Michael Lynn Pipkin
Michael Lynn “Mike” Pipkin, 73, was born February 26, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois and died Thursday, September 2, 2021 at his home in Sharon Springs, Kansas.
Mike and his sister Jody were adopted by two wonderful parents, Robert and Mary (Pepperdine) Pipkin. Mike served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971 where he repaired Huey and Chinook helicopters. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1975-1976. Mike married Mary Carlson and together they had two sons, Robert and Ross. Later they divorced and Mike married Norma Reichert in 1987. After Mike’s service in the military as a helicopter mechanic, he received a degree from Fort Hays State University in Psychology and worked in several Human Resource jobs. He spent 11 years with the City of Hays as the sexton of Mt. Allen Cemetery. Mike then spent the next 24 years as the caretaker of the Reichert Farm. Recently, he was a substitute teacher in the LaCrosse School District and also Wallace County Schools. He was loved by all students and served as a big brother, mentor, and tutor to countless children as he embraced his true gift of piano and a lovely voice. His passions were music, motorcycles, and helping anyone in need. Mike loved his sons and could not wait to ride motorcycles, fish, attend Ross’s theater shows, or simply hang out with them. Mike’s everyday goal was to go to heaven and take as many people with him as possible. We know that God is playing him a song on heaven’s baby grand piano.
Survivors include his wife Norma of Sharon Springs, two sons: Rob (Edyta) Pipkin of Lakewood, CO and Ross Pipkin of Key West, FL, three grandchildren: Izabella, Alanna, and Thomas, and his sister: Jody Morris and husband John of Judsonia, AR.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hays, with Pastor Rocco Mallardi officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Antonino. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Messiah Lutheran Church or to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Condolences and memories of Mike may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com
OBITUARIES
Troy Wayne Funk
Troy Wayne Funk, Holyoke, CO formerly of Sharon Springs KS, passed away at his home surrounded by his wife and family. Troy was born to Wayne Funk and Lois (Lane) Funk in Tribune KS. Troy married the love of his life on April 15, 1967, Mary Jo (Whisler) Funk. To... [More]
Ronald Neil Howard
On October 31, 2024, at the age of 88, Ronald Neil Howard peacefully passed into glory at Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Ronnie was born on May 8th, 1936, to Deloris and E.G. “Buster” Howard in Abernathy, Texas. There were 6 children born from this... [More]
Gregory Joseph Roth
Gregory Joseph Roth, 77, passed away in his sleep surrounded by family following a lengthy illness on October 22, 2024. He was born on August 2, 1947, in Great Bend, Kansas, the youngest of six children born to Robert (Bob) and Mary Roth. When Greg was two years old, the family... [More]
Gerald Ray Karnes
Gerald Ray Karnes age 90 of Salina, Kansas Passed away on October 11, 2024. Gerald was born December 30, 1933 in Hoxie Kansas. He is survived by his loving family, wife Charlene Karnes, son Steve (Becky) Karnes, grandson Aaron (Casey) Karnes, great grandson Seth (Cori) Karnes,... [More]
Everett Lee Linton
Everett Lee Linton of Glen Elder, the last survivor of a family of 8 children, was born to Vincent Kenneth and Alta Lily (Hoard) Linton on August 7, 1929 in rural Randall, Kansas, and passed away on September 9, 2024 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age... [More]
Billy Eugene Hill
Lifelong Wallace County resident Billy Eugene Hill, 85, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at his home in Sharon Springs, surrounded by family. Billy was born in Wallace, KS on August 17, 1939 to Paul Abraham and Ethel Mae (David) Hill. He was one of four children.... [More]
Steven Ray Basgall
Steven Ray Basgall was born on May 18, 1955, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Hubert and Vonna Basgall. He died August 17th at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 69. He was raised in Sharon Springs, Kansas along with 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Steve attended Wallace... [More]
Damon Lee Roberts
Damon's life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cheyenne County Community Building in Cheyenne Wells. Inurnment will take place with family in the Arapahoe Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Damon... [More]
More Obituaries
- Betty Jo Yotter
- Donald Lloyd Wertz
- Lucy Joyce Owens
- Joseph Raymond "Joe" Bussen
- Phyllis Lynn Bliss
- Erma Unruh
- Raymond Dean Kern
- Lawrence Denning
NEWS
Weekend Events Get Wallace County into the Spirit of Christmas
It was a busy day last Sunday in Sharon Springs. There was a free children’s movie at The Strand, Santa was at the Township Hall, Friends of Chamber put on a soup supper, and later a Parade of Lights wrapped up the evening. Caption - Towns End Tavern’s float suggested... [More]
Coyotes Claim 6-Man State Title
The Weskan Coyotes finished the 2024 football season 12-0, and brought home the KSHSAA State title in 6-man football. Photo courtesy of Sports in Kansas. Photos courtesy of Andy Scheopner
Gingerbread House Contest at the Library
Dear Friends, We are excited to invite you to join in the Christmas festivities at the library by participating in our 5th Annual Gingerbread House/ Display contest. This annual event is our way of adding something fun to the library and our community while we help... [More]
How does your garden grow? - Growing Holly in a Container
If you'd like to deck your halls with boughs of your own home grown holly, you will need to plan on raising the holly as a houseplant. Holly trees don't do well in this area because of their need for acidic soil. There are many varieties of holly. For container growing, choose... [More]
From the Editor 11/28/24
If you have been following along for the last seven years, you know that this is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday that hits all the senses at once. The smell of turkey wafting through the house, the sound of marching... [More]
Elf Jr kicks off a musical Christmas Season
Last weekend, Wallace County Schools drama students presented Elf Jr. Freshman, Blaise Fischer made his acting debut as Buddy, an elf who discovers he is really a human and sets off to find his father in New York City. After Santa (played by Joe Edwards) explains how Buddy... [More]
Wallace County Home Educators Host Annual Friendsgiving
The Wallace County Home Educators hosted their annual Friendsgiving at the CAB this past Saturday. The highly anticipated event began with a program to showcase the new language added this year. Latin teacher Mrs. Andrea Lowry led her students in reciting John 3:16 and the... [More]
Beware of Deed
The other weekend I watched two deer wander out of a creek bed and meander through a meadow until they caught a scent they didn’t like and took off running. After a few strides, it was difficult to pick out their tan hides against the khaki grasses as they ran toward the... [More]
More News
BUGLE NOTES
Bugle Notes 11/28/24
Peak travel season may be over, but that doesn't mean that we are closing up shop at the Fort Wallace Museum! We have re-vamped winter hours that are already underway - you can visit Mon - Sat 10-4 MT this winter, weather permitting. If there is questionable weather, you can... [More]
Bugle Notes 5/21/24
It’s that time again in Wallace! It’s Rodeo Time! This year’s 70th Edition of the Fort Wallace Rodeo is shaping up to be a special one! There are again two performances; Saturday May 25 at 7 pm MDT and then on Sunday May 26 at 5 pm MDT. Admission... [More]
Annual Symposium held at Fort Wallace Museum
This past weekend, the Fort Wallace Museum had record-breaking attendance at the annual Symposium, and an equally successful Fundraiser Banquet. Around 90 people were in attendance at the day’s lectures and presentations, with attendees from all over Kansas, as well as... [More]
Fort Wallace Museum to Host Symposium/Banquet
The Guardians of the Fort Wallace Museum will host their annual symposium and banquet on Saturday, March 16, at the museum, with symposium beginning at 8:30 am MDT and Capt. Keogh’s Emerald Banquet at 5 pm MDT. The theme of this year’s events is “The Moccasin... [More]
Bugle Notes 11/28/23
The Christmas Season approaches! Our annual Candlelight Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00 MT, starting at the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church located on the west side of our Museum grounds. The traditional Swedish Lutheran service in the historic atmosphere... [More]
Bugle Notes 10/31/23
On Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd, come on over at 6 pm to hear a most talented musician, mandolinist and singer/songwriter John DePew! We will be hosting John inside the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church. John Depew is a Kansas-based musician, songwriter, and traveler with a knack for... [More]
Bugle Notes 10/24/23
The fall travel season has featured strong attendance at the Fort Wallace Museum, with many retired couples and international travelers coming through. Our RV Park has also been busy, with many people staying to experience the local flavor of Wallace County. Our summer hours... [More]
Ft Wallace Museum Holds 4th Annual Education Day
This past Friday and Saturday, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds once again sprang to life -this time with the sights and sounds of a Native American village. 10 traditional tipis glowed in the sun, as well as military tents and a complete 1800s chuckwagon set-up. During Friday’s... [More]
More Bugle Notes
©2025 The Western Times. Powered by Pluto Sites.