Leroy C. Shelton 
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Leroy C. Shelton, 37, was killed April 4, 1999, north of Las Vegas in a Flight for Life helicopter which crashed returning to base in snowy weather. 
He was born Aug. 15, 1961, at Dodge City, the son of Cecil and Lola Deyoe Shelton. He attended Dodge City High School, and Dodge City Community College. He trained at Halstead Hospital to become an X-ray technician. He was involved in skydiving in Hutchinson. He moved to Topeka, where he worked at St. Francis Hospital as an X-ray technician, and a tech in the cardiac catheterization lab for six years.
In 1991, he earned his registered nurse diploma at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and remained there for five years. He had been a resident of Las Vegas since 1996, working at Valley Hospital, and had only recently started working as a flight nurse. 
He was a member of National Flight Nursing Association. 
On April 1, 1989, he married Lori A. Mulligan at Topeka. She survives. 
Other survivors include: his father of Dodge City; four sisters, Dixie Link, Topeka, Carol Brandle, North Platte, Neb., Carmen Wilds, Collyer, and Cee Countryman, Kinsley; a brother, Neil Shelton, Dodge City; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1994. 
Memorial service was at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, Topeka. Cremation was arranged by Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, Las Vegas. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leroy Shelton Memorial Fund, (with use to be designated later) in care of Penwell-Gabel Highland Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605. 

Esther Irene Link 
KINGMAN - Esther Irene Link, 82, died April 7, 1999, at Kinsley. 
She was born March 13, 1917, at Edna, the daughter of Jacob and Winnie Deacon Forsythe. A longtime resident of the Kinsley and Larned communities, she was a former teacher and insurance secretary. 
She belonged to Kingman Christian Church. 
Survivors include: three brothers, Arthur Forsythe, Bayfield, Colo., Harold Forsythe, Thornton, Colo., and Harry Forsythe, Wichita; a sister, Hazel Lorts, Weatherford, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces. 
Funeral was at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Livingston Funeral Home, Kingman, with Chaplain Esther Williams presiding. Burial was in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman. 
Memorials may be sent to Southwind Hospice in care of the funeral home at 1830 North Main, Kingman, KS 67068. 

Luenetta M. Erdman 
LARNED - Luenetta M. Erdman, 65, died April 8, 1999, at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus, Larned. 
She was born Dec. 24, 1933, at Kinsley, the daughter of Elmer and Florence Haag Kirkbride. A Larned resident for 39 years, moving from Kinsley, she was a licensed mental health technician at Larned State Hospital for 23 1/2 years. She belonged to First Christian Church and the Christian Women’s Federation, both at Larned. 
On Oct. 17, 1959, she married Charles Erdman at Kinsley. He survives. 
Other survivors include: a son, Charles V. Jr., Wichita; a brother, Melvin Kirkbride, Kinsley; four sisters, Jane Corwin, Patricia and Kathy Kirkbride, all of Kinsley, and Barbara Rhorer, Hutchinson; three grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. 
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Deanna Kay; and a sister, Nancy Strawn. 
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Daniel Lundgren presiding. Burial was in Larned Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., PO Box 477, Larned 67550. 

Joseph Jerome ‘Jerry’ Issinghoff 
LIBERAL - Joseph Jerome "Jerry" Issinghoff, 82, died April 9, 1999, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. 
He was born Nov. 11, 1916, at Kinsley, the son of Henry I. and Cecilia C. Duesing Issinghoff. A Liberal resident since 1946, moving from Dodge City, he was a self-employed plumber and heating/air-conditioning technician. 
He belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hooker, Okla., and the Knights of Columbus, second, third and fourth degrees. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. 
On June 5, 1943, he married Margaret Fitzsimmons at New Haven, Conn. She died June 7, 1975. 
Survivors include: two daughters, Kathy Issinghoff, Liberal, and Pam Gonzales, Denver; four brothers, Robert, Spearville, Clinton, Dodge City, Stanley, Wichita, and Wendell, Bentonville, Ark.; and two sisters, Maxine Durler, Dodge City, and Gladys Werner, Buhler. 
He was preceded in death by a son, Jerome; two brothers; and two sisters. 
Rosary was at 6 p.m. Monday at Kitch Funeral Home, Liberal. Funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hooker, with Father Scott Adams presiding. Burial was in Windthorst Cemetery, Windthorst. 

Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Fisher 
MULLINVILLE - Jacqueline "Jackie" Fisher, 66, of Mullinville, died April 6, 1999, at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 
She was born Sept. 12, 1932, at Glen Lyon, Pa., the daughter of Roland T. and Florence Fay Bush Gionta. She graduated from Newport Township High School in 1950 and Temple University School of Nursing in 1953. She was employed by Bucklin District Hospital for 15 years and then worked for the SRS for 17 years as a homemaker supervisor and public health nurse, retiring in 1997. 
She belonged to Mullinville United Methodist Church, was a past matron and member of the Star of Hope Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Greensburg, and belonged to the Triple Threat Mixed Doubles Bowling League at Dodge City. 
On Feb. 27, 1954, she married Donald E. Fisher. He survives. 
Other survivors include: two sons, David and Michael Fisher, both of Wichita; a daughter, Debra Fisher Jacobs, Wichita; five grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by a brother, Rowland John Gionta. 
Memorial service was held April 8, 1999, at Strish Funeral Home, Glen Lyon, with the Rev. Barbara Saxe presiding. 
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mullinville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Anderson presiding. Fleener Funeral Home Chapel, Greensburg, was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in Fellsburg Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the church or the American Heart Association, both in care of Mullinville State Bank, Mullinville, KS 67109. 

Myrtle E. Franz 
LARNED - Myrtle E. Franz, 92, died April 9, 1999, at her home. 
She was born Aug. 22, 1906, in Rush County, the daughter of Al and Julia Coriel Crowell. A Larned resident since 1954, moving from Rush Center, she was a homemaker, farmwife and was a laundry worker at Larned State Hospital. 
She attended the Methodist Church. 
On Nov. 11, 1956, she married Ralph M. Franz at Larned. He survives. 
Other survivors include: a daughter, Ruth Felder, Nekoma; a stepson, Virgil Franz, Lindale, Texas; two sisters, Pearl Berens, Hays, and Dorothy Holopirek, La Crosse; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Johnny, Jim, Clarence and Jeff; and two sisters, Verla Grace Crowell and Edith Schneider. 
Funeral was at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with the Rev. Jerry Leever presiding. Burial was in Larned Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of the mortuary. 

Forrest Nolan Ruehlen 
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Forrest Nolan Ruehlen, 84, died April 6, 1999, at Jane Phillips Medical Center, Bartlesville. 
He was born Dec. 13, 1914, in Burdett, the son of Forrest W. and Katherine Bauer Ruehlen. He was raised in Larned, and attended high school there. He graduated from Fort Hays State College in 1940 and earned degrees in mathematics and physics in 1944. A resident of Bartlesville for the past 55 years, he retired from Phillips Petroleum in 1980. 
He belonged to First United Methodist Church, and Elks Lodge # 1060, and the Bartlesville Amateur Radio Club Bartlesville. 
In 1943, he married Kathleen Martin. She survives. 
Other survivors include: a son; three daughters; and seven grandchildren. 
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, at Neekamp Funeral Home, Bartlesville. Dr. David Thomas, pastor of First United Methodist Church, presided. 

Henry M. McKellip 
NEWTON - Henry M. McKellip, 79, died April 2, 1999, at Kidron Bethel Village. 
He was born Dec. 28, 1919, in a sod house near Kinsley, in Edwards County, the son of Lawrence C. and Forest Sater McKellip. A Newton resident, he retired after 42 years as an auto body mechanic. 
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fred E. Ellis Post No. 2715, McPherson, and a number of bowling leagues. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was awarded a Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Combat Parachutist Wings. 
On May 31, 1947, he married Grace C. Larson at Wichita. She survives. 
Other survivors include: two sons, Chris M. and Olin L., both of Newton; two sisters, Evelyn Hylen, Houston, and Norma Deal, Atlanta, Ga.; and four grandchildren. 
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Newton, with the Rev. Ronald Gloe presiding. Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, was in charge of arrangements. Military graveside service was in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. 
Memorials may be sent to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Children’s Home, both in care of the funeral home. 

Donald R. Morgan 
MEDICINE LODGE - Donald R. Morgan, 75, died March 29, 1999, at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital. 
He was born July 2, 1923, at Fargo, Okla., the son of Lon and Lucille Helmuth Morgan. A Medicine Lodge resident since 1956, moving from Fargo, he was a retired plant worker at National Gypsum for 29 years. 
He belonged to Church of Christ, Medicine Lodge. On June 5, 1955, he married Eva Mae Coonfield at Shattuck, Okla. She survives. 
Other survivors include: a son, Wayne, Lewis; a daughter, Carol Dickerson, Haysville; a brother, Jon A., Medicine Lodge; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. 
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lou Morgan. 
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Church of Christ, Medicine Lodge, with John Hamm presiding. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. 
Memorials may be sent to the church in care of the funeral home. 

Keith Wayne Robinson Jr. 
LARNED - Keith Wayne Robinson Jr., 25, died March 28, 1999, at his home in Larned. 
He was born March 4, 1974, at Larned, the son of Keith Wayne and Sandra Elaine Miller Robinson. A lifetime Larned resident, he was a former specialist one at Larned State Hospital. 
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea. 
Survivors include: two sons, Viktor Kyle and Coltin Richard, both of Dorrance; parents, Larned; a sister, Sandie Robinson, Larned; and grandmother, Vivian Davidson, Lamar, Colo. 
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Dale Coble presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and prior to service time Thursday, all at the mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery with military honors. 
Memorials may be sent to the Viktor and Coltin Robinson Educational Fund in care of the mortuary. 

Father Elmer A. Klenke 
LAKIN - Father Elmer A. Klenke, 81, died March 31, 1999, at Kearney County Hospital, Lakin. 
He was born April 6, 1917, at Spearville, the son of Frank H. and Caroline "Carrie" Kolbeck Klenke. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and was a 1935 graduate of Spearville High School, both at Spearville, was a 1936 graduate of Dodge City Junior College, continued his college education at St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, and entered Conception Seminary, Conception, Mo. 
A Lakin resident, he worked briefly for the U.S. Postal Service before becoming a partner in KHC Supply, Spearville, was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1965, was assistant pastor at his home parish at Spearville, and was an assistant pastor in Ashland, Olmitz, Great Bend and Larned. He served as a chaplain at hospitals in Dodge City and Larned and was a pastor of parishes in Tribune, Leoti, Ulysses, Satanta and Elkhart. He also was in a team ministry that served Satanta, Hugoton and Elkhart and served on various diocesan commissions, councils and boards. 
Survivors include: a brother, Wilbur, Hutchinson; and 13 nephews and nieces. 
Rosary was at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Garnand Funeral Home, Lakin. Vigil service was at 7 p.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Spearville. Funeral Mass was at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Spearville, with Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore and Fathers James E. Baker and Gilbert Herrman presiding. Burial was in St. John Cemetery, Spearville. 
Memorials may be sent to the Cathedral Building Fund in care of the funeral home. 

Mary Margaret Long 
LARNED - Mary Margaret Long, 83, died April 2, 1999, at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus, Larned. 
She was born Jan. 16, 1916, at Monument, the daughter of Andrew Peter and Edna Caywood Samuelson. A Larned resident since 1971, she was a homemaker. 
She belonged to United Methodist Church, Larned. 
On Feb. 7, 1934, she married William Ralph Long at Norton. He died Nov. 18, 1991. 
Survivors include: a son, William Andrew, Hutchinson; a stepson, Walter Ralph Long, Newton; two adopted daughters, Margaret Louise Long, Austin, Texas, and Evelyn Kay Zink, Topeka; a brother Leonard Orville, Sharon Springs; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Roberta Margaret and Donna Lee; a sister, Buelah; and two brothers, Wilbur Andrew and Glen Alfred. 
Memorial service was at 10:30 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church, Larned, with the Rev. Charles Grant presiding. The family will conduct the service. Cremation is planned. Burial was in Monument Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the Welcome Inn or to the United Methodist Church Children’s Program, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. 

Tillie C. Parry 
HOISINGTON - Tillie C. Parry, 91, of Hoisington, died March 29, 1999, at Homestead Nursing Home, Washington. 
She was born April 5, 1907, at Rozel, the daughter of John Franklin and Effie Conrad Nelson. A Hoisington resident for 70 years, she was a homemaker. 
She belonged to First Christian Church, Rebekah Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Missouri Pacific Women’s Club, all at Hoisington. 
On Oct. 26, 1924, she married Maurice W. Parry in Pawnee County. He died Dec. 8, 1968. 
Survivors include: a son, Dr. Thomas L., Washington; a brother, John S. Nelson, Dallas; two sisters, Barbara Miller and Ena Rodie, both of LaCrosse; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Dickinson. 
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, Hoisington, with the Rev. Paula Bell presiding. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Hoisington Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the church or Washington County Railroad Museum, both in care of the funeral home.

Margaret H. Davis
HAVILAND - Margaret H. Davis, 77, died April 11, 1999, at Hilltop Manor, Cunningham. 
She was born July 10, 1921, at Cullison, the daughter of Clarence Dale and Gertrude Rice Konkel. She was a graduate of Haviland High School. A Haviland resident, she was a homemaker, a telephone operator and she retired as a custodian of the Haviland Friends Church where she worked for 31 years. 
She was a lifetime member of the Haviland Friends Church, she was active as a 4-H leader, Boy Scout leader and Sunday school teacher. She was a city council member. 
On March 3, 1947, she married Olen "Dutch" Davis at Haviland. He died July 11, 1962. 
Survivors include: two sons, Richard Olen, Greensburg, and Kent Dale, Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Dannice Meyer, Meade, and Ronda Monaghan, Trousdale; four brothers, Fay, Glendale, Calif., Eddie, Cullison, Frank and Wayne, both of Pratt; four sisters, Mabel Baker, Pratt, Marcheta Monaghan, Hutchinson, Joann Parker, Iuka, and Marthena Degarmo, Elmwood, Neb.; and seven grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Raine; a sister, Gertrude; and two brothers, Johnnie and Jack. 
Funeral was at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Haviland Friends Church, with the Rev. John Robinson presiding. Fleener Funeral Home, Greensburg, was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in Haviland Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the Haviland Friends Church or to Barclay College, both in care of Haviland State Bank. 

John D. Kirchgassner 
John D. Kirchgassner, 67, died April 11, 1999, at Hutchinson Hospital. 
He was born July 5, 1931, at Larned, the son of James and Mary Ann Marley Kirchgassner. A Hutchinson resident since October 1998, moving from Larned, he was a former security officer at Larned State Hospital. 
He belonged to United Methodist Church, Larned, the American Legion, Garfield, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. 
On Nov. 16, 1996, he married Diane J. Stark at Hutchinson. She survives. 
Other survivors include: a stepdaughter, Tammy Allen, Hutchinson; a brother, William, Larned; and a step-grandson. 
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Henry, Raymond, Galen and James. 
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with the Rev. Charles Grant presiding. Burial was in Larned Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association, both in care of the mortuary. 

Alta Opal Melia 
LITTLETON, Colo. - Alta Opal Melia, 71, died April 6, 1999, at her home. 
She was born March 2, 1928, at Arlington, the daughter of Charlie and Mildred Dovel. She attended Burdett Grade School and Burdett High School. A former Burdett area resident, moving to Littleton, she was a beautician, worked for Southwestern Bell where she was a supervisor for five years and retired after 15 years, and did hospital volunteer work for two years after retirement. 
She was an active member of the Widows or Widowers of North America. 
On April 18, 1954, she married Donald Melia at Dodge City. He preceded her in death. 
Survivors include: a son, Larry, Littleton; a daughter, Sandra Melia Jones, Littleton; two brothers, Ralph and Howard, both of Denver; two sisters, Eunice and Elvira, Hutchinson; and three grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by a sister, Deloris. 
Funeral was Friday, April 9, 1999, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch, Colo. Burial was in Fort Logan National Cemetery, Fort Logan, Colo. Drinkwine Family Mortuary, Littleton, was in charge of arrangements. 
Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Metro Denver, 425 South Cherry St., No. 700, Denver, CO 80246-1234. 

LeRoy Antone Berglund 
LARNED - LeRoy Antone Berglund, 55, died April 17, 1999, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. 
He was born June 2, 1943, the son of Leonard Antone and Alice M. Meeker Berglund. A lifetime Larned resident, he was a warranty administrator at Doonan Truck & Equipment Co., Great Bend. 
He belonged to United Methodist Church, Larned, and the Southwest Kansas Railroad Society. 
Survivors include his mother, Larned. 
He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Connie Quimby. 
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Larned Cemetery, with Pastor Charles Grant presiding. Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, was in charge of arrangements. Inurnment will be in Larned Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association in care of the mortuary. 

Delma M. Synovec 
MINNEAPOLIS - Delma M. Synovec, 78, died April 16, 1999, at the Ottawa County Health Center, Minneapolis. 
She was born March 30, 1921, at Morrowville. A Minneapolis resident since 1991, moving from Morrowville, she was a schoolteacher and co-owner and operator of a grocery store. 
She belonged to First United Methodist Church at Minneapolis and Morrowville, the American Legion Auxiliary, Morrowville, and the Order of Eastern Star, Washington. 
On April 30, 1939, she married Ervin E. Synovec at Morrowville. He preceded her in death. 
Survivors include: three daughters, including Donna Westhoff, Liberal; a brother; two sisters; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, Minneapolis, with the Rev. Gene Langhofer presiding. Graveside service was at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Morrowville Cemetery. 
Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis, was in charge of arrangements. 

Myrtle E. Franz
LARNED - Myrtle E. Franz, 92, died April 9, 1999, at her home. 
She was born Aug. 22, 1906, in Rush County, the daughter of Al and Julia Coriel Crowell. A Larned resident since 1954, moving from Rush Center, she was a homemaker, farmwife and was a laundry worker at Larned State Hospital. 
She attended the Methodist Church. 
On Nov. 11, 1956, she married Ralph M. Franz at Larned. He survives. 
Other survivors include: a daughter, Ruth Felder, Nekoma; a stepson, Virgil Franz, Lindale, Texas; two sisters, Pearl Berens, Hays, and Dorothy Holopirek, La Crosse; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Johnny, Jim, Clarence and Jeff; and two sisters, Verla Grace Crowell and Edith Schneider. 
Funeral was at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with the Rev. Jerry Leever presiding. Burial was in Larned Cemetery. 
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of the mortuary.