“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

“Why me?” is the first question we ask when tragedy strikes. “Why me, Lord? Why did my loved one have to die?”

Some of us have the same question when we have a flat tire. “Why me, Lord? My car broke down and it cost $600 to get fixed… $600 that I don’t have. Why me? After all, I am as good as most people. In fact, I’ve been better than most. Why are You treating me this way? Why are You punishing me this way?”

Some of us have the same question when the internet goes out, or when the dishwasher quits working, or when the weed eater string gets tangled, or when the bathroom sink is clogged. “Why me, Lord? Why am I wasting time trying to fix this stupid thing? This is going to cost me more money to get this fixed. Jesus, You know I don’t have any money. By the way, why, at my age, should I still be having financial problems? Why have You denied me opportunities for fame and fortune that You have given to others? Why me, Lord?”

I don’t know about you, but when I find myself starting to think like this, which I often do, it sometimes helps for me to ask the same question about other aspects of my life. “Why me, Lord? What have I done that’s so great that You should have blessed me with a car, internet, a dishwasher, a weed eater, and a home? Why did You give me all these things anyway?”

Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why did You permit me to be born in America with all its wealth? I could have been born in a poverty-stricken country like Ethiopia, or Haiti, or Afghanistan. Why was I born in rich America? Why me, Lord? Why did You allow me to have a job when so many, who are just as deserving as I am, are without work?”

Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why am I in good health? Others my age have died of heart attacks. Others were crippled by accidents or disease. Others have cancer. Why should I escape sickness and injury when other people who believe in You are either suffering or dead?”

Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why have You spared me from the heartaches that assault other families? Others, wonderful people, are seeing their families torn apart, but you have blessed me.”

The point is: Life is about perspective. If you would just stop and remember all the ways the Lord has blessed you, even though you don’t deserve it, I wonder how you could complain about the relatively insignificant things that go wrong in your life from time to time. If you and I could only remember to count our blessings.

Furthermore, if you are a Christian, it helps to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why would You go to a cross and die for me? Jesus, why would You love me so much when I am so unlovable?”

Years ago, the great songwriter, Kris Kristofferson, wrote a song titled, “Why me, Lord?” The song begins with Kristofferson pouring his soul out to God:

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving You
Or the kindness You’ve shown.

Jesus showed kindness, grace, and love for us by dying for us. Even though, we are sinners, even though we don’t deserve it, even though we are ungrateful, Jesus died for us.

Why? Why me, Lord? Why would You love me? Why would you die for me?

Why me, indeed…

James Collins is the senior pastor at First Southern Baptist Church. For more information on his ministry, go to the website www.fortscottfsbc.com.

Michael Louis “Pookie” Johnson, age 69, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at his home.

He was born October 18, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Donald Leroy Walker and Mary Louise Johnson.

He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He then attended Ft. Scott Community College and later attended Baker University on a football scholarship. He had worked for several years for Bourbon County. Pookie loved spending time with his family and playing cards with his friends.

Survivors include three sisters, Joyce Johnson, Glenda Kimani, and Diana Johnson, all of Ft. Scott and a special cousin, Cadillac McNack, also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Janice Ray and Barbara Wilburn and two infant brothers.

Private burial will take place on Friday, May 29th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Michael Johnson 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.

Susan Kay Schnichels, age 68, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Yates Center Health and Rehab in Yates Center, KS.

She was born on September 18, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald and Betty Powell Wiggans.

She married Paul Morris, Sr. in 1974. They later divorced. She married Mark Schnichels on January 4, 1980. He preceded her in death on February 6, 2007.

Susan worked for Tri-Valley Developmental Center for 10 years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Paul Morris, Jr., Ft. Scott; 3 daughters, Brandi Johnson, Yates Center; Kayla Schnichels, Ft. Scott, and Kara Schnichels, Pittsburg, KS; a step son, Mark Schnichels, Ft. Scott; 3 step daughers, Annette Blevins, Colorado, Frankie Kimmel, Iowa, and Sara Schnichels, Ft. Scott; her mother, Betty Wiggans, Ft. Scott; a sister, Carla Fowler and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; one brother, William Wiggans and wife Amy, Ft. Scott; 17 grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Wiggans; 2 sisters, Mary Sampson and Dawnie Sharp; a granddaughter, Mia Johnson; and her father.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Clarksburg Cemetery. 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.

Nadyne Marie Walker, age 92, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her home.

She was born August 25, 1927, in Uniontown, KS, the daughter of Herbert and Beulah Neth Holt. She graduated from Uniontown high school with the class of 1946.

She married Don Walker on April 28, 1963, in Uniontown.

He preceded in death in 2000.

 Nadyne worked for Western Insurance Company for several years. She then worked in the office for Key Industries for 38 years. She was a member of the Community Christian Church and more recently attended Rinehart Christian Church in Richards, MO.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth Campbell and wife Vicki, Flora, IL; a stepdaughter, Donna Wray and husband Harry, Columbia, MO; 2 granddaughters Nichole McFarland and Lisa Sampley; 2 step-grandsons; 1 step-granddaughter; numerous nephews and 1 niece; and special friend Jim Henning.

Besides her husband Don, she was preceded in death by a nephew, Brad Holt; a brother, George Holt; and a sister, Marilyn Brown.

There was cremation.

Private burial will take place in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Rinehart Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Shelly Kay Guder Collier, age 47, a resident of rural Bronson, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at the home of her parents in rural Bronson.

She was born August 14, 1972, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Russell R. Guder and Wanda D. Carson Guder. Shelly graduated from Uniontown High School and Allen County Community College.

She married Marc Collier. They later divorced.

Shelly had been employed by F. & S. Supply in Iola for seventeen years. She later worked for Herff Jones. and Twin Motors. She enjoyed camping and cutting wood.

Survivors include her son, Joe Collier, of Bronson and her parents, Russell and Wanda Guder, also of Bronson; a granddaughter, Nova Julian and a sister, Windy Ballinger. Also surviving is her long-time companion, Troy Driscoll.

Private services with burial in the Bronson Cemetery will take place on Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) 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.

Lynette Renee Vann, age 55, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.

She was born July 28, 1964, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald and Joann Nelson Vann.

She worked cleaning for area businesses prior to her disability. Lynette enjoyed listening to music, watching classic movies, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her companion of 30 years, Rick Petrechko, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Vanessa Willard, Ft. Scott; a son, E.J. Willard, Omaha, NE; her mother, Joann Vann, Ft. Scott; a sister, Marsha Vann, Ft. Scott; a brother, Keith Vann, Ft. Scott; an aunt, Kathryn Hopkins, Ft. Scott; and five grandchildren, Devonte, G.G., Kordae, Dezziona, and Kamdyn.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Private family burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

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.

Susan Lynn Brown, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died late Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at her home.

She was born December 12, 1954, in Wichita, KS, the daughter of Merle Eugene and Dorothy Wiley Large.

She married James Michael Brown on July 18, 1974, in Fort Scott.

Susan worked for several years in claims processing for American States insurance Company and others. She later worked as a secretary for Mid Continental Restoration.

She enjoyed crocheting, bingo, fishing and helping with the family annual Christmas light display. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Jim of the home; a daughter, Lori Brown, Ft. Scott; her mother, Dorothy Hofman, Ft. Scott; three brothers, Curtis Large, Meredosia, IL, Charles Large, Meredosia, IL, and Fredrick Large, Ft. Scott; three sisters, Dianna Brown, Kenney, IL, Joyce Mills, Houston, TX, and Eugena Surratt, Meredosia, IL; three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Christopher and Michael Moore; and grandmother, Enid Large, Ft. Scott.

She was preceded in death by a son, Aaron Brown; a brother, Thomas Large; and her father.

There was cremation. A private memorial service will be held. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Mary Barrett Irvin, 99, of Fort Scott, formerly of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2020, at her home in Presbyterian Village. She was born in Murdock, Minnesota, on August 1, 1920 to Agnes and Earl Barrett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six of her eight siblings, and Willis Hugh Irvin, her husband of 74 years.

Mary graduated from St. Cloud, Minnesota School of Business, moving to San Francisco to work as a secretary during the war.

There she met Hugh while his ship was in the Navy yard. They were married on June 19, 1945, before her new husband left to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After his discharge the nationwide adventure began. Mary and Hugh lived in 11 states, adding three children along the way- Roger in Florida, David in Omaha, and Barbara in New Jersey.

Mary and Hugh retired to Rogers, Arkansas, in l981 from Fairfax, Virginia. She was active as a volunteer at St. Mary’s hospital, St. Vincent De Paul church and Meals on Wheels. She belonged to Roger’s Friendship Club and enjoyed playing bridge.

Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott was home since 2013. There she was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Church.

Mary was dedicated to Hugh, her family and the many friends they made over the years as they moved across the country. Together they embraced square dancing in Texas, both making fast friends and Mary making the costumes. She pursued new places and relationships with equal interest.

Mary grew up in the difficult time of the great depression and she became strong and confident in her ability to succeed. It was hard, if not impossible, to win an argument with her.

She managed the family’s business with the organization and efficiency of a CEO—overseeing multiple moves, setting up a dozen different homes, managing the finances, helping her kids through college.

Hard work never deterred her. Mary was a problem solver who rarely failed to find a solution to issues that others didn’t know they had.

She will be remembered as a talented seamstress, furniture refinisher, decorator, painter, and lifelong volunteer to friends, relatives, and her community. She excelled at many things and wouldn’t submit to any praise.

Her presence remains in the good works she left behind.

Mary is survived by two sons, Roger (Susan) of Monroe, Oregon, and David (Janet) of Fort Scott, Kansas; a daughter, Barbara Irvin (Bruce Mayer) of Madison, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Patrick Irvin (Jarita), Christopher Irvin (Annie Brice), both of Oregon, Kelly Irvin and Betsy Philipp (Nick), both of Kansas; and six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Henry, Jack and Shail Irvin of Oregon and Barrett and Theo Philipp of Kansas. Surviving siblings are two Barrett brothers: Gerome of Melrose, Minnesota, and Patrick (Kay) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Integrity Hospice for their extraordinarily kind and attentive care of Mary over the last few months and Presbyterian Village staff for their compassionate support over many years.

Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Presbyterian Village of Fort Scott Good Samaritan Fund.

Contributions may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences to the family may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.