Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Ronald Dean Brown

Ronald Dean Brown, Sr., age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019, at his home.  He was born April 1, 1945, in Ft. Scott, the son of Robert D. Brown and Edna L. Sharpless Brown.

Ron graduated from the Hume High School and later received his BS Degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University. He married Hazel L. Swank, on December 3, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Hume, Missouri.

In earlier years, Ron worked for the Ft. Scott Police Department and Bruce Marble and Granite Works.  He also worked in the insurance and real estate business.

He was later called into the ministry and received a degree in Theology from St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.  Ron pastored the Methodist churches at both Devon, Kansas and Mapleton, Kansas for several years.  He was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed attending family get togethers and spending time with his granddaughters.

 

Survivors include his wife, Hazel, of the home; a son Ronald Dean Brown, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Inman, Kansas; a daughter, Kim Cassity, and husband, Andy, of Olathe, Kansas and two granddaughters, Dr. Karsen R. Brown, DVM, of Peculiar, Missouri, and Grace Cassity, of Olathe, Kansas.  Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert E. Brown, Jr. and Bernard Brown and two sisters, Wilma Baker and Audrey Beal.

 

Rev. Gary DeMott will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the West Liberty Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association 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 Mary Hall

Mary Elizabeth Hall, age 84, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, October 10, 2019, at her home. She was born February 27, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Tom Lee Bolan and Alean Benskin Bolan.

She married Edward LeRoy Hall on May 1, 1951, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on September 16, 1995.

Mary enjoyed crafts, crocheting, sewing and making blankets and clothing. She was always there for her family no matter the need. She also had a big heart for animals.

Survivors include three sons, Eddie Hall, Jr. and wife Kathy; Tom Hall, and Fred Hall and wife Cindy; all of Ft. Scott; three daughters, Carol Edwards and husband Archie, Ft. Scott; Karen Hall, Ft. Scott; and Sharla Hall, Nevada, MO; a brother, Tom Lee Bolan Pittsburg, KS; two sisters, Ella May Saker, Ft. Scott, and Wanda Whiteaker, Pittsburg, KS; ex-daughter in law Liz Hall, Ft. Scott; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Charlie Hall; a half-brother, George Omar Redfern; and her parents.

Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct funeral services at 10:00 Friday, October 18th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Mary Hall 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.

Obituary of Kenneth Dale Roberts

Kenneth Dale Roberts

Kenneth Dale Roberts, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at his home.

He was born May 8, 1956, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Kenneth Ray Roberts and Joanne Lloyd Roberts. Dale attended school in both Fort Scott and Pittsburg and graduated from the Pleasanton High School.

He married Cynthia Ann Hickman on April 8, 1983, at Miami, Oklahoma. Dale worked for Ward-Kraft in Ft. Scott for fifteen years. He later served as Vice-President of Ross Martin and Corporate Express a printing company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dale and his wife later owned and operated Comfort Keepers, an in-home care service in Owasso, Oklahoma.

Following retirement, Dale and his family returned to Ft. Scott. He enjoyed woodworking as well as hunting, fishing and traveling. He was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include his two children, Brett Roberts and Danielle Roberts, both of Ft. Scott; his mother and step-father, Joanne and Ralph Bradley, of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas; two brothers, Kevin Roberts, of Pleasanton, Kansas and Kurt Roberts, of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas; and a sister, Penny Talmadge, of Ottawa, Kansas. Also surviving is his father-in-law, Herb Hickman, of Pittsburg and a close family friend, Matt Nelson, of Owasso, Oklahoma.

His wife, Cynthia, preceded him in death on June 17, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Ray Roberts and an infant brother, Scott Roberts and his mother-in-law, Shirley Hickman.

Following cremation, Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct a memorial service at 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 21st at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 21st at the Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle 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 Dennis Hartman

Dennis Allen Hartman, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019, at his home.  He was born May 6, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the son of Leo Allen Hartman and Arla Eloyce Ater Hartman.  Dennis grew up on the family farm southeast of Uniontown, Kansas.  He was a member of the Mt. Orum Baptist Church and was also active with the Uniontown Boy Scout Troop where he received the God and Country Award.

While in high school, he was active with athletics and held several records in basketball.  He graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1968.  He later graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College and Pittsburg State University with a degree in education.

Dennis served with the Kansas Army National Guard for six years.  He later worked for the Western Insurance Company where he worked at agencies in San Antonio, Texas and Derby, Kansas.  He later worked for Farmers Casualty Insurance Company in West Des Moines, Iowa.  Following his work in insurance, Dennis worked at a car dealership in Iowa.

Golfing was always a favorite pastime.  He achieved three hole-in-ones on PGA ranked golf courses.  He also managed a golf course in Iowa and was most recently employed as club house manager of the Woodland Hills Golf Course in Ft. Scott.  In addition to golfing, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his parents, Leo and Arla Hartman, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; two brothers, Mark Hartman and wife, Sherri, of Uniontown, Kansas and Jerry Hartman and wife, Barbie, of Everett, Washington; three nieces, two nephews, two great-nieces and two great-nephews.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society 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 Margaret Dalby Fowler

Margaret Dalby Fowler, age 91 died October 3, 2019, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott, KS. She was born Emma Margaret Dalby on December 5, 1927, in Dalby Springs, TX, the daughter of Clarence Winston Dalby and Sarah Della Young Dalby.  She married Herman Hugh Fowler on Jan. 24, 1953, in Dalby Springs, Texas. She was a bank teller in DeKalb and also in Bryan, TX, while Herman was attending Texas A & M University.

Margaret was a housewife who took great pride in getting clothes ready for her husband’s business meetings and packing many suitcases for him as he traveled as Chief Engineer for Rockwell International.

She was mother to two daughters and was well known for her cake baking and sharing of delicious food with friends and neighbors. She also was an avid shopper, shopping for friends and family and mailing the items to them in other states. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kearney, NE, for over 50 years.

She is survived by two daughters, Carol Johannsen and husband Mike of Gibbon, NE, and Joyce Davenport and husband Larry of Fort Scott, KS; grandchildren Jenna Pilant and husband Darrel of Pauma Valley, CA; Evan Johannsen, of Gibbon, NE; Craig Winston Davenport of Joplin, MO and Chris Winston Davenport and wife Jessica of Overland Park, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1987, and brothers Billy Fountain Dalby, Clarence Winston Dalby, Jr., and sisters Virginia Dalby Messer and Della Dalby Icenhower.  Margaret was the last remaining sibling of five.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 am at the Bates Family Funeral Home, with Graveside services following at 11:00 am at Pulaski Cemetery in New Boston, TX with Robby Bates officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Kearney, NE or Dalby Springs Cemetery Association for Pavilion 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 Mowrey

John David Mowrey, age 78, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, September 1, 2019, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
He was born March 11, 1941, in Ft. Scott, Kansas and was the son of Raymond William Mowrey and Isabelle Ida Ramsey Mowrey. John graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and the Ft. Scott Junior College.
He later served for four years with the United States Air Force. John later returned to Ft. Scott where he worked as HVAC service and maintenance for the U-234 School District.
John was very mechanically minded and loved rebuilding and restoring antique cars, tractors and engines of all kinds.

John loved nature, and one of his favorite evening pastimes was sitting on the boat dock at his pond and watching the stars and moon.

John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott, Kansas.

He was a devoted volunteer in his community and helped and served many from behind the scenes.
John will always be remembered for packing, delivering and serving Thanksgiving dinner with the Elks. He was an active member of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Committee, always willing to help this organization in any capacity. He volunteered for Good ‘Ole Days and drove his vintage vehicles in the parade.
John was very proud of his military service and helped place the flags on the graves and down East National Ave. to honor veterans at the U.S. National Cemetery.
In addition, he volunteered with chili and soup fundraisers including the Beacon soup line.

John was always willing to help in a time of need and many benefitted from his kindness and generosity.

Survivors include his sister Marjorie Midili; his nephew, Jeff Midili and wife, Jenifer and a great-niece, Sophie Midili, all of Vienna, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service with cremains will be held on Friday, October 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made, to the First United Methodist Church or Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P. O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Vernon Leon Bowden Sr.

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.

Obituary of Eva Mae Byerley

Eva Mae Byerley

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.

Obituary of Justin Calvert

 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.

Obituary of Shirley Stephens

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.

Obituary of Rex Bryant Moore

Rex Bryant Moore

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.

 

Obituary of Lyle Leo Comstock

Lyle Leo Comstock

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.