Obituaries
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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Warren Hampton Fitch
Warren Hampton Fitch, 89, Chanute, died Friday, June 3, 2011 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday June 7 at the First United Methodist Church in Chanute. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel. Memorials in his name may be made to the United Methodist Church in Chanute and may be left with the funeral home. To leave a special message for...
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Virtha Lois Gilmore Moon-Padgett 1919-2311
Virtha Lois Gilmore Moon-Padgett, 91, Coffeyville, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. She was born Dec. 17, 1919 in Chanute, to John and Virtha Scantlin Gilmore. She grew up in the Chanute area, attending Neosho County Little Friend School and graduated from Chanute High School. She joined the Navy WAVES. She married Earnest L. Moon on Feb. 9, 1947 in Urbana. He preceded her in death in October 1966. She later...
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Johnny E. Leroy, Jr. 1933-2011
Johnny E. Leroy, Jr., 77, Chanute, died Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at his residence in Chanute. Johnny was born in Chanute on Sept. 19, 1933, the son of Johnny and Pearl Morehead Leroy. He graduated from Chanute High School. He was married to Ruth Ross of Iola for many years. They later divorced. He was a great athlete growing up and played many sports including baseball, football, basketball, and boxing. He had his pilots license and loved to fly,...
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Beatrice “Bea” Elizabeth Hottenstein 1925-2011
Beatrice Hottenstein, 85, Humboldt, died Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Chanute Healthcare in Chanute. Bea was born at Ft. Madison, Iowa on June 21, 1925, the daughter of Ross and Catherine Temborius Saddler. She graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Ft. Madison, Iowa in 1943. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Humboldt. Bea is su...
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Shyrell Lee (Cranor) Smith 1943-2011
Shyrell Lee (Cranor) Smith, 68, Pittsburg, went home to be with the Lord suddenly Sunday, May 22, 2011 as she was traveling to work as a registered nurse (RN) at Freeman East, Joplin, Mo. Shyrell’s death, due to injuries sustained in the Joplin tornado, is a tragic loss for all family, friends, and associates who were touched by her. Shyrell lived in Pittsburg, Kansas for the past 13 years. Prior she resided in Altoona, Fredonia, and Coffeyvi...
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Anthony Charles “Charlie” Thompson 1923-2011
Anthony Charles “Charlie” Thompson, 87, Chanute, died Sunday, May 29, 2011 at the Heritage Health Care Center in Chanute. Charlie was born Nov. 1, 1923 in Moran, the son of Anthony Wayne and Jessie Rose Thompson. He graduated from Kincaid High School in 1941. He was united in marriage to Elsie Mae Fraser on Nov. 9, 1987. She survives, of the home. Charlie was an electrical worker for the City of Iola until his retirement. Along with his wife, ...
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