County Commissioner Jack Martin was appointed to the Solid Waste Management Committee Board and to the Household Hazard Waste Committee during Monday’s county commission meeting.
Martin will be the alternate for solid waste in the absence of Larry Cupit.
Martin requested that he wanted only appointments that had to do with District No. 3 and that he would like to be involved in the discussion of all appointments. Commissioners Lonie Addis and Brian Kinzie along with county counselor Fred Johnson told Martin that all appointments had to do with the entire county.
Commissioners suggested that Martin take tours of Labette County facilities: Road and Bridge Dept., Sheriff’s Department, 911 Dispatch and the Labette Correctional Conservation Camp.
IN OTHER ACTIONS:
• Sandy Krider, Road and Bridge Supervisor, was given permission to attend the 10th Annual Four Corners Emergency Management Conference, at Monday’s county commission meeting.
Krider will attend the conference on Sept. 10-12 in Branson, Mo. “I went last year,” Krider said. “We participated in table talks that were very beneficial and it’s all geared towards disasters.”
Jim Cook, Emergency Manager, said that Chris Way, (Labette County Emergency Medical Services director), was en route with other emergency responders to Mississippi on Friday to help in emergency preparations of Hurricane Gustav.
Cook told the commission that he is on call with the Kansas Department Emergency Management team that might head to the gulf area, for a maximum time of two weeks.
• Tom Macaroncas, Labette Health financial officer and Brock Sutherland, Labette Health Director of Facility, gave the commission an update on sanitary sewer lines that need to be updated and expanded. The cost has been included in the hospital bond project. The City of Parsons will participate in this project. The hospital board has approved the concept but will be having a board meeting Thursday. This has a 30 day bid process and will close on Sept. 29. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, a special meeting will be held to approve the bids.
• Commissioners and staff were invited to an open house for the newly remodeled main entrance, lab and surgery area of the Labette Health, on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 5-7 p.m.
The community is invited to the open house on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Labette Health is located at 1902 S. US Highway 59 in Parsons.
• Larry Cupit, Labette County Sanitation Officer, told the commission that six counties participate in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. Labette County is one of them. The goal is to lower insurance rates for individuals and for the county and possibly more funding from FEMA.
Cupit was asked to pick a CRS coordinator and present it at the Sept. 8 or 15 meeting.
• Cupit was appointed to the SEK Solid Waste Authority Commission, replacing Brian Kinzie.

The Roberts for Senate campaign announces Lee Modesitt of Parsons as the Labette County Chair for Senator Roberts’ re-election campaign.
“I am honored to have such a fine Kansan become a member of my team to support my re-election effort as we join together to build a better Kansas,” Senator Roberts said. “I am excited by the support from those who share my vision for a strong national security, greater tax relief, a sensible farm policy and a growing economy. I believe a strong local grassroots effort is key to success in Kansas and our folks are top-notch. I will continue to rely on them to help guide our campaign to victory this fall.”
Senator Roberts is running for his third term in the U.S. Senate. For more information, visit www.robertsforsenate.com
Modesitt is a 2007 Oswego High School graduate.

Review and re-assessment of the fair were discussed at the monthly Labette County Fair Board meeting last Wednesday night. There were 10 members and three guests present.
Jim Schmitz, Anna Karhoff and Janie Williams spoke to the board on changes that need to be addressed in the fair book that pertain to the Exhibit Hall. There were several small items discussed that would make things run smoother in this area.
The board will review the fair book and put together a list of changes to be made.
Steve McKinzie discussed the hog sale results. He will look into finding a different buyer for the hogs next year.
The board set the 2009 fair date - July 27 through Aug. 1.
Other items that need to be handled differently next year include:
• Print own sale programs. A person or committee will be selected.
• Hire a fair treasurer. This person would be responsible to work with the board treasurer during the fair. More details later.
• Try to get a new carnival for next year.
• Need more handouts of the “schedule of events” for the fair.
• One night of the demolition derby, possibly Friday night.
• Different demolition derby judges.
Rick McKinzie announced that the buyers’ supper would be held on Sept. 13, at 6 p.m., at Claythorne Lodge. Anyone interested in shooting should be there by 4 p.m. Children of buyers are welcome to attend.
Jeff Falkenstien said the Annual Meeting will be held Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Fair Office. Rod Landrum and Tom Nading were appointed to the nominating committee. Officers whose terms are expiring are Jeff Falkenstien, Everett Becker, Tom Nading, Chuck Johnston, and Jay Slayter.

Labette Avenue has selected Kelsey Farris as a reporter for the newspaper for the on-coming school year at Oswego High School. Kelsey is a senior and is the daughter of Bill and Theresa Farris. She is president of the OHS Student Council, an officer of FCCLA, a member of the National Honor Society and Renaissance, is yearbook editor and plays volleyball and softball.
Kelsey is a good communications student and knows computer technology which will assist the Labette Avenue in covering school sports, activities and clubs as well as general coverage of assemblies, special days, scheduled days out of school and information about students and counseling information or any good news that reflects the life at OHS.
It is the expectation that this experience in the world of newspaper reporting will hone her skills in communication and enhance the practical use of computer technology in today’s newspaper production.
Be sure to welcome Kelsey as a part of the Labette Avenue family when you see her.

Linda Baker with her “Elvis” cake at a retirement reception held last Thursday at Diamond Coach Corp., in Oswego.

Linda Baker wore the appropriate t-shirt last Thursday as she has retired after 33 years at Diamond Coach Corp., in Oswego. Her t-shirt read: “I don’t want to, I don’t have to, You can’t make me, I’m Retired.”
Baker started in January of 1975 for Bud Coons Mfg., later renamed Diamond Coach. She works in the final details of a coach, from curtains to the trim work, she said.
“She does a fantastic job and is a great employee. We appreciate her a bunch. She is here everyday,” Diamond Coach President Dick Seybolt said.
Baker hasn’t missed an attendance bonus in 19 years. “She got every one,” he said.
Baker, 67, said she is going to fish, work in her flowers and play with her dog when she retires. She lives in Columbus and has three children, Debbie Kitch (who had worked for Diamond for 15 years), Bobbie Crowder, rural Columbus, and John Crowder, Carl Junction, Mo., She has numerous grand and great-grandchildren as well.
She is an avid Elvis Presley fan, so last year, in honor of her 30th year Seybolt sent her to tour Graceland in Tennessee.
Baker received a set of Bradford Elvis beverage glasses, a Sony stereo system, Elvis collector’s CD set, billfold with money and a diamond watch and miscellaneous gifts.
* * *
Diamond Coach hosts a fish fry every Labor Day weekend at the plant, this was also held on Thursday, prior to the retirement reception for Linda.
“We have a squawk program,” Seybolt said. Basically, it gives any employee (or dealer) the opportunity to suggest improvements for the company. It can be product improvements, safety suggestions, time-saving or cost-saving ideas, etc.
That day over $403 was given out for the quarterly squawk program. “We’ve done this for the past six years and it is very successful,” Seybolt said. “It’s really good, everybody has the chance to make our product better,” he said.
There have been more than 2100 squawks to date.  “It is part of our continuous improvement philosophy,” Seybolt said.
They have given away prizes anywhere from hats/logo clothing to cash and even a cruise for two.
Following the fish fry luncheon and retirement reception, Seybolt concluded with safety precautions for the employees concerning the holidays.

There have been several references to all terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, micro trucks and golf carts in the Labette Avenue. This writing is an attempt to define and explain each vehicle and the purposes for them to avoid confusion in future discussion. There are distinct differences, so Bill Miller offered to give us pictures and definitions of each vehicle. Since this discussion could become quite lengthy, the newspaper will discuss one per week.
Most of us have seen the standard two-person electric golf carts. They may be seen at golf courses, on television, or in the movies. Golf carts come in a variety of colors, mainly white, red, and green. They are either electric or gasoline powered and are set up to run between 15 to 20 mph, according to speed allowed on golf courses. They can come in deluxe models that resemble Rolls Royces, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Jeeps or Hummers with about every luxury money can buy. The standard golf cart can be bought at a very reasonable price. The golf cart can be plugged in to electricity to be charged up. In an older golf cart powered by gasoline, the cart can go an unbelievable distance on a gallon of gas. The gas-powered ones usually have a little more power than the electric ones.
The newer electric carts built in the last year or so are the best deal for the power. The newer carts have an electric engine that is far more efficient and for the money paid are really the best buy.

A visit to Antique Alley at 522 Sixth Street, Oswego, where Jack and Dorothy Jeffries own and operate their special business will be overwhelming when you see all of the beautiful things they produce. The Labette Avenue staff went to take a picture of a stained glass window that would go into a high window leading to another room just off the sanctuary of the new Bartlett Christian Church at 212 Main Street, Bartlett, pastored by Rev. Fred Wooldridge. The glass was rescued from the old building by Julie Neighbors and her father, Charles Arb, to be restored into the new window. The new window was a thing of beauty and will be a glorious addition to the sanctuary of the new church.
The Jeffries have done many windows for area churches. They were commissioned for a Lacygne Church, The Chetopa Christian Church, the Oswego First Baptist Church and for many others. Their work has been identified as extremely skilled and special in workmanship.
In looking around the classroom there were beautiful windows, special items, kaleidoscopes, jewelry, Christmas decorations, lamps, dolls, and other items to feast your eyes upon. Dorothy and Jack Jeffries have been teaching classes and have had Antique Alley since they moved into the house in 1979.
Dorothy went to the Oswego Library to take a class in stained glass. The instructor was teaching how to make small pears. Dorothy had no interest in the pears, so she went home and made a four foot tree in stained glass as her first project. She has been creating and expanding her skills from that time.
This year they are teaching three classes. The schedule is as follows:  Stained Glass classes will begin Sept. 8 at Antique Alley, 522 6th Street, in Oswego. Classes will be held 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday morning 9 to 12 a.m. and Saturday morning, 9 to 12 a.m.
Call 620-795-4207 or come by Antique Alley to enroll.

For more information, see the Sept. 3 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.

Richard F. Rice

PARSONS—Richard F. Rice, 76, of Parsons, Kan., died at 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to USD 506 Foundation, Inc., for the LCHS Vo-Ag Department. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Richard was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Lawton, Okla., to Roscoe H. and Mary Alice (McDivitte) Rice. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Altus, Okla., where he grew up and attended schools. Following high school, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree.

He worked as a lineman for REA Electric in Floydada, Texas, before moving to their farm in Parsons in June of 1956, where he had lived since. He farmed throughout his adult life. He also ran an avionics radio repair shop in Coffeyville. He was a deputy sheriff in the 1960s and was a diver on the Labette County search and rescue team. For a time, he also worked as a lineman at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant.

On Nov. 22, 1951, he married Kathleen Roberts in Altus. She preceded him in death Oct. 27, 2007.

He taught hunter’s safety many years, was a ham radio operator, and enjoyed photography. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Swing and Twirl Square Dance Club. He also served on the Planning Commission and Zoning Board for the City of Parsons.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen Taylor, Parsons; Nancy Kessler and husband Dwight, Altamont; grandchildren, Daniel Bussinger and wife Lisa, Parsons; Crystal Middleton and companion, Dr. Harold Blankenship, Carl Junction, Mo.; Duane Kessler and wife Peyton, Parsons; Jason Kessler, Dallas, Texas; Kayla Crabtree and husband Daniel, Zushi, Japan; Lindsey Dameron and husband Tony, Pittsburg, Kan.;Leslie Kessler, Wichita; four great-grandsons; one brother, David H. Rice and wife Margaret, Texarkana, Texas; one sister, Mary Ruth Miles, Sedona, Ariz.;

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Robert Rice, Sept. 20, 2004; and one son-in-law, Winston Taylor, Aug. 8, 2007.

Mary Elizabeth (Taylor) Shideler Hinckley

HILLIARD, Ohio—Mary Elizabeth Taylor was born July 12, 1905, in Oswego, Kan., and departed this life recently at the Glenmont Care Center, Hilliard, Ohio. She was 102 years of age.

Her remains were cremated and will be interred at the convenience of the family.

Mary was the eldest daughter of Arthur Ray Taylor, who was the third generation of the Taylor family to operate a jewelry store in Oswego, and his first wife, Elizabeth May (Lizzie) Perkins.

Mary attended and graduated from the Oswego school system and during her high school years taught the kindergarten Sunday school class at the Oswego Presbyterian Church.

Her adult years were spent being a mother and as a classroom teacher for 40 years. During her teaching years in the Kansas City, Mo., schools, she developed a citizenship project for junior high school students. It was adopted for use throughout the system and was the basis of her receiving a “Teacher of the Year” award from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Penn.

Following her retirement from teaching, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Christian Science Reading Room in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her mother in 1922, her father in 1961, and younger sister, Catherine Lucile Taylor Weiser in 1941. Also preceding her in death was her first husband, Harry Kenneth Shideler; their first son, Jack, who died in East Africa while working as a correspondent for a national newspaper; their second son, Jerry, who was killed in an auto accident while returning to duty at Ft. Riley, Kan.; and by her second husband, Horace Hinkley.

She is survived by her youngest son, Richard, wife Tara and their son Taylor of Fairbanks, Alaska. Taylor will enter The University of Alaska Fairbanks this fall as a freshman. She is also survived by her nephew, Taylor Quay “Bud” Weiser of Stevensville, Mont., who she helped raise after the untimely death of his mother; a cousin, John Donald “Cy” Perkins of Hood River, Ore.; and multiple cousins in the Wobbe, Karns, Benitz and Perkins families.

Irene L. Hale

COLUMBUS—Irene L. Hale, 73, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at Medicalodge of Columbus.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Greenlawn Cemetery with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery, rural Columbus, Kan.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association with the Murdock Funeral Home, 132 East Pine, Columbus, KS 66725 serving as custodian.

Irene was born Feb. 17, 1935, in Cherokee County, the daughter of Fred Zachery and Marchie (Sprouse) Stapleton. She graduated from Oswego High School in 1953.

Irene was married to Perry Harrell and later divorced. She later married Ray Hale on July 18, 1979. She worked at the Labette County Courthouse as a clerk, for several automotive dealerships as a bookkeeper and was also very active on the farm. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oswego, VFW Ladies Auxillary and volunteered at the Cherokee County Genealogy Society.

Those surviving are her husband, of the home; a son, Terry Harrell and wife Sherry, Altamont; a daughter, Teresa Troy, M.D. and husband Richard, Ozark, Mo.; a step-son, Tim Hale and wife Lori, Bentonville, Ark.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lula Mae Villegas, Oswego; Martha Testerman and husband Arno, Bartlett; and Rachel Nance, Rolla, Mo.; two brothers, Chester Stapleton and wife Peggy, Oswego; and George Stapleton and wife Phyllis, Oswego.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Turner Harrell; two brothers, Leo and Guy Stapleton; and a sister Ruby Strickland.

May Warwick

OSWEGO—May  Warwick, 101, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Oswego Home Place.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Oswego Cemetery with pastor Eddie Williamson officiating. May may be seen between 1 and 6 p.m. on Thursday. Family and friends will gather at the Murdock Funeral Home at noon on Friday for a time of visitation before proceeding on to the cemetery as a group.

Memorials may be made to Harry Hines Hospice with the Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, KS 67356, acting as custodian.

May was born Aug. 5, 1907, in Sipsey, England, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Kendall) Brown. She moved to Oswego about 45 years ago to be with family. She was married to Cecil George Warwick who preceded her in death on May 12, 1983.

She worked for Berry Garment Factory for several years.

May was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and three brothers.

She is survived by a daughter, Betty Strickland of Oswego; three grandchildren, Andra Gamba and husband Guy, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Carl Strickland and wife Cathy, Oswego; and Wanda Strickland, Tulsa, Okla.;  four great-grandchildren; four great-great-granddaughters, two great-great-grandsons; several nieces and nephews.

Darlois ‘Kay’ Burkhart

MOUND VALLEY—Darlois “Kay” Burkhart, 48, of Mound Valley, Kan., died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at her home.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Mound Valley Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hines Hospice, and these may be left with Potts Chapel of Independence.
BernaDean Sue Dean

MOUND VALLEY—BernaDean Sue Dean, 74, of Mound Valley, Kan., died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Elmhaven East in Parsons, where she had resided since November 2007.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.

William “Billy” Ellison, Jr.

COLUMBUS—William “Billy” Ellison, Jr., 43, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.

Memorial services will be at 7 p.m., Thursday at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus.

James R. Clifton

PARSONS—James R. Clifton, 81, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. His wife, Jackie Clifton, preceded him in death on March 21, 2007.

Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Verne E. Leeper

COLUMBUS—Verne E. Leeper 80, of rural Columbus, Kan., died Sunday, Aug.31, 2008, at his home following a period of illness.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Murdock Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Edgmand Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Hospice or the Cherokee County 4-H Clubs with the Murdock Funeral Home, 132 E. Pine, Columbus, KS 66725 serving as custodian.

Ida G. “Jerri” Bolinger

PARSONS—Ida G. “Jerri” Bolinger, 68, of rural Parsons, Kan., died at 4:40 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at her home. She had been in failing health.

The service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Revs. Irvin and Florence Espeseth and Bill Hale officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.