Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Bertha Golden

Bertha Mary Golden, age 90, joined her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on March 22, 2022. She was born to Harry Wilson and Bertha Amanda (Thrush) Bisel on October 14, 1931 in Wakefield, KS. She married Raymond Theodore Golden on December 18, 1950 in Topeka, KS.

Bertha graduated from the 8th grade at Benham District #31 grade school in Wakefield where she assisted in the family business at Broadview Dairy. After marrying, she and her family lived in the Kansas City area until relocating to Leavenworth, then to Prescott, Kansas, and finally to Fort Scott, KS. She earned her GED (high school diploma) in 1972 while raising 7 children. She then worked as a nurses’ aid at Cushing Memorial and the VA Hospital in Leavenworth. After moving to Prescott, she served at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott for 22 years, before retiring in 2000. She kept busy with gardening, canning and travelling for many years. She also baked and provided pies for Flanner’s Owl Roost until its’ closing in 1996. At the Leavenworth Wesleyan Church, she served as pianist until her family relocated to Fort Scott in 1974, where she became a faithful member of Parkway Church of God (Holiness). After some health struggles, Bertha resided at Medicalodge where she was well-loved. She was a devoted mother, sister and grandmother.
Bertha leaves behind her grateful children, Charlotte and John Jones of Denver, Colorado, Catherine Golden, Mary Woellhof and Joyce Flanner of Fort Scott, Janice Wallace of Mound City, KS and Paul and Deborah Golden of Ottawa, KS. She is also survived by her brother, David Bisel of Dade City, FL. Also left behind are 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Awaiting her in Heaven are: her husband of 57 years, Raymond; her eldest son, Stephen Ray Golden; grandsons, Kyle Flanner and Aaron Alexander; her parents, Harry and Bertha Bisel; along with her five sisters and five brothers two sons-in-law, Karl Flanner and Wes Woellhof and many friends and family members.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 25th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Thursday evening at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice or the Fort Scott Christian Heights Building 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.

Obituary of Hallie Cannon

Hallie B. Cannon, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott. She was born December 30, 1932, in Iola, Kansas, the daughter of Charles E. Haberbosch and Ruby H. Wedell Haberbosch.

Hallie graduated from the Marmaton Valley High School in Moran, Kansas. She later moved to Ft. Scott where she worked as a trainer for the Western Insurance Company and later for Lincoln National Insurance Company.

Hallie was a faithful member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Altar Society. She had also served as church secretary for several years.

In earlier years, Hallie enjoyed participating in theater. She had performed in several productions with both the Iola Community Theater and the Ft. Scott Community College Theater.

She also liked to travel.

Hallie is survived by her son, Tom Cannon (Kristi) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and her grandson, Becket Cannon. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Lyle and Carol Haberbosch and another who died in infancy as well as a sister, Audrey Ellmer.

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 24th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

The rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. prior to the funeral Mass at the church. Following services, there will be cremation and a private burial will take place at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Paws & 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.

Obituary of Melisa Wunderly

Melisa Wunderly, age 47, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born September 28, 1974, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Randy Reasoner and Penelope Sue Combs Reasoner. Melisa married Hugh Wunderly on February 14, 1995, at Miami, Oklahoma. Melisa and Hugh had just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They enjoyed many adventures throughout their lives together. Melisa enjoyed cruising around in the old pickup, whether it was to go out to dinner, feed the cattle or check on the crops. She also enjoyed her dogs which she thought of like her own children.

Melisa adored her grandchildren, Eastonn “Easty” and Jaycee who both loved coming to see their “E” and make crafts with play-doh and glitter. She also enjoyed afternoons with Joseph and his family. Melisa can be remembered for her collection of Kenny Chesney albums and the happiness his music brought her.

She is survived by her husband, Hugh, of the home; her son, Joseph Wunderly (Allyson) of Ft. Scott and her daughter, Amber Johnson (Tanner) of Franklin, Kansas; and two grandchildren, Eastonn and Jaycee Johnson. Also surviving are her parents, Randy and Sue Reasoner of Ft. Scott.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, March 19th from 12 to 3 P.M. at the Hammond Community Center. Memorials are suggested to the Melisa Wunderly 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.

Obituary of Michelle Hunt

Michelle Bolinn “Shelly” Hunt, age 45, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022, at her home following an eight year battle with cancer. She was born October 14, 1976, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of James Louis Wehar and Stella May Holt Durossette

. Shelly graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Lawrence E. “Trey” Hunt III on June 27, 1998, at the Clayton Christian Church in Eve, Missouri.

Shelly had worked in medical claims at several area insurance companies. She had last worked in claims for Care 4 All Home Medical Equipment. Shelly had a strong devotion to her family and her faith. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church. She will be remembered for her contagious smile, her adventurous spirit and her strong will. She loved everybody and never met a stranger.

Survivors include her husband, Trey and their daughter, Sam. Also surviving are three sisters, Sue, Bobby Ann and Button and three sisters-in-law, Kim, Tami, and Melinda as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, June Marie and a nephew.

There was cremation.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 19th at the Community of Christ Church

. Private burial will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Community of Christ Youth Ministry 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 Becky Castillo

Becky Diane Castillo, age 64, resident of Marshall, MO, died Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Fitzgibbon Hospital ER in Marshall, MO. She was born July 20, 1957, in Ft. Scott, KS, the daughter of Arthur and Neva Ruth Wolfe Bolden.

She graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1976. Becky married Richard Castillo on October 20, 1979, in Fort Scott. She worked for many years as a floral designer. Becky enjoyed listening to music and dancing. She was a very good cook and baker. She loved her husband, and family, especially her many nieces and nephews. She loved the Lord Jesus, and it was apparent in the way she lived her life.

Survivors include her husband Richard of the home; 4 brothers, Gary Bolden and wife Kristy, Pittsburg, KS, John Bolden and wife Adele, Carl Junction, MO, Dennis Bolden and wife Joyce, Lisbon Falls, NE, and Douglas Bolden, Fort Scott, KS; a brother-in-law, Jerry Poyner, Fort Scott, KS; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Poyner, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 18th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the American Kidney Foundation 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 Richard Hedges

 

Richard (Dick) Daniel Hedges was born August 22, 1938 to Lawrence and Marjorie (Daniel) Hedges in Fort Scott, KS. He grew up on a farm near Blue Mound, attended Blue Mound schools graduating from Blue Mound High School in 1956.

Growing up, he was involved in a number of school activities including sports, music, FFA, annual and school paper staff. His senior year he was invited to participate in the National FFA band playing his clarinet.

After an active athletic career in high school, Dick enrolled at Baker University and made an impact on the football team playing center and nose guard. Weighing in at 170 lbs., he made up for his lack of size by playing with intensity. He lettered all four years and was named to the 1st team All-Kansas Athletic Conference team his junior and senior years. He was inducted into the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Following graduation from Baker, he began a career that would take him from teaching and coaching in several high schools in Kansas to the presidency at Fort Scott Community College and being named to the Kansas Board of Regents. He managed by walking around, making recorded lists, delegating tasks and was very good at “getting things done”.

He married Karen Prather, a co-teacher at Baldwin High School December 27, 1964. They had two sons, Lance and Kyle. Both Karen and Dick were active in their respective schools, church and community. As a family they enjoyed a wide variety of sports, outdoor activities, hunting, fishing and traveling . Karen died unexpectedly in August of 2006.

A Christmas note reconnected Dick to Janice (Jan) Strecker in 2010. Their families had become good friends during the two years Dick worked in Hutchinson, KS. Dick and Jan were married August 14, 2011. After three retirements by each of them, they opened a bookstore, Hedgehog.INK!, in downtown Fort Scott in October of 2018.

Dick has been a member of the Fort Scott United Methodist Church for 54 years, he wrote a weekly column for the Fort Scott Tribune for 52 years. He was a teacher, coach, principal and FSCC president three different times. He had short stints in private industry, Greenbush Educational Center and Johnson County Technical School. He served the community of Fort Scott as a city commissioner – 14 years and mayor 3 years. He served on the Mercy Hospital Board, FSCC Board of Trustees and Endowment committee, Area Community Foundation Board, as well as many other leadership roles. He was instrumental in the building of the Ellis Fine Arts Center and creating the Gordon Parks Museum. He was a member of the Fort Scott Rotary Club.

Dick is preceded in death by an infant brother, his parents, his wife Karen and son Lance.

Survivors include his wife, Jan of the home, son Kyle and wife Tina Keating Hedges, Bolivar, MO, daughter-in-law Stacey Hedges, Garnett, KS, step-sons Scott Strecker Portland, OR and Stuart Strecker Lawrence, KS, one brother Tom Hedges, Kansas City, MO, one sister Donna and husband Wilfred Lehmann, LeRoy, KS. Six grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren with one more to arrive in July. A number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Dick has impacted the lives of more people than he will ever know. His style of teaching, coaching and leadership have inspired those who knew and worked with him to reach higher, to learn more and to pay it forward. He was a true public servant in every sense of the word.

Rev. Christopher Eshleman will conduct funeral services Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery Fort Scott, KS.

A visitation will be held at Cheney Witt Chapel Tuesday, March 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Scott Community College Foundation or Fort Scott 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 Clifton Sexton

Clifton Dale Sexton, age 79, of Uniontown, Kansas passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on Friday, March 4, 2022, with family in attendance, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas after a brief illness.

He was born June 28, 1942 in Wild Cherry, Arkansas. The youngest of three boys, they grew up in the White River country of Arkansas farming the land. As times grew hard in the region they moved to Overland Park, Kansas where Cliff finished his high school education.

As Cliff grew up, he married and had four children. He worked with his father and brother in concrete construction and service station work during his younger years. Then a yearning for his roots took hold and his profession took him to a variety of places working as a ranch hand and honing his skills as a professional trap shooter. He is a two-time All American Trap shooter and is enshrined in the Kansas Trap shooter Hall of Fame in Wichita.

Cliff is also a member of the Professional Cowboy Association and a private pilot. Cliff was very involved in civil war reenactments and was a movie set wrangler where he and his horse “Rebel” were extras in several movies, documentaries, and films. Later he worked at the American Royal.

In his later years he wrote poetry and songs based on his experiences. Cliff traveled to a variety of venues to perform his cowboy songs and poems. He has published three volumes of poems and contributed to several publications. Most recently he took his poetry to some of the local nursing homes in SE Kansas and SW Missouri. He loved talking to these folks and taking them back to happier times through his poetry.

Cliff was a Christian gentleman and a faithful member of Dry Ridge Baptist Church in Uniontown, Kansas.

Cliff is survived by a close and loving family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Vernon, his mother Zela Elmeta (Faught) Sexton, his brother Vergle Ernestene (Ernest) Sexton.

He is survived by his brother Vernon Eugene (Gene) Sexton of Lenexa, Kansas. Cliff is survived by four children, Donna Sue Sexton of Kansas City, Missouri; Terry Dale Sexton of Peculiar, Missouri; Tami Ann (Sexton) Stewart of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Cassie Leigh (Sexton) Todd of Mountain Grove, Missouri. He has four grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Also, a loving family of cousins, a niece, nephews, and their families.

Cliff was loved and will be missed by all.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Dry Ridge Baptist Church of Uniontown, Kansas, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Harry “Sonny” Peterson

Harry Willis “Sonny” Peterson, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at his home. His life-journey toward this moment of entering heaven began on October 3, 1932, in Hiattville, Kansas, to parents, Willis and Verna Likely Peterson. As the oldest surviving child, Harry was soon joined by four brothers and three sisters. In many ways, this “Sonny Boy” guided and guarded each of them as he progressed through school at Hiattville and Mount Hope.

Even as a young man, Sonny knew the path to happiness, especially when he found and captured the love of his life, Edith Hopkins. Marrying her on February 13, 1954, gave these sweethearts many opportunities to guide, and raise other children through the years even though they remained childless. Cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings, 4-H kids, Rainbow girls and numerous others became their projects and indeed, their children.

Sonny was not only known for taking care of others; he was known for taking care of business by “fixing” anything – trucks, tractors, electricity, plumbing or carpentry projects. “Uncle Sonny” could change your tire, feed your cattle or cut wood for your heating system. He always gave the best he had with no expectation of reward or payment. This work ethic was seen in his jobs: twenty-one years for Ford Tractor and New Holland followed by twenty years for the Fort Scott U-234 School District. His education afterschool focused on the needs for his occupations specializing in tractors, combines and welding. Fixing problems paved his way to a life filled with good works.

Some of those good works included participation with the Grange, 4-H, Rainbow Girls, and Iza Stompers Square Dance Club.

Church became a priority in his life; as a member of the Ft. Scott First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, trustee, and moderator. Sonny’s love of people and of “fixing” problems led to being a member and past Master of Xenia Lodge, past District Deputy Grand Master for District #8, member of Royal Arch, Iola, past Grand Officer of AF & AM for Kansas, member and past Patron of Olive Chapter #13, OES, and Grand Chaplin for Grand Chapter in Kansas. His life was spent “fixing” lives of others and sacrificing for others.

Harry “Sonny” is survived by his wife, Edith, of the home; three sisters, Mary Loy Schaffer, Marge Madison and Sissy Mall and two brothers, Frank and Von and numerous relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and two brothers, Pat and Bill.

Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 14th at the First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Masonic rites will take place at the close of visitation. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel,

Obituary of Tynce Joles

Tynce “Tiny” Lloyd Joles, 68, of Girard, KS, formerly of Hiattville, KS. passed away, Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Girard Medical Center. He was born, March 23, 1953 the son of Harry Shadden and Colleen Joles in Coalgate, Oklahoma. He married Emily Nichole Stanley on January 13, 2021 in Mound City, Kansas, she survives, of the home.

Tiny was an auto mechanic and an avid Dirt Track Stock Car Driver and enthusiast.

In addition to his wife, Emily, he is survived by 2 daughters, Tammy Skaggs, Joplin, Mo. and Tonya Lapier, Enid Oklahoma, 3 sons, Tracy Joles of Eldorado Springs, Mo., Tommy Joles of Pittsburg, Ks. and Keith Bradley, Mapleton, Ks. Three brothers, Harry Shadden, Fulton, Kansas;  Steve Shadden, Elsmore, Kansas; and Richard Shadden, Hutchinson, Kansas, a sister, Susie Shadden, Kansas City, Missouri, and several grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tynce L. Joles II, a daughter, Tabitha, twin babies, Trenton and Tori, two sisters, Wanda and Sharon and a brother, Ronnie

Pastor Mike Buckamneer will officiate graveside services for Tynce, 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022 at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Hiattville, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott.

Memorials may be given to the Nevada Speedway in Tynce’s honor to help with the young new drivers, and 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. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Elizabeth Hill

Elizabeth A. Hill, age 84, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS. She was born on February 27, 1938, in Los Angeles County, CA, the daughter of Theodore Joseph Davis and May Olive Howe Davis. She graduated from the University of Idaho with dual degrees in General Sciences and Geology. Elizabeth worked in different fields during her life but mostly enjoyed being a Park Ranger. Her assignments included Ft. Scott National Historic Site and the Harry S. Truman House. She was an accomplished artist, and enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and writing children’s books. She loved family adventures and collecting all sorts of things.

Survivors include a son, Danny Roberts, Ft. Scott; 4 daughters, Jolene Matkin and husband Kenton, Ft. Scott, Heather Metcalf and husband Alvin, Ft. Scott, Laura Beerbower and husband Michael, Redfield, KS, and April Jacobs and husband Trevor, Ft. Scott; two sisters, Margaret Janson and husband Bob, Genesee, ID, and Kathleen Burton, Kerrville, TX; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Theodore J. Davis, Jr.; 2 sisters, Doris Wood, and Mary Seavers; a grandson, Shawn Harper; a great grandson, Elijah Miles; a great granddaughter, Paisleigh Sheriff; and her parents.

There was cremation. Kristen Carothers will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 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.

 

Obituary of Melisa Wunderly

Melisa Wunderly, age 47, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

 She was born September 28, 1974, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Randy Reasoner and Penelope Sue Combs Reasoner. Melisa married Hugh Wunderly on February 14, 1995, at Miami, Oklahoma. Melisa and Hugh had just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They enjoyed many adventures throughout their lives together. Melisa enjoyed cruising around in the old pickup, whether it was to go out to dinner, feed the cattle, or check on the crops. She also enjoyed her dogs which she thought of as her own children.

Melisa adored her grandchildren, Easton “Easty” and Jaycee who both loved coming to see their “E” and making crafts with play-doh and glitter. She also enjoyed afternoons with Joseph and his family.

Melisa can be remembered for her collection of Kenny Chesney albums and the happiness his music brought her.

She is survived by her husband, Hugh, of the home; her son, Joseph Wunderly (Allyson) of Ft. Scott and her daughter, Amber Johnson (Tanner) of Franklin, Kansas; and two grandchildren, Eastonn and Jaycee Johnson. Also surviving are her parents, Randy and Sue Reasoner of Ft. Scott.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Melisa Wunderly 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.

Obituary of Shanna Griffiths

Shanna R. Griffiths, age 65, a resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center Emergency Room in Nevada, Missouri.

She was born August 19, 1956, in Olathe, Kansas, the daughter of Douglas Brian Culp and Marilyn Dee Vermillion Culp.

She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Robert Dean Griffiths on February 15, 1975, in Ft. Scott.

Her life’s work was health care. In earlier years, Shanna worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott and later St. John’s Hospital and Freeman Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri. For ten years, she taught nursing classes at Missouri Southern University. She later completed training to become a nurse practitioner. She was currently serving at nurse practitioner at the Nevada Regional Medical Center’s Rich Hill Clinic.

She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada.

One of her hobbies included doing family genealogy.

Survivors include her husband, Bob, of the home; two children, Douglas Brandon Griffiths (Priscilla) of Deerfield, Missouri and Lisa René Peterson (Shane) of Albany, Missouri; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Sarah McCulley (Les) of Deerfield, Missouri and Sherry Daniels of Topeka, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Father Pete Savidge will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 9th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following funeral services, there will be cremation.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.