Corinne Teressa Demko passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas. She will be remembered with love by her family, friends, former students, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her life.

Born on February 26, 1952, in New Jersey, to John and Dorothy Gleason, Cory was blessed with a fierce spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and big, open heart. It was in New Jersey that she met the love of her life and husband, Allan Demko. Together, they built a home, family and wonderful careers in New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Kansas.

In her professional life, Cory was a beloved teacher at Laconia Head Start for 25 years, dedicating herself to helping young children learn, grow, and feel loved and supported. Her warmth, kindness, patience, and genuine love for children left a lasting impression on countless lives. The children and families she served held a very special place in her heart, and the impact she made will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

Cory’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She was proud of and is survived by her three sons, Luke, Mathew, and Andrew Demko. And it was during her retirement in Kansas and frequent trips to California that she took on her most cherished role as “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren. Nanny tried to never miss any of their events and, if she did, loved seeing highlights and getting a play-by-play shortly thereafter. Supporting her family and celebrating their accomplishments brought her tremendous joy.

Cory was preceded in death by her husband Alan S. Demko; her parents John and Dorothy Gleason; and her sisters Suanne Cordani and Valerie Gleason. She is survived by her sisters Christine Heimbuch and her husband James; her sister Kathleen Gleason; her brother John Gleason and his wife Carol; her son Matthew Demko; her son Andrew Demko and his wife Courtney Demko; her son Luke Demko and his wife Kimberly Demko; and her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Demko, Olivia Demko, Coralen Demko and Easton Demko.

Those who knew Cory knew she had many passions (books, card games, mahjong, the Boston Red Sox, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to name a few), and she never hesitated to share her enthusiasm for the things she loved.

Cory will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kindness, laughter, love, and generous spirit will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Her memory will live on through the generations of her family, through the children she taught, and through all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 8, 2026, at 10:00 am with burial at St. Mary’s cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Corinne’s memory to St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Fletcher Keith Wheeler, age 86, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away at home on September 28, 2026. He was born on December 19, 1939, in Hiattville, Kansas to Warren (Fay) Wheeler and Dorothy (Lorene) Barker Wheeler.

Fletcher spent much of his working life with the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He especially looked forward to trips to Minnesota and Canada to hunt with his brothers, nephews, grandson, and friends. He also liked Monday night poker games, where good company and mostly friendly competition were part of the tradition. He loved spending time with and spoiling his granddaughter, and he left her with many special memories. Dogs were also a big part of his life, and he loved his German Shepherds and Malamutes.

One of the things he was best known for was his ability to fix things. He was often the person others turned to when something needed repair. Those who knew Fletcher will remember his stories and laughter. They will remember the trips, the games, and his willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Survivors include daughters, Shelly Shirley (Tom), Springfield, Mo and Lisa Wheeler, Palm Harbor, FL; grandson Daniel Shirley (Ashley), Kansas City, Mo; granddaughter Kaitlyn Shirley of Springfield, Mo and sister, Cynthia Post, Fort Scott, Ks.

Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kay, brothers Jerry Wheeler and Rex Wheeler, sister Shirley Burcham, and nephews DeWayne Post and Joshua Wheeler.

Per his wishes, there will be no service.

Memorials are suggested to go to Wayside Waifs (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.

Janice Elaine Clark Ramsey
October 3, 1940 – September 30, 2026

Janice Elaine (Clark) Ramsey, age 85, a former resident of Uniontown, Kansas and more recently of Ft. Scott and Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg. She was born October 3, 1940, in Fort Scott, to loving parents Roy E. and Nellie L. (Smith) Clark. Janice passed away just three days prior to her 86th birthday.

Janice graduated from Uniontown High School with the Class of 1958. After graduation, Janice began working for the Western Insurance Company until she was joined in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard L. Ramsey, on October 18, 1959. Richard had joined the United States Air Force in 1957. They spent their early years of marriage in military housing on Edwards Air Force Base in California. They returned in April of 1962 to make their home in Uniontown. Encouraged by their four children, Janice and Richard made the move to Fort Scott in November of 2014 before the winter. Richard and Janice had celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in October of 2014, but sadly her loving husband passed away unexpectedly in August of 2015.

Janice retired from the Bourbon County Appraiser’s office as a staff member in October of 2005. She worked various jobs throughout her life which included Ray Shepherd Motors as a receptionist and at the Farmer’s Co-op in Uniontown.

Her hobbies included watching her favorite sports; she was an avid fan of KU basketball and Kansas City Royals baseball. She always took pride in her cherished children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting and school events. Janice also loved to play Bunco with her friends. She also liked eating out, shopping, and going to the movies.

Janice often felt her greatest accomplishment was her children and her blessed grandchildren. Janice had a glow that beamed with pride as she watched the family grow and bring much enjoyment to her world. Her favorite holiday was always Christmas with the many decorations and trees and also keeping up with the family Christmas stockings. If 2026 could have brought an old fashioned Christmas, she would have had her four children and their spouses, her twelve grandchildren and their spouses, and her twenty-two great-grandchildren with another due in December. As family, we counted it would have been fifty-seven stockings.

Survivors include her children: Lisa (Don) Barker, Nevada, Missouri; Jeff (Robyn) Ramsey, Hugoton, Kansas; Cheryl (Jim) Koppa, Fort Scott, Kansas; and Joel (Laura) Ramsey, Girard, Kansas.

Grandchildren: Brett (Kayla) Campbell, Pittsburg, Kansas; Trevor (Jami) Campbell, Overland Park, Kansas; Steven (Courtney) Ramsey, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dan (Elaina) Koppa, Fort Scott; Derek (Randi) Koppa, Fort Scott; Joshua (Samantha) Ramsey, Mesa, Arizona; Denton (Suzy) Ramsey, Pittsburg; Reed (Noreen) Ramsey, Galt, California; Dane (Allison) Ramsey, Nixa, Missouri; Mariah (Aaron) Lulf, Derby, Kansas; and Miranda (Jeremy) Turner, Norwich, Kansas; twenty-two great-grandchildren with a 23rd expected in December.

Also surviving are her brother, David Clark, Independence, Kansas; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Pat) Ramsey, Joplin, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Roy and Nellie Clark; her in-laws, Elmo and Mary Ramsey; a grandson, Ryan C. Campbell; and great-granddaughter Reece Koppa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Harry Hines Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.