For more information, see the March 25 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.

William Hall

CHETOPA—William Hall, 85, of Chetopa, Kan., died at 4:23 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Labette Health in Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2009, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery, rural Bartlett. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Chetopa.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

William was born Dec. 20, 1923, in Durant, Okla., to William and Ollie Mae (Whitting) Hall. He attended Clearfield School in Oklahoma, and later served 12 years in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

From 1953-1973, he worked as a mechanic at the former Parsons Ford Motor Company.  He then worked as a millwright for 12 years in Oklahoma and Texas before returning to southeast Kansas.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Chetopa, the Oswego Masonic Lodge, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

In August 1950, he and Thelma Kepner were married in Chetopa. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include four sons, William C. Hall and wife Robin, Parsons, Kan.; Dale Hall and wife Elizabeth, Parsons; James M. Hall, Dallas, Texas; and Terry D. Hall, Claremore, Okla.; one daughter, Sharon Robinson and husband Peter, Collinsville, Okla.; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Porter Harris

OSWEGO—Porter Harris, 89, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Saturday, March 21, 2009, in Oswego.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, at Murdock Funeral Home, Oswego, with Art Furguson officiating. Interment will follow in the Oswego Cemetery with Pastor Fred Schmidt officiating. Military rites will be provided at the graveside by Parsons VFW POST #704. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left online at murdockfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society with the funeral home, 203 Illinois, Oswego, KS 67356, serving as custodian.

Porter was born on May 9, 1919, to Orin Lee and Mary (Houts) Harris in Oswego. He attended school in Oswego.

He joined C.C.C. Camp in 1939, serving till 1942, and was drafted into the Army Air Force in 1942. He was gunner on a B-29 bomber, serving on the South Pacific Islands of Siapan, Tinain and Guam. Porter was a stand by for an atomic bomb drop in Japan from Tinain Island in 1945. He later served on Mainland China, India Burma Country, helped in the Berlin Airlift in Germany as a flight engineer on a C-54 cargo aircraft, served in the Korean War, served in Germany, Japan and North Africa, retiring from the Air force as a Tech Sergeant E6 in 1965.

After retirement, he settled in Oswego on a small farm. He was the third person to join  Masonic Lodge #899 F & AM.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; two daughters, Portia Wahl of Furgus Falls, Minn.; and Donna McQueen of Cullman, Ala.; one stepdaughter, Delores Sharp of Pomona, Kan.; 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren, which he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; son, James; three step daughters, Donna Riblett, Velma Kiser and Rosalea Whitcher; and one brother, Fred Harris.

Mary D. Ashcraft

PARSONS—Mary D. Ashcraft, 79, of Parsons, Kan., died at 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Labette Health.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2009, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Kerwin J. Brown

PARSONS—Kerwin J. Brown, 58, a longtime Parsons, Kan., resident, died Monday, March 16, 2009, at the Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He had been in failing health.

His body will be cremated, and there will be no service.

Herman Joe Turner, Sr.

PARSONS—Herman Joe Turner Sr., 82, of Parsons, Kan., died at 2:34 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Mo. He had been in failing health for the past several years.

Funeral services will be held at Carson-Wall Funeral Home on Thursday, March 26, at 2 p.m., with burial in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Humboldt, Kan. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, at the funeral home.

Agnes A. Hurley

PARSONS—Agnes A. Hurley, 75, of Parsons, Kan., died  Thursday, March 19, 2009. Her husband, Leo Hurley, died on March 15, 2009, and was buried Thursday morning on the day of her death.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to either the American Cancer Society or the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

 Jack W. Ford

PARSONS—Jack W. Ford, 55, of Parsons, Kan., was pronounced dead at his home Saturday evening, March 21, 2009. His death was unexpected.

No services are scheduled. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.

Lonnie D. Hodge, Sr.

COLUMBUS—Lonnie D. Hodge, Sr., 67, of Columbus, Kan., DIED Sunday March 22, 2009, at the Medicalodge of Columbus after a short illness.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday March 26,at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus with Bob Simon officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 25. Burial will be in the City Cemetery in Columbus. Family asked that memorials be to the local American Heart Association in lieu of flowers. Friends may come by after 4 p.m., Wednesday.

For more information, see the Nov. 26 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.

Nadine E. Barr

CHETOPA—Nadine E. Barr, 93, a lifelong resident of the Chetopa, Kan., area, died at 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at the Oswego Community Hospital. She had been in failing health.

Nadine was born March 27, 1915, northwest of Chetopa, to Luther and Eva (Thompson) Wiley. She grew up and attended schools in the Chetopa area, and was a graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont.

On April 11, 1936, she and George Arthur Barr were married in Oswego. He preceded her in death Dec. 12, 1987.

She and her husband established Barr Lumber Company in January 1959. Following the death of her husband, she and her son continued to operate the business until December 2007.

Nadine was a member of the First Christian Church in Chetopa, the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce, Chetopa Garden Club, and was an original member of the Belmore Apartments Board of Directors.

She loved arts and crafts, sewing and tending to her flower gardens. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Those surviving are one daughter, Janice Wright and husband Joe, Welch, Okla; one grandson, Joe Bob Wright and wife Elizabeth, Miami, Okla.; two great-grandsons, Bart and Drew Wright; five sisters, Darlene Thomas and husband Bill, Bartlesville, Okla.; Wintress Stine and husband Bob, Bartlesville; Imogene Miller, Bernice, Okla.; Marcella Braley, Oswego, Kan.; Luvonne Hucke, Mound Valley, Kan.; and a sister-in-law, Betty Wiley, Oswego.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Dwane Barr, on Jan. 16, 2008; one grandson, Bart Wright; one great-grandson, Nathan Wright; and one brother, Milan Wiley.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the First Christian Church in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Chetopa. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Ronald L. Blair

OSWEGO—Ronald L. Blair, 78 of Oswego passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008 at his daughters home in Cherokee.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Murdock Funeral Home Chapel in Oswego with Rev. Tom Heflin officiating. Interment will follow in the Oswego Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday. The casket will be closed.

Memorials may be made to the Cherokee Holiness Church, 309 W. Magnolia, Cherokee, KS 66724.

Murdock Funeral Home, Oswego, was in charge of arrangements.

Ron was born June 2, 1930, in Franklin, Penn., the son of William Glenn and Velma W (Ford) Blair. He graduated from Franklin High School and carpentered in Pennsylvania for years before moving to Oswego to marry his pen pal Lorene Davolt.

He worked as a local carpenter, as an EMT for Care Ambulance, as a sheriff’s deputy, as Police Chief of Oswego (May of 1983 to May of 1986) and later in security at the Parsons Ammunition Plant. Ron was a volunteer at the Oswego Fire Department, enjoyed restoring automobiles, and breeding dogs.

Ron later married Jean Roberts.

Those surviving are four daughters, Patricia Jean Fry and husband Harvey of Cherokee; Linda Diane Knight and husband Ricky of Cherokee; Rebecca Sue Hellwig and husband Rex of Oswego; and Rhonda Clifton of Parsons; one son, William R. Blair and wife Sandra of Galva, Kan.; 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Glen, and a sister, Shirley Mae Confer.

Garry R. Starmer

FREDONIA—Garry R. Starmer, 70, of Fredonia, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 24, at Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, with Rev. Gene Benefiel officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fredonia Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the Fredonia Golf Club and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia.

Garry was born on Oct. 14, 1938, in Angola, Kan., the son of Wilber Ray and Bonita June (Gard) Starmer.

He was a graduate of Altamont High School. He attended barber school in Wichita. Garry went on to work as a barber in Kansas City, Chanute, Parsons and Altamont, where he owned his own shop. On Feb. 26, 1964, Garry went to work for the railroad as a brakeman conductor and retired from the UP Railroad in October 2000.

In 1957, Garry married Helen Colwell and they later divorced. To this union two children were born; a son, Rocky, and a daughter, Sharon. On Oct. 9, 1971, Garry married Marie Roat in Fredonia. She survives at their home.

Garry was a member of the Angola United Methodist Church in Angola. He became a member of the Fredonia Golf Club where he was a diehard golfer. He really enjoyed playing golf with the CSBs.

Survivors include his wife, Marie; two sons, Rocky Ray Starmer, Altamont; and Carl (Buck) Bonner, Wichita; three daughters, Sharon Kuehn, South Coffeyville, Okla.; Tammy Weitz, Independence, Mo.; and Suzy Smith, Fredonia; 10 grandsons, four granddaughters and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Paul Starmer; and one granddaughter, Shanna Mae.

Zelda M. Johnson

DUNWOODY, Ga.—Former Dennis, Kan., resident Zelda M. Johnson, 80, of Dunwoody, Ga., died Nov. 20, 2008.

A graveside service was held Monday, Nov. 24, at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga., and a memorial service was held Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may send contributions to Camp Westminster, 1438 Sheridan Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, (770) 483-2225. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.

Arrangements were handled by Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Ind. Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092, (770) 448-5757.

A native of Dennis, Kan., Zelda taught piano lessons for many years. She was a former president of the North Dekalb Music Teachers Association and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph W. Johnson of Dunwoody, Ga.; sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan and Becky Johnson of Lorena, Texas, and Sydney and Nola Johnsen of Waxhaw, N.C.; son-in-law, Gene Freck of Decatur, Ga.; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Freck; her parents, John S. and Mildred Wiggins Howell; and a brother, Dale Howell.

Carolyn Martin

OSWEGO—Carolyn Martin, 69, of Oswego, Kan., passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Pittsburg, Kan., following a period of illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego with Rev. Larry Parker officiating. Interment will be in the St Bridgett’s Cemetery in Scammon. A Rosary will be Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the Murdock Funeral Home in Oswego.

Memorials may be made to the Mother of God Catholic Church with the church or the Murdock Funeral Home serving as custodian. A register book to leave online condolences to the family and complete obituary can be found at www.murdockfuneralhomes.com.

Carolyn was born June 23, 1939 in Columbus, Kan., the daughter of Carl C. and Lula Mae Carroll York. She graduated from Columbus High School and married Fred E. Martin July 7, 1956. He preceded her in death on July 30, 1973. She married Harold A. Martin on Jan. 20, 1975, and he preceded her in death on April 20, 1997. She worked as a teachers aide in the Weir grade school.

Carolyn was a member of the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego, St Mary’s Altar Society and the Rosary Prayer Group. She enjoyed time with family and friends and keeping a flower garden.

Those surviving are two daughters, Kathy Hartzfeld and husband Mike of Pittsburg; and Melissa McTaggart and husband Kent of Oswego; a son, Fred W. Martin of Kansas City, Kan.; two step-sons, Steve A. Martin and wife Tonya of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Mark A. Martin of Parsons, Kan.; two brothers, Carl W. York of Oswego; and John York of Oswego; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Kathryn K. “Kay” Allison

OSWEGO—Kathryn K. “Kay” Allison, 69, of Oswego, Kan., died at her home Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at the Mound Valley United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Reazin officiating. Burial will be in Oswego Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Mound Valley United Methodist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Clarence R. ‘Joe’ Farran

PARSONS—Clarence R. “Joe” Farran, 80, of Parsons, Kan., died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Labette Health.

The graveside service will be at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday at Fort Scott National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 Veterans of Foreign Wars will be in charge of military honors.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Assistance in Health Care of Tulsa and may be left at or sent to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Fred Vernon Dillon

COLUMBUS—Fred Vernon Dillon, 94, Columbus, Kan., passed away at Columbus Medicalodge Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008.

Simpson Funeral Home, 323 S. Kansas, Columbus, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Wilmer L. Turner

COLUMBUS—Wilmer L. Turner, age 84, of Columbus, Kan., passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., after suffering a stroke earlier that day.

Visitation in Joplin, will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parker Mortuary. Graveside services will be Saturday at Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to help with final expenses in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be made at parkermortuary.com.

Walter Donald

BOLIVAR, Mo.—Walter Donald, 90, of Bolivar, Mo., formerly of Oswego, Kan., died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Altamont, Kan. Interment will be in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott under the direction of Murray Funeral Home of Bolivar. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 400 Wabash, Altamont, KS 67330.

Jaslyn Angel Markham-Dodd

PARSONS—Jaslyn Angel Markham-Dodd, the daughter of Jason Dodd and Sonja “Sonie” Markham, both of Parsons, Kan., was stillborn Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, at Labette Health.

Graveside funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Funeral services are under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.

Sharon A. Smith

PARSONS—Sharon A. Smith, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The casket will remain closed. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Donald G. Ferrell

WELCH, Okla.—Donald G. Ferrell, 81, of Welch, Okla., passed away Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, at Welch City Cemetery, Welch. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

Robert Leo “Bob” Benning

Coffeyville—Robert Leo “Bob” Benning, 71, of rural Coffeyville, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at Chetopa Manor in Chetopa, Kan.

A Rosary Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24,at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville

The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.