Ralph Newton Stapp, 98, was promoted to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, June 20, 2022, at his home in Fort Scott, Kansas.  He was born December 3, 1923, in Arcadia, Kansas, the son of Ralph Newton and Nellie Lucille (Montgomery) Stapp.  He married Mary Evelyn Lawhead on January 26, 1968, in Miami, Oklahoma.  She preceded him in death June 21, 2003.

 

Ralph graduated Fort Scott High School Class of 1942.  He was a lifelong farmer and rancher at the family farm west of Fort Scott.

 

He was a veteran of the US Navy, serving in the Pacific Fleet during World War II.  He sailed out of the San Francisco Bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge, to enter the war.  North of the Golden Gate Bridge is a statue honoring the sailors who sailed from there to enter World War II, and Ralph was one of those sailors.

 

Ralph was a faithful member of First Assembly of God, serving many years as a board member.  He was a man devoted to God and prayer.  He was a 50+ year member of the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

Survivors include his sister, Joyce Platt of Livermore, California, nephews, Rev. John Gifford, Charles Gifford, Joe Bridgman, Scot Bridgman, David Platt, and great nieces and nephews.  Also surviving are Ralph and Mary’s dear friends who they considered their extended family; the McNutt Family, Craig, JoAnn, Travis, Tyler, Nicole and Tanner. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, and two sisters, Margaret Stapp and Mary Ellen Gifford.

 

Rev. Don Payne, who served as Ralph’s Pastor for over 14 years, and Rev. John Gifford, his nephew, will conduct funeral services at 11:00 am Friday, July 1, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  Burial will follow at the US National Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the US Navy Funeral Honor Detail out of Kansas City, Missouri. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Craig Wynn Hart, 72, died on June 21, 2022, at the Girard Medical Center.  He was born January 25, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Wilbur Wynn and Helen Maxine (McGrew) Hart. He was a resident of Fort Scott Medicalodge.

Craig graduated from Uniontown High School in 1968, FSCC in 1970, and PSU in 1975 with a history emphasis.  He was a long-time member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church and was currently a member of the Fort Scott First United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed his Sunday School class, working with Feeding Families, and fellowship with his church family.  He was a long-time member of the Fort Scott chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution where he held many different offices.  He was a genealogist.  He authored two books, several magazine articles, and consulted and helped many other genealogists in research.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his sister, Gayla Croan and brother, Kirk Hart and wife Jeanie.  He is survived by nieces Samantha (Hart) McGinnis and husband Dan, Morgan (Croan) Felt and husband Carson, and Blair Croan; great nieces and nephews Ethan McGinnis, Connor McGinnis, Perry McGinnis, Ryker Felt, Beckett Felt, Hayden Blair, and Paxton Blair.

Private family graveside services will be held later in the summer.

The family suggests memorials to the Fort Scott First United Methodist Church 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.

 

Betty Jean Simpson, age 87, resident of Bronson, KS, died Monday, June 20, 2022, at her home.  She was born October 10, 1934, in Ft. Scott, KS, the daughter of Samuel and Mable Brown Evans

She graduated from Uniontown High School in 1952.  Betty married Forrest Simpson on August 23, 1954, in Ft. Scott.  He preceded her in death on February 14, 1997.

She worked for Montgomery Ward from 1953 until 1973.  She then worked for the Western Insurance Company from 1974 until retiring in 1987.  Betty then worked part-time at Walmart for several years.

She enjoyed cross stitching, watching Andy Griffith shows, and collecting antiques.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 

Survivors include 3 grandchildren, Rachel Pearson and husband Arthur, Jenise Reinkens, and Samuel Reinkens; 6 great grandchildren; and 8 great-great grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Gayla Reinkens; 4 brothers, Norman, Samuel, Daniel, and James Evans; and a sister, Mary Simmons.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, June 27^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

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

Derrick Wayne Johnson, age 40, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Ft. Scott.

He was born March 2, 1982, in Ft. Scott, the son of Robert Michael Johnson and Linda Linnett Boyd Johnson.

Derrick graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2000.  He went on to attend Pittsburg State University.

Derrick will be remembered for his singing talent.

In earlier years, he spent many hours performing and helping with the Ft. Scott Jubilee.  He had employed in the deli at Price Chopper and later G & W grocery stores.

He grew up attending the First Christian Church in Ft. Scott.

 

Survivors include his brother, Michael Johnson and wife, Jana, of Ft. Scott and two nephews, Randy and Liam.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Linda Johnson and his grandparents, Bob and Margie Johnson and Bill and Celesteele Boyd.

 

Rev. Rob Carr will conduct a memorial service at 3:30 P.M. Thursday, June 30^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial take place in the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Derrick Johnson memorial 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.

Joseph Ross Clary, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at his home.  He was born June 22, 1940, on the family farm east of Garland, Kansas, the son of Noah Frederick Clary and Lois Vivian Thurman Clary.  Joe received his early education at a rural school near Garland.  He went on to graduate from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1958.  He then graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural education.

Joe married Betty Palmer on August 19, 1967, at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

He served with the Kansas Army National Guard from 1963 to 1969.

From his early childhood, Joe developed a love for agriculture.

After graduating from K-State, he chose to return to farming rather than pursue a teaching position.  He ran a diversified farming operation until 1983.  At this time, because of the depressed farming economy, he accepted a position with the USD #234 school system where he continued to work for thirty-five years.

He was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Garland.

 

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home; two sons, Tim Clary (Jocie) of Sedalia, Missouri and Adam Clary (Elisa) of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Mariah Wiles (Aaron), and Marissa, Matthew and Kaiden Clary and two great-granddaughters, Adaline and Natalie.  Also surviving are a brother, Kenneth Clary (Shawnee) of Ft. Scott and three sisters, Marilyn Webster (Marion) of Bronaugh, Missouri, Martha Barwick (Eric) of Nevada, Missouri and Linda Crain (Bob) of Chicago, Illinois and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lois Clary, a brother, Gerald Clary and a sister, Wanda June Clary.

 

Pastor Rick Womack will conduct a memorial service at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 28^th at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church or Avalon 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.

Jeremy Michael Blankenship, age 44, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 16, 2022, at his home.  He was born October 28, 1977, in Ft. Scott, the son of Kregg and Mary Rogers Blankenship.  He graduated from FSHS with the class of 1995.  Jeremy worked as a freelance writer.  He enjoyed music, art, online gaming, and doing online research.  He was a passionate secular humanist.  He will be greatly missed.

 

Survivors include his fiancée Beth Parker of the home; his parents Kregg and Mary Blankenship, Ft. Scott; 2 sons, Damion Blankenship, and wife Valorie, Ft. Scott, and Conner Parker and Alyssa Martin, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Marra Parker and fiancée Gabe Holt, Ft. Scott; a brother, Mark Blankenship and Jenna Cuthbertson, Pittsburg, KS; 2 sisters, Lori Smith and husband Jessie, Ft. Scott, and Michelle Heaton and husband Charles, Ft. Scott; 3 grandchildren, Adrionna , Colton, and Mazikeen Blankenship; special nephew Alex Heaton; nieces Samatha, Sarah, and Shenna; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; and his best friend who was always by his side, “Yuffie”.

 

David Weber will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 22^nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Graveside service will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Fulton, KS.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 AM prior to the service.

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

Norman “Don” Miller, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO.

He was born July 26, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Roy and Leora Heitz Miller.  He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1960 where he played sports and was a self-proclaimed terrible student.  He attended Fort Scott Community College in prior to entering service in the U. S. Army.

Following the Army, Don graduated from Pittsburg State University with a master’s in education.  He married Shauneen Bond on August 29, 1964, in Ft. Scott.  She preceded him in death on January 25, 2007.

He began his teaching and coaching career in Coffeyville, KS.  After moving back to Ft. Scott, Don taught at the Junior High School and Ft. Scott JUCO.  His teaching and coaching career garnered many awards including Master Teacher Award 1981, and the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame 2001.  He established the middle school Pride Program as well as Washington Workshop.  He was a member of KNEA, served as HPA board President and was a member of Community Christian Church.

Don’s sense of humor never failed when reminiscing with former students and athletes.

 

Survivors include two daughters, Tanya Miller, Ft. Scott, and Erin Ponte and husband Brian, Fresno, CA; a sister, Diane Yager, Smithville, MO; a granddaughter, Madison Ponte as well as Tanner, Brityn, Beckham, and Jordy Fox; and nieces and nephews Kim Boham, David Bond, Lindsay Schossow, Morgan Boham, Elise Yager, Kristy Yager, Tony Yager, Justin Parks, Stacey Snodgrass, and Laurie Short.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Connie Miller Parks, and Sharon Short; and his parents.

 

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 21^st, at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

A memorial gathering will take place at 6:30 PM Monday June 20^th, at the Ft. Scott Middle School, with casual “Tiger” gear encouraged.

Memorials are suggested to either HPA or the Don Miller Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Florence Barbara Long, age 101, a resident of Plano, TX. Died Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the T Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Dallas, TX.

She was born December 3, 1920 in Blackhawk, CO. to William John Webster and Florence Meyer Webster. Florence married Wilson Allen Long on March 5, 1940 in Denver, CO.

She had a special relationship with her grandchildren as they would spend summers at grandma and grandpa’s house in Fort Scott.

Survivors include her two children, a son, William Long, and wife Margo, a daughter, Barbara Rotunda, and husband James; four grandchildren, Doug Lipscomb, Randy Lipscomb, Melynda Larson, and husband Curtis, and Marc Long, and wife, Nicole; nine great-grandchildren, Nicole Lipscomb, and husband, Warren, Samantha Lipscomb, Griffin Larson, Amanda Larson, Isabel Long, Brooklyn Gray, Nolan Gray, Harper Gray, and Mila Long; three great-great-grandchildren, Cheyanne Brundidge, Abigail Wilson, and Mia Martin. She was preceded in death by her husband, and parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Tommy Lee Yow, age 72, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away peacefully with his daughter and oldest grandson holding his hands June 6th, 2022, at Medicalodge in Butler, MO.

Tommy was born in Winston-Salem, NC on July 26th, 1949. He graduated with Parkland class of 1967. After graduating he made a career in the U.S. Air Force. Tommy enjoyed his many tours overseas including a tour in Thailand, Saudi Arabia, two tours in Germany, and several state side assignments. He then proudly retired as a Master Sargent.

Tommy had a big heart for his dachshunds and cats. He enjoyed going to eat his favorite meal, breakfast at Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, and IHOP with family and friends. He loved watching Hallmark Christmas movies, and the tv series Monk. Tommy was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and sports in general. He enjoyed walking around Joplin, and even stopping to help defenseless turtles in the road.

Survivors include his daughter Melissa and husband Byron West of Nevada, MO, and son Mike Yow of Oronogo, MO; grandchildren, Jake (Taylor) Brasfield, Caleb Splitter, Connor (Lauren) West, Hailey Bogardus and husband Clayton, Savannah Yow, Jackson West, Sophia and Seanna Yow, Adelaide West; and 6 great grandkids.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father and mother Floyd and Margaret Yow, brother Ronnie and sister Kay, nephew Christopher and daughter in law Angela Yow.

 

Randy Coleman will conduct funeral services at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in U. S. National Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Air Force Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 until 12:00 at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to either the Joplin Humane Society or Water Garden Ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Ralph Bernard “PeeWee” Button, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, June 2, 2022, at his home.  He was born March 5, 1939, in Ft. Scott, the son of Merle Button and Mable Dunham Button.

PeeWee grew up running the streets and playing along the river in Bell Town where he also helped with the family business, Button’s Auto Salvage.

He married Rosemary Mann on February 11, 1956.  Together, they had two children Steve and Debbie.  Ralph co-owned Button’s Auto Salvage and later opened his own business, PeeWee’s Auto Salvage on south 69 Hwy in Ft. Scott.  In addition to working at the salvage yard, PeeWee was also a firefighter.  He began working for the Ft. Scott Fire Department in 1973 and retired as Captain in 1994.

His wife, Rose, passed away on June 12, 1996.  He later married Charlotte Martin in February of 2000.  Following his retirement from the fire department, he went to work for a time at Wal-Mart.

PeeWee will be remembered for his friendly and cheerful personality.

He had a hard time sitting still and enjoyed tinkering on different projects, going fishing and metal detecting.

 

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte, of the home; a son, Steve Button and a daughter Debbie Button, both of Ft. Scott, five grandchildren, Shannon Miner (Bob) and Kyle Holmes all of Ft. Scott, Tommy Button of Texas, Misty Gorman (Devin) of Pittsburg, Kansas; a step-son, Brian Harper (Linda) of Ft. Scott; three step-grandchildren, Jackie McCool (Clayton) of Joplin, Missouri, Jacob Harper of Humansville, Missouri and Jace Harper of Houston, Missouri and several great and step-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are three sisters, Mary Button and Merlene Button, both of Ft. Scott and Judy Snow of Mound City, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first wife, Rose, Ralph was preceded in death by his parents three brothers, Ronald, Donny and Bobby Button and five sisters, Shirley Armstrong, Patty Smith, Tammy Merriman, Patsy Button and Bonnie Phillips.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, June 8^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association 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.

WALTER FRED FREDERICKSEN, JR.

 

Walt was born July 19, 1925, on the Sadie Beck farm near Odense, Kansas, to Walter and Marguerite (Woodruff) Fredericksen. He attended Savonburg grade school and graduated from Neodesha High School in 1943.

 

Walt served in the U.S. Army Infantry in the ETO from 1943-1946, fought at the Battle of Metz, the Battle of the Bulge, participated in the liberation of a concentration camp, and was awarded the Bronze Star and France’s Knight of the Legion of Honor medal.  Walt was always proud to say he was a member of the famous 95th Infantry “Victory” Division, known as the “Iron Men of Metz.”

 

After the war, Walt studied geology at K-State from 1946-1951 and later completed classes at KU to become a Licensed Professional Engineer in Geological Engineering. Walt worked until retirement for the Kansas Highway Commission in northeast and southeast Kansas from 1951-1986.

 

Walt was married for 66 years to Juanita Murken of Neodesha, Ks. The couple lived on a farm near Thayer, Kansas, before moving to Fort Scott in 2002. Walt especially enjoyed fishing, attending his grandkids’ activities, rockhounding trips, and cheering for his K-State Wildcats. Walt was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

Walt was predeceased by his wife, Juanita, their son Larry Eugene, his two sisters Delores Catlett and Patty Fernandez, and his nephews, Jim Catlett and Russell Fernandez.

Walt is survived by two daughters, Sue Fredericksen, Fort Scott, and Linda Fredericksen (Brian Caldwell), Sanibel, Florida, and grandchildren Alexander (Neal Nurnberg), Marguerite (Justin Whittaker), and Hannah (Kurtis West) Fredericksen, sister-in-law Ruth Hackworth, and his nephews Tom and Don Catlett, and Lloyd Fernandez, Jr.

 

No services are planned. The family requests donations to Sami’s Legacy, supporting the youth activities he so loved, c/o Konantz Cheney Funeral Home, 15 West Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: (620) 223-1212. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

 

Stanley Marion Grubin died after a long battle with cancer in Pittsburg, Kansas on May 25, 2022, at the age of 92.

 

Stan is survived by his children Marty Grubin and wife Leslie (Dunwoody, GA), Lucy Gladbach and husband Jim (Deerfield, MO), Marcia Haskell (Aliso Viejo, CA) and Nancy Jensen (Pittsburg, KS); siblings, Wanda Turre (Cherry Hills, CO), Charlie Grubin (Anchorage, AL) and Diane Shranz (Denver, CO).  He has 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his spouses Mary Grubin and Joyce Grubin; daughter Cindy Beshara, siblings Edward Mazur, Thomas Thompson, Walt Mazur, Eugene Grubin, Chester Grubin, Eugenia Grubin and Jeanette Grubin.

 

Stan was born on November 6, 1929, in Colorado Springs, CO to Eugene and Wanda Grubin. His parents emigrated from Poland and raised 11 children on a farm in Colorado during the Great Depression. At the age of 13, he left home riding freight trains across the western United States looking for work. He worked various jobs including hunting bears that were decimating sheep ranches, driving ambulances, and acting as a bouncer at a local ballroom.  He joined the Army in 1952 and served as a sharpshooter in the Korean War.  Stan served his country with distinction receiving commendations for his expertise in winter warfare.

After the Korean War, Stan returned to Colorado and married Mary Jean Saam.  They welcomed 5 children over the next eight years.  Stan graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Electrical Engineering while working for Western Electric as a telephone cable installer.  In 1960, Stan was promoted to Department Chief, Industrial Relations in New York City.  While living in Randolph Township, New Jersey, Stan was elected Mayor and was active in the Urban League in Newark, New Jersey.  Over his 37-year career at Western Electric, he managed thousands of workers at several large manufacturing plants in Oklahoma City and Dallas, Texas.

Stan retired to Laguna Niguel, CA in 1982 and in 1997 moved to Fairhope, Alabama.  As one who never shied away from the spotlight, Stan volunteered to be the Grand Marshall of the Fairhope Christmas Parade, made his presence known on the golf course and nurtured new friendships at St. Thomas Hospital where he purportedly worked out, but was mostly seen drinking coffee and holding court.  He spent time with dear friends, Jason, and Michele Braly, and attended Saint Lawrence Catholic Church.

 

For those who knew Stan, he had a larger-than-life presence and never met a stranger.  His children remember him as a loving father with a great sense of humor who encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

 

A memorial service will be held at a future date in Fairhope, AL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to either Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund or Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.