Obituaries
George L. Smoot
PITTSBURG — George L. Smoot, 83, of Pittsburg died at 7:40 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2013, at Medicalodge in Frontenac of a long illness. He was born on July 30, 1929, in Parsons to Roy and Esther Weakly Smoot. He had been a resident of Pittsburg since 1965, moving from Parsons. He was a graduate of Labette County Community High School. He married Pauline Smith on June 4, 1965, in Pittsburg. She survives at the home in Pittsburg. Mr. Smoot had been...
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Jack E. Gorman
INDEPENDENCE — Jack Edwin Gorman, 78, of Independence died on Friday, May 24, 2013. He was born in Forrest City, Ark., on Oct. 6, 1934, to Lester E. and June (Cantrall) Gorman. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, Ind. He attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., and became a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God in 1954. On Dec. 21, 1956, he married Naomi Hayes. She survives of the home. Mr. Gorman served...
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Terry G. Mercer
CHETOPA — Terry G. Mercer, 65, of Chetopa died Monday, May 27, 2013, at his home. He was born on March 11, 1948, in Columbus to Lee and Velda Mercer. He grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1966. He graduated from Northeast Oklahoma A&M College in Miami with an associate’s of science degree in 1968, from Oklahoma State University with a business degree in 1970 and later from the University of California at Berkley wit...
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Alfred H. ‘Al’ Varwig
Alfred H. “Al” Varwig, 89, of Parsons, formerly of Bartlett, died at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He was born on Oct. 5, 1923, in Republican City, Neb., to Henry Alfred and Mary Lena (Schaffer) Varwig. He grew up and attended schools in Nebraska. He served in the U.S. Army. He was employed by the city of Siloam Springs until retiring. On Feb. 10, 1946, he married Clara “Grace” Smith in Lawton, Okl...
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Wilma Beatrice Smith
AFTON, Okla. — Wilma Beatrice Smith, 93, of Afton, Okla., died on Sunday, May 26, 2013, at Chetopa Manor, Chetopa. She was born on Feb. 25, 1920, in Welch, Okla., to William and Elizabeth (Nall) Spunaugle. She attended Grandview and Prairie View rural schools.  She married Clarence Bump. He preceded her in death in 1988. On Oct. 20, 1990, she married Kenneth Smith in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death. She worked as a machine operator for B...
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Connie D. Gilbert
Connie D. Gilbert, 77, of Parsons died at 11 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Parsons Good Samaritan Society. She was born on Jan. 2, 1936, in Seneca, Mo., to Darwin and Nadine (Giett) Jones. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, James McDaniel, in Raymond. She graduated from Raymond High School in 1954. She attended Salt City Business School in Hutchinson. She later lived in Lyons, Palco, Plainville, Olathe and Shawnee. While living in Sh...
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Alfred H. ‘Al’ Varwig
Alfred H. “Al” Varwig, 89, of Parsons, formerly of Bartlett, died at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. The graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lake Creek Cemetery near Bartlett. Friends may call at their convenience Wednesday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Memorials are suggested to Bartlett Christian Church or Harry Hynes Hospice and may be left at or mailed to the funeral...
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Arlene Y. Sweeney
Arlene Y. Sweeney, 81, of Parsons died at 11:08 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013, in the emergency room at Labette Health. She was born on Oct. 26, 1931, in Owensboro, Ky., to Clarence Elmore Young and Pearl Catilda (Stratton) Young. She grew up near Owensboro and attended Daviess County High School.  She married Amos L. Sweeney on Sept. 11, 1948, in Owensboro.  They lived in rural Owensboro, where she was employed by General Electric for many year...
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Loretta M. Dixon
MOUND VALLEY — Loretta M. Dixon, 74, of rural Mound Valley went to be with her Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, May 25, 2013, at her home. She had been in her usual health, and her death was unexpected. Loretta was born on March 15, 1939, at Grand Island, Neb., to Roy and Evea (Jones) Hammond. She grew up in several places in the Midwest as her father traveled due to his work. The family eventually settled in Southeast Kansas, where sh...
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Berniece M. (Davidson) Smith
PITTSBURG — Berniece M. (Davidson) Smith, 91, of Pittsburg, formerly of Altamont, died at 11 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. She was born on Jan. 30, 1922, in rural Altamont to Benjamin F. and Clara L. (Shepard) Davidson. She grew up in rural Altamont and was a 1941 graduate of Labette County Community High School.  In early years, she was employed by the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant and following the war was a homema...
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Debbie L. Junken
MOUND VALLEY — Debbie L. Junken, 50, of Mound Valley died at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. She was born on Sept. 24, 1962, in Columbia, N.C., to J.E. and Peggy Joan (Barnes) Reynolds. While her father was serving in the ministry, the family lived in West Virginia and Missouri before moving to Kansas, at the age of 14, where she had lived since. In 1997, she earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree a...
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Mattie Ellan Hellwig
OSWEGO — Mattie Ellan Hellwig, 82, of rural Oswego died Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at her home. She had been in her usual health, and death was not expected. She was born on Nov. 29, 1930, in Clinton, Okla., to Okla George and Hazel (Curry) Storm. As a young girl, her family moved to Southeast Kansas, where she attended school and was a 1948 graduate of Oswego High School. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oswego. On Feb. 18, 1951, s...
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Lois Mae Taylor
Lois Mae Taylor, 92, of Parsons died at 2:46 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, in the emergency room of Labette Health in Parsons. She was born on May 24, 1920, in the Hopewell area in rural Parsons and grew up there. She attended Lee Country School and graduated from Labette County Community High School. On Dec. 21, 1938, she married Vernon E. Taylor at Parsons. He preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 2006. She spent her early years as a homemaker...
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Jeanine Ray
Jeanine Ray, 42, of Parsons died on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the University of Kansas Hospital. She was born on Jan. 20, 1971, in Harvey, Ill., to Robert and Janet Burns Gaul. Survivors include her husband, George; three daughters, Brittney and Chelsea Ray and Crystal Schroeder; a son, Lance Ray; her parents; three sisters, Patricia Burns, Carrie Dial and Melissa Dial; and her brother, Ricky Dial. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday...
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William C. 'Bud' Green
BAXTER SPRINGS — William C. “Bud” Green, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Baxter Springs on Saturday, May 18, 2013. He was born on Dec. 25, 1922, in Leavenworth to Edward F. and Anna (Behrle) Green. Bud served students in Kansas public schools for 38 years as a teacher and administrator, finishing his career in Baxter Springs as the principal of Central Elementary School for 13 years. After his retirement, he most enjoyed time with gr...
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Patricia L. ‘Pat’ Packwood
Patricia L. “Pat” Packwood, 74, of Parsons died at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2013, at Labette Health in Parsons following a brief illness. She was born on March 17, 1939, at Parsons to Guy and Ruby (Coleman) Cherry. She grew up at and attended Parsons schools, graduating from Parsons High School in 1957. She married Vernon Packwood on Feb. 23, 1957, at her parents’ home. He survives of the home. After living in Denison, Texas, for several ye...
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Berniece M. (Davidson) Smith
PITTSBURG — Berniece M. (Davidson) Smith, 91, of Pittsburg, formerly of Altamont, died at 11 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. The service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The funeral home will announce complete obituary details later. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Debbie L. Junken
MOUND VALLEY — Debbie L. Junken, 50, of Mound Valley died Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. She is survived by her husband, David Junken of the home. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home will announce complete obituary details and funeral arrangements later. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Mattie E. Hellwig
OSWEGO — Mattie E. Hellwig, 82, of rural Oswego died at her home early Tuesday, May 21, 2013. She had been in her usual health, and death was not expected.  Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Chetopa, will announce complete obituary details and funeral arrangements later. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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Harold D. ‘Hal’ Clifton
Harold D. ‘Hal’ Clifton Harold D. “Hal” Clifton, 89, of Parsons died at 8:05 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2013, in the emergency room of Labette Health. He had been in failing health. He was born on March 6, 1924, in Fredonia to Ray N. and Leni M. (Gillies) Clifton. He grew up there and graduated from Fredonia High School in 1942. During his high school years, he worked many hours each week at a local drug store. He attended Kansas State College at Ma...
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