Mustard, Robert Glenn

Infant son of Alonzo Flintar, Sr. and Hilma(Carlson)Mustard

Burial:  1920,  10/05              Age: 0                  Lot: 723

Memorial Stone only –   Robert is buried in Eureka, KS Cemetery

Cruth, Robert  Clarence  ‘Bob’

h/Rosezella Irene ‘Rosie'(Postier)

Burial Date: 2020, 02/07      Age: 92         Lot: 489 F

Robert “Bob” Cruth

July 19, 1927 ~ February 2, 2020 (age 92)

Robert C. “Bob” Cruth, 92, of Sterling, passed away February 2, 2020 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, Kansas.  He was born July 19, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of John and Mary Freeman Cruth.  Bob was a lifelong Sterling resident.  He was farmer and worked in the oilfield.  Bob was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Sterling; Silver Threads; was a past Silver Hair Legislator; and was a Friendship Meal volunteer.  On June 13, 1948, Bob was united in marriage with Rosezella Irene “Rosie” Postier in Hutchinson.  She preceded him in death on July 18, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Ralph Cruth, Ruby Locks, Jerry Cruth, and Alva Cruth; and great-grandson, Dylan Boeken.  Bob is survived by his three daughters, Penny Dill of Colorado Springs, CO, Brenda Dabelko and husband Stephen of Colorado Springs, CO, and Becky Boeken of Sterling; two sisters, Edith Capps of Attica, KS, and MaryLue Valentine of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and companion, Nelda Boele.  Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M., Friday, February 7, 2020 at Calvary Baptist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Dale Jordan officiating.  Burial will be at the Sterling Community Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church Missions or Friendship Meals in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Kelley,  Melva Joan(Davis)                        w/Buddy Joe ‘Bud’

Death Date:  2020,  01/15             Age: 92                 Lot:   1185 F Crems

Joan Kelley, 92, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away January 15, 2020 at Sterling Village. She was born November 6, 1927 in St. John, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Edna Smith Davis. Joan graduated from St. John High School with the class of 1945. On July 17, 1949, Joan was united in marriage with Buddy Joe “Bud” Kelley at New Hope Church in rural Stafford County, near Hudson, Kansas. He preceded her in death on June 5, 2019. Joan has resided in Sterling for the past 21 years, having moved in the fall of 1998 from St. John. She and Bud wintered for many years in Rockport, Texas. Joan was a homemaker. She was also employed at Alden State Bank, Alden, Kansas; and retired from Ninnescah Credit Union, Arlington, Kansas. Joan was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sterling. Joan is survived by her children, Paula Weinman and husband Glenn of Phillipsburg, KS, Peggy Reynolds of Sterling, KS, and Troy Kelley and wife Sharon of Sterling, KS; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members. She is preceded in death by her parents. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, January 20, 2020 at First United Methodist Church, Sterling with Pastor Amy Foster officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M., Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Sterling Village in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Schneider, Tom Allen           son of Alvin Lee Schneider

Burial Date:  1995                 Age: 44                    Lot: 985 C

Memorial Marker Only

Humphries, Polena Grace ‘Lena'(Haney)Cripps

Divorced wife of: Reuben Isaac ‘Ike’, and  Ernest Edward Cripps

Burial Date:  1970,  07/28          Age:  88       Lot: 094-12 B

Proffitt, Gary Ray

Husband of: Joanna May (Lowell) and 3rd husband of Paula Gayle(Burnett) McFarland

Burial Date: 2019,  12/21         Age: 80            Lot: 977 C

US Army    Air National Guard    Peace Time

Gary R. Proffitt September 28, 1939 ~ December 17, 2019 (age 80)

Gary Ray Proffitt, 80, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away December 17, 2019 at Sterling Village, Sterling. He was born September 28, 1939 in Sterling, the son of J.M. and Lutie Towse Proffitt. Gary was a lifelong rural Sterling resident. He graduated from Sterling High School with the class of 1957, and later received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry from Kansas State University in 1961. Gary was a farmer and stockman. He served in the United States Air National Guard. Gary was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sterling; served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank and First Bank both of Sterling; past President of Farmers Cooperative Union of Sterling; and served on the Hospital District #1 of Rice County Board.  On August 4, 1963, Gary was united in marriage with Joanna Lowell in Concordia, Kansas. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2000. On September 3, 2007, Gary was united in marriage with Paula McFarland in Sterling. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his son, Jeff Proffitt and wife Sherla of Sterling; three daughters, Carrie Proffitt-Zinman of Sun Lakes, AZ, Kara Fabin and husband Drew of Lawrence, KS, and Nicki McFarland of Hutchinson, KS;  sister, Ila Linder of Sterling; five grandchildren, Anna, Nathan, Jordan, and Ethan Proffitt, and Zach Fabin; and one great-granddaughter, Joanna Proffitt. Gary is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Wayne and Billy Proffitt. Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 21, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Amy Foster officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, December 20, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, Sterling or Alzheimer’s Association in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Fritzemeier, Paula Jean(King)     divorced wife of Daniel Fritzemeier

Burial Date: 2019,  11/08               Age: 70                Lot:  1155 E

Paula Jean Fritzemeier, 70, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away November 3, 2019 at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. She was born August 29, 1949, in Monett, Missouri, the daughter of Paul and Betty Branham King. She graduated from Pierce City High School, Pierce City, Missouri. Paula has resided in Rice County since 1976, formerly of Monett, Missouri. Paula worked for Ray’s Rec in Sterling for many years, and as a waitress and dishwasher for various restaurants. She is survived by her brothers, Donnie King, Phillip King, Rick King and companion, Renee Little all of Lyons, KS; and niece, Marissa King of Murrey, Kentucky. Paula is preceded in death by her parents; son, Matthew Fritzemeier; sister, Carol Booker; and brother, Dennis King. Graveside service will be at 1:00 P.M., Friday, November 8, 2019 at Sterling Community Cemetery with Pastor Kendal Conner officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Jones, Sr.,  Gerald ‘Gerry’ Nelson

Husband of Donna Mildred(Goodwin)

Burial Date:    2019,  12/13             Age: 86                 Lot:  707 H

Gerald Nelson “Gerry” Jones, Sr., 86, of Sterling, passed away December 8, 2019 at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. He was born April 17, 1933 in rural Sterling, the son of Perry and Eda Gossman Jones. Gerry was a lifelong Sterling area resident.  He graduated from Sterling High School as salutatorian with the Class of 1951.  He worked as a machinist/tool control at Lyons Manufacturing Corporation from 1955 until his retirement in 2011.  Gerry enjoyed farming his entire life.  Gerry served in the United States Army from May 27, 1953 until his honorable discharge on May 20, 1955. Gerry was a lifetime NRA member. On April 1, 1953, Gerry was united in marriage with Donna Mildred Goodwin in Sterling. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2014. He is also preceded in death by his parents; son, Gerald Nelson Jones Jr.; and sister, Dorothy Tilton. Gerry is survived by his three children, Kerri Vagts and husband Carl of Sterling, Colleen Bisterfeldt and husband Bob of LaCrosse, KS;  and Clifford Jones and wife Tammy of Sterling; brother-in-laws, V.G. Goodwin and wife Teri of Berthoud, CO, and Harold Tilton of Sterling; sister-in-law, Sadie Goodwin of Sterling; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M., Friday, December 13, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with Pastor Kendal Conner officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to American Heart Association in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Brown, Jack Ernest

Infant  son of William Earnest and Laura Bertrude(Brown)

Buried: 1917, 11/16         Age :  1 month            Lot: 512 B

Jack was buried in the lot with his grandfather, Thomas Hayes Brown.

William Ernest Brown was born on October 21, 1876, in Washington, Kentucky, his father, Felix, was 33 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 26. He married Laura Bertrude Brown in 1908 in Sterling, Kansas. They had five children in 16 years. He died on July 9, 1950, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the age of 73, and was buried in Sterling, Kansas.

Forsyth, Sarah R. ‘Sadie’

daughter of James  L  and Ann (Bennett) Forsythe

Burial:  1925,  05/03                   Age: 73             Lot: 645 F

Trans from 609 in 1926,   05/10

Sadie was a popular seamstress and dressmaker living on Broadway in Sterling, KS.

Flickinger, Mary Ella Ellen(Fulkerson)     wife of Robert Leo

Burial Date: 2019,  10/23         Age: 88          Lot: 931 F

 

Cullop, Carolyn Grace(Fulton)                  wife of Gerald Lloyd

Burial Date:  2019,  10/14           Age:   87              Plot:  1229 F

Willhaus, Harvey Donald                      h/Marilyn M(Halley)

Burial Date:  2020,  10/10        Death Date:  2019,  09/21

Funeral Service: 2019, 09/26             Age: 85             Lot: 102  F Crems

U. S. Army     Korean War  Harvey Donald Willhaus October 10, 1933 ~ September 21, 2019 (age 85)

STERLING – Harvey Donald Willhaus, 85, of Sterling, passed away September 21, 2019 at Good Samaritan Society of Lyons. He was born October 10, 1933 in Sterling, the son of Richard and Katie A. Zwick Willhaus. Harvey graduated from Nickerson High School with the class of 1952. He was a farmer, Golden Harvest seed dealer, and raised cattle and hogs. Harvey served in the United States Army from November 24, 1953 until November 9, 1955. He was a member of Midland Community United Church of Christ, Sterling, where he served as treasurer; member of the Moose Lodge #982, Hutchinson; Elks Lodge #0453, Hutchinson; and Lyons VFW. Harvey enjoyed square dancing, and had danced in every state except Vermont. Harvey always enjoyed his morning coffee with friends at Dairy Queen in Lyons. On March 10, 1957, Harvey was united in marriage with Marilyn Halley in St. John, Kansas. She survives of the home. They spent every winter in Rockport, Texas for the past 20 years. Harvey is survived by: his five children, Byron K. Willhaus of Sterling, Cedric R. Willhaus of Wichita, KS, Nolan C. Willhaus and wife Paula of Alden, KS, Teresa A. Maxwell and husband Mike of Sterling, and Verlan D. Willhaus and wife Stephane of Pretty Prairie, KS; four siblings, Kathryn Lorenson of Salina, KS, William R. Willhaus and wife Ida May of Kansas City, MO, Fredrick Willhaus and wife Rosie of Springfield, MO, and Rose Jennings of Holton, KS; grandchildren, Adam Willhaus and Ashlee Ruckman of Sterling, Andy and Tiffany Willhaus of Wichita, Nick Willhaus of Lyons, KS, Amanda and Ryan Breckenridge of Wichita, Samantha Willhaus and Skyler Sumner of Wichita, Clinton and Molly Willhaus of Nickerson, KS, Christen and Josh Dreiling of Nickerson, KS, Spencer and Laura Maxwell of Sterling, Skyler and Whitney Maxwell of Lawrence, KS, Austin Maxwell and Ashley Savage of Sterling, Cody Willhaus of Pretty Prairie, KS, Cooper and Caitlyn Willhaus of Kendell, KS, and Morgan Willhaus of Manhattan; and twenty-two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by: his parents; and an infant brother Willhaus; and daughter-in-law, Melissa Willhaus. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Midland Community United Church of Christ, Sterling, with Pastor Matt Perkins officiating. Military honors will be by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Private burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5 until 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to Midland Community United Church of Christ or Kindred Hospice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Harvey Donald Willhaus, 85, of Sterling, passed away September 21, 2019 at Good Samaritan Society of Lyons. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Midland United Church of Christ, Sterling, with Pastor Matt Perkins officiating. Military honors will be by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Private burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Midland United Church of Christ or Kindred Hospice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. A full obituary will be announced later.

Walton,  Anna Edith  “Annie”

daughter of Edward W and Emma(Struggles)

Buried: 1952,  04/21          Age: 70        Lot: 305 B

Anna Edith “Annie” Walton

Kilgore, Dorothy ‘Irena’ (McKissick)       wife of Quentin Dale

Burial Date:  2019,   09/20        Age: 85         Lot:  1113 B

D. Irena (McKissick) Kilgore

November 6, 1933 ~ September 16, 2019 (age 85)