In the month of May, 1939 in the central Kansas town of Natoma Roberta Mae (Reynolds) Peck was born into the family of Pastor W.R. and Essie Faye Reynolds.  Her next address would be Covington, Tennessee, then on to West Virginia where her parents ministered to churches in Ashford, Chapmanville, and Huntington.  During those growing-up years she learned to take great pride in being a “West Virginia girl” and often referred to herself as such.   She and her older brother, Arnold Lee, and younger sister, Donna Faye were gifted singers.  At a very young age they were involved in musical concerts, contests, Lion’s Club, Eastern Star, revivals and camp meetings.

In response to the desire to have their children attend a Christian school, the Reynolds family moved to Kansas in 1953.  Roberta began the ’53-’54 school year at Fort Scott Bible School (later known as Fort Scott Christian Heights) in Fort Scott, Kansas as a high school freshman, graduating in 1957.  When a caring, perceptive high school teacher, Marjorie Boldra, told Roberta that she should become a teacher, she took it to heart and established that as her goal.  After graduation she went on to Pittsburg State University to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Arts in Elementary Education.  Roberta began her teaching career as a third grade teacher in Lee’s Summit, MO.  Later, she joined the faculty at Fort Scott Christian Heights, where she taught for seven years.  In 1972 she responded to a need for Fort Scott USD 234 to begin a Special Needs Education Program.  She taught there four years before moving into the third grade classroom for USD 234.  She served for many years in that capacity, dearly loved by her superiors, co-workers, students, parents – actually, by all who knew her.  Roberta truly loved to teach.  It seems it was what she was born to do, and she fulfilled her calling with excellence.  One of her oft-repeated joys was to have a former student come up to her and tell her she was his/her favorite teacher ever.  She has stayed in close contact with many of those students.  The last day of her career coincided with her 70th birthday, after 45 years of teaching.

During the busy years of her teaching career, Roberta also found time for her ALL-TIME FAVORITES, her family!  On December 21, 1964 she married Wayne L. Peck, who farmed several acres of land southeast of Fort Scott.  Though she once said “I will never marry a farmer,” she did!  She embraced it and learned to love the farm.  She took a year off from teaching on two very worthy occasions, for the birth of daughter Kimberly Dawn and the birth of son Keniston Wayne.  Her family now includes grandchildren: Braden, Aubrey, Nick, Paige, and her husband, Jeff, and great grandson, Caden.  They are genuinely her greatest pride and joy!  Her retired life revolved around her grandchildren’s sporting events, planning special celebrations for the family and establishing unique traditions for them.

Anyone who knew Roberta knows how much she enjoyed laughter and good times with family and friends.  Those good times might even involve a prank or two!  They also know she was a strong Christian and prayer warrior, often sharing your prayer burden as though it were her own.  Those prayers will be greatly missed by her immediate and extended family members!  She will be missed by a multitude, but her spirit will be with us always, a spirit we would all do well to emulate.

Roberta traded her treasured farm home for her heavenly home on April 4, 2020.  She is survived by her husband, Wayne; her daughter and her husband, Kim and Bruce Murphy of Olathe, KS; her son and his wife, Keniston and Tonya Peck of Webb City, MO; her grandchildren: Braden and Aubrey Peck, Nick Murphy, Paige (Murphy) and her husband, Jeff Wixson; and a great grandson, Caden Wixson.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Marcy Reynolds of Fort Scott, KS; two sisters and their husbands: Donna and Gerald Carlson of Pinson, AL; Mary Lou and Wayne Sams of Harrisonville, MO; one brother and his wife, Bob and Sharon Reynolds of Olathe, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, W.R. and Essie F. Reynolds, and her brother, Arnold Reynolds.

Private family burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Christian Heights 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.

Daisy Lalinda Lee Burton, age 58, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 12:55 A.M. at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

She was the daughter of R. Rela Holmes and Artist Burton of Bradley, Arkansas. She resided in Blue Mound, Kansas.

Mama Daisy had five children, Moses L. Burton, age 39, Glory Anamana Relf, age 35, Vondric E. Relf, age 34, Irella Burton, age 32, and Ireana Burton, age 32.

Daisy had thirteen grandkids, three girls and ten boys.

Daisy had worked at Key Industries for three years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, R. Rella Holmes and Artist Burton and her brother Andrew L. Callahan and brother, Jimmy.

Also surviving are David C. Haynes and Glory Ann Callahan and a host of sisters and brothers on her dad’s side, Audry (Michele), Gail (Rico), Wayne, Lee Artis (Chanaya), Virginia (Kenneth), Rebecca (Vincent), Michael (Denise), Sabina (Thomas), Jason (Tonya), Alex, Crystal (Chester) and a great host of nieces and nephews.

Cremation was handled by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

John David Bidwell, age 47, passed away on March 25, 2020 in Fort Scott, Kansas.

John was born on July 21, 1972 in Norwalk, California.

John is survived by his daughter, Brianna Bidwell; son-in-law Juan Salas; grandchildren, Scarlet, Rowan and Phoenix Salas; mother and step-father, Brenda Hammons and Bill Hammons; father and step-mother, Ronald Bidwell and Marilyn Bidwell; grandfather, Donald Bidwell; sister Teri Matthews; nieces and nephews, Taylor Morgan, Cody Morgan, Kassidy Matthews and Braedon Matthews; Aunt and Uncle, Glenda and Phil Garcia; Aunt, Sheri Landrum; cousins, Travis Leake, Don Landrum and Kristi Ledesma; life-time friend Carrie (Honey) Robison and her children.

John was a very sensitive and loving person. Although he struggled in much of his adult life, he always had a big heart and would share whatever he had with anyone. He was making plans (it was his heart’s desire) to take a trip to California to see his daughter and grandchildren.

John loved the outdoors. Before moving to Kansas, he worked many years as a groundskeeper/caretaker of a large property at Piute Mountain near Lake Isabella, California. He dreamed of going there again someday and expressed he wanted Piute to be his final resting place.

John is now reunited with his grandparents, Virginia Landrum, J.D. Landrum, and Ethel Frost; Uncle, Paul Landrum. John recently shared with his family that he loved Jesus and Jesus was in his heart. John will be missed and will forever be in our hearts.

Lofton Carpenter Younge, age 52, a resident of Arcadia, Kansas passed away Saturday March 21, 2020, in Arcaida, Kansas.

He was born July 20, 1967, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Llewellyn Younge and Lillie Leora Zimmerman Younge. Lofton was a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and went by the name Winds Along the Creek.

Survivors include his mother, Leora Younge; two daughters, Moria Turner and Lilly Steichen and grandson, Tommy. as well as his former wife, Rhonda Steichen. Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Llewellyn Christopher Younge, Laura Charis Younge, Loren Cary Younge, Luana Carole Younge, Lowell Christopher Younge, Laurel Carmel Younge, Lynetta Cathleen Younge, Landon Cory Younge and Lauren Cooper Younge and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Lynden Younge.

Private burial took place Friday at the Hiattville Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

Lanita Rochelle Tucker, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 26, 2020, at the Select Specialty Hospital, Kansas City, KS.

Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will announce a public memorial service at a future date including a full obituary. 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.

\Judith Ann Brandt, 75 of Centerton, Arkansas, passed away Monday evening, March 23, 2020 at her home. She was born on March 9, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas the daughter of Paul Stewart and Lillie Ann Sivey Elliott. She married Larry Kenneth Brandt on June 24, 1978 in Wichita, Kansas, he survives of the home.

Judy was a member of the Fort Scott High School Class of 1963. She was a transcriptionist for the Ozark Guidance Center for over 20 years. She loved gardening and restoring dolls to give to underprivileged children.

In addition to her husband, Larry, she is survived by a son, Justin Brandt and wife, Cheryl of Anderson, Missouri, a daughter, Jill Brandt Allen and husband, Stephen of Castle Rock, Colorado, a brother, Larry Elliott and wife, Pam of Fort White, Florida and a step-sister, Kathy Voyles of Jefferson City, Missouri, and two granddaughters, Skyler Brandt and Elizabeth Allen.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Jesse Brandt.

Rev. Don Elliott will officiate graveside services for Judith Ann Brandt at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Pleasant View (Large) Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Aaron K. Stern Foundation, donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences to the family may be sent to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

William Darrel George passed away March 21, 2020, at the age of 66 in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Darrel was born on May 11, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to William “Bill” and Doris George. He was raised in Uniontown, Kansas, and attended Uniontown High School where he graduated in 1971.

During his high school career, he was very involved with 4-H and FFA in addition to playing sports and working on the family farm. Darrel then attended Fort Scott Community College and later Kansas State University earning a degree in Livestock Production.

His passion for agriculture and caring for the land grew and after college, Darrel returned to the family farm in January of 1976 and formed G-Three Cattle Company with his father, Bill, and brother, Gale.

Darrel’s perseverance and devotion to his family and the farm were unending and he continued to work diligently for 44 years as a farmer and rancher.

Darrel met the love of his life, Laura Koester, in his childhood while showing horses and livestock in 4-H at the Bourbon County Fair. After college, they reconnected again at the county fair and they were married May 14, 1977. Darrel and Laura resided in Uniontown where they happily spent their 42 years of marriage, both of them loving the outdoors, showing and riding horses, raising their four children, and caring for the land and legacy they were building for the future.

His love of the Bourbon County Fair began in his youth and continued throughout his life. Darrel spent many of his years serving the Bourbon County Fair Board in various roles and on many committees. He served as the Fair Board Vice President from 1998 to 2000, as the President from 2005 to 2016 and as the Bourbon County Horse Project Leader for nearly 20 years. He was also selected as the “Fair Board Member of the Year” in both 2011 and 2015. In addition to his leadership roles, Darrel gave countless hours working to maintain the grounds, caretaking and preparing the rodeo arena, donating supplies, and supporting events. His passion, however, was working with the youth. He loved to help the 4-Hers learn and enjoy their projects and never forgot that the fair is ultimately for the benefit of the kids. One of his greatest accomplishments was being inducted into the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Hall of Fame in 2019 and this honor truly shows the amount of love, enthusiasm, dedication, and time Darrel gave to this organization.

In addition to his dedication to the county fair, Darrel also served as the president of the Mid-Eastern Kansas Western Horse Association (MEKWHA), on the K-State Southeast Agricultural Research Advisory Committee, and as the Uniontown Saddle Club President. He was a member of the Working Ranch Cowboy Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, and the Kansas Livestock Association.

Some of Darrel’s other honors included: Kansas Farm Family of the year in 1994, Kansas Master Farmer/Master Homemaker in 2007, Grassland Award in 2001, and the Bourbon County Extension Appreciation Award in 2000.

However, it is not the titles or roles he is remembered for. Darrel was the embodiment of hard work, grit, and integrity. His dedication never ceased and he spent all of his days working diligently to be a worthy caretaker of the land and livestock. There were countless late nights on the tractor planting after sundown while listening to the Royals on the radio and numerous early mornings gathering and shipping cattle at sunrise.

He had an unrivaled work ethic and never quit until the job at hand was completed. He was known to tell his children, “We don’t eat dinner until the animals have had theirs”.

This old cowboy loved doing all things horseback and had a way with horsemanship that can never be matched. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the outdoors and agriculture and to always do the right thing.

Darrel’s life was filled with compassion for his work, pure joy and love for his family, and hope for the future to come. His time on earth has been fulfilled by the countless hours of dedication and devotion he put into life. Much like the end to a long day of work, the end of his life is the completion of a job well done.

Darrel was preceded in death by his parents William Miles and Freda Doris George, Uniontown. He is survived by his wife, Laura, Uniontown; two daughters, Lindsey Huseman and husband Mark, Ellsworth; and Lacey Wray and husband Mark, Ottawa; two sons, Cole George and wife Erika, Uniontown; and Drew George, Denver, Co. Darrel’s legacy will certainly live on in his five beloved grandchildren, Hagen and Heidi Huseman, Ellsworth; Sage and Sadie Wray, Ottawa; and Brielle George, Uniontown. Darrel is also survived by his four siblings; Sharon Hixson and husband Warren, Hutchinson; Herschel George and wife Carol, Uniontown; Gale George and wife Kathy, Uniontown; and Steve George and wife Myra, Salina; and his nieces and nephews, and the rest of his family and friends.

Services are still pending. However, the family plans to hold a private burial in the coming weeks.

There will be a celebration of life later this year for all family and friends to remember and honor this man who will never be forgotten.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bourbon County Fair Association for the rodeo arena upgrades and maintenance, and may be left in care of 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.

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, Esther Anne Sewell passed from this earth at age 97. She was known as Annie to her friends, Grannie Annie to her grandchildren and, of course, Mom to her children.

Annie is survived by three children: Larry Sewell and wife Patricia of St. Louis, Steve Sewell and wife Victoria of Fort Scott, and Barbara McCord and husband David, also of Fort Scott. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Stephanie King, Ashley Ryan, Meredith Tucker, Victoria (Tori) Sewell, Forrest Sewell and Lee Painter, and their spouses. Annie leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, with one more due in May.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Larry Woods, who gave his life at the Battle of the Bulge in January of 1945 during World War II, and her second husband, Glen Sewell, who also fought in Europe and received the Purple Heart, passed in 2016.

Annie was born October 31, 1922, to Mark and Esther Weeks in Fort Scott, Kansas. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1939 and Fort Scott Community College in 1941. She received her degree from Kansas State University in 1944, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She married Larry Woods in the summer of 1944 in Fort Scott and moved to Camp Maxey near Paris, Texas. Annie moved back to Fort Scott in August of that year.

In August of 1948, she married Glen Sewell, Jr. in Lawrence, Kansas. Annie, after teaching art at Fort Scott High School for one year, she left to share in the responsibilities of the Fort Scott Greenhouse with her parents. Glen came to Fort Scott to be the office manager for Key Work Clothes and later joined the family business with Annie.

A faithful Christian, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church. Annie was also a charter member of the Old Fort Genealogy Society and the PEO Chapter FU. She was a volunteer for the Old Fort before it became a National Historic Site. Her hobbies included golf, gardening, needlepoint, floral design, antique collecting and enjoying life.

Having lived through both the Depression and the Dust Bowl, Annie was always grateful for everything and appreciated the little things. She was proud of her family and was a good friend to many. She was hard-working from a very young age, making regular trips with her parents to the rail station to gather fresh-cut flowers shipped from the cities. As a young woman, Annie helped nurture the Fort Scott Greenhouse into a familiar establishment that flourished for many years in Fort Scott. Her hard work and creative mind impacted many who experienced her beautiful window displays, bouquets and more. Her flowers comforted the sick and mourning, celebrated births and weddings, and brought joy to many life events.

An excerpt from the book The Greenhouse by her granddaughter Lee Painter sums up Annie’s life nicely:

“This story is told through the eyes of the Fort Scott Greenhouse, which was nurtured and loved by the Weeks family and their descendants from 1921 until 2004. It is a story of love, family and friends. It is a story of hard work, dedication, passion and compassion. It is a story of enchanting times.”

It is a story of Annie Sewell. We will miss her.

A graveside service will be held at the National Cemetery for family members only. A celebration of Annie’s life will include her friends in the community and family at a later date. She would want everyone to stay healthy and safe.

Memorials for the Good Samaritan Program/Presbyterian Village can be left with Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS. Memorial contributions may be sent to, or left in the care of, the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com. The funeral home will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for folks to drop by and sign the guestbook.

Larry David “Grandpa” Coleman, age 74, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Landmark Hospital, Joplin, MO.

He was born on March 31, 1945, in Anna, IL, the son of John Patterson and Lenora Lucille Coleman.

David worked as a roofer for the Roofer’s Local Union #20 Kansas City.

He enjoyed fishing, spending time at the lake, and playing cards with the grandkids. He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include two daughters, Kimberly and John Woodall, Ft. Scott, KS, and Tammy Davidson and husband Bryan, Uniontown, KS, two sons, Travis Coleman and wife Amanda, Ft. Scott, KS, and David Coleman and wife Nancy, Pleasanton, KS; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Judy Ogden, Deborah Elliott, and Leona Richardson.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy and Roger Turner; two sisters, Kathy Optandy and Bonnie Brown; and his mother.

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the David Coleman 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.