Obituaries

     Mary L. Miller, 61, Ellsworth, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. She was born Sept. 26, 1955 in Salina, Kan. to John J. and Susan E. (Snider) Ravenkamp.
     On Oct. 20, 1979, Mary married Mac Miller in Oakley, Kan. She was a central supply coordinator for the Ellsworth County Medical Center, a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, and a former member of the Ellsworth and Wilson Lions Clubs.
     Mary was preceded in death by her father, John Ravenkamp; husband, Mac Miller; son, Richard Wright; brother, John Ravenkamp, Jr.; nephews, Zach Ingram and Judson Eisenhauer; step-father, Plemma Jamison; and brother-in-law, Lonnie Albertson.

     Lester Neil Olson, 78, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, at Salina Regional Health Center surrounded by his loving family. Neil was born in Marquette, Kan. in Myra Hughes’ (nurse’s) house on Feb. 3, 1939 to the late Lester M. and late Lulu E. (Bealby) Olson. He lived south of Brookville, in Brookville and then Mentor where he attended the one-room school from the first-eight grade. He attended Assaria Rural High School for three years then attended one year and graduation in Brookville.
     Neil started his rodeo career in high school. Neil was steer wrestling National Champion at the 9th Annual National Championship High School Rodeo in 1957 in Albuquerque, N.M. He competed in bareback riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling until his last rodeo in 1972 at the Salina Tri-Rivers Fair Rodeo.

Eliza Rose Fink was born, and passed away peacefully with her mother, on at 2:02 a.m. Aug. 12, 2017.

Eliza was the daughter of Arkala Monique Cullens. She is survived by her mother and two siblings, brother Trey Fink and sister Skylar Cullens all of the home in Wilson; grandparents Malia Rich of Wilson, and Michael Fink of Moscow; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her step-grandfather, John D. Rich.    

A private family service was held  Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 in the Wilson City Cemetery.  

Condolences for the family may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com

Dale Robert “Bob” Hicks, 73, passed away at his home in Ellsworth on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. He was born Feb. 23, 1944 in Norton, to Dale K. and Hope (Thompson) Hicks.

In 1960, Bob’s family moved from Washington County, Kan. to Ellsworth where Dale would spend the rest of his life.

Bob married Carol Sue Mehl in Holyrood on Aug. 11, 1963. She survives him.

Bob and Carol owned the Carol Lee Donut shop in downtown Ellsworth for many years. He also worked, in later years, as an over-the-road truck driver and cement truck driver for Ellsworth Ready Mix before retirement. He was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church of Holyrood.

Bob is survived by his wife Carol of Ellsworth; sons, Gordon (Kim) Hicks and Jeff (Toni) Hicks both of Ellsworth; brother, Ron (Susan) Hicks of Colby; aunt, Lorie Thompson of Oklahoma; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard.

Kurt Gaston, Osage City, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, at his home in Osage City. He was 61.
He was born Dec. 22, 1955, at Belleville, the son of Karl and Dorothy (Buckley) Gaston. He grew up in Ellsworth, where he learned to love small-town life, sports and the English language.
He attended the University of Kansas where he met his wife, Marcy. They were married Jan. 8, 1977, and were married for 37 years.
Kurt was a long-time newspaper editor, and after learning the trade at his father’s newspaper, The Ellsworth Reporter, Kansas, served as managing editor for The Jefferson Gazette, Ohio; The Sterling Bulletin, Kansas; Southwest Daily Times, Liberal, Kansas; The Baytown Sun, Texas; The Osawatomie Graphic, Kansas; and The Norton Telegram, Kansas.
He enjoyed reading, photography and watching sports, especially Jayhawks basketball. He appreciated the occasional cigar, and delighted in time spent with his granddaughter.

Marilyn Faith Obermeyer, 90, of Salina, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017, and is now in the presence of her Heavenly Father.

David Allen Mayfield, 67, passed away  after a courageous battle with cancer on July 27, 2017.

Patricia Jean “Pat” Emfinger, 77, formerly of West Linn, Ore. was welcomed home by God with open arms, Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Hutchinson. She was born Dec. 2, 1939 in Ellsworth to Godfrey and Marie (Jezek) Soukup.

Pat married Eugene Emfinger at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina on June 7, 1958. He preceded her in death in 1976. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Ellsworth. She was a woman of strong faith and love for the Lord and was a pillar of strength for her children.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Sandra K. Boulineau (William Robert “Bobby) of Ellsworth; son, Douglas Emfinger (Anne) of Oceanside, Calif.; grandchildren, Emily and Andrew; daughter, Theresa Ann Walsh of Kaiser, Ore.; brother, Bill Soukup of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and loving dog, Taco.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene; son, David Eugene; infant twins, Marcus Allen and Michael James; brothers, Larry and Bob Soukup; and sister, Evelyn Hloucal.