February 9, 2005 News
Our sympathy to the family of Gerald W. "Jerry" Hinman, 82, who died January 22, 2006 at Kaseman Presbyterian Hospice, after a battle with cancer.  He was the son of Bill & Ruby (Stephens) Hinman.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Hinman, of the family home; daughter, B. Sue Peak and husband, Dr. G. Thomas of New Port Richey, FL; daughters, Robin of Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Brian and Jan Ganesh, Abilene, TX; grandchildren, Catherine, Rebecca, Marcus, Andrew and Melissa; one brother, Donald Hinman, Albuquerque.  Mr. Hinman was born and raised in McCracken, Kan. then moved to Albuquerque in 1946.  He was in the Army Air Corps during WW11.  Jerry retired from Sandia National Lab after 38 and half years of service. The services were held, Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel with Dr. John Griffin officiating.  Entombment followed.
 
Jeff Hurd will be starting his 9th season with the Kansas City Chiefs as strengthening coach.  He is the husband of Kathy Lovitt Hurd.
 
Congratulations to Bill Greenway on his Employee of the Year Award given by Midland Marketing.  He and his wife Paula attended the banquet in Hays on Saturday evening.
 
The program each Sunday at the Constitution Hall State Historic Site in Lecompton is held at 2:00 p.m.   The series of talks deal with the violent conflict over the slavery issue in Kansas Territory 1854 through 1861.  For information about these programs contact Tim Rues at the site at www.kshs.org or www.lecomptonkansas.com.  His phone is 785-887-6520.
 
Those attending the Will Rogers Follies on January 30 were Francis & Julia Zeller, John and Janice Stull, Norma Leiker, Sharon Lovitt, Carolyn Thompson, Carol Weber and Shirley Higgins.  It was like a Broadway musical with singing, roping and beautiful costuming.  We enjoyed visiting with Peggy, Maureen and Maggie on the ride over and back on the bus. Helena is our chauffeur.
 
Gladys and Wendell Himan were in Bennington on Friday night to visit Laura and Ray Wierman and to watch Jennifer Wierman play basketball.  They then went to Kansas City to watch Zaccary Himan play basketball on Saturday.  They also visited Wade & Tonya Hinman and Zac and Larry & Ellen Hinman, Cheryl & Sarah.
 
Judy Hugh and Susan Keith attended the Dido & Aeneas Opera at Fort Hays State University on Sunday.
 
Deb Gaunt's house is being sided under the home improvement project.  Work has also begun on the home of Bernadine Schultz.
 
Bill and Marge Moran have returned home after spending two weeks with Clark and Nicole Clark. On February 28 at Nicole's they had a birthday party for Nick for his 10th birthday.  David and Zack were also there to celebrate.    On Saturday 4th they were in Great Bend for Josh Moran's 9th birthday.  Those enjoying the day were Nicole and Clark Kirk, Michele Moran, Jason Moran, Bill & Marge Moran and John and Ellen Moran.
The house on West Ash in McCracken, which was torn down this week, was the former home of Lee and Gladys Fear and more recently Bob Foster.  It was moved into McCracken in March of 1946.  Lee and Gladys took up residence soon after it was moved to town.  It was located 2 miles east of McCracken and was owned by Robert and Celia Start.  Bob and Grace Lovitt moved there in 1933 and lived there until 1944.
 
Roy and Phyllis Conrad, Albert and Louise Zordel and Chris Zordel attended the Kansas Muzzle Loading convention held at the Highland Inn in Great Bend on Saturday.
 
Bob House, Cheryl Groff visited with Bruce and Sue Davis in Grand Island, Nebraska Saturday and Sunday.
 
Bryce Conner celebrated his 1st birthday at the Community building with family and friends.  He is the son of Mitchell Conner and Nikki Staab, grandson of Mike Conner, McCracken and Connie Conner, Alexander.
 
McCracken History Notes
 
February 1906
Miss Blanche Ryan entertained the Bow Knot Club Wednesday evening.  A neat lunch was served to the following:  Misses Della Dildine, Ruby Reed, Cora and Eva Hicks, Ruth Wagner, Lida Floyd, Mabel Twiselton, Blanche Ryan, Hester and Effie Neal, Laura Hicks, Mabel Thompson.
 
February 1936
MHS High School girl's team won the Rush County tournament held in LaCrosse.  In the first game they defeated Bison 28-11and in the championship game they defeated Burdett 28-25.
 
February 1946
Miss Blanche Pratt, 16-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Venus Pratt, was able to return to her home at McCracken this week after having spent five months in the Baker Hospital in LaCrosse.  She is able to walk with the aide of crutches.
 
Mrs. C. H. Marvin and Helen were in Lincoln, Nebr., where they attended the wedding of Miss Louise Marvin on January 27.
 
Ethelda Washaliski, the 4-year of daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Max Washaliski of McCracken, died in LaCrosse early Tuesday morning.  She suffered from pneumonia and diabetes.
 
Louise Baldwin of Amarillo, Texas and Mr. Heiskell S. Bryant of McCracken was married January 30 at the Methodist church in McCracken with Rev. W. E. Dunlap officiating. Attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Basil Davenport.
 
February 1956
Bob Fear left Thursday for Ft. Dix, N. J.  He will leave from there for Goettingen, Germany, where he will be stationed with the Army.
 
Oliver Herdman and Paul Grumbein returned home from Waterloo, Iowa where they attended a Diesel Mechanics School for the past week.
 
February 1966
Roy Jones returned home last week from Viet Nam where he had been serving with the Navy for almost a year.  Ernie Gaschler has been transferred from Ft. Leonard Wood to Ft. Devans, Mass. where he will attend the Army Intelligence School.
 
February 1976
Debra Ann Rogers and Robert Smith were married February 7, 1976 in the United Methodist Church in McCracken.  They are at home in Lenora where he is principal at Edmond.
 
Roberta Halbleib received the DAR Good Citizens Award on February 10 at the McCracken Hotel.
 
February 1986
Students of grades one through five had a tour of the Stone Schoolhouse at Fort Hays Sate University.  Students were Chris Ritter, Tyrel Elias, Brian Harp, Ted North, Becky Halbleib, Dana Bergquist, Angie Petz, Michael Harp, Jason Showalter, Nathan Anderson, Christie Conner, Nicole Moran, Jennifer Halbleib, Dana Irvin, Leigh Baus, Shane Anderson, Dan Zeller, Brooke Blackwell, Jennifer Schmidt, Lindsay Groff and Jenny Rogers.
 
February 1996
Marvin and Mary Elmore celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McCracken.  A dinner and dance was at Doolins following the ceremony.