Paul Brennan (77) On KSNT

Paul Brennan is interviewed briefly in this video about the Topeka Library.

https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/topeka-and-shawnee-county-public-library-starts-curbside-pick-up-personalized-browsing/

Shirley Voight Passes Away

Judy Lundin reports a death a few weeks back that was never in any paper  that she could find.

It was Shirley Bond Irwin Voight of Tennessee. She grew up in Delia & attended Delia schools. 

She died the first part of May. Her parents were Oren &  Marguerite Bond of Delia. 

Two of her daughters, Kim Dick & Karen Lira attended Rossville schools. 

They survive along with another daughter Tracy. Other survivors include a  brother, 

Robert Bond of Missouri. 

Gale Bennett Passes Away

Gale E. Bennett, 85, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020. He was born March 1, 1935 in Delia, Kansas, the son of Leo C. and Mary (Morris) Bennett.

Gale attended Rossville Grade School and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. He worked at the Sinclair station while in school and then at Kaw Valley Dehydrating Plant after graduation. He went on to work for Wagner Construction as a carpenter for 30 years and then with Senne Construction for another 5 years. He retired in 1995. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local #1445, The Knights of Columbus and The Still Waters Evangelical Church.

Gale married Edna M. Bennett on June 4, 1960 in St. Mary’s, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include their children, Scott Bennett of Topeka, Brian Bennett of Topeka, his grandson, Kurtis and his siblings, Kenneth Bennett of Rossville, Kansas, Mary Homan of St. Mary’s, Kansas and Judy Merriman of Lawrence.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2020 at Still Waters Evangelical Church, 4412 SW 21st St. where the family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Auburn Cemetery.

Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd. is assisting the family.

To leave the family a special message, please select the Share Memories option at   https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/185013/Gale-Bennett/Dove-KS

John Gibbons On History Channel

John Gibbons, formerly of St. Marys, Kansas, was interviewed on the show WWII in Color as part of its Heroic Missions programs for Memorial Day on the History Channel.  Gibbons was part of the Eighth Air Force which flew bombers over Germany as bait for the Luftwaffe for the Allies to gain air superiority.

Here is John's obituary:

Gibbons, John P. Ret. Col. USAF Passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2013, after living a full and rich 93 years. Reunited with his dearest and beautiful wife Dorothy (nee Hagen). Loving father of Dianne (Richard Borzych), John, Terrance and the late Mary Jane (Harris). Proud grandpa of Michelle Harris. Father-in-law of Thomas Harris. Beloved patriarch and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Joseph and Mary (Meany) and brothers Joseph, Bernard, Lawrence, Maurice and Thomas. Dedicated to unselfish service to his country John had a distinguished career in the Air Force (26 years) highlighted by his 49 missions, undaunting courage and superb airmanship during WWII as a B17 pilot in the European theater. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. Visitation at ST. DOMINIC CATHOLIC CHURCH, 18255 W. Capitol Dr., on Wednesday, January 30 from 10:30 AM-11:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon. Procession to Wisconsin Memorial Park for committal prayers and military honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to your favorite charity in memory of John is appreciated.

Born: Nov. 2, 1919 in St. Marys, KS
Died: Jan. 24, 2013 in Wisconsin
Buried:  Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, WI

Delores (Lambert) Casey Passes Away

Dolores J. Casey, 87, Meriden, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at a local care center.

Dolores was born October 26, 1932 in Kanopolis, KS, the daughter of Joseph and Ella (Young) Lambert. She graduated from Rossville High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College.

She was a senior software analyst with Blue Cross & Blue Shield for over 40 years, retiring in 2001. She later was Site Manager for Meals on Wheels in Meriden. She attended Meriden Community Church and was a member of A.B.W.A.

Dee was an avid cook, gardener, and sports fan. She enjoyed going to Royals baseball games and her grandchildren’s sporting events. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother.

She lived life to its fullest. She was a trailblazer and had two careers, working up until the end of her life. She had an extensive network of friends and was well loved by many. She was an active member of her community and volunteered with many organizations throughout her life.

Dee was a blessing to many, always thinking of others, and leaves behind a positive legacy. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include sons, Bob Casey, Rossville, John (Beverly) Casey, Kansas City, KS; 3 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, Heather (Brent) Adams and sons Ty and Zac; Kyle (Crystallynn Quigley) Casey and children Kaiden, Karrick, Journey, Khloe, and Kheaven; Megan (Virgil) Barnard and daughter Hadley; and a sister, Vivian Cantwell. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dorothy Young; brother, Vernon Lambert; and daughter-in-law, Peggy Casey.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at the Meriden Community Church. Burial will follow at the Rossville Cemetery. Dolores will lie in state from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 2134 SW Westport Drive, Topeka, KS 66614 or the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave a special message for the family online.  go to    https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/184603/Dolores-Casey/Dove-KS

Kenneth Bennett Places Flags

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (KSNT) — A Korean War veteran is remembering those who died for our country with a yearly tradition.

Eighty-six-year-old Kenneth Bennett has been placing American flags at the Rossville Cemetery for the past 60 years in honor of Memorial Day.

With the help of Evergy crew members and other volunteers, he was able to put up 140 flags this year.

“I served my tour of duty in Korea and I come home safe,” said Bennett. “Ever since then, I’ve been involved with the American Legion and this cemetery here in Rossville.”

This is Bennett’s last year doing this. He said all of the help he’s received when putting up the flags has meant a lot to him.

Here is a nice KSNT video of Kenneth and friends placing flags:   https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/86-year-old-korean-war-veteran-places-flags-at-rossville-cemetery-in-honor-of-memorial-day/

Douglas Hohman Passes Away

Douglas Hohman (53) of St. Marys passed away May 21, 2020.  You can view his obit at:   https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/notices/Douglas-Hohman

Arrest For Kidnapping & Robbery

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- A man was taken into custody on Thursday on kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges.

Stephen Cooney, 20, was arrested in Rossville and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges related to an incident that occurred in Topeka on April 28.

Topeka Police could not comment on the investigation or what happened.

Quarter Sized Hail Reported

According to StormerSsite.com, quarter sized hail was reported at 8:57:00 AM CDT on 05/04/2020 about 3 miles from the center of Rossville, KS. The exact location that this hail report originated from was 39.09, -95.94. The area around Rossville has had 2 hail storm reports within 10 miles in the last 3 years.

Remembering John Kratina

John was the last of the original Kratina family who were BEST FRIENDS with Grandma & Grandpa Smatla & our WHOLE family.  They’d known each other in “the old country’, and were absolutely splendid folks.   [did you know that the elder Mr. Kratina had driven an ambulance in WW-1?]  Ha!  I remember how Mrs. Kratina had the LOUDEST laugh on the planet, and was one of the VERY FEW people who could get Grandma to laugh out loud!  John was the LAST of the Czechs near Rossville with whom I could speak in the native tongue… not because there aren’t a few left who can ALSO speak it, but the particular variety (dialect if you will) that I’d learned as a little kid isn’t that common.. being oriented with when our forbearers came OVER here to the USA… i.e. pre WW-1.  As I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s the “Old Czech” and only used by the “older” folk…  mostly over here.  John was warm and friendly, like his parents, LOVED a good laugh, and a wealth of history and stories about the old AND new days.    Being with him in his house, sipping a cup of coffee… well, it was almost like being at the farm again.  Telling farm & military stories to each other, the hours would easily slip away.

 The last time I saw him was over Memorial Day last year.. he and his wife were at a large assisted-living/nursing center in Topeka and they were quite surprised that I’d make the effort to find them… I sat with them while they had their lunch, and remember John saying “no flavor…  guess we need some sauerkraut!”  I’d actually promised to bring one of the few remaining jars that Mom had made, that I still had… so he could have some REAL stuff…  owing to the virus’s effects on our social community and travel.. I never got to do that.

I’m filled with sorrow at his passing… not just because he was a friend for MANY years, but because he represented a last-remaining thread of connection to those hallowed times of yesteryear we can all remember.  I’ll find it SO very hard to pass by his place on 86^th. Street (remember when the roads DIDN’T HAVE NUMBERS OR NAMES?), just up the hill, East of the Bohemian Hall without stopping or honking as I always did.  His not being present atop the hilltop Czech cemetery for our Memorial Day gatherings will leave a very large hole.  …and oh, in years back, how I remember him coming into “the yard” on the farm on Docking Road in that beautiful dark-green, perfectly preserved 1940 Ford he used to drive.  It was absolutely original with NO modifications whatsoever, and he was so very proud of it… gosh, how I would have loved to have taken a ride in it.

How tough to see pieces of our history fade away…  To realize that those familiar faces that surrounded my existence for all these years, will no longer smile when they see me, and hear me speak my “fractured Czech”, owing from not hearing it much, anymore.  The grasses on the fields surrounding the cemetery will still resemble an ocean when winds blow across them, just as it was when I was a boy – plowing through them in Willard, with one of the dogs (Teddy & Bert).. back by the fence at the top of the cemetery, the big tree’s leaves will still make those comfortable rustling sounds and provide bountiful shade.. the far-off drone of train whistles will still float up, and the voices that live in our memories will be the only ones to remind us of simple times and warm people… who graced us with their love and friendship.

 Dobro Notz, Kluku… Tom Daily

John Kratina, Tom Dailey, Don Dailey, Tom Smatla – approx. 1952

John Kratina Passes Away (Updated)

Rossville—John D. Kratina, 85, passed away Friday, May 1, 2020, at Oakley Place in Rossville. 

On July 26, 1934, he was born in rural Rossville, the son of John R. and Helen (Hruska) Kratina. John was raised in the Moravian Czech community of Rossville attending Victor 101 Schoolhouse and graduated from Rossville High School. 

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

Over the years, John served his country through the military forces, United States Air Force and Reserves, Kansas Army Guard, Kansas Air National Guard.  Retiring in 1984 as a Crew Chief of the 190th squadron. 

Over the years, John dedicated his service to the Presbyterian Church of Rossville as a church board member overseeing the preservation of the building and property.  John was an active member of the 190 Air Combat Museum, where he donated weekly hours providing tours to the public during museum hours and air shows.  John was a member of the Czech Moravian Lodge No. 128.   John was an active member in preservation of the Moravian Lodge with his involvement in the teaching of the Czech heritage through organizing Polka dance lessons and Czech language lessons to families and members of the community.  John also supported the lodge in assisting with organization of Polka dances and kolache booths at community events. John was honored with the Fraternalist of the Year Award for his service to the organization.  John was active in the development and building of the Agriculture Hall of Fame, to honor the Agriculture leaders and farmers of Kansas.

John was an active member of the following organizations; Kansas Pickers and Fiddlers, Pickers and Singers, Czech Moravian Lodge No. 128 /Air Force Sergeants Assoc/Kansas Air National Guard Assoc./Jimmie Lillard American Legion Post 31

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marjorie Kratina, a brother George Kratina, a sister Mary Kratina and a brother-in-law, David Hitchcock. 

Personal qualities of John, we will always remember his outgoing personality, love of Czech heritage, love of music, storytelling along with his love for family, friends, God and country.  

Other survivors include his son, John M. (Cynthia) Kratina, Topeka; his daughter, Tammy (Dennis) Biswell, Wamego, a sister-in-law, 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. 

The Kratina and Biswell families would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful care given to John and Marjorie during their time at Oakley Place of Rossville.  

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. 

John Kratina of Rossville passed away one day after his wife Marjorie, who died April 30.   You can read Marjorie's obituary at: 
https://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2020/04/marjorie-kratina-passes-away.html

Greg Hesse Is Counsel In Anti-Trust Case

RHS Hall of Famer Greg Hesse has spent his month of April in Covid-19 quarantine working on  a big antitrust case involving Dean Foods, Food Lion supermarkets, and  Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers.  Greg Hesse, of Huntoon Andrews Kurth LLP,  represents Food Lion, LLC.  

Brian Ketter Passes Away

Brian Matthew Ketter, 53, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri passed away on April 29, 2020. Brian was born on March 3, 1967 in Delia, Kansas to the late Leslie Ketter and Connie (Harris) Rathbun. He married Danae (Lentz) Ketter at their home on August 28, 1998 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Brian was an honest and giving man who was loved by his family and had a servant heart. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, daughters and his grandchildren. Brian was full of pride as he walked his two daughters down the aisle and gave them away to their loving husbands. His proudest accomplishments were serving his country as a soldier and also as a civilian, and being a papaw (Harley had him wrapped around her finger). Some of Brian’s hobbies included fishing, riding his motorcycle, spending time with his family, welding and watching the Chiefs and the Jayhawks.

Brian will be missed the most for his selflessness, ability to make people laugh, and his unending love for his family, especially his granddaughter, Harley. Brian was a hard worker, a content and passionate man, and was very patriotic. He would do anything for his family.

He was preceded in death by his father Leslie A. Ketter.

Survivors include his wife Danae Ketter of the home, daughters Lauren (Brady) Moppin and Allison (Brian) VanTill, grandchildren Harley and Hudson Moppin, mother Connie Rathbun, father and mother in law Calvin and Delores Lentz, sisters Tina and Leana Ketter, and multiple nieces and nephews.

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.