Rossville KS Alumni News

This blog is for posting all news of Rossville residents and Rossville High alumni. Bookmark this page and send any appropriate news (births, deaths, engagements, marriages, anniversaries, job changes, honors, etc.) items to: Frank.Ruff@juno.com . Feel free to add comments to any of the articles. Check this site often because I sometimes delete items. There are SEARCH (top left of page) and LINK (bottom of page) features. For photos, see link at bottom.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Joseph Dedonder Passes Away

Joseph Achille DeDonder, 77, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, in Topeka.

Joe was born November 2, 1946, in Wamego, the son of Philip V. and Louise C. (Zeller) DeDonder. He was raised in the Sandy Hook Community and graduated from St. Marys High School. Joe served in the Kansas National Guard.

As a young man, Joe was part of the Sandy Hook 4-H club and as a father, he was involved in the Jayhawks 4-H club with his children. Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, bee keeping, camping, hunting, watching KSU and Chiefs football, and attending the many events of his grandchildren.

Joe was a farmer and stockman. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Joe was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 657 and a 4th Degree Member of Thomas A. McNeive Assembly No. 289.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Christopher, Robert, and Francis and a sister-in-law, Marsha DeDonder.

On August 5, 1967, Joe and Bonnie Schwindt were married at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Topeka. She survives at their home.

Other survivors include two sons, Michael (Missy) DeDonder, Kansas City, MO, and John DeDonder, Lenexa; three daughters, Christi (Bobby) Martin, Seneca, Sheryl Clark, DeSoto, and Deborah (Mark) Bylkas, Manhattan; brothers, Richard (Cathie) DeDonder, St. Geroge, William (Donna) DeDonder, Greg DeDonder and Tim DeDonder, all of St. Marys and Andrew (Susie) DeDonder, Wetmore; sisters, Karen (James) Mulligan, St. Marys, Mary Ann (Don) Davis, Silver Lake, and Peggy (Malcom) Smith, St. Marys; a sister-in-law, Becky DeDonder, St. Marys; 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren with four on the way.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Joe will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. followed by the rosary on Friday, November 24, 2023, the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, or the St. Marys Food Pantry and sent in care of the funeral home.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

WIBW Photo And Article: Rossville Cheer Champs

WIBW has an article and photo of Rossville at the State Cheer Champs which was held at the Stormont-vail events center, on Nov. 1, 2023.

https://www.wibw.com/2023/11/18/kshsaa-cheer-competition-held-stormont-vail-events-center/

Kansas 2321A State Cheer Team Champions

Saturday, November 18, 2023

2023 Game Day Dance State Champs

Nancy Perry Passes Away

Nancy Jolene (Smith) Perry, 79, of Rossville, KS passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Midland Hospice in Topeka, KS. She was born April 14, 1944 in Horton, KS the daughter of Ralph P. and Mary Josephine (Brun) Smith. Nancy grew up in the Muscotah, KS area before moving to Arizona where her father was in the military.

Nancy graduated from Rincon High School in Tucson, AZ in 1962. After high school, Nancy worked most of her life at Payless ShoesSource in Topeka, KS working her way up to the Director of Operations. She retired in 2008 after 44 years of service.

On July 30, 1989, Nancy was united in marriage to Gerald Perry in Miami, OK. They shared over 34 years of marriage.

Survivors include her husband, Gerald of the home; daughter, Karrie Iles Brewer (Quentin) of Bonner Springs, KS; son Terry A. Iles (Susan) of Topeka, KS; 1 sister Michelle Minor (Steve) of Bonner Springs, KS; 1 brother, Thomas Paul Smith of Topeka, KS, and 5 grandchildren, Adam Carver, Elizabeth Cornett, Matt Iles, Nathan Iles and Sarah Iles; 3 great grandchildren, Lincoln James Carver, Eleanor June Cornett, and Noah Houston Carver.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers, Ralph Charles Smith, Dwight W. Smith, William Joseph Smith, and 1 sister Jennifer Marie Wortham.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 25, 2023 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS. The burial will follow to the Muscotah Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville American Legion Post 31 c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuenralhomes.com

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Game Day Dance At State Nov. 17, 2023

Game Day Cheer At State Nov 18

Megan Richey (05) Passes Away

Megan Sue Richey, 35, of Topeka, passed away on January 17, 2022

She was born on October 19, 1986 to Harold and Pamela (Hoffman) Richey in Topeka, KS.

Megan graduated from Rossville High School in 2005, then attended Allen County Community College.

She traveled with her family to Branson, Missouri for fishing trips. She enjoyed spending time outside and fishing with her father. Those will always be special memories they shared together. Megan liked to attend both rock and country concerts with her friends and her mother. She spent a lot of time with her friends going to dinner, movies, and the Wild Horse Saloon. Her love for animals was large. She had many animals growing up but grew fond of her dog Princess. That was her baby.

Megan will be greatly missed by all of her family and her friends.

Megan is survived by her mother, Pamela Richey; brother, Richard (Julie) John Deiter, III; half sister, Tammy and half brother, Harold; a host of extended family; significant other, Leon Turner; and her fur baby, Princess.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Richey, Jr.; and her grandparents.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Parker-Price Funeral Home.

Graveside Service will take place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Parker Price Funeral Home.