The Hays Daily News

Ann Marie Avila, 33, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Temple Baptist Church with interment in Highland Cemetery to follow. Ann was a member of Temple Baptist Church. She was an established Registered Nurse in the Hattiesburg area and had served with various medical establishments. But most importantly, she relished in being a devoted wife and mother. She had a beautiful heart and was a shining example of how to help and love others. She enjoyed cooking, being outdoors. She loved animals, especially her dog Polly. She is preceded in death by grandfather, Charles Unrein; father-in-law, Armando Avila Panchame; and...

Sunday, January 23, 2022, in Waco, Larry David Salmans went to be with the Lord he has loved and served faithfully for 84 years. Larry was born in Shamrock, Texas, and raised in Hanston, Kansas. He married his love, Marilyn Miller, in 1959 and together they raised five children: Suzanne, Mark, Scott, Brent, and Jason. Larry graduated from Baylor University in 1960, majoring in psychology and biology. Upon graduation he was commissioned into the US Air Force and served on active duty as an Air Rescue Helicopter Pilot in the US, Asia, and Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a high-altitude mission in Peru. In 1969, Larry retired from the Air Force and returned to Hanston...

Bernard F. Droste (Ben), 78, passed away unexpectedly, at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born February 18, 1943, in Dodge City, Kansas to Edward and Mary (Bieberly)Droste. Ben married Charlene Werth on September 5, 1970, in Hays, Kansas. He attended grade school and high school in Spearville, Kansas. He received his bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and his master's degrees from the University of Kansas, Lawrence and Emporia State University, Emporia. He spent his teaching career in the De Soto School district, Desoto, Kansas. During the summer months he owned and operated a custom harvesting business which took him from Texas to the Canadian border. Survivors...

Joan Marie Krische Boos passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 6, 2022, at Olathe Health Hospice House. Joan was born in Topeka, Kansas on October 15, 1934 to Frank and Pauline (Melchior) Krische, the third of seven children. The Krische house on Buchanan Street was always full of family and friends, overflowing with love. Joan grew up actively involved in St Joseph Parish, attending elementary school there and graduating from Hayden High School. For years Joan was an organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following high school, Joan worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone. In August of 1955, Joan met the love of her life, Donald G. Boos. They were married on...

Gilbert Ray Kobler, known to his friends and family as "Gib," was born into eternal life at age 81 on Friday, September 24, 2021. Gib was the beloved husband of the late Anne Kobler and loving father to Christopher and Matthew, both of Dallas. He is survived by both of his sons, as well as Matt's wife, Megan, and Chris' wife, Christina. He is also survived by his three grandchildren: Matt and Megan's sons Hayne and Knox, and their daughter, Shelton. His brother, Arden Kobler, is the only surviving sibling of Gib's three brothers, and Gib also leaves a large family of nieces and nephews, as well as his brother- and sister-in-law, Hayne and Faye Livingston. He is preceded in death by his...

Donald G. Boos passed away July 30, 2021, at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. He was born in Hays, Kansas on September 2, 1930 to John and Catherine ("Boos") Boos. The family moved to Topeka in 1942 where Don attended Hayden High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1951 until 1954. Following his Naval service, he returned to Topeka to study at Washburn University. On January 28, 1956 he married the love of his life, Joan Marie Krische, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Don spent his career in and around the grocery and real estate businesses, primarily with the Fleming Company, in several cities, where he was Store Development Manager. He...

Ruth E. Buehler, age 100, of Acworth, Georgia passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021. A September 4th Memorial Service at Christ Lutheran Church, 176 W. Sandtown Road, Marietta GA 30064 will be conducted at 3pm. Born in Hays, KS, Mrs. Buehler lived most of her adult life in Munster, IN before moving to Cobb County 25 years ago. She was active as a youth in the Ellis County Kansas 4-H Club, active in the Munster, IN Women's Club, a founding member of Munster Community Park, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a St. Luke Lutheran Church Council Member. Ruth was artistic and enjoyed sewing, quilting, tatting, crocheting, caning and ceramics. She was a loving mother of 3 sons who served together in the...

Ross Allen Weber, 88, Topeka, Kansas, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 12, 2021. Ross was born in Levant, Kansas, on March 25, 1933, the son of Harry and Orba Leonard Weber. He attended St. Francis High School and graduated from Colby High School. Ross married Scharlett Rodgers in 1955. He served two years in the Kansas National Guard and six years in the Army Reserves. He retired from KDOT as an engineering technician after 43 years of service. Ross was a good father and husband and had a passion for life and lived it to the fullest. Ross and Scharlett loved to travel and enjoyed many road trips together. He also enjoyed spending time at Lake Wilson and cars....

Elizabeth "Liz" Carroll Towns, 89, Kaufman, Texas, died Saturday, Apr. 10, 2021, at Eastland Terrell Healthcare Center, Terrell, Texas. Liz was born Dec. 2, 1931, in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, to Thomas and Leslie (Nidiffer) Hall. She grew up in Glen Daniels, Bolt, and Glen Rogers, West Virginia. She was a National Honor Society student at Glen Rogers High School and graduated in 1949. Liz performed well on a government service exam and was hired to work for the U.S. Army at Arlington Hall in Washington, D.C., where she met Wallace "Wally" Towns. They were married Apr. 1, 1951, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He preceded her in death on Nov. 2, 2010. Liz and Wally lived in many places...

Beloved father and friend Buford Michael "Mike" Bryant passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at the age of 75 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mike was born on May 1, 1945 to Judge B. Mack and Mildred G. (Sanders) Bryant in Wichita, KS. After graduating from North High School, Mike earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Wichita State University. He married Eva Gonzalez in 1968 in Wichita. They divorced in 2004. Upon graduating from WSU Mike served the US Army at Ft. Knox Kentucky as a 1st Lieutenant and upon discharge settled with his family in Hays, KS. There, Mike enjoyed many years working at Midwest Music and UPS. He was passionate about music from a young age...

Helen Ruth Hoff died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was 92 years old. Ruth was born January 9, 1929, in Park, Kansas. She was the daughter of John and Dorothy (Dreher) Krannawitter. Ruth graduated from Hoxie High School in 1947 and worked as a telephone operator in Colby, KS. On November 18, 1950, she married Robert Hoff and went on to celebrate 54 years of marriage before his death in 2004. Ruth then moved to Baldwin City, KS and enjoyed her life there as a member of Annunciation Catholic Church and as a regular at Baldwin Rec Center. She loved playing cards with her friends, was a loyal fan of Tiger Woods, and enjoyed all sports. She loved attending any event...

Frances "Francie" Hurd Herman, 65, of Topeka, passed away Monday, February 8, 2021. A Celebration of her Life will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 19, 2021, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66614. To view the full obituary and to leave a message for her family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Mary A. Schmidt, our sweet, beautiful mother, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, Kansas. Mary was born of Volga German descent in Hays, Kansas, the oldest of five children, to Joe and Sophie Scheutz Gerstner on October 28, 1925. She married her beloved husband, Harold P. Schmidt, in 1949 and together they raised a family of five children in Topeka, Kansas. They were married 63 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her mother and father; two brothers, Dennis and Leroy Gerstner; and her dear daughter-in-law, Joy Schmidt. Mary is survived by her five children, Debbie (Jim Wasko), Paul (Joy Schmidt, deceased), Bruce...

Don M. Palmer, 76, of Topeka, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021. He was born May 12, 1944, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Harold and Edith (Hunsley) Palmer. He was a 1962 graduate of Hays High School, a 1969 graduate of Fort Hays State University and received a Master's Degree from Kansas State University in 1970. He was a Screaming Eagle member of the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division. Don was employed by the State of Kansas Division of Workers Compensation, retiring in 2011. Don married Janet Pechanec on April 1, 1967 in Hays, Kansas. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include two children, Jenny M. (Chris) Wilson of Overland Park, KS and Todd M. (Stacy) Palmer of...

Jon Michael Mastin, 73, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021. He was born February 3, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of William M. and Vinta O. (McDaniel) Mastin. He received a master's degree in education from Fort Hays State University. Jon taught in Salina, Hoisington and Hays, retiring in 2004. Jon married Janet Hollinger on March 31, 1973 in Salina. Survivors include his wife, Janet; children Gina M. Sobba (Greg) and Jay M. Mastin (Jana), both of Topeka; granddaughters Alyssa J. Mastin, Laura J. Sobba and Clara M. Sobba, all of Topeka; and sister Michele Johnson-Wolff of Cedar Park, TX . He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial ceremony will be held on...

Patsy Aliece Kirby died peacefully on January 14, 2021 in her home in Sherman, TX. Patsy Aliece, affectionately known as "Gran", was born on October 15, 1932 in the Red Oak Flat community of Cherokee County, Texas in the home of Doctor Butler and Finis B. White Henry. During her elementary years she attended Salem School and graduated from Troup High School in 1949. She went on to earn a nursing degree from Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA) in 1953. Throughout her 51 year nursing career, she also worked in various nursing facilities, doctor's offices, and general hospitals in Texas and Kansas. After passing her board exams most notably, she worked as a Registered...

John Robben, 58, of Meriden, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020. John was born January 27, 1962, in Hays, Kansas, son of Norbert and Theresa (Rajewski) Robben. He grew up in Victoria, Kansas and later moved to Denver, Colorado with his family. He married Karen Hartman on July 30, 1982 in Beloit, Kansas. Together they had two daughters. They lived in Victoria, Kansas for a number of years, where he was member of the Knights of Columbus, in Victoria, Kansas, and at one time was a Grand Knight. He was a volunteer fire fighter for the City of Victoria. John served on City Council for a short time and also served on the school board in Victoria. They later moved to Denver, Colorado in...

Sandra J. Shofner, age 80, of Topeka, Kan., passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Sandy was born August 22, 1939, in Oberlin, Kan., the daughter of Kenneth and Helen Hopkins of Hays, Kan. Sandy married her husband, Gary N. Shofner, on August 13, 1961, in Hays. The couple met at the University of Kansas where Sandy received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Music Education in 1961. Prior to K.U., Sandy graduated from Hays High School in 1957. Sandy loved playing piano and teaching music. She taught vocal music at Abe Hubert Junior High in Garden City, Kan., and went on to become a substitute teacher in Topeka, both in the 501 and 437 districts. Her...

Stella Louise (Schlegel) Wilson passed away May 7, 2020 at Cherry Creek Nursing Center, Aurora, CO, from complications from multiple sclerosis and the corona virus. She was born to Reuben & Alma (Hoersch) Schlegel at the family farm on Feb. 24, 1943. She graduated from Alexander High School in 1961.? Stella married Gary L. Wilson on Sept. 11, 1976 at her parents' home in Alexander. Stella graduated from the Dominican School of Nursing, Great Bend, KS. She was in the nursing profession all her life and was the director of nursing at St. Anthony Hospital, Hays, KS; Grissell Memorial Hospital, Ransom, KS and also in Riverton, Wy. Stella is survived by her ex-husband, Gary;...

Bobbie King, 93, long time former resident of St. Charles, Illinois and current resident of the Marshes of Skidaway Island, Savannah, Georgia, died peacefully April 23, 2020 surrounded by her beloved daughters. Bobbie was born April 20, 1927 in Schenectady, New York, and was the pride and joy of her late parents Stephen and Rhea Miller. She grew up in Schenectady and it was there where she met and married the love of her life her life, Bertram J. "Bert" King, on April 12, 1947. Together they built a beautiful family and were the example of true love to each other and their children. Bert's career at 3M took them to many parts of the country finally taking them to St. Charles, Illinois...

Nancy Ann Crabtree was born September 15, 1933 in Dallas, Texas. Adopted at birth by Hampton and Freida Cratbree. Nancy graduated from Hockaday School in Dallas and the University of Texas in Austin, where she studied French and Spanish and joined Delta Gamma sorority. At age 22, she married Gregory Joseph Herrman and moved to Hays, Kansas where he practiced law with his father. They had six children in 9 years. She was active in the local art community and country club, Daughters of Isabella, City Beautification committee and St Joseph's Catholic Church. In 1968, Nancy moved the family to Athens, Texas where her mother then lived; she studied sculpture and art history and upon graduation...