Larry Hall Post, age 83, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. He was born June 10, 1943, in Fort Scott, the son of Guy and Mary Hall Post. Larry graduated from Fort Scott High School. He served eight years with the Kansas National Guard. He then worked for the Fort Scott Fire Department for over 20 years. Larry helped form and spent many years with the volunteer Fire Department. He then worked for many years at Walmart in Fort Scott until retirement.

Larry enjoyed yard work, tinkering with vehicles, attending local stock car races, NASCAR, and doing carpentry. His love was spending time with family especially his granddaughter.

Survivors include a son, Troy Hall Post, Prescott, KS; granddaughter Toriah Murrow (Joe) Humboldt, KS; a brother, Marvin Post (Janet) Andover, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Prather and his parents.

There was cremation. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital 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.

Doyle Dean Zimmerman, 77, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away on October 16, 2026, at Freeman Hospital in Fort Scott following a long battle with Lewy body dementia.

Doyle was born on April 1, 1949, in Girard, Kansas, to Enos Doyle Zimmerman and Wilma Turner Zimmerman. He attended grade school in Hiattville, graduated from Uniontown High School, and went on to earn a certificate in electricity from Kansas State College of Pittsburg.

Doyle served six years in the Army National Guard, completing training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Lee, Virginia.

Doyle dedicated 50 years to his profession as an electrician. He was certified through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration and conducted electrical inspections in coal mines throughout the region. In addition to owning and operating Zimmerman Electric, he worked in maintenance for Dayco/Carlisle and The Timken Company.

Family was at the heart of Doyle’s life. He and his wife, Rebecca, loved bringing family together and creating lasting memories through annual Fourth of July celebrations at Elm Creek Lake, Christmas gatherings, and trips to Table Rock Lake in Branson. Doyle also enjoyed motorcycle trips across the country, creating memories and experiencing the open road along the way. One especially cherished family memory was the annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days bed race, where Doyle’s bed claimed victory for many years.

Doyle will be remembered for his dedication to his work, his love for his family, and the many traditions and memories he helped create over the years.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Zimmerman, of the home; two brothers, David Zimmerman and his wife, Teresa, of Fort Scott, and Darel Zimmerman and his wife, Crystal, of Garland; and several nieces and nephews.

Doyle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donathan Zimmerman.

Rev. Mike Buckamneer will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Orum Cemetery.

Words of remembrance may be shared in the online tribute book at cheneywitt.com.

Etta Josephine Cook, age 73, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away on August 25, 2026. She was born on April 12, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and lived a life marked by creativity, warmth, and a generous spirit that touched many.

Etta was the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt Cook and Cora May Ridgway Cook. She was preceded in death by Charles Cook and Teddy Cook. She is survived by her brothers, Tommy Cook and Carl Cook, and her sisters, Thelma Ragsdale, Charlotte Thompson, and Christiana Judy. She was also blessed with very special caregivers of the last 25 years, Tamara and Derek Ishmael, and their children, Willo and Tobin, who were an important and loving part of her life.

Etta loved good food, receiving mail, listening to music, dancing, singing, children and babies, and she especially had a deep appreciation of color, art, and every form of crafting.

Etta was a Maker. She loved anything crafty, and she excelled at all of it. Before putting an empty toilet paper cardboard core in the recycling, Etta would often turn around and say, “Do you know what you can do with that?” She wanted to turn simple things into something meaningful, and she did – with cardboard, buttons, tissue paper, beads, clay, needle and thread and more. She loved creating things with her hands.

Etta made and sold earrings, she had her own art show and sale of her drawings, she had her own spot at a local shop to display her artwork, and she loved giving away her creations. Nothing made her happier than to make something and share it with others.

Nationally renowned quilter and author, Marla Jackson, credited Etta with introducing her to quilting. Marla worked with Etta as a caregiver, and she paid Etta $25 to teach her how to quilt, sparking a passion in Marla for the art form. There was an article about it in the Lawrence Journal World mentioning Etta by name.

Etta’s love of stitching became her favorite past-time, and at home she could usually be found sitting in the kitchen or the living room doing embroidery on a dish towel, turning something plain into something beautiful and unique.

Those who knew Etta will remember her for her creativity and her ability to find wonder in everyday things. Her life was a testament to the beauty of simple acts done with love, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A combined graveside service with her niece Sherry Thompson-Brown will be held at 12:30 PM Friday, October 23rd, at the Fairview Cemetery, Fulton, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Sherry Lane Thompson-Brown, beloved daughter, sister, friend, and cherished member of her community, was born on November 29, 1974, in Pittsburg, Kansas, and passed away on October 16, 2026, in Fort Scott.

Sherry lived a life marked by kindness, quiet strength, and genuine care for others. She was known by those who loved her as thoughtful, loving, and intelligent, and these qualities were reflected in the way she treated family, friends, coworkers, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her presence brought comfort and warmth, and she had a special way of making people feel welcome and valued.

Sherry was the daughter of Roy Thompson and Charlotte Thompson, and she carried her family close to her heart throughout her life. She was a loving sister to Travis Thompson and Brent Thompson, and her family circle was made even richer by the love and connections she shared with her stepdaughter, Syanne Brown. She also held a special bond with her close friend Belynda Brown, and she treasured the love of her many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Her family relationships were an important part of who she was, and she found strength, joy, and meaning in those bonds.

Sherry was preceded in death by her father, Roy Thompson, paternal grandmother Dorothy Petty, and maternal grandmother, Cora Cook.

Sherry attended Fort Scott High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1993. She continued her education at Fort Scott Community College, graduating with the Class of 1995. Her education was a source of pride, and it reflected her determination and commitment to building a meaningful life. She valued learning and carried that spirit with her throughout the years.

For over 20 years, Sherry dedicated herself to her work at Guest Home Estates. Her long tenure there spoke to her loyalty, reliability, and steady nature. She was respected for her dependable work ethic and appreciated for the care and compassion she brought to her role each day. Through her years of service, she touched the lives of coworkers and those she served, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and kindness.

Outside of work, Sherry enjoyed the simple pleasures that made life meaningful. She loved reading and playing games, and she especially cherished spending time with family and friends. The holiday season held a special place in her heart, and she enjoyed Christmas with particular fondness. These interests reflected her warm spirit and her appreciation for moments of joy, togetherness, and celebration.

Those who knew Sherry will remember her as a woman who carried herself with grace and sincerity. She was thoughtful in her words, loving in her actions, and intelligent in the way she approached life. She had a gentle heart and a steady presence that brought reassurance to others. Her memory will remain a source of comfort to all who were blessed to share in her life.

Sherry Lane Thompson-Brown leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and treasured memories. Though her passing leaves a deep void, the impact of her life will continue to be felt through the family she loved, the friendships she nurtured, and the many lives she touched along the way. Her memory will be held dearly and remembered with love by all who knew her.

A combined graveside service with her aunt will be held at 12:30 PM Friday, October 23rd, at the Fairview Cemetery, Fulton, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 11:00 until 12:00 at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Memorials are suggested to the Sherry Thompson-Brown Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Lylise R. (Hare) Evans left this world and entered eternal rest at 8:38 pm on Friday, October 9th, 2026, at Aspen Health and Rehab, where she had been residing since January 2026 after suffering a stroke on December 25th, 2025.

Lylise was the youngest child of Orville Hare and Nancy (LaRue) Hare, born on July 30th, 1939. Lylise’s parents loved their children; however, they were unable to provide for them, so Lylise and a brother entered the Goodlander Children’s Home in Fort Scott, KS. Lylise was 6 years old when she entered the home and she remained in Goodlander Children’s Home until she graduated from Fort Scott High in 1958.

Lylise attended college at the College of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. After attending College, she returned to Fort Scott, KS and worked at various insurance agencies in different capacities throughout the 60’s and early 70’s until she moved to the Broken Arrow, OK area in the early 70’s. She lived in the Broken Arrow and Tulsa, OK areas and worked at various insurance agencies until she retired in July of 1996. While living in Broken Arrow and Tulsa areas, she made several lifelong friends, including her best friend, Mary Davis.

On May 14, 1981, the truest love of her life, Jeremy Carl Woods, was born. She was an immensely proud, single mom, who raised her son in faith, and formed an everlasting bond with her only child. She enjoyed being involved in her son’s life and had him involved in many activities such as the Boy Scouts of America, Big Brother’s Club, and various athletics when he was a young boy. Some of her proud moments were seeing her son receive his Eagle Scout Honor, seeing him graduate from Pittsburg State University with a history degree, seeing him join the Navy, and seeing him receive his associate’s degree in respiratory therapy.

In May of 1996, she reconnected with a childhood friend, James Evans. She and James married on August 3rd, 1996. She enjoyed 18 years with her best friend and lived in homes in Osawatomie, KS and Fort Scott, KS. She and James were faithful members of Christian Gospel Chapel in Fort Scott, and James preceded her in death on January 10th, 2015.

In March of 2014, she gained a daughter, Tiffany (Jeremy’s fiancé) and 2 bonus granddaughters, Alexandria and Cecilia. On May 10th of this year, she became a great-grandmother to Phoebe Michelle.

Lylise loved to craft, sew, crochet, knit and do needlepoint in her spare time. She loved to square dance in her younger days and always loved listening to music. In her later years, she was an avid gardener and was in the Fort Scott Garden Club. She especially loved sunflowers, tulips, and surprise lilies. At one point, while living on the farm in Osawatomie, she had a sunflower patch, with many reaching heights of 10-12 feet tall. She and James also had several cats and dogs over the years. She and James had a pair of terriers that accompanied them in their last years, Nip and Tuck. Sassy, a little chihuahua, accompanied Lylise until she moved into Town Villages in October of 2025. She also loved to travel and after returning to Tulsa in 2016, she went on many trips with her son, Jeremy, including trips to San Antonio, the Great Smoky Mountains, and several Branson trips.

Lylise loved to visit with friends, going out to eat, going on car rides and just being active. She especially loved sweets and chocolates, often requiring multiple trips to the store every week. Her greatest joy was just spending time with her son and his family, visiting with them multiple times a day on a daily basis. She was a faithful friend and had a heart of gold, all who knew her would say the same thing: she was a wonderful friend and a lifelong servant of the Lord. She will be missed greatly by all her friends and her family. Her memory will always be cherished as we, her family, felt the void of her absence the minute she left us.

Lylise was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband and many other family members. She is survived by her only son, Jeremy and his fiancé Tiffany, her grand-daughter Alexandria, husband Clay and daughter Phoebe; and grand-daughter Cecilia and her partner, Cole.

Pastor Danny Brown will conduct graveside services at 12:30 PM Monday, October 19th, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 11:30 AM until leaving for the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either the Coffee Bunker or Little Light House and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Norma Jean Orr, formerly of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away July 31, 2026 in Lenexa, Kansas. Norma was born September 23, 1932, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Michael and Francis Morrow McDonald. She married Roger Dale Orr on April 20, 1952; he preceded her in death in 2004 after 52 years of marriage.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Orr of Plymouth, California and John Orr of Overland Park, Kansas. In addition to her husband, Roger, she was preceded in death by a son, Matthew Orr, and a daughter, Teresa Schaniel.

Graveside services for Norma will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

Patricia Ann Sloan, age 94, a resident of Sugar Valley Lake in Mound City, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 10, 2026, at her home. She was born July 9, 1932, in Lamar, Missouri, the daughter of Morris Larson and LaVonne King Larson. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1950. Pat married Cloyd Wilmer Sloan on September 14, 1952, in Ft. Scott. As her husband was serving with the United States Air Force, the family made their home on various air bases including Cheyenne, Wyoming, Belleville, Illinois, San Angelo and San Antonio, Texas, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, as well as overseas in Turkey. In 1974, after twenty-two years of military service, they retired to a little farm near Mapleton, Kansas. They enjoyed fishing and spending winters in Texas. Pat enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. She was also a great fan of the KU Jayhawks, the Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs, and she always had a canine companion.

Survivors include her three children, Mike Sloan and wife, Cindy, of Olathe, Kansas, Janet Smith and husband, John, of Pleasanton, Kansas, and Debbie Deer and husband, Kirk, of Mound City, Kansas. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Brandon (Tristian) Smith, Jason Smith, Kyle (Megan) Deer, Justin (Kristin) Deer, Megan (Buddy) Dent, Matthew Sloan and Patrick Sloan, and four great-grandchildren, Kolson, Brody, Owen and Colter. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Cloyd Wilmer Sloan, on April 4, 1999.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 16th, at the U.S. National Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the Pittsburg Humane Society or the animal charity of choice and may be left in the 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.

Janet Hill, born August 11, 1954, in Fort Scott, KS. Current resident of Sun City West, AZ, formerly of Nevada, MO, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 at the age of 72.

Together with husband Martin Hill, they raised seven children at their Missouri home. After retirement, they moved to Arizona where they embraced a new community and developed lasting friendships with countless people who quickly came to know and love Janet.

Janet is survived by husband Martin of the home. Their seven children; Heather Hackleman, David Hill and wife Leilei, Chad Brown and wife Afton, Theresa Covington and husband Adam, Kristen McNeal and husband Stephen, John Hill and wife Danielle, Kenneth Hill and wife Bryn, along with 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Harold, Eva and a step-father Delbert Readinger; two sisters; one grandson; one great-granddaughter.

Funeral Mass celebrating Janet’s life will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11:00AM at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 714 S. Eddy St, Fort Scott, KS. Memorials are suggested to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Barbara Ann Schoonover, age 92, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, more recently of Chanute, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Heritage Health & Rehab Center in Chanute. She was born May 26, 1934, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Orville H. “Duck” Lantis and Marie Schahuber Lantis. Barbara graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1952. She was united in marriage to Cloyd C. “Junior” Schoonover on May 1, 1954, in Ft. Scott. Barbara had been employed by Bourbon County for thirty-one years. She served eight years as Deputy County Clerk and twenty-three years as County Appraiser. She was a longtime member of the First Christian Church, where she was active with the Builders Class and the Anna Benders Guild. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her husband, Junior, checking the cattle, working in the garden and tending her flowers. After Junior’s death, Barbara took up traveling. Along with her traveling companions, she enjoyed numerous trips throughout the United States as well as various trips to Europe and cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico.

Survivors include her son, Frank Schoonover and wife, Lesa, of Erie, Kansas, and three granddaughters, Hannah Phillips (Evan) of Chanute, Kansas, Courtney Schoonover of Chanute, and Carissa Denison (Joel) of Collinsville, Oklahoma. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Cloyd “Junior” Schoonover, on August 24, 2005, as well as her parents, Orville and Marie Lantis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will be in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Chanute First Baptist Church Food Bank 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.

Jaunita Elizabeth (Chambers) Long, 91, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas, surrounded by family.

Jaunita was born June 8, 1935, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Robert Tracy Chambers and Ruth Lee (Godman) Chambers of Hiattville. She was the baby of the Chambers family, the only girl, and sister to four older brothers: Robert James “Jim” Chambers, Donald Lee “Donny” Chambers, John Joseph “Joe” Chambers, and William Gerald “Bill” Chambers.

Being the only girl among four brothers may explain at least a little of the energy, independence, and plainspokenness that would characterize Jaunita for the rest of her life.

She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1956. On June 21, 1958, she married Vernon Ray Long, a United States Navy sailor, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Fort Scott.

Navy life took Jaunita and Vernon many places, and while Vernon was at sea, Jaunita did what Navy wives have done for generations: she kept life moving at home. She raised five children through deployments, moves, and all the commotion that comes with a large family.

When Vernon died in 1985, Jaunita was just 50 years old and living in New Orleans. Faced with the necessity of building a new life, she did it in characteristic Jaunita fashion: she went to work.

She built a lawn and landscape business that eventually served 91 weekly customers, and she ran it for more than 20 years. Through sheer work and determination, she paid off her home and vehicles and built an independent life for herself. Somehow, she also found the energy to run some of the largest bowling leagues in the area.

In 2000, Jaunita returned to Kansas, settling in LaCygne to be near her brothers and their families. Retirement, however, never meant sitting still. She worked at the Longhorn Restaurant and LaCygne Liquor and became a familiar face in the community, known to all as “Aunt Jaunita.” If there were lottery tickets being sold for a local fundraiser, there was a good chance Jaunita had a stack of them and intended to see that they were sold.

She loved sports of nearly every kind, playing cards, working puzzles, bowling, and trips to the casino with friends and family. She loved people, activities, and having a good time. She was energetic, spirited, and never much inclined to leave you wondering what she thought. In later years she became equally well known for her bright purple hair, a choice that suited her perfectly.

Jaunita was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents, Robert and Ruth; her brothers, Jim, Donny, Joe, and Bill; her sisters-in-law Sara “Sally” Chambers, Virginia Chambers, and Shirley Chambers; and her eldest son, John Jeffrey “Jeff” Long. Jeff followed the family’s Navy tradition, serving for more than 20 years as a U.S. Navy submariner. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Doan) Long, and their sons, David and Daniel “Danny” Long.

Jaunita is survived by her children: Janice Jeanne “Jeannie” Brooks and her husband, David, of Ilwaco, Washington; Jeanne retired from Microsoft after a career in technology. Joseph Jerome “Joe” Long and his wife, Shania, live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Joe is an attorney. James Jason “Jim” Long of Key West, Florida, is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief and submariner. Joanne Long and her partner, Paul Merrifield, live in Frontenac, Kansas, where Joanne works as a government software training specialist.

Her grandchildren are Nicholas “Nick” Shotton, Matthew Shotton, Amanda Shotton, Michelle Schoettler and her husband, Cameron, Michael Long, David Long, and Daniel “Danny” Long. She is also survived by her great-grandsons, Gabriel and Emmett Schoettler.

Her family extended well beyond names on a family tree, to the many nieces and nephews she remained close to, as well as friends, neighbors, bowling partners, card players, casino companions, and countless others who crossed Jaunita’s path during her 91 years.

There is something fitting about Jaunita having lived long enough to become unmistakably herself. She worked hard. She survived hard things. She laughed, played, spoke her mind, and kept moving. She could start over when life required it, and she proved more than once that she was considerably tougher than circumstances might have suggested.

And eventually, she did it all with purple hair.

Jaunita was much loved, and the force of her spirit left its mark on many lives.

Following cremation, Jaunita will return home to Fort Scott, where she will be laid to rest at Fort Scott National Cemetery alongside generations of her family. It is also the home of the U.S. Navy Veterans Memorial designed and dedicated by her daughter, Jeanne — a fitting place of rest for the sister, wife and mother of U.S. Navy veterans.

There was cremation. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Timber Creek Restaurant, 14 E. Amity, Louisburg, KS. Lunch will be provided by the family. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. the same day at Fort Scott National Cemetery. Anyone who wishes to share will be welcome.

The funeral arrangements are provided by Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home of Fort Scott.

Corinne Teressa Demko passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas. She will be remembered with love by her family, friends, former students, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her life.

Born on February 26, 1952, in New Jersey, to John and Dorothy Gleason, Cory was blessed with a fierce spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and big, open heart. It was in New Jersey that she met the love of her life and husband, Allan Demko. Together, they built a home, family and wonderful careers in New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Kansas.

In her professional life, Cory was a beloved teacher at Laconia Head Start for 25 years, dedicating herself to helping young children learn, grow, and feel loved and supported. Her warmth, kindness, patience, and genuine love for children left a lasting impression on countless lives. The children and families she served held a very special place in her heart, and the impact she made will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

Cory’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She was proud of and is survived by her three sons, Luke, Mathew, and Andrew Demko. And it was during her retirement in Kansas and frequent trips to California that she took on her most cherished role as “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren. Nanny tried to never miss any of their events and, if she did, loved seeing highlights and getting a play-by-play shortly thereafter. Supporting her family and celebrating their accomplishments brought her tremendous joy.

Cory was preceded in death by her husband Alan S. Demko; her parents John and Dorothy Gleason; and her sisters Suanne Cordani and Valerie Gleason. She is survived by her sisters Christine Heimbuch and her husband James; her sister Kathleen Gleason; her brother John Gleason and his wife Carol; her son Matthew Demko; her son Andrew Demko and his wife Courtney Demko; her son Luke Demko and his wife Kimberly Demko; and her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Demko, Olivia Demko, Coralen Demko and Easton Demko.

Those who knew Cory knew she had many passions (books, card games, mahjong, the Boston Red Sox, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to name a few), and she never hesitated to share her enthusiasm for the things she loved.

Cory will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kindness, laughter, love, and generous spirit will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Her memory will live on through the generations of her family, through the children she taught, and through all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 8, 2026, at 10:00 am with burial at St. Mary’s cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Corinne’s memory to St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Fletcher Keith Wheeler, age 86, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away at home on September 28, 2026. He was born on December 19, 1939, in Hiattville, Kansas to Warren (Fay) Wheeler and Dorothy (Lorene) Barker Wheeler.

Fletcher spent much of his working life with the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He especially looked forward to trips to Minnesota and Canada to hunt with his brothers, nephews, grandson, and friends. He also liked Monday night poker games, where good company and mostly friendly competition were part of the tradition. He loved spending time with and spoiling his granddaughter, and he left her with many special memories. Dogs were also a big part of his life, and he loved his German Shepherds and Malamutes.

One of the things he was best known for was his ability to fix things. He was often the person others turned to when something needed repair. Those who knew Fletcher will remember his stories and laughter. They will remember the trips, the games, and his willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Survivors include daughters, Shelly Shirley (Tom), Springfield, Mo and Lisa Wheeler, Palm Harbor, FL; grandson Daniel Shirley (Ashley), Kansas City, Mo; granddaughter Kaitlyn Shirley of Springfield, Mo and sister, Cynthia Post, Fort Scott, Ks.

Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kay, brothers Jerry Wheeler and Rex Wheeler, sister Shirley Burcham, and nephews DeWayne Post and Joshua Wheeler.

Per his wishes, there will be no service.

Memorials are suggested to go to Wayside Waifs (animal shelter) 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.