Dale R. Hawk, 81, was born July 6, 1931, at Hennessey, Okla. to Nina (Witt) and Orville Hawk. He died at Windsor Place, Iola, on Tuesday, Feb.12, 2013.
He and his family moved to a farm east of Carlyle in 1939. He attended a country school, then went on to graduate from Iola High School in 1949.
After attending Iola Junior College for one year, he joined the Navy in 1950 and served until 1954. While in the Navy he served on a destroyer escort, which was sent to Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Hawaii. While off the coast of Korea, his ship sailed through unswept minefields and fired at the mines to blow them up. At that time, Dale served as a gunner. He later served as a radioman. He enjoyed his time in the service of his country, but was glad to go home and go back to school.
Dale finished Iola Junior College and transferred to Kansas State College in Manhattan, graduating with a degree in agricultural engineering in 1959.
On May 24, 1953, Dale was married to Pauline Baugher, also of Iola. After suffering a debilitating illness at age 29, Dale returned to school to get his credit hours to teach math. He taught at Chanute Royster Junior High for two years. He then spent a year working at Cessna Aircraft in research and development before returning to teaching at Iola Junior High. He taught there for 24 years before his retirement in 1991.
Dale is survived by his wife Pauline of the home; daughters Sandy Frizell, Emporia, Diana Wilhite and husband Bob, Emporia, and Donna Regehr and husband Larry, Iola. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Keil Regehr, PhD, and wife Stacy of Madison, Wis., Jolie Chance, D.O., and husband Terry, D.O., Oak Grove, Mo., Logan Frank, M.D., and wife Jasmine El Khatib, D.O., Columbia, Mo., Ryan Regehr, Manhattan, Garett Frank, M.D., Denver, Colo., and Nick Frizell, Emporia. He had two step-grandchildren, Brian Wilhite and Brandy McGuire, Emporia; five great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren. His two brothers and their wives, Gary and Beverly Hawk and Bob and Ginny Hawk, Iola, also survive, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Paul Martin. Dale was a great inspiration to his children, grandchildren and many whose lives he touched.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church, Iola. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, Iola. Burial will be at Iola’s Highland Cemetery.
Memorial choices are First Christian Church or Allen County Hospice and may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel, Iola. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Basketball players arrested for theft
Five members of the Allen Community College basketball team were arrested and charged Wednesday for alleged thefts at Iola Walmart.
The players were taken into custody following Wednesday’s loss to Neosho County Community College.
Cited for theft were Miracle Davis, 20, Ronesha Hall, 18, DaNara Day, 20, and Leslie Ware, 20, all of Tulsa, and Kylie Molisee, 19, Peck.
Bob Droessler, spokesman for the Iola Police Department, was unable to give specifics about the alleged shoplifting incident because the reports have not been completed.
Attempts to reach Allen women’s basketball coach Mark James after the game and again this morning were unsuccessful.
Jessica Peters, ACC athletic director, declined comment Wednesday evening, because the case was ongoing.
Shots fired
A series of shots many Iolans heard late Wednesday night prompted calls to the 911 dispatch center.
“As it turned out, two boys were shooting down by Riverside Park, out in the county” Sheriff Bryan Murphy told the Register this morning. He did not know their motivation.
No arrests were made.
Iola should take advantage of KDOT roadwork
Bargains are hard to come by these days.
But Iola has the unique opportunity to receive a complete new road at its eastern edge courtesy of the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The opportunity comes by piggy-backing on a 5.4- mile overhaul of U.S. 54 from Iola’s eastern edge on east to LaHarpe. Per request of Iola City Council, KDOT engineers agreed to add 800 feet of the badly deteriorated road to the project. The 800 feet signals the original city limits of Iola back when the highway was first constructed in 1968.
The highway has lived past its expected 30-year lifetime. Now engineers plan to take the road all the way down to its base, removing nine inches of concrete. It’s an estimated $10 million project, according to Jerod Kelley, a construction engineer with KDOT. If coupled with the bigger project, Iola’s portion should cost about $75,000 of the $300,000 price tag, under the agreement that communities bear 25 percent of construction costs.
That money is readily available, said Corey Schinstock, assistant city administrator. Iola receives about $26,000 every six months for road construction projects from the federal government, Schinstock said.
OPPONENTS to the road redo contend the work will negatively affect the activity of their businesses.
No doubt. Orange barrels are a turnoff.
But so is a crappy road.
And a superficial overlay won’t address the problem, which is what was tried in 2008, and has fallen far short of its 10-year expected durability.
In a conversation with KDOT engineers, the root of the problem is the five inches of roadway that is deteriorating below the “white-capped” surface of a mill overlay.
Entire 12- by 15-foot panels are coming loose and heaving up through the roadway. A “full-depth dig-out” is the only way to remedy the road once and for — the next 30 years.
KDOT doesn’t much care if Iola is included in the project. For them, it’s a fraction of the project.
Iola, on the other hand, will see a savings on engineering costs, inspection service fees and traffic control expenses — not to mention materials, which can be purchased at a much cheaper rate in bulk if coupled with the bigger project.
IN WEIGHING the pros and cons of the construction project, the betterment of the greater good should be the deciding factor.
— Susan Lynn
Gene Ann Trant
Gene Ann Trant passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Feb. 6, 2013.
Gene Ann was born in Ponca City, Okla., Jan. 7, 1951, where she grew up and attended schools. She met her husband, Rick, as both began attending Oklahoma State University where they graduated in 1972 with Gene Ann receiving a degree in elementary education. Gene Ann and Rick then made a series of moves following his government career. They lived in Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Fort Collins, Colo., from 1985 through 2000, and Iola.
They returned to Colorado in 2003 when Gene Ann accepted a position as director of the Wellington Public Library. While in Kansas she earned her master’s in library science from Emporia State University. They settled in Windsor upon their return to Colorado. Gene Ann held several librarian positions before working in Wellington. She was there until illness forced her retirement. She loved her job in Wellington, her loyal employees and volunteers, and befriended many Wellington citizens including town employees and library patrons. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her husband Rick; daughters Erin Niswender and Alison Tompkins (Brandon); grandchildren Austin and Jarrin Niswender and Ethan and Camryn Tompkins and brothers Jeff Livingston (Starr) and Gary Livingston. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Patsy Livingston.
Gene Ann was a devoted wife, mother, and “MiMa.” Her joy came from spending time with her children and beloved grandchildren. She loved libraries, reading and traveling. She and Rick always sought out libraries wherever they traveled and her favorite country was Switzerland.
We would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Roger Bermingham, RN Sarah, CNA Stacy, Pathways Hospice, and the wonderful nursing staff at Columbine Centre Avenue Health and Rehabilitation who took such kind, tender care of Gene Ann.
Though never a smoker, Gene Ann was diagnosed with a non-smoking form of lung cancer. While being one of the deadliest forms of cancer, it is also under-researched, under-funded, and under-supported.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lung Cancer Alliance (lungcanceralliance.org) or the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (lungcancerfoundation.org).
Family and friends will privately celebrate Gene Ann’s life at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.marksfuneralservice.com.
KOMA report released
According to a report from County Attorney Wade Bowie, the Iola city council did not knowingly violate any section of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.
After several complaints were filed between December 2011 and March 2012, formal investigations were held to determine whether public decisions were being made behind closed doors.
City Attorney Bob Johnson said the report was very in-depth, and looked into every aspect of the KOMA findings.
“The report is as thorough as I’ve ever seen,” Johnson said.
He said the 27-page report stated that no technical violations were made, which he explained as no conscious intent for violations.
“It was an honest mistake, no one meant to violate the law,” he said.
Bowie recommended through his report that council members meet with Attorney General Derek Schmidt to review the KOMA regulations and all that it entails.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh said he will be in contact with the attorney general to set up a formal meeting.
In other business:
— Council members passed a motion to approve Hawk Business Specialties and Klein Lumber for construction of new entryway signs into the city of Iola.
— Shelia Lampe, the executive director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, and assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock were appointed by the council to represent the city on the economic development committee.
— Council members voted to renew the city’s contract with Southwind Energy for energy management with Westar, Inc.
Engineering will begin for the Missouri-Pacific trail in the city of Iola, under a motion of approval from the city council.
INJURY ACCIDENT
Four people in this sports utility vehicle were injured late Tuesday morning when it collided with a car, in the background, driven by Joyce Lemon, 67, Manhattan. The SUV was driven by Andrew Neal, 27, Crocker, Mo. His wife, Star Neal, 27, was transported from the scene by helicopter to Freeman Hospital, Joplin, with what were thought to be non-life-threatening injuries. Andrew Neal was not injured. Lemon and the Neals’ three young children, Tyler, Christopher and Ryan, were treated at Allen County Hospital. According to Undersheriff Jerry Daniels, Lemon, northbound on U.S. 59, failed to yield at its intersection with U.S. 54 at the north edge of Moran and then collided with Neal’s westbound vehicle.
Crest teams fall
COLONY — Cold shooting and defensive breakdowns proved costly for Crest High’s boys Tuesday as visiting Lebo High left town with a 45-29 victory.
“Honestly, this one has me at a loss for words,” Lancer coach Travis Hermreck said this morning. “But, the sun came up today, and there is a lot of basketball yet to be played.”
Kyle Hammond led Crest with 12 points, followed by Jordan Morton with eight.
Meanwhile,, Lebo downed a short-handed Lady Lancer squad, 51-16.
“We played great defense against a very good team,” Lady Lancer coach Ben Vaughn said. “However, we wore down and had a couple foul out, which really hurt us.”
Madison Covey and Kurston Gilliland each scored four to lead Crest. Brooklynn LaCross and Madison Kellar scored three each.
Crest boys (8-8-5-8—29)
Lebo boys (10-13-11-11—45)
Crest: Frazell 0-0-2-0, Boone 2-1-5-5, Stephens 0-0-1-0, Morton 0/2-2-2-8, Hammond 4/1-1-4-12, Ellis 2-0-3-4. TOTALS: 8/3-4-18-29.
Lebo: Milota 2-0-1-4, Robke 4-6-2-14, G. Holmes 2-1-3-5, Gould 2/1-6-1-13,Davies 0/1-0-3-3, Miller 1-0-1-2, Walford 1-2-2-4. TOTALS: 12/2-15-13-45.
YC boys lose, 63-44
NEODESHA — Host Neodesha High’s strong finish to the first and second halves was enough to down Yates Center High’s boys Tuesday.
The Bluestreaks outscored Yates Center 23-14 to end the first half, then 20-9 to end the game.
The discrepancy led to a 63-44 win for Neodesha.
Cameron Brown scored 12 points to pace Yates Center.
Justice Baird scored 23 to pace the Bluestreaks. Kyle Johnson added 15.
Yates Center, playing its third game in five days, returns home to host Fredonia Friday.
Yates Center (11-14-10-9—44)
Neodesha (11-23-9-20—63)
Yates Center (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Chism 0-0-1-0, DeNoon 1/1-2-5-7, Brown 5-2-2-12, McNett 0/1-2-5-5, Dice 2-4-3-8, Busteed 0-0-0-1, Rossillon 1/1-1-3-6, Arnold 3-0-1-6. TOTALS: 12/3-11-24-44.
Neodesha (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Baird 8-7-5-23, Hannah 3-2-2-8, Hawkins 0-0-1-0, J. Garcia 2-1-1-5, Kitch 0-4-2-4, A. Garcia 0/2-2-2-8, Johnson 3/1-6-0-15. TOTALS: 16/3-22-13-63.
MV boys bring March Madness to February
CHETOPA — This whole nail-biting thriller thing has become old hat for Marmaton Valley High’s boys.
The Wildcats won their third consecutive heart-stopping victory Tuesday, this one undecided until Nathan Smart hit 1 of 2 free throws with 15 seconds left in overtime.
The Wildcats then wisely used up its available fouls to prevent host Chetopa from advancing the ball upcourt, to the point the Hornets were unable to get up much of a final shot from halfcourt as time expired.
The Wildcats’ 36-35 overtime win marks Marmaton Valley’s fifth win in a row, and the third straight by two points or less.
“Hopefully, games like this can continue giving us confidence,” Wildcat coach Tim Stinnett said.
Both teams were willing to work the ball around methodically on extended possessions, which led to a nip-and-tuck game throughout.
Marmaton Valley led 10-8 after one quarter before Chetopa forged in front 19-16 at halftime and 28-25 after three quarters. The Wildcats went on a 9-4 run to lead 34-32 late in regulation, before Chetopa’s Austen Sanders scored at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
Marmaton Valley’s Cole Becker led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Smart added seven points and six rebounds. Lucas Hamlin followed with four points, five rebounds, two steals and five other deflections that led to steals. Ryan Smith chipped in with four rebounds and four assists.
“I was happy with our poise down the stretch,” Stinnett said. “I just hope I don’t get some gray hair over this.”
Because of an ongoing flu bug affecting Chetopa’s student population, the junior varsity game was canceled, and the girls varsity game was postponed until Thursday.
Marmaton Valley then travels to Pleasanton Friday.