Lorna L’Deana (DeVilbiss) Slater, 80, of rural Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born Tuesday, May 29, 1945, in Waynoka, Oklahoma, to Loren V. and Jesse M. (Buckland) DeVilbiss.

Lorna grew up on the family farm near Waynoka, helping raise Hereford cattle. She graduated from Waynoka High School in 1963 and later from the Oklahoma School of Banking and Business in Oklahoma City.

On October 22, 1964, she married Larry “John” Slater. They began their married life in Cashion, Oklahoma, followed by three years in Waynoka before making a big move in 1974 to a farm near Chetopa in southeast Kansas, where they lived for 30 years. They later moved to rural Fort Scott.

Over the years, Lorna worked for several school districts, including Cashion and Waynoka, Oklahoma, and later Chetopa, Kansas. Her most fulfilling work, however, was raising dogs on the farm. She raised Dachshunds, Corgis, and her favorite breed, the West Highland White Terrier. She especially enjoyed meeting the many people who came into her life through selling her puppies.

In addition to her love of farm life, Lorna and her family raised show lambs, an endeavor that connected her to 4-H and FFA kids and families. For many years, she clerked the annual show project sale, where she enjoyed visiting with families and encouraging young people. These show kids and their parents became an extension of her own family, and she took great pride in watching them succeed with their projects they purchased.

Lorna was an active member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Edna, Kansas, and later the Hiattville Methodist Church in rural Fort Scott.

She treasured time spent with family, which often included a competitive game of dominoes. She enjoyed bus trips with local friends and never passed up a good garage sale, especially when accompanied by her friend Phyllis. Lorna proudly embraced her role as “Aunt Lorna,” always front and center at family gatherings to inspect the new prospective members.

She is survived by her husband, Larry “John” Slater, of the home; her daughter, Diane (Mark) Brillhart of Fort Scott, Kansas; her son, Daren (Tiffany) Slater of Dacoma, Oklahoma; grandsons Clay Brillhart of Fort Scott, Kaden Slater of Dacoma, and Kolby (Kaytin) Slater of American Fork, Utah; and great-grandson Emmett Slater. She is also survived by four step-granddaughters and their families: Jenny Brillhart (Joseph and Peyton) of Santa Rosa, Florida; Megan Brillhart (Vander and Jagger) of Fort Scott; Brianne Brillhart (Cooper) and Cameron Brillhart (Riley, Trevor, and Moe), all of Nevada, Missouri. She is further survived by her brother, Mac DeVilbiss of Yukon, Oklahoma, and numerous extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Adrian and Glenn DeVilbiss.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, January 23rd at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle, 502 S. Margrave St., in Ft. Scott, Kansas. On Saturday, January 24th family and friends will gather at 12:00 P.M. at the Waynoka Methodist Church, 110 Flynn St. Waynoka, Oklahoma. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 P.M. at the Memorial Hill Cemetery in Waynoka, Oklahoma. Memorials are suggested to the Hiattville United Methodist Church or the Memorial Hill Cemetery 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.

ROSE MARY BAILEY

Rose Mary Bailey, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2026, at the Credo Senior Living Center in Fort Scott.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026, in the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

William Homer “Bill” Douglas Jr., 88, passed away on January 8, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and good friend to many, Bill lived a full and vibrant life.

Bill was born on December 14, 1937, in Rich Hill, MO, to William and Edith Douglas. Bill graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1955 before embarking on a career that spanned several decades. He began his professional journey with the Bank of Warsaw in Warsaw, MO. After moving to Fort Scott, KS in 1962, he began a job at Security State Bank followed by an 11-year tenure with the Western Insurance Companies. He later joined Citizens National Bank and served as a vice president and loan officer for 25 years until he retired in 1999. Alongside his civilian career, Bill served in the Army National Guard followed by the Army Reserves.

In 1960, Bill married Donna Carolyn (Goodenough), with whom he shared 65 years of love and companionship. Together they built a life filled with adventure and shared experiences. In their younger years, they enjoyed camping trips with their daughters to a range of locations, from Farlington Lake to Yellowstone to Florida. He and Donna later traveled to Hawaii, Alaska and every other state but North Dakota plus several European destinations and popular cruise locales. They wintered for nineteen years in Weslaco, TX, returning each year to reunite with their Texas friends and family. Of course, many trips were also made to Branson to sight-see, enjoy music, and take a few whirls on the dance floor to his favorite country song, “All My Exes Live in Texas.”

A man of faith, Bill was a founding member of Community Christian Church in Fort Scott, KS, where he served as both deacon and elder and often lent his voice to the church choir.  He and Donna later attended Rinehart Christian Church in Richards, MO.

Known for his wit and fun-loving spirit, Bill had a gift for bringing laughter into any room. Whether at work or among friends, he was always ready with a joke or light-hearted comment. His enthusiasm also extended into the outdoors—he had a passion for motorcycles and often took weekend biking trips with his buddies.

In addition to his wife, Donna (Goodenough) Douglas, other survivors include daughters Carolyn (Tom Blau) Jaqua, Kansas City, MO; Marilyn (Mitch) Yung, Springfield, MO. Surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Lauren (Aaron) Hannon of Shawnee, KS and their three children, Hayes, Jane, and Ivy; Katherine (Andrija) Markovic, Overland Park, KS and their son, Matija; Collin (Gabby) Yung, Kansas City, MO; Ryan Jaqua, Lenexa, KS.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Monday, January 12^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Rinehart Christian Church and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Jason John Findley, 49, passed away suddenly at his home on January 7, 2026.

He was born March 21, 1976 in Fort Scott, Kansas to John and Connie Findley.  He grew into a man of integrity, with a love for life and family.

He attended Fort Scott schools and was a proud member of the Class of 1994.  He was self-employed.  As soon as he was old enough to walk, his mom sent him to work at Findley Automotive with his dad. Jason and Adina expanded the business to include auto body work, Findley Auto & Body in 2014.

On November 11, 2006, Jason married the love of his life, Adina (Johnston), in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. For 19 years, they built a life together as devoted partners in marriage, family, and business, rarely apart and always side by side, sharing a life filled with love, laughter, hard work, and countless memories.

He was a wonderful father to Aliyah, Maggie, Riley, and Jake. That father’s love extended to his son-in-law Quinton.  He was the dad who showed up. He loved hard and was so very proud of each of them.

Jason was a proud grandpa to Everlee and embraced the role with pure joy. He never missed an opportunity to be with her, never said no to her requests, and loved spoiling her with all the things her parents said no to. He was greatly looking forward to the arrival of another grandchild in April.

He was a good son, brother, and friend.  He was a true friend to many and a stranger to no one.  He always had a story, loved talking with people, and had a wonderful sense of humor.  He enjoyed Nascar, the Chiefs, motorcycles, camping, lake fun, doing stunts in cars, swap meets, food, and laughed loudly.  He loved God.  He supported many community organizations.  He could always be found with one or more rottweilers by his side. He was a member of the Fort Scott Nazarene Church.

Jason is survived by his wife Adina of the home, Aliyah Findley (Seattle, Washington), Maggie & Quinton Parsons, grandaughter Everlee (Pittsburg, KS), Riley Findley and Jake Findley of the home, his mother Connie Findley; siblings Suzanne (Allen) Griffin, Gina (Travis) Shelton, and Debi (Daniel) Fritter, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his father John Findley and infant brother Wesley.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 13th at the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St., Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery near Redfield, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Ft.Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Memorials are suggested to the Findley Children 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.