For more information, see the Sept. 16, 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.

Bertis F. Johnson

ALTAMONT—Bertis F. Johnson, 88, of Altamont, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, following a period of illness. Bert was surrounded by his family and his faith.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Sept. 7, at Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego with Rev. Larry Parker officiating. Rosary was on Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Murdock Funeral Home Chapel, 203 Illinois, Oswego. Interment was at Janesville Cemetery in Hamilton, Kan.

Memorials may be made to the Mother of God Catholic Church or Hospice Care of Kansas, 1906 Main Ste 103, Parsons, KS 67357. Condolences may be left at www.murdockfuneralhomes.com.

Bert was born June 26, 1921, in Virgil, Kan,, Greenwood County, the son of Carl F. and Bertha M. (Sage) Johnson. He was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Virgil High School in 1939 and Independence Community College. He was a veteran of WW2 serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant. ,

He married Mary Ellen Friedel of Claflin, Kan., on June 2, 1947 in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this year.

Bert worked as a salesman, business owner and for the Kansas Employment Services as the office manager, retiring in 1992 after 25 years of service. Bert enjoyed exceptionally good health, square dancing and traveling.
He was a member of the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 694 in Parsons and The Royal Neighbors.

Surviving are his wife, of the home; three daughters, Vickii K. Norris of El Dorado, Kan.; Marcia S. Brawner and husband Kenny of Poetry, Texas; Mary Colette Cunningham and husband Harold of Altamont; two sons, Carl F. Johnson and wife Sheryl of Parsons; and Kennie L. Johnson and wife Carolyn of Parsons; 15 grandchildren, Park T. Norris, Heather Hankins, Keira Mitchell, Buck J. Blount, Dora M. Blount, Jessica Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Carla Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Renee Johnson, Dustin Curtis, Sara Curtis, Jacob Johnson, Carrie Johnson and Cassie Johnson; and 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Melba Leone Demler of Odessa, Texas; and one brother, C. K. Johnson of Chickasha, Okla.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Park Norris.

D. Jack Lacey

OSWEGO—D. Jack Lacey, 82, of Oswego, Kan., died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at the Chetopa Manor, in Chetopa, Kan., after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, in Oswego with Pastor John Stone officiating. Interment will follow in the Lake Creek Cemetery, Bartlett, Kan. Military Rites will be conducted by the Parsons VFW.

Visitation will be Monday evening, Sept. 14, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego.

The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church in Oswego and they may be mailed or delivered to the Funeral Home or church.

Jack was born May 28, 1927, in Promise City, Iowa, to Harold and Thelma (Latimer) Lacey. They moved to Oswego in 1948, where he attended and graduated from Oswego High school. He also attended Labette Community College in Parsons.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1944, during World War II, and served in the Pacific Theatre, the Philippines, New Guinea and Guam. The decorated sailor was discharged in 1946 and he remained in the U. S. Naval Reserve until his retirement as a Chief Boatswain Mate. Jack was a long time employee of the U. S. Postal Service and retired in 1985. He then served in the Kansas Legislature from 1985 until 1990, when he became Secretary of Wildlife and Parks at the request of Governor Joan Finney.

Jack was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oswego, where he served as a Trustee for several years. He also was a member of VFW Post 3399 in Oswego and Adams Lodge #63 in Oswego, The Scottish Rite of McAlester, Okla., The Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg and the NRA.

He married Delores Knarr on March 6, 1949, in the Baptist church in Neodesha, Kan. She survives at the home in Oswego. They have one son, Kip Lacey, of Joplin, Mo., who also survives.

Other survivors include three brothers, Nolan and wife Dee, Lubbock, Texas; Jerry Lacey, Jacksonville, Ark.; Mark and wife Lani, Ocean Shores, Wash.; one sister, Twyla Rumfelt, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.; and a sister-in-law, Sherry Lacey, Gold Canyon, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Harold and Thelma Lacey; a sister, Marjorie Lacey; and a brother, Norman Lacey, of Gold Canyon, Ariz.

Samuel “Sam” Jorgenson

WELCH, Okla.—Samuel “Sam” Jorgenson, 93, of Welch, Okla., passed away at 1:45 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13, at Medicalodge in Columbus, Kan.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Sam was born Dec. 27, 1915, in Salem, SD, to Sam and Sophia Jorgenson.   On June 24, 1940, he and Edith Mae Stevens were married in Pipestone, Minn. The couple owned, operated and managed businesses in Winfred, SD; Chetopa, Kan.; and Welch, Okla. They developed the first organic farm in the State of Oklahoma, where they were instrumental in raising hay and beef. For a number of years, he also owned and operated the Vermeer farm equipment dealership in this area. Edith preceded him in death Oct. 20, 2005.

Sam especially enjoyed visiting with people in the community and in surrounding areas.

Those surviving are one son, Joe Jorgenson and wife Linda, Welch, Okla.; two daughters, Gloria Vance and husband T. J., Haysville, Kan.; and Jerg Frogley and husband Larry, Oswego, Kan.; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, two sisters, and one grandchild.

Katherine F. Russell

EDNA—Katherine F. Russell, 94, of Edna, died at 3:44 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at her home. She had been in ill health several months.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the United Methodist Church in Edna. Burial will follow at the Edna Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the church. Friends may call at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont after 9 a.m., Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested to the Edna United Methodist Church or Katherine Russell for Southern Care Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Katherine was born at rural Edna on Jan. 12, 1915, to Lea Ira and Alta Mae (McElroy) Stine. She grew up and attended Rose Hill Grade School there and graduated from Edna High School in 1932. For many years, Katherine worked as an accomplished seamstress, did custom wallpapering, raised strawberries, and she and her husband owned and operated a Laundromat in Edna. She also worked at Rutter’s Grocery in Edna.

She was a member of Royal Neighbors since March 19, 1931, where she also served as musician for 42 years and secretary/treasurer for 64 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women’s group where she served as treasurer for over 40 years, the Merry Go Round Club, Hawkins Homemakers Home Demonstration Unit, and the Edna Bears. She especially enjoyed the Tuesday afternoon study club where she held many offices through the years. Katherine loved quilting and was an avid bowler. She had continued bowling past her 91st birthday and had attended 35 state tournaments, five national tournaments, and in 1999, was inducted into the Coffeyville Bowlers Hall of Fame. She was a faithful member of the Edna United Methodist Church.

She was married to Harold W. Russell on May 20, 1933, in Oswego, Kan. He preceded her in death November 12, 2003.

Those surviving are one daughter, Shirley Reimer and husband Calvin, Arlington, Texas; one son, Richard Russell and wife Jenene, Edna; three grandchildren, David Reimer and wife Christie; Amy Ingram and husband Steve; Russ Russell and wife Brandy; seven great-grandchildren, John and Justin Reimer; Emily and Audrey Ingram; Taylor, Tyler and Tanner Russell; one sister, Sue Baker, Abilene, Kan.; and one sister-in-law, Evelyn Stine, Edna.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Forrest Stine.

Evelyn Culbertson-Shetley

PARSONS—Evelyn Culbertson-Shetley, 87, of Parsons, Kan., a former longtime Riverton resident, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at Labette Health in Parsons.

Funeral services were held Monday at the First Baptist Church at Parsons with the Rev. Joe Hyde and Justin Culbertson officiating. Burial was in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Independence.

Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Jack V. Ward, Sr.

PARSONS—Jack V. Ward, Sr., 95,  longtime Parsons, Kan., resident, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Labette Health in Parsons. He was a resident of the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Presbyterian Manor Chapel.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Galesburg.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.  They may be left at or mailed to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS  67357.

Friends may call at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at their convenience.

David Ralph Billman, Sr.

PARSONS—David Ralph Billman, Sr., 71, long-time Parsons, Kan., business owner, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at the Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home with The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe and The Reverend Jan Chubb officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s Episcopal Church Endowment or Altar Guild, the Parsons Arboretum, or to the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital.  These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Daniel Cox

PARSONS—Daniel Cox, 23, of Parsons, Kan., died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, while serving his country in Afghanistan. He is survived by his parents, Kim and Sharon Cox, of Parsons.

Complete obituary details will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Dennis L. Lundgren

PARSONS—Dennis L. Lundgren, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He is survived by his wife, Donna Lundgren, of the home.

Complete obituary details will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.