Lucinda Mitchell Dies In Accident

From the Caital-Journal

One person was killed and two people injured about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a two-vehicle, head-on collision on US-24 highway about a mile east of Rossville, a Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center dispatcher said.

Lucinda C. Mitchell, 63, of Rossville, died at the scene, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report.

Mitchell had been a passenger in a car driven by Christopher M. Mitchell, 61, of Rossville, who suffered injuries that were suspected to be serious, the report said.

It indicated the other driver, 57-year-old Mary Gruber of Silver Lake, suffered possible injuries.

The report said Christopher Mitchell was driving a 2014 Buick Century westbound on US-24 when it struck a deer. Christopher Mitchell had been trying to avoid hitting the deer when he struck an oncoming 2014 Buick Encore driven by Gruber, the accident report said.

It indicated everyone involved had been wearing a seat belt.

Mary Ann (Ruff) (62) Diehl Passes Away

Mary Ann Diehl, 75, passed away on December 19, 2020, in the city of Beaumont, CA, from a sudden heart attack en route to the hospital.  She will be greatly missed. 

Mary Ann was born on March 18, 1945 in Wamego, Kansas to Dale Chalmer and Marsella Ann (Stadler) Ruff, both deceased.

Mary Ann grew up in Rossville, Kansas and graduated from Rossville High School in 1962. Upon graduation she began working for various companies around the Topeka area, including Shelter Insurance in the Claims Department and managed lounge at the American Legion Auxilary Post 400 in Topeka.  Mary Ann’s desire to see more of the world lead her to move to Kansas City in 1991 and she studied and became a licensed travel agent, which allowed her to travel more and see the beauty the world has to offer.  Eventually she found herself moving to the Palm Springs area of California where she worked as an office administrator until she retired in 2009.

Mary Ann married Stephen Diehl but were granted a divorce in 1974.   They had a son in 1970, Jason Christopher, who survives his mother and lives in West Hollywood, CA, not far from Mary Ann’s home in Beaumont.  Mary Ann is also survived by a brother, Frank Ruff (Lorraine),  in Davidsonville, MD.

During the course of her life, Mary Ann enjoyed many surprising activities, including volunteering her time and talents by making quilts for veteran’s groups.  She also enjoyed playing billiards and proved to be quite the pool shark.  In the 1980s she often placed in the top 3 positions in the Kansas Women’s Billiards Tournament and even garnered First Place trophies in both singles and doubles tournaments.  

Mary Ann will be interred next to her mother at the Rossville Cemetery in Rossville, KS after a graveside service on January 15^th, at 1:00pm.  The family welcomes any friend, relative or acquaintance of Mary Ann to attend the service.  The service is being arranged by Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys, KS

The family would like to thank everyone who has expressed their condolences at her loss and hope that Mary Ann’s loving warmth and caring remain in the hearts and minds of those individuals that were lucky enough to spend time in her presence.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Assoc.,  7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231,  Condolences may be left on Mary Ann's online guest book at www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Carl Bishop Passes Away

 Onaga- Carl Acil Bishop, age 90, of Onaga, died January 5, 2021.

He was born January 23, 1930, in Delia, Kansas, the son of Cleon A. and Leatha (Breese) Bishop.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of Onaga; three children: Lynnette Chard (Randy) of Palco, Janet Brown of Salina, and Susan Schindler (Matthew) of Manhattan; four step-children; his sisters Dorothy Cline of Onaga, Mary McDougal (Gerald) of Havensville, Helen Rose of Onaga; brother Glen Bishop (Sharon) of Rossville; six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Mortuary, Salina, Kansas on Wednesday, January 13th at 1:00 PM.

For online condolences contact Roselawn at www.roselawnsalina.com

Michael Good (81) Passes Away (Updated)

     Michael “Tad” Good, age 58, was born on November 19th, 1962 in Salina, Kansas to Floyd and Carolyn Good. 

     He returned to his heavenly home on January 3rd, 2021 due to Covid19.

    Tad graduated from Rossville High School in 1981, and in 1982 he married his high school sweetheart, Deb “Carathers” Good. In 1985 Tad enlisted in the U.S. Army. He joined to be a military police officer and progressed up to a Special Agent in the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID). After 11.5 years of service, he departed with an honorable discharge in December 1996. He then began a new journey working for the Social Security Administration, where he made his way from a Field Service Specialist to a Group Supervisor to the Facilities Project Manager and Claims Authorizer. During the beginning years of working with Social Security Tad also took classes at DeVry University (1998-2001) where he got his Bachelor of Science-BS- in business information systems and graduated with honors, Magna Cum Laude. After almost 16 years of working Social Security, he retired. After retiring Tad decided to work as an insurance agent at Integrity Insurance Agency where he worked for 5.5 years.
    Tad was a man of faith. In 2014 he found his calling and was ordained and became the Pastor of the Willard Community Baptist Church. He was dedicated to the Lord, his family, and friends. In his spare time, he loved being outdoors, fishing, shooting guns, working on the farm, or building something. He also enjoyed getting the family together and grilling/smoking meat for everyone.
    Tad was a family man. He was kind, loyal, and loving to his wife, Deb Good. They married on July 31st, 1982. They spent 38 wonderful years together and had 3 children, Michael Good (Brianne), Gavin Good (Crystal), and Kristen Good. He was also a very proud PaPa to 6 grandchildren, Kiya, Keira, Trebor, Tripp, Chloe, and Paisley. Tad is also survived by his father Floyd Good, Sister Tara Good, and Brother Troy Good (Mel), and many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.
    Tad is preceded in death by his mother Carolyn Good, his Grandparents Norris and Dorothy Boise, and his Grandparents Robert and Velma Good.
    Service pending due to Covid19.
    Angels Above Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

Charles Droegemeier, Sr. Passes Away

 Charles G. Doregemeier, Sr. died Jan. 9, 2021 at the age of 84.  He was born April 2, 1936.  Services are pending at Piper Funeral Home.

Maxine Catron Passes Away

Delia- Maxine C. Catron, 84, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021, at her home in Delia.

She was born to Cleve N. and Josephine M. (Rice) Sumner on May 5, 1936, at Holton.  Maxine grew up in the rural Delia community and attended Nieve Country School.   She attended Haskell High School in Lawrence for one year and moved back to Delia, where she graduated from Delia High School in 1954.  She was a longtime Delia resident.

Maxine worked at Josten’s Yearbook, Goodyear Tire and Rubber cafeteria, PBPN Elders Center, United Methodist Home, and Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino Hotel.  Maxine was a member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. She enjoyed coyote hunting and bowling.  Maxine loved playing with her many grandchildren.  She attended Lady of Snows Catholic Church.

Maxine Sumner and Benny Catron were united in marriage on March 18, 1955, at Lawrence. They were married 29 years, and to this union, eight children were born.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter-in-law, Vicky Catron.

Survivors include her eight children, Keith (Jeanette) Catron, Rodney (Hope Adame) Catron, Mark (Angi) Catron, Brenda (Joe) Kennedy, Darold Catron, Roger Catron, Vern Catron, and Gayle (Donnie) Lambrecht; a brother Lester (Cork) Sumner; three sisters, Delores Porter, Janice Rafols and Helen Sumner; many grandchildren and many many great-grandchildren; and a family friend of many years Roy Hale.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Delia Pride or Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Elder Center.

Iris Mae Fulton Passes Away

Iris Mae (Ashlock) Fulton, 80, Rossville, Ks. passed away Jan. 3, 2021.

Born July 2, 1940 at Athabasca, Alberta, Canada. The daughter of Isaac Ashlock and Ora Mae Keeling Ashlock . Resided in Rossville over40 years. Worked at St. Joseph Hospital and Hobby Lobby. Married to Timothy A. Fulton on June 5 1964. 3 children, Paula Fulton, Topeka. Carla Fulton, Little Elm, Tx. and Robert of Topeka. 2 grandsons, Chris, Irving, Tx. and Andrew of Rossville.

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Preston Pierce Passes Away

Preston Pierce was a very popular History teacher at Rossville High in the late 60s.

Preston Wayne Pierce of Madison, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Newman Regional Health at the age of 79.

Preston was born on December 21, 1940 in Potwin, Kansas the son of Wayne Cameron and Virginia Pauline Gorman Pierce.

Preston is survived by a longtime companion Pauleen Baxter and their beloved dog Ruby; daughters, Kelle Schankie of Emporia, Renee Trimble of Overland Park, and Rhonda Gilman of Emporia; several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Richard Pierce.

Preston spent many years in Education and served at Principal at Madison High School in Madison, Kansas.  He had a passion for antiques and collected them over the years.  Preston served as an antique judge at the Greenwood County Fair.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 11, 2021 at Lena Valley Cemetery in Lamont, Kansas. 

Latest KWCA Rankings

The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association  rankings for Jan 5 are the same as the previous week.  With no tournaments in that time,  there would be no reason to change the rankings.

 138 — 1. Kai Allen, Silver Lake; 2. Layne Hurla, Rossville; 3. Drew Bretz, Hoxie; 4. Jacob Windholz, Russell; 5. Brodie Page, Atchison County; 6. Reece Grafel, Oberlin.

152 — 1. Brent Escareno, Eureka; 2. Aiden Amrein, Hill City; 3. Justus Hulse, Stockton; 4. Jordan Bachman, Hillsboro; 5. Bryce Eck, Uniontown; 6. Sam Twombly, Rossville.

Rossville Band Video

 Although not allowed to meet together for the second half of the Fall semester, the Rossville High School Band students still worked extremely hard on their own to learn and record their individual parts to a song.

Please share and enjoy Night Journey by Chris Bernotas, performed by the Rossville High School Band, December 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDao5VrtEk

Garrett Jones

Rossville Jr/Sr High School

Band & Choir Director

Holden Hurla (18) Passes Away

 

Holden Michael Hurla, 20, of Mayetta, died January 1, 2021.  He was born June 2, 2000 in Topeka, the son of Christopher and Angela (Parnell) Hurla.  He was a graduate of Rossville High School in 2018 and earned his electrical technology certificate from Washburn Institute of Technology in 2019.  He was currently employed at PTMW, Inc. as an electrician.

Holden was known by all those that associated with him as a person with a huge heart, a great sense of humor, and a friend to anyone that he met.  In high school, his quiet demeanor gave way to his strong work ethic that led him to becoming a three-time state wrestling qualifier, a member of three state championship football teams, and a successful long-distance runner on the track team qualifying for state two years.  He was a member of National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, and was a top ten student academically.  He was a talented woodworker with the vision to create intricate and unique designs of his own, and his creativity allowed him to produce a variety of wood and art projects. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He grew up as a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he was a server during mass, participated in youth group activities andwas a current member of the Knights of Columbus.  

He was preceded in death by an Uncle Jamie Hurla. 

Holden is survived by his parents, Christopher and Angela Hurla of Delia; his brothers, Layne and Colby and his sister Kendra, all of the home.  He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Charles Parnell, Topeka, Gladys Parnell, Rossville; his paternal grandparents, Myron and Kathy Hurla, Paxico; 17 Aunts and Uncles, and 65 cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 8, 2021, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.  There will be a visitation at the church on Thursday, January 7, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. until the rosary that will be recited at 7:00 P.M.  Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at Newbury. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Youth Group or to Cody Lambotte Medical Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To read a full obituary or to leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

New Post-Season Wrestling Format

The end of season high school wrestling tournaments have a new format for this Covid-19 plagued season.  The details can be read at:

 https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/01/04/postseason-wrestling-changes-meet-mixed-reviews/4129059001/

Karen Lett Passes Away

Karen (Heim) Lett of St. Marys passed away Dec. 29, 2020.  Her obituary can be read at: 

https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituary/Karen-Lett

Bo Reeves In Shrine Bowl

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A slate of area athletes will compete in the 48th edition of the Kansas Shrine Bowl, scheduled for June 26th in Hutchinson.

Local players on the East team are:  Centralia’s Austin Holthaus, Holton’s Canon Karn, Lyndon’s Miles Kitselman, Hayden’s Desmond Purnell, Rossville’s Bo Reeves, Perry-Lecompton’s Hayden Robb, Sabetha’s Drew Schmelzle, Axtell’s Kolby Talbot and Osage City’s Dane Whalen will all play for the East team.

The high school all-star game benefits the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

You can read more about the upcoming Shrine Bowl and the players at:    https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/01/02/haydens-purnell-chosen-2021-kansas-shrine-bowl/4099526001/