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 Ronald R. Davis

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   Ronald R. Davis was born August 21, 1934 in Dodge City, KS to Raymond O. and Margaret E. (Reyman) Davis.  Ron passed away April 21, 2023 at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS after a short illness. Shortly after Ron was born the family soon moved to Syracuse where Ron was raised and graduated from Syracuse High School with the Class of 1952.  Ron attended the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and also the Naval ROTC Program.  Ron graduated and was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1956.  After being commissioned Ron married his high school sweetheart Sue (Daugherty) August 12, 1956.  The newlyweds departed for San Diego, CA where Ron served with the Harbor Defense Unit at Point Loma as the Assistant Operations Officer.  He was a qualified SCUBA and hard hat deep sea diver.  Their first son Ray Kim was born there in 1957.  After completing his Naval service, the family returned to Syracuse for Ron to join his father Ray in Davis Motor Company, the family Ford dealership.  Their second son Mark was born in 1958 shortly after arriving back in Syracuse.  Early in 1969 they learned of an unexpected change in their lives and their daughter Jill was born late that year.   They quickly learned how to adapt to raising a girl and she completely filled the void in their lives as Ray and Mark graduated from high school and began their adult lives.  

     Ron was involved in community organizations including Masonic Lodge 309, the Jaycees and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse where he served as both a Trustee and member of the Session.  He also enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors of Wheatland Electric Cooperative for over 40 years and served as the Board President for several terms.

     Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sue and his son Ray Kim.  He is survived by his son Mark Davis and wife Donna of Syracuse, daughter Jill Beam and husband Todd of McPherson, KS, daughter-in-law Teresa Davis of Denver, grandsons Jeff Davis and wife Mary of Syracuse, Randy Davis and wife Brittany of Colorado Springs, CO, Andy Davis and wife Susan of Parker, CO, Duke Davis and wife Eli of Dusseldorf, Germany, granddaughters Mimi Toliuszis and husband John of Parker, CO, Katelyn Kinnamon and newlywed husband Cole soon to be from Meade, KS, and Kassidy Beam of McPherson, KS and nine great grandchildren, Clara Davis of Syracuse, Rafe and Reese Davis of Colorado Springs, Duke and Jack Davis of Parker, CO, Hunter, Georgia and Charlotte Toliuszis of Parker, CO and Isabella Davis of Dusseldorf, Germany.

   Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Johnson St., in Syracuse with burial following at the Syracuse Cemetery.

   Visitation will be held Friday April 28, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Fellers Funeral Home, 401 N. Sumner in Syracuse, Kansas.

   Memorial contributions can be made care of Fellers Funeral Home to the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse or to Hamilton Co. Hospital ISB for the benefit of the residents, in care of Fellers Funeral Home LLC P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.

OBITUARIES

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James G. Brucker

A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Jim Brucker will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Syracuse.  Pastor Larry Alexander will officiate. James G. Brucker, known to most as Brucker, was born June 27,... [More]

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Timothy J. "Tim" Haslett

Timothy J. “Tim” Haslett, 75, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away at home (after a fall) on September 13, 2023. Tim was born September 26, 1947, in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the oldest of seven children born to Floyd B. and Magdalene (Stegman) Haslett. Tim was a farm... [More]

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Patricia Berniece Tyler

Patricia Berniece Tyler of Denison, Texas, passed away on September 7, 2023, at the age of 82. She was born on November 3, 1940, in Cairo, Kansas, to Albert Alexander and Lois Aletha (Wilson) Clark. Patricia had a caring and nurturing spirit. She loved working as a nurse and... [More]

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Robert “Bobby” Nelson Moore

Robert "Bobby" Nelson Moore, 56, of Seward County, Kansas passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, TX Bobby was born in Waynoka, Oklahoma on July 5, 1967, and was lovingly adopted by Jackson Nelson Moore... [More]

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Kerri Lonnberg

A Memorial Service for Kerri Lonnberg will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Holly School with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Kerri Lynn Lonnberg departed this life September 1, 2023 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 44.  She was born August 1,... [More]

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Marvin (Babe) E. Graber

Marvin (Babe) E. Graber passed away August 31, 2023 at the age of 89 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. Marvin was born at his family home in Kendall, Kansas on March 20, 1934. He was the youngest of six siblings born to John and Carrie Graber. Marvin graduated... [More]

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David F. Wagner

A Memorial Service for Coolidge, Kansas resident, David Wagner will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date.  Per David’s request cremation has taken place and... [More]

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Dr. Leo Russell Finkenbinder

Dr. Leo Russell Finkenbinder, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, university professor, and biologist passed away on August 8, 2023.  His memorial service will be held on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 10:00am.  Bethany First Church... [More]

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SPORTS

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

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Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

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HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

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Spring Sports Start

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NEWS

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AFTER 47 YEARS OF SERVICE, COUNTY FIRE CHIEF RETIRES

Last Thursday, the Hamilton County Fire Department held their Fireman’s Appreciation Dinner. County Fire Chief Ed Baker and four other firefighters retired.  Years of service awards were announced and those recognized were Ed Baker  who has served Hamilton... [More]

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LOCAL 4-H YOUTH PLACE AT KANSAS STATE FAIR

The 2023 Kansas State Fair began September 8 and continues through September 17, 2023. If you are headed there this weekend, you may want to check out the 4-H building where many local 4-H youth will have their work on display.  To be eligible to take non animal exhibits... [More]

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SHS CROSS COUNTRY AND GOLF KICK OFF WITH MEDALISTS

 Fall sports are in full swing and Bulldog fans had an opportunity to cheer on cross country, golf, cheer, junior high and high school volleyball and football, all in the same week.   Junior high and high school cross country travelled to Goodland Thursday August 31,... [More]

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Gould Runs With The Bulls

How did you spend your summer? Swimming and bicycling? Working?  For Syracuse High School Senior Jay Gould, he took the opportunity of a lifetime. He explored Spain for five weeks with foreign exchange student Inigo Moral. Moral hails from Valladolid, Spain. Last year, the... [More]

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HB2350

Pictured L to R - Carlos Huato, Antonio Banda, Sally Catlett, Griselda Sigala, Erica Rodriguez, Frank Garcia, Shelby Hernandez/photo by Michele Boy

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SIMON ENDS GYMNASTICS CAREER WITH NO REGRETS

Stella Simon wakes each morning in her bedroom to a wall of trophies, medals, and ribbons. Fourteen All-Around Champion trophies, 193 medals, and 6 ribbons. There is more if you count participation trophies and All-Around medals.  The Syracuse Journal has been following... [More]

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CLARE DUNN PERFORMS BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DUVALLS

Country singer Clare Dunn will headline a benefit concert at the Prowers County Fairgrounds Arena on Saturday, September 2nd to help with recovery efforts after an EF-3 tornado destroyed the home of John and Myrna DuVall.  Dunn who grew up in Two Buttes has plenty of Syracuse... [More]

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1971 SHS GRAD RETIRES FROM NURSING CAREER

1971 SHS graduate, Grace (Boy) Donecker, retired from a 32 year career in nursing, but the path was not a straight one. “I was never going to be a nurse. I hated needles!” Grace grew up just south of Syracuse where Dave and Jenny Schwieterman live. Gordon and Lois... [More]

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OPINIONS

You Matter

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Please or Thank you

I am home from State Fair. A little excited, a little behind, a little tired, and a little sore. I walked almost eight miles  the first day. I feel like that is worth noting. To all the show parents out there, I see you.  When I got back, a few situations arose with... [More]

Helping Others

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Lay Down or Get Up and Fight

Here we are at the end of August. School is underway, the first home high school football game is tomorrow. Fall is in the air. It’s just an expression as temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 90s.   I haven’t slept much lately. In the wee hours... [More]

Keep Moving

A former owner and editor of the newspaper dropped by my office the other day. She is beautiful, smart, fun, and so vibrant.  We talked about her life. She is busy. She is active. She is involved in her church, in her community, in having fun, and keeping active.  It... [More]

Remember Who You Are

Last week there was a New York Times article about farming in Syracuse Kansas.  I read it and was impressed. The writing surpassed anything I am capable of at this time. It bruised my ego a bit. My confidence was taken down a couple notches.    I took a breath... [More]

Make Good Choices

I’m writing this on my way to one last sheep show midweek before school starts here. At 5:30 AM we were on the road. For those who know me that is a rare occurrence.  The air is cool. The sunrise is beautiful and I wonder why I don’t take the time to enjoy these... [More]

Suffering

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