Ila Marie (Proffitt) Linder, 86, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away February 17, 2024, in Lyons, Kansas. A proud product of the prairie, Ila Marie Proffitt was born on August 20, 1937 in Sterling, Kansas. The only daughter of J.M. & Lutie (Towse) Proffitt, Ila joined big brothers Wayne and Billy. Eventually baby brother, Gary, joined the scene. Endless memories were soon made by the Proffitt four, first, out in the sandhills by Alden, then south of Sterling in pastures near the Arkansas River. Ila was proud to be the daughter and sister of farmers and she herself was active in 4H and completing before and after school farm chores. Ila graduated form Sterling High School in 1955, where she participated in band, FHA, 4H & Y-Teens. After high school, Ila attended Grace School of Nursing in Hutchinson, Kansas and graduated as a proud Registered Nurse. It was her nursing school classmate, Irene, who would introduce her to a young Army man, Rex Linder. Rex and Ila were married at Sterling United Methodist Church on September 29, 1958. The army would take Rex & Ila and their four children, Cathy, Roger, Mike, and Nancy to Kansas, Germany, Georgia and Washington, moving a total of 19 times. With four kids in tow, there was no doubt where Ila would go during Rex’s two tours in Vietnam: home to Sterling. After Rex’s retirement from the U.S. Army, the family settled in Clay Center, Kansas. After the kids were done with high school, Ila began working at the Clay County Health Department until she retired as the Director In 1997. With the retirement chapter ahead of them, Ila and Rex knew where they should go: home to Sterling. Rex and Ila quickly settled in just south of town and enjoyed time gardening, spoiling their grandchildren, and spending time in their community. Never one to be fully still, Ila spent hours with her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and of course- her brothers. Additionally, she worked a few hours a week at the Rice County Health Department in Lyons. After Rex’s passing in 2012, Ila moved into town and enjoyed traveling, lunching with friends, but most importantly, her family. She was proud to have raised a respiratory therapist, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, a pharmacist, and a teacher. She was incredibly proud of their grandchildren and their accomplishments in their personal and professional lives. She was especially keen on the addition of Megs, Hanna, Jaime, Eric, and Olivia. But, in all honesty, no one else could compare with Arya, Ryker, & Tommy- the great grands. Ila Proffitt Linder was meticulous. She was marvelous. She was our matriarch. She will always be missed. Ila was proceeded in death by her husband Rex, her brothers- Wayne (Ruth), Billy (Joann), and Gary (Joanna) Proffitt, her parents, J.M. & Lutie Proffitt, and her Linder brothers and sisters-in -law. She is survived by her four children, Cathy Lutz, Roger (Connie) Linder, Mike, and Nancy (Tom) Rundel, Her ten grandchildren, Maj. Jerad (Jaime) Linder, Dustin (Maeghan) Linder, Case Rundel, Emily Lutz, Will Lutz (Olivia Marks), Colton (Hanna) Rundel, Sam Linder, Elly Lutz (Eric Gordon), John Linder and Morgan Blackim. And three great grandchildren, Arya and Ryker Linder and Tommy Rundel. Other surviving family include brother-in-law, Gene Stout, sisters-in-law Donna and Paula Proffitt, and a host of Proffitt and Linder nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Amy Foster officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 23, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church or Sterling Main Street in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Paul Ora Rawlins, 90, passed away peacefully in his home with his loving wife, Jodie, and his fur babies at his bedside on December 26, 2023. Paul was born the youngest of thirteen children, to Ben and Leona (Martin) Rawlins, in Sterling, Kansas. Paul was a graduate of Sterling High School. In 1954, Paul married Stella Brashears. They had four children; Robin, Rhonda, Paul and Jonathan. In 2003, Paul gained his stepdaughter, Torie and fur babies, when he married Jodie Penner in Hutchinson, KS. A lifelong Kansas native, Paul worked many years for McCune Paper Company. To supplement his love of people and music, Paul worked as a bartender at numerous local establishments. Paul never met a stranger and will be forever remembered for his smile, stories and constant love for his family. Some of Paul’s fondest memories were the Rawlins family reunions held throughout the U.S., his many golfing trips and traveling Kansas with his best friends to support Hutchinson High School sports. Paul is survived by his wife, Jodie Rawlins of Hutchinson, KS; children, Robin Brown (Harold) of Kansas City, KS, Rhonda Rawlins of Boston, MA, Paul Rawlins (Micala) of Paola, KS, Jonathon of Louisburg, KS, and Torie Reynolds (Cliffe’) of Hutchinson, KS; grandchildren, Ashley and Angela; great-grandchild, Mason; and his beloved fur babies, Cassie, Rodney, and Henry. Paul has joined his parents; and twelve siblings, Edward, Gaylord, John, Bill, Winston, Harold, Lionel, Cosa Mae, Ardise, Anna, Konnie, and Dimple where you can be sure they are having an epic Rawlins Family Reunion in Heaven. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Amy Foster officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M., until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to James “Buddy” Bryant Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

 

Mary Sue Wilkey, 77, passed away December 22, 2023, of Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Sue was born September 18, 1946, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and Edith Pauline Lamb. Mary Sue married Van Wilkey on January 22, 1966, in Cherokee, Kansas. Mary Sue enjoyed long walks, jigsaw puzzles, being retired, and spending time with her husband, Van, and her dog and her family. Survivors include: husband, Van Wilkey of Hutchinson; one son, Scott Wilkey and wife Tiffany of Sterling, KS; one daughter, Stephanie Kofford and husband Michael of Rock Springs, WY; four sisters-in-law, Kathy Lamb of Hepler, KS, Vicki Daise and husband Ron of Osborne, KS; Judy McDowell of Monroe, WA, and Jo McQuiston of Emporia, KS. Mary Sue has been blessed with nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Wayne Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Missions Revival or Gentiva Hospice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Floyd Lee Mathews, 80, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away November 17, 2023, at the Sterling Village, Sterling. He was born September 14, 1943, in Sterling, the son of Bert and Nellie (Nickel) Mathews. Floyd was a lifelong Sterling resident. He graduated from Kansas Automotive Technical School with a degree in Master Diesel Overhaul. Floyd was a farmer and mechanic. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Sterling, Pretty Prairie Saddle Club, The Moose Lodge, State Fair Promenaders, Salt City Shakers, and the Sterling Saddle Club. Floyd enjoyed driving his #46 dirt track racing car, trail riding, driving wagons, square dancing, watching sports, and especially loved being with his mules, donkeys, and dog. On August 24, 1971, Floyd was united in marriage with Esther Martha Bailey in Lyons, Kansas. She preceded him in death on March 17, 2005. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two sons, James Rasnic, and Kenneth Rasnic; daughter, Kelly Youngblood; and brother, Leslie Mathews. Floyd is survived by his three sons, Phillip Mathews and wife Lorri of Raymond, KS, and Jeff Neill and wife Annabelle of Manhattan, KS, Chase Mathews of Palm Springs, FL; five daughters, Louise Hauschild and husband Rick of Sterling, KS, Doris Curran and husband Chuck of Grove, OK, Laura Miles of Topeka, KS, Maryoletta Osborn of Blackwell, OK, and Cindy Mathews Hamm of Dallas, TX; sister, Leota Bushell of Sterling, KS; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, Alden, with Pastor Rob Bolton officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, December 1, 2023, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the Reins of Hope or the Sterling American Legion Post #128 in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Danny Emerson “Dan” Belden, 84, of Hutchinson, Kansas, passed away August 31, 2023. He was born December 4, 1938, in Sterling, Kansas, the son of Emerson and Norma Baker Belden. Dan has resided in Hutchinson since 2008, formerly of Haven, Kansas. He graduated from Alden High School, with the class of 1957. Dan later received his associate degree in engineering from Hutchinson Community College. He was a tool maker for Haven Steel in Haven, for thirty-five years. Dan was a member of the Alden United Methodist Church, VFW and American Legion both of Hutchinson, and was a Pilgrim member of the Hutchinson Moose Lodge #982 since 1994. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960, attaining the rank of Private First Class. Dan was married to Connie Koons, they later divorced. Dan was married to Linda Engweiler, they later divorced. On May 23, 1996, Dan was united in marriage with Linda Lee Nielsen in Estes Park, CO. She preceded him in death on June 15, 2021. He is also preceded in death by his parents; and four sisters, Zola McGonigal, Glenis Gunner, Mary Cross, and Patty Key. Dan is survived by his three daughters, Donna Rydberg and husband Dan of Dallas, TX, Denise Allen of Dallas, TX, and Nancy Belden of Austin, TX; son, Keith Engweiler of Cheney, KS; brother, Gerald Belden and wife Pattie of Hutchinson, KS; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with Pastor Rob Bolton officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling. Funeral honors by Ft. Riley Honor Guard and a Service of Tribute by the Moose Lodge #982. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Hutchinson Moose Lodge #982, in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Florence White, 83, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away September 21, 2023, at the Sterling Village, Sterling, Kansas. She was born November 10, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee, the daughter of John Henry and Josephine (Cliff) Shaw. Florence has resided in Sterling since August of 2019, formerly of Corona, California. She graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Brownsville, Tennessee. Florence was a homemaker, and foster mother for many children. She was a member of the Corona Church of The Open Door in Corona, California, where she served as the mother of the church. Florence loved socializing and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her five children, Larry Battle of CA, Ora Coffer-Parks and husband James of Corona, CA, Cassandra Shaw of Sterling, KS, Tony White of CA, and Randy White of CA; five grandchildren, Myeetsha, Shantal, Nicole, Monica, and Alecia; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of dearly loved nieces and nephews. Florence is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Dalla Mae Lanier and Josie Lee McKnight; and four brothers, John Henry Shaw Jr., Frank Shaw, W.L. Shaw and Tom Shaw. Graveside service will be at 9:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Sterling Community Cemetery, with Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Services are being handled by Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.