For more information, see the July 14, 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 Edward Columbia

BAXTER SPRINGS—John Edward Columbia, 42, of Baxter Springs, Kan., died Monday, June 7, 2010.

John was born July 3, 1968. He was a 1986 graduate from Chetopa High School, Chetopa, Kan.

He joined the Navy, sailed on the USS Missouri, BB63, then served in Reserves at Broken Arrow, Okla.

He then schooled for trucking and drove for semi-trucking companies for 17 years, then spent two years at Alliances in Tulsa, Okla.

Survivors include a son, Brandon J. Columbia; and two step sons, Bradley and Brent, of Sand Springs, Okla.; a sister, Dana and husband Roger Stitt, Derby, Kan.; and a brother, William and wife Maranda Columbia, Osawatomie, Kan. Also surviving are nieces, Jamie and husband Rod McGovern of California; and Tylor and Jack Brittany and family; Amanda Stitt; and Annsly Mae Columbia; nephews, Ryan Columbia; Corey Stitt; Greg Berry and wife Heather and son Zane; William and Anthony Columbia; and his parents, Dan and Joyce Columbia, Baxter Springs, Kan.

Myrna J. Willis

CHETOPA—Myrna J. Willis, 71, of Chetopa, Kan., died at 11:20 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Chetopa Manor Nursing Home. She is survived by her husband, Robert “Bud” Willis, of the home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 10, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. 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.

Myrna was born April 29, 1939, in Columbus, Kan., to Lawrence and Louise (Nash) Hilderbrand. She grew up and attended elementary school in Faulkner, Kan., and was a graduate of Cherokee County High School in Columbus.  She lived in Faulkner and California before making her home in Chetopa.

She and Billy Castle were married in June 1956. They later divorced. On Feb. 14, 1981, she and Robert “Bud” Willis were married in Miami, Okla.

Myrna worked as a bookkeeper in her husband’s ready mix business and also assisted him in their farming operation.

She was an active member of the First Christian Church in Chetopa. She enjoyed working puzzles, attending garage sales and flea markets, watching soap operas and quilting.

Those surviving include her husband, Robert “Bud” Willis, of the home in Chetopa; three sons, Gary Castle, Kansas City, Kan.; Larry Castle, Humboldt, Kan.; Rick Castle, Chetopa, Kan.; one daughter, Regina Curnutte, Oswego, Kan.; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Leroy V. Hendricks

OSWEGO—Leroy V. Hendricks, 75, of Oswego, Kan., died Wednesday, July 7, 2010, in the emergency room at Labette Health in Parsons.

There will be a private committal service at a later date. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons is in charge of arrangements.

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

Nathaniel B. Stephens

PARSONS—Nathaniel B. Stephens, 55, formerly of Parsons, Kan., died on Sunday, July 4, 2010, in Tulsa, Okla.

The service will be at noon Monday at Watson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Parsons. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Raymond Wright, Sr.

PARSONS—Raymond Wright, Sr., 78, of Parsons, Kan., died at 9:26 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2010, at the Labette Health emergency room in Parsons. He had been in failing health, but his death was unexpected.

Following cremation, there will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery patio. Burial will follow.

Memorials are suggested to the Raymond Wright Sr. Memorial Fund and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

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

James E. “Jimmy” Fitzwater

PARSONS—James E. “Jimmy” Fitzwater, 43, of Parsons, Kan., died at 10:40 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, at Labette Health. He had been in his usual health and death was unexpected.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 10, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery.Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. 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.