Catherine Lynn "Gussie" West
Catherine Lynn "Gussie" West, 57, of Pittsburg, died at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005, at her home following a long illness.
She was born June 6, 1948, in Chanute, to Ira and Geneva (Brown) Herndon. She attended school in Chanute and graduated from Chanute High School.
She worked as a bartender at Twisted Sisterz for the past three years.
Survivors include two sons, Jayson and Justin West of Pittsburg; three daughters, Twila Clark of Jesup, Ga., Melissa Utler of Oronogo, Mo., and Bobbi West of Pittsburg; brothers and sisters, Vera Tidd, Byrl Herndon, Dean Herndon, Donna Mitchell, and Patsy Smith, all of Joplin, Mo., Rosie McCane of Chanute, and Peggy Badart of Pittsburg; and eight grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Claude Herndon; a sister, Ima Jean Beckley; and a niece, Suzy Fieldhunt.
Funeral services were Friday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Sukraw officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway.
Xenia E. Allen
Xenia E. Allen, 88, rural Girard, died at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005, at Hospital District No. 1 of Crawford County, Girard. She had been in failing health.
She was born March 13, 1917, at rural Pittsburg, a daughter of Riley and Theo Anna (Sanderson) Marshall. She was raised in the Mineral and Cherokee areas and lived there until moving to rural Girard in 1981. She was a Methodist.
She and Clinton Allen were married on Aug. 8, 1936, at Columbus. He preceded her in death on Feb. 17, 2001.
Survivors include two sons, James Clinton Allen of Denver, Colo., and Gene Allen of rural Girard; three brothers, Carl Marshall of Girard, Ray Marshall of rural Pittsburg, and Dean Marshall of Fort Scott; two sisters, Virginia Chance of Fort Scott, and Anne Martins of Pittsburg; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Marshall.
Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 3, 2005, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Cole officiating.
Harley Lee Sexton
Harley Lee Sexton, 87, of Pittsburg, died at 5:25 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005, at the Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 13, 1918, in Ava, Mo., to William and Cora (Lee) Sexton. His mother died when he was three month old and he was cared for by his grandparents Lee for the first few years. He attended school in Ava and also worked at several jobs in Ava including the barrel factory and the stay mill.
While living in Ava he belonged to the First Baptist Church.
In 1946 in Ava, he married Vivian Fletcher. Vivian and their second daughter, Lucille, died a few hours apart the same day in 1948.
He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
He started work at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita and worked there for 30 years. He then went to Ventureline in Parsons and later went to Vickers Machine Shop in Joplin, Mo., as a machinist. He decided to open his own garage on West 4th known as the H & L Garage. He was the owner and operator there until his retirement in 1982.
On May 17, 1970, he married Helen (Clark) Rhodes in Pittsburg. She survives of the home.
Additional survivors include a daughter, Peggy Lee Whitcher of Dallas; step-daughter, Sherri Stenseng of El Dorado; step-son, Gary Rhodes of Fort Scott; half-sister, Sara Cordelia Martin of Galveston, Texas; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ray Sexton; sisters, Dell Gunter, Nell Foster, Lucille Johnson, and Grace Nutter; numerous half-sisters, and half-brothers, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Saturday at the Bourbon County Memory Gardens in Fort Scott with Pastor Don Alexander officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.
Lea Lake
PITTSBURG- Lea Lake, Pittsburg, died at 9:32 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center after a long illness.
She was born in Golden City, Mo., the daughter of Ben and Ruth (Hendricks) Moore. She was an LPN and worked for Medicalodge for 17 years. She also worked for several other area nursing homes.
Mrs. Lake was a charter member and past president, vice president, secretary and treasurer for Big Brutus Good Sams RV Club. She was also a member of the Creative Crafts Sewing Club, where she had served as secretary.
On May 3, 1973, she married Leonard Lake in Miami, Okla. He survives of the home.
Additional survivors include four daughters, Cindy Kessler of Alma, Ark., Tina Gregory of Pittsburg, Lisa Mumbower of Fort Scott, and Bobi Banks of Van Buren, Ark.; two brothers, Bill Moore of Carl Junction, Mo., and Lester Moore of Mulberry; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother.
Funeral services were 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Chaplain Peter Mayo officiating. Burial followed in the Bird Cemetery.
Services and arrangements were under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg.
Mary Jo (Gahagan) Spielbusch
PARSONS- Mary Jo (Gahagan) Spielbusch, 73, of rural Parsons, retired Trust Officer of Parsons Commercial Bank, died at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She had been in ill health.
She was born Sept. 21, 1931, on the family farm in rural Walnut, to Edmund E. and Mary F. (Jacquinot) Gahagan. She attended rural Walnut elementary schools and graduated from Walnut High School in 1949.
She married Lawrence E. "Gene" Spielbusch on Oct. 23, 1954, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Walnut. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. He survives of the home.
She was first employed with the Walnut Gas & Electric Company for two years. In 1952, she was employed with the Parsons Commercial Bank, where she worked for 47 years until retiring on July 9, 1999.
She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and its Altar Society. She was also a member of Soroptimist International of Parsons, American Association of Retired Persons and the South Mound Friendship Club. She had been a member of the National Association of Bank Women, the South Kansas Chapter of Bank Administration and the Tri-County Bankers. She had held numerous offices in those organizations during her career. In 1998, she received the "Woman of Distinction" award given by the Soroptimist International of Parsons. For many years, she was a volunteer for the American Red Cross blood drives and had been active in the "Cancer Relay for Life" since it began in Parsons.
Additional survivors include one son, Edward E. Spielbusch of Erie; one daughter, Ruth Kindall of Parsons; four grandchildren; three brothers, Bill Gahagan of Walnut, Dr. John Gahagan of Benton, and Leonard Gahagan of Chanute; one sister, Fran Will of Houston; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Fr. Robert Wachter officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.
Catherine T. Johnston
PARSONS- Catherine T. Johnston, 84, of Parsons, died at 12:47 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at the Labette County Medical Center Emergency Room.
She was born Feb. 4, 1920, in South Mound to Omer and Olive (Pontious) Johnston. She grew up in South Mound and graduated from St. Paul High School.
After graduating from Parsons Business College, she worked at Abshire Insurance Agency. For more than 40 years, she was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper with Scaletty Hardware, which was later Scaletty Heating & Cooling Company.
She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Altar Society. For many years, she had been a member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella and had served as the secretary and treasurer for several years.
Survivors include two brothers, Bill Johnston of Vinita, Okla., and Don Johnston of Cherryvale; six sisters, Dorothy Treiber of St. Paul, Margie Burzinski, Rita Horton, Mary Jo Robison, all of Parsons; Olive Haight of Chanute; and Mignon Yates of Glen Burnie, Md.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, John "Bud" Johnston, and a sister, Patricia Nelson.
Funeral mass was at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1 at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons, with Father Robert Wachter officiating. Burial followed at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Arrangements was under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.
Edith A. Bath
Edith A. Bath, 96, of Girard, died at 12:50 a.m. Oct. 1, 2004, at the Hospital District No. 1 of Crawford County.
She was born June 10, 1908, in Joplin, Mo., to Joseph E. and Rose (Mongomery) Dobbs. At the age of 2, she moved to Pittsburg, where she later attended school. She graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1926 and then went on to attend the Kansas State Teachers College for two and a half years, receiving a Life Certificate in 1928.
On May 15, 1931, she married Theodore Gordon Bath in Pittsburg. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2003.
She was an employee of the First State Bank and Trust Company from 1942 until her retirement in 1978.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Claude L. Dobbs who died in infancy and Roy S. Dobbs who died in 1992.
Graveside services were 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4 at the Highland Park Cemetery with Elder Don Cash officiating. Burial followed.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway.
Juanita Senechal
FRONTENAC- Juanita Senechal, 84, of Frontenac, died at 10:13 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
She was born March 18, 1920, in Frontenac to John and Martha (Schmiskey) Cemin.
On Aug. 13, 1940, in Springfield, Mo., she married Andrew Senechal. He preceded her in death on March 31, 2000.
She was a member of Frontenac United Methodist Church.
She was a homemaker and lived in the area all her life.
Survivors include her daughters, Marlene Buffington of Frontenac, and Shanette Hoyle of Carl Junction, Mo.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, and a son-in-law.
A private memorial graveside service will be at a later date at Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay St., of Frontenac.
Robert J. Wilson, Sr.
PITTBURG- Robert J. Wilson, Sr., 81, of Pittsburg, died at 4:35 a.m., Thursday, Sept.30, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 28, 1923, to Hunter T. and Vera (Colvin) Wilson in Chariton, Iowa. He attended schools in West Virginia, graduating from Huntington, W.V., High School with the class of 1941. He went on to Marshall University for two years.
He served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II as a sergeant in the Signal Corp. While in the army, he received the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 26, 1946.
On Sept. 18, 1944 in Girard, he married Hazel Helen Martinous. She preceded him in death on Oct. 15, 1989.
He was the owner/operator of Wilson Produce from 1947 until 1985 in Pittsburg. He later worked in management at Martinous Produce for eight years before retiring.
He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg. Active member for 19 years in the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post No. 64 of Pittsburg; Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate; AARP; Marshall University Alumni Association; Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.
He is survived by one son, Robert J. Wilson, Jr. of Pittsburg; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Florence and Mary Louise Wilson; and one brother Thomas Wilson.
Memorial mass will be 10:30 a.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg with Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Highland Park Cemetery. Flag presentation will be given by the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post No. 64 of Pittsburg.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway in Pittsburg.
Lucille M. Simone
Lucille M. Simone, 93, of Pittsburg, formerly of Weir, died at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at the Cornerstone Village Nursing Home in Pittsburg.
She was born June 14, 1912, in rural Scammon, to John B. and Mary Pomatto Martin. She lived most of her life in Weir, moving to Pittsburg in 1992.
She married Jack Simone Sr., on April 20, 1939, in Scammon at the St. Bridget's Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1986.
She was a homemaker and along with her husband, was the owner/operator of Weir Food Market.
She was a member of the St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Scammon, a former member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Weir, a former member of the St. Ann's Bible Study, a former member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society of Weir, a member of the St. Bridget's Altar Society of Scammon, and a member of the Weir Senior Citizens.
Survivors include three sons, Jack Simone Jr. of Weir, Jerry Simone of Pittsburg, and Steve Simone of Weir; a brother, Francis Martin of Scammon; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Ann Marie Simone; and three brothers, Phillip J., John F. and Charles J. Martin.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Scammon with Lucille's grandson, Fr. Michael M. Simone, as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Bridget's Cemetery in Scammon. The parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Weir where family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m. Friends may call after noon on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St., Weir.
Larry Joe Gemmell
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Larry Joe Gemmell, 34, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Chanute, died at 7:09 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, in St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
He was born June 19, 1971, in Chanute, to Larry and Debby (DeLange) Gemmell. He attended schools in Chanute and graduated from Chanute High School. He attended auto tech school in Kansas City.
He served in the U.S. Navy.
He worked in auto sales in Springfield since 1991.
He married Amy LeAnn Clifford on Sept. 21, 2001. She survives of the home.
He was a member of the Osage Presbyterian Church in rural Girard.
Additional survivors include his father and step-mother, Gloria Gemmell, of Girard; mother and step-father, Debby and Glen Matlock of Springfield; paternal grandmother, LaVerna Gemmell of McCune; maternal grandmother, Bernice DeLange of Girard; step-son, Jordan Clifford-Kottwitz of Osceola, Mo.; four brothers, Dave Johnson of Kansas City, Kan., Chris Matlock of Lee's Summit, Mo., Jason Burtnett of Elsmore, and Patrick Davis of Rogersville, Mo.; and three sisters, Angela Kappler of Springfield, Joy Davis of Rogersville, and Amanda Ahlers of Springfield.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wayne Gemmell; and his maternal grandfather, Ernes DeLange.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Girard. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Girard.
Geoffrey F. O'Brien
FRONTENAC - Geoffrey F. O'Brien, 78, of Frontenac, died at 3 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at his home.
He was born May 24, 1927, at Sydney, Australia, to Jack and Gwen (Griffiths) O'Brien.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
He married Gloria Winters on Oct. 20, 1956, at San Francisco, Calif. She survives of the home. They moved to Frontenac in 2003 from California.
He worked as a salesman and retired from Commerce Clearing House in 1989.
He was a volunteer counselor for the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
Additional survivors include one son, Geoff O'Brien of Frontenac; two daughters, Lauren O'Brien of Frontenac, and Cathy O'Brien of Pacifica, Calif.; and one grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
No services are planned at this time. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg.
Lisa Perrino
FRONTENAC - Lisa Perrino, 38, of Frontenac, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident south of Pittsburg.
She was born April 15, 1967, at Girard, to Allen and Jane Sherman Clinton. She received her GED from Frontenac High School. She was a lifetime resident of the Frontenac area.
She attended and graduated from Fort Scott Community College Business School in Pittsburg.
She married Joseph Perrino III on Sept. 6, 1986, at Frontenac. They later divorced.
She worked for several hotels, including Comfort Inn and Super 8, as head housekeeper. She also owned and operated Little Details, an auto detail shop.
Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Perrino of Pittsburg; a son, Joseph "JP" Perrino IV of Frontenac; her father and step-mother, Allen and Connie Clinton, of Pittsburg; her mother and step-father, Jane and Lee Johnson, of Frontenac; two brothers, Timothy Clinton of Lansing, and Billy Clinton of Frontenac; eight step-brothers and sisters, Dave Chandler of Franklin, Vicki McIntyre of Hutchinson, Robin Barrett of Pittsburg, Jamie Uhlman of Springfield, Mo., Brandi Chandler of Pittsburg, Rachelle Roosevelt of Andover, Sharlene Johnson of Los Angeles, and Bud Johnson of Winfield; maternal grandmother, Vela Mitchell of Pittsburg; paternal grandparents, Ida and Bill Johns of Pittsburg; step-grandmother, Margie Sherman of Gross; two grandchildren; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Rusty Sherman.
Funeral services were Monday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Rev. Daryl Gaddy officiating. Following services, the body was taken for cremation and inurnment of cremains will be at a later date in the Garden of Memories Cemetery of Pittsburg.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway.
Gail Long
ST. PAUL - Gail Long, 87, of Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, died at 10:35 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2005.
She was born May 17, 1918, at Greenfield, Mo., to Eugene and Leona (Ball) Hayward. In 1922, the family moved to a farm four-and-a-half miles south of Erie. She graduated from Erie High School and from Pittsburg State University, earning a bachelor's degree in education.
On Oct. 8, 1939, she married Pierce Long at Pryor, Okla. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1987.
She was a teacher throughout her adult life. She first taught in rural Neosho County schools and then taught in Cherryvale for 10 years. She taught in Anderson, Mo., for 10 years and then for five years in Butler, Mo.
They eventually returned to Erie and later moved to St. Paul. She was a member of the Erie Christian Church and was a 60-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.
Survivors include one sister, Lena Temple of Jennings, La.; several nieces and nephews; and special friends who helped provide for her care, Paul and Sharon Kennedy, and Bob and Virginia Jacquinot, all of St. Paul.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Jewel Koch, and Eileen Wood.
Funeral services were Tuesday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home of St. Paul, with Rev. Virgil Lempenau officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.
Frances Mae Beerbower
FORT SCOTT - Frances Mae Beerbower, 81, of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 , at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin , Missouri.
She was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Hepler to Joseph R. Harrison and Edna F. Pullium Harrison.
She married Albert Lee Beerbower on March 31, 1945 in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on May 8, 1999. She worked for a period as a seamstress of Key Work Clothes. Her hobbies included crocheting, embroidery, and various crafts. She loved to give away crafts she had made.
Survivors include one son, Larry Ray Beerbower and wife Jeanie of Hepler; two daughters, Connie Findley and husband John of Fort Scott and Katherine Lewis and husband Perry of Greenfield, Mo.; one brother, Eddie Harrison of Fort Scott; one sister, Opal Rogers of Osawatomie; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Donald Lee Beerbower; one grandson, Wesley Albert Findley and three brothers, George Harrison, Harvey Harrison and Joe Roy Harrison.
Services were Friday, Sept. 30 at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, Fort Scott. Services were conducted by Rev. Don Payne at noon. Burial followed in the U.S. National Cemetery.
Emma Jean Kreutzer
CAPALDO - Emma Jean Kreutzer, 61, of Capaldo, died at 6:25 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, of a sudden illness.
Emma Jean was born Sept. 30, 1943, in Dunkirk, to Felix and Emma (Nepote) Brackett.
She attended area schools, graduating from Frontenac High School with the class of 1961.
She was a lifetime area resident.
In August of 1965, she married Aaron Kreutzer in Pittsburg. They later divorced.
She was the general manager for the Holiday Inn Express in Pittsburg.
Memberships include the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, the Frontenac Alumni Association and the Italian Heritage Society. She was also a past member of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Kay Taylor of Frontenac and Deann Marie Schamerhorn of Pittsburg; a sister, Virginia Merando of Capaldo; two grandchildren and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at the Friskel Funeral Home with Fr. Robert McElwee officiating. Burial followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg.
Arrangements were under the direction of Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay, Frontenac.
Donald K. Goodwin
PITTSBURG - Donald K. Goodwin, 70, of Pittsburg, died at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at his home in Pittsburg following a three-year battle with cancer.
He was born May 31, 1934, in Wichita, the son of John and Martha Ellen White Goodwin.
Goodwin received his bachelor's degree in engineering from Wichita State University.
Throughout his life, he lived in Wichita, Columbia, S.C., Manhattan and most recently in Pittsburg.
He was in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
He married Lorraine Hartley Scott on June 20, 1992, in Wichita.
Goodwin worked 40 years as an engineer for Boeing, Balderson and McNally's Manufacturing.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Sandy Worsham of Wichita; a son, Doug Goodwin of Augusta; a step-daughter, Heather Fitzsimmons of Overland Park; three sisters, Wilma Hunsaker and Maxine Campbell, both of Haysville, and Shirley Rosborough of Michigan; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Brenda DeeAnn Goodwin, and two brothers, John Henry and Ted Goodwin.
Local arrangements were under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway.
A memorial service was held at Central Community Church, Kardatzke Chapel in Wichita on Monday, Nov. 29.
