Kevin Dick Passes Away

 Kevin Dick (age 60) passed away suddenly on Dec. 14 in TX.  More info later when obituary is available

Clyde Strimple (47) Passes Away

Clyde William Strimple, age 93, died on December 3, 2022.  He was born August 6, 1929, to Guy and Lydia Strimple.  He graduated high school in Rossville, Kansas, in 1947. Clyde earned a degree in secondary math education from Washburn University and later a Master’s degree from Southern Illinois University. He married Martha Maxine Sutherland in 1950.  

Clyde served his country in the United States Army and was discharged from U.S. Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers in 1962. 

Clyde taught and coached for 40 years in Waterville, Kansas; Anthony, Kansas; and Kansas City, Kansas. He loved coaching and mentoring his athletes. As a coach for 19 years (14 years as head coach), his football teams won eight league championships, and three were undefeated. He had four players that went on to be Division I players, He coached track and field for 26 years (18 as head coach). In that time, his teams won 16 league championships, four state championships, and the 1977 Wyandotte track team was undefeated.  At Wyandotte he coached four high school All-Americans.

His love of the game inspired him to become a high school and small college football official for 20 years.  He also served as Commissioner of Officials for the Kansas City, Kansas League.  He was President of KCK KNEA and was a lifetime member of NEA. 

After retiring, Clyde spent time traveling the United States and Canada with Maxine.  From 1996-2018 he served on the Board of Directors for the Rossville High School Alumni Foundation.  He enjoyed traveling, gardening, hunting pheasant and quail, attending reunions, going to his grandchildren’s events, volunteering at high school and college track meets, and spending time with family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maxine, sister LeAnna Carter, infant brother, Francis, brothers-in-law Claude Sutherland and Allen Carter, and granddaughter Emily Rust. He is survived by sister in-law Donna Sutherland, his daughters: Marcilyn (Bill) Rust, Jerri (Steve) Sitek, Cassie (Gary) Sturgeon; grandchildren: Shannon and Bethany Rust, Andrea Sitek (Andrew), Brian Sitek (Adrienne), Vincent  Sturgeon (Monica) and Cal Sturgeon;  three great -grandchildren and other family members. 

The visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 13 at Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7900 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, KS. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, KS. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Rossville High Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 803, Rossville, KS 66533. Condolences may expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com

Melvin Sage Passes Away

 Melvin D. Sage, 75, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at his home in Willard.

Melvin was born April 17, 1947 in Dover, the son of Austin “Auty” and Luella M. Olson Sage. He lived in the Willard and Rossville communities all of his life and graduated from Rossville High School.  

After high school, Melvin began working for the Kansas Gas Service Company where he worked for 45 years, retiring in 2010 as a dispatcher.      

On October 14, 1967, Melvin and Loretta Duncan were united in marriage in Topeka.  She survives of their home.  

In 1965, he enlisted in the National Guard and was part of the 69th Brigade that was activated in 1968. After training in Colorado Springs, Mel was sent to Vietnam in 1969. 

Other survivors include two sons, Bryan (Robin) Sage, Osage City, and Daniel (Lisa) Sage, Topeka; his sister, Arletta Nichols, Topeka; grandchildren, Brett, Jordan, Tyler, Sydney, and Madison; nieces, Yvonne Church and Yolande Nichols.    

He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Yvette Nelson.      

Mel never met a stranger and was quick to brag about his grandkids. He loved fishing and the outdoors, K-State football, KU basketball, and the Kansas City Royals. His true love was Loretta and traveling around watching all of the grandkids’ activities. 

Mr. Sage will lie in state, and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday, December 19, 2022 at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Burial will be in the Dover Cemetery. A late lunch will be held at the Dover Federated Church at 13535 SW 57th St., Dover.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Kansas Cancer Center or to the VFW and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

James Simecka Passes Away

 James L.  “Jim” Simecka, 86, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the St. Marys Manor.

Jim was born March 2, 1936, in Delia, the son of James E. and Regina M.  “Sally” Dohrman Simecka.  He graduated from Delia High School in 1954 and St. Benedict College in Atchison in 1958.  He served in the US Army.

Jim was a teacher, teaching in Emmett, Salina, and many years in St. Marys.  He had lived in Wamego for 20 years and was a member of the Wamego Country Club.  Jim was an avid golfer and had shot 12 hole-in-ones.  Jim was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 657 in St. Marys.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward Simecka, and a sister, Jo Endicott.

Survivors include his brother, Jerry (Eva) Simecka, Topeka; sisters, Mary Barr, Lincoln, NE.; Judy (Doyle) Kizzire, Lawson, MO., Pat Skaggs, Topeka, DeeDee (Steve) Kennedy, Topeka, Barbara Froelich, Lake Quivira, and Ginger (Lloyd) Lynch, Webb City, MO, along with many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 12, 2022, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego.  Inurnment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 until the Rosary at 6:00 P.M. Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church and sent to the funeral home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Fred Keller Passes Away

Fred C. Keller, 71, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House.

Fred was born April 5, 1951, in Holton, the son of Charles C. and Julia F. (Hainline) Keller.  He was raised in the Delia Community and lived there most of his life.

Fred had worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, the Union Pacific Railroad, farmed, and last worked for USD # 321 as a custodian.

On October 27, 1982, Fred and Pamela C. Parker were united in marriage in Delia.  She preceded him in death on November 1, 1984.  Fred was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Calvin Keller.

Survivors include a brother, Dale Keller, Gilbert, AZ; two sisters, Judy Nicholson, Topeka, and Susan Clark, Cordova, TN.

A private family service will be at a later date.  Interment will be in the Delia Cemetery, Delia, Kansas.

Mary Kay Denton Passes Away

    Mary K. Denton, 83, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022, at her home in Topeka.She was born August 24, 1939, in St. Marys, the daughter of Bernard and Lena (Pagler) Seitz.  Mary graduated from St. Marys High School in 1957.
    Mary worked for the State of Kansas at the Docking Building out of high school.  She was a Teller Officer for St. Marys State Bank.  Mary was a city commissioner and served as mayor.  She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she played the guitar at mass.  Mary played softball and later coached softball and served on the St. Marys Recreation Commission.  She was as a Cub Scout Leader.
    On June 6, 1959, Mary K. and Gary L. Denton were united in marriage in St. Marys.  Gary preceded her in death on May 13, 2006.  Mary was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Ronald, on September 6, 2019, and a brother, William Seitz, on November 6, 2002.Survivors include her son, Rick (Nanci) Denton, Topeka; her daughter, Donna Cunningham, Albuquerque, NM; a brother, Albert J. Seitz, Ottawa; sister, Joan M. Sebring, Rossville, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.Funeral Services and Interment are private.  
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Cat Association of Topeka and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home 714 Maple Street St. Marys, Kansas 66536. 

Barbara Lou Smith Passes Away

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Barbara Lou Smith of Rossville, Kansas, who passed away on December 8, 2022

Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 13th 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A reception was held on Tuesday, December 13th 2022 at 11:00 AM.

Reducing Rossville News Coverage After 25 years

 After 25 years of spreading RHS Alumni and Rossville News,   it is time for me to semi-retire.

There is a  new Facebook page called Rossville Community News that is now serving that purpose.

I will continue to publish obituaries and other important news items,  but no sports news.

To go back and read history on any person or subject from Rossville,  just go to  SEARCH in the upper left corner.

Doug French Ag Hero

 Doug French was Honorable Mention for the 2022 Kansas AG Heroes Program from the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

RHS Hosts Minneapolis In Playoff

Rossville will host Minneapolis on Friday Oct. 28 in the Bi-District Playoff.  The complete state 2A  bracket can be seen at:  

 https://kshsaa.org Football Playoff Bracket

Dawgs Defeat Maur Hill in FB

Rossville defeated Maur Hill 50-6 on Oct. 21 at Maur Hill.    The scoring stared early with Jason Horak returning the opening kick-off 90 yards for the first of many TDs this night.  Still in the first quarter, Camden Horak scored on a 3 yd run and Seth Catron scored on a 46 yd run.

Maur Hill then scored on a 19 yard run to open the second quarter scoring.

During the second quarter Braden Hensley  scored on a 5 yd run,  Aaron Klesath scored on a 25 yd pass from Camden Horak, and Jason Horak scored on a 4 yd run with 25 seconds left in the half.

The third quarter was on a running clock with the  reserves getting a lot of play time.  Seth Catron scored on a 5 yd run to finish the scoring in a 50-6 win.

Lady Dawgs Second At VB Sub-state

 The volleyball Sub-state was Oct. 22 at Silver Lake.  In the opening round,  number one seed Rossville (32-5) defeated Wellsville (12-23) 2-0.  The Lady dawgs then Eliminated Silver Lake in the semi-final match 2-0 before losing to Heritage Christian 2-1

Hammes Gets 100 Dawg Wins

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (WIBW) - Rossville head coach Derick Hammes won his 100th game with the Bulldogs on Friday night, taking down Maur Hill 50-6.

Coach Hammes reached the milestone in only ten seasons, notching a 100-19 overall record. He also has five state championships, and five league titles during that time.

Rossville Gets Two Wins Over Lake

Rossville avenged their two earlier tournament losses to Silver Lake on Oct 18.  Rossville picked up wins of 26-28, 25-19, 25-14 and also 25-18, 25-20.  This  brings their record to 32-5.  The five losses were to Silver Lake (2), Abilene (2) and Baldwin.