Sandra Lee Riley, also known as Sandi, passed away on October 20, 2023, at the age of 81 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born in Oklahoma in 1942 to Charles and Mabel Bevis.  Sandi traveled extensively as a child due to her father’s military service.  She carried this love of travel throughout her life.

 

Sandi is survived by her son, Shawn Riley, daughter-in-law, Laine Riley, and her granddaughters, Morgan Larrison and Jordan Riley.   Sandi is survived by her daughter, Deborah Hulsey, and grandsons Alexander, Evan, Cian, and Soren Hulsey. In addition, Sandi is survived by her brother, Larry Bevis. as well as many friends who will also miss her strength, wit, and compassion.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Dr. Ron Riley, her parents, and her brother, John Bevis.

 

Sandi had a commitment to community service and dedicated much of her time to volunteer work. She actively participated in various organizations, including Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Daughters of the American Revolution, Red Hats, Women’s Education Scholarship Fund, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Sandi was also an active member of Country Club Christian Church, where she and Ron enjoyed their Sunday School Class for many years.

 

In her spare time, Sandi enjoyed pursuing her hobbies. She was an avid painter, seamstress, and baker.  Sandi loved westerns, especially John Wayne movies and the show Yellowstone.  Sandi’s love of history was passed down through the generations and her knowledge was extensive. She is loved by many and will be missed by all.

 

Private family graveside services will be held in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Rinehart Fund (Undergraduate endodontics) at UMKC – School of Dentistry and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Leonard Dale Haulotte, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023, in Ft. Scott.

He was born May 14, 1944, in Woodstock, Illinois, the son of Leo G. Haulotte and Elaine A. Bogard Haulotte.  Leonard grew up and graduated high school in Woodstock.  While living in Woodstock, Leonard worked as a die maker at Duro Tool & Die.

Leonard married Carol Goodbody on October 20, 1972, in Ft. Scott, Kansas.  They lived in Ft. Scott for a time and later returned to Woodstock where Leonard was again employed by Duro.  In 1987, Leonard and Carol moved back to Ft. Scott, and Leonard owned and operated Haulotte’s Retail Liquor for fifteen years.

Before retirement, Leonard worked as a die maker for Peerless Products in Ft. Scott.  Leonard was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.  He was a past member of the Elks Lodge of Woodstock.

 

Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; two sons, John Christopher “Chris” Haulotte of Leaf River, Illinois and Matthew Haulotte of Woodstock, Illinois; four grandchildren, John J. Haulotte, Sydney Lang (Jacob), Ben Haulotte and Brandon Haulotte (Morgan) and a great-grandson, Mason Lang.  Also surviving are a sister, Laura Boal (Terry Figard) of Woodstock, Illinois and four nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Linda Wilson and a brother-in-law, Virgil Boal.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, October 26^th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church (Kennedy Gym).

The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 A.M. Thursday prior to the Mass.

Following services, there will be cremation.

Burial will take place at a later date at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Mary Queen of Angels Building Fund 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.

William “Will” Allen Wallis, age 66, Fort Scott, KS passed away at his home on Tuesday October 17, 2023 after a battle with ALS.

 

Will was born on April 21, 1957 to Allen Thedell Wallis and Shirley June Simpson Wallis.

 

William owned the Reddy Refreshment vending and catering, which was a family business early in life. He also worked for FEMA as a Logistics Chief over numerous natural disasters for many years. After 8 years working as the Bourbon County Emergency Manager, he retired in December of 2022.

 

Will and Judith “Judy” Ann Wallis were united in marriage on horseback on August 15, 2009.

 

Will’s Christian faith was very important to him and he loved to read and study the Word. Will enjoyed fishing with his family and taking his bass boat to the lakes. He also enjoyed time spent with his grandkids, deer hunting, loved horses, and his beloved bloodhound. Will was an avid woodworker and spent many hours restoring furniture for his and his wife’s antique business. He collected John Deere toy tractors and loved restoring them. Will was active in local toy shows, the antique division at the BBCO Fair and the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta.

 

Will is survived by his wife; children Adam Wallis and wife Shari, Aaron Wallis, and Alicia Wallis; step-children Tim Brown and wife Nicole and Angie Bin; nephews Luke Wallis and Jack Wallis; grandchildren Stori, Aurora, Josie, Clinton, Brantley, Emma, Levi, Austin, Nick, Makenzie, Abbigale, Owen, Lillie; and great-grandchildren Riley, River, and Hudson. Will is also survived by his former spouse Marian Wallis.

 

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother Mark Wallis.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 21^st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to either the ALS Association or Paws and Claws 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Jean Ann Reeves, age 80, a beloved resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee Summit, Missouri. Jean was born in Zilwaukee, Michigan, to parents Nelson and Georgia Bauer.

 

In 1961, she graduated from Beaverton High School, embarking on a path that led her to Fort Scott, where she and her family settled in 1978. Together, they ventured into the world of business, establishing their own Welding Supply enterprise.  She furthered her career by providing dedicated support during her tenure at Mercy Hospital and the Hudson & Mullies Law Firm.

 

Jean’s true joy in life revolved around her precious grandkids, who ranged in age from 23 to as young as 6. Her heart swelled with pride as she attended their numerous activities, from swim meets to volleyball matches, basketball games, and dance recitals.  As a mother and grandmother, Jean conveyed a nurturing spirit that touched the hearts of those around her.

 

Throughout her life in Fort Scott, Jean was a dedicated member of Pioneer Kiwanis, PEO Chapter FU, and the Magazine Club. Her legendary card-playing skills and predictable Sonic drink runs leave a lasting impression on all who knew her.

 

Jean is survived by her loving daughters and their spouses, Amy and Dan Kelly, Rachel and Chris Pruitt, and Carrie and Whitney Archer. Her legacy continues through her cherished grandchildren: Will, Jack, Kate, Brooklyn, Sydney, Grayce, Ruby, Dalton, and Holden, each holding a special place in her heart. Additionally, she leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara Wasalaski.

Her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and will be deeply missed every day.

 

A memorial service to honor Jean’s life, officiated by Rev. Dusty Drake, will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on October 26th from 5-7 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials be made to CASA, a cause dear to Jean’s heart. Contributions may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel at PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  To share your cherished memories and words of remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

William Allen Wallis, age 66, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died early Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at his home.  Services for William Wallis will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Billy J. “Bill” Shepard, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died early Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at his home.  He was born on January 22, 1941, in Parsons, KS, the son of William Harvey Shepard and Daisy Bell Blackburn Shepard.  Bill was raised in Parsons and graduated from Altamont High School.

He worked for Precision Products in Parsons for 25 years.  After moving to Fort Scott, he worked for Extrusions Products until he had to leave due to health.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working with wood, and bingo.  Bill married Kay Knight and to this union were born two daughters, Rhonda Joellen Rundle and husband Lenis, Carterville, MO, and Kristen Kaye Reel and husband Darin, Altamont, KS.

They later divorced.  He married Virginia (Ginny) Elbrader on May 10, 1990, in Fort Scott.

 

In addition to his wife Virginia, Bill is survived by his daughters; 5 grandchildren, Audry Enochs, Ashley Rundle, Shelby Farmer, Kyle Reel, and Meagan Genton; 5 great-grandchildren, Conor, Tahlia, Brook, Rylan, and Jaxson.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers Charles, Lloyd, and Wayne Shepard, 5 sisters, Virginia (Jupe) Walters, Ruby Walters, Bonnie Dack, Donna McElroy, and infant Erma Shepard.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 23^rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Mt. Orum Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or Paws and Claws 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Leann Polen, of Carrollton, Missouri, and formerly of Fort Scott, Kansas, completed her life journey at her home at 5:07 p.m., Monday, October 9, 2023, with her loving family surrounding her.

She graced us with her presence for fifty-seven years, three months, and one day.

On July 8, 1966, in Fort Scott, Kansas, Robert Dale and Wilma Christine (Bussell) Shores welcomed their youngest daughter Dorthy Leann. She joined a brother, Rick, and a sister, Janet.

Leann enjoyed school, especially cheerleading, and was an avid tennis player. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1984 while obtaining her Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College and her Bachelor in Sociology from Baker University. While attending Baker University, she met the love of her life, Ben. They began dating in February 1987 and felt instantly connected; by April, they were head over heels in love, felt their courtship was lifelong, and became engaged. A few months later, on August 1, 1987, they were united in marriage in Fort Scott, Kansas, and to this union were born three sons, Dallas, Spencer, and Benjamin “Luke.” They spent their honeymoon at the family cabin in Minnesota, and for the next thirty-six years, they made many lasting memories and an everlasting legacy.

Before the boys were grown, Leann was a social worker with the Missouri Division of Family Services. She spent the rest of her life as a homemaker, wife, and mother to their three boys. She was perfectly made to be a mother of three sons, remaining diligent yet firm but always showing them support and unconditional love. She was connected in the community and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the prestigious Carrollton Women’s Club, and Carrollton Kiwanis Club. She served on the Carroll County Arts Association and Carrollton YMCA boards.

She also served as a board member for the Hale School District, Carrollton School District and Carroll County Trust Company.

Leann was a genuine and classy lady who loved life. She understood how every day was a gift, by the age of ten when she had a life-threatening brain abscess that left top neurologists with only the choice of performing an experimental surgery to save her life. She knew that she had a purpose and persevered to live her life to the fullest.

Her passion was playing and coaching tennis, beginning as a high school freshman and playing through her college time at Baker University. After relocating to Carroll County, she began coaching tennis privately at the YMCA, later coaching at Chillicothe High School and Carrollton High Schools, leading a team to the state level and placing fourth in Missouri.

Anyone who met Leann would soon know she was a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan, including her son’s friends, who were always welcome in their home but were aware that she could transition effortlessly when the Kansas City Chiefs were playing.

Her two favorite things in life were the Kansas City Chiefs and Diet Coke. Leann especially loved the water, preferably the beach, but she enjoyed soaking up the sunshine in her pool at home. Her favorite place is Rendezvous Beach in the British West Indies in Anguilla. Ben and the boys preferred the family cabin in Minnesota, and Leann, because of her love for Ben and the boys, adapted and began to appreciate the lake and woods; she enjoyed their family cabin trips.

The highlight of her life was becoming a grandmother, “Gigi”; she quickly slid into the role and made it look seamless. Her grandbabies were the sunshine she required, and she loved them so dearly.

Leann is survived by her parents, Robert and Wilma Shores of Fort Scott, Kansas; her loving and devoted husband, Benjamin Polen, of the home; three children, Dallas R. Polen of Carrollton, Spencer J. Polen (Jessica Smith) of Carrollton, Benjamin Luke Polen (McKayla) of Lee’s Summit; a brother, Rick Shores (Linda) of Texarkana, Texas; a sister, Janet Fancher (Reggie) of Fort Scott, Kansas; two grandchildren, Savannah Leann Polen and Benjamin Reid Polen.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, D. Allen Polen; mother-in-law, Emmalie “Emmie” Caroline Polen-Cowherd; uncle, Richard (Dick) Shores; and cousin, Heidi Shores.

There will be a visitation to embrace the incredible life of Leann and for family and friends to join and share in their memories on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Foster Funeral Chapels, Carrollton, Missouri.

A funeral service will commence at Carrollton United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 20, 2023, with Rev. Poese Vatikani officiating.

If you are considering a memorial contribution in memory of Leann, they are humbly suggested to the United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or Carrollton High School Tennis Team.

Foster Funeral Chapels, Carrollton, Missouri. Online Condolences may be left for the family on our website,www.fosterfuneralchapels.com, or connect with them on our business Facebook page: Foster Family Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services, LLC.

 

 

 

 

Carma Jean Tucker, age 63, of Fort Scott, Kansas, died early Saturday, October 14, 2023, after a long battle with breast cancer.

Carma was born on September 4, 1960, in Gravette, Arkansas, to Rev. James David and Betty Jean Bergen Tucker, the fourth of six children.

As a pastor’s kid, Carma attended school in Gravette, Arkansas, El Monte, California, and Fort Scott, Kansas, where she graduated from Fort Scott Christian Heights. She was employed as a waitress at Flanner’s Owl Roost, and in the meat department of grocery stores in Gravette and Miami, Oklahoma. She retired from R&R Solutions in Gravette, when she moved to Fort Scott to care for her parents as their health declined. She lovingly cared for her father until his death in 2021, and cared for her mother until Carma’s own health rapidly declined in recent weeks.

Carma loved her home on the family land in Arkansas, where she enjoyed tending to her chickens and flowers. She loved nature, and was always collecting items to decorate her home and gardens. She enjoyed Southern Gospel music, and her family finds great comfort in knowing that she had accepted Christ as her Savior.

Carma fiercely loved her friends and family, but her greatest joy was found in her four sons: Landon (Nancy) Simons, and Jayce Simons all of Fort Scott; Dakota Simons of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Tucker “TJ” Grigsby of Saint Petersburg, Florida, and her beloved grandchildren: Kinsey and Hunter Simons, and Sydney Cullison.

Carma is also survived by her mother, Betty Jean Tucker, brothers Roger (Genie) Tucker, Mark (Brenda) Tucker, Joe (Belinda) Tucker, sister Kerri (Kirk) Bland, and sister-in-law Carolyn Tucker. She was proceeded in death by her father, Rev. James David Tucker, and a brother, Jimmy Tucker. Carma is also survived by a host of loved ones from her large family, and many friends who became a second family, especially her co-workers at R&R Solutions.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Jean Ann Reeves, age 80, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Thursday, October 12, 2023, at St. Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit, MO.  Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Karen K. Keen, age 81, a resident of Overland Park, KS, passed away at the St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, October 3, 2023, comforted by her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Lilie Hall.

Karen was born in Calhoun, MO, April 26, 1942, to Dorthy Beryl Rushing and Paul Leaford Savage. The family later moved to Fort Scott where she met her husband, Gary Hall. Gary’s service in the Navy took them to various duty stations and travel overseas where she developed her love of traveling. She later owned her own travel agency, International Tours, in Tahlequah, OK. After moving back to Overland Park, she continued organizing cruises for friends and family.

Karen is survived by sons Jeff Hall (wife Lilie), Mitch Hall (wife Kella), stepchildren Heather Aaron (husband Greg), Ralph Keen (wife Teresa), Taylor Keen (wife Jennifer), Emerald Sheridan (husband Louie), 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of which she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by 3 husbands, her sister, parents and stepsons Gary Aaron and John Keen.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 11:30 AM Thursday, October 12^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Thursday morning at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the St. Luke’s Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Karen Kay Keen, age 81, resident of Overland Park, KS, died Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, MO.  Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 11:30 AM Thursday, October 12^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Thursday morning at the funeral home.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.