All posts by Submitted Story

Upcoming FSCC Community Activities and Events

Submitted by Heather Browne, FSCC

FSCC to Host Painting and Wreath Classes on Sept. 26

Fort Scott Community College will host the Witches & Wreaths painting and crafts classes 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, in the Greyhound and Heritage Rooms of the Dick Hedges Administration Building, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott.

Instructors will show participants how to create a Halloween-themed painting or wreath for their homes. The cost is $20 for one class or $30 for both classes; the fee includes a treat, refreshments and painting or craft supplies. Space is limited for this event. For more information or to preregister, contact Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Admissions Representative, at  [email protected] or 620-223-2700, ext. 3530.

FSCC Volleyball Team to Host Dig Pink Night

The Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Team will host Dig Pink Night to support breast cancer awareness at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, at Arnold Arena, 2108 South Horton Street, Fort Scott.

The Dig Pink Rally is an event that brings together volleyball players across the nation to raise funds for breast cancer research, demonstrate the power of teamwork and show support for people with the disease.

Attendees are encouraged to wear pink to the game. The team will also be collecting donations for the Side-Out Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support breast cancer research and programs. For more information, please call Lindsay Hill, FSCC Head Volleyball Coach, at 620-223-2700, ext. 7220.

All aboard for “Bus Stop” at FSCC

When a headstrong young rodeo cowboy, unfamiliar with the finer points of courtship, all but kidnaps an attractive nightclub singer intending to haul her back to his ranch in Montana and make her his bride, the last place he wanted to find himself was stuck in a bus stop outside Topeka waiting out a snow storm. But that’s exactly what happens to Bo Decker, the self-proclaimed “prize bronco-buster, steer-roper, and bull-dogger anywhere around,” in William Inge’s modern classic, “Bus Stop.”

The FSCC Theatre Department, under the direction of new instructor Allen Twitchell, will present “Bus Stop,” at 7:30 p.m., October 5-7, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Admission will be free.

“I wanted to fold our fall production into the Homecoming Week celebration, and I felt this play was a perfect fit because of its timeless subject matter—the pursuit of love—as well as its name recognition and the connection to our outstanding rodeo program,” Twitchell said. “It just seemed to be calling to me.”

Playing the role of Bo is sophomore Royce White, from Shawnee, while sophomore Stephanie Rice, from Fort Scott, plays Cherie, the unwilling object of Bo’s affection. Also in the ensemble cast are sophomore Jackie Neher, from Lamar, Mo., as Grace, the savvy owner of the bus stop’s restaurant; freshman Hannah Casner, from Mound City, as Elma, a naïve young waitress; sophomore Jared Oshel, from Princeton, as Will Masters, the stern-but-fair sheriff; freshman Jesse Cooke, from Redfield, as Carl, the bus driver with an eye for Grace; freshman Sammy Jamison, from Pittsburg, as Virgil, Bo’s older, more wise-to-the-world sidekick; and Harold Hicks, FSCC English instructor, as Dr. Gerald Lyman, a former college professor conflicted by his attraction to alcohol and young girls.

“Inge was masterful at representing the myriad of emotions and complications of the male-female relationship,” Twitchell said. “This play deals with a variety of romantic entanglements—Bo-Cherie, Carl-Grace, and Dr. Lyman-Elma—from the perfectly natural to the intentionally uncomfortable.”

Serving as understudies are freshman Payton Boswell, from Pittsburg; transfer Natalie Cable, from Dallas, Texas; sophomore Paulette Hays, from Perry; sophomore Kartis Leal, from Denver, Colo.; and freshman Peyton Quick, from Fort Scott.

The stage manager is sophomore Linda Shinkle, from Fredonia, with Leal serving as shop foreman and chief of the set crew. Also assisting with the production are freshman Katelynn Coe, from Linn Valley; freshman Ka’Si Gates, from Bronson; sophomore Ashley Lockwood from Fort Scott; sophomore Kaitlan Palmer, from Mulberry; and Abby Cooke, from Redfield.

Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Poetry Out Loud

The Gordon Parks Celebration, scheduled for October 12-14, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature the Parks Poetry Out Loud contest. Participants will pick one of seven selected poems written by Gordon Parks and present it in front of an audience at noon on Friday, October 13, in the Gordon Parks Museum on the FSCC campus.

There is no fee to enter the contest, and participants will be judged on how they present the poem through voice, diction and interpretation. It is open to everyone—students and adults alike are encouraged to take part. Cash prizes will be awarded to first ($100), second ($75), and third place ($50) winners.

“This is a new event for the Gordon Parks Celebration, and this type of event is often called a poetry slam,” said Jill Warford, Gordon Parks Center Director. “Anyone who likes to read and interpret poetry will enjoy this. We picked seven of Gordon’s poems that vary in their subject matter.”

The poems include “Momma,” “Come Sing with Me,” “From the Huge Silence,” “The First Bud,” “A Bottle’s Worth of Tomorrow,” “Homecoming,” and “No Apologies.” The seven poems are available on the Gordon Parks Museum website at gordonparkscenter.org.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 620-223-2700, ext. 5850.

FSCC to Host Fall Kids’ Fair
Fort Scott, Kan.—Fort Scott Community College will host the Fall Kids’ Fair from 9:00 to 11:30 am on Saturday, October 14. The event will feature a variety of activities for children of all ages, including fall-themed carnival games, a cake walk, and a bounce house. Gizmo the Greyhound will also be in attendance. The kids’ fair is free, and it will take place at the FSCC campus south parking lot, 2108 South Horton in Fort Scott. For more information, please call Cindy Davis at 620-223-2700, ext. 3560.

 

Obituary: Kenneth William Smith

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Kenneth William Smith, age 93, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

He was born February 19, 1924, in Pittsburg, Kan., the son of Walter and Vera Hesson Smith. After graduating from Pittsburg High School, he served in the U. S. Army, experiencing the Battle of the Bulge and Buzz Bomb Alley. He married Ann Dietz on February 26, 1949, in Pittsburg. She preceded him in death on July 19, 2016. Kenneth graduated with his teaching degree from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg. He was working for Joe Smith Tobacco when approached by Jake Underwood to come to Fort Scott in 1950. He agreed, and started the Drivers Education Program and began teaching. Throughout his 39-year career, he taught mechanical drawing, shop, civics and math. He also taught at Fort Scott Community College. He coached several sports, most notably golf. He worked many sporting events over the years, including track meets. He officiated high school and college basketball and football. When he had spare time, he could usually be found playing golf. He still holds the Fort Scott Country Club course record for nine holes at 29. He liked playing gin-rummy and pinochle. He relaxed to music from the Rat Pack era. In his later years, he began raising cattle. He was president of the Fort Scott Saddle Club and enjoyed riding with his daughter, Kim. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Hayden and husband Dale, Manhattan, Kan., and Kim Sheets, Siloam Springs, Ark.; two sisters, Imogene Hannigan, Oswego, Kan., and Ilene Everett, Girard, Kan.; five grandchildren, Kristyn Hayden-Ortega and husband Darren, Emily Hoots and husband Eric, Lora Hanes and husband Adam, Colton Sheets and Lucas Sheets; four great grandchildren, Zoey Hanes, Charles Hanes, Claire Hoots and Harper Ortega; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Vicki O’Bryan; a brother, Clarence Smith; and two sisters, Patricia Yanke and Wilma Workman.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to FSHS Golf 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.

Learn How Skill is Better than Luck at the School of Artillery at Fort Scott NHS

Submitted by Bridget Mann, FSNHS

Recruits in the modern U.S. Army are known as “Army Strong.” At Fort Scott National Historic Site, we are looking for a few good recruits to become “Artillery Strong.” We want you to join a School of Artillery for anyone aged 16 and above. The training will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2017.

During the program, site staff will train you in military deportment, marching and maneuvers related to the army presence at Fort Scott in the 1840s. The highlight though, will be the firing of the cannon. Those in attendance will receive instruction as “cannoneers.” The instructor will walk you through each position on the artillery crew and teach you to perform your duties with “speed and accuracy.” At the end of the training day, participants will then fire the cannon for the public.

We are looking to expand the ranks of our volunteer artillery crew. If you go through this training and meet all other qualifications, you will be able to participate on the cannon crew and take part in future artillery demonstrations at Fort Scott NHS.

The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. on September 23, and go through 4 p.m. that day. Participants will check in at the visitor center and then dress out in period clothing for the day’s activities. In addition to artillery training, those in attendance will also receive a guided tour of the site and be part of a flag retreat ceremony.

Registration is now underway. To register for this program, call 620-223- 0310. You must be 16 years or older to participate. If you are below the age of 18, a parental permission is also required. Space is limited to 10 people, so call now to reserve your spot.

Obituary: Diane Pearl Smith

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Diane Pearl (Decker) Smith, age 76, a resident of, Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, September 10, 2017, at her home.

She was born January 9, 1941, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Jack and Juanita Decker. She married Ross Eugene Smith on May 21, 1963, in Lordsburg, N.M. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2004. She became a Christian and was baptized at age 30. She worked her early years of life as a migrant farm worker, a waitress, and from 1981-2004 she worked as a certified Nurse’s aide for the Mercy Convent in Fort Scott, Kan.. She retired in 2004.

Survivors include her daughters; Timbi West and husband, Jim, of Charleston, Ark., and Marlene Smith and husband, David, of Safford, Ariz. Also surviving are three siblings: Jackie Deer of Nevada, Texas, Bob Decker and wife, Sharon of Springfield, Mo., Jean Thompson and husband, Mel, of Orrick, Mo., six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 18, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The eulogy will be given by her son-in-law, Jim West. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to The American Lung Association and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P. O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary: Sister Mary Barbara Karleskint

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Sister Mary Barbara Karleskint, RSM, age 98, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of St. Louis, Mo., passed Friday, September 8, 2017, at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis.

She was born May 3, 1919, in Miami, Okla., the daughter of Joseph Karleskint and Mary Hickman Karleskint. She entered the Sisters of Mercy Community in 1937 and professed her Final Vows in 1940. She received her B. S. degree in Home Economics from St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana in 1951 and her M. Ed degree in Elementary Education from the University of St. Mary in Xavier, Kan., in 1955. She also received her Certificate of Pastoral Education in 1977 from St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Sister’s ministry included teaching for more than 20 years in elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. She also ministered at Mercy Center in St. Louis, Mo., and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Hutchison, Kan. After completing her courses in clinical pastoral counseling, she became a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

Survivors include a brother, Jake Karleskint, of Cleveland, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Joe and Tony Karleskint and four sisters, Bessy Louise Karleskint who died in infancy, Virginia McLaughlin, Sister Mary Alfreda Karleskint and Sister Mary Bernadette Karleskint.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 14, 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, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook atcheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary: Chester William Boileau

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Chester William Boileau, age 100, former resident of Redfield, Kan., died Friday, September 8, 2017, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott.  
He was born November 2, 1916, in Hiattville, Kan., the son of Joy James Boileau and Cora Skinner Boileau.  He married Eleanor Louise George on June 15, 1941, North of Uniontown.  She preceded him in death on October 7, 2005. Chester farmed and ranched his home farm.  He was active in 4-H and FFA.  He received the Goodyear Award and the Farmers Bankers Award for Soil Conservation in 1975.  He was a member of the Soil Conservation Board.  He was past President of the Mill Creek Watershed.  Boileau Hall at FSCC in named in his honor.  He enjoyed square dancing.  He was a member of the Redfield United Methodist Church and attended the Uniontown United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Jeanna Coleen Church and husband Mike, Carlyle, Kan.; a sister, Mary Lee George, Wichita, Kan.; two grandchildren, Clint Church and wife Abi, and Amanda Fischer and husband Dathan; four great grandchildren, Averie Church, Adalie Church, Chloe Fischer and Clara Fischer.  Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Boileau; and three brothers, Lewis, Wayne and Lloyd Boileau.
Pastor Lloyd Houk will conduct graveside services at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, in Woods Cemetery, Redfield, Kan.  The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m.Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Uniontown FFA 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.

Obituary: Thomas A. Burns

Thomas A. Burns, age 83, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, September 8, 2017, at the Country Place Senior Living Facility in Fort Scott.  
He was born January 23, 1934, in Burrton, Kan., the son of Howard Burns and Mary Westfahl Burns.  Tom graduated from High School in Nixa, Mo.  He married Fama Jean Horst on August 16, 1953.  She preceded him in death on March 31, 2008.  He later married Jeannine Scrivner on February 20, 2010.  Tom had worked as both a correctional officer and counselor for Leavenworth Federal Prison for more than 20 years.  During this time, he served as Union President of American Federation of Government Employees Leavenworth Chapter.  He was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church and a former member of the Easton, Kan., Masonic Lodge.  Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking as well as metal detecting.
In addition to his first wife, Fama Jean, Tom was preceded in death by a son, James Howard Burns.  Survivors include his wife, Jeannine, of the home in Fort Scott; James’s children, Jason Burns and his son, Truman Burns and James’s daughter, Sarah Burns and her son, Atticus Burns.  Also surviving is a daughter, Mary Corpstein and husband James, of Fort Scott, and their three sons, Craig Corpstein and wife, Ruth, Charles Corpstein and Corey Corpstein and wife, Nikki Daly; a son, Thomas Ray Burns and his wife, Cathy, of Pittsburg, and his son, Aaron Burns and wife, Hannah and a daughter, Sandra Dee Gurss and husband, Gary, of Leavenworth, Kan., and her children, Kyle Gurss and Claudia Gurss.  Also surviving are four step-sons, Gregory Scrivner and wife, Kristie, of Winchester, Kan., Neil Scrivner also of Winchester, Paul Scrivner and wife, Lauri, of Kansas City, Missouri and Wayne Scrivner and wife, Mona, of Hot Springs, Mont.; thirteen step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.  Tom was also preceded in death by four sisters, Irene Blankenship, Margaret Dyer, Evelyn Hennessey and Wilma McCutchen and four brothers, Wayne Sylvester, Robert and Eugene Burns. 
Pastor Tom Mullins will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Monday, September 11at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to St. John’s United Methodist Church or Lee’s Paws & Claws 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.

Obituary: Ronald L. Ater

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Ronald L. Ater, age 65, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of Olathe, Kan., passed away Monday, September 4, 2017, as the result of a motorcycle accident in Olathe.  

He was born December 5, 1951, in Fort Scott, the son of Ivan Ater and Lois Cooper Ater.  He had served with the United States Army where he had been stationed in Germany.  Following his military service, he began a career with Westar Energy, where he worked as a serviceman for many years prior to retirement from the company.  Ron loved being outdoors and riding his motorcycle.  He took numerous motorcycle trips throughout the country.  He also enjoyed animals, especially parrots.

Survivors include a son, Charles Ater, of Olathe and a daughter, Miste Maschino and husband, Matthew, of Springfield, Mo.; three grandchildren, Madyson Brushwood and husband, Levi, Arabella Maschino and Brant Maschino, all of Springfield.  Also surviving is a brother, Tim Ater, and wife, Pam, of Nevada, Mo.; his step-father, Wayne Houston, of Richards, Mo., several nieces and nephews and his special pet parrot, Mojo.  He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Ater, and his mother, Lois Houston.

Following cremation, Robert Clark will conduct a graveside service at 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, September 13, at 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 Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 p.m.at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital

Submitted by Christina Rockhold, Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. in the McAuley Conference Room located on the main level near the lobby. The session topic is Managing and Reducing Risk of Long-term Complications of Diabetes.

Patty Ryan, R.N., will discuss risk reduction, symptoms to report and available treatments. The support group is open to the public. No registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Family members are encouraged to attend as well.

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. The next meeting date is scheduled for November 20.

For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.

Get a Soil Analysis before Applying Lawn Fertilizer

Submitted by Krista Harding, KState Southwind Extension

September is here and that means it is prime time to fertilize your fescue lawns. Even if you faithfully fertilize in the spring, by September, fescue plants are literally starving to death.

Fescue is entering into its fall growth cycle as days shorten and temperatures moderate. Fall is the time that cool-season grasses naturally thicken up by tillering. Tillering is the term used to describe how the plant forms new shoots at the base of existing plants. Plants also build their root system for the following year in the fall. An application of fertilizer in September is put to immediate use by the plants.

However, before applying any fertilizer, I recommend that you have a soil test done. Lawn soils vary widely in pH, available phosphorus and potassium. It is very difficult to just “guess” about which nutrients are lacking and how much of each is needed. Soil testing can be done through the Extension office with a fee of $12 per sample. You will receive a detailed report that outlines your soil needs and how to fertilize accordingly. It is recommended to have a soil test every five years.

The procedure for soil testing is simple. Use a sharp shooter shovel and go straight down into the soil about four inches. Pull the soil clump up (grass and all) and knock the soil off into a bucket. Do this in about five to six locations in the lawn. In the bucket, mix the soil samples well and then randomly pull out about two cups of soil and place in a zip-lock bag and bring to one of our office locations in Erie, Iola or Fort Scott. For those living in or near Chanute, you can drop soil samples off at Breiner’s Feed Store for pick-up.

If you have not had a soil test, here is a general fescue lawn fertilizer recommendation. With a fall application, it is best to use a “quick-release” source of nitrogen. Apply 1 to 1 ½ pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. If the fertilizer analysis is 10-10-10, it is declaring that it contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium. So, to get the 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet using a 10-10-10 blend, you would need to apply 10 pounds of the fertilizer.

Another application of fertilizer in November should be applied to help the plants build up their food reserves for use when the grass greens up in the spring. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can get the same results if you just waited and only fertilized in the spring. Spring-only fertilizing leads to fast growth, which means more mowing. This can also promote shallow root growth and possible summer die out.

Fall is the ideal time to renovate poor lawns. If you have an overabundance of weeds, crabgrass, etc., then you may want to consider reseeding. New lawns should also be planted in the fall.

If you would like more information on lawn fertilization, seeding or soil testing, please contact me at the Extension office.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Obituary: Douglas Lee Graham

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Douglas Lee Graham, age 75, a resident of rural Uniontown, Kan., passed away early Monday, August 28, 2017, at his home.  
He was born January 25, 1942, in Rocky Ford, Colo., the son of Forest Graham and Emma Jean “Jimmy” Sinding Graham.  Doug graduated from the Uniontown High School.  He married Mary Ruth Ramsey on May 27, 1962, at Uniontown, Kan.  Doug had worked for many years as a self-employed brick mason.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as going to the casinos.  He also liked spending time with his grandchildren, playing bridge and feeding the wildlife around his home. 
 
Survivors include his three children, Melessa Moran and husband, Gary, of Topeka, Kan., Tracy Kipper and husband, Brian, Kansas City, Mo., and Troy Graham and wife, Laurie, of Pittsburg, Kan., and four grandchildren, Michael and Madeline Hale and Trevor and Lily Graham.  Also surviving is a brother, Danny Graham, of Uniontown and his cat, Bob.  His wife, Mary, preceded him in death on January 6, 2011.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Graham. 
 
Pastor Jeff Feagins will conduct graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 2, at the Uniontown Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Saturday from 11 a.m. until service leaving for the cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Doug Graham 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.

Obituary: George Manous O’Neal

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

George Manous O’Neal, age 92, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

He was born March 8, 1925, in Cecil, Ark., the son of Jim O’Neal and Loretta Nichols O’Neal. He served with the United States Navy during World War II. George married Joy Ann Whitesell on October 31, 1959, in Nevada, Mo. George worked as Director of Public Utilities for the City of Fort Scott for 32 years. Following his retirement from the City, George was employed for 10 years by Key Industries. George was a member of the Community of Christ Church. He had also been a member of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club and the Masonic Lodge. He had been made an Honorary Deputy of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department.

Survivors include his wife Joy and his son, Larry O’Neal and wife, Teresa, all of Ohio. Also surviving are three grandchildren, April Kennard and husband, Kevin, Mandy Hobbs and husband, Josh, and Stacy Julian and husband, Justin, and eight great-grandchildren, Nate Elliot, Josh Lyons, Kaitlyn and Jackson Kennard, Jocelyn, Jaclyn, Jackson and Jamison Julian. He was preceded in death by his parents, two half-brothers, Wayne “Jake” Knowles and Jim O’Neal II and a granddaughter, Erin Lyons.

Funeral services will be conducted by Elders Robert and Kathy Clark at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday August 29, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Eldorado Springs City Cemetery, Eldorado, Mo. Memorial contributions may be given to Care to Share 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.