Marion County RECORD

Families are returning vets heroes

The homecoming event for eight veterans sponsored by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars on Saturday at VFW Post 6948 was as much a celebration of military families as the personnel themselves … or at least that is the way Air Force Master Sgt. James Schlehuber looked at it. “The real heroes are the people at home,” he said.

Pastor brings vision to Good News church

Eveleo “Val” Newton, the new pastor of Good News Christian Fellowship in Marion as of January, didn’t have ministry in mind when he was 33 years old. He didn’t have much of anything in mind at all. Newton was born and raised in Miami, Fla., and by the time he was 33, he knew he was in trouble.

PRIDE is downtown goal

Marion PRIDE established committees Monday at its monthly meeting. Improving the aesthetics of Marion’s downtown was a major topic of conversation Monday; Sally Hannaford and Karen Williams will lead that committee. The first project on their list is painting flag poles, which is already in the works. Possible planters for corners, awnings to unify Main Street businesses, and a plan for the empty lot located centrally downtown were also discussed.

Thrift shop items stolen

St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe in Marion is restricting drop-off times for donations in the wake of a recent theft of items from the loading dock behind the shop. “We have always said you can leave it on the dock anytime and someone will take it in,” store manager Rosemary Garrard said. “We’re going to have to limit our hours to donate to just Fridays and Saturdays when we’re here.”

Ethel Bartel

Ethel Bartel, 79, of Hillsboro died Feb. 14, 2012, in Wichita. She was born April 2, 1932 in Hillsboro to Peter A. and Marie (Winter) Duerksen. She was a farm wife and custodian. She married Eldon A. Bartel on May 25, 1951, in Hillsboro. He preceded her in death in 1983.

Stanley R. Farr

Stanley R. Farr, 78, died Feb. 14 at Newton Medical Center. He was born Dec. 3, 1933 in Adams Center, N.Y., to Nathan Earl and Letha (Clark) Farr. On April 6, 1953 he married Jeanetta E. Deines in Chapman.

Jonathon Hojda

Jonathon “Jon” Hojda, 20, of Ramona died Feb. 13, 2012, at Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born July 24, 1991, in Salina. He was self-employed. He lived most of his life in Osborne and attended school through his freshman year at Osborne High School before moving to Wichita.

Roger W. Kohls

Roger Willis Kohls, 68, of rural Chase County died Feb. 13, 2012, in the same home in which he was born. He was born July 29, 1943, in the family home of Alfred and Dorothy Lucas Kohls near Elk. He graduated from Chase County High School in 1961 and served in the Sea Bees division of the U.S. Navy. He was a farmer and a stockman.

Albina Libal

Albina Barbara Libal, 98, died Feb. 19, 2012, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. She was born Feb. 19, 1914, in Pilsen to Anton and Anna Urbanek Libal.

Edna Josephine Mueller

Edna Josephine (Utech) Mueller, age 94, of Tampa died Feb. 18, 2012, after a brief stay at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. She was born Sept. 19, 1917, at Tampa, Kan., the daughter of William and Marie Schlesener Utech. Edna was a homemaker and farmer and lived in the Tampa community all of her life and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

William R. 'Bill' Novak

William R. “Bill” Novak, 82, lifelong resident of Lost Springs, died Feb. 20, 2012, at his home. He was born May 14, 1929, in the same family home to Ralph and Anna Christina (Carson) Novak. He graduated from Lost Springs High School in 1947 and served in the U.S. Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant, first as a B-26 pilot and finally as a flight instructor. He received a degree in biological science from Kansas State University in 1957. He dealt with aircraft parts and sales for many years. He was a member of Hebron Lutheran Church. He served in the Kansas Legislature in the 1970s.

Brenda Lee Pierce

Brenda Lee Pierce, 58, of Kansas City died Feb. 17, 2012, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. She was born Sept. 28, 1953, in Arkansas to Frank and Annie Lucille (Sweet) Pierce. She is survived by her dear friend, the Rev. Phyllis Garrett; her caregiver, Lisa Carroll; a brother, Frank Pierce Jr.; and a half brother, Ernie Hesket.

Elaine L. Stoltenberg

Elaine L. Stoltenberg, 70, of Marion died Feb. 15, 2012, in Sedgwick County. She was born July 4, 1941, in Goessel to Walter and Edna (Yauk) Winter. She married William Stoltenberg on Dec. 31, 1960, in Wichita. She worked as a secretary in a loan company.

Edwin M. Wheeler Sr.

Edwin M. Wheeler Sr., 85, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Longboat Key, Fla., and Washington, D.C., passed away on Feb. 18, 2012, at his home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, Longboat Key. Interment will be in Marion, Kan., at a later date. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rosalie; two sons, Edwin M. Wheeler Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Marion, Kan., and Christopher Wheeler and his wife Helene of Bethesda, Md.; a sister, Suzanne Watt of Naperville, Ill.; grandchildren, John, Jason, and Natalie; step-grandchildren, Zachary and Skylar.

Accidents

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Offenses reported

Peabody police report

County will tear up Pilsen road

Marion County Commission voted to tear up a 10-mile stretch of Remington Road between U.S. 56 and the Durham-Lincolnville Road to replace the crumbling base underneath the road. Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford said the project will be scheduled for late summer or early fall 2012. Part of the plan is to widen the road from 22 feet to 24 feet.

Chamber learns of state resources

Robert Fettke, a regional representative with the business development division of the Kansas Department of Economic Development, gave the Marion Chamber of Commerce a short presentation on economic development at the chamber’s luncheon Friday. Fettke stressed using the state department as a resource — first, as a point of contact, second, to take advantage of state program opportunities, and third, as an educational resource.

City approves resurfacing contract

Resurfacing of Main Street moved one step closer to reality Monday as Marion City Council approved a contract for project design work. Darin Neufeld of Evans, Bierly, Hutchison and Associates presented the contract, which includes engineering design and project oversight for the project that will cover a stretch from Locust Street to a point between First and Walnut streets.

Presidential caucuses coming soon

Rather than having a presidential primary this year, Kansas is having presidential caucuses. Republican Party

Gardener gets ready for spring

There is nothing like the fresh smell of wet soil, onion and potato starts, and green things growing to put Sharon Boese and many other gardening enthusiasts in the mood for spring. Boese, owner of The Garden Center in Hillsboro, got a head start on most gardeners, planting seeds in mid-January at her rural Hillsboro home. Next week she will be transplanting those seedlings into containers at her garden center in town, getting ready for customers and a grand opening during the first week of March.

Ground provides energy

Dirt-cheap? Probably not. But when it comes to saving money with home energy systems, geothermal is an option for those who like dirt, and cheap, to consider. “A geothermal system harnesses free energy stored in the earth to provide heating and cooling,” Merle Flaming, owner of Flaming’s Inc. in Marion, said. “Basically we are heating and cooling homes with dirt.”

Give democracy a chance

In February 2008, while I was still working in Blackfoot, Idaho, I was assigned to cover the local Democratic Party presidential caucus. The field was down to two candidates: then-Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I’d never seen anything quite like it in the political arena. In primaries and general elections, campaigning for one candidate over another is unwelcome. But at the caucus, it wasn’t just welcomed, it was encouraged almost to the level of being the whole point of the caucus.

Bill Novak was nice

I knew Bill Novak in the early 1970s, when I was in junior and senior high school, and he was a new member of the Kansas House of Representatives. What I remember most about Bill is his remarkably warm smile and demeanor. If anyone had asked me back then, I’d have said he was nice. Nice.

Another day in the country

I feel sorry for the poor plants who are my house dwellers this time of year. It seems they are neglected. I forget that they have come inside to live with me for a few months, and that they are real, living things and they need tending. In the spring, quite early in fact, the ivy and the ferns go out on the covered porch and they are happy campers all summer long until November when even their sheltered home is prone to freezing. We are contrary to the heat installers in the house, the plants and I; because it seems that any wall with a sunny window also has a heat duct nearby. It might be good for the circulation in the house, but it’s not good for the plants. They dry out quickly and they need nourishment.

Brookens crunches tax numbers

We’ve been fed numbers from those supporting a “march to zero” on the income tax, suggesting it is essential for Kansas’ economic growth. Here’s a host of facts for you to digest this week that seem to suggest otherwise. You can decide for yourself how Kansas compares with other states in a number of categories. How Kansas compares with the no-income-tax states in economic growth — this shows the change in real per-capita gross domestic product from 1997 to 2009: Kansas, 18.8 percent; Alaska, 5.4; Florida, 13.5; Nevada, 1.6; New Hampshire, 20.5; South Dakota, 47.6; Tennessee, 5.1; Texas, 12.6; Washington, 16.5; and Wyoming, 52.2.

Learning in Retirement begins Friday

The first session of spring semester of Learning in Retirement will be at 9:50 a.m. Friday at Tabor College. Lori Walsh of Wichita will share experiences as a former preacher’s daughter who married a man in Christian ministries. She has led many retreats and programs.

Seuss storytime is March 3

A special storytime session for children ages 3 to 7 will be 10 to 10:45 a.m. March 3 at Marion City Library to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Activities will include stories, games, crafts, and snacks provided by the Happy Hustler’s 4-H Reading Group.

Florence to celebrate 75th anniversary

This will be the 75th anniversary of the Florence annual Labor Day celebration. The labor day committee met Feb. 15 to start planning this year’s agenda. The date for the annual Spring Fling was set for April 28. It is the major fundraiser for the event.

Aging group to learn tai chi

Marion County Department on Aging will offer Tai chi classes beginning March 5. Classes will be 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Marion Senior Center. The classes will focus on the first 12 movements of Tai chi.

Church Women United to gather March 2

Church Women United in Marion will be celebrating “A Prayer for All Seasons,” at 7 p.m. March 2 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Choosing not to use printed World Day of Prayer material they once used, the group will use a worship service written by women in Kansas.

Marion library sponsors e-reader sharing

Marion City Library will present an e-reader sharing time at 6:30 p.m. March 1 for Kindle or Nook owners. Library staff and Amy Rowles will demonstrate the basics of how each device works and will answer questions. It also will be a time for each person to share what they have learned with the others.

Spring storytime begins March 2

Marion City Library’s spring storytime will begin March 2 and continue through April 6. Sessions will be from 2:30 to 3 p.m. for children ages 3 to 5. Activities will include stories, games, crafts, and snacks.

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Marion-Florence FFA tops local contests

Marion-Florence FFA captured first place in insect identification and fourth in poultry Thursday in district competition held at Marion High School. More than 230 FFA members from a dozen high schools competed in entomology, poultry, food science, and agriculture business management.

Centre FFA competes

Centre FFA members traveled to Marion on Thursday to participate in several career development events. In the district poultry contest, the A-team of JayCe Johnson, Tom Oborny, Braden Pagenkopf, and Carrie Carlson placed eighth. Cassidy Hill, Connor Montgomery, Dakota Stimpson, and Mark Vinduska competed in the Greenhand division.

Marion students play in honor band

On Feb. 11, 16 Marion Elementary and Middle School students participated in the Southern Plains Honor Band held at Andover Central High School. There were eight bands and a total of 860 students who participated. Adam Kjellin represented MMS in the eighth-grade band, playing the French horn. Cade Harms played trombone and Phoebe Hett played flute in the seventh-grade band. Several students represented MES in the sixth grade band: Meggan Frese, clarinet, Sarah Hendrix, clarinet, Allison Hett, clarinet, Debra Kimbrel, clarinet, Allie Molleker, percussion, Corin Parmley, percussion, Zane Slater, trombone, Carley Stapleford, trumpet, Logan Waner, baritone.

FCCLA week includes movtivational speaker

Marion High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America joined nearly 200,000 members in celebrating National FCCLA Week, Feb. 12 to 18. This year’s theme was “Raising the Bar.” Marion Mayor Mary Olson signed a proclamation honoring National FCCLA Week at the Feb. 6 Marion City Council meeting.

Vaccine requirements updated by KDHE

There have been minimal changes for vaccination requirements, published by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, for the 2012-13 school year. Each required vaccination increased by one grade level. Vaccination requirements such as Hepatitis B have been phased in over the past few years. The 2012-13 school year will be the first year that all students will be required to have a complete three-does Hepatitis B vaccination series. KDHE has updated the School and Child Care Immunization Information for the 2012-13 school year at www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolinfo.htm. The information provided on the KDHE website is based on the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and the consensus of the Governor’s Child Health Advisory Committee Immunization work group.

Custodial service handles mercury spill

An unusual event occurred Feb. 15 at Centre High School. An employee of IServe, the district’s custodial service, reported finding a broken barometer in the science room. Mercury had spilled out onto the carpet. He made the discovery at 10:09 p.m. Because mercury is a toxin and needs to be handled according to state-prescribed procedures, the employee called Richard Idleman, the director of operations for IServe, and reported the spill.

Free throws key to Marion boys' win

Jacob Harper gave his all Friday to his charity of choice, the Marion High School boys’ basketball team, which rode Harper’s nine fourth-quarter free throws to a 41-36 win over Bennington at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center. It was another hotly contested battle between the teams, one week after Marion’s 62-59 come-from-behind win at Bennington.

Six MHS wrestlers qualify for state

Marion High School wrestlers Brody Carroll and Colten Johnson top the list of six Warriors who qualified Saturday for the state tournament with their regional tournament achievements at Eureka. Carroll, ranked second in the state among Class 3-2-1A 138-pounders, showed why he is deserving of the ranking by pinning his championship opponent in the first round of their finals matchup.

Centre boys end regular season with win

The Centre High School boys’ basketball team finished the regular season on a high note, defeating 2A Chase County on the road Friday, 57-52. The victory followed two winning games the previous week and improved their record to 9-11 heading into sub-state. On his way to scoring a personal best 27 points, Justin Deines answered an opening 3-point shot by the Bulldogs to tie the game at 3.

Marion girls lose to Bennington

The Marion High School girls’ basketball team surged back from a 13-point second-half deficit Friday against Bennington, but fell just shy of completing the comeback, losing 51-48 at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center. Four Lady Warriors scored as Marion opened up a 14-8 first-quarter lead, but Bennington made up for a slow start with 21 points in the second. A 9-2 spurt in the final minute staked the Lady Bulldogs to a 29-24 edge at halftime.

Lady Cougars lose to Chase County

The Centre High School girls’ basketball team ended the regular season Friday with a non-league game against Chase County. They were defeated, 57-40. Their overall record is 10-10 heading into sub-state. The Lady Cougars dug themselves into a 35-9 hole in the first half, as they struggled to get their offense going.

Leppke pursues coaching career

McPherson College football strong safety and former Marion High School quarterback Mitchell Leppke wants to coach college football when his playing days are over. Leppke has used the off-season to initiate contacts with some of college football’s top names, seeking advice that will help him achieve his goal.

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