HAYS — Melba Jean Smith, age 86, of Hays, Kan. former Great Bend, Kan. resident, died Friday, June 12, 2020 at the Russell Regional Hospital Russell, Kan.  

She was born July 5, 1933, in Bazine, Kan. to Phillip P. and Esther R. (Tittel) Foos.     

Melba was the Wick Program Coordinator at Barton County for 15 years. She also worked at the Barton County Food Bank and served on the board of the Barton County Girls Home for many number of years. She grew up in Great Bend and was a graduate of Great Bend High School. She moved to Hays in 2013.     

Survivors include her two granddaughters, Missy Heironimus and husband, Rob, Hutchinson, Kan.; Mandy Brothers and fiancé, Karl Maas, Wisc.; one great grandson, Austin Sutton, Hutchinson, Kan.; one sister-in-law, Guilia Foos, Perry, Kan.; three nephews, Randy Foos and wife, Lori, Eureka, Kan., Rick Foos, Perry, Kan., Brad Foos, Topeka, Kan.; three nieces, Lori Hertel and husband, Stan, Hays, Kan.; Pam Erickson and husband, Ken, Russell, Kan.; Brenda Mock and husband, J.C., Emporia, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Monica Lea Brothers; a son, Tracey Smith; one sister, Freda Broetzmann; and one brother, Eugene “Bud” Foos.  

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Washington, Great Bend, Kan. Burial in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kan. A visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, at the First Presbyterian Church. The family suggests memorials to the Community Food Bank of Barton County, 3007 10th Street, Great Bend, Kansas 67530. Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays 

1919 East 22nd Street 

Hays, KS 67601

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 17, 2020