Bessie V. Papon

Bessie Papon, 96, a lifelong resident of Fredonia, Kansas, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the Neosho County Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas. She was born January 7, 1912 in Ava, Missouri, the oldest of nine children of William and Ollie (Day) Robertson. On August 10, 1936, in Ava, Missouri, she married Orval Frank Papon Sr. He recently preceded her in death March 6, 2008. Orval and Bessie spent 50 years in the grocery business, where they owned and operated grocery stores in Coyville and Lafontaine before opening Papon"s IGA Grocery Store in Fredonia. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Fredonia and the H.D. Unit. Mrs. Papon"s survivors include: one son: Orval F. "Butch" Papon Jr. and his wife, Karen of Naperville, Illinois one grandchild: Brenda Morevitska and her husband, Joseph of Blue Springs, Missouri two great grandchildren: Katie Morevitska and Kendel Morevitska She was preceded in death by her parents and all eight of her brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, April 18, 2008 at Timmons Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Brodbeck of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 2:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., with the family receiving friends 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. A memorial has been established in her name with Fredonia Regional Hospital Building Fund and may be sent to the funeral home. Family condolences may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.