Tragic Times
It seems like we’ve lost too many friends and neighbors in the Topflight community lately. Each passing affects many people; our rural communities are strong, friendly and supportive during those times. Here, are two of those community stories that occurred this past fall.
John Zelhart John & Imogene Zelhart have lived forever in the Maroa area, being very active members of church and community. They raised three sons, John, David and James, who have carried on the family farm business, and they too, are very active in their community. John died this harvest season. Harvest activities stopped for the Zelhart families during this sad time. On November 9th, friends and neighbors brought combines, trucks Verneil Legget, dumping beans on his auger cart. and manpower to finish bean harvest for the Zelharts. 18,000 bushels of beans were combined and delivered to the Maroa elevator in a short 3 hours. It was truly the kindness and neighborliness that our rural communities are known for. We extend our thoughts to the Zelharts, and thank the neighbors who assisted in the bean harvest. Dave Braden Tom Riley Some of those neighbors were Jim Stoutenborough, Billy Voorhees, Bill Voorhees, Bob Turney, Craig Hill, Tom Riley, Verneil Leggett, Lori Leggett, Steve Halicki, Boots Fenton, Dan Marsh, Richard Hanes, Tom Fogerson, David Braden, Larry Groves, Wayne Kissinger, Ed Mayfield, Steve Mayfield, David Hoffman, Terry Hoffman, Doug Adloff, Jeremiah Hoffman, Nick Hoffman Bob Turney Troy Stoutenborough, Tyler Stoutenborough, Dick Brelsfoard, Gary Brelsfoard, Don Westerman, Bob Roberts, Zachary Hyde, Ken Boyd, Clark Weston, Tom Stoutenborough, Steve Stapleton, Aaron Hill, Jerry Wallace and Nick Hoffman. Thanks, too, to Tom & Jim Stoutenborough for sending pictures, names and the story.
34 FEBRUARY 2014 / topflight newsletter
Jim Stoutenborough
kyle hendrix Kyle, too, lived his entire life in his rural community; his entire life was only 30 years. He has always farmed in the Bement area with his dad, grandfathers, brother, and uncle, was a truck driver in the off-season, and was a wonderful husband to Kristin and father to Kaleb and Khloe. As a tribute to Kyle, the young-farmer community organized a tractor-cade, lining the highway north of Bement with tractors, a few combines, and semi trucks. It was a sight to behold, and a great honor to a fine young man who touched so many lives. Jake Moore organized the tractor-cade, with the assistance of many friends in the community. Part of the crew who organized the tractor-cade were Scott Allison, Jake Moore, Dan LeCrone, Ryan Meece, Scott Jean, Doug LeCrone, Dan Foran, Kyle Meece, Jim Harrington, John Cahill, Chris Robeck, Chad Larimore, Terry Lawson, Matt Cahill, Nathan Bartley. Not pictured - Cary Hinton, Brant Sietz, Dan Larson, John Adcock
Semi tractors lined up.
Kyle, Kristin, Kaleb & Khloe Red tractors lined up the highway.
Brother Andy, and Kyle
Green tractors lined up the highway. FEBRUARY 2014 / topflight newsletter 35