Obituaries

     Sophia Wallert, 101, Gladstone, Mo., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at home with her loving family by her side. Sophia was born Sept. 15, 1916 to Anthony and Sophia Somer in Wilson, Kan. Her father owned the Somer Hardware, a historic landmark in Wilson.
     Sophia married Ray Wallert and they enjoyed 72 years together. Her and Ray lived in Russell, Kan. and Gorham, Kan. They moved to Kansas City in 1993.
     Sophia was preceded in death by her husband in 2016, and a brother and five sisters.
     Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Crockett (Chip Bennett); and multiple nieces, nephews and friends.
     Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the McGilley Antioch Chapel
     A private inurnment will take place at a later date in Terrace Park Cemetery.  

     Dale W. Soukup, 73, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 in Ellsworth. He was born May 14, 1944 in Dorrance to Arthur N. and Helen (Matoush) Soukup. A longtime resident of the area, Dale was a business man. He owned and operated Soukup Oil Co. then DARRS clothing store. Later in life he earned his CNA certification and worked for 10 years at the Ellsworth County Medical Center.
     Dale and Alice (Rezac) of Wilson were united in marriage on Dece. 30, 1965, in Abilene, Kan. She survives him.
     Dale is also survived by his son, Rick Soukup (Deanna) of Ellsworth; daughter, Richelle Barta (Heath) of Lucas; grandchildren, Olivia Stevenson (Trent), Natalie, Stephanie, and Zayed Soukup, Hunter and Gunner Hulse, and Keegan and Benton Barta; and sister, Shirley Sales of Salina.
     He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth Soukup.

Tom H. Tripp, Sr., 93, passed away Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at his home in Kanopolis.

Donald Lee Bircher, 89, left this world to be with Jesus Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017.

Willis Reinhardt ‘Bill’ Schmidt passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at Via Christi Village Ridge in Wichita, Kan. at the age of 90. He was born Feb. 26, 1927 in Dorrance, Kan. to the late Reinhardt and Katherine ‘Kate’ (Milberger) Schmidt. He grew up in the Dorrance area graduating from Dorrance High School.  He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 serving in World War II. Following his service in the Navy he was married to Dolores “Peachie” Kasner on Jan. 23, 1946 in Dorrance. They were blessed with three children, Timmie, John, and Debra.

     Michael L. Winkel, 66 of Hutchinson, Kan. died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.
     Mike was born in peace and love in Concordia, Kan. to Melvin J. and Lucile Winkel Wiles. He was a graduate of Barton County Community College. He married Colleen (Hoch) Sept. 14, 1978. He retired early from the Department of Social Services for the State of Kansas.
     Michael is survived by his spouse, Colleen; father, Bud Wiles of Cawker City, Kan.; children, Jason (Kim) Winkel of Pratt, Kan. and Alexander Winkel, of Ogden, Utah; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson; a brother, Pat (Marion) Winkel of Greenwood, Mo.; sisters Maryellen (Richard) Terry of Council Bluff, Iowa and Janice Myers of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and nephews and nieces.
     He was preceded in death by his son, Eric, who died in 2013; mother, Lucile Wiles; and sister, Barbara Krien.
        “Mike’s Story”

     Gary L. Wacker, 74, passed away peacefully, at his home surrounded by family, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. He was born Sept. 8, 1943 in Vesper, Kan. to Albert and Ferne (Miley) Wacker.
     Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force 1961 to 1965 and continued to do so with 50 years of dedicated service to the American Legion. For 37 of those 50 years, he served as commander of the former American Legion Post 329 of Kanopolis, KS. Gary was the founder of Hi-Plains Sand Inc. of Kanopolis, Kan. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, member and trustee at the United Methodist Church of Kanopolis, member of the Kanopolis Men’s Club, and a 40 year volunteer with the Kanopolis Volunteer Fire Department. Gary married Vicki Hulse July 8, 1978 in Ellsworth, Kan.

Jane C. Hoff, 69, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Feb. 8, 1948, in Coldwater, the daughter of E. Frank and Laurine (Schesser) Weber. She graduated from Emporia State Teachers College. Jane was united in marriage to Herb Hoff June 28, 1975, in Coldwater. She was a teacher for Ellsworth and Claflin schools and did outreach teaching for 42 years.

After retirement she loved to spend time making quilts. She was quick to help people out that needed help. She was a charter member of the Twisted Stitchers and a member of OES for fifty years.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Herb of the home; one brother, Charles Weber of Marion, Iowa; one sister, Gena Hoover of Emporia; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded by a brother, Alan Weber.

It is with great sadness that the family of Inez A. “Soeken” Jandos announces her passing on Monday Nov. 6, 2017. She was born May 2, 1919 near Frederick, Kan. to Johnnie G. and Lynda Ernestine (Stoltenberg) Soeken.

Inez married George Jandos in Holyrood, Kan. on Aug. 3, 1941. She was a housewife and homemaker. She loved polka dancing, painting, and playing pinochle and bridge. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth.

Inez is survived by her daughter, Karen Wacker of Kanopolis; daughter, Gerri Ferguson of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren, Todd Wacker (Tracy), Heather Andrews (Kevin), and Lindsay Nitsche (Chris); six great-grandchildren; and sister, Hazel Tilton (Richard) of Salina.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; and sister, Arleen Craig.

Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 6-8 p.m.

     It is with great sadness that the family of Inez A. “Soeken” Jandos announces her passing on Monday Nov. 6, 2017. She was born May 2, 1919 near Frederick, Kan. to Johnnie G. and Lynda Ernestine (Stoltenberg) Soeken.
Inez married George Jandos in Holyrood, Kan. on Aug. 3, 1941. She was a housewife and homemaker. She loved polka dancing, painting, and playing pinochle and bridge. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth.
     Inez is survived by her daughter, Karen Wacker of Kanopolis; daughter, Gerri Ferguson of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren, Todd Wacker (Tracy), Heather Andrews (Kevin), and Lindsay Nitsche (Chris); six great-grandchildren; and sister, Hazel Tilton (Richard) of Salina.
     She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; and sister, Arleen Craig.
     Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 6-8 p.m.