Old Picture of Willard Grade School

Willard Grade School, about 1945

picture furnished by T. C. Dailey

Here is a recent photo of the school which ceased to be a school in the 1950s.

Samuel Thompson Passes Away

Samuel M. "Shorty"  Thompson, 91,   passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Rossville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born October 29, 1922 at Delia, the son of Ludvig and Ella L. Keller Thompson.   He grew up in the Delia community and attended High Prairie Grade School and graduated from Delia High School.   He had lived in Topeka from 1950 until moving to Rossville in 1960.

Shorty was a truck driver for Meadow Gold for 30 years.   He helped his son Stanley on the farm for many years.  Mr. Thompson was a member of the Rossville Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.   He served on the Rossville City Council for six years and had also been a member of the Rossville Community Development Board.   Shorty was a Teamsters Union member.

On March 4, 1945 he was united in marriage to Helen June Davis in Topeka.   She preceded him in death on June 30, 2007.

Survivors include two sons, Stanley (Suzy) Thompson, Rossville and Steven (Paula) Thompson, Ingalls; four grandchildren, Wes (Nikki), Krystle, Michael and Abby and one great-granddaughter, Daisy.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.   Interment will be in the Delia Cemetery.   Mr. Thompson will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 Friday evening at the funeral home.   Memorial contributions may be made to Harden Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.   Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.

Mary (Besta) Cowan Passes Away

Mary C. Cowan, 69, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Midland Hospice House on March 11, 2014, after a long, hard fought battle with COPD.

Mary was born in Rossville on December 25, 1944, to Edward and Winifred Yocum Besta.    She grew up in the Rossville/Delia area and graduated from Delia High School in 1962.

After staying at home to raise her children, she went to work as a special needs paraprofessional for USD # 321 and retired after 20 years of service.   She was an active member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.

Mary enjoyed being active and loved playing softball in her younger years.  She enjoyed going fishing with her husband, gardening, sewing, and refinishing antique furniture.  There wasn't much she couldn't catch, grow, make or make look new and she was an amazing cook.   She would have much rather gone outside to play a game of catch than go shopping any day and for this reason she was the perfect mother for 5 boys.   She was extremely patient and had a calming presence about her, a trait that would draw people of all ages to her.   Her family was her life and she did not miss any of her son's events as they grew up.  She continued to attend many of her grandchildren's events as long as she could.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her tremendous joy and were the bright spots on even her darkest days.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, Clinton Kerwin, a brother, Eddie Besta and a sister, Teresa Marney.

On October 5, 1963 she was united in marriage to Ron Cowan at Sacred Heart Church in Delia. They enjoyed 50 years together.  Ron survives of the home.

Other survivors include her five sons, John (Brigette), Topeka, Rod (Deana), Maple Hill, Kelley, Maple Hill, Kevin (Val) Wichita and Shane (Kelly) Cowan, Allen, TX; her grandchildren, Tyler (Sarah), Shelby, Corey, Lacey, Jericka, Annalyn, Kaegan, Shaemus, Grace, Ford, Shanan and Karli; two great-grandchildren Easton and Tyce; two brothers, Bennie Besta, Rossville and Bob (Susan) Kerwin, Topeka; her sister, Terri Kerwin, Topeka; a brother-in-law, Bob Marney, Holton and a sister-in-law Nancy Besta, Topeka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.    Interment will be in the Rossville Cemetery.  There will be a Rosary recited at 6:00 P.M. Friday at the church followed by a visitation until 8:00 P.M.    Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church or Midland Hospice House and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.    Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Rattlers Announce Four More Players

The Rossville Rattlers are pleased to announce the next four signings for the summer 2014 team.

 

Three  are from Allen County Community College and one is a high school senior who is committed to Butler County Community College next fall.

 

McKenzie McAfee (OF - Allen County Community College) McKenzie is a freshman 6'0, 185-lb outfielder from Sabetha, Kansas. McAfee was a member of the Sabetha American Legion Post 126 team who finished in third place last year in state competition in 2013.

 

Taylor Mah (LHP - Allen County Community College) Taylor was a All-City honorable mention in the Topeka Capital Journal's 2013 selection. The 5'11, 155-lb freshman left-handed pitcher is a 2013 graduate of Seaman High School in Topeka. Taylor was a member of the 2013 class 5-A State Championship team.

 

Tanner Faris (RHP - Allen County Community College) Tanner is a 6'1, 170-lb pitcher from Union, Nebraska. Faris was a 2013 All-EMC honorable mention for Nebraska City High school. He was also a 2013 SENBC All-Conference (Northern Division) and a Class-B 2013 All-Nebraska honorable mention.

 

Ben Ramberg (RHP - Topeka West High School) Ben is currently a senior at Topeka West High School. As a junior, Ramberg made the All-City team as a utility player and was a first-team All-Centennial League pick. Ben ranked among the city leaders in batting average, pitching wins and strikeouts. Ramberg is committed to Butler County Community College next season.

 

1989 Class 25th Reunion

    The Rossville High class of 1989 is planning to have a 25th  reunion during the Tall Corn Festival.  The first planning session will be later this month.

Rossville Rattlers 2014 Schedule

 The Rossville Rattlers are pleased to announce their schedule for the 2014 summer collegiate season.

 

The Rattlers enter the new Mid-Plains League this summer and will play a 30-game regular season schedule. Rossville will play host to 15-games this summer against Mid-Plains foes the Baldwin City Blues, Junction City Brigade, Midwest Athletics, Topeka Golden Giants and Topeka Senators.

 

Rossville will also host two non-league opponents this summer as the Joplin Outlaws and Southwest Elite both make visits to Joe Campbell Stadium. The Rattlers will begin the season on the road versus non-league opponent the St. Joseph Mustangs of the M.I.N.K. League.

 

Day	Date	Away	Home	Time
Wednesday	May 28th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	St. Joseph Mustangs	7:00 PM
Thursday	May 29th, 2014	Joplin Outlaws	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Monday	June 2nd, 2014	Southwest Elite	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Tuesday	June 3rd, 2014	Southwest Elite	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Friday	June 6th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Midwest Athletics	7:00 PM
Saturday	June 7th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Midwest Athletics	6:00 PM
Saturday	June 7th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Midwest Athletics	8:00 PM
Monday	June 9th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Baldwin City Blues	7:00 PM
Tuesday	June 10th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Baldwin City Blues	7:00 PM
Wednesday	June 11th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Baldwin City Blues	7:00 PM
Thursday	June 12th, 2014	Baldwin City Blues	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Friday	June 13th, 2014	Baldwin City Blues	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Saturday	June 14th, 2014	Baldwin City Blues	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Monday	June 16th, 2014	Topeka Senators	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Tuesday	June 17th, 2014	Topeka Senators	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Wednesday	June 18th, 2014	Topeka Senators	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Thursday	June 19th, 2014	Junction City Brigade	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Friday	June 20th, 2014	Junction City Brigade	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Saturday	June 21st, 2014	Junction City Brigade	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Monday	June 23rd, 2014	Midwest Athletics	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Tuesday	June 24th, 2014	Midwest Athletics	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Wednesday	June 25th, 2014	Midwest Athletics	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Thursday	June 26th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Junction City Brigade	7:00 PM
Friday	June 27th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Junction City Brigade	7:00 PM
Saturday	June 28th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Junction City Brigade	7:00 PM
Monday	June 30th, 2014	Topeka Golden Giants	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Tuesday	July 1st, 2014	Topeka Golden Giants	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Wednesday	July 2nd, 2014	Topeka Golden Giants	Rossville Rattlers	7:00 PM
Monday	July 7th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Senators	7:00 PM
Tuesday	July 8th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Senators	7:00 PM
Wednesday	July 9th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Senators	7:00 PM
Thursday	July 10th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Golden Giants	7:00 PM
Friday	July 11th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Golden Giants	7:00 PM
Saturday	July 12th, 2014	Rossville Rattlers	Topeka Golden Giants	7:00 PM

 

The Mid-Plains League will feature an All-Star Game July 5th versus an opponent to be announced at a later date. The league will also feature a post season tournament beginning July 16th and ending on July 20th.

George DeBacker Passes Away

George C. DeBacker, 88, of Silver Lake,   passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

He was born August 24, 1925 near Delia, the son of the late George W. and Margaret Mulligan DeBacker.   George graduated from Delia High School and lived many years in the Delia community before moving to Silver Lake in 1983.

Mr. DeBacker was a farmer.    He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Delia and had attended Most Pure Heart Catholic Church in Topeka.    He was a member of K of C Council No. 657 in St. Marys and was a 4^th degree member of Thomas A. McNeive Assembly 289.

On June 13, 1946 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Ketter at Delia.    She preceded him in death on July 26, 1977.   He later married Marjorie M. Cashier on April 24, 1982 at Rossville.    She preceded him in death on February 27, 2006.    He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gerald DeBacker and a step-son, Harold Cashier.

Survivors include a son, Severin (Diane) DeBacker, Topeka; a step-son, Larry (Betty) Cashier, Holton; his daughter, Laureen Bryant, Topeka; a stepdaughter-in-law, Freida Cashier, Holton, 4 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 14, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.    Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.   Mr. DeBacker will lie in state after 6:00 P.M. Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Delia Sacred Heart Oratory and sent in care of the funeral home.    Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com

J. J. Wanamaker (94) Teaching At SM South

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    J. J. Wanamaker in teaching biology and coaching cross country and track at Shawnee Mission South.
    He coached the boys cross country team to its first state championship in thirty years in 2011.
    You can read more about J. J. at:  http://www1.smsd.org/newsline/J.J._Wannamaker.html

Ilona Miller On Baker U. Roster

    Ilona Miller of Rossville is on the Baker University softball team for 2014.
    Ilona Elizabeth Kathleen Miller was born in Khabarovsk, Russia and attended Rossville High School.  She is the daughter of Craig and Pam Miller, and has two siblings.  In high school she was a four-time 1^st team All-Mid-East League selection and was team captain senior year.   She was a member of the National Honor Society.         She is majoring in exercise science.
    Her bio at Baker  is at:  https://www.bakeru.edu/sports/softball/roster/ilona-miller

Rattlers in New Mid-Plains League

    Here are additional details about the new Mid-Plains League in which the Rossville Rattlers will be competing.
http://ballparkdigest.com/201402197100/college-baseball/news/new-for-2014-mid-plains-league

RHS Boys Lose in Second Round Game

    The Dawgs had to play #1 seeded Rock Creek in the boys 3A sub state at Silver Lake on Thur. night.   Rock Creek dominated the game to the tune of 56-21.

Rossville             6     8     4     3    =   21
Rock Creek        13   16   21    6    =   56

Rossville Scoring:
Sowers              3        0-0       6
Schultz-Pruner   2        1-2       5
Woodcock         1        2-4       4
Horak                1         0-0      2
Horak                1         0-0      2
Jenkins              1         0-0      2
Totals                9 (0)    3-6     21

Wrestling Photos

    A compilation of photos from the 2014 State wrestling championships are at:
http://rossvilleksphotos.blogspot.com/

William Parker Passes Away

     William C. Parker, 86,  of Maple Hill, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

     He was born October 9, 1927 at Micro, NC, the son of Rosker and Robeary Narron Parker.  He grew up in Micro and attended school there. Mr. Parker served in the United States Army and later the United States Air Force.

     William worked many years as a Quality Control Inspector for Excel Industry in Heston, and had lived in Sedgwick from 1971 until moving to Northeast Kansas in 1999.  He had lived in Rossville, St. Marys and Maple Hill communities.  Mr. Parker was a member of the St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community in Maple Hill.

     Requiem High Mass will be at 1:00 P.M.Saturday, March 8, 2014 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Maple Hill. He will lie in state from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M.Friday, March 7, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys   Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.

    For the complete obituary,  go to: http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/william-c-parker/

Tagen Lambotte-Area Athlete of Week

    The Capital-Journal Area Athlete of the Week is State Champ Tagen Lambotte of Rossville,  who just won the 152 pound class at the 321A state championships in Hays this last weekend.  
    Tagen is shown in the photo above just after winning the championship.
http://cjonline.com/sports/2014-03-04/area-high-school-athlete-week-rossvilles-tagen-lambotte