Dale Eugene Hiser, age 75, of Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 in a Chattanooga hospital.

Dale was born July 11, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, the son of the late Bessie Smith Hiser and Grady Hiser.

His sisters, Bonnie Bain, Freda Lambert and his brothers, Marvin Hiser and Roy Hiser also preceded him in death.

For 51 years, he served in management for several large manufacturing companies including Cessna Aircraft, Copeland-Emerson, Lexington Furniture, Maytag/Whirlpool and Lay-Z-Boy.

Barry Keith Doane, age 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at his farm near Downs, Kansas

John D. Gregory, age 70, of Wichita, passed away on November 25, 2022, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was born John DeRoam Gregory to Sylvia Patricia Wilhoit and Truman Gregory on October 28, 1952, in Osborne, Kansas. As an only child, he grew up helping his father on the farm in Woodston, Kansas. John attended primary school in Woodston, Kansas, and later, John graduated from Stockton High School in 1970 after Woodston closed due to low enrollment.

Harold Franklin “Bud” Beck Jr., age 74, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 25, 2022 at the Lawrence Medical Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas.

Bud was born August 14, 1948, in Plainville, Kansas. He was the son of Harold F. Sr., and Reva (Rigby) Beck. He grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma High School in the Class of 67.

Bud served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Derek Brent Sheffer, age 71, of McCook, Neb., formerly of Hutchinson, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Community Hospital in McCook.

He was born on June 21, 1951, in Phillipsburg, to Winton Lott and Peggy Jeanne (Stice) Sheffer. He received his education in Stockton, Kansas where he graduated from high school.

Derek was united in marriage to Paula Suzanne Schmidt on September 1, 1984, in Enid, Okla.

Derek worked for AutoZone for many years in Hutchinson until his retirement in 2016.

Edna Mae (Fry) Stithem, of Stockton, passed away on November 24, 2022, in her hometown at the age of 85.

She was born on February 13, 1937, to Ernest and Famy Elizabeth (Butler) Fry in Stockton. She married Dale Bretton in Glade, Kansas and they were blessed with four daughters: Doris, Darlene, Dorothy, and Dixie. They later divorced and on June 7, 1970, she married Jerry Stithem in Plainville, Kansas.

Gilbert E. “Gil” Ferland, age 84, Hays, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022, at HaysMed.

He was born September 9, 1938, at home in Damar, the son of Euclide and Marie (Benoit) Ferland.

For 60 years, Gil worked in the oilfield, starting out driving the water truck for his brother when he was 16. He worked on drilling rigs, cable tool for oil and gas wells, and was a pumper. He swathed and baled for local farmers and delivered mail to Nebraska at night.

Former Hays resident, Ruth Elaine Miller, age 93, Stockton, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton.

She was born February 28, 1929, in Webster, the daughter of Charles J. and Eunice (Selby) McCormick.

She was a graduate of Webster High School, and on December 11, 1947, was united in marriage to Charles A. “Buck” Miller in Osborne. They were married over 45 years before he preceded her in death on April 5, 1993.

Thomas Ray Hammersmith, a gregarious and genuine personality who had the ability to instantly connect with others and never met a stranger, died November 22, 2022, surrounded by the love of his wife and three children, his mother, his siblings and their families, and all of his friends. He was 50.

Please join us at https://www.elliottmortuary.com/obituary/thomas-hammersmith to celebrate Tom’s life by leaving memorial notes, prayers, photos, and other remembrances.

Kenneth E. “Kenny” Riffe, 81, passed away on November 6, 2022.

He was a farmer and a veteran.

Kenny suffered a series of health issues in 2022, but fought a valiant effort to overcome them despite adverse conditions.

He is survived by his three children: Yvonne, Patrick and Kent; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.