Brannon Green of Labette County High School has been nominated as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.
Green is now eligible to be selected as a national Red Zone Player of the Year and be honored in a full-page feature in USA Today in February.
High school coaches across the country are naming one player from their team as their Player of the Year.
Green is also eligible to be named one of 50 national Players of the Year. The top 50 players nationwide will be named Red Zone Players of the Year and will receive a plaque and other awards.

The Chetopa Chamber of Commerce is planning for its first Christmas Bazaar which was formerly sponsored by the Chetopa Catholic Church. The Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge.
The following events are being planned: Soup feed (soup, pie, drink for $5), bake sale, food sale, raffles, and grocery give-away. Anyone wishing to donate items to the bazaar or toward the events, or give-aways, contact George Davis (Chamber President), Cynda Jarrett or Debbie Cassell.
The proceeds will go to provide for the Fourth of July Celebration, Spring Fling, Christmas Tree Lighting and other community-based projects.

A bright light at the county commissioners meeting on Monday was a tourism update from Jim Zaleski.
Zaleski, Labette County tourism director, said the 2008 third quarter tourism bed tax outpaces ‘07 by 30 percent. The Parsons and Greater Labette County tourism department said the third quarter receipts from the city’s hotel/motel occupancy tax was approaching $43,000. The tax collection is evidence of approximately $725,000 in gross sales for the city’s hotel industry in the third quarter of 2008.
“This growth is wonderful, I am sure it is a welcome sign to the area considering the economic uncertainty we face as a city and a nation,” Zaleski said, concerning the new Sleep Inn hotel property.
Sleep Inn is located north of Parsons at the intersection of Highway 400 and 59. This was a $10,000 increase over the same period last year representing growth of more than 30 percent, he said.
He stressed it is vitally important to continue to explore potential state and regional groups, small conferences and sporting events to provide future business for the hotels.
He pointed out that these taxes are not a burden on residents or a drain from the city’s general fund. The six percent city occupancy tax is collected on room sales of city hotels and is the direct funding source for the tourism department.
The tourism department promotes the economic growth of the hospitality industry fulfilling the role of sales, marketing and service organization for the region. Through increased visitor spending and continued industry growth the department strives to increase the positive fiscal impact of the industry, thus creating the quality of life for residents, he added.
IN OTHER ACTION TAKEN at Monday’s meeting:
• Approved pay request #5 to Laura Moore for the Osage Township Fire Department/Community Center project at Dennis, in the amount of $59,909.
• Lume Poe and Johnia Franklin gave the commissioners another update on their GIS online training sessions. They have completed the course and have received their certification. More classes are available in Wichita in January and February.
• Prior to the commission meeting, interviews on the appraiser position was held. David Louiselle of Columbus was offered the position at $46,000 per annum.
• Approved the application for a cereal malt beverage license for Greg Ramsey, owner of Ramsey’s, located at the Dennis corner on  Hwy. 400.
• Approved the service contract for the Appraiser’s Department with McCarty’s Office Machines of Parsons for $416, same as last year.
• Approved a request for the Treasurer’s Department for a CIC computer upgrade in the amount of $600. Funds will be taken out of special auto and it will keep the system current with the state VIP registration.
The commission meeting was recessed and a Local Redevelopment Planning Authority special meeting was held at 10:30 a.m. It was held in executive session. Those attending from the LRPA was Ann Charles, deputy director, Bill Wheat and Pete Rhodes. No action was taken.
The commission meeting was re-opened and the commissioners discussed the correctional camp options during a working luncheon with LCCC Administrator Tom Bringle and Labette County Sheriff William Blundell.

Residents of southern Labette County are being urged to sign a petition in opposition to the closing of the Labette Women’s Correctional Conservation Camp on Dec. 31. Oswego businessman and former mayor Phil Blair said the petition has been placed at the city office in Oswego and he urges everyone to drop by, read the cover letter and sign their names. “We don’t know if this will convince anyone or not,” said Blair who is chairman of the OEDC, “but we can’t just stand idly by and let the state close a facility that has been such a great community asset.” He added, “Both the men’s and women’s camps have been so successful and I think that will be the central point of our lobbying. “It has worked well. Why not let it keep working?” Blair said he was mayor of Oswego when the men’s camp first opened in 1991. “It has special meaning to me, but it also means a lot to the people in Oswego and surrounding towns,” he said. He listed Parsons, Oswego, Chetopa, Altamont, Galena, Cherokee as communities that have utilized the camp inmates for manual labor and other manpower. “The Labette County Public Works Department utilizes them more than anyone,” he said. Blair said the Oswego Economic Development Committee is working hard to show state officials that both camps should be left in operation. “We know these are tough economic times,” he said, “and that’s even more a reason to leave the camps in operation. “For now, let’s just concentrate on trying to keep the women’s camp open,” Blair said. “And while we’re doing that, maybe we can convince the state to keep both of them open.” He emphasized the importance of stopping by the Oswego city office and signing the petition as soon as possible.

For more information, see the Nov. 26 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.

Nadine E. Barr

CHETOPA—Nadine E. Barr, 93, a lifelong resident of the Chetopa, Kan., area, died at 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at the Oswego Community Hospital. She had been in failing health.

Nadine was born March 27, 1915, northwest of Chetopa, to Luther and Eva (Thompson) Wiley. She grew up and attended schools in the Chetopa area, and was a graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont.

On April 11, 1936, she and George Arthur Barr were married in Oswego. He preceded her in death Dec. 12, 1987.

She and her husband established Barr Lumber Company in January 1959. Following the death of her husband, she and her son continued to operate the business until December 2007.

Nadine was a member of the First Christian Church in Chetopa, the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce, Chetopa Garden Club, and was an original member of the Belmore Apartments Board of Directors.

She loved arts and crafts, sewing and tending to her flower gardens. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Those surviving are one daughter, Janice Wright and husband Joe, Welch, Okla; one grandson, Joe Bob Wright and wife Elizabeth, Miami, Okla.; two great-grandsons, Bart and Drew Wright; five sisters, Darlene Thomas and husband Bill, Bartlesville, Okla.; Wintress Stine and husband Bob, Bartlesville; Imogene Miller, Bernice, Okla.; Marcella Braley, Oswego, Kan.; Luvonne Hucke, Mound Valley, Kan.; and a sister-in-law, Betty Wiley, Oswego.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Dwane Barr, on Jan. 16, 2008; one grandson, Bart Wright; one great-grandson, Nathan Wright; and one brother, Milan Wiley.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the First Christian Church in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Chetopa. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Ronald L. Blair

OSWEGO—Ronald L. Blair, 78 of Oswego passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008 at his daughters home in Cherokee.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Murdock Funeral Home Chapel in Oswego with Rev. Tom Heflin officiating. Interment will follow in the Oswego Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday. The casket will be closed.

Memorials may be made to the Cherokee Holiness Church, 309 W. Magnolia, Cherokee, KS 66724.

Murdock Funeral Home, Oswego, was in charge of arrangements.

Ron was born June 2, 1930, in Franklin, Penn., the son of William Glenn and Velma W (Ford) Blair. He graduated from Franklin High School and carpentered in Pennsylvania for years before moving to Oswego to marry his pen pal Lorene Davolt.

He worked as a local carpenter, as an EMT for Care Ambulance, as a sheriff’s deputy, as Police Chief of Oswego (May of 1983 to May of 1986) and later in security at the Parsons Ammunition Plant. Ron was a volunteer at the Oswego Fire Department, enjoyed restoring automobiles, and breeding dogs.

Ron later married Jean Roberts.

Those surviving are four daughters, Patricia Jean Fry and husband Harvey of Cherokee; Linda Diane Knight and husband Ricky of Cherokee; Rebecca Sue Hellwig and husband Rex of Oswego; and Rhonda Clifton of Parsons; one son, William R. Blair and wife Sandra of Galva, Kan.; 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Glen, and a sister, Shirley Mae Confer.

Garry R. Starmer

FREDONIA—Garry R. Starmer, 70, of Fredonia, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 24, at Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, with Rev. Gene Benefiel officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fredonia Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the Fredonia Golf Club and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia.

Garry was born on Oct. 14, 1938, in Angola, Kan., the son of Wilber Ray and Bonita June (Gard) Starmer.

He was a graduate of Altamont High School. He attended barber school in Wichita. Garry went on to work as a barber in Kansas City, Chanute, Parsons and Altamont, where he owned his own shop. On Feb. 26, 1964, Garry went to work for the railroad as a brakeman conductor and retired from the UP Railroad in October 2000.

In 1957, Garry married Helen Colwell and they later divorced. To this union two children were born; a son, Rocky, and a daughter, Sharon. On Oct. 9, 1971, Garry married Marie Roat in Fredonia. She survives at their home.

Garry was a member of the Angola United Methodist Church in Angola. He became a member of the Fredonia Golf Club where he was a diehard golfer. He really enjoyed playing golf with the CSBs.

Survivors include his wife, Marie; two sons, Rocky Ray Starmer, Altamont; and Carl (Buck) Bonner, Wichita; three daughters, Sharon Kuehn, South Coffeyville, Okla.; Tammy Weitz, Independence, Mo.; and Suzy Smith, Fredonia; 10 grandsons, four granddaughters and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Paul Starmer; and one granddaughter, Shanna Mae.

Zelda M. Johnson

DUNWOODY, Ga.—Former Dennis, Kan., resident Zelda M. Johnson, 80, of Dunwoody, Ga., died Nov. 20, 2008.

A graveside service was held Monday, Nov. 24, at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga., and a memorial service was held Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may send contributions to Camp Westminster, 1438 Sheridan Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, (770) 483-2225. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.

Arrangements were handled by Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Ind. Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092, (770) 448-5757.

A native of Dennis, Kan., Zelda taught piano lessons for many years. She was a former president of the North Dekalb Music Teachers Association and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph W. Johnson of Dunwoody, Ga.; sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan and Becky Johnson of Lorena, Texas, and Sydney and Nola Johnsen of Waxhaw, N.C.; son-in-law, Gene Freck of Decatur, Ga.; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Freck; her parents, John S. and Mildred Wiggins Howell; and a brother, Dale Howell.

Carolyn Martin

OSWEGO—Carolyn Martin, 69, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Pittsburg, Kan., following a period of illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego with Rev. Larry Parker officiating. Interment will be in the St Bridgett’s Cemetery in Scammon. A Rosary will be Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the Murdock Funeral Home in Oswego.

Memorials may be made to the Mother of God Catholic Church with the church or the Murdock Funeral Home serving as custodian. A register book to leave online condolences to the family and complete obituary can be found at www.murdockfuneralhomes.com.

Carolyn was born June 23, 1939 in Columbus, Kan., the daughter of Carl C. and Lula Mae Carroll York. She graduated from Columbus High School and married Fred E. Martin July 7, 1956. He preceded her in death on July 30, 1973. She married Harold A. Martin on Jan. 20, 1975, and he preceded her in death on April 20, 1997. She worked as a teachers aide in the Weir grade school.

Carolyn was a member of the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego, St Mary’s Altar Society and the Rosary Prayer Group. She enjoyed time with family and friends and keeping a flower garden.

Those surviving are two daughters, Kathy Hartzfeld and husband Mike of Pittsburg; and Melissa McTaggart and husband Kent of Oswego; a son, Fred W. Martin of Kansas City, Kan.; two step-sons, Steve A. Martin and wife Tonya of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Mark A. Martin of Parsons, Kan.; two brothers, Carl W. York of Oswego; and John York of Oswego; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Kathryn K. “Kay” Allison

OSWEGO—Kathryn K. “Kay” Allison, 69, of Oswego, Kan., died at her home Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at the Mound Valley United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Reazin officiating. Burial will be in Oswego Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Mound Valley United Methodist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Clarence R. ‘Joe’ Farran

PARSONS—Clarence R. “Joe” Farran, 80, of Parsons, Kan., died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Labette Health.

The graveside service will be at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday at Fort Scott National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 Veterans of Foreign Wars will be in charge of military honors.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Assistance in Health Care of Tulsa and may be left at or sent to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Fred Vernon Dillon

COLUMBUS—Fred Vernon Dillon, 94, Columbus, Kan., passed away at Columbus Medicalodge Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008.

Simpson Funeral Home, 323 S. Kansas, Columbus, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Wilmer L. Turner

COLUMBUS—Wilmer L. Turner, age 84, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., after suffering a stroke earlier that day.

Visitation in Joplin, will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parker Mortuary. Graveside services will be Saturday at Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to help with final expenses in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be made at parkermortuary.com.

Walter Donald

BOLIVAR, Mo.—Walter Donald, 90, of Bolivar, Mo., formerly of Oswego, Kan., died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Altamont, Kan. Interment will be in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott under the direction of Murray Funeral Home of Bolivar. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 400 Wabash, Altamont, KS 67330.

Jaslyn Angel Markham-Dodd

PARSONS—Jaslyn Angel Markham-Dodd, the daughter of Jason Dodd and Sonja “Sonie” Markham, both of Parsons, Kan., was stillborn Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, at Labette Health.

Graveside funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Funeral services are under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.

Sharon A. Smith

PARSONS—Sharon A. Smith, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The casket will remain closed. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Donald G. Ferrell

WELCH, Okla.—Donald G. Ferrell, 81, of Welch, Okla., passed away Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, at Welch City Cemetery, Welch. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

Robert Leo “Bob” Benning

Coffeyville—Robert Leo “Bob” Benning, 71, of rural Coffeyville, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at Chetopa Manor in Chetopa, Kan.

A Rosary Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24,at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville

The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.