Mary Helen Green, age 85, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday morning, September 4, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born June 8, 1933, in Callao, MO, the daughter of Floyd and Crystal Blackburn Ham. She graduated from Arcadia high school with the class of 1951. She worked for Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott. She married Johnnie Bean on June 26, 1951. Together they owned and operated Fort Scott Beverage and Beverage Express. From 1954 to 1999, they were the local distributor for Anheiser Busch.

Johnnie preceded her in death on June 4, 1998. She married Harvey Green on July 22, 2000.

Mary Helen was an extremely giving person who went out of her way for anyone in need. She loved to travel if even for a local sightseeing ride. She enjoyed meeting daily with her friends at the donut shop and other restaurants. She was a former member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband Harvey of the home; a brother, Richard Ham; a sister, Geneva Sue Ham; step-children Tim Green, Harvey Green, Jr., Susan Leichter, Robert Green, Karen Winters, Darlene Atkinson, and Janice Zickefoose; numerous grandchildren, special niece, Melinda Goff; special great-niece Jamie Graham; and special great-great-niece Blakely Graham.

Besides her first husband, Johnnie, she was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Bean; two step-daughters, Deborah Jones and Ida Rene’ Davis; two brothers, Howard and Dale Ham; and a sister, Dorothy Moore.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 8^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Friday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Doug Bean Scholarship Fund – FSCC or the Blakely Graham College Fund and may be left in the 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.

Peyton Ryne Riedel, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away on August 28^th, 2018 in Colorado Springs as a result of a tragic automobile accident.

On November 14, 1992, in Wichita, Kansas the Lord blessed the home of Stephen and Pamela Riedel (Simons) with the gift of a daughter. She was the center of their life and brought much joy to their family. Peyton spent her early school years attending St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Wichita and graduated high school in 2011 with honors from Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Peyton was a vivacious, loving, free-spirited young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She loved all things purple, softball, and animals; particularly her French Bulldog, Lulu. She had a lifelong softball career and played while attending college at Newman University in Wichita where she received her Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. This fall would mark her third year as an Assistant Softball Coach at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, CO. Her love for athletics fueled her passion to further her education. She graduated in December of 2017 with a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology from the University of the Rockies. She had a dream to work at the Olympic Training Facility as a Sports Psychologist and was preparing her resume to pursue that passion this fall.

Peyton was fun and energetic, always able to put a smile on your face. She was adored by her family, especially her second cousins, and all the children she cared for. Her warm laughter and quick wit will be greatly missed and always remembered.

She is survived by her mother, Pamela Riedel of Kansas City, Missouri, her father, Stephen Riedel of Wichita, Kansas, her paternal grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Cleland and Mary Allen, paternal grandfather, Robert Riedel, uncle, Billy Simons, and cousin Gabriel Hoover.

Visitation will be Monday, September 3^rd, 2018, from 5-7pm at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 South Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Services will be Tuesday, September 4^th, at 11 am at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peyton Riedel Softball Memorial or the Humane Society of your choice. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Donald “Fred” Savage, 80, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, August 27, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas.

He was born February 4, 1938, in Harrison, Arkansas, the son of Thomas Franklin and Rita Myrle (Willis) Savage. He married Joan Hays April 3, 1957, and she preceded him in death August 22, 2017.

Fred is survived by his children, Joseph F. Savage, of Ottawa, Kansas, and Kenneth D. Savage, of Hammond, Kansas; two brothers, Raymond Joe Savage, of Fort Scott, Kansas, and Franklin Savage, of Rantool, Kansas; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Joan, Fred was also preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Ed Savage.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct graveside services 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 30, 2018, at the West Liberty Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday and leave for the cemetery and 10:45 a.m. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Leland Duane Wood, 70, of Fort Scott, was welcomed into Heaven’s open arms on August 23, 2018. Bless his tired heart, he is now shooting baskets with the best cheering section you could find in Heaven.

Leland was born October 14, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Vergil Leon and Delma Dorene (Brown) Wood. He married Mary Underwood September 28, 1968, in Mapleton, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Leland was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, and was a teacher, coach, and Insurance Agent. He was a member of the Every Other Wednesday Night Poker Club, Every Monday Night Poker Club, Ruritan, and Max’s Way Station Coffee Group. He originated Biddy Football and Biddy Basketball in Uniontown.

In addition to his wife Mary, Leland is also survived by his children, Gerald Wood of Rosemount, Minnesota, Matthew Wood and Rebecca, of Uniontown, and Amy Mitchell and David, of Shawnee, Kansas; a sister, Carol Majors and Bruce, of Fort Scott; three brothers, Craig Wood and Linda, of Pleasanton, Kansas, Dave Wood and Debra, of Fort Scott, and Kevin Wood and Kathy, of Prescott, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Vicki Wood, of Humboldt, Kansas; and seven grandchildren, Brian Wood, Brenden, Carter, A.J., and Alaina Wood, and Tyler and Zachary Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kenny Wood, and two nephews, Chris Homan and Benjamin Underwood.

Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 27, 2018, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, followed by burial at the Prescott Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends Sunday evening, August 26, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund 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.

Vera Jane Wiggans Hays, age 80, formerly of Fort Scott, died Wednesday evening, August 22, 2018, at Greystone Assisted Living in Iola, Kansas.

Vera was born August 9, 1938, to Marjorie and Pascal Wiggans in rural Bronson. She attended Bronson schools, played basketball and was drum majorette.

 Vera married Bernard “Bun” Hays in 1956 in Miami, Oklahoma. Together, they raised four children that were the love of her life.

 Vera worked for Braemor and Key Industries for more than 40 years and was a friend to all she met. She always loved animals, especially dogs. Vera was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and crocheted, often creating clothes for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Vera loved music ranging from Elvis to traditional western to her grandson’s alt-rock band. She enjoyed the Fort Scott Opry and other local music performances. She was a regular at the Greystone Assisted Living cultural events singing along with guest musicians.

Vera is pre-deceased by her parents, husband Bun and many loved dogs. She is survived by her beloved Boston Terrier Raven, sister Wanda Lou Woodward of Manhattan, Kansas, sons Michael “Mick” (Janet) of Iola, Martin of El Dorado, daughters Joni (Blane) Peters of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Lori of Garden City. Grandchildren Blake (Andis) Hill, Brittany (Jake) Keltner, Reagan Hill, Emily (Dallas) Funk, Thomas Hays, James Hays and step-grandchildren Chris (Keri) Johnson and Aaron (Ashley) St. Clair also survive. Vera is also survived by great-grandchildren Parker, Adryannah, Piper, Ellie, Carsen, Samson and Paysly.

Pastor Lloyd Houk will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Monday, August 27^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Lower Level Kansas City, MO 64105 or in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.