Marinell Webber

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Marinell Webber, 91, of Pittsburg, passed away at 8:40 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2017, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born July 31, 1926, in Pittsburg, Kansas the daughter of Wallace and Nell (Brown) Clark. She graduated from Pittsburg High School then attended and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1947.

She was an elementary teacher and taught in Columbus then moved to Independence to teach second grade. She loved teaching her kids. On May 31, 1953, she married Lew Boys, of Independence. She was married 26 years and had one daughter, Belinda. She was an amazing mother, daughter, friend, and protector to all. She taught Sunday school for 15 years and volunteered in countless organizations and community services.

She moved back to Pittsburg and took care of her parents. She was always there for them. On May 27, 1981, she married Donald Webber. Marinell always said that her husband Don was her heaven on earth. He preceded her in death on May 4, 1998.

She was a member of Countryside Christian Church, Stilwell Heritage and Educational Foundation Board of Directors and a former member of the College Heights United Methodist Church. Marinell was very involved with the Wesley House, Campus Christians, Mother to Mother and the Colonial Foxx Theatre Foundation.

She started “The Clothes Rack”, a non-profit free shop, providing business clothing for women who were applying for jobs. She was also one of the supporters of the Irena Sendler project by helping bring the play “Life in A Jar” to the community of Pittsburg. Now the organization has grown to become the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott.

Marinell believed in people, all people, and was there to help others in their time of need, an advocate against injustice of any kind.

She had many friends and cherished those friendships. She made you feel special whether you were a lifelong friend or a stranger on the street. She was funny, generous, loving, a one-of-a-kind petite but powerful woman.

Survivors include her daughter, Belinda (Boys) Ewy and her husband, Russ of Lenexa, Kansas; a niece, Terri Allen and her husband, Gary of Pittsburg and their children, Keleigh, Kevin, Jessica, Sydney, and Matthew; a niece, Merri Accad and her husband, Philippe of Colorado Springs, Colorado and their children, Dani and Leila; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Nell Clark, a sister, Eve Perdue, her ex-husband, Lew Boys, and her husband, Donald Webber. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 4th from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Brenner Mortuary. Marinell’s Celebration of Life service will immediately follow from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Brenner’s. Dan Muter will be the officiating minister.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be given to Campus Christians and/or the Wesley House. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may also be left at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.

Marinell Webber handed out over 7,000 of her “Recipe for Life” cards. Here is her message for you:

Recipe for Life Serves Everyone May the love of God continue to prevail in your life. In Him is all our strength and source of power to help us bear and do the things that we think are impossible to do! God Loves You

Red Merrell

(From Brenner Mortuary)

J.C. “Red” Merrell, 89, of Pittsburg, passed to his heavenly home peacefully at 2:35 a.m. Monday, September 25, 2017, at the Via Christi Village, Pittsburg, KS.

He was born January 18, 1928, at Wakenda, Missouri, to John Edmond and Anna Mary (Miller) Merrell. The family moved to Carrollton, Missouri when Red was 4 years old. He attended Carrollton schools, graduating from High School in 1945. Red went on to attend Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri and Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri. Red worked for various heavy equipment construction companies, retiring from List & Clark Construction in 1993 with 37 years of service. On October 16, 1976, Red was united in marriage to Phyllis Edwards at the First Christian Church in Erie, Kansas. She survives at the home.

In addition to his wife Phyllis, he is survived by five daughers, Kristi Kloepfel and her husband, Larry of Kansas City, Missouri, Kimberly Jones and her husband, Walter of Chester, Virginia, Kerry Kubler of Pittsburg, Kathy Merrell of Merriam, Kansas, and Kelly Carnes and her husband, Bill of Olathe, Kansas; a son, Jeff Merrell of North Liberty, Iowa; a step-daughter, Teresa Coulter of Pittsburg; a step-son, Kevin Wilson and Linda of Arma, Kansas, as well grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, infant daughter, two brothers, John and Edmond Merrell, and three sisters, Helen Whiles, Audrey Hayes and Virginia Staton.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday (October 6) at First Christian Church of Pittsburg with Rev. Pat Nixon officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time on Friday (Oct. 6) at the First Christian Church. The family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church of Pittsburg and/or Harry Hines Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also send condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.

James Shanks

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

James Howard Shanks, 94 of Columbus, KS died September 22, 2017 at his home.
He was born July 24, 1923 in Rural Columbus, KS the son of Henry and Ruth (Joiner) Shanks. James married Betty Jean Fee on March 15, 1947 in Oswego, Kansas, she resides at their home.

James worked for Spencer Chemical, Gulf Chemical and later Chevron. His work had him residing in Kansas City, Houston and various other cities before coming back home to Columbus, KS for retirement in 1981. James served our country in the United States Army in WWII.

James is survived by his daughter; Glenna (Benny) Vernon of Oswego, KS, brothers; Charles Henry (Jewell) Shanks of Riverton, KS, grandchildren James Shanks, Jo Ann Vernon, Victoria Robbins and Eric Shanks; 2 nieces, 1 nephew and numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Henry and Ruth Shanks, son; Steven H. Shanks, 2 brothers; Glenn and Roger Shanks, and 2 grandkids; Brian and Evan Shanks,

Graveside services will be held at 10 am, Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, KS. Visitation will be held from 6-7pm, Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral home in Columbus, KS.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus, KS. Condolences may be left at our website www.bathnaylor.com.

Margaret Reedy

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Margaret Carol Reedy 84, of Columbus, KS died 9:50 a.m. Sunday September 24, 2017 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home in Columbus, KS following an illness. 

Margaret was born January 22, 1933 in Pitcher, OK the daughter of Carl David and Margaret (Devlin) Reedy. Margaret grew up in Treece and was a graduate of Cherokee County Community High School. She has lived in Columbus, KS since 1971. Margaret worked as a secretary for SEK-CAP, Eagle Picher and Sigma Lum Sign Company. Margaret was a member of the First Baptist Church in Treece, KS; was an organist for the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, KS; loved to work Church Camps in Weir, KS and was a pianist for the Tri-County Baptist Association. 

Survivors include her siblings David Reedy and wife Nancy of Frisco, TX and Elizabeth Ann Burgreen of Springfield, MO and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents. 

Graveside Services will be 1:00pm Thursday September 28, 2017 at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, KS. Family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00pm prior to the service at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Weir, KS. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. 

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

Larry Reese

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Larry Lee Reese, 71, of Weir, KS, passed away September 24, 2017 at his home. Larry was born on August 31, 1946 in Deepwater, MO to John W. Reese and Norma J. Livings. He came to the SEK community in 1950 from Browning, MO. Larry married Linda Lambeth on December 28, 2009 in Riverton, KS.

Larry was a member of the House of Prayer in Riverton, KS, where he and Linda were married. He also was a member of the Rollin' Nostalgia Car Club and was a passionate fisherman.

Survivors include his wife, Linda; sister, Betty Sanchez and her daughters, Lishch Kaya Eskridge, Larysa Arendt and Alexia Sanchez; son, Danny Reese and (Partner) Amelia Manson; daughter, Dionne Blakemore and (Husband) Allen Blakemore; daughter-in-law, Kelli Lassiter and (Husband) Corey Lassiter; son-in-law, Travis Lambeth and (Fiancé) Becca Stegall; grandchildren, Danson Reese, Sapphire and Vivian Blakemore, Justeen Livingston, Jaeleigh and Rhaelyn Lambeth, Kylea, Kolton and Kennadi Stegall.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Billie Joe Reese.

Memorial Services will be held Friday, September 29, 2017 at 2p.m. at Harvest Time Ministries House of Prayer located in Riverton, KS, 6090 South Hwy. Alt. 69/400. Visitation to follow service.

Flower arrangement may be made through In the Garden Floral and Gifts, Baxter Springs, KS (620)-856-2198. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. 

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

Larry Purdy

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Larry Bryant Purdy, 76, of Pittsburg, passed away at 4:39 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2017 at his home. 

He was born July 18, 1941 at Pittsburg, the son of Chester Leroy and Mary Louise (Pottorff) Purdy. He attended local schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School. 

On December 26, 1962, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Melton at the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints in Pittsburg. She survives at the home. Mr. Purdy worked for Johnson’s Tire Shop, Ryder’s, the Burlington Railroad, Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Jones Motel. He also worked for the Girard Police Department and Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, before working as a supervisor at Masonite, where he retired. 

In addition to his wife, Charlotte Purdy of the home, he is survived by two daughters, Tammy Lynn Orlovetz of the home and Christy Jo Allen and her husband, Rick L. of Girard; a brother, Richard A. Purdy of Baxter Springs, KS; seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Cindy Lou Purdy and Lisa Ann Purdy; and a sister, Goldie Snow. 

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 30) at the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Burial will follow the services. The family suggests memorials to be given to help with the funeral expenses. 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. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.

Lea Price

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Lillian Lois Price, 77, died September 24, 2017 surrounded by many family and friends that Lea had touched throughout her life.

Lea was born July 29th, 1940, to Ivan and Gertrude Hall. She married Jack Price in 1954 and they eventually resided in Galena, Ks where they built a house in 1975.

Her interests included researching family genealogy, spending time with family, gardening and sewing.

Lea is survived by one sister, Sharon Groseclose & husband Harold Groseclose of Oklahoma City, Ok; one brother, Doyle Hall of Eureka Springs, Ak; one daughter Jackie Netzer and husband Steven Netzer of Billings, Mo, 6 sons and their spouses; Art and Angela Price of Clever, Mo; Leon Price of Galena, Ks; Bill and Vera Price of Chetopa, Ks; Dean and Paula Price of Galena, Ks; David and Amy Price of Frontenac, Ks; Don Price of Galena, 20 beautiful grandchildren; and 37 precious great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers; Sonny Hall and Alan Hall.

Condolences may be sent to 1406 Shaw Hill Road Galena, KS 66739.