Oswegofest 2009 will be Saturday, Sept 26.
With only three months to organize this festival an Oswegofest committee is needed quickly.  If you, or someone you know, would like to be on this committee, contact Cindy Dean at 620-795-2126 or 795-2957.

For more information, see the Sept. 3 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 taylornews.org.

Richard F. Rice

PARSONS—Richard F. Rice, 76, of Parsons, Kan., died at 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to USD 506 Foundation, Inc., for the LCHS Vo-Ag Department. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Richard was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Lawton, Okla., to Roscoe H. and Mary Alice (McDivitte) Rice. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Altus, Okla., where he grew up and attended schools. Following high school, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree.

He worked as a lineman for REA Electric in Floydada, Texas, before moving to their farm in Parsons in June of 1956, where he had lived since. He farmed throughout his adult life. He also ran an avionics radio repair shop in Coffeyville. He was a deputy sheriff in the 1960s and was a diver on the Labette County search and rescue team. For a time, he also worked as a lineman at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant.

On Nov. 22, 1951, he married Kathleen Roberts in Altus. She preceded him in death Oct. 27, 2007.

He taught hunter’s safety many years, was a ham radio operator, and enjoyed photography. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Swing and Twirl Square Dance Club. He also served on the Planning Commission and Zoning Board for the City of Parsons.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen Taylor, Parsons; Nancy Kessler and husband Dwight, Altamont; grandchildren, Daniel Bussinger and wife Lisa, Parsons; Crystal Middleton and companion, Dr. Harold Blankenship, Carl Junction, Mo.; Duane Kessler and wife Peyton, Parsons; Jason Kessler, Dallas, Texas; Kayla Crabtree and husband Daniel, Zushi, Japan; Lindsey Dameron and husband Tony, Pittsburg, Kan.;Leslie Kessler, Wichita; four great-grandsons; one brother, David H. Rice and wife Margaret, Texarkana, Texas; one sister, Mary Ruth Miles, Sedona, Ariz.;

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Robert Rice, Sept. 20, 2004; and one son-in-law, Winston Taylor, Aug. 8, 2007.

Mary Elizabeth (Taylor) Shideler Hinckley

HILLIARD, Ohio—Mary Elizabeth Taylor was born July 12, 1905, in Oswego, Kan., and departed this life recently at the Glenmont Care Center, Hilliard, Ohio. She was 102 years of age.

Her remains were cremated and will be interred at the convenience of the family.

Mary was the eldest daughter of Arthur Ray Taylor, who was the third generation of the Taylor family to operate a jewelry store in Oswego, and his first wife, Elizabeth May (Lizzie) Perkins.

Mary attended and graduated from the Oswego school system and during her high school years taught the kindergarten Sunday school class at the Oswego Presbyterian Church.

Her adult years were spent being a mother and as a classroom teacher for 40 years. During her teaching years in the Kansas City, Mo., schools, she developed a citizenship project for junior high school students. It was adopted for use throughout the system and was the basis of her receiving a “Teacher of the Year” award from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Penn.

Following her retirement from teaching, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Christian Science Reading Room in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her mother in 1922, her father in 1961, and younger sister, Catherine Lucile Taylor Weiser in 1941. Also preceding her in death was her first husband, Harry Kenneth Shideler; their first son, Jack, who died in East Africa while working as a correspondent for a national newspaper; their second son, Jerry, who was killed in an auto accident while returning to duty at Ft. Riley, Kan.; and by her second husband, Horace Hinkley.

She is survived by her youngest son, Richard, wife Tara and their son Taylor of Fairbanks, Alaska. Taylor will enter The University of Alaska Fairbanks this fall as a freshman. She is also survived by her nephew, Taylor Quay “Bud” Weiser of Stevensville, Mont., who she helped raise after the untimely death of his mother; a cousin, John Donald “Cy” Perkins of Hood River, Ore.; and multiple cousins in the Wobbe, Karns, Benitz and Perkins families.

Irene L. Hale

COLUMBUS—Irene L. Hale, 73, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at Medicalodge of Columbus.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Greenlawn Cemetery with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery, rural Columbus, Kan.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association with the Murdock Funeral Home, 132 East Pine, Columbus, KS 66725 serving as custodian.

Irene was born Feb. 17, 1935, in Cherokee County, the daughter of Fred Zachery and Marchie (Sprouse) Stapleton. She graduated from Oswego High School in 1953.

Irene was married to Perry Harrell and later divorced. She later married Ray Hale on July 18, 1979. She worked at the Labette County Courthouse as a clerk, for several automotive dealerships as a bookkeeper and was also very active on the farm. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oswego, VFW Ladies Auxillary and volunteered at the Cherokee County Genealogy Society.

Those surviving are her husband, of the home; a son, Terry Harrell and wife Sherry, Altamont; a daughter, Teresa Troy, M.D. and husband Richard, Ozark, Mo.; a step-son, Tim Hale and wife Lori, Bentonville, Ark.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lula Mae Villegas, Oswego; Martha Testerman and husband Arno, Bartlett; and Rachel Nance, Rolla, Mo.; two brothers, Chester Stapleton and wife Peggy, Oswego; and George Stapleton and wife Phyllis, Oswego.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Turner Harrell; two brothers, Leo and Guy Stapleton; and a sister Ruby Strickland.

May Warwick

OSWEGO—May  Warwick, 101, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Oswego Home Place.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Oswego Cemetery with pastor Eddie Williamson officiating. May may be seen between 1 and 6 p.m. on Thursday. Family and friends will gather at the Murdock Funeral Home at noon on Friday for a time of visitation before proceeding on to the cemetery as a group.

Memorials may be made to Harry Hines Hospice with the Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, KS 67356, acting as custodian.

May was born Aug. 5, 1907, in Sipsey, England, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Kendall) Brown. She moved to Oswego about 45 years ago to be with family. She was married to Cecil George Warwick who preceded her in death on May 12, 1983.

She worked for Berry Garment Factory for several years.

May was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and three brothers.

She is survived by a daughter, Betty Strickland of Oswego; three grandchildren, Andra Gamba and husband Guy, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Carl Strickland and wife Cathy, Oswego; and Wanda Strickland, Tulsa, Okla.;  four great-grandchildren; four great-great-granddaughters, two great-great-grandsons; several nieces and nephews.

Darlois ‘Kay’ Burkhart

MOUND VALLEY—Darlois “Kay” Burkhart, 48, of Mound Valley, Kan., died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at her home.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Mound Valley Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hines Hospice, and these may be left with Potts Chapel of Independence.
BernaDean Sue Dean

MOUND VALLEY—BernaDean Sue Dean, 74, of Mound Valley, Kan., died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Elmhaven East in Parsons, where she had resided since November 2007.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.

William “Billy” Ellison, Jr.

COLUMBUS—William “Billy” Ellison, Jr., 43, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.

Memorial services will be at 7 p.m., Thursday at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus.

James R. Clifton

PARSONS—James R. Clifton, 81, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. His wife, Jackie Clifton, preceded him in death on March 21, 2007.

Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Verne E. Leeper

COLUMBUS—Verne E. Leeper 80, of rural Columbus, Kan., died Sunday, Aug.31, 2008, at his home following a period of illness.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Murdock Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Edgmand Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Hospice or the Cherokee County 4-H Clubs with the Murdock Funeral Home, 132 E. Pine, Columbus, KS 66725 serving as custodian.

Ida G. “Jerri” Bolinger

PARSONS—Ida G. “Jerri” Bolinger, 68, of rural Parsons, Kan., died at 4:40 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at her home. She had been in failing health.

The service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Revs. Irvin and Florence Espeseth and Bill Hale officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.

For more information, see the July 23 edition of Labette Avenue. Previously posted death notices can be found by typing the decedent’s last name in the archive search box on Labette Avenue’s home page.

Jerry D. Carson

PARSONS—Jerry D. Carson, 68, of Parsons, Kan., died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the Elmhaven East Nursing Home, where had had been the past few days. He had been in failing health. Carson is a retired Certified Public Accountant and current Labette County Commissioner.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Sharlyn Gates officiating. A eulogy will be given by Sen. Dwayne Umbarger. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Community Foundation. They may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Larry L. Traxson

EDNA—Larry L. Traxson, 69, of rural Edna, Kan., died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at the Angola United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Richland Cemetery, rural Angola. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to National Kidney Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Velda Lovena Hittle

WICHITA—Velda Lovena Hittle, 101, of Wichita, Kan., formerly of Edna, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Wichita Presbyterian Manor.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Edna United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in North Edna Cemetery in Edna.

Memorials are suggested to Edna United Methodist Church or the Presbyterian Manor in Wichita and can be sent to Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., P.O. Box 468, Coffeyville, 67337.

Mary Ellen Babcock

PARSONS—Mary Ellen Babcock, 96, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, July 15, 2008, at her home.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church. These may be left at or sent to the funeral home at P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Pansy Waters Hulette

PARSONS—Pansy Waters Hulette, 90, of Parsons died at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Society of Parsons, where she had resided since May 2005.

Following cremation, the family will hold a private burial at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Society of Parsons or a humane society of the donor’s choice and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

William H. ‘Bill’ Jungles

PARSONS—William H. “Bill” Jungles, 65, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at his home.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Altamont. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Community Foundation or to the American Cancer Society and may be left at the funeral home. Further obituary details will be announced.

Louise T. Parsons

COLUMBUS—Louise T. Parsons, 90, of Columbus, Kan., died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at the Medicalodge of Columbus.

Graveside services will be 10 am, Friday, July 18, at the Columbus City Cemetery with Greg Morrell officiating. Burial will follow. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery for the services. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday or 8 a.m, until 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Columbus. These may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 610 S. East Ave. Columbus, KS 66725.

Kenneth G. Riley

PARSONS—Kenneth Grady Riley, 38, of Parsons, Kan., formerly of Neodesha, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christ Church in Neodesha with the Rev. Dave Cheshier officiating. Burial will be in Neodesha Cemetery.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel in Neodesha, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Edith J. Brumback

COLUMBUS—Edith Janene Brumback, 70, of Columbus, Kan., a former Berry Garment Factory employee, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial will be in Park Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday at the funeral home.

Virginia M. Lagle

COLUMBUS—Virginia M. Lagle, 66, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008, at the Freeman Health Systems in Joplin, Mo.

Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, with the Pastor Susan Brey officiating. Burial will be in the Sherman City Cemetery, Sherman City, Kan.

Memorials may be left for the First United Methodist Church in Columbus and may be left at the Simpson Funeral Home.

 

Harriet A. Wheeler

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—Harriet A. Wheeler, 72, of Oklahoma City, Okla., formerly of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, July 18, 2008, at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Harriet Rosenstahl.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 21, 2008 at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons is in charge of arrangements.

David K. Dean

PARSONS—David K. Dean, 51, of Parsons, Kan., died at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin.

Following cremation, funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday. Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 a.m., Tuesday to sign the register book.

Fred E. Patton

PARSONS—Fred E. Patton, 69, of ParsonsKan., died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Labette Health.

There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery Patio with the Rev. Lewis O. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.

Carson-Wall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Robert G. “Rob” Carson

PARSONS—Robert G. “Rob” Carson, 46, of Parsons, Kan., died in a drowning accident, Monday evening, July 21, 2008, near South Mound, Kan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 25, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

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