Obituaries
LaDonna S. McPurdy
JOPLIN — LaDonna S. McPurdy, 68, of Joplin, formerly of Parsons, went home to be with her Lord at 4:57 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin from injuries sustained in the tornado. Her husband, Richard McPurdy, survives. Following cremation, the graveside committal service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Forbes-Hoffman Fune...
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Kayleigh Savannah Teal
SENECA, Mo. — Kayleigh Savannah Teal, 16, of Seneca, Mo., and Pittsburg went to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 22, 2011, in Joplin from injuries sustained in the tornado. Kayleigh was born March 22, 1995, in Bamburg, Germany, to Robert Eugene Teal and Karen Sue (Stanton) Long. She attended Bluejacket and Welch schools early and was attending Seneca High School, where she loved mixed choir. Kayleigh was employed as a waitress in the Joplin P...
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Umberto Reinthal
ROGERS, Ark. — Umberto Reinthal, 81, of Rogers, Ark., died at home on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Bert was born in Voru, Estonia, on Nov. 21, 1929. As a young man, he enjoyed mountain climbing and hiking in the Alps with his father. He and his family emigrated from Russian-occupied Estonia to the United States in 1949. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma, and received his master of science in political science...
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Leona Abshere
AUSTIN, Texas — Leona “Bo” Abshere, 87, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Chetopa, died at 1:01 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House in Austin, Texas. She was born Jan. 27, 1924, in Alto, Texas, to Fred Monroe and Lela Elizabeth (Edwards) Grimes. She moved with her family to Tishomingo, Okla., and later Anadarko, Okla., where she grew up and attended school. She married Marvin O. Abshere on Nov. 17, 1940, in Anada...
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Grace Hill
Grace Hill, 92, of Parsons died at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Labette Health. Her death was unexpected. She was born Oct. 9, 1918, at Princeton to Jasper Nelson and Nettie Gladys (Hicks) Davies. She graduated from District 71 Tawney Grade School in 1932 and from Princeton High School in 1936. She attended the Johnson Hospital and Nurses Training School at Chanute and became a registered nurse in 1941. Grace came to Labette Count...
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Edward ‘Eddie’ Beachner
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Edward “Eddie” Beachner, 71, of Goodyear, Ariz., died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011. He was born on April 19, 1939, in Parsons to Frank and Edith Beachner. He owned Beachner Trucking for several years and then worked for Roadway Trucking until retirement. Survivors include his children, Debbie Faust, Rock Beachner, Doug Beachner, Tanya Nunez and Sheila Beachner; his siblings, Pat Beachner, Larry Beachner and Nancy Renshaw; 19 ...
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Anna Jackson
TOPEKA — Anna Jackson, 81, of Topeka, formerly a longtime Atchison resident, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka after a long illness. She was born Aug. 19, 1929, the daughter of Horace Bratton and Anna Kelley. She attended Atchison public schools. She worked at Atchison Leater for several years. She married Elvin Jackson on July 10, 1950. He preceded her in death. Survivors include her children, Mike, Evelyn...
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LaDonna McPurdy
JOPLIN — LaDonna McPurdy, 68, of Joplin, formerly of Parsons, died at 4:57 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin from injuries suffered from the May 22 tornado. She is survived by her husband, Richard McPurdy, of the home. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons is in charge of arrangements and will announce obituary details and arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Petra A. Carrillo
Petra A. Carrillo, 87, of Parsons died at 5:15 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at Elmhaven West. She had been in failing health. She was born July 2, 1923, in Parsons to Francisco and Rosa (Ramirez) Romero. She grew up and attended schools in Parsons and was a graduate of Parsons East High School. During World War II, she worked one year at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant before attending St. Mary of the Plains College, where she received her...
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Gertrude K. Gail
CHETOPA — Gertrude K. “Gertie” Gail, 91, of Chetopa died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Chetopa Manor. She had been in failing health. The service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Complete obituary details will be announced by Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Online condolence...
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Floyd A. Russell
ALTOONA — Floyd A. Russell, 80, a lifetime resident of rural Altoona, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. He was born July 30, 1930, in Neodesha the son of Charley E. and Sadie (Carver) Russell. Floyd attended school in Altoona, where he graduated in 1948. He married Margaret J. Green on Oct. 17, 1954, at Altoona United Methodist Church. She survives at their home. Floyd spent his lifetime ...
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Dr. Hershel K. Swinger Sr.
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Hershel K. Swinger Sr. of Los Angeles passed away on Monday, May 23, 2011. Dr. Swinger was born April 16, 1939, in Parsons to Fred and Eddie (Henderson) Swinger Sr. He attended Douglass Junior High School and graduated from Parsons High School before relocating, with his family, to Los Angeles. Dr. Swinger was an ardent believer in the value of a higher education and worked tirelessly to achieve his goals. After a tour of d...
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Janice K. McCoy
Janice K. McCoy, 70, a lifelong Erie resident, died at 5:20 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute after battling cancer since 2009. She was born Feb. 11, 1941, at Erie a daughter of Silas and Fleeta (Hickman) McCrary. She lived her life in the house she was born and raised in. She worked cleaning houses and businesses around Erie. In May 1962 she married Ward L. McCoy at Miami, Okla. They la...
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Petra A. Carrillo
Petra A. Carrillo, 87, of Parsons died at 5:15 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at Elmhaven West. She had been in failing health. The funeral Mass will at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary. Memorials are suggested to St. Patric...
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Earl Trout
  The earthly body of Earl Rand Trout (“Junior” to his family), 86, died on Monday, May 30, 2011, at his home, but he is continuing his life today in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. “…Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20, 21) Earl was born on July 17, 1924, to Earl Rand Sr. and Alice Mae (Treadwell) Trout in rural Parsons and atten...
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Charles Edward Klenklen
FORT SCOTT — Charles Edward “Charlie” Klenklen, 80, Fort Scott, died Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.  He was born Aug. 18, 1930, in South Mound the son of Odelia Joseph and Chrystie Mable Singleton Klenklen. He married Flora Fern Beeney on Oct. 10, 1953, in Erie. Flora preceded him in death on July 21, 1981. He married Mary Ann Sager Worthington in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 28, 1991.  Mr. Klenklen owned and op...
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Leona 'Bo' Abshere
AUSTIN, Texas — Leona “Bo” Abshere, 87, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Chetopa, died at 1:01 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House in Austin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Abshere, on Dec. 29, 1987. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons will announce complete obituary details. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Fern L. McDaniel
Fern L. McDaniel, 83, of Frontenac, formerly of Parsons, died at 6:21 a.m. Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. She was born Jan. 5, 1928, at Hepler to Edward Marion and Gertrude Frances (Fager) Westhoff. She grew up and attended school in Hepler and graduated from high school there. She married Robert N. McDaniel on June 3, 1948, at Hepler. Following marriage, they moved to Parsons, where she operated a day care from her...
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Charles Edward Klenklen
FORT SCOTT — Charles Edward “Charlie” Klenklen, 80, Fort Scott, died Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. His wife, Mary Ann, survives. A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the U.S. National Cemetery at Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to either the Sharing Bucket, Combat Infantrymen’s Association or the Disabled American Veterans and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, 6670...
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Richard D. ‘Dick’ Sadler
Richard D. “Dick” Sadler, 83, of Parsons was pronounced dead at his residence on Thursday afternoon, May 26, 2011. He was born on Oct. 31, 1927, at McCune to Carl and Bertha (Sparks) Sadler. He grew up at McCune and Parsons and attended schools there. He was a lifelong resident of McCune and Parsons. He loved to read. Survivors include a brother, Louis Leroy Sadler of Midwest City, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in d...
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