For more information, see the March 16, 2011, 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.

Howard L. Carnahan
CHICO, CALIFORNIA ––Howard L. Carnahan, Ph.D., passed peacefully on March 6, 2011, at the age of 90 in Chico, Calif.
Carnahan was born March 25, 1920, near Parsons, Kan., to Lee and Olive (Houghton) Carnahan.
He earned an Associate degree at Parsons Junior College in 1939, graduated with a B.S. at Kansas State University, and later, with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy & Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota. Howard’s graduate schooling was interrupted by three years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving as Lieutenant and receiving the Nimits Commendation Medal for service “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty in the South Pacific.”
Howard’s first marriage was to Shirley Wallace from 1945 - 1972. He then married Jeri Swaffar in 1973. She preceded him in death in 1997.
His career as a scientist began as Assistant Professor at Penn State University as Research Agronomist. He later transferred to Reno, Nev., to become Director of Research for USDA Alfalfa. In 1969, he relocated to Butte County to become Director of Plant Breeding at the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, Inc., until his retirement in 1988.
Over his career, he also received numerous notable science and agronomy awards, including the prestigious “Award of Honor For Distinguished Contributions to the Advancement of Human Welfare and Enhancement of California Agriculture” from the American Society of Agronomy. His greatest desire was to improve varieties of rice that could effectively feed the most needy of those throughout the world.  In 1983, he was recognized by Labette Community College and the LCC Alumni Association by being presented the Cardinal Citation Award.
Howard was an active member of the Chico Elks Lodge, where he served as trustee and was on the charity fund-raising committee.
He was best know as “coach” to scores of Little League Baseball players that he managed over many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed being with his family, watching sports, fishing and hunting, and playing cards. He left as his legacy an ethic of hard work, honesty and integrity, and above all, having a good sense of humor.
Survivors include two sons, Lew Carnahan of Reno, Nev.; and Tim Carnahan of West Sacramento, Calif.; stepdaughter, Kathy Graddy of San Francisco, Calif.; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren throughout California and Nevada; two brothers, Lee Carnahan and wife, Ramona, and Glen Carnahan and wife, Velma, of Altamont, Kan.; sister-in-law Juanita Carnahan, of Altamont; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Dr. Carnahan’s life will be held Sunday, April 10, 11:30 a.m., at the Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzinita Ave, Chico, Calif.
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.

Virginia Vance

OSWEGO — Virginia M. Vance, 85, of Oswego passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Oswego Nursing and Rehab Center.
Virginia was born on June 27, 1925, in Kansas City, Kan.
She married Clifford L. Vance Sr. on Aug. 13, 1942. He preceded her in death.
The couple owned and operated Vance Service Station for many years.
Virginia was a member of Oswego First Baptist Church. She loved to do all kinds of needlework.
Survivors include three sons, Clifford L. Vance Jr. and his wife, Roberta, of Oswego, Jackie L. Vance and his wife, Debbie, of Wichita and Roger D. Vance and his wife, Kelly, of Oswego; two sisters, Mary Harvey of California and Ethel Hoover of Kansas City, Kan.; two brothers, Robert J. Marshall of Kansas City, Kan., and Carl J. Marshall of Parsons; and seven grandchildren.
The service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Oswego Cemetery with Pastor Tom Heflin officiating.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and can be left at or sent to Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, 67356.
Condolences may be left at www.murdockfuneralhomes.com.

Janice E. Gilbert
SAPLULPA, OKLA ––Former Labette County resident Janice E. Gilbert, age 95, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, in Sapulpa, Okla.
No funeral services are planned.
To write a condolence, go to Green Hill Funeral Home website at www.greenhillok.com
The Green Hill Funeral Home of Sapulpa, Okla., is handling all condolences and burial arrangements.

Rick J. Hinman
PARSONS––Rick J. Hinman, 55, of Parsons, died at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, March 13, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 18, at the Parsons Nazarene Church.  Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Nazarene Church Building Fund or the Rick Hinman Memorial Fund established at the Commercial Bank in Parsons.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

A free Blood Pressure Clinic will be held Tuesday, March 1 at 11 a.m., at the Oswego Senior Center, sponsored by the Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation. This free service is held the first Tuesday of the month.

For more information, see the Nov. 3, 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.

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