Iola’s AA American Legion team will play its first home doubleheader Tuesday at the Humboldt USD 258 Sports Complex instead of Allen Community College.
The change of venue was announced this morning.
The doubleheader against Santa Fe Trail begins at 6 p.m.
The new venue should have minimal effect. The Post 15 Indians have more Humboldt High players (seven) than Iolans on the 2014 roster.
The squad is scheduled to split its home games this year between ACC and the 258 sports complex.
William Brooks, 89, Garnett, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2014, at Guest Home Estates in Garnett.
He was born Feb. 18, 1925, in Bronson, the son of Albert A. and Leona (Stradley) Brooks.
Bill served as a sergeant in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946, and as a cook for the Animal Pool Detachment at Fort Riley.
He also was co-owner and operator of the Health Food Shoppe in Olathe, a service writer for several Ford dealerships, an automobile mechanic and a farmer.
Bill married Marjorie Ann Stainbrook on June 6, 1945, in Fort Scott. This union was blessed with two children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Leona Brooks; wife, Marjorie Ann Brooks in 2005; and two sisters, Luella Geyer and Wilmina Geyer.
Bill is survived by his son, David Brooks and wife Marian Cook of Overland Park; his daughter, Karen Brooks of Olathe; niece Karol Braley of Round Top, Texas; cousin, Bill Weston of Gardner; and many great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hatch Cemetery, near Uniontown. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 Tuesday evening the Feuerborn Family Funeral home in Garnett.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Garnett.
Condolences may be sent to www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Dear Editor,
Thank you for publishing Richard Luken’s story on Wednesday (Homeless in Iola).
The plight of the couple who became homeless due to the change in ownership of the Crossroads Motel pulled at my heartstrings, as I am sure it did many others in Iola and surrounding areas.
Seeing a photograph of Anna Hatfield and Gary Pinckney, holding their dog Sophie, with their makeshift home (a tent!) in the background brought several issues and concerns to the fore.
As the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Iola, I have been deeply disturbed by the level of poverty in Allen County.
In the six months that I have pastored here, I’ve been an active participant in the Circles of Allen County program. I serve as an “Ally” and have become well-acquainted with the needs and problems of the poor in our city.
It is troubling to face the reality that Iola has so many needs that are not being adequately addressed. The change of hands and raising of rent at Crossroads raises the already-known problem of too little low-income housing.
With the doubling of weekly rent, a room under new ownership will cost $800 per month! Where in this city are there apartments and houses to rent that are affordable for those who work minimum wage or low-paying jobs? I made several phone calls, as did my colleague, the Rev. Paul Miller, to try to find housing for this newly homeless couple, but to no avail.
ALONGSIDE the article about the homeless couple was the story of how to make a city “cool” and attractive to new residents. It was an excellent article, full of ideas.
In fact, both Ed Miller and David Toland are members of my congregation who work hard to serve this community. But I found a bit of irony in the contrast of the poverty in Iola with our desire to make this community appealing as a place to move. You see, I believe we can not only make Iola “cool” to outsiders, but in doing so, we can address the needs of those with few resources.
My question for you, as editor of The Register, as well as for your readers, is how can we better address the needs of the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and those looking for work?
As a pastor, I am called to challenge you to follow the example of Jesus, by giving food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty, by clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, caring for the sick, offering shelter to those in need of a home. (Matthew 25:31-46).
As a community, we will be stronger, happier, and have a better place to live if we can join together to help those who have already begun to seek more affordable housing, feed the hungry, and offer jobs to those who want to work.
This story speaks deeply to my heart and I can’t get the needs of Iola’s people out of my mind. My congregation is already considering ideas for how we can start to make a difference in the community. We hope those of you who have similar convictions will join together with us at First Presbyterian.
As an aside, I know for a fact the Rev. Phil Honeycutt found a house for the couple to live in, but their tent was gone. I hope that Richard Luken will share a follow-up to the story and let us know how things have turned out for the couple and their dog.
Thank you, Susan, for exposing the needs of the community and calling us to action through The Iola Register.
Respectfully Yours,
Rev. Jennifer Loeb, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
Iola, Kan.
(Editor’s note: See Page A1 for an update of the couple.)
Charles W. Lingo, 88, Garnett, entered into his eternal rest on Monday, June 9, 2014, at Golden Heights in Garnett.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com
William J. Sapienza was born Sept. 23, 1921 and died June 7, 2014. “Bill” was a decorated World War II veteran who served in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded five bronze stars. Bill enjoyed golfing, boating and working out at Gett Fitt in Iola. Bill was a bartender at large venues in Key West, Fla. and Atlanta, Ga., for many years before moving to the Iola area with his partner, Gwen. Always quick to smile, with a kind heart and loving nature, he will be greatly missed by those he left behind.
Bill is survived by his partner, Gwen Sapienza; daughter; Dawn Sapienza, son-in-law Dewayne Manley; grandson, Jason, and his wife Erin Hadden; great-grandchildren Jason II, Jocelyn and Logan, all of Rock Island, Ill.; mother-in-law Patricia Larson, Samantha Lyons, Zoey and Kaden Lyons, all of Iola; Brian and Rachel Blagburn, Nashville, Tenn.; great-nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Gayla Neufeld, Oklahoma. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, a World War I veteran; father-in-law Buford Larson and nephew Jeremy Larson.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m., Saturday at the VFW on U.S. 54 in LaHarpe. The family welcomes and will appreciate any fellow veterans or SEK residents who would like to attend his memorial to honor his service to our country and his life here as an Iola resident.
WICHITA — Despite the rain, the Special Olympics took place over the weekend at Cessna Stadium on Wichita State University’s campus. Irene Smith helped chaperone the trip for seven participants from Iola and two from LaHarpe.
“We all go on a school bus to Wichita together,” Smith, 82, said. “Then, they always help with the kids that need extra help. A lot of the kids can do things on their own.”
The results follow:
Bo Bland, Iola — 2nd place, 200-meter run
Judy Branstetter, Iola — 4th place, 100-meter run; 4th place, running long jump
Manuel Doolittle, Neosho Falls — 4th place, 100-meter run
Leiberannae Moore, Iola — 7th place, 100-meter run
Tyler Streeter, Iola — 2nd place, 200-meter run; 2nd place, running long jump
Christopher White, Iola — 2nd place, 100-meter run; 2nd place, ball throw
Derek White, Iola — 6th place, 200-meter run; 3rd place, running long jump
Casey Riebel, LaHarpe — 3rd place, 50-meter run
Steven Riebel, LaHarpe — 1st place, 25-meter assisted walk
Bland, Doolittle, Streeter, D. White — 1st place, relays
In between events, the athletes had more than enough to do.
“They have what they call the Olympic Village for the kids to play games and they get tickets and can cash them in for prizes,” Smith said.
The rain canceled the softball throw and standing long jump. Smith said that the team ended on a good note.
“We got first in our relay, the boys did,” Smith said. “That was great. We had several others do well, too. The relay is the last thing we do on Sunday, and that was a highlight, to finish up and get first place.”
Smith was recognized as the coach of the year for the Southeast Kansas region. She was also chosesn as the 2013 Outstanding Coach of the Year for the entire state.
OTTAWA — Iola AA American Legion Post 15 swept the competition in the Ottawa Wood Bat Tournament this weekend, winning all three games. Iola beat Silver Lake 2-1 in the first game of the tournament Friday, getting both runs in the first inning. Derrick Weir had both RBIs on a single that scored Hunter Murrow, who reached on a walk, and Caleb Vanatta, who reached on a single. Aaron Barclay had the only two other hits for Iola’s offense. Alex Murrow pitched all seven innings, striking out eight while only allowing one run on one hit and one walk.
The Indians won game two on Sunday 3-1 against Ottawa. Weir provided all three RBIs on a bases-clearing double, with the offense coming in the first inning again. Murrow, Vanatta and Trent Latta scored the runs. Latta and Vanatta both had singles to get on base, while Murrow walked. Caleb D’Armond had a single later in the game. Grayson Pearish was credited with the win, pitching 3 2/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits and four walks with strikeouts. Latta came in for relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings giving up only one walk and no hits with four strikeouts.
Iola won again on Sunday, defeating Garnett 9-0.
Kason Siemens led the offense with three RBIs on a double and a single. Jacob Carpenter had two singles. Eric Heffern, Drew Faulhaber, Latta, Vanatta, Murrow and Pearish all added a single in the lopsided win that lasted five innings. Barclay earned the win, pitching four innings, striking out four while giving up only three hits and one walk. Siemens pitched the final inning, striking out two and giving up on one hit.
The Indians next play Tuesday at Osawatomie in a doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.
Bonna Lea (Fivecoat) Luedke, 83, of Atwood, died Tuesday, June 3, 2014. She was born Sept. 6, 1930, the oldest of two children of Claude and Florence Fivecoat, on her grandparents’ farm in Colony. She was very fond of her sister Claudette who was five years younger than she.
Her father worked for the oil pipeline traveling from place to place for eight years; therefore, she attended 30 schools in her childhood. In 1947 they moved back to the Colony. Not long after, she met a young man that caught her eye named Norman Luedke in her junior year of high school. She graduated from Colony High School in 1948. She then received her teaching certificate from Emporia Teacher’s College.
Norman and Bonna Lea were united in marriage on Sept. 7, 1948, at United Methodist Church in Iola. They moved to Atwood in the fall of 1948. She taught school for one year.
She has lived in Atwood ever since, being a homemaker, raising her children and helping with the bookkeeping for their business, Luedke Construction, which they started in December 1969. Through this business they enjoyed meeting many people in the community. All of their sons and their son-in-law did construction and their daughter did bookkeeping helping them with the family business throughout the years. She enjoyed crocheting, baking pies and cookies, sewing, reading and most of all enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often stated; “we’ve had a wonderful life.”
Preceding her in death were her parents and a great-grandson Bear Luedke.
She is survived by her husband Norman; their children, Dennis Luedke and wife Bernadette, Atwood; Dale Luedke, Dodge City, Joann Luedke, Lenexa; James Luedke, Atwood; Lisa Adams and husband, James (Jim) Adams, Lakin; Brian Luedke and wife Judy, Colby; her sister, Claudette (Fivecoat) Anderson and husband, Gene Anderson, Colony; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Friday at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. The funeral is 10:30 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church or God’s Little Saints Preschool in care of Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N. 2nd St., Atwood, KS 67730. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com.
Donald Lynn Mark, 67, Iola, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 in Iola of a stroke. Don was born in Chanute, on March 9, 1947. He was the oldest son of Earl J. and Wilma R. (Roberts) Mark. He grew up in Yates Center, where he graduated from Yates Center High School in 1965. After high school, he attended Allen County Community College, graduating in 1967 with an associates degree. He continued his education at Emporia State University earning a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1969.
Early in his career, Don taught in the Topeka and the Blue Rapids public schools. Later, Don worked as an inspector during the construction of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant at Strawn and for NCS Pearson Government Solutions in Lawrence. He returned to education, first as a tutor helping students earn a GED, then later as a substitute teacher at several area schools in southeast Kansas, before retiring for health reasons. Don had held a private pilot’s license and loved flying. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Iola.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his brother, Wayne Mark, of Bixby, Okla. Services in his memory will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Iola. Burial following the services will be at 11:15 a.m. in the family plot at Yates Center Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Iola, or to the First Presbyterian Church, Yates Center.
Memorial gifts may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guest book online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Tim Boyd, 64, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014, in Fort Worth. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today in the First United Methodist Church in Graham, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home, Graham, Texas.
Tim was born November 24, 1949 in Iola to Paul and Verla (Lanz) Boyd. He married Diane Barnard in Big Sky, Montana. Tim was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Danang, Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. Tim moved to Graham in 2008 from Cora, Wyoming. He was the general manager at Waco Bend Ranch in Young County, Texas. He was a member of NCHA, AQHA, American Angus Association, and the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include: wife, Diane Boyd of Graham; son, Aaron Boyd and wife, Erin of Manhattan, Montana; daughters, Sarah Brown and husband, Brandon of Hereford, Texas, Sybil Watson and husband, Billy of Amarillo, Texas, and Rachel Boyd of Bois D’Arc, Missouri; step-daughter, Katy Abrams of Austin, Texas; parents, Paul and Verla Boyd of Moran; eight grandchildren, Hanna, Issac, Alison, Sophia, Michael Boyd, Ty and Wade Ray, and Marin Brown.
The family asks that memorials be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS. 66675.