For more information, see the Oct. 1 issue of the Labette Avenue. To locate previously posted death notices, enter the decedent’s last name in the archive search box on Labette Avenue’s home page. Labette Avenue publishes death notices free of charge. Paid obituaries ($20) are printed in their entirety in the Labette Avenue and online at taylornews.org.

Harold R. Breneman

COLUMBUS—Harold R. Breneman, 69, of Columbus, Kan., died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008.

Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Columbus. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the hall.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus.

Zack Newton Ewers

WELCH, Okla.—Zack Newton Ewers, 77, of Welch, Okla., died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla.

Leonard G. Wolke, Sr.

PARSONS—Leonard G. Wolke, Sr., 69, of rural Parsons, Kan., died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He had been in his usual health and death was not expected.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, in Parsons, with cremation to follow. The family will hold private committal services at a future date.

Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons is in charge of arrangements.

Marvel Lea Warstler

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—Marvel Lea Warstler, 90, of Oklahoma City, Okla.,died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, under the direction of John M. Ireland Funeral Home and Chapel, Moore, Okla. Interment will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at Greenlawn Cemetery, west of Baxter Springs, Kan.

Virginia L. Handshy

PARSONS—Virginia L. Handshy, 80, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, in Lawrence, at the home of a son. Death followed a brief illness.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Dutton officiating. Burial will be in East Bethany Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Friends may also call throughout the day on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Animal Shelter and may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

County commissioners approved writing a letter of support for the Emergency Medical Services, at Monday’s county commission meeting.
The EMS will apply for a CDBG grant in the amount of $400,000 for a new building. The deadline on the application is Oct. 31.
Labette Health, a hospital in Parsons, will pay the 50 percent match. Labette County will be the administrator or sponsor of the project, with an inter-local agreement with the hospital. “It is a good project,” EMS Administrator Chris Way said. “We’re not competing with anyone.” Derek Vance, Labette Health business development, was also present at the meeting.
The EMS building would be located on the hospital grounds, on the southwest corner of the complex, facing north. It would be called Labette Health EMS Station No. 1. “We are glad that the commission will be a part of the project,” Way said.
IN OTHER MATTERS at Monday’s meeting:
• A contract with AT&T was signed for a management internet agreement at a cost of $540 a month, minus a 40 percent discount making the amount $324 per month. The contract also approved a multi-service agreement for 36 months at a cost of $455 per month. Total for the AT&T package is $779.40 a month.
“This contract will provide a new router and maintenance on it,” Brandy Grassl, 911 Dispatch Coordinator said. “The prices are good for three years,” she added.
This is a savings to the county of over $445 per month. The internet service is for the sheriff’s department, 911 dispatch and the courthouse.
• Approved to renew the one year contract for floor mats at the courthouse from UniFirst Corp., (originally Western Uniform) at the same rate as last year, $20 minimum per week.
• Approved a pharmacist in charge agreement for the Labette Correctional Conservation Camp to Pharmacist Steven Charles. The contract starts Aug. 1, 2008, and expires June 30, 2009.
• Commissioners approved for the Labette County Health Department Administrator Debbi Baugher and Commissioner Lonie Addis to attend a Summit Conference on Sept. 24 and 25 at Wichita. The lodging and meals will be provided by the Kansas Association of Counties. There is no cost to the county.
• Tracey Harris with Community Corrections was given approval on a year-end report of outcomes for the fiscal year 2007 for the State of Kansas Community Corrections Act, Statewide Performance Measures.
• Commissioner Lonie Addis will draft a letter to support a T-link, following the governor’s action on a four-lane road linking the 400 highway.

The official date for count students in Kansas public schools was Sept. 20, and state aid is based upon those figures.
Following are the schools in southern Labette County:
* * *
USD 506 - Labette County
Labette County USD 506 was up 82 students from last year, Supt. Chuck Stockton said.
Below are the Sept. 20 headcount numbers. This is not full-time equivalency (FTE) which is used for funding purposes. For example: headcount means all students equal one. Using FTE, for instance, Kindergarten students only count as .5 FTE for each full time kindergarten student.
A breakdown of enrollment by attendance centers shows the following, last year’s numbers are at the end:
Altamont:
PreK 26 (12)
Kindergarten 30 (15)
First grade 17 (21)
Second grade 22 (26)
Third grade 29 (17)
Fourth grade 17 (22)
Fifth grade 22 (21)
Sixth grade 21 (23)
Seventh grade 26 (33)
Eighth grade 35 (26)
Total 245 (216)
Bartlett:
PreK 1 (0)
Kindergarten 14 (13)
First grade 13 (16)
Second grade 20 (13)
Third grade 11 (14)
Fourth grade 15 (13)
Fifth grade 15 (19)
Sixth grade 23 (12)
Seventh grade 12 (20)
Eighth grade 22 (17)
Total 146 (137)
Edna:
Kindergarten 19 (14)
First grade 15 (8)
Second grade 12 (19)
Third grade 24 (14)
Fourth grade 17 (21)
Fifth grade 26 (18)
Sixth grade 18 (23)
Seventh grade 22 (16)
Eighth grade 17 (24)
Total 170 (157)
Meadow View:
Kindergarten 47 (36)
First grade 41 (39)
Second grade 42 (33)
Third grade 38 (44)
Fourth grade 46 (39)
Fifth grade 39 (45)
Sixth grade 49 (33)
Seventh grade 40 (39)
Eighth grade 42 (33)
Total 384 (341)
Mound Valley:
PreK 21 (9)
Kindergarten 11 (24)
First grade 24 (15)
Second grade 13 (24)
Third grade 25 (23)
Fourth grade 25 (13)
Fifth grade 15 (13)
Sixth grade 11 (20)
Seventh grade 20 (17)
Eighth grade 18 (16)
Total 183 (174)
LCHS:
Freshmen 124 (131)
Sophomore 133 (149)
Juniors 151 (145)
Seniors 138 (142)
Total 546 (567)
USD 505 - Chetopa/St. Paul
Chetopa/St. Paul USD 505 reports they have a head count for the district of 534 (compared to 566 last year.) Supt. Kim Juenemann submitted the report.
This year’s numbers, followed by last year’s numbers, are shown below:
These are all head count numbers:
Pre-School 18 (20)
Kindergarten 38 (39)
First grade 32 (25)
Second grade 29 (42)
Third grade 44 (40)
Fourth grade 39 (44)
Fifth grade 40 (43)
Sixth grade 36 (43)
Seventh grade 41 (40)
Eighth grade 41 (44)
Ninth grade 39 (46)
Tenth grade 43 (53)
Eleventh grade 49 (45)
Twelfth grade 38 (40)
Non-graded 2 (3)
Adults 5 (–)
Total headcount 534 (566)
Total FTE 505.5 (533)
* * *
Oswego USD 504 has an enrollment decrease due to several families moving out of the area, Supt. Terry Karlin said.
A breakdown of enrollment by grades shows the following:
USD 504 - Oswego//Service Valley
Neosho Heights:
Kindergarten 26
First grade 27
Second grade 32
Third grade 25
Fourth grade 30
Fifth grade 43
Service Valley:
Kindergarten 3
First grade 8
Second grade 6
Third grade 6
Fourth grade 5
Fifth grade 4
Sixth grade 6
Seven grade 11
Eighth grade 11
Oswego Middle School:
Sixth grade 34
Seventh grade 35
Eighth grade 27
Oswego High School:
Freshmen 40
Sophomores 35
Juniors 26
Seniors 32
Preschool: 12
Special Ed Pre 9
Ungraded 1
Totals:  Neosho Heights 205; Service Valley 60; OMS 96; OHS 133
Last year’s totals: NeHi 209; SV 83; OMS 99; OHS 137
Total headcount 494 (528)
Total FTE 472.4 (507.0)

Bethany Bohnenblust of Altamont is the Kansas nominee for National FFA office.
Slating and election of national officers occurs at the national convention Oct. 22-24 in Indianapolis Indiana.
Blaine Lotz is the Kansas representative for the National FFA Creed speaking contest also held at the national convention.
Jesse Muller is the Central Regional winner and one of four national candidates for national FFA Proficiency selection.
These are all students at Labette County High School.
Bohnenblust currently is serving as state president of the FFA.

The City of Altamont will celebrate its 124th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a wiffle ball tournament, home-made ice cream, and a cake contest at Davidson Sports Complex, which is south on Ness Road and is the first drive south of the railroad track.
Registration for the Wiffle Ball Tournament starts at 10 a.m. The Tournament will begin at 11 a.m. There will be a concession stand.
There will be a “Best Decorated” Cake contest as well as a “Best Tasting Home-made” cake contest. There will be a “home-made ice cream” contest also.
Tickets for $1 per chance on a $50 Casey’s Gas card will be sold. All proceeds will go toward the 2009 Altamont Flag Day.
For information, contact Diana Wells at 784-5495.

Chetopa Tire and Trailer has now become Bartlett Co-op Trailer Shop. The new ownership by Bartlett Co-op does trailer repairs and restoration as well as works with farm equipment such as truck beds, feed boxes, etc. The firm no longer does tire or oil changes. Mike and Pam Gaines who previously worked for Chetopa Tire and Trailer still work at the trailer shop in Chetopa. Contact (620) 236-7143 for  services.
Tire and oil changes  are still done at the Bartlett Co-op, Bartlett location. Fred Goddard, who is the former owner of Chetopa Tire and Trailer, works in the Bartlett Co-op main office in Bartlett. Fred may be reached at (620) 226-3322.

The OHS Alumni Association will have a booth at Oswegofest, and it will be located at the east shelter house in the park.
Mini-Reunions will be held throughout the day to give everyone an opportunity to visit with your fellow alumni classmates.
All alumni are encouraged to stop by the booth to verify their mailing address and make any necessary changes.
A raffle will be held to help raise money for the cost of the annual reunions. This year’s items are: a quilt donated by Julie Wimp, a gourd donated by Cheryl Lewis and a Kansas Hunting or Fishing License donated by Labette County Clerk, Linda Schreppel.
This year’s reunion is being dedicated to a well-known alumnus who died in December 2007, Jerry Barnard.
For information, log on to www.oswegoalumni.org. Not only will you find information on the above events, but you can also find much more information such as the OHS alumni directory, photos, a blog, class reunion information, and much more.
While on the web-site, be sure to register under the alumni directory. Jim Wilks (Class of 1962) is the webmaster.

Friday night area football games schedule will be the following:
Chetopa High School will be at Miami at 7 p.m.
Labette County High School will be hosting  Ft. Scott at 7 p.m.
Oswego High School will be traveling to Sedan at 7 p.m.

Upcoming other sports schedules include:
Thursday, Sept. 25 -
CHS Volleyball at Baxter, 5 p.m.
CHS Cross Country at Southeast, 4 p.m.
LC Tennis at Pittsburg, 3 p.m.
LC Volleyball at Chanute, 5 p.m.
LC Cross County at Iola, 4 p.m.
OHS Golf at Fredonia, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27 -
LC Freshmen Volleyball at Parsons, 9 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 29 -
OHS Volleyball at Southeast, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 -
CHS Volleyball at Marmanton Valley, 5 p.m.
LC Tennis at Neodesha, 3 p.m.
OHS Volleyball at Colony-Crest, 5 p.m.
LC Freshmen Volleyball at Columbus, 5 p.m., here is the schedule:
Game 1 West Court - Columbus vs. Pittsburg; East Court - LCS vs. Iola
Game 2 West Court - Columbus vs. Iola; East Court - LCS vs. Pittsburg
Game 3 West Court - Columbus vs. LCHS; East Court - Pittsburg vs. Iola

The annual fall event for the Oswego Chamber of Commerce is all set for Saturday, Sept. 27, with all activities taking place in Riverside Park.
Oswegofest will offer events for all ages, starting early and continuing throughout the day.
The planning for this year’s Oswegofest was dovetailed with the annual Oswego High School Reunion and it will be held in the east shelter house at the park.
This week’s  Labette Avenue contains all the details about the many events planned for this special day.
The basic schedule of events includes:
9 a.m.     Opening Ceremony
9:30 a.m.    Sunflower Baton Academy
10 a.m.    Little Indians Cheer Squad
10:30 a.m.     Wiener Dog Races
11 a.m.    Baby Contest
12 p.m.     Music by AREA 51 (jazz, blues, swing and rock)
3 p.m.     Alumni Raffle Drawing
These events will be held at the stage.