STEWART, DONALD "DON" LEE SR.
FORT SCOTT — Donald "Don" Lee Stewart
Sr., age 64, resident of rural Fort Scott, Kansas, went to be with his Savior on Saturday, February 19. 2011, at
Fort Scott Mercy Health Center, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born February 1, 1947, in Fort Scott,
Kansas, the son of Warren F. and Nellie Higdon Stewart. He graduated from Bronson High School and was a member
of their Bulldogs football team. He married Karen A. Hurd on August 27, 1965, in Fort Scott.
Don had worked in real-estate for over 35 years. As the owner of Stewart Realty, he was a certified appraiser,
a licensed insurance broker, a real-estate agent and a real-estate broker. With a motto of “Whatever We LIST Turns
to SOLD”, Don worked diligently to make this happen for the buyers and sellers that he served. Don could often
be seen at the office working late hours, the weekend, and even holidays to better serve his customers. Most local
residents will recall the catchy radio jingles and the red, white and blue “For Sale” signs that have dotted Fort
Scott and surrounding communities over the years. Don’s continued effort with Stewart Realty helped many people
find their perfect home.
Along with his hard work and dedication to the business that he loved, Don served on several committees of Fort
Scott and was involved in numerous city activities. Don was board member of both UMB and the Presbyterian Village,
a past member of the Lyons Club, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Who’s Who of Realtors, and a past President of the
Board of Realtors of Bourbon County Design Committee. Don was active in the Wednesday morning Men’s Prayer Breakfast.
He was a long time member of the Community Christian Church of Fort Scott. Recently he was honored with the coveted
Key Stone Award by the Chamber of Commerce at their annual dinner.
Don enjoyed spending time with his family. This included family gatherings at his home or that of relatives, often
just enjoying coffee and catching up with the latest family and area news. He also enjoyed raising cattle on his
farm that he owned for many years.
Survivors include his loving wife, Karen, of the home, two sons, Donald “J.R.” Stewart Jr., and his wife Wendy,
and Brent Stewart, all of Fort Scott; four granddaughters, Brenna (Stewart) Bollinger and husband Brent, Paige
Stewart, Holly Schnichels and Emily Schnichels; one grandson, Jordan Stewart, three great-grandsons, Daeson Bollinger,
Bryson Bollinger and Keagan “K.W.” Stewart, all of Fort Scott. Also surviving is his mother, Nellie Ater, of Arma,
Kansas; a brother, Chuck Stewart and wife Nancy, Fort Scott; two sisters, Linda Day and Cory Havice and husband
Don, Pittsburg, Kansas; his brothers and sisters in law, Rick and Shirley Hurd and Ron and Etta Hurd; and several
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Stewart, a brother Michael Stewart and step-dad,
Ivan Ater.
Pastor Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, at the Community Christian Church, 1919
Horton. Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00
P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to The Sharing Bucket, a local cancer support group
that benefits local cancer patients through emotional and financial assistance, and may be sent to Cheney Witt
Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. (The Morning Sun, February 22, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
HERLOCKER, ROBERTA
K. (KIRKPATRICK)
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Roberta K. Herlocker,
89, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011.
She was born March 13, 1921 in Girard, Kansas to the late Robert Lloyd and Esther Long Kirkpatrick.
She graduated from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri.
Roberta was a member of Park Hill Presbyterian Church where she was the first ordained woman elder. She was also
a member of P.E.O. Chapter No. W for70 years. She was also a member of the VA Ladies Club.
She is survived by her son, Randy Herlocker and wife , Pat, of Little Rock; daughter Lolly Greenwood and husband,
Larry, of Fayetteville; grandchildren Ross Herlocker and wife, Holly, of North Little Rock, Leslie Davis and husband
Andy, of Little Rock, Jessica Pierce of Austin, Texas, Melissa Hammond and husband, Clark, of Waco, Texas; great-grandchildren,
Garrett, Walker, and Drew Davis, of Little Rock, Corban Hammond of Waco; brothers, Robert L. Kirkpatrick and Wife,
Margaret, of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Milton E. Kirkpatrick and wife, Joan, of San Clemente, California, and
many nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Keith E. Herlocker.
Memorials may be made to Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3520 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas
72116.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Park Hill Presbyterian Church of North
Little Rock. A gathering of family and friends will take place at the church following the memorial service.
Arrangements are by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, 501-785-1170. Online obituary and guest registry
may be sent to www.nlrfh.com.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Girard Cemetery in Girard, Kansas. Friends
are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Thursday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. (The Morning Sun, February
22, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
HARTLEY, JOHN DALE
II
PITTSBURG — John Dale Hartley II, Pittsburg, died
February 19th, 2010 at his home.He was born August 29, 1944 in San Francisco, CA, the son of John D. and Gladys
Pat (Meyer) Hartley. John served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He married Julia Carstens July
7, 1973 in Kansas City, MO. John worked as a special education teacher and school psychologist for the SEK Inter-local
#637. He retired in 2007.
John loved nature and was involved with national and local Audubon chapters. He was a volunteer at Southeast Kansas
Nature Center at Schermerhorn Park in Galena. John traveled to many parts of North America on bird watching excursions.
He loved Celtic music and enjoyed his pets and garden. John volunteered with Greyhound Pets of America in Joplin,
fostering and caring for retired greyhounds.
Survivors include his wife Julia of the home; daughter Rhea Anne Hartley, MD, son-in-law Matthew Reed, MD, and
granddaughter Maya Grace Reed, all of Wichita; a sister Patt Hildebrandt of Pleasant Hill, MO; brother-in-law and
sister-in-law Chuck and Kathy Safris of Des Moines, IA; 3 nieces, 2 nephews and their families. He was preceded
in death by his parents and brother-in-law Don Hildebrandt. Private family services will be at a later date. Condolences
may be sent to www.bathnaylor.com. Memorial contributions can be made to Pawprints on the Heartland (www.pawprintsontheheartland.org).
Memorials may be brought/mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. (The Morning Sun,
February 22, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
BREDEHOEFT, IONA
K.
BRAZILTON — Iona K. Bredehoeft, 80, of Brazilton,
Kansas, died at 11:40 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011, in the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.
She was born December 15, 1930 at Brazilton, the daughter of John Carl and Dora Adelheid (Imbusch) Bredehoeft.
Iona grew up in Brazilton and attended Zion Lutheran Grade School and she graduated from Girard High School.
She was a lifelong resident of Brazilton, living in the house built by her father. She was a homemaker and she
enjoyed gardening and flower gardening.
Iona knew most everyone in Brazilton and was known as the town historian.
She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She enjoyed
quilting with the Zion Ladies Thursday Quilting Club.
Survivors include her brother, Earl Bredehoeft, of Brazilton; her cousins, Mildred and Dorothy Boettjer and Merlin
Imbusch.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Bredehoeft.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard with Pastor Mark Wenzelburger
officiating. Burial will be in the Zion/Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Brazilton.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Monday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard.
Friends may call after 9:00 a.m., Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard.
Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard or the Zion/Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Brazilton
and these may be left at the church or the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
(The Morning Sun, February 22, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
YEOKUM, MARY MARGARET
(GRAY)
PITTSBURG — Mary Margaret Yeokum, 91, of Pittsburg,
passed away at 3:38 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011, at Girard Medical Center, Girard, KS.
She was born May 22, 1919, at Yoder, CO, the daughter of John G. and Alta Mae (Johnston) Gray. Her parents passed
away when she was a young child. She was then adopted and raised by her uncle and aunt, Clyde and Lucy Gillenwater.
She attended Lakeside School and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1937.
On June 9, 1939, she was united in marriage to Orville “Bud” Lee Yeokum at Pittsburg. He preceded her in death
on July 6, 1974.
Mrs. Yeokum was a homemaker. She and her husband were involved in buying and refinishing antiques.
She specialized in restoring trunks and picture frames until retiring in 1999. She also enjoyed bowling and playing
bridge.
Membership was held in the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburg and A.A.R.P.
Mrs. Yeokum is survived by one daughter, Connie Lee Tierney and her husband, David of Pittsburg, three grandsons,
Daniel Tierney and his wife, Kathy, Dennis Tierney and Donald Tierney and his wife, Melissa, four great-grandsons,
Christopher Tierney and his wife, Amber, Tim Tierney and his wife, Emily, Aaron Tierney and Blake Tierney and one
great-great-grandson, Drayven Tierney.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Howard Gray, Dale Gray and
Kenneth Gray and three sisters, Lola Staley, Marjorie Heckert and Louise Cowan.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Pittsburg,
with Dr. J. Dean McNamara officiating.
Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. Friends may call after 9:00 a.m., Tuesday to sign the register
book. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner
Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS. (The Morning Sun, February 20, 2011,
submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
WALLS, DAVID WAYNE
Funeral services for David Wayne Walls, 68, of
Sallisaw, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Eastside Full Gospel with the Revs. Wesley McLaughlin and Monroe Lorimore
officiating.
Burial was in Spiro City Cemetery, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.
Mr. Walls was born Dec. 19, 1940, in Octavia, to David Sylvester and Nancy Jane (Baxter) Walls. He died Friday,
March 6, 2009, in Fort Smith, Ark.
Mr. Walls was an accomplished blue grass musician and teacher of the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and dulcimer.
He was also a member of the Eagles Club where he had many friends and enjoyed ball room dancing.
Survivors include his ex-wife, Delores Walls of Spiro; companion, Linda Goff of Roland; three daughters, Cynthia
Ann Walls of Van Buren, Ark., Sandra Lynn Tustin and her husband, Larry, and Dayna Marie Cochran and her husband,
Orion all of Spiro; two sons, Danny Wayne Walls and his wife, Vickie, of Lavaca, Ark. and Donnie Wesley Walls and
wife, Dina, of Arlington, Texas; two sisters, Genita Griffith of California and Zelpha Lester of Arizona; one brother,
Johnny Kirkpatrick and his wife, Virginia, of California; 13 grandchildren, Brandi Dawn Bassham, Amanda Lynn Bourne,
Karee Dawn Walls, Ryan Warner Walls, Natalie Ann McGehee, Steven Shane Gordon, Christopher Jerry Bourne, Michael
Bryant Bourne, Kendra Mary Bourne, Christopher Andrew Walls, Emilee Marie Walls, Amelia Ann Walls and Jacob Riley
Walls; two great-grandchildren, Kane Bassham of Fort Smith and another of Sallisaw; and several lifelong friends,
Dewey Pagett, Bert Pagett, Fontreba Pagett and Kenneth Copeland all of Sallisaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Peggy Sue McGough of Hayworth and one brother, James Kirkpatrick
of Hayworth and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Danny Walls, Donnie Walls, Orion Cochran, Richard McGehee, Chris Bourne, Steve Young, Bill Rider
and Roger Haggard
Read more: Sequoyah County Times - David Wayne Walls (Morning Sun, March 2009, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
HAMILTON, MELBA
JUNE (BATTIFORI)
JOPLIN, Mo.-Melba June Hamilton, 61, of Oswego,
died Friday, Nov. 17, 2000, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo. She had been in ill health since
she suffered a stroke in 1994.
She was born July 26, 1939, at Croweburg, Kansas
to Tulio and Margaret Ruth (Mills) Battitori. She graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1957.
On Feb. 20, 1960, she married Frank "Gene"
Gene Hamilton at Pittsburg. They lived and farmed at Hallowell until their farm burned in the early 1990s. They
then moved to Oswego.
Mrs. Hamilton was a farmwife. She also played the
piano in the early days of television at KOAM TV and on the radio for a Pittsburg station.
She was a member of the Assembly of God Church
and was the church organist until her health failed.
She belonged to the PTA in Columbus and was a 4-H
Leader.
Survivors include her husband; one son, Ron Hamilton
of Hallowell; one daughter, Pam Mendicki of Frontenac; two sisters, Sharon Ratley of Frontenac and Beverly Rink
of Pittsburg; and two grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the
Oswego Cemetery, with the Rev. Chuck Kackley and Wilma Heavin officiating. Friends may call at Murdock Funeral
Home today from 2 to 7 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Murdock
Funeral home, Oswego. (Morning Sun, November 19, 2000, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
BATTITORI, DARLENE
O. (VANORSDALL)
WEST MINERAL — Darlene O. Battitori, 93, of West
Mineral KS, died at 8:25 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2009 at Garden Terrace of Overland Park, KS.
Darlene was born January 18, 1916 in West Mineral, KS to Ernest and Ida (Horn) Vanorsdall. She attended area schools,
graduating from West Mineral High School.
On December 24, 1938, in Carthage, MO, she married
Joe Battitori. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1970.
Darlene was a homemaker. She attended the Methodist
Church. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #153 of Scammon, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Darwin Vanorsdall.
She is survives by her daughters Darlene Burnett
and husband Mike of Camdenton, MO and Donna Taylor and husband Bryan of Olathe, KS; along with 6 grandchildren
Bill Thayer of Neodesha, KS, Dan Thayer of Neodesha, KS, Joy Prunty (Lance) of Neodesha, KS, Brogan Taylor (Natalie)
of Atlantic Beach, FL, Brandy Allison (Dustin) of Olathe, KS, and Brianne Winters (Kyle) of Olathe, KS and 15 great-grandchildren.
Nephew John Battitori (Carol) and family of Girard, KS and niece Janet Ball (Paul) and family from West Mineral,
KS.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Friday, October
9, 2009 at Park Cemetery in Columbus, KS with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Family and friends are requested
to meet at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Thursday at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104
W. Main St., Weir, KS. Friends may call the funeral home after 4pm on Thursday. (Morning Sun, October 7, 2009,
submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
BATTITORI, DONALD
ERNEST
MULBERRY INFANT DEAD.
MULBERRY, Kans., Jan. 15, 1929.-Donald Ernest Battitori, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Tulio and Leona Battitori,
of near Mulberry, died at 1:30 o'clock this morning at the home. He was born Oct. 31, 1928 at Mulberry. Survivors
include the parents and two small sisters and a brother, Caroline, Jessie Mae, and Tulio Battitori Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon at the Apostolic church here, with Mrs. Fern Hulsey in charge. Burial will be in Rosebank cemetery at
Mulberry. (Pittsburg, January 1929, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
COWSILL, CAROLINA
(BATTITON)
Carolina Cowsill, 57, of 1901 N. Locust, died of
a cancer at 2:45 a.m. Monday at her home after a two-year illness, a medical authority said. Mrs. Cowsill had been
seriously ill the past two months.
She was born March 21, 1919, in Mulberry, the daughter
of Tulio and Leona (Knaup) Battitori. She had spent her entire life in Mulberry, Croweburg, and Pittsburg.
She was married to William Lee Cowsill Jan. 8,
1940, in Webb City, Mo. He survives at the home.
Mrs. Cowsill was a member of the Assembly of God
Church.
Other survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Glenda
Uttley, Frontenac; two sons, Charles L. Cowsill, 403 E. Ninth and William F. Cowsill, Andover, Kan.; five grandchildren;
her mother of 403 E. Ninth; one brother, Tulio Battitori Jr., 103 E. 19th, and three nieces.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at
the Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Carl Walker III officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight in the Brenner Chapel. (The Morning Sun, May 18, 1976, submitted
by Jody Edens Spencer)
WININGER, ROBERT
DALE
McCUNE — Robert Dale Wininger, 72, of McCune, KS,
passed away at 2:10 am on February 25th, 2011 at Via Christi Medical Center in Pittsburg.
He was born May 20, 1938 the son of Ralph and Mabel (Spencer) Wininger in Carthage MO.
In 1961, he joined the U.S. Army as a Medical Specialist. He served his country for six years before being honorably
discharged.
On December 31, 1964, he was united in marriage to Patsy Eileen Faughn in Mt. Vernon MO.
For 25 years he worked at the Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons, KS, where he retired in 1994 due to partial closure
and went on to work for Superior Industries where he fully retired in 2005.
Robert was known for his uncanny sense of humor and was a very dedicated family man who loved to garden. He believed
the bigger the garden, the better. Robert was also a sports enthusiast.
Survivors include his wife Patsy, of the home, 5 daughters: Sheila Mapes of Mulberry, Donna Miller and husband
Matt of Kansas City, KS, Sandra Gomez and husband Tim of McCune, Carla and husband Jerry Whitt of Parsons KS, Rebecca
Mengarelli and husband Darin of McCune; Two brothers: Deloy Wininger and wife Jeanette of Coalgate OK, and Stephen
Wininger of Wichita KS. Three sisters: Donna Rodgers of Moore OK, Myra Hroch of Temecula CA, and Shirley Showalter
and husband Bill of McCune. Nine grandchildren: Robert and Ryan Mapes of Pittsburg, Amber Schmidt of Kansas City
KS, Joshua and Andrew Gomez of McCune and Brittany Gomez of Pittsburg, Bryce, Logan and Lane Whitt of Parsons;
four: great-grandchildren: Blayde, Hayleigh, Kyree, and Zachary.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mabel Wininger, infant brother, and grandson Timothy Michael
Gomez.
Graveside services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 at the McCune City Cemetery with Donald Goodwin officiating.
Burial will follow. Friends and family are requested to meet at the cemetery for the services. Friends may call
at the Bath-Naylor Funeral home in Pittsburg at their own convenience from 9 am until 7 pm on Tuesday and from
9 am until Noon on Wednesday. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to help with
final expenses, these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Service by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S.
Broadway Pittsburg, KS. (The Morning Sun, February 27, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
TISU, ANNA (BODNAR)
TISU SERVICES
MULBERRY, Kans., July 16, 1964-Final rites for Mrs. Anna (Bodnar) Tisu, 73, resident of Mulberry R. R. I the past
47 years who died unexpectly Wednesday at her home, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic church
in Arma. Father John Reinkemeyer will be in charge.
Pallbearers will be Joe Strukel, Joe Rugel, Matt
Ulepich, Martin Krusic, Martin Goerene and Antone Prasnikar.
Interment will be in the Garden of Memories. Rosary
will be said at 7:30 o'clock tonight in the Siple funeral home in Arma.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30
o'clock tonight in the Siple mortuary.
Mrs. Tisu was born in Crockell, Russia. She married
Frank Tisu. He died in 1960. She is surived by a son, John F. Tisu; one daughter, Mrs. Piatkowski; several grandchildren.
(Pittsburg, July 1964, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
MILLS, LILLIE BEA
(WALLS)
Lillie Bea Mills, 75, 206 S. Pine, died at 3:12
p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 1973 in Mt. Carmel Medical Center. She had been in failing health for two years, and entered
the hospital three days ago.
Mrs. Mills was born Jan. 31, 1898 in Indian Territory
what is now Wilberton, Oklahoma. The daughter of David Sylvester Walls and Sarah Josephine (Bowen) Walls. She had
lived in the Pittsburg area since 1920. She was the former owned and operator of the Mills Nursing Home. In 1918
she married Perry Henry Mills. He died in 1954. Mrs. Mills was a member of the Baptist church.
Survivors include a son, Earl Sylvester Mills,
Odessa, Tex; a brother, Charles Walls, Anterls, Okla.; one half brother, David Wayne Walls, Ark.; three sisters,
Beulah Allen, Fort Worth, Tex., Abbie Allen, Lawton, Okla., and Bertie Hart, Austin, Tex.; Three grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren. A daughter, Margaret Ruth Battitori, died in October.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Assembly
of God Church with the Rev. Carl Walker III officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories. The family will
receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the Brenner Chapel. (Pittsburg, November 1973, submitted by Jody Edens
Spencer)
KESSLER, DONALD
G.
ARMA — Donald G. Kessler, 75, of rural Arma died
at 8:40 P.M. Friday, March 4, 2011 at his home.
Mr. Kessler was born May 17, 1935 at Washburn, Missouri the son of Glenn D. and Wilma F. Lettir Kessler. Don was
a carpenter who was raised in Arma and graduated from Arma High School. He worked for Burns & DeCuyper Lumber
in Arma for 30 years, Norman Girard Trailer Service and J.R. Kumer Construction. Don loved to fish, hunt, and be
with family. He enjoyed gardening, going to Warlop’s to shoot guns, and spending time with friends. He married
Carol R. Boone on June 13, 1984 at Miami, Oklahoma. Mrs. Kessler survives at the home. Additional survivors include
two daughters, Nancy McClintock of Webb City, Missouri and Dawn Kessler of Pittsburg, a son, David Kessler of Independence,
Missouri, a step-daughter, Melissa Baca and her husband Al of Upland, California, a step-son, Jeff Pray and his
wife Lana of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, a sister, Edyth Jean Cuce and her husband Joe of Bossier, Louisiana, a
brother, Dwain Kessler and his wife Treva of Booneville, Arkansas, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren,
and one great great grandchild. Don was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Claude “Sonny” Kessler.
Graveside services will be at 10 A.M. Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at the Clarksburg Cemetery near Ft. Scott with Chaplain
Jeff Owen officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma.
The family suggests memorials to the Hospice Care of Kansas. Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral
Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
(The Morning Sun, March 6, 2011,
submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
McGOWN-BICKNELL, LINDA
LOU
JOPLIN, Mo. — Linda Lou McGown-Bicknell passed
from this life Sunday March 13, 2011 in Joplin, MO. She was born February 7, 1941 in Vinita, OK. to the union of
Edward and Lucille “Mock” Bensley.
Linda enjoyed square dancing, needle point, watching movies, Greek Mythology and Archeology. She worked as a purchasing
agent for Flemming Foods for several years.
Linda is survived by three sons, Scott Bicknell and Kevin Lane of Joplin, MO, Sheldon Bicknell (Jamie) of Arma,
KS, and Wade McGown of San Diego, CA. one bonus daughter Carol Snider. two sisters, Billie Carlton and Ruby Mitchell.
Preceded in death were her parents and two brothers Franklin Cook, and Gene Bensley.
Memorial service will be 11:00 am, Thursday March 17, 2011 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Pastor Geoff Buffalo will
officiate. Linda has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Arrangements are under the direction
of Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel, Baxter Springs, Ks.(The Morning Sun, March 15, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
MILLS, PERRY HENRY
PERRY MILLS, 69, SUCCUMBS
Longtime Resident Succumbs at Hospital Today.
PITTSBURG, Kans.-Perry Henry Mills, 69, longtime resident died at Mt. Carmel hospital at 1:10 o'clock this afternoon.
He had been in ill health for seven months but had been seriously ill for the past three days.
He was born March 29, 1885 in Indian Territory what is now Payne County, Indian City, Oklahoma. He was the son
of the late James Henry Mills and Sarah A. Keifer Mills. He was a retired coal miner. A membership was in the Assembly
of God church. The home address was at 711 North Smelter.
He was married in Okla., to Nora Mills and they later divorced. In 1918 he married Lillie Bea Walls and they later
divorced.
Survivors include his ex-wives; three daughters, Mrs. Dama Schoffield of Riverside, Calif., Mrs. Lathum Berpalsen
of Bellflower, Calif., and Mrs. Margaret Ruth Battitori of 113 West 24th St.; and one son, Earl Sylvester Mills
of Kermit, Tex. Six grandchildren also survive.
Funeral arrangements are on Monday at the Assembly of God church. Rev. Russell Rexroat is in charge of the last
rites. The body is at the Ellsworth funeral home. Interment will be in the Pittsburg Garden of Memories cemetery.
(Pittsburg Headlight, December 10, 1954, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
SHOUP, VIRGINIA
ARMA — Virginia (Chiappetta) Shoup, 100, of Arma
died at 9:25 A.M. Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the Arma Care Center in Arma, Kansas.
Mrs. Shoup was born March 1, 1911 at Croweburg, Kansas the daughter of Santo and Mary Morrello Chiappetta. Virginia
was a life long resident of Arma and had worked at Annshire Garment and the VFW at Pittsburg. She was raised in
Arma and attended Arma Schools. She married Lem Shoup and he preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Joseph
Catholic Church in Arma and the Eagles Auxiliary. Survivors include two nieces, Conjetta Byrnes and her husband
Joe of Springfield, Missouri, and Helen Clark and her husband Robert of Mound City, Kansas, who were her caregivers
and several nieces and nephews survive. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, Anna Carbello,
Tracy Carpino, Minnie Grimaldi, Rose Rendaci and Loretta Data, and three brothers, Joe Chiappetti, Jim Chiappetta
and Frank “Bud” Chiappetta.
The family would like to express its appreciation for the many visits by Linda and Angie Carpino.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. Friday, March 18, 2011 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arma with
Father Lawrence Carney as the celebrant. Burial will be at the Pittsburg Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family
will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma. Rosary will be said at 6 P.M.
Thursday at the Bedene Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington,
Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712. (The Morning Sun, March 17, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
ROGERS, LORETTA
ANN
PITTSBURG — Loretta Ann Rogers, 65 of Pittsburg
KS was called home to be with Our Lord and Savior early Friday morning, April 22, 2011 at Via Christi Hospital
in Pittsburg.
She was born January 18, 1946 in Pittsburg, the daughter of Wallace C. and Flora Delores (Walker) Rogers. She
attended Pittsburg High School and graduated with the class of 1964.
Loretta married Harry F. Reaves JR. and of this
union was one son, Stacy C. Reaves. They later divorced. She then married and later divorced Frederick L. Berger
and from this union Loretta had two children, Ericka L. Berger and Courtney R. Berger Imhof, as well as six step-children;
Clayton L. Allmon who preceded her in death, Johnny Berger, Jewell A. Burns, Cordell Berger, Crystal Johnson, and
Rosetta Allmon.
Loretta was affiliated with Mt. Hebron Baptist Church for most of her life. She was also a member of the Ebony
Flares, Court of Callenthes, and The Sahara Chapter No. 28 Order of the Eastern Stars.
Loretta was a helper by nature which shone through her career and life choices. She was employed by the Census
Bureau, BJ’s Styling Salon, Social and Rehabilitation Services as a family support worker, New Horizons, Kaw Valley,
Danka and The Blessed Sacrament in Kansas City, KS.
Loretta is survived by her children: Stacy Reaves, Ericka Berger and Courtney Berger-Imhof, all of Pittsburg as
well as five step-children. Sisters, Frances Rogers, Jacqueline Franklin, Leeza Rogers of Kansas City, and Judy
Castagno of Noel, MO. Two brothers; Lloyd Davis of Atlanta, GA and Robert Parrish of Pittsburg. 3 grandchildren
of the home, Sonny Berger, Amanda McElhaney and Eric Berger; 14 grandchildren, 3 great-Grandchildren, and a host
of nieces and nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and stepson.
Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2011 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Reverend
Clifford Allmon officiating. Visitation will be from 9 am until service time Friday. Burial will be at Mt. Olive
Cemetery in Pittsburg. Memorials may be made out to American Heart Association, The Kidney Foundation and/or Diabetes
Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Services by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 South
Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762. (The Morning Sun, April 24, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
