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Ruby Brown 1932 - 2024
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Ruby Brown
Published: Apr 18, 2024, 6:56 PM

Ruby Brown, 92, passed away April 17, 2024, at Aster Estates, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Feb. 27, 1932, in Protection, Kan., to Harry and Emma (Reich) Schultz. On Aug. 25, 1954, she married LaVern L. Brown in Ashland, Kan. He passed on Jan. 29, 2020.

A resident of Great Bend since 1965, Ruby previously lived in Liberal and Protection. She worked as a cosmetology instructor at Barton County Academy of Beauty from 1965-1980, then at Barton Community College for 18 years, before her retirement in August 1998. Along with that career, she owned and operated L&R Oil alongside her husband. Ruby was a member of Prince of Peace Parish – St Patrick Catholic Church. She enjoyed working out at Club 1 Fitness, attending Golden Belt Community Concerts, watching sports – especially KU volleyball and basketball, and keeping up with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include son, Tom Brown and wife Shari of Great Bend; daughter, Pamela Bechard and husband Raymond of Lawrence; two grandchildren, Ashley Henkelman and husband Erik, and Brennan Bechard and wife Danielle; six great grandchildren, Evie, Hutch, Mason Jane, Lucy, Mack and Bo; and brother, Roy Schultz of Waxahachie, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers, Joe, Virgil, Elmer, and Robert Schultz; and five sisters, Gladys Schultz, Osie Danielson, Viola Hazen, Luella Stutzman, and Goldie Anderson.

Visitation will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, with Altar Society Rosary at 4 p.m., family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Vigil at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Bob Schremmer presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Holy Family School Endowment Fund, 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 Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 20, 2024
Olin Dean Collicott 1945 - 2025
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Olin Dean Collicott
Published: Mar 4, 2025, 7:24 PM

SALINA — Olin Dean Collicott, 80, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born to Stacey and Fleta Collicott on Feb. 2, 1945 in Great Bend, Kan.  

He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971. One of Olin’s proudest moments was marching with his unit in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s funeral in April 1969.  

Olin worked as a machinist for 30 years at SEMCO in Great Bend before moving to Salina, Kan. in 1995 where he worked at Exline until he retired. 

On October 14, 2001, he married Dianne Downing. Together, they enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.   

Olin loved to tinker in his garage. Over the years, he rebuilt numerous Ford classic cars, including a ‘65 and ‘66 Mustang, a ‘56 Thunderbird, a ‘57 Ford Custom and a ‘56 F100. He loved going to car shows and won multiple awards for his cars.    

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Dianne; his children, Christy (Rex) Watts of Strong City, Kan., Christopher (Stacey) of Lawrence, Kan., and Stacey (Paul) Morgan of Louisville, Kent.; his brother, Larry of Wichita, Kan.; his sister, Janice Beehler of Wichita, Kan.,; and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Ryan Mortuary in Salina, Kan. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Olin’s honor may be sent to Tammy Walker Cancer Center or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Ryan Mortuary. 


Funeral arrangements provided by

Ryan Mortuary

137 N. 8th Street

Salina, KS  67401

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 6, 2025