Sedan- Judith Gale (Batson) Thomas, age 67, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the Sedan City Hospital in Sedan.

            She was born March 3, 1944, in Northview, Missouri to Dale Batson and Elsie M. (Cruise) Batson.  She was raised in Missouri.  She received her Associates of Arts and Sciences from Independence Community College and later received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, Colorado.

            She married Joe Thomas on March 31, 1961 in Harrison, Arkansas.  They lived in Missouri until moving to Sedan, Kansas in 1979.  Judi worked as a Para educator at the Unified School District #286 in Sedan for many years. 

            She was a member of the Church of Christ in Sedan where her husband has been the minister for the past nineteen years.  She also was a member of the Northern Osage Indian Tribe; She also was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; she worked at the Flint Hills Christian Camp for several years, and also enjoyed walking.

            She is preceded in death by her parents, one son, Joseph S. Thomas, one grandson, John D. Thomas, one brother, Rance Batson, and son-in-law Mike McNamara.

            She is survived by her husband Joe Thomas of the home in Sedan, Kansas; one daughter, Judi Elaine Thomas of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one sister, Cheryl J. Penn and husband Tim of Sedan, Kansas; one daughter-in-law, Patrice Thomas of Sedan, Kansas; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

            Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Sedan with Ministers Tom Barton and Wayne Robbins officiating.  Inurnment will follow at a later date  at the Greenwood Cemetery in Sedan, Kansas.

            The register book will be available to sign at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, Monday, February 13, 2012 until Friday, February 17, 2012.

            The family has suggested memorials to the Church of Christ in Sedan and can be left in care of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N Douglas, Sedan, Kansas 67361.

Coffeyville -

Walter Devaughn Keely, 85, of Independence, KS, passed away Saturday, February 5, 2012 at his home.

He was born on December 8, 1926 near Oswego, KS to Walter and Ruby (Prigmore) Keely. Walter was the second of ten children. He grew up in rural central Kansas, where he graduated from Atlanta, KS high school in 1945.

On June 18, 1947 he married Treva Gayle Johnson at Rock, KS, hiis loving wife of almost 65 year. They were blessed with three daughters.

Walt worked with his dad as a carpenter rebuilding after the Udall tornado of 1955. Eventually he acquired a home in this community to prepare for his own family, where they resided for 23 years. The majority of this time was spent working for the Boeing Aircraft Co in Wichita, where he became a tooling inspector. In the late 70’s, Walt and Gayle purchased an 80 acre farm near Elk City, KS, where he spent his retirement years gardening, fishing, working, enjoying family, friends, good neighbors and was, as in previous years devoted to his church. In 2010, they left the farm due to his declining health and moved to Independence, KS.

Walt was active in the Community Christian Church, were he was baptized at the age of 18 and was a Sunday School Teacher for 55 years, serving as an elder during most of those years.

Survivors include his wife Treva Gayle of the home; three daughters, Cherie and husband Jeff Ferguson of Labette, Ks, Danita Collins of Topeka, Ks and Kim Keely of the home; four sisters, Carol Hrabik of Oceanside, CA, Lois Holt of Harper, Ks,  Marilyn Schmitt of Columbus, Patricia Harding of Blue Springs, MO, four brothers, Paul Keely of Wichita, Ks, Kenneth Keely of Columbus, Keith Keely of Valley Center, Ks, and Danny Keely of Shell Knob, MO; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his dog Rufus, who will miss him greatly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Community Christian Church with Rev. Steve Butler officiating.  Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Columbus Cemetery at Columbus, KS.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Christian Church in Independence.

The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hynes Hospice or Community Christian Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.

Coffeyville -

Earl Eugene Dannels, 75, of Coffeyville passed away Saturday February 04, 2012 at his home.

He was born August 01, 1936 in Altoona, KS to Vergil and Juanita (Maxwell) Dannels. Earl grew up in Cherryvale, attending school and graduating high school there.

On September 27, 1963 he married Mary Lou Moody in Bartlesville. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the Angola area where they made their home. Earl was a farmer; he also worked at Maxson Sale Company, Jenson’s and serving as a minister for many years.

He was a member of Amazing Grace Ministries, and Agape Prison Ministry, he also enjoyed horse shoes, spending time with his family, participating in church activities and working on the farm. 

Survivors include his wife Mary Lou Dannels of the home; three daughters, Nita Hagebush (Carl) of Coffeyville, Norma Gilfillan (Ralph Crowe) of Coffeyville and Barbie Alston (Matt Crites) of Nowata, OK; four sisters, Donna DeWitt of Cherryvale, Linda Hawkins of Cherryvale, Stella O’Brien of Cherryvale and Betty Jacobs of Cullman, AL; five brothers, Larry Marchant of Cherryvale, Terry Marchant of Cherryvale, Tim Marchant of Muskogee, OK, Mike Dannels of Hot Springs, AR and Bill Wilmoth of Coffeyville; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons and one brother.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Amazing Grace Ministries with Pastor Gary Stevens. Burial will follow at the Richland Cemetery North of Angola, KS.

Friends may call on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hynes Hospice; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.

Coffeyville -

Eddie Milton Northup, 78, of Langley, OK formerly of Coffeyville, passed away Friday morning, February 3, 2012 at Integris Grove Hospital in Grove, OK.

He was born June 1, 1933 at Villisca, Iowa to Edwin and Mamie (Overman) Northup. He grew up and attended school in Iowa.  After graduating from high school he attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

In 1952 he joined the U.S. Air Force, he obtained the rank of Captain serving as a fighter pilot and test pilot until leaving the Air Force in 1962.

On January 8, 1959 he married Barbara Jean Taylor at Oscoda, Michigan.  After leaving the Air Force he became a Restaurateur moving to Coffeyville in 1972 where he managed the Coffeyville Country Club until 1977.  In 1981 he became Chief Pilot for Allied Signal

Corporation until retiring in 1995.  Following his retirement they moved to Langley, OK where he pursued his passions of golf, fishing, and cooking for the last 17 years.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Northup of the home in Langley, OK; four sons, Michael Northup (wife Delia), and Patrick Northup both of Coffeyville, Randy Northup (wife Sherri) of Ottawa, KS, and Timothy Northup(wife Malinda) of Bartlesville, OK; one daughter, Deborah Wintjen (husband Zeke) of Clute, TX; one brother, Tom Northup of Manhattan Beach, CA; thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Mark Northup; one brother, Dick Northup; and one sister, Leah Ne’ Mansfield.

Following his wishes cremation has taken place and a private family inurnment service will take place at a later date in the Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville under the direction of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.

Coffeyville -

Mabel Irene Handy, 92, of Coffeyville and formerly of Dennis, KS passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville.

She was born January 14, 1920 in Elk County, KS to Alfred and Eva (Redmon) Wilson.  Mabel grew up in Elk County and attended Longton High School.

On October 12, 1940 she married Howard Marshall Handy at El Dorado, KS.  During World War II Mabel followed her husband while he was in the U.S. Army; living in Rockford, IL, Augusta, GA, and Hamlet, NC.  After getting out of the service in 1944 they moved to Wichita where she worked at Boeing Aircraft on the B-17 and B-29 aircraft.  In 1945 they moved to the Dennis area where they farmed for 40 years.  During the 1950’s she worked at H.D. Lee Garment Factory in Cherryvale.  Her husband preceded her in death on September 10, 1981.  Mabel moved to Sycamore Landing in Coffeyville in 2007.

She was a member of the World Wide Church of God for 50 years.  After moving to Coffeyville she was a member of the Tyro Christian Church, and was a member of the Joy Group and Loyal Worker’s Sunday School Class. 

Mabel was an example of hard work and sacrifice.  She had a kind and sweet gentle spirit, and loved to read her Bible.  She was an avid gardener, loved her flowers, and had a passion for new recipes and cooking for family get togethers.  No family dinner was complete without her blackberry cobbler.  She treasured her family and grandchildren.  In later years she visited the elderly in nursing homes bringing them home baked treats.  She enjoyed serving older people.  While living in the nursing home she appreciated so much the “smiles” of the nursing staff.

Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn (Handy) Foote of Coffeyville; two grandchildren, Rebecca (Foote) Hutcheson and husband Jeff of Southampton, PA, and Brian Foote of Denver; five great grandchildren, Kathryn, Andrew, and Logan Hutcheson, and Ashleigh and Derek Foote. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, two brothers, and two infant grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Neodesha Cemetery in Neodesha, KS with David Bycroft of Tyro Christian Church officiating.

Friends may call on Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.  The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to the Tyro Christian Church Technology Ministry or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; contribution may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.

Coffeyville -

Anna Laura Lafferty, 94, of Coffeyville, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2011 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville.

She was born April 25, 1917 at Watova, OK to J.A. and Anna (Regier Heidebrecht.  She grew up and attended received her elementary schooling at Watova, and completed her education at Nowata, OK graduating from Nowata High School in 1940.  Anna graduated from Coffeyville Junior College in 1943 and attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, OK.

In April 1944 she married Robert Lafferty at her parent’s home at Watova.  Following their marriage they lived in the Long Beach, CA area for several months before returning to the Thompson Community east of South Coffeyville where they lived for 17 years, farming and raising cattle.  In 1963 they moved to South Coffeyville.  Mrs. Lafferty was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, yard work, and her flowers.  Her husband preceded her in death on February 4, 2002, they had been married for 58 years.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Coffeyville, Christian Women’s Fellowship and assistant secretary of the Nozark Sunday School Class for several years.

Survivors include one brother.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Restlawn Memorial Park in Coffeyville with Chaplain Mike Graham of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice officiating.

Coffeyville -

Donald Eugene McNeal, 59, of Mount Gilead, NC, formally of Coffeyville passed away on January 27, 2012 at W. G. Hefner V.A. Medical Center.

Donald was born on June 16, 1952 to Marvin Donald and Mary (Sanborn) McNeal in Coffeyville. He grew up in Coffeyville and attended Coffeyville schools, graduating from Field Kindley High School in 1970.

In April of 1973 he joined the U.S Navy and received his honorable discharge in February 1976.

Donald lived in North Carolina for the last ten years; he was a truck driver until retiring due to ill health.  Donald enjoyed hunting.

Survivors include one daughter Angela Alvarado of Coffeyville; his mother Mary Martin of Coffeyville; one sister Deborah Morris of Ames, IA; and two grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father Marvin McNeal.

Memorial service will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery north of Coffeyville at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday February 4, 2012.  Military Honors will be conducted by VFW Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20.

Friends may sign the register book on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville

Sedan – Lucy Mae Bennett, 76, of Gladstone, Missouri (formerly of Sedan, Kansas) passed away Friday, January 27, 2012 at her home in Gladstone, Missouri.

            She was born February 12, 1935, in rural Wauneta, Kansas to Robert Lee Foster and LaVerna (Greathouse) Foster.  She was raised in rural Wauneta and graduated from Sedan High School in 1952.  Shortly after her graduation from high school she moved to the Kansas City, Missouri area.  She married Ralph Bennett in 1958 and he preceded her in death in 1978.  She worked as a mail clerk for TWA Airlines for many years before her retirement in early 2000.

            She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers and four sisters.

            She is survived by four sons; Richard Bennett of Gladstone, Missouri, Ralph Bennett of Kansas City, Missouri, and Robert Bennett of Gladstone, Missouri, Donald Bennett of Grandview, Missouri; two daughters, Rachelle Stull of Gladstone, Missouri and Marie Ann Moore of Jacksonville, Florida; five sisters, Nina Bell Donohue of Winfield, Kansas, Nancy Blair of Rose, Oklahoma, Carol Shull of  Sedan, Kansas, Sally Birkle of Arkansas City, Kansas, and Mickey Armbrister of Ellis, Kansas; three brothers, Mack Foster of Lakewood, Colorado, David Foster of Owasso, Oklahoma, Don Foster of Billings, Montana; several loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

            A private family viewing will take place and a memorial service will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Sedan with Pastor John Warring officiating.  Inurnment will follow at a later date at Round Mound Cemetery near Wauneta, Kansas.

            A memorial service with also be held Friday, February 3, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of North Kansas City from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.(2206 N. Iron, Kansas City, Missouri) with Pastor Tiger Pennington officiating.

Coffeyville -

Robert Amos “Bob” Laird, 87, of Coffeyville died Thursday morning, January 26, 2012 at Windsor Place.

Bob was born May 20, 1924 in Mayetta, KS to Amos and Mary (Martin) Laird. He grew up in Mayetta where he spent 13 years on a farm; he also attended his first 8 years of school in a rural one room school near Mayetta.  Bob then moved to Independence for 5 years, where he attended and graduated from Independence High School in 1942.

Bob joined the Army in June of 1943; he was sworn into service in Fort Leavenworth, KS and completed basic training in Amarillo, TX.  Bob completed Armament School at Lowry Field in Denver, CO, Gunnery School in Las Vegas, NV, and Overseas Training Unit at Florence AFB, SC.   After completing training Bob was assigned to the 5^th A.F. 417 Bomb Group 675 squad as a replacement crew.  While serving in the Army, Bob received many awards, but the most prized one was the Purple Heart.   Bob was honorably discharged from the Army in November of 1945.  

On October 11, 1952 he married Juanita Weaver in Bentonville, AR.  Following their marriage, they made their home in Neodesha until 1956 when they moved to Independence. In 1964 they moved to Coffeyville.  Juanita preceded him in death on April 14, 1999.

Bob was employed with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Coffeyville for 38 years.  He retired from there as the agent of the Coffeyville Depot in 1984.

Bob was a member of the Tyro Christian Church where he began attending in 1978, and on September 27, 1979 he was immersed into Jesus Christ in obedience to Acts 2:38.  He was also a member of Joy Group, Sunday School, Robbins Cemetery Board, VFW, and American Legion.  He also enjoyed woodworking, golf, gardening, fishing and Bible study.

Survivors include two sisters: Carolyn Brinkmeyer of Bartlesville, OK and Nancy and husband Jene Dewey of Bartlesville, OK.  The Lairds had “adopted” families who provided several “Grandkids” and “Great-Grandkids” whom he loved deeply:  Kenny and Carolyn Daily and children, Dan and Linda Cook and children, Lon Betts and Patty Slatten and children, and Gerald and Suzy Watson and children.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Services will at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2012, at the Tyro Christian Church, with Evangelist David Bycroft. Burial will be in the Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials to the Tyro Christian Church Children’s Ministry; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.

Sedan - Dean F. Bailey, 86, of Sedan, Kansas passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the Kansas Veterans’ Home in Winfield, Kansas.

            He was born July 9, 1925, in Costa Mesa, California to Orville Wesley Bailey and Vera Mae (Fengel) Bailey.  He was raised in the Ramona, Kansas area where he attended and graduated from Ramona High School.  In September of 1943 he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served his country until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

            On February 11, 1961 he married Marlene Lowe in Wichita, Kansas.  They made their home in Wichita for many years as Dean worked in the Auto Repair Department for Robinson- Lesline Buick until his retirement in 1988.  They moved from Wichita to Sedan in 1984.

            He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sedan, many R.V. Clubs, Lion’s Club, and the Median Shrine –Mason’s.

            She was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Orvene Benhardt and one grandson Michael Strong.

            He is survived by his wife Marlene Bailey of the home in Sedan, Kansas; one son, Dennis Dean Bailey of Wichita, Kansas and one daughter, Sharon Lynn Strong of Fremont, Nebraska; two brothers, John Vernon Bailey of Nashville, Tennessee and Wayne W. Bailey of Urbana, Illinois; five grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

            Church services will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Sedan with Reverend Gene DeWitt and Dr. J. Dean McNamara officiating.  Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. at White Chapel in Wichita, Kansas.

            The family has suggested memorials to First Baptist Church of Sedan or the Alzheimer’s Research.  Those remembrances can be sent to David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, Sedan, Kansas 67361.