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All posts by Submitted Story
Obituary of Barbara Lou Haggard
Barbara Lou Haggard Obituary
Barbara Lou Haggard, age 76, resident of Pittsburg, KS passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO. She was born January 27, 1949, in Wichita, KS the daughter of Myrle and Helen Walker White. Barb graduated from Friend’s University with her bachelor’s degree. She married John Haggard on August 10, 1968, in El Dorado, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 28, 2021. Barb worked in Montana as a waitress while living there. Upon relocating to Fort Scott, KS she worked various jobs including American States Insurance and at Presbyterian Village. She enjoyed animals, especially rabbits. She loved reading, having quite the book collection.
Survivors include her son John Haggard, Pittsburg, KS; a sister, Bonnie Quick, Fort Scott, KS; 3 nephews, Mike Quick, Wichita, KS, Matt Quick (Colleen) Fort Scott, and Matt Quick (Suzanne) Fort Scott; and 2 great nephews, Peyton and Grayson Quick. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
There was cremation. Interment will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Barbara Haggard Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Obituary of Darlene Jo Doherty
Darlene Jo Doherty, 81, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Freeman Hospital of Fort Scott. She was born on June 25, 1944, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the daughter of Brenard J. and Delores G. Walker Doherty.
Darlene was a registered nurse having graduated from St. Mary’s College and getting her Nursing Degree from L.S.U., and retired from Tulane Medical Center after 20 years, she lived in New Orleans for over 40 years. She traveled all over the world working in Missions in Hong Kong, and several African countries. She moved back to Fort Scott, after Hurricane Katrina.
She is survived by 5 sisters, Judith and Larry Maura of Nassau, Bahamas, Margaret and Merl Humphrey, of Fort Scott, Barbara Woodward, of Fort Scott, Denise and Dave Brezik of Fort Scott, Michelle Youngdoff of Overland Park, Kansas, 3 brothers, Dan and Marie Doherty, of Fort Scott, Don and Roxie Doherty of Fort Scott, and Brian Doherty of Fort Scott. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Edward Doherty and Steve Doherty, 3 nephews, Todd Woodward, Gabriel Stinson and Elijah Doherty, and 2 nieces, Maggie and Jules Daly.
The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Father Yancey Burgess as Celebrant. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 pm, Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with Visitation following from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to either the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, the St. Mary’s Catholic School or Care 2 Share and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701.
KRI Hosts The Weekly Chamber Coffee on December 11
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County Commissioners to Attend Ceremony at National Cemetery on Dec. 13
One or more commissioners plan to attend the Wreaths Across America on 12/13/25 at 10 AM at the National Cemetery. No County Business will be conducted.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk
Bourbon County Planning Commission Meets Dec. 10
News Release of the USD234 Board of Education Meeting on Dec. 8
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, December 08, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 08, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
David Stewart thanked the Board Members that are finishing their term for their time and effort in collaborating with the school district.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
11-10-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – November 20, 2025 – $1,830,914.79
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
December 2025 KASB Policy Updates
FSHS Baseball Fundraising
Superintendent Destry Brown informed the Board on current enrollment in the district. An update for Tiger Academy was given with a start date of January 6, 2026. The district is also working on a Farm to School grant that will include local products that can be included into the school’s lunch program. Mr. Brown also informed Board Members and new members they will be meeting soon.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document. He was able to share a report that included the City/School IT ticket numbers. The Preschool building has been given a tentative timeline.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on winter iReady testing scores on Math & ELA. Results for testing will be shared with parents soon. He thanked the staff and students involved in the Christmas Parade this past week.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes provided a shared document.
Superintendent Brown thanked the District’s Counselors for their Kansas Star Recognition Award. Jane Krone and Josh Messer were present. This was a district wide award for Social Emotional Learning. Jane Krone was responsible for submitting the paperwork for the grant. She explained how much the students benefit from the curriculum. This is an extremely exciting recognition for the district.
The Board approved the following:
- CTE Equipment for Patterson Grant
- Welding Booth Bid Proposals – $73,458
- Welder Proposals – $8,970
- CNC Plasma Table Bid Proposals – $45,767.52
- Mini Mill Bid Proposals – $84,030.95
- Desktop Lathe Bid Proposals – $14,850
- Architect Services Agreement – Hight Jackson Associates
- Pre-School Playground Project Bid Proposals
- Heavy Duty Work Truck Bids
- Contingency Approval
- Community Green Farms MOU
- Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Agreement (2026-2030)
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
December 08, 2025
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Bradbury, Luke – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
DeLaTorre, Jeff – Retirement – Athletic/Activities Director – High School
Gilmore, Nicole – Resignation – Assistant Principal – Winfield Scott
Regan, Nikki – Resignation – SPED Teacher – High School
Rienbolt, Katren – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Cox, Johnna – January 05-February 13
TRANSFER:
Avery, Michael – Grounds/Maintenance II to Maintenance I
Budd, Wendy – Paraprofessional Winfield Scott to Paraprofessional Alternative School
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for 2026-27 School year:
Johnson, Zach – Superintendent
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Kitsmiller, Natalie – Paraprofessional – Alternative School
Lee, David – Custodian – Winfield Scott
Miller, Kaylie – Paraprofessional – Alternative School
Pinkerton, Samantha – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Tate, Madalynn – Paraprofessional – Preschool
Weber, Betty – Paraprofessional – KRI
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Corbitt, Cheyenne – 3rd Session of Intramurals
Fountain, Justin – Scholars Bowl Sponsor – Middle School
Nickelson, Aaron – Assistant Boys Basketball – Middle School
Story Telling Through Art: Dec. 10
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Obituary of Sue Ellen Hoskin
Sue Ellen Hoskin, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Olathe, Kansas passed away Thursday, Dec. 4 at Olathe Medical Center surrounded by loved ones. She was born on Feb. 28, 1941, to Jessie Ellen Ford Harris and James Harris in Greenfield, Missouri. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Ft. Scott, Kansas where she lived the majority of her life. Sue was the youngest of six children and the first in her family to graduate from high school. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1959. Sue valued education but more than that she strived to reach the goals she set for herself. She passed on this combination of moxie and grit to her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a teenager, Sue met and fell in love with David Hoskin, of Ft. Scott. They married on Oct. 7, 1961, after he returned to the United States from service abroad in the Army.
Sue and David had four daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Her family was the most important thing in her life. Sue worked at The Western, Whitesides East, and Ace Hardware before retiring at age 65. Later in life she discovered a love of travel taking trips with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Sue also loved to play cards, bake pumpkin bread, and find discounts. She was an avid reader. Faith was an important part of Sue’s life. She and David were charter members of West Park Church of the Nazarene and the two later attended the First Baptist Church. Sue carried her faith with her until the end.
Survivors include three daughters, Shelly Henry (Larry) and Melissa Hoskin, all of Olathe, Kansas, and Marla Miller (Kirk) of Nevada, Missouri. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Lerin Combs, Taylor Rodriguez, Arley Hoskin, Tempest Lane, Breanna Morrison, Amory Maley, Payton Miller, and Jansen Lang, and nine great-grandchildren, Aidan, Tristan, Landon, Brynlee, Halle, Roman, Althea, Ryder, and Breckan. Sue was preceded in death by a daughter Micah Denise Hoskin, her husband David Hoskin, as well as her parents and siblings David Harris, Leroy Harris, John Harris, Emma Hall, and Katherine Rector.
There was cremation. Chaplain Dave Armstrong will conduct a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 at Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral service starts. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Melvin Eugene Barker
Melvin Eugene Barker, age 83, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. He was born on May 24, 1942 in Hume, MO to Alfred “Leon” Barker and Betty Ruth Anderson. He married Marilyn Margaret Tarvin on June 1, 1968, and together they had three children, Mark Eugene Barker (Renea) of Bettendorf, IA, Paul Leroy Barker (Tammy) of Peculiar, MO, and Ruthanne Renee Barker of Kansas City, KS.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1966 during the Vietnam War, before he earned an Associates degree in Drafting from Pittsburg State University. He retired in 2004 from Superior Industries. Melvin was devoted to his family; loved fishing, listening to music, target shooting, and Chevy Corvettes. His Christian faith was very important to him, and he served as a Deacon at various churches he attended over the years.
Melvin is survived by his two sons and one daughter, four grandchildren, Ethan William Barker, Ellie Elizabeth Barker, Tessa Margaret Barker, and Isaac Eugene Barker, a brother, Raymond Barker (Marie), and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister, Mary Allen (Larry).
Funeral services will be held at Community Christian Church, 1919 Horton Street, Fort Scott, KS on Monday, December 15th, 2025. The visitation will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m., with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following the visitation at 11:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at the U.S. National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for the Honor Flight may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of James “Jimmy” Marshall
JAMES HENRY MARSHALL
James “Jimmy” Marshall, 83, of Redfield, Kansas, passed away at his home on December 5, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1942 the son of James Henry Sr. and Alberta Lea Pavey Marshall. He married Kathy Ransier on February 7, 1994 in Fort Scott, she preceded her in death.
He is survived by a son, Lee Reeves of Newton, Kansas, and two daughters, Kamisha Bassett, and Kayle Reeves, both of Fort Scott, and several grandchildren, Dalton, Elijah, Makiya, Audrey, Xzavier, Fenton, Norah, Allie, Crystal, Larry and Kaylee. In addition to his wife, Kathy, he was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Tammy and Angela.
Jim was as Policeman in Fort Scott for a while, years ago. He worked as a truck driver and backhoe operator most of his life. If he wasn’t traveling, he was tinkering around his yard or collecting junk. Jim was a great person who would do anything to help if needed. He loved his family and died at home just the way he would’ve wanted.
After cremation, Jim will be buried in the Old Arcadia Cemetery near Arcadia, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
