Mary Jo Pellett, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital E.R.

She was born May 16, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Bert Edgar and Bertha Matkin Edgar. She graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1947. Shortly after graduation, she began working for Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott. She worked there for almost 42 years, retiring in 1988.

She married Joseph Pellet on April 12, 1953, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on January 10, 1998.

Mary Jo enjoyed camping, crocheting, quilting, and visiting flea markets. She was a devoted member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, serving for several years as church secretary and treasurer.

Survivors include a nephew, Gary Davis and wife Linda, Ft. Scott; three  nieces, Connie Peterson and husband Dallas, Girard, KS, Linda DeMott and husband Gary, Ft. Scott, and Carol Graham and husband John, Parker, CO; 12 great nieces and nephews; 10 great-great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Gene Davis; and special friend Bill Lawrence. Besides her husband Joe, she was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Davis; and her parents.

Rev. Gary DeMott and Rev. Dallas Peterson will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Friday, July 20^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

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

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s United Methodist Church 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.

SMSgt Garice William “Bill” Winship, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home Friday evening, July 13, 2018, with his loving wife of 66 years at his side.

He was born on November 19, 1927, on the family farm in Uniontown, Kansas the son of James E. and Blanche Alma (Folk) Winship.

After graduating from Uniontown High School in 1946 he joined the United States Air Force. He worked on Navigation equipment on bombers. His first assignment was to Japan and when he returned on leave, his sister introduced him to Emma Jean Powell they would later marry on October 14, 1951, in Mapleton, Kansas, she was the love of his life. During his 20 year career where he rose to the Rank of Senior Master Sargent, he was stationed at Biggs field in El Paso, Texas, and Turner Field in Albany, Georgia, he retired in June of 1966. He then went to work for IBM in Kansas City, Missouri as a Computer Technician and retired in April of 1983 after 17 years. After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and traveling with his wife, Emma Jean.

In addition to his wife, Emma Jean of the home, he is survived by a son, James and wife, Debbie Winship of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, a daughter, Wilma Jean and husband Tony Boyce of Fredericksburg, Virginia, five grandchildren: Kyle Winship and wife, Becky, Jarrod Winship, Alaina Winship, Brittana Morelock and husband Jordan, and Alexandra Boyce; and five great-grandchildren, Emma, Matthew, Carter, Cordell and Harper. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Dwight, Jimmy, Donald, and Elzola Winship and a sister, Wilma Wright.

Many thanks to Integrity Home Care and Hospice for the wonderful care given Bill during his last year, his wonderful neighbors, Calvin and Carolyn and John and Joyce, and his special doctors, Gerald Mancuso and David Peters.

Graveside services for Bill Winship will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Family and friends will meet for a Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Memorial Detail from Whiteman Air Force Base.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, contributions may be sent to, or 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.

Margaret A. Akin, age 76, a former resident of Bourbonnais, Illinois and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018, at the Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born June 4, 1942, in Kankakee, Illinois, the daughter of Oswald T. Bourelle and Norma K. Bentrott Bourelle. She married Douglas Akin. Margaret had worked as a mental health tech at various hospitals in Illinois prior to her retirement in 1990.

She enjoyed fishing, woodcrafts, painting, gardening and attending her granddaughter, Kaitlyn’s many theater, and 4-H events.

Survivors include her daughter, Darla Hanks, and husband, Tony, of Redfield, Kansas, a son, Wade Herter, of Pasadena, California and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hanks, of Redfield, Kansas, Octavia Jackson, of Hopkins Park, Illinois and Shizzel Glenn, of Kankakee, Illinois. Also, surviving are her longtime friends the family of the late Bill & Sharon Bacon, Billy, Tresa, Patty and Chris Bacon, Jami Knautz, James Tennant and their families all of West Frankfort, Illinois; and a brother, William T. Bourelle, of Perryville, Missouri, and three nieces.

There was cremation.

A gathering for friends and family will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, July 22nd at the Commons Room of the Scott View Apartments, 315 Scott Ave, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Margaret Akin Memorial Fund 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.

Perry Lee Wilson, 66, of Fort Scott, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born April 12, 1952, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Kenton and Martha (Mitzner) Wilson. He married Kathie Greenfield May 4, 1985, in Miami, Oklahoma.

Perry served in the US Army, 82nd Airborne, 2nd Division 508th Infantry, and was stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a Railroad Conductor for the B.N.S.F. for twenty years, retiring in 2008.

Perry is survived by his wife, Kathie; his daughter Rachel Fields, of Fort Scott; his son, Jason Cunningham, of Lockwood, Missouri; four sisters, Linda Wells, of Mapleton, Kansas, Patricia Fewell, of Blue Springs, Missouri, Kathy McLean, of Olathe, Kansas, and Diana Endicott, of Bronson, Kansas; two brothers, Bryan Wilson of Pittsburg, Kansas, and John Wilson, of Bronson, Kansas; six grandchildren, Ellen, William, Addison, Maren, Enych, and Elsie, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father Don Petrie; a brother, Michael Wilson; a sister, Tina Wilson; a nephew, Matthew, and a niece, Sara.

Graveside services for Perry Wilson will be 11:00 am, Friday, July 6, 2018, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The Family will receive friends at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home Friday from 10:00 am until time to leave for the cemetery.

Barbara Ellen Quirin, 90, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning June 28, 2018, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born December 20, 1927, in St. Paul, Kansas, the daughter of M.D. “Bob” and Anna Christine (Krashoc) Morris.

Barbara graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul, Kansas, and she married Loyd Philip Quirin May 23, 1946, in St. Paul, Kansas. He preceded her in death September 19, 2008. To this union, three sons were born.

After the boys started school, Barbara sewed and sold Barbie clothes and babysat. She was an active member of the Altar Society, President of the Jr. Legion of Mary, and a member of the Senior Legion of Mary. Barbara taught religion classes and was also a den mother.

After the boys left home, Barbara began working at the Medicalodge as an aide. She graduated from Fort Scott Community College with a nursing degree in 1980 and was Director of Nursing for five years when she retired due to illness.

Barbara is survived by her three sons, Larry and wife Thelma of Redfield, Kansas, Alan and wife Peggy of Lawrence, Kansas, and John and wife Jeanette of Parsons, Kansas; a brother, Robert Alan “Bob” Morris; a sister, Patricia “Pat” Morris Walker; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Bob, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter, Mary Quirin, and three brothers and four sisters.

Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Her sisters and brothers remained close through the years and always enjoyed spending time with her. Grandchildren, nieces, and nephews loved to visit her, and she was known for great cinnamon rolls, and a sharp sense of humor and justice. Barbara was never, ever, afraid to speak her mind. She was loved and cared for to the end of her days and will be greatly missed. Barbara’s cheerful nature and her way of helping anyone she will be remembered by many who knew her over the years.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with the visitation and Rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Burial will follow at the St. Francis Cemetery in St. Paul, Kansas immediately following services under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School 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.

Melvin Earl Endicott, a resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Friday, June 22, 2018, in Joplin, MO, at Mercy Hospital.

He was born June 20, 1929, the son of Earl Leonard Endicott and Melva Mae (Koppa) Endicott near Savonburg, KS.  He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1947, from Fort Scott Junior College in 1948, and from Kansas State University in 1955, as a civil engineer.

He married Betty (Beadell) Endicott September 17, 1950.  Melvin served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army National Guard, the U.S. Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He worked as a civil engineer for the Missouri Highway Department and the Texas Highway Department.  He enjoyed flying his Paper Apache, researching genealogy, and collecting classic cars.

Melvin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Betty Endicott, his children Gary Endicott and wife, Diana, of Bronson KS, and Alicia Dye and husband, Charles, of Claremore OK; grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Also surviving are two sisters.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 2, in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.  Friends and family will meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Judith Ann Rodgers, age 74, a resident of Louisburg, KS, died Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center.

She was born June 14, 1944, in Ft. Scott, KS, the daughter of Julian and Leona Callahan Cochran. She graduated from Ft. Scott high school and Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree.

She moved to California and taught school for one year. There she met her husband to be and married Richard Rodgers on January 28, 1967. They moved back to Ft. Scott while Judy taught school in Pleasanton, KS, for four years. They then moved to Omaha, NE, for ten years. They then returned to Ft. Scott for five years before moving to Louisburg.

She began working for the Western Insurance Company in the bond department. After the change to American States Insurance, she started working in the legal department. This career continued through Safeco, then Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies until her retirement.

Judy was a Campfire Leader during her time in Ft. Scott. She was an avid reader and a wonderful cook, especially holiday sweets.

Survivors include her husband, Richard of the home; a daughter, Katie Schack and husband August, Minnesota; and two cousins, Pat and Tim Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, June 28th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association 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.