Scooters to open in Goddard

By Travis Mounts TSnews news@tsnews.com

GODDARD – Coffee drinkers in western Sedgwick County will soon have a new option on their commute into Wichita.

Scooter’s Coffee is making plans to open along U.S. Highway 54 in Goddard, possibly later this year. A site plan was presented to the Goddard Planning Commission on Monday.

The drive-thru-only facility will be located on the southwest corner of Kellogg Drive and Cedar Street, directly west of Pizza Hut. Scooter’s will sit on a 110-foot by 200-foot lot, covering 0.51 acres. The entrance will be off of Cedar Street.

Queen and king of Garden Plain

Lanie Nelson and Thomas Mies were crowned Friday night as the Garden Plain High School winter homecoming queen and king. The coronation was after last Friday’s basketball victories over Belle Plaine.

Turn to Page B10 for the TSnews homecoming scrapbook.

Goddard and Eisenhower high schools will hold their winter homecomings this Friday. Read more on Page B6.

One dead, two hurt in crash near GP

Staff report TSnews

SEDGWICK COUNTY – One person died and two others were injured Friday morning in a two-car crash in rural Sedgwick County, a few miles north of Garden Plain.

The accident occurred around 9 a.m. at the intersection of 295th Street West and 21st Street North, which is about four miles north of Garden Plain.

Peder Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. According to the accident report, Simmons was driving a Toyota Camry northbound on 295th Street. He apparently did not stop at a stop sign and was struck by an eastbound Ford Focus.

Scooter’s will open a store in Goddard, possibly sometime later this year. The building is expected to be similar to this one, located on Maize Road near Kellogg. Plans went before the Goddard Planning Commission on Monday.

Is it COVID-19 or something else?

By Michelle Leidy-Franklin TSnews mfranklin@tsnews.com

Does your food need salt, are you congested from allergies or a cold, or should you be concerned that it’s COVID-19?

Symptoms for COVID-19 and several viruses and respiratory illnesses are overlapping, leaving many wondering if they should get tested.

“There is so much overlap between the symptoms of these respiratory illnesses that the best thing to do is get tested,” said Sedgwick County Health Department community relations specialist Nicole Gibbs. “Some testing sites, including the Sedgwick County testing site on Harry in Wichita, offer testing that can distinguish between COVID-19, influenza and RSV.”

The Sumner County Health Department lists primary symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and allergies to give residents an idea of when an illness may actually be COVID-19.

According to SCHD, allergies are characterized by sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and red, watery, or itchy eyes. The flu symptoms could include a sudden fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. COVID-19 may be indicated by a fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing,

Simmons was ejected and died at the scene. Jamie Simmons was a passenger in the Camry and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. At least one of them was not wearing a seatbelt, authorities said.

The driver of the Focus,

See CRASH, Page A9

Cherry Oaks among state’s best courses

Staff report TSnews

CHENEY – Cherry Oaks Golf Course, Cheney’s municipally-owned golf course, is among the top 10 courses in Kansas, according to a story from the website golfpass.com.

Cherry Oaks ranked eighth on that list. The annual ranking comes from ratings and reviews over the course of the year from members of the Golf Advisory community. Forty-one courses were reviewed in 2020, with a total of 487 reviews.

“We have some of the best customers in the business,” said Cherry Oaks’ director of golf Kevin Fowler. “This ranking is a true reflection on our customer base. Without them, we would not be here.”

Three other courses in central

See GOLF, Page A9

$1.00

See Puzzle Answers on Page B8

Clarence Buhrman

Clarence E. Buhrman, age 88, retired Boeing and Cessna Engineer, and U.S. Army Veteran, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Rosary was held at 7p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, and the funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan 12, both at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Clarence was born on Saturday, April 8, 1933 in Harper, to his parents, Charles and Mary L. (Nicholson) Buhrman. He was united in marriage to Betty Lucy Meng on August 24, 1957 in Sharon.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Buhrman; brothers, Carl, Ricky and Bill Buhrman; sisters, Ruth Erb and Anna Mae Jones. Suvivors include his wife, Betty; son, Brennan (Jennifer) Buhrman of Wichita; and sister, Francis Miller of Kingman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Building Fund), 18630 W. 71st St. S., Viola, KS 67149.

Online condolences may be made at www.wsmortuary.com

Mary Helen Roembach

Mary Helen (Young) Roembach, 90, passed away on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, from complications of a stroke suffered on New Year’s Day. Born to George Milton Young and Violet Fern Young, she lived in Concordia, Kan. until age 7 when her family moved to Wichita. Mary graduated from East High in 1949 and magna cum laude from Wichita University in 1953. She married her college sweetheart, George Edward Roembach, in 1951. When Ed returned from his military service in Korea, they moved to Kingman where Mary was an elementary school teacher. They subsequently moved to Cheney where Mary taught school for another year and Ed continued in the family banking business. Mary and Ed were married 63 years until his death in 2014.

Mary was a very social person with involvement in Rainbow Girls, bridge clubs, Alpha Tau Sigma (now Delta Gamma), PEO, WSCS, EHU, UMW and more Bible studies than can be counted. She was a den mother, Girl Scout leader and Sunday school teacher for many years. Mary was the sole female school board member in Cheney for several years and the city librarian for 17 years. She loved giving programs to women’s groups and was known as a great cook. But most importantly, she was known for her faith in the Lord, her love of her family and friends, and tenderly caring for her special needs son.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Pat Knauss; and husband, Ed. She is survived by her son, Craig of Wichita; daughters, Cindy (Russell) Brewer of Woodward, Okla., and Mary Pat (Rodney) Pitts of Wichita; six grandchildren and their spouses; two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

Private burial arrangements have been made and a celebration of Mary’s life will take place at a later date, post COVID surge. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Cheney Golden Age Home, Mom loved each of you. Also, special thanks to Tiffani and Tal at Good Shepherd Hospice.

Arrangements are by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West Chapel. Tributes can be shared online at: www. dlwichita.com

Memorials have been established with the United Methodist Church in Cheney and the Cheney Golden Age Home.

Debra Haller

Debra Haller, 63, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. She was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Hermine Johnson; and sister, Pasty Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Hal Haller; and children, Max and Amanda Haller; brother, Roy Johnson, his wife, Kittie and children, Rebekah, Sarah and Michael; sister, Judy Strathman and children, Brandon, Erica and Bradley; and nieces, Brandi and Jessica. Tributes can be shared online at www.dlwichita.com.

Vivian Rink

Vivian Louise Rink was born on Aug. 7, 1927, to Herman and Adelene Maechtlen, and grew up on the Maechtlen homestead just north of Clearwater. She was the second of four children and attended school in a rural one room schoolhouse called Richmond Hill. Upon the closing of the school, she attended Clearwater High School, where as a senior in 1946, she met and dated her future husband, Leo “Marvin” Rink. Following graduation, Vivian and her older sister, Ruth, lived together and worked in Wichita for approximately two years. On Feb. 22, 1948, Marvin and Vivian were married and moved to a dairy farm near Cheney to begin their family with the birth of their sons, Larry and Curtis. In 1950, they moved back to the family farm at 29th and Maize Road in Maize, and continued to farm and dairy. There, they welcomed two more children into their family, Scott and Dalene.

Vivian began her formal working life at Boeing, and while working she also balanced farm life – particularly bottling milk, which they sold at the farm and for which they were well known. As years passed, she transitioned to working as a data analyst at Gates Learjet, where she worked for 27 years before retiring twice. Following retirement Vivian was able to devote more time to her love for serving and supporting others through volunteer work.

In 1993, Marvin and Vivian began spending part of their winters in Tucson, Ariz., and continued to do so for nearly 20 years. During this time, they enjoyed socializing and performing volunteer work and always returned to Kansas rested and rejuvenated to begin the new year.

After retirement, Marvin and Vivian traveled together, enjoying bus tours all over the United States, as well as international travel, particularly to Russia as well as a very memorable cruise to Alaska, where they took in all the beauty it has to offer, alongside their family including children and grandchildren.

Vivian and Marvin were longtime members of the former First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita (now Ridgepoint Church). She was active in many organizations throughout the church and grew her love and passion for volunteer work, most recently giving her time sorting clothes at Lighthouse Community Church.

Vivian was a committed mother, grandmother, friend and Christian, always taking time for each individual and building strong relationships with all. She was the model example of what it meant to be a mother and grandmother, and has influenced the lives of so many both near and far. While Vivian remained active in her later years, the loss of her husband Marvin in 2014 left an enormous void. Her family grieves her loss, but also takes great comfort knowing that Marvin and Vivian are together again.

Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Adelene (Smith) Maechtlen, and sisters, Ruth Hackerott Marlett and Norma Bonham. Survivors include her children, Larry (Sherry) Rink of Overland Park, Curtis (Karen) Rink of Goddard, Scott (Julie) Rink of Portugal, and Dalene Barton (Jim Johnson) of Wichita; brother, Kenneth (Marilyn) Maechtlen of Clearwater; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at Ridgepoint Church, Wichita. Burial took place at 9:30 a.m., prior to the services, at Maize Park Cemetery, Maize.

A memorial has been established with Ridgepoint Church, 8000 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67205. Webb-Shinkle Mortuary, Clearwater, was in charge of arrangements.

Taylor Roach

Taylor Andrew Roach, age 29, of Haysville, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Taylor was born March 12, 1992 in Wichita.

Taylor graduated from Haysville High School in 2010. After he graduated high school, he attended California Wind Tech in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. He became a certified wind turbine technician.

He later became a route driver for FEDEX.

Taylor was an avid skate boarder, disc golfer and BMX rider. He loved the outdoors and nature. He enjoyed canoeing and float trips with friends. He was a huge animal lover and had many dogs throughout his life with his favorites being Buddy (Bug), Bella, and Nitro.

Taylor loved his family and adored his nieces and nephew. He enjoyed family gatherings, cookouts, and swimming in the backyard and especially his momma’s cooking. He was very close to his aunts, uncles, and cousins, who played a big part of his life. He was an old soul and he enjoyed '60s and '70s music and loved watching movies, and antique shopping with his mom. His brothers were his best friends; he strived to be like them.

He was preceded in death by his grandpa, Jerry Snyder; grandpa, Dawson Mitts; grandpa, Guy Warren Jr.; great-grandma, Lois Collins; and his cousin Jacob Richey.

To cherish his memories he leaves his parents, Tim and Kitten Warren, and Gerald Roach; brothers, Gabriel (Marisa) Roach and Caleb Elliott-Roach; nephew Kayleb Roach; nieces, Ariella and Katilyna Roach; grandma, Judy Mitts; grandma, Joy Snyder; grandma, Glynna Colleen Montag; grandma, Marylou Warren; grandpa, Otto Francis (Darcy) Elliott; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. located at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209. Following the service, a burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery 6231 W. 47th St.

Obituaries (cont.) Stephen Suddock

Stephen Douglas Suddock, 69, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at his home near Clonmel.

Doug, as he was affectionately known, was born Oct. 21, 1952, in Lawrence, to Hunter Ray Suddock and Wilhelmina “Billie” Rose (Troll) Suddock. By the time he was in junior high, his family moved to Pleasanton, Kan. There, Doug graduated as the class president for the class of 1970 at Pleasanton High School. Later, he would attend Ft. Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University.

As a son of a KCP&L lineman, Doug’s careers headed in a similar direction and included a city inspector of Pittsburg and as an electrical engineer at TEC Systems and Air Product in Wichita. Later, he was employed at Vulcan Chemicals before establishing his own consulting business. In 2012, Doug returned to electrical engineering for the current day Oxy Chemical.

While living in Pittsburg, he met and married the love of his life, Patricia “Trish” Marie (Nelson) McMillin. Doug and Trish moved to Conway Springs shortly after where they became loved members of the community.

While the years with us fell short, his years here were well spent. Doug turned hobbies into passions. His inquisitive nature meant learning new and traditional ways to expand on things such as wine making, gardening, wood crafting and herbal remedies. Of these the last few years, Doug loved making wood crafted gifts for friends and family and teaching others the healing benefits of natural cures. He was well known for his extensive, diverse knowledge and for his dry wit.

Doug was very involved in his Catholic faith and loved sharing it with others. He led others into the Church through the CCD program. He also reached the level of 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and served as district deputy for a period of four years.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Trish Suddock; daughter, Heather Dressler (Eddie) of Kansas City, Mo.; son, Drew Suddock of Haysville; step-sons Jeffrey McMillin (Amanda) of College Station, Texas, and David McMillin (Mary Otte) of Memphis, Tenn.; siblings, Debra Maki (Alan) of Austin, Texas, David Suddock (Janet) of Olathe, Denise Wilkerson (Terry) of Olathe, and Kristi Suddock (John Paul Gaconnier) of Evant, Texas; grandchildren, Dustin, Dianna, Grace, Jaeden, Landon, Tysen, Easton, Orin and Alice; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, and the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, both at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Clonmel. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Clonmel.

Arrangements are by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

Memorials have been established with the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Building Fund, 18630 W. 71st St. S., Viola, KS 67149, and with Home Health and Hospice of Kansas.

Peder Simmons

Peder “Pete” Kindler Simmons, 36, of Cheney, died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Peder was born April 26, 1985, in Hutchinson. He lived most of his life in Cheney and worked for many years at the Golden Age Home there. He attended Cheney public schools, graduating high school in 2003.

Peder loved playing games. He could often be found playing video games with his daughters or teaching the family a new board game. He was proud of his growing board game collection and joked that in the event of the apocalypse, he would be the person to make sure we still had board games to play. Always a kid at heart, he also loved anime and Marvel comics and films. He would rewatch his favorite shows over and over again to share them with those he loved.

Pete is survived by his wife, Jamie Simmons, and her daughter, Teshara Baber; ex-wife, Allisha Lyons of Wichita, and their daughters Krysha Simmons and Bethany Jo Simmons; parents, Bill and Carla Simmons of Cheney; brothers, Richie Simmons and KC Simmons; sister-inlaw, Megan Simmons; nephew, Creighton Simmons; and countless friends and extended family members.

A potluck dinner and celebration of Peder’s life will be held at the Farm Bureau 4-H building, 229 E. South Ave., Cheney, KS 67025. beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. The family will be in attendance until 8 p.m., but feel free to stay beyond to socialize and share your favorite Pete stories.

A memorial fund for his wife and daughters has been set up with the Citizens State Bank, 306 N. Main, Cheney, KS 67025; checks payable to Jamie Simmons. You can also donate to the family’s GoFundMe campaign: gofund. me/e3a6b15d.

Larry McKee

Larry L. McKee, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Jan. 1, 2022 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, after a battle with congestive heart failure. He was 91 years old. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, at First Christian Church, Clearwater.

Larry was born at home on Christmas Day in 1930 to Lloyd Dale McKee Sr. and Lois McKee. He grew up in Wichita and graduated from East High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1949 and was later selected for officer candidate school and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He served as commanding officer of the Marine reservists in Wichita from 1954 to 1958 and again from 1965 to 1967. He retired at the rank of Lt. Col.

In civilian life, Larry was a top flight auto mechanic. He worked at Unruh Alignment and then was a partner in Peniston/McKee Alignment. He opened his own business (McKee Alignment Service) in 1969 and operated it until his retirement in 1990.

Larry moved his family from Wichita to Clearwater in 1968. He was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Clearwater and served in many leadership roles over the years. He was a church elder, board member, and even delivered sermons from time to time. He taught youth to adult Sunday school classes across six decades. He also enjoyed singing tenor in the choir and helping his wife set up dinners in the fellowship hall. Larry received a Service Emeritus award from the church in 2015.

Larry loved to be with his family and always brought smiles to those who knew and loved him. He was a very hard worker and could fix almost anything. He enjoyed working on his 20 acre country estate and spending time on his tractor. He genuinely loved being outdoors.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Eldon McKee and Lloyd Dale McKee Jr. Survivors include his loving wife of over 66 years, Nima McKee; and sons, Kevin ((Lisa), Conner, Colter, and Sarah) and Aaron ((Thea), Mike and Katie).

Larry had a big heart that was loving, caring, giving and serving. He will always be in our hearts and we know he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A memorial has been established with First Christian Church, 524 Wood, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary in Clearwater is in charge of arrangements.

LeRoy Weber

LeRoy John Weber, age 83, of Goddard, retired owner and operator of LeRoy Weber’s RV Inc., passed away Sunday, Jan 9, 2022. Visitation will be held 1-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, with family receiving friends 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca, in Wichita. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Joseph and Eva Marie Weber; and his sister, Angela Dillon. Survivors include his wife, Janice Rose Weber of Goddard; son, Brady Leo Weber of Goddard; twin daughters, Eva Marie and Reba Ruth Weber, of Goddard; and his sister, Dolores Smith of Conway Springs. Tributes can be viewed online at smithfamilymortuaries.com.

Richard Chinn

Richard D. Chinn, age 86, retired millwright for Vulcan Chemical, passed away, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Haysville United Methodist Church, Haysville.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gale Chinn; parents, Chester and Dale Chinn; and siblings, Anita Foster, Doris Geidinghagen, Donald Chinn and Charlene Britton. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; daughter, Linda (Denny) Peak of Andover; grandchildren, Aleah and Lucas Chinn, and Haley and Nate Peak; sister, Earlene Kanady of Pratt; and sister-in-law, Pansy Chinn of Littleton, Colo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haysville United Methodist Church, 601 E. Grand, Haysville, KS 67060, or Serenity Hospice Care, 3221 N. Toben St., Wichita, KS 67226.

Online condolences may be made at www.shinklemortuary.com.

Anniversary

Tjadens to celebrate 50 years

We would like to celebrate Van and Renee Tjaden’s 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 12. 2022. The cele bration will be held at the Clearwater Community Center at 921 E. Janet, in Clearwater from 1 to 3 p.m. Cards can be sent to Van and Renee Tjaden, 16725 W 103rd St South, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Items for the Transitions page – obituaries, card showers and wedding, engagement, anniversary, birthday and birth announcements – are due by 3:00pm Friday for next week’s paper. Call 316-540-0500 or email classifieds@tsnews.com to submit your item.

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