Duane Melvin Article

   Former RHS coach Duane "Blackie" Melvin passed away Jan. 26 in  Topeka.  He was a 3 sport standout at Washburn University and played minor league baseball for four years before his 38 year career as a coach and teacher.  He taught and coached at Rossville in the 50s and 60s and several other area schools before spending several decades at Seaman High.

   The Capital-Journal has a nice long article about Duane Melvin at the following link:

http://cjonline.com/sports/2013-01-26/former-seaman-washburn-multi-sport-star-melvin-dies-86

Duane Melvin Passes away

Duane Gene Melvin, 86, Topeka, died Sat., Jan. 26, 2013, at his home. He was born May 4, 1926, at Topeka, the son of Glen C. and Manila M. (Stock) Melvin. His parents and brother, Dean, preceded him in death. 
He graduated from Seaman High School and Washburn University. Duane served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Blackie played professional baseball from 1947 to 1950 and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and played against Mickey Mantel. He had also played for the Topeka Owls. Blackie was also voted one of the Top 100 Athletes in Topeka History by the Topeka Capital-Journal.
He taught and coached at Meriden High School, Emmett High School, Robinson High School, Rossville High School, Northern Hills Jr. High School, and Seaman High School. Blackie coached football, girls’ basketball, and baseball. The Kansas Coaches Association recognized him for winning over 400 basketball games. Blackie also had 100 career wins in football and 100 career wins in baseball. He also took various baseball and basketball teams to state competition. He retired in 1988 after 38 years. He continued to substitute teach for another 22 years. He was Seaman Teacher of the Year in 1982. 
Duane was a member of the KNEA, Moose Lodge # 555, and Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion. 
He was married to Julia G. Wells on Oct. 11, 1952, at Topeka. She preceded him in death on Nov. 15, 2002. Surviving are his children: Diane L. Melvin of Austin, TX, Donna D. Kirkwood (Chris) of Topeka, Douglas G. Melvin (Debbie) of Denton, and Duane “Scott” Melvin of Noblesville, IN; 4 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Thurs., Jan. 31, 2013, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. Interment in Rochester Cemetery. Duane will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Wed., at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Duane G. Melvin Memorial Fund c/o Seaman High School, 4850 NW Rochester Road, Topeka, KS 66617.

Duane "Blackie" Melvin Passes Away

    Duane "Blackie" Melvin,  former RHS coach back in the late 50s and early 60s passed away Friday night in his sleep.  Duane has lived in Thornton Place in Topeka for the last few years after a long career at Seaman High School.
    In 2012,  Duane was honored as one of the top 100 athletes of Shawnee County.  He played minor league baseball for several years before going into coaching.
    More info and his obituary will be on this web site as soon as is known.  

Rossville Election Candidates

Candidates for Rossville Spring Elections

Rossville Mayor  Candidate
Kenneth D Wichman

Rossville City Council Candidates
James F Meyer
Travis Dale Van Vleck

Willard Election Candidates

The following people have registered as candidates for Spring Elections for Willard.

Willard Mayor Candidates
Melvin D Sage

Willard City Council Candidates
Heather Renae Dunlap
Lynn Carol Davis
Loretta D Sage
Christine A Reetz

Dawgs Defeat Highland Park

Rossville 53, Highland Park 30

The RHS wrestling team defeated Highland Park on Jan. 24 54-30.  Individual match results were as follows:

106 — Cornwell, HP, by forfeit
113 — Jasper, HP, by forfeit
120 — Neria, HP, by forfeit
126 — Gentry, Ros., by forfeit
132 — Bird, Ros., by forfeit
138 — Gentry, Ros., by forfeit
145 — Lambotte, Ros., def. Miller, 21-5
152 — Ressor, Ros., def. Vance, by fall (3:42)
160 — Luellen, Ros., def. Dean, by fall (:43)
170 — Jensen, Ros., by forfeit
182 — Flowers, HP, def. Lovejoy, by fall (4:40)
195 — Goekel, Ros., by forfeit
220 — Dean, HP, by forfeit
285 — Cooper, Ros., def. Lewis, by fall (1:10)

RHS Wrestlers at Council Grove Duels

    The RHS wrestlers came in fourth of eight teams competing in the Council Grove Duals on Jan. 19.  Tagen Lambotte was chosen Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament

Team Standings were:

1st Wichita South

2nd Council Grove

3rd Lyons

4th Rossville

5th Southeast of Saline

6th Larned

7th Mission Valley

8th Circle

For a full recap of all the matches,  go to:

http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rhs/athletics/wrestling/12-13/cg.pdf

Ruth Gee Passes Away

    (Mary) Ruth Wullschleger Gee passed away on Jan. 15, 2013.
    Ruth was born to Kittie M (Hunt) and R.D. Wullschleger on March 15, 1921 on the family farm in Marshall County Kansas. She graduated from Frankfort High School and went to Ottawa University. She taught in one room schools in Kansas. Ruth continued her education at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where Floyd Gee, from Home, KS. was attending.
    Floyd and Ruth married in August 1944 and lived in Indiana where Floyd was a pastor. They had two children, Daniel and Laurel. Years later they moved to Rossville where she worked at Peoples State Bank for many years.
Ruth loved music and played many instruments. She enjoyed gardening and cooking. She also loved to worship and serve the Lord and belonged to the Rossville Bible Church.
    Ruth is survived by her husband Floyd; son, Dan (Gwen); daughter Laurel (Steve); sister, Marge; brother, Bob (Margaret); sisters-in-law, Wanda Wullschleger and Edna Gee. She leaves her grandchildren, Andrew, Benjamin (Ashley), Danielle and Joe and many nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dick.
    Committal services at the Marysville Cemetery were held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 18, 2013. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Gee’s name and sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Larry Stroup Passes Away

     Larry Stroup, 75, passed away November 27, 2012 in Canon City, CO.
     He was born March 17, 1937 in Rossville, KS to Otis F. and Ruth J. (Burlew) Stroup. Larry was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
    On June 19, 1971, Larry was united in marriage to Ione Rose in Rossville, KS.
    Mr. Stroup worked as a mechanic for International Harvester Truck Service Center in Kansas City, MO and in Ft. Wayne, IN. After moving to Canon City, he worked for Triangle Truck, and later in Pueblo at Wheel Alignment & Brake Shop. He enjoyed going to yard sales and motorcycles. He also enjoyed the Florence Senior Center's activities, where he did some volunteering.
    Larry is survived by his wife, Ione; brothers, Otis "Scottie" (Elinor) Stroup; in-laws, Maxine and Jim Hennis and Deannie Woolsey; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and step-father, Dannie N. Morris.
    Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the Holt Family Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Holt Chapel of the Garden in Canon City, with Pastor David Almanzar officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain Vale Memorial Park in Canon City. Memorial donations may be made to the Florence Senior Center at PO Box 300, Florence, CO 81226. Arrangements handled through Holt Family Funeral Home. Online condolences @ www.holtfamilyfuneral homes.com

RHS Girls Get Win Over Iola

    The RHS girls won their last game in the Burlington Invitational tournament by defeating Iola 30-25.

Gary Starbird Passes Away

    Capt. Gary L. Starbird USN (Ret.), 75, of Dover KS passed away on Thurs. night, Jan. 17, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka KS.
    Gary was born in Christ Hospital in Topeka KS on Aug. 30, 1937. He lived and attended grade school and high school in Willard, Rossville and Dover KS. He graduated from Marysville High School in Marysville CA in 1955 and continued on to receive a BA in English at San Francisco University.
    Gary enlisted in the Navy in Nov. 1956. After boot camp he came up the ranks thru the NAV-CAD program and began his career in naval aviation. He is a Vietnam veteran. He was one of the elite 1000 Trap Club Members and was respected by all who knew and worked with him. He was considered by colleagues as The aviators aviator. Capt. Starbird retired his last command with the National Airborne Emergency Command Post in 1984 after a 27-year career.
    Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, gunsmithing and reloading. He loved his college football and basketball, especially the Jayhawks. (Rock Chalk!) He was also actively involved in Quail Unlimited and the NRA.
    Gary was married to Kathryn Hartman, in Sept. 1959, for 9 years. To this union, two children were born, Andy Starbird and Stephanie Starbird-Kramer. Gary was married to Life Starbird, Aug. 1968, for 12 years. From this union, there were two boys, Jason Starbird and Zackary Starbird. All survive. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kiefer and Conner Starbird, Grace and Clay Kramer, Ashley, Joshua, and Zack Starbird and Katia & Kaylee Starbird; and great-grandsons, Alex and Jason Starbird. Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Agnes Starbird, his father, Delbert Starbird, and his sister, Dixie Starbird.
    Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Fri. Jan 25th at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka KS. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Sat., Jan. 26th at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Dover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NRA, sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com. 

Dawgs Lose to Santa Fe Trail

In their final match-up at the Burlington Invitational,  the Dawgs were brought down by  high scoring Santa Fe Trail 73-46.

Santa Fe Trail         11     23     23     16     =     73

Rossville                   12       6      14     15     =    47

Rossville Scoring:

Greco                       9
Immenschuh        8
Horak                      6
Sowers                    6
Catron                     5
Day                           5
Schultz-Pruner    4
Davis                        2
Horak                      2
Total                     47

RHS Girls Lose to Labette County

    In Friday night basketball action at the Burlington Invitational Tournament,  the RHS girls were defeated by Labette County 54-31.

Rossville                 5     7     12     7     =   31
Labette County     16   13     10   15     =   54

Rossville  scoring:
Brown                   8  
Channel                 7
VanderPutten         5
Nitsch                    5
 Dantzson               4
Steckel                   2
        Total             31.

RHS Boys Lose to Pittsburgh

In Fri night action at the  Burlington Invitational tournament,  the RHS boys lost to Pittsburg 61-45.

Rossville     15     12     10     8     =     45
Pittsburg     12     10     15   24     =     61

Rossville  scoring:  
Catron                     14
Immenschuh             14
Schultz-Pruner          10
Greco                         4
Sowers                       3
Total                         45