Erie, Kansas - Howard G. Yarnell, 87, of rural Erie, died at 5:55 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998, at the Labette County Medical Center at Parsons, Kansas. He had been in failing health for the past 16 months, and entered the medical center Dec. 3.
He was born May 28, 1911, on the family farm southwest of Erie, to Perry and Lillie M. Smith Yarnell. He attended rural Erie schools.
He married Mary Alice Gough on Jan. 25, 1934, at Oswego, Kansas. She preceded him in death Feb. 1, 1974.
Mr. Yarnell was a farmer. He also helped build the Temple Baptist Church at Erie. He attended the Temple Baptist Church. He served on the church board, rural school boards and the Dutton Levy District board.
Survivors include a son, Donnie G. Yarnell of rural Erie; a daughter, Martha A. Yarnell of rural Erie; two brothers, Leon Yarnell of Erie and Eugene Yarnell of Butler, Mo.; four sisters, Glenda Reeves of Pittsburg, Susie McDermed of Erie, Lucy Tredway of Erie and Nona Sanders of Parsons; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Howard Dean Yarnell; a son, Melvin E. Yarnell; two brothers; and three sisters. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Temple Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Bingham officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery.