Sandra (Fisher) Oakley Sandra (Fisher) Oakley, of Hays, Kansas, an amazing wife, mother, and grandma, passed away on March 19, 2020 at the age of 71.  She was surrounded in life, and during her transition to heaven, by her loving family. Sandra will reunite with some of her loved ones that went on before her, including her parents Bud and Betty Lou Fisher, brother Randy Fisher, and many other family members that were so important in her life.  Although she loved her life on...

Donna J. McNeal Donna J. McNeal, 73, Denver, Colorado, formerly of Hays, Kansas, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Denver Health Medical Center. She was born July 2, 1946 in Sutton, Nebraska, the daughter of Max and Jessie (Mitchell) Jacobson.  She married Roger McNeal, and he preceded her in death in 1985.  Donna worked at JBS in Grand Island, Nebraska and Insurance Planning, Inc. in Hays.  She enjoyed working in her flower beds, feeding the squirrels and rabbits, the Rocky...

Elmer J. “Schmidty” Schmidt Elmer J. “Schmidty” Schmidt, 89, Hays, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at his home. He was born October 18, 1930 in Catharine, the son of Adolph J. and Anna (Staab) Schmidt.  On November 7, 1955 he was united in marriage to Rosalinda “Rosie” Meier in Catharine, and they celebrated 64 years of marriage.  He proudly served in the United States Army, was parts manager for 57 years at International Harvester/Radke...

Carter Lane Curtis passed away on Sunday March 15, 2020 in Denver, Colorado.  Carter was 28 years old. Carter was born in Topeka, Kansas on July 26, 1991.  At the age of 3, Carter was diagnosed with Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes.  He and his family and friends faced this disease bravely together over the next 25 years. Carter was the youngest child of Jeff and Connie Curtis.   He was the brother of Cathryn and Christian.  In 2002, Carter and his family...

James J. “Jim” Thyfault James J. “Jim” Thyfault, 86, Hays, died Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Via Christi Village. He was born September 16, 1933 in Damar, Kansas the son of George and Irene (Thyfault) Thyfault.  In 1951 he graduated from Damar High School.  He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  On June 1, 1957 he was united in marriage to Marilyn M. Shook in Damar, and they celebrated 59 years of marriage before she preceded him...

William R. “Bill” Denison William R. “Bill” Denison, 68, Hays, died Sunday, March 1, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born December 14, 1951 in Hays, the son of George R. and Dorothy L. (Galloway) Denison.  He was a graduate of Hays High School in the class of 1970 and attended Fort Hays State University.  On September 11, 1976 he was united in marriage to Kenda L. Wasinger in Hays, and they celebrated over 43 years of marriage.  Bill was a taxidermist who...

Neal Walter Flesher Neal Walter Flesher, 86, Hays, died Friday, February 28, 2020 at Select Specialty Hospital in Wichita. He was born May 8, 1933 in Scandia, Kansas the son of Kenneth Orville and Lillian Marie (Strand) Flesher.  On July 26, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lorena Marie Charbonneau in St. Joseph, Kansas, and they celebrated over 68 years of marriage.  In 1953 he was drafted into the United States Army and was a Corporal and a tank gunner in the Sixth Armored...

Fray Oland Gideon Fray Oland Gideon, 83, Hays, died Monday, March 2, 2020 surrounded by his family at his home. He was born May 17, 1936 in Mt. Pleasant, Missouri, the son of Loyd and Mesakel (Mathews) Gideon.  On August 20, 1953 he was united in marriage to Florence Ruth Eggers in Ellinwood, Kansas, and they celebrated over 66 years of marriage.  He worked at the Ellinwood Co-op Gas Station, was owner of M & M Fertilizer in Garden City, worked at J & J Pipe and Supply in...

Patricia Ann “Pat” Schlyer Patricia Ann “Pat” Schlyer, 62, Hays, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at HaysMed. She was born February 21, 1957 in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas J. “Tom” and Maxine (Horn) Ziegler.  In 1975 she graduated from Hays High School.  She earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Music and Mathematics from Fort Hays State University.  On June 22, 1979 she was united in marriage to Daniel Joseph “Danny”...

James F. “Jim” Vanek, Jr. James. F. “Jim” Vanek, Jr., 73, Hays, died Saturday, January 25, 2020 at UCHealth Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. He was born April 16, 1946 in Ellsworth, Kansas, the son of James and Anna (Bachura) Vanek.  In 1964 he graduated from Wilson High School and then attended Fort Hays State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture.  He was a Corporal in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, stationed in...