On September 27th, 2023, Leola “Tilli” Mae Miller, age 78, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, moved from the Earth to Heaven while at home after a long and difficult illness. She was surrounded by her family at the time of passing, knowing and feeling the love from each.
Tilli was born on May 21st, 1945, to Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis Hanson in Fort Scott, Kansas. She grew up in the Hiattville area, attending grade school in Hiattville, Kansas, high school in Fort Scott, Kansas and eventually received an Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College, graduating with honors. This was accomplished while raising her four children, maintaining a job and being a housewife…she was a busy lady.
Although small in stature, she was strong and held the world on her shoulders several times throughout her life, always able to move forward.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, all of whom understood their importance to her in her life. Through hard times and wonderful times, she was able to raise her family and was very proud of her achievements.
She was highly intelligent, quick witted, and sometimes sharp with the tongue and quick with the switch, but she was the rock for her family…always prepared to support them, in any manner they needed.
In most photos she can be seen smiling or talking, she loved to do both. She loved life and lived it – too many memories and stories to tell. She had a passion for any and all animals, country life, and the outdoors. She was an amazing cook and loved to cook for her large family and review recipes in her library of cookbooks and should be considered the Pie Queen of Fort Scott.
She was, and always will be, admired and looked up to with love and appreciation. She will be missed greatly.
Her work effort was realized and admired throughout her life, most notable was employment with Nuss and Farmer Law firm in Fort Scott, the United States Postal service, and finally Mid-Continental Restoration from which she retired.
Although her married life was difficult, she finally met the love of her life, Gordon Lee Miller. They married in Littlefield, Texas on February 5th, 1993. Upon his retirement, they returned to rural Redfield, Kansas to live. He preceded her in death in 2007.
She is survived by a daughter, Trisa Diane Bolden of Fort Scott, three sons – Steven R. Mason and wife Kendell of Fort Scott; Kenneth (Mike) Mason and wife Jennifer of Uniontown, Kansas; Mitchell D. (Mason) Welch of Redfield, Kansas and a stepson, Mitch Miller. Surviving grandchildren are Candace Dietrich and husband Aaron, Tiffany Garrison and husband Chris, Blake Bolden (Cheyanne), Alex Mason and wife Holli, Ashton Nobles and spouse Sydney, Zach Mason and wife Megan, Jordan Mason, Paige Mason, Morgan Gonzales (Tim) and Augustus (Gus) Welch. Her family also consisted of 13 great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Mae, Ireland, Mya, Gwinevere, Lucy, Gunner, Markala, Paxton, Rory, Parker, Owen, and Ryan.
She was preceded in death by her parents Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis (Hanson) Thomas, a brother James Thomas, and a grandson, Jacob Welch.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Cheney Witt Chapel at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM until service time.
Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials in her name are suggested to Paws and Claws in Scott and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a total of $528,478 has been awarded by the Kansas Department of Commerce to eight entities across the state for projects that will attract and retain employees and build the state workforce through registered apprenticeships.
“Last year, I created the Office of Registered Apprenticeship to dramatically scale up our state’s efforts to train Kansas workers with the skills needed to succeed in today’s modern economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Apprenticeships are a win for both workers and businesses, which is why my administration will continue to invest in them.”
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship received total funding requests of $3.3 million from 16 applicants. Applicants identified a variety of project needs related to registered apprenticeships, such as technical instruction, outreach, staffing, partnerships, and administrative costs. Awardees are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, and projects must be completed by September 30, 2024.
“Unions, higher education partners, and other economic development groups have accepted the challenge to modernize the registered apprenticeship ecosystem,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Benefits will be felt throughout the economy, with Kansas workers and their families being the biggest winners.”
Grant awardees include:
“Registered apprenticeships give Kansas workers the skills and experience they need to compete in the modern economy,” Director of Apprenticeship and Internship Shonda Anderson said. “These grants will help connect those skilled workers with good-paying jobs in an increasing number of occupations.”
“This investment in our mission will empower us to provide additional training to our current apprentices as well as attract additional apprentices to our program,” UA441 Vice President John Clark said.
To learn more about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, click here.
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KDOT’s 2023 Local Consult meetings scheduled across Kansas in October
The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting nine meetings across the state in October as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) Local Consult process. KDOT holds Local Consult meetings every two years to discuss regional transportation project priorities with Kansans.
Attendees will have an opportunity to share their region’s transportation priorities, hear about investments being made in transportation in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.
These meetings are an important step in collecting public input for the IKE program – the state’s current 10-year transportation improvement program. They are open to all Kansans.
Local Consult locations, dates and times:
More information about the Local Consult process is available online at: ike.ksdot.gov/local-consult-process.
Wrap-Up: Senator Marshall Hosts Ag Mental Health Awareness Week
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marshall, M.D. led an Ag Mental Health Awareness Week. This campaign intended to bring attention to the signs a friend or loved one may be displaying when struggling with mental health and, throughout the week, highlighted resources that are available to farmers, ranchers, and our rural communities.
Working in agriculture presents unique challenges, often out of farmer’s or rancher’s control, and stressors that can contribute to poor mental health outcomes in rural Kansas communities. Senator Marshall’s campaign highlighted how Kansans can recognize someone in need of support and where to turn for help.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide, 9-8-8 is the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that is available through text or call 24/7. The average wait time to be connected in Kansas is less than 21 seconds.
Below are some highlights from Senator Marshall’s campaign.
Hosted Mental Health Roundtables:
During the week, Senator Marshall hosted roundtable sessions in Wichita and Topeka to address meeting mental health needs for the agriculture communities throughout Kansas. Senator Marshall was joined by health care leaders from across the state, Kansas State Research and Extension professionals, the Kansas Farm Bureau, and the Kansas Farmers Union, among others.
Video PSA:
Senator Marshall released a public service announcement for his Ag Mental Health Awareness Campaign, which highlighted mental health trends in ag communities, how Kansans can recognize mental health warning signs, and where assistance can be found. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch.
Senator Marshall’s Ag Mental Health Campaign on Social Media:
Senator Marshall hosted a video conference with over 80 different groups across Kansas, including community health centers, farmers & ranchers, and agriculture groups, to discuss how everyone can come together for a week of action to spread awareness on mental health and discuss specific resources. Each group was asked to use the hashtag Ag Mental Health Awareness to unite everyone in their efforts.
The week of action was organized to highlight different aspects of mental health and resources. The week concluded with a resource graphic that was viewed and shared by over 1,000 people.
“…A county conducting a recount may not substitute ballot images for the original paper ballots, unless the person requesting the recount specifically requests such substitution in a county that uses optical scanning equipment or electronic or electromechanical voting systems,” the opinion reads.
Vickie Rae Marsh, age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.
She was born January 12, 1953, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Clark D. “Red” Holt and Jean Feagins. Vickie Graduated from the Bronaugh High School. She married Terry Marsh on March 8, 1990, at Ft. Scott. Vickie had worked as an outreach worker for Head Start program and later as a bus driver for the Ft. Scott USD #234 School District.
In her younger days, Vickie enjoyed pitching for the women’s fast pitch league and also bowling. Vickie enjoyed hunting for treasures at garage sales and going on her yearly Christmas shopping spree with the girls. She enjoyed attending arts and crafts festivals and creating crafts of her own.
When health permitted, Vickie rarely missed one of her grandchildren’s sporting events. Quiet times were spent doing crossword puzzles.
She was a member of the Community of Christ Church.
Survivors include her husband, Terry, of the home; her daughter, Karri Stumfoll (Troy) and her son, John Hawkins (Michelle) all of Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Allie Hawkins of Ft. Scott, Reba Montgomery of Titusville, Florida; Derek Stumfoll of Nevada; Troy R. Stumfoll (Heather), Libby Stumfoll (Josh) and Ciara Stumfoll all of Ft. Scott and five great-grandchildren, Kolson, Aiyanna, Easton, Harley and Tyson. Also surviving are her parents, Dale and Jean Wheeler of Ft. Scott and siblings, Robert Holt (Terrie) of Cañon City, Colorado; JR Wheeler (Rocky) of Ballard, Missouri; Renae Russell (Rock) of Denver, Colorado and Deanna Snow (Frank) of Pleasanton, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Vickie was preceded in death by her father, Red Holt and two sisters, Sherrie Diane and Jeanine.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 3rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Following services, there will be cremation and a private burial will take place at a later date in the Centerville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 5 to 7 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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
As of right now the Rock Creek and Lake Fort Scott valves have been closed.
This is thanks to not only the weekend rains but also to the citizens of Fort Scott doing their part in conserving water. Thank you!
We will have to continue monitoring the river levels and will open the valves if needed. We will communicate this.
Please continue watching unneeded water usage.
We are still under a Water Warning.
Submitted by Brad Matkin, City Manager, City of Fort Scott
620-223-0550 ext. 210
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