For more information, see the May 5, 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.

Frank A. Amershek

McCUNE—Frank A. Amershek, 59, of rural McCune, Kan., passed away at 5:30 a.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010, in the Labette Health Emergency Room at Parsons. He had been in failing health but his death was unexpected.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 27, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Burial was in the McCune Cemetery with military honors conducted by the McConnell Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Memorials are suggested to the United Chapel Church and may be left at or mailed to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W. St. John Ave., P.O. Box 258, Girard, KS 66743. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Frank was born on Dec. 5, 1950, at Pittsburg, Kan., to Jack and Ernesta (Bracelli) Amershek. He grew up on the family farm near McCune and attended McCune Schools, graduating from McCune High School in 1968. He later graduated from Labette Community College with an Associate’s degree.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and served as an Airplane Mechanic in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to rural McCune where he worked on the family farm.

On Jan. 11, 1975, he and Victoria Pape were united in marriage on at the Oswego Christian Church in Oswego, Kan. She survives of the home.

Frank attended lineman school at Topeka and then went on to work for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and AT&T for 35 years. He retired in 2008.

He loved his Lord with all his heart and served Him faithfully. He was an active member of the United Chapel Church at rural McCune. He served the church in numerous capacities including, Sunday school teacher, Deacon, bus driver, maintenance worker, and Board of Trustees member.

Frank also received great pleasure in working on the family farm with his brothers, working with horses, and being an amateur cowboy. He loved and cherished the time he spent with his family and friends. He loved his country and was proud of the fact that he served in the united States Air Force.

In addition to his wife of 35 years, Victoria, he is survived by his son, Austin Amershek, and wife Jenni, Central Asia; his daughter, Jenni Thompson, and husband Dan, Springdale, Ark.; five grandchildren, Ethan Titus Amershek, Ellianna Grace Amershek, Michala Paige Thompson, Emily Francis Thompson, Lauren Diane Thompson; two brothers, Ernest Amershek, and wife Carrie, McCune; and Richard Amershek, McCune; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ernesta Amershek; a brother, Jacob Amershek; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Amershek.

Fern M. Tedstrom

PARSONS—Fern M. Tedstrom, 91, of Parsons, Kan., passed away at 6:35 a.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons where she had resided since September, 2007.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 1, at the Mound Valley Christian Church. Burial will be in the Mound Valley Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Parsons Presbyterian Manor or the Mound Valley Christian Church. These 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.

Fern was born May 14, 1918, near Dennis, Kan., to Alva and Rose Anna (Cooper) Stevenson. She grew up and attended schools near Dennis, including one year at Dennis High School. She also attended Labette County Community High School in Altamont. Prior to marriage, she worked as a caregiver for numerous families.

On March 30, 1939, she and Melvin W. “Swede” Tedstrom were married in Independence, Kan. Following marriage, they lived and farmed near Mound Valley where they raised three daughters. The couple moved from the family farm to Parsons in 1985.

She was a member of the Mound Valley Christian Church where she served as pianist for many years. Music, especially piano, was a vital part of her life from early childhood. She and her brothers entertained at numerous dances, and she played the piano for weddings and other social functions. She passed this love of music on to her family.

Fern enjoyed quilting, dancing, gardening and meeting with her Laugh-A-Lot Club members. She proudly served on a committee to name Meadow View Grade School. Above all, she cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Janis Hansen and husband Kent, Wichita; and Sharon Klein and husband Dave, Overland Park; six grandchildren,  Cheryl Brees, David Brown, Kyle Hansen, Keri Hansen, Jennifer Coon and Theresa Hurd; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin “Swede” Tedstrom, Dec. 20, 2007; daughter, Joyce “Joy” Brown, Nov. 28, 2004; and five brothers.

Chad Duane Johnson

EDNA—Chad Duane Johnson, 43, of rural Edna, Kan., passed way Wednesday, April 28, 2010, from injuries received in a pipeline construction accident southwest of Edna.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 3, in the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Rev. John Collins officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville with military honors conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard, Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Sunday, May 2, from noon to 9 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.

To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com.

David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.

Chad was born Jan. 30, 1967, at Coffeyville, Kan., to Earl Duane and Janice (Lewis) Johnson. He grew up in the Edna area where he was raised by his father and step-mother Earl and Helen Johnson. He attended Edna Grade School, and graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont.

After graduating from high school, Chad joined the Kansas Army National Guard, serving with the Company B, 891st Engineers. He was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Iraq, he retired from the National Guard with over 20 years of service.

He married Angela Boulanger, they were later divorced.

Chad was a welder, and was employed for many years at Dixon Industries in Coffeyville, and later with Quest Petroleum and BRB Construction.

He had attended the Angola United Methodist Church, and was member of the United Steel Workers, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include one son, Paul Duane Johnson and friend Annie, Coffeyville; one daughter, Amanda Ann Denman and husband Drew, Germany; his father and step-mother, Earl D. and Helen Johnson, Edna; his mother, Janice Harris, Orange City, Texas; one sister, Kimberly Diane Comeaux and husband Terry, Port Arthur, Texas; one step-sister, Sharon Kuehn and husband Danny, South Coffeyville, Okla.; one step-brother, Rocky Starmer and wife Sharon, Altamont; step-grandmother, Clara Colwell, Edna; one granddaughter, Bailey Denman, Germany; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty J. Hellwig

OSWEGO—Betty J. Hellwig, 85, of Oswego, Kan., passed away at Chetopa Manor Friday, April 30, 2010.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 6, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oswego with Rev. David Domanski officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery south of Oswego. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 522 5th St, Oswego, KS 67356, with the church or Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, KS 67356, acting as custodian. Condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhommes.com.

Betty was born Aug. 14, 1924, in Mound Valley, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Maude (Campbell) Spoonamore. She graduated from Oswego High School in 1942 and married Carl W. Hellwig Jr. on Nov. 17, 1945 in Parsons, Kan. The couple farmed north of Oswego.

Betty was a very talented musician who enjoyed singing and  playing the piano and organ. She also enjoyed china painting. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she also played the organ. She was a member of the 101 Homemakers Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl on Nov. 4, 2003; and two brothers, Charles and Doyle Spoonamore.

Those surviving are two sons, Ron Hellwig, Shawnee, Kan.; and Mark Hellwig and wife Terri, Oswego; a daughter, Karla Sullivan, Oswego; six grandchildren, Heidi Hellwig, Kelby Hellwig and wife Amber, Justin Sullivan and wife Amy, Jeremy Sullivan and wife Rhonda, Amy Ford and husband Bryan, Craig Hellwig and wife Jessica; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Samuel and  Lauren Sullivan. Lillian and Karly Sullivan. Kody and Grayson Hellwig. Wolf and Hawk Hellwig; one sister, Mary Lou Weaver and husband Leo, Greeley, Colo.; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Willie Racy

LABETTE CITY—Willie Racy, 59, of Labette City, Kan., died at 4:15 p.m., Thursday, April 29, 2010, at the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center at Coffeyville.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 3, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Cremation followed.

Memorials are suggested to the Mykell “Mykee” Racy 4-H Fund and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Willie was born on April 14, 1951, at Parsons, Kan., to Herman and Caroline (Ball) Racy. He grew up at Parsons and attended Parsons schools.  He lived in Labette County most of his life except for  the few years that he lived in California.

He worked in production at several manufacturing companies including Diamond Coach at Oswego, Bayliner Boats at Miami, Okla., and was currently employed at Grandview Products in Parsons as a saw operator.

On Jan. 22, 1971, he and Jenny Stricklin were united in marriage on at Parsons. They later divorced then were later were reunited in marriage on Sept. 3, 1992, at Miami, Okla. She survives of the home.

Willie enjoyed fishing, going to the casinos, his cats, and mowing his yard with a cold drink. He was an avid NASCAR fan and was an active bowler, participating in the men’s leagues in Oswego and Parsons. He was a hard working man who loved his family with all his heart.

In addition to his wife, Jenny, he is survived by three sons, Joe Racy and wife Jennifer Spurger, Texas; Jeff Ball of Labette City; and Eric Ball and wife Lori, Tomball, Texas; one daughter, Denise Stricklin, Coffeyville; six grandchildren, Shanise Scott, Brandy Racy, Samantha Ball, Kamrynn Ball, E.J. Ball, Jr., and Tyler Smith; one brother, Norman Racy and wife Betty, Parsons; two sisters, Anna Ellis, Parsons; and Addie Jane Gitchell, California.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mykell “Mykee” Racy; his parents; two brothers, Tony Racy and Johnny Racy; two sisters, Judy Condo and Mary Ellen McElhaney.

Donald J. Martin

OSWEGO—Donald J. Martin, 78, of Oswego, Kan., died Thursday, April 29, 2010, at the Oswego Nursing and Rehab Center.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the Bartlett Christian Church. The family will hold private committal services at Lake Creek Cemetery at a future date.

The Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa is in charge arrangements.

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

Iva June (House) Johnston

LEAVENWORTH—Iva June (House) Johnston, 91, of Leavenworth, Kan., and a former Parsons, Kan., resident, died Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Country Care Nursing Home in Easton, where she had been the past year.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, with visitation for one hour before the service.  Following the service she will be brought to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons,  where a visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m.  Private burial will be on Thursday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons.

The Carson-Wall Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com .