Obituaries
Gerald Gene Edwards
PITTSBURG — Gerald Gene Edwards, 67, of Pittsburg, formerly of Erie, died at 7:10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, in the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg where he entered Nov. 10. He was born Nov. 25, 1943, in Erie, a son of Cecil and Geraldine (Prickett) Edwards. He grew up and attended school in Erie and graduated from Erie High School. He worked for various construction companies and retired from Schueck Steel Co. in Little Rock, Ark., in 20...
full story
Donald G. Ruttgen Sr.
OSWEGO — Donald G. Ruttgen Sr., 82, of rural Oswego died at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He was born on July 24, 1929, in Fairview Township, Labette County, to Clarence Valentine and Ethel Florence (Strickland) Ruttgen. He grew up in rural Labette County, where he attended Bowman Country School and was a 1947 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. From October 1951 through ...
full story
William E. Boecker
WINFIELD — William E. Boecker, 86, formerly of Parsons, died at 5:17 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. He was born on May 14, 1925, in Parsons to Anton H. and Antonia (Hoff) Boecker. He grew up and attended schools in Parsons. He worked with his father on the family farm until entering the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, he lived in Texas for a time. He married Lillian Ann Krska on Feb. 19, 1952, i...
full story
Perry Eugene ‘Doc’ Schurr
DENNIS — Perry Eugene “Doc” Schurr, DVM, 88, of rural Dennis died on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at home. Perry was born in Pauline to Henry B. and Neta Ollie (Hibbs) Schurr on April 9, 1923. He graduated from Berryton High School in 1941. He served in World War II aboard the USS Sirius in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in November 1945. He graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan, in 1956 with a doctor of veterinary medicine...
full story
Emilie Suzanne Bohannon
ROGERS, Ark. — Emilie Suzanne Bohannon, 37, of Rogers, Ark., died on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, in Springfield, Mo. Emilie was born on March 24, 1974, in Attica, Kan., to Doyle Michael and Cinda Lynn (Braman) Thompson. She graduated from Parsons High School in 1992. She graduated in 1999 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. She married Jason Bohannon on Jan. 26, 2002. He survives of the home. She was a veterinarian ...
full story
Darlyne Sue Leach
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Darlyne Sue Leach, 73, of Tulsa, formerly of Parsons, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at her home in Broken Arrow, Okla. She had a short bout with advanced-stage lung cancer. She was born on July 23, 1938, in Tulsa to Roy and Hazel (Partlow) Cook. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School. She was a stewardess for Pan AM Air Lines for a time. She married Joe Garrett. He preceded her in death. She later married Ben Leach, w...
full story
Donald G. Ruttgen Sr.
OSWEGO — Donald G. Ruttgen Sr., 82, of rural Oswego died at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ruttgen, of the home. The graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Fairview Cemetery near Bartlett. Friends may call at their convenience after 1 p.m. Thursday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. The funeral home will announce complete obituary details lat...
full story
William E. Boecker
WINFIELD — William E. Boecker, 86, formerly of Parsons, died at 5:17 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Boecker, on June 11, 2007. Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Parsons, will announce complete obituary details later. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
full story
Alvah ‘Sie’ Everett Ellison
ROCKLIN, Calif. — Alvah “Sie” Everett Ellison, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at his home in Rocklin, Calif. He was born on March 14, 1915, in Girard. Sie was a graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont, Class of 1933. A resident of Rocklin for 31 years, he assisted others as long as his strength allowed and was an inspiration to those who knew him. He was a faithful member of his church, a veteran of both the U.S...
full story
Shirley A. Olenhouse
Shirley A. Olenhouse, 77, of Parsons, a former Erie resident, died at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the home of her daughter, Christine Montross near Edna. She had been in failing health, but her death was unexpected. She was born on Jan. 30, 1934, at Milwaukee, Wis., to John Clarence “Jack” and Hazel (Graf) Grey. She grew up at Milwaukee and attended Lutheran schools there, graduating from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1951. She m...
full story
Mary Charlotte Smith Overman
OSWEGO — Mary Charlotte Smith Overman, 89, of Oswego died at 2:57 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at her home after a brief illness. Mary was born on Feb. 6, 1922, in Bartlett to John Henry and Grace Lula (Fritz) Smith. She graduated from Bartlett High School. Mary worked as the court clerk at the courthouse in Oswego for several years. She was a member of Oswego Christian Church. She married Homer Lloyd “Bus” Overman in 1956 in Oswego. He precede...
full story
Dixie L. Lewis
ALTAMONT — Dixie L. Lewis, 64, of Altamont died at 5:01 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at Clarehouse in Tulsa. She was born on Oct. 18, 1947, in Coffeyville to Roy and Maxine (Kastler) Schell. She grew up and attended schools in Altamont, graduating from Labette County High School in 1965. She married Ronald W. “Ron” Lewis on Aug. 1, 1965, in Altamont at United Methodist Church. Following their marriage, they lived in Athens, Greece, and El Paso...
full story
Albert H. ‘Buzz’ Curtis
Albert H. “Buzz” Curtis, 81, a longtime Parsons resident, died at 10:23 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, in the emergency room of Labette Health. He was born on Aug. 30, 1930, in Parsons to Willard “Bill” and Edna (Coleman) Curtis. He had lived in Parsons nearly all of his life. He was self-employed as a logger and for seven years was employed by Day and Zimmermann. During the urban renewal project in Parsons, he worked in demolition. He was a member of ...
full story
Johnston Lynn Lucky
EDNA — Johnston Lynn Lucky, 64, of Edna died on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at Labette Health in Parsons. He was born in Pasadena, Texas, to Johnston and Delores (Gorman) Lucky. He grew up in Golden Acres in Pasadena, where he attended school and received his high school education. After high school, Lynn worked for Don Love for many years doing construction. Survivors include five daughters, Twana Willburn of Houston, Sherry Jones of Crosby, Tex...
full story
James I. ‘Sonny’ Ledbetter
EDNA — James I. “Sonny” Ledbetter, 82, of Edna died at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy (Foister) Ledbetter, of the home. He was born June 5, 1929, at rural Vinita, Okla., to Irvy C. and Aimee (White) Ledbetter. He grew up on Big Creek, Okla., south of Edna. He attended country schools and joined the Army in March 1951. Following his discharge in Februar...
full story
James I. ‘Sonny’ Ledbetter
EDNA — James I. “Sonny” Ledbetter, 82, of Edna died at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Foister) Ledbetter of the home. The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Edna United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Edna Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Edna United Methodist Church and m...
full story
Robert L. ‘Bob’ Westhoff
FARLINGTON — Robert L. “Bob” Westhoff, 58, of Farlington died in the emergency room of Via Christi Medical Center in Pittsburg at 4:52 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. He was born on July 23, 1953, at Greenbush to Sylvester and Celia (Sevart) Westhoff. He graduated from St. Paul High School. He was self-employed as a large equipment mechanic throughout his adult life. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church. Survivors include a son, Michael “...
full story
Zachary Scott ‘Zach’ Harding
Zachary Scott “Zach” Harding, 21, of Parsons died early Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 2011, near Erie from injuries sustained in a car-train accident. He was born on July 24, 1990, in Parsons to Scott William and Rachael Lynn (Looney) Harding. He grew up and attended school in St. Paul and was a 2008 graduate of St. Paul High School. He attended Labette Community College and Pittsburg State University. While attending PSU, he was a member of Pi Ka...
full story
Jeanne (Randall) Bowman
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Jeanne (Randall) Bowman, 68, of Blue Springs, Mo., died at 8:47 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at the Kansas City Hospice House. She had been in failing health for several years. She was born on Aug. 4, 1943, in Parsons to Raymond and Louise (Bayless) Randall. She graduated from Parsons High School in 1961 and from Parsons Junior College in 1963. On Sept. 17, 1965, she married John Bowman in Kansas City, Mo. She had lived in ...
full story
Zachary Scott ‘Zach’ Harding
Zachary Scott “Zach” Harding, 21, of Parsons died early Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 2011, near Erie from injuries sustained in a car-train accident. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to the Kale Harding Educational Fund and may be ...
full story