Paul Maxton

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Paul Dale Maxton, age 86 of Columbus, passed away at Autumn Place Memory Care in Columbus at 1:30 AM on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Paul was born in Columbus, KS on September 5, 1933 to the union of Lloyd Zedd Maxton and Odessa Beulah (Frasher) Maxton. He had lived in Columbus all of his life, where he worked for Columbus USD 493. Over the course of a 41-year career, he became the district’s Mechanic Supervisor, retiring in 2007. After a commendable career, the school district chose to name the Bus Barn in his honor. His greatest joy in life was simply helping other people.

Paul was united in marriage with Henrietta Maxton in Huntsville, AR on June 18, 1952. She preceded him in death on October 23, 2008.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry Maxton, and Lloyd Maxton, Jr.; and one sister, Billie Markley.

Survivors include one brother, James “Jim” F. Maxton of Galena, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery.

Visitation will take place from 9-10:00 AM before the service on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Autumn Place Activity Fund in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Marjorie Alspaugh

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Marjorie L. Alspaugh, 76, of Parsons, died at 7:09 a.m., Sunday, February 2, 2020 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.

She was born October 26, 1943, at Garden City, to Lewis W. and Opal (Scroggins) Carpenter. At the age of 9 she came to Parsons to live with Howard and Margaret (Stinson) Skaggs and later was adopted by them.

Marj graduated from Parsons High School in 1962. She lived in Conway, Arkansas 13 years and was employed by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation there. For 26 years she drove a school bus for U.S.D. 506. She was a former member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Ideal Extension Unit. She loved attending auctions and playing cards at the Parsons Senior Center. She served on the Parsons Senior Center Advisory Board of Directors.

Her first marriage was in 1961 to Leon Steeby and they later divorced. She and Richard Hucke were married for 18 years and then divorced. She and James Alspaugh were married and he preceded her in death. Her companion the past few years was Richard Wilton.

Survivors are sons John Steeby, and his wife, Lynette, Larry Steeby, and his wife, Teressa and David Steeby, all of Parsons; 10 grandchildren Ashley George, Oswego, KS, Amanda Harper, Parsons, KS, Ashlee Vines, Irving, TX, Joyce Golden, Ft. Scott, KS, Robert Steeby, Parsons, KS, James Steeby, Parsons, KS, Heath Steeby, Dennis, KS, Nicole Steeby, Parsons, KS, Amanda Steeby, Welch, OK, Jake Steeby, Parsons, KS; 20 great-grandchildren and a sister, Linda Schreppel, of Oswego. Three brothers and a sister preceded her in death.

A Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 7, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, with Rev. Steve Schulze officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday. Burial will be later at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Senior Center. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online remembrances may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Ashley Kline

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Ashley Jodel Kline, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 31, 2020, at her home. She was born September 17, 1983, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Thomas Applegate and Debby Lee Applegate.

She married Robert Kline on October 9, 2010, at Miami, Oklahoma. In earlier years, Ashley had worked for Tri-Valley, but above all, she was a devoted mother to her two daughters. 

In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed shopping and watching the Food Network. She was a fan of the Pioneer Woman and had recently made a trip to visit her place in Oklahoma.

Survivors include her husband, Robert, and her two daughters, Rylee and Payton. Also surviving are two brothers, Keith Applegate and wife, Trish, of Chanute, Kansas and Mark King and wife, Michelle, of Moscow, Tennessee and a sister, Marie Lemmon and husband, Mike, of Branson, Missouri and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ellen Larsen, of Ft. Scott and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Debby Applegate and two brothers, David and Mason Unruh.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following services, there will be cremation. 

Memorials are suggested to the Ashley Kline Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Jay Watson

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

V. Jay Watson went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2020. Jay was born on November 9, 1962 in Baxter Springs, Kansas to his parents Virgil Watson and Jill McCracken.

Jay graduated from Baxter Springs High School in 1982. He worked for his grandparents at the C&S Drive-in for several years. He then worked for his father’s company, Watson Insurance. 

Jay volunteered for many years for Meals on Wheels in Baxter Springs. Jay was an avid police/fire follower with his scanner by his side at all times. Jay was a Christian. He attended the first Christian Church in Baxter for many years as well as the Assembly of God Church in Quapaw, Oklahoma. He enjoyed going to Branson with family.

Jay is survived by his sisters: Penny Jones and husband Ron, Cynthia VanSlyke, and step-sister Terri Graves and husband Rod. Nephews: Thomas Hughes and wife Bailey, Michael VanSlyke and wife Hailey. Nieces: Molly Doke and husband Harold, Christina Herrera and husband Octavio and Kelsey Haines and husband Daniel. Four great nephews: Drake and Sawyer Doke, Aiden and Andres Herrera. One great niece: Adrianna Herrera. Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and many friends.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel in Baxter Springs, Kansas. A visitation will take place the night before on February 4, 2020 from 6-7 P.M. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at the Baxter Springs Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations in Jay’s honor to the Baxter Springs Police Auxiliary in care of the funeral home. The family has entrusted Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for services. Online condolences can be made at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Art Hartshorn

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Art Hartshorn, Jr., 87, of Pittsburg, passed away at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital.

He was born October 3, 1932 at Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Arthur A. Sr. and Mary M. (Albertson) Hartshorn. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1950. Art served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 on the USS Bradford during the Korean conflict. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended Pittsburg State University.

On August 16, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marian L. Dugger by Dr. Lloyd Rising at the First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg. She survives at the family home.

Art worked in the printing industry for his entire career with positions at the Miami County Republican in Paola, The Pittsburg Headlight and Sun, The Morning Sun, Baker Printing and ProPrint.

He was member of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburg, Black Diamond Lodge of Weir, KS; Scottish Rite of Fort Scott, KS; Mirza Shrine and the American Legion Post No. 64.

Art had many interests and hobbies over the years including, water skiing, obtaining a private pilot’s license, fishing, hunting, archery, radio-controlled airplanes and gardening.

In addition to his wife, Marian, he is survived by a son, Don Hartshorn and his wife, Jana of Pittsburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis A. Hartshorn, his parents, and a sister, Wilma Farinacci.

A Graveside memorial service is set for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 5) at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 E. National Ave. in Fort Scott, with Rev. Mark Chambers officiating. Graveside military rites will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery entrance prior to the funeral. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Brenner Mortuary. The family suggests memorials be given to the Mirza Shrine Transportation Fund or the Pittsburg State University Foundation for the Art & Marian Hartshorn Educational Scholarship. 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, Pittsburg, KS.

Joe Johnson

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Joe Dean Johnson, husband, father, and grandfather, died quietly in his sleep on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020, at 8:45 am at his home, at 800 Pine, North Miami, Oklahoma, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Joe was born on December 12, 1940, to Leife and Violet Johnson of Hockerville, Oklahoma.

Joe was a family man at heart, he was married three times, and was twice a widower. His first two unions created his greatest treasures, his children, and grandchildren, and with his third marriage, he gained his bonus children, and grandchildren, all of which he loved with his whole heart, and tried to show each of them in his own special way.

Joe was not a man of many words, but you could find his love in his deeds like spending weekends helping out his parents, working hard to provide a home for his family, bringing home little treasures he found at work for the grandchildren, helping to babysit at the drop of a hat, or trying to find little ways to spend time with them or even by waiting patiently for forgiveness, when he needed to be forgiven. He was not a perfect man, but he had a heart perfect for loving, and for being proud of those he loved.

Joe spent 30 years working at Blitz, formerly known as US Metals, and after he retired, he chose to become a custodian at Will Rogers Middle School in Miami. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and puttering around outside, when he was not at work.

His first marriage with Shirley (Click), created his oldest two children, Patsy and Steve. His second marriage to his wife Ester (Swinehart), created his youngest three children, Russell, Rachel, and Rebecca. His third union to his wife Patricia (Coach), gave him his bonus children, Sherry, Juanita, Dana, and Eric.

Joe is preceded in death by both his parents, his wife Ester, his wife Patricia, and a daughter Rebecca.

He is survived by his siblings: David Johnson and wife Claudette, Bob Johnson and his wife Jonita, and Christine Jones and husband Glenn. His children: daughter, Patsy George and husband Joe, his son Steve Davison, all of Baxter Springs, son, Russell J.D Johnson of Miami, daughter, Rachel Johnson of Commerce. His bonus children: daughter, Sherry Richards and husband Chris, of Baxter Springs, Juanita Roher and husband Gary, of Quapaw, Dana Turner and husband Dale of Girard, and Eric Crabtree of the home. Grandchildren: Lucinda Phipp, and husband Ryan, of Galena, Jenessa McCulloch and husband Brett of Springfield, MO and Jorja Johnson of Commerce. Bonus grandchildren: Gary Roher Jr. and Edwena White, Tami and Rick Weaver, Merrita Roher, Crystal and Kevin Imbeau, all of Quapaw, Emilee Turner, and Andrew Turner both of Girard. Christopher Richards, Carrie Berg and husband Sam, of Centerton. Four great grandchildren, twelve bonus great grandchildren, his longtime fur kid, Digger Dog, and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at 3 pm, Saturday, February 8th at the pavilion at Greenlawn Cemetery. Services will be officiated by his brother David Johnson. At Joe’s request he has been cremated. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com. Arrangement’s are under the direction of Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel.

Opal Beard

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Opal Marie Beard, 93, of Erie, died in her sleep early Friday, January 31, 2020.

She was born June 13, 1926 on the Big Island near St. Paul, the daughter of Add and Elsie (Holding) Ward. She grew up in the St. Paul area and attended local schools.

On November 22, 1949 she and Wallace O. Beard were married in Erie. They lived on a farm south of Erie for 30 years before moving into Erie. Mr. Beard preceded her in death on December 28, 2002.

Opal was employed in the Neosho County Courthouse a few years and at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant seven years. Her last employment was at the Erie Library, from where she retired.

She was a member of the Federated Church and especially enjoyed cooking, crocheting, reading and playing cards. She greatly enjoyed being with her family.

Surviving are three children, Donald L. Beard of Erie, Peggy A. Yarnell (Lonnie) of Erie and Barbara J. Beard of Columbus; six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two brothers, Arnie Ward of St. Paul and Ronnie Ward of the state of Oregon.

Preceding her in death was her husband, five brothers and a great-grandson.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Lakeview Cemetery, south of Erie, with Rev. Mark Demas officiating. Friends may call at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie between the hours of 1p.m., and 5 p.m., Sunday. Memorials are suggested to the Federated Church. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 182, Erie, KS 66733. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.