Deaths (March 23, 2016)

? JOSEPH ?JOEY? MELNYK, 29, died March 13 at Hills?boro.

A celebration of life service is planned for 11 a.m. Wed?nesday, March 23, at Parkview Church, Hillsboro, officiated by pastor Steve Schroeder. Family will receive guests from 10 a.m. until service time at the church on Wed?nesday.

He was born Feb. 13, 1987, on the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho to Patty (Tracy) Decker and Mark Melnyk.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Patty and Randy Decker, of Hills?boro; father and stepmother, Mark and Sharon Melnyk of Savannah, Ga.; grandmother Helen Melnyk of Spring?field, lll.

He also is survived by his sister Tracy (Melnyk) Pall?mann of Berlin, Germany, and stepbrother Tanner Decker of Denver, Colo., and close friend Christina Green of Hutchinson.

Contributions to the Joey Melnyk Memorial Fund can be sent in care of Jost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 266, Hillsboro, KS 67063.

Online condolences to the family can be sent via jostfuneralhome.com.

? PHILLIP HOWARD SCHMIDT, 76, retired heavy equipment operator and welder, died Feb. 18.

The memorial service was at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 19, at Baker Funeral Home in Valley Center.

He was born Aug. 9, 1939, to Irvin C. and Evelyn L. (Pierce) Schmidt in Hills?boro. On May 23, 2000, he was married to Kathleen (Delk) Schmidt, who predeceased him.

He is survived by his children, Darrin W. Schmidt of Wichita, Aimee D. Davis of Wichita, and stepson Dwight (Crystal) Johnson of Hills?boro; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

? RITA MARIE (TAJCHMAN) STRAFUSS, 86, retired Boeing worker, died March 19 at Manhattan.

The Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday March 23, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan; visitation will follow until 8:30 p.m.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Manhat?tan, Thursday, March 24.

The burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the family plot at the Saint John Nepo?mucene Catholic Church cemetery in Pilsen.

She was born Aug. 21, 1929, in her parents? farmhouse near Ramona. Almost 62 years ago, she was married to Herman Anton Strafuss, who survives.

She also is survived by six sons, Ben, Mark, Dan, David, Jim and Jon; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorials to the Manhat?tan Catholic Schools Scholar?ship Fund can be sent in care of the Yorgen?sen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502.

? Edward ?Ed? AND Laquetta ?LUKE? SIEBERT.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 26, at Marion Cemetery with pastor Jeff Lee officiating. A memorial fund has been established for the Marion City Library, in care of Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

? BEVERLY WILSON, 63, died March 19. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Peabody Christian Church. Burial will follow at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. March 23 at Baker Funeral Home in Peabody.

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