Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Josephine Brillhart, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

She was born November 25, 1925, in Humboldt, Kan., the daughter of William Johnson and Lucy Mary McClanahan Johnson. She married Raymond D. Brillhart on April 29, 1943, at Fort Scott. Josephine had been employed by Peerless Products for more than 20 years. She enjoyed quilting, dancing and playing cards as well as traveling and shopping. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her three children, Jo Ann Hudson and husband, Blake, of Fort Scott, Rev. Terry Brillhart and wife, Fran, of Riverview, Fla., and Randy Brillhart and wife, Ann, of Wichita; eight grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, 18 great-grandchildren and a great-great- granddaughter. Also surviving is a sister, Violet Hale and husband, Bob, of Fort Scott. Her husband, Raymond, preceded her in death on December 6, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey Erie; five sisters, Betty Jameson, Dolly Wheeler, Beulah Morgan, Florence Smith and Blanch Past and a brother, Charles Jackett.

Rev. Terry Brillhart will conduct funeral service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Auston Charles Lewis, age 86, of Greenfield, Mo., passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Springfield, Mo.

He was born on August 1, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Henry and Ethel Atkins Lewis. Auston married Fannie Wood in 1949, they later divorced. He then married Lila Hayes, on June 11, 1955, she preceded him in death on November 23, 2009. He then married Linda Thompson on January 12, 2015. Auston was self-employed doing roofing and carpenter work.

Auston is survived by his wife, Linda Lewis, a son, Perry Lewis, of Greenfield, Mo., two daughters, Teresa Cozart and husband, Bryan, of Little Rock, Ark., and Jennifer Thompson and husband Chris of Apple Valley, Calif.; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tim Lewis, and a daughter in-law, Kathy Lewis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Wanda Lea Kraft of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at her home.

Wanda was born to George and Alice Miller on April 23, 1932, in Gridley, Kan. Wanda married Harold Kraft on November 5, 1950, in Wichita, Kan. Wanda and Harold later moved to Fort Scott and made it their home. Wanda loved God and her family and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wanda was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alice (Scales) Miller; her husband, Harold Kraft; and one son, Gary Kraft. She is survived by her two siblings, Daryl (Kathy) Miller of Overland Park, Kan., and Sandra Todd of Conway, Ark., as well as her four children: Nancy (Tom) Sinn of Greenville, S.C.; Jan (Tom) Byler of Fort Scott; Roger (Chris) Kraft of Fort Scott; and Diana (Roger) Davis of Fort Scott. Wanda is also survived by ten grandchildren: Tommy (Shannon) Sinn, Tena (Todd) DeVaney, Ted (Tricia) Sinn, Kim Byler, Rachel (Nathan) Wells, Ryan (Alivia) Kraft, Megan (Ian) Goodyear, Haley (Mark) Bellmyer, Kelsey (Caleb) Bellmyer, and Marley Davis, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren with one more on the way and many nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Evergreen Cemetery. The service will be conducted by Wanda’s grandson, Ted Sinn. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Christian Learning Center or Tri Valley Developmental Services 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

Colen James Milburn, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, November 3, 2017, at his home.

He was born March 6, 1933, in Fort Scott, the son of Alfred Milburn and Hazel Taylor Milburn. He married Bonnie Harold on July 22, 1986, at Las Vegas. Colen had worked as a Fort Scott barber for 60 years. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, hunting and horseback riding. He also liked going on drives in the country and taking trips to the casinos. He was a past member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of the home; two sons, Michael Milburn and wife, Twila, and Duke Milburn and wife, Pam, all of Fulton, Kan.; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Marcella Bates, of Wichita, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Kirk Milburn, two brothers, Marion and Harold Milburn and six sisters, Cora, Lillie, Valeria, Earlene and Pearlene Milburn and Velma Cleveland.

Pastor Steve DeMott will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 12, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Benjamin Harold Kemna, 25, of Shady Shores, died Monday, October 30, 2017, at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Ben was born on July 10, 1992, in Dallas, Texas, to Barry Joseph and Gina Marie (Skotnicki) Kemna. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton and president of the Denton Chess Club.

He is survived by his parents, Barry and Gina Kemna of Shady Shores; sister, Lexie Biedrzycki of Austin; brothers, Joshua Kemna of Dallas, Christopher Kemna of Shady Shores; grandparents, Bobbi Kemna of Fort Scott, Kan., Sharon Eatman of Fort Worth; nieces, Avery and Harper Kemna, both of Melbourne, Fla.; and many aunts uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeremy Kemna; grandfathers, Harold Kemna and George Skotnicki.

Private burial will take place Saturday in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at chenywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Jo Ann Roufs, age 67, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, October 23, 2017, at the Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo.

She was born on January 30, 1950, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Dewey McCracken and Jacqueline Corfman McCracken. Jo Ann was a Registered Nurse working for Nevada Regional Care Center.

Survivors include her children, Lisa Coyan, Flint Roufs and Aaron Roufs, and a sister Karla Saker. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 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

Garry Ray “Shakey” Warren, age 71, a resident of Fort Scott, died Monday, October 30, 2017, at his home.

He was born June 13, 1946, in Fort Scott, the son of Raymond Edward Warren and Jessie Mae Harrison Warren. He graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1964. He married Linda Turner in 1966. They later divorced. He later married Annie Dunn. She preceded him in death. He worked as a carpenter and served in the Kansas National Guard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching tractor pulls, bull riding and all things outdoors. He liked to shoot pool and collect knives and flashlights. In his later years he took up flower gardening. Garry got the nickname “Shakey” because of Parkinson’s disease. He became very involved in fighting for Parkinson’s rights and benefits. He was a man of positive attitude which helped him overcome many obstacles in life.

Survivors include his daughter Tammy Owen and Phillip OReilly, Grandview, Mo.; two brothers, Ron Warren and wife Jan, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Buddy Warren, Sun City, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Shane and Christopher Jordan Willey; three great grandchildren, Sean, Christian and Olivia Willey; three step-children, Brandi, Joe and April; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his second wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

There was cremation. No services are planned. Memorial contributions are suggested to RCIL 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

Sally Ann Caffey, age 77, a resident of Fort Scott, died at her home, Thursday, October 26, 2017.

She was born October 30, 1939, in Forgan, Okla., the daughter of Charley Newton Withrow and Doris Mae Crosby. She married Jimmie Dean Caffey, on November 26, 2005, in Fort Scott. She was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, helping with the altar flowers and making pies for the fish fries at church. Sally was very crafty and enjoyed antiques and making wedding cakes. She loved genealogy, gardening and her family, especially her grandkids.

Survivors include her husband Jim of the home; two daughters, Athena Marie Quesada Huss, Delia Ann Quesada Wallace; extended family, Deana Ann Caffey, Rhonda Derian Caffey Farris, and husband Jonathan, Mark Allen Caffey, and wife Amy, and Jimmie Thomas Caffey and wife Gina; a brother, Johnny Lee “John” Withrow, and wife Barbara, sister, Joycelyn Nevada “Jo” Withrow Stogsdill; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son Michael Wayne Quesada, a brother Charley Newton Withrow, Jr.; extended family Troy Lynn Caffey; and a brother-in-law, Bill Stogsdill.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 30, 2017, the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 29, at the Cheney Witt Chapel with visitation following until 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation 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

Ralph Edwin “Ed” French, Jr., age 76, a resident of rural Redfield, Kan., passed away unexpectedly, Friday, October 27, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott, Kan.

He was born August 11, 1941, in Fort Scott, the son of Ralph E. French, Sr., and Goldie Abagail Campbell French. He married Mary Ann Biles on October 3, 1958, in Miami, Okla. She survives of the home. Ed attended Fort Scott schools with the Class of 1958. He graduated from Fort Scott Community College and Heating and Air Conditioning trade school at Pittsburg State University. He learned the plumbing trade while serving with the United States Navy. He owned and operated Ed French Plumbing and Heating for many years in both Spring Hill, Kan., and later in Fort Scott. He was a Master Plumber and served as head of the Fort Scott Plumbing Board. He also served as the first Bourbon County Emergency Preparedness Director and also worked with the Fort Scott Community College Department of Water Management. He faithfully served with the United States military for 29 years. For eight years, he served with the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 8 where he was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Port Hueneme, Calif., and Davisville, R.I. He later served for 21 years with the Kansas Army National Guard 891^st Engineer Battalion. He retired as First Sergeant. During his time with the National Guard, he earned many awards and citations and was involved with the program that built schools and medical clinics in the underdeveloped areas of Central America. He was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars and was active with the Color Guard Unit. He was also a member of the Fort Scott Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Ed enjoyed his cattle operation, fishing, riding his four-wheeler and spending time outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, of the home; his four children, son, Tony Wendell French and wife, Patsy, of Fort Scott, son, Michael Steven French, of Olathe, Kan., daughter, Laura Ann Phillips and husband, Randy, of Fort Scott, and son, Daniel Glen French and wife, Rachel, of Fort Scott and grandchildren, Jessie Marsh and husband, Zach, of Fort Scott, Danielle Herman, of Olathe, Kan., Ashley Keylon and husband, Jared, of Uniontown, Kan., Tori Murphy and husband, Tim, of Fort Scott, Rachel Burns and husband, Tommy, of Douglas, Kan., Haley Jones, of Fort Scott, Nic French of Wamego, Kan., and Grace French and Sophia French, both of Fort Scott, and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Nancy Wimmer and husband, Phil, of Pittsburg, Kan., two nieces, a nephew and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Harry and Della French and Glen and Ida Campbell.

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 31, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott where full military honors will be provided by the United States Army. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. Color Guard or the Bourbon County Rural Fire Department 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

Kenneth Don Cook, age 56, a resident of Fort Scott, died at his home Thursday, October 26, 2017.

He was born May 10, 1961, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Don Cook and Linda Ingle Cook. He attended J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kan. He Married Debra J. Austin on December 31, 1998, in Randolph, Mo. Together Kenneth and Debra operated KDC Transportation. He loved to watch NHRA drag racing and working on cars and trucks. Kenneth loved spending time playing with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Debra, of the home; two sons, Stuart Lee Cook, Fulton, Kan., and Steven Louis Cook, Mound City, Kan.; four daughters, Stephanie Ann Pritchard Varner, Bartlesville, Okla., Jennifer Colleen Pritchard Bresee, Kirbyville, Mo., Jessica Joann Coolidge Wells, and Stephanie Lynn Cook Spangler, both of Fort Scott; his mother, Linda Ingle Main, Olathe, Kan.; grandmother, Regina Keeton Ingle; two sisters, Sandra “Sandy” Cook Mather, Olathe, Kan., Melissa “Missy” Cook Courtright, Gardner, Kan.; 17 grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Oliver L. Ingle, Minnie Belle Cook, and John Thomas Cook.

There was cremation. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. Monday, October 30, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time Monday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to Kenneth Cook Memorial 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.