Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Ronald L. Ater, age 65, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of Olathe, Kan., passed away Monday, September 4, 2017, as the result of a motorcycle accident in Olathe.  

He was born December 5, 1951, in Fort Scott, the son of Ivan Ater and Lois Cooper Ater.  He had served with the United States Army where he had been stationed in Germany.  Following his military service, he began a career with Westar Energy, where he worked as a serviceman for many years prior to retirement from the company.  Ron loved being outdoors and riding his motorcycle.  He took numerous motorcycle trips throughout the country.  He also enjoyed animals, especially parrots.

Survivors include a son, Charles Ater, of Olathe and a daughter, Miste Maschino and husband, Matthew, of Springfield, Mo.; three grandchildren, Madyson Brushwood and husband, Levi, Arabella Maschino and Brant Maschino, all of Springfield.  Also surviving is a brother, Tim Ater, and wife, Pam, of Nevada, Mo.; his step-father, Wayne Houston, of Richards, Mo., several nieces and nephews and his special pet parrot, Mojo.  He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Ater, and his mother, Lois Houston.

Following cremation, Robert Clark will conduct a graveside service at 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, September 13, at the U. S. National Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 p.m.at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

George Manous O’Neal, age 92, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

He was born March 8, 1925, in Cecil, Ark., the son of Jim O’Neal and Loretta Nichols O’Neal. He served with the United States Navy during World War II. George married Joy Ann Whitesell on October 31, 1959, in Nevada, Mo. George worked as Director of Public Utilities for the City of Fort Scott for 32 years. Following his retirement from the City, George was employed for 10 years by Key Industries. George was a member of the Community of Christ Church. He had also been a member of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club and the Masonic Lodge. He had been made an Honorary Deputy of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department.

Survivors include his wife Joy and his son, Larry O’Neal and wife, Teresa, all of Ohio. Also surviving are three grandchildren, April Kennard and husband, Kevin, Mandy Hobbs and husband, Josh, and Stacy Julian and husband, Justin, and eight great-grandchildren, Nate Elliot, Josh Lyons, Kaitlyn and Jackson Kennard, Jocelyn, Jaclyn, Jackson and Jamison Julian. He was preceded in death by his parents, two half-brothers, Wayne “Jake” Knowles and Jim O’Neal II and a granddaughter, Erin Lyons.

Funeral services will be conducted by Elders Robert and Kathy Clark at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday August 29, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Eldorado Springs City Cemetery, Eldorado, Mo. Memorial contributions may be given to Care to Share 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Willard Dale “Bill” Good, age 86, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at his home.

He was born December 2, 1930, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Jacob Good and Ada Grace Christophel Good. Bill graduated from Elkhart High School and later attended Arlington State University in Arlington, Texas. He served with the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and continued to serve as a reserve officer. Following his military service, he worked as a pilot for Eastern Airlines from 1965 to 1988. He became a Captain in 1981. Bill married Rosalyn Arnold Avery on August 31, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home in Houston, Texas, prior to moving to Fort Scott in 1999. While in Fort Scott, Bill drove Dolly the Trolley for eight and a half years. He enjoyed sharing the history of Fort Scott with the many tourists. He also enjoyed photography and antique cars as well as NASCAR. He was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church. For the last three and a half years, he has battled pulmonary fibrosis.
Survivors include his wife, Rosalyn, of the home; his children, Darrell Good of Marietta, Ga., and his two children, Devon and Andrea Good, and two great-grandchildren of Atlanta, Ga.; Eric Avery, of
Point Harbor, N.C., and his daughters, Amy Chewning and husband Scott Chewning, of Chesapeake Bay, Va., and their children Landon and Chloe; Ashley Bravo and husband, Gregg Bravo, of Grandy, N.C., and their children Ava and Adrian; Benjamin Avery, of Bandera, Texas, and his children, Cheri Wright and husband, Anthony and their daughter Lily of Joplin, Mo., Samantha Adams and husband, Kyle Adams, and their daughter, Rosalyn, of Fort Scott, and Joel Avery, of Shawnee, Kan.; and Brent Avery and wife, Angela, of Bastrop, Texas, and their children, Justin Avery of Blue Springs, Mo., Amanda Avery of Durango, Colo., and Lindsey and Blake Avery of Bastrop, Texas. Also surviving are two sisters, Doris Good, of Bloomington, Ill., and Melba Good, of Denver, Colo.; and a brother, Truman Good, of Spencer, Tenn., as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Maynard Good.
Pastor Tom Mullins will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday, August 21, at the St. John’s United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are suggested to Feeding Families, Mercy Hospice or the St. John’s United Methodist Church 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 guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Patricia Marylyn Layton, age 84, former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Medicalodges of Girard, Kan.

She was born January 12, 1933, in Twin Oaks, Mo., the daughter of George Schwanz and Aline Wilkinson-Killion. She married Orville Layton, on July 1, 1963, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on September 9, 1980. She worked for Western Insurance Company for over 25 years and then Wal-Mart until her retirement. Pat enjoyed being outside working in the yard. She liked attending the Opry at Memorial Hall, bus trips with Citizens Bank, collecting doves, and reading Guidepost. She had a special place in her heart for her two dogs. In earlier years, she enjoyed traveling to threshing bees with her family. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her children, Susan Thurman and husband Dan, Girard, Kan., and Kent Layton and wife Tiffany, Kansas City, Kan.; step-son Deryl Layton, Fort Scott; a brother, Clyde Killion, Fort Scott; three sisters, Cecilia Kramer, Barbara Freer, and Frances Bowles, all of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Trinity Watkins, Hailey Watkins, Cody Layton, Ella Layton, Caleb Thurman and Ty Thurman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, David Schwanz, and her parents.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 2:30 p.m. Monday, August 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 Sunday afternoon at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Kenneth Dale Wright, age 80, a resident of Overland Park, Kansas, died peacefully at his home Saturday, August 12, 2017.

He was born June 15, 1937, in Dade County, Mo., the son of Noble Sylvester Wright and Goldie Maywood “Maye” (Feezell) Wright. At an early age, Kenneth and his family moved to Fort Scott, Kan., where he graduated from Fort Scott Christian Heights. He married Evelyn Darlene Zeigler on January 22, 1972, in Mexico, Mo.

His printing career began at Witt Printing in El Dorado Springs, Mo., and included management positions at Mid-America Business Forms in Fort Scott and Vallis Wngroff Printing in Cherryvale, Kan. He later accepted a position as production manager for Herald and Banner Press in Overland Park and worked there over 40 years.

He loved quail and ‘coon hunting which provided many stories for his children and grandchildren. He was actively involved with Overland Christian Schools and Kansas Christian College where he enjoyed attending his children’s school and sporting events.  He faithfully attended the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness) and was willing to use his mechanical abilities to help the church, Herald and Banner, the school and other people in need.  He will be remembered for his quick wit, humor and common sense.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene, of the home; his son, Gregory Kenneth Wright and wife, Sharon; his daughter, Ashlee Suzanne Englund and husband, Eric; and his five grandchildren, Zachary Kenneth, Garrett Kole, and Tanner Kayden Wright; and Elina Anne and Elise Christine Englund, all of Overland Park. Also surviving are two brothers, Gary Wayne Wright and wife, Alma Jean, of Gardner, Kan., and Lawrence Nathan Wright and wife, Renee, of Overland Park; and three sisters, Melba Lorraine Hull of Grandview, Wash.; Betty Joyce Kelso and husband, Steve, of Fort Scott, Kan.; and Dorothy Ann Reynolds and husband, David, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noble Sylvester and Goldie Maywood “Maye” Wright; three sisters, Kathryn Irene “Kathy” Harms, Charlotte Ruth Eichelberger, and Freda Maye Russell; and three brothers, James Kenton, Jerry Keith, and Noble Leon.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 19, at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness), 6801 W. 74^th Street, Overland Park, Kan. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Memory Gardens in Fort Scott, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday evening at the church. Memorials are suggested to Herald and Banner Press and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

LaVerne Rose Reinecker, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday August 7, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, Kan.

Laverne was born on July 6, 1936, in Paris, Ark., the daughter of George and Rose Marie Koch Bauer. She married Jerry Reinecker on July 27, 1957, in Kansas City, Mo., he preceded her in death on November 25, 2012. LaVerne was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She loved gardening and cooking, and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who truly loved taking care of her family.

Survivors include her three children, Joseph Reinecker and wife Debby of Fort Scott, Kan., Jann Rochefort and husband John of Warren, R.I. and Jill Gray of Fort Scott, Kan., four grandchildren, Bailey Lyons and husband Nate, Afton Hyer and husband Coy, Delane Gray and Fiancé Brady Godden, and Carlie Rochefort; four great grandchildren, Addison Lyons, Jhett Lyons, Jaxon Lyons and Blaise Hyer; three sisters, Mary Frances Gross, Lorene Kremer and Georgiana Boyle; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Dorothy Murtha and Jeanne Tackett, and mother in-law Betty Reinecker.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2017, at the Mary Queen of Angles Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery Fort Scott, Kan. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., P. O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of Remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

C.L. “Pete” Peterson, age 75 of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday July 14, 2017, as the result of an auto accident in New Mexico.

He was born on February 2, 1942, in Fargo, N.D. After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corp and spent the next four years at Camp Pendleton, California, Japan and the Pacific Theater. It was in San Bernardino, Calif., that he met and married Judy Grove in 1963, they later divorced in 1981. He spent 32 years in California then moving to Fort Scott, Kan., in 1992. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1165 Fort Scott, Kan., and a life endowment member of the NRA.

Pete is survived by two daughters, Penny Zaritsky and husband Marty of Big Bear, Calif., and Becky Elliott and her husband Terence of Riverside, Calif.; three grandchildren, Amanda and Sarah Zaritsky, and Cora Elliott; two brothers, Tom Peterson, of Independence, Mo., and Mike Peterson and wife Judy of Las Vegas, Nev.; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 14, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan. Arrangements entrusted to the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

“Precious in the sigh of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

God called Clifford Daniel Mathew home to Heaven on August 2, 2017, after a long, hard battle with cancer at the age of 63.

He was born January 24, 1954, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Richard and Dorothy Jones Mathew. Upon graduation from Holt High School in Holt, Mich., with the Class of 1972, Dan joined the Air Force and served four years at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He worked as a Lab Tech. He accepted Jesus Christ to be his Savior while in the Air Force. As soon as his four years were completed, he went to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., as God had called him to be a pastor. That’s where he met the love of his life, Lisa Kay Lindbloom. They were married on August 17, 1979. Together, they served the Lord in Bath, Mich., they then started Grace Baptist Church in Ulysses, Kan. In 1986, he served six years with the National Guard. He then went to WSU and got his respiratory degree. The Lord would use them in several different churches across the country with his last pastorate being at Xenia Baptist Church.

Clifford Daniel Mathew, who went by Dan, is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lisa Kay Mathew, and their daughter Michelle and her husband, Joel Reasoner. Joel and Michelle are missionaries in Russia. He is also survived by his brother Bob Mathew and wife Sheri, who reside in Sterling Heights, Mich., and his sister Miriam King and her husband Michael, who reside in Beckley, W.V.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and his father Richard, and his grandbaby, Sweet Pea.

Pastor Randy Smith will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, at the Xenia Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery with Brother Jeff Copes officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Air Force. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Xenia Baptist Church or 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Doris Madrine Chaplin, age 82, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017, at the Fort Scott Manor.

She was born October 7, 1934, in Hiattville, Kan., the daughter of Joseph Page and Anna Goff Page. She married Everett Chaplin on April 1, 1950. Doris was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed sewing and cooking as well as gardening and canning. She also loved spending time with her numerous grandchildren. In earlier years, she had attended the Pawnee United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her son, Raymond Chaplin and wife, Ellen, of Fort Scott; two daughters, Dorothy Wiggans and husband, Richard, of Springdale, Ark., and Donn Chaplin, of Fort Scott; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Everett, preceded her in death on February 9, 2016. She was also preceded in death by eight brothers, seven sisters, a half-brother and a half-sister.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Monday, August 7, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Osaga Cemetery west of Fulton, Kan. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. 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.