Tori Tarine Mathias

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Tori Tarine (Cox) Mathias, 38, entered her eternal home on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. She passed away peacefully at her home, in Syracuse, KS surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. 
Tori was born July 8, 1982 to Michael Lee Cox and Stacey (Koehn) Cox in Tribune, KS. She grew up in Weskan, Kansas and graduated from Weskan High School in 2000. Tori attended Dodge City Community College, playing basketball, transferring to Pittsburg State University for their graphic arts but ultimately moved closer to home and finished her degree at Fort Hays State University, graduating with a BA degree in Art in 2003. Tori began her professional career in Weskan, KS launching her photography business, Portraits by Tori, later renamed Studio Mathias.  She met the love of her life in 2004 and on July 22, 2006, she married Jeffrey Mark Mathias in Syracuse, Kansas. Jeff and Tori were blessed with two children, Reid Owen and Ivy June. They made their home in Syracuse where she devoted her life to her family and continued her love for photography as well as their many other passions and pursuits. 
Tori enjoyed furniture restoration and refurbishing houses, gardening, antiquing, camping, bike riding, family vacations, loving her dog Olly, competing in athletics, and spoiling her nieces and nephews. However, her greatest enjoyment was building memories with her children and family. She was a force of positivity with a contagious personality that brought light and love to all she met.
Tori was preceded in death by grandparents, Loid Koehn, Marvin and Barbara Cox and uncle Stanley Koehn.
Tori is survived by husband, Jeffrey Mark Mathias; two children, Reid Owen and Ivy June of the home; parents, Mike and Stacey Cox of Weskan, KS; sister Tera (Camron) Funk of Sharon Springs, KS; brothers, Ross (Megan) Cox of Sharon Springs, KS, and Clayton (Jessica) Cox of Weskan, KS; nieces and nephews, Hailey, Cade, and Mya Funk; Gage, Carter, and Mason Cox; Cole, Hogan, and Sydney Cox; grandmother, Glenda Koehn; husband’s parents, Rick and Janet Mathias; his brother, Chris Mathias; his sister, Lindsey (Nathan) Hanson, Piper, Ellie, and Zoe; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins along with other extended family and friends.
Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10:00 am (MST) at the Barney Akers Gymnasium in Syracuse, KS. Burial following in Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, KS. 
Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be payable to the Children’s Education Fund and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100

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OBITUARIES

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Sadie Lee Smelker

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Roe Randall Johnson

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Margaret Yvonne Kuder

Margaret Yvonne Kuder was born near Seward, Kansas on July 9th, 1930 to Clifton and Helen Walter in their home South of Great Bend.  She was delivered by her Grand Mother Lucy Lacey Walter. She passed on July 22, 2025 in Weskan, Kansas at home. She had just celebrated her... [More]

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Barbara Lou Liester

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Steven “Skeeter” W. Finley

“Skeeter” Steven W. Finley, age 57, of Paulden, Arizona, saddled up and rode off into the sunset to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 9, 2025. A cowboy to the core, Skeeter spent his days riding and working ranches and doing what he did best—breaking... [More]

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Elly Lotscher

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William John Escudero

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Wanda Irene Keister

Long-time resident of Wallace County, Wanda Irene Keister, is returning home to her final resting place.  Wanda was born in Sharon Springs, Kansas, on August 7, 1939 to Virgil M and Fern (Swartz) Chaney.  She passed away at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,... [More]

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FEATURE STORY

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Greeley County Health Services Seeks Participation in Survey

Every three years, non-profit hospitals are tasked with evaluating the community and public health needs. Greeley County Health Services (GCHS) has been working with community partners in this effort since 2013 in both Greeley and Wallace counties. GCHS has convened local entities... [More]

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Pioneer Pastoring part 4

One of the problems for most Western Kansas pioneer pastors was the weather. No matter the season, much of the weather was intense: intensely hot, intensely cold, intensely dry, intensely wet, intensely windy, intensely cloudy…and Rev. Brock and family were constantly... [More]

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4H'ers Shot for the Moon at the Wallace County Fair

Watch for the Fair Results Special Issue in the coming weeks.

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Pioneer Pastoring part 3

Shortly after Rev. Brock and Doris arrived at their appointment to West Bethany and Stone Church, (an area called the West Kansas Conference) their first child, Evelyn, was born. The tiny baby joined them in “…their little basement mansion.”  Pioneer... [More]

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Pioneer Pastoring part 2

When Rev. Brock and Doris arrived in 1930 to accept their second circuit appointment in Western Kansas, the appointment was to: Winona, Pleasant View, West Bethany, and Stone Church. Seeing that Winona was about seventy miles from Stone Church, it was decided (wisely) that was... [More]

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Shoot for the Moon at the Wallace County Fair this week!

There is plenty to get excited about this year at the Wallace County Fair, including a new ride at the carnival called The Frolic. Swinging baskets spin around in a small circle as they orbit the center of the ride. The Frolic may not get you to the moon, but it’s sure... [More]

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Hope Springs Ice Cream Social

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West Bethany Free Methodist Church nears 100 year milestone

As I was preparing for the 100th year anniversary of West Bethany Free Methodist Church, I began to read different renderings of the church’s history. I came across a book, Pioneer Pastoring, written by Lyle & Doris Brock, the third Circuit Pastor assigned to West Bethany... [More]

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BUGLE NOTES

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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]

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Bugle Notes 5/21/24

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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Bugle Notes 10/24/23

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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]

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