Paul Philip Constans, age 75, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Born in Portland, OR May 15,1948 to Robert and Virginia Constans, Paul was the middle of three boys. Their Dad worked for the government, so they lived in several different cities across the country growing up. He graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder and got his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. Upon graduation, Paul worked at Marion Laboratories in Pharmaceutical Sales and as Product Manager. He loved his work there and had the opportunity to travel to many different countries throughout the world during his time there. Following his retirement from Marion, he enjoyed delivering parts for O’Reilly Auto Parts.
He married Pam Walker on January 10, 1986, in Shawnee, KS.
Paul loved watching football, and he especially loved spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Pam Constans, four children, Megan Daly (Joe) of Cedar Park, TX, Jodi Davis (Robert) of Devon, KS, Carre Constans (Donald) of Houston, TX, and Mandy Hall (Cliff) of Bronson, KS; 14 grand kids and 9 great grand kids. Also surviving are two brothers, Steve Constans (Linda) of Longview, WA, and Matt Constans (Coral) of Washougal, WA.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services for Paul Constans will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.
Private burial will take place later in the Bronson Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.
The holiday season can bring a wide array of emotions, and for many, that includes grief.
Grief is a profound sorrow, especially one that is caused by someone’s death.
“The key thing to remember is grief looks different for each and every one,” says Behavioral Health provider Sara Jarrett, LMSW. “We have all lived our own experiences. Because of this, and because the circumstances surrounding each person’s passing vary, none of us experience grief in the exact same way.”
Grief can be caused by many things. It could be the first holiday season without a loved one. You may have recently finalized a divorce, and your children will spend the holiday with an ex-spouse. Perhaps you’ve moved, or other family members have moved, and you won’t be together as you were in previous years. Maybe your family is alive and well, but you’ve had to set a healthy boundary to protect your peace, so you’re spending the holidays without them.
No matter the situation, grief is heavy and unpredictable. It has no timeline, and healing doesn’t always happen as quickly as we’d like.
How to deal with grief during the holidays
These nine points can help, but there’s no wrong or right way.
Trust that grief is part of healing
Time does not heal the pain associated with loss; It is what we do with the time that matters.
Grief is a process by which we heal. Experiencing the pain, rather than trying to escape it, can help us feel betterin the long term
.
Set healthy boundaries
We don’t have to force ourselves to face every holiday event or celebratory tradition. If attending a family dinner or participating in the office gift swap will bring too many painful memories this year – be willing to say no. Other people may try to convince you and tell you what you should do, but it’s okay to say no.
Focus on what you can control
We can’t control many things about the holidays, such as being subjected to Christmas music in waiting rooms or hearing co-workers discuss holiday plans. There are some things we can control. We can plan ahead and acknowledge within ourselves that this time of year is hard. We can make a list of things that make us happy and find ways to incorporate those things into our now.
Plan ahead
Often, the anticipation over how hard something will be is worse than the event. While Thanksgiving dinner may be only two hours long, we can easily spend weeks dreading it. Instead, creating a simple plan for getting through the holiday could be helpful.
Allow yourself to feel a range of emotions
The holidays can bring many different emotions. You might feel joy, guilt, and sadness all within a few minutes. Allow yourself to feel those emotions without judging yourself. Don’t judge yourself for feeling happy or laughing. It’s okay to feel however you feel.
Find a way to honor your memories
Find a special way to honor the person you have lost. For some, that may mean setting an extra spot for them at dinner. If a tradition is ending for you, journal how things used to be or share those memories with loved ones.
Create new traditions
Don’t be afraid to start new traditions this year. It’s okay to think outside the box to alter old traditions and make them work with this new phase of life.
Do something kind for others
It can be helpful to a grieving person’s spirit if we find a way to help others. Finding a way to serve a purpose in other’s lives can remind us we have more to give to the world. Feeling connected and part of
something is always important.
Ask for help
Whether a loved one has passed, a tradition has concluded, or our perspective around relationships has changed, we don’t have to do it alone. It’s okay to reach out to a friend and say, “I need you.” It’s okay to sell someone, “I don’t know how to do this anymore.” When we need help, we need to ask for help from a friend or a professional.
Talking to a behavioral health provider can be helpful when dealing with grief. Make an appointment with a CHC/SEK Behavioral Health Provider by calling 620-231-9873.
FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) for adult and pediatric scans as
the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The location is also accredited by the ACR for mammography.
CT scanning — sometimes called CAT scanning — is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and tailor treatments for various medical conditions. Mammograms are X- ray images of your breasts designed to detect cancers and other changes in breast tissue.
The ACR gold seal of accreditation acknowledges CHC/SEK’s commitment to the highest level of ACR practice and technical standards for image quality, patient safety, staff qualifications,
facility equipment, quality control and quality assurance.
“Having CT in our facility gives the patient access to affordable scans if they don’t have insurance, or if they have high deductible insurance, it gives them the option to receive a CT
scan that they wouldn’t receive because they couldn’t afford it,” said Kimberly Wass RT(R). “On- site CT allows our clinicians to diagnose and treat sooner because it removes hospital
scheduling backlogs and transportation barriers for the patients.”
The same is with mammography. Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat.
Radiologist reports are received quickly and to the doctor, so the patients are notified in a timely manner of what’s going on, Wass said adding, “And, if there’s anything of concern, we’re able to ‘cloud’ our scans to other facilities. We don’t have to worry about creating a disk to be mailed, or carried by the patient if we are sending them on to a specialist or a hospital.”
CHC/SEK has CT and mammography services in Fort Scott and Pittsburg. For more information
about CHC/SEK CT and mammography services call 620-231-9873 or visit www.chcsek.org
Paul Philip Constans, age 75, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at his home. Funeral Services for Paul Constans will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Private burial will take place later in the Bronson Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Josie Kay Motley “JoJo” entered the world in Pittsburg, Kansas on Dec 30th, 2020. She was raised on a small cattle ranch in Redfield Kansas. On November 20th, 2023, JoJo ran into the arms of Our Loving Savior at the age of 2 at Childrens Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. \
Josie lived in Redfield with her parents, Levi and Aubri Motley, siblings Piper and Dusty, and Papa Tom. JoJo was a very energetic and loving child. She loved to steal Memaws coffee, do anything she possibly could with Papa Tom, ride their pony Chunky Monkey and play with her big yellow goat. She loved going to church and participating in Sunday School. She was driven and determined. She was a big kid and could do anything that anyone else was doing and there was no telling her any different. Josie had a bright personality. People were drawn to JoJo due to her contagious laugh and smile.
Josie is preceded in death by her great grandparents, Sarah and Frank Kottwitz, Rollin Motley, Debbie Walters, and Max Potter, and her grandfather Dennis Brown.
JoJo is survived by her parents Levi and Aubri Motley, siblings Piper and Dusty Motley, Grandparents “Papa” Tom Motley, “Memaw” Joyce Brown, “Poppy” Lawrence Potter and “Grandma” Dennise and “Grandpa” Scott Peck, Great Grandparents “Grandpa” Roy Walters, “Nana” Kay Potter, and “Grandma” Wanda Mifflin, Aunts, “Aunt LaLa” Laurie Motley, Kendra (Howie) Butler, Jessica Motley, Autumn Potter, and Angela (Will) Crawford, Uncles Austin Potter, Enos Gingerich, and Nick Brown, many great aunts and uncles, cousins, extended families, and friends.
Pastor Kenny Moulder will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, November 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, KS.
Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery, Redfield, KS.
The family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 Noon until service time at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to either Ronald McDonald Charities or Childrens Mercy PICU and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Graphic from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
This year Small Business Saturday falls on November 25th and is a day when shoppers are encouraged to buy from local, small businesses for the good of the community they live in.
Supporting local small businesses is beneficial to both the buyer and the business. Savings on gas fill-ups and time are some of the benefits to buyers for buying local, and then there are the benefits to those businesses they buy from.
“What a difference a few dollars spent per shopper can make! ” said Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lindsay Madison said. And the Chamber has been working to encourage local shoppers.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is registered as a Neighborhood Champion for Shop Small, Small Business Saturday, a program initiated by American Express, according to Madison.
Lindsay Madison. Submitted photo.
Neighborhood Champions work to rally the community to shop at local small businesses.
The Chamber has put together a Shop Small Passport that shoppers may pick up from local retailers this Friday and Saturday, she said. “If shoppers earn three or more stamps by purchasing $5 or more, they turn in the passport at their 3rd store for an entry to win $50 in Chamber Bucks. The drawing will take place on Tuesday, November 28th. Chamber Bucks can be used like cash at over 60 Chamber member businesses and restaurants.”
“If you don’t already, we ask you to Like and Follow the Chamber’s Facebook page, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “We have been posting a social campaign over the last couple of weeks to illustrate the importance of shopping local and what a difference a few dollars spent per shopper can make! Some of those social posts have included the following messaging:
“Per score.org, for every $1 you spend at a small business, 67 cents stays in the local community. Forty-four cents goes to the small business owner and employee’s wages and benefits and 23 cents gets reinvested in other local businesses,” she said.
“Your $20 spent locally does more than purchase goods, it weaves a community tapestry, where every thread strengthens the whole. That same $20 circulates. You eat at a local restaurant and tip the wait staff, the wait staff then goes and gets a haircut, the stylist then goes and buys a cup of coffee, the barista then buys a candle at a gift shop, and so on. When you spend $20 online, that $20 is gone out of our community.
“Ten dollars spent at a local store can have a sizable impact. It’s estimated that over $9.3 billion would be returned to our U.S. economy if every family spent just $10 a month at a local business. That’s not even one meal’s worth of spending a month! It’s only a few cups of coffee or a glass of wine a month. What a tremendous impact we could have if everyone could commit to that.”
“As you Shop Small over the weekend, be sure to pick up your Passport,” Madison said. “Have some fun and earn a chance to win while you’re supporting our local businesses are hit up year-round to sponsor events, support school fundraisers, and more. It’s our turn to give back to them.”
The Chamber received a limited amount of promotional products from American Express that is being distributed to locally owned Chamber member small businesses to use during Small Business Season, said Madison.
From Amanda Clasen, Kansas State Extension Community Vitality Agent’s, weekly column:
“In 2010, American Express started the Small Business Saturday effort to help direct consumer’s dollars to local businesses. The nationwide holiday is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Some ideas to help you shop locally this holiday season may include:
Use a local print shop to see if they offer greeting cards or other unique gifts.
Support local flower shops by sending unique holiday arrangements that can be displayed throughout the holiday season.
Shop at local craft shows that showcase youth and Local Entrepreneurs. If your recipient likes to cook, buy a cookbook from a local fundraiser and attach dry ingredients to a new recipe.
Purchase from local grocery stores or farmer’s markets for ingredients in your holiday meals.
Purchase gift cards to local businesses, restaurants, and businesses of interest.
Recognize your own talents that you may have as well to provide a heartfelt gift that may not necessarily be bought at a big box store.
Paul Everett Tinsley, age 84, resident of Bronson, KS, died Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Moran Manor Nursing Home, Moran, KS. He was born April 6, 1939, 6 miles southeast of Blue Mound, KS, on the family farm, the son of Everett “Ebb” and Edith Marie Stewart Tinsley.
He graduated from Moran high school. Paul married Beth Ann Glasgow on May 25, 1959, in Lone Elm, KS. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2020.
Paul worked his entire career for the Local Union #101 Pipe Liner’s Union Kansas City. He enjoyed raising coon dogs and hunting. He was a lifetime member of the Treeing Walker Breeders and Fanciers Association of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the NRA. Paul was also a member of the Mirza Shrine and Masonic Lodge as well as the Xenia Baptist Church.
Survivors include three children, Paula Ann Vincent, Everette Allen Tinsley, and James Bradford Tinsley; four grandchildren, David Paul Vincent, Deianeira Vincent, Danee’ Vincent, and Alex Lee Lukenbill; a brother, Kenneth Tinsley, and wife Donnell; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Johnson, and his parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Monday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Paul Tinsley Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Jessie Mae Neville, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 20, 2023. She was born December 24, 1931, to Carl Ausemus and Emma Armstrong Ausemus, the youngest of the eleven Ausemus children. She was born on the homeplace between Hiattville and Hepler. After her father’s unexpected death, the family moved to Hepler where she finished High School and then moved to Girard. Her first job was at Zettle’s Bakery in Girard.
Jessie Mae married Merle E. Neville on September 24, 1950, in Girard. While living in Girard, they owned and operated a service station and rental cabins. To their union four children were born, Gerald, Larry, Julie and David. Jessie Mae later worked at Key Work Clothes in Ft. Scott from 1962 to 2000.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, gardening and cooking. She was a great encouragement to her family; you could always count on Mom.
Survivors include three children, Gerald W. Neville of Wichita, Kansas, Julie Ledford (Brian) of Neosho, Missouri and David Neville (Doretta) of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Linda Neville of Nixa, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Darcy Sinn (Doug), Chelle Lear (C.J.), Levi Neville (Joey), Jeremy Neville (Megan), Joseph Neville, Jordan Neville, Kimberly Large, Sarah Bussey and Joshua Dillahay (Megan) and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merle and her son, Larry, as well as ten brothers and sisters, Bertha Stone, Helen Dumm, James Ausemus, Earl Ausemus, Kenneth Ausemus, Chet Ausemus, Lavon Fosberg, Elsie Montee, Lucille McDaniel, and Leeroy “Bub” Ausemus.
Pastor Mark Ledford will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, 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.
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is hosting its 1st Annual Match Day Event to double the benefit to local causes.
“We are promoting a match day on Tuesday, November 28 during National Day of Giving where up to $25,000 will be available to match gifts that are given to our Fort Scott Area Community Foundation funds on that day,” said Becky Tourtillott, FSACF Vice President. “Those matching funds are being made available through a grant from the Patterson Family Foundation.”
Becky Tourtillott from the FSACF website.
The FSACF has a unique opportunity, through the grant from the Patterson Family Foundation, to match up to $25,000 for contributions made to eligible funds, according to a press release.
Care to Share, Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation, and Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation are three local organizations that have recently added an endowed fund with the FSACF, according to Tourtillott.
Those new funds in conjunction with the foundation’s existing funds offer a diverse range of efforts that community members can support, she said.
“Donors will have the ability to specify which specific fund they want to support, including the general foundation fund if they prefer,” Tourtillott said.
Craig Campbell is the president of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation this year.
“We are very excited for our inaugural Match Day, and the opportunity to grow these endowments and provide ongoing support for our charitable partners,” said FSACF Chairman Craig Campbell. “We invite the community to give together during Match Day because the local organizations and the services they provide are important to Bourbon County and make a true difference.”
The funds are invested to produce present and future income, which organizations can use for operations, programs, or special projects, according to the press release.
The $25,000 match pool will be divided among the participating organizations’ endowments in proportion to their share of community contributions, subject to a 20% limit, according to the press release. The full 100% of each donation will be placed in the organization’s endowed fund, and the match amount will be made available to the organization immediately.
Donations for Match Day can be made in three different ways, according to the press release:
In-person, delivered to Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall, on or before Tuesday, November 28 or
By check, mailed to FSACF, P.O. Box 901, Fort Scott, KS 66701 with a postmark date no later than November 29, 2023. Please make checks payable to: the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Here’s a synopsis of what those funds support:
About the FSACF Funds
Anna Faye and Robert Gordon Steele Memorial Funds: provides financial support to Fort Scott Community College Endowment Association, Fort Scott High School Scholarship Fund and Uniontown High School Scholarship Fund-all three for scholarships, Mount Orum Baptist Church of Redfield, Uniontown Methodist Church, Fort Scott Public Library, Old Fort Genealogy Society, The Beacon, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Paralyzed Veterans Association, Evergreen Cemetery Association, Buck Run Community Center, Senior Citizens Center of Fort Scott, Redfield Ruritan Club, and the American Heart Association.
Care to Share Cancer Support Endowed Fund: provides support to members of the community impacted by cancer with financial/emotional/and transportation support to individuals.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Fort Scott Endowment: supports worthwhile endeavors in Fort Scott and Bourbon County through annual granting.
Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation Fund: supports programs such as Downtown Historic District enhancements and events, community advancement projects, educational and leadership programs, and youth scholarships.
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation General Endowment Fund: provides annual funding for competitive grants in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Since its inception in 2009, FSACF has awarded over $386,000 in competitive grants.
Fort Scott Area Public Parks Endowment: supports the Riverfront Authority, which promotes the preservation and protection of the Marmaton River for the enjoyment and education of residents and visitors.
Dr. Pratt & Pauline Irby Endowment: benefits the charitable causes that the Irbys supported during their lifetimes.
John Valentine & Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund: supports grants to organizations addressing healthcare needs in Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
Shepherd Family Endowment Fund: supports the FSACFC’s annual granting, benefiting the residents of Fort Scott and Bourbon County in memory of Ray and Mary Shepherd.
Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation: provides support for the Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter.
Members of the FSACF board: Campbell, Tourtillott, Lindsay Madison, Deana Endicott, Sheryl Bloomfield, Janet Braun, Michelle Bruner, Steve Buerge, Jess Ervin, Carla Farmer, Ronda Hassig, Bailey Lyons, Linda Noll, Kirk Sharp, Travis Shelton, David Shepherd, and Jordan Witt.
