Thomas E. “Tom” Cellers, Sr., 94, Iola, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Iola following a brief illness.
Tom was born April 23, 1923, in Lebo, to Everett and Nola (Doherty) Cellers.
He married Ethel Castle on Nov. 14, 1942, in Burlington. They made their home in Burlington for several years before moving to Iola in 1954. Together they had three children.
He worked as a young man for the Civil Conservation Corps and the Soil Conservation Service. He worked at the ordnance plant in Lawrence, until being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from July 1943 to December 1945 in the Pacific campaign during World War II. He then joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he retired after 35 years of service with the 891st Engineer Battalion.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, working on his Jeep, and taking care of his dogs. He could fix anything that broke, and was very active his entire life. He was a member of the Iola American Legion and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, and a hard working, generous man. He will be terribly missed by many loving family members and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of the home; two children, Sharyl Zajic, Iola, and Tom Cellers Jr. and wife Diane, Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Nicole Hines and husband Shawn, Gas, Scott Cellers and wife Tonya, Hot Springs, Jackson Cellers and wife Shelby, Fayetteville, Ark., Gretchen Cellers, Hot Springs, and Stephanie Cellers, Little Rock, Ark.; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his son, Randy Cellers, his parents and his siblings, Virginia Robe, Glen Cellers, Ronald Cellers and Betty Carney.
A graveside service is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Graceland Cemetery near Burlington. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. Contributions in his memory are suggested to be made through www.gotyour6.org or www.teamrwb.org for veterans, or to Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Notes for his family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Vic Finkenbinder
Oral Victor “Vic” Finkenbinder, 70, Spring Hill, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at his home. Vic was born Dec. 28, 1946, to Bryce and Virginia Giffin Finkenbinder in Gas. He married Vicki Riebe on Sept. 28, 1968.
Victor graduated from Iola High School and Allen County Community College. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Pittsburg State University. Vic taught music for 13½ years in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He worked for the City of Mound City, computerizing the billing system prior to taking over as city clerk. After moving to Overland Park, Victor worked for Equifax, Sears and spent 15 years at Farmers Insurance mostly as a dispatcher. He retired Dec. 31, 2016.
He and Vicki were enjoying their home in Spring Hill. Victor was a member of the Mound City Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star Olive Chapter, Leawood United Methodist Church and active in state Rainbow activities. His highest honor was being named State Rainbow Dad and gaining 400 “daughters.”
Vic was preceded in death by his parents and a niece. He is survived by his wife, Vicki of the home; son, Vernon; grandchildren, Emily and Von; brother Gary and wife Jenny; sister, Mary; and niece Julie and husband Randy and two great-nieces.
Visitation is 1-2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. A Rainbow Service will be conducted at 2 o’clock followed by a Masonic Service. The family suggests contributions to Mound City Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.
Tom Cellers
Thomas E. “Tom” Cellers, Sr., 94, Iola, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Iola following a brief illness.
Tom was born April 23, 1923, in Lebo, to Everett and Nola (Doherty) Cellers.
He married Ethel Castle on Nov. 14, 1942, in Burlington. They made their home in Burlington for several years before moving to Iola in 1954. Together they had three children.
He worked as a young man for the Civil Conservation Corps and the Soil Conservation Service. He worked at the ordnance plant in Lawrence, until being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from July 1943 to December 1945 in the Pacific campaign during World War II. He then joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he retired after 35 years of service with the 891st Engineer Battalion.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, working on his Jeep, and taking care of his dogs. He could fix anything that broke, and was very active his entire life. He was a member of the Iola American Legion and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, and a hard working, generous man. He will be terribly missed by many loving family members and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of the home; two children, Sharyl Zajic, Iola, and Tom Cellers Jr. and wife Diane, Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Nicole Hines and husband Shawn, Gas, Scott Cellers and wife Tonya, Hot Springs, Jackson Cellers and wife Shelby, Fayetteville, Ark., Gretchen Cellers, Hot Springs, and Stephanie Cellers, Little Rock, Ark.; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his son, Randy Cellers, his parents and his siblings, Virginia Robe, Glen Cellers, Ronald Cellers and Betty Carney.
A graveside service is at 10 a.m. today at Graceland Cemetery near Burlington. Contributions in his memory are suggested to be made through www.gotyour6.org or www.teamrwb.org for veterans, or to Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Notes for his family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Melodic delight
A packed house filled the Bowlus Fine Arts Center for McKinley Elementary School’s winter program. At top, a gaggle of kindergartners create antlers with their hands as they belt out a holiday song. At lower left, kindergartner Blaine DeGrado shields his eyes as he looks through the crowd for a loved one. At lower right, the chorus reaches a mighty crescendo. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
A somber tribute
Patriots stretching from Kansas City, Mo., to Independence greeted Patriot Guard riders escorting the remains of World War II veteran and Independence native Sam Kourkos on Friday. Kourkos, a Marine Corps reservist, died Nov. 21, 1943, while battling the Japanese on the small island of Betio in the South Pacific as part of the Battle of Tarawa. More than 1,000 Marines and sailors died in the battle. Kourkos wasn’t identified until the U.S. Army exhumed the remains of several unknown soldiers in October 2016 from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Through advanced forensic science, Kourkos was positively identified. Above, the caravan stopped briefly at Iola’s Jump Start Travel Center. Below, several riders signed a flag in honor of Kourkos, whose funeral service is today in Independence. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
Reindeer games
Several youngsters of all ages participated this week in the second annual Reindeer Games Coding Seminar, sponsored by the ANW Special Education Cooperative. The activity was opened to gifted students throughout the cooperative, including Iola, Humboldt, Crest, Chanute and Erie school districts. Above at left, Crest students, from left, Max Black, Kimora Coleman and Janessa Buie team up on a coding exercise. At top right, Humboldt students Kendall Works, left, and Ricklyn Hillmon search for an answer. The activities were part of Computer Science Education Week, and were geared to introduce students to foundational 21st century skills, noted Lisa Wicoff, ANW gifted facilitator. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Puppet show on Saturday’s menu
Come meet Quackers, a jolly old duck, Saturday afternoon, part of Iola’s ongoing downtown holiday celebration.
Quackers is one of the puppets featured by Cindy Lucas and Jessica Qualls of Around The Corner Coffee Shop, 110 S. Jefferson.
Lucas, a long-time puppeteer, will have Quackers perform a number of Christmas-related stories, songs and other activities for a Story Time Puppet Show from 1 to 3 p.m.
The activities will take place at the same time Santa’s House is open on the southeast corner of the square.
Qualls said her mother, who led puppet shows for years at their church in Wichita, has several Christmas-themed stories at the ready, including a special one featuring Santa’s visit to Kansas. Several state landmarks and communities, including Iola, will be mentioned.
Cookies and candy canes and other treats will be served as well.
The puppet show and story time is one of several activities organized by a group of downtown merchants this year.
Future activities include the 20th annual Jingle Bell Jog and a Merry Miss and Mr. Christmas Pageant on Dec. 16 and the grand opening of Santa’s Toy Shop, following a Christmas parade the evening of Dec. 21.
In addition, Santa will hear from youngsters at his temporary quarters on the square tonight and Dec. 14 from 5 to 7, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and again Dec. 16 and 23.
PHOTO: Quackers, a puppet, is one of the featured characters as part of Saturday’s Puppet Show Story Time at Around the Corner Coffee Shop in downtown Iola, from 1 to 3 p.m. COURTESY PHOTO
Jingle Bell Jog returns
Another local holiday tradition — the 20th annual Jingle Bell Jog — returns to Iola Dec. 16.
The 5K run and 3K walk is sponsored by the Iola High School track and field team.
A plethora of activities is planned, starting at 10 a.m. on the courthouse square with several kids events. A costume contest, followed by a “catch the cookie” race will lead up the 10:30 a.m. run/walk.
Participants are encouraged to tie jingle bells to their shoelaces.
The course will start at the north side of the square and make its way to the Prairie Spirit Trail before returning to downtown Iola.
Registration can be done at the IHS front office, or online at www.eventbrite.com (just search for events in Iola.)
Proceeds go to support the IHS track and field team. The Iola thinclads were involved in the inaugural Jingle Bell Jog under the direction of long-time track and cross country coach Marv Smith.
Responsibility soon went to other groups, including Thrive Allen County, before the high-schoolers resumed the reins a few years back.
Ella May Norman
Ella May Norman, 91, Moran, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at her home.
She was born Dec. 1, 1926, to John Orval and Ellen Gertrude (Graham) Whitson on the family farm near Farlinville, a small town north of Mound City. She attended a country grade school where she completed the eighth grade. Her family then moved to Mound City, where she attended high school, graduating in 1944.
After graduation, she moved to Fort Scott and worked for the Key overall factory. While there she met Marvin Norman. They married June 29, 1946. They lived on a farm near Bronson for two years before buying a farm near Moran, where they raised their family of eight children. They moved into Moran in 1968, where she lived the rest of her life. Marvin preceded her in death in 2001.
She babysat her grandchildren and others. She loved to spend time with family and friends, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, flowers, and her dog, Baby Girl.
Ella May is survived by her eight children, Susie Jackman, Iola, Tommie Norman and wife Peg, Moran, Melvin “Butch” Norman and wife Melva Jo, Bronson, Lutretia “Pat” Dudley and husband Richard, Moran, Connie Jackman and husband Henry, Moran, Beverly Covey, Elsmore, Alice Adams, Moran, and Carol Ericson and husband David, Richmond; 23 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Orie Ellen Whitson, Mound City; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and Connie Houk, who was considered another daughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, her parents, brother, Wesley Whitson, grandchildren, Greg Jackman, Betty Darling and Christopher Norman, great-grandchildren, Colton Jones and Dustin and Denton Booth, daughter-in-law, Linda Norman, and sons-in-law, Billy Johnson and Gary Covey.
The service is at 2 p.m. Saturday at Midpoint Baptist Church in Moran. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Moran. Burial will take place in Moran Cemetery following the service. Contributions in her memory are suggested to the Moran American Legion Auxiliary. Notes for the family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
The ‘Silence Breakers’ are getting their say
Those behind the “MeToo” movement were named Time Magazine’s collective Person of the Year on Wednesday.
Called “The Silence Breakers,” the women and men have come forth with their personal tales of sexual harassment and abuse predominately against headliners such as broadcasters Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, and several members of Congress.
President Donald Trump deserves backhanded credit to the resurgence of this long-simmering movement. Trump is on tape boasting of treating women in vulgar ways. During his campaign, more than a dozen accused him of sexual misconduct. That he won anyway stirred the pot for some who have long laid low, some from fear of reprisal, others in an effort to forget the unforgettable.
Begun more than a decade ago by Tarana Burke, a black woman who wanted particularly women of color to seek counsel, the MeToo movement broke open with the Weinstein scandal. To date, more than 3 million around the world have tweeted comments with the #MeToo hashtag.
In relatively quick succession other big shots have been called out and given the boot. What have proved the most intractable are elected officials who not only have used public funds to privately settle harassment claims but have been given soft-glove treatment by their colleagues.
It pains Senate Democrats to call someone as popular as Al Franken or as esteemed as 88-year-old John Conyers on the rug for past “indiscretions,”
It’s an embarrassment for members of the House that Texas Rep. Blake Farentholt used $84,000 in taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment case. In fact in the past five years, more than $305,000 of taxpayer funds have been used to settle claims made against six members of the House of Representatives, according to its Office of Compliance.
As recently as 2011, Roy Moore, the Senate candidate from Alabama, co-authored a course for Vision Forum’s Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy that contended women should not be allowed to serve in public office. Their place is in the home, barefoot and pregnant. Moore has remained in the Dec. 12 special election race despite the fact that eight women have accused him of sexually violating them when they were young girls.
President Trump has cast his lot with the Neanderthal, as has the Republican National Committee.
Most see a victory for Moore as a slap in the face to those trying to move the needle on the societal disparities that turn a blind eye to sexual harassment and abuse.
But Moore may win simply because his name is a household word. In politics, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. There’s also a strong resentment to what some perceive as outside influence and they would vote for Moore as a demonstration of (misplaced) protest.
A FEAR of the MeToo movement is that the recent upsurge will be short-lived. It’s one thing to call out the perpetrators; but another to get the needed help and support for their victims.
We are on but the tip of the iceberg. True progress will require societal change.
If you feel helpless against such odds, take heart. You can take action by supporting the work of Hope Unlimited, Iola’s shelter for sexually and mentally abused women and children.
— Susan Lynn