Robert Bettega

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Robert Alan Bettega, 63, of Pittsburg, passed away at 10:23 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the Pittsburg Care and Rehab.

He was born August 21, 1956, at Pittsburg, KS, the son of Frank C. and Edna (Neagles) Bettega. He attended local schools and attended Pittsburg State University.

Mr. Bettega was a member of the First Christian Church of Pittsburg.

He is survived by his father, Frank of Pittsburg, one brother, Gary Bettega and his wife, Connie of Claremore, OK, two nieces, Tammy Thomas and Megan Branch and one nephew, Casey Bettega.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Edna.

Private family burial of cremains will take place at a later date at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Pittsburg. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

Tootie Hodges

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Vitora Louise (Tootie) Hodges, 84 , of Pittsburg, Kansas died on October 9th, 2019. She was born June 10, 1935 in Peckham, Oklahoma, the youngest of six children born to Clarence and Evelyn Koenke. Her family nicknamed her “Tootie”, and she used this name all her life. After she graduated from high school in Newkirk, OK, Tootie worked as an operator for the telephone company.

In 1954 Tootie married Ray Hodges, of Wister, OK. Tootie and Ray moved to Topeka in 1966. They were both accomplished bowlers and avid bridge players. She was active in her church and worked for the Kansas East Conference of the Methodist Church for many years before retiring. Tootie and Ray enjoyed cruises and booked numerous trips after they both retired.

Tootie moved to Pittsburg, KS in August of 2012 following the death of her husband, and has lived with her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Bob Laushman since 2016. She was embraced by the community and loved being in Pittsburg. Tootie was a member of Friday Study Club, Pittsburg Multigenerational Choir, (under the direction of her daughter, Susan), frequent bridge at the Senior Center, Wednesday Lunch Club and her favorite “Girl's Gathering”, a close knit group of senior women who loved to meet for appetizers, wine and good gossip.

Special Thank you to Dr. Holly Cranston and Dr. Kathleen Sandness for their compassionate doctoring, to Dr. Corin Wilde and his staff, to Carol Wimmer for her physical therapy, and Janice Collins who provided daily care for her. Gratitude to Pastor KO Noonoo and members of The Presbyterian Church, including Virginia Darling, Margaret Neil and Carolyn Robison for their attentive friendship and visits. Gratefulness to Corey Matlock, Tootie's nail technician for coming to her apartment to give her beautiful nails, and much appreciation to Brian Hendrickson and his staff at Salon 9 for turning a trip to the beauty parlor into a special weekly outing. And lastly, to Lynette Glass of Monument, CO and Marsha Marks of West Valley, UT, special nieces whose daily texts, calls and multiple trips to Pittsburg kept Tootie closely connected to family.

Tootie is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters Kathleen Rozell and Colleen Goulden, and brother Kenneth Koenke. She is survived by her daughters Cindy (Bryan) Yenter of Carmen, Idaho and Susan (Bob) Laushman of Pittsburg, Kansas, brothers Claude Koenke of Newkirk, OK, and Carroll Koenke of Forks, WA, cousin Bob Sallee of Coffeyville, KS, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a large extended family.

Graveside services will be held in Newkirk, Oklahoma at a later date. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, , 114 E. 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 66762

Hilma Hoffman

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Hilma Marie Hoffman, 94, of Pittsburg, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Via Christi Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born March 3, 1925 at Pittsburg, the daughter of Carl H. and Mary Catherine (Mundt) Grotheer. She attended Able School and graduated from College High School.

On April 11, 1948, she was united in marriage to Jack Hoffman at the Zion Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on September 30, 2001.

Mrs. Hoffman was a mother, grandmother and ran a successful cake decorating business from her home for many years.

Membership was held in the Zion Lutheran Church, Pink Lady at Via Christi Hospital for over 50 years, accumulating 7500 hours, Volunteer at American Red Cross, Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, and worked on the Baker Election board, where she served as a precinct judge. She was also a member of LWML and Quilter’s Group at Zion Lutheran, Jolly Janes EHU and 4-H Club. Hilma was an instructor for Wilton Cake Decorating and was on the Wall of Fame at the Wilton Museum. As an active camper, she belonged to Campers and Hikers and the Coal County Good Sam’s Club.

Survivors include a son, Mark Hoffman and his wife, Lorene of Pittsburg; a daughter, Karen Perry of Cassville, Missouri; a brother, Morris Grotheer of Clive, Iowa; two grandsons, five granddaughters, 6 great-grandsons, 4 great-granddaughters, three great-great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, Art, Norman, Leslie and Orvil Grotheer; and a sister, Bernice Sellers.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, (October 19) at the Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Theodore Cook officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Brenner Mortuary, where friends may call after 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund and/or Ascension Via Christi Auxiliary. These may be left at the church 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.

Lavonne Kmiec

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Lavonne Elsie Stoll Kmiec, age 82 of rural Girard, ended her journey on this earth October 10, 2019 at Arma Health & Rehab.

She was born September 24, 1937 in Walnut, Kansas to Lewis & Elsie (Hatchel Kroenke) Stoll. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Hepler Rural High School. Lavonne was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hepler, baptized on Oct 10, 1937 and confirmed on March 13, 1951.

Lavonne was united in marriage to Paul Rhudy Kmiec on September 16, 1956 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were blessed with 4 children; Debbie (Mark) Lehman, Rick (Royce) Kmiec, Ken (Mishelle) Kmiec, and Cindy Huber.

Lavonne worked for the Crawford County ASCS Office for 27 years, retiring in 1996. After retirement she worked at Farmer’s State Bank of Hepler. She was an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, serving on local, zone, and district boards. She served as secretary and treasurer of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was one of the founding members of the Thursday Lunch Program at Immanuel. She was active in the Helper Alumni Association, where she served as a volunteer and officer.

Lavonne is survived by her husband Paul, her 4 children, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is also survived by her sisters Joyce (Jerry) Hayward, Patty Good, and Janet Meyer. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Betty Garrett & Wilma Sandlin.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday October 14th, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hepler. The burial will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Hepler. The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 PM Sunday October 13th at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Friends may call after 2:00 PM Sunday.

Memorial are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church, and may be left at the church or funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com

Etta Jones

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Etta B. Jones, 62, of Parsons, died at 11:09 A.M., Monday, October 7, 2019 at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

She was born April 27, 1957 at Parsons, a daughter of Warren Clinton and Ada Belle (Burris) Jones. She was raised at Parsons, attending elementary school at Bartlett, and graduating from the Oswego High School. She was employed as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at the Arma Health and Rehab and later Oswego Health and Rehab. Most recently she worked at Signature Sportsware in Parsons.

She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. She loved her grandchildren and animals. She also enjoyed going to rummage sales and playing Bingo.

Survivors include: one son – Travis Neil, Parsons, KS; one daughter and son in-law – Terri and Patrick Hallas, Omaha, NE; two grandchildren - Georgia Holloway, Omaha, NE, A.J. Holloway, III. Omaha, NE; two brothers - William Burton, Muskogee, OK, Earl Jones, Parsons, KS; four sisters – Elizabeth Burton, Newton, KS, Christine, Burton, Newton, KS, Erma Ringle, Parsons, KS, Fredalin Rittenhouse, Parsons, KS; one uncle – Tom Burris, Monett, MO, Hilda Burris, Monet, MO. Her parents preceded her in death, along with one sister – Sarah Owen and one nephew – Willie Jones.

No services are planned. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to defray expenses. Arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Helen Barkley

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Helen M. Barkley, 99, of Parsons, Kansas, passed away, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, October 7, 2019 at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons.

Helen was born on August 27, 1920 in the small northeast Missouri farming community of Brashear to the late Everett Hunt and Coral Clark Hunt. She graduated from Brashear High School and she has proudly noted to her children and grandchildren that she played on the school’s championship girls basketball team.

After high school, Helen attended Northeast Missouri State College (now Truman State) and earned a teaching certificate. She married Clarence E. Barkley of Brashear in 1939 and she and Clarence taught in rural schools in northeast Missouri and southern Iowa. In 1941, they moved to Kansas City and Helen became a radio operator for Trans World Airlines during World War II. The following years Helen and Clarence had four children and she remained home to manage the growing family.

In 1956 the Barkley family moved from Kansas City to the nearby city of Liberty, MO. She made the Liberty home a welcoming place for extended family during the holidays and the friends of her children whenever they would visit. While in Liberty, beginning in 1958, Helen taught at the two-room elementary school in the rural village of Mosby, MO and later in Holt, Mo. Helen continued her education at William Jewell College, and she received her B.A. degree in education in 1969. She next took a teaching position at Alexander Doniphan Elementary School in Liberty where she taught for 10 years (fifth grade was her favorite).

Helen retired from teaching in 1979, and she and Clarence enjoyed tennis, golf, and traveling in retirement years together. After the death of her beloved husband, Helen moved to Parsons, KS in 1991 to be near her youngest daughter Susan. In Parsons, Helen was active in school volunteer programs, a local women’s investment club, PEO Chapter BS, the Parsons United Methodist Church, and the bridge club at the senior center. She also spent much of her retirement time watching her grandchildren in their numerous youth and high school activities.

Family was important to Helen and she participated in all of the major family activities (weddings, holiday gatherings, and beach reunions) until she was 98 years old. Helen’s children and grandchildren were very fortunate to have her in their lives for so many years.

Helen is survived by her four children: Sharon Foster of Litchfield Beach, SC; David (Bitsy) Barkley of Clemson, SC; Marsha (Mike) Davey of Macomb, IL; and Susan (John) Simmons of Parsons, KS. She is also survived by grandchildren (John Simko, Leslie Currle, Matthew Barkley, Laura Barkley, Jay Davey, Garrett Davey, Nathan Simmons, Drew Simmons, Anne Simmons), 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence Barkley, her three brothers (Wayne Hunt, Darrell Hunt, and Merrill Hunt), and her son-in-law Jerry Foster.

Celebration of life services will be held at the Liberty United Methodist Church in Liberty MO at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the PEO Chapter B.S. Cottey College Scholarship Fund and these may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home 112 N. 26th, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Dennis Hartman

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Dennis Allen Hartman, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019, at his home. He was born May 6, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the son of Leo Allen Hartman and Arla Eloyce Ater Hartman.

Dennis grew up on the family farm southeast of Uniontown, Kansas. He was a member of the Mt. Orum Baptist Church and was also active with the Uniontown Boy Scout Troop where he received the God and Country Award. 

While in high school, he was active with athletics and held several records in basketball. He graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1968. He later graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College and Pittsburg State University with a degree in education. 

Dennis served with the Kansas Army National Guard for six years. He later worked for the Western Insurance Company where he worked at agencies in San Antonio, Texas and Derby, Kansas. He later worked for Farmers Casualty Insurance Company in West Des Moines, Iowa. 

Following his work in insurance, Dennis worked at a car dealership in Iowa. Golfing was always a favorite pastime. He achieved three hole-in-ones on PGA ranked golf courses. He also managed a golf course in Iowa and was most recently employed as club house manager of the Woodland Hills Golf Course in Ft. Scott. In addition to golfing, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his parents, Leo and Arla Hartman, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; two brothers, Mark Hartman and wife, Sherri, of Uniontown, Kansas and Jerry Hartman and wife, Barbie, of Everett, Washington; three nieces, two nephews, two great-nieces and two great-nephews.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society 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.