Obituaries
Angela “Ang” Marie Sanchez 1982-2011
Angela Sanchez, 29, Independence, died Saturday, June 11, 2011 in Independence. Angela was born at Chanute on Jan. 3, 1982, the daughter of Gerald and Sheryl Giefer Sanchez. She graduated from Chanute High School in 2000. She was currently attending Independence Community College where she was studying to become a vet tech in order to purse her passion for animals. She was a fun loving and caring person who had a smile that could light up a...
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   Francis J. “Frank” Giefer 1921-2011
Francis J. “Frank” Giefer, 90, lifelong farmer and stockman of St. Paul, died Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul. He was born Jan. 11, 1921, in South Mound, to Francis Jacob and Anna Marie Holtkamp Giefer.  At the age of 16 when his father had a stroke, Frank assumed responsibility for running the family farm to support his family. He married Lois Marie Steinbacher on Sept. 12, 1944, in South Mound. He was ...
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Steve Espinosa 1931-2011
Steve Espinosa, 80, Del City, Okla., died Sunday, May 29, 2011. He was born May 25, 1931 in LeLoup, Kan., to Angel and Esperanza Espinosa. He grew up in Ottawa and attended Ottawa High School. He enlisted in the Air Force May 18, 1951 and served more than 54 years, retiring in 2006 as a sheet metal mechanic at the Air Force Logistics Center, Tinker, Okla. Survivors include three daughters, Renee Garza, Hugo, Fla., Monique Espinosa, Florida, an...
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Vincent Michael Thummel 1922-2011
Vincent Thummel, 88, Iola, died Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Vincent was born at Tipton on Sept. 11, 1922, the son of Joe and Anna Marie Simeon Thummel. He married Yvonne Anita Ulin on Oct. 28, 1946 in Piqua. He served in the U.S. Army in the Phillipines during WWII. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Humboldt, VFW, American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife; one son, Bob T...
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Eileen D. McAtee 1927-2011
Eileen D. McAtee, 84, St. Paul, died Thursday, June 9, 2011 at her residence. Death was unexpected. She was born March 10, 1927, at rural Parsons, to Edward S. and Gladys Hull Volmer. She grew up in the rural Parsons area and attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and Parsons High School, graduating in 1946. She also attended Parsons Junior College. On Nov.r 7, 1946 she married George W. “Short” McAtee at the St. Joseph Church in South Mound. She...
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Margaret Ellen Row 1961-2011
Margaret Ellen Row, 50, Joplin, Mo., formerly of Fredonia, died Monday, June 6, 2011 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo., as the result of injuries sustained in the May 22, 2011 Joplin tornado. She was born March 31, 1961 in Fredonia, the daughter of Billie Palmer Kidd and the late William A. Row. Margaret was a 1979 graduate of Fredonia High School. She attended college at Labette Community College in Parsons and obtained her RN nursin...
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George “Bob” Robert Defenbaugh 1926-2011
Bob Defenbaugh, 84, rural Stark, died Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. Bob was born at Stark on Dec. 5, 1926, the son of George Robert and Pearle Kelso Defenbaugh. He graduated from Grant Township in 1944. He married Ula Wright in Stark on Jan. 2, 1945. She survives. He was a member of the Stark United Methodist Church. Bob was a lifelong farmer. Bob served in the Army during WWII and was stationed...
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Mara Elizabeth Muilenburg 1923-2011
Mara Elizabeth Muilenburg, 88, Chanute, died Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Heritage Nursing Home in Chanute. Mara was born at Chanute on May 23, 1923, the daughter of Alphonso and Ethel Bever Knapp. She graduated from Chanute High School. She married F.C.J. “Mulie” Muilenburg on May 21, 1954 in Albuquerque, N.M. He preceded her in death in 2001. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Chanute. She moved to Albuquerque in 1944 ...
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Clayton Eugene Standley 1933-2011
Clayton Eugene Standley, 77, St. Paul, died Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at his home.   He was born June 22, 1933, in Centerton, Ark., to William O. and Grace E. Sly Standley. He was a 1952 graduate of Erie High School. In January 1953, he joined the United States Navy. From 1973 through 2010, he worked for O’Brien Rock Company as diesel mechanic. In 1965 he married Sandra McDonald. They later divorced. Survivors include three sons, Randy Brown, E...
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Patricia Ann “Pat” Crowl 1923-2011
Patricia Ann “Pat” Crowl, 87, Chanute, died Monday, June 6, 2011 at Neosho County Regional Medical Center in Chanute. Pat was born at Wichita on August 30, 1923, the daughter of Clifton W. and Ola Mary Smith Vandersall. She graduated from Phillips University in 1946 with a degree in Bible Studies and Christian Education. She was united in marriage to Richard D. Crowl in Chanute on Sept. 16, 1947. They later divorced. She was a lifelong mem...
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Richard L. “Dick” Davis 1944-2011
Richard L. “Dick” Davis completed his journey on earth June 6, 2011. He was born June 18, 1944 in Pratt, the son of Calvin and Dolores Martin Davis. The family moved to Humboldt in 1954. Dick graduated from Humboldt High School in 1962. On Nov. 1, 1989 Dick received GOD’S grace on an oil lease northwest of Neosho Falls. He was baptized in the Jordan River on May 31, 1990 in Israel. Dick was a member of the Big Creek Chapel. Family was always h...
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Joseph L. Cook 1947-2011
Joseph L. Cook, 63, Manhattan, died Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the home of his sister, Nancy, in Shawne. He was recently diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic with mesothelioma. Joe was born in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 16, 1947 to Lewis J. and Roberta L. Foresman Cook. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in Iola. He attended Lincoln Grade School, Iola Junior High, and graduated from Iola High School in 1965. Joe then volunteered for the Navy ...
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Luther Edens 1918-2011
Luther Edens, 93, Fredonia, died Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Golden Living Center in Fredonia. He was born Feb. 3, 1918 in St. Paul, Ark., the son of Scott and Jennie Petree Edens. Luther served in the United States Army, 1944-1946. On Dec. 31, 1938 in Ball Creek, Ark., he married Thelma Morriss. She survives, of the home. Luther was employed by Excelsior Brick Company for more than 20 years, as well as working as a farmer. Luther was an active ...
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Dwayne ‘Dee’ Lee Miller 1932-2011
Dwayne “Dee” Lee Miller, 78, Pleasant Valley, Mo., formerly of the Benedict and Coyville area, died Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the North Care Hospice House in North Kansas City, Mo. Dee and his twin brother, Wayne, were born Dec. 16, 1932 to George Kenneth “Kack” and Virgie May Cain Miller in Coyville. Dee married Carol June Shoaf on Feb. 17, 1956. She preceded him in death. Dee married Janice Adams Miller on Nov. 2, 1996. He served in the Unite...
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Larry M. Clemens 1934-2011
Larry M. Clemens, 76, Chanute, died Sunday, June 5, 2011 at his home. Larry was born in Humboldt on July 6, 1934, the son of Harvie M. and Thelma Stipp Clemens. He attended area schools. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. Larry was united in marriage to Nancy Tate on July 6, 1956, in Miami, Okla. She survives, of the home. He was a self-employed truck driver for many years. Along with his wife, Nancy, he is survived by...
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Herman R. Honas 1932-2011
Herman Honas, 79, Chanute, died Saturday, June 4, 2011 at his residence. Herman was born at Ransom on Jan. 17, 1932, the son of John and Frances Weber Honas. He graduated from Pittsburg State University. He was united in marriage to Flo Dinkel on June 20, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Herman worked at Montgomery Ward in Chanute for 16 years. After that he started his own business, Chanute T.V. and bus station for 40 years. He...
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Warren H. Fitch 1922-2011
Warren Hampton Fitch, 89, Chanute, died Friday, June 3, 2011 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. Warren was born at Waverly on Jan. 30, 1922, the son of Lloyd and Marguerite Gisin Fitch. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1940. Warren served his country in Company L, 2nd Marines, 2nd Division during WWII. He was united in marriage to Martha L. Peters on Dec. 21, 1947 in Fredonia. He was a materials inspector for t...
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LaDonna S. Journot McPurdy 1942-2011
LaDonna S. Journot McPurdy, 68, Joplin, Mo., formerly of Parsons, went home to be with her Lord Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin from injuries sustained in the tornado. She was born Oct. 6, 1942 in Parsons, to Frank and Myrtle Johnston Journot. She grew up in Parsons where she attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and was a graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. Following high school graduation, ...
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Jason W. Adams 1987-2011
Jason W. Adams, 23, Cave Springs, Ark., died Sunday, May 29, 2011.  He was born in Rogers, Ark., on June 3, 1987, the son of Chris and Tamie Logsdon Adams. He loved the outdoors and activities such as hunting, fishing.  Jason enjoyed most of all hanging out with family, friends and loyal dog, Sissy. He graduated from Bentonville High School and attended Nashville-Auto Diesel College. Jason is survived by his wife, Jeri Dawn Adams, Bentonville;...
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Helen C. Blankenship 1926-2011
Helen C. Blankenship, 85, Fall River, died Thursday, June 2, 2011 at her home. Helen was born on April 26, 1926 in Alma, the daughter of George William and Laura Ann Schreiber Thowe. On Nov. 29, 1959, in Wichita, Helen married Jack R. Blankenship, He survives, of the home. Helen worked on her farm with her husband Jack, working in the fields and taking care of livestock. She was a member of the Fall River United Methodist Church. Also survivin...
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