Keith Smyth
Keith Smyth, 89, of Campbell, California, passed away on February 20, 2025.
He was born Aug. 10, 1935 to James and Violet Smyth of Tribune, Kansas.
Keith graduated from Greeley County High School in 1953. After high school, Keith worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad like his father, James. In 1954, Keith enlisted in the Air Force and served in Texas, Mississippi, Germany, North Dakota, Illinois, France, and Thailand until 1967 as an electronics instructor and technical writer on various Air Force electronics systems.
Keith started his own company, Keith Smyth Technical Documentation Consultant in 1967, after retiring from the Air Force. He wrote technical manuals, working on many classified military contracts and for various space programs as well as many Silicon Valley tech companies.
Keith was an avid astronomer and eagerly studied the stars, planets and asteroids with his high powered telescope. His other hobbies included computer aided-design, and programming, photography, creating pop-up greeting cards, dowsing and was elected Vice-President, San Jose Chapter, American Society of Dowsers Club. Keith was voted Educator Of The Year, American Society of Dowsers, 2016.
He married Elisabeth Charlotte Matthes in Berlin, Germany on March 18, 1959. She preceded him in death on September 6, 2005. He later married Caryl Margueritel Lenhart. They loved to travel and spent several months touring the US and Europe.
Survived by his son, Franklin Smyth, three brothers, James, Gene and Nolan Smyth, one sister, Sharon Gass, one niece, Pamela Donaghy, one great niece, Heather Smith, two great nieces, Jazmine and Ann Marie Carter.
Keith was witty, hardworking, talented, and a great brother. As the oldest brother, he loved giving us advice. His last advice was: “Do not interfere in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!”
A private family memorial will be held.
Gone from our sight, never our hearts!
OBITUARIES
Celebration of Life for Shane Smith Saturday
A Celebration of Life service for Shane Smith will be held this Saturday, June 7, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune. Shane was born on March 27, 1977 in Tribune and passed away on March 1, 2025 in Tribune. In lieu of flowers, donations... [More]
Betty Jean Niswonger
Betty Jean Niswonger, age 54, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Destiny Support Home in Garden City. She was born on August 9, 1970, to Keith Eugene and Barbara Ann Zehm Niswonger in Leoti. Betty Jean attended Beamgard Learning Center in Atwood from elementary... [More]
Celebration of Life for Rosalie Abney
The family of Rosalie Abney invites community members to join them in celebrating the life of Rosalie Ann Abney, (nee Nemechek). February 19,1940 – October 16, 2024. The family of Rosalie Abney will be gathering to celebrate her life, and they’d be honored if you’d... [More]
Jon Kelly Davidson
Jon Kelly Davidson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the tranquil Kansas City Hospice House, at the age of 73. Jon was not a name familiar to those who knew him. They would’ve known him as Kelly.... [More]
James Dale Fisher, Jr.
James Dale Fisher, Jr., age 78, passed away at his home in Scott City on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. He was born on September 7, 1946, in Nashville, Kansas to James Dale and Mary Ann Vierthaler Fisher. After graduating from High School, James earned a B.A. in History... [More]
Dayna Ann Bechard
Dayna Ann Bechard passed away peacefully on April 2nd, 2025, in Tribune, at Greeley County Health Services. She was born in Salina, Kansas on November 7, 1978. Graduating from Tescott High School in 1997, she went on to attend Fort Hays State University. She graduated with... [More]
Committal Service for Harold Grubb
The time has come for the committal service for Harold Grubb’s ashes. We’ll meet at the Greeley County Cemetery at 11:00 am M.T. on Friday, April 18. There will be a reception/lunch following the service at the Grubb home at 820 Martin Avenue to share stories... [More]
Walter James Waldren
Walter James Waldren, age 54, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Wichita County, Kansas. He was born on October 28, 1970, in Leoti, Kansas, the son of Walter Donald and Carolyn Lea Lemmer Waldren. He was a farmer. James married Mary Jane Kelley on April 22, 1994,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Shane Gregory Smith
- Donovan Anderson
- Patricia “Pat” McKinley
- Beth Ann (Myers) Tenan
- Vayrena Dee Hamilton
- Ronald Lehman
- Walter Donald Waldren
- Bonnie Jean Larkin
SPORTS
Brandl secures two medals at Kansas State Track Meet; Grubb, Mora, and Shafer also compete
Photo caption: Jailyn Brandl competed in the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter run at the State Tournament in Wichita, bringing home a fourth-place medal in the 3,200-meter run and a sixth-place medal in the 1,600-meter run. See additional track coverage on page 6. Jailyn... [More]
Shafer places 12th at state; team finishes 7th in 1A State Championship
Photo caption: Lincoln Shafer placed 12th at the 1A State Golf Tournament in Dodge City. Photo by Melissa Zerr. The Greeley County High School golf team traveled to Dodge City for the 1A State Championship held at Mariah Hills on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28. Our... [More]
Greeley County Trap Team leads conference in both fall and spring
Photo Caption: Three of the teams’ four seniors Zoey Shivers, Logan Harris, and Brodey Grubb posed for a photo at trap shooting practice. Shivers finished tied for second in conference with teammate Mia Reynolds on the female side. Harris finished in sixth place in conference... [More]
Shafer to play in Division II West 8-man All Star game in Beloit
Beloit will host the 40th Annual 8 Man All Star Games, on Saturday, June 7. The Division II West All Star Game will be played at 10:00 a.m. Lincoln Shafer has been selected for the Division II All Star Game. He is a 2025 graduate of Greeley County High School and plans... [More]
Jackrabbits claim top spot at Regionals with a 338; Mangan, Shafer, and Higgins-Vestal finish in top 10
Photo Caption: From left to right, Braxon Mangan placed second, Lincoln Shafer placed fourth, and Aaron Higgins-Vestal placed ninth at Regionals. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The Greeley County High School golf team traveled to St. Francis for their regional tournament this... [More]
Brandl, Grubb, Mora, and Shafer qualify for State Track
Congratulations to the state-bound Jackrabbit atheletes that will compete at the state meet in Wichita this Friday and Saturday. Jailyn Brandl, who qualified in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs is slated to run Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. MT and Saturday afternoon... [More]
Golf team takes first at Regionals, headed to state tourney in Dodge City
Photo caption: Senior Elias Sherer shot an 88 and finished in ninth place at Friday’s NWKL tournament in Sharon Springs. Photo by Brecken Mangan. Editor’s note: After claiming first place at the Regional Meet in St. Francis Monday, May 19, the Jackrabbits... [More]
Shafer signs to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan
Family members joined senior Lincoln Shafer for his official signing to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University last Wednesday, May 14. Standing, from left to right, are Stan Shafer, Debbie Shafer, Scarlett Shafer, Jett Shafer, Charlize Shafer, and Rhonda Moritz. Seated... [More]
More Sports
- Junior High Track team finishes their season at NWKL Meet
- High School Track team competes in NWKL Meet
- High School Jackrabbits compete in Dighton Invitational
- Varsity golf competes at Oakley, Johnson; JV plays in Grinnell Scramble
- Junior High Track competes in back to back meets
- High School Jackrabbits compete in Leoti, Quinter
- Golf team continues to hit stride midway through their season
- High School Jackrabbits compete in Scott City, Montezuma meets
NEWS
Cruisin’ & a Movie fill downtown Sunday afternoon
Photo Caption: Community members and visitors enjoyed looking at the cars parked downtown Sunday afternoon. More than 30 vehicles took part in Cruisin’ & A Movie. Classic cars and pickups lined the 400 block of Broadway Sunday afternoon as the Horace Greeley... [More]
Summer Kick Off this weekend
Garage Sales, Livestock Shows, Live Music & More Dust off your calendars and mark the dates—June 6 through June 8 is going to be a weekend to remember in Greeley County! With a packed lineup of events sponsored by local businesses, organizations, and community groups,... [More]
Candidate Filings
Jessica Alexander has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Sheryl K. Crotinger has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Shea Stewart has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Robert S. Firner has filed for Horace City Council.... [More]
Board of Supervisors Special Session meeting notes
June 2, 2025, 1 p.m. Supervisors present: Steve Mangan, Monty Moritz, Stan Shafer, Scott Steele, and Alan Waggoner Others present: County Clerk Jerri Young, County Treasurer Diane Gentry, Utility Administrator Stephanie Elliott, Sheryl Crotinger, 911 Dispatcher Jolynn Voth,... [More]
Cool temperatures persist
Photo Caption: Temperatures were cool Thursday morning as children from Little Docs Daycare cheered the Jackrabbits on as they departed for State Track. Highs ranged from 55 to 79 degrees throughout the final week of May, making for a cool lead-up to June. The week’s... [More]
Tribune native Chrissy Isles to headline comedy show
Photo Caption: Chrissy Isles, a Tribune native, will headline a comedy show in Tribune on Saturday, June 21, at The Uptown. Randy Travis Young, also from Tribune, and Jumai of Garden City, will open for Isles. Courtesy photo. For Chrissy Isles, stand-up comedian and Tribune... [More]
Museum Roofing Replaced
Workers from AR Roofing scaled steep slopes as they replaced the roof on the Horace Greeley Museum last week. Photo by Jennifer Vogt-Crockett.
School’s out for summer
Payt Long, Kix Berggren, Cal Elliott, and Wilder Moritz pull for all they’re worth during an Elementary Playday game of Tug of War. Photo by Ana Trejo.
More News
OPINIONS
Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers
By Ben Palen Also published in the Kansas Reflector Back in November, I wrote a column for Kansas Reflector that discussed the likely adverse effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. farmers. The piece noted that 398 million acres of cropland has been... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king
Donald Trump is not our king. He was elected with less than 50 percent of the popular vote and his margin of victory was 1.5 percent. There is no mandate in those numbers. Our elected members of Congress have a sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution and the... [More]
Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall
On March 1 at Oakley in western Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall held a town hall meeting for area constitutents wanting to know more about activities in Washington DC that have impacts on them. The following written questions were submitted by Louise Ehmke. Unfortunately they were... [More]
Letter to the Editor - School bond issue
Sometimes I wonder what drives our government to do things in our name but don’t make sense. With regard to our School Bond election and the Kansas Attorney General’s ruling, how can it be that a law is enacted that has such serious flaws in it. SB 221... [More]
Insight: Your vote counts
In about two weeks or so, it will be Election Day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for it to be over. I will not say another word about the campaigns because my mother told me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at... [More]
Volunteers are the heart of our community
As we celebrate National 4-H Week this week, 4-H Members across the country are celebrating this wonderful youth organization with Friends, Family, and the Communities that support this youth development program. In addition to celebrating the hard-work and dedication of... [More]
A tribute to Tribune and her friendly residents
In 2023, we visited our good friends Julie and Bill Lawrence of Tribune, Kansas. We fell in love with Tribune! During one of our subsequent visits, we found and purchased a great house and will move in, in 2026. Everyone, and I mean everyone, we’ve come... [More]
Letter to the community from Superintendent Niehues
Dear families and community members, I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school community. Over the past few weeks, we have become aware of an issue regarding our school bond vote. As... [More]
More Opinions
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