Obituaries
Vanonda P. Baker
CAMANO ISLAND, Wash. — Vanonda P. Baker, 98, of Camano Island, Wash., formerly of Pittsburg, died on March 18, 2013, at Crestview Adult Family Care Center in Camano Island. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Baker. The graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Edna Elm Grove Cemetery under the direction of Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Melba L. Hoss
TOPEKA — Melba L. Hoss, 65, of Topeka died on Monday, March 18, 2013, at Midland Hospice House. She was born on Sept. 23, 1947, in Oswego to Cecil and Mabel Winters Gillespie. She attended Pittsburg State University and graduated from Washburn University. On July 22, 1967, she married Terry Hoss. They enjoyed more than 45 years together. He survives. She was an examiner for 22 years with SRS and retired in 2010. Melba, KAØBAT, was active in m...
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The Rev. Don V. Bumgarner
HUNTSVILLE, Ark. — The Rev. Don V. Bumgarner, 94, of Huntsville, Ark., died on Friday, March 15, 2013, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Feb. 24, 1919, in Corwin to Frank and D. Mary (Pasley) Bumgarner. He graduated from Attica High School in 1937 and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in music from Bethel College in North Newton in 1942. He attended United Theological (Bonebrake) Semin...
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Elmer E. ‘Doc’ Metcalf
SUN LAKES, Ariz. — Elmer Eugene “Doc" Metcalf, 80, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., formerly of Parsons, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2013, at his home. Gene was born on Dec. 15, 1932, in Parsons. He attended Catholic school and graduated from Parsons High School. He later moved to Kansas City and graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College. He served as a chiropractor in Ulysses, WaKeeney, Fort Scott and Wichita. Gene also worked in Las Vegas in s...
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Addie ‘Lee’ Trimble
CHETOPA — Addie “Lee” Trimble, 98, of Chetopa died on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at The Meadows of Orange nursing home in Orange, Texas. Affectionately called “Boopee,” she enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing and quilting. Survivors include two children, Rodney Trimble of Chetopa and Myra Trimble Miller of Orange, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Plans for a service are pending. Claire Brothers Fun...
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Jerry A. Dixon Sr.
Jerry A. Dixon Sr., 66, of Parsons was found at his home on Sunday afternoon. He was in his usual health, and his death was unexpected. He was born on July 7, 1946, at Parsons to Raymond and Ruth (Tunget) Dixon. He grew up at Parsons and attended Service Valley and Labette County schools. He graduated from Labette County High School in 1964. He worked for the city of Parsons in the street department. He later worked as a patrolman at Lake Pars...
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William N. ‘Bill’ Taylor
William N. “Bill” Taylor, 91, died at 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2013, at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons on his birthday. He was born on March 18, 1922, on a farm near Harrisburg, Pa., to Mr. and Mrs. William N. Taylor Sr. He grew up there and graduated from high school. He worked in the steel mills but soon joined the U.S. Navy, serving 41 months in Hawaii and the Solomon Islands. Then he joined the U.S. Air Force and was a B-52 mechanic...
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Danny L. Harris
Danny L. Harris, 50, of Parsons died at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, March 17, 2013, at Elmhaven East nursing home in Parsons. He was born on Sept. 28, 1962, in Arlington, Texas, to Elbert L. and Lucinda M. (Wort) Harris. At the age of 5, he moved with his family to Parsons, where he grew up and attended Meadow View Grade School and was a graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. Following high school, he attended Spartan College of Aeronautics...
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Jerry A. Dixon Sr.
Jerry A. Dixon Sr., 66, of Parsons was found at his home on Sunday afternoon. He was in his usual health, and his death was unexpected. He was born on July 7, 1946, at Parsons to Raymond and Ruth (Tunget) Dixon. He grew up at Parsons and attended Service Valley and Labette County schools. He graduated from Labette County High School in 1964. He worked for the city of Parsons in the street department. He later worked as a patrolman at Lake Pars...
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Roberta Wilson
WICHITA — Roberta Wilson, 72, of Wichita, formerly of Parsons, died at 4:16 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2013, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center at Via Christi – St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She is survived by her husband, Albert Wilson, of the home. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons will announce complete obituary details and funeral arrangements later. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Gail (Adamson) Sims
SAN LUIS OBISBO, Calif. — Gail (Adamson) Sims died on Saturday, March 9, 2013, in San Luis Obisbo, Calif. She was born in 1920 in Labette County to Truby and Helen (Gail) Adamson. She was raised on the family farm west of Valeda. She attended rural McKennon Grade School and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1938.  Survivors include two sons, Michael Sims and Gary Sims; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two ...
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H. Richard Webb
CHANUTE — H. Richard Webb, 78, of Chanute died on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at his home. He was born on Dec. 20, 1934, in Blue Eye, Mo., to Kenneth E. Webb and J. Lucille (VanWinkle) Webb. He graduated from Stark High School in 1952. He married Frances A. McGinty on April 2, 1961, in Chanute. Richard was an accomplished meat market manager, having worked for Self Service Bauer’s Market, Rooster’s Thriftway and Ron’s IGA in Parsons. Most impor...
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Shirley J. Harding
ERIE — Shirley J. Harding, 92, of Erie died Friday, March 15, 2013, at her home. She had been in her usual health and death was not expected. She was born on Aug. 18, 1920, in Huron, S.D., to Cecil and Hattie (Marks) Crabb. At the age of 13, her family moved to Kansas, where she attended school and was a 1938 graduate of Grant Township High School in Stark. Through the years, she worked at Aeroduct in Chanute, Bush Hog in Galesburg, Swift and ...
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Joe Ryan
Joe Ryan, 72, of Parsons died at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He was born on July 20, 1940, in Vinita, Okla., to Martin Albert Ryan Sr. and Bessie E. (Fuller) Ryan. He was a 1958 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont and earned an associate’s degree from Parsons Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. He owned and operated Joe’s Club in Parsons for several ...
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Joe Ryan
Joe Ryan, 72, of Parsons died at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m Sunday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and may be left at or mailed to the fune...
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Emil R. Semrad
THAYER — Emil R. Semrad, 81, of rural Thayer died on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, under the care of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.  He was born on Aug. 21, 1931, in Marshall, Okla., to Frank and Frances (Krejci) Semrad. He grew up in Marshall and was a graduate of Marshall High School. Following high school, he farmed in rural Galesburg and then served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. While ser...
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Emil R. Semrad
THAYER — Emil R. Semrad, 81, of rural Thayer died on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, under the care of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.  He was born on Aug. 21, 1931, in Marshall, Okla., to Frank and Frances (Krejci) Semrad. He grew up in Marshall and was a graduate of Marshall High School. Following high school, he farmed in rural Galesburg and then served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. While ser...
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Treva ‘Joan’ Stangle
Treva “Joan” Stangle, 57, of rural Parsons died at 8:43 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. She was born on Feb. 16, 1956, in Parsons to Junior C. and Theresa B. (Whetzel) Stangle. She was a 1975 graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. Survivors include two brothers, Charles Stangle of the home and Tim Stangle of Parsons; and a sister, Carolyn Stangle of Parsons. The graveside service will be at 10 a.m...
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Ray C. Wilson
CHETOPA — Ray C. Wilson, 86, of Chetopa died at 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Chetopa Manor nursing home. He was born on Feb. 19, 1927, in rural Chetopa to Clinton and Anna (Gail) Wilson. As a young boy, he attended rural grade schools and was a 1944 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific. He worked as a tool and die maker and quality control inspector at...
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Emil R. Semrad
GALESBURG — Emil R. Semrad, 81, of rural Galesburg died at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Annamae Semrad of the home. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, where the family will receive friends immediately...
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