Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Virginia Marie “Ginger” Thomas, age 95, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, December 8, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

She is survived by her three children, Lloyd Howser and wife, Judy, of Fort Scott, Mary Ann Dykstra, of Bella Vista, Ark., and Jeannette M. Lovejoy and husband, Jerry, of Roseville, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Following cremation, a private family burial will take place in the Lath Branch Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Clara Mae Barnes, age 65, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, December 9, 2017, at her home.

She was born on May 10, 1952, in Newton Co., Mo. Her parents were Albert F. and Jeannie B. Seaton. She was a loving mother and grandmother. The family wishes to give special thanks to the V.F.W. Post #1165 for their support.

Survivors include a son, Leroy Sparlin, Jr., Neosho, Mo.; three daughters, Liz Ragsdale and husband Travis, Ozark, Mo., Debra Shockley and husband Travis, Fort Scott, and Theresa Johnson, Goodman, Mo.; four sisters, Loreta Calentine, Granite City, Ill., Carletta Eperly, Houston, Texas, Carla Jean Moore, San Antonio, Texas, and Patty Ann Morrill, Texas; a brother, Rick Seaton, Grandy, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Albert Mitchell, Chris Mitchell, Casey Shockley, Haley Shockley, Amy Merimick, Christopher Moore, Josh Sparlin and Samantha Sparlin; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marty Barnes.

There was cremation. Private family services will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Clara Barnes 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

John Newton Shelton, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott.

He was born January 28, 1925, in Littleton, Colo., the son of John Houston Shelton and Edith Baugher Shelton. He married Geraldine Marsh on June 25, 1943, in Englewood, Colo. John served with the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Following his military service, he worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker in Colorado and Illinois. In 1980, John and his wife moved to Fort Scott, where he was employed by Peerless Products. John enjoyed reading and had a wealth of knowledge on various subjects. He also liked to spend time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Gerrie, and his seven children, Larry Shelton (Cathy), of Fort Scott, Jim Shelton, of Fort Scott, Steven Shelton (Roxanne), of Woodstock, Ill., Darryl Shelton (Deb), of Gardner, Kan., Don Shelton (Terri), Kevin Shelton and Sharon Shelton, all of Fort Scott; 23 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Michael Shelton, and three brothers, Wayne, Bob and Don Shelton, who was his twin.

Rev. Jimmy Tucker conducted funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 8, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors followed in the Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Lucy Ann Taylor, age 67, former resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, October 19, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

She was born October 29, 1950, in Fort Scott, to John Cates and Ruth Harper Garrison. She married Richard Eugene Taylor, Sr., on June 8, 1965, in Nevada, Mo.; he preceded her in death on January 15, 1995. Lucy loved to collect Elvis Presley and Indian memorabilia. She enjoyed listing to Elvis and Crystal Gale’s music, and was an avid NASCAR fan, especial Dale Earnhardt and his son Dale, Jr. She cherished her time spent with family, and loved her time with the grandkids.

Lucy is survived by two sons, Richard Eugene Taylor, Jr., and wife Jeckie, of Wheatland, Mo., and  William Allen Taylor, of Fort Scott; two sisters, Marilyn Gerhert, of Wyandot, Okla., and Rosa Buras, of Fort Scott; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a son, Jeffery Ray Taylor; and three brothers, Bill, Melvin and Roy Garrison; a sister, Alta Mae Creamer.

There was cremation. Rev. Chuck Russell conducted graveside services at 11 a.m. Friday, December 1, 2017, at the U.S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Mercy Health Foundation of Springfield and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Charlene Esther Simpson, age 89, a resident of rural Garland, Kan., passed away Monday, November 27, 2017, at the Country Place Assisted Living in Fort Scott, Kan.

She was born January 14, 1928, the second daughter of Charles Mason and Esther Eleanor Cheever Mason. She grew up in the Hammond-West Liberty area and attended school at Union Center, a rural one-room school. She was a graduate of Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1945, and a 1947 graduate of Fort Scott Junior College. On December 22, 1954, she married Donald Dale Simpson in Fort Scott. The Simpsons have lived at their rural Garland home for their marriage of 62 years. Charlene had been employed by Western Insurance Company, Montgomery Ward Store and retired in 1983, from the Fort Scott Tribune after 18 years of employment. She was baptized a Methodist and had been a past member of the Order of Eastern Star, receiving a 25-year membership pin from the Violet Chapter at Fulton, Kan. She was also active in 4-H, and had served as a foods leader for the Drywood 4-H Club for 10 years.

Survivors include her husband, Don, of the home; her three sons, Mason (Paula), Scott (Becky), Brady (Patty), all of Fort Scott; and her daughter, Lisa Ireland (Lanny), of Stewartsville, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two nieces, Sally Hinderrager and Sue Williams, both of Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Eva Taylor and a nephew, Wilbur Taylor.

Pastor Lela Simpson conducted graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Thursday November 30, at the U.S. National Cemetery. Family and friends met at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice 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

Barbara Sue McDaniel, age 79, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, November 30, 2017, at her home.

She was born on January 16, 1938 in Illinois, the daughter of Floyd and Rose Burcham Russell. She married Edward McDaniel on June 3, 1956 in Hunt City, Ill. Barbara worked as a CNA and volunteer for Mercy Hospital and as a commercial truck driver with her husband for C.F.I. She was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church, enjoyed gardening, taking drives in her convertible and parasailing.

Barbara is survived by her husband Ed of the home, a son Edward F. McDaniel of Effingham,

Ill., a daughter, Cindy Remlinger of Fort Scott, a brother, Carl Russell of Decatur, Ill., two sisters, Janet Neidigh of Oblong, Ill., and Judy Newlin of Bradenton, Fla.; seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister Joyce Scherer.

A visitation was held from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, December 4, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will be held a later date in the Brockville Cemetery, Newton, Ill. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Nina Lou Erie, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., went to be with her Lord, Sunday, November 26, 2017, at the Fort Scott Mercy Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born September 7, 1936, in Dadeville, Mo., the daughter of Arthur Buck and Eunice Mote Buck. Following graduation from Dadeville High School, Nina moved to Fort Scott where she was employed by Key Industries. She married Pete Erie on September 9, 1956, in Dadeville. In 1974, Nina began working at the Board Office for USD #234 where she served as accounts payable secretary. She retired after 24 years of service. Next to her love for her Lord was the love for her family. She was a longtime member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

She will be lovingly missed by her husband, Pete, of the home; her son, John Erie and wife, Terry, and her daughter, Sondra Ruhl and husband, Nick, all of Fort Scott; seven grandchildren, Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin and wife, Brooke, Dawn Bryant and husband Micheal, Wendy Budd and husband, David, John Erie, Jr., and wife, Stephannie, Anita Vaugh and husband, Daniel and Bethany Thompson and husband, Ray; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Codee Budd, Caden Bolin, Andy Bryant, Coree Budd, Aleana Erie, Dylann Bolin, Mia Bryant, Koby Erie, Alex Thompson, Raegan Bolin, Payton Bowling, Willow and Kanyon Vaughn.  Also surviving are a brother, Billy Buck and wife, Bonaga, of Dadeville, Mo., and a sister-in-law, Nadine Buck, of Walnut Grove, Mo., and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, George Buck, a sister, Peggy Sue Langford and a niece, Linda Langford.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene 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

Frank Fredrick Dikeman, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, November 20, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

He was born February 8, 1927, in rural Bourbon County, Kansas, the son of William Dikeman and Bessie Long Dikeman. Frank served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. While with the army he received many medals and citations including the Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following his military service, Frank returned to Fort Scott and drove a truck for Frank Sutcliffe Trucking Company until his retirement in 1983. He then began raising cattle. Frank married Helen Carson. They later divorced. Frank enjoyed gardening. He greatly loved his country and was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he often served with the Color Guard. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Combat Infantrymen. He was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include a sister, Jessie Streeter and husband, Jim; two nieces, Shirley Hartman and husband, Dale, and Susan Kern and husband, Steve, and a nephew, David Streeter and wife, Debbie. Also surviving are several great, great-great, and great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

Rev. Kevin Moyers conducted funeral services at 2 p.m. Monday, November 27, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery where military honors were provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will received friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the V. F. W. 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.