Raymond K. Hess, 78, Iola, passed away Friday July 14, 2017 at Moran Manor in Moran. Raymond was born in Kansas City, Kan., on Aug. 4, 1938, the son of Raymond and Thelma (Sanders) Hess. Raymond grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated in 1957 from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City.
Raymond started working for A&P Groceries in high school and worked up to management of several A&P stores throughout the Kansas City area until 1977 when he opened his own grocery store, the Garnett Food Mart, in Garnett. In 1985, Raymond opened Ray’s Mini Mart Convenience Store in Iola. He continued working there until January 2017 when his health prevented him from continuing. Raymond always enjoyed seeing his customers, and visiting with them every day. He will always be remembered for his witty sense of humor and for his kind generous nature. He genuinely cared for the members of the community, and made many people feel welcome in the communities he served.
Raymond married Dorothy Nelson on June 20, 1965, in LaHarpe. Together they made their home in Kansas City, Kan. To this union were born two children, Michelle and Michael. The family moved to Garnett in 1977, and then to Iola after opening the store there.
Raymond was a member of the Retail Clerk Union in Kansas City, an active member of the Garnett Rotary Club and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves in Kansas City. He was interested in photography, and operated his own darkroom. He loved spending time with his family and his dogs.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of the home; his two children, Michelle Peres and husband Michael, LaHarpe, and Michael Hess and wife Beth, Battle Ground, Ind.; grandchildren, Zachery Peres and wife Kaci, Iola, and Harper Hess, Battle Ground; great-grandchildren, Cadin, Maddilyn, Isabella and Asher Peres, all of Iola; and numerous nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Betty Knapp, and by granddaughters Alexandrea Marie Peres and Emma Nicole Peres.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. Burial will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Contributions in his memory are suggested to the Alexandrea “Alle” Marie Peres Art Memorial Scholarship. Condolences can be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Humboldt cheer team wins big at Emporia NCA camp last weekend
The Humboldt High School Cheer team competed at the National Cheer Association camp last week in Emporia. They learned cheers, chants, stunts, band dances and pyramids. Morgan Mauk, Alayna Johnson, Aricah McCall, Ty Sellman and Camrie Farran were all nominated to become All-American cheerleaders with Mauk earning the honor. The team also walked away with a superior blue ribbon, a most improved award and the spirit stick.
Roger Ranes
Roger Duane Ranes, 83, Moran, died Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the Franklin House in Fort Scott. Roger was born Aug. 23, 1933, in Coffeyville, the son of Homer L. Ranes and Alma C. Cushman Ranes. He graduated from Le Roy High School. He married Ruth Meats. She preceded him in death on Oct. 11, 2011. He served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Hancock. While in the Navy, he was stationed in many foreign countries. He loved to hunt and fish, especially catfish. In 1957 he and a friend drove to Alaska in a 1939 Plymouth. He was an avid gardener and loved to coach Little League Baseball.
Survivors include his two sons, David Ranes and wife Verna and Scott Ranes and wife Randi, all of Mapleton; five grandchildren, Chad Ranes, Dereck Ranes, Tyler Ranes, Ethan Ranes and Beckett Ranes; three great-grandchildren, Jaxon Ranes, Talia Ranes and Tryke Ranes; and a brother, Jerry Ranes and wife Betty, Le Roy. In addition to his wife Ruth, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Ranes, and his parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Altamont Cemetery in Aliceville. Memorials are suggested to the SEK Humane Society of LaHarpe and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The cat is out of the bag on Russia, but do Americans care?
A disconcerting aspect of the recent confession of Donald Trump Jr. of working with Russian operatives is the seeming lack of concern by the American public.
Just another “boys will be boys” escapade.
That’s how inured we’ve become to all the damage wreaked by this president’s administration.
Somehow working with Russia to subvert a U.S. election has become ho-hum news. People downplay that such dealings — effective or not — put the country in the lap of an archenemy.
Folks, this is not politics as usual.
For example, in the 2000 presidential campaign a dossier containing insider information on George W. Bush, including a videotape of practice debates, was delivered to a staff member of opponent Al Gore’s campaign. Rather than risk the fallout of such incriminating evidence, Gore staffers delivered the package to the FBI posthaste.
In the case of “Debate-gate,” as it is known, the FBI tracked down the perpetrator. The woman was indicted, fined $500,000 and given a 10-year prison sentence, which was later reduced with a plea bargain to one year in prison.
So yes, opposing parties try to get compromising information about their opponents, but even then ethical lines are drawn. Using the help of a foreign adversary whose nuclear armaments are of equal strength and whose records on human rights rival those of Genghis Khan goes beyond the pale.
Earlier this month Russia opposed increasing sanctions requested by the United Nations against North Korea for its recent ICBM test. North Korea now has the capability to reach U.S. soil with a nuclear missile. Because all 15 members of the U.N. Security Council must agree to issue such sanctions, Russia’s refusal to go along speaks volumes about how it relishes putting the United States at a disadvantage.
THANKS TO Donald Jr. releasing emails of his discussions with Russian operatives on how to score “dirt” on Hillary Clinton, — “I love it!” — we now know for certain of the Trump campaign’s willingness to plumb the depths of morality to win the U.S. presidency.
As a nation, following that trajectory would be suicide.
— Susan Lynn
Raymond Hess
Raymond Hess, 78, Iola, died Friday, July 14, 2017, in Moran.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Visitation will be the from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. A full obituary will be published later. Condolences can be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Mary Werner
On July 7, 2017, Mary Katherin Werner peacefully slipped away on her final journey to her heavenly home. At this time she was residing at Presbyterian Manor, Newton,
Mary K. was born on Nov. 4, 1917, to Henry William (Harry) and Helen Ralston Grewing. She was born in Capioma Township in Nemaha County. After graduating from grade school, Mary quit her formal education to help on the family farm, a beginning of her love of the outdoors and nature. In May 1935, Mary married Martin J. Werner also of the Fidelity area. This union was blessed with five sons and three daughters.
They resided in the Fidelity/Sabetha area until around 1943 when they moved to rural Kincaid. Mary was a hardworking, loving mom. In the early ’50s Mary began working as a cook for the Kincaid school system, doing this as she and Martin farmed, raised big gardens and worked together to raise their family. In the early 1960s, Mary began working in the meat department at Whitesides IGA in Fort Scott, later retiring from there. Mary’s retirement years were spent gardening, flowers, attending church, embroidery, quilting, cooking, taking care of her birds and visiting with family and friends.
Mary had a good sense of humor; a sharp mind and never knew a stranger. Her greatest joy was her family. Many happy memories were made at “Granny’s House.” Grandma loved the loud, noisy laughter that her home came to represent, especially during the holidays and reunions. Mary had a deep faith in God and His goodness. She truly felt “we are here to help one another in this life.” She will be missed and loved by many.
Mary is survived by two sons, Thomas R. and Leo (Vicki); daughter Delores Smith; son-in-law, Lyle Osborn; daughters-in-law Leona Werner and Sheryl Werner; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by three sons, Maurice W. (Bill), Martin Jr. (Pete) and Kenneth F. (Kenny); daughters Martha J. (JoAnn) and Cynthia Jane; great-grandson Malik Werner; sons-in-law Joseph Houk and Gary Smith; her parents; two brothers and their wives, Edwin (Shirley) and Harry (Shirley) Grewing; and her husband, Martin J. Werner
Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Iola. Prior to mass a rosary will be prayed at 10 o’clock. Burial will follow at the St. Augustine church cemetery in Fidelity, at 8 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions to any charity for children or the elderly.
From the family, a heartfelt “thank you” to those who added to the happiness in our mother’s/grandmother’s 99-plus years. She remembered that kindness from the early years in Kincaid ending with those who showed her kindness at Presbyterian Manor. We will always thank God for being truly blessed in having her for so many years and we thank Mom/Grandmother Mary for the love she shared with each of us.
Urcell Cochran
Urcell Gene Cochran, 80, Moran, passed away Friday, July 14, 2017, at Allen County Regional Hospital.
Gene was born July 27, 1936, in Viola, Ark., to James Harold and Bircha Mae (Dawson) Cochran as the second of six children. He graduated from Salem High School in 1954. He then moved to Kansas City to play baseball for the Kansas City A’s minor league team. He married Luella Houk on Jan. 29, 1956, in Viola. They were blessed with three children. Lou preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 1996. After finishing his baseball career, he returned to Kansas City to work for General Motors. In 1973, he moved with his family to Moran, where he jointly purchased the Moran Lumber Yard. Later he was self-employed as a brick mason. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and reading. He had a great passion for baseball, especially watching the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gene is survived by his three daughters, Genette McVey and husband, Chris, Coffeyville, Annette Cole and husband Chris, Moran, and Lori Amble and husband Gary, of Shawnee; seven grandchildren, Christal, Aaron, Shal-awnda, Cassidy, Kirsten, Scottie and Tyler and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Don and Betty Cochran, Barbara Poulson, Mickey and Peggy Cochran, Ray Bob and Shana Cochran and Joan Cochran, in-laws, Marilyn and Bill May, Nancy and Wayne Chandler and Ruth and Dave Spangler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lou, his parents, a brother, Wes Cochran, brother-in-law Scottie Poulson, and in-laws Mary Ellen and Joe Chalker.
Gene’s family would like to express sincere gratitude to Melissa Andres and Tammy Snyder for their diligent care for him during his last days on earth.
Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 8 at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Moran. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Moran Christian Church in Moran. Burial will follow at Moran Cemetery. Contributions in his memory are suggested to the Moran Public Library for its new building fund. Condolences for the family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
NO MELVIN, NO PROBLEM
A crowd of more than 50 walkers and runners zipped their way through the streets of Iola Saturday evening for the inaugural Backwards Bomber 5K, a loosely organized event to replace the now-defunct Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run For Your Life. At lower left, Jack Adams, foreground, and Bret Holloway finished the 5K run in a shade over 20 minutes. At bottom right, Shelby Yoho was the top female finisher.
Luke Rockers
Garnett native Luke Rockers, 38, Benbrook, Texas, died Thursday, July 13, 2017, surrounded by his family in Garnett.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scipio. Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery. The family will greet friends following a 6:30 p.m. Sunday prayer service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Garnett Country Club. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com
Finishing strong
The 14-and-Under SEK Sluggers took first place in their final tournament of the year last weekend when they traveled to Independence, Mo., for the ASA “C” Metros tournament. The Sluggers went 2-1 in pool-play, but ran the table win bracket-play with a perfect 3-0 record. Pictured, front from left, Emma Carson, Brooklyn Ellis, Chloe Sell, Hannah Billesbach, Kirstyn Murrow; back row, Coach Corey Schinstock, Kailey Schinstock, Emma Kerley, Madi Riebel, Alexis Ridge, Lindsey Godderz and Coach Jenny Ellis. Not pictured: Isabelle Murrow.