Obituaries
Clement T. Switlik Jr.
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — Clement Thomas Switlik Jr., 70, of Los Alamos, N.M., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Los Alamos. He was born Oct. 19, 1941, in Parsons to Clement Thomas Sr., and Margaret (Currigan) Switlik. He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in Parsons and graduated from high school in 1959. He joined the Navy. After his service, he attended the University of Kansas, where he received a degree in zoology. He later received a master'...
full story
Edwin H. Smith
CHETOPA — Edwin H. Smith, 93, a longtime Chetopa businessman, died at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Chetopa Manor. Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
full story
Dean L. Nading
CHETOPA — Dean L. Nading, 68, of Chetopa died at 9:10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Chetopa Manor. He was born June 18, 1943, in rural Oswego to Walter and LaVerna (Foster) Nading. As a young boy, he attended Fairview country school and was a 1962 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. He most recently worked as a contract laborer for his brother, Bob, and others until he was forced to retire due to illness. Survivor...
full story
Bill E. Tate Sr.
DENNIS — Bill E. Tate Sr., 72, of rural Dennis died early Saturday morning at his home. His death was unexpected. He was born on July 8, 1939, at Vinita, Okla., to Odes and Verlie (Weddle) Tate. The family moved to Coffeyville, where he grew up and attended Coffeyville schools. He moved to Odessa, Mo., where he owned and operated a welding shop for many years. He moved to Parsons in 1984 where he also worked as a welder. He retired in 2006....
full story
Flossie I. ‘Onie’ Short
Flossie I. “Onie” Short, 81, of Parsons died at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Elmhaven West. She had been in failing health. She was born Nov. 4, 1930, in Miltonvale to Ralph “Red” and Flossie (Emig) Garretson. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Parsons, where she grew up and attended school. In 1950, she graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont.  She married Melvin C. Short on July 22, 1950, in Frostbur...
full story
Jennifer Larson
ALTAMONT — Jennifer Larson, 34, of Altamont died Saturday morning, Feb. 18, 2012, at her home. Death was unexpected, but she had been in failing health several years. She was born April 14, 1977, in Parsons to John A. and Debra K. (Pearce) Stuart. She grew up in the Parsons area and attended high school in Altamont. Later she also took classes at Labette Community College. For about 12 years she worked as a home care attendant for Southeas...
full story
Clyde Russell Towles
Clyde Russell Towles, 85, of Parsons died at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at his home. He was born June 27, 1926, at Parsons a son of Earl Clay and Nellie G. (Russell) Towles. He was raised at Parsons and attended school here. He then enlisted in the United States Navy. Following his discharge, he worked as a machinist for Gates Rubber Co. in Denver. He later retired. He married Eleanor Andrews. They later divorced. Survivors inclu...
full story
W. Modene Saye
W. Modene Saye, 93, of Parsons died at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2012, at the Elmhaven West. She was born on May 29, 1918, at Galesburg to Wayne Waldo and Etta Ameda (Eccles) Willis. The family moved to Parsons where she grew up and attended Parsons schools, graduating from Parsons High School in 1935. She graduated from Parsons Junior College in 1937. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Parsons for a few years before moving to P...
full story
Jesse Leon Burnett
ERIE — Jesse Leon Burnett, 60, of Erie went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, with his wife and children by his side. Jess was born on Oct. 31, 1951, in Parsons to Mazie (Brenner) Burnett and William A. Burnett. He was raised on a farm in rural St. Paul and attended Erie schools, from which he graduated in 1969. He started work at Ruskin Manufacturing at age 18 and worked for 35 years in a supervisory position until his...
full story
Dorothy L. Trout
Dorothy L. Trout, 92, a former Galesburg and Parsons resident, died at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at the Heritage Healthcare Center in Chanute. She was born on Oct. 25, 1919, Viborg, S.D., to David and Mary Ellen (Clary) Milks. She moved to Parsons at age 2, where the family lived east of Parsons and then moved to rural Galesburg when the Kansas Ordnance Plant was established. She attended Parsons High School. She married Leland R. T...
full story
W. Modene Saye
W. Modene Saye, 92, of Parsons died at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at the Elmhaven East in Parsons. She was the widow of Doyal L. Saye Sr., who preceded her in death on June 2, 1969. The service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Memorials are suggested to Proud Animal Lovers Shelter. Complete obituary in...
full story
Roy M. Brinson
Roy M. Brinson, 68, of Parsons died at 5:53 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at Labette Health. He was born Jan. 30, 1944, in Lexington, Neb., to Wilton William and Glenrose Ethel (McCarter) Brinson. As a youth, he moved with his family to Winlock, Wash., where he attended schools. He served in the Army from 1961 to 1964. Upon his honorable discharge, he lived in Springfield, Mo., Winona, Miss., and Missouri, where he operated a roofing business....
full story
Christopher T. 'Chris' Astbury
Christopher T. “Chris” Astbury, 62, of rural Parsons, died at 1:48 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at his home. He was born July 31, 1949, in Bridgewater, Vt., to Charles and Blanche R. (Westcott) Astbury. He grew up in Vermont, where he attended schools and was a 1968 graduate of Woodstock Union High School. He later attended Emporia State University, where he earned an associate degree.  Through the years he worked as a custom harvester and la...
full story
Roy M. Brinson
Roy M. Brinson, 68, of Parsons died at 5:53 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at Labette Health. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Brinson, of the home. The service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral h...
full story
Clyde Russell Towles
Clyde Russell Towles, 85, of Parsons died at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at his home. Further obituary details will be announced by Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
full story
Dorothy L. Trout
Dorothy L. Trout, 92, a former Galesburg and Parsons resident, died at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at the Heritage Healthcare Center in Chanute. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The casket will remain closed at the service. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience. Memorials are suggested to the Galesburg Relief Fund and these may b...
full story
William R. 'Bill' Barker
LAWRENCE — William R. "Bill" Barker, 59, of Lawrence, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was born April 5, 1942, in Parsons to Raymond and Mary Ann (Rauniker) Barker. He studied piano and music composition at Pittsburg State University and at Wichita State University. Survivors include a brother, Bob Grant of Frontenac. A private inurnment will be at a later date. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence is in charge...
full story
Fred W. McMillan
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Fred W. McMillan, 80, of Broken Arrow, Okla., died on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at his home. He was born July 17, 1931, Strauss to Fred W. and Mary Elsie (Fowler) McMillan. He attended McCune schools and graduated from McCune High School. He served in the Army. He was an industrial bearing salesman, retiring from Allied Bearings in 2002. He married Bonita Stewart in 1952. They later divorced. He married Peggy Headrick on Se...
full story
Christopher 'Chris' Astbury
Christopher “Chris” Astbury, 62, of rural Parsons died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Astbury, of the home. Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
full story
Joyce E. Baker
ALTAMONT — Joyce E. Baker, 81, of Altamont died at 7:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at her home.    She was born June 17, 1930, in Altamont to James L. and Lena I. (Lewis) Baker. She grew up and attended schools in Altamont and was a 1950 graduate of Labette County Community High School. Prior to marriage, she worked at Hallmark Cards in Parsons. She married Thomas L. “Tom” Baker in Winfield. They made their family home in Altamont, where the...
full story