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Obituary

Obituary of Elvin “Dale” Wiley

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Elvin “Dale” Wiley, 78, of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born January 4, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Fred Funston and Opal Virginia (Duncan) Wiley.

He married Annetta Marie Harth on May 12, 1962, in Fort Scott. They were married for sixty years, and Marie survives of the home.

 

Dale served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 until 1966 on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kittyhawk. He was a Firefighter for Fort Scott Fire Department for twenty-three and half years from 1967 until 1992. He was a carpenter for over forty years, working with his brother Lloyd on his days off from the fire department. Later he began repairing sewing machines for Helen’s Fabric. He was also a machinist, and loved to build and make things. He particularly loved a good challenge.

 

In addition to his wife Marie, Dale is survived by his two sons, Bryan Wiley and wife Kimberly, of Independence, Missouri, and Bradley Wiley and wife Robin, of Fort Scott, Kansas; a brother, Lloyd Wiley, of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Jessara Bowenshulte, and husband Tyler, Cullan Wiley, Breck Wiley, Whitley Wiley, Chelsea Zandler, Daryn Wiley and fiancé Collin Grayum; one great-grandson, Bennett Bowenshulte, and one more great-grandchild on the way. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy Hoffman; two brothers, Larry Wiley, and Don Wiley; and an infant sister Netti.

 

Following cremation, Pastor Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends Friday evening September 2, 2022, from 6-7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share.  and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Norma Fitzsimmons

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Norma Jean Fitzsimmons, 90, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday morning, August 23, 2022, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born July 8, 1932, in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Harry Earl and Pearl (Gunsolley) Wilson. She married Richard Donald Fitzsimmons on August 16, 1950, and he preceded her in death May 4, 2010.

 

Norma is survived by her sons, David Fitzsimmons, of Waynesville, Missouri, Mike Fitzsimmons, of the Lower 48, and Kevin and wife, Brenda Fitzsimmons, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a sister, Barbara Bolinger, of Olathe, Kansas; a son-in-law Matt Townsend of Fort Scott, Kansas; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Julie Townsend; five sisters, Wylma Pearl Campbell, Juanita Durbin, Una Bowles, Thelma Darlington, and Dora Ellen Henning; and a brother, Harry Duane Wilson.

 

Funeral services will be at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 West Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.  Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

 

 

K-State Extension

Starlite FCE August 2022 Minutes

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The August meeting of Starlite FCE was held at the Yeager Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.  President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect.  Ten members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for 236 hours, and had recycled 160 pounds since their last meeting.

 

Thank you, letters were read from Betty Johnson, Byron Fry and ShowMe Christian Youth Home.  Glenda Miller acknowledged Delphine Parks and Jackie Warren’s birthdays.  Doris Ericson gave the treasurer’s report and announced that the Bake Sale at the Fair had raised $285.00 to go toward the scholarship fund.  Doris also announced that our club had won the hay bale decorating contest and received third in the scarecrow contest.

 

Before the meeting the members filled gift bags with snack foods to be presented to the Police department, Fire department, Sheriff department, the EMT’s, the ER and the walk-in clinic personnel.  They also signed cards thanking them for their service to our community.  Members also signed cards for Deb Lust and Nolene Whiteside.

 

Glenda Miller reported on the highlights from the Flash newsletter and announced that election of officers would be in January.  It was also announced that dues are due in October.

 

Doris Ericson moved the meeting be adjourned, Letha Johnson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.

 

After the meeting Karen Peery presented the lesson Advanced Wishes to the members.  Karen had also prepared a display, that was in the Meyers building during the fair.  The display contained forms for people to take home and fill out to have their lasts wishes on record.  One hundred forms were distributed.

 

Refreshments prepared by Karen Peery, Betty Johnson and Glenda Miller consisting of parfaits, caramel corn, chocolate dessert, mints and water were enjoyed by the all.

 

Prepared by

Terri Williams

Opinion

The Edge of the Addiction Cliff by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

In a Bible study, my group prayed for Ben, a 21-year-old heroin/meth addict who has been placed in a treatment center by his parents.  Ben, we were told, was a star baseball player.  At 6’6” and 250 pounds (plus owning a 93-mph fastball), scouts were showing an interest.  Two summers ago, while tossing haybales at his parent’s ranch, Ben felt something pop in his throwing arm.  The news was not good.  He would need Tommy John surgery.

Ben was told that it would be about two years before he would pitch again.  The opioid Oxycodone was prescribed, and Ben became addicted.  Fortunately, he was not one of the 130 people who die daily from an opioid-related overdose, but ultimately, that pain killer morphed into illegal drugs (not uncommon since 80% of heroin users begin with prescription pills).

For two years, tens of thousands of dollars were spent ineffectively on rehab facilities by the young man’s parents.  On his own, Ben took the first step to stop using drugs.  The improvement was so radical, his parents bought him his own house so he could get a fresh start.  Then he needed his wisdom teeth pulled.  Pain pills were prescribed, and Ben was hooked again, this time more than ever. His parents once again brought him to live in their home.

One night, Ben’s parents went to town for an evening out.  They took precautions, locking the keys to their second car in the safe.  When they returned, they found the safe had been pulled into the garage and their tractor was missing.  On a meth-high, Ben had been able to drag the safe next to the car, hoping the keys were close enough to start the vehicle.  When that failed, Ben drove the tractor to McDonalds, a few miles away.

Ben now weighs 155 pounds and calls his parents daily, begging them to remove him from the facility to which they have committed him.  I found myself grieving for the parents, as I have walked alongside two friends whose sons had chosen similar paths and had made those phone calls.  Some days, it was all the parents could do to drag themselves out of bed as their sadness would take on the same lifespan as their addict children. Some days, they enabled their addict child.  Some days, they drew a line in the sand and refused to help.

In the last year, I have sat with two mothers whose young adult children died from drug’s side effects.  One was suicide from drug-induced bipolar disorder and the other from drug-induced bulimia.  Their children’s torment has ended.  Theirs hasn’t.  In this life, it probably never will.

There are all types of addictions: cigarettes; alcohol; pornography; work; sex; caffeine; ministry (yes, even that); gambling; golf; the internet; shopping; approval of others; comfort foods; and video games, to name a few.  What keeps individuals pursuing these obsessions?

For one, life is tough.  Not a day goes by that we aren’t reminded that things aren’t as they should be.  Instead of accepting that perfection stopped in the Garden of Eden and won’t return again until Jesus comes back, these messy in-between years are expected to be something they can’t be.  We keep seeking answers, and instead of turning to God, we turn to behaviors which provide relief (albeit temporarily).

Isaiah 64:6 reminds us how close we all are to the edge of the addiction cliff when it says we all are unclean.  All of us.  So, we seek relief which can be found in one of two places: the Creator or the world.  Maybe it’s not drugs, but look at the inexhaustive list above.  Who of us hasn’t at one time or another sought to feel better by relying on something other than our Creator?  (My hand is raised here, thank you potato chips and dip.)

I write this article to ask you to pray for Ben and anyone else you know whose addictions have led down a road to destruction.  Pray for their families.  And pray for yourselves, should anything you do be one step closer to pulling you away from God and into the ways of the world.

Government, Kansas

KCC awarded $25 million federal grant to plug abandoned wells

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has been awarded a $25 million initial federal grant to help plug abandoned wells in the state. The initial grant is part of $1.15 billion earmarked under the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help states remediate abandoned oil and gas wells. A total of $4.7 billion has been allocated over the next eight years to plug abandoned wells in the U.S. The KCC is eligible to receive another $33.6 million in future formula grant funding.

“These federal grants provide Kansas with a one-time opportunity to help address the issue of abandoned wells in Kansas while helping the economy by providing good paying jobs for several years,” said Ryan A. Hoffman, KCC Conservation Division Director.

The KCC plans to use the initial $25 million grant to pay for eight projects involving the plugging of more than 2300 abandoned wells over the next two to three years.  Four projects are located in Eastern Kansas. The other four are located in Central and Western Kansas. A map showing the locations of the projects and number of wells in each can be viewed here.

A well is considered “abandoned” when it has been permanently taken out of production, is not properly plugged to prevent possible air or groundwater pollution, and the rightful legal owner cannot be determined or located to take responsibility.

While the federal grants will help reduce the total number of abandoned wells in Kansas, they are insufficient to address the entire problem.  The KCC will still rely on industry generated funds to plug the thousands of wells remaining after the federal program expires.

More than 11,000 abandoned wells have been plugged since the establishment of the state well plugging fund in 1995. Oil and gas drilling in Kansas began in the 1860’s. Record keeping by early operators was not as precise as it is today. It is not uncommon for older abandoned wells to be discovered by landowners who were unaware they existed.

“These federal grant funds will provide important assistance in plugging abandoned wells in Kansas. However, to adequately protect Kansas fresh water resources, it will also be necessary to continue funding the plugging of abandoned wells with state well plugging fund resources provided by oil and gas industry fee assessments,” said Dwight D. Keen, Chair of the KCC.

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Obituary

Obituary of Marilyn Ward

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Marilyn Maxine Ward, age 88, a resident of rural Mulberry, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, August 25, 2022, at her home.  She was born October 28, 1933, in Jasper County, Missouri, the daughter of James Endicott and Iris Wilson Endicott.  Marilyn first married Harvey Harrison in 1952. They later divorced and she married John C. Ward in 1975.  Marilyn was a devoted wife and a loving mother to her five children.  She enjoyed sewing and doing puzzles.

 

Survivors include her children, Harvey David Harrison of Fulton, Kansas, Janice Durbin (Jesse) of Hume, Missouri, Wilma Cagle of Mulberry, Kansas, Sandra Elaine Nutter (Walter “Buster”) of Garland, Kansas and Darryl Harrison of Weir, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.  Also surviving are a sister, Alice Fink of Redfield, Kansas and two brothers, Robert Endicott of Hepler, Kansas and J. W. “Jingles” Endicott of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, John, on November 8, 2005.  She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne and James Endicott, five sisters, Laverne Harrison, Mary Lee Heathman, Carol Ybarra, Irma Hughes, Lucille Quick and Leona Endicott and a son-in-law, Jack Cagle.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, August 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Avalon Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association 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.

Government, Kansas

Comments Requested of State Transportation Improvement Plan

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2022-2025 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Sept. 7. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Fort Scott

Jerry and Judy Witt Celebrate 60th Anniversary

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Judy and Jerry Witt. Submitted photo.

Judy and Jerry Witt – 60 Years

 

Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th.  They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scotty by Rev. Jim Grooms.

 

The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years.  They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie.  Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.

 

They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives.  Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Bo Co REDI on August 25

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Join us for Chamber Coffee
hosted by
Bourbon County REDI
(Regional Economic Development, Inc.)
Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 8am
At their office located on the second floor of
Landmark National Bank, 200 S. Main St.
Please enter through east door and take the
stairs or elevator to the upper level.
Join us for Chamber Coffee
hosted by
Bourbon County REDI
(Regional Economic Development, Inc.)
Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 8am
At their office located on the second floor of
Landmark National Bank, 200 S. Main St.
Please enter through east door and take the
stairs or elevator to the upper level.
Click here for their Facebook page.
Click here for their website.
Director Rob Harrington, along with the REDI team of Jackson Tough, Director of Tourism, Emily Diebolt, Grants Manager, and Suzette Torres, Marketing and Programming Assistant and the Board of Trustees look forward to hosting everyone and providing updates on the work of the organization.
HAVE YOU TAKEN THE HOUSING SURVEY YET?
IF NOT CLICK HERE FOR THE BRIEF SURVEY.
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS BELOW!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott

Jerry and Judy Witt Celebrate 60th Anniversary

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Judy and Jerry Witt. Submitted photo.

Judy and Jerry Witt – 60 Years

 

Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th.  They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scott by Rev. Jim Grooms.

 

The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years.  They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie.  Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.

 

They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives.  Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.