Rossville KS Alumni News

This blog is for posting all news of Rossville residents and Rossville High alumni. Bookmark this page and send any appropriate news (births, deaths, engagements, marriages, anniversaries, job changes, honors, etc.) items to: Frank.Ruff@juno.com . Feel free to add comments to any of the articles. Check this site often because I sometimes delete items. There are SEARCH (top left of page) and LINK (bottom of page) features. For photos, see link at bottom.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

KWCA Rankings for Dec. 31

The KWCA announced their 321A rankings for Dec 31. The team standings were:

1. Hoxie
2. Beloit
3. Norton
4. Goodland
5. Hoisington
6. Phillipsburg
7. Rossville
8. Republic Co.
9. Oberlin
10. Riverside

Zach Archer maintains his #1 ranking in 113 lb. and Kody Davoren stayed at #4 in the 220 lb. class.
Layne Hurla Maintained his #6 ranking in the 138 lb. class.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Maureen (Pearl) Harris Passes Away

Maureen T. (Pearl) Harris, 90, passed away Monday, December 23, 2019 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.

She was born December 28, 1928, on a farm in the Sandy Hook community, the daughter of Thomas M. and Florence G. (Doyle) Pearl. She was raised in Sandy Hook and attended grade school at The James School in rural Rossville. Maureen graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic High School in St. Marys and in 1950, attained a nursing degree from The College of St. Theresa, School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO.

After graduation, Maureen continued her nursing studies, and worked as an R.N. for three years in St. Louis, MO, where she met Richard J. Howes. They were married in St. Marys, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on February 7, 1953., and she relocated to his family’s area near Boston, MA

While in New England, she attended evening classes and learned the art of cake decorating. Her home there had hollyhocks and a large pear tree, reminding her of her home growing up in Kansas. She lived in Boston for 23 years, where she loved and enjoyed her family. Richard preceded her in death in 1986.

Maureen moved back to Kansas, and worked as a nurse at the Topeka State Hospital, Menninger’s Clinic, the United Methodist Home, and as a private duty nurse until retirement. In retirement, she enjoyed senior’s programs, gardening, and her friends, and family. Her church community was very much a part of her life. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka, and the Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle, also in Topeka.

In 1999, after a long friendship, she married Charles W. Harris at Council Grove. Maureen and Charlie spent time attending veterans’ programs, travelling, and playing Bingo. She loved planting and attending to the flowers around their home each year. Charles preceded her in death in 2009. Her niece, Ann Dobson, assisted Maureen selflessly, in the years following Charlies’ passing. Maureen was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother James B. “JB” Pearl; a sister, Marjorie Guerich; sons, Kevin and Michael Howes.

Survivors include her son, Robert “Bob” Howes and his daughter, Serena, Marlborough, MA; her daughter, Mary Howes Basham, Topeka; brothers, Robert L. Pearl, Parma Heights, OH. and Gerald “Jerry” Pearl, St. Marys; her sister, Sister Virginia Pearl, CSJ, Concordia; sister-in-law, Dorothy Eileen Pearl, St. George; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Mrs. Harris will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 9:00 until the D of I Rosary at 9:40 A.M. Saturday, January 4, 2020. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Connection, and sent c/o Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Merle Myers Passes Away

Merle R. Myers died December 25, 2019 at the age of 97 years old. He was born to Ross and Bertha (Wax) Myers on June 3, 1922 on a farm near Rossville, KS the fourth of ten children. He served in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II. Upon returning from service, he worked at the Safeway Store, Johnson Potato Chips, Peacock Linen, retiring from Ed Marling Stores in 1984. Later he worked for Heinz Lighting for 17 years. Merle was able to do many things that he had self-taught himself such as building bird houses and wiring electrical appliances.

Merle married Betty Theory, they divorced. He married Nina Ferguson, she died August 7, 1996. He married Tillie Neuner June 1, 1998, she survives.

Besides his wife, Tillie of 21 years, survivors include a step-son, Benny Neuner, and his wife, Christine and six grandchildren, Miranda, Hanna, Benjamin, Isaac, Samantha and Ethan and one great-granddaughter, Delilah. Also surviving is sister-in-law, Nancy Myers and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Pearl Wells, Jack Myers, Wynona Wasser, Irene Nunn, Clair Vanover, Olive Lindsay, Clifford "Kip" Myers, Beverly Carlin and Carl Dean Myers.

In lieu of flowers, Merle requested memorials be given to First United Methodist Church, Helping Hands Humane Society, Midland Care Hospice or Oak Creek Senior Living Center.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave. Topeka. Funeral ceremony will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, in the Klasse Chapel, 600 SW Topeka, KS 66603. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery with Military Honors.

To leave a message for the family online please visit

www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Merle Merle R. R. Myers Myers

Monday, December 23, 2019

Timothy Duncan Passes Away

Timothy Duncan, 53, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, 1919 with his wife and brother at his side.
Tim was born Jan. 6th, 1966, in Topeka to James Duncan and Star Musa. He was the oldest of 4 children. He went to Rossville High School
Tim married his wife, Lisa, on Feb, 26th, 1996. They resided in Willard, KS, and most recently in Silver Lake, KS. He worked for numerous general contractors, spending the majority of his career with Alvin Crow Construction building Wick buildings. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, fishing, mushroom hunting, and socializing with the neighbors at his picnic table. He will always be remembered for his kind heart and willingness to help others.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Duncan. He is survived by his wife, Lisa R. Duncan of Silver Lake; mother Star Hummer, sister Holly Bankson (Brian), sister Tisha Duncan, brother Travis Duncan (Lisa), step daugahter Mary Cairns (Matt), Step-sons Christopher Young, and Skyler Gardner-Young, numerous grandchildren, a niece and a nephew.
A celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2020. The family would like to thank Kansas Palliative & Hospice Care for their dedication and compassion.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

KelLee Parr Program On The Willows

Mansion on a Hill: The Story of The Willows Maternity Sanitarium and the Adoption Hub of America

KelLee Parr

Missouri Valley Sundays

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Program:

2:00 pm

Central Library

RSVP Now

Women who were pregnant and unmarried in the early 1900s faced limited options and societal scorn. Many chose, or were sent, to deliver their babies and give them up for adoption in special facilities for unwed mothers—among them, The Willows Maternity Sanitarium in Kansas City.

Author KelLee Parr’s mother was among the thousands of infants adopted through The Willows during its 64 years of operation. In a discussion of his new book Mansion on a Hill, he examines the history of the hospital and Kansas City as a “baby hub” through the mid-20th century, sharing the stories of some of the children adopted there.

The program, co-presented by the Jackson County Historical Society, features artifacts from The Willows.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

KWCA Wrestling Rankings This Week

The 321A Wrestling Rankings for the week of Dec. 17 have finally been published on Sat.

1. Hoxie
2. Beloit
3. Norton
4. Goodland
5. Phillipsburg
6. Hoisington
7. Rossville
8. Republic Co.
9. Oberlin
10. Eureka

Zach Archer maintains his #1 ranking in 113 lb. and Kody Davoren stayed at #4 in the 220 lb. class.
Layne Hurla broke into rankings this week at #6 in the 138 lb. class.

Agnes (Olejnik, Koontz) Wike Passes Away

Agnes (Olejnik) (Koontz) Wike, 91 of Topeka, passed away peacefully Dec. 17, 2019 with her children by her side. She was born on February 21, 1928 in Rossville, Kansas, the daughter of George and Rosie Olejnik. She attended Victor 101 School, a one room school house now located at Ward Mead Park and Rossville High School. Agnes was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 32 years before retiring in 1989.

Agnes loved her family, sewing, baking, flowers, Seek-A-Word puzzles and an occasional bingo/casino night. She enjoyed collecting dolls and lady head vases. Cooking was her passion and she was forever trying a new recipe or enjoying a new cookbook. She also loved watching KU basketball games. Her fortitude and determination served her well during her lifetime. Her mottos were "get your work done before you play" and "when times are tough, things will be better tomorrow".

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers George, Rudolf, Henry, Bill, Ed and sisters Josephine, Georgianne and Helen. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Buxton (late Dan Buxton) of Topeka, daughter Marilyn Koontz of Topeka and son William Koontz of Port Orange, Florida. Grandchildren Ryan (Erica) Koontz of Topeka, Tyler (Shea) Koontz of Statesboro, Georgia and Tara Montana Koontz of Port Orange, Florida and great grandchildren Brynlee and Henley. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Cremation is planned and per her wishes no public service will be held. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to The House at Midland Care, 120 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or Helping Hands Humane Society Inc. 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS 66604.

The family would like to thank the staff at The House at Midland Care for the loving and compassionate care they provided for our mother and our family during this difficult time.

Lady Dawgs Defeat Atchison

Atchison 6 5 9 5 — 25
Rossville 11 2 4 14 — 30

Rossville scoring:
Dyche 0 0-3 0
Streit 1 (1) 0-5 3
Bergstesser 1 2-2 4
Rabe 0 3-4 3
Morelli 8 (1) 2-2 19
Foster 0 0-2 0
Gillum 0 1-2 1

Friday, December 20, 2019

KWCA Rankings

For some reason, it seems the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association did not post the rankings this week.

Christmas Dawgfeed

You can watch the Christmas edition of Rossville High's Dawgfeed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2BXOiYS-lE

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Melvin Wehner Passes Away

A Mass of Christian burial for Melvin George Wehner, 93, Lawrence, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. Burial will follow in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Eudora. He passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Neuvant House of Lawrence.

He was born on October 6, 1926 in Delia, KS the son of John and Mary (Stallman) Wehner.

He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Melvin owned and operated the family grocery business in Sunflower Village and later owned and operated Wehner Retail Liquor in Lawrence. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, 3rd degree knight with the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

He served on the City of Eudora Planning Commission, was on the Board of Directors for the Eudora Nursing Homes, and was a Board Member of the National Retail Liquor Association.

He married Nina B. Koci on October 12, 1950 in Delia, KS. She preceded him in death on June 29, 2013.

Survivors include his children; Doug (Ginger) Wehner, Greg (Beth) Wehner, Karen (David) Hull, seven grandchildren; Shannon Cates, Allison (Aaron) Swaim, Mathew (Dyan) Wehner, Brandon Hull, Lacey (Doug) Brown, Stacey (Trevor) Niedfeldt, Rebecca (Joe) Male, eleven great grandchildren; and brother, Francis Wehner. He was also preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Irene, Clarence, Katherine"Katie", Florence and John A.

A parish Rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 with visitation to follow until 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Holy Family Catholic Church or to Elara Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to

warrenmcelwain.com.