Great Bend Tribune

06/12/2026

Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt offers assistance following recent severe weather in Barton County

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt reminds residents, businesses, and agents affected by recent severe weather in Barton County to contact the Kansas Department of Insurance if they have an issue with an insurance claim.
The Kansas Department of Insurance has been in contact with local authorities in the county and urges anyone affected by the storm to contact the Department if they need assistance with an insurance issue.
“Severe weather in Kansas often means storm damage and insurance claims,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “If you have any questions about your insurance coverage after the storm or have an issue with an insurance claim in the coming weeks, please contact the Department.”
If you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, contact the Department’s Consumer Assistance Division 785-296-3071, by email at [email protected] or visit the Department online at insurance.kansas.gov for any claims-related questions or concerns.

06/12/2026

Eugene Allen ‘Gene’ Weiser 1951 - 2026

HOISINGTON — Eugene Allen ‘Gene’ Weiser, 74, died June 9, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Wichita, Kan. He was born Sept. 7, 1951, in Great Bend, Kan., the son of Herbert and Doris (Zecha) Weiser. Gene graduated from Kapaun High School in Wichita in 1970 and later attended the University of Kansas.
Gene moved to California in the 80’s where he lived in Los Angeles and worked for Haight, Brown, and Bonesteel Law Firm. After moving back to Kansas in 1991 he worked for Food for Less, and later for Manweiler Chevrolet, retiring in 2016. Gene liked to profess that he was a jack of all trades and a master of none.
He is survived by a brother, Richard Weiser of Arizona; sister, Susan Graves and husband Bryan of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; niece, Kristen Frazier; and nephews, David Kilroy, Jesse Weiser, Eric Weiser, and Brian Weiser; and a great niece and several great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Mary Jane Weiser.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Rosary will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20th, 2026, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., all at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kan., celebrated by Father Benjamin Dande. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Hoisington, Kan. Memorials may be made to St. John Cemetery Fund, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2026

06/12/2026

The office will be closed until 1 p.m. as our staff gathers to attend the funeral of a staff member’s son and support their family. Thank you for your understanding.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

The Front Door will temporarily close from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 12 for software conversion training. Services will resume from 3 to 4:30 p.m. following the completion of training.

06/11/2026

Delores ‘Dee’ May Sehl 1938 - 2026

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — Delores ‘Dee’ May Sehl, 88, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, in McMinnville, Ore., with her loving husband by her side. Dee was born in Dorrance, Kan., on March 24, 1938, to the late Mollie Manweiler Miller and Martin Miller.
She was preceded in death by her six siblings, Violet, Sophie, Francis, Leonard, Henry, and Eddie.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry. Dee and Jerry were married on Aug. 28, 1971, in Great Bend, Kan., and lived there for several years. They would have celebrated their 55th anniversary this August. She is also survived by her three daughters, Stephanie Green, Cindy Dick, and Colleen Pahl; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dee was an avid reader and animal lover who enjoyed traveling on cross-country vacations with her husband. Some of her most joyful moments were spent at the ocean, watching for whales and listening to the comforting sounds of the waves.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of your choice. Macy & Son Funeral Directors 135 NE Evans, McMinnville, OR 97128 is assisting with the arrangements, and graveside services will be held at a later date. To leave condolences, visit www.macyandson.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Macy & Son Funeral Directors
135 NE Evans
McMinnville, OR 97128
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2026

06/11/2026

Edward ‘Ed’ Douglas Cheshire 1940 - 2026

Edward ‘Ed’ Douglas Cheshire, 85, passed away March 6, 2026, with his family by his side, at his home in Great Bend, Kan. He was born May 30, 1940, in Evansville, Ind., to Griffin ‘Jake’ and Edra (Larkin) Cheshire. Ed eloped with Martha Springfeldt July 7, 1967, in Hays.
Ed grew up in Medicine Lodge and graduated with the class of 1958 and went to Southwestern College in Winfield. He went on to pursue his Master of Education degree from Emporia State University. He moved to Bushton in 1962, and worked for many years teaching 5th grade. Ed was an active member of the Bushton United Methodist Church, city council, served as Mayor, volunteer on the fire department, and Lions Club. He started the Junior High football program during his time in Bushton. He coached and refereed all sporting activities for many years. He loved coaching and watching his daughter’s sporting activities.
Ed transitioned to Holyrood Junior High, teaching science and math, when the school was consolidated. He transferred his Lions Club membership as well. He was a lifetime KNEA member. He retired from teaching full time in 1994, and substituted at many schools until 2003, when Martha also retired from teaching. When it was nature and peace Ed longed for, he and the family would load up to go camping and cast a line. He loved all sports and outdoor activities, including hunting.
He and Martha found contentment with the casino life for 25 years, often attending concerts along the way. He was happiest when he hit a big jackpot on a small bet. They never missed the opportunity to stop and visit their children and grandchildren. Ed and Martha made Great Bend their home in 2015. His greatest joy was being around his wife, daughters, family, and friends.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Martha Cheshire; daughters, Cindy Scheidel and her husband Denis of Kansas City, Mo., Kristi Seemann and her husband Louis of Olathe, Lori Flesburg and her husband John of Boonville, Ind., Jenny Ayres and her husband Gary of McPherson, Jessica Godwin and her husband Rick of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Alex Seemann, Ariel Seemann, Ava Seemann, Kathryn Flesburg, Joey Flesburg, and Megan Scheidel. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billie Rayford Cheshire, and infant daughter, Kelly Lyn Cheshire.
Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Bushton – Farmer Township Cemetery with Pastor Diana Webster presiding. Memorials may be made out to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, The Community Scholarship, Inc. (to benefit Central Plains graduates), in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Rd.
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2026

06/11/2026

When Kim Barnes, Larned, recently began serving as a Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) Foundation trustee, he had a few Bible verses in the front of his mind.

06/11/2026

This expanded version of our story includes a copy of the protocol.

When Great Bend High School students start each day this fall, their cell phones will be turned off and, along with smart watches and ear buds, they will be placed in a lockable pouch that can only be unlocked with a powerful magnet.

06/11/2026

A farmer in Barton County reported that harvest began Friday, June 5, after missing the scattered rain events seen across much of the state, according to the 2026 Kansas Wheat Harvest Report.