High court’s ruling breaks barriers for some, not all

The air became a little less oppressive Wednesday.
Two rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court made life easier for same-sex couples. One decision grants federal benefits to gay couples, and the other allows a previous ruling for same-sex marriage in California to stand.
The laws apply only in states where same-sex marriage is allowed. To date, that’s a mere 13 states plus the District of Columbia. That said, those 13 states capture 30 percent of the U.S. population.
The first case, United States v Windsor, was filed by New York octogenarian Edith Windsor after she was required to pay some $360,000 in federal estate taxes because she was denied the right to be treated as the surviving spouse in the death of her partner, Clara Spyder. The two women had had a monogamous relationship for more than 40 years.
Treating same-sex marriages with less respect than traditional unions, “is in violation of the Fifth Amendment,” Justice Antonio Kennedy wrote in his decision. The Fifth Amendment protects citizens from abuse of government authority.
The ruling overturns the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
DOMA was two-faced; recognizing gay marriage, yet refusing to allow privileges granted to traditional marriages.
The majority of justices saw this as government-sanctioned discrimination.
Wednesday’s ruling would have been more broad-sweeping had it recognized same-sex marriage across the land, instead in just states that approve it individually.
In Kansas, gay couples are treated more like lepers.
They cannot be legally married, they are denied Social Security survivor benefits, they cannot file income taxes jointly, they cannot have next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions, they cannot have family visitation rights to visit a loved one in the hospital, nor can they receive spousal benefits when an officer is killed in the line of duty.
Wednesday’s rulings, though good, still work to divide the country. A national poll earlier this month recorded 55 percent of U.S. residents favor granting same-sex marriages the same legal rights and protections enjoyed by traditional marriages.
The breakdown is mostly generational. Those under 50 favor gay marriage by 61 percent; of those older, only 42 percent do so.
States that continue to deny gay rights are only working to further isolate themselves.

STILL, LET’S celebrate! Let’s bask in new-found freedoms! Group hug.

— Susan Lynn

Jack D. Higginbotham

Jack Douglas Higginbotham, 84, Mankato, died Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at his home.
Jack was born Aug. 27, 1928, to Floyd and Myrtle (Adams) Higginbotham in Iola.  He graduated from Iola High School. Jack attended Iola Junior College and received his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Kansas State University. He was united in marriage to Shirley Halbe on Aug. 20, 1950, in Iola. Jack served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an engineer in the flour milling industry in Denver, Mankato and New Prague, Minn. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mankato and the Association of Operative Millers. Jack enjoyed woodworking, reading, fishing, reloading shells and watching golf on television.
Jack is survived by his wife, Shirley Higginbotham; son, Jack Douglas Higginbotham and his wife, Kim, Des Moines; daughter, Sue Eide, Owatonna; eight grandchildren; a brother, John Higginbotham and his wife, Carol, Iola; and extended family.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Paul, in 2004; a sister, Sharon; and a brother, Jimmie.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato with Rev. Harold Tongen officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Memorials may be given to the Harry Meyering Center or MRCI.

John Williams

John Drayton Williams, 43, Iola, drowned Saturday, June 22, 2013, while fishing at Neosho Falls.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Cremation will follow the services.
Online condolences for the family may be left on www.iolafuneral.com.

Golf tourney aids CASA

The Allen County Country Club was the site of the eighth annual CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Charity Golf Tournament June 15. Twenty, four-person teams vied for prizes in three different flights, despite a complete rainout during play on about the 15th hole. 
The winning teams:
Flight 1
1. Allen Community College — L.C. Lacy, Dave Cescon, Dan Leslie and Andrew Patterson
2. Bank of Commerce — Brett Wicker, Ryan Jones, Jerry Bowman and Brent Audiss
3. Gates — Tim Wools, Mike Kaufman, Obi Eregbu and Andy Evans
Flight 2:
1. Southern Star No. 3 — Johnnie Riley, Jason Wacker, Jon Wilhite and Freddy Partida Sr.
2. Southern Star No. 1 — Kortney McGraw, Steven Lucke, Steve Yost and Buzzy Barker
3. Hofer Construction — Michael Hofer, Troy Pervin, Sean McReynolds and Victor Uhner
Flight 3:
1. Superior Products — Becky Carlson, Steven Stockebrand, Eric Stockebrand and Paul Stockebrand
2. Southern Star No. 2 — Dave Kueser, Scott Lucke, Tony Owens and Freddy Partida Jr.
3. Helms — Tripp Helms, Tyler Fehr, Terry Simcox and Tyler Pargman
   
Individual contest winners:
Men’s Longest Drive — Johnnie Riley
Women’s Longest Drive — Stacy Crusinbery
Men’s Longest Putt — Jon Wilhite
Women’s Longest Putt — Cathy Ellis
Men’s Closest to the Pin — David Rogers
Women’s Closest to the Pin — Becky Carlson
   
A CLUBHOUSE gift drawing was also held during the tournament. Those winners were Brad Crusinbery, George Levans, Stacy Crusinbery, Andy Evans, Cathy Ellis, Brett Curry, David Kueser, Robert Poydack, Tyler Fehr, Andrew Patterson, Bill Ellis, Sean McReynolds, Fred Lorentz, Bill Shirley, Scott Day, Brad Crusinbery, Tom Thurman, Tony Owens, Becky Carlson, Jason Wacker, Brett Curry, Bryan Lynch, Dan Creitz, Larry Hart, Darlene Thurman, Mary Lacy, Dan Leslie, Ken McGuffin, Kevin McGuffin, Mardelle Pringle, Dave Cescon and Dick Zites.
The tournament was hosted by District judges Dan Creitz and David Rogers and underwritten by Superior Products and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, as a major fundraiser for the CASA organization. Other major sponsors and teams include Community National Bank, Twin Motors Ford, Ash Grove, Pump’n Pete’s, Vernon Lee and Ryan Coffield, DDS, David Pierce Esq. and Corner Post Crop Insurance. A gourmet barbecue lunch was provided by Walmart, G&W Food and Robert Poydack.
All funds will remain within the 31st District in Allen, Neosho, Woodson and Wilson counties to help children who have been abused or neglected at home and found by the court to be in need of care, said Aimee Daniels, CASA director.

Iola rec ball results

Tuesday’s results
Little League
E-Z Lock and Key 11, Dairy Queen 5. WP — Chase Jaro, Briar Orth, 7 hits, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts. LP — Darius Greenawalt, Asher Sievers, 3 hits, 13 walks, 5 strikeouts. Hits for E-Z Lock and Key: Jaro, s; Josh Hull, d; Xavier Bauer, s. Hits for Dairy Queen: Ethan Holloway, d; Drake Sell, 2 s; Greenawalt, d, s; Gage Turner, 2 s.
E-Z Lock and Key 6, Dairy Queen 4. WP — Gunnar Elder, Logan Dillow, Jackson Aikins, Cooper Jaro, 3 hits, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts. LP — Ethan Holloway, 3 hits, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts. Hits for E-Z Lock and Key: Briar Orth, s; Gunnar, s, HR. Hits for Dairy Queen: William Winner, s; Reid Smith, 2 s.
Bitty Ball
M.A.E. Little Crude Dudes 7, Sonic Drive-In 4. Hits for M.A.E.: Gage Scheibmeir, 2 s; Ethan Collins, 2 s; Sage Shaughnessy, s; Titus Jones, s; Carter Hutton, s, HR; Hayden Tice, 2 s; Cody Wille, 2 s; Payton Houk, 2 s; Skyler Brunner, s; Tyler Hutton, 2 s. Hits for Sonic: Rogan Weir, s; Trevor church, 2 s; Isaac Burton, s; Ethan Godderz, s, t; Easton Hitchcock, s; Drake Weir, s; Grady Dougherty, s.
First Title Service 8, Allen County Chiropractic 6. Hits for First Title: Brock Sander, d; Kasen Fudge, 2 d; Josh Perez, s; Avery Blaufuss, s, d; Jack White, s, HR; Danny Boeken, 2 s; Kale Godfrey, s; Thomas Chapman, s; Bryan Macias, s. Hits for Allen Co. Chiropractic: Charles Rogers, 3 s; Ben Kerr, 2 s; Wyatt Williamson, s; Jeremy Adair, d; Mac Leonard, s, d; Eli Adams, s, d; Malachi Trester, s; JesseJames Throckmorton, s.
Pixie League
Family Physicians 11, J&W Equipment 1. Hits for Family Physicians: Macy Ellis, 3 s; Jorja Murcko, 3 s; Piper Aronson, s; Chloe Sell, 2 s, d; Abigail Stephenson, s; Lily Smith, 3 s; Elza Clift, 3 s; Olivia Hutton, 2 s; Laynie Jones, s. Hits for J&W: Shelby Shaughnessy, d; Reese Curry, 2 s; Hailey Horton, s; Kaysin Crusinbery, s.
C.L.O. 11, Sonic Drive-In 4. hits for C.L.O.: Kinsey Schinstock, 4 s; Jadyn Kaufman, 3 s; Briahna Stiffler, s; Maci Miller, 2 s, t; Addie Fudge, 3 s; Kennedy Maier, 3 s; Skyler Walden, s; Gabi Livingston, 2 s; LaPrincia Pulley, 2 s. Hits for Sonic: Tay Hammond, 3 s; Jenna Morrison, 2 s; Kadin Smith, 3 s; Dallyn McGraw, 2 s; Liliana Blaufuss, s; Jillian Trester, 2 s.

HPV vaccine proven effective

Only 15 percent of women survive advanced stages of cervical cancer.
Every year, about 12,500 women in the United States contract the disease, of which about one-fourth will die.
The number could be reduced to almost zero.
The HPV vaccine has a 97 percent success rate of preventing females from contracting the cancer. The vaccine fights the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a virus that is transmitted sexually, and is the main cause of cervical cancer. It is most effective when administered to young girls, before they become sexually active.
Annual Pap smears help detect cervical cancer. Combined with these annual exams, the HPV vaccine makes cervical cancer all but preventable.

SO WHAT’S not to like?
Not sure, but for some reason less than 50 percent of U.S. parents are seeing that their pre-teen daughters are getting the vaccinations. It’s suspected some see it as permission for their youngsters to be sexually active, rather than as a life-saving measure.

BOYS AND GIRLS beginning at age 11 or 12 should get the vaccine, which is a series of three shots over six months.
The reason boys are now included is that males also can get cancers and genital warts from HPV, the most common of all sexually transmitted diseases. Vaccinating boys also helps prevent the spread of HPV to future partners.
The young age is recommended because preteens have a better immune response from the vaccine than older teens.

THE VACCINE has been on the market a four short years. In that time, infections caused by the human papillomavirus in 14- to 19-year-olds have plummeted by half in the U.S.
The statistics somewhat surprise health experts. Only about one-third of preteens have received the vaccines.
Of preteen girls today who don’t receive the vaccine, it’s estimated 50,000 will contract cervical cancer.
The goal of health experts with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is to have 80 percent of U.S. youths vaccinated against HPV.
Most insurance companies cover the course of shots. For low-income youths, the shots are free under the federally sponsored Vaccines for Children program.

PARENTS and health professionals have a duty to today’s children to see they get the immunizations.
The shots don’t send a message that promiscuity is OK. Rather, having your children vaccinated against HPV should be interpreted as a sign of love.

— Susan Lynn

Robert Gericke

Robert Dale “Bob” Gericke, 83, LaHarpe, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Sunday, June 23, 2013.
 Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the Shaw Cemetery southeast of Chanute. A procession will be leaving for the cemetery at 9 a.m. from the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF). Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.

James Smith

Bernard Smith, 94, Chanute, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.
Bernard was born in Chanute, on May 1, 1919, the son of Boyd and Jessie (Keenan) Smith. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1938 and later graduated from Chanute JUCO. He played football for both schools. After graduating from Chanute JUCO he went to K-State for a year then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in Germany where he was a navigator on a B-17 bomber. He flew 25 missions and on mission 26 he was shot down over Germany and captured. He spent 18 months and 18 days as a prisioner of war in Stalag Luft III. Upon discharge he was awarded four bronze stars and achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
After the war he met and married Goldine (Sexton) Harding who was a local hairdresser. They were married on June 8, 1946. She preceded him death on Dec 11, 2011. He and Goldine traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. He enjoyed hunting and fishing all of his life.
He was a member of the VFW Cecil J. Meeker Post 1654, American Legion Boerstler-May Post 170, Elks Lodge and Grace Episcopal Church.
He is survived by one sister, Elma Wright of Urbandale, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; one brother, Cecil Smith; and one sister, Helen McGuire.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Grace Episcopal Church. Following the memorial service the Chanute Honor Guard will perform military honors at Elmwood Cemetery in Chanute.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church and may be left with the funeral home. Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

John Womack Sr.

John Walter Womack Sr., formerly of Iola, died on Thursday, June 6, 2013, in Merriam. 
He was born on Dec. 2, 1924, to Francis “Fritz” and Doris (Park) Womack. He married Elizabeth Ann Sanden on Jan. 20, 1949. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1995. He later married Carol Platt.
Out of this union were born six children. Survivors include his children, Doug Womack and wife Janette, Lawrence, Nancy and husband Bob McGrew, Parker, Colo., Steve Womack and wife Annette, Iola, and Anita and husband John Rowe, Mound City; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson; a sister, Carolyn Isaac and husband Larry, Lamar, Mo.
He was preceded in death by a son, Johnny Womack Jr., in 2011, who is survived by Evelyn Thohoff, and a daughter, Mary Ann Womack, who died as an infant; his sisters, Doris Jackman, Betty Murray; and a brother Jack Womack.
After attending the University of Kansas for a year, John joined the U.S. Navy as an aviator. He flew in the Korean War. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1984 with rank of captain. John managed his father’s business, Fritz Auto Supply, Iola, for many years.
John was a proud member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Parish. He served as Allen County Civil Defense director in the 1960s. He was active in the Kansas Civil Air Patrol in the 1950s and 1960s, and was Boy Scout aviation merit badge counselor in Iola.
His father was one of the founding  members of the Wichita OX5 Aviation Pioneers Club and a barnstorming pilot. John was a judge and participant for many years at the annual Experimental Aviation Association Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wis. He helped to found the Staggerwing Aviation Museum in Tullahoma, Tenn. He was a member of a staggerwing biplane diamond formation flying team. He flew numerous models of jets in his Naval aviation career.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Highland Cemetery, Iola. It will be officiated by Deacon Ted Stahl of St. John’s Catholic Church. 

Bob Gericke

Robert Dale “Bob” Gericke, 83, LaHarpe, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Sunday, June 23, 2013.
Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, at Shaw Cemetery southeast of Chanute. A procession will be leaving for the cemetery at 9 a.m. from Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF). Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.