FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
August 1978
Omer Knoll, art instructor at Allen County Community Junior College — the first art instructor in the college’s history —resigned his post, as did Dr. Terry Glenn, dean of instruction, Glenn will go to the KU faculty and Knoll to a job near Hays, where he was raised.
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J. D. “Dave” Conderman, Iola attorney and retired general in the Kansas National Guard, died last night at the Halstead hospital. He had been under treatment there following a heart attack that occurred about two weeks ago. He was 63. He joined the National Guard in 1933 and was a member of the 219th Field Artillery Battalion when it was called to active duty in 1940 on the eve of the entry of the U.S. in World War II. He took part in five campaigns in the European Theater, including the invasion of Normandy and the breakout at St. Lo under Gen. George Patton. He received his law degree at the University of Kansas in 1938. After World War II, he was a law partner with Robert V. Talkington until his death. During his legal career, he served as city attorney for Iola, Moran and LaHarpe and was Allen County attorney. He continued in the National Guard and rose to become commander of the 195th Field Artillery Battalion, the 195th Field Artillery Group and the 195th Engineer Group and then became judge advocate of the Kansas National Guard.
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Dick Strahl has leased the S. H. Kress building on the east side of the square and will finance a furniture sales operation there. Kenneth Call from Colony, who recently retired from the U.S. Air Force, will manage the store. Strahl will continue his career as manager of the Iola TG&Y Family Center.
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Gladys Garner, a member of one of Iola’s pioneer families, died Friday night following a heart attack. She was 68. Her husband, the late Vernon “Bus” Garner, died Jan. 10, 1977. She is survived by daughters, Mrs. Phyllis Bass and Mrs. Janice Ambler of Iola, and three sons, Vern and Ronald of Iola and Richard of St. Louis, a brother, Elmer Williams of Kansas City, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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Marvin Boyer and John Franklin have purchased Iola Ready Mix. The company was sold by sealed bids. Boyer is associated with oil production in this area and Franklin is returning from Florida. Before moving there, Franklin was associated with IMP Boats. The sale of Iola Ready Mix followed the death of its owner, Dean Tweedy.
15 — Iola city commissioners yesterday inspected two new city buildings. They toured the new ambulance garage, which is connected to the south side of the fire department station and the new community building in Shepherd Park. The buildings were paid for from a $147,000 federal grant.
16 — USD 257 has purchased supplies for the coming school year through a cooperative buying plan that made purchases for 28 school districts, six community junior colleges and one vocational-technical school. The Southeast Kansas Regional Educational Service Center near Girard initiated joint buying last year. Iola superintendent Don Bain estimated the district saved about 58 percent on its purchases.
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23 — Iola city commissioners put off making a commitment yesterday on whether to help property owners have access to a federal subsidized flood insurance program. Federally subsidized flood insurance is more than a year old but a final commitment on the part of local governing bodies isn’t necessary until next month. More than $750,000 worth of flood insurance, with premiums at a fraction of the cost they would be in the commercial market, is in effect among homeowners here. If the city doesn’t join the program the policies will be canceled. And if the city doesn’t sign up, those who are in the flood zone would find it almost impossible to buy commercial coverage.
25 — After approximately 8,000 flying hours in various Air Force aircraft, Col. David L. Nichols, a native of Iola, will soon be flying the Air Force’s most advanced fighter, the F-15 Eagle. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David H. Nichols of Iola. As the commander of the 22rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Elgin Air Force base in Florida, Col. Nichols is currently flying the F-4E Phantom II.
26 — The Otasco Store on the east side of the square has been purchased by Nancy and Jim Mechling from Tom and John Saxton, who have operated the store for 32 years. Mechling was raised at McCune, where his parents still live. His wife, Nancy, is a native of Tennessee. The Mechlings have a four-year-old son, Webb. They have purchased a house at 402 S. Walnut.
