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Obituary

Obituary of Beth Ann Tinsley

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Beth Ann Tinsley

Beth Ann Tinsley, age 77, a resident of Bronson, Kansas passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at the Moran Manor Nursing Home in Moran, Kansas.

She was born January 17, 1943, in Moran, the daughter of Francis Bradford Glasgow and Keitha Yelton Glasgow.

She married Paul Everette Tinsley on May 25, 1959, at Lone Elm, Kansas.

In earlier years, Beth worked for Reasoner’s Equipment in Bronson. She later owned and operated B & P Sport Shop in Bronson and also operated her own dog breeding kennel.

She was a member of the Xenia Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Paul, of the home in Bronson and three children, Paula Ann Vincent, of Hiattville, Kansas and Everette Allen Tinsley and James Bradford Tinsley, both of Bronson and four grandchildren, David Paul Vincent, Deanaira Vincent, Dana Vincent and Alex Lee Lukenbill. Also surviving is a brother, Phillip Glasgow, of Lawrence, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 1st at the Bronson Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Starlite FCE Minutes

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Starlite FCE October 15, 2020

 

The October meeting of the Starlite FCE was held October 15th at the Yeager building at the fairgrounds.

President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order, and passed out depression kits to lighten to mood with the Covid situation.  Joyce Allen led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect.

 

Thirteen members were present.  They reported that they had volunteered 11 ½ hours and had recycled 55 pounds of paper.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Doris Ericson presented the treasure report.

 

Glenda announced that Betty Johnson, Jean Holy, Joyce Gobl and Clarice Russell all had birthdays this month.  She also announced that Ann Ludlum had not accepted the nomination to be secretary and announced that Terri Williams had agreed to serve as secretary.  Del Parks moved that Terri become the secretary for 2021, Betty seconded the motion, motion carried.  The officers for 2021 are Glenda Miller; president, Joyce Allen; vice president, Doris Ericson; treasurer and Terri Williams; Secretary.

 

Betty Johnson installed the 2021 officers.

 

Under Old business, Glenda reminded the club that we are collecting ink cartridges for the state scholarship.  It was also announced that the Fall training and recognition will be held in Parsons on November 5th.

 

New business consisted of ways to honor veterans.  Glenda passed our yellow ribbons to be displayed to show our support.  She also suggested we display your flags and send cards to encourage veterans.

Voting is also a way to support them.

Deb Lust announced that Veterans Day will be on Wednesday this year and to get with her about the Buddy poppy distribution.

Claudia Wheeler moved that the club purchase a wreath for Wreaths across America and donate $25 to the Wounded Warrior fund, Joyce Allen seconded it, motion carried.

Glenda also reminded us to start collecting socks, gloves and Christmas cups for the Tri-Valley clients Christmas party.

 

October is Nation FCE month.  FCE stands for Family and Community Education.  Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families and communities through continuing education, developing leadership and community action.  Now is the time to join for the upcoming year, we would love to have you join us.  We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 2:00.

 

Terri Williams presented the lesson of “Where is the Land Down Under” and provided samples of dishes from Australia.

 

Deb Lust moved the meeting be adjourned, Doris Ericson seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

After the meeting members enjoyed chocolate éclair cake which was provided by Betty Johnson and Glenda Miller as part of the installation ceremony.  Claudia Wheeler and Karen Peery provided nuts, candy, cider and water as well.

 

Prepared by Terri Williams

Obituary

Obituary of Alice McElmurry

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Alice Louise McElmurry, 89, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, October 14, 2020, at her home. She was born June 21, 1931, in Bronaugh, Missouri, the daughter of Robert Wilfred “Bob” and Mary Lou (Dighero) Clarida. She married Rex McElmurry on February 12, 1950, in Huntsville, Arkansas, and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2013.

Alice was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School there for over fifty years. She was also a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha and was a Boy Scout Den Mother.

Alice is survived by a sister, “Bobby” Patricia Ann of Olathe, Kansas; four grandchildren, Shay Medley and husband David of Springfield, Missouri, Tanna Truett of Gladsden, Alabama, Ashley Brown of Wichita, Kansas, and Charles “Chip” McElmurry, of Fort Scott; and five great-grandchildren, Robert Wehmer, William Wehmer, Harley Littleton, Alex Littleton, and Austin Truett. In addition to her husband Rex, Alice was also preceded in death by her parents, her son Charles Robert “Chuck” McElmurry, and her sister Betty Knox.

Rev. Gary DeMott will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2020, at Memory Gardens under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Loretta Arnold

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Loretta Arnold, 72, of Fort Scott, passed peacefully from this life Tuesday evening October 13, 2020, at KU Medical Center. Loretta answered the call of her Savior to “come home, my child.”

Loretta was born on October 6, 1948, to Richard Dale and Helen Marie (Moyer) Hall at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas. She grew up in the Bethel community west of Fort Scott. She was a lifetime member of Bethel Community Baptist Church and attended grade school in the one-room schoolhouse still standing at Bethel Church. She attended Fort Scott schools and was a 1966 FSHS graduate. She was a graduated alumnus of Fort Scott Community College.

Her thoughtful and dependable work history includes thirty-seven years within The Western Insurance Companies, a secretary with Tri-Valley Developmental Services, and then retiring from the Bourbon County Courthouse treasurer’s office.

Loretta knew most everyone in Fort Scott and never met a stranger. She shared her friendliness with anyone. She was proud of her little hometown Fort Scott, boasting upon it with others. She was an exceptional cook who could bake an apple pie to match her mother’s Purple Ribbon winning pies, an ever-entertaining host to family, friend, or stranger.

She loved family get-togethers, enjoying a friendly game of cards, or such. Every weekend for twenty-seven years, her “Whipper Snapper Card Crew” met around a table to play a laughing, hilarious, and joking card game called Phase 10 with her lifelong friends, “sisters” Belinda Richardson and Becky Jaynes, along with their families.

Survivors include her husband Dale, of the home, stepchildren Troy Arnold (Jennifer), Tami Shirley, and Trent Arnold (Julie), with numerous grandchildren, and her son-in-law John Galvis. Also surviving are her siblings Jerry Hall (Alice), Rhonda Deck (Mike), Rex Hall (Karen), Michelle Long, Herbert Hall, and Damon Hall (Jill), and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her daughter Leasha Renee Galvis, her parents, a brother, Brett Alan Hall, son-in-law Larry Shirley, and her grandparents.

Rev. Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2020, at Memory Gardens under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home

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

Business, Government, Kansas

Public Hearing On Solar Charges

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Kansas Corporation Commission schedules public hearing and comment period to receive input on solar rate design
A public hearing on electric rate design options for Kansans that use solar panels is scheduled for November 5 at 6 p.m. The Kansas Corporation Commission will conduct the hearing virtually via Zoom. Kansans who wish to speak at the hearing will need to register in advance in order to receive login information. The hearing will be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing.
For those who do not wish to speak at the hearing, there is an opportunity to submit a comment online from the KCC’s website, via email or written letter beginning today. The comment period ends on December 21 at 5 p.m.
In September 2018, as part of a Westar (now Evergy) rate case, the Commission approved a three-part rate design for residential solar customers that includes a demand charge. The Sierra Club and Vote Solar, who were parties to the docket, filed an appeal. In April of this year, the Kansas Supreme Court reversed the judgement of the Court of Appeals and the Commission and sent the matter back to the KCC for further proceedings.
An order on a new rate design consistent with the Court’s opinion is due on or before February 25, 2021.
Today’s scheduling order is available on the KCC’s website at ­https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20201015103348.pdf?Id=b62913a3-4d73-45a6-8bc1-008babd5ec29. More information about registering to speak at the hearing or submitting a written comment is available at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters.
COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Halloween Guidelines In A Pandemic

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KS Dept. of Health and Environment Guidance for Celebrating Halloween, September 2020

This document outlines guidance and considerations for celebrating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. As typical Halloween celebrations do not allow for minimizing contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives. Refer also to any specific city or county guidance in your community which may be more restrictive than what is outlined below.

Halloween Activities Not Recommended

• Gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions
• Door to door trick or treating – It is very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure everyone (trick or treaters and residents of homes being visited) are properly wearing face coverings, and because food sharing is risky.
• “Trunk or treating” – It is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing food at such events.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

Recommended

• Online parties or contests (e.g., costume contests, pumpkin carving)
• Car parades
o Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate vehicles and drive by judges that are appropriately physically distanced
o Drive through events where individuals remain in vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays
o Drive in events where individuals receive a treat bag (with commercially packaged, non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle
• Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants, complying with restaurant protocol
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum, complying with museum protocol
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations

Personal Protection Measures

Regardless of how you celebrate, there are important recommendations for how to keep yourself and your household members safe.

• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others who are not part of your household.
• Avoid confined spaces, including indoor spaces that don’t allow for easy distancing of at least 6-feet between you and others.
• Practice physical distancing – place at least 6-feet between yourself and other people who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.

Safer Trick or Treating and “Trunk or Treating”
Although KDHE does not recommend trick or treating or “Trunk or Treat” events as ways to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make these choices for yourself or members of your household.

• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home.
o Incorporate face coverings into costumes.
o Face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their cloth face covering without assistance.
• Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals while outside your home.
• Consider carrying sanitizing wipes to disinfect candy or other items accepted from homes. Or, sanitize items individually when you get home before consumption. Remember to also examine treats for choking hazards or tampering before eating them.
• Accept only commercially packaged, non-perishable items.
• Practice physical distancing.
o Always leave at least 6-feet of space between yourself and people not in your household.
o Do not crowd sidewalks, driveways, or porches.
o Wait until a porch or doorway is empty before approaching a home.
o Move aside on sidewalks and driveways to allow space between yourself and other trick or treaters.
o Keep a safe distance from cars – do not walk in the street.

• For “Trunk or Treat” events, follow all guidelines above while also considering:
o Maintain at least 6-feet of distance between yourself and other attendees as you walk around.
o Wait for others to depart a car/trunk before approaching. Do not congregate at a car/trunk with other attendees unless they are members of your household.
Guidance for Homes Accepting Trick or Treaters
• When answering the door or coming into contact with trick or treaters, correctly wear a cloth face covering.

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at regular intervals; hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be substituted if soap and water are not available.
• Regularly clean and sanitize frequently touched items such as door handles, door bells, and door knockers. Consider having sanitizing wipes by the door for quick access between trick or treaters.
• Distribute only commercially produced, non-perishable items to trick or treaters.
• Do not use “grab bowls”, where trick or treaters reach into a communal bowl to retrieve candy.
• Practice one-way trick or treating
o Consider spacing items 6-feet apart on your porch, in your yard or on a table in your driveway with a sign advising trick or treaters to “Take 1”. Watch from a safe distance and replenish items as needed.
o Alternatively, make individual goodie bags for trick or treaters to pick up as they walk by. If your home has a fence, consider hanging individual goodie bags on the fence for trick or treaters to take as they walk by.

• For “Trunk or Treat” events, also consider:
o Participating cars should be parked at least 6-feet apart.
o Make individual goodie bags and place them in your trunk so they are not touching. Maintain a distance of at least 6-feet from other attendees and replenish bags or items as needed.
o Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals.
o Sanitize high-touch areas at regular intervals. Consider having sanitizing wipes on hand.
Halloween Parties
Although KDHE does not recommend hosting or attending parties as a way to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make this choice for yourself or members of your household.
• Remind potential guests who are sick or waiting on results of a COVID-19 test to stay home.
• Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering around others who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Consider only hosting or attending parties hosted in large, outdoor spaces that allow for physical distancing of at least 6-feet between attendees. If an event must be hosted indoors, make sure the space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows and doors).
• Maintain at least 6-feet between yourself and people who are not members of your household, especially when cloth face coverings are removed for eating and drinking.

• When setting up tables and chairs, create individual seating areas of various sizes spaced 6-feet apart to be utilized by individual family or household units. Encourage guests to sit only with those who are members of their household, especially for eating and drinking when cloth face coverings will be removed.
• Avoid activities that require guests to be in close contact or to share items, such as games or food.
• Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.
• Limit people going in and out of areas where food is being prepared, such as kitchens or grills.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.

General Halloween Health and Safety Tips

In addition to modifications to Halloween activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19, remember the following general Halloween health and safety tips to keep you and members of your household safe.
• Avoid trick or treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
• Hold a flashlight while trick or treating to help you see and others see you.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks whenever possible.
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Avoid walking in streets and roadways. If there is no sidewalk, walk along the far edge of the road facing traffic in order to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting costumes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only commercially produced, non-perishable treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
• Do not enter homes unless you are with a trusted adult.
• Only visit well-lit homes.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never walk near candles or luminaries. Wear flame-resistant costumes.

References
1. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Guidance for Celebrating Halloween. Retrieved September 2020 from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/community/GuidanceHalloween.pdf.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Halloween Health and Safety Tips. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Personal and Social Activities. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#gatherings.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Holiday Celebrations. Retrieved September 2020 from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

FORT SCOTT KNEA STATEMENT ON USD 234 QUARANTINE POLICY

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Submitted by the Fort Scott Kansas National Education Association’s Media Relations Contact Brian Pommier.

Prior to this school year, the Fort Scott KNEA negotiations team sat
down with their counterparts on the USD 234 Board of Education’s team and came to an agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding dealing with COVID-19.

At Monday night’s meeting, however, the board voted to change the COVID-19 quarantine requirements previously in place, which we believe to be a violation of the terms of the agreement.

Included in the MOU was an agreement to put the Return to Learning plan in place for this school year and to jointly address issues arising to COVID-19.

The Return to Learning plan defines the term “close contact” as someone who has been within “6 feet of the case for 10 minutes or more or if they had direct exposure to secretions into their nose, eyes, or mouth (for example, being coughed or sneezed on).”

The plan also stated that close contacts must remain in quarantine until they have met the criteria for release from quarantine set by KDHE or SEKMCHD.

On Monday, however, the board of education voted 4-3 to change the district’s policy regarding the quarantine of close contacts. Now, someone who has spent more than 10 minutes within six feet of
someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 no longer has to quarantine so long as masks are worn.

The board’s decision — in essence — to redefine the term “close contact” to avoid quarantine violates the terms of the agreement.

The issue should have been addressed in conjunction with the FSKNEA, as per our agreement.

The FSKNEA negotiations team denounces the board’s action and demands that the board honor the Memorandum of Understanding.

During our negotiations this summer, the FSKNEA found the board of education willing to come to a common-sense agreement to address COVID-19 issues in an attempt to re-open our schools and
allow in-person learning to occur.

We are disappointed in the board’s decision to back away from that
agreement without even discussing the issue with our team.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC: 3-D Screening/Diagnostic Mammography

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Technicians Jennifer Dugan and Suzanne Quick. Submitted photo.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS, FORT SCOTT OFFERS 3-D SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES

Each October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to women to be diligent about breast cancer screening.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is proud to offer 3-D screening and diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasound services at their Fort Scott location, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Mammography services are available to everyone, whether they are a CHC/SEK patient or not.

Women 40 years old and older should begin annual mammograms to help detect breast cancer. Appointments at CHC/SEK are offered five days a week with extended hours to accommodate busy schedules.

CHC/SEK’s Fort Scott mammography program is accredited by the American College of Radiology and is inspected annually by the FDA. Technicians Jennifer Dugan and Suzanne Quick bring over 30 years of combined, dedicated service to mammography and take great pride in the work they do.

“There are often barriers to why women don’t get the mammograms they need, says Dugan and Quick. “We work closely with Kansas Early Detection Works (EDW), which can provide free and low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings, and, at CHC/SEK, no one is denied services based on ability to pay.”

Where there are language barriers, CHC/SEK has interpreter services available.

For those with transportation issues, the health center can assist patients with rides to and from their appointment.

Dugan and Quick take special pride that for diagnostic mammography, they can offer same-day breast ultrasound with results before patients leave, so there is no “wait and worry.”

Dugan explained, “When a patient comes for a diagnostic mammogram (a diagnostic exam is performed when a patient has a breast problem such as lump, pain, etc.), we take our images, send to our radiologist via the computer for review, all while the patient is waiting. If the radiologist recommends a breast ultrasound, we then take the patient directly over for a breast ultrasound to be performed. Those images are also sent to the same radiologist. When he responds with a recommendation, we relay this to the patient while they are here with us. If the patient has a negative result, we then let them know. Suppose the patient has a positive result that needs further evaluation; in that case, we talk with the patient about their options and try to help get this arranged as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, most facilities have lag times between the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound if needed. When the ultrasound is performed, they will send the patient home to wait for the provider to receive the report, and the patient is the last to know when they are called by phone or sent a letter. We do not want our patients having multiple appointments and worrying while awaiting results…we think our process ensures that we are giving the best patient care possible!”

Patients at CHC/SEK benefit from the latest 3D Genius Technology at no additional cost. 3D mammography is an advanced technology that takes creates a 3-dimensional picture of the breast.

Women with dense breast tissue, in particular, may benefit because it provides a clearer picture. Using 3D mammography makes it easier for doctors to detect breast cancer early and reduces the chances of doctors seeing a false positive.

If you have questions about breast health or would like to schedule a mammogram, please call Jenny or Suzanne at the CHC/SEK Mammography Department at 620-223-8484.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Special Meeting On October 15

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 15, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

 

10:30 Becky Johnson, COVID-19 Pandemic Discussion

Obituary

Obituary of Dale Geiger

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Dale Geiger, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 13, 2020, at Girard Medical Center. He was born June 24, 1933, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Schley and Ruth Marie (Wells) Geiger. He married Bonnie Bolinger on November 6, 1952, at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, and she survives of the home.

Dale was an insurance underwriter for The Western Insurance Co. for many years and also farmed.

He served in the US Army during the Korean War from November of 1953 until December of 1955 as a heavy artillery instructor in the 3rd Army Infantry under Dwight Eisenhower.

In addition to his wife Bonnie, Dale is also survived by his daughter Joyce Jennings of Mound City, Kansas, his son Steve Geiger of Uniontown, Kansas, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Dewayne Geiger.

Rev. Carl K. Ellis will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2020, at the Uniontown Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to either 4H, Meals-On-Wheels, or the Beacon, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.