The Smatla's Family Radio

The "Willard Radio".  On this radio, a 1941 Montgomery-Ward Airline table model, the Smatlas listened to President Roosevelt announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor and our entry into World War II on December 8^th, 1941 (the attack was on the 7^th)..  Uncles Hank & Ben were already in the Navy.  Ben gradulated from Boot Camp in August of that year, and Hank had already seen action in the North Atlantic escorting Allied convoys and fighting German U Boats.

 I remember listening to to this radio when I was a very little boy (late 1944 - 1946) in Willard, and after 1951, North of Rossville.  Typically, it was turned on only TWICE a day for the Morning weather, and at Noon, for the farm reports and again, the weather.  Mom told me that MUCH LATER on, Aunts Alice, Marie, and Mom would sometimes sneak a listen to radio shows like The Great Gildersleeve, Fibber McGee & Molly, Our Miss Brooks, and others.  In those early days, it was ALWAYS tuned to 580 kilocycles – WIBW in Topeka.

Now, electronically restored, it sings of times gone past and a history of our family and our nation.

By  former Rossvillian Tom Dailey.

RHS on Dominant Football List

Here is an article about the best Kansas football programs of the last decade. Rossville and Silver Lake made the list.
https://www.maxpreps.com/news/oxVulzCBNEyQZ919c5AMaA/top-20-most-dominant-kansas-high-school-football-programs-of-the-last-decade.htm

Lexi Cobb Short Of Goal

Silver Lake senior Lexi Cobb saw her chances for four state championships in volleyball and softball dashed with the C-19 pandemic. 
https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20200430/spring-senior-salute-silver-lakersquos-cobb-sees-title-quest-end-short-of-goal

Marjorie Kratina Passes Away (Updated)

Rossville—Marjorie Ann Kratina, 83, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Oakley Place in Rossville where she and her husband lived. 

On April 29, 1937, she was born in rural Silver Lake, the daughter of Elmer John and Agnes B. (Fleming) Crawshaw. Marjorie was raised in the Silver Lake community and graduated from Silver Lake High School. 

In her youth, Marjorie was active in 4H and continued her love of the organization through coaching her own children in projects and serving as a club project leader.  

Over the years, Marjorie dedicated her service to the Presbyterian Church of Rossville as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and a member of the Church Board. Marjorie was also a member of the United Presbyterian Women's organization where she served as secretary.

Marjorie worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Luce Press Clipping Bureau. At Luce Press Clipping Bureau in Topeka, she was an editor for 23 years. She retired in 2000. Marjorie was a member of the Rossville Presbyterian Church and also was a member of the Czech Moravian Lodge No. 128, Rossville.  Marjorie supported the Moravian Lodge with her love of baking, making kolaches for events with the lodge.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert Crawshaw, and a brother-in-law, David Hitchcock. 

On November 18, 1955, Marjorie married John D. Kratina at the Rossville Presbyterian Church. He survives. 

Other survivors include her son, John M. (Cynthia) Kratina, Topeka; her daughter, Tammy (Dennis) Biswell, Wamego, a sister, Barbara Hitchcock, Silver Lake,  grandchildren, Jesse (Holly) Kratina, Joshua Kratina, Amanda Kratina, Richard (Katie) Biswell, and Rebecca Biswell; great-grandchildren, Finnly Kratina and Asher Kratina. 

Marjorie had a deep love for her savior Jesus Christ serving him through her loving spirit, being a prayer warrior and caring for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and we look forward to the day we see her again.   

Memorial services and interment will be in the Czech Moravian Cemetery, near Rossville to be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Presbyterian Church or the Czech Moravian Lodge No. 128 and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marjorie A. (Crawshaw) Kratina, please visit our floral store.

Mikeys Has Takeouts

Shop Locally.  Mikeys has food for take-out.

We are open for Dinner takeouts from 5:00-7:30 PM. Check out our new online ordering system through Facebook Page. Use the below link or select the "See Menu & Order" option on our facebook page and place the order.

https://www.foodbooking.com/api/fb/_p_z71v

Alumni Reunion Dinner Canceled

The Rossville High Alumni reunion and scholarship presentation scheduled for June 6th has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RHS Alumni Foundation Scholarships

The Rossville High Alumni Foundation has announced the three winners of the Foundations scholarships awarded to Rossville High Seniors.  This year each awardee will receive a $1,500 scholarship.    Winners are Kaleb Badura, Alexandra Broughton and Leah Hudson.  Kaleb will attend Washburn University studying Radiologic Technology in the Health Sciences field.  Alexandra will study Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University.  Leah will attend Kansas State University majoring in Agronomy.   The RHS Alumni Foundation has awared over $35,000 in scholarships since 1999. 

James Lloyd "Jim" Schwartz Passes Away

James Lloyd "Jim" Schwartz

On the evening of April 21, 2020, Jim passed away peacefully of natural causes while being comforted by family members at Wesley Medical Center. Jim was 79 years old.

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, he was the first child of Donna Ruth Conkle and Lloyd Gay Schwartz, M.D. Jim grew up in Topeka where he was known as "the lemon drop kid", the cycling paperboy who always hit your front porch with precision. He set the record for sit-ups at Boswell Jr. High, surpassed only by his little brother, Charlie. Jim graduated Topeka High in 1958 with the nickname "Elvis" because of his pompadour, ducktail and guitar. He played guitar for many traveling musicians appearing at the Topeka Municipal Auditorium in the late 50's and early 60's. Jim received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education at Washburn University of Topeka, majoring in Voice. Although recommended for training in Opera, Jim wanted to play and teach. He taught public school music in Dennison, Jackson Heights and Rossville school districts for 9 years, while playing and singing music professionally in Topeka. He traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada playing in bands ranging from the young 70's duo "Jim & Susie" to a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band who called him "Grandpa", except the lead guitar player who called him Dad. He was a lifetime member of the Episcopal Church and enjoyed leisure time with family at his country home in Eureka.

Jim was preceded in death by grandson Tavian James Johnson, Wichita; brother Charles Schwartz, Mansfield, Mo. and parents Lloyd and Donna Schwartz, Topeka. James is survived by his wife Susette "Susie" M. Jacobs Schwartz, Eureka; son Sean (Cindy) Schwartz, Eureka; daughter Raina Schwartz-Johnson, Eureka; son Dustin Schwartz, Eureka; grandchildren Taylyn (Lance) Barkley, El Dorado; Ashlen Schwartz, Pittsburg; Kaman Johnson, Eureka; Amari Schwartz, Eureka; Jack Jones, Eureka; great-granddaughter Tate Barkley, El Dorado; and sister Peggy Case, Midland, Texas.

A private Graveside Service will be held.

Lundin and Paulsen Earn Nursing Scholarships

The Harriet Hayes Austin Memorial Scholarship for Nursing was established by the family of Harriet Hayes Austin in 2003 to honor her memory and carry on her legacy of caring for others.

The winners: ChrisAnn Beeson, Washburn Rural High School; Chloe Carter, Seaman High School; Kinlyn Lundin, Rossville High School; Sam Moore, St. Mary’s High School; Michaela Paulsen, Rossville High School.

Kinlyn Lundin

Michaela Paulsen

John "Hank" Stockman (61) Passes Away

    John Henry "Hank" Stockman, 78 passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the Community Hospital in St. Marys.  No services are planned at this time.   He was a member of the RHS Class of 1961.
    To send flowers or leave condolences,  go to:       https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituary/John-Stockman

Hubert Adams Passes Away

Hubert Lee Adams, 82 of Westland, Michigan, formerly of Alma, Kansas and Rossville, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.

He was born December 19, 1937 on the Nord Family Farm in Bronaugh, Missouri the son of Clarence Kermit and Viola Lea (Mahan) Adams. He was the oldest of eight children.

He married Elizabeth Darlene Mentola June 20, 1964, she preceded him in death on October 25, 2017.

Hurb graduated from Nevada High School in 1955 and then received his Bachelor’s degree from Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri in 1959 and then, his Master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Officer in 1961 and 1962 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was a Chemical Engineer for various chemical companies in his civilian career.

Hurb, being a man of faith, deeply believed in Heaven and lived his life accordingly.

Also, he was a Citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and was proud of his heritage.

He was a member of the American Legion of Lamar, Missouri.

He is survived by a son, Mark Adams and wife, Kathy of Westland, Michigan, a daughter, Michelle Miclea and husband, Christopher of Fairhaven, Michigan, 3 brothers, Paul Leroy Adams of Kansas City, Missouri, Joe Adams and wife, Ardy of Maryville, Tennessee, and Don Adams and wife, Terri of Nevada, Missouri, 4 sisters, Lois Dianne Richardson and husband, Don of Lebanon, Missouri, Barbara Jean Pierce and husband, Glenn of Tucson, Arizona, Viola Mae Wilson and husband, Aaron of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Sharon Schaeffer and husband, Jim of Glen Carbon, Illinois, and 5 grandchildren, Kayla, Christopher, Cristina, Joshua and Brandon.

In addition to his wife, Darlene, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters-in-law, Marge Shields Adams and Donna Galbraith Adams.

He will be interred with his wife, Elizabeth Darlene at the U.S. National Cemetery #1 in Fort Scott, Kansas in a private ceremony under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the New Hope United Methodist Church Food Bank of Allen Park, Michigan, donations may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com

Earl Hepworth Passes Away

Earl C. Hepworth, Jr., 93, passed away April 19, 2020.
He was born May 22, 1926 to Earl C. Hepworth, Sr. and Ella M. Barnett Hepworth near Burlingame, KS.  He graduated from Burlingame High School in 1944.

He was a Navy veteran.  He served as a flight orderly logging 677 hours with the Naval Air Transport Service, Pacific Theatre, during World War II.  He was on the USS Missouri  He was also in the Naval Reserves.

Earl farmed in the Dover area since 1946.  He was a carpenter and millwright in the Topeka Union over 25 years.  Earl was a collector of antique farm equipment and an avid Auction goer.

He was a member of the Dover Federated Church, the  Dover Grange and the American Legion.  Earl served on the board of the Rural Water District # 1, the Dover School Board, and was a volunteer caretaker of Echo Cliff Park until he stopped driving.  Earl built the shelter, tables and seats, and welded the Echo Cliff sign.

Earl married Naomi Jane Taber Hepworth on June 17, 1949.  She survives.

Other survivors include: son Victor Hepworth and wife Jo Ann of Dover; daughter Nancy Ferrell and husband Larry of Topeka; 5 grandchildren, Todd Hepworth and wife Jannelle of Topeka; Angelia Hepworth Scholz and husband Troy of Lancaster, KS; Jeff Ensley, Stephanie Ensley, and Stephen Ferrell, all of Topeka; 5 great grandchildren, Kathryn (Katy) Warden, Leigha Bales, Karl Scholz, Shelby Scholz and Carter Hepworth; a cousin, Marjorie Henton, LaJolla, CA; and 2 nephews, Tom Hotchkiss and wife Judith, Perry, KS; and Greg Hotchkiss, Richardson, TX.  

He was preceded in death by his sister, Leone Hotchkiss.

Per his wishes, his body was donated to Kansas University Medical Center for research.

A memorial service will be held at a later date due to the Covid-19 virus.

Betty Conaway Passes Away

    Betty L. Conaway passed away at age 89.  She graduated from Silver Lake High School and was very active in the Silver Lake and Grove community,  including being on the Silver Lake school board.
    You can read about Betty at:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspx?n=betty-l-conaway&pid=196023653

James Gayner Passes Away

James Patrick Gayner of St. Marys passed away. 
When it is available, you can see his obituary at: 
https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/notices/James-Gayner