HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH OF YOU!

.

Click on

↓

Happy New Year Wish to Each of YOU!

60696

As we say good bye to 2011 we want to wish you a

Happy New Year in 2012.

From our Family
to each of YOU,
Thank You for your Words of Appreciation 
and YOUR Support.
60565

Back row - Gwen (daughter), Kelby (son) & Joshua (oldest grandson).
Front row and Middle row - Jacey (granddaughter), Millard, Onnalee, Jared (youngest grandson) & Jacob (middle grandson). 
Kelby does not have children.  Gwen has 4 children.

AN INTERVIEW WITH VAN HOISINGTON (CLASS OF 1958)

.

VAN HOISINGTON

President and Chief Investment Officer, Hoisington Investment Management,

was featured in an interview in Barron's,
The Dow Jones Business and Financial Weekly.
.
Click on
↓

Van's Interview

60454

Click on

↓

And the Glory of the Lord - Handel's Messiah

Happy Birthday - Norma Hutchcraft Williams!60314

PARADISE POST OFFICE

.
I received this link about the Paradise Post Office from Jim Harrell in Oct. 
I don't know how outdated it is at this time, but I know that it will be of interest to many of you. 
I always appreciate these items of interest and I'm sorry this one didn't get posted right away. 
Thanks Jim.

Click on

↓

Postal Problems - Paradise and other small towns - Salina Journal

.
60254

CORA AGNES SIMS

Cora Agnes Sims

Date of Birth:    8/18/1917

Date of Death:   12/5/2011

.


Cora Agnes (Shaffer) Sims, 94, died on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011
at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born on her parents' farm in Russell County near the small town of Waldo. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence R. "Larry" Sims, her parents Clarence A. and Lola E. (Dunkel) Shaffer, five sisters: Louise Booth, Wilma Johnson, Elizabeth "Betty" Funk, Fern Shaffer and Vivian Ganoung, two half brothers: Lloyd and Earl Shaffer, one brother: Charles H. Shaffer and two nephews Lloyd Funk and Dennis Johnson.
She leaves her son and daughter-in-law, Richard E. and Ruth Ann Sims, two grandsons and their families, Tracy and Stacey Sims, Caitlyn, Joshua, Jacob and Ethan Sims; Marty and Melissa, Corey and Gabe Sims. Also remaining are one sister and brother-in-law, Patricia "Pat" and Lloyd Quinn, one sister-in-law Carol Rose Shaffer, and many nieces, nephews, students and friends.

Cora Agnes Shaffer graduated from the Paradise Dell (rural school), Russell High School and Fort Hays State College. She began her teaching career right after her graduation from high school and continued for 43 years. She married Lawrence R. Sims in 1939. To his union, one son Richard E. Sims was born in 1941.

In 1981 Cora Agnes worked in the Banner Clothing Store in Salina and then began working in the Bridal Cake Shop in Salina where she baked and decorated many cakes and taught decorating classes.

Her husband died March 6, 1996. She continued living on the farm and decorating cakes. She retired in 2000. She was a dedicated teacher, a 4-H leader, farmer and housewife. She was president of the Russell County Teachers Association for two terms, a NEA Delegate for four terms, and worked as a board member of K.S.T.A. She is a life member of NEA, KSTA and Retired Teachers. She was also a member of the Gamma Epsilon, and the Hedville Ladies Club. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. She loved life and always tried to do her best, to treat others as she wanted to be treated.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 9, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, with the family present from 6 pm - 8 pm.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Salina. Burial will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E. Neal, Salina.
.
59548

AGNES SIMS

.
"Hi Onnalee, Agnes Sims, teacher at Paradise Grade school in the 50's and 60's died this afternoon, Dec. 5th, at Salina Regional Hospital.
Arthur Lee"

Thank You Arthur. It is very thoughtful of you to think of the blog and send information to me.  As soon as we get the obituary, I will put it on. 
Jim Harrell is busy doing that at this time.  ☺
59459 

THANK YOU JERRY WEBSTER

.
On 11/13/2011 I received the following email from Jerry Webster. 
Evidently I was busy or preoccupied at that time and this email did not get my attention. 
So sorry!  Thank You for your kind words. 
I have also added your email address to my Paradise Alumni addresses in my address book.

From Jerry . . . .

"My name is Jerry Webster. I graduated from Paradise Rural High School in 1954. I follow Paradise Educated site religously and really enjoy keeping up with all the happenings. I live in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. Please add me to anything connected to Paradise.
Thank you"

59379

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS AGAIN . . . . .

.
I recived another message from "Anonymous" a few weeks ago. 
Since they are making some of us rather curious, we are now wondering who she/he is.
The last comment from him/her was . . . .

"I apologize for any previous posts that may have been out of line.I did see “Posted by Onnalee”.
It took a bit of time to recall who Onnalee was.
Name was familiar, but not sure I ever met you.
Do you have a sister-in-law by the name of Ranelle?
Anyway - thanks for confirming Glen as Willie & for the pics on your web site."

At this time Jim, Millard & I are thinking and wondering - you know us better than we know you, so who are you?

Jim Harrell is Millard's cousin (2nd or 3rd) and he (Jim) is married to Ranelle.
I am married to Millard and he is an only child.
OK! Are you going to tell us who you are or do we have to guess?
.
Facts . . .

1. You were a sophomore (probably in H.S.) in 1969.
2. You were about the same age as Jim Harrell. He graduated from Paradise H.S. in 1971.
3. You probably didn't graduate from Paradise H.S. because you don't actually know me very well.
Hopefully, if you would have been one of my students, you would remember me.   :o) 
4. You evidently played on town team basketball, but we don't have names for those that played.
.
We have one question.  Are you Bruce Deschner from Natoma?
I have no idea who that might be but Jim is sharp as a tack and he came up with this name.


59118

This is Willie the Wildcat - Glen Strecker and his wife Rhonda.

Thanksgiving - 2011

59124

THANKSGIVING FACTS

1. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the USA.
2. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.
3. The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.
4. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621.
5. The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
6. The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in the year 1621 and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians also to the feast.
7. The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.
8. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's.
9. Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the USA.
10. By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived.
The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to hold a thanksgiving feast.
59115

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS TODAY AND EVERY DAY

http://www.youtube.com/user/gratitudecampaign

58735

SUPPORT OUR PARADISE - COMMENT ON THE LINK

•

Let's really put Paradise on the Kansas Map
Click on the link and make a comment
↓

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=210201765716376&id=1200913107#!/photo.php?fbid=10150362284837421&set=a.10150367518967421.374181.175112542420&type=3&theater

58268

AND NOW WE KNOW . . . . RHONDA MARRIED WILLIE THE WILDCAT

I received a neat email from Rhonda Hendershott Strecker . . .

"Onnalee, I first met Glen when I went to a KSU game for band day and later, for cheerleader day, the year I was a senior in high school. At that time, they actually gave Willie the microphone and let him lead some cheers. He wore the old "furry" head, before the new Powercat was introduced.  Thanks for posting, its always fun to tell other KSU fans that I married Willie!"

Hopefully, we can post some pictures of Willie/Glen later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQVnQaUvdcw

.

YES, GLEN STRECKER WAS WILLIE THE WILDCAT!

I have received 3 comments from "Anonymous" asking if Glen Strecker was Willie the Wildcat.

I have made it a practice to not post Anonymous comments but as soon as I received the first comment from "Anonymous" I sent the comment to Glen and Devin.  Devin quickly responded and said that his Dad (Glen) was Willie the Wildcat. 
I asked him for pictures and a story.  I think he is having his Mom and Sister work on that for us.

This morning I received the 3rd comment from "Anonymous".  I have decided that it does sound like the "real thing" and I thought everyone would enjoy it.  Here it is . . . .
(A note to "Anonymous", we would like to have your name too.)

"Was curious about the Willie Wildcat.
GoPowercat board had a question about the first KSU FB game attended.
Mine was Band Day as a sophomore in Oct 69 against Iowa St & remember Rhonda going up to the rail to meet someone. May disrember the Willie stuff, but you would have made a great one. You could be kind of a clown when playing town team basketball ;).
Went back the following week with the Natoma Football team to see the OU 59-21 game.
Anyway, that is how I remember it ;).
Thanks for the old Paradise Pics."
58095

MEMORIES FROM FAIRPORT

.

Terry Martin posted this on facebook

a few weeks ago.

How interesting!

57385

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IVA BYRD & ROGER PRUTER

Because of facebook, I happen to know that we have 2 birthdays today.

IVA BYRD  (Class of 1960)

&

ROGER PRUTER (Class of 1958)

57305

THE PROPHETS

The Prophets
Ronnie Hendershott, Dennis Finch, Gene Angel & Dan Hoisington

Thank You Rhonda Strecker for posting this on facebook.

 
Janette (Angel) Ross sent me an email last week saying . . . .
"Dennis, Ronnie, Gene & Dan spent many hours practicing in my mom & dad’s basement! I’m so glad that we visited Paradise this past weekend to be there to hear this wonderful message and so that Dennis could hug my mom for all she put up with in her basement (you can imagine – loud guitars, drums & great singing)!! I got to enjoy them too along with some of these guys girlfriends and we’d dance together to their music.

THEY WERE GOOD! As good as the Beatles (we thot)....WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND!!!"

56382

And here they are now!  ↓

↑

Dennis Finch, Gene Angel & Dan Hoisington

↑

Ronnie Hendershott

56413 - - 57273

CHESTER & ELSIE ROUNKLES FAMILY REUNION WAS SEPTEMBER 3rd & 4th

.
Family members came from 4 states to attend the "Chester and Elsie Rounkles Family Reunion" on September 3 and 4, 2011, at Russell, Kansas.

A "BBQ" supper at 6:00 P.M. was enjoyed by all. They spent the day and evening visiting, taking pictures, playing basketball, tossing bean bags, and reminiscing.
.
Sunday they went to Paradise and visited the "ole family farmstead". They especially had fun "walking the creek" and then touring Paradise. Some of the family then went to Lucas to see "The Garden of Eden". Our cousin was the tour guide!
.
Those attending the reunion were:
John and Joyce [Rounkles - 1957] Mello , Russell, Ks.
John, Shirley, and Michael Mello, DeSoto, Ks.
Mary and Lonnie Bushnell, Gardner, Ks.
Gene and Lois [Rounkles - 1960] Bonar, Cherryvale, Ks.
Greg Bonar and Olivia, Parsons, Ks.
Mitch and Gina Ramey, Parsons, Ks.
Marvin Rounkles (1961), O`Fallon, Ill.
Ryan, Maureen, Kira and Maya Rounkles, Imperial, Mo
Ross, Autumn, Tessa, McKenna, and Braelyn Rounkles, Belleville, Ill.
Rachelle and Kevin Hawotte and boys, Dylan and Jamison, Cabot, Ark.
Penny [Rounkles - 1964] Loker, McDonald, Ks.

Thank you to Mary and Rachelle for organizing the reunion!!
A good time was had by all !! See you next year !!!
.
Written by: Lois [Rounkles] Bonar, class of 1960!!

56799

9/11 TRIBUTE

All of you know that I would never promote alcoholic beverages, but this is only 1 minute long and is Awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_t2t2WavKE

A very well done commercial by Budweiser as a 9/11 Tribute.

This ad appeared only ONCE, to avoid people thinking the company was trying to profit from the tribute.
.
56666

KATHRYN HARRELL SIMPSON - CLASS OF 1933

†


KATHRYN MARIE
(HARRELL) SIMPSON
1916-2011

Visitation:
September 12, 2011 11:00 A.M.

............†
Location:

Dokken-Nelson Sunset Chapel
Bozeman, Montana 
 ............†
Service:
September 12, 2011 1:00 P.M.
............†
Graveside Service:
September 12, 2011
............†
Location:
Sunset Hills Cemetery
.
.
Kathryn Marie Simpson passed away peacefully on the night of September 6, 2011 at the age of 95 with her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter by her side. She was born March 24, 1916 in Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of John T. and Catherine Marie (Murphy) Harrell, Sr. She grew up in the Paradise area and attended schools there, graduating from Paradise High School. She attended Ft. Hays State College receiving a degree in education. Kathryn taught in elementary schools in Kansas and Wyoming, off and on for 13 years, before becoming a full time mother and homemaker.
.
Kathryn married R.D. Simpson on November 8, 1953 in Salina, Kansas. With that marriage she gained two adopted sons, Robert David and John Jay Simpson. The marriage was blessed with the arrival of a third son, Thomas H. Simpson in February 1956. The family moved to Wyoming in 1963, with 4 years in Casper and then in Glenrock, WY. Kathryn resided in Glenrock, living independently at home, until September 2007, when at the age of 91, she moved to Bozeman, to be closer to her son, Tom, granddaughter, Jennifer, and great grandson, Devin. While living in Bozeman at Aspen Pointe and then at Birchwood, she enjoyed many new friendships among the other residents and staff. At the time of her death, Kathryn was living at the Spring Creek Inn, surrounded by the wonderful and caring staff.
.
While living in Wyoming, Kathryn was a 25 year volunteer at the Natrona County Hospital filling various needs. She was active in many civic organizations, including 50 years with Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi and the PEO Sisterhood. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Casper until her death, but when she could no longer drive to Casper by herself, she began attending the Christ Episcopal Church in Glenrock.
.
In her younger years, Kathryn cherished the time spent with her family along with playing the piano, bowling and traveling. She enjoyed all music and had a fondness for the Lawrence Welk Show until the end. Kathryn enjoyed the countless activities and gathering with her family and many friends in Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi and PEO.
.
Kathryn is survived by her sons, Thomas (Ann) Simpson, of Bozeman, Robert (Mary Sue) Simpson of Casper, WY and John (Miriam) Simpson of Whitefish, MT; granddaughter, Jennifer Simpson; and great-grandson, Devin Mosness, of Bozeman, MT; and out of state grandchildren, Luke (Linda) Drury, Kendra Drury, Jean Marie Neumann, Daniel Simpson and Darin Simpson.
.
Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Elna Margaret Simpson; her brother, John T. Harrell, Jr. and his wife, Doris Zelma (Wright) Harrell.
.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., Monday, Sept. 12 at Dokken-Nelson Sunset Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 P.M. Burial will immediately follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in Glenrock, WY at a later date.
†
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
...'
56592

CONGRATULATIONS TO GLEN & RAE JEAN HOOPES - - - - - - - 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

CONGRATULATIONS GENE & RAE JEAN

Front Row - Left to Right
Emilee, Kiersten, Kolin, Molly, Kate

Middle Row

Sandi, Susan, Hailee, Rae Jean, Alex

Back Row
Jeff, Monte, Glen, Brad

056260

50 YEARS AGO TODAY - THE NEW PARADISE GRADE SCHOOL OPENED

50 years ago the new Paradise grade school opened.
78 students were enrolled.
.
Frances Mahoney was the principal and teachers were Louise Helscher, Virginia Robertson, Vesta Henery, and Helen Hoisington (part-time).
.
Jim Harrell started 3rd grade that year and Mrs. Robertson was his teacher. 
.(I will be in trouble for adding this.)
.
August 28, 1961 - 50 yrs ago today.

Thanks Jim for the information. 
I appreciate all of the information you send to me and the help you give to me for the blog. 

 56130

LAWRENCE FINCH'S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Lawrence Finch celebrated his 100th birthday, August 13, with a weekend of events including a family reunion dinner followed by an open house for family and friends at the Fossil Creek Inn banquet hall. Hundreds of well wishers traveled from near and far to give tribute.

Finch was born August 13, 1911 south of Natoma, Kansas. Until recently he was a long time resident of both Natoma and Paradise. He now resides with his daughter Dixie Eggleston, Liberty, Missouri.

Photo:  Lawrence Finch celebrated his 100 birthday with hundreds of well wishers including his daughter, Dixie Eggleston.
Born August 13, 1911 south of Natoma, Kansas, Finch experienced 18 United States Presidents beginning with William Howard Taft at the turn of the century.

Photograph and storyline:
Laay Tucker, 785-885-4116

I received an email and the following pictures from Dixie.  She said . . . .

"Dad wasn’t really feeling to good that day and had to leave for about an hr and came back in at around 2:30. He was pretty weak so we had a wheel chair for him. Then Sat. night he fell and we had to have the ambulance take him to the hospital as he really bumped his head and had a cut above his eye. He was so dehydrated they pumped him full of fluids for a couple of days. We did get him home back here Monday. He isn’t doing very good. If you need anything else let me know. Dixie"



Lawrence, Dixie & Brodie  → 
Behind Dixie is her daughter, Beverly
and Dixie's grandson, Chad.

←  Lawrence & Robbie

Kendra & Jo (Great, Great, Great)  →





Sunday worship at the United Methodist Church in Paradise brought family and friends for a special message by guest Lay Pastor Dennis Finch formerly of Natoma. Preaching from the Gospel of Matthew coupled with life experiences, he honored his uncle Lawrence Finch who celebrated his 100th birthday the previous day, August 13. Family and friends enjoyed the service followed by an ice cream social. The event also brought together life long friends and former Prophet Band members, Dennis Finch of Beloit, Gene Angel and Dan Hoisington, Paradise. The Prophets, a regional band during the era of The Beatles, played throughout much of the 1960's before disbanding. Finch now pastors two churches: First Baptist Church of Barnard and Simpson Community Church in Simpson. Angel and Hoisington are members of their home church in Paradise, Kansas."

Photograph by Courtney Thompson, Salina

Storyline by Laah Tucker, 785-885-4116



Janette (Angel) Ross also sent an email about the church service . . . . .

"Dennis gave a wonderful sermon (which I know would be very hard in your own almost home-town) about wanting to see all of us – his friends and cousins in heaven. And he gave the message of salvation.
.Dennis, Gene & Dan spent many hours practicing in my mom & dad’s basement! I’m so glad that we visited Paradise this past weekend to be there to hear this wonderful message and so that Dennis could hug my mom for all she put up with in her basement (you can imagine – loud guitars, drums & great singing)!! I got to enjoy them too along with some of these guys girlfriends and we’d dance together to their music.
 THEY WERE GOOD! As good as the Beatles (we thot)....WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND!!!
.
Dennis told many stories of playing basketball with Glen Strecker, Gene Angel, & Dan and how they beat Natoma in basketball that year of 1965, I think! Do you remember it? Any way Dennis was a great ball player himself (however, he didn’t mention that)! He just explained how the Natoma team could not hold down that Paradise team and got beat that year. Of course we all enjoyed hearing about that!!! Then Dennis mentioned a few of his sins: one of which he came to Paradise (probably with other guys from Natoma, tho he didn’t mention that) and stole our Paradise Pirate – took it to Natoma and thought it was so great that he’d captured the Pirate! But Mr Rogers, Natoma principal,  had Dennis in his office the next day WIth THE PIRATE – let Dennis borrow his pickup and he had to bring the Pirate back to Paradise.
Do you remember any of this? Ask Dan about it OK – he may remember other funny stories about Dennis too!  Janette" 

56034

CHARLES LANDIS - CLASS OF 1959

Delta Charles "Charlie" Landis

(October 24, 1941 - August 15, 2011)
.
Delta Charles "Charlie" Landis, 69,
died August 15, 2011


.He was born Oct. 24, 1941
to Delbert and Veta Landis in Fairport, KS.
He was a U.S. Postal Carrier in Bethany
for over 30 years
and was known as “Good Time Charlie”.
He enjoyed fishing, eating with his brothers, good times,
and was a lifelong member of the
National Assoc. of Letter Carriers.

. 
Preceded in death by his mother, he is survived by his father, Delbert Landis;
son, David Landis;
brothers, Don and Delmar Landis;
sister, Virginia Maddox;
grandchildren, Erin, Eileen, David, Maddison, Ellen and Zinnia Belle;
and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be Friday, August 19, 10:00am at Mercer-Adams Chapel.

To share a memory or condolence, visit

 

http://www.mercer-adams.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1238391&fh_id=11760

†

I received this email from Don Landis yesterday.


"Charlie passed away about 11:30 this morning.
He was in a coma for the past two days and was without
pain and passed peacefully.
Services are pending. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
Don Landis"

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Landis family.

DALE ROLAND POST

Dale Roland Post, 88, Russell,

died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011

at St. John's Care Center, Victoria.

Dale was born December 12, 1922 in Paradise, Kansas -
son of Clifford and Ethel Pearl (Swartz) Post.
He grew up in the Paradise and Waldo areas and graduated from Waldo High School in 1940.

Dale served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war he returned to the Russell and Waldo area where he has lived ever since.

Dale was united in marriage to Della D. Sanders on May 26, 1945 in Russell, Kansas. This union was blessed with three children; Kenneth, Glenda and Gerald. They lived in Bethany, Oklahoma during the 1050’s but the rest of their marriage has been in Russell.

Dale worked in the oil field before he started working for the city of Russell driving one of the trucks. He retired in 1982. He also ran the Russell County Landfill for several years and was in charge of the Russell County Food Pantry. In his spare time he did metal salvage, lawn care service and snow removal and collecting anything that had a Pepsi lego.

Dale was a member of the Calvary Assembly of God Church of Russell. He also belonged to the Russell American Legion.

Surviving family include his wife of 66 years Della of the home;
sons, Kenneth Post and wife Ruth of Enid, Oklahoma and Gerald Post of Hutchinson, Kansas; daughter, Glenda Hammerschmidt and husband Verlin of Victoria, Kansas;
three grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and two great-great grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Maurice Post and sister Gwendolyn Ashey.

Celebration of Dale’s Life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 8, 2011 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Rev. Jim Alexander officiating. Burial will follow at Wilson City Cemetery where Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from noon to 8 PM Sunday at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM. A memorial has been established with Calvary Assemby of God Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.  http://www.pvpmortuary.com/index.asp?DocumentID=736

Here is a link to Dale's sister's - Gwendolyn Ashey - obituary.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=post&GSiman=1&GScid=93118&GRid=60741821

047415

A MESSAGE FROM AN UNKNOWN READER

.
I received this today - from an unknown reader.  However, I am sure I will know soon who it is.


"It was refreshing to learn that the 2010 census for Paradise was finally completed.

I'm sure that it was time consuming and took a large effort for Mr. Hoisington to get this completed.

However, the census was to be completed last year.

Knowing Mr. Hoisington, I'm confident that the numbers that were acquired is a proactive effort to complete the 2020 census on time."
.
047259

DAN HOISINGTON HAS WORKED VERY HARD FOR THE BLOG!

.
Thank You Dan

for providing us with your expertise

in counting up the

current population of Paradise.

I received an email from him today. 
He is so very busy I was thrilled that he took out the time to send this information for the blog . . . . . .

"I was looking at the old news in the blog about Paradise so I decided to do a finger and toe count to see what the current population of Paradise is. It is 35 full time and 6 part timers. This includes the 2 houses that are just out side of the south city limits. We need some new bodies in town however I believe all houses are occupied. Several have been demolished to keep anyone from the Emporia area from moving in.

Dan"
.
Wow!  That last sentence certainly messed up his rating as my "favorite student". 
I wonder how he will ever get back in good standing.  I doubt that he can accomplish that.
.

047223

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, LAWRENCE FINCH

Lawrence Finch will be 100 - August 13, 2011
.
His 100th Birthday Party will be
in Russell at the Fossil Inn
Aug. 13, 2011.

Friends are invited to stop by and wish him

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Lawrence Finch  was born just south of Natoma on the Harsh place in Rooks county. He is the oldest son of Gavin and Pearl (Clair) Finch. He met his wife , Nellie Sanders , when she was teaching at a country school. Lawrence's little brother and sister was in Nellie's school. They married March 2, 1929 and was married almost 75years when she passed away about two weeks before their anniversary.

(←  Photo taken at the Paradise Reunion - July, 2010)






Lawrence supported his family by farming and when the dirty 30’s hit he moved his family to Arizona and got a job in the gold mines there. Norma was just a baby when they moved out and Dixie was born in Oatman Arizona 1937. They returned to Ks when Dixie was about 4. Lawrence had a few small jobs but ended up working for Sohio.. He retired from Sohio which became B P. He and Nellie moved up south of Natoma on a little farm. They later moved to Natoma, but Lawrence kept the farm for awhile. He and Nellie had a small camper and traveled quite a bit.

↑

This is a 6th Generation of Lawrence.

It is a 5th Generation Photo of Dixie and Roger Thompson.

↓This photo was taken last year at Lawrence's 99th Birthday.
These are Norma's children and grandchildren.

Lawrence  played polo on the Sohio team and he also had greyhounds and loved to coyote hunt.


Nellie had a stroke and so Lawrence took care of her, although she did recover from the stroke. They went to live with Dixie (Eggleston)  in the winter and at their home in the summer. Nellie died at the age of 95 and Lawrence was 93. He continued staying with Dixie through the winter then he decided he wanted to learn how to bowl. They bought him his own ball and bag and he did pretty good. His highest score was about 128. Because of his failing health,  he had to quit. Dixie, Lawrence and Norma did some traveling.   They are so thankful the time they  had with herNorma at that time.

He has been with Dixie now since Norma died and they sold all he had last summer. They just didn't think he could stay by himself anymore. He is still doing pretty good.

There have been 18 presidents in Lawrence Finch's lifetime. 
They started with William Howard Taft (1909-1913).
.
046826

ELMER RAGETH

.
Elmer Rageth, 57,

a former Russell resident,

died on Saturday, July 23, 2011

in

Rogers, Arkansas.

He and his family were there on business,

when Elmer became ill and passed away a few days later.

.
He was born on October 29, 1953 in Plum City, Wisconsin, the son of Dale and Ruby (Bignell) Rageth. He was a longtime resident of the Waldo and Russell areas before leaving the state of Kansas in order to travel and work construction with his brothers. He was a skilled carpenter who loved using his skills to build homes, businesses as well as other wood working projects. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and close friends.
.Elmer is survived by two daughters, Lisa Schreiner of Russell and Marina Rageth of Topeka; two grandchildren Lillian and Olivia; six sisters Dorothy Litchfield, Marie Gavin, Irene Hatt, Betty Gooden, Mary Doody, Nancy Hammett and six brothers Ed, Glen, David, Larry, John and Dale, also by several nephews and nieces.
.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Ruby Rageth and two sisters, Doreen and Elaine Ramsey.
.
A funeral service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening. Memorials may be given to the KSU Basic Cancer Research and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

http://www.pvpmortuary.com/index.asp?DocumentID=732



Most of the Rageth's went to Paradise High School.  Waldo still had a grade school.

They had the restaurant in Waldo - along highway 18.
.
046820

RESPONSES FOR DO YOU REMEMBER #1

.
Randall responded . . . .

"Hi---Those are interesting. I do not remember doing that. I responded but not sure I did it right. Hope you are doing well after your surgery. Randall"

Jon responded . . . .
"I don't recall whether it was Randall or Van but it was a traumatic experience that profoundly changed my life both for the better and the worse. Or maybe not.

I don't think Roger "biked off" the loading dock. It seemed to me to be his normal way of bike riding, as I recall the incident. Jon"


So . . . now I need to get Van involved.  Surely if Randall would have sat (fallen) on Jon's head, he would remember.  How about it Van?
.
046769

DO YOU REMEMBER? #1

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We are going to start posting "Do You Remember!"  Hopefully, we will get some reactions and discussions of memories that were made years ago.

Our first post has 2 . . .  

Do you remember when Randall Weller sat on Jon Anderson's head? 
Millard says YES!    (No, Jon!  This is not another delusion!)

Do you remember when Roger Pruter biked off of the railroad loading dock?

Please send your memories of these and other memories to my email. 
Thank You!    Onnalee@foundwoodcarvings.com

046696

AN EMAIL FROM HUGH & EVELYN RICHARDSON

.
Thank You, Evelyn, for your email.
.
"I have been having trouble with my computer this spring so have not been able to keep up with all of the Paradise news. I really enjoy it. You do a great job finding information.
When we lived in Fairport and taught in Paradise there was a man living in Paradise named "Spence". I don't remember his first name but he died in 1954. Do you or anyone remember anything about him? We have just found out that he was our son-in-law's grandfather.
I have been interested in Millard's carvings. I would really like to see them sometime. I have a cousin living in Emporia so maybe we can visit someday.
We are doing as well as can be expected for "old folks". We really don't get along very well in this heat, but fall will come.Onnalee keep up the good work. Thank you so much. One day soon I will get my computer up and running properly.
.
Hugh and Evelyn Richardson"

046646

VETA LORENE LANDIS

†
Veta Lorene Landis,
age 88, of Wichita, Kansas,
former Russell resident,
died Saturday,
July 16, 2011,
at the
Wesley Medical Center
Wichita, Kansas

Veta was born September 23, 1922, in Portis, Kansas, to Charles May and Sadie (Ramage) Robertson. She married Delbert E. Landis on September 7, 1940. Veta lived in Osborne and Russell counties nearly her entire life. She attended the Diamond School District near Covert, Kansas and also Covert, Kansas High School. She received her GED in 1975. She moved to Fairport, Kansas in 1939 and moved to Russell, Kansas in April of 2002.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 71 years, Delbert of Wichita; her four children, Charles of Bethany, Oklahoma, Virginia Maddox and her husband, Kenneth of Wichita, Kansas, Donald of Bethany, Oklahoma, and Delmar of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a sister, Betty Fraizer of Shreveport, Louisiana; four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great, great granddaughter.


Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2011,
at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home,
20th and Pine in Hays, Kansas.
Burial will be in the Fairport Cemetery north of Gorham, Kansas.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday

from 2 until 5 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9 until the service time.

Our prayers are with each of you at this time -  Charles, Virginia, Donald & Delmar.
We pray for your Dad too and we understand that Charles is not doing too well right now.
Please know that we are very concerned for each of you and we pray for your Trust in God and His Strength to carry you through this time of sorrow and anticipation.

046420

♥ ¯`°º·¤.¸¯`°º·¤.¸ ♥ ¸.¤·º°´¯ ♥¯`°º·¤.¸¯`°º·¤.¸ ♥ ¸.¤·º°´¯ ·¤.¸¯`°º·¤.¸ ♥

~~~~ LET FREEDOM RING ~ HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! ~~~~

¸.¤·º°´¯ ♥ ¯`°º·¤. ♥♥~ ~*~*~*~~♥♥¸.¤·º°´¯ ♥ ¯`°º·¤. 

¸.¤·º°´¯ ♥ ¯`°º·¤. ♥♥~ ~*~*~*~~♥♥¸.¤·º°´¯ ♥ ¯`°º·¤. 

 045888

YOUR PRAYERS ARE APPRECIATED

.

Onnalee is going to have surgery Tuesday, June 21st. We will be going to KC the 20th for some pre-op conferences, spend the night, then she will have her surgery the next day.

This is a surgery that she is going to need, but the surgeon's in Emporia & Topeka did not want to do it.

When Onnalee had her liver transplant she had to be opened up numerous times to clean out infection that had taken hold. The several surgeries which were emergency surgeries in nature left her muscle structure in her abdomen really compromised to the extent that now she has to deal with reoccurring hernias. This last hernia has made walking very difficult for her because muscular support in the abdomen has to be balanced with that in the back.

This may be pretty extensive as hernia surgeries go and of course, infection is still a concern with the drugs she has to take.
.
Your prayers will be appreciated.
Millard
.045160.

HEITSCHMIDT/ANGEL

 .
Photo taken at the 2008 Paradise Reunion



Elaine (Heitschmidt) Vanderlaan (1965), Janette (Angel) Ross (1964)

Wilma Heitchmidt, Garnett (White) Angel (1945)
045155

PRAIRIESTA 2011 - Russell, Kansas

.

June 9-12, 2011

http://www.russellchamber.com/prairiesta/events.html

044842

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT

.

WOW!  We finally received a comment we can publish.
Thank You Nicole Krob.

We receive several comments a week - not suitable for publication.  It is a treat to receive something that actually relates to the blog.

Nicole's comment is below Joe Wiggins post or you can click on it on the left under Comments.

KENNETH "JOE" WIGGINS

.
From Duane Cronn:  (Duane sent this a couple of weeks ago and I am just finding it.  Sorry!)

"Onnalee I am sending you the obituary for Joe Wiggins who died the first part of May. I didn’t see anything in the local papers about his death. I had an individual call me today, and she was at the Paradise Cemetery, and saw his grave. She was a friend of Joe’s and didn’t know he passed away. I don’t know if you knew Joe or not but he was a school administrator in Paradise years ago, and then left the area. He moved back to Paradise a few years ago, and lived here for a period of time. His wife Betty started having health problems and they wanted to move near health facilities in Salina, Kansas. They moved to Bennington, Kansas and she passed away a couple of years ago, and he started having serious health problems. He ended up in a nursing home before he died. Joe and Betty were great people.

Duane Cronn"



Kenneth Joe Wiggins        Salina Journal.
..
BENNINGTON -- Kenneth Joe Wiggins, 74, of Bennington, died Monday, May 2, 2011, at Village Manor, Abilene. Joe was born Dec. 27, 1936, in Ringwood, Okla., to Ira and Pearl (Sears) Wiggins.
.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy. Joe held a master's degree in administration, and before his retirement, he was principal at Solomon Grade School. He was a member of United Church of Bennington.
.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, on Nov. 7, 2007. Joe was also preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Judy Dufurrena.Survivors include his sons, Michael and Marty Wiggins; stepchildren, Bill McCoy, Glenda Smith and Jane Godshall; siblings, Dean, Harley, Robert, Don and Ramona; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
.
Funeral service was Friday at United Church of Bennington, with the Rev. Warren Cico officiating. Burial was in Mount Hermon Cemetery, Paradise.  Memorials may be made to the church.

044647