For more information, see the Feb. 11 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.

Jimmie E. Johnston

EDNA—Jimmie E. Johnston, 80, of rural Edna, Kan., died at 12:10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at his home, following a short battle with acute leukemia.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at the Bartlett United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the Bartlett United Methodist Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Jimmie was born Aug. 9, 1928, near Bartlett, Kan., to Vernon and Myrtle (Layton) Johnston. As a young boy, he grew up in the Bartlett-Edna area. He attended Ellis Grade School, and was a 1946 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. He was a farmer and stockman his entire life, and also worked various jobs during the winter months.

Jimmie was a member of the Bartlett United Methodist Church where he served as a church trustee. He was currently serving as president of the Lake Creek Cemetery Association. Johnston was a long-time member of the Labette County Farm Bureau Association, served on the board of directors and as president, and represented the Third District on the Kansas Farm Bureau State Marketing Committee. In 1969, he was honored as Kansas Farm Bureau Leader of the Year.

Johnston had been a member of the Bartlett Cooperative Association since its organization and served several years on the board of directors and as president. In 1967, he helped organize Rural Water District #8 and served ten years as chairman of the board. He also served on the board of directors for the Farmers Home Administration, Labette County Extension Council, Ellis Consolidated No. 4 School District, Farm Management Association District #6, and the Labette County Crop Scouting Association. He also served as a community and project leader for the Foland Fliers 4-H Club.

Johnston received soil conservation awards from Goodyear, Kansas Bankers Association, and the Parsons Kiwanis. He was recognized by the Kansas Beef Awards Program for his livestock feeding program. In 1975, he was recognized by Who’s Who in Kansas for his community activities. He was also interviewed by Kansas Farmer magazine for a feature story on farm policy views.

He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, and gardening, and, in his younger years, enjoyed playing on a men’s fast-pitch softball team. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities.

On March 28, 1948, he and Lucile Darlene Allison. She preceded him in death April 25, 1992. He and Betty (Kimrey) Testerman were married Aug. 9, 1998, at their home. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include two daughters, Mona Marie Owens and husband Bill, rural Edna; Mary Lea York and husband Jim, rural Thayer; two step-daughters, Connie Wyckoff and husband Kirk, Parsons; and Denise Hope, Bartlett; four grandchildren, Angie Dillon and husband Rob, Lisa Chapman and husband Marshall, Dallas York; and Jamie Owens and wife Lynda; seven step-grandchildren, Jimmy Jarman and wife Tiffani, Kenton Jarman and wife Holly, Doug Jarman, Jennifer “Nicole”, Christopher, Samantha and Stephanie Hope; six great-grandchildren, Shelby and Chelsea Chapman; Tanim and Connor Dillon; Jade York and Will Owens; 10 step great-grandchildren, Jenna, Amber, Chelsea, Matthew, Caleb and Jona Jarman; Zachary, Hope, Elizabeth, and Van Renfro; two brothers, Paul Johnston and wife Evelyn, Lawrence; and Dale Johnston and wife Marlyn Kay, Coffeyville; one brother-in-law, Ron Allison and wife Carol, Coffeyville; one sister-in-law, Wilma Allison, Altamont; and one uncle, Harold Layton, Caney.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Bennie Johnston, on Oct. 12, 2007.

Ida Colleen (Moore) Merwarth

BRADY, Texas—Ida Colleen Merwarth passed from this life on Feb. 2, 2009, at the age of 81 years, in Brady, Texas.

She has been cremated and a memorial service is being planned for a later date, perhaps in July following the Kastler Family Reunion, to be held in Angola, Kan.

Memorials may be made to the Edna Methodist Church or Edna Public Library or any charity of the donor’s choice.

Heritage Funeral Home, Brady, was in charge of arrangements.

Colleen was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Edna, Kan., to Louis and Lucy (Kastler) Moore. She graduated from high school in Altamont and from the Kansas State Teacher’s College in Pittsburg. Prior to marriage, she taught school in Valeda, Kan., Parkville School, at Dearing and Edna, Kan.

On Aug. 11, 1973, she married Howard Merwarth in Edna. Following their marriage, they lived in Australia for a few years before returning to Oklahoma City, Okla., and later Brady, Texas.

Those surviving are her husband, Howard Merwarth of the home, Brady; one sister, Dorothy Holt of Edna, Kan.; her niece, Cheryl Wells and husband Tad of The Woodlands, Texas.

Harold L. Axtell

CLIMAX SPRINGS, Mo.—Harold L. Axtell, 81, of Climax Springs, Mo., formerly of Altamont, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons after 11 a.m., Monday.

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

Donna Heady

PARSONS—Donna Heady, 74, of rural Parsons, Kan., died at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at her home. She had been in failing health.

Following cremation, a private family committal service will be held with burial in Harmony Grove Cemetery in rural Dennis.

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

Donna E. Winters Van Kam

COLUMBUS—Donna E. Winters Van Kam, 74, of Columbus, Kan., died Friday Feb. 6, 2009, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., following a short illness.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.10, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Kallaus officiating. Burial will follow at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, Kan. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9; friends may call after noon. E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 104 W. Main St., Weir.

Lovetta M. Webb

PARSONS—Lovetta M. Webb, 85, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Friends may call the funeral home at their convenience to sign the register.

Memorials are suggested to the New Hope Baptist Church and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Eddie A. Gartner

PARSONS—Eddie A. Gartner, 88, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health. He had been in failing health.

Following cremation, the Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s School Endowment Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Carl Lovejoy

PARSONS—Carl Lovejoy, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at the Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons. He had been in failing health.

Cremation will take place. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.

Pauline Schneickert

PARSONS—Pauline Schneickert, 90, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends immediately following the Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

For more information, see the Dec. 31 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.

Ronald Wayne Lewis

COFFEYVILLE—Ronald Wayne Lewis, 63, Coffeyville, Kan., resident, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 at St. John Medical Center, Tulsa, Okla.

Ron was born May 6, 1945, at Boynton, Okla., to John Paul Lewis and Delia Alice (Leist) Lewis. He moved from Boynton to Tulsa in 1950, and began his education in Tulsa. Halfway through his kindergarten year, Ron moved to Coffeyville as his parents took jobs with Continental Can. He attended McKinley, Lowell and Clymore Schools. Ron attended Labette County Community High School where he played football and basketball and ran track. After high school, he was offered a track scholarship at Coffeyville Junior College and also walked on the Red Raven Football team.

On Aug. 1, 1965, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Dixie Lee Schell, at Altamont, Kan. Afterwards, Ron enlisted in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed for a time in El Paso, Texas, where he was a part of the Nike Hercules Warhead Air Defense Missile group. Ron was stationed at several locations, eventually winding up in Athens, Greece, where he was joined by his bride.

After two years in Greece, the couple returned to El Paso and later to Coffeyville in 1968. After his military service, Ron resumed his job with Funk Mfg/John Deere where he was a tool setter. He worked 39 years for the corporation before his retirement. In 1977, the Lewis family moved to the “farm” in Labette County, where he has been a resident since.

Ron enjoyed all sports and played industrial league fast pitch softball for Funk and other teams. He was an avid bowler and golfer and loved to hunt. Ron was big hearted and would do anything for anybody. He was a member of Grace Fellowship and taught Sunday School. Ron was a Mason, a Shriner and a true follower of Red Raven football and LCHS Grizzly sports.

He is survived by his wife, Dixie, of the home; two daughters, Ronda Rohling and husband Jim of rural Mound Valley; and Amy Gregory and husband Kevin of Collinsville, Okla.; and six grandchildren, Katie, Brice, Jake and David Rohling and Vince and Alexis Gregory.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sharon Funk.

Funeral service will be held, 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 26, at Grace Fellowship Church with Rev. Gerald Morris officiating. The family will have a reception following the service with a committal at 1 p.m., Friday at North Edna Cemetery, Edna, Kan., under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Friends may call Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To leave a special message for the family online, visitwww.PenwellGabel.com. The family suggests friends who wish donate to a special scholarship fund in Ron’s memory at Labette County High School. Donations may be left with the funeral home.

Mary Lee Triebel

EDNA—Mary Lee Triebel, 86, of Edna, Kan. died at 4:20 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at the Oswego Community Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the First Baptist Church in Edna. Burial will be in the Edna Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Edna or the Edna Library. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325,Altamont, KS 67330.

Mary was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Edna, to J. I. and Nettie Velma (Storm) Wester. She grew up and attended school in Edna, graduating from Edna High School in 1940.

She and Elmer H. “Buck” Triebel were married June 7, 1941, in Weir, Kan. Following their marriage, she lived with her parents while he served his country during World War II. Upon his return from the war, they moved to their rural home, near Edna, where they raised their family and had lived since. For 21 years, she was employed as a bus driver for U.S.D. 506, retiring from there in 1992.

She enjoyed crafts, quilting, baking, fishing and bird watching. She also did custom wallpapering for many years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Edna, a 50 year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Cunningham Chapter in Edna; E.C.O., and the Edna BEARS (Better Edna Area Relief and Support).

Those surviving are two sons, Doug Triebel and wife Sue, Coffeyville; and Sam Triebel and wife Kathy, Coffeyville; one daughter, Julie Jack and husband Phil, rural Edna; a former daughter-in-law, Sharon Triebel, Edna; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer H. “Buck” Triebel, on Nov. 12, 2005; four brothers, Robert D. Wester, H. Leon Wester, T. E. Wester, and Billy I. Wester; and two sisters, Rosaline Parker and Katherine Roberts.

Christopher L. “Chris” Ahrens

VINITA, Okla.–Christopher L. “Chris” Ahrens, 23, of Vinita, Okla., formerly of Chetopa, Kan., died from injuries suffered in an auto accident Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, outside of Vinita.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego. Burial will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Christopher Ahrens Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 706 Maple, Chetopa, 67336.

Chris was born Oct. 29, 1985, in Bartlesville, Okla., to Lawrence P. and Rose Mary (LaCaria) Ahrens. He grew up and attended schools in Chetopa. He had worked for General Mills and was currently employed at Allied Marine in Langley, Okla.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chetopa.

Survivors include three sons, Trenton Ahrens, Shawn Ahrens, and Colton Ahrens, all of the home; his fianceé, Stephanie Keith, of the home; mother, Rose Mary Ahrens, Welch, Okla.; three brothers, Gene Ahrens and wife Mary, Tucson, Ariz.; Glen Ahrens, Tucson, Ariz.; Gary Ahrens and wife Carrie, Eagle, Wisc.; and Stephen Ahrens, Welch, Okla.;two sisters, Cindy Porter, Welch, Okla.; and Carolyn Tullis, Oswego, Kan.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father on Oct. 11, 2000.

Helen Mingle

OSWEGO—Helen Mingle, 93, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Sunset Manor in Frontenac, Kan.

Graveside funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, in the Oswego Cemetery with Pastor John Stone of the First Baptist Church officiating. Family and friends will gather at the Murdock Funeral home at 10 a.m. for a time of visitation before proceeding on to the cemetery as a group for services.

Memorials may be made to the Oswego Public Library with the funeral Home serving as custodian.

Helen was born April 18, 1915, near Richland, Mo., the daughter of Alvin and Anna (Beckley) Sprecher. At the age of seven, she moved with her family to a farm west of Altamont, Kan. She graduated from Altamont High School in 1933 and then moved to Oswego.

She married Howard E. Mingle on Feb. 1, 1936, at Oswego and he preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 1973. She clerked in several stores in Oswego including Torcia Hardware for 14 years. Helen retired in 1986 and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Oswego.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, including Carlos Bradfield of Pittsburg, Kan.

Kathryn Lee Woodman

PARSONS—Kathryn Lee Woodman, 55, of Parsons, Kan., died at 5:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at her home. She was in failing health.

The body will be cremated. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Friends may call at their convenience at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s Episcopal Church Altar Guild or to the Emery Curtis Scholarship Fund. These may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Nellie Nadine McCord

WELCH, Okla.—Nellie Nadine McCord, 89, passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Thomas Funeral Home, Welch. Burial will be in Williams Timberhill Cemetery, Welch.

Rosalie L. Parlett

PARSONS—Rosalie L. Parlett, 95, of Parsons, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons. She had been in failing health.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will follow in the Labette City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or to the Wesley United Methodist Church, and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Arlene K. Johnston

COLUMBUS—Arlene K. Johnston, 49, of Columbus, Kan., died at her home on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S. East Ave., Columbus. Burial will follow in the Wyandotte Cemetery in Wyandotte, Okla.

E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

V. Vail Shipps

PARSONS—V. Vail Shipps, 85, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He had been in failing health the past year.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Revs. Bob Shipps, Mike Justice and John Bain officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons, with military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 74, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church of Parsons and may be left at or sent to the funeral home, Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Dari Simpson

COLUMBUS—Dari Simpson, 50, of Columbus, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at his home.

Family visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus. Private family burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Columbus Community Field Board and may be left at the Simpson Funeral Home, 323 S. Kansas Ave., Columbus, KS 66725.

Whitney Jo (Koons) Davis

COLUMBUS—Whitney Jo (Koons) Davis, 44, of Columbus, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at St. John’s Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, in the Murdock Chapel, Columbus, with Pastor Roger Beason of the First Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow in Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the Murdock Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to the website: murdockfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be made to “Zack Davis Educational Fund” or Maude-Norton Hospital with the funeral home serving as custodian.

Charles W. Taylor

EDNA–Charles W. Taylor, 88, of Edna, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at Labette Health.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Elm Christian Church east of Edna. Burial will be in North Edna Cemetery.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m.

James V. “Vic” Carpenter

COLUMBUS–James V. “Vic” Carpenter, 62, of Columbus, Kan., died at the St. John’s Maude Norton Hospital in Columbus on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008 after an illness.

There are no services planned at this time.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 South East Avenue, Columbus Kansas 66725.

Janice A. Phillips

COLUMBUS—Janice A. Phillips, 83, of Columbus, Kan., passed peacefully from this life Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home in Columbus following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 29, at the Columbus First United Methodist Church with Reverend Susan Daniel-Brey officiating. Burial will follow in the Park Cemetery in Columbus. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus, where friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday.

Condolences can be sent to www.bathnaylor.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the Children’s Miracle Network or to the Columbus First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be brought by or mailed to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S. East Ave., Columbus, KS 66725.

Kent Riggs

PARSONS—Kent Riggs, 53, of Parsons, Kan., died at 10:15 a.m., Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the home of his sister, Sheryl Werner, in Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in McCune Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday evening.

Bertha Mae Allen

COLUMBUS—Bertha Mae Allen, 86, of The Autumn Place in Columbus, Kan., formerly of rural McCune, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo.,, after a short illness.

Visitation will be held at the Murdock Funeral Home in Columbus at 1 p.m. with services at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Sherman City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Murdock Funeral Home of Columbus.

Contributions may be made to St. John’s Hospice in care of the funeral home. Condolences and register book are available at murdockfuneralhomes.com.