Franklin Benskin

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Franklin E. Benskin Jr. 72, of Pittsburg, KS died 9:50am Saturday December 30, 2017 at the Wilson Creek Nursing Home in Springfield, MO following an illness. 

Franklin was born November 18, 1945 in Ft. Scott, KS the son of Franklin E. Sr. and Dorothy May (White) Benskin. Franklin was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Pittsburg High School in 1963. On June 5, 1965 Franklin married Betty Jean Beasley in Pittsburg, KS; she preceded him in death on August 13, 2014. Franklin worked for Harvest Brand for 20 years and Dickey Clay for 15 years. Franklin was of the Christian Faith; was a minister in his early years; was an advocate for children and served as a foster parent; he enjoyed gardening, raising livestock and taking care of children. 

Survivors include his children Brian Benskin of Springfield, MO, Tosha Gilliam and husband Vincent of Baltimore, MD, Angel Mabwai of Overland Park, KS, Michelle Bernal of Wichita, KS, April Benskin of Pittsburg, KS, Deanna Benskin of Pittsburg, KS, Rebecca Benskin of Pittsburg, KS and Heather Vaughn of Chandler, OK; his mother Dorothy Benskin of Pittsburg, KS; sisters Carol Beckman of Chandler, OK and Linda Hughes of Pittsburg, KS and 10 grandchildren. 

Franklin was preceded in death by his father, wife and brothers Steve Benskin and Mark Benskin.
Funeral Services will be 10:00am Tuesday January 9, 2018 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS with Pastor Daryl Gaddy officiating. Burial will follow at the Crocker Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Family will receive friends from 6-7:00pm Monday January 8, 2018 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS; friends may call after 2:00pm Monday. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the Wesley House Pittsburg, KS. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.

Robert Brumback

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Robert L. "Bob" Brumback, 82, of Columbus, Ks died January 1, 2018, at his home.

Bob was born September 21, 1935 to William and Mary Brumback.

Robert L. "Bob" married Janene Robinson on December 24, 1957 in the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ks.

Bob was employed by the Co-op in Columbus and then made his career at the Kansas Ammunition Plant in Parsons, Ks.

Bob was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where he was saved on October 17, 1999.

Bob enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. He loved to dance, no one could jitterbug like mom and dad. His wife of 50 years and dance partner, Janene, preceded him in death on July 15, 2008.

Bob is survived by two daughters; Lorri Guison and husband Steve of Scammon, Ks and Lesa Schroeder and husband Gaylan of Severy, Ks; a son Robert David Brumback of Riverton, Ks; seven grandchildren: Tim Hill, Christopher Buckner, Kacy Schroeder, Gina Harvey, David Brumback, Jewel Schroeder and Jaret Brumback; and four great grandchildren. He also left behind his four-legged companion, Fritzie, who along with us will always miss him.

Condolences may be sent to www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus, KS.

Doyle Howell

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Doyle Gene Howell of Miami, OK passed away Tuesday January 2, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO. He was 84.

Doyle was born May 8, 1933 in Wagoner, OK to Harrison Lee and Mary Rebecca (Dyer) Howell. He had lived in the Cardin and Miami area most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked in maintenance for Majestic Plastics in Miami, OK for many years.

Doyle was preceded in death by a daughter Janice Howell, his parents and brothers Fred Howell,Clarence “Bud” Howell and Floyd Howell and a sister Luda Busby.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Beverly Stumler of Charlotte, NC and Terry Tallent of Iola, KS, his sister – in – law, Helen Howell of Kellogg, ID, a niece Lorene Simmons of Miami, OK, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Friday, January 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK. Rev. Ray Clonts will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 147 Funeral Detail. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com

Anne Hyatt

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Anne E. Hyatt, 64, of Pittsburg, KS died Thursday December 28, 2017 at the Arma Care Center in Arma, KS following a prolonged illness.

Anne was born October 2, 1953 in Dublin, Ireland, the daughter of Edward T. and Edythe C. (Williams) McNally. She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Judson High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. She later received her B. S. Degree in Nursing at Pittsburg State University. On July 21, 1975 Anne married William H. Hyatt in Pittsburg, KS; he preceded her in death on December 29, 2010. Anne worked for Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg, KS as a nurse for most of her career.

Anne was known to be very proud of her children and grandchildren, taught swimming for many years, loved dogs and horses, and took pride in teaching clinicals for Fort Scott Community College nursing students.

Survivors include her children Dr. Clare Hyatt of Albuquerque, NM, Thomas Hyatt and wife Ashley of Pittsburg, KS; siblings Eileen Swearingen and husband Jim and Timothy McNally and wife Chris; grandchildren Dominic Hyatt, Shayne Leastman and Kassidy Leastman. She is also survived by Amy Crocker, Don and Judy McCabe and Steve and Regina Perry as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings Peggy Harth, Tom McNally and Michael McNally.

Per Anne’s wishes private ceremonies will take place at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.

Gary Barnett

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Gary Wayne Barnett was born on May 15, 1952 in Johnson City, New York. He is a Vietnam combat Vet – Special Forces and served in the US Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington, D.C.

He completed his missions here on earth and passed to greater glory on December 31, 2017, surrounded by family in his Galena, KS home.

Gary will be greatly missed by his family: wife and best friend of 25 years, Sherry Adams Barnett, granddaughter Andrea Rose Dillinger, and daddy’s little girl – Lally, all of the home; children, Andrew, Douglas, and Brent Dillinger, Chanda and Ken Arnold; grandchildren, Bryce, Dylan, Ciara Arnold; Jonathan, Patrick, Timothy, Wesley and Sarah Dillinger.

Relatives and close friends; Denny and Teresa Barnett, Michael and Staci Adams, Lester Adams, “Mom” Doris Adams Scott, Andrea and Joe Booth, Uncle Butch and Aunt Sadie, Jesse Adams, Tiffany Barnett, Tommy, Greg, Eric and numerous nephews and nieces.

We love you Gary – You are our Superhero!

Funeral services will be at 4:00 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Chaplain Mike Graham will officiate. He will be laid to rest at Lowell Cemetery, Lowell KS at a later date.

Josephine Barchers

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Josephine (Blazic) Willingham Barchers, 88, of Pittsburg passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the Gran Villas. 

She was born February 7, 1929 at Arma, Kansas, to Rudolph and Genevieve (Smardo) Blazic. She graduated from Arma High School, where she was involved in band and drum corps. 

On December 1942, she was united in marriage to Donald A. Willingham. He preceded her in death in May 1962. She later married Calvin C. Barchers. He preceded her in death. She was a long-time employee of Dazey Songram Corp. in Gardner, Kansas, retiring in May 1991. She enjoyed bowling on the local bowling team, and was an avid country western fan. She moved to Pittsburg, Kansas in 2009 and became member of the First Baptist Church. 

Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Willingham) Shultz and her husband, Dane and Susan (Willingham) Magierowski and her husband, Ben; four step-grandchildren, two grandchildren, Libby Shultz and her husband, Justin Eddings, and Jacque Shultz and his wife, Jennifer; five great-grandchildren, a niece, Marilyn Curley of Arkansas and a nephew, Larry Joe Spann and his wife, Kathy also of Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, four sisters, and two brothers. 

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday (Jan. 5) at the First Baptist Church of Pittsburg with Pastor Rick Bartlett officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Brenner Mortuary, where friends may call after 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may also be left at www.brennermortuary.com. 

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

Ruth Barr

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Ruth Ann (Stuckey) Barr passed away peacefully at her home on December 26, 2017 in the presence of family. She had been in failing health. 

She was born February 18, 1928, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Ernie and Grace (Woodard) Williamson. She received her education in the Pittsburg public schools, and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College, Pittsburg, with a Bachelor of Music degree. 

She and Milford (Pete) Stuckey were united in marriage on June 5, 1949, and he preceded her in death on December 4, 1999. On August 1, 2011, she and Ron Barr were married in Miami, OK, and he survives at their home in Pittsburg. Pete and Ruth Ann were managers in the family business, Ernie Williamson Music House, at 408 N. Broadway in Pittsburg, retiring in 1992. Music was always an important part of her life. At one time she played organ for the early service, and directed the Junior Choir at the First United Methodist Church. For six years she was organist at the United Presbyterian Church. She was also an accomplished seamstress and always had a knitting project in progress. 

Her children remember a mom who never missed an event or concert if they were involved. Ron and Ruth Ann loved RVing, and have fond memories of enjoying the beauty and sights of the nineteen states they were able to visit before she fell in August of 2010. Subsequently she spent the rest of her time in a wheelchair, although they were out and about closer to home. Ron became her full time caregiver in 2010, and has devoted the past seven years to making her comfortable and happy. They enjoyed a great life together, and she will be deeply missed. Ruth Ann held memberships in the First United Methodist Church, Chapter AQ, P.E.O., where she was a Golden Girl, and was a fifty year member of the Treble Clef Music Club. 

Survivors include her grief stricken husband, Ron Barr, of the home. Sons, Stan Stuckey (MiSuk) of Olathe, Steve Stuckey (Jennifer) of Fort Scott, and daughter, Judy Jones (Dave) of Cherryvale, as well as thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 9) at the Brenner Mortuary with Reverend Mark Chambers officiating. Private burial will be in the Highland Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Ernie Williamson Music Scholarship at PSU, or the First United Methodist Church Choir in lieu of flowers. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary.