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.

 

 

 

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.

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.

 

 

Russell Wallace “Wally” Bradford, age 72, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott, Kansas.  There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

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.

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.

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.

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 30^th 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

Lonny Ray Reasoner, age 69, resident of Wichita, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Loving Hearts Home Plus in Wichita.  He was born November 9, 1953, in Ft. Scott.  He attended schools in Moran, Bronson, and Uniontown, KS.  As a young man, he helped on the family farm.  Lonny also worked as a cook at the NuGrille restaurant, Tower Metal, and Bruce Marble Works.

He also served his country in the U. S. Navy.

After that, he spent many years working in salvage, as a tow truck operator, and a mechanic for used car dealerships.

 

Survivors include siblings Bill Clendinning, Salina, KS, Donna (Reasoner) Jurado, Pleasanton, TX, Tom Reasoner, Carthage, MO, Randy Reasoner (Sue), Fort Scott, KS, Connie (Reasoner) Hawkins (Paul) Carterville, MO, Sandy Reasoner, Eddie Swor (Janet) Pittsburg, KS, and Kelly Swor, Pittsburg, KS.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna, father Donald Lee Reasoner, stepmother Dorothy Reasoner, his mother Barbara (Mills) Duren, and 2 sisters, Sandra Clendinning, and Cheri Swor.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, December 30^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

The family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:30 prior to the service at the funeral home.

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

 

 

Lonny Ray Reasoner, age 69, resident of Wichita, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Loving Hearts Home Plus in Wichita.  Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, December 30^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:30 prior to the service.  Memorials are suggested to the Lonny Reasoner Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.

 

 

Rachael Kelly Morasch, age 54, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 22, 2022, at her home.

She was born December 17, 1968, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Gary Morasch and Nina C. Bertino Morasch.  Rachel grew up in Kansas City area.  Growing up, Rachael had great memories of traveling with her aunt and uncle around the country especially taking trips to New York City to visit her grandparents.

Rachel had worked in the medical claims business for over twenty years.  She was currently employed as a supervisor for Cobalt Med Plans.

Rachael lived a life dedicated to helping others.  She was devoted and loving single mother to her three children.  Rachael tried her best to make special memories with her family.  Her children have many recollections of Halloween antics, camping and canoeing trips, and especially of the many silly pranks she pulled on them over the years.

Rachael had a love for animals and was always willing to help an animal in need.  She was also an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and will remembered for her many pre-game rituals.

Later, Rachel provided care for her ailing mother, Nina, who passed away in May of this year.

 

Survivors include her three children, Devon Morasch (Christina) of Nevada, Missouri, Morgan Gordon (Ethan) of Gardner, Kansas and Chelsea Goff (David) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and five grandchildren, Quinton, Delilah, Waylon, Dawson and Shepard.  Also surviving are an uncle and aunt, Philip and Jeanette Bertino of Melbourne, Australia and a sister, Vivian Westphal (Mark) of Overland Park, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 31^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Paws and Claws Animal Shelter 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.