Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

George Hall Fair, age 93, a former resident of Pittsburg, Kans., and more recently of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Tucson.

He was born November 3, 1923, in Throckmarton, Texas, the son of Nathan E. Fair and Elizabeth Zona Hall Fair. George married Carol May Wenzel on June 1, 1946, in Sherman, Texas.  He served with the United States Army during World War II.  He had been employed as a principal for Iowa public schools for many years.

Survivors include a son, Nathan Fair, of McCallsburg, Iowa, and a daughter, Rosaline Fair, of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Sheila Dalton, Alex Fair and Allison Fair and two great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a sister, Brooksie Salman, of Midland, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Georgia Dalton.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the U. S. National Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kans.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Robert Gordon Steele, age 88, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., passed away Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott.

He was born November 25, 1928, in Uniontown, Kans., the son of Ira Alva Steele and Bessie Marie Brainerd Steele.  He graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1945 and later graduated from the Fort Scott Junior College.  He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He married Anna Faye Woodring on March 27, 1974, at Fort Scott.  Bob worked as a systems administrator for the Western Insurance Company which later became American States/Safeco.  He retired in 1988, following forty-two years of service.  In earlier years, he was a member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church and later attended the Mt. Orum Baptist Church.  He volunteered for the Old Fort Genealogical Society and the Beacon and also helped with the community Thanksgiving dinner.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Laura Steele, of Fort Scott and several cousins.  His wife, Faye, preceded him in death on February 7, 2017.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Russell Steele.

Following cremation, Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a graveside service at 10 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the U. S. National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.  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, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Reece Tyler Koppa, infant of daughter of Derek Koppa and Randi Shaw Koppa, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017, at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Brylynn Koppa; maternal grandparents, Kenny and Debbie Shaw, paternal grandparets, Jim and Cheryl Koppa; maternal great-grandmother, Freda Fleming and paternal great-grandmother, Janice Ramsey, all of Fort Scott.  She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandfather, Richard Fleming and paternal great-grandparents, Richard Ramsey and Murrel and Goldie Koppa.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Linda June Harris Vann, age 69, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., went into glory to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017.

She was born March 24, 1948, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Ray Hugh Harris and Cleta Mae Graham Harris.  Linda graduated from the Fort Scott High School in 1967.  Immediately out of high school, Linda began a career with Mercy Hospital. She started as an aide and later worked as a ward clerk.  She retired in March of 2010 after 43 years of service. She married Harry Glenn Vann on August 29, 1974, at Miami, Okla.  Linda enjoyed sports, reading, bowling, fishing and traveling. She was also an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan.  She formerly attended the Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ and was currently a member of the Diamond Community Church.

Survivors include her three sons, Monty Vann, of Atlanta, Ga., and Gregory and Jonathan Vann, both of Fort Scott; four grandchildren, Elijah Wright, Ezekiel, Daniel and Violet Vann, all of Fort Scott.  Also surviving are three brothers, Leon Harris of New Mexico, Eugene Harris of Los Angeles, Calif., and Roger Harris of New York, N.Y.; and four sisters including her twin, Glenda Harris of Fort Scott, Deborah Nelson of Fort Scott, Rotena Gray of Denver, Colo., and Hattie Wright of Olathe, Kans.  Her husband, Glenn, preceded her in death on May 8, 2010.  She was also preceded in death by three brothers, William Graham, Buford Harris, and Donald Drake, and a sister, Phyllis Mason.

Elder Roger Harris, assisted by Rev. Jimmy Tucker, will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Linda Vann Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Valeta Myrtle Kerr, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Friday, April 7, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born October 5, 1927, in Garden City, Mo., the daughter of Samuel and Myrtle King.  She first married Benjamin Hicks.  He preceded her in death, and she then married Forrest Kerr.  He also preceded her in death.  Valeta had worked as a receptionist for Social and Rehabilitation Services in Arkansas.  She enjoyed gardening and sewing.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include a sons, Larry Hicks and wife, Jessie, of Fort Scott, Brent Kerr and wife, Leona, of Van Buren, Ark., Tom Kerr and wife, Deborah, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Jim Kerr and wife, Emily, of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Leota Bradford of Shawnee Mission, Kans.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant son, David Hicks; two sisters and a brother.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 14, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at the chapel.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kans.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Lewis Edson Farra, Jr., age 75, resident of Ft. Scott, Kans., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott.

He was born on December 11, 1941, in Phoenixville, Pa., the son of Lewis Edson Farra, Sr. and Ferne Elizabeth Swisher Farra. He served our country in the United States Air Force. He married Pauline Shelton on December 19, 1964, in Bronson, Kans. Lewis worked as a diesel mechanic for a heavy equipment company. This later included traveling to do his work. He then worked as a tool salesman and later worked for Dayco in Fort Scott. In his younger days, he liked to hunt and fish. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and raising fruit trees. He supported his children and all their athletic activities as they went through school. He was a great role model for his kids. Known as “Pappy” to his grandchildren, he read them stories with an occasional embellishment. When in Villanova, Pa., he attended the Old Gulf Mills Congregational Church. He was a member of the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include his wife Pauline of the home; children L. Jeffrey Farra, Castle Rock, Colo., Cassie Jo Farra Vano and husband Michael, Hot Springs, Ark., and David R. Farra and wife Bernadette, DeSoto, Kans.; a brother, Norman K. Farra and wife Linda, Oxford, Pa.; a sister, Imogene M. Stremme and husband Bob, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; a brother-in- law, John R. Shelton and wife Martha, Drexel, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Danielle, Jessica, Tyler, Emma, Anna, Nick and Zachary; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Charles L. Shelton; a sister-in-law, Linda L. Shelton; and a nephew, Brian Shelton.

Pastor Virgil Peck will conduct services at 10 a.m. Friday, April 7, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to either Fort Scott or Uniontown FFA or Care to Share, 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

Sharon June Seaver, age 87, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kans., passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

She was born March 31, 1930, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Harrison Dunbar and Mary Logston Dunbar.  Because her mother died when Sharon was six months old, Sharon was raised by her grandfather, Hiram Dunbar.  She married Ira Melvin Seaver on September 29, 1946, at Fort Scott.  They celebrated sixty-nine years of marriage prior to his death on March 1, 2015.  Sharon was a devoted wife and mother, who always put the needs of her children above her own. She was an accomplished seamstress who made all of her daughters’ clothing, including their coats and formal gowns.  She enjoyed doing crafts, making jewelry and ceramics and knitting as well as reading and tending to her flower gardens.  She was only able to receive an eighth grade education, but worked to complete her GED later in life.  She was a member of the First Church of God and had helped teach Sunday school and Bible school.  She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include her three daughters, Cheryle Childers and husband, Ron, of Tallahassee, Florida, Janice Seaver, of Fort Scott and Susan Hildabrand and husband, Rick, also of Fort Scott; and four grandchildren, David Smith and wife, Donna, of New York State, Daniel Smith, of Tallahassee, Brett Hildabrand, of Shawnee, Kans., and Kristen Keenan and husband, Ben, of Kansas City, Mo., and two great-grandsons, Samuel and Adam Smith.

Rev. Phil Wilson will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, at the First Church of God.  Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery east of Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Best Friends Animal Society or the Samaritans Purse and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Allen Laverne Sather, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, April 3, 2017, at his home.

He was born September 2, 1932, in Shell Lake, Wis., the son of Ephraim and Inga Solie Sather. He married Donna Hefter on June 27, 1953, in Shell Lake. He purchased his first farm at the age of 18. He farmed until he began selling insurance. Everything he did in work was centered on helping people. Allen enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, camping and spending time with his family. He played board games and card games with his children and grandchildren. He also played guitar and enjoyed sing-a-longs with the kids. He had a gift of making people laugh. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife Donna of the home; children Sherrie Clark, Fort Scott, Ron Sather and wife Donna, Cottage Grove, Minn., Rick Sather and wife Jane, Shell Lake, Wis., Rhonda Ankrum and husband Floyd, Baldwin, Wis., Terri Bradley and husband Mark, Arlington, Texas, and Jim Sather and wife Chris, Fort Scott; a brother, John Sather and wife Mae, Willmar, Minn.; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

There was cremation. Vicar Michael Apfel will conduct memorial services at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church and may be left in care of the 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.

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Carol Jean Bradley, age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kans., went to home to her Lord, on Saturday, April 1, 2017.

She was born June 9, 1942, in Pawhuska, Okla., the daughter of James Otto Stephenson and Verbel Viola King Stephenson.  She married Charles B. Bradley on June 9, 1960, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Fort Scott.  In earlier years, Jean had worked for Campbell’s Laundry and for the Western Insurance Company. She was a long-time member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her husband, Charles, of the home; a son, David Eugene Bradley and wife, Jonna, of Springfield, Mo., and a daughter, Kay Payne, of Fort Scott; five grandchildren, Wesley Payne and wife, Courtney, of Pittsburg, Kans., Geoff Payne, of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Benjamin, Erica and Jessica Bradley, all of Springfield; and five great-grandchildren, Lexi, Aaron, Syvhara, Oliviette and Naomi.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Betty Russell and Nadiene Bennett and an infant brother, Lowell Louis Stephenson.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.  Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Gary Eugene Eaton, age 69, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday March 24, 2017, at his home.  He was born November 27, 1947, in Mattoon, Ill., the son of Raymond Eaton and Loraine Osborn Eaton.  Gary graduated from Mattoon High School and enlisted with the United States Navy, where he served onboard the aircraft carrier the U. S. S. Franklin D. Roosevelt.  He married LaDonna Young in 1972.  Following his discharge from the Navy, Gary moved to Fort Scott where he owned and operated the Silver Spur.  He later worked for Auto Zone in Fort Scott as well as Nevada and Pittsburg. Gary was later employed as Parts Manager for Ray Shepherd Motors which later became Briggs Auto.  He enjoyed playing pool and competed in many pool tournaments.  He also liked to work on small engines and watch western movies and television shows.  He also loved to spend time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his three children, R. D. Eaton and wife, Kasey, of Fort Scott, Tina Schilling and husband, Travis, also of Fort Scott and Becky Gorman and husband, Brian, of Goodyear, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Kaylee, Morgan, Natalie, Matthew, Taylor, Tabitha, Brooke, and Abagail.  Also surviving are his former wife, LaDonna Cox, of Fort Scott; an aunt by whom he was raised, Jenny Lauter and her husband, David, of Mattoon, Ill.; a sister, Tina Bundrant, and a brother, David Harbour, both of Parris, Ill.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Following cremation, Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m.Wednesday, March 28, at the U. S. National Cemetery.  Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday 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, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Genevieve A. Ballinger, age 90, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday March 25, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born April 1, 1926, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the daughter of William Webster Close and Bessie Elmira Morris Close. Genevieve graduated from Poughkeepsie High School. She married Russell Ballinger February 3, 1945. She was co-owner of Ballinger T. V. She has served as President, Secretary and Treasurer of the V.F.W Ladies Auxiliary. She helped start the Daughters of the Nile Club and had served as President, and was a Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Hiattville chapter. She loved quilting, dancing and creating art.

Survivors include her four children, Russell Ballinger, Jr. and wife Margaret of Champlin, Minn., Larry Ballinger and wife Radonna of Pittsburg, Kan., Doreen Brown and husband Johnnie, of Girard, Kan., and Lisa Goddard and husband Steven of Fort Scott; a brother William Close, Jr., of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; a sister Beverly DeMott of Red Hook, N.Y.; nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell Ballinger, Sr., a grandson, Joel Daly and a brother, Charles Close.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017, at the U. S. National Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shrine Transportation Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Kenneth “Kenny” Charles Garrett, age 69, a resident of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark., following a short battle with cancer.

He was born December 16, 1947, in Pontiac, Mich., the son of Chester Lee Garrett and Thelma Marie (Barber) Garrett. Ken grew up in Garland, Kan., and joined the United States Navy in 1967 as a Navy Seabee.  He served two tours in Vietnam and finished his service in Keflavik, Iceland in 1973.  He had an exciting career as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator throughout the United States and Canada.  Ken loved his family, especially his daughters and grandchildren. He had an infectious smile and a witty sense of humor. With his easy-going, caring spirit he made lifelong friends in every town he worked and visited. He was a member of many clubs and organizations throughout his life.  He followed in his father’s footsteps joining the Free Masons. He had a great love of music and cars that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He played in numerous bands over the years and was nicknamed “Kenny Kansas” when he played guitar and sang in the Freddie Henshaw Band.  He could play any instrument he picked up; he was a songwriter and his favorite instruments were guitar, piano and fiddle. He loved watching NASCAR races and he owned several Corvettes throughout his life. Ken had a pilot’s license and owned a plane in Alaska, where he also enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. He was always dreaming big which led him to many exciting life experiences. He did and saw more than a hundred people see in one lifetime.

He is survived by his life partner, Lisa Avery; three daughters, Pamela Garrett of Sherwood, Ore., Kimberly Schamburg and husband Dennis of Cedar Hill, Mo., Kathleen Cole and husband Robert of Palmer, Alaska; grandchildren, Braydon Robbins and Shayla Jaeger of Portland, Ore., Audrianna Alleva of Anchorage, Alaska, Dalton, Carissa, and Seamus Alleva of Sherwood, Ore., Natalie Paul of St. Louis, Mo., Benjamin, Lydia, Adam, Caleb, Luke, and Asher Schamburg of Cedar Hill, Mo., Ryan and Kaylee Cole of Palmer, Alaska, Kage and Tana Akers of Topeka, Kan.; one great-grandson William Beerkircher; four sisters, Linda Lamer and husband Roger of Jefferson, Ore., Nancy Golladay and husband Gary of Joplin, Mo., Wanda Haak and husband Paul of Corvallis, Ore., Sherry Garrett and Gary Simonton of Salem, Ore., four brothers, William Garrett of Redmond, Ore., Ricky Garrett and wife Paula of Sweet Home, Ore., Darryl Garrett and wife Ali of Sweet Home, Ore., Wayne Garrett of Sweet Home, Ore.; one aunt, Dorothy Mero of Foley, Al., and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Rene Akers; grandsons Tanyr Alan Akers and Seth Josiah Schamburg; two brothers Clayton Garrett and James Garrett, one sister Marjorie Garrett, his parents, and a dear friend, Debbie Jensen.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct a graveside service at 11 a.m. Monday April 3, 2017, at 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 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.