Ryoko Newsham Passes Away

    Rossville–Ryoko Takahashi Newsham left her earthly home for her eternal home on July 28, 2018. 
    She was born December 13, 1935 to Tsuru Oda  and Nikichi Takahashi in Masuda-machi, Akitaken, Japan. She was the eldest daughter and fourth of nine children. She married Charles Leroy Newsham on August 1, 1960 in Tokyo, Japan. She was a military wife and homemaker until the youngest of her four children began school. She then worked at Frito Lay in Topeka, KS for over 24 years before retiring, traveling and spending time with her growing family. Her greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren and she was very active in all of their lives. She was a member of the Rossville Christian Church, loved playing BINGO and all types of art, especially oil painting, sewing and knitting. She always said it was a wonderful life.  
    She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister. She is survived by sisters Eiko Suzuki, Seiko Tanimura and Kuniko Takahashi all of Japan. Her legacy will live on through her loving husband of 58 years, Charlie, of Rossville, KS; daughters Ruth (Dave) Puvogel of Prescott, AZ, Doris (Kirk) Wagner of Wichita, KS, and Laura (Tony) Clarke of Bradford, PA; son Mike (Barb) Newsham of Rossville, KS; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: David Wayne, Christina and Saron Puvogel; Nick, Kelly and Ronin Puvogel; Megan, Eric and Sophia Smith; Derek Swope; Gina, Graham, Nora and Nolan Patterson; Sheldon and Teresa Newsham; Jarret Clarke; and Courtney Clarke.  
    Memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 2, 2018 at the Rossville Christian Church. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery near Ashland, NE. Mrs. Newsham will lie in state and the family will receive friends at the church from 9:00 until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either Oakley Place of Rossville or Rossville Christian Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com