GOD BLESS YOU THIS THANKSGIVING

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It is important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large wonderful families. Some have problems during the holidays and sometimes are overcome with great sadness when they remember the loved ones who are not with them. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness. We all need caring thoughts and loving prayer right now. Please pray for all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares.
Love & Prayers to all my Paradise Blog readers and their families.

Please pray for our military! 

Thank You to each of them for their service to our country.

DONALD CURTIS MCCALL - HUSBAND OF JOAN (THOMPSON) MCCALL (CLASS OF 1948)

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Donald Curtis McCall,

son of

Henry & Emma Jane (Vanderlip) McCall,

was born

August 29, 1926 in Woodston, Kansas

passed away

November 18, 2013

at the

Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska

at the age of 87.

On December 7, 1944, at the age of 18, Don joined the U. S. Army Air Corp, serving in the Philippines during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 5, 1946.

Don married Joan Thompson on October 25, 1953 in Paradise, Kansas. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October of this year. Don always said that, “the reason the marriage lasted so long was because they were married in Paradise”.

They made their first home in Woodston, Kansas until August, 1968, when they moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas. Their family was blessed with the birth of three children: Kent, Cynthia and Linnette.

Don drove a truck delivering propane for many years, as well as having his own ditch-digging business. He loved God, his country, the season of Christmas and the K-State Wildcats! He & Joan had season football tickets to the K-State games and traveled to many bowl games as well. He enjoyed putting up exterior Christmas lights and decorations at their home each year and also took pride in maintaining and mowing his lawn and the Presbyterian Church lawn. His happiest moments included his marriage and the birth of his children and grandson. Some of his proudest moments were the college graduations of his children and his grandson’s commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp. Don was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was hardworking, kindhearted, honest and loyal and he instilled these values in his children. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His parents, Henry & Emma McCall; brother, Walt; and sisters, Mildred Anderson, Betty Keirns and Natalie Stanhope, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, of the home in Phillipsburg; son, Kent, also of Phillipsburg; daughters, Linnette McCall of Kansas City, MO and Cynthia McCall of Overland Park, KS; grandson, 2nd Lt. Nicholas Cline, of Quantico, VA; brother, Robert E. (Edna) McCall; brothers-in-law, John Stanhope and Roger Thompson; sisters-in-law, Carol Ann McCall, Vivian Martinez, and Sue (Rodney) Heitschmidt; along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services

will be held

Sat. November 23 at 10:30 a.m.

in the

United Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg,

with

Pastor Chris Davis officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. 
in the Mt. Herman Cemetery, Paradise, KS.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church.

Visitation will be from

9–9 Thursday & Friday

at the funeral home

with the family receiving friends from
6-7 Friday evening

 

JOHN J. MELLO, JR - HUSBAND OF JOYCE E. (ROUNKELS) MELLO (CLASS OF 1957)

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John Joseph Mello, Jr., 77

of Russell, Kansas

died Friday evening,

November 22, 2013

at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.

John was born August 27, 1936 in Stoneham, Massachusetts, the son of John J. and Elizabeth V. (Doherty) Mello. He grew up in Winthrop, Massachusetts and graduated from Winthrop High School. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959.

John was united in marriage to Joyce E. Rounkles on April 23, 1960 in Topeka, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children; John and Mary. They made their home in Topeka and Junction City before moving to Russell in 1964.

John worked with Safeway in Russell for 14 years leaving as Produce Manager. He worked several years for Klema’s Apple Mart in the produce department. He then went to work for Abco Wire & Metal. He worked there for 18 years before retiring as Shipping Manager. John enjoyed reading especially Westerns, watching and attending local sporting events and listening to music.

John’s surviving family include his wife of 53 years, Joyce of the home; son, John Mello (Shirley) of DeSoto, Kansas; daughter, Mary Bushnell (Lonnie) of Gardner, Kansas; two grandsons, Chad Bushnell and Michael Mello and a great grandson, Brock Bushnell. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Anne Oliver.

Celebration of John’s Life

will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 27, 2013

at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.

A private burial of Ashes will follow the service.
Friends may sign the book from 9 AM to 8 PM Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.
Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.

BEING THANKFUL!

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From Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede

In reading today's Salina Journal, they had letters from readers on what they are thankful for.  I read them all and one short one thanked God's love letter and the Bible.  It is the best instruction manual we have.  The one I read and was prompted to send on to you and the Paradise Blog is from a woman being thankful for the adoption of their son.  She formerly lived in Paradise and now lives in Russell.  It was from Ruth Bartlett.  She is thankful for the nine-month old boy they loved from first sight and the wonderful grandchildren he gave them.

God's blessings to each and every one of you for Thanksgiving and for the holidays and years to come.

Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede

Class of '58

I received the actual write-up from the Salina Journal from another Paradise Blog supporter.

A Bounty of Gratitude
What are you thankful for? As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the Journal asked readers to reflect on what they are thankful for in their lives. Whether it’s the blessing of family or friends, a second chance at life or love, or gratefulness for the ordinary freedoms we sometimes take for granted, each had a personal reason to show thanks during the season and throughout the year.
Salina Journal

Ruth's Thankfulness . . . .

Happy, Happy Times
 "There is no doubt that one phone call made me and my husband two of the happiest people on earth. The call was from an adoption agency saying they had a 9-month-old baby boy for adoption, and would we be interested? Needless to say, we dropped everything and drove the 90 miles to see this baby. What a charmer! We loved him at first sight. "Now, some 50
years later, we are still most thankful for the wonderful, thoughtful young man he became, and later for the awesome grandchildren he provided to us. At the time of the adoption, we lived on a ranch at Paradise. Happy, happy times."
-- Ruth Bartlett, Russell

WILMA I. HEITSCHMIDT MEMORIAL - MOTHER OF ROGER & RODNEY HEITSCHMIDT AND ELAINE VANDERLAAN

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Wilma I. Heitschmidt

age 97,

of Watertown, SD,

passed away on Friday, November 15, 2013
 at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday,
November 17, 2013

with funeral services to follow at 5:00 p.m.
 at the Wight, Comes &; Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown

with Reverend Marlyn Kuper officiating.

Rhonda Mund will be the soloist
and Lynn Osthus will be the organist. 

 

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jerry Heitschmidt, Jason Heitschmidt, Monte Wedel, Gregg Motley, Jason Snell and John Petrich.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Osborne, KS with Pastor Gale Crippen officiating. Visitation will be prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Osborne Cemetery, Osborne, KS.

Wilma Iretha Heitschmidt was born on August 18, 1916 to Christoph and Lovie (Sperry) Sigle at their farm home near Covert, KS. Wilma graduated from Covert Rural High School where she was a star basketball player under the guidance of her coach, the infamous Johnnie Locke. After receiving her teaching certificate, she served four years as teacher at the 1-room Enterprise school located six miles northwest of Covert.

On April 26, 1939, she married Harold William Heitschmidt at her parent’s home. Their first home was near Paradise, KS where Harold served as a mechanic for Harrell Implement while Wilma became a dedicated wife and homemaker. Shortly thereafter they rented the Mitchell farm south of Covert after which they bought the Daggert farm located 3 miles west of Covert. This was their home until retirement in 1980 when they moved to Osborne. In 1999, they made their final move to Watertown to be closer to their daughter, Elaine.

 

Throughout their life, both Harold and Wilma were actively involved in their church, children’s schools, local community activities and state professional organizations. Wilma was well-known as an excellent cook sharing many meals with others and often topping them off with a “lucious” pie. She loved keeping a tidy home, traveling, doing beautiful handiwork and tending her flowers. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, aunt and friend to all. One of her proudest moments was when she and Harold received the Kansas Farmer and Homemaker Award in 1988. In addition, Wilma received the Osborne Woman of the Year Award.

Wilma is survived by her three children and their spouses, Roger (Joyce) Heitschmidt, Chapel Hill, TN, Rodney (Sue) Heitschmidt, Granbury, TX, and Elaine (Al) Vanderlaan, Watertown, SD, and their “adopted” daughter Tina (Nelson) Daniels, Los Angeles, CA, six grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 6 great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and friends. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings and their spouses, i.e., Cleo (Carl) Langley, Helen (Orthy) Gossett, Harvey (Cecil) Sigle, and Richard (Eva Jane) Sigle, an infant brother, two grandsons (Dustin Heitschmidt and Christopher Vanderlaan), one great grandson (Tanner Snell), and one grandson-in-law (Harold Ralston).

Wilma was the last living member of the Heitschmidt/Sigle “greatest generation” as all of Harold’s siblings and spouses are also deceased, i.e., Herbert (Edna) Heitschmidt, Ruth (Wilbur) Obert, and Dorthy (Dale) Tanner. Long live the memories and lessons of the greatest generation!

This picture was taken of Wilma and Elaine at the 2008 Paradise Reunion.

COMMENT

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104097
Millard received an email from Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede in regards to the memorial for Marvin Dwinelle, Randall Houser and Ronnie Thompson.  Thank You Vada for your memories and we are very sorry for your loss at this time.  I'm sure the Houser families and the Thompson families feel this same loss every day and especially at this time of the year.  Love & Prayers to each of you.
Vada's comment is below with the other comments regarding the post on the Memorial for the boys.

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS

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TURKEY DINNER & BAZAAR - SAT. NOV. 9TH

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EVERYONE IS WELCOME!


IN MEMORY OF DALLAS "JANE" HUTCHINSON . . . . . . . . CLASS OF 1974

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Dallas Jane Hutchison, 57, of Hays, Kansas, and former Paradise, Kansas resident, died on Saturday, November 02, 2013, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.

Dallas Jane was born on March 15, 1956 in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Jack L. and Ruth Jean (Caprez) Hutchison.  She grew up in the Paradise and Russell county area and graduated from Paradise High School in the class of 1974.  She worked in the student fiscal services department at Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, for almost 20 years.  She was a member of the Hays Order of The Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Christian Women’s After 5 Club and various bible study groups.  She was a passionate fan of the University of Kansas Basketball program.  She also enjoyed watching sports, collected clowns, had a knife and sword collection, hunted with her father when she was younger and enjoyed helping and taking care of her mother.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many nephews and niece.

Surviving family include her mother Ruth Hutchison of Paradise, Kansas, brother John Ray “J.R.” Hutchison and wife Tammy of Quinter, Kansas, sister Judith Tomei and husband Michael of Lawrence, Kansas, and sister Jill Kerr and husband Richard of Paradise, nephews and niece, Jeremiah Kerr of San Francisco, Jade Kerr, wife Michelle and family of Topeka, Jarin Kerr of Fort Stewart, GA, Adam Hutchison of Topeka, Heath Hutchison and wife Amber of Park, Nicholas Tomei of Lawrence, Patrick Tomei of Jinhua City, Peoples Republic of China, and Christopher Tomei of Lawrence.  She was preceded in death by her father.

A memorial service to celebrate Dallas Jane’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, November 07, 2013, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Sharon Thomas officiating.  An Order of the Eastern Star service will also be performed by the Hays Chapter #228 O.E.S. at the mortuary the day of the service.  Cremation has been selected by the family and has preceded services.  A private family burial of the cremains will take place immediately following the chapel service at the mortuary.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 06, 2013, at the mortuary with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.  Memorials may be given to the Order of the Eastern Star of Hays or Christian Womens After 5 Club of Hays and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

DONALD DEAN ALBRECHT - CLASS OF 1949

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Donald Dean Albrecht, entered heaven October 24, 2013.

Preceded by his parents and brother John. Born of Edward Albrecht and Meta Paulsen, April 9, 1931. Survivors include his wife, Karen, and 2 sons, 2 brothers, 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and other relatives.

More to come when information is available.

MUSIC FROM THE 1960-1964

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The 60's Music

COMMENTS ABOUT THE POST BELOW

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A comment from Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwide

From Vada . . . .

 

I had not looked at the Paradise Blog for some time, but took the time today to do so.  I read the comments about my brother and Randall Houser and Ronnie Thompson.  I think about Marvin and all those who have passed away from time to time.  A tragedy like this never goes away from one's memory bank.  Memories like this will always be with us.  When we were all home yet, I don't know what Marvin had been doing but his face was blackened with soot or dirt.  He asked me to wipe off his face.  When I thought I was done, he opened his eyes and he looked like a raccoon.  He finished the job.   Marvin also built the folks a garage that was used for quite some time.  It took the place of the garage attached to the barn.  He spent four years in the Air Force, stationed at the base at Bangor, Maine.

 I might add that any song should not be taken the wrong way.  "How Great Thou Art" was sung for the memory of one's loved one and may have been chosen because the deceased liked it as one of their favorites.  There are many great hymns that are special.  One is saddened that a loved one has died and should remember them when the song is sung.   I hope this helps.

 I am the only living child of my parents, Ray and Edith Dwinelle.  Marvin was killed in a car accident; Betty died from cancer and my younger sister, Sharon, is also deceased. 

 Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede

Class of 1958

A comment from Bruce Deschner.  Thank You Bruce.
From Bruce . . .

I was to young to know those that were involved - was just an 8 yr old 4th grader, a month short of a 9 yr old at the time.

I do remember hearing about the accident, but could never place where it happened.
From what I remember, they missed a curve & a tree limb took the top of the car off.
Of course everyone my age knows where they were when hearing about Kennedy 50 yrs ago ;).
Appreciate your blog.
bkd

A comment from Duane Cronn.  Thank You Duane.
From Duane . . .

Mark Harrell is an all time favorite person of mine.  He called me little George and he loved to tease me.  When I was in high school I would sleep in, and would be late for school.  One day Mother was working part time at the Post Office, and told Mark about my habits, and he wanted to know where my bedroom was.  Mom told him and Mark came outside my bedroom, pounded on the window and yelled real loud that the house was on fire.  It got me up.  I was always trying to get something on him but never was sharp enough.  He went with a school teacher (I believe they called her Freddie) for several years and I think she taught school at Fairport.  Mark had got a newer car and I saw Mark and his lady friend in Russell, and I asked him where he got his old wreck from.  He said oh she teaches school at Fairport.  I didn’t have anything else to say, and she told Mark you really embarrassed that boy.  He just laughed.  We miss him.    Duane

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Thank You Don Landis for taking out time to share these thoughts.

From Don . . . .

I had forgotten when Mark Harrell had passed away until I read your blog about the accident that died Ronnie, Randall and Marvin.

I was privileged to ride the bus that Mark drove from Fairport to Paradise for 3 years until Mr. Bridgeman took over during my senior year. Mark was a very good and careful driver. Not once during that time did the muddy, snowy or icy roads make us late to school, sometimes we were hopeful that he would need assistance.

Mark enjoyed having kids come up front and visit with him during the trips; he only had one rule and that was that you could not be chewing Juicy Fruit gum. If you wanted to stay up front of the bus you had to get rid of the gum, other types of gum did not bother him.

Thanks for the memories;

Don Landis, Class of ‘63  

IN MEMORY OF RONNIE THOMPSON, RANDALL HOUSER AND MARVIN DWINELLE

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This was sent to me today from anonymous.  Memories of when he was 10 years old.

"On this date 50 years ago in Paradise, Kansas most everyone is getting up for a routine day. November 1st is a Friday that year.

As news begins hitting the street, things change.

There had been a bad car accident in the early morning.  Three young men from Paradise had been killed. These young men were Ronnie Thompson, Randall Houser and Marvin Dwinelle. Gail Houser survived and walked to Bealby's to get help.

Everyone  knew the 3 young men very well.  I had ridden with Ronnie to his parents' house to deliver some stuff. I also found some tools that belong to him.

Last I had talked to Randall was on main street in front of some of the stores.  Randall and Gene Eulert were talking about a girl going to college in Hays.  The girl's name was Twila.

The last time I saw Marvin was at a fishing pond south of Paradise.  We went out as a family and Marvin just happened to be there.

That evening John Harrell's Mother, Catherine Harrell,  died. She had been in Ellsworth Hospital for 2 years.

We went to the funeral home to see John's Mother that very day. Then afterward my parents decided that we would go look at the car the 3 were killed in. I remember the roof being folded up and back. Ronnie had just gotten a new car that they were in. I remember that the roof was torn off and folded back and it is still a vivid memory to me.

The 3 boys in the accident had their funeral at the Paradise Gymnasium. I didn't attend that funeral but I remember all the cars lined up and down the street.

The next week was Catherine Harrell's funeral at the Paradise Methodist Church. Millard sang "How Great Thou Art". I don't like that song even today. It takes me back to a time that I didn't like.

At this point I didn't  know what to think or feel. Whatever I was feeling I did not like. I didn't  talk to anyone for 2 weeks. I guess people were getting concerned but I had to process through it as best I could.

Then on November 14th we had a call that Mark Harrell had not come home. They later found Mark and he was dead. In a small town like Paradise, everyone works together.

My mom sat us down and said "I don't want to scare you, but they found Mark dead." As soon as she had us sit down I knew it was not going to be good. When she got to the scare statement I knew it was going to be bad and it was. I used to ride with Mark in his truck. I also rode in the school bus with him taking the kids back to Fairport.

So in a matter of 3 weeks 5 people that I knew died and I had attended 2 funerals.

At this point, this 10 year old boy didn't  know what to think. He didn't like what was going on and felt very helpless. I went back into shut down mode.

Then it was November 22nd. I was standing at the door of the Gym and some one came  in and said  the President has been shot.

Now this 10 year old boy really had no idea what to think. I got home from school and all that was on the news was about the President's shooting and death. Of course this affects everyone. All I knew was, I had known 6 people that had died and I had attended 2 funerals in less than a month.

All I can tell you is November 1963 was a bad year in Paradise.  It was very hard on this 10 year old boy who was having a hard time understanding and processing what was going on. Everyone in Paradise was touched by some part of the events. It just seemed to me that I was touched by all of it.

Being 50 years since all this took place has made it resurface.

I don't know why I burdened you folks with this.  It was just on my mind today.

Thanks for listening.