For more information, see the June 2, 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.

James M. “Jim” Wilson

CHETOPA—James Mayfield “Jim” Wilson, 94, of rural Chetopa, Kan., died early Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 1, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery, near Bartlett. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Gideons International.  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.

Jim was born April 21, 1916, on the family farm south of Bartlett, Kansas, to Chester L. and Alma (Mayfield) Wilson. At the age of 11, his mother died. As a young boy, he attended rural Oklahoma grade schools.

At the age of 16, he started working as a ranch hand and dairyman.  In 1940, at the time of his father’s death, he and his brother, Chester, took over the family farming operation.

He crossed the Monarch Pass in the Colorado Mountains in one of the early Fords and, at the age of 19, made his first trip to California by car. During the war, he began custom harvesting, starting in Kansas and going as far north as the Canadian border.   He continued going “to harvest” for many years, and in 1949, made his final trip as a custom harvester.  He worked construction in Texas during the 1950s.

He and Genevieve Rexwinkle were married in 1940 and were blessed with five children.  They later divorced.  He and Pearl Palmer were married Aug. 9, 1958.  The couple made their home south of the Bartlett area until moving to rural Chetopa. She survives.

He was passionate about farming and shared his love of the land with his son, Rodger. There was nothing more melodious to Jim than the sound of a tractor.

Jim attended the Assembly of God in Chetopa for many years, and was currently attending Church of God in Coffeyville, Kan.

He enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Reno, nevada; South America, Old Mexico, Alaska and the Panama Canal, and loved fishing in Port Aransas, Texas. He also loved music.

In addition to his wife, Pearl, he is survived by one son, Rodger Wilson and wife Carol, rural Chetopa; three daughters, Shirley Ann Bell and husband Henry, rural Chetopa; Sharon Kay Thomas and husband Bill, Welch, Okla.; and Rita Jean Grossman, Independence; one stepdaughter, Sharon Kay Mann, Coffeyville; 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, one daughter, Rita’s twin sister, Reva Lee; and one stepdaughter, Carrie Nadine Kerns.

Wayne A. McKnight

MULVANE—Wayne A. McKnight, 49, passed away Monday, May 17, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Viewing was held at Senter-Smith Mortuary, 501 SE Louis Blvd., Mulvane on Wednesday, May 19, and Rosary on Wednesday, May 19, at 8 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 525 E. Main, Mulvane.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church building fund, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS  67202. View tributes via www.smithfamilymortuaries.com.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Mary (Busch) McKnight.

He is survived by his loving wife, Anna (May) McKnight; daughter, Sara McKnight, Manhattan; son, Ryan (Rachael) McKnight, Mulvane; father, Vernon Lee McKnight, Edna; siblings, Rex McKnight, Wichita; Debbie Miles, Wichita; Faith Rosson, Welch, Okla.; Norma Roberts, Coffeyville.

No further local arrangements are planned at this time. However, the family appreciates any expressions of sympathy.

Karen M. Rogers

CHETOPA—Karen M. Rogers, 57, of Chetopa, Kan., died Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at her home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Faith Baptist Church in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com

Demetria “Dani” Dixon

PARSONS—Demetria “Dani” Dixon, 41, of Parsons, died Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo., following a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the funeral home.

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

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

Christian Lee Cramer

MOUND VALLEY—Christian Lee Cramer, infant son of Jerrod L. and Lisa Pugh Cramer of Mound Valley, Kan., was stillborn Saturday, May 29, 2010, at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. His death was the result of complications of Triscomy 18, a rare, non-hereditary, chromosomal defect.

Graveside services will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 3, at the Mound Valley Cemetery under the direction of Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Pastor Dave Bycroft of the Tyro Christian Church will be officiating the service.

Family and friends will gather from 5 to 6:45 p.m., prior to the graveside service, at the Mound Valley Community Center.

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

In addition to his parents, Christian is survived by a half-brother, Jared Pugh, of Smackover, Ark. Grandparents are Jerry and Debra Cramer, Mound Valley; Tim and Andra McKnight, Smackover, Ark.. Great-grandparents are J. L. and Vera M. Cramer, rural Mound Valley; Merle and Barbara Witwer, Tulsa, Okla.; and A. F. Faulkner, Smackover, Ark.