Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Shirley Ann Howell, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017, at her home.

She was born November 3, 1951, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Herbert Lee McReynolds and Rosie Virginia Gibson McReynolds. She graduated from the Uniontown High School. Shirley married Robert Lee Howell on May 1, 1987, at their home in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2016. Shirley worked as a cook for Ben Franklin, Red Barn, Fort Scott Manor and McDonalds.  She had also been employed by Peerless Products. Her main passion, however, was operating her own in home daycare. She was a member of the Bethel Community Church.

Survivors include her three children, Sebrena L. Pattison and husband, Jess, of Hume, Mo., Bridget Hartman, of the home in Fort Scott and Jeremiah Reasoner and wife, Emily, also of Fort Scott; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Oren and Gerald McReynolds, both of Fort Scott; three sisters, Sue Ford, of Virgil City, Mo., Ida Ford, of Fort Scott and Fannie Roark of Kansas City, Mo.; and a half-sister, Kathy Blair, of Oklahoma. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a half-brother, Kenny Duncan and an infant brother, Charlie McReynolds.

Following cremation, Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the Bethel Community Church. Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bethel Community Church. 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Lois Darlene Houston, age 86, a resident of rural Richards, Mo., passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo.

She was born December 14, 1930, in Enid, Okla., the daughter of William Burton “Burt” Cooper and Ruth Rudd Cooper. Lois graduated from the Richards High School and attended Fort Scott Junior College. She first married Ivan Ater in 1949. They divorced. She later married Wayne Houston on July 20, 1981, at Fort Scott. Lois had worked for many years as a claims adjustor and as an underwriter for the Western Insurance which later became American States Insurance. In earlier years, she enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She was an excellent cook and will be remembered for her wonderful homemade pies. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; three sons, Ron Ater of Olathe, Kans., Tim Ater and wife, Pam, of Nevada, Mo., and Gregory D. Houston and wife, Linda, of Richards, Mo.; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Gary Houston; three brothers, Tom, Jay and Herb Cooper and a sister, Carrie Lawson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Community of Christ 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 guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Melvin Higgins, age 88, resident of Richards, Mo., died Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, Mo.

He was born March 2, 1929, in Richards, Mo., the son of Charley and Jennie Tucker Higgins. He graduated from Richards High School with the class of 1948. He married Sandra Joan Cameron on December 11, 1957, in Girard, Kans. She preceded him in death on January 10, 2011. He served our country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Melvin worked for the Missouri State Highway Department for 33 years, retiring in 1992. He enjoyed fishing, raising chickens and turkeys, watching football on television, and attending dirt track races and tractor pulls. He spent most every Saturday at the Sale Barn. He was a past member of the American Legion in Arma, Kans. He was a very hard working and devoted family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. Melvin could often be seen driving his riding lawn mower around Richards. He accepted Jesus two weeks before his passing.

Survivors include a grandson, Earl Higgins and wife Kari; two step-grandchildren, Rebecca Stinnett and James Stinnett and wife Lisa; a great grandson, Lukas; 11 step great grandchildren, Alexandra, Nathaniel, Syllvin, Jaylee, Ray Ray, Heather, Jacob, Chloe, Toni, Dalton, and Braden; a daughter-in- law, Joy Higgins; long-time family friend, Mary Jones; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Melvin was preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Higgins; seven sisters, Jennie Bell Burch, Gladys Goddard, Lenora Higgins, Arlene Winship, Thelma Wolfe, Ida Lee Daniels, and an infant; two sons, Ed Higgins and an infant; and an infant daughter, Venita Lenora Higgins.

Nephew Ed Tyler will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 until 11:30 AM. Memorials are suggested to the Richards Park Fund 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

James Oliver Baker, age 85, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family.

James Oliver was born August 4, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kans., the son of Clyde and Ada Minnie Baker. He attended Eugene Ware and graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1949. While in High School, he was President of the Freshman Class and as a senior was President of the Student Council and at this time, he also worked at the Western Insurance Company. J. O. attended Fort Scott Junior College and as a freshman was Vice-President of the Student Council and his sophomore year was elected President of the Student Council.

He resigned his office in October of 1951 to enlist as a recruit in the infantry. He took his basic training at Fort Polk, La., then was deployed to Hokkaido, Japan, before going to Korea. He was a member of the 45^th Infantry Division that fought on Old Baldy during the Korean War. In eighteen months, he earned his way from a recruit to a First Sergeant. At that time, he was the youngest First Sergeant in the 45^thInfantry Division. In later years, he was chaplain of the Combat Infantryman Association.

Upon his return from service, he married Kara Jeneane Wood on February 14, 1953, at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott. They began their married life in Beulah and Pueblo, Colo., for 18 months. During that time, he graduated from Pueblo Junior College and worked at the Pueblo Star Journal. He completed an ICS course in advertising. They returned to Fort Scott in August of 1954, where he worked for the Fort Scott Tribune in the advertising department. J. O. returned to the Western Insurance Company as manager of their newly formed printing department, where he was employed for 39 years until he retired in 1986.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter and also raised bird dogs and game birds for a few years.

Survivors include his wife, Kara Jeneane; two daughters, Linda Baker and Connie Malone and husband, Brent, and a son, Dr. Michael Pierce Baker and wife, Becky.  Also surviving are five grandchildren, Adam Malone and wife, Megan, Aaron Malone and wife, Amber, Alyssa Glades and husband, Matt, Bethany Baker and Jordan Baker and five great-grandchildren, Londyn, Trey Oliver, Lucas and Dayton Malone and Bishop Glades.  Another great-grandson is due to arrive in June. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Wood and wife, Julie of Moundville, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Minnie Baker and his brother, Walter Lee Baker.

Rev. Dallas Peterson will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends and family will meet at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Farlington United Methodist Church where he was a member or to the 45^th Infantry Division Museum 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 atcheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Jerry Patrick Heffernan, age 58, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kans., and more recently of Nevada, Mo., passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at his home in Nevada.

He was born February 11, 1959, in Fort Scott, the son of Jerome Patrick Heffernan and Billie Joann Brown Heffernan. He married Caline Funk on May 31, 1986, at Pleasanton, Kans. Jerry had worked for Bourbon County for thirty-four years.  During his time with the county, he had worked on the bridge crew, the sign crew and at the landfill. When he retired in 2013, he was working as bridge foreman.  He enjoyed watching football and spending time with his granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife, Caline, of the home; a daughter, Shelby Bogart and husband, Mike, of Nevada and a granddaughter, Kimber Lynne Bogart.  Also surviving is his mother, Joann Heffernan, and a brother, Tom Heffernan, both of Fort Scott; his sister-in-law, Linda Hafer and husband, Lee, of Holly Springs, N.C.; an aunt, Viola Brown, of Fort Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday 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 atcheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Joseph Scott “Joe” Hinton, age 54, of El Paso, Ark., passed away Tuesday May 16, 2017 at a truck stop in Nacogdoches, Texas.

He was born on April 26, 1963, in Wichita, Kans., the son of Eldon L. and Doris A. Duncan Hinton. He was an over-the-road trucker, owning and Operating Diamond Farms Inc. in El Paso, Ark. He was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church of Pittsburg, Kans. Joe was a hard worker who never knew a stranger. He was the right hand man for his great aunt and uncle Louise and Dub Fitzgerald, helping them farm in Bourbon County.

Survivors include the mother of his four children ex-wife Tama Gilbert Hinton; Abby Marie Hinton, Jenna Rose Hinton, Gabriel Joseph Hinton, and Kyla Faith Hinton, all of Greenbrier, Ark.; mother, Doris Hinton, Pittsburg, Kans.; sister Julie A. Hinton of Wilmington, DE; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Eldon L. Hinton in 2005; and paternal and maternal grandparents.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Friday, May 19, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following the service there will be cremation. Memorial are suggested to the Independence Fund helping veterans with trackchairs and may be sent to the Cheney Witt Chapel, P. O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Frances G. Hall, age 79, passed from this life on Saturday, May 6, 2017.

She was born November 30, 1937, to George and Mary (Hubbard) Wingate in Leeton, Mo.  She graduated from McClouth High School. Growing up, Frances was an accomplished horse woman.  Among those accomplishments, she was the 1953 Kansas State Champion and the 1953 Missouri State Runner Up in Western Pleasure and Horsemanship. In 1954, she repeated as the Kansas Western Pleasure and Horsemanship champion and won the 1954 Missouri State champion in both Western Pleasure and Horsemanship. Frances ran and retired from the Fort Scott Sale Barn Cafe located in the Fort Scott Livestock Barn where she cooked and served delicious home style cooking for many years.  Frances was well known for her cooking and baking skills—especially her pies.  She was lovingly known as “The Pie Lady.” She lived life her way—working hard, being honest, straight forward and with kindness in her heart!  Frances was always willing to help those in need.

She is survived by her children: Randy Hunsperger and wife Cathy of Yates Center, Kans.,  Brenda

Robertson and husband Ken of Pittsburg, Kans., Sharon Olivas and husband Mike of Fort Scott, Kans., Larry Bowman and wife Twyla of Fulton, Kans., and a brother, George Wingate and wife Carol of Paola, Kans.

Frances is also survived by 12 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, as well as many others who lovingly referred to her as “Mom” or “Grandma.”  She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Donna Linn, formerly of Uniontown, Kans., a brother Bill Wingate formerly of Bronson, Kans., a grandson, Butch Hall formerly of Uniontown, Kans., as well as four great grandchildren.

There was cremation. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Thursday evening, May 11, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Care to Share which 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Sister Mary Bernadette Karleskint, age 99, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kans., and more recently of St. Louis, Mo., passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, four days prior to her 100th birthday.

She was born Anna Cecilia Karleskint on May 9, 1917, in Miami, Okla., the daughter of Joseph Karleskint and Mary Hickman Karleskint. She was one of eight children. Sister Mary Bernadette, as she was known in religious life, entered the Sisters of Mercy on June 23, 1935, and pronounced Perpetual Vows on August 16, 1941, in Webster Groves, Mo. Sister Mary Bernadette ministered in education as a teacher and administrator in Kansas, Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. Among her positions, she served as principal and as a school superintendent in Fredonia and Walnut, Kans. After retiring from education, she volunteered at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo. When sister formally retired again, she moved to Catherine’s Residence, the retirement home for the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis, Mo.

Sister’s ministry of prayer was a daily priority for her and she frequently prayed for the community as well as the needs of the world.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Services are under the direction 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.

Lois Jean Wynn, age 82, had the joy of being called home to Heaven to join our Lord and Savior on April 19, 2017.

Lois was born October 12, 1934, in Talmage, Kans., the daughter of James and Mary Luker.  She graduated from Uniontown High School and then began work at the Western Insurance Co. in Fort Scott, Kans.  This is when she met a very handsome young man named Don, who swept her off her feet.  They fell in love and were married on September 19, 1954.  Lois and Don had four children, two girls and two boys.  She was a charter member of Faith church of Fort Scott, and she loved her church.  She made sure that each of her children found a love for the Lord and she is happy because all of her kids, grandkids, and most of her great grandkids (babies excluded) know the Lord as their personal Savior. She taught kids in Sunday school, she worked with the youth and she loved teaching women’s bible studies.  She also loved to read, Louis Lamoure being one of her favorite authors. She enjoyed the way he described the old west and made you feel like you were a part of it.  She also enjoyed old and new quilts.  She liked the hand-quilting style and the design they had.  It was a joy to her when she would see one finished.  She also had a real desire to find out about the old one-room school houses in Bourbon County.  She would always talk with the old timers that were from the area and see where the school houses were and what they could tell her about them.

Survivors include her loving husband of 63 years, Don Wynn; her daughter Deborah Wynn, Mounds, Okla.; son and daughter in love Rick and Mary Wynn, Uniontown, Kans.; daughter and son in love Tina and Eromosele Aigbiremonlen of Mounds, Okla.; son and daughter in love Mark and Amy Wynn, College Station, Texas; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; sisters Lucille Ward and Phyllis Randall and husband David; a brother Eldon Luker and wife Gloria; a sister-in-law Mary Lou Luker; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Kenneth Luker; and a sister, Bonnie Cornwell and husband Robert.

There was cremation. Pastor Matthew Hunt conducted memorial services at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Faith Church of Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to either Mercy Hospice or Faith Church of Fort Scott 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Douglas Blaine Hazelbaker, age 51, a resident of rural Redfield, passed away early Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

Doug was born May 31, 1965, to Alice and Norman Hazelbaker.  He and his wife, Jana, were married on August 17, 2002, and are the parents of daughters, Dylan and Dakota. In 1983, he graduated from Uniontown High School.  While in high school, he competed in the Kansas State High School Rodeo Association, and he was the state champion in both calf roping and steer wrestling, and the Reserve All-Around cowboy his senior year.  While attending Allen County Community College and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, he competed in both calf roping and steer wrestling, while earning a Bachelor’s degree in education.  Doug began his teaching career as a 4th grade teacher and was teaching middle school math at Jayhawk-Linn in Mound City, where he touched the lives of many young people and worked with wonderful friends over the past 25 years.  His passion for calf roping extended well beyond college, and he logged many miles from rodeo to rodeo, building great friendships over the years. Some of his accomplishments in calf roping include IPRA rookie of the year, Great Lakes PRCA circuit finals contestant, Cheyenne Frontier Days performance qualifier, and IFR qualifier in 1991.  In 2016, he qualified for the Interstates Rodeo Association finals, and Dylan wears his jacket from that association.  He also competed in the United Rodeo Association for many years, and in the year end finals for 2016 finished 5th overall in the over 40 calf roping. Dakota is honored to wear his URA jacket, and Dylan proudly wears the belt buckle he won.

Survivors include his wife Jana and daughters Dylan and Dakota of the home; parents, Norman and Alice Hazelbaker, Redfield, Kans.; a sister, Carol Camac and husband Joe, Augusta, Kans.; a brother, Mike Hazelbaker and wife Susan, Alma, Kans.; nieces and nephews, Cole, Travis, and Lucas Camac, Cole Fowles, Cassidy Anderson, Quincy and Emma Charleston, and Cooper, Colton, and Canyon Charleston.

Cowboy Preacher Marty Brock will conduct memorial services at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at the Fort Scott Fairgrounds Arena.  In case of inclement weather, the memorial service will be moved inside the Danny and Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center at FSCC.  The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. at the FSCC Agriculture Building (Armory).  In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests memorials to the Hazelbaker Girl’s Scholarship 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.  The family asks for any special memory or story of Doug to be brought to the service or mailed to Jana Hazelbaker, 1311 Hwy 54, Redfield, KS 66769.  These memories will be used to compile a scrapbook for Dylan and Dakota

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Ian Ray “Kirk” Keitzer, age 56, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017.

He was born September 9, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of James Keitzer and Joyce Smith Keitzer.  Kirk grew up in the Brookside area of Kansas City.  He attended and graduated from the Kansas City Christian High School in Merriam, Kans., with the Class of 1978.  He later attended College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo.  Kirk was an avid sportsman who enjoyed baseball, basketball, football, golf and fishing.  He moved to Fort Scott in 2003 and worked for Carlisle Company until his illness forced his retirement.

Survivors include his sweeties and companion of thirty years, Rhonda Chinn, of Fort Scott and her children, Rachelle Sprague and Bart Chinn, both of Fort Scott; his grandchildren, Lee Sprague, Justice Sprague, Mia Hull, Garrett Chinn, and Darius Chinn, all of Fort Scott, Sarah English and husband, Josh and great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Elijah and Sophia English all of Peculiar, Mo.  Also surviving is a sister, Renee Grainger and husband, Frank of Belton, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by both his parents and his two brothers, Allen and Eric Keitzer and his beloved grandmother, Helen Stonebreaker Smith Tanner.

A private graveside service will be held Thursday at the Fairview Cemetery east of Mildred, Kansas.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Lewis Kelley Arnold, age 91, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kans., and more recently of Pittsburg, Kansas, died Monday, April 24, 2017, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.

He was born September 21, 1925, in Fort Scott, the son of Lewis B. Arnold and Susie M. Kelley Arnold.  Kelley graduated from the Fort Scott High School.  He served with the United States Army during World War II.  He first married Maxine Ashford on September 9, 1951, at Fort Scott.  She preceded him in death on July 14, 1998.  He later married Carol Simmerman. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2015.

Kelley had managed the Ben Franklin Store in downtown Fort Scott for many years.  He later operated his own mechanic shop.  He was a member of the Community Christian Church.  He was also a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Garland Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Consistory and the Mirza Shrine.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Natasha Carballo and husband, Eric, and Nacole Smith and fiancé, John Williams, all of Dallas, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Arnold and a daughter, Susan Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. 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.  The family will receive friends on Friday from noon until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Avalon Hospice’s Blossom for Hearts Program 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.