Friday, December 1, 2017

Willard Bridge Speed Limit Changed

From the Capital Journal: 
   The Shawnee County Commission on Thursday approved raising the speed limits on parts of the road between Interstate 70 and Rossville. The decision came after a Nov. 13 traffic and speed study in the area showed traffic levels could handle increased speeds, public works director Tom Vlach said.
Drivers traveling south from Rossville currently must slow from 50 mph to 35 mph at N.W. 33rd road north of the Kansas River. That speed must be maintained across the bridge and through Willard until 450 feet south of 2nd Street, where it returns to 50 mph.
    The speed limits the county approved Thursday allow drivers to maintain 50 mph for an extra half mile until they reach the north end of Willard Bridge. Across the bridge, the limit will be increased to 40 mph until entering Willard, where the speed is reduced to 35 mph. South of 2nd Street the limit returns to 50 mph.
    The traffic study recommended 40 mph through Willard, Vlach said, but he recommended keeping the speed at 35 mph.
    “I’m not comfortable with that speed with the high number of intersections and potential pedestrians in Willard,” he said.
    Commissioner Shelly Buhler, a former Rossville mayor who represents the area, joked that the slope of the bridge increases the chance for speeding coming into Willard from the north.
“Rossville police monitor that area quite frequently,” she said. “So, drive accordingly.”

Shirley Klein Passes Away

Shirley Joyce Klein, 80, of Silver Lake, Kansas, passed away November 30, 2017 at Rossville Health Care. Shirley was born on October 1, 1937 to Wayne and Joyce Anderson in Topeka. Shirley graduated from Topeka High School where after she started her family and raised their 4 children. After all her children were in school, she started to work for the State of Kansas as a legal secretary for the next 20 years. 

Shirley was an amazing cook and baker. Her cookies and sandwiches were what she was known for as well has her kind heart and generous soul to anyone she met. She loved sewing and would sew all her children’s clothing in their younger years. One thing Shirley lived for was her utter joy for Christmas and all her decorations she collected. 

Shirley is preceded in death by both of her parents, two brothers, and one sister. 

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, one son, J.P. Klein of Silver Lake; three daughters, Kim (Kevin) Weems of Topeka, Trisha Klein of Topeka, and Diana (Robert) Gulley of Rossville; and seven grandchildren whom she absolutely adored, Jayci Klein, Jarett Klein, Justin Klein, Cassidy Gulley, Susie Gulley, Kyle Weems, and Cole Temmen; and one great grandchild Kyrie Weems and one little one on the way. 

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Davidson Funeral Home. A private inurnment will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and the Grace Foundation. 

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Rossville High Basketball Schedule

Dec. 
1. at Wamego
5-9. at Chapman Inv. 
15. Frankfort
18. Perry-Lecompton 
19. Silver Lake 

Jan.
5. at Riley County
9. Rock Creek
12. St. Marys
16-20. at Valley Falls Inv. (B)
23-27. at Jefferson North Inv. (G)
30. at St. Marys 

Feb. 
2. at Wabaunsee 
6. at Osage City 
9. at Silver Lake 
13. Wabaunsee 
16. Riley County
22. at Rock Creek

Frederick Foster (69) Passes Away

Frederick J. "Fred" Foster, 67, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at his home in Delia.
He was born August 12, 1950 at Topeka the son of Joseph F. and M. Ellen Dale Foster.  Fred grew up in the Rossville community and graduated from Rossville High School in 1969. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict.
Fred had worked for Topeka Metal Specialties for many years.  He was a member of the Catholic faith.  Fred was a member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion in Rossville.
On June 12, 1981 he was united in marriage to Vickie Diehl at Rossville.  She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children, Luke (Jodi) Foster, Topeka, Matthew (Misty) Foster, Fairview, TX; Jennifer (Blaine) Hensley, Rossville, Scott (Isabelle) Zlatnik, Cache, OK; Julie (Greg) Spring, Rossville, Sheila (Bobby) Coons, Melissa (Kelly) Smith all of Topeka; brothers, Robert Foster, Topeka, David Foster, Rossville and Charlie Foster, Delia; a sister, Teresa Foster, Topeka; 17 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life Visitation will be from 12:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion in Rossville.  Private inurnment will be in the Rossville Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made in Fred's name and sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  

Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Monday, November 27, 2017

RHS Boys Basketball Outlook

Coach: Eammon Bradley (1st year).
Last year’s record: 12-11 (4-6, 5th in league).
Postseason: lost in 3A sub-state finals.
Returning starters: (1) Sheldon Hulbert, F, 6-2, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Hunter Quiett, G, 5-9, sr.; Jared Morris, G, 5-8, sr.; Teagan Sumner, G, 6-0, jr.; Tyree Sowers, F, 6-0, fr.; Nicholas Brummer, G, 6-0, sr.; Elijah Daughty, G, 5-8, jr.; Bo Reeves, F, 6-2, fr.

Outlook: After up and down regular season, Bulldawgs caught fire in postseason and reached sub-state title game before falling to Silver Lake. … Graduation claimed three starters and fourth, first-team all-leaguer Caiden Musick, transferred to Burlingame. … Bradley replaces Derek Dick as coach.

RHS Girls Basketball Outlook

Coach: Michael Bell (5th year).
Last year’s record: 20-3 (8-2, 2nd in league).
Postseason: lost in 3A sub-state finals.
Returning starters: (2) Jalyn Porter, G, 5-8, sr.; Caila Hill, F, 5-10, jr.
Other returners/newcomers: Maura Buhler, G, 5-6, sr.; Kylee Badura, F, 5-8, sr.; Meg Kirk, F, 5-8, sr.; Taylor Morelli, F, 5-9, so.; Ashley Douglas, G, 5-5, sr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs fell just short of earning first state trip in more than a decade, falling 47-41 to Riley County in sub-state finals. … Graduation claimed 60 percent of team’s scoring and rebounding, most notably first-team All-3A pick Amanda Hill (201 ppg, 6 rpg). … Caila Hill averaged 9.4 ppg and 4 rpg and will take on bigger load this year. … Porter missed last 12 games with broken hand and averaged 4 ppg and 3 rpg in 11 games last year. … Buhler averaged 3 ppg and 2 apg.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Mary Millenbruch Passes Away

Mary M. Millenbruch, 70, Rossville, passed away Monday, November 20, 2017 at a Topeka, Hospital.

Survivors include her husband Jim of the home in Rossville; Her daughter Phyllis (Thomas) Stangler, Milrose, MN; step- daughters, Rita (David) Hansford, Meriden and Evelyn Armstrong, Rossville; 3 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, November 30 at the Lakeside Baptist Church in Silver Lake. Graveside services will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the Marysville City Cemetery. Mary will lie in state after 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name and sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Frank Patterson Passes Away


Frank W. Patterson Frank W. Patterson, 55, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St Francis Hospital after a short battle with cirrhosis of the liver. Frank was born on January 28, 1961 in Rossville, the son of Calvin Dewayne and LaDonna Roseann (Woosley) Patterson. Frank was a long-time student of the School of Hard Knocks graduating with a master's degree. He was a jack-of-all-trades and had a string of odd jobs through his life, working as a farm handyman, tow truck driver for Otis Lane Automotive, and working for Spot & Steal. 

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, LaDonna and Calvin Patterson, and a brother, Russel Patterson. He is survived by his longtime live-in girlfriend Toni Counts, Topeka; his two daughters, Jessica L. Patterson and Candice Rukes, both of Topeka; two brothers, Calvin Simons, Topeka, and James Paterson, South Carolina; and a sister Lindola Arredondo, Topeka.

A GoFundMe account created to help with cremation costs: https://www.gofundme.com/mfz7g-frank-patterson-cremation

Monday, November 20, 2017

Jimmie Lillard Presentation At Am. Leg.

    Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11th, Jimmie Lillard American Legion Post 31 in Rossville sponsored a covered dish luncheon for Veteran’s, members and friends.    After the lunch, a presentation was made by Helen Lytle and June Burgett about the life of Jimmie Lillard whom the post is named for.  Jimmie was a hometown boy. 
    Jimmie Lillard enlisted in the Army Feb. 17, 1941 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant in May 1943.   He was sent overseas to France in May of 1944.  He was wounded in August of 1944 and rejoined his company in October of that year.  He was awarded a Purple Heart for gallantry in action at that time.  He returned to action and was killed on November 14, 1944 and was awarded another Purple Heart. 
    American Legion Post 31 was given a permanent charter in 1958.  Members voted that the Post would be named after Staff Sgt. Lillard.
    At the end of their presentation, Helen Lytle and June Burgett, on behalf of Margie Lillard Hoobler, who is a sister of Jimmie Lillard, presented to Penny Jamvold, Commander of Post 31 the Purple Heart medals that were awarded to Jimmie Lillard.   The medals, along with other memorabilia, will be on permanent display at the post.

To read the below articles or see details of the photos,  go to: 






Penny Jamvold, June Burgett,  Helen Lytle

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Raub Zeller (52) Passes Away


    Raub Zeller, 83, of Schulenburg, Texas, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. 
    Mr. Zeller retired to Schulenburg after selling the family carwash in Austin and a 35-year career in sales. He graduated from Rossville High School in 1952. He was a proud US military veteran serving in the US Army on the Berlin Wall during the Korean War and as a medic in the Kansas National Guard. Since arriving in Schulenburg, he faithfully attended Zion Lutheran Church; recently received his 10-year pin as a member of American Legion Post 143 and was an active member of the Lions Club until health prohibited. 
Raub spent many hours with his treasured Allis Chalmers tractors which are still used on the family farm and in his garden. His love for the orange tractors endured from his early years on the family farm in Rossville, Kansas. He left Kansas with his young family to pursue sales in Houston. There he discovered the Gulf Coast spending all his free time with family and friends at the beach house on the San Bernard river or offshore fishing for grouper, dorado, kings, and snapper or hunting for goose and dove. His uncanny ability to fix anything with a motor, his buttermilk pancakes and yeast rolls, and his giant cinnamon rolls were enjoyed for many holiday seasons and will be remembered for many to come. 
    He is survived by Mary, his wife of 51 years, and three of his sons, Patrick, Michael and Timothy, while his oldest son Raub Jr. preceded him in death. He leaves daughters-in-law Janet, Kelly and Renee; grandchildren Heather, Kelly, Ashley, Tarah, John, Zack, Nick, and Zoe; great grandchildren Zev, Skyler, Rowen, Reaves, Justice, Richie, Ainsley, and Arabella; and seven siblings Lyle, Roger, Alice, Becky, Connie, Vince and Donna. His parents, Nora Marie Beck Zeller and Uriah Raub Zeller and his brother Larry also preceded him in death.
    Memorial services are set for Saturday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. at Zion Luthran Church in Schulenburg.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Silver Lake And Sabetha (updated)

    There is a long story in the Capital about Silver Lake's quest for another 3A crown and discussion about their upcoming game against a tough Sabetha team.

http://cjonline.com/sports/highschools/2017-11-16/silver-lake-s-3a-playoff-gauntlet-continues-sabetha

Update 11/18
Silver Lake lost to Sabetha 17-14.  Sabetha will now face Marysville (who defeated Rossville in their first game of the 2017 season)  for the Kansas 3A championship.

Isaiah Luellen Signs With Ft. Hays

Isaiah Luellen, RHS senior, has signed a wrestling letter of intent with Ft. Hays 
State. He captured the 160-pound Class 3-2-1 state title last year.