Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Lelah Marie Burgess

Lelah Marie Burgess, age 83, a former resident of Neosho, Missouri and Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Pittsburg Health & Rehab Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She graduated from the Girard High School. While in high school where she was involved with the band and Glee Club. Lelah first married Donald Beck. They were divorced.

She later married Melvin Burgess. In earlier years, she did clerical work in the insurance industry. She later worked as a CNA and as a CMA for area nursing homes. She enjoyed going to estate sales and antique shopping as well as spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Bruce Beck and wife, Chizuru of Hanford, California and her daughter, Dawn Marie Morries and fiancée, Richard Wiltberg, of Carl Junction, Missouri; five grandchildren, Vincent, Jay, Sarah, Krystal and Heather and thirteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Anna Louise Martinson from the State of Nevada.

Her first husband, Donald Beck, passed away in 1995. Her second husband, Melvin Burgess, passed away in 2008. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Earline Foy and a brother, Melvin Endicott.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to either the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Hospital 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.

Obituary of Edith Collins

Edith Marie Collins, 94, of Fort Scott, passed away at her home at Presbyterian Village Wednesday morning, January 23, 2019.

She was born November 28, 1924, in Metz, Missouri the daughter of Charles Floyd and Grace Mertie (Saul) Charles.

She married Lewis F. Collins April 21, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Edith graduated from Metz High School in 1942 and was involved in basketball and orchestra. She went on to receive her nurses training in Fort Scott, graduating in 1945. She served her community in the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII. Edith worked as a nurse in the Fort Scott area for many years, mostly in the OB Department at Mercy Hospital, for thirty years. She was a member of Bethel Community Church, and a TOPS Charter Member & Weight Recorder for over fifty years.

After her retirement Edith cared for her husband until his death in 1984. She traveled to all fifty states as well as Europe and Asia. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, and she volunteered at the Mercy Hospital Gift Shop.

Edith is survived by her children; two sons, Tom Collins and Anita of Eagle Rock, Missouri; Bob Collins and Cherie of Fort Scott; a daughter, Kathy Hixon and Steven of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Nathan Collins of Fort Scott, Melinda Morgan of Wichita, Kansas, Melissa Wise of Fort Scott, Meredith Anstine of Garden City, Missouri, Julie Rankin of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Stephanie Klemm of College Station, Texas, Matt Hixon of Seattle, Washington, Jimmy Bolinger of Uniontown, and Jason Bolinger of Fort Scott; a brother, Ellis Charles of Emporia, Kansas; ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Lewis, Edith was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Floyd Charles, a sister, Lois Charles, and a daughter-in-law, Carolane Collins.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Centerville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Community Church and 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.

Obituary for Thomas Sullivan

Thomas  Sullivan

Thomas Sullivan born on June 8, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland went to rest on January 11, 2019, to be with his loving wife, Anna.

Thomas served in the British Army.

He loved to play soccer and continued to play when he came to America.

He leaves behind his daughters, Annie and Maureen, his son-in-law Albert Martinez,  and his grandsons Thomas and William and his wife, April, and Anthony Martinez. His great-grandchildren William and Mikayla.

Thomas will be laid to rest with Anna in Greenock, Scotland.

Obituary for Kenneth Dean Oakleaf

Kenneth  Dean Oakleaf

Kenneth Dean Oakleaf, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living in Ft. Scott.

He was born September 2, 1937, in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of Reuben Oakleaf and Nadine Fort Oakleaf. After graduating high school, Kenneth joined the United States Air Force. He served with the 551st Airborne stationed at Otis Air Force base on Cape Cod. While in the Air Force, he worked in electronics maintenance which was used to patrol the entire east cost of the United States.

He married Carol Ann Horner on October 19, 1958, in Red Oak. They returned to Massachusetts and stayed there until Kenny was discharged from the Air Force in 1960 with the rank of Airman First Class.

Because of the skills he learned in the military, once he was discharged, he immediately began a career with A. T. & T. In 1967, because of his work, Ken and Carol moved from Iowa to Overland Park, Kansas. When he retired in 1989, he had been serving as a project manager for the installation of underground fiberoptic cable. In addition to working for A. T. & T., Ken also worked out of his home where he repaired televisions and other electronics.

Ken and Carol moved to Ft. Scott in 2015 to be near family. In earlier years, he enjoyed woodworking and fishing. He was a member of the Community Covenant Church of Lenexa, Kansas.


Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; and three children, Lori Lovelace and her husband, Leroy Walker, and Daniel L. Oakleaf and his wife, Coree Oakleaf, all of Ft. Scott and K. Douglas Oakleaf and his wife, Nina Harrison-Oakleaf, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren, Aaron, Kendal, Kara, Cadee, Joseph, Harold, Douglas and Tori and four great-grandchildren, Karlee, Luna, Caleb and Neilha. Also surviving are a brother, David Oakleaf, of Red Oak, Iowa and two sisters, Barbara Hamernik, of Topeka, Kansas and Linda Oakleaf, also of Red Oak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Duane, Melvin and Darryl Oakleaf and a sister, Glennis Carlson.


Pastor Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to KVCY Broadcasting or the Hammond United Methodist Church 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.

Obituary of Shirley Louise Forgey

Shirley Louise Forgey, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away early Friday morning, January 18, 2019, at her home.

She was born October 20, 1931, in Springfield, Missouri the daughter of Virgil Floyd and Ruth Hallie (Buck) White. She married Varrell L. Forgey, December 30, 1950, in Benton, Arkansas, and he survives of the home.

Mrs. Forgey is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband, Varrell, she is survived by a daughter, Melinda Sedelmeyer and husband, Rob of Medina, Ohio, a son, Virgil Forgey of Payson, Arizona, a brother, Robert White of Iola, Kansas, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Thomas White.

Rev. Steve Cole will officiate funeral services at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time, Wednesday at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, and they may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Obituary for Lelah Marie Burgess

Lelah Marie Burgess

Lelah Marie Burgess, age 83, a former resident of Neosho, Missouri and Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Pittsburg Health & Rehab Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She graduated from the Girard High School. While in high school where she was involved with the band and Glee Club. Lelah first married Donald Beck. They were divorced. She later married Melvin Burgess.

In earlier years, she did clerical work in the insurance industry. She later worked as a CNA and as a CMA for area nursing homes. She enjoyed going to estate sales and antique shopping as well as spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Bruce Beck and wife, Chizuru of Hanford, California and her daughter, Dawn Marie Morries and fiancée, Richard Wiltberg, of Carl Junction, Missouri; five grandchildren, Vincent, Jay, Sarah, Krystal and Heather and thirteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Anna Louise Martinson from the State of Nevada.

Her first husband, Donald Beck, passed away in 1995. Her second husband, Melvin Burgess, passed away in 2008. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Earline Foy and a brother, Melvin Endicott.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to either the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Hospital 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.

 

Obituary of Penny Louise Osborne

Penny Louise Osborne, age 63, a resident of Mound City, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.

At the time of her death, Penny was traveling to Arizona to visit her daughter.

Penny was born April 11, 1955, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Albert E. Beadell and Flora Brotherton Beadell.  She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  She married Gregory Osborne on May 18, 1973, in Ft. Scott.

Penny enjoyed crocheting and gardening as well as raising alpacas and rabbits.  She was even featured on television at an area rabbit show.  She was a member of the Pleasanton Assembly of God Church.

Survivors include her husband, Gregory, of the home in Mound City and her three children, Lisa Osborne-Warne and husband, Alan, of Goodyear, Arizona, Noel Osborne and wife, Jennifer, of North Kansas City, Kansas and Joseph Osborne, of Mound City; and three grandchildren, Levi, Tucker and Aurora.  Also surviving are two biological sisters, Jennifer and Patty.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Madeline Osborne.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, January 25th at the Pleasanton Assembly of God Church.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Diabetes Association 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.

Obituary for Jack Leroy Colvin

Jack Leroy Colvin

Jack Leroy Colvin, age 82, resident of Garland, KS, died Friday, January 18, 2019, at his home. He was born January 9, 1937, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Gene and Maurine Carson Colvin.

He graduated from Uniontown high school with the class of 1954. Jack married Shirley Richmond in 1962 in Miami, OK.

Jack worked several jobs throughout his life, mostly in pest control. He was an avid sportsman, raising dogs which won several competitions. He was a big Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed collecting coins. Jack could be ornery on occasion and even a little stubborn, never afraid to tell it like it was. He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Shirley of the home; four daughters, Jacque Colvin Doty, Ft. Scott, Patrice Flanagan and husband Pat, Carthage, MO, Donna Truitt and husband David, Hutchinson, KS, and Pam Colvin Hagerman, Garland, KS; two sisters, Donna Carrington, Overland Park, KS, and Sharon Ashcraft and husband Dave, Ft. Scott; 12 grandchildren, Brooke, Brad, Brittany, Brian, Rodney, Orion, Kayla, Tabetha, Crystal, Chris, Calli, and Dalton; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Terry Colvin; an infant sister, Karen Colvin; and his parents.

Pastor Rick Womack will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Friday, January 25th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Jack Colvin 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.

Death Notice For Penny Osborne

Penny Louise Osborne, age 63, a resident of Mound City, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Denver International Airport in Denver Colorado.

At the time of her death, Penny was traveling to Arizona to visit her daughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, January 25th at the Pleasanton Assembly of God Church.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association 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.

 

 

Obituary of Glen Defebaugh

Dr. Glen Albert Defebaugh, age 77, resident of Nevada, MO, formerly of Ft. Scott, KS, passed away Thursday morning, January 17, 2019, at his home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born September 27, 1941, in Nevada, MO, the son of Charles Albert and Mary Mildred Vetter Defebaugh. He graduated from Nevada high school with the class of 1959. He then graduated from Fort Scott Junior College in 1961.

He married Linda Leonard on September 3, 1961, in Fort Scott. Glen received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College in 1964. He served the community of Ft. Scott for nearly 40 years as a Chiropractor. He donated his services as team physician for FSCC football through the 1970’s and traveled with the team.

Glen had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed traveling and vacationing with his family. There were many fishing trips with the boys and skiing trips with the girls. He and Linda wintered in South Texas for many years. He liked to fish, golf, and play guitar. He loved attending all the kids and grandkids sporting events and activities through the years.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home; two daughters, Teresa Ivey and husband John, Wichita, KS, and Cheryl Eason and husband Curt, El Dorado Springs, MO; three sons, Brian Defebaugh and wife Shelby, David Defebaugh and wife Michelle, and Douglas Defebaugh and wife Tonya, all of Ft. Scott; 16 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

There was cremation. Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct memorial services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 21st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Deerfield, MO Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either Shriner’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Hospital 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.