Rossville KS Alumni News

This blog is for posting all news of Rossville residents and Rossville High alumni. Bookmark this page and send any appropriate news (births, deaths, engagements, marriages, anniversaries, job changes, honors, etc.) items to: Frank.Ruff@juno.com . Feel free to add comments to any of the articles. Check this site often because I sometimes delete items. There are SEARCH (top left of page) and LINK (bottom of page) features. For photos, see link at bottom.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Wamego Coach Remembers Lance

http://ksnt.com/2016/08/19/wamego-track-coach-remembers-victim-of-fatal-crash/

Sharon Downey Passes Away

Sharon Downey was born on November 17, 1943 and passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

Sharon was a resident of Rossville, Kansas.

No services are planned at this time.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Silver Lake Students Grieving

Silver Lake students, staff grieving after Thursday's fatal wreck on US-24

Former AAU coach Lenard, also killed in wreck, remembered for touching lives of youths in area

Posted: August 19, 2016 - 6:09pm

By Angela Deines

Special to The Capital-Journal

Gregarious, quirky and a constant smile are just some of the words used Friday to illustrate the unique personalities of the Silver Lake students who died Thursday in a two-vehicle wreck on US-24 highway on their way to school.

“The first thing that comes to mind is the smile that was always on her face,” said Ronda Pegram, principal of Silver Lake Elementary — where Gaby Greeve, 11, was a sixth-grader who wanted to someday become a pediatric nurse. “From the time we got her in second grade and throughout, that smile is just the first thing you think of.”

Brad Womack, principal of Silver Lake Junior High-High School, said Tyler Crouse, 14 — Gaby’s step-brother who had just started his freshman year on Tuesday — loved playing percussion instruments, photography and had an infectious personality.

“You knew when Tyler was in the room,” Womack said. “Tyler brought energy to any room he was in, whether that was the lunchroom, the gym, the classroom. You never knew if Tyler was having a bad day.”

Devin Greeve, 17, Gaby’s older brother, had just begun his senior year on Tuesday. He was more reserved but had a definite sense of humor, Womack said. He said Devin was always willing to try something new, having tried wrestling as a freshman and then later taking up the saxophone. He also had completed his certificate at Washburn Tech for computer repair, Womack said.

Michelle Taylor, Silver Lake High School’s debate and forensics coach, said she was going to be relying on Devin to be a mentor to the nine freshmen novices on this year’s squad.

“He was my only senior,” she said, adding that Devin participated in the humorous solo, informative speaking and prose forensic events. “Devin could connect with anyone.”

Further describing someone who “lived life at his own pace” and would launch into “random stories” in class, Taylor said Devin will always be “one of my favorites.”

“There is going to be a gaping void in my squad and in my heart this season,” she wrote on her personal Facebook page on Thursday, “and I’m not sure how to fill it.”

Silver Lake Unified School District 372 superintendent Tim Hallacy said he is proud of the response by teachers, staff, community members and others to Thursday’s tragedy. He said the way in which counseling services are provided depends largely on the relationships the students and staff had with those whose lives were lost.

“When we put supports together, it’s not just with the students in mind,” Hallacy said. “It’s also with the staff, because they need support, too. They’re going through the grieving process just like everyone is.”

In between talking about the emotions they and their teachers were experiencing, Pegram and Womack also expressed their sadness for the death of Lance Lenard, 47, of Rossville, the driver of the other vehicle who died in Thursday morning’s crash. Pegram said she and Lenard were in the same Rossville High School graduating class. Womack said Lenard touched the lives of many Silver Lake, Rossville and northeast Kansas children as an Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, summer track coach.

Lenard’s son, Kade Lenard, 13, also of Rossville, was in the vehicle his father was driving Tuesday morning. As of Thursday afternoon, he was listed by the Kansas Highway Patrol as injured but stable at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Tim Winter, superintendent of Wamego USD 320, said Lance Lenard had also been an assistant track coach at Wamego High School since 2012.

“Lance was always a very positive and upbeat person,” he said. “He was respected by students and staff and had a passion for working with student-athletes. We’ll miss him. It makes you reflect on how important every day is and how you should let those around you know you love them.”

Hallacy said an account to help the families of Devin, Tyler and Gaby has been set up at the Silver Lake Bank branch in Silver Lake. He said questions can be directed to Kathy Richards. Accounts on the GoFundMe website have also been established for the three children’s families, as well as for the Lenard family.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Four Killed In Accident (CJ)

From the Capital-Journal

SILVER LAKE — Four people were killed and a fifth person was critically injured in a two-car crash Thursday morning on a two-lane highway just northwest of Topeka.

Of the four killed, three were students from Silver Lake schools.

Kansas Highway Patrol identified the fatality victims as Gaby Greeve, 11, a sixth-grader at Silver Lake Elementary School, Tyler Crouse, 14, a ninth-grader at Silver Lake High School, Devin Greeve, 17, a 12th-grader at Silver Lake High School, and Lance Lenard, 47, of Rossville.

All three of the student fatality victims, Gaby and Devin Greeve and Tyler Crouse, all of Topeka, were passengers in the same car, a white 1999 Subaru Impreza that Devin Greeve was driving. The fourth fatality victim, Lenard, was the driver in a gray 2007 Pontiac Vibe.

Kade Lenard, 13, of Rossville, also in the Vibe, was listed by KHP on Thursday afternoon as injured but stable at Stormont Vail Hospital.

In a statement released early Thursday afternoon, Silver Lake superintendent Tim Hallacy said students in grades six to 12 and their parents were notified of the tragic news on Thursday morning.

“We have provided extra counseling support for students and staff today and will tomorrow, as well,” Hallacy said. “Please keep all the families involved in your thoughts and prayers as we all work through this difficult and sad time together.”

The crash between the Impreza and the Vibe occurred about 7:20 a.m. in the 8400 block of N.W. US-24 highway, about 50 yards west of Humphrey Road.

According to a news release from KHP, the crash occurred when the Impreza, which was westbound on US-24, dropped off the right shoulder and overcorrected.

Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Jory Custar said the Impreza then was hit on its passenger side by the eastbound Vibe.

Sideway skid marks could be seen from the Impreza on the eastbound lane of the highway.

It took first responders approximately 30 minutes to extricate the first occupant of the Vibe before that person was transported to a local hospital. It took another 45 minutes to get the second occupant out of the car.

Devin Greeve, Lance Lenard and Kade Lenard were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to a Topeka hospital, the Kansas Highway Patrol crash log indicated. Gaby Greeve and Crouse were declared dead on the scene.

The Impreza came to a rest facing northeast in the eastbound side of the two-lane highway, while the Vibe ended up facing north in the ditch on the south side of the road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol took control of the investigation. Troopers mapped out the crash scene on the ground, with a KHP airplane assisting from overhead.

According to the KHP crash log, all of the occupants except for Crouse were wearing seat belts.

US-24 was closed for about a mile in either direction immediately after the crash, and was closed until 12:12 p.m.

Traffic was diverted onto surrounding gravel roads until the scene was cleared.

In addition to the Kansas Highway Patrol and AMR ambulance, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Silver Lake Fire Department responded to the scene.

“The patrol extends our sincere condolences to the families of those who were involved in the crash, and to the local communities, who we know will be impacted,” KHP said in a news release.

See a video interview with Custar here: http://cjon.co/2bi99AD.

Four Killed On 24 (KSNT)

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. (KSNT) – Four people are dead after a deadly crash Thursday morning east of Silver Lake.

The wreck happened just before 7:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 24 and Humphrey Road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a white 1999 Subaru was westbound on U.S. 24 when it crossed the center line. A 2007 gray pontiac was eastbound and struck the Subaru on the passenger side.

The driver and the other two occupants in the Subaru died in the accident. They have been identified as 17-year-old Devin Greeve, the driver, a high school senior at Silver Lake High School and from Topeka, 11-year-old Gaby Greeve, of Topeka, a sixth grader at Silver Lake Elementary, and 14-year-old Tyler Crouse, of Topeka, a freshman at Silver Lake High School.

The driver of the Pontiac was identified as 47-year-old Lance Lenard, of Rossville. He was taken to Stormont Vail where he later died. His 13-year-old son Kade was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Kade is a Wamego track and field star following in his father Lance’s footsteps. His dad coached kids with the Northeast Kansas Track Club for nearly 20 years.

Silver Lake School Superintendent Tim Hallacy released a statement to KSNT News Thursday afternoon.

Hallacy says they have informed students grades 6-12 and notified parents so they would be ready to support their children.

“We have provided extra counseling support for students and staff today and will tomorrow as well. Please keep all the families involved in your thoughts and prayers as we all work through this difficult and sad time together.”

Officials closed the area of NW Highway 24 from Hodges Road to Hoch Road until just after the noon hour.

Kansas Highway Patrol and the Shawnee County Sheriff worked the accident.

Video can be seen at:
http://ksn.com/2016/08/19/silver-lake-and-rossville-residents-shaken-by-crash-that-killed-four/

Four Killed In 2 Car Crash (WIBW)

A crash Thursday morning on US-24 killed four, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

KHP identified the victims as Devin Greeve, a senior at Silver Lake High School; Gabby Greeve, a 6th-grader at Silver Lake Elementary; and Tyler Crouse, a freshman at the high school. The fourth person killed, Lance Lenard, 47, of Rossville was driving the other vehicle involved in the wreck.

Kade Lenard, 13, was injured in the crash and is in stable condition at Stormont-Vail hospital, KHP said. The teen was riding in Lance Lenard's Pontiac Vibe at the time.

Silver Lake Superintendant Tim Hallacy issued a statement Thursday afternoon:

We informed students grades 6-12 this morning and notified parents so they would be ready to support their children at home. We have provided extra counseling support for students and staff today and will tomorrow as well. Please keep all the families involved in your thoughts and prayers as we all work through this difficult and sad time together.

KHP says the wreck happened at 7:20 a.m. on US-24 between Huxman and Humphrey roads. Devin Greeve was behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza and heading west on the highway. The KHP crash log indicates his car dropped off the right shoulder and overcorrected, crossing the centerline. Lenard's vehicle's hit Devin's car on the passenger side, KHP said.

The wreck shut down the highway for several hours before it was opened around noon.

KHP said the agency "extends (its) sincere condolences to the families of those who were involved in the crash, and to the local communities, who we know will be impacted."

Video and pictures are at:
http://www.wibw.com/content/news/2-car-crash-shuts-down-US-24-east-of-Silver-Lake-390561221.html

Daniel Hinterweger (86) Passes Away

Daniel B. “Danny” Hinterweger, 49, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. He was born June 17, 1967 in Topeka, the son of Eric H. and Betty M. (Bixby) Hinterweger.
  Danny graduated from Rossville High School in 1986. He was employed by Amarrs. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.
    Danny married Rita A. Valdez on April 21, 2001 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include five step-children, Tina (Mark) Wilson of Dallas, Texas, Christina (Kenneth) Lasley of Mayetta, Leticia (Erik) Soto of Topeka, Hali Dominguez of Topeka, Eric Johnson of Topeka, his in-laws, Raymond and Alice Valdez of Topeka, eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, his mother and step-father, Betty M. and Leonard L. Cummings of St. Marys, his siblings, James E. (Jan) Hinterweger of Lebo, Kansas, Michael K.(Lisa) Hinterweger of Overbrook, Kansas and Cynthia (Kasey) Priddy of Silver Lake, Kansas, his step-siblings, Robert (Cathy) Cummings of St. Marys, Timothy Cummings of Wamego, Lisa (Aaron) Lyman of Topeka, Lorye (Charlie) Armstrong of Wamego, Michael (Melissa) Cummings of Florida and a host of nieces and nephews.   Danny was preceded in death by his father, Eric Hinterweger in 1998 and his step-brother, William “Bill” Cummings in 2004.
    Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 22, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Rossville Cemetery.   A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 21, 2016 and Danny will lie in state and the family will receive friends following the Rosary until 6:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66604. To leave the family a special message online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Lorraine Chaney Passes Away

Lorraine Agnes Chaney, 87, of Topeka, KS passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
She was born October 3, 1928 in Mayetta, KS, the daughter of Frank S. & Mabel (Blandin) Chaney. Lorraine graduated from Mayetta High School. After high school, Lorraine worked as a Stenographer for the FBI for 30 years before she retired. When President Kennedy was assassinated, Lorraine typed the information about the shooting. Lorraine was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Glen Beckwith (Sue Harding) of Topeka, KS, Lynn Beckwith (Jane) of Ozawkie, KS, John Naranjo and Marlene Naranjo both of Albuquerque, NM and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Christine Naranjo and Anna Beckwith and 3 brothers, Otis, Francis and Alvie Chaney.
Lorraine was cremated and private family inurnment will be at a later date in the Holton Cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com. Lorraine Agnes Chaney

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Dawg Football For 2016

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – Winning a state title three years in a row is a bit difficult, but that’s what this team of Dawgs hope to do.

Coming off a dominant year in 2015, Rossville will hope to defend their Class 3A state title for a second year in a row.

“It’s good pressure,” said Trevor Balch, Rossville senior running back and free safety. “Having that target on your back makes you work hard.”

The Mid-East League knows how good Rossville has been, but many don’t know what to expect this time around.

Rossville lost a pretty talented senior class, including the state’s leading rusher in Tucker Horak.

“We have a lot of new faces,” said Wyatt Dyche, Rossville senior slotback and cornerback. “We graduated a lot of guys last yeas so we have to fill some spots, but other than what we’re about the same. We got the same drive and everything so we’re pretty ready to go.”

Head Coach Derick Hammes isn’t looking at the big picture at the moment, but he knows what he needs to do to get his team back to that stage.

“I’d like to build our depth,” Hammes said. “That’s usually what I’m saying this time of the year. You’ll lose some good players, and we certainly did last year.”

Regardless, Hammes and company will look to make do with what they have, and lead the Dawg pound into another state title.

Rossville will start their season on September 2nd against Marysville.

Tall Corn Festival Pictures

The Capital Journal website has many pictures taken at the 2016 Tall Corn Festival
http://beta.spotted.cjonline.com/mediadetail/26764846/?gId=666124
They also posted dozens of photos taken at the TCF Parade. They can be seen at:
http://beta.spotted.cjonline.com/mediadetail/26764354/?gId=666118