Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Harriett Reeves

Harriett Louise Carr Reeves, 80, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2018 at her home in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Harriett was born on July 9, 1938 in Fort Scott to Charles Fulton and Dorothy Elizabeth (Swope) Carr.

After graduating from Fort Scott High School, she attended William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri for two years then transferred to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics.

Following college graduation, Harriett worked for the Gas Service Company of Kansas City as a home economist for several years before accepting a job in the Department of Home Economics at the National Livestock and Meat Board in Chicago, Illinois. In her position at the Meat Board, she traveled to schools and businesses throughout the Midwest to educate about the storage, handling, and preparation of meat and also appeared on local television programs to demonstrate techniques to cook tasty and economical meat recipes.

During a weekend visiting friends in Kansas City in 1963, Harriett was involved in a minor traffic accident and also met her future husband. After the accident, she was taken to the University of Kansas emergency room where senior medical student Charles Stewart Reeves treated her injuries. They were married in Fort Scott 2 years later on June 5, 1965.

Harriett had a lively spirit, bright smile, and an infectious laugh. She was a passionate and accomplished cook who created countless meals that her family and friends will never forget.

She enjoyed reading, holiday decorating, and traveling with Stewart to many cities around the country and abroad. Above all, she loved entertaining and spending time with her family and many friends and was commonly known as “Mrs. Clean.”

Harriett is survived by her husband, Charles Stewart Reeves; daughter, Catherine Carr Reeves and her husband Joe Kilanoski; daughter-in-law, Tally Reeves Madison and her husband Tom Madison; four grandchildren, Hannah, Emmah, Hunter and Hollis Reeves; uncle, Gerald Swope; and many cousins.

Harriett was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Fulton and Dorothy Elizabeth Swope Carr; son, Charles Hunter Reeves; uncles, Donald L. Swope and Eldon Swope; and aunt, Cleo Leterle.

Following cremation, Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct memorial services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

The family would appreciate contributions in Harriett’s memory to the Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundation.

Memorial contributions may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Obituary of Gregory Heathman

Gregory Dean Heathman, 52, Nevada, MO, passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Medicalodges of Nevada.

Greg was born November 17, 1965 in Nevada to Bert Allen and Ida Pauline (Hogan) Heathman.

Greg was raised in Lansing, KS then came to Ft. Scott with his family where he graduated from High School in 1985. Greg worked for various restaurants including Pizza Hut in Ft. Scott and Nevada, becoming manager in Nevada. He also worked at Woods Supermarket in the Deli, at Walmart Radio Grill, and later in the meat department at Walmart where he was manager until retiring due to poor health.

Throughout his life Greg was a Christian.

Survivors include a sister, Rhonda Pottorff, Nevada; brothers, Glen “Allen” Heathman, Nevada, and an adopted brother, David Cagle and his wife Abby, Nevada; niece, Angela Witt and her husband Adam, Sheboygan, WI; sons, Nick Cagle, Nevada, Tyler Cagle, Nevada; daughter, Katie Cagle, Ft. Scott, KS; four grandchildren, Kayden, Bentley, Laylah, Analaya; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Ruby Heathman.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor David Rorabaugh officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary for Mary Frances Townsend

Mary Frances Townsend, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 10, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Dewey E. McFadden and Virginia Crick McFadden.

She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1947. She married Howard Eugene Townsend in 1950, at Blytheville, Arkansas.

Mary graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. She was employed by both Mercy Hospital and Newman Young Clinic and retired in 1991. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and later St. Francis Anglican Church. She enjoyed traveling and genealogy and especially working in her yard and tending her flowers.

Survivors include her children, Debra Ramsey of Uniontown, Kansas and Mike Townsend (Tammy), of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Lisa Stich (Aaron) of Springfield, Missouri, Michael P. Townsend of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Brandon Boyd of Ft. Scott and Steve Ramsey (Courtney), of Colorado Springs, Colorado and five great-grandchildren, Alden, Lake, Landree, Aiden and Denton. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Ernest McFadden.

Father David Lewis-Dix will conduct a Requiem Mass at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the COPD Foundation 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 for Serena Athena Melvin

November 5, 2018 – November 5, 2018

Her loving parents are Ryan Melvin, Sr. and Katrina Yakel,          El Dorado Springs, MO.

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say,
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above, and that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates
I felt so much at home,
When GOD looked down and smiled at me
From his great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew,
I promise no tomorrow
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same
There’s no longing for the past,
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right here in your heart.

There was cremation.

Obituary of Donna Smith

Donna Lucette Smith, age 80, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away early Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.

She was born November 26, 1937, in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Vaughn Frederichsen and Anna E. Coberly Frederichsen.

Donna married Dale Smith on February 19, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Donna was a homemaker. She was an accomplished seamstress and also did alterations out of her home. She also enjoyed embroidery, reading and doing cross-word puzzles.

She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include her three daughters, Debra Reinecker and husband, Joe, of Ft. Scott, Diana Richards also of Ft. Scott and Dolly De Wees and husband, Charlie, of Girard, Kansas; five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Dale, preceded her in death on March 6, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Leon Batley; two half-brothers, Jim and Ray Seeley and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 9th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

Obituary of Arwin Shawn Vincent

Arwin Shawn “Junior” Vincent, age 1 year, 10 months and 26 days, was born December 7, 2016, in Cedar Park, Texas and went to be with Jesus, the angels, and into the sweet and loving arms of his great-grandparents, Duane Eldon and Virginia Mae Calhoun on Friday, November 2, 2018, in rural Ft. Scott, Kansas.
He is survived by his father, William Shawn Vincent, of Uniontown, Kansas and his mother, Celena Jo Vincent of rural Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Joshua Vincent, Allison “A.J.” Vincent, Angelina Tamez, Xavier Tamez and Alayna Tamez; his paternal grandparents, William Vincent of Elbow Lake, Minnesota and Jacque Scott, of Iola, Kansas and maternal grandparents, Shahn and Cindy Divorne, of Addy, Washington.
Our beautiful baby boy “Junior” was the sweetest, loving son who had a kind heart and a mischievous smile.  He was loved by all who knew him.  He was our ray of sunshine and the world seems a little less bright in his absence.
Rev. Jeff Cokely will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, November 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Obituary of Thomas Applegate

Thomas Joe Applegate, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 2, 2018, at his home.

He was born September 8, 1955, in Ft. Scott, the son of Thomas C. Applegate and Frances Jo Mason Applegate.

Tom married Deborah Elaine Lee on August 1, 1980, at Miami, Oklahoma.

He had served with the United States Army. Tom dedicated his life to public service. He began his career in firefighting with the Merriam, Kansas Fire Department. He then served with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department and the Ft. Scott Police Department. He later moved to the Branson area where he was employed by the Hollister Police Department and volunteered for the Western Taney County Fire Department and also worked for the Forsythe Police Department. Tom later returned to Ft. Scott and worked for the Scott Township Fire Department where he served as Chief.

He enjoyed reading Western novels and watching Western movies.

Survivors include his children Mark King and wife, Michelle, of Moscow, Tennessee; Marie Unruh, of Gridley, Kansas; Ashley Kline and husband, Robert, of Ft. Scott and Keith Applegate and wife, Latisha, of Chanute, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother David Applegate of Hollister, Missouri and two sisters, Una Fullmer and husband, Jim, of Highlandville, Missouri and Melanie McDaniel and husband, Rick, of Ft. Scott.

His wife, Deborah, preceded him in death on May 29, 2003. He was also preceded in death by two sons, David and Mason Unruh, a brother, Kenneth Applegate and a sister, Georgia Applegate.

William James Schafer will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 6th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Scott Township Fire Department and may be left in the 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.

Obituary of Joyce Ziegler

Joyce Marie Ziegler, age 72, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS.

She was born March 10, 1946, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Joseph Marvin Taylor and Geneva Frances Hall Taylor. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1964.

She married William “Bill” Ziegler on August 12, 1967, in Ft. Scott. She worked for Western Insurance and later American States Insurance in Ft. Scott for many years. She then worked for Walmart briefly before working at Peerless Products her last 15 years before retirement.

Joyce enjoyed playing pool, gardening, reading novels, and baking cookies in bulk. She loved spending time with her grandkids and her cats.

Survivors include her husband Bill of the home; two children, Lisa Marie Ziegler, and Dennis Ziegler and wife Lisa, all of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Nakesha Young, Keagen Young, Tristen Ziegler, and Peyton Ziegler; two great-grandchildren, Kynden Miller and Kaesyn Johnson; two sisters, Leanna Taylor, Ft. Scott, and Nancy Holt and husband Kenny, Uniontown, KS; two brothers, Marvin Taylor and wife Dorothy, Ft. Scott, and Kenny Blake and wife Roann, Ft. Scott; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Taylor; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 Thursday, November 1st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Wednesday 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.

Obituary of Beverly Fae George

Beverly Fae George, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018, at her home.
She was born January 22, 1936, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Harvey Henry Loy and Goldie Agnes Turner Loy.
Beverly graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1953.  She married Delbert Lee George on August 1, 1953, at El Paso, Texas.
In earlier years, Beverly worked as a bookkeeper for Litwin’s and then Hinkley Beverage.  She later worked in customer service for Ennis Business forms where she retired in 2001.  In addition to working at Ennis, Beverly also served as bookkeeper for Country Cupboard for over thirty years.
She enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles.  She enjoyed spending time with her family especially when celebrating the Fourth of July.  She had been a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ since the age of three.  She faithfully served her church as Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Board Secretary, Treasurer and Historian.
 
Survivors include her three children, Cynthia Crown and husband, Darrell, of Parsons, Kansas, Anthony George of Ft. Scott and Ellaine Ericson and husband, John, also of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Joshua Crown, Kevin Crown and wife, Lyndsey, Zachary George and wife, Allie, Derek George, Bethany O’Brien and husband, Aaron, David Ericson and Jonah Ericson and two great-grandchildren, Samantha George and Quaid O’Brien with one more great-grandson, Hoyt George on the way.  Also surviving are special in-laws, Ken Fortney, Herbert Miller, Shirlee Mayfield, Cleta Mayfield, Jay & Mauritta Mayfield and Mary and Jim Cullor as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Delbert, preceded her in death on May 5, 1983.  She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Nelson, Willard, Henry, Olan, and Roscoe Loy and two sisters, Myrtle Strader and Selma Fortney.
 
Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 2nd 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. Thursday 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.

Obituary of James Newberry

James William Newberry, 83, of Fort Scott, went to his eternal home to be with his wife Roseanna Wednesday afternoon, October 24, 2018 at the Medicalodge in Frontenac, Kansas.

He was born April 22, 1935, in Neodesha, Kansas, the son of Regan McGregor and Audra Anita (Newmaster) Newberry.

James attended public schools in Neodesha (Central), Independence (Lincoln, Washington, and Riley), and Montgomery County (Peebler) Kansas. He graduated from Independence High School in 1952 and from Independence Junior College and attended Tulsa University.

At various times he lived in Neodesha, Independence, Fort Scott, and Kansas City, Kansas. He married Roseanna Lea Tweedy January 27, 1965, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she preceded him in death on November 4, 2014.

He was active in his church, First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. He worked as a lab assistant at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

James is survived by his daughter, Rosalea Anne Maslen and husband Robert of Pittsburg, Kansas; a brother, Conrad Floyd Newberry of Pacific Grove, California; and three grandchildren, Caitlin, Hunter, and Haleigh.

In addition to his wife Roseanna, he was also preceded in death by his parents.

Following cremation, Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct a Memorial service 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will be at a later date at the Evergreen Cemetery. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Paul Leon Moore

Paul Leon Moore, age 77, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.
He was born June 8, 1941, in Humboldt, Kansas, the son of Paul Moore and Mary Leona Doyle Moore.
Paul graduated from the Humboldt High School with the Class of 1959.  Paul had served for several years with the Kansas Army National Guard.
He married Vivian Allen Sowder on April 2, 1977, at Emporia, Kansas.  Paul spent his life working in sales.  He was last employed by Shepherd Team Auto Plaza where he worked until ill health forced his retirement.
He loved his dogs and watching the Kansas City Chiefs and taking care of his yard as well as watching the wildlife around his home.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian, of the home; three sons, Scott Moore, of Iola, Kansas, Jeff Moore, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Eric Moore, of Guthrie, Oklahoma and a daughter, Joy Taylor, of Salt Lake City, Utah; ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.; and great-nieces and nephews.  Also surviving are three sisters, Mary Wilbanks, of Paola, Kansas, Evelyn Udeen, of Chanute, Kansas and Carol Blackwell, of Sarasota, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Leona Moore and a grandson.
Rev. Jimmy Tucker and Rev. Joan Koller will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the CrossPower Agape Ministry 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 Mabel Miller

Mable L. Miller, 91, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at Via Christi in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Mabel Ladena Miller was born at home in the Hiattville area on June 29, 1927, to Roy and Bessie (Eisenbrandt) Ater. She graduated from Uniontown High School in 1945.

She was married to Elmer Miller Jr. on July 11, 1946. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, homemaker, and worked on the family farm.

Mabel was an active member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church and member of United Methodist Women. She also worked as a volunteer at Beacon for many years and the Hiattville Election Board.

Survivors include her sons: Robert “Bob” Miller and his wife Glenda, Roger Miller and his wife Lori; daughter Sandra Ellis and her husband Carl, all of the rural Hiattville area; two sisters Arla and husband Leo of Fort Scott, and Evelyn Shull of Kechi, KS; ten grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Elmer, parents Roy and Bessie Ater, sisters Thelma Buntain, Maxine Peel, Waneta Ater, and baby brother Ellwyn Ater.

Following cremation, a Memorial Service celebrating Mabel’s life will be announced at a later date. The family requests memorials be made to Hiattville United Methodist Church and Beacon of Fort Scott, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.