Deborah Lee Hawkins, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, January 25, 2018, at her home.

She was born January 7, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Roy Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1970. She married Gene Hawkins on June 9, 1979, at Ft. Scott.

In earlier years, she worked in the printing and insurance business. She later attended Ft. Scott Community College School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She was then employed by the Nevada Regional Medical Center for several years. She loved gardening and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed watching the wildlife around her rural home.

Survivors include her husband, Gene, of the home and two daughters, Amanda Hawkins (Steve Copsey), of Nevada, Missouri and Jennifer Hawkins, of Ft. Scott and two grandchildren, Ethan and Kinley. Also, surviving are two brothers, Mark Cameron of Kansas City, Missouri and Garry Cameron of Great Falls, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Joan Higgins and Ann Greenway and a brother, Charles Cameron.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 30 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Chapel Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the 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.

Willa Jean Ellis, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, January 22, 2018, at her home. She was born March 25, 1930, in Rich Hill, Missouri, the daughter of Howard and Gertie (Williams) Marlin.

She married her childhood sweetheart Danny Ellis February 8, 1948, in Nevada, Missouri.

Willa was a beloved mother and grandmother; a devoted wife and trusted friend to many.

Together she and her husband were strong supporters of the Fort Scott community including The Beacon, Ellis Family Performing Arts Center, and Ellis Park.

In the early 1960’s Willa and Danny started Midwestern Distribution with just three trucks. It eventually grew to 1,000 trucks and employed over 2,000 people. They sold the company to Leaseway Transportation in 1981 and started Multi Service Corp., a trucking and aviation credit card which is currently the largest aviation credit card in the world.

In 1998 Willa and Danny started the Ellis Foundation after the death of their daughter, Kathy Ellis-Adriance, The foundation has awarded over 4,000 scholarships and currently supports 738 students in college.

The Ellis Foundation will celebrate twenty years this June 2018 and has awarded over twenty-million dollars.

In addition to her husband Danny, Willa is survived by her son, Chris Daniel Ellis and wife Cathy, of Louisburg, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Daniel Marlin Ellis, Joshua James Shaffer, Christopher Charles Ellis, Nathan Cole Ellis, Sarah Freeman Spray, Sybil Claire Ramstad, Brooke Adriance Cade, and Erin Blaire Adriance; and ten great-grandchildren, Olive Madison Ellis, Emory Parker Ellis, Freeman Andrew Spray, Ellis Nicole Spray, Gabriel Rose Spray, Bennett John Ramstad, Davis Matthew Ramstad, Vivian Faye Shaffer, Leo Henry Cade, and Finlay George Cade.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Wanda June Taylor, and her daughter, Kathy Lyn Ellis-Adriance.

Following cremation, Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral services 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ellis Foundation for Memorial Scholarships 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.

Lula Mae “Lou” Piotrowski, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 22, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born February 18, 1937, in St. Paul, KS, the daughter of Chares “Bud” and Vera Mudd Groner. She graduated from St. Paul high school. Lou married Robert “Pete” Piotrowski on June 6, 1959, in St. Paul.

She worked as a seamstress for Key Work Clothes. She then worked for many years as the bookkeeper for the family business, Sunflower Supply.

She enjoyed collecting dolls, sewing, crafts, refinishing furniture, making miniature furniture, and flower gardening.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Altar Society, and participated in the Adoration Chapel for many years.

Survivors include her husband Pete; three children, Patty West and husband Terry, Redfield, KS; Robert “Bob” Piotrowski and wife Julie, Ft. Scott; and Mary Younggren and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; a brother, Warren Groner, Pittsburg, KS; seven grandchildren: Chrystal Cowan and husband Josh, Ashlee Piotrowski and fiancé Taylor, Gregg Piotrowski, Kayla Collins and husband J.D., Heather Chavis and husband Josh, Emilee Piotrowski and Zach, Casey Proctor and husband Travis; seven great grandchildren, “the grandkids who made her great”, Raylee, Laramee, Jace, Cheyann, Caroline, Hayes, Jackson, and one more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Groner; three sisters, Mary Ann Groner, Ruth Read, and Virginia Payne; and her parents.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am Monday, January 29, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 pm Sunday, January 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Visitation will follow from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.

Memorials are suggested to either St. Mary’s Catholic School or Mercy Hospice 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.

Hattie Lela Homan, 99, of Uniontown, Kansas passed away Friday evening, January 19, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. She was born December 17, 1918, in Rolla, Kansas, the daughter of LeRoy Johnathan and Lena Effie (Saul) McMillan.

She married Leslie Otto Homan September 28, 1944, in Lawrence, Illinois. He preceded her in death March 2, 1982.

Hattie was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown.

She played the guitar and the banjo with the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, and also the Pickers & Singers.

Hattie is survived by her two sons, Leslie Marvin Homan and wife Rachel, of Manteca, California, and Henry O. Homan and wife Patty, of Redfield, Kansas; a sister, Velma Hittle of Hugoton, Kansas; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Hattie was also preceded in death by her parents; twin infant daughters; a grandson, Christopher Homan; a daughter-in-law, Mary Homan. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Isaac, who died when he was just three years old. Her other brother, Marvin, died when his submarine, the Sugar Deuce 8 (S-28), went down during WWII.

Rev. Marty DeWitt and Steve Hittle will conduct funeral services for Hattie at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening January 24, 2018, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Uniontown 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.

Jacob H. “Jake” Underwood, age 98, a former resident of Uniontown, KS, and more recently of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  He was born on July 6, 1919, on the family farm in Uniontown to Jay and Hazel McKinnis Underwood.

Mr. Underwood graduated from Uniontown High School in 1936 and Fort Scott Community College two years later.

In July of 1941, he was called to serve in the military.  For three years he was stationed at Camp Polk in Louisiana with the 7^th Armored Division.  Before leaving to fight the war in Europe, he married Doris Patterson on May 9, 1944.  They were married until her death in 2002.

He was shipped to Belgium in 1944 with the 106^th Infantry and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a prisoner of war in Bad Orb Prison Camp in Germany from December 1944 and was liberated in April of 1945.

After returning to civilian life, he began his career as the County Clerk and later became the business manager for the Fort Scott School District where he faithfully served for 35 years.

Mr. Underwood was an active community member both in Fort Scott and Uniontown.  At the time of his death, he belonged to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and Ruritan.  Jake was proud to be a lifelong Democrat.  He was truly an example of the “Greatest Generation” – proud veteran, devoted family man, and dedicated civic leader.

He is survived by two daughters: Susan Karleskint, Uniontown, and Mary Gregory and husband Brad, Bolivar, MO; sister-in-law’s Janice Patterson of Fort Scott, and Erma Patterson of Atlanta; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and a niece in Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris Underwood, daughter, Ruth Ann Burleson, brother, Gilbert Underwood; and brother-in-law’s, John and Byron Patterson.

Rev. Connie McKee will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 20, at Uniontown United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.  Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W.  Memorial are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S Main, Fort Scott, KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Oka Ola Hare Clinesmith, age 98, of Fort Scott, passed away on January 13, 2018, in Columbia, MO.

Oka was born to Andrew Jackson Hare and Mae Johnston Hare in 1919 on a Bourbon County farm south of Fort Scott. She attended Katt School and Fort Scott Junior High before moving with her family to Tribune, Kansas. She graduated from Tribune Senior High School and married Carl Benjamin Clinesmith. They moved to Emporia, Kansas, where she attended Emporia State for one year while Carl taught music in Pretty Prairie. When Carl was called to duty in the Army Air Force Oka moved to Wichita and worked for Boeing. After the war, they returned to Fort Scott where she lived for over 70 years. Here they raised two children, Carl Benjamin Clinesmith, Jr. and Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller.

Oka worked as the secretary and was assistant to the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, from 1951 – 1985 while Carl taught band, choir and orchestra for Fort Scott Public Schools and Junior College. Oka served as a deacon and elder of the church, sang in the choir and was a member of the United Presbyterian Women. She was a private clarinet teacher and later enjoyed playing clarinet in the Fort Scott Civic Orchestra. She was a member of P.E.O.

Oka was a textile artist creating remarkable treasurers including braided rugs, English smocked music boxes, eggs and bells, and elegant petit point angels and Santas. And anyone who knew Oka will miss her practical and indispensable scrubbies.

Oka is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl, and her three sisters Eda Ruth Hare, Leta Mary Hare and Georgia Anne Hare Chesney. She is survived by her children Carl Benjamin, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of New York, NY; Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller and her husband Bill of Columbia, MO; and their families including grandchildren Ellen Clinesmith (Jon Carr) of Uncasville, CT; Sarah Miller Coats (Kourtney Coats) of Enid, OK; Karen Miller Lutgen (Keith Lutgen) of Minneapolis, MN; and great-grandchildren Ryan Clinesmith, Wesley Coats, Wyatt Coats, Lucy Lutgen and Greta Lutgen.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Saturday, January 20, 2018, with Rev. Dr. Jared Witt officiating.

Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, or the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund. Donations 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.

Rebecca Marie Murray

Rebecca Marie Murray, 66, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center.

She was born April 5, 1951, in Coffeyville, Kansas, the daughter of John F. and Madilyn Louise (Slater) Troutman. She married Wayne Murray July 10, 1982, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death July 3, 1999.

Rebecca worked for Fort Scott Community College for twenty-five years, and for Five Corners Mini Mart for the last fifteen years. She had a bachelor’s degree in English.

Survivors include her daughter, Amy L. Murray of Pittsburg, Kansas, her son Geoffery A. Murray of Fort Scott, Kansas; step-daughter Julie Workman of Girard, Kansas; her granddaughter, Stephanie Eastwood; a nephew, Jason Sack, and Kevin Taliaferro, who was like a son to her. In addition to her husband Wayne, she was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Kathryn Sack.

Bishop Walter Simpson will conduct funeral services 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, January 18, 2018, from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the FSCC Endowed Scholarship 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.