Marion County RECORD

Tabor athlete dies after altercation; suspect charged with aiding and abetting murder

Tabor College football player Brandon Brown, 26, died late Saturday of injuries sustained in an altercation last weekend. McPherson police found him unconscious, lying in a street, when they responded to a noise complaint Sept. 16 in the 400 block of North Carrie Street in McPherson. He had been on life support since then at Via Christi-St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

Council hears resident complaints

A disgruntled Marion homeowner presented several property concerns Monday to Marion City Council members, but underlying them all was a common complaint. “I’m not too happy with me telling city employees and calling the office, you guys deliver the message to whoever, and nothing is getting taken care of,” Gene Lanning said.

Soyez closes book on law enforcement

Robert Soyez of Marion would rather have been riding in a police car mentoring a young officer Sept. 4 than sitting in the Marion City Council room listening to Marion Police Chief Tyler Mermis acknowledge his retirement from the Marion Police Department. Soyez is well-respected among Marion County law enforcement officers — more than a dozen were there, along with family and friends, to pay tribute to a man who devoted 34 years to working full- and part-time for the Marion Police Department and Marion County Sheriff.

Girl turns lemonade into water for Rwanda

Sadie Lange hopes the weather Saturday in Marion is hot. Warm weather means thirsty people, and thirsty people might want a cool glass of lemonade from her stand on South Freeborn Street. Sadie, a second-grader at Marion Elementary School, wants to sell as much lemonade as she can because she’s on a mission: she wants to provide clean drinking water for the African country of Rwanda.

Identity still a mystery after 25 years

Editor’s note: Information for this article was compiled from the Marion County Record archives, and additional sources as cited. She stares straight ahead, expressionless and silent. She is an artist’s best guess in pencil, a sculptor’s conjecture in clay. No one knows how she smiled, how she laughed.

Living center produces cookbook

St. Luke Hospital and Living Center in Marion has published a cookbook of recipes from employees, living center residents, and their families, titled “Recipes from the Heart: St. Luke Family Favorites 2012.” Activity director Robyn Kukuk said some staff members talked about how long it had been since the previous cookbook was made, and residents decided they wanted to make another. Collecting recipes for the cookbook took five to six months, asking for a different category of recipes every so often.

POW/MIA Day is Friday

POW/MIA Recognition Day is Friday. There are still 1,660 missing soldiers from the Vietnam War, 25 from Kansas including Ronald Schultz of Hillsboro.

Lester E. Griffith

Lester E. Griffith, 89, of McPherson and formerly of Marion died Saturday at McPherson Hospital. He was a retired agricultural extension agent after working in Wilson and Marion counties. He was born Nov. 23, 1922, in Pawnee County to William and Katie (Tiday) Griffith. He graduated from Larned High School in 1940 and from Kansas State University in 1950. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and served during World War II.

Gerald Hurt

Gerald Hurt, 80, of Florence died Monday at his home. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Florence. Burial will be in the Lincolnville Cemetery.

Charles L. Jones

Charles L. Jones, 64, of Canton died unexpectedly Friday at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. He was born July 20, 1948 in Newton to George Calvin and Alice Mae (Lindgren) Jones. He was an I.T. engineer for Heartland Technology, Newton. He married Suzanne M. Nachtigal on May 31, 1969, in Inman.

Donald A. Klassen

Donald A. Klassen, 84, of Hillsboro died Tuesday at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. He was born Oct. 30, 1927, in Mountain Lake, Minn., to Abram and Elizabeth (Janzen) Klassen. He was a hospital administrator and farmer.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Marriage licenses

Peabody municipal court

Peabody police

County approves bridge inspections

Marion County Commission approved a bid from CFS Engineers for more than 300 bridge inspections in the county. The bid from CFS was not the lowest bid at $19,500. It was one of the most detailed. On the advice of Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford, and taking in account CFS’s record for thorough testing on bridges, the Commission decided to go with CFS instead of Elite Engineering Service at $17,405.

Woodworking therapy adds backyard beauty

Hidden behind a modest home on Falcon Road southwest of Hillsboro is an intriguing backyard with split-level brick and wood slat patios. Wood-backed displays made from windmill blades, old barbecue grills, wheelbarrows, and wagons treat the eye. Beautiful flowering begonias, luscious hostas, and a wide variety of hyacinths surround mansion-like bird feeders, birdhouses, and birdbaths.

Rock garden accommodates family trees

In more ways than one, a pair of decades-old pin oak trees were the reason why Dorothy Widler chose to put a rock garden in front of her home in Marion early this spring. “The ground was bare because the trees sucked all the water out of the ground,” Widler said.

Tidbits on Old Settler's Day

With Art in the Park and Arts and Crafts Fair over with, it’s on to the next big event: Old Settlers’ Day. I wrote in an article last week about how having class reunions at Old Settlers’ Day infused energy into the 101-year-old celebration. It turns out that idea is even older than I reported. This week Joan Meyer read Bill Meyer’s column from Sept. 27, 1962, and found this:

LETTERS:

Trail signs dedication on Sunday

A ceremony to dedicate signs marking the Santa Fe Trail in Marion County will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Cottonwood Crossing Historic Interpretive Kiosk, 1.5 miles west of Durham on 290th Road. Dignitaries representing the National Park Service, Santa Fe Trail Association, and county government will take part in the ceremony to celebrate the placing of more than 100 signs.

Trail Stop gets beer license

Tampa City Council approved a cereal malt beverage license request from David Mueller for the Trail Stop on Sept. 10. The license will allow the store to sell beer, as long as it no more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight. Marion County Commission Chairman Dan Holub told the council that the four miles of 330th Road west of Tampa will be finished with center and side stripes before winter. The four miles of Limestone Road south of Tampa will be chip-sealed in the spring.

Marion business celebrates 5-years

“People always want to get their hair done,” Karen Ehrlich said. “People keep making things.” She makes it sound simple — Down on the Corner and Hair Corner’s collective reason of sustainability. The cooperating businesses celebrated their fifth anniversary this past week, Sept. 10 through Friday, at their location on west Main Street in Marion.

Teams rally for accident victims

Goessel, Moundridge, and Sedgwick junior high and high school volleyball teams are rallying together to raise funds for recent accident victims Tamera Yutzy and Rylee Spears of Goessel. Classmates of Rylee, who would have started third grade at Goessel Elementary this year, as well as other community members continue to care and remember the pair. A single-vehicle rolloever accident near Goessel on Aug. 10 resulted in critical injuries for mother and daughter. Both are making recovery progress but remain hospitalized at St. Francis-Via Christi in Wichita. Tamera recently moved into the Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, while Rylee is a patient in the Burn Unit.

Chili cook-off is Oct. 6

Marion County Park and Lake will have its sixth annual chili cook-off from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 6 outside the lake hall. Contestants can cook their chili in advance, Park and Lake Superintendent Steve Hudson said, but they must have two gallons of chili. There will be cash prizes and trophies for the top three competitors, a traveling trophy for the champion, and a trophy for the competitors’ choice winner.

County represented at livestock show

Marion County and the surrounding area will be well represented with 27 exhibitors at the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, Friday through Monday at the Kansas Pavilions near Wichita. Entries Cedar Point Cody Parmley: market barrow and swine showmanship. Corin Parmley: market barrow, two market lambs, two meat goats, swine showmanship, and sheep showmanship. Durham Lauren Geis: Chianina breeding heifer, two market barrows, market lamb, and swine showmanship. Lisa Geis: commercial breeding heifer, market lamb, and beef showmanship. Hillsboro Mesa Merrell: two meat goats, two commercial doe kids, and goat showmanship. Bryce Roberts: two market lambs and sheep showmanship. Landon Roberts: commercial ewe and sheep showmanship. Sa Rae Roberts: market lamb, commercial ewe, and sheep showmanship. Lincolnville Callie Riffel: market barrow, meat goat, and swine showmanship. Jensen Riffel: two market barrows, swine showmanship. Kailyn Riffel: two market barrows, swine showmanship. Marion Katey Ehrlich: commercial breeding heifer. Cassidy Hill: market lamb, Dorset breeding ewe, commercial ewe, and sheep showmanship. Peabody Devon Gaines: market steer and commercial breeding heifer. Morgan Gaines: market steer and commercial breeding heifer. Jack Parks: swine showmanship. Tanner Parks: swine showmanship. Tampa Cailey Barney: market lamb and sheep showmanship. Jared Barney: market lamb and sheep showmanship. Zach Barney: market lamb and sheep showmanship. Elizabeth Meyer: market lamb, and sheep showmanship. Nicholas Meyer: commercial ewe and sheep showmanship. Kara Riffel: market barrow, commercial doe kids, swine showmanship, goat showmanship. Karl Riffel: AOB breeding heifer, commercial doe kids, beef showmanship, and swine showmanship. Kyle Riffel: market barrow, meat goat, commercial doe kids, swine showmanship, goat showmanship.

Old Settlers' Day approaching

Old Settlers’ Day is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Marion, along with the many class reunions that accompany the homecoming celebration. Class reunions can be publicized in the Marion County Record by e-mailing information to news@marionrecord.com or dropping off information at the newspaper office.

Sing-along kicks off fall series

Tabor College’s Learning in Retirement series returns this fall with a new name, Lifelong Learning. The fall series will begin Sept. 28 with a nostalgic sing-along directed by Tabor Music Department Chairman Brad Vogel, accompanied by Phyllis Epp. During a break, Betty Seibel will talk about the stories behind songs. Recent graduate David Vogel will also sing.

Neo-Century Club hears local history

Neo-Century Club met Sept. 10 at Hilltop Manor with 15 members present. The Executive Committee served a meal of chicken casserole, salads, rolls, and drinks. Following the meeting, Marion County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman spoke about the settlement of Mennonites in the Gnadenau community between Peabody and Hillsboro and the home for orphans. In the business meeting, new “heart sisters” were drawn. Sylvia Helmer gave devotions, reading comments by Billy Graham after 9/11, and a prayer. It was announced that 11 fruit plates were delivered to shut-ins in the spring. Potential new members were discussed, to be determined at the October meeting.

MHS grad wins teaching award

Marion High School graduate Shannon Stewart Wedel, art teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Great Bend, has been named outstanding elementary art educator of the year for 2012-13 by the Kansas Art Education Association. The association will present the award at its fall conference Oct. 27 in Wichita. In 17 years of teaching, Wedel has been a mentor for new teachers in the Great Bend school district and organized the 2007 KAEA annual conference. She has also presented workshops to fellow art educators at state and national conferences.

Bredemeier reunion is Sept. 30

The 59th annual Bredemeier family reunion will be Sept. 30 in the Marion Community Center. A potluck dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m., and drinks will be provided. Organizers ask family members to bring family news and photos. For more information, contact Betty Sanders at (620) 382-2427.

Democratic women to meet Sept. 21

Marion County Democratic Women will meet for lunch Sept. 21 at Marion Senior Center. The group asks members to bring oleo for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.

Klose celebrates birthday

LaVaughn Klose of Marion was born Oct. 4, 1927. She will celebrate her 85th birthday with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren invite friends and family members to stop by and wish her a happy birthday. Friends may send her birthday wishes at 122 N. Roosevelt St., Marion, KS 66861.

Retired teacher turning 90

Betty Fetrow of rural Cedar Point was born Sept. 25, 1922. She taught in area schools for many years, and enjoys watercolor painting. Her family will help her celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Florence American Legion.

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MEMORIES:

Meyer enjoys district FFA officer position

Two years ago as a Marion High School freshman, Nick Meyer attended an FFA Greenhand conference, an event for first-year members. Greenhands followed along as they were led through ceremonies, workshops, and activities designed to build enthusiasm for participation in FFA. It worked for Meyer.

Fast start boosts Warrior football win

The Marion High School Warriors were doing so much hooting, yelling, jumping, and clapping at midfield prior to the kickoff Friday against Bennington that late-arriving fans at Warriors Stadium might have thought the Warriors had already won. They might have been right. A fired-up Marion defense forced a fumble on the opening series recovered by lineman Nick Meyer, and Warrior quarterback Taylor Heidebrecht bolted 48 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball, sparking the Warriors to a 20-0 victory over the Bulldogs.

Lady Warriors take 3rd in tourney

It isn’t unusual for teams to experience a letdown when they end up in a consolation match rather than the compete for a tournament championship. Marion High School didn’t have that problem Saturday when they squared off against Berean Academy for third place in the Marion Spikefest volleyball tournament. The Lady Warriors had an extra incentive on their minds — they were looking for revenge.

MHS runners finish well at Peabody

Led by senior Jordan Hett the Marion High School boys’ cross-country team finished second Thursday in Peabody. Hett battled all race with Drew Hageman of Hesston and Josh Richert of Hillsboro and lead most of the way. Even with a quality kick, Hett finished behind Hageman for second place with a time of 17:20.88.

Lady Cougars sweep triangular

At a triangular played Sept. 11 at Solomon, the Centre High School volleyball team supported their coach’s assertion that they will finish the season at or near the top of the Wheat State League. They won two easy victories over league rivals, including the host team, 25-9 and 25-14, and Hope, 25-12 and 25-12. Brenna Shields served for 17 points against Solomon. She had 4 aces. Genesis Rudolph and Shelby Makovec set the ball perfectly in 32 total attempts.

Nollers win couples golf

Marion Country Club hosted the 20th Annual Couple’s Invitational Golf Tournament Saturday. Twenty-seven teams from Burlington, Clay Center, Concordia, Council Grove, Derby, El Dorado, Halstead, Hillsboro, Marion, McPherson, Osage City, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita participated. Don and Judy Noller of Marion were the winners of the championship flight with a score of 72. Second place went to Dave and Barbara Hicks of Salina, 77. John and Julie Hower of Council Grove placed third, 78.

Centre falls to Lebo, 36-26

In a game played Friday on the road, the Centre High School football team was defeated by Lebo, 36-26. Centre led at halftime, 26-20, but failed to score in the second half.

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