For more information, see the March 10, 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.

Michael N. Houston

REPUBLIC, Mo.—Michael N. Houston, 52, of Republic, Mo., formerly of Edna, Kan., died unexpectedly Monday, March 1, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Dale Houston and Roena (Ryman) Brown.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Lake Creek Cemetery near Bartlett. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

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

Jesse Lee Hale

COLUMBUS—Jesse Lee Hale, 59, of Columbus, Kan., passed away early Thursday, March 4, 2010, from a terminal illness.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 7, at Keelville Church, 10019 SW 50th St., Baxter Springs.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Abbott Funeral Home, Baxter Springs, Kan.

Jesse was born Sept. 15, 1950, in Columbus to Rufus and Dorothy Hale. Jesse spent his life as a farmer and rancher 10 miles southwest of Columbus. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, and friend to all that knew him. He greeted everyone with a smile or a joke and treated everyone with love and kindness, looking for the best in each one.

He was an active member of Keelville Church and will truly be missed by all that knew him.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Dorane Hale; one daughter, Jill Lawellin, Chetopa; two sons, Seth Hale, Columbus; and Chad Hale, Manhattan, Kan.; two sisters, Peggy Drake, Grove, Okla.; and Patti Bartholomew, Joplin, Mo.; and five grand children, Zach, Jared, Jackson, Christin, and Logan.

Raeburn E. Straub

COFFEYVILLE—Raeburn E. Straub, 96, of Coffeyville, Kan., died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Windsor Place in Coffeyville.

Funeral services for Raeburn L. Straub will be held on Friday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Coffeyville with interment to follow at Restlawn Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00 am until service time on Friday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the United Methodist Church of Valeda or the Edna Library.

To leave a special message for the family online visit  www.PenwellGabelCoffeyville.com.

Raeburn was born Sept. 2, 1913, in rural Caldwell County, Mo., near Kingston, to Malvern Edwin and Stella (Van Bebber) Entrikin. She was a graduate of Kingston High School in Missouri and Park College, Parkville, Mo. She also attended Central Business College in Kansas City, Mo. Her first employment was with Loomis Construction in Kansas City as Payroll Clerk.

In 1948, she moved to Coffeyville, Kan., where she went to work for Jensen Manufacturing Company as receptionist and payroll clerk, retiring after 28 years of service.

On Sept. 19, 1956, she married Leonard Straub. He died Jan. 9, 1993.

Raeburn was a faithful beloved and respected member of the United Methodist Church of Valeda for several years. She also belonged to the Valeda United Methodist Women and the WIBC (a bowling organization). She enjoyed knitting, working in the yard, especially her peonies, iris and beautiful phlox. She was an outstanding cook, an avid reader, and loved being a homemaker.

Raeburn was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Elwood and Dean.

Survivors include a stepson, Martin Lee Straub, Claremore, Okla.; stepdaughters, Betty Frogley, Kansas City, Kan.; Jeanina Paige, Bartlesville, Okla.; and Rebecca Oakleaf of Howard, Kan.; nieces, Sarah Sue Davis, Kingston, Mo.; and Mary Jo Banken, Columbia, Mo.

Ella Mae Barrett

PARSONS—Ella Mae Barrett, 91, of Parsons died at 4:16 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence. Friends may call after noon on Sunday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in Florence and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

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

Margaret N. Cruse

PARSONS—Margaret N. Cruse, 74, of Parsons, Kan., died Monday, March 8, 2010, at Labette Health.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery near Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

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