Taylor Kirk KJCCC Player Of Week

Johnson County CC sophomore Taylor Kirk  was chosen as the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Player of the Week for Week 5.  Taylor batted .500 (6-for-12) with a double, three home runs, seven runs scored and 11 RBIs in four wins last week for the Lady Cavaliers.

Mary Ann (Small)(63) Collini Passes Away

   Here is another obituary that I just was told about.  Mary Ann lived in Willard and attended Rossville High and passed away in 2012.

    MARY ANN COLLINI AKA "POPPINS" to friends. Mary passed away and became the newest angel on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at her home in Temecula, CA.
    She was born December 18, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas to Dallas & Betty Small. She fought a very courageous 2 year battle with cancer. She raised 4 sons Ken, Dale, Oren & Cory. She married Robert Collini on October 13, 1985 at which time a 5th son John came into her life. She retired from J.C. Penny after being diagnosed with cancer after 15 years of service. Mary loved cruises, camping, gardening, decorating her home and being with family and friends.
    Mary was preceded in death by her father Dallas Small & step-mother Millie Small; mother Betty Small-Warner & step-father Russell Warner. She is survived by her husband Robert Collini; sons Ken Copeland of Temecula, Dale & Jeri Copeland of Canyon Lake, John & Jill Collini of Canyon Lake, Oren Dick of Canyon Lake, and Cory Smith of Texas; brothers Glen "Ed" & Barbara Small of Topeka, Kansas, Thomas & Dee Small of Riverside & Russell Warner of Canyon Lake, 15 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild (AJ).     Memorial arrangements will be held on September 29, 2012 @ Harveston Center, Temecula, CA.

Published in Press-Enterprise on Sept. 2, 2012 

Glen "Ed" Small (62) Passes Away

Here is an obituary I just found out about.  Though it's not mentioned,  "Ed" lived in Willard and attended Rossville High. He was president of the Freshman Class in 1959.

Glen “Ed” Small, age 73, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Stormont Vail Hospital. Ed was born May 13, 1943 in Topeka the son of Dallas and Betty Best Small. Ed worked as an over the road truck driver for over 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Brown; five sons, Marcus (Erin) Small, Dallas Small, Spencer Small, Cary Brown and Terry Hickey; three daughters, Linda McCoil, Melissa Brown and Lona Josh; two brothers, Tom Small and Rusty Warner; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Rickey Brown and sister, Mary Ann Colini.

Ed enjoyed dancing and watching westerns.

Graveside services will be Monday, February 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence. davidsonfuneral.com.

Marie Sullivan Passes Away

      Theresa Marie Sullivan was born to William M. Corcoran and Nancy Ellen Glover October 15, 1930.
      Marie graduated from Solomon High School in 1948, and in March of 1949, she was united in marriage to George E. Sullivan in Solomon, Kansas. With four generations at her bedside, Grandma Marie passed peacefully March 20, 2017.
      The visitation will be Wednesday, March 22 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and the Rosary will be at 7:00pm at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Rossville, Kansas. The funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 23 at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Solomon, Kansas.
      One recent night, while watching HGTV, Marie stated, "If I were born in a different time, I would've been an architect."  Marie was an architect. She bettered her community by dedicating time and effort to the schools, Rossville Library, 4-H, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, community celebrations, cub scouts, and Rossville Senior Center. She was a lifelong volunteer, and in true Marie fashion, she requests donations be made to the Rossville Senior Center, Mt. Calvary Cemetery Fund (Solomon, Kansas), or donor's choice in lieu of flowers. Beside her loving husband, Marie always had a vision and was the architect of an expanding home. Our family walks through a house where stones were laid and bulbs were planted by her hands. We sit on couches she built and throw pillows she sewed. We cling to sleeping bags she made with our initials stitched on the opening flaps. Marie was the architect that grew this family from the love of her George into four children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She traced our family lineage and mapped out our ever-growing family's blueprint we will continue to frame. Marie raised us, ran the show, and somehow continues to strengthen us even in her death. In true Marie fashion, her living will states that she "hopes" we will follow all her requests, but "Marie, we're going to have flowers at your funeral”  sorry, not sorry. However, again in true Marie fashion, it seems fitting to close this dear farewell with her words: "You have all given me great joy, and I have had a full life. Love to all, Mom."      Piper Funeral Home St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.

New Willard Bridge Photos

Boys Golf Schedule For 2017

Apr
4        @ Wamego Inv.
11      @ Lyons Co Inv.
          JV @ Onaga JV Inv.
13      @ Osage City Inv.
          JV @ Wabaunsee Inv.
19      @ West Franklin Inv.
          @ Horton Inv.
24      @ Silver Lake Inv.
          JV @ Perry-Lecompton JV Inv.
27      @ St. Marys Inv.
          JV@ Horton JV Inv.

May
2        @ Rossville Inv. St. Marys Golf Course
3        JV @ Jeff West JV Inv.
4        @ Perry-Lecompton Inv.
9        Mid-East League Tournament at Stagg Hill, Manhattan
15      3A Regional,  Site TBA
22      3A State at Independence Country Club

3A Track & Field Schedule

The 2017 Tract Schedule follows.

Mar.
30      @Silver Lake Inv.

Apr.
7        @ Wabaunsee Inv.
11      @ Royal Valley Inv.
13      @ Rock Creek Inv.
21      @Rossville Inv.
28      @ Ray Kovar Inv.

May
5        @ Riley Co. Inv.
11      Mid-East League Meet
19      3A Regional
26      3A State

Ruth Warfel Passes Away

     Ruth Charlotte Warfel, 93, Topeka, died Saturday, March 18, 2017, at her home.
     She was born February 10, 1924, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Adrian Lewis and Lottie Marie (Hecht) Hall. Ruth graduated from Hiawatha High School and then worked for Goodyear in Lincoln where she helped line airplanes with rubber so that when a plane was shot the rubber would close the hole. She moved several times. From Lincoln she went to Salt Lake City where her Mother lived. Then they moved to Topeka in order for her husband to go into the service. When in Topeka she worked for Sears and Roebuck in downtown Topeka, and loved working there. She worked in the Men s Department, Children s Department, Catalog Department, and Ladies Wear. In 1949, Ruth and Oscar bought their home at 2345 Wayne and she stayed home and raised her family. She graduated from cosmetology school and worked at Manford s Beauty Salon for eleven years before opening Ruth s Beauty Salon at Sixth and Washburn. Due to health problems she sold her shop and started traveling with the Good Sams Camping Group. After her husband passed away she went to work at Washburn University in the cafeteria as a cashier and worked there for 18 years. She was a member of Lowman United Methodist Church; Helena Chapter # 210, Order of the Eastern Star (60 year member); and Trinity Shrine # 7, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.
      Ruth was married to Oscar Warfel on May 18, 1940, at Troy, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1986. Surviving are two daughters: Kathy McCarty of Burlingame, and Sharon French (Laird) of Rossville; siblings: Lucille Marie Bentley of Rulo, NE, Margaret Rose Darby of Salt Lake City, UT, Vonia Grace Brooks of St. George, UT, and Glen Arthur Hall of Nevada; five grandchildren: Harry Hammer III of Rossville, Teresa Lowe of Wichita, Nancy Stine (Marty) of Seneca, PA, Shawn French of Topeka, and Charlotte Brunin (Derek) Rossville; and several great-grandchildren.
      Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 20, 2017, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka, followed by Eastern Star Services conducted by Helena Chapter # 210, OES. Interment will be in Rossville Cemetery. Ruth will lie in state after 4:00 PM, Sunday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Helena Chapter # 210, OES, 909 NW Lyman Road, Topeka, KS 66608 or Alzheimer s Association, 3625 SW 29th Street, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Ruth C. Warfel 

Amanda Makes First Team All-3A

    Rossville senior Amanda Hill capped off her very successful basketball career by being named to the 3A First Team by the Capital-Journal.   She averaged over 20 points a game during the season as the Lady Dawgs were continuously ranked in the top ten for 3A in Kansas.

Musick Makes 3A All State List

    Rossville junior  Caiden Musick made the Capital Journal 3A All State basketball team as an Honorable Mention.

GeorgeEllen (DeGraff) Venturella Passes Away

       GeorgEllen (DeGraff) Venturella, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
       GeorgEllen was born on January 5, 1924, in Rossville, KS, to Robert George and Eva Sarah (Strimple) DeGraff. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1942 and from Strickler s Business College. She married Anthony Venturella in 1944. Together they had four children. GeorgEllen worked for Santa Fe Railway for over 20 years as a supervisor in accounting. She volunteered her time with Can Help and Literacy Council and was a member of the Santa Fe Singers. She also volunteered her time as a docent with the Great Overland Station. GeorgEllen enjoyed needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilting.
      She is survived by her three children, Dona (Dr. Donald) Dei of South Riding, VA, Robert (Alice) Venturella of Battleground, WA and Paula (Gary) Durston of Gold Canyon, AZ; five grandchildren, David (Sarabeth) Dei, Tanya (Richard) Myers, Natasha (Matthew) Somma, Brian (Stephanie) Venturella, and Rachel Venturella; five great-grandchildren, Joshua Dei, Abigail Dei, Zachary Myers, Noah Myers, and Rocco Somma; and many nieces, nephews and friends. GeorgEllen was preceded in death by former husband; son, Dana Venturella; three siblings, Louise Bitner, June Barnes, Laverne Bud DeGraff.
      A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Atria Hearthstone, 3415 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606, St. Francis Nursing Services, or a charity of the donor s choice. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Rose Marie Ronnebaum Passes Away

St. Marys—Rose Marie “Rosie” Martin Ronnebaum, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, peacefully at home after courageously battling cancer for two years.

Rosie was born in Hanover on April 2, 1936, the daughter of Margaret and Sylvester Martin.  She graduated from Hanover High School.  After graduation, she worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, until she married Donald A. Ronnebaum on October 27, 1956.

After marriage, Rosie enjoyed raising her six children on a farm.  Later in life she worked for USD No. 321 as a cook until she retired.  Don and Rosie moved to St. Marys, in 1996.  Rosie loved her flowers and her hobbies included tending to her flower garden, sewing, quilting, gardening, reading and camping.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.

In her retirement years she liked to travel and camp.  Rosie thoroughly valued her time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joe Martin and a sister-in-law Mariane Martin.

Rosie leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Don of the home.  Other survivors include her children, Terry (Carol) Ronnebaum, Topeka, Mike (Janet) Ronnebaum, Axtell, David (Beth) Ronnebaum, Rossville, Jeanne (Nick) Disidore, Lenexa, Linda (Dan) Luthi. Wamego, and Diane (Jim) Todd, Lenexa; brothers, Dennis and Lawrence Martin, Hanover and Vern Martin, Aurora, CO; her sister. Ruth Grieves, MN; 15 grandchildren and three-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Rosie will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 17, 2017 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.  Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or Immaculate Conception Food Pantry and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by Shawnee County

RHS Baseball Schedule For 2017

March 
27        JV Vs Chapman
30        @  Perry-Lecompton
            JV Vs Topeka West

April
4          Vs Riley Co.
6          @ Santa Fe Trail
            JV  Vs Santa Fe Trail
13        Vs St Marys
20        Vs Sabetha
21        @ Sabetha
27        @ Silver Lake
28        JV Vs Silver Lake

May
1          @ Wamego
            JV @ Riley Co.
4          Vs Nemaha Central
5          JV @ Nemaha Central
8          JV @ St. Marys
9          @ Rock Creek
11        JV  Vs Perry-Lecompton 
15-18   3A Regional
25-26   3A State @ KSU Tointon Stadium