Tillie JoEllen Jacobs, 87, of Syracuse, died Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Hamilton County Hospital, Syracuse. She was born January 27, 1932, to Albert Nelson and Erma Laverne (Rooker) Lyons, in Ochelata, OK.

Tillie graduated from Eureka High School and Emporia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. She was a homemaker, school teacher, and clerk for Montgomery Ward and Walmart.

On November 26, 1953, Tillie married Wendell Earl ‘Jake’ Jacobs in Eureka. They shared almost 60 years of marriage before his death on March 21, 2013.

She is survived by: daughters, Janet (Rick) Mathias, Syracuse, Kristi (Neal) Lewis, Shawnee; daughter-in-law, Blanca (Robert) Ireland, LaVista, NE; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Lois Lyons, Eureka.

Tillie was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; son, Mark; brother, Nelson Lyons; and sister, Beverly Mock.

Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2019, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with Pastor Jay Lewis officiating. Memorials may be made to Hamilton County VIP, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Elnora ‘Mae’ Yoder, 87, of Hutchinson, died May 9, 2019. She was born April 30, 1932, in Lagrange, Indiana, to Albert M. and Saloma (Troyer) Yoder.

She was a dairyman’s farm wife and homemaker. On December 25, 1952, she married Crist H. Yoder in Hutchinson. Her husband of 66 years survives.

Also surviving are: children, Jerry and wife Ella of Grantsville, MD, Irene Yoder and husband Merle, Betty Yoder, both of Hutchinson, Carol Nisly and husband Stan of Altamont, KS, Arthur and wife Tiffany Corceone of Baton Rouge, LA; brothers, Melvin Yoder of Hutchinson, Harry Yoder of Middleburg, IN; sister, Mary Yoder of Hutchinson; 18 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; sons, Marvin, Daniel and Delmar; daughter-in-law, Ruth Yoder; brothers, Thomas and Mervin Yoder; and sister, Catherine Miller.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2019, at Center Amish Mennonite Church, 7611 W. Morgan Rd., Hutchinson, with Pastors David Yoder, Paul Yoder and Dwight Miller officiating. Burial will be in West Center Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.

Suggested memorial gifts may be made to Hands of Christ, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Ethan Brandon Edgar, 18, died unexpectedly May 6, 2019, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  He was born April 30, 2001, in Hutchinson, to Vanessa Edgar and Earl Smith.

Ethan enjoyed listening to music, especially rap music.  He was a unique individual and touched more lives than he ever realized.  Most recently, Ethan became interested in his dad’s car club.  Both Ethan and Earl were looking forward to attending car shows together.  Ethan was a loving son, brother, grandson, and cousin.

He is survived by:  mom, Vanessa Edgar; father, Earl Smith, both of Hutchinson; sisters, Gabriella Benitez, Selena Guthrie, Valentia Smith; maternal grandma, Mila Edgar; maternal grandfather, Ronnie Williams; paternal grandmother, Liza Smith; paternal grandfather, Dana Smith; aunts, Claudia Cavender, Michelle Smith; uncles, Kelly Edgar, Andrew Edgar, Corey Smith; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Edgar.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Josh Moore officiating.  Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.  Memorials may be made to the Ethan Edgar Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Edna Viola Kauffman, 97, of South Hutchinson, died Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. She was born November 12, 1921, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Sylvanus and Martha (Beachy) Miller. Edna worked as an assistant to a dermatologist at the University of Iowa. After retirement she enjoyed volunteering for numerous organizations. Edna was an avid walker, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, and loved reading. She was a member of Journey@SouthHutchinson.

On December 17, 1994, Edna married Daniel Kauffman in Kalona, Iowa. He died September 3, 2011.

Surviving are: stepchildren, Larry Kauffman (Debbie), Arlington, TX, Emma Swartz (Keith), Harrisonville, MO, John Kauffman (Reen), Excello, MO, Mary Mininger (Phil), Paoli, IN, Barb Weber (Merlin), Hutchinson, Dan Kauffman (Shelley), Hutchinson; sister, Vida Yutzy, South Hutchinson; brother, Sylvanus Miller Jr., West Branch IA; sisters-in-law, Velma Miller, Nappanee, IN, and Sylvia Miller, Kalona, IA; 20 step-grandchildren; many step-great and step-great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; and brothers, Howard, Glenn, Ray, John, and Leo.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2019, at Mennonite Friendship Communities Chapel, 600 W. Blanchard Ave., South Hutchinson, with Pastor Howard Wagler officiating. Burial will follow in Yoder Mennonite Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Journey@South Hutchinson or Mennonite Friendship Communities, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Laduska M. (Borders) Pierce, 93, of South Hutchinson, died May 8, 2019, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born July 27, 1925, in Partridge, to Ralph and Bertha Fae (McAtee) Truitt.

Laduska graduated from Arlington High School. She was a homemaker and office manager for Ineeda Cleaners. Laduska enjoyed dancing, sewing, and making crafts. She especially enjoyed making China Dolls, making special China dolls for all her children and grandchildren. Laduska was an extraordinary mother, always going the extra mile for her family. She was a member of Journey@South Hutchinson.

On June 16, 1943, she married Augustus ‘Gus’ Borders in Hutchinson. He died December 16, 1996, after sharing 53 years of marriage. On July 30, 1998, she married Wade Pierce in McPherson. He died November 18, 2012, after 14 years of marriage.
Laduska is survived by: children, Ron Borders (Linda), Show Low, AZ, Judy Thompson (Carl), Arlington, Zan Borders, South Hutchinson, Greg Borders (Celia), Arlington, Kit Borders, South Hutchinson; grandchildren, Terri Roberts, Todd Borders, Jamie Borders, Brandi Morris, Nicolas Borders, Janon Ruckman, Nichole Teater; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and special friend, Irvin Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Verle Truitt.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2019, at Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Kansas, with Don Lind officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Elliott Mortuary. The casket will remain closed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

The family invites all of Laduska’s family and friends to join them for a luncheon at the Arlington United Methodist Church, 117 S. Lincoln Street, Arlington, KS, following the service, where more memories of Laduska can be shared.

Zona Beatrice Phillips Dirks, 78, of Hickory passed away on Tuesday, May 07, 2019 at Carolina Caring in Newton.

Zona was born March 7, 1941 in Santa Barbara, CA to the late Arthur B. Phillips and Arizona Chavez Phillips. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Dirks, and one brother, Bradley Phillips.

She met her husband Ken while living in Las Vegas, where they had four sons. The couple moved to Hickory in 1974, where their daughter Kristin was born in 1977.

Zona and Ken worked for Centel Telephone Co. as they sent their five children through college, while she also earned her degree in psychology from Lenior-Rhyne College.  She was very involved in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Joy Sunday School Class, youth ministry and mission work. After her retirement, she and Ken became directors at United Methodist Camp Carolwood. They spent many wonderful years rejuvenating and improving Camp Carolwood as it became a special place in their hearts.

Zona’s passions were her family, many pets, playing cards with friends, and dancing. She was honest, outspoken, full of life, endearing, and liked staying active. She overcame many obstacles including poverty, lack of education, loss of a husband, and home renovations. Her family was her true passion and her grandchildren were proud of the fact that they had a really unique and cool grandmother.

Survivors include her five children, Mark Dirks and wife Tracy of Summerfield, NC, Dereck Dirks and wife Heather of Clemmons, NC, Brandon Dirks and wife Katie of Crestwood, KY, Corbin Dirks and wife Dena of Advance, NC, and Kristin Krekorian and husband Michael of Tampa, FL; twelve grandchildren: Ryan Dirks, Elise (Ellie) Dirks (Summerfeld, NC), Kenzie Dirks, Baxter Dirks (Crestwood, KY), Brina Grady, Junah Grady, London Dirks, Sydney Dirks (Advance, NC), Kenley Dirks, Mila Dirks (Clemmons, NC), Ashleigh Krekorian, Evan Krekorian (Tampa, FL); and the beloved in-law Dirks from Kansas.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Monica Childers officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Buhler Cemetery in Buhler, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Humane Society (PO Box 63, Hickory, NC 28603) or Carolina Caring (3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658).

Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Dirks family and online condolences may be sent to www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.

Robert John ‘Bobby’ Vargas, 57, died Monday, May 6, 2019, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 6, 1962, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Xavier R. and Rosie P. (Aleman) Vargas. Bobby graduated from Hutchinson High School and Hutchinson Community College. He worked at Dillons on E 4^th Ave. and Hutchinson Mall. Bobby was an avid fan of Buhler boys’ basketball, HCC basketball, Kansas Jayhawks basketball, Kansas City Royals baseball, Kansas City Chiefs football, and Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey. He was an excellent caregiver for his loving family. Bobby was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson.

He is survived by: his mother, Rosie of Hutchinson; brother, Albert Vargas of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Carol Buckbee-Suarez of Hutchinson; nephews, Bradley Buckbee (Ashton) and Bryan Suarez, all of Hutchinson, Nicholas Vargas of Las Vegas, Nevada; and niece, Isabella Vargas of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father.

Cremation has taken place. Parish rosary will be 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S. Maple, South Hutchinson, with Father Todd Shepherd officiating. Burial will follow in Eastside Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church or Buhler boys’ basketball team, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.