For more information, see the Dec. 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.

Michael Paul “Mike” Eichhorn

ALTAMONT—Michael Paul “Mike” Eichhorn, 60, a longtime Altamont, Kan., businessman, died on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at his home in Altamont. He had been in failing health.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Altamont with burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shriners Transportation Fund for the transporting of children to and from Shriners Hospitals, or to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 510 S. Wabash, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

Mike was born July 19, 1949, in Parsons, Kan., to Paul and Betty (Imel) Eichhorn. He grew up in Altamont where he attended Altamont Grade School and graduated from Labette County High School in 1967. He also attended Labette Community College and Pittsburg State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in printing.

He and Regina Schnieder were married in 1970 in Dennis, Kan.They divorced in 1979. He married Pamela Franklin 1982. They divorced in 1997. He and Charlotte (Robison) Tennyson were married on Sept. 26, 2003, in Branson, Mo. She survives of the home.

Through the years, he worked at Sun Graphics in Parsons; and McFarlin Printing and Dean Pearson Dodge, both in Enid, Okla. Upon returning to Kansas, he went into partnership with his dad at Eichhorn Tire and Auto in Altamont. He eventually became the sole proprietor of the business, for over 30 years, where he worked until his death.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Altamont; Altamont Jaycees; Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #69 in Altamont where he had been a member for 20 years and held several offices; and Mirza Shriners in Pittsburg.

Mike was an avid hunter, fisherman, and Kansas Chiefs fan for many years. He enjoyed horseback riding, canoeing, camping, bowling, gardening and cooking. He especially enjoyed spending time and fishing with his grandchildren. He also received great pleasure in working with children and helped organize the first annual Altamont Police Department/Masonic Lodge #69 Fishing Tournament in June 2005, working diligently to make it a success each of the last four years. He also volunteered his time to assist in the development of the Louis P. Gartner Recreation Area at Idle Hour Lake in Altamont for camping and other activities. He was an advocate for helping children through the Shriners’ Childrens’ Hospitals. As a boy, he belonged to Altamont Boy Scouts.

Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who always had time for others and will be deeply missed.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Betty Eichhorn, Altamont; one son, Nolan Eichhorn; Parsons; one daughter, Lindsey Eichhorn and fiancé, Reza Niamat, Raymore, Mo.; one sister, Judy Tipping and husband Lee, Enid, Okla.; stepmother, Francis Eichhorn, Topeka, Kan.; two stepdaughters, Tereasa DeMeritt and husband Brad, Erie; and Crystal Woodward, Parsons; two stepsons, Charles Tennyson, Erie, and Jonathon Tennyson, Parsons; eleven grandchildren, Kara and Tyler McDaniel, Marissa and Brady DeMeritt, Alyssa Weil, Michael Tennyson, Gage Scott, Xander Woodward, Ayden Allen-Tennyson, Kohen Woodward, and Olivia Niamat; and two stepsisters, Dixie Feld of Colorado and Janie Simon of Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Eichhorn, and stepsister Jolene Holiday.

Irene McQuarie

PARSONS—Irene McQuarie, 91, of Parsons, formerly of Chanute, died at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 10, 2009, at her home.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Oswego Cemetery. Friends may call at their convenience after 2 p.m., on Friday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

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

Irene was born Sept. 1, 1918, in rural Cherryvale, Kan., to Hiram Edward and Mahala Mae (Daniels) Coots. She grew up in Labette County where she attended schools and was a 1936 graduate of Labette County Community High School. For a time, she taught in rural schools in the Timber Hill area.

On Jan. 11, 1938, she and F. Neil McQuarie were married in Independence, Kan. Following marriage, she worked in restaurants in Pawnee, Okla., and later, at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center as a psychiatric aide. They then moved to Chanute where they made their home for 30 years.  She was instrumental in the founding of “Love, Inc.,” now Tri-County Special Education Cooperative, which provides educational opportunities to exceptional students that will enable them to be successful in life, retiring from there in 1972.

She assisted with Meals on Wheels for many years and was a member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Chanute. She also was a member of AARP, NARVRE, and had belonged to the Order of Eastern Star in earlier years. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, working crossword puzzles, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Those surviving are one son, Larry McQuarie, Sr., Parsons; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Benedict, Parsons; and Martha Putnam, Kansas City, Mo.; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Paul Coots, Mountain Home, Ark.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, F. Neil McQuarie, Sept. 22, 2003; two brothers, two sisters, and one daughter.

Virgil Harlan Kruse

OSWEGO—Virgil Harlan Kruse, 83, of rural Oswego, Kan., died at 10:27 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Labette Health in Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oswego. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa after 9 a.m., on Wednesday.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oswego or a charity of the donor’s choice. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.  Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

Virgil was born June 9, 1926, on the family farm, near Bremen, Kan., the youngest of nine children, to George A. and Wilhelmina (Brenneke) Kruse. He was baptized July 4, 1926, at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Hermansberg)  in Bremen by the Rev. A. C. Traugott. He attended the Immanuel South School, located Southeast of Bremen, and graduated eighth grade in 1940. On May 17, 1940, he was confirmed in his baptismal faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church by the Rev. A. C. Traugott.

He grew up as a farm boy, working with his brothers on the family farm, and later became a self-employed farmer in the Bremen area until moving to Southeast Kansas in 1957. He worked at Monika Feed Store for several years and also at the Oswego Coop from 1959 through 1972. He then was employed by Mary Grace Wagner and Roger Hellwig in the Oswego area as a dedicated farmhand with his special interest in the care of cattle. He had a special love for all animals, most notably his companion dogs.

His hobbies included his passion for baseball, playing with a well-known Bremen team with a winning record that is often mentioned in historical conversation. He also loved hunting, which included several elk hunting trips to Colorado. He enjoyed bowling with several teams for a number of years.

He was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oswego where he served as an usher and treasurer for many years, and became a trustworthy friend to many of the church members and others in the community. One of his greatest joys was to share meals at local eating establishments with his many dear friends and extended family.

Surviving are many nephews and nieces.

Preceding in death were his parents; four brothers, Elmer, Laverne, George O. and Urban; and four sisters, Vera Kruse, Orlinda Linkugel, Vernetta Bredwell, and Minnie Kruse.

Albert R. Banzet

PARSONS—Albert R. Banzet, 67, of Parsons, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at Labette Health.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Friday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience.

Memorials are suggested to CLASS Ltd. and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.

James E. (Jim) Downs

CRESTLINE—James E. (Jim) Downs Jr., 51, of Crestline, Kan., passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at his home following a long battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, at the First Christian Church with Rev. Dennis Johnson and Galen Zook officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time.

Memorials may be made to the Sherwin Christian Church or the American Cancer Society with the Murdock Funeral Home serving as custodian.

George E. Hill

PARSONS—George E. Hill, 78, of Parsons, Kan., died  Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at his home. He had been in failing health.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 14, at the Wesley United Methodist Church.  Burial was in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 V.F.W.

Memorials are suggested to the Wesley United Methodist Church and these may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942 Parsons, KS 67357.

Condolences and remembrances may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Mary Iva Merling

DONORA, Pa.—Mary Iva Merling, 96, former Parsons, Kan., resident, died Nov. 11, 2009 in Donora, Pa.

Private burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.  The Carson-Wall Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences and remembrances may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.