Obituaries
Sue Cuddy Almond
Sue Cuddy Almond, 72, of Parsons died at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Elmhaven West. She was born Aug. 27, 1940, in Parsons to Edward L. and Nellie M. (Richmond) Cuddy. She grew up in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School in 1958. She married Frank Almond. He preceded her in death. She had attended Parsons Foursquare Church and enjoyed cross stitching as a hobby. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, Timothy Almo...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 4, 1973 A gain of 733 over 1972 was shown in Parsons’ population as recorded for the year’s state census, the Labette County clerk reported. The final figure was put at 12,798 by Quincy Greer, who said that his office in Oswego was working on the final township — Walton — and the county count then would be complete. The Parsons gain was attributed to three factors — ...
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Sandra K. Jones
ALTAMONT — Sandra K. Jones, 61, of Altamont died on Wednesday, May 28, 2013, at Labette Health in Parsons. She was born on Dec. 9, 1951, in Parsons to Walter D. Allen Sr. and Sylvia J. (Vance) Allen. She grew up in Altamont, where she completed her education at Labette County. She completed her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 1976 at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. In May 1976, she enlisted in the U.S. Army. She earned the ran...
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Frances ‘Fran’ M. Clay
CHERRYVALE — Frances “Fran” M. Clay, 66, of Cherryvale died at 5:25 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. She was born on May 25, 1947, in Philadelphia to Frank J. and Mary C. (Holovachuk) Dzikowski. She grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Frankford High School in 1964. On June 6, 1976, in Cherryvale she married James D. Clay. He survives of the home. In her earlier years, she worked in advertising in Pennsylvania,...
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Charles E. ‘Charlie’ Haven
CHETOPA — Charles E. “Charlie” Haven, 82, of Chetopa died at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at his home.  He was born on Oct. 12, 1930, in Tulsa to Ezra Ernest and Gertrude Marie (Brewer) Haven. He grew up and attended school in Sand Springs, Okla., and California. He served in the U.S. Navy. On Feb. 20, 1951, he married Joan E. Roberts in Tulsa. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three daughters, Debbie Sue Goodhue of Sprin...
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Patrice Jolynn (Everman) Caywood
Patrice Jolynn (Everman) Caywood, 50, of Parsons died at 7:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at her home. She was born on Oct. 10, 1962, at Wichita to Joe E. and Marilyn J. (Edmondson) Everman. She attended Chanute and Humboldt schools, graduating from Chanute High School. She was employed at Dwayne’s Photo as a photo specialist. On Aug. 17, 1979, she married Doug P. Bratten at Chanute. They later divorced. She married Donald L. Caywood o...
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Charles E. Haven
CHETOPA — Charles E. Haven, 82, of Chetopa died at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Joan Haven, of the home. The graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lake Creek Cemetery near Bartlett. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. The funeral home will announce complete obituary details later. Online condolences may be left at www.f...
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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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