EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE & SYMPATHY

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Our Love and Prayers

to

Mona & Dan Hoisington and Mona's Family

for the loss of her (Mona's) Mother

God Bless You!

OUR PRAYERS & SYMPATHY TO DICK WOODALL AND HIS FAMILY

Helen L. Woodall
October 11, 1926 - March 26, 2010

Helen Lucille Woodall, 83, died Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, KS.
She was born October 11, 1926 in Dodge City, KS to Ross and Ina (Meier) Franklin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Horace Franklin and a half-brother, Don Franklin.
She graduated from Wellington High School and received an associate degree from Hutchinson Community College where she met her husband Dick Woodall. They were married July 20, 1947 in
Hutchinson, KS.
†
Helen was a member of First United Methodist Church, in WaKeeney. Her interests included teaching Red Cross swimming lessons in her early years, reading, gardening, golfing and was involved in the Hospital Auxiliary, Literary Club, and was a member of Chapter CT PEO in WaKeeney. She loved playing bridge with her friends in her many bridge clubs. Her favorite hobby was enjoying and loving her grandchildren and more recently her fourteen great-grandchildren.
†
She is survived by her husband, Richard of the home;
daughter Kathy Dietz and husband, Larry; son, Joel Woodall and wife, Nanette, all of WaKeeney; daughter Marcia Lance and husband, Rick, of Houston, TX; granddaughters, Alisa Odell and husband, Ted, Prairie Village, KS, Nikki Daubert and husband, Ryan, WaKeeney, Kelli Allen and husband, Tad, Olathe, KS; grandsons, Ryan Woodall and wife, Janet, Evergreen, CO, Kurt Dietz and wife, Brandy, Prairie Village, KS, Bryce Woodall and wife, Ryann, WaKeeney, KS, Joel Lance and wife, Jessica, Overland Park, KS; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
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Services for Helen will be held Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:30 AM in the First United Methodist Church at WaKeeney, KS with Rev. Glenn Krebs officiating.
Interment is in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at WaKeeney.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM on Sunday at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the Kansas Dialysis Association and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
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If you wish to send a card to Dick, his address is . . . .
Dick Woodall
128 N 8th
Wakeeney, KS 67672

PAT (Patty Hoopes) & WELDON PRESTON CELEBRATE 50 YEARS!

Congratulations

Pat and Weldon

Mr. and Mrs. Weldon Preston of Wolfforth celebrated their 50th anniversary Thursday March 4th .
They are the parents of Rev. James Preston, Chicago Ill. , Lee and Shea Preston of San Antonio, Branda and Jake Pavlas of Eddy Texas.
Preston and Pat Hoopes married March the 4th 1960 at Overton Methodist Church Lubbock.
They have four grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren and 1 Step Great grand child.
They will celebrate this summer in Ruidoso, New Mexico with family members


Pat wrote . . . .
•
"I met Weldon while I was working as a beautician in Lubbock. I came down here to go to school and my big brother Delephan put me through school. He was stationed at Reese Airforce base. After I graduated from Paradise in May he came and got me and I went to school. I always loved working with hair. Worked several years and then had my kids. After they got old enough to go to school, I went to work for the Frenship schools in Wolfforth and worked there for about 25 yrs. Worked in a computer room running 120 computers. I substituted for the computer teacher and found that I loved the fascination of working the computers. Weldon was farming and working part time with sales in a tractor Implement company in Lubbock. In the summer my kids and I hoed and sprayed for weeds. We have had a good life! Now that my kids have all grown up and had kids we are now enjoying our grand kids and retirement is great. We work in the yard and raise tomatoes and give them away. Weldon has always loved working with the garden. Pat"

BILL HARRALL

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I received this from Duane Cronn . . . .

Bill Harrall was married to my oldest sister, Leota.

They lived in the Paradise area prior to her death in 1955.

Bill will be buried at the Mount Herman Cemetery at
Paradise.

Bill Harrall
(January 30, 1926 - March 16, 2010)

Bill Harrall, age 84 of Austin, Texas formally of Sand Springs, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Austin, Texas.

Bill was born on January 30, 1926 in Drumright, Oklahoma to Pernell and Jessie (Bryant) Harrall. He graduated from Claflin High School and attended three years at the Kansas City Art Institute.

He served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Leota (Cronn) Harrall in 1946, she passed away on September 1955. Bill then married Shirley Johanson on July 25, 1958 in New York, she also passed away in 2006. Bill retired from North American Rockwell/Boeing as a Commercial Artist with over twenty-six years. Bill was a long time member of the Harrison Memorial United Methodist Church in Tulsa where he served as Secretary Treasurer for over thirty-five years and an active member of Gideon’s International.

Bill is survived by two daughters Vicki Ford and Ginni Harrall of Austin Texas, a son Billy “Mike” Harrall and wife Vera of Park Hill, Oklahoma, a sister Patricia Conant and husband Roger of California and a son-in-law Richard Dickson of Hurst, Texas; also surviving are seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Pernell and Jessie Harrall, first wife Leota Cronn Harrall, second wife Shirley Johanson Harrall, a daughter Bobbi Marie Dickson and three brothers Roger, James and Preston Harrall.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, 10:00 a.m., March 19, 2010 at the Harrison Memorial United Methodist Church, 15th S. 65th W. Ave, Tulsa with Rev. Dee Willis officiating. Burial will be held on Saturday, 11:00 a.m., at Mount Herman Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas with military honors provided by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars in Paradise, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to Gideon’s International at P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214 or online at http://www.gideons.org/

Online memorials may be left for the family at

http://www.mobley-dodsonfuneralservice.com/index.cfm

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Mobley-Dodson Funeral Service of Sand Springs.

CHARLES SCHMIDTBERGER - Class of 1953

Our thoughts, our love and our prayers go out to the family at this time.

MARION - Charles R. Schmidtberger, 74, died March 16, 2010, in Wichita. He was born July 1, 1935, in Big Rapids, Mich.

On July 10, 1955, he married Rosalie Naylor in Natoma. She survives.
Other survivors include: a son, Mike of Gardner; a daughter, Lori Loney of Derby; a sister, Donna Albrecht of Russell; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Roger, in 2007.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 19, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, with the family present.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Thank You Iva (Laughlin) Byrd for the above St. Patrick's Day logo!

This is a St. Patrick's Wood Spirit that Millard carved out of a piece of bark that he has had for quite some time and didn't know what to do with it.

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•

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Taking a photo with different backgrounds makes the coloring change.

The dark background is the true color of the wood spirit.

The white background shows the details a little more clearer.

WHAT A PHOTO!

Isn't this a fantastic photo?

Tom Newton sent this to me.

He labeled it as . . . .

"'Snort', my uncle Bryan Helscher (in uniform),

Mike Wilcox and Jerry (?) Thompson.
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How exciting to get photos like this.

Thank You, Tom!

N. W. WILCOX

6

From the Paradise Farmer

July 3, 1939

6

N. W. WILCOX

"Snort"

N. W. Wilcox completed 30 years of service carrying the mail from the Paradise office June 30.

Mr. Meeks was the first postmaster under whom he served.

He has worked under nine postmasters, Mr. Meeks, Claude Zimmerman, Charley Helscher, Penn Hockett, Delia Little, Mrs. Marlow, Lydia Houser, Thelma Martin and Mrs. C.E. Harrell.

His route at first was only 27 1/2 miles in length and traveled only 3 times a week. It served 50 patrons.

The present route is 83 miles long and serves 76 patrons.

6

Comment from Dan Hoisington

"Snort used to live in Spud Whitman's house. I think it was Joyce Thompson that told me that on the last day before retirement all of the patrons on his route each put a can of food in the mail box for him."

MORE ABOUT THE HELSCHER'S

Charley Helscher's Wife

was

Emma (Barth) Helscher

Emma went to Kansas with her parents, Henry Barth and Carolina (Lena) Lederman, in 1905, from Savannah, Illinois. In 1909 she married Charley Helscher in Colby, KS, who was working on a stock ranch. After he retired they moved to Paradise and ran the feed store. Charley and Emma did not have any birth children but they raised Emma's nephew, Donald Barth.

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Charley Helscher's Brother

was

T.A. "Tom" Helscher.

•
From the Paradise Farmer, Oct. 8, 1934:

↓
Thomas Adolph Helscher was born July 3, 1875 in Shansville, Illinois and departed this life Oct. 5, 1934, at his home in Paradise, at the age of 59. When a small child he, with his parents, moved to Prescott, KS, in 1876. In 1892, they moved to Natoma, KS, later moving to Paradise where his parents established a home. Mr. Helscher was united in marriage to Miss Sylvia Zigler and to this union two children were born, Charlotte and Bryan.

His parents and two sisters preceded him in death. The services were conducted in the high school auditorium at Paradise, Oct. 7, 1934 by Rev. Paul Brooks of Culver. Music was furnished by a quartet from Russell composed of Mr. Glen Banker, Mr. Fred Smith, Mr. Gillman and Mr. Dean Landon. A fitting tribute was payed Tom by Judge Ruppentahl of Russell, an old friend of the family.

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From earlier Paradise Farmer's.
↓

May 31, 1920: T.A. helscher reports the finest prospects for potatoes at his place that he has ever had.

Sept. 20, 1920: G.G. Harrell bought of T.A. Helscher, seventy two head of stock hogs last week that were a bunch of the choicest lot of stock hogs to be found. Mr. Helscher was starting out in the right direction in his hog business, but the failure of his corn crop that was destroyed by the drought added quite a different feature to his hog business and conclusion was the the best way out was to sell out and res in the hog business until such a time as circumstances presents itself. He will try again as the old rule we once read -- if at first you don't succeed try try again.

Tom Helscher's

wife

Sylvia (Zieler) Helscher
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Sylvia Helscher was born Dec. 31, 189 at Victor, KS. to George M. Ziegler and Clara Ellen (Van Amburd) Ziegler. Sylvia had 8 brothers and sisters --Edith (Hall), Dora (Moote), Sophronia (Veverka, Delbert, Leon, Oliver, Otto and Harold --all of whom survived her. When she was a small child, her parents moved the family to a farm south of Natoma, KS.

When the 1910 census of Natoma City was taken, Sylvia was working as a servant for Harry and Bertha Viles. A few months later, Nov. 18, 1920, Sylvia married a farmer named Thomas A. Helscher, with whom she had a son named Bryan and a daughter named Charlotte who married Loyall Newton. Thomas died in 1934 and on Jan. 25, 1947, she married Perry Bray. She and Perry lived on a farm northwest of Zurich until 1959, when they moved to Stockton. Perry survived Sylvia who died on July 20, 1961, in Russell, KS and was buried in Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, KS.

•

From the Paradise Farmer Jan. 27, 1930:
↓
This paper failed to mention last week, a serious and rather unusual automobile accident which occurred at the railroad crossing at Paradise just about dusk the even of Jan. 14.
N.W. Wilcox driving a Whippet sedan in which were also Mrs. Tom Helscher and Mrs. Edith Wickham was driving south through town, the party being on their way to a theatre program at Russell. A freight train was standing across the road, but an oil car, painted white, which stood directly ahead, blended so nicely with the snow, which covered the ground, that the driver failed to see the car until too late to stop his auto. In the crash which followed, Mrs. Helscher escaped with a few scratches above the face, but Mrs. Wickham was more severly bruised. She was injured and there were internal injuries which have kept her confined to her bed most of the time since. She was able to be up for the first time Jan. 24. It is not believed the injuries will be permanent.

I received another email from Tom Newton today.
He said . . . .
"My grandmother, Sylvia Helscher and Elsie Wilcox were very close friends., so I spent a lot of time at the Wilcox's when I was young.
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←Sylvia Helscher and Elsa Wilcox
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Tom's Mother, Charlotte Helscher Newton said that her mother was a housewife with no particular hobbies, however she said that her mother had a good sense of humor and was a natural mimic. When they wanted to have a lot of fun, Sylvia's friends would always ask her to mimic one or the other of their acquaintance, all in good fun.

Sylvia and her son, Bryan Helscher →

DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THE HELSCHER'S

•
After posting Tom Newton's brief story, below this posting, I have been researching the Helscher family. Tom had mentioned that his Mother's (Charlotte) uncle was Charley Helscher. He had the feed store in Paradise in the 30's and 40's. I don't have a lot history to research, but did find this about Charley in the Paradise Farmer - September 13, 1926.
↓

"C.E. Helscher is a citizen of Paradise and we don't care to slight him in our write-ups, for he is all over soul and body worthy of due consideration. He is a stock merchant and a real Evangelist along that line. Of course he lives with his wife in a cozy cottage on main street and she knows Charley's appetite for hot biscuits and sour kraut to an advantage. She hardly ever crosses him unless it is with a yard of bologna sausage and that being one of his favorite dishes. He submits peacefully and there is no kick only by the cow at milking time, and sore spots of that kind are soon over like a late supper; it only injures the night's rest. Charlie takes everything in a good natured way and never holds a grudge against anyone or anything. He is no tabaccoist or cigarette use, doesn't get any beer and is much like the editor - it's total depravity now with us."
It sounds like both, Charley and the editor, have a good sense of humor. I typed it as it was written. You will notice that there is Charley, then there is Charlie. Also, the tabaccoist should be tabacconist - however I make mistakes in typing and in spelling too.

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The only photo I could find of Charles Helscher's feed store in Paradise was this one. I think this little boy (Millard) is in a picture in front of every place of business in Paradise. ☺

TOM NEWTON - GRANDSON OF TOM & SYLVIA HELSCHER

It is always exciting to receive an email

from someone from Paradise.

•

Millard received an email from Tom Newton

after Tom had seen Millard's name and information on Facebook.

Tom sent this picture which was taken of Tom and Millard in 1942.

•

Tom on the left - Millard on the right.

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Serious conversation, don't you think?

It reminds me of that farmer photo that was so well known several years ago.

Tom wrote the following . . . . .

I saw your name and information on Facebook and remembered that I had a picture taken of us in Paradise when we were both about two years old. Although I don't believe we have met since we were very young, I have been told about those days in Paradise by my mother, Charlotte Newton, who is still living. She was born near Paradise to Tom and Sylvia Helscher. I was born in Hays in 1940 and lived in Natoma until I was six years old. Our family moved to Wellington in '46 and returned to Natoma in '52 to stay until '54. I received a BS in Ed. from Emporia State College in '63 and an MA in English there in '73. I was at Northeastern State Univ. in Tahlequah from '85 to 2000. I took an early retirement and moved to Hays to teach 6 more years at Ft. Hays State .

Tom Newton

I answered his email and asked for his permission to print what he had written

and among many other subjects (me being gabby)

I talked about us being from Emporia and Emporia State University.

•

Tom wrote another interesting email . . .

You have my permission to publish the photo and e-mail I sent to you. I would be interested in hearing more about what you folks have been involved in over the past 50 or 60 years.

I did earn both a B.S.E and an M.A. from Emporia State Teachers College in Kansas. I went on to finish a doctorate at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. I have many great memories about Emporia. In 1963 after completing a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Russian, I went to Kismet, Kansas where I taught Spanish, Russian, and English in the High School for four years


My mother has been living in an apartment in Warrensburg, MO where my sister and her children live. Charlotte, my mother, who is 92 has been living by herself for the last 17 years. She suffered a crippling stroke in December of 2009 and is in nursing home now. She still has an excellent memory, especially regarding people she knew when she was a young girl during the 1920s and 1930s She was born on a farm about a mile west of Paradise and lived there until she was 22 years old. Her dad was Tom Helscher and her mother was Sylvia (Zigler) Helscher. Her uncle, Charley Helscher, ran the feed store in Paradise in the 30s and 40s. You may remember some of my other relatives who were from around Paradise. My mother's brother Bryan Helscher and his wife Louise lived in Paradise for years. My aunt Anna Boedeker live out west of Paradise on K-18. You may remember Anna's daughters Vesta Henry and Esther Perkins.


I look forward to hearing from you


Tom Newton

Thank You for the emails, Tom. We appreciate you for taking out the time to tell us about your family. I'm sure you will bring back many memories to several people, mentioning so many "Paradise Names".

IN MEMORY OF ADAM HENRY "HANK" POHLMAN II

Everyone in the Paradise area has known Henry "Hank" Pohlman for many years

and we have appreciated the professional work

of the Pohlman Funeral Home.

Henry has certainly been a part of

Russell County

and of

Paradise

Adam Henry "Hank" Pohlman, 80, died on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Hank has always been proud and honored to serve the Natoma, Russell and surrounding communities for 50 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Most of all he was a great friend you could always count on for help during the good times and the bad.

In the last few years, Henry has added a partnership

to his funeral home

Pohlman ~ Varner ~ Peeler

Adam Henry “Hank” Pohlman II, son of Adam Frederick, Sr. and Irene Gladys (Kaiser) Pohlman, was born January 23, 1930 at Hays, Kansas. His death occurred Friday, March 5, 2010 at Russell Regional Hospital.

Henry, or Hank as his family and friends know him, lived his early life in the Natoma, Kansas community where he attended school, graduating from Natoma High School with the Class of 1947. As a young man he was active in the family business, Pohlman Home Furnishing Company and Pohlman Funeral Service.

Henry attended Fort Hays Kansas State College from Sept. 1947 to Dec. 1950. He was a member of Kappa Signa Kappa. In December of 1950 during his Senior Year he was called for military service and joined the US Navy. He served his boot camp and was assigned to the Hospital Corp School at San Diego, California. In November of 1952 he was transferred to the Hospital Ship USS Consolation AH-15, serving in Korea. For the next 21 months he served aboard this ship with duty in Pusan, Chin Hae and Inchon, Korea. On return of the ship to Long Beach, California he was discharged from the US Navy on August 24, 1954 with the rating of HM2. At this time he returned to his hometown of Natoma, Kansas.

He immediately enrolled in the St. Louis college of Mortuary Science, where with his combined classes at Fort Hays he completed his studies and his degree in Mortuary Science with distinguished honors. He returned to Natoma to begin his apprenticeship with his father and received his licenses in the family business.

On April 19, 1959, Henry was united in marriage to Majorie Lee Dumler at Russell, Kansas. To this union was born two children, Barbara Ann and Harold Lee. The family made their home in Natoma until the decision was made to close the Home Furnishing portion of the Family Business. During the closing process Henry and Marge made an offer to purchase the Russell Mortuary, Russell, Kansas from D.J. Helm and his wife Josephine. They took over this business on January 1, 1966, and moved to Russell to make their home at that time.

Henry continued to assist his father with the funeral home operation in Natoma until 1975 when he purchased the Natoma funeral Home from his father. For nearly forty years Henry and Marge owned and operated the family business together. During these years Henry was very involved in Monument sales and installation, which was always an integral part of the Funeral Business operation both at Natoma and Russell.

Henry was very active in the community, a member of St. John Lutheran Church and served 9 years on the church council, member and past president of Russell Rotary Club, Past president of the Russell Chamber of Commerce, and served as a division chairman of the Prairiesta celebration in 1971, 81 and 91. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star of Russell, Consistory and ISIS Shrine of Salina, Kansas and member of the 100 million dollar club, supporter of the Kansas Shrine Bowl for over 25 years, York Rite Bodies of Hays, member and Past President of the Russell Shrine Club and served as editor of the Club FEZ for a number of years as well as the Onion Sales Chairman for several years. He was a life member of both the Russell VFW Post # 6240 and American Legion Post #99, member of the Russell Elks Lodge a life member of the Russell County Historical Society and served on the board for about 25 years. For about 17 years he served on the local Red Cross Board and was Chairperson for a number of years before the local chapter was absorbed by the Golden Belt Chapter of Great Bend. He was a founding Donor and Director for the Russell County Area Community Foundation. In 2006, Henry was recognized by the Kansas Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association for 50 years of Service to the Funeral Industry. He was very much a part of getting the Russell County Veterans Memorial funded and installed. In January, 2010, Henry received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Russell Area Chamber of Commerce for his dedicated service to the Russell community.

Survivors are his wife Marjorie of the home in Russell; daughter, Barbara Ann Krug and husband Bradley of Russell; son, Harold Lee Pohlman of Russell; grandchildren, Christina Kerns of Brooklyn, New York, Brett Pohlman and Heather Pohlman both of Russell; step grandchildren, Lindsey and Timothy Krug both of Russell; brother, George Pohlman and wife Margaret of North Tustin, California; sister-in-law, Carol Pohlman of Kansas City, Missouri; a number of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Fred Pohlman, Jr. and daughter-in-law Londa Pohlman.

Celebration of Henry’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 11, 2010 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis and Rev. Earl Haggard officiating. Interment will follow at Russell City Cemetery with the Russell V.F.W. Honor Guard performing military Rites. Visitation will be from Noon on Tuesday, March 9, to 5 PM and all day Wednesday. The family will be present to greet friends from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Mortuary in Russell with a Prayer Service following. Contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Pohlman Family Scholarship with R.C.A.C.F. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Condolences may also be sent via email by going to http://www.pvpmortuary.com/.

MAURINE EVELYN (HAWKINS) McNEAL

Maurine Evelyn (Hawkins) McNeal, 92 of Plainville, KS, formerly of Natoma, died March 1, 2010 at the Rooks County Medical Center in Plainville, KS.

Maurine was born June 5, 1917 in Graham County near Palco, KS, the daughter of Lee and Louise (Haefner) Hawkins. Maurine's parents were deaf mutes. She learned to talk with her hands from her parents and spoken language from her grandparents. She attended country schools in the Palco area through the sixth grade. Her family then moved to Luray where she graduated from Luray High School in 1936.
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Maurine was united in marriage to Dennis E. McNeal on September 20, 1936 in rural Paradise. They lived in Covert, KS, a farm south of Covert and then to the Will Winder homestead in Victor Township, Osborn County.

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This union was blessed with nine children: Denzil, Janice, Albert, Charles, Deanna, Beverly, Nina, Myrle and Leisha.

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Maurine moved to Natoma in 1978 and lived there until moving to Red Bud Village Nursing Home in Plainville in July, 2006.

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Maurine was a homemaker, later serving as a cook in the cafeteria at Paradise Schools for 11 years. She was a member of the Enterprise United Methodist Church, the Natoma United Methodist Church and attended services at the Plainville Nazarene Church during her years at the nursing home. She was an active member of United Methodist Women. She cared for her elderly neighbors taking ladies to church, UMW and out to lunch. She babysat with a number of different children and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved quilting, gardening and cooking and is famous for her cinnamon rolls.

•

Maurine is survived by nine children: Denzil McNeal and wife Angela of Stockton, KS; Janice (McNeal) Strecker of Lawrence, KS; Albert McNeal and wife Carrie of Dundee, Oregon; Charles McNeal and wife Connie of Paradise, Ks; Deanna Hoeme and husband Dutch of West Branch, Iowa; Beverly McNeal of Alexandra, Virginia; Nina McNeal of Hays, KS, Myrle McNeal and wife Julie of Boulder, Colorado; Leisha Jones and husband Rick of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-five great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren; numerous relatives and a host of friends.

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She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Leroy Hawkins and a sister Eleanor (Hawkins) Johnson.

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Celebration of Maurine's Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Sat., March 6, 2010 at the Natoma United Methodist Church in Natoma.

Interment will follow at the Natoma City Cemetery.

The family will greet friends following the committal at the Natoma Community Center.

Viewing will be from 9 AM to service time Sat. morning at the church.

Memorials have been established with the Natoma United Methodist Church or the Red Bud Village Nursing Home.

Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Phlman-Varner-Peller Mortuary. Condolences may also be sent via email at http://www.pvpmortuary.com/

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IN MEMORY OF MAURINE McNEAL

Our Sympathy and Our Prayers

are with the family of

Maurine McNeal

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Maurine died at the Plainville Hospital,

March 1, 2010.

All nine of her children were with her the evening before her death.

†

Maurine's Memorial Service will be at the
Natoma United Methodist Church,
Sat. - March 6th - 10:30 AM
Pohlman's Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.

A NOTE FROM PASTOR SHARON THOMAS

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I received an email from Sharon Thomas

Pastor of The

Paradise United Methodist Church

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From Pastor Sharon . . . .

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"I am the pastor at the UMCs in Paradise and Waldo. Janette told me about the blog - I just had to write to let you know how much I enjoyed it! I love reading the history's of the people and the pictures in the Sunflower were great!

If you don't mind, I may occasionally write a comment about my life here - although I've only been here 2 yrs, I feel like I have come home! Does that make sense? I absolutely love it here. It may very well be my spiritual" home.

Thank you for all your work on this blog; I can tell it is a labor of love!

Please feel free to e-mail me at any time.

Sharon Thomas"

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Thank You for your email, Pastor Sharon. Your kind words are very much appreciated.

We look forward to hearing more from you and feel free to say as much, and ask as many questions, as possible.

How delighted we are to have another person contributing to our PARADISE BLOG!

50th ANNIVERSARY REDEDICATION SERVICE

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Click on each one for larger print

†

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The PARADISE METHODIST CHURCH

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The Paradise Methodist Church

will soon be celebrating it's

50th Year as a Church Building
•

The 50th Anniversary/Rededication Service

was celebrated in the Worship Service

July 20th, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.

This was Sunday after the Paradise Reunion

•
There has been many memories in this Church.

Church Dinners, Weddings, Funerals, Children's Programs

and of course,

Church Services

Does anyone know anthing about a
time capsule

that was placed

somewhere when

the church was built?
Was there one?

If so, where is it?
Do you know?
†
I have one thought from someone, but will wait to post it after hearing from others.

Paradise High School Class of 1963

We received this from

Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede

Class of 1958

•

"We bought a book, "Club 50 - 50 Point Single Game Scorers" this morning from Steven Michael Farney, the one who wrote the book about Class BB Basketball that mentioned Larry Hoopes and Ben Howe and a guy I worked with at the State. This book was a book signing by Nino Samuels, a Salina High School basketball standout who played a year a KU and then played for Ken Cochran and Marymount basketball in Salina. Lynn played basketball at the old "Y" where Nino played too, and we saw him play at Central. Lynn saw one game at KU before he transferred to Marymount. He was quite a player.

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Now, for what I want to say . . .

•

There is also a section in the back of the book that writes about the Notables (The 40-49 Club) in which Mr. Farney mentions players who scored 40-49 points in a basketball game. He sent letters to over 350 schools in Kansas to obtain information and heard from only eight.

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He mentions Rod Heitschmidt who scored 43 points against Waldo on Jan 29, 1963. Mr. Farney wanted to know of any misspellings of stats so I sent him a correction on Rod's last name already. There was an "r" instead of an "i".

This is the third book we have bought that Mr. Farney wrote. He is keeping history alive in his writings. One doesn't have to be from large metropolitan areas to become noteworthy. One just has to do well and be outstanding --be the best they can be at what they're doing.

•

I have Roger Heitschmidt's e-mail in my PHS directory but not Rod's, and I think they may be two different people. Please forward this to Rod with my congratulations to him being mentioned in the book, Club 50.

Mr. Farney has a web site: http://www.stevenmfarney.com/ and you can read about the Wilson native. He is on-going in writing books about sports.

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Vada (Dwinelle) Krumwiede

Class of 1958 at PHS"

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← Steven Farney

Steven was born and raised near Wilson, KS, and was a three-year basketball letter man for the Wilson Dragons.
As of 2008, he lives in McPherson, KS

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A note from Onnalee . . . .

Thank You Vada for this information.

We have a signed copy of Steven's book "Title Towns" which he signed 9/15/08.

Steven had enclosed a note . . .

"I need your help! I am looking for the first name of _______ Hertschmidt, a great basketball player for Paradise in 1963. Do you know this person or do your readers? If so, please let me know. It is for my next book.

Best Wishes"

(Unreadable signature.) Ha!

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Thanks to our Paradise Reunion Directory, I found Rodney Heitschmidt's (class of 1963) name and address and sent both to Steven.

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It is great to hear that he has another book in print.

Congratulations, Steven Farney!

COMMENTS

I received an anonymous comment today. It was short and sweet.
There was nothing wrong with it. However, I did not publish it because it was "Anonymous".
One of our readers said that students/people get together to see who can get the most comments published on blogs. My Goodness! What a challenge! Perhaps they should get out and see who can run around the block the most times.
The many Viagra comments are way too much. Several a day.





We appreciate your comments.
If you are unable to leave a comment on the blog, please feel free to email me at . . . .
Onnalee@foundwoodcarvings.com
Thank You!

Some of you have said that it was hard for you to make Comments, that the blog didn't let you do what you wanted to.
Hmmm! Tell me about it! This blog really has a mind of its own. I know it can be very difficult at times.
I am asking that each person sign your name at the end of your comment, if it won't let you do anything except be anonymous. I will no longer accept anonymous comments without your name on it in some way.
Thank You for your support and your many email's. We love hearing from each of you.

Our "Angel" is leaving Paradise

Garnett Angel's new home in Olathe, KS
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She will be living seven houses from Janette & Richard
and is in the same housing area as they are - Shadow Ridge.
She will be a mile from Lake Olathe.

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She is in the process of packing but first of all

Garnett is, as usual, keeping her clients in top priority.
She will not be moving until after tax season is over.
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All five of Garnett's siblings and her children

graduated from Paradise High School.

Her grandchildren also graduated from Paradise until the time that Paradise unified with Natoma, then they had to graduate from Natoma.

Garnett's mother - Ula Ann White - graduated with the

first class at Paradise High School.

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Garnett's last grandchild will graduate from Natoma

(which would have been Paradise)

May, 2010

She is waiting until this milestone before moving to Olathe.

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A note from Janette . . . . . . .

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"Richard & I went to Paradise this past week end, Valentine's week end, to get a start on Mom's BIG move to Olathe. We began at the top: the attic!!!!

Mom & I worked in the cold attic, which warmed up really quickly as we worked diligently to rediscover & unpack items & treasures hidden up there for almost 60 years. Rich met us at the top of the attic stairs, hauled down hundreds of boxes, packages and/or junk down to her basement or to our van. We brought some items with us to Olathe to await the March 2nd closing date on her new home, then we will move these items to her basement.

Some of the actual junk in the attic, Richard burned as we had called in a "controlled burn" and got rid of what we could.

We had a quick lunch and then up to the Charles White house where we used to live! We worked at getting our hutch & cabinet emptied out so the movers could bring this furniture back to Mom's new home. Also, the matching table with 6 chairs. She has a perfect place for this furniture in her dining room and we do not have room for these items. So this will work great for her!!


We are planning to fix the White place up so that when we go back to visit in Paradise, we will have a place to stay. However, we have been gone from that little home for 13 years this August and it does need work done inside and out for sure.
Mom has deeded her home place to grandson, Brian Angel. He will farm the ground and continue to rent this land from his grandmother.

Though exhausted after a busy day, Sat. night we took our Mom's out to dinner at Meridy's in Russell to celebrate Valentine's Day!!

Richard's mom, Mary Catherine Ross, lives in Russell and it was a wonderful way to end the day. We enjoyed visiting and seeing lots of people that happened to be out that very same night - The Tom Maupin's and some Ross nieces & nephews. That is what I love about small towns and the comfortable/slower lifestyle! It was such fun!

I know Mom will adjust to the action, excitement and convenience of the city - I have learned to love that lifestyle too!

♥

I have contacted, KC's ALL AMERICAN MOVING, a small moving company from Gardner where owner, Keith Curtis, guaranteed that he would charge much less to move Mom to Olathe, than any of the national syndicated mover's such as Mayflower, United Van Lines, Two Men & A truck, etc. I am, however, checking different companies as per Aunt Merilyn White's suggestion. However, after hearing from Onnalee about their good experience with a "small moving company" from Garden City - moving them from Elkhart to Emporia, I am certain that we will go with KC's ALL AMERICAN MOVING. The owner & a couple of other guys are going out to Paradise, either the 6 or 13 of March, to give us an estimate of the cost to move and at the owner's advise, they will take a truck with a trailer with them on that trip and bring some items/furniture back to Olathe. Therefore, it will be a constructive trip that includes the estimate of the move.

♥

The BIG MOVE date is scheduled for May 22. However, that date is subject to change as circumstances arise back in Paradise, with her tax accounting and all.

As with Onnalee, I love the personal touch of a smaller moving company. I explained to them, of course, where Paradise is located (4 ½ hours back on I-70) in Russell County and in the country. I have wondered if the larger van lines could even make it out to the farm on possible muddy roads! ??? Mr. Curtis assures me that KC's ALL AMERICAN MOVING can do it!

♥

If any of you reading this have talked with Mom, you know she is excited about moving to Olathe and she is ready for a change in her life. She is tired of muddy roads, feeding umpteen stray cats, chasing cattle on foot, thistle in the pasture, etc. but, at the same time, she is struggling with the thought of leaving her home of 60 years, lifetime friends and the Paradise Church - everything about life on the farm that is difficult, yet familiar. She needs your daily prayers and prayers for each of the family members, including each grandchild. Please pray that they will be helpful and understand the difficulty of this move for her, but also be able to share in the happiness she is anticipating as she prepares for her new life in the big city.

She especially grieves about leaving little great-grandson, Beau - almost 3 years old - who loves her so unconditionally as all babies love their grandma's. Also, Andrea's 3 children who love Grandma too, as well as other family. We have assured her that they will visit her in Olathe. Luckily, she will have 3 little great grand boys - ages 2 to 8 - (Jeff & Sara's boys) living close by and a great granddaughter, Haley (Michele's daughter), about 30 minutes away in Mo. We will be taking Mom to more summer and fall ball games than she will want to attend. Mom will just have to learn to say "Thank You, but you know, I would just like to stay home for a change!"

Mom also has a sister in Overland Park - Violet Parsons - and other nieces and nephews in this area. Together these sisters are making lots of fun plans together. Her brother, Forrest & Sue White recently moved to Houston, TX, but visits his daughter's, Trudy & Stasha and a granddaughter, Lauren, on a regular basis. Another brother, Vernon & Merilyn White, zip down from Wichita frequently. So, Mom actually has more family down this way than back home in Paradise."

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(A note from Onnalee . . . Janette is doing a good job convincing her, wouldn't you say? Ha!)

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"I want to Thank the loving friends and members of the Paradise Methodist Church who were at church on Sunday - Feb. 14. After the service, the minister - Pastor Sharon Thomas - brought Mom (tearfully) to the front of the church. Pastor Sharon asked the members of the congregation to come forward and lay hands on Mom as she (Pastor Sharon) prayed for Mom, asking God to bless her and be with her as she struggles with the process of leaving and yet anticipates the happiness of a new life ahead. I don't think there was a dry eye in the church. It was absolutely wonderful to have everyone hug and love on her and offer their help as she prepared for her move. I know she felt this love and support. We all did! It was a definite act of God's love through His dear church people! And, I do love that little church and those dear people within, just as much as she does. Olathe may be our address, but Paradise will always be our home! Love to All, Janette"

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A note from Onnalee . . . . Wow! I sure hope they like their small moving company. When we moved from Elkhart, we checked different moving van companies, but the local company from Garden City was highly recommended to us. They took so much interest in us. This was a very stressful time, to say the least. I had just had my liver transplant the year before and was still quite weak - we had a large place that was our home and funeral home too - we had never had a garage sale. We had so much "stuff" that as we were packing we just became so overwhelmed with the MOVE! We had been there for 32 years, our children were raised there, we had many memories there - and yes, a lot of "stuff". The moving company changed our moving date a couple of times for us and they were so kind, considerate and understanding.

To sum it all up - we never want to move again and we are still sorting through "stuff" as we had to down size a lot. For us, the small and local moving company was what we needed - for the move and for our time of much stress.