Vernon Leon Bowden, Sr., age 72, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS. He was born November 4, 1946, in Phoenix, AZ, the son of Arie and Eunice Nichols Bowden.

Vernon was an avid KC Chiefs fan and loved to compete in pool tournaments. Christmas was his favorite holiday, occasionally dressing as Santa. He enjoyed all his dogs; Bear, Tator, and Manny. Vernon loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Ft. Scott.

Survivors include his children, Tina Creekmore and husband Ron, Turlock, CA,\; Angel Steeley, Ft. Scott; stepson Russell West, Modesto, CA; Star McClellan and husband Matt, Ft. Scott; Vernon Bowden, Jr., Eugene, O; and son-in-law Jason Steeley; six grandchildren, Jennifer Tilley, Joshua Creekmore, Makayla Steeley, Haley Steeley, Madelynn McClellan, and Madyson McClellan; and four great-grandchildren, Caleb Tilley, Bailey Creekmore, Kyla Tilley, and Victoria Tilley.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

There was cremation. Private family memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Eva Mae Byerley died on September 26, 2019, rejoining spiritually her husband, Edward, who predeceased her less than a year prior. Eva was born on January 7, 1928, at the family farm near Barnesville, KS, the daughter of Fred E White and Lora A. White (Higbie). She was the youngest of seven children, five girls and two boys.

Eva graduated from Fulton H.S. (KS) in 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, Edward, after his return from active military duty in the Navy in 1946.

Eva was a homemaker and mom extraordinaire to their three sons during the early years of marriage. In the late 1960’s to mid – 1980’s, Eva worked at The Western Insurance Companies as an automobile rater and in human resources.

Eva and Ed retired full time to Sun City West, AZ in 1986, enjoying nearly 30 years of the sunny weather and the activities offered in that retirement community. Eva was a passionate and competitive amateur bowler, who carried a high average for several years. She also enjoyed playing bocce, cooking, and watching KU basketball games on television.

Eva is survived by three sons, daughter’s-in-law, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

There was cremation. Graveside service will be October 28, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at the U.S. National Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 Justin James Calvert, age 45, of Madison, WI passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. He was born on Sept. 21, 1974, in Girard, Kansas, the son of Douglas Calvert and Marcia (Hughes) O’Neal.

Justin graduated from Caney Valley High School in Caney, Kansas in 1993.

He served in the U. S. Marines from 1995-1999.

He moved to Wisconsin in 2003 and married Dr. Mindy Haseleu on May 1, 2011.

Justin worked as a finance manager at Smart Motors for the last 12 years.

Justin was a big, tall and muscular guy with an incredibly loving heart. He was very protective of his family and friends. He loved spending time with them and especially relished teasing his nieces and nephew.

Justin was very generous, caring and sweet. He was very hard working, dedicated and successful in his job.

He loved classic cars and started his collection with a red 1967 Chevelle. His pride and joy was a Verdoro Green 1968 Pontiac GTO, owned by his father-in-law since 1971 and restored in 2017 by his high school friend Scott Mills. Justin and his GTO won numerous awards including Best of Show at multiple shows.

He enjoyed working out, watching football, going to car shows, swimming in his pool, collecting anvils and vises, and eating home cooked meals.

Many who knew him may not have guessed how much he loved his cats, Bibi and Vitto.

Justin was very patriotic and extremely proud of his service in the Marines. He was thrilled to reconnect with his Marine Corps brothers after 20 years.

Justin is survived by his wife, Dr. Mindy Haseleu; his mother, Marcia (Hughes) O’Neal and her husband, Dan; his father, Doug Calvert and his wife, Ilana; his brother, Matt Bowersock; niece, Madison; in-laws, Bob and Beth Haseleu and Vance and Teppy (Haseleu) McCaw; and niece, Rowan and nephew, Lane. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mari-Katherine Bowersock; and grandmother, Mary Hughes.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Following services for Justin in Madison, WI, there will be Cremation, then, services with burial at the Fort Scott National Cemetery will be announced by the KONANTZ-CHENEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas.

Shirley Lorene Stephens, 84 of Fort Scott, passed away Friday evening September 27, 2019, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born April 17, 1935, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Dan and Edith Amelia (Tucker) Freer. She married Roger Boyles on September 19, 1952, in Piggett, Arkansas, he preceded her in death. She married John Albert Stephens on June 19, 1972, in Girard, Kansas, he preceded her in death on October 20, 2007.

During her life Shirley had several jobs one of which was nanny/cook/housekeeper for several different families including her own.

She is survived by four daughters, Gail Byrd of Webb City, Missouri; Leanna and Mike Burke of Blue Springs, Missouri; Moria and Darrin Gauthier of Fort Scott; and Michelle and Doug Walton of Mildred, Kansas; four sons, Gus and Heidi Boyles of Frontenac, Kansas; Chuck and Holli Boyles of Pittsburg, Kansas; Mike Stephens of Westphalia, Kansas; and Matt and Jennifer Stephens of Milton-Freewater, Oregon; a sister, Raylene Freer of Fort Scott, and a brother, David Freer of Fort Scott; 15 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, Roger Boyles and Johnnie Stephens, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Roger Burke, a sister, Joan Collins and her parents.

Funeral Services for Shirley Stephens will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Hawk officiating, burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery. The Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.

Rex Bryant Moore, age 56, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019, surrounded by his loved ones at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born on April 22, 1963, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of William Lee Moore and Shirley Jean Rogers Moore.

On May 21, 2004, Rex married the love of his life, Stacy.

Rex and his father traveled across the United States so he could pursue his dreams of racing professional motocross. Although his career was cut short, the love he had for the sport never stopped. He enjoyed watching his favorite rider, Austin Howell. He lived week to week to watch this young man aspire at his dreams.

He also played his motocross video games and took pride in them knowing that “Rocket Rex” was still out there whooping everyone even though it was not in person.

His favorite thing to do was attending his daughter, Hannah’s activities. He enjoyed every minute of watching her in action. She was his pride and joy and he loved her very much, just as she did him. They had an unbreakable bond. Hannah was his “baby girl.”

Rex loved being around his family and friends. Rex will forever be remembered for his beautiful smile, gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace and unconditional love.

Rex loved so many and was loved by so many more.

He had an energy that with just one encounter with him you would remember for life; he definitely left his mark.

He made friends everywhere he went including Hannah’s friends which all adopted him as their dad.

He brought so much joy to our lives and those around him. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort in knowing that he has no pain and is in heaven watching over us. Yet, we continue to hurt as he has left us. He yearned for that place in which he could breathe. Now he sits with God in the natural beauty and astounding light of heaven and he can finally breathe.

Survivors include his wife, Stacy, of the home; six children, Hannah Moore, of Redfield, Kansas, Sarah Powers, of Eldorado Springs, Missouri, Austin Moore, of Boliver, Missouri, Shelby Morillo, of Bronson, Kansas, Tyler Wilkerson, of Kincaid, Kansas and Dalton Church, of Coleman, Alabama and six grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Ronald Moore, of Shawnee, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Lyle Leo Comstock, age 96, resident of Redfield, KS, died Saturday, September 21, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born August 7, 1923, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Mack and Lena Edna Smith Comstock. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1940. He attended Ft. Scott Community College for two years and then the University of Missouri for one

year. Leo joined the Navy in January of 1943. He retired after 20 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer. Leo married Natalie Beatrice Post on August 20, 1945, in Kansas City, KS.

After his Navy service, Leo co-owned and operated the Nu-Grill from 1963-1968 with his brother Mack. He also raised cattle and worked for the post office. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Ft. Scott Masonic Lodge and the V.F.W.

Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Natalie; three sons, Gary Comstock and wife Dianne, Topeks, KS, Steven Comstock and wife Vicki, Alma, KS, and Rick Comstock and wife Chris, Ft. Scott; two daughters, Connie Thomas and husband Phil, Yukon, OK; and Judy Ditch, Topeka, KS; 19 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Kristen Kam Thomas, and Michelle Stephanie Ditch; three brothers, Smith, Cecil and Mack Comstock; four sisters, Eunice Shubert Clark, Fannie Taylor, Margaret Middleton, and Thorea Jane Ramsey; and his parents.

Rev. Chub Bolling will conduct graveside services at 1:00 Friday, September 27, in the Uniontown Cemetery.

Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F. W.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice 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.