Leland Duane Wood, 70, of Fort Scott, was welcomed into Heaven’s open arms on August 23, 2018. Bless his tired heart, he is now shooting baskets with the best cheering section you could find in Heaven.

Leland was born October 14, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Vergil Leon and Delma Dorene (Brown) Wood. He married Mary Underwood September 28, 1968, in Mapleton, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Leland was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, and was a teacher, coach, and Insurance Agent. He was a member of the Every Other Wednesday Night Poker Club, Every Monday Night Poker Club, Ruritan, and Max’s Way Station Coffee Group. He originated Biddy Football and Biddy Basketball in Uniontown.

In addition to his wife Mary, Leland is also survived by his children, Gerald Wood of Rosemount, Minnesota, Matthew Wood and Rebecca, of Uniontown, and Amy Mitchell and David, of Shawnee, Kansas; a sister, Carol Majors and Bruce, of Fort Scott; three brothers, Craig Wood and Linda, of Pleasanton, Kansas, Dave Wood and Debra, of Fort Scott, and Kevin Wood and Kathy, of Prescott, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Vicki Wood, of Humboldt, Kansas; and seven grandchildren, Brian Wood, Brenden, Carter, A.J., and Alaina Wood, and Tyler and Zachary Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kenny Wood, and two nephews, Chris Homan and Benjamin Underwood.

Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 27, 2018, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, followed by burial at the Prescott Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends Sunday evening, August 26, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund and 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.

Vera Jane Wiggans Hays, age 80, formerly of Fort Scott, died Wednesday evening, August 22, 2018, at Greystone Assisted Living in Iola, Kansas.

Vera was born August 9, 1938, to Marjorie and Pascal Wiggans in rural Bronson. She attended Bronson schools, played basketball and was drum majorette.

 Vera married Bernard “Bun” Hays in 1956 in Miami, Oklahoma. Together, they raised four children that were the love of her life.

 Vera worked for Braemor and Key Industries for more than 40 years and was a friend to all she met. She always loved animals, especially dogs. Vera was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and crocheted, often creating clothes for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Vera loved music ranging from Elvis to traditional western to her grandson’s alt-rock band. She enjoyed the Fort Scott Opry and other local music performances. She was a regular at the Greystone Assisted Living cultural events singing along with guest musicians.

Vera is pre-deceased by her parents, husband Bun and many loved dogs. She is survived by her beloved Boston Terrier Raven, sister Wanda Lou Woodward of Manhattan, Kansas, sons Michael “Mick” (Janet) of Iola, Martin of El Dorado, daughters Joni (Blane) Peters of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Lori of Garden City. Grandchildren Blake (Andis) Hill, Brittany (Jake) Keltner, Reagan Hill, Emily (Dallas) Funk, Thomas Hays, James Hays and step-grandchildren Chris (Keri) Johnson and Aaron (Ashley) St. Clair also survive. Vera is also survived by great-grandchildren Parker, Adryannah, Piper, Ellie, Carsen, Samson and Paysly.

Pastor Lloyd Houk will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Monday, August 27^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Lower Level Kansas City, MO 64105 or in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Joycelyn N. “Jo” Stogsdill, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018, at the Hospice House of Olathe in Olathe, Kansas.

She was born August 30, 1935, in Englewood, Kansas, the daughter of Charlie Newton Withrow and Doris Mae Crosby Withrow.

She married Billie Joe “Bill” Stogsdill on January 16, 1951, at Liberal, Kansas.

Jo had worked at both Foodtown and Safeway grocery stores in Ft. Scott, but was primarily a devoted wife and mother. She was an exceptional seamstress and made many of her daughters’ dresses. She liked to paint and do crafts. She also enjoyed reading and was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan. Tennis was also a sport she enjoyed.

Survivors include three daughters, Debra Jo Butland and husband, Stephen, of Olathe, Kansas; Kim Green and husband, Steven, of Nixa, Missouri and Susan Farmer of Ft. Scott; and eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, John Withrow, and wife, Barbara, of Hutchison, Kansas.

Her husband, Bill, preceded her in death on October 22, 1996. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Charlie Withrow, Jr and a sister, Sally Quesada Caffey as well as her beloved dogs, Chelsea and Mandy.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 23rd 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 Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in cthe are 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.

Virginia Marie Gillen McKenna died Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas at the age of 80.

Virginia was born July 14, 1938, in Harper County, Kansas, to Arnold P. and Margaret A. (Goetz) Gillen. She grew up on a farm near Willowdale where she and her eight siblings played hide-n-seek and red rover outside on the wide prairie. Because the family could not attend daily mass, they added the phrase, “All for the honor and glory of God today” to the end of their daily meal prayer. This is a tradition that continues to this day in the Gillen and McKenna families.

Virginia graduated from Kingman High School in 1956 and married Michael J. McKenna at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kingman, Kansas on December 29, 1959. They lived in Mishawaka, Indiana and in Kansas City, Kansas while Mike attended Notre Dame and then the University of Kansas Medical School. They had three children: Jennifer Ann, Edward Christopher, and Michael Joseph, before settling in Fort Scott where Dr. McKenna worked with Dr. James Basham at the Basham McKenna clinic before starting his own practice. When her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she became his sole caregiver. Virginia and Mike were married for 41 years before he died in 2000.

The simple things in life gave Virginia the most joy. Each day, she looked forward to her daughter Jennifer and grand-dogs coming to say hello. She doted on her granddaughter Maude. In past years, she loved spending time at the McKenna cabin in Kingman with family members. She was an avid reader who also enjoyed birdwatching, sketching, and playing bridge with friends. A lifelong gardener, she could often be found puttering in the yard. She loved spending time on her front porch visiting with family, neighbors, and friends. Virginia was a member of P.E.O. and the St. Anne Altar Society. For years, she participated in the 24-hour adoration at Mary Queen of Angels. Most recently, she particularly enjoyed her daily drives with her son Ed (Chris) to Lake Fort Scott and Gunn Park.

Virginia is survived by her children Jennifer McKenna of Fort Scott, Ed McKenna of Fort Scott, Mike McKenna and wife Steph, and her granddaughter Maude of Boise, ID; her sisters Rosella Thissen and husband Bob of Augusta, KS, Lorraine Yalong of Fresno, CA, and her brother Fred Gillen and wife Margaret of Kingman, KS. She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, her parents Arnold and Margaret Gillen, sisters Esther Ross, Louise Steffen, Catherine Lauener, and Mary Odell, and her brothers James Gillen and Robert Gillen.

Following cremation, Father Robert Wachter will celebrate the Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Rosary at 9:30 a.m., under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Burial will take place on Thursday at the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation at msfocus.org, the National Breast Cancer Foundation at nationalbreastcancer.org, or the St. Mary’s school in Fort Scott. 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. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Angela Kay Delaney, age 52, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at her home.

She was born on June 14, 1966, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of James and Linda Dunlap Marshall. Angela lived in Germany for two years and enjoyed her time there.

She enjoyed collecting movies, skulls, and jewelry. Her favorite drink was a suicide. Her favorite things to eat were mac and cheese, Peeps and Twizzlers. She worked as a clerk for Pump-N-Pete’s Convenience store where she was in management training. Angela was willing to help anyone in need and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include a son, James Delaney, of the home; a brother, Brian McDaniel, Ft. Scott; a sister, Melissa McDaniel and husband Michael, Bella Vista, AR; her father since she was 1 year old, Darrell McDaniel, Bentonville, AR; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda McDaniel; and a sister, Tammy Baglin.

There was cremation, with memorial services at 10:30 AM Friday, August 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private family interment will take place at a later date in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time Friday morning.

Memorials are suggested to the Angela Delaney Memorial Fund and may be left in the 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.