Miscellaneous Sherman County, Kansas Obituaries

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Longtime Kanorado resident Jose Aguirre, 50, died Dec. 3, 1999, at Goodland Regional Medical Center.
The graveside services will be Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. at the Kanorado Cemetery, Pastor Jerry Farr officiating.
Friends may share their respects on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Koons Chapel, Goodland.
Mr. Aguirre was born Aug. 10, 1949, at Mathis, Texas, the son of Francisca Aguirre and Rumelo Moreno.
On July 15, 1966, he and Manuela Garcia were married at Sinton, Texas. They moved to Kanorado in 1975. He was employed at Garcia's Home Furnishing and Appliance in Goodland.
He was member of the Church of the Nazarene in Goodland.
Preceding him in death was his mother Francisca Aguirre.
Surviving family members include his wife Manuela Aguirre; eight children Marie, Rosie, Christina and Yolanda, Joe Jr. Aguirre, all of Kanorado; Emily Bustillo and Efrain Aguirre, both of Goodland; and Raquel Gonzalez of Dodge City; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; seven brothers Amodor, Juan, Robert, Tirzo, Mingo, Jesse and Simon Pena; three sisters, Angie Molina; Katarina Ponce and Dora Pena.

Former Sherman County resident Charles (Chuck) Elmer Beckner, 72, died at Kalispell, Mont., Nov. 2, 1999.
Mr. Beckner was buried in the Military Cemetery with his wife Dee and son Stephan.
Mr. Beckner was born May 3, 1927, to Chancy and Eva (Andrews) Beckner on the family farm northwest of Brewster in the sod house in which the family made their home.
He attended the first six grades of school at New Hope, a rural school, two miles from the farm. The family moved to Goodland where he attended junior and high school.
He served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He learned to be a pipe fitter while in the Navy and continued in that profession for 50 years until failing health forced him to take an early retirement. He suffered a circulatory condition that caused him to lose both legs just below the knee. After the death of his devoted wife Adelia (Dee), he moved from Denver to Kalispell to be near his daughter Karen Rogers.
He was preceded in death by his parents Chancy and Eve Beckner; four brothers, Melvin, Howard, Lloyd and Raymond (Carl), his wife Dee and a son, Stephan.
Surviving family members are sisters Lillie Hively and husband Al of Orange Park, Fla.; Sylvia Patton and husband Willie of Topeka; son Ronald and wife Kathy of Aurora, Colo.; daughter Karen Rogers and husband of Kalispell; a stepson, Norman Williams and wife of Denver; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several step grandchildren and an extended family of nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by both of his devoted sisters and other members of a loving, caring family.
Haran and McConaty Funeral Home of Lakewood, Colo., was in charge of the memorial service.

Lifelong Kanorado resident Phyllis Elaine Billenwillms, 70, died Nov. 30, 1999, at St. Anthony's Central Hospital in Denver.
The funeral was Friday, Dec. 3, at the United Methodist Church, Kanorado, with Pastor Kay Kincaid officiating. Burial followed in the Kanorado Cemetery.
Mrs. Billenwillms was born July 1, 1929, at Kanorado, the daughter Esther Elma (Radar) and Theodore Edward Lohr, Sr. She graduated from Kanorado High School in 1947.
On April 17, 1949, she and Boyd Billenwillms were married at the Episcopal Church in Goodland.
She attended the Kanorado United Methodist Church and was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland. Her activities included the Kanorado Senior Citizen Association and the Slim 'N' Trim Club. She was the municipal judge at Kanorado.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Terri Armbrister; one grandson, Mickey T. Billenwillms; and one sister, Gladys E. McBride.
Surviving family members include her husband, Boyd Billenwillms of Kanorado; three children: Bunnie Jo Baker and husband Garland of Burlington; Alan Billenwillms and wife Linda of Kanorado; Tom Billenwillms and wife Veronica Boyles of Burlington; six grandchildren: James B. Bryant of Seattle; Tabetha L. Ketzner of Bird City; Jennifer J. Willis of Urbana, Mo.; Jennifer A. Boyles of Burlington; Kimberly Miller of Seibert, Colo.; Jeff Parrish of Fort Collins, Colo.; four great-grandchildren Jacquelyn Ketzner, Ashley Willis, Cole Miller and Grason Miller; one brother, Ted Lohr and wife Darlene of Castle Rock, Colo.; and two sisters, Marsha McGillivray and husband Kayo of Goodland and Dorothy Mangus of Kanorado.
Memorials may be given to the Phyllis Billenwillms Memorial Fund and may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Longtime Sherman County resident Marian E. Linthacum, 93, died at the Goodland Regional Medical Center on Saturday, Dec. 4. She had been a patient for 13 days following an accidental fall in her home.
The funeral was Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the First United Methodist Church, Goodland, with Pastor Carol Moore Ramey officiating. Burial followed in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mrs. Linthacum was born Marian Smith Sept. 2, 1906, in North Bend, Neb., the daughter of Jean (Miller) and L.E. Smith. The family moved to Sherman County in 1920. In 1924, she graduated from Goodland High School. She graduated from normal schooling and started teaching in rural Sherman County. Some of the schools where she taught during her 14 years of teaching were Bellville, Holton or Dimett, Union and Grant Center. One of those schools is now a part of Goodland's High Plains Museum.
On March 11, 1928, she and Cecil W. Linthacum were married at the home of her parents in Goodland. She was a teacher, homemaker and she also helped her husband on the farm northwest of Goodland. The couple retired to Goodland in 1980.
He memberships included the First United Methodist Church, UMW Circle 2, Athena, Crusader's and HGL Club.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Cecil, who passed away Aug. 18, 1993; two brothers; one sister and one great-grandson.
Surviving family members include two sons, William of Fort Dodge Soldier's Home and Walter and wife Linda of Goodland; four grandchildren, Lea Ann Studer and husband Vaughn, Lincoln, Neb.; Lane Linthacum, U.S. Navy, stationed at Whidby Island, Wash.; Devin Bliss of Amarillo, Texas; Chandra Parker and husband Curtis of Holyoke, Colo.; and three great-grandchildren, Brooke, Ryan and Megan Parker of Holyoke.
Memorials may be given to Hospice Services of Sherman County and may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735, or at the church.

Longtime Sherman County resident Gladys Bishop, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at the Good Samaritan Center in Goodland.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Koons Chapel, with Pastor Brian McIntyre officiating. Burial will follow in the Kanorado Cemetery. Friends may share their respects at Koons Chapel Tuesday from 1-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until services.
Mrs. Bishop was born Gladys Livengood Jan. 12, 1914, at Riverton, Neb., the daughter of Mayme Alice (Wilcox) and Leon Lewis Livengood. She attended elementary school at Kanorado and graduated from Kanorado High School.
On Feb. 25, 1932, she and Ernest "Curly" Bishop were married. The couple farmed southeast of Kanorado until retiring and moving to Goodland in 1960.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing and sharing the garments she made with others. She especially enjoyed children and babies.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Curly Bishop; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; four brothers, Roy Livengood, Leonard Livengood, Harley Livengood and Harold Livengood; and one sister, Hazel Donner.
Surviving family members include one son, Bill Bishop and wife Twila; two daughters, Lois Hawks and husband Richard; Barbara Neitzel and husband Duane, all of Goodland; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Fern Anderson of Burlington and Vola Proffitt of Garden City.
Memorials may be given to the Good Samaritan Center in Goodland and may be left at Koons Funeral Chapel, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Melba Mae Gilliland, 90, died Dec. 17, 1999, at her home in Redlands, Calif.
The funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the Cortner Chapel in Redlands. Interment was in Bird City Cemetery Friday, Dec. 24.
She was born May 21, 1909, in Overton, Neb., the daughter of Harry and Minerva Gilliland.
In her early years, she worked in Colorado Springs, then moved to California in 1943. She made her home in California with Jessie Peterson and her sister, Ruth Gilliland.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Walden, a special friend, Jessie Peterson, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph, Lale, Gale, Harold, Lowell and sister Ruth.
Knodel Funeral Home, St. Francis, handled the services.

Lifelong Goodland resident Carlene Herl, 65, died Dec. 22, 1999, at her home in Goodland.
The funeral was Monday, Dec. 27, at Koons Chapel, with Pastor Jim Cress officiating. Burial followed in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mrs. Herl was born Carlene Eklund May 22, 1934, at Goodland, the daughter of Minnie (Fixsen) and Carl Eklund. She attended Voltaire County School and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1952.
On Aug. 3, 1957, she and John L. Herl were married at the First United Methodist Church in Goodland. She was the owner of Memory Lane Antiques and the bookkeeper for Herl's Chevrolet. She was an avid sports fan and an antique authority. Walking was an activity she especially enjoyed.
Preceding her in death were her parents and one infant sister Betty Lou Eklund.
Surviving family members include her husband, John L. Herl of Goodland; two sons, Jay Herl and his wife Jo of Goodland and Jon Herl and his wife Judy of Goodland; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Jack Eklund and his wife Marilyn of Goodland; three sisters, Faye Cooper and her husband Don of Goodland, Ann Domsch of Chanute and Shirley Burke of Glendale, Ariz.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be given to the Carlene Herl Memorial Fund and may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Former Kanorado resident Jessie M. Peterson, 90, died Dec. 21, 1999.
Funeral services were held Dec. 21, 1999, at the Cortner Chapel in Redlands, Calif. Interment was Dec. 24 at the Bird City Cemetery.
She was born Nov. 15, 1909, and raised near Kanorado. She later moved to Colorado Springs where she worked as a welder. She moved to California in 1943. She made her home in Redlands with Melba and Ruth Gilliland.
She had been ill and in the hospital at the time of her death. She is survived by a nephew, Gerald Peterson of California.
Knodel Funeral Home, St. Francis, handled the arrangements.

Longtime Goodland resident Audrey Smith, 97, died Dec. 21, 1999, at Goodland Regional Medical Center.
The funeral was Thursday, Dec. 23, at the First Christian Church, Goodland, with Pastor Loren Strait officiating. Burial was Monday at the Crown Hill Cemetery at Coldwater, with Pastor Mike Elrod officiating at the graveside service.
Miss Smith was born Feb. 9, 1902, at Coldwater, the daughter of Carrie (Lease) and Joseph W. Smith. She graduated from Coldwater High School in 1920 and attended the University of Kansas two years. After the death of her father, she taught 11 years in rural elementary schools. She returned to KU and earned an A.B. degree in 1935. She then taught at Jetmore, Kanorado and Goodland High School for a total of 36 years, the last 28 at Goodland. She, with the assistance of Wanda Mae Vinson, organized the local Kayette group, which she sponsored for several years.
In 1956 she was one of seven teachers chosen as a Master Teacher at Emporia State University.
In 1978 she was inducted into the Dodge City Teacher's Hall of Fame. She was listed in the first edition of Who's Who for American Women in 1958. She was given an Honorary Educator's Award by the Goodland Alumni Association in 1999. The Kansas governor appointed her as a state delegate to President Eisenhower's National Highway Conference in Washington.
She sponsored two senior trips at Kanorado High School and was an assistant sponsor for a group of Kansas seniors to Washington and New York. She was a member or the American Association of University Women and the Delta Kappa Society, but was no longer active in either. She was currently active in Round Table Research Club of GFWC and the local county teacher's association, in which she was a charter member. She had been active in the local, state and national Business and Professional Women's Club for 50 years and was State President in 1953-54. She attended 13 national conventions, five years as a state delegate.
Traveling was a main hobby. She was in all the 50 states except the two Carolinas. She also visited eight Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.
She joined the Christian Church of Coldwater in about 1920 and transferred to the First Christian Church of Goodland in the early 1940s.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jean Proctor, and her brother-in-law, Fred Proctor.
Surviving family members include four first cousins, many second cousins and a host of friends and former students.
Memorials may be given to the Center for Basic Cancer Research at Manhattan, the Arthritis Foundation -- Kansas Chapter, or the First Christian Church of Goodland.
Miss Smith wrote her own obituary. She modestly omitted the tremendous impact she had on the lives of thousands of her students. I am one of those students and to Miss Smith I want to express the gratitude of all those students one last time. Thank you, Miss Smith, for being one of a kind.

Theo Opal Jerby, 80, Salt Lake City, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at Salt Lake City.
The funeral was Thursday. Dec. 30, 1999, at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, Pastor Charles F. Ross officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Mrs Jerby was born Theo Gates on July 30, 1919, at Logan and was a longtime Phillipsburg resident.
Her husband Myron died in 1980.
Survivors include a son Robert of Greenville, S.C.; a daughter, Leila Johnson of Salt Lake City; a brother, Lester Gates of Goodland; two sisters, Maxine Brown of Phillipsburg and Romona Lumpkins of Holyrood; four grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

St. Francis resident Maxon Elbert Brown, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at his home.
His body was cremated and the ashes buried at the Clough Valley Cemetery near the Brown family homestead.
Mr. Brown was born Nov. 28, 1911, the third child of George Clinton and Pearl May (Quimby) Brown, the younger brother of Leonard Clinton and Delta Vinnette. The family made their home in Haigler until 1916 when they moved to rural northwest Cheyenne County, where they lived a the homestead of his grandparents, Alvis Clinton and Eliza Emma Brown. When Mr. Brown was 14, his father gave him the choice of going on to high school or beginning to farm on his own. He chose the latter, with his father selling him the horses and equipment with which to begin his 50 years of farming in Cheyenne County and Yuma County, Colo.
On June 4, 1930, he married Evangeline Ariel Devalla Waleen, and together they farmed and raised registered Angus cattle at "Far Away Farms" in Yuma County. Five children were born to the couple.
In 1956, they sold out and moved to Salem, Ore., where he worked for Oregon Department of Agriculture as an inspector and field representative. This entailed traveling throughout Oregon, which he greatly enjoyed.
On Christmas Day 1961, he married Sybil Rebecca Stinehagen. They continued living in Oregon until 1963, when they returned to Cheyenne County and lived on a farm southwest of St. Francis. The last wheat crop was harvested and the cattle sold in 1974 when they sold the farm and moved to St. Francis to enjoy retirement. They enjoyed traveling, playing pinochle and having family dinners for their combined families. In 1992, his wife died and left an enormous void in his life. 
He was a life member of Goodland Elks Lodge and an active participant in Farm Bureau and the Angus Association. He was a great storyteller, especially his reminiscing of life in days gone by.
Survivors include his children Donna and husband Norvin Northrup of St. Francis; Beverly and husband Dave Andrews of Eugene, Ore.; Noel and wife Pat Brown of Novi, Mich.; Gary and wife Bonnie Brown of South Charleston, Wyo;. and his step-children Rosemary and Delbert Powell of Bird City; Doug Stinehagen of Colorado Springs and son-in-law Don Crumly and wife Ruby of Boulder, Colo; 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Services of Goodland, P.O. Box 1003, Goodland, KS 67735 or sent to Knodel Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, St. Francis, KS 67756.

Longtime Goodland resident Kenneth E. Clark, 83, died Jan. 5, 2000, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 8, at Koons Chapel, Goodland, with President Harvey Billington officiating. Burial was in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mr. Clark was born Aug. 1, 1916, at St. Francis, the son of Amanda L. (Woodard) and James I. Clark. He attended school in Goodland. From March 10, 1942, until Dec. 5, 1945, he served his country in the Army.
On Dec. 25, 1946, he and Dorothy M. (Baldwin) Graves were married in Goodland. The couple made their home in Goodland for two years before moving to Bellevue, Neb. They moved back to Goodland in 1986.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Veterans of Foreign Wars Lowell Coleman Post 1133.
Preceding him in death were his wife Dorothy, who died in 1993; his parents; five brothers and two sisters.
Surviving family members include one step-son, Hugh Graves of Colby; two brothers, Vernon Clark and wife Vera and Don Clark, all of Goodland; several nieces and nephews.
Memorials in his name may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Artie Faber, 91, Colby, died Jan. 5, 2000, at her home.
The funeral was Friday, Jan. 7, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Brewster, with the Rev. John Gerry officiating. Burial was in the Faber Cemetery, rural Rawlins County.
Mrs. Faber was born March 10, 1908, in Kearney, Neb., and was a resident of Colby for many years. She was a homemaker.
Her husband, John, died in 1982.
Survivors include a son, Jack of Brewster; two daughters, Kathleen O'Neal of Colby and Dinah Faber of Bel Air, Md.; a sister, Marian Meredith of Phoenix; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in care of any Colby bank, the Brewster Bank or Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, 745 S. Country Dr. Colby, KS 67701.

Former St. Francis resident Merlin Ray Lampe died Dec. 28, 1999, at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.
Funeral services were Jan. 3, 2000, at the United Methodist Church in St. Francis, with Rev. Dennis Livingston officiating.
Mr. Lampe was born Sept. 12, 1929, to Emil and Martha (Lukas) Lampe in St. Francis. He was the oldest of four children.
He spent his childhood in St. Francis and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1947.
On Nov. 19, 1947, he married Violet Lorene Cox. The couple lived in St. Francis until 1963, when he left his job as a bookkeeper and parts man for a bookkeeping job in Colby. He then worked for Bowman Distribution for 25 years, retiring in 1996.
He was a member of the St. Francis United Methodist Church. He enjoyed being a member of the local Lions Club and liked driving the local Senior Citizen's Bus. The Lampes also enjoyed going to Del Rio, Texas, in the winter.
His hobbies included taking pictures and traveling. He also enjoyed putting an old buggy together that was found on his old homestead. That restored buggy now resides at the Cheyenne County Museum in St. Francis. He also donated many old cameras to the museum.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Larry Lampe; and one grandchild.
Surviving family members include: his wife Violet of the home; two sons, Jim Lampe and wife Kathy of Colorado Springs; Steve Lampe and wife Becky of Colby; a daughter Debbi Foss and husband Jerry of Levant; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church, St. Francis, or the Colby Community College wrestling program.
Knodel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Doris E. McGinley, 87, Colby, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, at Lantern Park, Colby.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 8, at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, Colby, the Rev. Terry Turner officiating. Burial was in the Beulah Cemetery in Colby.
Mrs. McGinley was born July 26, 1912, at rural Rawlins County and was a lifetime resident of the area. She was a retired homemaker.
Her husband, Floyd, died in 1979.
Survivors include two sons, Mac of Goodland and LeRoy of Marietta, Ga.; a daughter, Carmilita Clark of Goodland; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Lantern Park Manor or Hospice Services Inc., in care of any Colby bank or to Kersenbrock Funeral home, 745 S. Country Club Dr., Colby, KS 67701.

Juanita Frances McDill Thompson died Jan. 7, 2000, in Goodland at the age of 91 years and nine months.
The funeral service was Monday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. at the Calvary Gospel Church in Goodland, Pastor Russ Goodrum officiating. Music was provided by Janet Redlin and Tracy Skipper, vocalists; and Debra Deines, pianist. The casket bearers were Mike Berblinger, John Edward Larsen, Mitchell L. Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Dax Hayden and Seth Hayden. Internment followed in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mrs. Thompson was educated in Mound City schools and received a life teaching certificate from Pittsburg State College. She also attended Fort Hays State University.
She came to Goodland to teach music in the public schools, where she met and married Leonard A. Thompson Aug. 18, 1929. To this union was born Helen Annie Thompson, who died in 1935; Mary Loretta Thompson Larson of Topeka; and Leonard McDill "Mac" Thompson of Goodland.
She made her commitment to Jesus Christ when she was eight years old and was a life long Christian. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Goodland, where she directed the choir for many years. Later in life, she attended Calvary Gospel Church.
She taught music in both the Goodland public schools and the Edson schools. For a number of years she taught all eight grades at the Prairie Star School that was north of Goodland. She taught piano to many children and sang for innumerable weddings, funerals and Goodland community activities. She loved sports and music, but most all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson Martin McDill and Ida Hill (Grogan) McDill; a brother, Harry McDill; a sister, Helen McDill; her husband, Leonard Allen Thompson; a daughter, Helen Annie Thompson; and two grandsons, Marsh Hayden Thompson and Matthew Leonard Thompson.
She is survived by her two children, Mary Loretta Larson and her husband Edward Larson of Topeka; Leonard McDill "Mac" Thompson and his wife Patty Thompson of Goodland; five grandchildren, Sarah Ann Berblinger and her husband Michael; John Edward Larson and his wife Carrie; Mitchell L. Thompson and his wife Amber; Mary Elizabeth Larson and Nathan Matthew Marsh Thompson; and seven great-grandchildren, Caroline Rae Berblinger, Edward Robert Larson, Luke Michael Berblinger, Thomas Spencer Larson, Maren Ann Berblinger, Mary Conley Thompson and William Davis Larson.
Memorials may be given to the Juanita Thompson Memorial and may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Margaret Miriam Blakely, 84, died Jan. 13, 2000, at Goodland Regional Medical Center. She had been a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Goodland for six years, moving from Salina.
The funeral service was Monday, Jan. 17, at Geisendorf-Rush Smith Funeral Home in Salina, the Rev. Robert Eades officiating. Burial will be a the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia.
She was born July 18, 1915, at Concordia, the daughter of Elizabeth (Eades) and George C. Wright. She graduated from Concordia High School, Marymount College and also studied at Fort Hays State University. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Salina, a past member of Lioness Club and received many awards from Shaklee, of which she pursued as a career since 1970.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her first husband Larry Sexsmith, her second husband Donald Blakely, and one sister Alberta Enyeart.
Surviving family members include one daughter, Cheryl Peck and husband Doug of Goodland; two grandsons; two stepsons, Bill Blakely, Topeka; Doug Blakely and wife Michelle of Oklahoma; one step-daughter Donna Diamond and husband Greg Elbing; and seven step-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Center in Goodland and may be left at Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Carl Durgeloh, 102, Sharon Springs, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at Prairie Manor Good Samaritan Center, Sharon Springs.
The funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Prairie Manor Good Samaritan Center, Sharon Springs, the Rev. Gerry Sharp officiating. Burial was in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
He was born Nov. 9, 1897, at the family home, a soddie southeast of Sharon Springs, the son of Sophia (Newyahr) and Fred Durgeloh. He led a life that included many varied jobs in many varied places in the country, but mainly he worked as a meat cutter. He enjoyed playing center field on Doc Carter's town baseball team, and also riding as an Indian in every parade.
Preceding him in death were his parents, seven sisters and two brothers.
Memorials may be made to Prairie Manor Good Samaritan Center, in care of Koons Funeral Home, 327 N. Gardner, Sharon Springs, KS 67758 or Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Richard (Dick) Lee Snelling, 55, of St. Francis died Jan. 9, 2000.
The funeral was held Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor David Rossbach officiating. Interment was in the Hope Valley Cemetery, rural St. Francis.
Mr. Snelling was born Aug 11, 1944, in Goodland to Gerald W. and Thelma C. (Rogers) Snelling.
The Snelling family moved to Oregon when he was a young child to provide employment for his father in the sawmills. In the early 1950s the family moved back to the Wray and Eckley, Colo., area where his parents operated a restaurant until he started to school.
Mr. Snelling attended the school in Wray until the fall of 1955. After his father's death, his mother married to Otto Samler. The children then attended the West 10 school in Cheyenne County. After he graduated from grade school he helped on the family farm. In the early 1970s he went to live with his sister and her husband Kenneth Wilkening and family to help with the work on their cattle and hog farm.
It became apparent around five years of age that he was a victim of muscular dystrophy. The disease progressed to the point that in September 1979 he entered the Good Samaritan Village in St. Francis.
At the village he enjoyed yard work, gardening and woodworking. He assembled many trains, trucks and various other toys. He also enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles and going fishing at the local ponds. He loved his two nieces and nephew. He gave them much of his time playing their games. However, for the last two years his health declined to the point where he was not able to do very much.
He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby, and infant nephew Wayne, his grandparents Snelling, his grandparents Rogers and his father.
Surviving family members include his parents Otto and Thelma Samler, his sister Beverly and husband Kenneth Wilkening, nephew J.R. Wilkening and wife Sheila, niece Elizabeth Love and husband Mike, niece Starla Giere and husband Tim, great-nieces Faith, Holly, Shelly and Shadow, and great-great nephews Jordan and Britt Zweygardt.
Arrangements were made by Knodel Funeral Home, St. Francis.

Lifelong Sherman County resident Belle M. Nicholson, 86, died Jan. 11, 2000, at the Good Samaritan Center in Goodland.
The funeral will be Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at Koons Chapel with Sister Lorena Bolte officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mrs. Nicholson was born Jan. 30, 1913, at the family's sod home south of Goodland, the daughter of Belle (West) and Thomas Patrick Nolan. She attended country school and Goodland High School.
On Nov. 3, 1938, she and Roy E. Nicholson were married at the Catholic Rectory in Goodland.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Roy E. Nicholson; one infant son, Charles Thomas Nicholson; son Roy Albert Nicholson; and one son-in-law, Dean A. Goodheart.
Surviving family members include daughter Anna B. Phillips and husband Joe of Goodland; son Lawrence Nicholson and wife Rue of Kanorado; daughter Alice Nicholson of Oakley; daughter Marilyn Goodheart of Salina; son Leonard Nicholson, Salina; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren
Friends may share their respects at Koons Chapel Tuesday, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the service.
Memorials may be given to the Good Samaritan Center of Goodland, and may be left at Koons Funeral home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735.

Goodland resident Gary F. Robbins, 55, died Jan. 22, 2000, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center.
Memorial services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Bateman Funeral Home.
Mr. Robbins was born Oct. 3, 1944, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Floyd Robbins and Jewhel (Mills) Robbins. He has been a resident of Golden West since 1986. He has lived at 616 East 12th for the past 21Ž2 years. He was liked by everyone and was a very kind and gentle person to know.
He is survived by two sisters, Sharon Coulter, Olathe; and Theta Gillette of Paola. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Goodland resident Tirso E. Zuniga, Jr., 18, died of an apparent suicide Friday, Jan. 21, 2000.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland. Burial followed in the Goodland Cemetery.
Mr. Zuniga was born July 6, 1981, in Lubbock, Texas, the son of Tirso Zuniga Sr., and Emma (Maldonado) Zuniga. The family moved to Goodland in 1998. He attended the Goodland schools. He was unemployed at the time of his death.
He is survived by his mother Emma of Goodland; his father Tirso of Salton, Texas; grandmother Antonia Maldonado, Salton, Texas; three brothers, Daniel, Andrew and Johnny Zuniga; and a sister, Josie Hernandez, all of Goodland.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather.
Memorials may be left at Bateman Funeral Home, Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735.

Donald E. Roulier, 69, of Goodland died Jan. 22, 2000, at his home. Memorial services were Monday, Jan. 31, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Goodland. Burial of the cremains followed in the Goodland Cemetery. Father Basil Torres officiated the services.
Mr. Roulier was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Goodland, the son of Ernest Eugene and Gay (Horner) Roulier. He attended school in Goodland and graduated in 1949. He attended one year at Kansas State University, then enlisted in the United Air Force in 1951, where he served 21 years as a pilot. At the time of his discharge, he was a Major in the U.S. Air Force. He married Jean E. Oertel Jan. 3, 1955.
After his discharge from the Air Force, the Rouliers operated a real estate business in Yakima, Wash., for 10 years. They moved to Goodland in 1983 and opened The Prints and Paper.
He was active in the church activities of the Catholic and Episcopal churches and also with Hospice and Meals on Wheels.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean Feb. 11, 1996,.and his parents.
Survivors include four children; Enna G. Roulier, Woodbridge, Va; Cheryl "Cherry" L. Roulier, Milwaukee; D. Scott Roulier, Philadelphia; and Kenneth A. Roulier and wife Rene', Charlotte, N.C.; and their three children, Anthony Michael, Joseph Scott and Melissa Nicole.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Sherman County or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church of Goodland and can be left at Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735.

Longtime Goodland resident Ned E. Whitmer, 83, died Jan. 25, 2000, at his home in Goodland.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Goodland, with Pastor Carol Moore Ramey officiating. Cremation followed the service.
Mr. Whitmer was born Aug. 31, 1926, at Wilson, the son of Katherine E. (Friebus) and Louis F. Whitmer. He graduated from Wilson High School and from Fort Hays State College with a degree in education and a major in business. He came to Goodland in the fall of 1938 to teach business, physics, and chemistry in the high school. On Dec. 23, 1938, he and Enid Albert were married at Oberlin. He continued to teach until 1941, when he began working for the railroad.
In 1942, he joined the Naval Air Corps and served his country as a navigator and navigator instructor during World War II. In November 1945, they returned to Goodland, where he worked for the Rock Island Railroad until his retirement May 1, 1977.
His memberships include the First United Methodist Church, where he served as a Stephen Minister; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lowell Coleman Post 1133; Elks, Masons; and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He raised prolific gardens and enjoyed being a peanut brittle chef.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one infant brother and one brother, Paul Whitmer.
Surviving family members include his wife, Enid Whitmer of Goodland; daughter Dana Dye and husband Les of Colorado Springs; son Dennis Whitmer and wife Dawn of Golden, Colo.; son David Whitmer and wife Connie of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; four grandchildren, Dori Shaffer, Lincoln, Neb.; Lt. Denton Dye, stationed in Korea; Tyler and Troy Whitmer of Highland Ranch; four sisters, Marie Klint, Denver; Verna Thielen, Wilson; Wilma Whitmer, Wichita; Katie Urbanek, Spokane, Wash.
Memorials may be given to the Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State, the First United Methodist Church, or to Hospice Services of Sherman County.


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