For more information, see the Feb. 24, 2010, 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.

John Henry Epler

COLUMBUS—John Henry Epler, 93, of Columbus, Kan., died at Columbus on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb 23, at the Murdock Funeral Home in Columbus with Rev. Dean Knewtson officiating. Interment will follow at McKee cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, in the Murdock Chapel, 132 E Pine , Columbus, KS 66725. Condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials can be made to McKee Cemetery.

John was born Dec. 10, 1916, near Hallowell, Kan., the second son of Melvin Leon and Carrie E. Holaday Epler. He attended the Friendship one-room school through eighth grade and went on to graduate from the Cherokee County Community High School (CCCHS) at Columbus in 1933. He has lived and farmed in Cherokee County all his life.

On Dec. 24, 1939, he married Clarice Louise Pickering at her home near Hallowell. She preceded him in death in 1988.

John served on various local school boards from 1951 until 1969. He was a member of the board of School District #90 for several years, and later served on the boards of both CCRHS and Columbus Unified School District #493. He was instrumental in planning and overseeing the consolidation of the Columbus schools during that time.

He worked long hours planning the construction of a new high school building, built in 1961, which would include an auditorium, cafeteria and library. That building was planned and built so that further additions could be easily added later and those additions have taken place since that time. He served on the first board that established the Southeast Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in Columbus and Coffeyville. He believed strongly in providing every educational opportunity possible to the young people of the community.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Carrie Epler; his wife, Louise Epler; one daughter, Evelyn Atkinson; and three brothers, Leon Epler, Alvin Epler, and an infant brother, Robert Epler.

He is survived by his children, John M. Epler and wife Cindy, Hallowell; Mark Epler and wife Betty, Chetopa; Karen Dolanc and husband Terry, Joplin Mo.; and Jean Studebaker and husband Jack, Fredonia; a son-in-law, Marion Atkinson; close family friend, Jane Doerflinger and family, Overland Park, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, Gina Dolanc Atteberry, Chris Dolanc, Suzannah Dolanc Pugh, Jonathan Epler, Michael Epler, Eric Studebaker, Tyler Studebaker, Lucas Epler, Christina Epler and Timothy Epler; four great-grandchildren, Christian Atteberry, Kelsey Atteberry, Kip Atteberry and Eden Dolanc.

Kevin J. Gallagher

JOPLIN, Mo.—Kevin J. Gallagher, age 41, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

Funeral services were held Friday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Chapel, Joplin. Graveside services were in Oswego Cemetery, Oswego, Kan. Arrangements were under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Chapel.

Kevin was born July 13, 1968, in Parsons, Kan., the son of William J. and Linda (Watson) Gallagher. He graduated from Oswego High School. While in high school, he completed two years of auto tech. He enjoyed painting and working on cars. He also enjoyed fishing. He attended Forest Park Baptist Church.

He is survived by his parents, William J. and Linda Gallagher, Columbus, Kan.; one brother, Aaron Gallagher, Nevada, Mo.; one sister, Andrea Cooper and husband, Richard, Baxter Springs, Kan.; two nieces, Mackenzie and Jaden Gallagher; two nephews, Lane and Sky Cooper; his paternal grandmother, Mamie Gallagher, Parsons; his maternal grandmother, Lela Watson, Parsons; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ellen “Louise” Brown

COFFEYVILLE—Ellen “Louise” Brown, 58, of Coffeyville, Kan., died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at her home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, at Cherryvale Christian Church. Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Potts Chapel of Independence.

Memorials are suggested to the Tyro Christian Church Rock Project and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 122 S. Penn Ave., P.O. Box 801, Independence.

Dorothy J. Lockwood

PARSONS—Dorothy J. Lockwood, 86, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

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

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