Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Looking Back
Last Updated: August 28, 2014

50 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Robert West of North Kansas City announce the birth of a 7-pound, 10-ounce son, John Robert, at the hospital Aug. 20.

Mr. and Mrs. Herschel May announce the engagement of their daughter, Sherry, to Robert L. Doney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin R. Doney, Fenton, Mo. The bride-elect graduated from Wichita Heights High School and is employed at All-State Finance in Wichita. The prospective groom graduated from St. Mary's High School, St. Louis, Mo. He is serving the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at McConnell AFB, Wichita. A January wedding is planned.

45 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Weddle were Sunday afternoon and evening guests of Mr. and Mrs. Max Weddle and family. In the afternoon Mrs. Leo Weddle and Mrs. Max Weddle visited the Antique Show at the Cessna Activity Center.

Bo Walter had a belated birthday party for her son, Robby. Guests were Gary Hill, Lonny Mosiman, Ronny Dedman, Billy Dedman and Kent Brown.

40 years ago

Gerald Brown of Douglas was a Saturday dinner guest of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown. Other callers during the week were Mrs. Joan House, and Jessie Carey, Curtiss Nuckolls, David Held, Mrs. Gladys Holle and granddaughter Deana Kaiser of Wichita.

Those enjoying a picnic supper Saturday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Gene Ziegler, Diane and Dale were Mr. and Mrs. John Snodgrass and Sarah, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Smith and children, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Berg and children.

35 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Howard O. Bedient announce the birth of a son, Eric Scott, on Aug. 13 at St. Joseph Hospital. He weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces. He joins brother Jason, 4, at home. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Merriman of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Carl Bedient and Agnes Bedient, both of Wichita.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hofmeister of Claflin announce the engagement of their daughter, Helen Kay, to Kevin Eugene Hawley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Laird Hawley, Salina. The Hawleys are former Valley Center residents. The bride-elect is studying music in Germany. The prospective groom is a project engineer at the University of Kansas Research Laboratory.

30 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Walker of Westover at Prestwick, Frankfort, Ill., were weekend guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chester L. Walker.

Michael and Lori Walker Kravets have returned from a three-week trip that included visits to Eureka Springs, Ark., the World's Fair in New Orleans, and Epcott and Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The couple has returned to McPherson, where he is a senior in industrial arts and she is a junior in business and Spanish. He also is editor of the school newspaper and she is editor of the yearbook.

25 years ago

Jim Rogers of Valley Center was among 646 students who received degrees at the close of the summer term at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the son of Ted and Freda Rogers.

Pvt. 1st Class Michael Yocum, a 1985 graduate of Valley Center High School, has completed training at the Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga. He is the son of Lloyd and LaVerne Yocum, Wichita.

20 years ago

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Grammer, son of David and Angela Grammer of Park City, recently participated in the Mona Lisa Exercise as a member of the Marine Wing Support Squadran 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan. Grammer, a combat engineer, took part in this exercise where the primary focus was the command's dining facility evaluation for a Marine Corps-wide prestigious award competition.

Stefanie Lynn Offutt and Brendan Charles Cox, both of Park City, were married July 16 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Wichita. Rev. Donald O'Hare officiated. The bride is the daughter of Debra Vasquez and Steve Offutt, both of Wichita; the bridegroom is the son of Loretta Kessel of Valley Center and Dan Cox of Goddard. Garth Leep was best man, and Christy Reaves was matron of honor. The newlyweds honeymooned in Tennessee and reside in Park City. She is a commercial teller at Intrust Bank, and he is a carpenter at Key Construction.

15 years ago

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Killion, a 1987 graduate of Wichita Heights High School, departed on a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, homeported in San Diego. He joined the Navy in January 1988.

Billy Stein of Wichita will enter two market lambs and two Dorset breeding ewes in the 67th annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show Sept. 24 through 27 in Wichita.

10 years ago

Varrie Pavey and Nate Berning, both of Wichita, announce their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-elect is the daughter of Ed and Dana Pavey of Valley Center. She is a 2000 graduate of Valley Center High School and is employed by New Song Academy in Wichita. The prospective groom is the son of Vanessa and Darren Albrecht and Tom and Robin Berning, all of Wichita. He is a 1995 graduate of Wichita North High School. He is self-employed at Berning Remodeling. The couple plans a Sept. 17 wedding at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Andover.

Thomas and Leslie Mead of Abilene, Texas, announce the birth of their son, Mckinnon Ross, on May 28, 2004. He weighed 6 pounds, 9.7 ounces and was 19 ¼ inches long. He joins two brothers, Mason, 6, and Morgan, 3. Grandparent are Vickie Rowland of Wichita, Marc and Betsy Rowland of Edmond, Okla., Pam and Jim Kelley of Centerburg, Ohio, and Tom and Kathie Mead of London, Ohio. Great-grandparents are Paul and Gean Smith of Valley Center and Virginia Rowland of Haysville.

5 years ago

Megan Gee and Cody Corbet announced their engagement. She is the daughter of Phil and Janet Gee of Bel Aire. He is the son of Ralph and Susie Corbet of Augusta. The bride-elect is of Bel Aire, and the prospective bridegroom is of Wichita. The wedding will be Oct. 24, 2009.

Ashley Overton and Richard Beezley were married Aug. 15, 2009, at Botanica Gardens in Wichita. Retired Judge Dewey performed the ceremony. A reception was held in the Sports Hall of Fame. The bride is the daughter of Steve and Chris Taylor of Valley Center. She graduated from Valley Center High School. The groom is the son of Tammie and Dan Miller of Marion. He graduated from North Pole High School in Alaska. Maid of honor was Kristen Harris. Bridesmaids were Heather Sumner and Whitney Jennings. Groomsmen were Jesse Lindsoe, Eric Montoya, Justin Miller, Dezi Beezley, Kenny Pacacha and Austin Taylor. The flower girl was Gabrielle Beezley and the ring bearer was Gabriel Beezley. The couple will live in Wichita.