Obituaries

     God’s Special Angels welcomed our precious daughter into the arms of Jesus after months of suffering.
     April was born on July 8, 1968, in Dallas, Texas; She went to Heaven on Monday, March 26, 2018. April’s love for Jesus was followed by her love for gospel music and military collectibles. Years of competing in Special Olympics filled her room with medals.
     April is survived by her parents, Dan and Tonie Allard; brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Sharon Allard; sister and brother-in-law, Alesha and David Rogers; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
     She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
     The family requests donations to the following in lieu of flowers: Bridgewood Farms (center for special adults), 11680 Rose Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.

     Jack Arthur Zvolanek, 91, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Feb. 13, 1927 in Ellsworth, to Anton and Sophia (Hajny) Zvolanek, and was raised on a farm east of Black Wolf, Kan. He attended South Excelsior Elementary School south of Black Wolf, helped his dad as well as neighbors with farm work and graduated from Ellsworth High School, where he played football every year.
     During Jack’s senior year, he and several of his friends joined the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II. Jack’s tour of duty was on a troop carrying ship to the Pacific War Zone. After the war, was over, he and his buddies returned to Ellsworth to finish their senior year of high school and took classes to get their G.E.D. certificates. In 1947 Jack was hired as a lineman by S.W. Bell Telephone Company, and worked two years as an unlocated lineman.

David A. Rains, 62, of Holyrood and Sterling passed away Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Hutchinson hospital.
He was born Oct. 26, 1955, in Salina to Charles and Lois (Heer) Rains. David graduated from Salina Central High School in 1974. He married Debra Glover on March 6, 1976. He was a salesman, working at Otasco, Schendel Pest Control, Western Southern Life Insurance and the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter. He was a member of the St. Paul’s UCC of Holyrood.
Survivors include his wife of the home; sons, Nicholas of Fremont, Calif, Thomas (TJ) of Lake St. Louis, Mo. and William of Great Bend; a sister, Linda Rains of Texas; five grandchildren; and two grandchildren of his heart.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, with the Rev. Debra Rains presiding.
Memorials are suggested to the church, P.O. Box 26, Holyrood, Kan. 67456.

Mary Ann (Prester) Steinle passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Hillside Village of De Soto, Kan. at the age of 80. She was born April 7, 1937 in Russell to the late Fred and Elizabeth (Milberger) Prester. She grew up in the Dorrance area and was united in marriage to Leo David Steinle. They were blessed with four sons, Gary, Duane, Terry, and Bobby.

Alice Virginia (Ginny) Hulburt passed away peacefully March 7, 2018, surrounded by her sons and granddaughter.
Ginny was born May 12, 1941, in upstate New York and this is where her love of outdoors and animals began. She spent her time on the family farm with her sisters, Marian and Elizabeth, and learned her passion for hard work and being a “farm girl”. She started her dance career at the age of 6. While in New York, she studied and taught tap, ballet, and acrobatics for 15 years including Dance Master training. Performances and competitions included amateur and semi-professional performances. In the Miss Batavia Pageant she was first runner up and won the talent contest for her lively tap number. We all admired her courage, lack of fear and eagerness for the next adventure.

 Jewell Lavon Erichsen
(1929-2018)

Jack A. Zvolanek, 91, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Ellsworth.
Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth is handling arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.parsonsfh.com

Wanita Mae Kruse, 93, passed away March 24, 2018 in Ellsworth. She was born Nov. 14, 1924, at home in rural Windom to Lester A. and Inez V. (Hulse) Myers. She attended Bee Hive grade school and graduated from Little River High School in 1943. After high school she attended McPherson College and received an Elementary Teaching Certificate. She taught at the rural schools of North Fork (Rice County) and Andover (McPherson County).  

On Nov. 3, 1946 she married Delmar Kruse at the Myers family farm. They made their home and raised a family in the Lorraine community where they farmed and ranched together for 65 years. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Lorraine, taught Sunday School and Bible School, was a Youth Leader, a member of King’s Daughters and the Flower Committee, a 4-H leader and active in her community.

Wanita was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar in 2011; and sister, Norma Fry Young.

Thomas Micheal Grounds of Wichita was born July 27, 1940 in Ellsworth County near Holyrood Kan. He passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the age of 77.

Clarence R. Barta passed away Friday, March 9, 2018, at Almost Home in Great Bend, Kan. at the age of 89. He was born on Sept. 2, 1928 on the family farm in Ellsworth County, Kan. near Wilson, to the late Oda and Eleanor (Svaty) Barta. Before finishing high school he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served for three years.

After being honorably discharged from the Coast guard, he completed school and began working in the oil industry. On Oct. 18, 1954 he was united in marriage to Mary Podlena at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Together they lived in numerous Kansas towns, but spent most of their later life in Great Bend. Aside from his love of family, his greatest passion was playing cards. He was known for a life time of planting trees and saving stray animals. He attended St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great bend and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.