Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of BEATRICE C. PALET

Beatrice C. Palet, 73, of Fort Scott, passed away early Tuesday morning at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born December 25, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of William V. and Laura Amanda Beatrice (Rountree) Dunnam.

She married Larry E. Palet and he survives of the home.

Beatrice grew up in the Sugar Creek, Missouri area before eventually moving to Bronson, Kansas, and then to Fort Scott. She worked for Peerless Products for four years, and for the Marmaton Valley Nursing Home as a CNA and CMA for ten years.

In addition to her husband Larry, Beatrice is also survived by her children; Lorrie Cameron and husband Shawn, Albert Tanner and wife Marita, Flo Tanner, and Archie Alexander, all of Fort Scott; five brothers, Earl Dunham, Russell Dunnam, Wesley Dunnam, Billy Dunnam, and Bobby Dunnam; three sisters, Betty Warren, Margaret Williams, and Norma Wood; nine grandchildren,, eleven great-grandchildren, and a huge family with lots of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Nina Allen, a brother, Thomas Dunnam, and great granddaughter Emma Miles.

Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, July 18, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Margaret Winter

Margaret Mae Winter

Margaret Mae (Boyle) Winter, age 88, of Fort Scott, passed away on July 13, 2019 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Missouri.

She was born June 29, 1931, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the daughter of Charles and Agnes Boyle of Cuervo, New Mexico. Orphaned early in life, Margaret was raised by her grandparents Charles and Minnie Phelps in Fort Scott, Kansas.

She attended the First Baptist Church and was baptized into Christ as a young girl. Margaret attended Fort Scott schools graduating in 1951. On June 24, 1951, Margaret Boyle married the love of her life, Eugene Winter, in her grandparents’ home. Margaret and Eugene recently celebrated 68 years of marriage.

After raising three daughters, she enjoyed working at Western Insurance Company in the coding department for 17 years, retiring in 1987. Upon her retirement, Margaret became active as a volunteer with CASA, Vacation Bible School, organizing church dinners and potlucks at Community Christian Church, CCC 55+ group, and her Thursday Deerfield breakfast crew.

Margaret was well-known for baking amazing pies, raising beautiful roses, loving her children, spoiling her grandchildren, and adoring her great grandchildren.

She is survived by husband Eugene of the home; three daughters–Joyce (Brad) Cowen, Fort Scott; Irene (Rick) Langerot, Mulvane, Kansas; Gina (Mike) Armstrong , Springdale, Arkansas; eight grandchildren– Amanda (Cowen) Hall, Amber (Cowen) Malone, Jill (Cowen) Cobb, Blake Cowen, Nathan Langerot, Nicholas Langerot, Erin (Armstrong) Merrill, Stacy (Armstrong) Meier; and 14 great grandchildren.

Margaret was preceded in death by her brothers Harold Richard Boyle, William Lewis Boyle, Robert Lee Boyle, Jimmy Ray Boyle; one sister Mildred Louise Leonard; grandson-in-law, Danny Hall; and great granddaughter, Blakely Jane Langerot.

Rev. Kevin Moyers and Rev. Tim Woodring will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 18th, at the Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton, Ft. Scott, KS.

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

The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 Wednesday evening at Community Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home (www.ShowMeHelpingKids.com), PO Box 6, La Monte, MO, 65337, or in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Janice Morter

Janice Arlene Morter, age 61, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, July 12, 2019, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, MO. She was born January 19, 1958, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Leland Earl and Alice Ruth Murray Clyburn.

She graduated from FSHS with the class of 1976. Janice married Roderick Morter on March 18, 1977, in Ft. Scott.

She worked 4 years at Norvell before beginning her career in day care. She never met a child she didn’t love

. Janice liked traveling to Branson, MO. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, watching soap operas, and watching drag races at MOKAN. She was also an avid KC Chiefs fan. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. Janice volunteered for CASA and was a member of the Rinehart Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband Rod of the home; a son, Matthew Morter and wife Tanya, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Megan Wilson and husband Paul, Ft. Scott; step-son, Paul Feagins, Baton Rouge, LA; a sister, Joyce Medved and husband Steve, Louisville, KY; 10 grandchildren, Mackenzie, Alexis, Gracie, Keghan, Devin, Abby, Jonah, Paige, Brianna, and Alexandra; 2 great grandchildren, Emiley and Raidyn; 3 nieces, Kristyn, Kelly, and Sarah; 4 nephews, Shane, Andrew, Stephen, and Alec; mother-in-law Teresa Munroe; 3 sisters-in-law, Joni Morter, Debra Morter and husband Kevin Womelsdorf, and Linh Morter; and her best friend, Deanna Fleharty. She was preceded in death by her parents

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 16th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to CASA 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 Nancy Lee Kountz

Nancy Lee Kountz

Nancy Lee Kountz, age 72, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 8, 2019, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.

She was born March 10, 1947, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Harry Albert DeWispeleare and Sylvia Darylene VanAusdall DeWispeleare.

Nancy had worked for Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott for several years. She enjoyed baking and quilting and was known for her feisty personality.

Nancy is survived by her friends James and Kellye Jackson who provided for her care.

There was cremation and no services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott.

Obituary of Sandra Lucas

Sandra Ruth Lucas, age 69, a resident of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
She was born October 25, 1949, in Hartford, Kentucky, the daughter of Hardin Solomon “H. S.” Baird and Dolores James Baird.  Sandy first married Richard Evans.  They had three children and later divorced.
She later married Richard Lucas on October 7, 2001, at Omaha, Nebraska.
Sandy was a registered nurse and had worked in the labor and delivery wards of several hospitals in both Kentucky and Tennessee.  Sandy enjoyed quilting, reading and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a member of the Lewis Lane Southern Baptist Church of Owensboro, Kentucky.

Survivors include her husband, Ron, of the home; a son, Richard Anthony Evans, of Newburg, Indiana and two daughters, Rachel Ann Barnette, of Columbia, Tennessee and Robin April Evans, of Danville, Illinois; two step-daughters, Kristine Logan and husband, Al, of Lansing, Kansas and Robin Stickle-Lucas of Lawrence, Kansas; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is her mother, Dolores VanFleet and her brother, Jim VanFleet and wife, Michelle, all of Rockport, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her father.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.  Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude’s Children’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 of Joyce True

Joyce Ilene True, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Country Place Living in Ft. Scott.

She was born December 28, 1946, in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Lynn and Pearl Childs Haller. She graduated from Shawnee Mission North high school then obtained her bachelor’s in education from Emporia State University.

She married Michael True on June 15, 1968, in Shawnee, KS. He preceded her in death on February 16, 2018.

Joyce taught elementary school wherever Michael was stationed until her children were born.

Later, she worked as a substitute teacher. Joyce enjoyed crafts, sewing, painting, flower gardening, and traveling. She was a member of the Midwest MGA Club, D.A.R., and Pioneer Kiwanis.

Survivors include a son, Steve True and wife Victoria, Ottawa, KS; a daughter, Julie True, Joplin, MO; and four grandchildren.

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

There was cremation.

A memorial visitation will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, July 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Pioneer Kiwanis Children’s Activity 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 Karlene Kay Spencer

Karlene Kay Spencer, age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

She was born September 15, 1948, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of William Karl Murn and Frances Rebecca Greer Murn.

Karlene graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and the Ft. Scott Junior College. She worked for several years for the Western Insurance Company.

She married Dr. Richard Spencer on October 12, 1971.

In earlier years, she was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. She latter attended Parkway Church of God (Holiness). She enjoyed playing the piano. Karlene was a devoted wife and mother. She faithfully cared for her son, Jonathan throughout his illness.

Survivors include her husband, Richard “Dick” Spencer, of the home.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan, her parents, Bill and Becky Murn and her in-laws, Virgil and Dorothy Spencer.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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 Lonnie Tennison

Lonnie E. Tennison, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born April 3, 1952, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Robert G. Tennison and Stella Mary Slape Tennison.

Lonnie was a self-employed carpenter.  He enjoyed spending time with friends fishing, and canoeing.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Stump, of the home; a son, Andrew Tennison and a granddaughter, Addelyn, all of Ft. Scott.

  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobbie and Billy Tennison and a sister, Mary Wallace.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, July 3rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following visitation, there will be cremation.

  Private burial will take place at a later date in the Farlington Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Obituary of Wanda Frances Coffman

Wanda Frances Coffman, age 77, a resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, June 30, 2018, at her home.

She was born on May 20, 1942 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Ralph Thomas “Tom” Norris and Iva Irene Pottorff.

Wanda was a hard worker, she was employed at Mercy Hospital for 28 years as a ward clerk, lab technician, and in dispatch.  She liked to fish and garden and was a great cook, everyone loved her fried chicken. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, quilting and sewing. Wanda really enjoyed spending time with her family and attended all the kids ball games.

She is survived by her sons, Donald Coffman and wife, Quita, Robert Coffman, and wife, Traci, of Fort Scott; four grandchildren, Courtney Clayton and husband, Chad, Erin Coffman, Amber Sheehy and husband, Joe, Tylar Montgomery and husband, Justin, of Fort Scott; eight great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Madison and Joseph Sheehy, Jackson and Madelynne Montgomery, and Chayden, Creed and Case Clayton; and a special friend Joann Vann, of Fort Scott; and numerous nieces nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Norman German, and a sister Kay Norris.

There was cremation.

A private family graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial are suggested to Care to Share or The Avalon Hospice House 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 Donald Gene Krug

Donald Gene ‘Butch’ Krug, 72, of Callahan, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior June 19, 2019, at UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville, Florida.

He was born October 27, 1946 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville to Walter Eugene and Ellen Blakley Krug. He moved to the Boys’ Home Association in Jacksonville at age 10.

Butch graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College and Pittsburg State College in Kansas. He played football at both schools. He married the love of his life, Connie Morehead June 5, 1970.

He was a Firefighter Engineer for the City of Jacksonville Beach for 28 years retiring in 2003. They lived in Jacksonville until 2009 when they moved to the home he built in Callahan.

He worked hard caring for his family. He enjoyed sports, racquetball, football, golf and softball.

He was saved at the age of 23 at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He was later a member of Arlington Baptist Church Jacksonville. He was currently a very active member of Callahan First Baptist Church. He made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed telling stories and didn’t mind telling on himself! His favorite Bible verse was Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” He tried to embody that verse in his life.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Connie; his son Aaron Samuel (Amanda) Krug of Midlothian, Virginia; one granddaughter Samantha Jo Krug; two sisters-in-law Betty (George) Colgin of Fort Scott; Cheryl (Danny) Craig; and brother in-law David (Melissa Albers) Morehead; and a host of special friends in Kansas, Virginia, Jacksonville, Callahan and everywhere he traveled.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Wiggins.

A graveside service will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Ft. Scott, Kansas, in the fall.

Donations in memory of Donald Krug are suggested to the American Lung Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Marian Thomas

Marian Thomas of Alamogordo, NM, formerly of Sedalia, Mo, died Monday, June 24, 2019, at Gerald Chapman Hospital in Alamogordo. She was 88 years old.

The daughter of Preston K and Julia Rife, she was born October 13, 1930, at Shaw, Kansas.

On March 2, 1958, she married James “Jake” Thomas in Iola, Kansas. They made their home in various states including Kansas, Oregon and Missouri.

Survivors include three sons, Paul (Tammy) of Neosho, Missouri, Hank (Eileen) of Seneca, Missouri, Lewis (Kelly) of Alamogordo, a daughter Joy (Dan) Crum of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; a brother Sam (Helen) Rife of Mildred, Kansas; eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, many nephews, nieces and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Preston and Julia Rife, her husband, Jake Thomas, a son Bill Thomas, and a grandson Torry Thomas.

Memorial services will be held graveside, Wednesday, July 10th, at 10:30 a.m., at the Osage Cemetery, northeast of Mildred, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to the association of your choice and left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Patricia Cowan

Patricia Cowan

Patricia Cowan, age 73, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 29, 2019, in Topeka, KS.

Patricia lived in Fort Scott, KS, the majority of her life. She worked for Western Insurance companies and then American States for many years.

She retired in the mid 90’s to spend more time with her loving husband and new grandchildren. They were what meant the most to her. She loved children. Not just her children, she loved all children. She would tell you spending time with children keeps you young…. young at heart anyway. The most precious memories were time spent with her grandchildren then as they grew older spending time with Jackson, Olivia, Grace, Audrey and Ella. They all meant so much to her.

She is survived by her two children, Jeri (Jeff) Keller and John (Helen) Harding, two grandchildren – Ashley (Sam) Brooks and Austin Keller, one brother- Donalle (Barbara) Walker and one sister – Linda (Bert) Fisher.

She is predeceased by her husband, Homer Cowan, Jr. as well as her parents, Orville and Doris Walker, her brother Charles Walker and sister Shirley Burford.

There was cremation.

A graveside committal service will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, July 5th, in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 12:30 Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.