Obituaries

Bethold Joseph ‘B.J.’ Hirt, 81, died May 21, 2021 in Lincoln, Neb., after a short battle with cancer. He was a wonderful father, husband, teacher, scientist, master woodworker and friend to anybody who stopped by the shop in his garage to chat.

Erma Choitz, 87, passed away Friday, May 21, 2021 in Wilson. She was born Dec. 17, 1933 on a small farm near Bazaar, Kan. to Herman & Caroline (Paulson) Wehrenberg. Erma was an only child and spent countless hours spending time and playing with her loving parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Annette (Jeanie) Jean Hemmy, 80, of Salina, Kan., gracefully entered into the glorious garden in the sky on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. She spent her final days at home with her loving spouse, James Hames (Jim). Jeanie was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Ellsworth, Kan. to Raymond and Victoria (Ploutz) Zavesky.

Donald E. Cikanek, 88, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at his home in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Jan. 16, 1933 in Ellsworth to Frank and Jessie (Bebout) Cikanek. Donald was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth where he was a proud graduate of Ellsworth High School class of 1951.

Janell (Ploutz) Harris, age 62, of Frohna, Mo., passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 6, 1959, in Ellsworth, Mo., the daughter of Carl Ploutz and Alice (Bray) Ploutz.

Todd Tyrone Toman, 61, Hill City, Kan., formerly of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Hays Medical Center. Todd was born July 27, 1959 in Ellsworth, Kan. to William “Bill” and Jacqueline “Jackie” (Hoopes) Toman. A Celebration of Life service is at 1 p.m.

Marsha Gail Folk, 66, passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Hutchinson, Kan. She was born Dec. 20, 1954, in Wichita, Kan. to Melvin and Mary (Perkins) Folk. Marsha was a longtime resident of Lyons, Kan.

Larry Dale Slaight, 84, went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2021 at Mercy Hospice after an injury from a fall. He was born Aug. 5, 1936 in Ellsworth, Kan., to Gerald and Helen (Kasper) Slaight. Larry grew up on a farm near Ellsworth.

Pauline Rose Masopust, 95, passed away Friday, May 14, 2021 in Wilson, Kan. She was born March 5, 1926 in Ellsworth County, Kan. to Frank and Matilda (Yindra) Harbacek. Pauline was a longtime resident of Ellsworth where she married Alfred J. Masopust on April 1, 1943.

Lloyd William Haase, 92, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Ellsworth, Kan. Memorial funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, north Ellsworth with military honors following in the church cemetery. Suggested memorials are to St.