Rattlers Lose Opener

The Rossville Rattlers to the Midwest A's  6-4 on Friday night in their  Mid-Plains League opener.

The teams will go at it again on Saturday night in a double header starting at 6:00 pm in Peculiar, Missouri.

Ralph Marney (60) Obituary

 Ralph "R.W." Marney,  age 72, born March 2, 1942, peacefully left us Monday, June 2, 2014 surrounded by his family at Stormont-Vail Hospital. He was born in Rossville, Kansas to Glen and Ina (Nitzsche) Marney. Ralph graduated from Rossville High School in 1960. He married the love of his life, Donna (Keen) Galbraith on March 4, 1965 in Holton, Kansas. He was a veteran of the US Army. He retired from the State of Kansas printing plant in March of 2002. Ralph also served as the president of the Machinist Union for many years. He was a life-long supporter of the labor unions.

Ralph was a man of many hobbies, his latest being knife making. He would not want us to dwell on his death, but remember his life. He was always laughing, joking and making others laugh. 

Ralph is survived by his wife Donna, daughters Cindy (Richard) Flint, and Sherry (Mike) Greene; grandchildren, Ronnie (Dayna) Beavers, Tara Jefferies, Trevor Hall, Joey (Candi) vonSoosten, Bret vonSoosten, and Billy Greene; great-grandchildren Alyssa Howard, Grant Jefferies, Jada vonSoosten, Grady Jefferies, Joey (Billy) Gibson, and baby vonSoosten due in October; great-great-grandsons, Wes and Charlie Gibson; and 4 legged baby daughter, Shotze. 

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dean and Laiten Marney; and sister, Beverly Dale.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 1 Attn: Ralph Marney Memorial 3800 SE Michigan Ave. Topeka, KS 66609

Ralph was the biggest Kansas basketball fan the Jayhawks ever had. Donna has requested Jayhawk attire be worn to the memorial service to be held on Saturday, June 7th at 2:00 p.m. at Dove Cremation & Funeral Service. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service.

You can leave condolences at:  http://www.dovecremation.com/obituary.aspx?src=value&obitid=85602&fname=Ralph%20%22RW%22&lname=Marney&city=Topeka&st=Kansas

Police Chase Through Rossville

From CJOnline:

ST. MARYS -- A man and a woman were arrested Wednesday after a vehicle chase that began just west of St. Marys, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat said in a news release Thursday.

Riat indicated Ashley L. Gillispie, 28, and Jason Lee Gillispie, 30, both of Higbee, Mo., were being held in the Pottawatomie County Jail at Westmoreland.

Riat gave this account:

A Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s deputy at about 4 p.m. Wednesday stopped a white pickup truck with a freezer in the back on the Oregon Trail Road, about three miles west of St. Marys.

The deputy learned from a dispatcher that at least one of the truck’s two occupants was wanted on an arrest warrant out of Missouri.

Meanwhile, the two people fled in the vehicle and drove east toward St. Marys.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, St. Marys Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Rossville Police Department and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office took part in the ensuing chase, using stop stick devices on several occasions to deflate the pickup’s tires.

The pickup went east to Silver Lake, where it went off the end of the road at the T-intersection of Railroad Street and Rice Road.

Both occupants fled on foot but were quickly taken into custody.

Both were arrested on unspecified, outstanding Missouri warrants, and in connection with possessing illegal drugs.

Ashley Gillispie also was arrested in connection with fleeing to elude and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Jason Gillispie was also arrested in connection with obstructing the legal process or official duty.

Rattler Roster and Bios

    The complete roster for the Rossville Rattlers along with a bio for each player can be read at:
http://www.leaguelineup.com/teams_baseball.asp?url=rossvillerattlers&sid=26301991

Ralph Marney (60) Passes Away (Updated)

Ralph Marney passed away June 2 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.
No obituary is available yet,  but will be posted here as soon as there is one.

Ralph's funeral will be at the Dove Crematorium @  4020 S.W. 6th 
Avenue, Topeka, Ks. on Saturday.  The visitation will be at 1 p.m. and 
the funeral service will be at 2 p.m.  If you prefer to sent a donation in lieu 
of flowers, contact the Dove Crematorium on their Web Site to donate 
to the American Legion #1 or to leave condolences for the family..
The family asks that Jayhawk attire be worn.

http://www.dovecremation.com/obituaries.aspx?src=value&m=Dove

Class of 2014 Plans

CLASS OF 2014

GRADUATING SENIOR	FUTURE PLANS --SCHOOL (MAJOR)	SCHOLARSHIPS
Ashlynn Biehler	Cloud County CC (Undecided)	CCCC Cheer, Rossville United Methodist Church
Marcus Catron	Highland CC (Undecided)	HCC Baseball
Cheyanne Daniels	Allen County CC (Biological Systems)	ACCC Softball, H & R Block
Brenden Dankenbring	KSU (Criminology)
Jason Davis	Allen County CC (Communications)	ACCC Theatre
Andrew Day	U.S. Air Force
Hailey Dick	KSU (Political Science)	KSU Leadership, YWCA Future Leaders, Cecile Zlatnik Memorial
Tori Dubois	Washburn/Air Nat. Guard (Undecided)
Briena Duryea	KSU (Human Ecology)	KSU Activity
Kyle Ehrlich	KSU (Undecided)	KSU Memorial
Caleb Falk	Ozark Christian (Youth Ministry)	Cole Arnold Memorial, RCDC
Jacob Gentry	Washburn Tech (Electricity)	Rossville Rustlers 4-H, Kaw Valley Limousine Livestock, RCDC
Macy Gillum	Emporia State (Physical Therapy)	ESU Academic
Darian Grimmett	KU (Accounting)
Austin Hester	Employment with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Stephen Jenkins	Sterling College (Communications)	Sterling Academic, Topeka 1st Christian Church
Brandon Justice	Washburn Tech (Auto Tech)/Highland CC
Tagen Lambotte	Univ. of Iowa (BioChem)	Iowa Wrestling, Pete Darting Memorial
Battice Mahkuk	Employment with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Mariah Mahkuk	Washburn Tech (Nursing)
Sydney Marney	Washburn Univ.(Undecided)	WU Presidential
Miranda Martin	Highland CC (Graphic Design)
Dakota McGlumphrey	Tulsa Welding School
Zhaquarius Miller	Highland CC (Business)
Devin Morris	KSU (Athletic Training)	KSU Medallion
Zach Nitsch	Highland CC (Undecided)	HCC Baseball
Skylar Olson	Wichita State (Aerospace Engineering)	WSU Heritage Merit
Jordan Pickens	Washburn Tech (Auto Tech)
Dominick Reynolds	Allen County CC (Business Mgmt)
Cassie Sanders	Washburn Tech (Nursing)
Karey Sublett-Nichols	Washburn Univ. (Elem.Ed.)	WU Academic, RHS Alumni, P.E.O., KVEA, Duane Parr Memorial, ABWA
Samantha Thompson	KSU (Accounting)	KSU Leadership, Lloyd & Pearl Burley Memorial, Elks, Shawnee County Farm Bureau, RHS Alumni
Therese VanderPutten	Dodge City CC (Sports Mgmt)	DCCC Softball, Marjorie Helen Lanning Memorial, Topeka Legal Professionals, Bryan Lindstrom Memorial, Doug Perine Memorial, Les Hallmark Memorial
Davis Warton	William Jewell College (BioChem)	Wm Jewell Football & Academic, Custom Woods, KS Nat. Guard Foundation, Rossville United Methodist Church, Rossville Booster Club, Rossville Opportunity
Rocky Welch	Washburn Tech (Auto Tech)	Ron Monhollon Memorial

Tom Mansfield (69) Passes Away (updated)

    Thomas James Mansfield, 63, of Hinsdale, IL. 
    Beloved husband of Mary Munoz. Loving father of the late Tommi Lea Purdy. Cherished grandfather of Samuel. Dear uncle, brother-in-law and friend of many. Devoted son of the late Lloyd and Esther Mansfield.     Tom was an avid outdoorsman.      He was formerly on the Advisory Board of the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources. Tom was the Bass Tournament Director for the Paralyzed Veterans of America for 13 years, and he was former Outdoor Sports Coordinator for the Vaughn Chapter of the P. V. A.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 6, 2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Ronald McDonald House are appreciated and may be sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com. 

National Honor Society Announcements

Rossville Jr./Sr. High School inducted 17 new members into the National Honor Society at the Spring Awards Night on May 7, 2014. Seniors Tori Dubois and Karey Sublett-Nichols; Juniors Taylor Brecheisen, Riley Miller, Lake Schultz-Pruner, Staci VanDruff,

and Ethan Woodcock; and sophomores Katie Conley, Kole Davoren, Eric Ebert, Riley Falk, Chris Johnston, Justin Logan, Kyle Parr, Lauren Steckel, Willow Stipp, and Britnee Zemek lit the candle of honor and recited the pledge as new members.

RHS existing members are Seniors Cheyanne Daniels, Hailey Dick, Briena Duryea, Caleb Falk, Macy Gillum, Tagen Lambotte, Skylar Olson, Samantha Thompson, Therese VanderPutten, and Davis Warton and Juniors Kennedy Anderson, Haley Brown, Lauryn Catron, Makayla Crow, Breanna Ebert, Danielle Glotzbach, Brooke Hase, Breanna Hill, Corbin Horak, Taylor Kirk, Rachel Lord, Nick Reesor, and Andrea Rietcheck.

NHS officers for the 2014-2015 school year were recently elected and are as follows: President Andrea Rietcheck, Vice-President Ethan Woodcock, Secretary Taylor Brecheisen, and Treasurer Danielle Glotzbach.

Membership in the National Honor Society is based on a student’s performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. In order to be eligible, students must first have a grade point average of at least 3.2 and have made significant contributions to their school and community, as well as maintain a strong moral character.

RHS Top Ten

Rossville High School announced the Top 10 Seniors of the Class of 2014 at graduation exercises on Sunday, May 18, 2014. The following seniors were recognized for their academic accomplishments: Cheyanne Daniels, Hailey Dick, Caleb Falk, Darian Grimmett, Tagen Lambotte, Sydney Marney, Devin Morris, Samantha Thompson, Therese VanderPutten, and Davis Warton

Warton & Thompson Are Top Scholars

Pictured from left are  Valedictorian Davis Warton and Salutatorian Samantha Thompson from the RHS Class of 2014

Rattlers Lose First Two Games

The Rattlers lost 10-2 in their season opener in St. Joseph, Missouri on Wednesday night.The Rossville Rattlers dropped their home opener Thursday night by a score of 12-3 to the Joplin Outlaws.
Monday (June 2) and Tuesday (June 3)  nights scheduled games with the SW Elite have been cancelled. 

The Rattlers begin Mid-Plains League play next Friday June 6th at the Midwest Athletics (Peculiar, Missouri). The next home game for Rossville is Thursday June 12th against the Baldwin City Blues.

Janice McClelland (57) Vanmeter Passes Away

Jan VanMeter, 73, of Troy, Ill., born Nov. 7, 1939, in Maple Hill, Kan., died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice House, Edwardsville, Ill.

Jan was a member of the Troy United Methodist Church. She retired from Jarvis Township office.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Margaret, nee Romic, McCelland; and brothers, Jack and Daile McCelland.

Surviving are her husband, Richard VanMeter Sr., of Troy, Ill.; son, Richard H. VanMeter Jr., of Seattle, Wash.; daughter, Megan J. (Brian) VanMeter-Mitchell of Edwardsville, Ill.; and grandchildren, Nolan, Wesley and Levi Mitchell.

Memorials may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center or a . Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.laughlinfh.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at Troy United Methodist Church with Rev. Dennis Price officiating.

Thomas Mansfield (69) Passes Away

    Thomas James Mansfield, 63, of Hinsdale, IL passed away May 31, 2014. 
    Beloved husband of Mary Munoz.  Loving father of the late Tommi Lea Purdy.  Cherished grandfather of Samuel.    Dear uncle, brother-in-law and friend of many.  Devoted son of the late Lloyd and Esther Mansfield. 
    Visitation 3 to 9pm Tuesday, June 3rd at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside.  Prayers 9:15am Wednesday, June 4th at the funeral home to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Hinsdale for Funeral Mass at 10am.  Interment Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Ronald McDonald House appreciated.  Tom was an avid outdoorsman. 
    He was formerly on the Advisory Board of the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources.  Tom was the Bass Tournament Director for the Paralyzed Veterans of America for 13 years, and he was former Outdoor Sports Coordinator for the Vaughn Chapter of the P. V. A.  
    Funeral home phone 708/352-6500 or www.hjfunerals.com

Seth Cormack Balloon

From the March 5, 1909, Rossville Reporter:
Mr. [Seth] Cormack, the balloonist, made a most successfully ascension with his balloon last Saturday evening. The feat was viewed by many and all said it was one of the best they had ever seen.

In the early part of the afternoon an attempt was made to fill the balloon with gas but without success owing to the wind. It was just about sundown after most of the crowd had gone home that another effort was made and shortly after the big bag sailed away to the clouds with Cormack hanging to the parachute.

It reached a height of nearly 2,000 feet before he cut the rope and dropped with the parachute and alighted gently in Conley's corn field.