The family of Fay Hardwick will have a graveside service Saturday at 11 a.m. at West Plains Cemetery in Bourbon County on Highway 7. The cemetery is two miles west on U.S. 54 then two miles north on Highway 7 from Fort Scott. Following the service, the family will provide a community wide dinner in Fay’s honor at 12:30 p.m. at the North Community Building in Iola.
Friends, co-workers, and neighbors are encouraged to attend, reminisce, and share your stories and remembrances of Fay.
Edwin Bideau
Edwin Hale Bideau III passed away on Sept. 5, 2013, in Chanute. He was born in Chanute on Oct. 1, 1950, to Edwin H. Bideau Sr. and Beverly Semon Bideau, the grandson of Edwin H. Bideau and Marie Burris Bideau and Adam and Edna Fairbanks Semon, and the great-grandson of George K. and Jennie Bideau and Frank B. and Elizabeth Burris, all of Chanute. A fifth-generation Kansan, Ed’s family came to the Chanute area as early day pioneers and this family heritage was extremely important to him. He was raised in Chanute and, after graduating from Chanute High School and Neosho County Community College, attended Washburn University in Topeka, where he met his wife Margaret Fritton and received a business degree and then a law degree. He was the vice president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Washburn.
The day after passing the bar exam, Ed and Margaret moved back to Chanute so he could serve as assistant Neosho County attorney and Margaret could start teaching first grade at Alcott School. In 1976 he was elected county attorney for Neosho County, a position he served in for eight years. In 1984, he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. He was the chair of the House Reappointment Committee and also chaired a subcommittee that produced the very first division of assets bill to help protect the elderly. He temporarily left the Legislature after two successful terms to spend more time with his family.
Over the next 25 years he and his brother David continued to build a successful law practice. He also continued to work for the community as a deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, as an assistant scoutmaster, where he graduated four Eagle Scouts in the same year, and served on various boards such as the Eastern Kansas Oil and Gas Association. In 2012, he was again elected to the Kansas House of Representatives and served on several committees, including a return to the Judiciary Committee.
In addition to his public accomplishments, he quietly and privately helped countless people in his community, most notably children, persons with disabilities, and those serving in the military.
In addition to his business career, Ed had many hobbies and interests. There wasn’t a topic in the world he didn’t enjoy talking about. He was most actively engaged in farming and ranching life and thoroughly enjoyed teaching his family to shoot, fish, hunt and farm. His wife, children, or grandchildren almost always accompanied him in the truck on the way to the farm. He also had a deep love of music, including playing the guitar and banjo for the Tioga Township Dixieland Jazz Band, which he and his father co-founded to preserve the heritage of Dixieland jazz which raised thousands of dollars for local charities.
His family was always Ed’s first priority. The most important imprint that he leaves on this earth is reflected in those family members who survive him: his wife Margaret; son Scott Bideau, his wife Shelley and their children Ethan and Chloe; daughter Sarah Cott, her husband Kyle and their children Hannah and Carson; daughter Jennifer Bideau; Aunt Betty Bideau Crawford, and brothers David Bideau and Brian Bideau.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Chanute. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Chanute.
Memorials in his name may be made to the Edwin H. Bideau Scholarship for the Children of Uganda.
Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Carl Cole
Carl Lee Cole, 56, Iola, formerly of LaHarpe, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at his home.
Carl was born Oct. 11, 1956, in LaHarpe, the son of Clarence Lee and LaVina (Quathamer) Cole. He was raised in LaHarpe. He served 20 years with the Kansas National Guard.
On Aug. 13, 1976, Carl married Patricia George. He was a member of Local Union No. 441 in Wichita and worked as a welder and supervisor for plant construction.
His greatest love was his wife, grandkids, fishing, hunting and love of nature.
Survivors are his wife, Patricia Cole; one step-daughter, Jenny Parker, Tulsa, Okla.; three step-grandchildren, Jordan, Justin, and Jenna; four step-great-grandchildren, Carl, Dionna, Anna, and Janie; mother-in-law, Lucille George, Walnut; two sisters-in-law, Linda Kimzey and husband Marvin, Stark, and Sandy Arbuckle and husband Kenny, Carlyle; two brothers-in-law, Leon George and wife Jeanie and Larry George, Savonburg; a number of nieces and nephews; and his caregiver Will Henderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Shawn and Joe Cole.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, where visitation will be prior to the service.
Burial will be at Mount Moriah Cemetery south of Savonburg.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and can be left with the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Annie Dix
Ann Marie “Annie” Dix, 46, Iola, passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at her home.
Annie was born Aug. 3, 1967, in Topeka, the daughter of Robert Dwayne and Joan Marie (Grogan) Dix. She made her home in the Iola area most of her life. She was associated with Tri-Valley for the past several years.
Annie enjoyed shopping and going out to eat.
Survivors are her mother Joan Dix, Iola, her grandmother, Dorothy Dix, LaHarpe, three siblings, Brad Dix and wife, Paula, Neosho Falls, Robert “Bobby” Dix, Jr., Iola and Shelia Dix, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Graveside services were at 3:30 p.m., Friday, at the LaHarpe Cemetery, LaHarpe.
Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Norman and Bonna Lea Luedke
The family of Norman and Bonna Lea Luedke, Atwood, would like to honor them with a card shower for their 65th wedding anniversary. They have five children: Dennis and Bernadette Luedke, Atwood, Dale Luedke, Dodge City, James Luedke, Atwood, James and Lisa Adams, Lakin, and Brian and Judy Luedke, Colby; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to 504 Sherman, Atwood, KS 67730. They were married Sept. 7, 1948.
Merrill and Nora Hodgden
Merrill and Nora Appaline (Susie) Hodgden, Iola, celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sunday.
The couple was married on Sept. 1, 1953, in Jessup, Ga.
They had a formal celebration with friends and relatives on Sunday at the Iola Masonic Lodge, including a card shower.
They have nine children, 16 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Merrill and Nora lived in El Dorado from 1962 to 1982. They have lived in Iola since 1982.
Merrill served in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean Conflict. He worked on missile bases, the El Dorado Fire Department for 20 years, served as the Iola Fire Chief for three years, and as a safety supervisor for 27 years. Susie was a stay-at-home mother and raised a large family.
Lindsay and Dereck Caudell
Lindsay Ann Jacobs, Iola, and Dereck Sheldon Caudell, Colony, were married at 2 p.m. on June 15, 2013, at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola.
Lindsay is the daughter of Monica and Dennis Creitz, Wichita, and Jerome Jacobs, Iola. Dereck is the son of Tammy Caudell and the late Terry Caudell, Colony.
Lindsay’s grandparents are Thomas and Donna Dieker, Westphalia, Lucille Jacobs, Yates Center, and the late Harold Jacobs, and Dan and Jeanne Creitz, Iola.
Dereck is the grandson of Tom and Barbara Welsh, Garnett, Sheldon and Ruth Caudell, Colony, and the late Bettie Caudell.
Father John Miller, Iola, and Father James Dieker, Liberal, were officiates of the service.
The maid of honor was Morgan Dieker, Lawrence. Bridesmaids were Kelcey Caudell, Lenexa, Ceri Loflin, Iola, Cara Morrell, Dallas, Jordan Haidock, Overland Park. The flower girl was Kylie Caudell, Iola.
The best man was KC Bryant, Olpe. Groomsmen were Jeremy Ellington, Iola, Justin Barker, Kincaid, Ryan Rues, Emporia, and Brent Rues, Melrose, Ill. The ring bearer was Gunner Ellington, Iola.
Lindsay is employed at Chanute Elementary by ANW Cooperative as a fourth-grade interrelated teacher. Dereck is employed by Hawkin’s Water Treatment Group, Garnett, as a technical and sales representative.
The couple spent their honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They reside in Iola.
On the trail to yesteryear
Starting in the 1830s and continuing until after the Civil War, about 300,000 emigrants slogged along a well-beaten trail from Missouri to the fertile valleys of Oregon.
A week ago Beverly and I followed a portion of the Oregon Trail, from Independence, Mo., to Scottsbluff, Neb. — in the comfort of an air-conditioned automobile.
While we didn’t experience the discomfort of those early pioneers — we spent nights in motels that served a hot breakfast each morning — we did venture onto dirt roads several times to see features of the trail, and did our own slogging along deep-rutted wagon tracks at several sites.
Our journey started with a look at swales created by hundreds of covered wagons, one after another creeping up a hillside at the Independence jumping-off point, and continued through northeast Kansas, including a stop at Alcove Spring, near Blue Rapids, where the emigrants found fresh water.
In Nebraska, the trail wove its way along and over the Platte River, before we came to the most visually exciting aspects of the trail, the monument rocks in the western reaches of the state.
Jailhouse, Courthouse and Chimney rocks were amazing and easily recognizable as guiding landmarks, but it was the sandstone bluffs near Scottsbluff that we found most interesting. They are quite a sight early in the day, which we soaked up one morning.
Along the trail, which covers 2,000 miles by the time it arrives in Oregon, are numerous historical markers — those pull-off stops with large signs that tell what happened there in the taming and occupying of the West.
Our trip was a priceless lesson in early American history.
The trail was blazed by fur trappers and traders not long after the United States became a nation, and also was followed by Mormons, people bound for California — particularly after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1849 — and the Pony Express, during its 18-month existence before the telegraph took over relaying news from east to west.
Hollywood has glamorized western expansion, which in fact deviates far from “the way it was.” Those who left Missouri in covered wagons suffered heat and cold, had to deal with all sorts of mechanical problems and a multitude of setbacks arising from hostile terrain. About 75,000 of those who wanted to homestead in Oregon died along the way.
At the very least the journey was an ordeal, a fact that left us with a far greater appreciation of what it took to settle the West.
— Bob Johnson
Lady Titans earn volleyball splits
EUREKA — Southern Coffey County High’s volleyball team split its first two matches of the season Thursday.
The Lady Titans come back in dramatic fashion to defeat the host Tornadoes in three sets, 12-25, 34-32, 25-17, before falling to Olpe, 25-18, 25-11, in the triangular meet.
“Our serving was a plus for us, especially for the first games of the season,” head coach Jeff True said, noting SCC shot a sterling 91 percent (85 for 93) on the day.
Breanna Isch racked up 11 kills with three blocks. Shenae Newkirk and Amanda Sherwood each recorded nine assists. Connie Lyda and Amber Emmons added five and four digs, respectively.
“I was pleased with our play for our first night, but we have a lot of work to do, especially with our passing,” True said. “The girls showed a lot of heart and composure against Eureka.”
Southern Coffey County travels to St. Paul Tuesday in a quadrangular meet, with Pleasanton and Crest also involved.
Wildcat junior high squads compete
ST. PAUL — Marmaton Valley Junior High’s football and volleyball teams were triumphant in their respective season openers Thursday.
The Wildcats’ Justin Pugh scored a second-half touchdown and extra point to break a 6-6 deadlock in the football team’s 14-6 win over St. Paul.
Trevor Wilson scored Marmaton Valley’s touchdown in the first half.
The Wildcats’ defense was key, said head coach Dan Uhlrich, although the offense still has much to work on, particularly with its ball-handling.
“It was a hard-fought game,” he said.
On the volleyball court, Marmaton Valley’s A team won 25-10, 25-15, thanks to the brilliant serving of Trinitee Gutierrez, who nearly outscored the Indians by herself. Gutierrez served up 22 points for the Wildcats, followed by Megan Ensminger with eight points, Shalay Brooks with four, Paige Becker with two and MaKayla Brooks with one.
“The other girls would have had more, but Trinitee did such a great job that they never had a chance,” head coach Brenda Mills said. “Megan really did a nice job of setting up the Brooks sisters to knock home several winners.”
Marmaton Valley’s B team emerged on top, 25-6, 25-21.
Shailee Woods led the way with 10 points, followed by Emily Smart with eight and Shelby Yoho with seven.
The Wildcat squads are at Pleasanton Thursday.