Shane Simon Passes Away

            Shane was born in the spring of 1972, to Bob and Audrey (Wishkeno) Simon, he was such a beautiful baby boy the family started calling him “Baby Shane.” It was a nickname that continued to stick with him into adulthood. Shane loved that nickname because it was given in love and lighthearted humor.

            Shane’s given Indian name is “Kah te ah be”. He was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri.

            Shane attended Assumption Grade School, Rossville High School graduate, and attended Johnson County Community College.

            After playing football for Rossville High School, Shane became an avid sports fan of all sports. Shane was a loyal, club-level season ticket holder for Kansas State University for over twenty years. He was in the KSU President’s Club, and provided for the KSU Ahearn College Fund. Additionally, Shane was an avid and dedicated KC Chiefs fan with club-level season ticket holder and made sure to attend the pre-season practices.

            After many years working as a Signalman for Burlington North Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad, Shane became a Junior Circuit Designer for the Signal Division at BNSF, he continued his work there for 28 years. Shane’s employment with BNSF allowed him to have many adventures throughout his life in different states; he did share those adventures with his family and friends.

           Shane truly loved life, his family, and BNSF work family. Shane was a good friend to all, kind and generous, intelligent, and gregarious soul with an enormous soft heart, he was loved in return by all.

           Our hearts are broken because we will not have Shane with us, however, he is with his father, maternal grandparents, paternal grandfather, uncle and friends. We believe his good soul and spirit is with the Good Lord and he is in paradise, something we can only dream of. We will miss his big distinctive laugh.

          Survivors include grandmother, Catherine; Mother, Audrey; maternal aunts, Camilla Chouteau and Bernadine Wishkeno; aunts and uncles, Francee, Craig, Debra and Harry, Shelly and Steve, and Steve; brother, Lance; sister-in-law, Lucy; cousins, Colton, LeeRoy, Komo, Steven, Josh, John and Stephanie; nephew, Chemako; nieces, Michelle, Falicity and Zola and God father, Count Valdivia.

            He was preceded in death by his father, Bob Simon; grandfathers, Wayne R. Simon and Wesley Wishkeno; grandmother, Nettie Wishkeno and God mother, Martha Valdivia.

            Until we meet again Shane, we love you.

            Family will greet friends from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2022 with Rosary being recited at 6:00 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2022 at Wishkeno Cemetery (150th and O. Rd. on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation). Memorials may be given to the Heart of Jackson Humane Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. 

William Linn Passes Away

William J. Linn, 76, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2022, at his home near St. Marys.

He was born January 23, 1946, in Middletown, CT, the son of Nelson and Norma Tarallo Linn.  Bill grew up in Connecticut where he lived until moving to St. Marys in 2003.  He served in the United States Navy.

Bill was a welder and fabricator for United Technologies’ Pratt & Whitney.   He was a member of the Assumption Chapel, EAA,  a past member of the Civil Air Patrol and served in the US Navy.  Bill was a private pilot and owned JMJ Landing, a private airport located at his home address.  He was a certified private ground school instructor. 

Virgie (Fidler) (77) Sheely Passes Away

Longtime Alamosa resident Virgie Sheeley ,64, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Alamosa on July 16,2022.

Virgie was born in Corning, California on July 8, 1958, the daughter of Forrest F. Fidler and Lela Pearl (HitchCock) Fidler. She was lucky enough to have been harassed by her older brother Darrell and her younger brother Jess. Virgie grew up in Red Bluff California, where her family farmed Milo, Wheat, and raised pigs as well.

Editor Note:  Virgie attended Delia Grade School and Rossville High as a member of  the Class of 1977.

Virgie met Calvin “Bud” Sheeley at his restaurant La Sahara and fell in love with him instantly. They were  united in marriage in 1979. Virgie and Bud started Dairy Island and later True Grits Steak House, which she operated for more than 30 years. Bud and Virgie reaffirmed their vows shortly before Bud passed away in 2015. We find some comfort in knowing that they are now reunited.

She is survived by her mother Lela Fidler of Alamosa; her daughters Brandi (Juju) Martinez of Castle Rock, CO, and Sheri (Derek) Inness of Rocky Ford, CO; her grandchildren: D’Nessa, Tay’Lor, Paige, Bowen, Benjamin, Paisley, Brexton, and her beloved dog Xena.

Virgie was preceded in death by her father Forrest, her husband Calvin “Bud” Sheeley, and her brothers Jess Fidler and Darrell Fidler.

Our mother always made us feel loved, but she adored her grandchildren! She was always their biggest cheerleader. She would drive hours to cheer for one of her babies. Our Mom’s greatest pleasure in life was spoiling her 7 grand babies. She always made sure she had a surprise or treat every time they saw each other. It wasn’t just about spoiling them. She wanted them to feel special. No matter how small the accomplishment, it never went unsaid that she was so very proud of every single one of them. She was their biggest hype man!

Anyone that knew our mother knew that she had an enormous heart that matched her beauty! If you needed a ride to your AA classes, or to be taken to a doctor's appointment in Pueblo. She always had the words you needed to hear. Her energy always matched the situation. If you ever needed a fun night out, you could call Virgie she was your gal, never more than a phone call away. She was the hardest working person most of us will ever know! She opened her restaurant at 10:00 a.m. and cooked all day until 10:00 p.m. She hand cut all the steaks at the restaurant, ground all the hamburgers, and made patties. Breaded the country fried steaks. Did her payroll, and still be the most beautiful amazing mom, grandma, and daughter.

After the passing of her brothers and father our mother brought our grandma to live with us permanently. It was a Dorthy, and Sophia type relationship for mom and grandma. Some of our best memories are with the four of us girls. Mom had dedicated these last few years taking care of grandma. Our grandma is so very saddened by “her Virgie’s passing.”

Our mother would be deeply touched by the amount of love and support that has been extended to our family. Please feel free to visit our grandmother (Lela Fidler) at the care center. She needs a little more tender loving care now, more than ever.

A visitation will be held at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A graveside Celebration of Life Gathering will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022 at the Monte Vista Cemetery in Monte Vista. Concluding the funeral there will be a celebration, at Virgie’s home (2333 Thomas Avenue, Alamosa, CO) at 2:00 p.m. Virgie’s love was boundless, as was her class and integrity. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Dumb Friends League in Virgie's name. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.

Horak and Catron Play In Sat. Shrine Bowl

 TopSports.news

OTTAWA -- Torrey Horak loved playing quarterback for Rossville, but the two-time Class 2A state champ knew there would probably come a day when he would have to change primary positions.

That day will come next month when the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder reports to Central Missouri, where he will play safety.

Former Rossville star Torrey Horak (6) will play a final high school game with former teammate Corey Catron (2) in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]

"A couple of schools looked at me for safety, one as a receiver and one as a running back, so I had a couple of different options but I really fell in love with Central Missouri and I feel like that's home to me now,'' Horak said.

But before he switches to the defensive side of the football, Horak, who played both ways for Rossville, will get one last chance to play quarterback for the East in Saturday night's 7 p.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl at Pittsburg. 

"Offense is definitely something that I love, but I'm getting an opportunity to play at a high level with some really high-class athletes that not everybody gets that opportunity, so I'm going to take it and I'm going to run with it and we'll see where it goes,'' Horak said. "I'm really excited to get down there.''

Horak said he knew Central Missouri was the right place for him after visiting the Warrensburg campus.

"My mom (Wendi) was down on my official visit with me and she really enjoyed it and we both just kind of felt like it fit my personality really well,'' Horak said. "So far I've been there all summer and I feel like that still holds up.''

Horak also reached out to older brothers Tucker, a former running back at Pittsburg State, and Thatcher, who played baseball at Washburn, for their input.

"I talked to Thatcher and Tucker because both of them had had some experience in the recruiting process and really both of them just said to just enjoy it,'' Torrey Horak sai. "They said, 'Don't stress over it. The right school will come to you and when your decision's made you'll enjoy it.' And to this point I definitely have.''

Horak thinks this week's training camp at Ottawa University will help him get ready to begin his college career.

"Our fall camp, I've seen some leaks of the schedule and it's going to be intense, but this week with having two and three practices a day I feel like it will kind of build up my stamina a little bit and kind of give me an idea of what's coming when fall camp rolls around,'' he said.

Saturday night's game will also give Horak one last chance to play with former Rossville teammate and close friend Corey Catron, who will play slotback for the East, while Bulldawg coach Derick Hammes is an East assistant. Horak and Catron were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year after leading the Bulldawgs to a second straight 13-0 season last fall.

Jerry Lynn (Dugan) (74) Walter Passes Away

     Jeri Lynn (Dugan) Walter, age 66, passed away at her home in Topeka July 9th, 2022.
     She was born June 18th, 1956 in Holton, attended Delia Grade School, and was a member of the Delia Early Birds 4H Club. She graduated from Rossville High School in 1974. She was united in marriage to Nathan Walter in 1987. They were married for more than 29 years before divorcing in 2016. She worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Topeka as a medical records supervisor, and was asked to head the opening of the Blue Cross Blue Shield office in Wichita. Upon returning to Topeka, she worked as the medical records supervisor at Valeo Behavioral Health Care.             
      Survivors include daughter Amanda Dugan (Joshua) Taylor and grandson Nathan Taylor of Topeka, mother JoAnn Dugan of Delia, sisters Christine (Alan) Stanton of Topeka and Edy (Tony) Prescott of Delia, and a brother Scott (Mary) Dugan of Wakarusa. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Dugan and brother David Dugan.
     Per her wishes, she was cremated with interment at Holton Cemetery at a later date.

Clarence "Hap" Anderson Passes Away

 Clarence Duane "Hap" Anderson, 90, of Silver Lake, passed away on July 15, 2022 at his home.

He was born on July 14, 1932 to Clarence and Ruth (Goeckler) Anderson at Elmont, KS and   graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1950.  He worked as a driver for Texaco, SLHS bus driver, excavator operator, and lifelong farmer in Silver Lake.

His complete obituary can be read at: 

 https://www.parkerpricefh.com/Obituary/251930/Hap-Anderson/Topeka-KS

There is also a 6 minute tribute video at the same URL.

Margaret Fairchild Passes Away

Margaret "Marge"  Fairchild of St. Marys, 76, passed away July 13, 2022 at Stormont Vail.

Her obituay can be read at:    Margaret Fairchild obituary

Patricia A. Pflum Passes Away

     Patricia A. Pflum, 79, of St. Marys, passed away Monday, July 4, 2022 at Stormont Vail Hospital.
     Her obituary can be read at:    https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/patricia-pflum

Mary Fifer Passes Away

    Mary Cecile Elizabeth Fifer, 62,  of St. Marys, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Stormont Vail. 
    Her obituary can be read at:  https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mary-fifer

Alumni Banquet July 16

 SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2022 4:30 PM

Rossville High School Alumni Foundation Banquet
Dekat Hall Parish Center

703 Main St, Rossville, KS 66533

Joseph Conley (51) Tribute Photos

"Joe" Conley 's funeral was July 8.  There were many tribute photos on the Piper Funeral Home website.  To see them, click on the  ink below and scroll down to just below the large picture of Joe.

 Joe Conley tribute photos

Joe;s obituary can be read on the Piper web site, or at:    https://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2022/06/joseph-conley-51-passes-away.html

2022 Alumni Banquet July 16

 Clicck on imag below to enlarge and print

Torrey Horak To Play In Shrine Bowl

Since the first Kansas Shrine Bowl in 1974, nearly 3,500 players have represented 343 schools across the state. With that many players, it comes as no surprise that there have been several families with multiple appearances in the event. In 2022, there are two players set to become the third member of their family to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl, as  Torrey's path was blazed by Thatcher (2015 East) and Tucker (2016 East).

 "It's an amazing feeling to be selected to the Kansas Shrine Bowl," said Horak. "It's an honor to be selected to play in such an iconic game that's put on for these kids! Both of my brothers told me to soak in every second of the experience. It's one that neither of them will ever forget."
 
And while earning a Shrine Bowl roster spot is worthy of celebration by itself, the similarities among the Horak brothers run deeper than even family ties.  Each of the Horak brothers comes to the Kansas Shrine Bowl after helping Rossville High School to undefeated KSHSAA championships. Torrey lifted the Class 2A trophy in both 2020 and 2021, quarterbacking the Bulldawgs to consecutive 13-0 records. He passed for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021, throwing only one interception for a QB rating of 124.2 and added 1,009 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
 

Tucker also closed out his high school career with back-to-back undefeated seasons, leading the 2014 Rossville squad with 2,070 yards passing and 2,859 yards rushing as a senior.

He contributed to 78 (30 passing, 47 rushing, 1 fumble recovery) of the Bulldawgs' 108 touchdowns on the year. Thatcher, the final brother in the trio was a two-way standout for RHS. As a senior, he posted 1,896 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns (14 rush, 8 rec, 1 int), adding 4.0 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles.

​​In signing an NLI to play at the University of Central Missouri, Torrey will also follow in his brothers' footsteps into the MIAA, as Thatcher (baseball, Washburn) and Torrey (football, Pitt State) both extended their athletic careers into college.

Mark Lamberson Obituary

Mark J. Lamberson, 45, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, near St. Marys.

He was born April 27, 1977 in Weinheim, Germany, the son of David A. and Britta Hildenbrand Lamberson.  As a son of an Army Sergeant Major, he lived in many different cities.  He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1996, and attended Kansas State University.

Mark had worked for the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office for eight years before becoming a police officer for the City of St. Marys in 2013.  Mark was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.  He was a huge Star Wars fan growing up watching all the movies and analyzing the story lines for each of them. Mark enjoyed spending time with his family and their two dogs, Charlie and Whiskey.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Margaret Lamberson.

On May 21, 2007, Mark and Sarah Bittenbender were married in Topeka.  She survives at their home.

Other survivors include a son, Alex; a daughter, Willow; and his parents, David and Britta Lamberson; father-in-law, William (Donna) Bittenbender.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at the St. Marys High School gymnasium.  Interment will be in Valley View Cemetery, St. Marys.  Mark will lie in state, and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday, July 11, 2022, at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the family at Community First Bank, 215 S. Seth Child Road, Manhattan, Kansas: C/O: FOP Lodge 17, or sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.