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Obituary of Alma Jean Wright
“In the twinkling of an eye” on October 12, 2024, Alma Jean (Heer) Wright of Gardner, Kansas, slipped from this world and entered Heaven’s joys. The automobile accident that claimed her earthly life had no control over her eternal destiny. She is, without a doubt, present with the Lord whom she loved so well.
Alma Jean was born February 7, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, into the home of Leo Andrew and Alma Mae (Allison) Heer. As her father was a minister, the family lived in several locations throughout Alma Jean’s childhood.
Alma Jean graduated from high school in Eskridge, Kansas. After graduation, Alma Jean attended Kansas City College & Bible School for a year. Her jobs included telephone operator at Southwestern Bell, cook in the KCCBS cafeteria, and clerk in the KCCBS business office.
In 1963, Alma Jean moved to Kansas City and lived with some other young ladies – Kathy Wright among them. A young Joe Russell prodded Kathy’s younger brother Gary toward Alma Jean by saying, “You need to ask that girl for a date! She’s dying to date you.”
Gary calmly answered, “I could…I’ll think about it.” On June 1, 1968, the day after Gary’s college graduation, Gary and Alma Jean were married in Chanute, Kansas.
Life in Overland Park, Kansas, saw Alma Jean and Gary welcoming their daughter Sharmen Sue into their family, followed by their son Michael Jay the next year. Son Jonathan Lee completed their family unit seven years later. The family’s home on Craig Drive in Overland Park, KS, was the site of many family gatherings. 2008 brought change and a move to Gardner, KS, but no matter where she lived, Alma Jean LOVED having company. Family events sometimes included slideshows, but they always included memories and laughter. Lots of laughter.
Alma Jean may not have worked outside the home while raising her children, but she was rarely idle. She prioritized her family and shepherded her children well, modeling how to love God and people.
Alma Jean had several hobbies – genealogy, scrapbooking, quilting, and more – but she was passionate about ministry. Her pet projects have included Women Alive, 60+, vacation Bible school, and more than forty years of Sunday school teaching. She blessed many with calls, texts, personal visits, and her monthly newsletters. She sent letters to college students, missionaries, prisoners, and shut-ins for years. Alma Jean’s big heart had her and Gary visiting many hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
Alma Jean has served well in every church she has attended. Most recently, the Olathe Church of God (Holiness) has benefited from her project vision, organizational skills, and outreach efforts. One ministry very close to Alma Jean’s heart was Samaritan’s Purse and their Operation Christmas Child shoebox distribution project.
Alma Jean Wright is enjoying the glorious sights of Heaven alongside her parents Leo and Alma Heer, her aunt Ila Heer, her son Michael Wright, and her son-in-law Rob McCollum.
Survivors include Gary Wright of Gardner, Kansas; daughter Sharmen McCollum, son Jonathan (Darla) Wright, and daughter-in-law Shawna Wright; grandchildren Luanna (Austin) Tolley, Esther (Timothy) Replogle, Julianna Wright, Joseph Wright, Karson Wright, and Leo Wright; great-grandchildren Evelyn Jay Tolley and Gage Harrison Tolley; and truly a host of family and friends, all of whom look forward to meeting Alma Jean Wright in Heaven someday.
Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30 PM on October 24, 2024, at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness), 6801 W 74th St., Overland Park, KS. The funeral will be held at the same location at 10 AM on October 25, 2024. Interment at Memory Gardens of Bourbon County, 2193 Indian Rd., Fort Scott, KS, will follow at 2:00 PM, October 25, 2024.
Obituary of Robert McCollum
Robert Merrill McCollum, 72, of Gardner, Kansas, passed away on October 12, 2024, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He gave so much of himself to us, and the family is devastated that such a kind, creative, and loving soul has left this earth.
Rob was born January 22, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Walter Leroy & Nela Mae (Rodgers) McCollum. He graduated from Shawnee Heights High School in 1970.
Rob married Lora Jane Lewis in Olathe, Kansas, on July 29, 1972. They had been married for forty-three years when Lora preceded him in death on October 7, 2015. Rob and Lora shared two children: Brandon Michael McCollum and Jeffrey Allen McCollum.
Later in life, Rob was fortunate enough to fall in love with Sharmen Sue Wright, and he went on to marry her on May 4, 2019. They shared a home outside Gardner, Kansas. They liked traveling, gardening, and spending time with family.
Rob worked for Cities Service Gas Company (now Southern Star Gas Company) for thirty-eight years, retiring from there in 2011. For over thirty years, Rob also had an upholstery business in addition to his normal day job.
Rob especially liked riding his motorcycle and working on classic cars. He enjoyed driving his 1956 Chevy Bel Air and taking it to car shows.
Rob was a member of New Life Community Church in Gardner. He served as a deacon and was an important member of the men’s Bible study group.
Remaining to cherish Rob’s memory are his spouse, Sharmen Sue Wright McCollum; children Brandon (Karen) McCollum and Jeffrey (Stacy) McCollum; grandchildren Ty (Lauren) Thorp, Tyler (Karie) McCollum, Chance Thorp, Austin McCollum, Jarit (Alexis) Sparks, Carter McCollum, Ryan McCollum, and Emma McCollum; ten great-grandchildren; brothers Rodger (Tina) McCollum and Rodney McCollum; nieces and nephews Scott (Heather) McCollum, Drew (Melody) McCollum, and Sara (Miguel) McCollum.
Preceding Robert in death are his spouse Lora McCollum and parents Walter Leroy McCollum and Nela Mae McCollum.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 26 at 10 AM at the New Life Community Church, 29200 W 188th St., Gardner, KS 66030. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM in the same location. Interment will be at 2:30 PM in Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th, Topeka, KS 66606.
Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be directed to the New Life Community Church of Gardner, Kansas and may be left in care of the church or 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.
Do It Now by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Do It Now
When my kids were young and I would give them instructions to perform a chore, they had a tendency to just keep playing. They weren’t ignoring me or being rebellious, they were simply waiting a few more minutes before they acted. Well, my dad was a World War II Army staff sergeant, and I seem to possess some of those same qualities. I explained to Mariam and Aaron that I expected them to get up and move as soon as I finished the instructions. It was for their good and my sanity that they learned prompt obedience. The result of this old-school upbringing caused them to revere God, be respectful of authority, and also cultivated a seed of excellence for their future careers. Plus it kept me out of the insane asylum.
I cannot treat God like a child and try to order Him around. In truth, I’m His child and He’s my Father. Life will never go well if I try to reverse those divinely-established roles. Believers are supposed to go to the Father with our needs and then patiently trust Him. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). God hears, cares, and acts with well-timed help, coming just when we need it.
While we’re waiting on God’s help, our job is to keep “steady on” in patience. Galatians 6:9 NKJV states, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” I used to think that meant, “Don’t get burned out while doing good.” But I believe it also means, “Don’t give up on God while you wait.“ We’re “doing good” when we wait on God with a courageous faith-filled attitude. So don’t be deceived or disheartened — keep on trusting and persevering.
When God’s answer is taking longer than we expected, it’s a good idea to take inventory of what’s inside us. He could actually be waiting on us to totally surrender the “thing” that’s stressing us so He can take it and do what only He can do. God won’t do anything with our messes, stresses, and sorrows until we relinquish our hold on them. We can’t receive a gift until the individual releases it into our hand. We can’t receive the peace of God that passes understanding until we release the entirety of the care to Him — it’s like a Divine trade. Honesty and a broken heart are two things God will not ignore.
We live life one hour at a time as we focus forward and wait for answers to our humble requests for help. Patience is a virtue but perseverance is a choice. Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church to encourage them to hold fast to their faith, knowing that God would act on their behalf. “Now may the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 TPT). Don’t stop believin’ that your breakthrough is just about ready to knock on your door. Don’t get stuck in the middle of going through a trial. Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Paul and Winston would surely have been good friends had they lived at the same time.
If you’re waiting on God to send help, you’re in good company. In Psalm 23, King David reminds us that God will restore our soul.
The Key: Your help is on the way. Never, never, never give up on God.
FSCC Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda for Oct. 21
October 21, 2024
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
October 21, 2024. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott
Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MISSION STATEMENT
Fort Scott Community College is an institution of higher learning with a long history of culture and
diversity that provides affordable academic, technical and occupational programs to meet student needs while
fostering a mutually supportive relationship between the college and its communities.
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Cosmetology Program Update, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on September 23, 2024, and
Special Board Meeting conducted on October 10, 2024, 6
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 9
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 39
A. Family and Medical Leave Policy, 39
B. International Student Deposit, 42
C. Employee Handbook Updates, Part 1, 43
ACTION ITEMS, 73
A. Resolution 2024 – 64: Consideration of Contract from Doral LLC, 73
B. Resolution 2024 – 65: Consideration of Reserve Unencumbered Fund Balance (Cash Reserves)
Policy, 74
C. Resolution 2024 – 66: Consideration of Sex Offender Notification and Policy, 75
D. Resolution 2024 – 67: Consideration of Financial Responsibility Agreement, 79
REPORTS, 81
A. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 891
ADJOURNMENT, 90
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• October 21, 2024 Board Meeting
• November 18, 2024 Board Meeting
• November 25 – 29, 2024 Campus Closed – Thanksgiving Break
• December 16, 2024 Board Meeting
• December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025 Campus Closed – Winter Break
• January 20, 2025 Campus Closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 21, 2025 Spring Semester Begins
• January 27, 2025 (Changed from January 20 due Board Meeting
to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
• February 17, 2025 Board Meeting
• March 24, 2025 (Changed from March 17 due Board Meeting
to spring break)
• March 17 – 21, 2025 Campus Closed – Spring Break
• March 28, 2025 Aggie Day
• April 18, 2025 Campus Closed – Good Friday
• April 21, 2025 Board Meeting
• May 19, 2025 Board Meeting
• May 26, 2025 Campus Closed -Memorial Day
• June 16, 2025 Board Meeting
Sincerely,
Bryan Holt, Chair
Sara Sutton, Interim President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a
central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective
processes; and developing the region’s workforce.2
ROLL CALL
_____ Ronda Bailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC4
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on September 23, 2024, and
Special Board Meeting conducted on October 10, 2024
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
To view the entire packet:
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 18 Weekly Newsletter
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KDWP Stops Senior Lifetime Pass for Hunting/Fishing
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Halts Sale of Senior Lifetime Pass for Hunting and Fishing
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced today that it has stopped selling the 10-year combination of hunting and fishing licenses for Kansas residents aged 65 to 74. The decision follows the discovery that the statute authorizing the department to sell the licenses at a reduced rate had expired. The licenses were commonly called a Senior Lifetime Pass because after a resident reaches age 75, they are no longer required to purchase Kansas hunting and fishing licenses.
The Senior Lifetime Pass was established by the Kansas Legislature in 2012 through Senate Bill 314 (K.S.A. 32-9,100), along with several other discounted licenses for seniors. In 2023, the other discounted hunting and fishing licenses were made permanent with the passage of House Bill 2039.
“When we discovered the authorization for the Senior Lifetime Pass had lapsed, I instructed staff to stop selling them,” said KDWP Acting Secretary Christopher Kennedy. “All licenses were sold in good faith, and the Senior Lifetime Passes already issued will remain valid. While we must stop selling this pass, we are exploring regulatory and statutory options to offer additional discounted rates for seniors in the future.”
Annual senior licenses for Kansas residents ages 65 to 74 remain available at significantly discounted rates. The Resident Senior Annual Hunting License is $15; the Resident Senior Annual Fishing License is $15; and the Resident Senior Annual Combo license for hunting and fishing is $25.
Licenses can be purchased online at license.gooutdoorskansas.com or by phone at 1-833-587-2164. Licenses are also available at various locations statewide.
For more information about licenses, permits and fees, visit ksoutdoors.com/license-permits
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Bourbon County Commission Agenda for October 21
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 21, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 10/15/2024
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $382,843.51
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $288,169.30
- Approval of September Financials
- Becky Gray, Building Health Inc.-Letter of Support Request
- Teri Hulsey, EMS Director-EMS Grant Award
- Susan Walker, CFO-Financials
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- KCAMP Meeting Delegate
- Election Update
- 11-4-24 Meeting
- Resolution 12-24 Burn Ban
- Insurance
- Emergency Department Funding Agreement
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Brita Bolton Presented Woodman Hometown Hero Award
Brita Bolton, owner of Papa Don’s Pizza, was presented the Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero award in front of friends and relatives gathered at the Fort Scott Elks Lodge for the event. The award was presented by Jolynne Mitchell representing Modern Woodmen Chapter 514.
Modern Woodmen is a member-focused financial services organization that provides opportunities for members to learn, socialize and volunteer in their local community.
Every year Modern Woodmen’s 2,500 chapters have an opportunity to honor a person who has provided outstanding community service. This year’s honoree, Brita Bolton, is dedicated to our community by supporting the Chamber, providing after hours directions and support to visitors. She lends a hand up to many high school students by offering employment to meet the needs of their schedules.
Brita is a tireless worker for other community activities including delivering Christmas Baskets, providing meals for local schools and various sporting activities.
Each Hometown Hero receives a special certificate and a $100 donation to a charity of their choice.
Death Notice of Rob McCollum
Rob McCollum, age 72, a resident of Gardner, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024, as the result of an automobile accident west of Clay Center, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 P.M. Saturday, October 26th at the New Life Community Church, 29200 W. 188th St., Gardner, Kansas.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church.
A graveside service will follow at 2:30 P.M. Saturday at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the New Life Community Church and may be left in care of the church or the Cheney Witt Chapel, at 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Death Notice of Alma Jean Wright
Alma Jean Wright, age 79, a resident of Gardner, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024, as the result of an automobile accident west of Clay Center, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 25th at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness), 6801 W. 74th St., Overland Park, Kansas.
A graveside service will follow at 2:00 P.M. on Friday at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness).
\Memorials are suggested to Operation Christmas Child 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.
The Wedding That Matters by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Recently, my granddaughter Britney was married to Gage, a young man she met when visiting Fort Scott last year. Britney is from the Las Vegas area but has been finishing up her paramedic credentials in Utah. The wedding was held at my son and his wife’s ranch. Britney had three flower girls and Gage had three ring bearer attendants, each gender with two two-year-olds and one four-year-old. You get where I’m going.
The guests were to sit on stained boards that rested atop hay bales, bales that would be delivered the morning of the wedding. For spacing purposes, the boards were placed on the ground. To the rug-rats, these boards were perfect gymnastics balance beans for jumping over. Or on. Or around.
We all watched, astonished, as they giggled, chased each other down the aisle, attempted to vault over the wooden boards and tackled each other. Things weren’t much better for the “let’s try that again” attempt…you know, after each parent—most in the bridal party– took their child aside and bribed them with everything but a live pony.
We expected the worst. Preparations for this wedding had taken months. Both sets of parents and family members had worked to make everything perfect, and Britney’s mother had spent most of September in Fort Scott, away from her family, to work with Gage’s parents on the smallest of details. And now, six little ones were going to cause havoc.
On the wedding day, these kiddies, now dressed alike with hair slicked or curled, shocked us all when they walked slowly down the aisle in single file, taking their “jobs” seriously. Flower petals were methodically dropped to the ground, and this time, the chief ring bearer actually handed off the case with the wedding rings in it instead of practicing his quarterback pass with it. No one escaped and ran towards the pond, and they even sat quietly with their assigned adult during the ceremony. Surely they were A.I. imposters, switched out for some well-behaved youngsters.
Both the wedding and the reception were lovely, months of planning paying off. The Bible uses a metaphor of a wedding in which our time of “planning” for it also will pay off. In Ephesians 5, we read that Jesus Christ has sacrificially chosen the church to be his bride, and just as in Bible times there was a betrothal period in which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so it is with us and Christ. We faithfully wait with great anticipation for his return when we will be united with him. Sometimes we act foolishly, immaturely, selfishly, childishly. Other times, we face the importance of what we are doing and take our future wedding seriously.
The “details” of our waiting makes a difference. Should we fail to take our decision to allow Christ in our lives with the seriousness it deserves and continue to act in whatever way we choose, there will be no wedding. We must ask ourselves what matters most and behave accordingly because at that point, not even a pony will be enough.