Obituaries
Surina Vasquez Short
MINDENMINES, Mo. — Surina Louise Vasquez Short, 43, of Mindenmines, Mo., passed away early Monday morning, April 8, 2013, with her family by her side at her home. Surina was born Dec. 2, 1969, at Denver to Earl and Eloise (Hughbanks) Spriggs. She had lived in Mindenmines, Mo., for the past four years and had worked for several years at Ernesto’s as well a Pitt Plastics in Pittsburg. She was a talented sketch artist and will be remembered by ...
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Alexander Dean 'Xander' Cochran
GALESBURG — Alexander Dean “Xander” Cochran, 8, of rural Galesburg passed away at his home, Friday, April 5, 2013, from complications from epilepsy. After a great day spending time with his family, Xander fell asleep and opened his eyes in heaven. Xander was born June 9, 2004, in Joplin, Mo., to Joshua Dean and Elizabeth Jean (Stammer) Cochran. As a baby, his family moved to rural Galesburg, where he had lived since. Xander was currently in s...
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Danny Ray Fentress
EMORY, Texas — Danny Ray Fentress, 62, of Emory, Texas, formerly of Altamont, Kansas, unexpectedly went to go fishing with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, April 5, 2013.  Danny was born in Parsons, Kansas, to Duane “Butch” and Reba Melissa Fentress on Sept. 7, 1950. Danny attended schools in Altamont, Kansas, and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1968.  In January of 1971, he enlisted in the Air Force and was ...
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Rude service
A memorial visitation for William A. "Bill" Rude will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. An inurnment service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. He died Sept. 17, 2012, at Severna Park, Md. Mr. Rude lived in Parsons in his youth and graduated from Parsons High School in 1943. His wife is the former Jean Marie Ledbetter, also a native Parsonian. They have lived in Maryland since 1958.
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Harry C. Perry Jr.
Harry C. Perry Jr., 81, of Parsons died at 6:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013, at his home. He had been in failing health. He was born on April 30, 1931, Lombard, Ill., to Harry C. and Elisabeth M. "Bess" Distler. He grew up at Lombard and attended Lombard and Glen Ellyn schools. He graduated from Glen Ellyn High School in 1949. He later attended Labette Community College. He resided in Lombard in until 1951 when he joined the United States Nav...
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James E. 'Jim' Dreiling Jr.
James E. “Jim” Dreiling Jr., 87, of Parsons died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.  He was born April 4, 1926, in Kansas City, Kan., to James Edward Sr. and Vera Ruth (Laskey) Dreiling. He grew up in the Kansas City area, where he attended schools. Following high school, he served in the United States Navy. Upon his honorable discharge, he was awarded the Purple Heart. He married Mary Margaret Switlik on Nov...
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James E. ‘Jim’ Dreiling Jr.
James E. “Jim” Dreiling Jr., 87, of Parsons died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Switlik) Dreiling, of the home. Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Lilly Eilene Ball
Lilly Eilene Ball, infant daughter of Jason and Amanda (Dillinger) Ball of McCune was stillborn at 2:08 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. In addition to her parents, survivors include two brothers, Drake and Caleb Ball of the home; a maternal grandmother, Connie Dillinger of McCune; a paternal grandfather, Lloyd Ball and his wife, Michelle, of Wichita; a paternal grandmother, Sheila Jarnagin and her husband, J...
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Emma Jean Hoffman service
A memorial graveside service for Emma Jean Hoffman, a former Parsons resident, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Lawn Cemetery Patio. Friends and family are welcome to attend. She died Feb. 14, 2013, in San Marcos, Texas. The Carson-Wall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ivan E. Whetstone
CHERRYVALE — Ivan E. Whetstone, 76, of rural Cherryvale died Monday, April 1, 2013, at his home.  Mr. Whetstone’s family and friends will meet at noon Saturday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 405 Main, in Parsons, to go in procession to the family farm for committal services and military honors presented by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Parsons. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Chandler Craig Farmer
BUFFALO, Okla. — Chandler Craig Farmer came into this world on Sept. 2, 1989. Born in Woodward, Okla., he was the first child of Craig and Jessica (Dilldine) Farmer. Chandler left this world on Friday, March 22, 2013, at the age of 23 years, 6 months and 20 days to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ. Chandler spent his early years being with his dad and grandpa as they worked on the farm, in the field, working cattle, riding horses, h...
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Lilly Eilene Ball
Lilly Eilene Ball, infant daughter of Jason and Amanda (Dillinger) Ball, of McCune, was stillborn at 2:08 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at McCune Cemetery in McCune under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Complete obituary details will be announced. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Ivan E. Whetstone
CHERRYVALE — Ivan E. Whetstone, 76, of rural Cherryvale died Monday, April 1, 2013, at his home.  He was born June 12, 1936, in Parsons to Elmer H. and Norma B. (Kinnison) Whetstone. He grew up in the Big Hill area in rural Labette County and attended Labette County Community High School in Altamont. Following high school, he served in the United States Army and later the Army Reserve until retiring. Through the years, he worked at JRB, the K...
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Betty A. Warstler
ERIE — Betty A. Warstler, 87, lifelong resident of Erie, died at 10:55 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2013, the Anderson County Hospital, Long Term Care Facility, in Garnett. She was born Feb. 24, 1926, at Erie a daughter of Clarence E. and Natal Mary (Basler) Ellis. She was raised in the Erie area and attended school there. She was employed for a short time at the Prest Lumber Co. at Erie and later worked for Grandview Products at Parsons. She also h...
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Donald E. 'Don' Born
ST. PAUL — Donald E. “Don” Born, 89, of St. Paul died on Sunday, March 31, 2013, at his home. He was born Oct. 23, 1923, north of Parsons to Johnnie and Anna (Paulie) Born. He attended school in St. Paul and was a graduate of St. Francis High School. On Nov. 3, 1943, he married Barbara R. Westhoff at St. Aloysius Catholic Church at Greenbush. He was a loving husband and father. He spent most of his life farming and raising cattle on the famil...
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Nichole Dawn Ward
Nichole Dawn Ward, infant daughter of Nick Hanigan of Coffeyville and Ashley Ward of Parsons was stillborn at 1:11 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2013, at Labette Health.  In addition to her parents, survivors include a sister, Carley Rae Shepard of the home; paternal grandparents, Laurie Songer and her husband, Walt, of Coffeyville and Gary Hanigan of Bartlesville, Okla.; and numerous aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her maternal grand...
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Mabel Mary Brannin
OSWEGO — Mabel Mary Brannin, 97, died at Deseret Health and Rehabilitation Center in Oswego after an illness. She was born July 17, 1915, in Labette County near Oswego to Vernie William and  Frances Isabelle (Silkey) Mosler. She was a lifetime resident of Oswego. She was a production worker, for several years at Glen Berry Manufacturing in Oswego and then at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Parsons, from which she retired. She was a member of...
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Mabel Marie Simmons
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Mabel Marie Simmons, 100, of Bowling Green, Ky., died Sunday, March 31, 2013, at Colonial Manor Care and Rehab. The Labette County native was a daughter of Walter Ross and Anna Marie (Heimsar) Cook and wife of the late Jesse Walker Simmons. She was a secretary, a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her daughter, Sally Marie Calkins; two grandsons, Chris Calkins and Craig C...
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Myra Wilkinson
OKLAHOMA CITY — Myra Wilkinson, 100, of Oklahoma City, a former longtime El Reno, Okla., resident, died Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Oklahoma City. Myra was born Jan. 14, 1913, in Jonesboro, Ark., to Willie and Albert Cooper. A graduate of Skiatook High school, she attended Hardin College and then earned a bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma A&M, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She was a teacher in Skiatook and Bristow, ...
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Ivan E. Whetstone
CHERRYVALE — Ivan E. Whetstone, 76, of rural Cherryvale died Monday, April 1, 2013, at his home.  Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
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