For more information, see the May 27, 2009, 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.

DeReva D. Murphy

JOPLIN, Mo.—DeReva D. Murphy, 87, of Joplin, Mo., died at 9:32 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at the Freeman Health Systems in Joplin. She had lived in Joplin since 2001 and was a resident of the National Health Care Center of Joplin.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the Bartlett Christian Church. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery at Bartlett.

The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the National Health Care Center Activities Fund. They may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

She was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Whitesville, Mo., to Ellis Oliver and Laura Alice (Beahm) Thompson. The family moved to Edna, Kan., in 1927 and she attended elementary school and high school there.

On April 24, 1937, she married Carl J. Murphy in Pineville, Mo. They made their home on a farm near Bartlett, Kan., all their married life. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1987 and Mr. Murphy preceded her in death on Feb. 23, 1996.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Murphy moved to Parsons. Later she moved to Joplin.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Parsons. She loved music and for 16 years was pianist at the Bartlett United Methodist Church. She sang alto in duets and trios that sang for funerals in the Bartlett, Chetopa and Edna areas.

She was a 50 year member and past matron of the Order of Eastern Star in Edna and currently was a member of the Coffeyville Chapter No. 112, Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Jane Dean Coffey Chapter in Coffeyville.

Survivors include a daughter, Carla June Diediker, Joplin; five grandchildren, June Revell. Parsons; Leticia Fr,y Lamar, Mo.; Jim Diediker Columbus, Kan.; Rex Hayden, Huntsville, Ala.; Rod Hayden, San Antonio, Texas; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, DeLores Hayden, on Dec. 11, 2003; and a sister, Virginia Moon.

Robert Earl Forgy, Sr.

ACE, Texas—Robert Earl Forgy, Sr., 73, of Ace, Texas, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

A memorial service honoring Robert as a loving husband, father, and grandfather will be held Saturday May 23, at 5 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ray Barbie officiating.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Corliss Alsbrooks Forgy; children, Gemey Kaye Carter and husband Shane of Laport, Texas;  daughter-in-law, Frachelle Forgy of Kemah, Texas; Stephen Forgy and wife Tanelle of Tracy, Calif.; Larry Brewer and wife Melanie of Etoile; Jennifer Williams of Ace; Casey Ratliff and husband Michael of Augusta, Ga.; and Brooke Forgy of Ace; a sister, Jerry Holly of Kemah; a brother, Brice Forgy of Tulsa Okla.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Brice and Gertrude Forgy, and his eldest son, Robert Earl Forgy, Jr.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangments. Please sign the online guest book at www.cochranfh.com.

Gertrude Peterson

SAN JUAN, Texas—Gertrude Peterson, 99, of San Juan, Texas, formerly of Rosemead, Calif.,, died at 5:05 a.m., April 1, 2009, at the San Juan Nursing Home in San Juan, Texas. She had lived in Rosemead, Calif., most of her life before moving to San Juan, Texas, in May 2007, to be near her niece, Joyce Patrick and her husband, John, of Alamo, Texas.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 2, at the Oswego Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Gertrude was born January 7, 1910, in rural Oswego, Kan., to Elmer and Bessie (Lively) Sheets. She grew up and attended Labette County schools. She married Edward Peterson on July 7, 1949, in Reno, Nev. He preceded her in death March 11, 1990, in Rosemead.

Mrs. Peterson was very active in the Navy Fleet Reserve and was President of the Ladies Auxiliary several times in the San Gabriel, Calif., chapter.

Survivors include her niece, Joyce (Moeder) Patrick and husband John, Alamo, Texas; a dear friend, Theresa Muller-Standefer.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Virgil and Glen Sheets; and one sister, Elmo Moeder.

Betty R. Gifford

OSWEGO—Betty R. Gifford, 85, of Oswego, Kan., died at 7 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2009, at her home following a short illness.

There will be a celebration of life at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Gifford family home, 8 Woodcliff Drive, Oswego. Dinner and drinks will be served. Burial will be at a private date in Oswego City Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to Oswego Riverside Park and may be left at or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S. East Avenue, Columbus.

Geneva J. Grimmett

PARSONS—Geneva J. Grimmett, 66, of Parsons, Kan., died Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Darrin Hamilton, in Parsons. She had been in failing health.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in East Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.

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

Sylvia M. McGowan

PARSONS—Sylvia M. McGowan, 69, of Parsons, Kan., formerly of Chanute, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. She had been in failing health.

Following cremation, the family will hold private committal services at a future date. The Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons is in charge of arrangements.

Marian Hazel Adamson

PARSONS—Marian Hazel (Sadler) (Lawrence) Adamson, 91, a resident of Parsons Presbyterian Manor, died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Kansas, 335 S. Hydraulic, Wichita, 67211, or The Salvation Army, Church and Welfare Office, 212 E. Fifth, Pittsburg, 66762.

Joseph “Joe” W. Dugan

MIAMI, Okla. —Joseph “Joe” W. Dugan, 65, of Miami, Okla., died Monday, May 25, 2009.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at First Baptist Church, Chetopa, Kan. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Chetopa. Arrangements are under the direction of Paul Thomas Funeral Home, Miami.

Ruby E. Albright-Newell

TULSA, Okla.—Ruby E. Albright-Newell, 89, formerly of Parsons, Kan., passed away Friday, May 22, 2009.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons. Burial will be in East Bethany Cemetery.