For more information, see the Feb. 11 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 www.taylornews.org/lba.

Jimmie E. Johnston

EDNA—Jimmie E. Johnston, 80, of rural Edna, Kan., died at 12:10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at his home, following a short battle with acute leukemia.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at the Bartlett United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the Bartlett United Methodist Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Jimmie was born Aug. 9, 1928, near Bartlett, Kan., to Vernon and Myrtle (Layton) Johnston. As a young boy, he grew up in the Bartlett-Edna area. He attended Ellis Grade School, and was a 1946 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. He was a farmer and stockman his entire life, and also worked various jobs during the winter months.

Jimmie was a member of the Bartlett United Methodist Church where he served as a church trustee. He was currently serving as president of the Lake Creek Cemetery Association. Johnston was a long-time member of the Labette County Farm Bureau Association, served on the board of directors and as president, and represented the Third District on the Kansas Farm Bureau State Marketing Committee. In 1969, he was honored as Kansas Farm Bureau Leader of the Year.

Johnston had been a member of the Bartlett Cooperative Association since its organization and served several years on the board of directors and as president. In 1967, he helped organize Rural Water District #8 and served ten years as chairman of the board. He also served on the board of directors for the Farmers Home Administration, Labette County Extension Council, Ellis Consolidated No. 4 School District, Farm Management Association District #6, and the Labette County Crop Scouting Association. He also served as a community and project leader for the Foland Fliers 4-H Club.

Johnston received soil conservation awards from Goodyear, Kansas Bankers Association, and the Parsons Kiwanis. He was recognized by the Kansas Beef Awards Program for his livestock feeding program. In 1975, he was recognized by Who’s Who in Kansas for his community activities. He was also interviewed by Kansas Farmer magazine for a feature story on farm policy views.

He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, and gardening, and, in his younger years, enjoyed playing on a men’s fast-pitch softball team. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities.

On March 28, 1948, he and Lucile Darlene Allison. She preceded him in death April 25, 1992. He and Betty (Kimrey) Testerman were married Aug. 9, 1998, at their home. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include two daughters, Mona Marie Owens and husband Bill, rural Edna; Mary Lea York and husband Jim, rural Thayer; two step-daughters, Connie Wyckoff and husband Kirk, Parsons; and Denise Hope, Bartlett; four grandchildren, Angie Dillon and husband Rob, Lisa Chapman and husband Marshall, Dallas York; and Jamie Owens and wife Lynda; seven step-grandchildren, Jimmy Jarman and wife Tiffani, Kenton Jarman and wife Holly, Doug Jarman, Jennifer “Nicole”, Christopher, Samantha and Stephanie Hope; six great-grandchildren, Shelby and Chelsea Chapman; Tanim and Connor Dillon; Jade York and Will Owens; 10 step great-grandchildren, Jenna, Amber, Chelsea, Matthew, Caleb and Jona Jarman; Zachary, Hope, Elizabeth, and Van Renfro; two brothers, Paul Johnston and wife Evelyn, Lawrence; and Dale Johnston and wife Marlyn Kay, Coffeyville; one brother-in-law, Ron Allison and wife Carol, Coffeyville; one sister-in-law, Wilma Allison, Altamont; and one uncle, Harold Layton, Caney.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Bennie Johnston, on Oct. 12, 2007.

Ida Colleen (Moore) Merwarth

BRADY, Texas—Ida Colleen Merwarth passed from this life on Feb. 2, 2009, at the age of 81 years, in Brady, Texas.

She has been cremated and a memorial service is being planned for a later date, perhaps in July following the Kastler Family Reunion, to be held in Angola, Kan.

Memorials may be made to the Edna Methodist Church or Edna Public Library or any charity of the donor’s choice.

Heritage Funeral Home, Brady, was in charge of arrangements.

Colleen was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Edna, Kan., to Louis and Lucy (Kastler) Moore. She graduated from high school in Altamont and from the Kansas State Teacher’s College in Pittsburg. Prior to marriage, she taught school in Valeda, Kan., Parkville School, at Dearing and Edna, Kan.

On Aug. 11, 1973, she married Howard Merwarth in Edna. Following their marriage, they lived in Australia for a few years before returning to Oklahoma City, Okla., and later Brady, Texas.

Those surviving are her husband, Howard Merwarth of the home, Brady; one sister, Dorothy Holt of Edna, Kan.; her niece, Cheryl Wells and husband Tad of The Woodlands, Texas.

Harold L. Axtell

CLIMAX SPRINGS, Mo.—Harold L. Axtell, 81, of Climax Springs, Mo., formerly of Altamont, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons after 11 a.m., Monday.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Donna Heady

PARSONS—Donna Heady, 74, of rural Parsons, Kan., died at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at her home. She had been in failing health.

Following cremation, a private family committal service will be held with burial in Harmony Grove Cemetery in rural Dennis.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthritis Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Donna E. Winters Van Kam

COLUMBUS—Donna E. Winters Van Kam, 74, of Columbus, Kan., died Friday Feb. 6, 2009, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., following a short illness.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.10, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Kallaus officiating. Burial will follow at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, Kan. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9; friends may call after noon. E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 104 W. Main St., Weir.

Lovetta M. Webb

PARSONS—Lovetta M. Webb, 85, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Friends may call the funeral home at their convenience to sign the register.

Memorials are suggested to the New Hope Baptist Church and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Eddie A. Gartner

PARSONS—Eddie A. Gartner, 88, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health. He had been in failing health.

Following cremation, the Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s School Endowment Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Carl Lovejoy

PARSONS—Carl Lovejoy, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at the Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons. He had been in failing health.

Cremation will take place. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.

Pauline Schneickert

PARSONS—Pauline Schneickert, 90, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends immediately following the Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.