March 9, 2006

Jack Paul Wilson, 72, died February 28, 2006 of cancer.  He was born May 14, 1933, the son of Paul Levi and Ursula “Tot” McGaughey Wilson.  He graduated from McCracken High School in 1951.  He married Verlene Schoenberger on February 13, 1971 in WaKeeney, Kansas.  Survivors include his wife, Verlene, of the home; two children, Treva M. and husband Bryan Bergquist; a son Clayton and wife Kizmin all of Wakeeney; two sisters Marlene and Bob Funk of Wakeeney; Arlene and Clifford “Babe” Gilbert of McCracken and three grandchildren, Anna and Audra Bergquist and Gunner Paul Wilson all of Wakeeney.  Services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McCracken, officiants Father Bill Surmeier and Rev. Dean Gilbert; organist Susan Keith; vocalist Arlene Rues.  Casket bearers, Jim Casey, Bill Greenway, Mitch Jacobs, Dave Derr, Kelly Irvin and Roger Legleiter.  Interment was in McCracken City Cemetery.

We dedicated our McCracken News column this week to Jack Wilson, Travis Peters and Rosalee Reeves.
 
A tribute to Jack Wilson written by Roy Conrad:
I understand what Jack wanted was a simple funeral - having his boots and old white hat laid on his coffin, a ride to the cemetery in an old wagon escorted by his Rodeo outriders and having a full church for his final farewell.  The best part was his three dogs coming to town, not only once but twice.  The smaller dog somehow got into the church and came down the aisle.  I believe like everyone else his little friend should have stayed in front with family members.  I really don’t think it would have been out of place.  In some of the pictures taken of the casket being escorted to cemetery, Jack’s dogs were with him all the way.  We hope everyone at the church will remember what Rev. Dean Gilbert said about Jack and what his request was for this coming July.  SEE YA AT THE RODEO!!!
 
Travic C. Peters, 35, died March 1, 2006 at LaCrosse.  His ancestors came to the Rush – Ness County area in the late 1800s.  He is descended from James S. Fear who came here in 1876 and is buried in Ramsey Cemetery; Henry Elias came to Waring Township, Ness County in 1878 and is buried in the McCracken City Cemetery.  His great grandparents were Lee and Gladys Elias Fear, his grandparents, Jim and Norma Jean Fear Peters. Our sympathy to his parents, Terry and Charlotte Peters, his wife LaShelle and son Mason Peters, his brother Sean Peters and companion Sandra Jacobs.
 
Rosalee Reeves, 66, died March 1, 2006 at her home in McCracken.  She leaves her husband, James, her son Alan, three daughters, Debra Wilkett, Diana Reeves and Julie Elias, her brother Gary Schultz, and sisters Bernadine Schultz and Sheryl Salonski, her mother Viola Depperschmidt.
 
Deb Rogers and Kerri Morgan flew to Texas and met their mother, Pat Derr.  They enjoyed sight seeing accompanied by Bob Fear.  Pat, Deb and Kerri returned home this past week.  They also visited with Marvin and Katie Wills.
 
Tim Rues sent a signed copy of the book, Kansas Pacific - An Illustrated History, by Robert Collins, for the museum.  The cover picture is by artist, Micheal Boss, of Hill City.  It depicts the limestone train station at WA - KEENEY  IN 1879.  The owners of the founding firm of Warren, Keeney & Co inspired the town's name.  The station was razed in 1932.
 
Those attending the Kansas City Symphony Chamber Orchestra at Fort Hays State University on Friday evening were G. T. and Signe Barnes, Carol Weber, John and Sharon Irvin, John & Janice Stull, Betty Schwartzkopf and Ann Parker.
 
Our appreciation to the Rush County United Fund for the work they do for county organizations.  McCracken EMT's, McCracken Library and the Jail/Museum share in the proceeds.
 
McCracken History Notes
 
March 1906
B. T. Cutler moved his stock of goods here from Hargrave last week and has opened out business in the Grumbein building.  Percy Edgington has a position with the firm and seems to be might handy about the place.
 
Winter that has been overdue three or four months has been sent to us in the shape of a bouquet, or rather, all in a bunch.  We have had rain, snow, blow, hail and sleet. 
 
March 1936
Maureen McCaskey and Billie Carley are new pupils in the 5th and 6th grade room.  The students elected the following officers for the month: President, August Schutte; Vice President, Frank Marak; Secretary & Treasurer, Norma Ryan; Desk Inspector, Betty Twiselton; Board Eraser, Emma Rose Showalter, Coat Monitors, Ethel McClendon, Rachel Curtis, Keith North, Jack Moses; Ink Monitors, Maurene McCaskey and Leon Higgins; Pen Monitor, Sybil Mortimer; Librarian, Doris Roughton; Program Committee, Norma Ryan, Rachel Schutte and Emma Rose Showalter.
 
March 1946
Miss Helen Beverly McKittrick, daughter of Mrs. R. G. Stephens and the late Owen H. McKittrick of McCracken, and Daniel J. Reha, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reha of Timken were married Saturday afternoon, March 2, at four o'clock, at the Methodist parsonage in Great Bend, the Rev. J. S. Ploughe officiating.  Mrs. Reha graduated from LaCrosse high school with the class of 1945 and attended Fort Hays Kansas State College.  Mr. Reha is a graduate of the Bison high school and was employed in the Timken State Bank until his entrance into the armed forces, where he served for forty-two months.  When he was discharged on December 8, he has resumed his duties as assistant cashier in the Timken bank.
 
March 1956
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. John Rixon on the birth of a daughter, Joy Lynn, who was born March 11, 1956.
 
Bobby Cheney left Friday for Los Angeles where he plans to find employment.  Bobby returned home recently from Korea where he had served for 18 months.
 
March 1966
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Herdman on the birth of a son, Blake Evans, born March 1, 1966 in Hutchinson.
 
Mary Ann Moran who purchased the Dairy Bar at McCracken recently had her opening Friday in the new building just completed.
 
March 1976
The Dodge City Community College Livestock Judging Team traveled to Fort Worth Texas on a charter fight for the Fort Worth Exposition and Fat Stock Show at the Will Rogers Coliseum.  Roger Legleiter, Pat Gleason, Kurt Moeder and Rosie Struckfus of DCCC competed with ten other Kansas junior colleges and fifteen four year colleges. 
 
McCracken Mustangs take second in Sub-State.  They were defeated by Fowler in the finals 57-55.
 
4-H members participating at the 4-H Day at LaCrosse were Tonya Mangold, Jay Dean Brack, Jeff Scheuerman and Ricky Yost.
 
March 1986
A Rush County United Fund has been organized with Rosy Elmore, Leonore House and Denise Carpenter as board of director member and area chairmen.  The McCracken Library is included in the United Fund.
 
Laura North, Ellis High School, was a cast member in the one act play "People in the Wind" at the State Speech Festival.
 
March 1996
Bruce and Carol Barnes were in Washington, D. C. last week on the Farm Bureau Presidents Annual Trip to lobby the Hill.
 
Re-certification of EMT's was held Saturday at the City building in McCracken.  Those attending were Harold Herdman, Bob House, Bet McCormick, Glenn and Terri Ryan, Bill and Paula Greenway, Bob Wolfe, Greg Whitehair, Les Rogers, Mike Stull, Mary Beth Parther, Dale Wittom, Pat and Jackie Casey, Brenda Boese, Cheryl Groff, Clayton Wilson, Cecilia Gilbert, Marian Wellman and Don Johnson.