Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Virginia Lightwine

Virginia Carol Lightwine, age 88, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott.
She was born September 5, 1930, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Lee W. Braden and Myrtle Brock Braden.
She worked as a clerk for Western Insurance Company, American States Insurance, and she retired from Newman Young Clinic. Virginia was member of the First Christian Church, the Red Hat Society, and was a pink lady for Mercy Hospital.
 
Survivors include her son, Terry Lightwine and wife Sharon, of Topeka, Kansas; two brothers, Virgil Braden, of Lawrence, Kansas, and Robert G. Braden, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry Lightwine and Garry Lightwine; a sister, Dorothy Thornbrugh, and her parents.
 
Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral service at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Jerry Lightwine Scholarship fund at FSCC 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 Mildred Irene Shelton

Mildred Irene Shelton

Mildred Irene Shelton, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, October 18, 2018, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.

She was born December 31, 1926, in Stotesbury, Missouri, the daughter of Lee Dryer and Eleanora Stuart Dryer.

Mildred graduated from the Stotesbury High School with the Class of 1945. She married Everett Frank Shelton on June 27, 1946, in Nevada, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 9, 2000.

Mildred was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always put the needs of her family above her own. She will be remembered for her quiet but loving personality and her love for children.

Survivors include her children, Linda Evans and husband, Sam; Dale Shelton and wife, Shelly and Lana Beerbower and husband, Gil, all of Ft. Scott; her daughter-in-law, Sue Shelton, of Redfield, Kansas and her seven grandchildren, Sherri Shelton, Kelly Eastwood, Scott Shelton, Katie Casper, Ryan Beerbower, Austin Beerbower and Braden Shelton and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Charles Dryer of Grants Pass, Oregon and a sister, Lora Mason, of Ft. Scott.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Dennis Shelton, a granddaughter, Stephanie Shelton and two sisters, Iva Lee Scantlin and Alidene Brewer.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Monday, October 22nd at the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 12:30 P.M. until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Guest Home Estates Activity 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.

Obituary Of Edith Allene Hawkins

Edith Allene Hawkins

Edith Allene Hawkins, age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2018, in Ft. Scott.

She was born July 3, 1944, in Mapleton, Kansas, the daughter of Clyde Willard and Mildred Harris Willard.

Edith had worked for over thirty years as a machine operator for Key Industries. She later did housekeeping for T & C Wildlife. Edith enjoyed sewing and cooking as well as spending time with her family. She was a member of the Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ.

Survivors include a son, Marlon Hawkins, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Minnie Wrenn and Mary Etta Willard both of Ft. Scott as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins and a special friend, James Davis.

She was preceded in death by a son, Paul Hawkins, a daughter, Vicki Hawkins and three brothers, Robert, Carl and Melvin Willard.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 22nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Edith Hawkins 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.

Obituary of Albert Pavey

Albert William Pavey, 95, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away early Wednesday morning, October 10, 2018, in the Monterey Park Rehab and Health Center in Independence, Missouri. He was born June 19, 1923, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Pete and Bertha (Hutchinson) Pavey. He married Dorothy L. Green June 27, 1975, in Miami, Oklahoma, and she preceded him in death May 13, 2015.

Albert served in the US Navy during WWII, and he worked at Fairbanks-Morris Water Pump Company, retiring in 1988.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Dorothy, he was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Percy Pavey, Paul Pavey, Hubert Pavey, and two sisters, Nellie Ticknor, and Alberta Marshall.

Rev. Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2018, at the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Military Honors at the cemetery will be conducted by the Navy Funeral Honor Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Grove Cemetery 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 Of George Holt

George Holt, 83, of Uniontown, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, October 10, 2018 at Country Place Living in Fort Scott. He was born May 6, 1935, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Herbert and Beulah (Neth) Holt. He graduated from Uniontown High School in 1953 where he lettered in football and basketball. He married Esther Ann McKee on March 4, 1956, In Uniontown. To this union were born two sons, Brent and Brad. The boys grew up on the family farm north of Uniontown, where their parents worked the land and raised cattle for sixty-two years.

Survivors include his wife, Esther, of the home, a son, Dr. Brent Holt and his wife Cheryl, of Roanoke, Virginia; two grandsons, Logan Holt (Carolina), and Sam Holt, of Christiansburg, Virginia; three step-grandchildren, Trevor, Sean, and Cara, and one great-granddaughter, Fernanda Alison Holt-Salinas. Also surviving is his sister, Nadyne Walker, of Fort Scott, several nieces and nephews, including two special care-givers, Donna Sifers and Marci Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marilyn Brown, and his beloved son, Brad, who died in 1989.

Private services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial in the Uniontown Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, 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.

Obituary for Linda Susan Toepfer

Linda Susan Toepfer, age 69, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

She was born April 18, 1949, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Allan Todd and Dorothy Sackett Todd.

Linda graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1967. She married Thomas Charles Toepfer; they later divorced.

In earlier years, Linda had worked at Wal-Mart in both Baxter Springs and Ft. Scott. She then attended nursing school at Fort Scott Community College and became a Registered Nurse. She worked as a nurse in Florida and Joplin, Missouri. She later retired from the Bates County Hospital in Butler, Missouri.

Linda was a loving and devoted mother to her three daughters; she worked hard as a single mother to make sure the family’s needs were always supplied. She loved spending quality time with children and grandchildren as well as going to the beach and taking trips to the casinos.

Survivors include her three daughters, Michelle “Shelly” Edwards, of Leawood, Kansas and twins, Kerri Bohlken and husband Randy and Kendell Dawn Mason and husband, Steve, all of Ft. Scott; five grandchildren, Alex Mason (Holli) of Redfield, Kansas, Ashton Mason, of Olathe, Kansas, Jessica Amico (Joey) of Maryland, Max Bohlken (Savannah) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Lane Bohlken of Ft. Scott; and a great-granddaughter, Lucy Mason. Also surviving is a brother, Matt Todd and wife, Ezra, of Independence, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, October 15th at the Paint Creek Cemetery south of Redfield, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:30 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Polycystic Kidney Disease “PKD” Foundation 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 John William Owen

John William Owen, age 49, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at his home.

He was born October 17, 1968, in Kansas City, Kansas. He had made his home in Carrollton, Missouri for several years prior to moving to Bronson in 2017. While in Carrollton, he had worked as a welder for Cox Manufacturing.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; and seven children, Shannon Dillon, Donald Taylor, Kelly Wright, and Daniel Wheeler, all of Carrollton, Sherry Tribble and Michael Owen, both of Bronson and Donna Owen, of Oregon, Missouri; twenty-seven grandchildren with one more on the way and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Chad and Mark Owen and three sisters, Gayle Bryant, April Wilson and Heather Anderson.

There was cremation and a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Obituary of Richard Alan Smith

Richard Alan Smith, age 67, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 6, 2018, at his home in Redfield.
  With his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation, he has joined his beloved parents in paradise.
Richard was born July 18, 1951, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Glenn McKinnis Smith and Ethel Berry Smith.  He graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1969.
He later served with the United States Army.  During his military service, he married Nola Pitts on March 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Uniontown.
In earlier years, he had worked as a diesel mechanic for B & D Motors and then Burlington Motor Carrier.  Later, he was employed by Bourbon County where he served as supervisor of the county rock quarry and later the count asphalt plant.  Richard had served on the Redfield City Council, the volunteer fire department and the Redfield Ruritan.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, hunting, and fishing.  He also enjoyed times spent with family and friends and especially enjoyed the Fourth of July fireworks.  He was a member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church.
 
Survivors include his wife, Nola, of the home; a son, Chris Smith (Darla) of Wamego, Kansas; a daughter, Kimberly Smith (Allen Beerbower) of Redfield, Kansas and two grandchildren, Glenn Arron Smith of Wamego and Hailey Beerbower of Redfield.  Also surviving are a brother, Charles Smith (Peggy), of Middletown, New Jersey, and a sister, Glenda Miller (Bob) of Hiattville, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn, and Ethel Smith.
 
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the 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 Joe Dean Marlow

Joe Dean Marlow, age 68, a resident of Iola, KS, died Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS.

He was born January 9, 1950, in Gas, KS, the son of Clinton Dean Marlow and Nadja Allen Marlow.

Joe was an outstanding athlete in school, playing football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Crest High School with the class of 1968.

He served in Vietnam with the U. S. Army from 1969 to 1970.

He married Josephine Alcantar on March 12, 1971, in Iola.

Joe worked as a truck driver for Berg in Iola then later for Midland. When they closed, he drove for Valu Merchandisers in Ft. Scott, KS. To his credit, Joe drove over four million miles without an accident.

He enjoyed reading Stephen King novels, watching TV, listening to music, and traveling with his wife. He was an avid New England Patriots and Boston Celtics fan through the years.

Joe loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Josephine of the home; a son, Jeff Marlow and significant other Lisa Jensen, Tampa, FL; a daughter, Jenni Ashworth and significant other Bryan Johnson, Iola, KS; four brothers, Richard Marlow and wife Nancy, Olathe, KS, William Marlow, Uniontown, KS, Dana Marlow and wife Janet, Parsons, KS, and Kyle Knight and wife Shayla, Uniontown, KS; a sister, Cheryl Marlow, Iola, KS; Step-siblings Donna and Henry Ross, Moran, KS, Wendy and Shea Thompson, Bayard, KS, Linda Korte, LaHarpe, KS, Raymond and Judi Knight, Zionsville, IN, Tim and Monica Knight, Oroville, WA, and Paul and Connie Knight, Mildred, KS; five grandchildren, Jessika Marlow, Ellen Huddleston, Danni Rains, Jeffrey Ashworth, and Jessa Ashworth; one great grandson, Dimitri Cruz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a step-brother, Carl Wayne Knight; an infant niece, Angel Dawn Marlow; and his parents.

There was cremation. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Arttie Roe Vilmer

Arttie Roe Vilmer, age 73, resident of Fulton, KS, died Friday, October 5, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born January 20, 1945, in Pittsburg, KS, the daughter of Jesse Boyd Toney and Georgia Roe Houdashelt Toney.

Arttie worked most of her life as a seamstress.

She married Bill Vilmer on October 4, 1982, in Miami, OK. He preceded her in death in December 2012.

She enjoyed painting and fishing. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Carmen Beckford and husband Randy, Fulton, KS; a son, Ken Reagan, Oswego, KS; a sister, Jobell Davis and husband Melvin, Mulberry, KS; 7 grandchildren, Cheyene Jones, Autumn Curtis, Adam Reagan, Harley Reagan, Carissa Jones, Sawyer Edwards, and Heidi Crowder; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband Bill, she was preceded in death by her parents.

There was cremation. No services are planned. Arrangements are under the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Donna Sheridan

Donna Marie Sheridan, age 71, a resident of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at her home following a cancer illness.
She was born December 12, 1946, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence E. Miller and Norma M. Norman Miller.  Donna married Larry E. Sheridan on April 1, 1978.
In earlier years, Donna worked as a cosmetologist.  She later worked in interior design in Kansas City.  Donna was known for her artistic abilities; she made a variety of crafts including, pottery, quilting, crocheting and jewelry.  She was of the Catholic faith.
 
Survivors include her husband, Larry; two children, Christy Pritchett and husband, Danny, of Uniontown, Kansas and Eric Sheridan, of Independence, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Aubree, Asenath, Brendan, Cayman, Mike, Melissa, Samantha and Shawn and sixteen great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Susan Bronson, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Rosemary Kilgore, of Kansas City, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
 
Father Robert Wachter will recite the Rosary at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 6th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Ft. Scott.
Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow the Rosary.
Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Saturday prior to leaving for the church at 10:20 A.M.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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 Harold Coleman

HAROLD COLEMAN

Harold Dean Coleman, 69, passed away Tuesday evening October 2, 2018, at Mercy Hospital. He was born January 22, 1949, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Harold Howard and Lavon Hazeldean (Clayton) Coleman.

Harold attended Fulton schools until they closed, and then finished up at DeSoto High School, graduating in 1967. He also went to Pittsburg State University’s welding school.

Harold served in the US Army and served many years in law enforcement. In 1984, Harold was elected Bourbon County Sheriff, a position he continued to fill for 24 years until his retirement in 2008. He was also a Bourbon County Commissioner following his retirement as Sheriff.

Harold is survived by son Stacy Coleman and wife Lenda, of Blue Springs, Missouri; daughter, Deana Wade and husband Brian, of Fort Scott; brother Garyl Coleman and wife Patty, of Prescott, Kansas; four grandchildren, Aaron and Adam Blaine, and Kyenne and Makyn Wade.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Truman Coleman, and his sister-in-law, Judy Coleman.

Following cremation, Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Military Honors at the cemetery will be conducted by the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Detail.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, October 9, 2018, at the funeral home from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Scholarship 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.