Betty Ruth White, age 100, resident of Fort Scott, KS, formerly of Uniontown, KS, died Friday, February 23, 2024, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott.  Some of her final words were “I want to see Jesus.”  She was born January 7, 1924, the daughter of Charles and Rena McKinnis Smith.  Betty graduated from Uniontown High School.  She married Leonard White on January 29, 1942, in Redfield, KS.  Other than living in Atlanta and Boston when Leonard was in the service, she was a lifetime Uniontown resident.  She played piano in her early years at the Uniontown Methodist Church.  Betty joined the Grace Baptist Tabernacle when she was baptized in 1979.  She was a loving wife, mother, and friend.

Survivors include her son Gary Joe White (Judy), Uniontown, KS; 3 grandchildren, Gary White, Kansas City, Dr. Jodi Julien (Steve), St. Lucie, FL, and Alaina Navarette (John), Coral Springs, FL; 3 step grandchildren, James Stark (Johnnie), Jennifer Ballou (Simon), and Julie Buchta (Bryan); 10 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 4 step great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard; a brother, Glenn Smith; and her parents.

The family wishes to give a special thank you to Guest Home Estates and Mt. Carmel Hospice for their care and compassion.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, February 29^th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Memorials are suggested to Guest Home Estates Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Kenneth Ross Wood, 92, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2024, at Medicalodge in Leavenworth, KS. He joins his beloved wife, Jennie, who preceded him in death in 2021. They were married over 62 years.

Kenneth was born February 7, 1932, on an 80-acre farm near Ft. Scott, KS, the third child of Clarence and Lena (Query) Wood.

Kenneth’s family attended the Methodist Church in Hammond, and Kenneth graduated as the Fulton high school salutatorian in 1949. His primary interest in high school was sports – softball, basketball, and track (javelin), but he also sang in the chorus, played the clarinet in band, had leading roles in class plays, and was vice president of the student council.

Kenneth attended Ft. Scott Junior College, Drury College, and Pittsburg State, graduating from Pittsburg State in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in math education. He taught school for two years in Coffeyville, KS, and two years in Leon, KS, while completing his master’s degree in math from Pittsburgh State (1957).

That same year, Ken moved to Santa Monica, CA, to become a computer programmer trainee for Systems Development Corporation.

He attended First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, CA, and met Jennie Reynolds in Sunday School class. Ken and Jennie married in 1958. Ken accepted the Lord’s call to ministry in 1959 and graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1964. Together, Ken and Jennie faithfully served the Lord at Nazarene churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. Ken was loved by his congregations, serving faithfully with wisdom, humility, and integrity.

In 1996, Ken and Jennie retired to the Wood family farm in Ft. Scott, KS, and Ken began pulpit supply followed by a pastorate at Humboldt Church of the Nazarene. From 2001 to 2005, he pastored at Fulton United Methodist Church. Ken and Jennie were members of Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene, ministering in a variety of ways in their church and community.

Ken’s hobbies included tending a large garden and fishing. He deeply loved his family. Many memories were made with grandchildren sharing practical skills, life wisdom, a listening ear, table games, laughter, and an after-dinner devotional. His family is forever marked by his godly character, his faithful prayers, and his loving investment in their lives.

Kenneth is survived by three children – Stan Wood (Denise) of Easton, Kansas, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Phil) of Raymore, Missouri; a son-in-law, Charles Hornby, of Nevada, MO; eleven grandchildren – Briana Wood, Nathan (Natalie) Parke, Reagan Wood, Jaron (Brooke) Parke, Graham Wood, Carter (Meredith) Richardson, Ross Parke, Alexandra (Brice) Kudej, Annelise Parke, Davis Richardson, and Sawyer Richardson; four great-grandchildren – Noah, Hope, and Zoe Parke (Nathan and Natalie), Adalyn Parke (Jaron and Brooke, with a great-grandson due in May); a brother, C. Byrne Wood; a sister and brother-in-law, Loreta and Larry Jent; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Wood.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; parents, Clarence and Lena Wood; daughter, Suella Hornby; brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Wanda Wood; brother, Walter Wood; and sister-in-law, Rosalie Wood.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1st, 2024, 2:00 pm, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, with visitation and viewing from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, and burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Viewing is also available on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS, 66701, during normal business hours.

The service will be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

James (Jim) Roberts Miesner unexpectedly passed on to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Jim’s life was filled with multiple achievements, but none were more important than leading his family in Christ. Born to William H. and Martha Frances (Roberts) Miesner in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 22, 1943, Jim displayed athletic skill, particularly in football.

However, the Vietnam War interrupted Jim’s playing career when he patriotically volunteered to be an infantry officer in the 82^nd Airborne Division.

Jim joined the Army in October 1966, served one tour (1968-1969) in Vietnam as a first lieutenant (often filling roles meant for officers two ranks above his). Jim was honorably discharged from active duty in April 1969 and married his wife of nearly 55 years, Ann (Morgan) Miesner on May 10, 1969.

Jim’s service in Vietnam earned him the Bronze Star medal, Combat Infantryman badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal, and National Defense Service medal, to name a few.

Jim rekindled his love of football after his service by coaching for several institutions:  Central Missouri State University (now known as University of Central Missouri), Fort Scott Community College, Cowley County Community College, and Arkansas City High School. While coaching,

Jim continued his pursuit of education and obtained his master’s degree and completed 77 hours of his doctorate. Jim served as Dean of Instruction at Panola College and culminated his career in education after 34 years of instruction and administration as President of Fort Scott Community College.

Jim actively participated in his community throughout his life and served in leadership roles across many organizations, including:  Veterans of Foreign Wars (lifetime member), Kiwanis Club (board member), Kansas Award for Excellence (board member and judge), USD 470 Board of Education (elected two terms), Two Rivers Quality Improvement Network (chair 9 years), Bourbon County Economic Development (council member), Arkansas City Beautification Foundation (trustee), Southwestern College Business and Industry Professional Development Center and Teacher Education Advisory committees.  While busy serving his community, Jim also served his church family acting in leadership and teaching roles too numerous to list.

While he gave his time to athletes, fellow coaches, students, educators, his community and church, Jim’s greatest achievement was how he poured the love of Christ into his family throughout his years. Jim chose to spend his retirement years praying, learning, and growing closer to his Savior, and he passionately shared his discoveries with his family at every opportunity. Holiday gatherings, visits, and phone calls always included conversations about the Lord and how He is alive and working in each of his family member’s lives. His unchangeable inner core of belief in Christ is Jim’s greatest contribution to those that he influenced.

Jim also possessed a lighter side. He never missed an opportunity to capitalize on his reputation as the King of Dad Jokes, often baffling those around him with his ultra dry sense of humor. He took immense joy and comfort in the laughter of his family and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, William H. Miesner; mother, Martha Frances (Roberts) Miesner; and brother, William (Hank) H. Miesner.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ann (Morgan) Miesner; children Kurt A. Miesner (Davi), Francy Miesner Mueller (Scott), Matthew Miesner (Shelly) and Hank Miesner (Tara); grandchildren, Riley Mueller, Cooper Mueller, Morgyn Miesner, Hugo Miesner, Emmy Miesner, Brody Mueller, Adeline Miesner, Lydia Miesner, Henry Miesner, Grace Miesner and August Miesner; sisters, Ann Ogle (Robert), Sue Burton (Ed) and Eve Bradsher (John) and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.

Interment will follow in Fort Scott National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to either Folds of Honor or Samaritan’s Purse and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.