Alice May Tripp, age 89, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Chase County Care & Rehabilitation Center in Cottonwood Falls.

She was born October 29, 1933, in Deerfield, Missouri, the daughter of George L. Crosby, Sr. and Beulah Parker Crosby.  Alice attended Ft. Scott schools and graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1951.

She worked for the Western Insurance Company for four years.  She then went on to become a licensed cosmetologist in 1956.  Alice was an entrepreneur, and in 1958, she opened her own shop in Ft. Scott, which she operated for forty-three years.  Alice had many regular clients who were also close friends

She was a member of the Olive Chapter #13 Order of the Eastern Star.

In 1980, Alice married Ray Tripp.  He preceded her in death on May 21, 2014.  Alice was also preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by a brother, George L. Crosby, Jr. (Alice Fay) and her sister, Rosa Marie Bolinger (Jim); five nephews, two nieces.  Also surviving are four step-daughters, Rhonda McAlister (Ted) of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Sandra Buntain (Mike) of Springfield, Missouri, Marsha Heiser (Jerry) of Prescott, Kansas and Laura McDysan (Lee) of Berryton, Kansas and a host of other friends and family members.

 

Pastor Mike Bright will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 26^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Pittsburg Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Cherry Grove Baptist Church 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.

Mary Lou Young was born in Wichita, KS on May 27th, 1955, to Gilberta Mae Burger. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Friday May 19th, 2023.

Mary was united in marriage to Wade Douglas Young after rekindling their young love on August 26th, 1982, in Fort Scott, Kansas on the steps of the United Missionary Baptist Church. They cherished each other for 40 years and from their union came a beloved daughter, Kimberly Young. Who joined her two sons Shawn and Larry Judson from a previous union.

Mary had a green thumb and loved to working outside in her flower garden and decorated for every holiday. She was a woman of routine and habit which included the Days of Our Lives right before an afternoon nap. Usually, the right hand of her beloved husband, they could be found cruising through town together.

Mary was a loving mother who treated every child as her own. She loved being a Nana and a great grandmother. Those left to treasure her memory are her children, Kimberly Young (Brett),  Larry Judson (Tasha), Shawn Judson (Becky), Step-Children Cyress Alexander (Todd) and Wade W. Young (Rusty); bonus daughters, Chelsea Zandler and Danielle Wisely (Shawn); twelve grandchildren, Keegan, Nicholas, Wade, Bekah, Elisha, Mary, Benjamin, Jonathan, Donathan, Darian, Gabrielle and Alessandra; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Whitney, Melissa, Moses, Rhysland Wade, Rhys and Riser. Siblings Patricia Malone. In laws; Nellie Satterfield (Terry), Wayman Young (Linda), Floyd Young, Frank Davis, Rodney Young, Rhonda Warren (Ike).

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Wade D. Young who passed just this year. Also preceding are her Mother Gilberta Burger and siblings Bonnie Busby, Walter Sanders, and John Heidrick. In laws Teresa Davis, Junior and Elouise Young, Goldie Young and Janice Ray.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial gathering held at 12:00 PM June 2nd, 2023, at Gunn Park shelter house #7.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mary Young Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Joyce E. Woods, 70, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away on May 17th from health complications.  Her two sons were with her at the time she left to be with her Lord and Savior.

 

Joyce was born on April 6, 1953, to Rachel Maxine Wright Woods in Fort Scott, KS.  After graduating from FSHS in 1971, she studied at Fort Scott Community College followed by Pittsburg State University where she obtained her B.S. and M.S. degrees in education.  After graduation she began her teaching career in USD 234 in Fort Scott.  She was a kindergarten teacher for 29 years where she had an everlasting impact on many students she had taught throughout the years.  She received many teaching awards throughout her career.

 

What made her the happiest and most proud were her two sons Ryan and Jordan.  Ryan, a retired Army Veteran and currently working in IT, also gave her a granddaughter in 2005, Elyana Ryan Woods.  Jordan, who followed in her footsteps in Education, is a teacher and a coach in Pittsburg.  She loved to brag about her boys to anyone willing to listen even if they were not willing.

 

Being the God Fearing woman that she was, Joyce loved to praise and worship with everyone she came in contact with.  She loved to share her love of God with people by reciting bible verses, praying, having bible studies, singing, and loving the way that Jesus did.  Everyone that she came in contact with, she made sure to show her way of loving them, usually with a treat or some gift.

 

Lastly, Joyce would want to be remembered by her humor she brought into any and all situations, contagious laugh, and her love for ALL of God’s people.

 

Joyce was preceded in death by her mother, Rachel M. Woods, JoAnne Fewell (sister), Gerald L. Woods (brother), Marvin R. Woods (brother), Marita Eileen Woods (sister), Mickie E Brown (sister), and many friends and loved ones.

She is survived by her two sons Ryan of Kansas City and Jordan of Pittsburg, granddaughter Elyana, nieces, nephews, and many other loved ones.

 

A visitation will be at Konantz-Cheney in Fort Scott on May 23rd, from 6-7 p.m. and a Celebration of Life service May 24th at Community Christian Church at 10 a.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, per Joyce’s request, the family will accept monetary donations that will go towards a memorial scholarship fund for educators.  Memorial Donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas   66701

 

Harriet Ann Ross, age 93, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Ft. Scott.  She was born November 27, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Lancelot Jameison and Ivalu Thompson Jamieson.  Harriet graduated high school in Prairie Village, Kansas and went on to graduate from Park College in Kansas City.

Harriet loved dancing.  In earlier years she danced professionally and also taught ballet and tap dancing.  She married William L. Ross on May 14, 1955.  As Bill was an air traffic controller, Harriet followed him around the world where he was employed at various airports.  Harriet and Bill made their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Puerto Rico; Panama; Nashville, Tennessee and Wichita, Kansas.

Harriet had been employed for TWA, and as a district manager for Sarah Coventry costume jewelry, and as an office manager for various psychologists.  Following retirement, they moved to Florida.  While living in Florida, Harriet’s love of dance was rekindled, and she organized and taught a dancing group that performed at various community events.  Later in life, Bill and Harriet relocated to Ft. Scott, Kansas to be near family.

Survivors include her husband of sixty-eight years, William, of the home; a son, Mike Ross (Mimi) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and two grandchildren, Krista Park (Matt) and Luke Ross and four great-grandchildren, Jovie, Kenley, Noble and Kansas Park.  Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Willow Ross of Wichita, Kansas.

Harriet was preceded in death by a son, Steven Ross, her parents, and an infant sister, Janet.

Following cremation, burial will take place at a later date at the Liberty Cemetery in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

Marguerite Anna Edwards, age 91, a former resident of Bronson, Kansas and more recently of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born February 25, 1932, in Harriman, Tennessee, the daughter of Amos George Stuehser and Katherine May Hope Stuehser.  Marguerite married Homer Lee Edwards on December 30, 1960, in Folkston, Georgia.

They lived the first several years of their marriage in Nashville, Tennessee until they relocated to California in 1969.  While in California, Marguerite was employed as a secretary for the English Department of California State University at Los Angeles.

Following the death of her husband Homer on September 6, 2000, Marguerite moved to Connecticut to live with her son.  They eventually moved to Bronson, Kansas before settling in Kansas City.

 

Survivors include her son, Huey Edwards and wife, Martha of Kansas City, Missouri and five grandchildren, Christopher, Ambor, Wendy, Billie Joe and Mike.

In addition to her husband, Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Dave Edwards and a brother Alvis Stuehser.

 

Private burial will take place in the Bronson Cemetery at Bronson, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Epilepsy Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Bo 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

Heaven welcomed its newest Angel…..

Eva Irene Lowry, on Friday May 12th, 2023 at 8:25 am.

Many knew her as “Toby”, lovingly nicknamed by her big brother.

She was joyfully welcomed into the world by her parents Roy Charles Jewell and Bessie Mae Bybee Jewell on July 27th, 1934.

Toby was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother William Jewell, her sister Jaunita Jewell Lloyd and her husband Richard E Lowry.

 

She attended grade school through high school in Ft Scott, where she met her best and  lifelong friend Helen Rosalee Coyan Rager, who married Darrell Rager, her husband Richard’s,  best friend. What  fun it was to raise their kids across the street from one another.

 

At the tender age of 11, Toby saw a  young man downtown, and said, “Mom, I love his looks, I’m going to marry him!” Five years later on March 30th, 1951 she married him! The love of her life, Richard E Lowry.

 

After a brief time of living in Wichita and Kansas City, Ks. They settled in Ft Scott. Richard went to work for Beltone. A year later, in 1959 He and Toby started their own hearing aid bBusiness called Lowry Hearing Aid Service. Toby and Richard became hearing aid specialists, helping people to hear better in southeast Kansas. They both were well loved by their clients.

 

To sound more businesslike Toby began using   “Irene” after promising her beloved husband to take good care of his people upon his untimely passing on July 8th, 1983. Irene took over the business by herself, and had a faithful, devoted attitude and work ethic in her business  and personal life.

She loved to give whatever she did 100% whether it was serving on the local school board, the Kansas Hearing Aid Society Board, the school PTA, her church board at the 1st Church of The Nazarene where she was a member. Over the years  she served as Sunday School Teacher, church secretary, church treasurer, choir member, and VBS Director for nearly 20 years.

 

Irene loved to feed people! She received great joy by cooking for anyone hungry! For years she along with her husband Richard would make all the chili for the annual Eugene Ware Elementary Chili Feed Fundraiser. The husband/wife duo were the creators of the tastiest Chili in Ft. Scott, Ks.

 

Irene was also voted as Ft Scott’s Business Woman of The Year. She faithfully drove to her Pittsburg Ks office four days a week come rain, sleet, snow or shine, until her retirement at 82, in 2017. Leaving her people in the capable hands of her son, Brian Lowry.

 

Their marriage was blessed with four children, who she is survived by,

Debra J Ediger of Topeka Ks.

Cathy A More of Olathe Ks.

Brian K Lowry of Ft Scott Ks.

And Brent D Lowry of Yukon Ok.

 

She was also the proud Nannie of 8 grandchildren who loved her to the moon and back!

Michelle Ediger Glaze

Brooke Ediger Larson

Caleb Bachman

Careah Bachman Pruter

Ryan Lowry

Amanda Lowry Sellers

Brayden Lowry

And Bryce Lowry.

 

Plus 10 great-grandchildren who thought she hung the moon!

Peyton and Rhyan Glaze

Blakely and Taygen Larson

Dawson and Landry Bachman

Noble, Willing, and Haven Pruter and Adeline Sellers.

All are angels, of course!

 

All of her accomplishments aside, Irene became a totally devoted follower of Jesus Christ in 1962. If she was here, she would give each of you what she gave to each of us…..JESUS! She was the worlds  greatest daughter, sister, aunt, mother and wife.

 

When asked, if she would do anything over differently she said that she would have married Daddy at 11, because Daddy died so young. Although she had to wait five years to marry him, Daddy waited 40 years for her to join him in Heaven!

 

We are so happy shes no longer in pain, and we have no doubt that she is dancing on streets of gold with Jesus and Daddy.

At the end, without opening her eyes, Mama lifted up her head and smiled the most  precious smile ever seen and said, “It’s So Beautiful! My Homecoming is So Beautiful! Yes, Jesus! Yes, I Love You!”

 

WELL DONE! Eva Irene Lowry, My Good and Faithful Servant!

Truly Joy does come in the morning, It came on May 12, 2023 at 8:25 am and escorted our precious Mother from pain to peace into the eternal rest of our Loving Father, God.

We will love you forever Mama and can’t wait to see You again! We will follow you all the way home to Heaven!

 

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 18^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene Youth Department 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.

 

Francis Ray Evans, “Jr”., age 80 a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born March 26, 1943, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Francis Ray Evans and Faye Irene (Bybee) Evans. Junior graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1961, then went on to graduate from Fort Scott Community College, with his associate’s degree. Junior was a member of the National Guard and earned the rank of Sargent E5. He married Bonnie Wolfe on July 27, 2002, in Sweet Springs, Missouri. Junior worked at Ward Kraft as a press operator and supervisor, for many years.

He loved to go to the auctions, and was an avid antique collector. He also enjoyed restoring classic cars and selling automobile memorabilia on eBay.

Junior also raised and bred polled Hereford cattle for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of the home; step-son, Joshua Howison, of Fort Scott, step-daughters, Taunya Wofe-Finn (Dave), Boston, Massachusetts, and Julia Wolfe (Victor Valdez, Jr.), Nevada, Missouri; one sister, Ruth I. Jackson, Fort Scott; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-son, Kevin Wolfe; a brother, Robert R.  Evans, and a sister Betty Lois Owings.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorial are suggested to the Jr. Evans Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

 

Leanne Ruth Leatherman, age 62, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at her home.  She was born February 25, 1961, in Fort Scott, the daughter of David and Ruth Whiteside Milburn.  Leanne was always a country/farm girl and an avid horse lover throughout her life.  She rode with the Young American’s Drill Team.  Leanne worked in the family Whiteside’s grocery store throughout her early days.  She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in animal science.  Leanne married Mark Leatherman on February 15, 1986, in Fort Scott.  She was a lifetime member of the Bourbon County Fair Board and helped many area youth through 4H.  Assisting her community was paramount.  She enjoyed all crafts including crocheting, sewing, stuffed animals, blankets, and more.  She loved spending time with family, especially camping trips, and trout fishing.

 

Survivors include her husband Mark of the home; a son, Clint Leatherman, and fiancé Jodi Hardin; 4 grandchildren, Caden, Cian, Lukas, and Xabier; brothers and sisters-in-law Tom and Connie Leatherman, Deerfield, MO, and Steve and Debbie Leatherman, Joplin, MO, brother-in-law David Cannon, Louisburg, KS; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law Beth Cannon, and her parents.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, May 15^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or the Bourbon County Fair Board and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Robert Daniel Wilkerson, age 73, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  He was born January 8, 1950, in Ft. Scott, the son of Bob Wilkerson and Nelda Mead.

He attended Ft. Scott schools and graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1968.  He married Elizabeth Lifer on May 25, 1968, a day after graduation.  Together they had a son and a daughter.  Although this marriage ended in divorce, Bob and Elizabeth never left each other’s side.  She preceded him in death on February 15, 2013, after forty-seven years together.

Bob worked as a mechanic primarily at Ray Shepherd Motors for over twenty years.  He later took a sales position at Scotty’s Liquor and later Don’s Spirits & Wines where he worked for several years.

Bob will be remembered for his eccentric personality and dry sense of humor.  As a mechanic, Bob enjoyed tinkering on cars and riding his motorcycle as well as watching NASCAR and attending car shows.

In earlier years, Bob enjoyed roller skating and water skiing as well as playing softball and bowling.  Bob was musical and had the ability to play the guitar and piano by ear.  He enjoyed spending quiet time outdoors.  He will be greatly missed by his family and those who loved him.

 

Survivors include his son, Donald Wilkerson and wife, Shelli of Ft. Scott and his daughter, Heather Probasco and ex-husband, Collin of El Dorado, Kansas, a bonus son, Robert Raygoza and wife, Pam, of Mississippi.  Also surviving are a brother Alvin Beerbower and wife, Mary of Uniontown, Kansas, two sisters, Vicki Spencer and Sheila Rogers both of California and his step-mother, Shirley Wilkerson of Anderson, California, his best friend of fifty-years, Chuck Read and his fur babies, Rippel and Paws.

In addition to his former wife, Elizabeth, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Lawrence Beerbower, two brothers, Roy and Allen Wilkerson and a sister, Linda Wilkerson.

 

Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct a celebration of life service at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 5^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

A time of visitation will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to either Care to Share, who helped immensely through Bob’s battle with tongue and throat cancer, or the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in Iola.  Donations ay 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.

 

Dale Deer, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  He was born May 25, 1940, in Bronson, Kansas, the son of William Percy Deer and Kathryn Maxine Jackson Deer.

Dale graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1959.  He first married Donna Kirker in 1961.  They had two daughters, Debbie and Susan.  This marriage ended in divorce.  Dale later married Linda Jean Sullivan Epps at the Prescott United Methodist Church on October 20, 1995; and gained two step-daughters, Amy and Stacy.

In earlier years, Dale farmed and then owned and operated his own trucking company.  In 1996, he sold out of the trucking business and went to work for Linn County where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

Following retirement, Dale and Linda were able to travel much of the United States as well as Australia and New Zealand and were able to enjoy many of God’s creations.  He was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church and the Mapleton/Fulton Masonic Lodge.

 

Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home; two daughters, Debbie Rogers (Larry) of Ft. Scott and Susan Cannon (Delbert) of Prescott, Kansas; a step-daughter, Amy Hutton (Tim); eight living grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Tabitha Hardesty (Kent), Kayla Bronson (Jeff), Erica Bolton (Jason), Chase Cannon (Alison), Dyamond Hutton, Zoe Hutton, Ryan Rogers (Megan) and Shanna Rogers, four great-granddaughters, Kenzi Hardesty, Riley Bronson, Morgyn Bronson and Brylin Rogers, four great-grandsons, Blaine Rogers, Cruz Bolton, Blake Swift and Colben Cannon and a great-great-grandson, Skylar.  Also surviving are a brother, Kirk Deer (Debbie) of Mound City, Kansas; four sisters, Betty Adams of Ft. Scott, Elaine Gibbons of Chanute, Kathy Combs (Kevin) of Girard, Kansas and Joyce Hall (Brian) of Ft. Scott, and a sister-in-law, Jackie Deer of Nevada, Texas.

Dale was preceded in death by a grandson, Heath Cannon in 1998, a step-daughter, Stacy Epps in 1999 and a brother, Carroll Deer in 2012.

 

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct a celebration of life service at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 6^th at the West Liberty United Methodist Church.

Private burial will take place in the Prescott Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Heath Cannon Scholarship Fund 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.

Marie Marshall, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  She was born July 9, 1927, in Arcadia, Kansas, the daughter of Oliver Hoover and Laura Perrin Hoover.

At the age of nine, Marie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and faithfully served him in all aspects of her life.

Marie graduated from the Arcadia High School and began her teaching career in rural one-room schools in Crawford County, Kansas. She married Richard Dean Marshall on August 27, 1950. Marie received her BS degree in education from Pittsburg State University and taught in Jennings, Kansas; Bronaugh, Missiouri; Blue Mound, Mound City, and Prescott, Kansas where she primarily taught first and second Grades.  Marie’s teaching career spanned forty years.

Marie was a charter member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Ft. Scott.  She faithfully served by playing the piano and organ, teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School and Awana and serving on the missions committee.

Following retirement, Marie joined the Ft. Scott Writers’ Club where she served as an officer.  During that time, she won numerous local and state awards for her poetry and short stories.  Some of her poetry was featured in local newspapers and magazines.

Marie also enjoyed singing in Community College and Community Chorus productions as well as performing with the Sweet Adelines and the 7-Ups.  Marie and Dean loved to travel on many road trips through the United States and were privileged to take trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Europe and Israel.  They were also able to spend a summer in China where they helped teach English with their son, Marcus.

Marie is survived by her two children, Diane Spencer (Darrell) of Ft. Scott and Marcus D. Marshall of Wichita, Ks; four grandchildren, Susan West (John) of Ft. Scott, Derrick Spencer (Rebecca) of Winchester, California, Darren Spencer of Ft. Scott and Christine Bailes (Charley) of Kansas City, Kansas; eight great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Brauer (Dale) of Girard, Kansas, Marcus Page (Ashley) of Ft. Scott, Andrew “A.J.” Page of Kansas City, Kansas, Eric Page of Ft. Scott, Aaron West (Janae) and Brandon West (Annyssa) Ft. Scott, Crosby Marshall Bailes and Rae Marie Bailes of Kansas City, Kansas.  Also surviving are seven great great- grandchildren; Theo, Mavarick Dean, and Macen Brauer; Carter Dean and Ellie Marie Page, Ava Marie West, Kyrii Page, and one on the way.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband of seventy years, Richard Dean Marshall who passed away on October 25, 2020.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Ralph, Eldon, and Harold Hoover and five sisters, Veretta Stump, Velma Morris, Ruth Koester, Ruby Hoover and Retha Gries.

Rev. Joel Crippen will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 4th at the First Southern Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

Burial will follow in the U .S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P. M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Christian Heights Building Fund or the First Southern Baptist Church 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.

Russell Allen Hughes, age 67, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Saturday, April 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.  He was born June 3, 1955, in Ottawa, KS, the son of Victor Ross Hughes and Freda Ella Fletcher Hughes.

Russell was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing, hunting, and trapping.  He never knew a stranger characterized by his traditional wave, tipping his hat and his greeting “Howdy.”  He enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and his beloved German Shepherd Angus.  He especially enjoyed babysitting his granddaughter Elsie Mae and was able to watch her fish for the first time.

 

Russell was an accomplished athlete in track discus, shot, and javelin.  His passion was wrestling and was a true ambassador for the sport, encouraging and supporting youth interest through coaching and mentoring.  He coached various sports through the Fort Scott Recreation Program and played a key role in the development of love of sports in the youth of the community as well as in his children.  He avidly supported his children’s sport careers in high school and college, traveling to attend their tournaments.  Russell attended Fort Scott Community College and was among the first group of wrestlers to qualify for the National Junior College Wrestling Championship tournament.

 

Russell was part of the creation of the Fort Scott Bass Fishing Club and developed many enduring friendships.  He was a member of the Kansas BASS Federation, placing first in the 1987 Hillsdale Lake tournament obtaining a chance for the BASS Master tournament.  He fished many tournaments during his lifetime and had an innate old school skill set and shared this knowledge with his children and youth of the community.  His motto was “Feed a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”  He also developed a love of local history and enjoyed searching local fields and secret areas for relics through metal detecting with a keen eye for finding Indian arrowheads with his dear friend Thomas Karleskint.

 

Russell married Deb McBride in 1980.  Though this relationship wasn’t permanent, they had one child, together, Ashley, whom they adored.  He married the love of his life Patricia Anne Repasky in Gunn Park amongst the wild blooming delphinium on May 15, 1993, and would have celebrated 30 years of love and friendship.

 

He took pride in his work performance during the 33 years of employment for the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant and Groundskeeper at Gunn Park.  After retirement, he worked part time as a janitor at the Fort Scott middle School and continued coaching track.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No.8 in Iola and Lodge No. 18 in Ottawa.

 

Survivors include his wife Patricia of the home; a daughter, Ashley Marie Hughes (Jenn Hall), Hutto, TX; 2 sons, Victor Russell Hughes (Bailie), Gardner, KS, and John Ross Hughes (Jada), Overland Park, KS; granddaughter Elsie Mae Hughes; a brother, Randall Hughes, Ottawa, KS; nephews Bob and Colin Hughes, and Anthony Seigrest; and niece Jenny Seigrest.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

Pastor Danny Brown will conduct memorial services at 5:00 PM Friday, May 5^th, at the Fort Scott Middle School.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening May 4^th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.