David Jacobson (80) Is Engineer Of Year

WICHITA, Kan. (WIBW) -- David Jacobson, of the Kansas Turnpike Authority, has been named the 2019 Engineer of the Year.

“I’m truly very honored by this recognition,” Jacobson said. “Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with many internal and external partners. This award is due to them and the great relationships we’ve developed.”

The Kansas Society of Professional Engineers awarded the KTA Director of Engineering for his work on their decade-long improvement plan. The plan is focused on modernizing the system and enhancing its safety and efficiency.

“Our organization has greatly benefited from David’s leadership and engineering expertise,” Steve Hewitt, KTA’s Chief Executive Officer, said. “He stands at the helm of our modernization efforts and is instrumental in our work to transform tolling in Kansas.”

Improvements from this plan include highway speed electronic lanes, increased vertical bridge clearance, bridge rehabilitation and various guardrail improvements.

Jacobson holds multiple leadership roles, including Board Secretary of the Engineers' Foundation of Kansas.

Donald Stockman (59) Passes Away

    Rossville—Donald H. Stockman, 79, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 at his Rossville home.
    He was born April 12, 1940 at Wamego, the 10th of 13 children to Francis and Martha Boelens Stockman. He was raised in the Sandy Hook Community, and graduated from Rossville High School in 1959.
    Don worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka. He and his wife Marilene owned and operated Swirly Top and Stockman Mobile Home Park both in Rossville. Don owned Stockman Landscaping. He was member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Silver Lake, and the United Rubber Workers Union. He was a past member of the Rossville Lions Club.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Leo, Tom, Ted, Harold, Pat, Regina and Joe; a son, Randy Stockman and a great-grandson, John Charles Johnson.
    On September 10, 1960 he was united in marriage to Marilene Pendelton in St. Marys. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, Jared (Darci) Stockman, Hoyt; two daughters, Katherine Stockman and Marty (Bobby) Johnson all of Rossville; three brothers, Bob Stockman, Lyndon, Hank Stockman, Emmett and Phil Stockman, Topeka; two sisters, Betty Hazard ,Ozawkie and Frances Carlson, Minnesota; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
    A Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Monday, July 1, 2019 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To online condolences please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Marilyn Barnes Passes Away

Marilyn Barnes, 89, of Soldier, KS passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was born November 23, 1929 in Soldier, the daughter of Forest and Mary (Wykert) Vanderwall.

Marilyn attended Soldier High School graduating in 1947. She worked for the State of Kansas, Board of Agriculture and Kansas Museum of History for 25 years.

She was a former member of the Soldier Christian Church, Delia Presbyterian Church and Rolling Hills Christian Church

Marilyn married Ronald “Ronnie” Barnes on March 14, 1948 in Soldier, KS. They shared over 57 years of marriage before Ronnie passed away on February 21, 2005.  Ronald preceded her in death on February 21, 2005. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Doris Vanderkolk and 3 brothers, Richard, Wayne and Harold Vanderwall.

Survivors include a daughter, Vicki Lesser (69) (Bill) of Topeka, KS; three sons, Jack Barnes (67) (Darla) of Sabetha, KS, Terry Barnes (71) (Debi) of Topeka, KS and Ray Barnes (72) (Julie) of Topeka, KS. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at the Soldier Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at the funeral home. Memorial may be given to Rolling Hills Christian Church or the Midland Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.

Marilyn and Ronnie lived in Delia many years and their 4  children graduated from RHS in 1967-1972.

Philomena Peavler Passes Away

Philomena Peavler, age 96, of Silver Lake, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Philomena will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00-7:00 P.M. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary being prayed at 5:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, June 28. Interment will follow at the St. Bernard Cemetery in Wamego, KS. 

Memorial contributions can be made in Philomena's loving memory to Midland Hospice and/or Silver Lake Senior Center. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home. 

To view full obituary, share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit Philomena's webpage at www.brennanmathenafh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.

Uniontown History

Some Rossville people probably don't realize that a small city called Uniontown once existed near Willard.  At one time,  it was the largest town in the state, though there weren't many other towns at that time.
You can read about Uniontown at:  https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/uniontown/12228

Jena and Kelby Brown Have A Boy

     Jena and Kelby Brown of Rossville are the proud parents of a new baby boy born June 23, 2019.

Minor flooding possible in Rossville

From the Rossville Police Dept.

Cross Creek MINOR Flooding Possible: The National Weather Service predicts Cross Creek will reach 28.0 feet at approximately 1:00am overnight tonight on Monday June 24th 2019. This is at the top end of the MINOR flood stage and threatens homes off of Walnut Street west of the creek. Local City, Police, Fire, and Emergency Management officials have been monitoring the situation in conjunction with the Topeka National Weather Service. Sand and sandbags have been ordered and will be placed in the Rossville High School Parking Lot and we will update you when they arrive. We encourage you to monitor the National Weather Service page for Cross Creek as well as NWS flood watches and warnings.

Make a plan, prepare now, stay informed, act early, and play it safe.

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php…

RHS Alumni Dinner 2019

    The Rossville High School Alumni Foundation held the 10^th Annual Reunion, Dinner and Scholarship Presentation on Saturday June 1, 2019 at the Dekat Parish Center.   Social hour began at 4:00 with a catered dinner served at 6:00.  During the program that followed, Garrett Carver, Katie Glotzbach and Jordan Bittner were each awarded $1,500 scholarships given by the Alumni Foundation.   Garrett and Katie introduced themselves during the program.  Jordan was unable to attend.   Victor Miller, milestone class of 1969, spoke to the group about his time in school moving from a one room school to graduating from Rossville High School.    Deceased alumni were honored.   Election of officers was held.   Leaving the Alumni Board were Kathy Dayton Kovar, Bonnie Fauerbach and Virginia Rezac Foster.   Joining the board were Connie Broxterman Fischer (class of 1988), Colleen Ross Gillum (class of 1989) and Abigail McCrory (class of 2018).   There were 80 alumni and guests in attendance.  The evening ended with class photos being taken.  Next year’s party will be June 6, 2020.

Helen Lytle (pres.) with scholarship winners  Garrett Carver and Katie Glotzbach

Clyde Strimple, Helen Spears Miller, Gerald Davis

Bill Ent, Charles Foster, Ken Heiland, Janet Harth Dodge, Laura Stiles Miller

Charlotte Decker Kling, Arletta Sage Nichols, Don Rogers, Jane Zickafoose Davis, Patricia Parr Martinek

Kippes and Lundin Make All-State

    Sports In Kansas has announced their 2A All State Softball team.  Kelcie Kippes made their First Team and Kinlyn Lundin made the Second Team.
http://kansas-sports.com/ks/news/?id=11410&t=2019-sports-in-kansas-2-1a-all-state-softball-team&fbclid=IwAR1iISBVxjUTn1vNf-buuQwuyvJ-ATNFRI1MLvyjf-wsxXk4F4o67vsN4UQ

Janice (Colson) (61) Spiker Passes Away

Janice Marie (Colson) Spiker, 76, of Topeka, passed Saturday, June 15, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by family, after brave battles with breast and liver cancer. Janice was born May 1, 1943, in Beloit, Kansas, to Alvin and Rose (Simmons) Colson. She grew up in the Iona Kansas area and attended Rossville High School where she graduated in 1961. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Lonnie and her son, Timothy “Scott” and daughter-in-law June Spiker of Silver Lake. Janice leaves behind a brother, Dennis (wife Kathy) Colson of Ponder, TX and her grandchildren Codi Spiker of Kansas City, MO, Chelsey (husband Tyler) Boxberger of Olathe and Corey of Silver Lake, sister in-laws, Judy Seitz, Topeka, KS Jackie Colson, Idaho, Traci Parkin of Nevada. Other survivors include numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Janice was proceeded in death by her parents Alvin and Rose Colson and siblings, Bill Colson and Dean Colson.

Janice was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, she very seldom missed her grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. Janice was employed at Goodyear for 37 years. She was a Creative Memories consultant for several years, she always loved crafting. She also belonged to the Red Hat society. She and Lonnie were very active in the Arab Shrine community. 

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to: KMF, Cancer Research, 5835 SW 29th St.,Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave condolences,  go to:  https://www.parkerpricefh.com/Obituary/172983/Janice-Spiker/Topeka-KS

Carver, Kipps, Hill Honored

    The Topeka/Shawnee Co. Sports Awards committee announced its nominees for high school awards  for 2019.    Garrett Carver was nominated for Male Fall Sports.  Kelcie Kipps was nominated for Female Spring Sports.  Caila Hill was nominated for Female Winter Sports.

All Mid-East League Baseball Team

First team

Toby Becker, Rock Creek; Logan Brown, Wabaunsee; Karter Carlson, Rock Creek; Garrett Harmison, Riley County; Avery Holle, Riley County; Connor Holle, Riley County; Will Homan, St. Marys; Tristan Kulp, Riley County; McGwyre Leathers, Rossville; Aidan Lee, Rock Creek; Jake Lindstrom, Silver Lake; Bo Reeves, Rossville; Mason Sturdy, Rock Creek; Brooks Whaley, Rock Creek; Nate Williams, Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Nic Allen, Riley County; Dillon Byrne, Silver Lake; Chad Chambers, Wabaunsee; Jackson Frank, Wabaunsee; Aiden Garcia, Rossville; Trey Harmison, Riley County; Isiah Holz, St. Marys; Cameron Minihan, Rock Creek; Connor Pruyser, Silver Lake; Trent Reamer, Silver Lake; Reid Walker, Silver Lake.

All Mid-East League Softball Team

First team

Rachel Allen, Riley County; Lexi Cobb, Silver Lake; Alexis Hafenstine, Wabaunsee; Josie Harrison, St. Marys; Sophia Haverkamp, Rock Creek; Ellie Hogle, Silver Lake; Kelcie Kippes, Rossville; Daryn Lamprecht, Silver Lake; Alyssa Lohmeyer, Wabaunsee; Kinlyn Lundin, Rossville; McKenna Mayhew, St. Marys; Brenna Mulligan, St. Marys; Abby Pressgrove, Silver Lake; Autymn Schreiner, Wabaunsee; Laney Scott, Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Emma Bohnenblust, Riley County; Taylor Burkhardt, Silver Lake; Layne Cole, St. Marys; Hallie Hay, Silver Lake; Caila Hill, Rossville; Reagan Hurla, St. Marys; McKenzie Kruse, Riley County; Jaydn McClellan, Riley County; Kierra Mosby, Rock Creek; Abby Oliver, Wabaunsee.

Bergstresser & Gentry Attend HSLA

From the Capital Journal:
Rossville High was among eight Shawnee County schools that participated this week in the third annual High School Leadership Academy (HSLA) at Washburn University.

HSLA is hosted by the Washburn University Leadership Institute, and is created and implemented by current Washburn University students. A three-year grant from the Topeka Community Foundation provided funding to launch this program.

The mission of HSLA is to develop leadership skills in high school students and create a greater awareness about ways they, personally, can influence positive change in their communities. Student participants lived on campus for the week and were guided through a comprehensive program introducing concepts from the Kansas Leadership Center, including awareness and application of the four competencies of Diagnosing the Situation, Managing Self, Energizing Others and Intervening Skillfully.

The students from Rossville that participated were Destiny Bergstresser and Tatum Gentry

To read the rest of the article,  go to:  https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190616/area-students-participate-in-wu-leadership-academy