Larry Lee Shirley, age 52, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, February 7, 2019, at his home, following a battle with cancer.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott. 

Russell Leroy Vann, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at the St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

He was born March 30, 1938, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harry Vann and Peggy Harris Vann. He married Carolyn Harris on August 25, 1962, at Ft. Scott. Russell served with the United States Air Force. He later worked for the Ft. Scott Fire Department for over twenty-five years. He was an avid sports fan.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Jean Snow and her husband, Johnny LaTeer Snow of Lawrence, Kansas and Shelly Lynn Jackson and her husband, Paul of Chattanooga, Tennessee and a grandson, Brandon Eugene Snow of Lawrence, Kansas. Also surviving is a brother, Charles Vann.

His wife, Carolyn, preceded him in death on April 18, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harry Glen Vann.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 15^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will

follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

Inez Irene Sutcliffe, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at her home. She was born November 6, 1929, in Oskaloosa, Missouri, the second of six children of Willie A. Carpenter and Carrie E. Guss Carpenter. Irene graduated from the Liberal High School with the Class of 1947. In earlier years, she was employed as a telephone operator in Arcadia, Kansas and later worked for Key Work Clothes in both the factory and later in the office. While with Key she received several outstanding and meritorious awards. Irene married Frank A. Sutcliffe on November 2, 1964, in Miami, Oklahoma. She later worked as bookkeeper for his truck driving business. Irene was a past member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. She loved family gatherings, her dogs and cats and flowers, especially roses.

Survivors include a brother, Bill Carpenter and wife Karen, of Liberal, Missouri and two sisters, Leota McClendon of Liberal, Missouri and Wanda “Jay” Dunn of Ft. Scott; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Carpenter, Lamar, Missouri. Also surviving are eight nephews, Loren Readinger, Darren, Brian, Kevin, Justin, Nathan and Dustin Carpenter and Mike Dunn and four nieces, Linda Tenholder, Susan Jones, Debra Martin and Rhonda Dunn as well as numerous extended family members including Clara and Hannah Dunn who helped provide for her care. Her husband, Frank, preceded her in death on October 23, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, David Carpenter, a sister, Evelyn Jones and three nephews, Gary Dunn, Randall Readinger and Conner Tenholder.

Pastor Jeff Dillow will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 11^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. 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.

Connie Golden, age 62, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019, at her home.  She was born September 9, 1952, in Cuba, Missouri.   She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed playing the guitar and drawing.

Survivors include two sons, James Golden Jr. and wife, Virginia and Daniel Golden and wife, Joyce, all of Ft. Scott; and thirteen grandchildren.  Also surviving are several brothers and sisters in Missouri.  She was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren Kelsey and Christian Golden.

Following cremation, Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, February 13^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Private burial will take place at a later date in the Large Cemetery south of Ft. Scott.  Memorials are suggested to the Connie Golden Memorial 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.

Jerrold Clifford (Cliff) Patterson, age 79, of Fort Scott, KS, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. He was born on September 21, 1939, in Kirksville, MO, the son of Reece Jerrold and Ruth Margaret (Reynolds) Patterson. Cliff married Nancy Jo Smith on December 13, 1958, in her parents’ home in Lawrence, KS. He worked for Hallmark Cards, Ennis Business Forms and Ward-Kraft as well as being an owner/ operator of the Otasco store in Ava, MO. Cliff enjoyed flying, sailing, fishing, woodworking and riding his motorcycle. He was active in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the ROMEO Riders motorcycle club until pulmonary fibrosis ended these involvements. At the time of his passing, Cliff attended Diamond Community Church in rural Fort Scott.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Nancy of the home; four daughters, Sharon McGaughey of Pollock Pines, CA; Brenda DeKeno (Don) of Pea Ridge, AR; Deborah Allen (Tim) of Fort Scott, KS; and Laura Soliday of Kansas City, MO. He was the proud grandpa of twelve grandchildren; and the beloved “GGpa” to ten great-grandchildren. Cliff is also survived by a sister, Darlene Radke of Ferndale, WA; and a sister-in-law, Rozann Patterson of Prosser, WA. He was also the much loved uncle of four nephews and one niece. Cliff was proceeded in death by his daughter, Sandy Patterson of Bella Vista, AR; his parents; his brother, Claude Patterson of Kissimmee, FL; his brothers-in-law Robert E. Smith of Kansas City, MO and Elmer Radke of Ferndale, WA.; his nephew, Doug Radke of Bellingham, WA.

Pastor Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 10th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM Monday, February 11^th, in the Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 PM on Monday. Memorials are suggested to CrossPower Agape ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Robert Jack Eshelbrenner, age 71, died on January 9, 2019.

Bob was born November 1, 1947 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Jack and Sara Handly Eshelbrenner.  He was a 1965 graduate of Fort Scott High School.  Bob graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in business.

He worked in the insurance industry specializing in information technology, retiring as CIO from Hastings Mutual in Michigan.

Bob also served in the United States Army in both active and reserve duty for 27 years.  He retired with the rank of Colonel after serving in Operation Desert Storm.

He is survived by his wife Nancy (Wogan) Eshelbrenner of Fishers, IN; two daughters, Erin Green of Fishers; Kate Sowder and husband Jason of St. Louis, MO; and three grandchildren, Ellie and Jackson Green of Fishers, IN. and Nate Sowder of St. Louis, MO.  Also surviving are three sisters, Sally Steckler and husband, Mike, of Prairie Village, Kansas, Lyn Hixon and husband, Mitch, of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Jara Martin and husband David, Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Following cremation, Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct a memorial service at 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The Family will receive friends from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rock Steady Boxing, 7440 N Shadeland Ave., Suite 202,  Indianapolis, IN 45250 or www.rocksteadyboxing.org.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com

Danny E. Culbertson, Sr., age 58, resident of Mulberry, KS, died Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.

There was cremation.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct Memorial Services at 2:00 PM Friday, February 8^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Danny Culbertson Memorial Fund 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.

Elmer Jack Adamson, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, February 1, 2019, at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS.

Jack was born December 19, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Paul King Adamson, Sr. and Edna Ellen Deeds Adamson. He graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1960.

He married Mary Alice Henderson on January 11, 1964, in Miami, OK. Jack worked for Frisco and then Burlington Northern Railroad for over 35 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming. He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Mary of the home; a son, Doug Adamson and wife Carol, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Melissa Davis and husband Ron, Butler, MO; two sisters, Marilyn Harrington, Paola, KS, and Beatrice Alt, Ft. Scott; three grandchildren, Joshua Adamson and wife Stacey, Ashley Adamson, and Ethan Clark and wife Amanda; 1 great-grandson, Kasen Clark; three step-grandchildren, Terri Manley, Cody Davis, and Ronna Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul “Dobber”, Richard “Sonny”, and Frank Adamson; a sister Patricia White; and his parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 Monday, February 4^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery, Devon, KS. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Ruth R. Mudd, 98, formerly of Uniontown, passed away Monday morning, January 28, 2019, at the Kingswood Health Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born November 20, 1920, in Uniontown, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Effie Bertha (Summers) Hart. She married (James) Kelly Mudd June 18, 1943, in Riverside, California. He preceded her in death February 22, 2002.

Ruth worked for the Social Security Administration for seventeen years prior to her retirement in March 1982. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society, as well as the Social Security Administration Alumni. She was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, NARFE Chapter 20, and a former member of American Federation of Government Employees 1336.

Ruth is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Pat Pearson, of Emporia, Kansas, Pam Pollock, of Leawood, Kansas, Pat Price, and Jean Wiley, both of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband Kelly, Ruth, as the last of nine children, was also preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters and her parents.

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Rosary at 10:30 a.m. prior to services.

Burial will follow at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Walnut, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Community Hospice and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.