Charles Maurice Blevins, age 86, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, peacefully passed away Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Country Place Memory Care in Ft. Scott.

He was born April 20, 1932, in Foster, Missouri, the son of Maurice Blevins and Hazel Hooper Blevins.

Charlie graduated from the Hume High School with the Class of 1950. He married Arlone Lee on February 23, 1952. They were married for sixty-six years. To this union two daughters, Ronda and Robin were born. Charlie served in the Korean War with the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.

Charlie was a caretaker of the soil; he raised corn, soybeans and wheat on farms in both Kansas and Missouri. He also operated several Grade A dairies. In addition, he always raised beef cattle and enjoyed every minute of caring for his cattle. He pulled a team of small horses at several pulling matches and even took them to Kansas City to be in the American Royal Parade. He also owned a matching pair of Belgian horses. Charlie owned and operated Blue Stem Cattle Company, a trucking business, hauling cattle to and from local sale barns.

Survivors include his wife, Arlone, of the home; two daughters, Ronda Hastings and husband, Bradley, of Grants, New Mexico and Robin Miller and husband, Stephen, of Ft. Scott; five granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Eddie Blevins and a sister, Pat Edgeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Betty Keiser and Joan Blevins.

Rev. Bradley Hastings will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, December 20 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s 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.

Leon Foster passed away peacefully Tuesday evening December 11, 2018, in Independence, Kansas, with family members by his side. He was 94.

He was born in McCune, Kansas, August 2, 1924, to Marie (Tridle) and Earl Foster. At McCune High School he excelled as a student and an athlete in track and football. After graduation in 1943, he immediately joined the Navy and served his country during World War II until 1946 as a hydraulics engineer building turrets for aircraft bombers.

After returning home, he attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg where he graduated with a bachelors and master’s degree in teaching and coaching and an E.S. degree in administration. He also played football for the college from 1946-1948.

He spent his entire professional career in education. He taught high school and coached many different sports in Kincaid, Sedan, Cedar Vale and Fort Scott, Kansas. He was a principal at Turner High School and returned to Fort Scott to become Dean of Fort Scott Community College and later became the college president. He moved to Independence, Kansas later in his career to become the president of the Independence Community College before retiring in 1986. Throughout his career, he touched the lives of thousands of young students and athletes, employees and colleagues.

After retiring he and his wife Earline became active members in the Kansas and International Airstream organization. During their over 25 years of participation, they saw the world pulling their travel trailer to Mexico, Newfoundland, Alaska, Canada and all corners of the US. For nearly 30 years they would travel with their trailer to South Texas and spend their winter months with friends.

Leon is survived by his wife Earline Foster of Independence, Kansas, his sister Gloria Wintjen of Joplin, Missouri, his son Stephen Foster of Jackson, Wyoming, and daughter Joan Foster of South Padre Island, Texas. He also has 3 stepchildren Luann Baker, Steven Wulz, and Curtis Wulz. There are also many step-grandchildren and step-greatgrandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, December 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, Kansas.

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

The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 Saturday afternoon at the Potts Chapel, Independence, Kansas.

They will again receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Red Cross and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

David Lee Graham, age 54, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Mercy Hospital, Ft. Scott.

He was born on June 12, 1964, in Ft. Scott, the son of Billy and Shirley Nutter Graham. He graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1982. David worked for Pizza Hut, MOKAN Drive-In, and the Fox Theater. He worked the remainder of his career as a mechanic. He worked for several auto dealerships including Cox Motors in Pleasanton, KS. He also worked for Fort Scott Truck and Tractor. David enjoyed NASCAR and NHRA Racing and was a big Pittsburg Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs fan. He loved his little dog Maria. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Ft. Scott Manor, Pittsburg Rehab, and Fresenius Kidney Care in Ft. Scott and Pittsburg.

Survivors include his parents, Billy and Shirley Graham, Ft. Scott; a sister, Grace Sweat and husband Billy, Ft. Scott; a brother, John Graham and wife Carol, Denver, CO; nieces and nephews Robert Nolan and wife Alisa, Kimberly Nolan, Christopher Graham, and Tim Graham; great-nieces, Ashton and Adelynn Nolan; and cousin and special friend, David Silvera.

There was cremation.

The family will receive friends for a celebration of life visitation from 1:00 until 3:00 Saturday, December 22^nd, at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Lee’s Paws and Claws 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.

Charles Wesley Hall, age 61, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018, at the Valley View Senior Living Center in Junction City, Kansas. He was born August 30, 1957, in Ft. Scott, the son of Edward LeRoy Hall and Mary Bolen Hall.

Charley had worked in construction and demolition work. He enjoyed working and always was kept busy. He enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include two daughters, Amanda Knorr and husband, Robert, of Junction City and Barbara Hall, of Wichita, Kansas; a son, Willie Hall, of Ft. Scott and a granddaughter, Jessica. Also surviving are his mother, Mary Hall; three brothers, Tommy Hall, Fred Hall and Eddie Hall, and two sisters, Karen Hall and Carol Edwards, all of Ft. Scott.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, December 13^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Charles Hall Memorial Fund 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.

Frederick Gerald Clary, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away at the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, on December 1, 2018, at the age of 80. He was born April 19, 1938, in Deerfield, Missouri, the son of Noah Frederick Clary and Lois Vivian (Thurman) Clary.

Gerald spent his entire life in Kansas. He grew up on a farm near Fort Scott where he developed a strong work ethic, a love of the outdoors and animal husbandry, and a passion for tending to the family, friends, and animals in his care. He attended elementary school in Garland and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1956.

He went on to continue his education at Kansas State University, graduating with a master’s degree in animal nutrition in 1967. He loved flying and bought his first airplane before getting married. On June 2, 1962, he married Rosemary Albright in Fort Scott and they made their home on a farm near there. To this union two daughters were born, Susan and Rae Lynn.

Gerald loved raising cattle and in 1970 took his first job in the feedlot industry, as the assistant manager of High Plains Feedyard in Leoti. Ultimately, he moved his family to Syracuse in 1971 and managed the A.I.D. Feedyard for 3 ½ years. In 1975 he designed, developed, and managed a new feedlot, Cowtown Feeders in Syracuse. In 1992, he began work as a bank loan officer. In 1994, having exhausted his patience for working at a desk in a temperature-controlled office, out of the rain and snow and wind, he was enticed to manage another feedlot until 2008. He then worked as a bank loan inspector, traveling to feedlots in several states, until retiring in 2010. He enjoyed living in Syracuse and resided there until his passing.   

Gerald was a member of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Garland. He was a member of the Memphis Masonic Lodge #108 in Garland, a perpetual life member of the Syracuse Masonic Lodge #309, and a member of the Johnson Masonic Lodge #441, as well as a member of the Kansas York Rite Bodies in Liberal, and a 32^nd Degree KCCH of the Wichita Scottish Rite.

He was a former 4-H project leader and club leader, and past chairman of the Hamilton County Extension Council, both of Syracuse, as well as a past president of the Beef Empire Days in Garden City and a past member of the Kansas Livestock Association.

He enjoyed flying, golfing, spending time in Colorado, taking care of his wife and family, and spending time with his grandkids and family.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary, of the home; two daughters, Susan Dunham and husband Douglas, Wichita, KS, and Rae Lynn Phillips and husband Steve, Syracuse, KS; four grandchildren, Tim Dunham and wife Sarah, Wichita, KS, Michael Dunham, Wichita, KS, Jake Phillips, Syracuse, KS, and Megan Phillips, Syracuse, KS; one great-granddaughter, Harper Dunham, Wichita, KS; and many family members and friends

. He was preceded in death by a sister, Wanda June Clary; and his parents.

 Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 15, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 Friday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be payable to First United Methodist Church or Masonic Lodge #309, sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Kenneth LeRoy Davis, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, passed away peacefully at his home in Happy Hollow, surrounded by his family and love. He was born July 27, 1927, in Ft. Scott, the son of John Kenneth Davis and Sylvia Opal Sluder Davis.

Kenny had numerous occupations throughout his life beginning with helping his granddad dig coal and sell it on Market Square. Other jobs included working at the Pottery Plant, owning Davis Tree Service, painting and roofing, the Fort Scott Brickyard, owning Ft. Scott Speedway, owning Ft. Scott Trading Post and Museum, owning the go-cart track, working as a picker and antique dealer as part owner in Mill Creek Antiques, and was the proud owner of Happy Hollow Zoo.

He volunteered his time cleaning up around Ft. Scott streets and Bridal Veil Park where he had the go-cart track. He raced cars, drew cartoons and enjoyed playing pool. He liked yard sales and going to the casino. He loved music and played the guitar for a short while. Kenny loved all animals, but especially cats, dogs and lions.

He enjoyed doing yard work and planting trees. He was always active and loved his hometown of Ft. Scott. He lived almost his entire life at the end of South Horton Street. Kenny had a fun-loving sense of humor and liked to play tricks on family members. He was kind, loving, and generous with his family, always willing to help.

Survivors include three daughters, Belinda Richardson and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; Donna Galvin and husband Tracy, Ft. Scott, and Lisa Payne and husband Mike, Girard, KS; a sister, Johnna Kay Ballou and husband Larry, Ft. Scott; a step-sister, Juanita Sinn, Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Donna Wilson, Adam Hayden, Sunnye Hayden, Mike Payne, Jr., Tina Payne, and Hether Sponsel; 14 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Karen German; and his faithful little dog, Mikki.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Davis; and his parents.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, December 7^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Lee’s Paws and Claws 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.

William Harry “Bill” Smith, Jr. (Wild Bill to his biker buds), age 60, passed away unexpectedly December 3, 2018, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.

He was born on August 22, 1958, in Ft. Scott, KS, to Charlene and William “Blacky” Smith, Sr.

Bill was a very hard-working man. He enjoyed working for Shideler Siding prior to his disability. Bill turned his passion toward old American cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles. He loved to take cars apart and restore them. He also loved going on bike runs any chance he got.

Bill was a fun and loving guy, spending time with friends and family was very important to him. On the weekends Bill loved hanging out with his family and his best bud, Larry Lamb, playing pool and listening to music. He also liked bounty hunting bonds with Larry.

Survivors include his three brothers, Jimmy Smith and wife Vickie, their daughter Jessica and two grandchildren, all of Texas, John Moore and Mike Moore, both of Ft. Scott; one son, Brandon Smith; stepson, James Linn and wife Junie, South Carolina; two step-daughters, Cindy Marsh and Ganette Davidson and husband Wayne, all of Ft. Scott; and his ex-wife and love of his life, Maria Smith; as well as 16 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both parents; a son, Timmy Smith; and a granddaughter, Brenna Nicole Stewart.

There was cremation.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Friday evening, December 7^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Ivan L. Bare, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 3, 2018, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.

He was born March 24, 1930, in Summerville, Kansas, the son of Carl Horace Bare and Bertha Mabel Kirk Bare.

Ivan served with the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 where he was stationed in Germany.  Following his military service, Ivan attended the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated from there in 1956.  While attending Bible College, he met the love of his life, Norma Barber.  Ivan and Norma were married on June 4, 1954, at DeQuincy, Louisiana.

Ivan’s number one priority in life was bringing others to Jesus.  While still in college, he started the Bible Baptist Church in Cassville, Missouri.  Later with a passion to preach the gospel message and with Norma by his side, Ivan went on to pastor churches in Beaumont, Texas; Tioga, Louisiana; Pleasanton, Kansas; Lincoln Nebraska; Emporia, Kansas; Ft. Scott, Kansas; Olathe, Kansas; Canyon City, Colorado and Eldorado Springs, Missouri.   He was currently a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Ft. Scott.  While with Grace Baptist, he played an active role in the church’s bus and youth ministry.  He was also instrumental in starting Faith Promise Missions.

Survivors include his daughter, Vana Rash and her husband, Glenn, of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Brandon, Brent and Brenna Sandoval and Garret Rash and two great-grandsons, Brendon and Cormac Sandoval.  Also surviving is his brother, Galen Bare and his wife, Emma, of Springfield, Missouri.

His wife, Norma, preceded him in death on February 23, 2016.  He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sandoval, a brother, Frans Bare and a sister, Berniece Kirk.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 6^th at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle Missions Department 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