Sister Mary Bernadette Karleskint, age 99, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kans., and more recently of St. Louis, Mo., passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, four days prior to her 100th birthday.
She was born Anna Cecilia Karleskint on May 9, 1917, in Miami, Okla., the daughter of Joseph Karleskint and Mary Hickman Karleskint. She was one of eight children. Sister Mary Bernadette, as she was known in religious life, entered the Sisters of Mercy on June 23, 1935, and pronounced Perpetual Vows on August 16, 1941, in Webster Groves, Mo. Sister Mary Bernadette ministered in education as a teacher and administrator in Kansas, Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. Among her positions, she served as principal and as a school superintendent in Fredonia and Walnut, Kans. After retiring from education, she volunteered at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo. When sister formally retired again, she moved to Catherine’s Residence, the retirement home for the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis, Mo.
Sister’s ministry of prayer was a daily priority for her and she frequently prayed for the community as well as the needs of the world.
Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Services are under the direction 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.
FSCC Theatre Department Improv Troupe to Perform on May 9
The Fort Scott Community College Theatre Department invites the community to a performance by Amused to Death, the college’s comedy improvisational troupe. The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Featured theatre students include Paulette Hays, Courtney Millard, Jackie Neher, Seth Newkirk, Jared Oshel, Stephanie Rice, Linda Shinkle and Royce White. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call Lawrence Alford, FSCC Theatre Director, at 620-223-2700, ext. 3056.
FSCC names Cara Comstock 2017 Outstanding Sophomore
Fort Scott Community College is pleased to announce Cara Comstock has been selected as the 2017 Outstanding Sophomore. FSCC will host a reception to honor her at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, in the meeting rooms of the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 South Horton Street, Fort Scott.
Photo Credit: FSCC
“Cara has gone above and beyond for FSCC. She has served as a great example for the students and President’s Ambassadors,” said Matt Glades, FSCC Director of Admissions. “We are very proud of her and look forward to seeing her succeed in her future endeavors.”
Comstock hails from Deerfield, Mo., and her parents are Charlie and Patty Comstock. She will graduate in May with an associate of general studies degree, and plans to transfer to Kansas State University to study agriculture education and animal science.
“I am very humbled to be selected as the 2017 Outstanding Sophomore. FSCC has many outstanding students, and I am honored to represent such a great class,” said Comstock. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me throughout my time FSCC, and am excited to build on the foundation that I was able to attain here as I further my education at Kansas State University.”
Comstock was named to the FSCC President’s Honor Roll in 2016. She has served as an admissions department work study student, supervisor of the president’s ambassadors, and a member of the collegiate farm bureau, phi theta kappa, livestock judging team, CAMP scholarship program, and TRIO student support services. She was named to the 2017 All-Kansas Academic Team, and received second place at the Young Farmers’ & Rancher’s Conference Discussion Meet and Quiz Bowl.
FSCC Names Timbi West 2017 Outstanding Alumna
Fort Scott Community College is pleased to announce Timbi West, APRN, FNP, has been selected as the 2017 Outstanding Alumna by the FSCC Alumni and Friends Board of Directors. FSCC will host a reception to honor West and Whitney Rogers, the 2017 Outstanding Young Alumna, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19, in the meeting rooms of the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. West will speak at the noon graduation ceremony on May 19.
Photo Credit: FSCC
West serves as a family nurse practitioner at the Charleston Rural Health Clinic and Schmitz Family Practice in Charleston, Ark. She is a veteran of the United States Army and Air Force. She graduated from FSCC in 1983 with a licensed practical nurse certificate and with an associate of science degree in nursing in 1984.
“I was only 17 when I attended FSCC and had no idea at the time what an impact the foundation would have on my future,” said West. “Every step of my life and career has been based on those early years spent at FSCC.”
While attending FSCC, West worked at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott as a nurse’s aide and licensed practical nurse.
She went on to attend Pittsburg State University from 1984 to 1985 and Wentworth Military Academy/Junior College from 1986 to 1987. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Missouri Southern State College in 1990, and master of science degree in nursing in 1994.
From 1984 to 1986, West served as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. West went on to serve as a charge nurse at Heartland Hospital until 1990. She served as a registered nurse, staff development assistant, and education committee chairperson at the Missouri Department of Mental Health from 1990 to 1991. West worked at the Missouri Department of Health, serving as case manager from 1991 to 1996, community health nurse from 1991 to 1993, public health coordinator from 1993 to 1994, and family nurse practitioner from 1994 to 1996. She also served as a clinical faculty preceptor for the University of Missouri from 1995 to 1996. From 1991 to 1995, she served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a first lieutenant and as a captain of the 188th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 1999. She served as a family nurse practitioner at the Northside Community Health Center from 1996 to 1999.
West is an active member of her church and community. She serves as a preceptor for nurse practitioner and nursing students and provides physical exams to student-athletes at local schools. She is also member of the Christian Women’s Job Corps Advisory Board, Kiwanis, American Legion, Bible Study Fellowship and University of Kansas Alumni Association. West resides in Charleston, Ark., with her husband, Jim. She has three children, Brad, Ellen and Clay.
FSCC Names Whitney Rogers 2017 Outstanding Young Alumna
Fort Scott Community College is pleased to announce Whitney Rogers has been selected as the 2017 Outstanding Young Alumna by the FSCC Alumni and Friends Board of Directors. FSCC will host a reception to honor Rogers and Timbi West, the 2017 Outstanding Alumna, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19, in the meeting rooms of the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Rogers will speak at the 9 a.m. graduation ceremony on May 19.
Photo Credit: FSCC
Rogers is a fourth grade teacher at George Nettles Elementary School in Pittsburg, Kans. She earned her associate of science degree from FSCC in 1997.
“Although many years have passed since I attended there, Fort Scott Community College still holds a very dear place in my heart,” said Rogers. “The two years I attended there was the highlight of my college career.”
After graduating from FSCC, Rogers enrolled at Mid America Nazarene University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and graduated summa cum laude in 1999. Rogers earned her master’s degree and certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) from Pittsburg State University in 2008.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Rogers went on to work at Mission Trail Elementary as a fourth grade teacher. From 2001 to 2003, she worked at Lusher Elementary as a fourth grade and second grade teacher. Rogers served as a kindergarten teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary from 2003 to 2006. From 2010 to 2012, she served as an adjunct instructor at Labette Community College. Since 2012, she has taught at George Nettles Elementary.
From 2005 to 2009, Rogers served on the FSCC Alumni and Friends Board. She has participated in a variety of community service projects and coordinated supply drives to support the country of Haiti after it was devastated by an earthquake. She has written and worked on grants to receive thousands of dollars for classroom supplies to benefit her students. Rogers was invited to speak at the 2016 National Science Education Association Conference about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in the classroom. In 2016, she was one of only 32 other teachers in the U.S. selected to receive the Rural Community Trust grant to travel abroad for professional development. She traveled to Taiwan to learn how the schools teach math and science to bring that knowledge back to her classroom. She is an active member of the Pittsburg Nazarene Church, where her husband, Kyle, is the pastor. Rogers resides in Pittsburg, Kans., with her husband and three children, Noah, Grace and Luke.
FSCC May Schedule
Tuesday, May 9
FSCC Theatre Improv Performance, 7 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
Thursday, May 11
FSCC Outstanding Sophomore Celebration, 2 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
Saturday, May 13
FSCC Miami County Campus Celebration of Success, 2 p.m. at the Miami County Campus
Wednesday, May 17
FSCC Adult Basic Education Graduation, 6 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
Thursday, May 18
FSCC Nurse Recognition and Pinning Ceremony, 4 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
FSCC Athletics Department Banquet, 6:30 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
Friday, May 19
FSCC Graduation Ceremony, 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
FSCC Outstanding Alumna and Young Alumna Celebration, 10:30 a.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
Mercy is committed to supporting charitable organizations and activities consistent with our mission to improve the health and quality of life in the communities we serve. Just one way that Mercy does so is by donating money to sponsor a multitude of annual events or organization’s efforts to promote health and wellness.
In order to better serve the organizations which submit sponsorship/donation requests, Mercy has introduced a new online sponsorship application system.
To be considered for funding from Mercy between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, all organizations seeking charitable support are asked to complete the online application at www.mercy.net/sponsorships.
The deadline to apply is June 1, 2017. Recipients will be notified by email after July 1, 2017.
To create your organization’s online proposal, you will first need to create an account by logging on to www.mercy.net/sponsorships. Note that the application will require a W-9, and Federal Tax ID number or a Social Security number to submit.
“The application review committee looks forward to receiving proposals and learning more about your organization’s plans to use funds to further our mission among the people you serve,” said Tina Rockhold, Community Relations Manager and Philanthropy Director. “We strongly encourage your organization’s members to think ahead for the next 14 months and submit applications for programs they foresee having funding needs through June of 2018.”
Diabetes Support Group
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the McAuley Conference Center.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month and this month’s topic focuses on diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Alice Helton, R.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator, will lead the discussion.
Having diabetes or prediabetes puts a person at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. You can lower your risk by keeping your blood glucose (also called blood sugar), blood pressure and blood cholesterol close to the recommended target numbers – the levels suggested by the diabetes experts for good health.
The support group is open to the public. No registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Family members are encouraged to attend.
To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. Mark your calendar for additional 2017 meeting dates: July 17, September 18 and November 20.
For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223- 8412.
A group of Fort Scott Middle and High School students traveled to Topeka, Kans., on Saturday, April 29, to compete in the Kansas History Day State Competition at Washburn University. The students earned a spot at the State Competition after competing in the regional competition at FSCC on March 11.
Photo Credit: Angie Kemmerer
Zoe Self, a freshman at FSHS, placed second in the Senior division Individual Performance category. This qualifies her for the National History Day Competition in College Park, Maryland, June 11-15, 2017, with her performance titled, “The Ballot is My Birthright.” Self also received two of the five special awards offered for projects presented at the state competition. She was the first place winner of the Robert J. Dole Congressional History Prize and was one of two students that received the Freedoms Frontier National Heritage Area Award.
In addition to Self, four Fort Scott Middle School Students participated in the junior exhibit category. They were Kirryn Sprague with her project titled “D-Day: A Children’s Crusade for Equal Rights,” Grace Harkins with her project featuring “Malala: Standing Strong for Girl’s Education,” and Maia Martin and Berkley Wood with their project “A Field of Dreams: Creating Opportunity and Advancement for Women,” a project on Donna Lopiano.
Self’s piece is an original skit on a Kansas unsung hero, Lilla Day Monroe. Lilla Monroe was a suffragette from Topeka, Kans., in the early 1900s. She was one of the first women in the state to become a lawyer and present in front of the Supreme Court of Kansas. She fought for women’s right to vote and created and edited two newspapers to give women a voice. She wrote over 6,000 letters to pioneer women to encourage them to share their stories about taming the west so that women’s voices would be heard in the history books. Self’s passionate portrait of Lilla will motivate those who see it to “do something, to be someone” who makes a difference.
Fort Scott Community College will host the 48th annual Elementary Music Festival from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott.
The competition will include students through grade nine. Competition areas will include vocal solos, vocal ensembles, choirs, piano solos, instrumental solos and ensembles, bands and orchestras.
Lois Jean Wynn, age 82, had the joy of being called home to Heaven to join our Lord and Savior on April 19, 2017.
Lois was born October 12, 1934, in Talmage, Kans., the daughter of James and Mary Luker. She graduated from Uniontown High School and then began work at the Western Insurance Co. in Fort Scott, Kans. This is when she met a very handsome young man named Don, who swept her off her feet. They fell in love and were married on September 19, 1954. Lois and Don had four children, two girls and two boys. She was a charter member of Faith church of Fort Scott, and she loved her church. She made sure that each of her children found a love for the Lord and she is happy because all of her kids, grandkids, and most of her great grandkids (babies excluded) know the Lord as their personal Savior. She taught kids in Sunday school, she worked with the youth and she loved teaching women’s bible studies. She also loved to read, Louis Lamoure being one of her favorite authors. She enjoyed the way he described the old west and made you feel like you were a part of it. She also enjoyed old and new quilts. She liked the hand-quilting style and the design they had. It was a joy to her when she would see one finished. She also had a real desire to find out about the old one-room school houses in Bourbon County. She would always talk with the old timers that were from the area and see where the school houses were and what they could tell her about them.
Survivors include her loving husband of 63 years, Don Wynn; her daughter Deborah Wynn, Mounds, Okla.; son and daughter in love Rick and Mary Wynn, Uniontown, Kans.; daughter and son in love Tina and Eromosele Aigbiremonlen of Mounds, Okla.; son and daughter in love Mark and Amy Wynn, College Station, Texas; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; sisters Lucille Ward and Phyllis Randall and husband David; a brother Eldon Luker and wife Gloria; a sister-in-law Mary Lou Luker; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Kenneth Luker; and a sister, Bonnie Cornwell and husband Robert.
There was cremation. Pastor Matthew Hunt conducted memorial services at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Faith Church of Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to either Mercy Hospice or Faith Church of Fort Scott 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.
Douglas Blaine Hazelbaker, age 51, a resident of rural Redfield, passed away early Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.
Doug was born May 31, 1965, to Alice and Norman Hazelbaker. He and his wife, Jana, were married on August 17, 2002, and are the parents of daughters, Dylan and Dakota. In 1983, he graduated from Uniontown High School. While in high school, he competed in the Kansas State High School Rodeo Association, and he was the state champion in both calf roping and steer wrestling, and the Reserve All-Around cowboy his senior year. While attending Allen County Community College and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, he competed in both calf roping and steer wrestling, while earning a Bachelor’s degree in education. Doug began his teaching career as a 4th grade teacher and was teaching middle school math at Jayhawk-Linn in Mound City, where he touched the lives of many young people and worked with wonderful friends over the past 25 years. His passion for calf roping extended well beyond college, and he logged many miles from rodeo to rodeo, building great friendships over the years. Some of his accomplishments in calf roping include IPRA rookie of the year, Great Lakes PRCA circuit finals contestant, Cheyenne Frontier Days performance qualifier, and IFR qualifier in 1991. In 2016, he qualified for the Interstates Rodeo Association finals, and Dylan wears his jacket from that association. He also competed in the United Rodeo Association for many years, and in the year end finals for 2016 finished 5th overall in the over 40 calf roping. Dakota is honored to wear his URA jacket, and Dylan proudly wears the belt buckle he won.
Survivors include his wife Jana and daughters Dylan and Dakota of the home; parents, Norman and Alice Hazelbaker, Redfield, Kans.; a sister, Carol Camac and husband Joe, Augusta, Kans.; a brother, Mike Hazelbaker and wife Susan, Alma, Kans.; nieces and nephews, Cole, Travis, and Lucas Camac, Cole Fowles, Cassidy Anderson, Quincy and Emma Charleston, and Cooper, Colton, and Canyon Charleston.
Cowboy Preacher Marty Brock will conduct memorial services at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at the Fort Scott Fairgrounds Arena. In case of inclement weather, the memorial service will be moved inside the Danny and Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center at FSCC. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. at the FSCC Agriculture Building (Armory). In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests memorials to the Hazelbaker Girl’s Scholarship Fund 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. The family asks for any special memory or story of Doug to be brought to the service or mailed to Jana Hazelbaker, 1311 Hwy 54, Redfield, KS 66769. These memories will be used to compile a scrapbook for Dylan and Dakota
On Saturday, May 6, the Fort Scott Community College Rodeo Team will compete against professionally-ranked FSCC alumni during The Clash at Arnold Arena, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott.
The event will include a barbecue meal, team competition, silent auction and live auction.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a barbecue dinner. After the meal, the competition will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Matches will include barrel racing, bareback riding, breakaway roping, bull riding, calf roping, goat tying, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping. FSCC alumni who will be competing include Stewart Gullager, Austin Graham, Carl Taylor and more.
Admission for the dinner is by donation, and ticket prices for competition are $8 for adults, $5 for students, $3 for children ages six to 12, and free for children ages five and under. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for rodeo students. For more information or to purchase tickets, call FSCC Head Rodeo Coach Chad Cross at 620-223-2700, ext. 7020.
Extension has been helping people for more than 100 years. A lot has changed since the Extension service was created in 1914, but the one thing that remains the same is the mission of Extension. Extension means “reaching out.” Extension agents reach out and extend their knowledge and resources to the public. Extension is for everyone to use!
The Extension philosophy is to help people help themselves by taking university knowledge to where people live, work and play. We strive to be very attentive to the needs of the people and provide quality information and problem-solving tactics for everyday concerns.
In recent years, with literally everything being on the internet, people might say we don’t need Extension anymore because I can get all the information I need on the internet. Although you can find tons of information on the internet, it is often difficult to determine what is true and what is not. Many times, we get calls from people that have found information on-line, tried it and it actually made things worse.
The environment in southeast Kansas is much different than it is in, say Ohio, but your internet search isn’t going to know that. It’s kind of like searching symptoms of bodily pains. If you search long enough, you will be convinced you are dying because your big toe hurts! We offer that human interaction that you just can’t get with a computer.
Anyone that has a lawn or landscape can benefit from the local Extension office. The weeds you try to keep from growing in your lawn, or the tree that has holes in the trunk, or the spots on your tomato leaves are all areas Extension offers advice.
Your local Extension office is here to help you with problem-solving tactics specific to your needs and to give you the tools to improve the situation. On the horticulture side, you can obtain information on trees, turf, flowers, insects, gardens, soils and other related topics. The office can assist you with any specific plant or insect problem you may have encountered. Home evaluations are even offered when necessary to gather additional information about a specific horticulture problem.
Many times when I take a call, the person on the other ends starts the conversation by saying “I have a dumb question.” My response is always this – “There are never any dumb questions when you call the Extension office.” My job is to help the public with whatever question or issue they may have and to try to educate them. I may not always have the answer they are looking for immediately, but 99 percent of the time I can find an answer.
This summer, there will be three demonstration gardens in the Southwind District for people to view and take notes of plant performance. Pepper plants will be trialed at the Elm Creek Community Garden and tomato plants will be trialed at the community garden in Fort Scott. The plots will be labeled, so feel free to stop by and take a look. Also, a flower demonstration will be at the Allen County Courthouse. The flowers will be planted in the raised berms on the south side of the courthouse.
We often hear that Extension is the best kept secret. Many folks don’t know what we do or what we have to offer. I want you to know that we are your source for all things horticulture!
During the growing season, I am in the Erie office Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Iola on Tuesday and Fort Scott on Thursday. However, you can always reach me by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 620-244-3826.
Ian Ray “Kirk” Keitzer, age 56, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017.
He was born September 9, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of James Keitzer and Joyce Smith Keitzer. Kirk grew up in the Brookside area of Kansas City. He attended and graduated from the Kansas City Christian High School in Merriam, Kans., with the Class of 1978. He later attended College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo. Kirk was an avid sportsman who enjoyed baseball, basketball, football, golf and fishing. He moved to Fort Scott in 2003 and worked for Carlisle Company until his illness forced his retirement.
Survivors include his sweeties and companion of thirty years, Rhonda Chinn, of Fort Scott and her children, Rachelle Sprague and Bart Chinn, both of Fort Scott; his grandchildren, Lee Sprague, Justice Sprague, Mia Hull, Garrett Chinn, and Darius Chinn, all of Fort Scott, Sarah English and husband, Josh and great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Elijah and Sophia English all of Peculiar, Mo. Also surviving is a sister, Renee Grainger and husband, Frank of Belton, Missouri. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his two brothers, Allen and Eric Keitzer and his beloved grandmother, Helen Stonebreaker Smith Tanner.
A private graveside service will be held Thursday at the Fairview Cemetery east of Mildred, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Lewis Kelley Arnold, age 91, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kans., and more recently of Pittsburg, Kansas, died Monday, April 24, 2017, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.
He was born September 21, 1925, in Fort Scott, the son of Lewis B. Arnold and Susie M. Kelley Arnold. Kelley graduated from the Fort Scott High School. He served with the United States Army during World War II. He first married Maxine Ashford on September 9, 1951, at Fort Scott. She preceded him in death on July 14, 1998. He later married Carol Simmerman. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2015.
Kelley had managed the Ben Franklin Store in downtown Fort Scott for many years. He later operated his own mechanic shop. He was a member of the Community Christian Church. He was also a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Garland Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Consistory and the Mirza Shrine.
Survivors include two granddaughters, Natasha Carballo and husband, Eric, and Nacole Smith and fiancé, John Williams, all of Dallas, Texas, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Arnold and a daughter, Susan Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends on Friday from noon until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Avalon Hospice’s Blossom for Hearts Program 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.
Troy Dale Beerbower, age 54, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.
He was born April 24, 1962, in Fort Scott, the son of Lowell William Beerbower and Donna Kay Lawson Beerbower. He graduated from Fort Scott High School and Pittsburg State University. He married Kim Felt in May of 1989. Troy owned and operated Troy Beerbower Restoration which specialized in masonry and roofing as well as other construction related projects. He enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. He also liked playing softball and basketball as well as cards. He was a member of the Faith Church.
Survivors include his wife, Kim of the home; three children, Derek Stumfoll and wife, Samantha, and Amanda Larsen, all of Fort Scott, and Kandyce Cox and husband, Blake, of Uniontown, Kans., and also a grandson who he was raising, Brian Stumfoll, of the home in Fort Scott; eleven additional grandchildren, Bailey, Blakely, Catherine, Christian, Lyrics, Braxtyn, Daetyn, McKennon, Peighton, Kamden and Gabriel. Also surviving are four brothers, David Beerbower and wife, Donna Jo, of Fort Scott, Allen Beerbower and wife, Kim, of Redfield, Kans., Gary Beerbower, and L. W. Beerbower and wife, Julie, also of Fort Scott and a sister, Rhonda Tinkey and husband, Preston, of Fort Scott as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Troy Beerbower 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.
