Alex (Butch)Thacker (class 1960)

 

Alex “Butch” Thacker of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the age of 82.

Born on March 10, 1942, in Russell, Kansas, to Percy and Ruby (Corwin) Thacker, Alex grew up on a farm near Paradise, Kansas, and graduated from Paradise High School. Alex attended Fort Hays State University for a year, but he was eventually drafted into the Army, proudly serving in Vietnam as a heavy truck operator. Alex was married to Maralee (Pflieger) Thacker before her passing in 1988, and together they had two children.

Alex lived in Phillipsburg and McPherson, Kansas, raising his children before moving to Wichita, Kansas, and finally settling in Salina for the last 27 years of his life. He enjoyed engaging with people and spent most of his career in sales, initially in agricultural-related products, traveling the state to speak with farmers and businessmen. Later, he turned his passion for cars into a successful career selling vehicles in McPherson and Salina, earning the trust and respect of many repeat customers. Alex enjoyed owning his vehicles and taking long road trips in them, especially to California to visit his son’s family. He also enjoyed dining out at his favorite restaurants with family and friends, telling stories about the past, making the occasional joke, and relaxing in front of the television.

However, his greatest joy was his family, who will miss him dearly. Alex loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, particularly at their sporting events and performances. He was immensely proud of their accomplishments and would make sure others were aware of their successes. He was always supportive of his family, even during challenging times, and was sought out in times of need.

Alex is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Baird (husband Shane), of Salina, Kansas, and his son, Justin (wife Lori), of San Diego, California. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Kelsi Baird (partner Coleman Jordan), of Hutchinson, Kansas, Trenton Baird (partner Dana Gase) and Breanna Baird of Wichita, and Kiana, Malia and Kai Thacker of San Diego. Additionally, he leaves behind his beloved great-grandchildren, Harper Smith and Decker and Colt Jordan, of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Maralee, his sister Darlene Mowry, and his brother Duane.

Visitation will be held at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, Salina, on Wednesday the 23rd, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 11:30 AM Ryan Mortuary,137 N 8th St, Salina, with a burial at 2:00 PM at McPherson City Cemetery, 1601 Cemetery Dr, McPherson, KS 67460. Memorial contribution suggestions include the Kansas Honor Flight and the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

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Jere Jackson (Husband of Elaine Brown class of 1959)

 

Jere W. Jackson, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Independence, Missouri, on September 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. He was born to Burton and Evelyn (McKinster) Jackson on March 11, 1941, and raised in Barnard, Kansas.

Upon graduating from Barnard High School in 1959, Jere attended Fort Hays State University where he met his wife of 64 years, Elaine K. Brown of Paradise, Kansas. The couple settled in Independence, Missouri in 1960 where they built a wonderful life full of lifelong friendships in their neighborhood on 45th Street and as active members at Christ United Methodist Church.

Jere enjoyed a successful career as a mechanical engineer and was the family handyman, fixing everything from cars to garbage disposals. He faithfully and enthusiastically attended each and every family activity and sporting event and was an avid fan of Elaine’s piano students over the years. He was also a great singer himself in both the church choir and men’s quartet, the Faithful Four. He loved westerns, football, the outdoors and all animals except the moles that dug up his yard. Jere was well-known for being a tireless, generous and kind man with the greatest sense of humor. He was incredibly hard-working, attentive and devoted to his family, friends, and faith. He shared his positive spirit with all who knew him, along with a good joke and an ornery grin.

Jere was preceded in death by his parents, older sister, Jane Ann Eikleberry, and brother-in-law, Ernie.

He leaves his wife, Elaine; daughters, Lori Grubb (Jeffrey) and Jennifer Garrett (Tracy); grandsons, Jason Grubb (Alexis), Justin Grubb, and Grant Garrett; as well as four great grandchildren. He also leaves brother-in-law, Myron Brown (Shirley); sister-in-law, Marilyn Bandy (Ron); four nieces, one nephew and their families; assorted other family members and countless dear friends and neighbors.

The visitation and funeral will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 East 39th Street South, Independence on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. with service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Lobb Cemetery in Blue Springs, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.

Future Paradise School Reunions information needed!!!!!

 The reunion committee has asked me to poll the alumni, to see if they are interested in having reunions annually.

The committee is considering having a reunion next year.

What I need, is for you to click on the "post a comment using the button below." The Button is marked "no comment". The reason it says no comment is because no comments have been approved. Only the moderator will be able to read the comments.

Leave me a message as to your thoughts about changing the reunion to annual get togethers.

Also post your name so that I know that you are a legitimate alum.

Click the Publish button when you have completed your comment.

Only the moderator will be able to read your comments.

Thank you for your input!!!!

Onnalee Harrell full obituary (Millard Harrell) class 1959 (Updated Service information)

 Graveside service will be August 16th. at 11:00 AM.

Location is Mt. Hermon cemetery located west of Paradise, Ks

It is with heavy heart to report that Onnalee Harrell passed away at 10:03 Friday August 2nd.

Onnalee was the originator of this blog.

Obituary

Onnalee Jean Harrell, 83, Emporia, Kansas, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Holiday Resort. 
 
Onnalee was born January 14, 1941, in Rocky Ford, Colorado, the daughter of Warren and Kathryn Mary (Nicholas) Leonard. She married Millard L. Harrell in Karval, Colorado on August 7, 1965. He survives.  Other family members include her son; Kelby L. Harrell, Emporia, Kansas, daughter; Gwen (Chuck) Modlin, Emporia, Kansas, grandchildren; Josh (Sarah) Stutler, Jacob (Luisa) Stutler, and Jared and Jacey Stutler, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother; Kathryn Inness and brother; Gwendal Leonard. 
 
Upon graduating from Karval High School in Karval, Colorado, Onnalee attended Bethany Nazarene College where she graduated with Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and also Psychology/Sociology. Her first teaching job took her to Paradise, Kansas where she taught grade school, jr. high and high school choir and band. During the school year, she met her husband, Millard, who grew up in Paradise, but was also teaching choir and band in a nearby town, Luray. Millard and Onnalee married August 7, 1965.  Together they moved to Kit Carson, Colorado where they both taught choir and band and where their family grew with the birth of their son, Kelby. They later moved to Elkhart, Kansas where they also added another member to their family, their daughter Gwen.  Millard and Onnalee both took a break from teaching while in Elkhart and became the owners of Harrell Furniture Store and Harrell Funeral Home. Along with these businesses, Onnalee still pursued her love for teaching music by giving private piano lessons and also directing a youth choir called Gospel Express Youth Choir.  She touched many children’s lives and gave them wonderful memories of performing many times and also the experience of recording an album and other recordings of their music. After Kelby and Gwen were grown and out on their own, Onnalee decided to go back into teaching in the public school setting and taught choir at Elkhart Middle School and Elkhart High School. Before retiring. 
 
Onnalee’s health started declining shortly after and she became a recipient of a liver transplant in 2001. We were given 23 bonus years with Onnalee after her transplant, but other health issues soon followed. Despite her health, Onnalee’s faith gave her the ability to always remain positive and be grateful for her life each day. As she was unable to get out to socialize that often she was blessed with the connections she had with so many through emails and texts and especially Facebook. She loved Facebook and being able to connect and keep up with her former students and their families, but her greatest pride was sharing pictures and stories with all of her friends.  She was very proud of sharing woodcarvings that Millard carved and sharing pictures of her kids and especially sharing the lives of her grandchildren. 
 
Onnalee truly left the world a better place with her positiveness and encouragement she shared every day. She made the best of any situation she was in regardless of if it was during her stay at the hospital, doctor’s visits or just visiting with friends and family. 
 
Cremation is planned. A graveside service will take place in Paradise, Kansas at a later date.  

Paradise school reunion 2024 (New update)

Another successful school reunion has come and gone.

Thank you, to Dan Hoisington, Deb Maupin and Roger Pruter for making it happen.

There were 103 that attended. 107 is the largest gathering. I don't know what year that was.

Lisa Anderson took pictures. Her web site is as follows.

images by lisa

or

https://www.imagesbylisa.photo

As of this writing, Lisa hadn't posted the pictures of the Reunion.

There should be a group picture of All the attendees' that were students of Paradise.

On her website, you can contact her if you have questions.

Mollie Harberer Obit (Husband Eric Harberer class 59)

 

Marlene K. “Mollie” (Atkinson) Haberer, 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas with her loving family by her side.

Mollie was born December 10, 1941 in Marquette, Kansas. She was one of five children born to John and Ruby (Liss) Atkinson. She grew up in Marquette and graduated from Marquette High School in the Class of 1959. She then attended Kansas Wesleyan University where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She would later serve on the Board of Trustees at KWU. Her time at KWU held a special place in her heart as it was there that she made cherished friends and memories that would last a lifetime.

Mollie met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Eric Haberer on July 24, 1964 in Marquette. They made their home on the farm north of Russell. This union was blessed with three children; Denise, Paul and Matthew. Both Eric and Mollie enjoyed following their kids and grandchildren’s sports and activities closely. This brought immeasurable happiness into their lives.

Mollie started her elementary teaching career in Salina followed by a year in the Luray School District before moving to USD 399 in Natoma, Waldo, and Paradise where she worked for 25 years. Mollie took great pride in being an educator and later she returned to Ft. Hays State University to obtain a Reading Specialist Degree. So many will remember Mollie fondly for her kindness and patience.

Beyond her professional accomplishments and family life Mollie is a member of the Paradise Valley Grace Church in Paradise, Kansas. She also dedicated herself to various causes close to her heart including volunteering with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary while also working at the conference level with the United Methodist Church as well as local church activities.

More important than her life achievements is the fact that Mollie was considered by those who knew her to be a kind-hearted, gracious, Christian woman who fiercely loved God, her husband, family and community.

Mollie’s surviving family include her husband of almost 60 years, Eric of the home; daughter, Denise Archer (Kevin) of Colwich, Kansas; son, Paul Haberer (Manuela) of San Antonio, Texas; daughter in law, Gabi Haberer Brown; twin sisters, Karen Pricer (Dan) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Sharen Resendes (Joe) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and six grandchildren; Calin Archer, Bret Archer, Julie Archer, Sophia Haberer, Levi Haberer and Aiden Haberer.

Mollie was preceded in death by her parents; son, Matthew Haberer on June 9, 2021; and nephew Stephen Resendes.

Celebration of Mollie’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 22, 2024 at the Paradise Valley Grace Church in Paradise, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Fairport Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, July 21, 2024 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Kansas Wesleyan University or the Paradise Valley Grace Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Jon Anderson (Class 1958)

 

Jon Anderson Obituary

Jon Anderson
09/26/1940 - 03/13/2024
Jon Tobias Anderson, passed away at the age of 83, in the early morning of March 13, 2024. Born on the high plains of far northwestern Kansas, on September 26, 1940, Jon grew up in Paradise, Kansas.
Frequently the smartest person in any room, Jon was known for his lightning-fast wit, high intelligence and gentle humor that warmed the lives of all he met. He devoted his life to service to his country and to the interests of Justice under Law. For his service as General Counsel of the National Security Agency, he was awarded the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service.
Jon graduated from Harvard University with both a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies and a Juris Doctor from the Harvard Law School. Before attending Harvard University, Jon served as a naval officer in the Pacific Fleet, after graduating from Kansas University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and History.
Jon joined the San Francisco Law Firm, Thelen, Marrin, Johnson, and Bridges, after law school. He also enjoyed practicing U.S. law in Jakarta, Indonesia, before he returned to San Francisco and the Thelen firm. As a partner in the firm, Jon primarily practiced construction law, except for his years as General Counsel of the National Security Agency. After Jon retired from the practice of law in 2011, he taught construction law at Santa Clara University School of Law and served as a member of the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury as well as on the Board of Directors of the Presidio Heights Association of Neighbors.
Jon and Dorothy Glancy married in 1979. In addition to loving each other and sharing some of the most interesting of dinner conversations, they enjoyed traveling the world together, as well as attending classical music concerts and ballet performances.
Jon was happy to get up before dawn to join friends for a round of golf, as the sun came up through the chilly fog. Jon's warm kindness, his enduring patience, his good humor and his remarkable intelligence brought joy to all who knew him.
We remember Jon's intense blue eyes, his loyalty and persistent kindness, as well as Jon's keen intelligence and willingness to lend a generous hand. These are only some of the facets of Jon T. Anderson that made the time we shared with him unique.
Those who wish to remember Jon are requested to make thoughtful contributions to their favorite charities. A celebration of Jon's life is planned for the afternoon of April 26. For details, please send an email to glancyanderson@gmail.com that includes how you remember Jon and how many people will join you in attending Jon's Celebration of Life.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Mar. 28 to Mar. 29, 2024.

Funeral services provided by:

https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/california/san-francisco/neptune-society-of-northern-california-san-francisco/fh-2895

Gerhard W. "Gary" Albrecht (Class 1950)

 

Gerhard W. “Gary” Albrecht, 91, Hays, died Thursday, March 7, 2024 at HaysMed.

He was born September 27, 1932 on the family farm south of Natoma, the son of Edward B. and Meta (Paulsen) Albrecht.  Gary attended grade school in Paradise and graduated from Paradise Rural High School in 1950.  He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was a flight engineer, serving from 1951-1976 during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Gary earned an Associate’s Degree in Ag Research from Solono Community College.  He was an appliance repairman and worked for the Kansas State Ag Research Center in Hays, retiring in 1982.  On January 25, 1980, he was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” (Welling) Campbell in Hays and they celebrated 44 years of marriage.  Gary and Pat became Family Teachers for DSNWK in 1981, and they ran a group home for three years while also training others to become Family Teachers.  He was a member of Hays Christian Church, serving as a Deacon, greeter, and a board member, and loved being a part of the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard.  Gary was a weekly volunteer at the Community Assistance Center and the Ellis County Historical Society and enjoyed black powder shooting, golfing, and in April of 2019 his daughters escorted him on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Survivors include his wife Pat of Hays, two daughters, Vicki Albrecht of Hays and Tracy Albrecht-Ilic and husband Borno of Inglewood, CA, three stepsons, Blaine Campbell and wife Marcie of Madison, WI, Flint Campbell and wife Carol of Arnold, and Kyle Campbell and wife Bun of Montgomery, TX, a stepdaughter, Robin Henman and husband Perry of Ellis, a brother, Dennis Albrecht of Russell, 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and John Albrecht and two sisters in-law, Karen and Donna Albrecht.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Hays Christian Church, with Pastor Cana Moore officiating.  Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney.  The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard.  Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Gary may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com 

Services

VISITATION

Thursday
March 14, 2024
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Hays Christian Church
1318 E. 22nd Street
Hays, KS 6760

FUNERAL SERVICE

Thursday
March 14, 2024
10:00 AM
Hays Christian Church
1318 E. 22nd Street
Hays, KS 67601

Lyle E. Oswald (Class 1961)

 

Lyle E. Oswald, 80, passed away January 15, 2024, in Meridian, Idaho.

Lyle Oswald was born February 23, 1943, in Russell, Kansas to parents Edward and Opal Oswald.

Lyle was the youngest of four children and the only boy.  Lyle graduated high school then served in the Navy for 8 years. He met his first wife Sandra Kuban (Sandy) while stationed in Corpus Cristi Texas and married her in 1962 and they had four children his sons Wes Oswald, Gary Oswald, Tom Oswald, and daughter Cara Oswald. As a family they loved to go off roading at Glamis in California. In December of 2004 Lyle married Earlene Tullar in Eugene, Oregon.

He enjoyed camping, off roading, square dancing with whirl-a-ways, and RV traveling. Lyle was always saying something funny. Our memories and laughter are so much better having known Lyle and his million-dollar smile. Never to be forgotten! We all miss you Lyle and hold you dear to our hearts.

Lyle is survived by his wife Earlene Oswald, his Children Wes and (Jayne) Oswald, Gary and (Rose) Oswald, Tom and (Ines) Oswald, and daughter Cara and (Tim) Vansteenwyk. Son-in-law Curtis Broadsword and (Blanka), Daughter-in-law (Dave) and Andrea Abramson, Sister Carolyn Keil and (Larry, deceased), Sisters Ina Dreiling and (Norb, deceased), and Virginia Bailey, deceased, and (Lenoard). His special pets – Gracie and Bella that where always at his side and his best friends!

He is preceded in death by his first wife Sandy, his parents Opal and Edward Oswald, his sisters Virginia Bailey and Ina Dreiling as well as his brothers-in-law Norb Dreiling and Larry Keil.

A special thanks to the wonderful people at the cottages- Lochsa Falls and White Oak Hospice, who made Lyles journey a little easier.

Celebration of life will be in the Spring in Russell, Kansas time and date to be announced.

Bowman Funeral Home was in charge.

 Bowman Funeral Directors – Caring Funeral Services in Treasure Valley Idaho