy (Kaiser) Hiebert. Michelle was raised in Washington, KS. She married Kevin Ohlde on June 20, 1992. They moved to Clay Center in 2005. Kevin preceded her in death on January 25, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors:
Daughter: Aprille Ohlde, Clay Center, KS
Son: Benjamin Ohlde, Clay Center, KS
Daughter: Tracey Ohlde, Clay Center, KS
Fiance: Robert Lebeuf, Clay Center, KS
Brother: Justin Hiebert, OR
Sister: Keri Diller, OK
1 granddaughter
Memorial Services: Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 11:00AM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS
Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com
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Richard Ernest Wolting passed away on November 27, 2016 in Lincoln, KS at the age of 80.
Richard was born to Waldemar and Alberta (Lohmann) Wolting on October 4, 1936 in rural Lincoln County. Richard attended St. John Lutheran School and Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1954. Richard was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church and a lifelong member. Richard was a farmer and stockman, retiring in 2013. He served on the Lincoln rural fire board for several years. Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s activities. Attending his grandchildren, Cody and Courtney’s musical programs and watching grandson, Lance pitch at baseball games were his greatest joys.
Richard married Anna Marie Panzer on March 8, 1959. To this union, two sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors are wife Anna Marie; sons, Rick (Barb) and Rodney (Mona) Wolting; grandchildren, Cody (Ashley), Lance Wolting, and Courtney (Josh) Zsuzsics; great grandchildren, Ethan, Brennan, and Joselyn Wolting, Emily, Haley, and Aiden Zsuzsics, all of Lincoln; sister, Rosemary (Jack) Copeland of Salina; 2 nieces and 1 nephew.
Visitation: 1-7 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 4-7 p.m.
Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln, with burial following in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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Irvin Reimer age 94 of Goessel, Kansas passed away November 24, 2016 at Bethesda Home. He was born April 7, 1922 in Marion County Kansas at the family home to Abraham U and Katarina (Buller) Reimer. Irvin attended Pleasant Valley grade school and Goessel High School graduating in May, 1941. On August 22, 1946 he married Edna Friesen at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro, Kansas.
Irvin and his brothers took over the family farm following the death of their father in 1932.
Irvin’s great love was singing and playing his harmonica. As children, Irvin and his sister Norma sang duets at home and at family gatherings. Irvin enjoyed singing in the church choir and the men’s chorus, and was a member of the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus from inception in 1969 until 2003 when he suffered a stroke.
Irvin spent 30 years at the Hesston Corporation and served as the chairman of the Hesston union. He was on the national board of Mennonite Disaster Service, Akron, Pennsylvania, and served as Director of Region III. As a member of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and usher.
Irvin cared for his neighbors worldwide and spent much of his retirement volunteering with MDS and Habitat for Humanity. He spent eight months building a church for the Northern Cheyenne in Lame Deer Montana. Irvin and his wife Edna enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel until his stroke in March, 2003. In July, 2005 he moved to Goessel and then in June, 2007 to Bethesda Home.
Irvin is survived by his son Howard (Linda) Reimer of Ritzville, Washington; and, a grandson Aaron (Amy) Reimer of Reardan, Washington. Preceding him in death were his wife Edna and daughter Susann; his parents; brothers Arthur, Walt, and Rudolf; and, sisters Martha, Alice, Margaret, Norma and Elda.
Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, Kansas with fellowship meal to follow. Private Inurnment. JOST FUNERAL HOME, Hillsboro, Kansas is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, Pennsylvania 17543 or to Bethesda Home, 408 East Main, Goessel, Kansas 67053. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com
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Patricia Lew Whisler, 83, passed away Monday, November 21, at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa, KS. She was born on January 25, 1933, in Lincoln KS, to Lewis B. and Fae E. Brockett. Pat attended Kansas State University for 2 years and then later finished her teaching degree at FHSU in Hays, KS. She fell in love with Francis C. Whisler and they began their life together on May 23, 1954. They resided in Russell all their married life. Pat taught school for many years and in several places. She taught in Natoma, country school Lincoln Elementary, and Simpson School in Russell. Pat was a caring and loving teacher, and throughout the years she had many wonderful stories about her students. She was so proud of each and every one. After retirement, Pat continued to substitute and work as a paraprofessional in the Russell district. It was her great joy.
Pat and Francis were members of the Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the UMW and was very active in the Women’s circles. For years, Pat helped address and send birthday, get well, Christmas and other special greeting cards to church members. In years past, she played the piano for the children’s choir, Sunday school, and for area nursing home church services. She volunteered often for many activities and was dedicated to helping others.
Pat’s interests and hobbies included music, gardening, birds, flowers, dominoes and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her family, instilling the love of learning and generosity. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and neighbor.
She is survived by her son Michael Whisler, Russell, and her daughter Susan (Fred) Albers, Overland Park, KS; grandchildren Holly and Jordan Albers, Overland Park, KS, and Jessica (Brent) Cunningham, of Glen Elder, KS; great-grandchildren Drew, Tanna, and Bailee. She is also survived by her sister, Joleene (Leo) Lessor of Denmark, KS; sisters-in-law Barbara Nimz, Russell, and Carol Perrin, Tampa, FL and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Francis, who died on August 2, 2012. She is so greatly loved and will be dearly missed by all.
Celebration of Patricia’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Russell. Burial of ashes will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
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Lowell Gene McKanna, 85, of Newton, Kansas, and formerly of Luray, Kansas, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016, at Asbury Park Campus in Newton.
Lowell was born on January 22, 1931, in Luray, Kansas, the son of Charles Lester and Pricilla Waive (Glasgow) McKanna. He grew up in Luray and graduated from Luray High School.
Lowell served his country for four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Two of those years he was stationed in Germany before returning to Luray.
Lowell met and fell in love with Ursula while he was stationed in Germany. She followed him to America where they were united in marriage on March 8, 1955, in Russell, Kansas. This union was blessed with four daughters; Christine, Debra, Stephany and Andrea. They made their home in Luray.
Lowell was owner and operator of McKanna Oil Co. from 1955 to 1994. He delivered fuel and propane to the farmers and families in the Luray area. He was a member of the Luray United Methodist Church. He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. During his younger years, he enjoyed
hunting, playing golf, traveling, and riding motorcycles. His latter years were often spent watching sporting events and reading car magazines. His passion for vehicles began at a very young age.
Surviving family include his wife of 61 years, Ursula of the home; four daughters, Christine Cederberg (Kyle) of Hillsboro, Kansas, Debra Scott (Greg) of Salina, Kansas, Stephany Seirer (Jeff) of Andover, Kansas and Andrea McKanna of Beloit, Kansas; sister, Signa Heffel of Hays, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Sondra Cherry and grandson, Drew Cederberg.
Celebration of Lowell’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2016, at the Luray United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Luray City Cemetery where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. Visitation will be held the day of the service from 10:00 a.m. to service time at the church where the family will be present to greet friends. A memorial has been established with the Luray United Methodist Church and/or Russell V.F.W. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.