Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Kenneth William Smith, age 93, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

He was born February 19, 1924, in Pittsburg, Kan., the son of Walter and Vera Hesson Smith. After graduating from Pittsburg High School, he served in the U. S. Army, experiencing the Battle of the Bulge and Buzz Bomb Alley. He married Ann Dietz on February 26, 1949, in Pittsburg. She preceded him in death on July 19, 2016. Kenneth graduated with his teaching degree from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg. He was working for Joe Smith Tobacco when approached by Jake Underwood to come to Fort Scott in 1950. He agreed, and started the Drivers Education Program and began teaching. Throughout his 39-year career, he taught mechanical drawing, shop, civics and math. He also taught at Fort Scott Community College. He coached several sports, most notably golf. He worked many sporting events over the years, including track meets. He officiated high school and college basketball and football. When he had spare time, he could usually be found playing golf. He still holds the Fort Scott Country Club course record for nine holes at 29. He liked playing gin-rummy and pinochle. He relaxed to music from the Rat Pack era. In his later years, he began raising cattle. He was president of the Fort Scott Saddle Club and enjoyed riding with his daughter, Kim. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Hayden and husband Dale, Manhattan, Kan., and Kim Sheets, Siloam Springs, Ark.; two sisters, Imogene Hannigan, Oswego, Kan., and Ilene Everett, Girard, Kan.; five grandchildren, Kristyn Hayden-Ortega and husband Darren, Emily Hoots and husband Eric, Lora Hanes and husband Adam, Colton Sheets and Lucas Sheets; four great grandchildren, Zoey Hanes, Charles Hanes, Claire Hoots and Harper Ortega; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Vicki O’Bryan; a brother, Clarence Smith; and two sisters, Patricia Yanke and Wilma Workman.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to FSHS Golf 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

Diane Pearl (Decker) Smith, age 76, a resident of, Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, September 10, 2017, at her home.

She was born January 9, 1941, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Jack and Juanita Decker. She married Ross Eugene Smith on May 21, 1963, in Lordsburg, N.M. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2004. She became a Christian and was baptized at age 30. She worked her early years of life as a migrant farm worker, a waitress, and from 1981-2004 she worked as a certified Nurse’s aide for the Mercy Convent in Fort Scott, Kan.. She retired in 2004.

Survivors include her daughters; Timbi West and husband, Jim, of Charleston, Ark., and Marlene Smith and husband, David, of Safford, Ariz. Also surviving are three siblings: Jackie Deer of Nevada, Texas, Bob Decker and wife, Sharon of Springfield, Mo., Jean Thompson and husband, Mel, of Orrick, Mo., six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 18, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The eulogy will be given by her son-in-law, Jim West. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to The American Lung Association and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P. O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Sister Mary Barbara Karleskint, RSM, age 98, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of St. Louis, Mo., passed Friday, September 8, 2017, at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis.

She was born May 3, 1919, in Miami, Okla., the daughter of Joseph Karleskint and Mary Hickman Karleskint. She entered the Sisters of Mercy Community in 1937 and professed her Final Vows in 1940. She received her B. S. degree in Home Economics from St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana in 1951 and her M. Ed degree in Elementary Education from the University of St. Mary in Xavier, Kan., in 1955. She also received her Certificate of Pastoral Education in 1977 from St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Sister’s ministry included teaching for more than 20 years in elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. She also ministered at Mercy Center in St. Louis, Mo., and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Hutchison, Kan. After completing her courses in clinical pastoral counseling, she became a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

Survivors include a brother, Jake Karleskint, of Cleveland, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Joe and Tony Karleskint and four sisters, Bessy Louise Karleskint who died in infancy, Virginia McLaughlin, Sister Mary Alfreda Karleskint and Sister Mary Bernadette Karleskint.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 14, 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, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook atcheneywitt.com.

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.