Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Starr Rochelle Stephens-Nutter, age 38, a resident of Arma, Kan., died early Sunday, July 9, 2017, at her home.

She was born February 23, 1979, in Fort Scott, Kan. She graduated from St Mary’s Colgan High School and then went on to Fort Scott Community College and received her associate’s degree. She married Jeremy Nutter on October 6, 2001. She was employed by the Craw-Kan Telephone Company.

Starr is survived by her husband Jeremy of the home; a daughter, Christian Nutter; a brother, Scott Ball of Arcadia, Kan.; and a sister, Susan Shelton of Pittsburg, Kan. She was preceded in death by her dad, Robert Stephens.

There was cremation and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Roger Duane Ranes, age 83, a resident of Moran, Kan., died Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the Franklin House in Fort Scott, Kan.

Roger was born August 23, 1933, in Coffeyville, Kan., the son of Homer L. Ranes and Alma C. Cushman Ranes. He graduated from Leroy High School. He married Ruth Meats. She preceded him in death on October 11, 2011. He served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Hancock. While in the Navy, he was stationed in many foreign countries. He loved to hunt and fish, especially catfish. In 1957, he and a friend drove to Alaska in a 1939 Plymouth. He was an avid gardener and loved to coach Little League Baseball.

Survivors include his two sons, David Ranes and wife Verna, and Scott Ranes and wife Randi, all of Mapleton, Kan.; five grandchildren, Chad Ranes, Dereck Ranes, Tyler Ranes, Ethan Ranes and Beckett Ranes; three great-grandchildren, Jaxon Ranes, Talie Henry and Tryke Henry; and a brother, Jerry Russell and wife Betty, of Leroy, Kan. In addition to his wife Ruth, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Ranes; and his parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017, at the Altamont Cemetery in Leroy, Kan. Memorials are suggested to the SEK Humane Society of LaHarpe 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Don Hayes, age 86, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday July 5, 2017, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan.

Born to parents Jerome S. and Bonnie Marjorie Hayes on a farm in Bourbon County, Kan., Don loved the earth and its beauty.  He could be found working in the garden, walking or casting a fishing line on the water.  It was in God’s pristine creation, he felt solace and renewal.  But, oh, how he loved the heavens above the earth.  This fascination led to service of country in the Air Force.  His fascination continued as Don would wake in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower, track a passing comet, or a rocket launch to the moon.  Above all, Don loved his family and Church.  At his core was his faith in God.  Through the seeds we plant come the harvest and fulfillment.  “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” And love us, he did. And love us He did when he blessed us with Don (Dad).

Survivors include Ruby, his beloved wife of 63 years; a daughter, Shirley Hayes Dachille and husband Frank, Fairway, Kan.; a son, Kent Hayes and wife Jen, Olathe, Kan.; a brother, Alfred Hayes and wife Margaret, Fort Collins, Colo.; two sisters, Lois Nelle Voeller and husband Al, Broken Arrow, Okla., and Charlotte Joan Savage, Ottawa, Kan.; two granddaughters, Kaia Marie and Ella Grace Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Ruth Dabbs; and his parents.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday, July 10, at the Community Christian Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Airforce Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Show-Me Christian Youth Home 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 atcheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Cleland F. Allen, age 85, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Saturday, July 8, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

He was born September 29, 1931, in Arkansas City, Kan., the son of McKinley Allen and Inez Adams Allen.  He graduated from the Mound City High School with the Class of 1949.  Cleland served for twenty years with the United States Air Force.  He retired in 1971 with the rank of Tech Sargent.  Following his military service, he married Mary Dauben on April 16, 1976, in Nevada, Mo.  He worked for a time for Key Industries and also worked as a long haul trucker.  He then worked for several years for Bourbon County.  He enjoyed traveling, reading and spending time with his family.  He was a member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, the American Legion and the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he frequently served with the VFW honor guard.  He was also a past member of the Lions Club.

Survivors include his children Rodney Allen and wife, Sandy, of Deer Lodge, Mont., Gary Simons and wife, Liz, of Kearney, Mo., Larry Joe Simons and wife, Kim, of Fort Scott, Janice Briggs and husband, Dusty, of Bushton, Kan., Sandra Newton and husband, Paul Joe, of Fort Scott, Connie Simons, of Fairview, Okla., Pam Riedel, of Liberty, Mo., and Diane Gray and husband, Rob, of Fort Scott; 19 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Vada Casteel and husband, Max, of Clinton, Mo., and Joyce Allen, of Fort Scott; a sister-in-law, Minnie Lou Allen, of Fort Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.    His wife, Mary, preceded him in death on February 1, 2014.  He was also preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Simons and Billy Simons; two brothers, Morris and Ottis Allen, a grandson, a great-grandson and a niece.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 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 Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Cherry Grove Baptist 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Eric Scott Lucas, age 56, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, June 27, following a traffic accident.

He was born September 17, 1960, in Fort Scott, the son of Lewis “Bill” and Faye Cook Lucas. He worked most of his life as a self-employed mechanic. He owned and operated Eric and Sons shop, recently renamed Eric and Mandy’s in Redfield, Kan. He married Amanda Roberts on January 11, 1980, in Wichita, Kan. A self-proclaimed “gearhead,” Eric couldn’t pass a tool sale without stopping. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed an occasional prank. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a faithful husband who loved his family and his favorite dog, Biff. He was a member of the Mt. Orum Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife Amanda of the home; four children, Madgelene Harper and husband Danny, Uniontown, Kan.; Eric Lucas, Jr., and Sarah, Redfield, Kan., Sarah McCormick and husband Jeffrey, Lewis, Iowa; and Heath Lucas, Redfield, Kan.; his father, Bill Lucas and wife Charlotte, Humboldt, Kan.; a sister, Karon Schnichels, Fort Scott; 16 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Ernest Owen Lucas; a sister, Melody Ann Lucas; and his mother.

Rev. Jeff Cokeley will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow. Memorials are suggested to the Eric Lucas Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Margaret Ann McDermed, age 81, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott.

She was born March 5, 1936, in Girard, Kan., the daughter of Merritt Colegrove and Anabel Gooding Colegrove. Margaret graduated from the Girard High School. She married Paul McDermed on June 11, 1959, at Commerce City, Colo. Margaret helped her husband with the family dairy farm for several years. She was also worked for a time for Key Industries. Margaret was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed music and frequently provided music for Masonic organizations including Rainbow Girl, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth and White Shrine. She was a member of the Olive Chapter #13 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Pioneer Court #2 Order of the Amaranth. She also volunteered her time with the Beacon. She was a devoted wife and mother who lovingly cared for her husband, Paul, for many years after his illness.

Survivors include three sons, Mark LaForte and wife, Joan, of St. Paul, Kan., Kevin McDermed, of Uniontown, Kan., and Todd McDermed and wife, Kim, of Fort Scott; nine grandchildren, Wade LaForte and wife, Alex; Seth LaForte and wife, Casey; Josh McDermed, Shyleen McDermed, Kenny McDermed, Jordan McDermed and wife, Megan; Trenton McDermed, Tyler McDermed, and Megan McDermed; and eight great-grandchildren. Her husband, Paul, preceded her in death on March 14, 2013. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Marvin, Francis and Merlin Colegrove, and a sister, Marilyn Thompson.

Pastor Jeff Dillow conducted funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Girard Cemetery. The family received friends on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Cheney Witt Chapel with Eastern Star services being held at 4:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.