Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Caleb Warner

Caleb Scott Warner, age 30, resident of Erie, KS, died Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, MO.  He was born January 13, 1992, in Lee’s Summit, MO, the son of Michael Dale Warner and Tammy Sue Hockett Warner.  Caleb graduated from Girard, KS High School with the class of 2010.

He served in the National Guard and was deployed to Germany as a heavy equipment operator.  He was greatly loved and will be missed.

 

Survivors include his mother, Tammy Sue Hambric and husband Rob, Hepler, KS; grandmother Evelyn Hockett, Chanute, KS; daughter Ember Rose Warner, Erie, KS; sister Ashley Villela, Kyle, TX; and brothers Justin Messershmidt, Hepler, KS, and Joshua Warner, Fort Scott, KS.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Amanda Warner, grandmother Alta Faye Warner, grandfather Noble Warner, grandmother Evelyn Hendricks, and grandfather Larry Hockett.

 

There was cremation.  Memorial services will be held at 11:00 Saturday, January 14th, at the First Baptist Church, Fort Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Ember Rose 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.

William Allen Taylor, age 52, a resident of rural Nevada, Missouri, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023, at his home with his loved ones by his side.  He was born May 14, 1970, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Richard Taylor and Lucy Garrison Taylor.  Bill went to school and grew up in Ft. Scott and later moved to Missouri.  He did masonry work all his life.  On February 15, 2019, he married the love of his life.  Bill never knew a stranger and lived life to the fullest.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and teaching them the ways of the world.

 

Bill is survived by his wife, Kim, of the home; a daughter, Latasha Baldwin of Nevada, Missouri; sons, Brett and Blake Taylor of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and David Baldwin, Jr. of Derby, Iowa and grandchildren, Aiden, Aubree, and Kenley.  Also surviving are a brother, Rick Taylor of Wheatland, Missouri, brother-in-law, Bill Hobbs (Carrie) of Butler, Missouri, nephews, Quentin, Dillion and Kelby Taylor and his best friend, Shannon Worthington aka “Nash” of Moran, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lucy Taylor, a brother, Jeff Taylor and his grandparents.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following services, there will be cremation.

Private burial in the Pryor Cemetery at Metz, Missouri will take place at a later date.

Services 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.

Obituary of Barbara Wood

Barbara Jean Wood, age 84, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Monday, January 9, 2023, surrounded by her family at Guest Home Estates where she was in hospice care.  She was born September 4, 1938, at Ft. Scott Mercy Hospital, the daughter of Herschel L. Wilcher and Ruth Pigg Wilcher.  Barbara attended rural schools and graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and Ft. Scott Community College.

She married Ronald Wood on April 7, 1957, at the Cherry Grove Baptist Church.  They began their life together in Kansas City where she worked as a teletype operator for AT&T.  They returned to Ft. Scott in 1960, and Barbara worked at Southwestern Bell until the local office converted to dial and closed.  She was the secretary for Bourbon County Farm Bureau and then worked for Diehl, Fletcher, Banwart, Bolton.  She served as Bourbon County Clerk for twenty years retiring in 2000.

After retirement, she served a tern as Ft. Scott City Commissioner.  While serving as County Clerk, she was active in the Kansas Association of Elected Officials where she served on the Board and as State President.  She was a member of the Eastern Star, had been a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and served on the Ft. Scott Public Library Board.  She was an avid quilter, attending many fairs and shows where she won several competitions.  She estimated that she had made over two hundred quilts and had given many of them to family and friends.  Barbara was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott and served in many leadership roles, including that of teaching children’s Sunday School.

 

Barbara is survived by her husband, Ron, of the home; two sons, Steve Wood and wife, Cathy of Camdenton, Missouri, Brian Wood and wife, Marcia of Wichita, Kansas and a daughter, Angela Cutbill and husband, David of Agoura Hills, California; three grandsons, Adam Wood, of Baltimore, Maryland, Warner Cutbill and Elliot Cutbill, both of Oxnard, California; two granddaughters, Clara Cutbill of Agoura Hills, California and Theresa Wood of Wichita, Kansas.  Also surviving are a sister, Joan Curry of Merrillville, Indiana; several nieces, three cousins and many friends.  Sue Jones, a cousin, was a very special friend.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents.  Ron and Barbara had over sixty-five years together.

 

Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 12th at the First United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist 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

Obituary of Linda Murphy

Linda P. Murphy, 71, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning, December 29, 2022, at home. She was born January 21, 1951, in Torrington, Wyoming, the daughter of Wilbur W. “Red” Metcalf and Raymoleen P. (Lay) Metcalf. She was the oldest of three girls and fourth of their twelve children. She attended school in Torrington, Wyoming, Scottsbluff and Bridgeport, Nebraska, and Twin Lakes and Longmont, Colorado.

 

Linda’s parents moved to Fort Scott in 1967, and she married Paul Tyler in 1973, who passed away in 1980. She married Mike Murphy in 1981 and they moved to California. Linda came back to Kansas in the early 2000’s and decided to make her home here.

 

Linda is survived by her children, Toni Metcalf, of Redfield, Kansas, Danell Harper, of Bronson, Kansas, Daniel Tyler, Ramie Tyler, both of San Diego, California; five brothers, Raymond, Tom, Bill, and Alvin Metcalf, all of Fort Scott, Delmar Metcalf, of Frontenac, Kansas, and Zan Metcalf; brother-in-law Ralph Eschbaumer; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a very special nephew, Drake Eschbaumer.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, two sisters, Tammy Metcalf and Lavina “Sis” Eschbaumer, and three brothers, Allen Wayne, Martin, and John Metcalf.

 

Following cremation, a Celebration of Life will be held 2:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, in the meeting room at Sleep Inn and Suites, 302 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

 

 

Obituary of Mary “Zibbie” Grove

Mary Elizabeth “Zibbie” Grove, 97, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 28, 2022, at Kingswood Manor, Kansas City, Missouri. She was born September 28, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Benjamin Hezekiah Coe, Sr., and
Katherine Lucille (Bittner) Coe.

She married Charles Allen Grove, Jr. on February 14, 1950, in
Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death on June 27, 2000.

Zibbie is survived by her children, Nancy Tweedy and husband Dan of Kansas City, Missouri, Lindsay Grove, of Savannah, Georgia, and Charles Brian Grove, of Arlington, Virginia; seven
grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Charles, she was
also preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Robert E. Coe, and Benjamin H. Coe, Jr.

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with burial following at the Fort Scott National
Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the Funeral Home beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, January 17, 2023, and the Rosary will
be recited at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Building Fund, or Kansas City
Hospice, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street,
P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online
guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Marlene Gettler

Marlene Gettler, 91, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday evening January 2, 2023. She was born on October 23, 1931, in Greensburg, Kansas, the daughter of Earl R. Murphy and Florence E. (Pinnick) Murphy. She married Dean Gettler on June 14, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas, and he survives of the home.

 

Marlene received her BA in Education from UMKC and taught elementary school for nine years in Kansas City, Kansas public schools before coming to Fort Scott in 1962. She was a business owner in Fort Scott for many years, first the Kansas Gift Shop where she was well-known for her delicious fudge. She later owned and operated the Courtland Bed and Breakfast. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and 50-year member Chapter CA PEO.

 

Marlene is survived by her husband, Dr. Dean T. Gettler; children, Julie Silfverberg & Juha, of Overland Park, Kansas, Bryan Gettler, of Kalkaska, Michigan, and Thomas Gettler and Michele, of Topeka, Kansas; a sister, Marise Sisson, of Dana Point, California; six grandchildren, Jessica Torres-Sosa, Janne Silfverberg, Dakotah Gettler, Cpt. Benjamin Gettler, Brooke Webb, and Blake Gettler; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Kathleen Stewart and Gloria Peña; and a brother, Dr. Jerry Murphy.

 

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The visitation will be Friday evening 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Obituary of Theodore Stanton

Theodore R. "Ted" Stanton 26832865

Theodore R. “Ted” Stanton, age 97, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Monday, January 2, 2023, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott.  Ted was born on July 11, 1925, in Fort Scott, the son of Theodore and Velda (Hall) Stanton.  He served in the U. S. Navy for 4 years as a gunner’s mate 2nd class during WWII.  Ted married Shirley Ray Heiser on May 2, 1944, in Fort Scott.  Together they raised 2 children, Stephen, and Shirlene.  She preceded him in death on September 11, 2007.  Ted worked for the Kansas Gas & Electric Company initially as part of the line crew and later as an office clerk, retiring after 37 years.  Ted was volunteered at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and served on the canon crew.  He also enjoyed classic cars and kept them in pristine condition.  He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.

 

Survivors include his 2 children, Stephen R. Stanton, and Shirlene Jackson, both of Fort Scott; 3 grandchildren, Jared Stanton, Lindsey Gulager, and Chris Keating; and 8 great grandchildren.  Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

 

The was cremation per Ted’s request.  Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, January 13th, at U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Friends of the Fort and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Ted’s family encourages friends to sign his guestbook at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Words of remembrance may also be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt

Obituary of Betty Hall

Betty Jean Hall, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.  She was born August 25, 1931, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Alfred Marion Wratchford and Myrtle “Sis” Coombs Wratchford.

Betty attended the Humboldt School west of Ft. Scott and went on to graduate from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1949.

She married Forrest E. “Slim” Hall in 1953.  Betty and Slim moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia where Slim was stationed with the United States Army.  They later returned to Ft. Scott in 1955.  Betty was employed as a machine operator for Key Industries for over forty years.

Survivors include her son, Danny Hall of Ft. Scott and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Slim Hall on January 8, 2019.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary L. Hurd.

 

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice 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.

Obituary of Carl “Pete” Robinson

Carl Joe “Pete” Robinson, Jr., age 53, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Via Christi Emergency Room, Fort Scott.

Survivors include sons Du’Shaun Robinson (Courtney), Fort Scott, De’Vonte Robinson, Pittsburg, KS, and Bentley Williams; daughters Da’Nisha Robinson, Bronson, KS, Alexis Williams, and Jasmine Lynch; his mother, Helen Patterson, Fort Scott; fiancé Tabitha Lynch, Fort Scott; sisters Rudie Robinson, St. Louis, MO, and Gina Robinson-Booker (Bill) St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Jayden, Jordan, Khingston “King”, Khalil “Bubba”, Latayvius “TayTay”, Khyrie “KhyKhy”, and Ami’Yah “YahYah”; nieces Wendy Watkins, and Loretta Alexander; nephews Dominick Robinson, and John Whitworth, Jr.; and uncles Clarence Whitworth, and Morris Whitworth.

He was preceded in death by a son, Domonic Robinson, his father, Carl Joe Robinson, Sr., a brother John Edward Whitworth, Sr., and grandparents Buford Robinson, Sr., and Ruth Robinson.

Rev. George Proctor and Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 7th, at West Bourbon Elementary School Gym in Uniontown, KS. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at WBE. Memorials are suggested to the Pete Robinson 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.

Obituary of John Enos

Image

John F. Enos, age 58, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, in Fort Scott. There was cremation. Memorial services will be announced later. Memorials are suggested to the John Enos 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.

Obituary of Murrel Phillips

Murrel Edward Phillips, age 95, a resident of St. Mary’s, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2022, in St. Mary’s.  He was born October 3, 1927, in Arcadia, Kansas, the son of J.C. Phillips  and Gracie Koppa Phillips.  Murrel attended Ft. Scott High School and graduated with the Class of 1945.

Soon after graduating, he joined the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific Theater until the end of World War II.

Following his service with the Navy, Murrel married Lucile M. Crystal on March 6, 1949, at the Cherry Grove Baptist Church south of Ft. Scott.  Murrel and Lucile had two children, Linda and Ronald.  In earlier years, Murrel was an active member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church.  The family later moved to Kansas City where Murrel was employed by General Motors for thirty years.  While in Kansas City, he was a member of the Haven Baptist Church.

Following his retirement from General Motors, Murrel and Lucile returned to Ft. Scott where he worked for area farmers.  In 1992, they relocated to Baldwin City, Kansas and later to Wamego, Kansas, in 2017,  to be near their family.

Murrel thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grand kids and watching them participate in their various sports and activities.  He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

 

Survivors include his wife, Lucile; and his two children, Linda Sledd (Lynn) of Wamego, Kansas and Ronald Phillips (Pamela) of Hiawatha, Kansas; four grandchildren, Jamie Sledd, Shawn Phillips, Kyle Phillips and Kim Sledd Hall and their spouses.  Also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Gracie Phillips and siblings, Clarence, Fredrick, Darrel, Mary Alice, Alpha, Wanda and Dee.

 

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, December 30th at the Large Cemetery south of Ft. Scott.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 1:30 P.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 2:15 P.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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