May 20, 2015 News

Birthdays: May 20, Lyna Lero, Terren Showalter; May 21, Shannon Schmidt; May 22, Brenda Irvin; May 23, Kim Cao, Jolene Showalter; May 24, Madelyn Harp; May 25, Scott Littler, Lydia Buster, Mau 26, Ellen Kershner, Janet Herdman, Veronica Baus, Tayler Stull; May 27, Drew Keady.

Anniversaries: May 24, Allen and Kayla Casey, Lee and Sarah Legleiter.

The immediate family of Verlin Todd Sewell would like to give great thanks to the members of the Community that came together and provided the dinner for his memorial service. The dinner was wonderful and greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone. We would also like to give a special thank you to Norma McNair for the beautiful service.

Frank and Elaine Littler and Arlyn and Jan North motored to Salina on Tuesday, May 12th to celebrate Elaine's birthday. The spent the day just kicking back doing as they pleased! That included meeting Larry and Joyce Eisenhour for lunch.

Arlyn, Jan and Linda North joined Eunice North for the Community bar-b-que at Ellis Good Samaritan Home celebrating National Nursing Home week.

Stephanie Greenway, daughter of Bill Greenway and Paula Greenway, graduated from Ellis High School on Saturday, May 16. She was one of the five Valedictorians. A reception dinner was held at the K of C Hall following the ceremony. Stephanie will attend Fort Hays State University in the Fall.

Shannon Keith, daughter of Mike and Susan Keith, graduated from Ellsworth High School on Sunday, May 17. The top 10% of the class was honored, she was one. She also received the John Philip Sousa Award for Band and the Citizenship Award, signed by President Barack Obama and Arnie Duncan, a Sport Plaque detailing her participation in varsity sports, Volleyball, Basketball and Track at Awards night. She will attend Kansas State University. Those from McCracken attending the graduation were Eric Scriven and Deb Gaunt, Arlyn and Jan North, John and Sharon Irvin, Carolyn Thompson; from Brownell, Dave and Sharla Albers; from Hays, Al and Judy Hugh; from Castleton, Bobye Montonye; from Wichita, David and Janet Dennis, Dave and Cathy Dennis, Brittany, Amanda and Devan; from Hutchinson, Danny and Gail Dennis; from Wellington, Craig and Wanda Keith; from Manhattan, Gil and Jodi Crocker.

Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in McCracken on Saturday, May 23rd at 7:30 p.m. with Father Matthew Kumi presiding.

There will be Memorial Day Services at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery on Monday, May 25 with a rosary led by the St. Mary's Faith Sharing Group at 10:00 a.m. with the West-Burch American Legion Post 59 presenting the Military Services at 10:30 A.M.

Memorial Services at McCracken City Cemetery will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 25. A lunch will be served at the City Building following the services.

Friday evening, Michele Moran and Marge Moran attended a dance recital in Hutchinson. Madison Kirk, was a dancer with Poetry in Motion Dance Production's, “Coloring Outside the Lines”.

Saturday afternoon was the graduation party for Josh Moran at Great Bend. Michele, Jason, Marge and David Moran attended. It was at the home of John and Ellen Moran

On Sunday Josh Moran, son of John and Ellen Moran, graduated from Great Bend High School at Memorial Stadium. There were 187 graduates . Attending were Clark, Nicole and Madison Kirk, David Moran, Jason Moran, Michele Moran and Marge Moran. Josh signed with Hutchinson Community College to play football this Fall.

Cecelia Gilbert and her mother, Mrs. Ida May Gilbert, Utica and Eugene Brown attended the graduation of Sheila Brown on Friday at Koch Arena. Sheila will be home for the summer.

Norbert and Teresa Karlin came last Friday and brought Mike to spend the weekend with grandmother, Addie Mills. The Karlins attended the wedding of their grandson at El Dorado.

Addie Mills was a Saturday overnight guest of nephew Jay Klee at Council Grove City Lake. Jay's sister, Patty Klee Schmitt and daughter Scarlett Crowe treated Addie and Jay to dinner at the Saddlerock Café in Council Grove on Saturday evening. Addie spent Mother's Day afternoon with Chris Zimmerman. It was the 25th anniversary of Chris' mother, Joy Gifford's death.

Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Karlin and Mike met Addie Mills at Ellis High School on Saturday afternoon. The enjoyed watching Karlins' grandson, Joshua Kreutzer and Addie's cousin, Stephanie Greenway receive their diplomas. Addie also attended the reception for Stephanie at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Roy and Phyllis Conrad spent a few days in Wichita visiting with Neil, Rhonda, Chandlier and Ashleigh Allen. While there they attended the Wilbur Orchestra Concert. Ashleigh, an 8th grader at Wilbur was 1st runner up for Concerto Competition. She also received several other awards and one was the Director Award. This was voted on by the students and her music teacher.

Helping to mow St. Mary's Cemetery this past week was Hoop & Twila Higgins, Bet McCormick and Don Bergquist. A new Cemetery Directory has been added to the cemetery and also a new stand showing where the old church (1905-1922) once stood. George and Marilyn ( Wierman) Sommers were responsible for these two new additions to the cemetery. They did a wonderful job.

Nicole Ann Tacha graduated Friday evening, May 15, 2015 Magna Cum Laude from Springfield Catholic High School, Springfield, Missouri. There were 75 in her class. She was selected to the 2014 Academic All-State volleyball team and will play in the all-star game held at Parkview High School in Springfield, June 6. She was offered a scholarship to Loyola and a Provincial Scholarship from Rockhurst. She plans on attending The University of Missouri, Columbia. The 75 class members were offered more than 7.4 million dollars in scholarships...Those attending her graduation were: Ness City, Shirley Higgins, John Horesky, Tammy Irvin, Chuck, Jerry, & Tanner Higgins, Kyra Horesky, Jim & Lori Tacha, Lynn Tacha, Kearney, Nebraska, Lindsey Tacha, Ness City, Charlene & Andy Weskamp, Norton and Carolyn Weskamp, Nixa, Missouri.

Sunday was Graduation for the La Crosse Class of 2015. Pat Petz was proud to be the second grade teacher of many of those students who graduated. Her students were: Cole Kershner, Ashley Depperschmidt, Chance Corsair, Chase Klozenbucher, Alyssa Oborny, Savannah Randa, Brianna Reeves, Sheldon Schmidt, Marissa Wagner, and Caitland Woods. Congratulations and Best Wishes to you all!

Singers are welcome to join the Choir Monday, May 25 at St. Mary's Cemetery 10:13, and at the City Cemetery 11:00 a.m. along with the McCracken American Legion for the Memorial Day Program. If you need more information, contact Arlene 785-394-1940 (cell).

Jenna Elizabeth Higgins graduated Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2015 from Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson, Kansas. There were 430 in her senior class. She was selected for the Rock Chalk Scholarship and the KU Alumni Honor Scholarship. Jenna was also in the top 10% of her class. She will attend Kansas University. She was selected to the 2014 Academic All-State volleyball team and will play in the all-star game held in Topeka, Kansas, June, 2015. Those attending were Mylo and Oyler, Plano, Texas; Stan and Terri Oyler, Robert Riley, Kyle Oyler and Jessica; Shirley, Chuck, Zach, & Tanner Higgins; Kyra Horesky, Tammy Irvin & John Horesky.

Kristen McNair, daughter of Curt and Kelly McNair of Thorton and granddaughter of ‘Arky’ and Diana McNair, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science from CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado.

I have decided that my ancestors moved about 150 miles too far west. We were caught in the storm around Andover and Wichita coming home from Springfield.... Beautiful green pastures, water in ponds, rivers, creeks, unbelievable.

‘Melvin ‘Bob’ Rhoades was critically injured when his green 1993 Mercury Villager hit a tree just doors from his home on Monday, May 11. He was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita where he died. He was a ‘regular’ who endeared himself at McDonald’s on 30th Avenue in Hutchinson. Bob had been an orphan and was preceded in death by his wife and the couple had no children, but Rhoades was hardly a man without a family. They knew him so well at McDonald’s that he didn’t have to place an order. He had coffee and an egg biscuit in the morning and when  he returned for lunch it was a cheeseburger and root beer. Supper was usually at Spangles. He sat at one of the round tables in the front where coffee drinkers gather. The McDonald’s supervisor wondered how they could honor him, the result was free drinks Thursday for all senior citizens dining in the restaurant. “In honor of our dear friend, Bob” signs were posted on the doors. We have not read anything about services.

Harley G. North 86, died May 17, 2015. Cremation has taken place. Service will be held at a later date.

History 1975

The Senior Class of MHS dedicate the 1976 Mustang to the Alumni of McCracken High School. This year books lists the graduates from 1913 – 1975.

1976 Seniors: James Casey, Bruce Davis, Steve Foreman, Chuck Higgins, Sally Irvin, Ruth Johnston, Donna Greenway, Rosemarie Grumbein, Scott Kershner, Lynette Legleiter, Roberta Halbleib, Marsha Healy, Kenneth Higdon, Mark McCormick, Robin Schuckman.

Rosemarie Grumbein was crowned Queen at McCracken’s Basketball Homecoming, Jim Casey was King.  Attendents were Roberta Halbleib, Lynette Legleiter, Mark McCormick and Chuck Higgins.

Lorrie Morgan is a starter with the Sterling College Warriorettes basketball team.

MHS captured the Lincoln-Branch league championship by defeating Bogue 63-53 at Russell. The girls lost in overtime to Dorrance in the consolation game giving them 3rd place.

The USD 395 school board toured the facilities at the high school.

The Mustangs won 1st place in the class 1-A regional tournament held at Ransom.

The McCracken Colts ended their season with a record of 10-1. In the Qua Valley League tournament they won 1st place with a 33-30 win over Ransom. Kellye Irvin was leading scorer with 18.