Edmund “Ed” Speer Moore Edmund “Ed” Speer Moore, 96, Hays, died Friday, May 29, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born August 11, 1923 in Manhattan, Kansas to Florence Speer Moore and Leo Albert Moore. He graduated from Hays High School and then attended Fort Hays State prior to the United States entry into WWII.  At his request, his mother signed for him so he could enlist in the United States Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 15th Air Force, 456th Bomber Squadron....

Leola Gottschalk Leola Gottschalk, 95, Hays, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Via Christi Village. She was born July 26, 1924 on the family farm near Liebenthal, the daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Herrman) Schafer.  After graduating from high school, she earned her teacher certification from Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita then taught in several one room schoolhouses.  On May 24, 1949 she was united in marriage to Raymond “Ray” Gottschalk, and they were married 43 years...

Gerald Henry “Jerry” Hickert Gerald Henry “Jerry” Hickert, 89, Hays, former longtime Jennings, Kansas farmer and stockman, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born Sunday, April 26, 1931 on the family farm near Clayton, Kansas, the son of Aloysius Michael “Babe” and Josephine Fernunda “Joey” (Nusse) Hickert, the fourth of five children.  Jerry graduated from Jennings High School in 1949.  He was drafted into...

Harold G. Kraus, Sr. Harold G. Kraus, Sr., 89, Hays, died Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born February 3, 1931 in Hays, the son of Carl and Sadie (Wilson) Kraus.  He graduated from Hays High School in 1949.  Harold attended Fort Hays State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Kansas in 1955.  He was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, a United States Naval Aviator during the Korean War, and his aircraft...

Timothy Joe Wyatt Timothy Joe Wyatt, 59, Gorham, died Friday, May 22, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born December 15, 1960 in Bethesda, Maryland, the son of Richard and Ann G. (Gates) Wyatt.  He was a service manager at Ochs, Inc. in Otis, a marriage and family counselor at the Center for Counseling in Great Bend, and his parents’ caregiver.  He enjoyed fly fishing, playing the trumpet and organ, and tinkering on trucks, cars, and four-wheelers.  Most of all, he loved his...

Kelly D. Casper Kelly D. Casper, 59, Hays, died after a short battle with cancer on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born September 12, 1960 in Hays, the son of Donald and Edna (Bailey) Casper.  Kelly worked as a custodian at TMP-Marian High School and USD 489.  He enjoyed building and working on computers, loved his dogs, and was a kind and caring man who was always willing to help others. Survivors include three brothers; Dan Casper and wife Harriet of Las Vegas, NV,...

Melinda Lang Melinda Lang, 96, Hays, died Tuesday, May 5, 2020 surrounded by her family at Via Christi Village. She was born October 5, 1923 on the family farm near Ellis, Kansas, one of six children to Nick and Lidwina (Kuhn) Geist.  On May 20, 1946 she was united in marriage to Clarence Lang at St. Fidelis Church in Victoria, and they celebrated nearly 69 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on March 23, 2015.  She was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic...

William J. “Bill” Weber William J. “Bill” Weber, 64, WaKeeney, died Thursday, April 30, 2020 at HaysMed. He was born August 27, 1955 in Hays, the son of Leonard and Dorothy (Augustine) Weber.  He graduated from Ellis High School in the class of 1973.  On September 28, 1974 he was united in marriage to Elaine M. Augustine, and they celebrated 45 years of marriage.  For 13 years, he was the production manager at Sizewise in Ellis.  He was a member...

Rita A. (Pfannenstiel) Bieker Rita A. (Pfannenstiel) Bieker, 94, Hays, peacefully passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Via Christi Village in Hays. She was born November 22, 1925 in Hays, the daughter of Joe M. and Sophie (Rupp) Pfannenstiel.  She grew up on a farm close to Hays and attended school in Hays.  On September 20, 1948 she was united in marriage to Marvin J. Bieker, and they celebrated nearly 34 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 30,...

Calvin E. Harbin Calvin E. Harbin, 104, Hays, passed away on April 19, 2020 at his home in Hays, Kansas. He was born March 26, 1916 in Puxico, Missouri, the son of Samuel and Ada (Shelton) Harbin.  Calvin grew up on the farm and while in his senior year of high school in 1934, he was a substitute teacher for the sixth grade class of Kinder Rural School.  He also attended Southeast Missouri College at the same time.  In 1937, Calvin moved to California as a law student, and...