Obituaries

Robert Eugene Schmoekel, 77, of Overland Park, passed away March 26, 2020. He was born on Feb. 20, 1943 to Fred and Valeria (Pflughoeft) Schmoekel in Ellsworth, Kan. He had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure 5 years ago.

Frank Herman Choitz, 80, passed away Friday, March 27, 2020, in Ellsworth. He was born June 22, 1939 in Ellsworth to Emil and Dorothea (Choitz) Choitz. Frank was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where he was a mechanic, Case dealer, and partner at Choitz Bros. Equipment Co.

Randall Jay Dumler, 58, died March 21, 2020 at his home in Hoisington. He was born Sept. 14, 1961 in Ellsworth, Kan., the son of Donald and Marilyn (Kruger) Dumler.   Randy graduated from Sterling High School and then attended Hutchinson Community College and St. Johns College in Winfield.

Jim F. Lamia, 68, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020 in Salina. He was born Jan. 12, 1952 in Ellsworth to Jasper and Mary Ann (Simanella) Lamia.

Joseph “Van Earl” Charvat, age 87 of Ellsworth, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Village in Ellsworth.  Van was born Jan. 5, 1933 to Joseph and Josephine (Lilak) Charvat in Dorrance, Kan.

Ruth M. Fleming, 64, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020, in Wichita. She was born April 27, 1955 in Ellsworth, the daughter of David L. and Thelma M. (Keehner) Fleming. Ruth was a longtime resident of Lorraine where she was a ward clerk and CNA at Ellsworth County Medical Center.

Richard K. “Dick” Urban, 97, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020, in Ellsworth. He was born Nov. 9, 1922 in Lincoln County, the son of George Henry and Frances (Boyle) Urban. Dick was called to duty to serve his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy during WWII.

Richard K. Urban, 97, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020 in Ellsworth. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth is handling arrangements.  Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com

Robert D. Ashbaugh, 74, of Salina, Kan., passed away Friday, March 13, 2020. Robert was born in Webster, Kan. May 27, 1945, a son of the late Ruth (Mindenhall) and Elda David Ashbaugh. On May 27, 1972 he married Kathy J. Meitler. She survives of the home.

Janet Bruning, 65, of Cody, Wyo. died Feb. 26, 2020 in Casper, Wyo. Jan was born Jan. 8, 1955 in Ellsworth Kan. to Orval and Hazel Bruning.  She is survived by brothers Gary and Michael, and sisters Donna (Mike) Flannery, Nancy Bruning and Kathleen (Melvin) Macek.