Kelly Borden

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Kelly J. Borden 58, of Pittsburg, KS passed away at 10:12am Tuesday December 31, 2019 at her home from non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in March 2017, despite having never smoked.

She was born on March 12, 1961 in Joplin, MO to Marvin C. and Norma J. (Snyder) Howard. She graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1979 and attended Pittsburg State University.

On October 12, 1990 she was united in marriage to Joseph N. Borden at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg, KS.

She worked for KDHE Surface Mining Section from 1981 until 1992. She then began working at Pittsburg State University as an Administrative Specialist in the Biology Department where she had worked for the last 27 years.

She was a member of and attended Carterville Christian Church.

She is survived by her husband, Joe, of the home; brother and sister in law, Mike and Penny Howard of Carl Junction, MO; sister and brother in law, Pam and Scott Heide of Medfield, MA; sister and brother in law, Stacy and Erik Coutu of Pass Christian, MS; mother in laws Julie-Anne Harlan of Farlington, KS and Ruth Sneed of Frontenac, KS; sister in law Debbie Borden of Girard, KS; brother in law and sister in law Billy and Tina Borden of Mindenmines, MO; and brother in law and sister in law Ben and Lou Borden of Girard, KS and thirteen nieces and nephews. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother in April 2013, her father December 2016 and her father in law William Borden in October 2003.

Per her wishes, she will be cremated with a private burial in the Girard City Cemetery in Girard, KS. A Celebration of Kelly’s Life will be 6-8:00pm Monday January 6, 2020 at the Heckert-Wells Hall on the campus of Pittsburg State University 1706 S. Joplin Street. In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to St. Jude’s and/or the PSU Nature Reach Program. 

Arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.

Gary Dennison

(From Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home)

Gary Wesley Dennison, 75 of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday night, December 31, 2019, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He was born January 18, 1943, in Booneville, Missouri, and became the son of Guy Wesley and Allie Faye (Maberry) Dennison.

Gary worked with Tri-Valley Developmental Center before taking up residency in the Medicalodge Nursing Home a few years ago.

He is survived by a cousin, Cheryl (Maberry) Blacklidge of Madison, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Gary Dennison will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2020, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Large – Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Tri-Valley Developmental Center or the Medicalodge Activity Fund, contributions may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Patsy Huston

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Patsy Lee Huston, 91 of Pittsburg, KS passed away at 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

She was born July 7, 1928 in Henry County, Missouri the daughter of Wilford W. and Jessie (Teller) Heuitt.

She attended local schools in rural Missouri before taking a job to assist in the war efforts in 1943.

On August 24, 1946 she was united in marriage to Leon Dean Huston at Fort Scott, Kansas; he preceded her in death on March 24, 1993.

Mrs. Huston worked most recently as a baker at Ron's IGA until she fully retired on January 1, 2015. She truly enjoyed working and interacting with her coworkers and customers. In an interview for a Morning Sun story several years ago Patsy stated “I just dread the thought that someday I might get too old to work." She was also an avid reader and enjoyed baking treats for family and friends.

Survivors include a son: Wilford D. Huston and his wife Lisa of Olathe, KS; six grandchildren: Crystal Elmore (Kevin) of Kansas City, MO, Tina Troth (Eric) of Frontenac, KS, Amber Atkins (Phillip) of Arma, KS, Julie Montoya-Huston (Kayli) of Pittsburg, KS, Jonathan Huston of Pittsburg, KS, and Victoria Hamblen of Olathe, KS. Patsy also has five great grandchildren: Kayla Johnston, Kalib Johnston, Zachary Troth, Alexander Troth, and Nathan Troth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Wilma Jean Lake, four brothers and five sisters.

Services will be 2pm Sunday, January 5th, 2020 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Pastor Marcee Binder of the Wesley House. Family will receive friends following the service from 2:30 – 5:00pm. Inurnment of her cremains will be at a later date in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com

Clarice Neil

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Clarice L. (Beougher) Neil, 96 of Roanoke, VA formerly of Parsons, died at 12:36 P.M. Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at the Jeanne’s Elderly Care facility in Roanoke, VA, where she had lived since 2004.

Clarice L. (Beougher) Neil was born November 26, 1923, in Grinnell, Kansas, one of six children born to Bennie C. Beougher and Virgie (Simpson) Beougher. She passed away on December 24, 2019, at the age of 96 in Roanoke, Virginia.

She attended school in Grinnell, Kansas and graduated from high school in 1941. She attended Chillicothe Business College, in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating in 1943. Clarice was a member of the Kimerie Federated Club and served as President and Treasurer. She also belonged to the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Clarice worked in Kansas City several years before accepting employment with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in Parsons, Kansas.

She was a member of the former Washington Avenue United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School in the children’s department, was a member of the Wesleyan Service Guild and sang in the Chancel Choir. Later, she was active in the merged and renamed Wesley United Methodist Church where she belonged to the Searcher’s Sunday School Class, the United Methodist Women and participated in the Disciple Bible Study classes. She considered it a great privilege to serve the church during her life.

On March 22, 1953, Clarice was united in marriage with Homer F. Neil. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March, 2003.

Clarice delivered meals for the Meals on Wheels Program for over twenty-five years. She was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program.

She enjoyed fishing with her husband, camping and traveling with her family and attending high school musicals and sporting events.

Survivors include her son, David Lee Neil and wife, Anita, and grandsons, Jacob Ryan Neil and Kasey Edward Neil of Roanoke, Virginia; a daughter, Kit Eileen, and granddaughter, Vienne Clare of Washington, Massachusetts; and a daughter, Denise Kay Neil of Ventura, California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Fredrick Neil on June 10, 2013, and their son, Mark Edward Neil, on July 1, 1974.

Cremation has taken place and a short service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery Patio in Parsons, Kansas with Reverend Tim Bever officiating. 

Memorials are suggested to the Wesley United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org). These maybe left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Coleen Mooney

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Coleen Mooney age 91, of Riverton, Kansas passed from this life into the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at Freeman Hospital. She was born December 2, 1928, in rural Baxter Springs, KS to the union of Frank and jenny (Mast) Augustus.

In 1946, she graduated from Riverton High School and lived in Riverton most of her life. Coleen was a member of the First Christian Church in Baxter Springs.

She began working at Spencer Chemical Company in Riverton, before becoming employed by Sam’s Draperies in Joplin, MO. Later she owned and operated Coleen’s Draperies, a business she managed for over 40 years.

On May 31, 1947, Coleen married Jack D. Mooney in Columbus, KS. They raised two daughters and she loved being with family and friends, as well as helping others. Her hobbies included sewing, oil painting, gardening, and many were blessed by her culinary skills in baking and candy making.

She is survived by her husband, Jack; two daughters, Cynthia Farmer (husband, Rolan), Canon City, CO, and Debbra Triggs, Lenexa, KS; three grandchildren, Mischa L. Perry (husband, David), Divide, CO, Alexia Triggs, Lenexa, KS, and Taylor Triggs, Lenexa, KS; two great grandchildren, Cole C. Perry and Kai N. Perry, both of Divide, CO; and her beloved dog, Cassie.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel, Baxter Springs, KS. Pastor Paul Mooney will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Galena, KS. Family will receive friends at the chapel, Saturday, January 4, 2020, from 1:00 P.M. until service time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Billy Lock

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Billy J. Lock, 75, of Erie, passed away at his home on Sunday morning, December 29, 2019.

He was born on March 7, 1944 at Parsons to Joe and Merle (Merle) Lock. He grew up at Erie and attended Erie schools graduating from Erie High School in 1962.

Billy enlisted in the United States army and served from 1962 to 1964 as a medic. Following his honorable discharge Billy attended the Parsons Junior College and then attended the University of Southern California where he received a Bachelor of Science in Education.

He worked as a special education teacher in southern California until 1980 when he went to work for the Riverside Glass Company. Billy worked there as a sales representative until his retirement. He returned to Erie in 2012.

He was a member of the Erie Federated Church, the Stark Antique Tractor Club, and he served on the Erie Museum Board. Billy was and avid lover of history and enjoyed researching Neosho county history and files for the Erie Record. He also volunteered at the Guest Homes Estates in Erie every Wednesday where he led the residents and staff in Bingo games.

Billy is survived by his sisters, Joyce Hernandez, and her husband, William Erie, Susie Jacobs of Cassville, MO, and Kathy Baptist of Michigan; his brothers, Mike Baptist of Maryland and John Baptist of Wichita; his sister-in-law, Pat Lock of Erie; his nephews, Terry Lock, and his partner, Al of Kansas City, MO and Tim Lock of Erie. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dick Lock.

The family will conduct a celebration of life service on 10 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Erie Federated Church with Pastor Mark Demas officiating. Private burial will be held in the East Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Erie Federated Church, Erie Museum, or to the Erie Library and these may be mailed to the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home P.O. 182 Erie, KS 66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Urb Friess

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Urban P. “Urb” Friess, 78, of Parsons, passed away at 9:03 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO.
He was born November 13, 1941 at, Garden Plain, to John and Gudula (Thome) Friess.

He grew up in Garden Plain and graduated from Garden Plain High School in 1959. Later he attended Wichita State University. Following his college time he served in the Kansas National Guard.

In 1964 he moved to Parsons and was employed at Interstate Securities. Later he was president of the Chetopa State Bank and most recently worked in sales for Border to Border Roofing.

In earlier years he coached youth sports, including those that his children participated in.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Elks Lodge No. 527, and a member of the Katy Golf Course where he enjoyed golfing, playing cards and had two hole in ones on the hole No. 2. Urb loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas Basketball, Notre Dame Football and especially all of his children and grand-children’s sporting events.

On September 12, 1986 he and Charlotte Dodds Burdette were married in Parsons and she survives. 

He is also survived by children, Karla Yeoman (Randy), of Sherwood, AR, Kurt Friess (Mary), of Parsons, Bryan Burdette (Kristine), of Shawnee, Robyn Platt (Troy), of Swink, CO, Broc Burdette (Trish), of Scammon and Audra Friess, of Branson, MO; grandchildren, Cody Yeoman (Brandy), Katelyn Zimmerman (Robert), Tabitha Sebastian (Seth), Chandler Altom, Bryce Burdette (Sami), Jace Burdette, Peyton Altom, Taylor Yeoman, Tyler Yeoman, Cole Burdette, Gage Friess, Rylee Platt, Nate Burdette, Gracen Friess, Alyssa Altom, Cade Burdette, Gannon Friess, Kate Burdette, Kaymon Platt and Aaron Overfelt; great-grandchildren, Walter, Emily and Zoey; sister, Gudula “Toots” Gross, of Wichita; sisters-in-law, Jeanie Friess, Bev Friess, Marlene Friess and Rosalee Friess; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Werner, Florian, Mike, Bernard, and Justin Friess; sisters, Johanna Stroot, Rita Kraus and Cyrilla Pauly; and granddaughter Ashleigh Hale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Fr. Curtis Robertson officiating. Military honors will be given by Brown-Bishop Post No 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars following the funeral mass. Burial will follow at a later date in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

The rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., Friday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Visitation will follow until 8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic School or The Parsons Elks Lodge No 527. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.