Obituaries
Bobby J. Essig
TONGANOXIE — Bobby Joe Essig, 69, of Tonganoxie died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at this home. He was born on Jan. 13, 1942, in Dallas to Simon Jess and Bertha Elizabeth (Charles) Essig. He worked as a mechanic for most of his working life and retired in 2004 after working at the University of Kansas Medical Center as a supervisor for eight years. He served in the Navy. Survivors include his wife, Neressia Essig; his daughters, Marsha Baker, Si...
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Geraldine Lamm
LOUISBURG — Geraldine Lamm, 87, of Vintage Park in Louisburg, formerly of Parsons, passed sway Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at North Point in Paola, under the care of Odyssey Hospice. She was born March 23, 1924, in Dennis a daughter of Floyd and Edna Hild. Geraldine was raised in Cherryvale and graduated from Cherryvale High School. She was married in 1946 and taught school in a one-room school house. Geraldine was a lifelong member of the Pars...
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Virgil L. Grizzle
CHANUTE — Virgil L. Grizzle, 82, of Chanute died Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. He was born Sept. 19, 1929, in Iola the son of George F. and Minnie M. (Jones) Grizzle. He graduated from LaHarpe High School. On Nov. 13, 1949, he married Wanda Lee Larkey and they made their home in Odense. In 1964, they moved to Wichita and since 1969 they have resided in Chanute. His wife preceded him in death on ...
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Patsy L. Bond
ERIE — Patsy Louise Bond, 77, of Erie died on Monday morning, Oct. 17, 2011, at her home. She was born on May 22, 1934, in Nebraska City, Neb., to Emry and Juanita (Smith) Shineflew. She married William H. Bond Sr. on Sept. 11, 1971, in Maize. He survives of the home. She was a nurse's aide. She loved spending time with her family and doing ceramics and gardening. Other survivors include three sons, Roger Kuffler and Gary Reed, both of Wichita...
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Ronald G. ‘Ron’ Havelka
Ronald G. “Ron” Havelka, 60, of Parsons died early Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at his home. He was born Dec. 7, 1950, in Miami, Fla., to Rudolph and Mildred (Novotny) Havelka. He grew up in Lake Worth and West Palm Beach, Fla., where he attended schools. He later attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He then served in the Army 3 ½ years before being honorably discharged. In 1972, he moved to Parso...
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Shirley A. Sears
McCUNE — Shirley A. Sears, 83, a longtime resident of McCune, passed way at Lifecare Center in Evergreen, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011. She was born March 16, 1928, in McCune to Harold and Henrietta Jones. She has lived in the beautiful mountains of Colorado for the past six years. Shirley was known to all for her love of animals. Survivors include her daughter, Crystal Lovell-Harnden of Evergreen, Colo.; grandchildren, Christopher Lovel...
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Rose Marie Ward
ST. PAUL — Rose Marie Ward, 71, of St. Paul died at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at her home. She had been in failing health over five years. She was born in Parsons on Dec. 19, 1939, to Oscar L. and Phyllis E. (Kendall) Williams. She grew up in Parsons and graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont. On Aug. 31, 1965, she married John Edward Ward in Parsons. She had lived in St. Paul since her marriage. She worked at ...
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Ronald G. ‘Ron’ Havelka
Ronald G. “Ron” Havelka, 60, of Parsons died early Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Havelka of the home. Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. ...
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Arthur A. ‘Art’ Seeley
Arthur A. “Art” Seeley, 57, of Parsons died early Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011, at his home. He had been in failing health. He was born on Jan. 19, 1954, at Kansas City, Mo., to Elmer and Nancy Pauline (Petty) Seeley. He worked as a carpenter. He married Deborah Fike on May 22, 2005, at Joplin. She survives of the home. Other survivors include four daughters, Tami Plummer of Carl Junction, Mo., Nancy Simons of Carthage, Mo., Mary Pierce ...
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Danny L. Thornton
Danny L. Thornton, 58, of Joplin, formerly of Parsons, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1952, in Parsons to Edwin L. “Roy” and Geraldine (Adams) Thornton. He grew up and attended schools in Parsons. Through the years he had worked as a sales representative at Thornton Sales, later known as Slayman Beverage and Eastern Distributing. He married Sheila Abney on Dec. 2, 1972, in Parsons. They later divorced. He i...
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Danny L. Thornton
JOPLIN — Danny L. Thornton, 58, of Joplin, formerly of Parsons, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at his home. He is survived by his daughter, Jamie McDaniel, of Dennis. Following cremation, a memorial graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Oakwood Cemetery. Complete obituary details will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Arthur A. ‘Art’ Seeley
Arthur A. “Art” Seeley, 57, of Parsons died early Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011, at his home. He had been in failing health. Further obituary information and service arrangements will be announced by Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.
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Mildred R. Benthin
FRONTENAC — Mildred R. Benthin, 83, of Frontenac, formerly of Galesburg, died at 6:47 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at her home. She was born Nov. 14, 1927, in Archie, Mo., to Alvin and Mable (Nation) Reed. As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in Rich Hill and Butler, Mo. On Oct. 22, 1965, she married Harry A. Benthin Sr. in Carson City, Nev. After marriage, they lived in California until moving to Kansas in 1984. Through the ye...
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Jean Marie Cox
LITTLETON, Colo. — Jean Marie Cox, 83, of Littleton, Colo., formerly of St. Paul, died on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. She was born April 30, 1928, at Detroit, Mich., to John Jr. and Edith K. (Groner) Neighbors. She married Martin E. Cox on Dec. 31, 1949, in St. Paul. He preceded her in death. Survivors include her children, Jack Cox, Connie Ahern, Jimmy Cox and Cathy Amenta; and a brother, Jim Neighbors. Mrs. Cox was cremated. A memorial service w...
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Eugene M. ‘Buck’ McAtee
CONWAY, Ark. — Eugene M. "Buck" McAtee, 92, of Conway, Ark., formerly of Parsons, died at 9:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, in Conway. He was born Aug. 15, 1919, in St. Paul to Charles Ernest and Sara Irene (Poisette) McAtee. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1937. On March 18, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. 2nd Cavalry and received the Purple Heart for his bravery in World War II as a second lieutenant battlefield commissioned officer. ...
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Todd J. Rowe
Todd J. Rowe, 49, of Parsons, died early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at his home. He had been in his usual health and death was not expected. He was born Aug. 28, 1962, in Salina to Larry Joe and Nancy Louise (Rhoades) Rowe. He grew up and attended school in Parsons. While attending high school, he was injured in a water park accident in Joplin and had been disabled since that time. His passion was restoring cars. He enjoyed going to drag races at...
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Johnna Celeste Reed
LAWTON, Okla. — Johnna Celeste Reed, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, died on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, in Lawton, Okla. Johnna Celeste Reed was born on July 3, 1923, in South Mound to John Edward and Regina (Volmer) Lortz. She grew up in the South Mound area, graduating from Parsons High School and attending Parsons Junior College. Johnna married T. Jason Reed on March 2, 1942, at St. Joseph's Church. Johnna and Jason spent ...
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Kay Danielle Houston
EDNA — Kay Danielle Houston, 72, of Edna and Coffeyville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at her residence in Coffeyville. She was born Dec. 27, 1938, at Topeka to J.B. and Genevieve G. (Gibson) Moses. Kay grew up in Coffeyville, where she attended Holy Name Catholic School and Field Kindley High School, graduating in 1956. After completing high school she attended business college at Mount Clemens, Mich. She married Bill Barnett; they divo...
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Wayne E. Todd
Wayne E. Todd, 90, of Parsons died at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at his home. He had been in failing health in recent weeks. He was born Sept. 4, 1921, at Avon, Colo., to Lain L. and Eva (Offutt) Todd. His family moved to Peru when he was an infant. He grew up there and graduated from Peru High School. During World War II he served with the United States Army in France and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. On Aug....
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Todd J. Rowe
Todd J. Rowe, 49, of Parsons died early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at his home. Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Family and friends will gather at the family home immediately following burial at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Proud Animal Lovers Shelter. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357. Complete obituary details will...
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