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Obituary

Obituary of Randy Ballweber

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Randy Scott Ballweber, age 62, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 surrounded by his wife, mother, and children. He was born June 26, 1958 to Harold and Ruth (Stiers) Ballweber in Salem, Oregon.

Randy became a Christian in 1982 and was a member of the Church of Christ. His hobbies included being outdoors, gardening, concerts, and anything that involved his family. Randy loved playing pranks and making others laugh. He would go out of his way to help others. He was always the quietest in the room but had the biggest personality. On June 24, 1983, he married his soulmate, Veneita Eleanor Griffin in Fort Scott, Kansas. Together they had two daughters. In 2015, both daughters married, giving Randy the sons he always wanted. Danielle Dercher of Lenexa, Kansas, married to Robert Dercher. Jacquelyn Karleskint of Nevada, Missouri, married to Jonathan Karleskint. In 2019, Randy became a “Grandy” a nickname representing being a great and grand Randy to his grandson, Jalen Karleskint.

Randy is survived by: his wife, Veneita Ballweber and their two children, Danielle Dercher (Robert Dercher) and Jacquelyn Karleskint (Jonathan Karleskint); one grandchild, Jalen Karleskint; two fur grandpups, Henry Dercher and Barret Karleskint; His mother, Ruth Rice, sister Lesa Jones, (Marvin) and his brothers, Daryl Ballweber (Anna), Terry Ballweber (Joanne), Don Ballweber (Sandy), Eric Ballweber (Rose), and Gary Ballweber. In-laws that became brothers and sisters: Melissa Hulbert (Warren), Joe Griffin (Deborah) Ron Griffin (Carey), Letitia Stockton (Gary), and Sandra Everhart (Paul). He leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends.

Randy is proceeded in death by his father Harold Ballweber, stepfather James Falwell, and sister Linda Ballweber Holm.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, February 26th, at Memorial Hall. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Lewy Body Dementia Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Karin “Sue” Morrison

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Karin “Sue” Morrison, 67, of Redfield, passed away Friday February 19, 2021, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg due to complications from COVID. She was born July 21, 1953, in Colony, Kansas, the daughter of Russell Don and Vinita Ruth (Potter) Robb. She married Leonard Dean “L.D.” Morrison June 31, 1972, in Xenia, Kansas, and he survives of the home.

Sue graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1971. Over the years, Sue worked for Key’s, The Western, FSCC Truck Driving School. She retired from Valu Merchandisers in December of 2018 after eleven years with the company. Sue was a member of Marmaton Community Church in Redfield. She enjoyed spending time with her family, her cats and her chickens, and she loved to garden.

In addition to her husband L.D., Sue is also survived by her two sons, Clint Morrison of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jeff Morrison, of the home; two sisters, Dona Spencer and husband Harry of Fort Scott, and Kathy Budd and husband Albert of Richards, Missouri; three step-grandchildren, Lance, Michael, and Donovan; two nieces, Amber Cain and Holly Fritter; and five nephews, Albert, Russell, and David Budd, and Jess and Andrew Spencer. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, the family will hold private services at a later date. Services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society 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.

Ascension Via Christi, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Ascension Via Christ Emergency Department Feb. 25

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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CHAMBER COFFEE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2021 HOSTED BY ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI ER DEPARTMENT.

Save the date for Chamber Coffee for February 25, 2021!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Ascension Via Christi ER Department on Thursday, February 25th at 8:00 a.m. at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Ascension Via Christi ER Department will be celebrating their Two-Year Anniversary in Fort Scott with a Drive-Thru hosting and serving coffee, donuts and a Free Mug for the Chamber Members and guest.

The Fort Scott Chamber President, Lindsay Madison will able to livestream video via Facebook while meeting and greeting the staff of the ER department. Other Chamber Members are welcomed to be part of the meet & great as well.

All attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks and masks will be available for those without one and practice social distancing.

The Chamber is now booking Coffees for 2021 calendar year. Any member business or organization wanting to host may contact the Chamber to reserve a date at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected].

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

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Obituary

Obituary of James Tucker

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James Paul Tucker, age 63, Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, February 21, 2021, at his home.  He was born on July 24, 1957, at the Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, the son of Rev. James D. and Betty J. Tucker.

He was united in marriage to Carolyn Ann Hayward Tucker on April 18, 1980, in El Dorado Springs, MO. To this union was born two children, Mariam Ann Tucker Self and Aaron James Tucker.

Survivors include his devoted wife Carolyn Ann, two children and their spouses: Mariam and Levi Self of Peculiar, MO, Aaron and Cynthia Tucker of Asbury, MO; three granddaughters: Lydia Mae, Felicity Ann, and Vivienne Hope Self; his parents Rev. James D. and Betty J. Tucker; brothers Roger and Genie Tucker, Mark and Brenda Tucker, Joe and Belinda Tucker; sisters Carma Tucker, and Kerri and Kirk Bland; brother-in-law Randy and Corda Hayward,  many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

As a “preacher’s kid” he was exposed to the love of God and the way of salvation from birth. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a small child at home. He had a Christian education all through grade school and high school, attended Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, and Fort Scott Community College for printing, auto-tuneup, and welding classes. He also attended a piano tuning and regulation class at Pittsburg State University. He successfully completed all four levels of the Joplin Nazarene Ministerial Studies, earning As in all 27 classes, concluding in 2006.

Jimmy was employed in Systems and Information Services at The Western Insurance Companies from 1979 to 1986. He then worked as a top pressman at Ward/Kraft from 1986 until April 2017.

Jimmy felt a call to the ministry in 1988. God spoke to him about preaching the truths he had been reading. He and Carolyn began a jail ministry in 1993 that lasted five years in Fort Scott. In 2000 the Lord gave him a dream of people waiting in line for the judgment. God told him to tell the people what He required. While reading Charles G. Finney’s theology on the attributes of love, he experienced that love shed abroad in his heart. His heart was opened to the reality of God’s love and he surrendered himself to a lifelong relationship with his Savior.

He was a passionate worker in the church, serving in various capacities of ministry: Sunday School teacher, worship leader, board member, sound engineer, home Bible studies, music ministry, counselor, and many Spirit-led endeavors. The Fort Scott First Church of the Nazarene issued nine local minister’s licenses to Jimmy, with the first one in 1998. He served as assistant pastor for the Independent Holiness Church, and fill-in preaching. He was pastor of the Diamond Community Church in Fort Scott from October 2016 until his resignation in September 2020.

He was a faithful husband, “all-in” dad and father-in-law, and a devoted and playful “Pappy” to his three granddaughters. He honored his parents, loved his siblings, and genuinely cared for his family and friends.  He loved to help people any way he could, and was especially concerned about the spiritual welfare of everyone he knew. He truly walked in love and was honest in all his dealings. He loved the Word of God and desired to know and do the will of God.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 25th at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Both the visitation and funeral service are open to the public.  Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights or Jailhouse Rock Ministries, Inc. 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

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

February 19, 2021

 

Foster Care

The foster care system in Kansas is broken.  Senate Bill (SB) 85 is another effort to fix it.  It would require notifications by foster care contractors to the Department for Children and Families (DCF) when a foster child is missing or spends the night in a location that is not licensed.  There is a $500 fee per day the incident is not reported.  The bill passed 38 to 0.

 

Unemployment System

Many of you have experienced the flaws in the Kansas unemployment system, be it as someone trying to file for payment, someone who had a fraudulent claim filed in your name, or a business with false claims filed against.  The problems are too numerous to list. It is devastating and it didn’t happen overnight.  Documentation presented in committee, stated that millions of dollars have been appropriated to upgrade and improve the system but those upgrades did not occur.  A Legislative Post Audit in 2007 speaks to fraud and flaws in the system and still those problems have multiplied over the years.  On top of this, approximately $1 billion in the unemployment fund has been depleted in less than one year.  It is estimated over $300 million has been paid in fraudulent claims.

 

In an effort to address the problems, there are two bills being worked, one in the House and SB 177 in the Senate.  Legislators are working hard to address these issues but ultimately it is the responsibility of the Governor.  There’s plenty of blame for governors past and present.  Let’s get it fixed.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Ward-Kraft Seeks Skilled Individuals

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WARD-KRAFT IS SEEKING QUALIFIED & SKILLED INDIVIDUALS TO FILL TWO
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!
ATTENTION……………..
Click Position Below for Full Job Description
&
Ward-Kraft started in 1972 with 25 employees, doubled in four years, and has grown to over 300 employees.
The company quickly became one of the top five manufacturers in the print industry and now has over 49 years of experience. Numerous patents, in-house R&D, and an in-house machine shop allows for both.
Ward-Kraft continues expansion to
new products and in perfecting of their forms & labels, specialty coatings,
and plastics divisions.
Ward-Kraft
encourages you to join our company & vision to be the first choice of our customers, members, and suppliers!
WARD-KRAFT, 2401 COOPER ST., FORT SCOTT, KS
800.821.4021
Job Description:
· Create and maintain systems using C#,VB.NET/ASP.NET, SQL Server, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSON, and XAML
· Follow Domain-Driven Design (DDD) Principles
· Adhere to Agile methodologies
· Maintain Git repositories and Nuget Packages
Job Requirements:
· Associate’s Degree with emphasis on programming preferred, but not required
· Experience with C# preferred but any OOP (Object Oriented Programming) language will suffice
· Experience using relevant tool suites -Visual Studio, SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio)
· Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
· Creative problem-solving skills
· Self-Motivated
The ideal candidate will be a team player who is goal-oriented, possesses a strong work ethic, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Position Summary: Responsible for digital file preparation, manipulation of customer artwork, recreating logos and other graphics, variable data file preparation, and pagination of images in a precise and accurate manner.
Key Qualifications:
  • Good working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office especially Excel
  • Color manipulation experience
  • Mac and PC proficient
  • Outstanding problem-solving skills
  • Professional
The ideal candidate will be a team player who is goal-oriented, possesses a strong work ethic, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
If you have an interest in these positions, applications may be obtained at www.wardkraft.com or email resume to [email protected].You can also pick up a paper application at
2401 Cooper St., Fort Scott KS, 66701.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

DEADLINE FOR 2021 FLAG SUBSCRIPTIONS NEARS

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The deadline to sign up for the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Fly the Flag project is quickly approaching. Applications for new subscriptions must be postmarked by March 1st. Subscribers renewing for 2021 must submit a renewal application and payment by March 31st.

The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes, hassle free, on five different flag holidays. For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.

Application forms can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text by calling Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484. Renewals notices have been mailed/emailed to all 2020 subscribers. Questions can be directed to Kelley or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924.

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.

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Obituary

Obituary of Gary D. Beerbower

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Gary Dean Beerbower, age 54, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, February 19, 2021, at his home. He was born August 13, 1966, in Ft. Scott, the son of Lowell William Beerbower and Donna Kay Lawson Beerbower.

Gary graduated from FSHS with the class of 1985. He married Angie Riley on February 4, 1999. They later divorced but remained good friends.

Gary enjoyed shooting and was a member of the Old Fort Sharpshooters. He liked music and was a horror movie buff. He was a packrat and lover of junk. He enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors included 3 sons, Landon Beerbower, Trevor Pulliam, and Zach Riley; ex-wife Angie Riley; 3 brothers David Beerbower and wife Donna Jo, Ft. Scott, Allen Beerbower and wife Kim, Redfield, KS, and L. W. Beerbower, Ft. Scott; a sister, Rhonda Tinkey and husband Preston, Ft. Scott; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Troy Beerbower, and his parents.

There was cremation. Services will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Gary Beerbower Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Work Session Feb. 23

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The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss upcoming Streets and Parks projects if the proposed sales tax passes. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.

The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.