Dorothy Covington Passes sway

 

Dorothy Mae (Thowe) Covington, 82, of St. Marys, died on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Oakley Place of Rossville surrounded by her family.

Dorothy was born in Alma, KS on May 17, 1943 the daughter of Arthur Chris and Madeline (Kobiskie) Thowe. She attended schools in Alma and graduated from Hayward High School in Hayward, California.

Dorothy was married to John Kolde on December 30, 1961 in Hayward, CA. Dorothy was later married to Calvin Covington on July 4, 2001 in St. Marys; he survives of the home.

Dorothy was the owner of Dorothy’s Hair Salon in St. Marys for over 33 years until her retirement in 2013. One of her greatest enjoyments was decorating for the holidays and spending time to enjoy them with all her family.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Calvin Covington, sons, Joe (Kim) Kolde and Mike (Shaney) Kolde; grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Cole, Samantha (Paul) Odell, Wyatt (Megan) Kolde, Kati (Ben Kates) Kolde, and 8 great-grandchildren, Turner, Averi, Brayliee, Blase, Carter, Penelope, Mia, and Josie

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, John Palenske, Nyla Lesline, Ella Marr, Art Thowe, Robert Thowe, Delmar Thowe and Vernon Thowe.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held on Sunday, January 18 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys; a rosary will be recited for Dorothy at 5:45 PM. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 19, also at Piper Funeral Home, with burial following in the Peace United Church of Christ Cemetery in Alma, KS.

Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s memory may be made to the Kansas City Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation by clicking HERE or to the Helping Hands Humane Society by clicking HERE and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536

John Wehner Passes Away

John “JP” Patrick Wehner, 57, of St. Marys, KS passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026.

John was born on July 16, 1968 in Wamego, KS the son of John L. And Peg (McGrath) Wehner. John attended local schools and graduated from St. Marys High School in 1986. He attended college for one year at Highland Community College, where he played on the football team and made many good memories.

John worked for the family business, Wehner’s Thriftway in Silver Lake and Rossville, for many years and later for Dillons Grocery Store in Topeka for 18 years as a manager. Recently, John worked as a maintenance custodian for Shawnee Heights High School and was there for over 14 years.

John loved to sing Karaoke, play pool and loved listening to rock music, everything from 80’s hair bands to heavy metal and everything in between. He was a diehard KC Chiefs and Royals fan, KU Jayhawks and loved all sports.

John is survived by his two daughters, Jordan (Jake Dailey) Wehner and Jenna (Joshua) Parnell; his three sisters, Cindy (Mike) Schmersey, Kate (Zac) Miller, and Jodi Wehner; his father, John L. Wehner, grandchildren, Jordayne, Aspen, Riker, and Hunter; and his fiancée, Diane Bawden.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Peg Wehner, and his grandparents, Joe and Eldora McGrath and John A. And Esther Wehner.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, January 16th at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 17th at Piper Funeral Home with burial following in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lillis, KS.

Memorial contributions in John’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple, St., St. Marys, KS 66536.

RHS Boys BB at Hiawatha

Hiawatha 22 9 14 17 -- 62
Rossville 10 8 18 18 -- 54

Rossville  Scoring

McDonnell        7 1-2 15,
Donovan     6 (3) 2-5 17,
Horgan             1 0-0 2,
Miller          4 (1) 1-1 10,
Lewis               0 2-2 2,
Johnson     4 (1) 0-1 9. 

Totals 22 (5) 5-11 54.

Girls BB at Hiawatha

Hiawatha     11 12 12 18 -- 53
Rossville     16   9   6 15 -- 46

Rossville scoring -

Bunck                   1 0-0  2, 

E. Sanders           1 0-0  2, 

Dick                2 (1) 4-4  9, 

M. Sanders     2 (1) 4-6  9, 

Hubbell           4 (3) 0-0 11, 

Burdiek           3 (1) 0-0  7, 

B. Miller          2 (2) 0-0   6. 

Totals           15 (8) 8-10 46.

Rossville Boys 6th At Rossville Inv.

The RHS boyss wrestling team finished 5th out of the 16 teams on Jan. 9

106 Brodyn Price (11-5) placed 3rd and scored 18.5 team points

120 Creighton Vanvleck (7-4) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.   

132 Kelton Lacock (7-5) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.  

138 Cole Graves (4-6) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. 

144 Remington Droegemeier (12-6) placed 3rd and scored 22.5 team points.

150 Lakin Gentry (4-6) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points

165 Cooper Meyer (10-3) placed 3rd and scored 21.5 team points. 

175 Yannick Wolber (0-5) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. 

190 Anderson Chance (4-8) place is unknown and scored 5.0 team points

 215 Charlie Chance (9-4) placed 5th and scored 13.0 team points

Rossville Girls Results at Rossville Inv

Rossville High Girls Results for Rossville  Invitstional Jan. 9.

The RHS girls finiahed 6th out of 16 teams on Jan. 9, 2026  Madellyn Wonnell won first place in the  146 # class

100 Joanie Pottorf (8-4) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points) -

105 Nora mitchell (17-5) placed 3rd and scored 19.5 team points.                                                                                                                       
110 Aliahna Kepner (5-8) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points. 

120 Hadley Brown (8-8) placed 4th and scored 14.0 team points

125 Junne Paine (7-10) placed 3rd and scored 21.0 team points.

130 Ariana Moses-Prospere (6-8) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

146 Madelyn Wonnell (Rossville) 15-4  WON FIRST PLACE

RHS Boys Get BB Win At Jeff West

ROSSVILLE 73, JEFF WEST 42

Rossville 18 28 14 13 -- 73
Jeff West 12  8  19   3 -- 42

Rossville scoing

McDonnel      l 6 1-2 13
Donovan    7 (2) 0-0 16 
Horgan       5 (1) 0-2 11
Bush                0 0-2  0,
Miller        10 (3) 3-6 26,
Lewis                1 0-0 2,
Johnson            2 1-3 5. 

Totals 31 (6) 5-17 73.

Big East All League Football Team

Silver Lake sophomore Kendrick VandeVelde, senior Dayne Johnson and junior Owen Rottinghaus and Rossville senior Conner Bush received All-Big East League first-team football recognition for the 2025 season.

Conner Bush, Rossville

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

VandeVelde was named to the first-team offensive line, while Johnson was a first-team pick at wide receiver and Rottinghaus the all-league returner after helping lead Silver Lake to a 7-3 record.

Bush was named to the All-Big East first-team defense at defensive back after helping the 11-2 Bulldawgs advance to the Class 1A state championship game.

Silver Lake's Johnson (defensive back) and senior Jayden Waterer (linebacker) were named to the all-league second team as were Rossville junior Charlie Chance (offensive lineman), senior Jack Donovan (defensive back) and senior Andre Johnson (linebacker).

Rossville and Silver Lake combined for 12 honorable mention picks.   

2025 ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE FOOTBALL

First team offense

Line -- Caleb McCrory, sr., Holton; Hendryx Wahl, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Camden Wittwer, jr., Sabetha; Kendrick VandeVelde, so., Silver Lake.

Quarterback -- Carter Hajek, sr., Nemaha Central.

Running back -- Will Voos, sr., Sabetha; Korleone Holz, sr., St. Marys. 

Tight end -- Reid Mitchell, sr., Sabetha.

Wide receiver -- Brody Schwinn, jr., Jefferson West; Dayne Johnson, sr., Silver Lake.

First team defense

Line -- Osiris Unruh, sr., Jefferson West; Danny Childress, jr., Nemaha Central; Kyler Ganstrom, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Roger Browning, sr., St. Marys.

Linebacker -- Cael Frazier, sr., Holton; Jack Macke, sr., Nemaha Central; Amos Brakenhoff, sr., Perry-Lecompton.

Defensive back -- Caleb Strathman, sr., Nemaha Central; Conner Bush, sr., Rossville; Griffin Cumpton, sr., Royal Valley;  Curtis Fitzgerald, jr., Sabetha.

All-purpose -- Cole Menold, sr., Sabetha.

Kicker -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha.

Punter -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha. 

Returner -- Owen Rottinghaus, jr., Silver Lake.

Hammes To Coach in Shrine Bowl

 Rossville head football coach Derick Hammes has been named an East assistant coach for the the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl, which will be played in Emporia.

Rossville football coach Derick Hammes has been selected to coach in his fourth Kansas Shrine Bowl in 2026. [File photo/TSN]

Hammes, who led Rossville to an 11-2 record and a runnerup finish in Class 1A this past season, will be coaching in his fourth Shrine Bowl, serving as the East head coach in 2017 and as an assistant in 2016 and 2022.

Hammes, who has a career coaching record of 154-85, also played in the game in 1989.

“I'm excited to get to coach the "best of the best" as I have another opportunity to be involved in the Kansas Shrine Bowl,'' Hammes said in a Shrine Bowl release. "Most importantly, I'm honored to get the chance to help the Shrine Bowl achieve its mission of helping children in need.” 

The East team will be led by Mike Berg (Wellsville), who was announced earlier this summer as the 2026 head coach.

In addition to Hammes, other East assistants include Kurt Webster (Shawnee Mission Northwest), Rod Stallbaumer (Basehor-Linwood), Bradley Argabright (Labette County), Greg Slade (Santa Fe Trail) and Andrew Gantenbein (Osage City).

The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University at 7 p.m. on June 27.

The initial rosters for the game will be announced during the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl Player Selection Show, which is set to air at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11th, 2026. 

RHS Girls BB Lose At Jeff West

From TOP SPORTS NEWS Jan.7

ROSSVILLE (3-3, 1-1) at JEFFERSON WEST (3-2, 0-2)

Rossville will be looking for its second straight Big East League victory after closing out its pre-holiday slate with a 66-40 win over Holton. Jefferson West has dropped two straight games, including a 50-31 league loss to Nemaha Central in its most recent game. Rossville senior Rylee Dick and junior Nora Burdiek are two of the top players in Class 2A.

Rossville lost to Jeff West on Tuesday night.

Helen Decker (1945) Passes Away

Helen Immenschuh Decker, 98, passed away January 6th, 2026 in Lake City Florida. Helen was born August 1st, 1927 in Rossville Kansas to Philip and Dora Simecka Immenschuh. She was preceded in death by her husband Willis Decker, brothers Marvin and Robert Immenschuh, sister Linda Smithers and granddaughter, Lisa Jones.

Helen graduated from Rossville High School in 1945 and married Willis Decker that fall. They were married 59 years.

Helen had a 30-year career in Kansas City before retiring to Rossville in 1993. In 2020 she moved to North Florida to spend her final years with her daughter Glenda.

She leaves 3 daughters, Sharon Will (Don), Wanda Jones (Rick) and Glenda Guard (Ken) as well as 3 grandchildren Tonya Tidwell (Ray), Laura Bruckman and Will Franklin, and 2 great-grandsons, Jay Bruckman and Rylan Ramsey.

A memorial will be held at a later date where Helen will join her husband Willis to be interred at Rossville Cemetery in Rossville Kansas.

Talent Show Winners

 Winners of the Rossville Jr/Sr High School Talent Show 2025!

1st John Henry
Sponsored by Matt Gray with Grays Automotive

2nd Axel Chuc
Sponsored by Rossville Booster Club

3rd Mason French
Sponsored by Derek Dick with Bukaty Companies Kawvalley Insurance

4th Skylar Manbeck
Sponsored by Grounded coffee Sarene Wade McCrory

5th Ace Bisnett-Deiter
Sponsored by Lauri Davis- Jagged Edge

Funniest Cael Horgan and Connor Bush
Sponsored by Press Box Crew “Best in town”

Ethyl Powers Passes Away

 

Ethel Powers, passed away peacefully with family by her side at 1:43pm on January 3rd, 2026.

Ethel was born on April 6, 1949 in San Diego, California and lived most of her life in Topeka KS until she moved to Rossville, Kansas in 2022.

Ethel was a bright and curious child, always at the top of her class in school. As she grew, she developed a deep love for the outdoors—especially fishing, camping, and spending time with her family. Caring for others came naturally to her, and throughout her life she lovingly took on the role of caregiver for many family members, always putting their needs before her own.

She had a special place in her heart for her dogs—Betsy and Baby, who preceded her in passing, and Ginger, who brought her continued companionship. Ethel found joy in the simple pleasures of life: spending time with family, working on puzzles, and coloring on her iPad.

Summer was her favorite season. She loved being outside, sitting peacefully and watching the birds visit the feeder. She was a devoted fan of her favorite shows, faithfully watching Days of Our Lives, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and other reality programs, as well as true crime and true-story documentaries.

One of her favorite traditions was sitting outside on the Fourth of July, watching the Saturn missiles light up the sky. But above all else, the thing she cherished most was her grandchildren. Nothing could light up a room quite like Ethel when her grandkids were near—her joy was unmistakable, and her love for them knew no bounds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel Anderson and Lee Powers and her great grandson Lane Joseph Green.

Ethel is survived by her siblings, Tom Powers (Barb), Lula Armstrong(Mark), Johnny Powers Sr; her children, Angela Beckwith, Michael Beckwith, Melissa Gerety(Heather) and Chris Hammer(Jason); grandkids- Kimberly, Brian, Samantha, Chelsea, Kayla, Kelsey, Kristin, Austin, Aryon, Cheyenne, and Savannah; and great-grandkids- Alyssa, Heaven, Grace, Faith, Kolbie, Kollyns, Aspen, Oliver, Willow, Hannah, Jordan, Brantley, Hailey, Tatum, Bentley, and Matthew.

A funeral service honoring Ethel’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Rossville Christian Church; an open visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Prairie Home Cemetery. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon prepared at Rossville Christian Church for friends and visitors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Christian Church and may be sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.

"Max" Fuller Passes Away

 Donald Max Fuller died December 29, 2025 at the Brewster Health Center in Topeka, KS. Born August 1,1939 in Wells, KS the second son of Winifred Aileen Fuller and William Vincent Fuller, Max graduated from Miltonvale High School class of 1957. He married Rachel Motter. They would later divorce. In 1961, Max graduated from Kansas State University in Animal Husbandry.

Max left farming to become a community banker, later to become President of Stockgrowers State Bank with branches in Paxico, Alma, and Silver Lake.

Max was President of Community Bankers Association of Kansas 1999-2000 and also served as chairman of the legislative and educational committees.

An active member of the Kansas Pilots Association, Max owned many airplanes and hosted fly-in events at Fuller Field, his grass strip near Maple Hill.

Max was a lifelong supporter of 4H clubs and was a 40 year member of the Maple Hill volunteer Fire Department.

A member of Maple Hill Community Congregational Church, he served as Trustee.

Max is survived by his wife Nancy Fuller, daughter Dawn Perry and Jane and Monte Cales.

Grandchildren: Bailey (Jason) Ammann, Jessa (Ryan) Perry-Rivas, Ben (Michelle) Perry, Calley (Riley) Crawford, Tucker Cales, and Clay Cales, as well as 9 great grandchildren.

Step children Christina and Terry Haag and Rance and Stacy Schmitthenner.

Step grandchildren; Elle Haag, Robert Haag, Carl (Jaimie) Schmitthenner, Alex Schmitthenner, and Noah (Ali) Schmitthenner.

Max is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Fuller, sister Barbara Wilke and grandson Tanner Gail Cales.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church, 104 4th St, Maple Hill, KS 66507. A second memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Miltonvale Wesleyan Church, 520 W Tootle Ave, Miltonvale, KS 67466. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions to honor Max's memory may be made to the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church and the Maple Hill 4H Hustlers and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.