Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary

Obituary of William R. Bowen

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William R. Bowen, age 93, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas and more recently of Spring Hill, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.

He was born July 20, 1926, in Carthage, Missouri, the son of Earnest R. Bowen and Corda V. Harrill Bowen.

Bill served with the United States Navy during World War II.  Following his military service, he married Marjorie F. Sparks August 3, 1946, at Columbus, Kansas.

Bill and Marjorie later made their home in Ft. Scott where Bill worked as a conductor for the Frisco Railroad for many years.

Bill was a devoted husband to his wife, Marjorie and a faithful father to his three children.  Bill enjoyed spending quality time with his family and had the famous “never met a stranger” mentality.

Bill was an accomplished musician who played a variety of instruments including guitar, saxophone, accordion, steel guitar, piano and harmonica.  He had his own country-western band for several years.

Bill also enjoyed woodworking and painting landscapes and wildlife.  He often shared his creations with his family and friends.

He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene as well as the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Consistory and the Mirza Shrine.

Survivors include his three children, Linda McClanahan, of Paola, Kansas, Billy Bowen and wife, Barbara, of Willard, Missouri and Jim Bowen and wife, Pam, of Alma, Nebraska; eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

His wife, Marjorie, preceded him in death on August 2, 2019.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and his son-in-law, Tom McClanahan.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to 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

Obituary of Mary Plain

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Mary Ann Plain, age 79, a former resident of Altamont, Kansas, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020, at the Elm Haven Nursing Home in Parsons, Kansas.

She was born June 3, 1940, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Edward E. Davis and Louise M. Leaper Davis.

Mary Ann graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1958.  She married Leo G. Plain on September 1, 1959.  Following their marriage, Leo and Mary Ann lived in Devon, Kansas.

In earlier years, Mary Ann worked for the Western Insurance Company.  She later worked in medical records at Ft. Scott Family Physicians.

She moved to Altamont to be near her daughter in the early 2000’s.  While in Altamont, Mary Ann helped at Connie B’s, the family’s restaurant.  She also worked for a time at Casey’s General Store.

In earlier years, she was a member of the Devon United Methodist Church.  She dearly loved her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Ginger Schultz and husband, Eric, of Altamont, Kansas, four grandchildren, Chase and Bryce Koester, Skylar Porter and Krista Dutton and three great-grandchildren, Aiden and Claire Porter and Andi Cook.  Also surviving are two brothers, Ronald Davis, of Butler, Missouri and Roy Davis of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Her husband, Leo, preceded her in death in 1987.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, George Furry and Eldon Davis and a sister, Betty Kruger.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 6th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the PALS Animal Shelter of Parsons, Kansas 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 chenewitt.com.

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Obituary of Ashley Kline

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Ashley Jodel Kline, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 31, 2020, at her home. 

She was born September 17, 1983, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Thomas Applegate and Debby Lee Applegate. 

She married Robert Kline on October 9, 2010, at Miami, Oklahoma.  In earlier years, Ashley had worked for Tri-Valley, but above all, she was a devoted mother to her two daughters.  In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed shopping and watching the Food Network.  She was a fan of the Pioneer Woman and had recently made a trip to visit her place in Oklahoma.  

Survivors include her husband, Robert, and her two daughters, Rylee and Payton.  Also surviving are two brothers, Keith Applegate and wife, Trish, of Chanute, Kansas and Mark King and wife, Michelle, of Moscow, Tennessee and a sister, Marie Lemmon and husband, Mike, of Branson, Missouri and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ellen Larsen, of Ft. Scott and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Debby Applegate and two brothers, David and Mason Unruh.  

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

  Following services, there will be cremation. 

Memorials are suggested to the Ashley Kline 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.

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Obituary of Marjorie Foster

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Marjorie Mae Foster, age 98, died Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Medical Lodge in Fort Scott, Kansas. She was born September 14, 1921, in Fort Scott the daughter of Frank and Ruby (Gump) Phillips.  She married Melvin “Boots” Foster November 2, 1940, in Nevada, Missouri. He preceded her in death on February 13, 2007. Before retiring, Marjorie was secretary and bookkeeper for Boots Foster Floor Covering Service.


Marjorie was a long-time member of the First Christian Church of Fort Scott. In her younger years she loved playing golf with her husband and good friends.  She was active in the Ladies Golf Association of Fort Scott and Mound City.


Survivors include a daughter, Helen Kay Heffernan and husband Don, of Hebron, Kentucky, and a son, Melvin Foster and wife Susan, of Fort Scott. Marjorie had three grandchildren: Steven Heffernan and wife Jane of Hebron, Kentucky, Heather Foster of Webb City, Missouri, and Matt Foster and wife Mary of Manhattan, Kansas. She had seven great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and three sisters.


Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Konantz Cheney Funeral Home before leaving for the cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Activities Fund at Fort Scott Medicalodge and may be left in care of the Konantz Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.

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Obituary of Colene Gress

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Colene Janette Gress, 67, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, January 15, 2020, at her home.

She was born August 27, 1952 in Salina, Kansas the daughter of John W. and Carolee Ann (Green) Summers.

She married Wesley Gress August 24, 1975 in Kansas City, Kansas, he survives of the home.

She was a C.N.A and C.M.A. and a Surgical Technician and Worked at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kansas.

In addition to her husband, Wes, she is survived by three daughters, Andrea Weak of Pocahontas, Illinois, Renea Gress of Fort Scott, Kansas and Stephanie King of Pittsburg, Kansas, two sisters, Tonja Seusy, Deborah Smith both of Bella Vista, Arkansas, a brother, Ron Summers of Bella Vista, Arkansas and two grandsons, Levi and Kyran Weak.

The family of Colene Gress will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Avalon Hospice, 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 may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney,com.

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Obituary of Christina Hagood

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Christina G. Hagood, age 93, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born May 1, 1926, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of John Joseph Peters and Philomena Bachman Peters.

Christina married John Byron “Jack” Hagood on February 22, 1945.  Christina had worked for several years as a receptionist for the Basham & McKenna Clinic and for Ft. Scott Family Physicians.  She later provided childcare for area families.

She was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.  Christina was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening and tending her houseplants.  In earlier years, she had been a member of the ONO Club.

 

Survivors include her three children, Margaret “Peggy” Lewis, of Ft. Scott, John Hagood and his wife, Barbara, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas and Mike Hagood, also of Ft. Scott. There are four grandchildren, John Cauthon (Beth), of Ft. Scott; Christina Hagood, of Overland Park, Kansas; Mary Anne Lunsford (Daniel), of Bonanza, Arkansas and Joseph Hagood, of Wichtia, Kansas; two great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Lucas Lunsford as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Jack, preceded her in death on April 17, 1967.  She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Tim Lewis; four brothers, John, Francis, Elmer and Chuck Peters and two sisters, Sister Mary Timothy Peters and Sister Mary Matilda Peters who were both Sisters of St. Joseph.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 21st at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

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

The rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Visitation will follow from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic 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

Obituary of Florene Wilborn

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Florene Helen Wilborn, 82, of Fort Scott, formerly of Batesville, Texas, passed away, Monday evening, January 13, 2020 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.

She was born, May 20, 1937 in Batesville, Texas, the daughter of Clifford and Jamie Lily (Baxter) Jones. She married Paul Wilborn, June 2, 1955 in Batesville, Texas, he survives of the home (Cavalry Crossing).

In addition to her husband, Paul, she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Shank and her husband, Mark of Redfield, Kansas, and Jeannie Witty and her husband Robert of Wichita Falls, Texas, a sister, Barbara Wilborn of San Antonio, Texas, four grandsons and one granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, the family will plan memorial services in Batesville, Texas, at a later date. Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements.

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Obituary of Anita Lee

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Anita Felipa Lee, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 12, 2020, at her home.

She was born May 11, 1951, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Andrew James Henderson and Ida Jones Henderson.  She was united in marriage to Earnest L. Lee, Sr.

In earlier years, Anita had been employed by Coleman Company.  She later worked at Aerosol in Neodesha, Kansas for thirteen years.  She moved to Ft. Scott in 2013 to be near her family.  She was a member of the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Anita did her best to live a life that showed love to others.  Fishing was one of her favorite hobbies.

 

Survivors include her son, James Leroy Lee (Tonya), of Ft. Scott and a daughter, Shenia Maria Wolf (Eric), of Joplin, Missouri; three grandchildren and a great-grandson.  Also surviving is a sister, Illana Turner, of Savannah, Missouri.  Her husband, Earnest, preceded her in death in 1993.

She was also preceded in death by four brothers, James, Leonard, Lloyd and Archie Henderson and five sisters, Daisy Cress, Dixie Miller, Maudie Shelton, Lottie Floydia and Thelma Schneider.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 P.M. Friday, January 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene 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.

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Obituary of Mary Del (Esch) Sparks

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Mary Del Sparks, age 93, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott where she had been a resident for two years.

Mary Del was born on September 21, 1926 in Pittsburg, KS. She was the daughter of Peter A. and H. Leota Dixon Esch. She attended St. Mary’s School in Pittsburg and graduated from St. Mary’s Colgan High School with the class of 1944. Mary Del graduated from Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, now called Pittsburg State University, in 1948. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education

Mary Del married James (Sparky) Sparks of Arma, KS after meeting in college. They were married on August 8, 1948 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg. Sparky and Mary Del had four daughters.

Jim preceded her in death on June 30, 1991.

Mary Del is survived by her daughters and son-n-laws J.W. and Diana Endicott of Fort Scott, Rick and Kim Farmer of Rogers, AR. and Shelly Sparks of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are granddaughters and their husbands: Mathew and Mary Foster, Cris and Laura Corey, Jake and Susan Brown, Cody and D’Ambra Hawkins, Kayla Stillwagon, Heather Townzen and Steven and Hillary Townsley; two grandsons: Mathew Hampton and Christopher Stillwagon as well as 15 great-grandchildren. In addition, Mary Del is survived by her brothers and their wives Pete and Shirley Esch of Fayettville, AR and David and Masolyne Esch of Joplin, MO.

Mary Del was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her daughter Kay Lynn Stillwagon, her brother John Gerald Esch and sisters-n-law Betty Esch and Louise Esch.

Mary Del taught school in Crawford and Bourbon Counties. She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Chapter FU PEO and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. Mary Del devoted her life to caring for her friends and family. She was a loyal friend to many who found her always available when needed. She was never too busy to offer support to others. Mary Del’s sense of style and fashion were outdone only by her quick wit and delightful sense of humor, always gracious. Mary Del was loved and admired by all who knew her.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Fort Scott Area Community Foundation in care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held for the family. Graveside services for friends and family will be at Fort Scott National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020.

Family will receive friends following the graveside services at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main in Fort Scott.