Obituaries

Ivan C. “Skip” Craig, 93, Joplin, Mo. passed away at 3:50 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2016 at Spring River Christian Village after a long illness.
Ivan was born June 3, 1922 in Lorraine, Kan. to Roscoe Craig, Sr. and Nellie Henry Craig and had  lived in Joplin the past 16 years, moving from Lorraine.  
He worked as a mechanic for the Federal Housing Administration for five years and worked as a sheet metal mechanic for United Airlines in San Francisco for three years. He returned to Lorraine in 1955 and worked as a self-employed painter for the next nine years.  Ivan then took a custodian position at the Lorraine Baptist Church, worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, and drove a school bus for the local school district.  
Ivan enjoyed rodeos, races, home remodeling, and woodworking.  He was a faithful member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin. Ivan was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1941-1947.  

Estella Marie (Crabtree) Nuss, 92, of Wilson, Kan. passed away Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth, Kan.

Larry L. Baecht, 76 of Ellsworth, Kan., died April 2, 2016 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.  
Larry was born Sept. 7, 1939 in Concordia, Kan. to Jewell K. and Lucille (Seifert) Baecht. Larry grew up in the Clyde/Clifton area where he attended elementary, junior and senior high schools, graduating with the Class of 1957. He graduated from Wichita State University in 1962. After graduation, Larry was in the U.S. Navy Reserve, during the Vietnam War and worked in personnel in hospitals in Wichita.   
He married Barbara Collings June 27, 1968.  Leaving Wichita in 1974, Larry and family lived in a number of communities in Kansas including Marysville, Lincoln, Hoxie, Ellsworth, and, finally, Lawrence.  Over the years, Larry had many jobs, including hospital administrator, substitute teacher, insurance sales, high school sports referee, and — probably closest to his heart —  farming. He was a member of Ellsworth Lions Club and Masonic Lodge.

Dr. Andrew E. Hefner, N.D., 77, died March 18, 2016 at his home in Great Bend. He was born June 12, 1938 in Clovis, N.M. to Kit Carson and Mavis Hefner. He was a Naturopathic Doctor.

He opened his practice as a Naturopath in 1966, in Bushton. He was the key sponsor of the first legislation in Kansas recognizing Naturopaths as part of the healing arts. Eventually he moved his Naturopath practice to Great Bend where he continued assisting patients from across Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas for the remainder of his life.
In 2006, Dr. Hefner also became a care coordinator for Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, while maintaining his medical practice. As a care coordinator, he was able to pursue his passion advocating for and guiding families facing aging and chronic illness issues. He continued in that capacity until his death.

Harold Lee “Chuck” Kralik, 78, died March 16, 2016 in Ellsworth. He was born Aug. 20, 1937 in Palacky Township, the son of Winslow and Emma (Galliart) Kralik. He worked in construction for Peter Kewitt Construction, Kohl’s Construction and also as a truck driver for Homolka Grain and Supply. He served his country in the US Marine Corp from 1955-1958. He was a member of American Legion Post 174 and a retired member and past chief of the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Dept.

Louis Andrew Brubaker, 91, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016. Born to Harry B. and Esther N. Anderson Brubaker Nov.3, 1924 in Ellsworth, Louis graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Hays State University. He was a former school teacher having taught for more than 15 years as well as the principal of Bavaria Grade School and Brookville Junior High.  He was a pipefitter for many years working on power plants and industrial construction. Louis was an avid gardener and loved to dance.  He attended Arthur Murray Dance School in the 1940s. Louis served in WWII as a Seaman 1st Class in the Navy on the USS Enterprise where he earned his Purple Heart.  

Louis was a past commander for VFW Post 6485 in Ellsworth and was a member of the Pipefitter’s Local 145 Union Grand Junction, Colo.

Louis is preceded in death by his first wife, Mona Vopat Brubaker (1986), Mildred Thomas Brubaker (1999), brothers, Harry Brubaker, Jr and Benjamin Brubaker, and his parents.  

Patricia Lee ‘Patty’ Adamek, 75, died Sunday, March 6, 2016.

She was born Sept. 2, 1940, in Ellsworth, to Vince and Bertha (Setter) Terry.

She lived briefly in western Kansas when her father was a John Deere plow salesman. Upon moving to Wichita in early childhood she attended McCormick, St. Joseph, All Saints, Sacred Heart and East High schools. Patty attended the St. Francis School of Nursing and graduated in 1961 as a registered nurse. She began her career in Arizona, then returned to the Red Cross in Wichita. Patty also built her career in Texas, participated in a nursing mission to Honduras, and worked in New York and Maryland before returning again to Wichita. Over the course of the next 20 years, she became an active member of the staff at St. Joseph Hospital, progressing to management responsibilities.

Nadine B. Keener, 84, passed away Tuesday, March 15 in Bella Vista, Ark.

Nadine was born Nov. 9, 1931 to Ernest and Mary Smith in Omaha, Ark. She grew up in Salina, Kan., and graduated from Salina High School.    She married Don (M.D.) Keener on March 26, 1950 and raised four children in Kanopolis, Kan. before she and Don retired to Bella Vista, Ark. in 1993. Don and Nadine were married for 61 years until Don’s passing in 2011.  

Nadine was an avid bowler, golfer, bridge player, and an excellent seamstress, even making her daughters’ wedding dresses. Nadine loved music and singing. In her youth, she sang in an acappella choir. She was also a competitive roller figure skater.  

She is survived by three daughters and spouses, Linda and John Fox of Bella Vista, Shelly and Richard Janssen of Ellsworth, Kan., Kimberly and Alan Anschutz of Bella Vista; and one son, Brian Keener and  his wife, Lynne of Ellsworth.

Donnice Marie Bennett was born June 8, 1938 in Holyrood, Kan. She was the daughter of John and Marie (Boye) Adamek.
She departed this life entering her heavenly home on March 3, 2016 at the age of 77. She had resided in Owasso, Okla. for the last several years. She used her talent and gift of music to teach piano lessons to many during her five decades she resided in Borger, Texas. She was always an active church choir member blessing others with her piano and organ skills. She held fond memories of her grandkids, her cats, choir friends, and former piano students. A private family memorial will be held in her hometown of Holyrood, Kansas.
Donnice was preceded in death by her parents.

Raymond C. “Ray” Wallert, 100, Gladstone, Mo., passed away peacefully at home, with his loving family at his side, March 6, 2016.  

A visitation is planned from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City.

Ray was born, Dec. 24, 1915 to Alex and Anna Wallert in Russell County, Kan. He grew up on the farm, one of nine children. He married Sophia Somer and they enjoyed 72 years together. Ray worked for Sohio as a pumper in the oil fields of Kansas for 35 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Ellsworth County, Kan.

Survivors include his loving wife, Sophia; daughter Deborah Crockett (Chip Bennett); his only living sibling, Alice Sheridan; and multiple nieces, nephews and friends.  

In memory of Ray, the family suggests contributions to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Mo. 64114.