Carol (Rafferty) (60) Heim Passes Away

 Carol Ann Rafferty Flerlage Heim, age 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka. Born on September 5, 1942, in Rural Dover, Carol was the beloved daughter of Edward Patrick and Nona Smith Rafferty. She grew up in the Rossville community and completed her education at Rossville High School in 1960.

Throughout her career, Carol worked as a secretary and accountant for various companies before retiring. Following retirement, she dedicated her time to volunteering at the gift shop of St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. Above all else, she cherished her role as a mother and grandmother.

Carol was united in marriage to Robert Flerlage on July 23, 1960. He preceded her in death. On August 2, 1991, she married Howard Heim, who also preceded her in death. Carol was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Rafferty, W. Keith Rafferty, and Richard Rafferty; her son-in-law Bill Morford; and her granddaughter Kristin Morford.

She leaves behind a legacy of love survived by her children: Jeanette (Dana) Grauerholz of St. Marys Ks, Kenneth Flerlage of Havensville Ks, Loretta (Steve) VandeVelde of Lawrence Ks, Nancy Morford of St. Marys Ks, Thomas (Muggins) Flerlage of St. Marys Ks, and Douglas (Stacy) Flerlage of Olathe Ks. Her memory will also be cherished by her grandchildren: Brett, Travis, Laura, Alexa, Cody, Darci, Rebeka, Megan, Daniel, Robbie, Dylan, and Derik, as well as eighteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Raymond Rafferty, of Gladstone, MO.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Piper Funeral Home from 9:00 AM until a prayer service at 10:00 AM. Carol's final resting place will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Midland Hospice House and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home at 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Online condolences may be offered at www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Tall Corn Street Dance

 Tall Corn Street Dance 2023

Logan Mize & The Bash!

Rossville, Kansas- Main Street Fri Aug 11 2023 at  07:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Kenneth Moats Passes Away

Kenneth Moats of St. Marys  passed away July 3, 2023.  He was born March 1,  195.

Public visitation at Ken & Mary's home 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7

Rosary and public visitation in the Immaculata at 5:20 p.m. on Friday

Sung Requiem Mass at 9:00 a.m. in the Immaculata on Saturday, July 8, followed by interment in Our Lady of Peace cemetery.

An obituary will be available later at Piper Funeral Home.
 

Betty White Passes Away

Betty White, age 85, formerly of Paola, passed peacefully June 30, 2023 at Rossville Healthcare and Rehab, Rossville, Kansas.

Visitation: 10am-11am, Saturday, July 8, 2023 followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. at Dengel & Son Mortuary-Crematory, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS, 66071. Burial: Hillsdale Cemetery.

To read Betty's complete obituary,  go to:  Betty White's obituary

Arnold Gleason Passes Away

 It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Arnold R. Gleason (Rossville, Kansas), who passed away on June 26, 2023, at the age of 76,. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family at Piper Funeral Home.

He was predeceased by : his parents, Robert Gleason and Evelyn Gleason; and his siblings, Everett and Elizabeth.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 5th 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Valley View Cemetery.

Arnold will be remembered for his contribution to the trucking industry.

Diana (Morford) (70) Dolezilek Passes Away

 Diana L. Dolezilek, a member of the Holton community, passed away on June 26, 2023, at a hospital in Kansas City at the age of 71. 

Born on May 24, 1952, in Onaga to Rey E. and Patricia A. Cassity Morford, Diana was raised in the rural Delia area.  She attended High Prairie Country School and Delia Grade School before graduating from Rossville High School in 1970.  Diana later earned a degree in horticulture from Kaw Area Vo-Tech in Topeka. 

A devoted wife and mother, family was always the most important aspect of Diana's life.  She could often be found cheering on her children at their various activities and took great pride that all three of them graduated from college. She was incredibly creative, and used her many talents to show that devotion to her family. She would transform even the most ordinary materials into keepsakes for them all to treasure, including making memory quilts and other sewing and craft projects.

Diana spent her career first working at Shelter Insurance before dedicating herself to her role as a Para-Professional at Colorado Elementary School in Holton for over twenty years, where she helped nurture kindergarten students before retiring. 

Diana was an active member of Moravan Lodge No. 128, also known as the Bohemian Hall, and dedicated much of her time to baking kolaches to donate and working on projects to improve the grounds. She was also a part of the Rossville Alumni Association Scholarship Foundation where she served as Vice President for many years, as well as being involved with the Holton Jaycee-Jaynes and had served as president. Diana also dedicated her time to the Jackson County 4-H program for many years, especially while her children were involved, always helping them with the many projects they were working on. Diana lived a moral life that inspired others around her through her example and her service.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, David and William.

Diana married Robert Dolezilek in January of 1971 in Rossville.  They lived in Holton since 1975, where Robert survives.

Diana also leaves behind her three children:  Chris (Kathleen Heaney) Dolezilek and Shawn (Julie) Dolezilek, both of Topeka, and Julie Cordero of Kansas City, MO.  Further surviving relatives include a brother, Arthur Morford of Topeka; sisters, Deborah (Richard) Beasterfeld of Maple Hill and Jean Holt of Holton; sister-in-law, Nancy Morford of St. Marys; and a grandson, Gavin Christopher.

Funeral services for Diana will be held on July 1, 2023 at Piper Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M.  Diana will lie in state from 1:00 until service time.  Burial will follow the service at Czech Moravan Cemetery in Rossville. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Moravan Lodge No. 128 or Hope Lodge - an organization run by the American Cancer Society providing lodging and transportation for those receiving treatment for cancer and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home.

Will Rossville Post Office Close?

The Rossville Post Office may be closing according to this Capital article.

https://cjonline-ks.newsmemory.com/?token=8b526f34acfb602043e49edecc2e5eaf_649d95a3_be58&selDate=20230629&msgid=23629iWiCM33F8D4LV6VSM0A4l3MKxUc

Rev. Douglas Phenix Passes Away

Reverend Douglas Phenix, a beloved and respected figure, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2023, in Topeka, Kansas. Born on December 23, 1941, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. He was a guiding light and a pillar of strength for all who knew him.

Douglas was preceded in death by parents William and Mary Phenix, and first wife, Ann. He is survived by his sister Janice (Sam), former wife and longtime companion Gloria, sons David (Gina) and Duncan (Jamie), Grandson Ian (Ashley), and great-grandson Harrison.

Douglas attended school at Glasgow University in Scotland. receiving an Honors degree in chemistry and a Divinity degree. He earned a Masters Degree in Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City with the help of a Fullbright Fellowship. He then became a Church of Scotland minister serving three congregations. In 1980 he immigrated with wife Ann, and sons David and Duncan to the United States. He served several congregations. In St. Peter Minnesota at Union Presbyterian, Fairlplain Presbyterian in Benton Harbor Michigan, and spent the later part of his career as a minister at Potwin Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS and also serving Presbyterian churches in Pratt, Holton, and Rossville/Delia KS.

Throughout his life, Reverend Phenix was dedicated to serving his community and spreading the message of love and compassion. His unwavering commitment to his faith and his congregations touched countless lives, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps. He was active in the Interfaith Ministerial Association, Doorstep, and Mother to Mother.

He had a life-long interest in issues of science and religion and was active in Kansas Citizens for Science. During the conflict over teaching evolution in Kansas public schools. Reverend Phenix testified in front of the Kansas Board of Education, and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) sent a film to Potwin Church crew from the nightly news program "Newswatch" to interview him.

He loved music and was an accomplished pianist and accordion player. He had a beautiful bass voice and was active in the St. Peter Community Choir and the Topeka Festival Singers. He was an Associate Member of the Piano Technicians' Guild.

Despite the challenges he faced with Parkinson's Disease, Reverend Phenix remained steadfast and continued to make a difference in the lives of those around him. His resilience and courage in the face of adversity served as an example to all who knew him.

Reverend Phenix's legacy will live on through the numerous lives he impacted and the memories shared by his friends, family, and loved ones. His passing is a great loss, but his memory will continue to inspire and uplift all who were fortunate enough to know him.

As we remember Reverend Douglas Phenix, let us honor his life and his unwavering dedication to his faith and his community. His spirit will forever be a beacon of light, guiding us toward a brighter and more compassionate world.

A memorial service will be held at Potwin Presbyterian Church, 400 SW Washburn in Topeka on Sunday July 30, 2023 at 1:00PM..

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kansas Citizens for Science or Midland Hospice.

John Ntsch Is 3A Softball Coach Of Year

Sports in Kansas has named Rossville coach John Nitsch as the 3A Softball Coach of the Year: A Bulldawg alum, Nitsch led Rossville to the program’s first state title since 2000. He has coached softball at some level for 25+ years. Rossville took 4th at state in 2022. Finishing 20-4 overall this season, Rossville defeated Columbus, Southeast of Saline, and Santa Fe Trail for the 3A state championship. 

Brinley Dyche Is 3A Pitcher of the Year:

Sports In Kansas has named Brinley Dyche of Rossville as 3A Pitcher Of Year..  Dyche had a huge senior season in leading Rossville to a state championship in 3A. She had five shutouts on the year along with 105 strikeouts with a 11-3 record in what many say is the most competitive top to bottom division of softball in the state. Dyche also played against against one of, if not, the best schedule in 3A. Rossville split with 4A champion Wamego, beat SFT twice this season and knocked out Silver Lake in the regionals. They also had St. Marys and Rock Creek on their schedule in the regular season. Dyche picked up all three wins at the 2023 state tournament.

MEL and Big 7 To Merge

 HOLTON, Kan. (WIBW) - As some teams were set to leave the Big 7 and Mid-East Leagues, they’ve decided to merge.

According to Holton High School, Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year the Big East League will consist of the following high schools: Hiawatha, Holton, Jefferson West, Nemaha Central, Perry-Lecompton, Riley County, Rossville, Royal Valley, Sabetha, Silver Lake, and St. Marys. Middle school membership will include the aforementioned schools as well as Atchison Middle School.

In the Mid-East League, Rock Creek will depart to join the North Central Kansas League and Wabaunsee will depart to join the Flint Hills League at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

As for the Big 7, Riverside is leaving to join the Northeast Kansas League at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

According to the high school, The formation of the Big East League will improve scheduling logistics, increase academic and extracurricular opportunities, and further elevate these historically successful member schools.

Richard Faith Cleans Tombstones

 TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Richard Faith, 18, is a recent graduate of Washburn Tech & Rossville High School.

Faith spent many years in Scouting. For his Eagle Scout project, he chose to clean the marble headstones of fallen military veterans at the Rossville Township Cemetery.

Faith used his own money to purchase a specialized cleaning solution designed for marble surfaces. Several of his fellow Troop 7 members helped with the project.

Faith is also a volunteer firefighter with both Rossville and Delia Fire Departments.

CLASS 3A ALL-STATE SOFTBALL TEAM

 First team Pitcher—Brinley Dyche, sr., Rossville; Grace Major, jr., Columbus; Kaelee Washington, jr., Santa Fe Trail. 

Catcher—Marley Munz, sr., Kingman; Addison Saporito, sr., Columbus. 

Infielder—BrieAnn Brawner, sr., Haven; Mia Brown, sr., Frontenac; Kinsey Perine, jr., Rossville; Mia Sarwinski, sr., Galena; Taylor Zordel, so., Silver Lake. 

Outfielder—Abi Beamon, jr., Frontenac; Sadie Estill, sr., Haven; Blayze McNemar, sr., Galena; Katie Simpson, jr., Columbus. 

Utility—Ava Lay, so., Wichita Trinity Academy. 

Second team Pitcher—Avery Brawner, fr., Haven; Avery Johnson, so., Frontenac; Chloe Odle, sr., Beloit. 

Catcher—Addison Bloodgood, sr., Prairie View; Madison Cross, fr., Wichita Trinity Academy. 

Infielder—Annie Lee, jr., Frontenac; Kaitlin Lopp, jr., Columbus; Brielle Ptacek, jr., Southeast of Saline; Hattie Pyle, sr., Frontenac; Laney Wood, so., Kingman.

Outfielder—Elina Bartlett, sr., Cheney; Kashlin Beck, jr., Hoisington; Kaibryn Kruger, jr., Silver Lake; Peyton McCormick, jr., Cheney. 

Utility—Kalei Hale, jr., Rossville.

Rossville Photos

The below link has dozens of excellent Rossville photos

 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=214195771487160&set=pcb.214195941487143