For more information, see the Oct. 29 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.
Abbey Smith 
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Johnnie Abolene “Abbey” Smith, 82, of Springfield, Mo., died at 1:45 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3506 N. National, Springfield. Visitation will be Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield.
Abbey was born July 22, 1926, in Lead Hill, Ark., the oldest child of John and Anna (Manley) Bell. She grew up in Arkansas and attended grade school there. She graduated high school from the School of the Ozarks in Hollister, Mo.
She married Paul Smith. He preceded her in death in Aug. 1985. Together they owned and operated Burgess-Smith Paint Store in downtown Springfield. She also worked for a time at Lines Music Store where she met several famous country singers, as it was located across the road from the Ozark Jubilee.
Following Paul’s death, Abbey sold the business and went to work as an insurance agent for United Savings and Loan in Springfield, retiring from that position. She worked a time at Commerce Bank as well.
She was a member of the Central Assembly of God, Springfield.
Abbey enjoyed bowling and belonged to a league. She bowled her personal best game just a few weeks ago, the day before she began feeling ill. She also loved flowers and reading.
Survivors include one sister, Duna Lynn and husband Rev. Fred Lynn, Springfield; one brother, Henry Bell and wife Shirley, Chetopa, Kan.; one nephew, Craig Bell, Miami, Okla.; two nieces, Tammy Guinn and Sherry Conner, both of Chetopa; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Paul, she was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Bell; a sister, Anna Marie Foresee; and three nephews, Dr. J. Steven Foresee, Scott Beshears, and Sonny Bell.
Guy J. “Red” Sands
PRINCETON, Ind.—Guy J. “Red” Sands, 84, of Princeton, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at The Waters in Princeton.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Oct. 26, at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Brian Cook officiating. Burial was at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch.
Condolences may be made online at www.colvinfuneralhome.com.
Red was born June 6, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Ed and Edna (Kinnamon) Sands who preceded him in death along with his wife Dorothy J. Sands in 1990.
He served in the United States Army during WWII, receiving a Purple Heart. He lived in the Princeton area since 1973. He worked as a union pipe fitter and welder in Local 136 in Evansville where he retired in 1983. He was a member of the Elks of Princeton.
He is survived by his three sons, Randy (Pam) Sands of Princeton; Bob Sands and companion Brenda Birchler of Fort Branch; Russell Sands of Coffeyville, Kan.; three grandchildren, Amanda Sands of Columbus; Jacob Sands of Princeton; Shelly Sands of Coffeyville, Kan.; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Marvin Ernest Smith
CHETOPA—Marvin Ernest Smith, 77, of Chetopa, Kan., died Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.
Cremation has taken place. Family services are being planned for a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Dennis “Bud” Highsmith
WELCH, Okla.—Dennis Foreman “Bud” Highsmith, 78, lifetime Welch, Okla., resident died at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 23, 2008.
The family will have a time to share memories beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel in Vinita, Okla.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.,Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the First Christian Church in Miami (across from Wal-Mart). Officiating will be Pastors Leon Weece, Brad Canham, Wade Markham and Kevin Baker. Interment will follow at the Welch Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
Online condolences can be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Preferred memorials may be given in Bud’s name to the Cowboy Junction Christian School, 27502 S 4380 Rd., Vinita, OK 74301.
Gerald Wayne “Bow” Bowman
PARSONS—Gerald Wayne “Bow” Bowman, 89, of Parsons, Kan.,, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 at Labette Health.
Funeral services are scheduled to be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and may be left or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Harry E. Beebe
PARSONS—Harry E. Beebe, 77, of Parsons, Kan., died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at the home of his brother, Lee Beebe, in Parsons. He had been in failing health.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at Belton Cemetery in Belton, Mo. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
Henrietta Maxton
COLUMBUS–Henrietta Maxton, 73, passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Columbus.
Cheryl P. McKee
COLUMBUS–Cheryl P. McKee, 64, of Columbus, Kan., died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at the St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., after a lengthy illness.
Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m,, Monday at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Simpson Funeral Home in.
Memorials are suggested to the Kidney Foundation and may be left at the Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus.
Matt McCann
PARSONS—Matthew “Matt” McCann, 45, of Parsons, Kan., formerly of Fort Scott, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at his home. He had been in failing health.
Funeral Mass will at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial committal services will follow at noon at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott.
Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.
For more information, see the July 16 issue of Labette Avenue. Previously posted death notices can be located by entering the decedent’s last name in the archives search box on Labette Avenue’s home page.
Portia L. Nowell
CHETOPA—Portia L. Nowell, 90, of Chetopa, Kan., passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., after an illness.
The body was cremated and a private family burial will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla.
Betty Lou O’Conner
VINITA, Okla.—Betty Lou O’Conner, 81, of Vinita, Okla., formerly of Welch, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., after an illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2008, at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla., with Rev. Bob Whitchurch officiating. Interment will follow at Williams Timberhill Cemetery, east of Welch.
Services under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla.
Maynard “Gene” Davis
OSWEGO—Maynard “Gene” Davis, 71, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at Oswego Medical Center following a period of illness.
Graveside funeral services were held Monday, July 7, at Oswego Cemetery with Rev. John Stone of the First Baptist Church in Oswego officiating.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Oswego with the church or funeral home serving as custodian.
Ray A. Hunley
COLUMBUS—Ray A. Hunley, 71, of Columbus, Kan.,died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Rev. Alan Abel will officiate the services.
Donations me bade to the National Kidney Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel, Baxter Springs, Kan.
Marjorie L. Seger
EDNA—Marjoie L. Seger, 81, of Edna, Kan., died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Oswego Medical Center, Oswego, Kan.
A private family service was held Thursday, July 10, at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla. Interment was at Walker Cemetery west of Welch.
Services were under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
Rose Marie Houston
PARSONS—Rose Marie Houston, 78, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Macedonia Baptist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Anna Bell Huertas
BETHLEHEM, Penn.—Anna Bell (Hemming) Huertas, 77, of Bethlehem, Penn., died April 30, 2008. She had been seriously ill since October 2007.
Anna grew up and went to school in the Labette City and Oswego, Kan., area.
Graveside services were held Saturday, July 12, at the Labette City, Kan., cemetery with the Reverend Eddie Williamson officiating.
Robert E. “Bob” Webster, Sr.
ALTAMONT—Robert E. “Bob” Webster, Sr., 82, of Altamont, Kan., died at 9:15 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2008, at Labette Health.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, at the Center Bethel Union Church. Burial will be in Sherman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 14, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.
Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Altamont is in charge of arrangements.
James Albert Griggs
PARSONS—James Albert Griggs, 82, of Parsons, Kan., died at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Good Samaritan Society of Parsons.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors given by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon on Sunday.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or Assembly of God Church. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.
Delores Kay Davis
COLUMBUS—Delores Kay Davis, 51, of Columbus, Kan., passed away at 3:39 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2008, at Maude Norton Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, at the Edgmand Cemetery in Cherokee County, Kan., with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Monday.
In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to the Grandchildren College Fund. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 SE Avenue Columbus, Kan., 66725. E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com .Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, of Columbus.
Laura Glasgow
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Laura Glasgow, 61, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Thursday, July 10, 2008, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, Columbus, with Janet Maxwell DS officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Columbus. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus.
Arlene R. Baker
COLUMBUS—Arlene R. Baker, 91, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Friday, July 11, 2008, at the Medicalodge of Columbus.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial will be in McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Kan. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Thelma McKee
COLUMBUS—Thelma McKee, 88, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Saturday July 12, 2008. at the Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Frontenac, Kan., after an illness.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at the Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday July 16, at the Simpson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Burrows officiating. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery Columbus, KS.
Geneva E. Manar
OSWEGO—Geneva E. Manar, 88, of Oswego, Kan., died Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Oswego Rehabilitation Center in Oswego.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, at the Oswego cemetery with Lloyd Davolt officiating. Burial will follow.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bible Holiness Church, Oswego, in care of Murdock Funeral Home, Oswego.
Arthur L. Hill Sr.
PARSONS—Arthur L. Hill Sr., 97, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, July 13, 2008, at his home in rural Parsons.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will revieve friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to either the Parsons Public Library or the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.
Sarah E. ‘Sally’ Lowe
PARSONS—Sarah E. “Sally” Lowe, 97, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Labette Health in Parsons.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday at the Carson Wall Funeral Home with the Revs. Darrell Biggs and Robert Brown officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church and can be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.
Juanita Irene Wilkerson
PARSONS—Juanita Irene Wilkerson, 89, of Parsons, Kan., died Sunday, July 13, 2008.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Schulze officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Tuesday) at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Parsons Foursquare Church and may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons.
Albert F. Lewellen
OSWEGO—Albert F. Lewellen, 78, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a period of illness.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at the Murdock Funeral Home with Chaplain Wayne Mason of Harry Hines Hospice officiating. Interment will follow in the Oswego Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Murdock Funeral Home in Oswego. Mr. Lewellen may be viewed after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorials may be made to Harry Hines Hospice with Murdock Funeral Home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, KS 67356, serving as custodian.
