Harry Coker

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Harry Coker Sr., age 87, of Parsons, passed away at The Healthcare Resort of Olathe on July 2, 2020, following a lengthy period of failing health. 

He was born November 2, 1932 in Parsons, KS to Lonnie and Pearl (Brown) Coker. Mr. Coker grew up and attended schools in Parsons before joining the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served in the Navy for 21 years and spent most of his career in the submarine fleet. 

After retirement from the Navy Mr. Coker returned to Parsons with his wife, the late Lois Charlene Robinson Coker, and family. He attended Pittsburg State University where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. He taught gifted children at Guthridge Elementary School and also served on the USD 503 Board of Education where he was a vocal proponent of academic excellence. 

Harry Coker was a founding member of SEK Housing Development Inc. in 1980, and served as president of the board for 40 years. The non-profit corporation built Plaza Place at 2000 Katy Drive to serve elderly Parsons residents. 

Mr. Coker was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Brannon, sister, Virginia Coker Stewart, and brother Lonnie Coker. 

He is survived by his children Linda (Maurice) Tiggs of Lawrence, Joyce Coker (Moussa Kaba) of Orange, NJ, Tina (Mike) Coker-Monroe of Olathe, Donald Coker of Oceanside, CA, Harry (Kendra)

Coker Jr. of Clinton, MD, Leslie Aubert of Los Angeles, CA, Lori Coker of Parsons, Anthony (Michelle) Coker of Oakland, CA, Jason (Hideko) Coker of San Diego, CA, and Jaime (Trisha Sanders) Coker of Waite Park, MN; grandchildren Jacynth Coker, Ryan and Logan Aubert, Amani Coker-Warren, Ayana Coker, Ahmad (Tierra) Kaba, Airi and Ayane Coker, and Marlena Coker. Also remaining to cherish his memory are nine great-grandchildren, nieces Paula and Kishna Saterfield of San Leandro, CA, and a cousin, Mrs. Lettie McMillan of Joplin. 

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to needy families and elders in Parsons via organizations of choice. A private graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery.

Tuffy Riddle

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Odren “Tuffy” Riddle was born February 28,1927, on the old Rozell Place in Keesee township in a cabin in Marion County, Arkansas. He was the son of Nathan John Riddle and Earsie May (Hodge) Riddle.

He served in the United States Navy from September 1943 until April of 1946. He then joined the United States Air Force in January of 1948 and served until February 1952.
When his enlistment expired, he returned to Baxter Springs, Kansas.

He spent years operating his own plumbing service, “Riddle Plumbing,” and the Texaco station on 9th and Military. He also was a rural mail carrier at the Galena Post Office. He was a lifetime member of the Veteran Underage Military Service, NRA Golden Eagle, and the Baxter Springs American Legion Post 206. 

He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and kids in the neighborhood. The kids on Lincoln Street in Baxter Springs knew Tuffy and one of his favorite holidays was the 4th of July! He loved spoiling the kids buying them 500 packs of fireworks and hanging them in the trees to light them off. He was known for making kites from old newspapers and helping fly them, and making whistles out of tree branches for them to play with. He also enjoyed sharing his military experiences and stories with all of his family and friends.

Tuffy is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Howard and Homer Riddle, two sisters Leona Riddle Hessee and Doratha Riddle Marsh and a niece Regina Riddle.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews; Andrea, Mike, Billy, Bob, Pam, Gene, Susan, Steve, Dan, Charles, Linda, John, and Lynne.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at the Lowell Cemetery. Pastor Jeff Street will officiate. In memory of Tuffy donations may be made in his memory at www.myolivetree.com, memorial Odren E. Riddle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

John Delmont

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

John Orbin Delmont Jr., 84 of Columbus, KS passed from this life on Sunday morning, July 5, 2020 at his home with family at his side.

John was born January 18, 1936 in Commerce, OK to the union of John O. Delmont Sr., and Edith Mae (Pitcher) Delmont. John graduated from C.C.C.H.S with the class of 1954. John was united in marriage to Ruth (Heistand) Delmont on May 25, 1991 at the farm. John worked for B.F. Goodrich as a cure man starting in 1957 and retiring in 1987. John also served as Cherokee County Commissioner from 1977-1997.

John was a member of the Baxter Springs Masonic Lodge #71, former Galena Elks Lodge, Galena Route 66 Association, and was past president of the Kansas Association of Counties. John loved being outdoors fishing, hunting and just visiting with everyone he came into contact with. If you knew John, you know he likes a good conversation. 

John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Kropp; two infant siblings.

John is survived by his wife Ruth Delmont of the home; two sons, Scott Delmont and wife Elayne of Pittsburg, KS, Johnny Delmont of Baxter Springs, KS; two daughters, Jeania French and husband Mark of Columbus, KS, and Stacy Hogg and husband Tony of Bakersfield, CA; two step-daughters, Julie Pace and Jim Barbuto of Grove, OK, and Jennifer Niekderklein and husband Ryan of Pittsburg, KS; three brothers, Jerry Delmont and wife Vernona of Foley, AL, Larry Delmont of Galena, KS, and Rick Delmont of Riverton, KS; two sisters, Colleen Cresap of West Mineral, KS, and Carol Chrisenberry of Foley, AL; brother-in-law, Joe Kropp of Carterville, MO; sixteen grandchildren, and twenty four great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Pastor Harvey Wampler will officiate the services. Masonic Rites will be at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2020 with visitation following from 6:30-8:30 p.m. In respect to COVID-19 and the Governors order, masks are required. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Compasses in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Lisa Loth

(From Friskel Funeral Home)

Lisa Ann Loth, 55 of Pittsburg, KS died Thursday, July 2, 2020 at the Kansas City Hospice House. 

She was born January 5, 1965 in Pittsburg the daughter of Jack and Catherine (Grant) Loth. 

Lisa attended and graduated from Frontenac High School with the Class of 1983. 

On July 20, 1985 she was married to Kent Brumbaugh, they later divorced. 

She worked at Pittsburg State University in the custodial department. 

Survivors include a daughter Erin Brumbaugh & fiancé Cody of Pittsburg, Stephan Brumbaugh of Leavenworth, KS; Lisa’s fiancé Blake Cameron of the home; Mary Beth & Bob George of Cato, KS; Lyndsay Loth of Denver, CO; Kent Brumbaugh; a grandson Liam Massa of Pittsburg and a grand-puppy Gus. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Jack Loth, II and Jimmy Loth. 

Funeral services will be 2pm Friday July 10th, 2020 at the Friskel Funeral Home with Fr. Robert McElwee officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1pm until service time. Inurnment will be at the Mt. Carmel cemetery at a later date. 

Memorials may be made to the Liam Massa Scholarship Fund; these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. 

Services by Friskel Funeral Home, Frontenac, KS.

Pete Peters

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Lloyd “Pete” E. Peters, 88, a resident of the Prairie Mission Retirement Center in St. Paul, went to be with his lord and savior at 3:54 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

He was born June 7, 1932, in Iola, to Lloyd and Mabel (Upshaw) Peters. He grew up in Iola and attended Iola High School. From 1951 to 1954 he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea.

After returning from the Korean War he returned to Iola and worked at Pet Milk where he purchased a canned milk route. He then worked two years for the Nelson Brothers. In 1971 he moved his family to Erie where formed Peters and Sons Milk Transport in 1976. He later co-founded and is the namesake for what is now Pete’s Convenience Stores. He continued working until his retirement in 2008. 

On April 26, 1953 he and Juanita M. Smith were married in Iola. They became the parents of three sons. Juanita preceded him in death on April 11, 2006.

He and Rheta McJunkin were married in 2007 and she died November 16, 2019.

Lloyd was a member of the Countryside Christian Church at Pittsburg, KS. He loved collecting Model A’s, antiques, petroleum antiques, 10 gallon milk cans and attending auctions, swap meets and flea markets. He knew no strangers.

Surviving are three sons, Gratz Peters (Brenda) and Gary Peters (Suzanne), both of Erie and Gregory Peters of Pittsburg; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a sister Lorene (Bob) Powell of Lawrence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 6, 2020 at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at Erie with Rusty Newman officiating. Burial will be in the La Harpe Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Sunday evening at the funeral home, where friends may call after 1:00 Sunday. Memorials are suggested to New Hope Services. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 182, Erie, KS 66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Bobby Cypert

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Bobby Ray Cypert passed away at the age of 84, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. 

Bobby was born January 19, 1936 in Prue, OK to Fred Newton and Ethel Mae (Joice) Cypert. He was raised in Broken Arrow, OK, but lived the last forty-five years split between Columbus, KS and the family lake house in Yonkers, OK.

Bobby graduated from Broken Arrow High School with the class of 1955, He received All- Conference in three sports and was highly sought by colleges, but due to an injury his athletic career was cut short.

He was also a member of the Naval Reserve during high school and his first two years at Northeastern State University where he decided to attend school to become a teacher and coach. After two years he was drafted into the US Army where he served in Germany as a Radio Teletype Operator working with the Air Force. He was awarded a Code of Conduct Medal during his service. At the end of his service in the Army, he returned to NSU to complete his education. 

He then taught and coached in Paradise, KS, Preston, KS, and Collinsville, OK. After receiving a Masters Degree in counseling he became a school counselor in Howard, KS. He then finished his career as an educator in Columbus, KS as an assistant principal at the high school for 23 years.

He spent his life working with students because he loved kids! He gave 37 years of his life to students. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Columbus where he found a great home for his family, awesome school district, and lots of friends. When he retired he said he wanted to be remembered as “the sweet guy that I am”.

After Retirement in 1998, Bobby spent most of his time in Oklahoma fishing, hunting, and traveling with is family.

Bobby was a member of the NRA, Broken Arrow High School Alumni Association, Northeastern State University Alumni Association, Masonic Hope Lodge #155 in Howard, KS, the Methodist Church, and was inducted in the Broken Arrow High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Bobby married his high school sweetheart, Susanne (Sudie) Sherrell, December 27, 1958 in Broken Arrow, OK. She survives.

Additional survivors include one son, Kevin Cypert and wife Maria, Mounds, OK, one daughter, Karla Cypert, Miami, OK, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one very special family friend, his partner in crime, Meghann Hill, Miami, OK.

Due to COVID-19, the visitation will be a drive through on Sunday, July 5, 2020 from 1 to 3 PM. Please drive down Titan Alley and share your favorite memory of Bobby Cypert with his family.

Graveside services will be at Haner-Adair Cemetery, Murphy, OK - Date Pending.

Dave Garard

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

David Eugene Garard, 74, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, KS.

Dave was born February 8, 1946 in Pittsburg, KS, the only son of Ronald and Eathel (Parsons) Garard. He attended school in McCune, KS, where he lived for 26 years. He served 6 years in the Army National Guard of Pittsburg and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration in 1972. He married Diana (Allen) Garard on May 5, 1972. They lived in Liberty, MO for 12 years before moving to Erie, KS in 1986.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge #27, Fort Scott Consistory Scottish Rite, Mirza Shrine Temple of Pittsburg, and George F. Hendricks American Legion Post 102, where he served as the Post Commander for 4 years and was the Financial Officer for 16 years. He was active in Bean Town Boosters, and a member of the Erie Federated Church. During retirement, he drove patients to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis. 

He worked for Western Insurance (later called American States Insurance) for 27 years. After retiring, he owned Dave’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, sold real estate for Finley & Maloney and drove a school bus for CUSD #101. He did taxes from 1986 until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Diana, of the home in Erie; a daughter, Dana, her husband, Ryan Thompson, and their daughter, Ryanna, of Pittsburg, KS; a son, Dustin Garard, of Tulsa, OK; and an abundance of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends are invited to Carson-Wall Funeral Home on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 6 pm - 8 pm for a visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital via the Mirza Shrine Center in Pittsburg and these may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.