Betty Jean LaPiere, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2017, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born March 15, 1934, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Harry Sandwith and Margaret Davidson Sandwith. Betty had worked for fifteen years in the central supply department of Ft. Scott Mercy Hospital. She later had been employed by both Medicalodge and Dollar General Store. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and taking care of her family.

Survivors include her seven children, Richard Osgood, of Springhill, Florida, Margaret Wipple, of Keystone Heights, Florida, Gerald LaPiere and Gilbert LaPiere, both of Olean, New York, Matthew LaPiere, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, David LaPiere, of Arma, Kansas and Mark LaPiere, of Moore, Oklahoma. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joseph Sandwith and three sisters, Alfreda Smith, Harriet Wilcox and Adelene Burch.

There was cremation, and no services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Kristine Jane Pulliam, age 57, a resident of Iola, KS, died Monday, December 25, 2017, at her home.  She was born May 27, 1960, in Harlan, IA, the daughter of Herbert and Alice Morris Hansen.  She grew up and graduated high school in Elk Horn, IA.  She married Earl Dean Pulliam on November 13, 1993, in Farlington, KS.  He preceded her in death on July 24, 2007.  Kris worked as a cosmologist for several years.  She then began a career as a CNA/CMA, working for several local nursing homes and Allen County Hospital.  Everything revolved around her children, grandchildren, and family.  She loved teaching them to fish, drink coffee, and tell them stories.  She enjoyed sewing, various crafts, and being outdoors.  She was a home away from home for many.

Survivors include two daughters, Emily Pulliam and Ethan Lefert, Iola, KS, and Amber Pulliam and fiancé Jonathon Gay, Bronson, KS; a step-son Earl Jay Pulliam; three step-daughters, Sarah Chandler and husband Jason, Krystal Pulliam, and Heather Gaughan; a brother, Ralph Edward Hansen and wife Grete, St. Mary’s, GA; a sister, Martha Farley and husband Jim, Bronson, KS; two grandchildren, Willow Pulliam and Remington Pulliam; thirteen step-grandchildren; a nephew, John Farley and wife Cheryl, Iola, KS; a niece Roberta Reetz and husband Nathan, Pittsburg, KS; and six great nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband, Earl, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jayde Pulliam, a brother, Robert Hansen; a nephew, Zack Hansen; and her parents.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday, December 28th, at the Bronson Community Center.  Memorials are suggested to the Kristine Pulliam Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Viola Mae Brown, age 94, a resident of Ft. Scott, died Friday, December 22, 2017, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. She was born on November 8, 1923, in Arcadia, KS, the daughter of William Roscoe and Sadie Osmon Brown. She graduated from Arcadia High School. Viola married Donald L. Brown on September 8, 1940, in Garland, KS. He preceded her in death on February 5, 1995. Viola worked for Key Work Clothes beginning on May 20, 1953. She retired after 45 years. She was always one to stay busy. If not working, she enjoyed cleaning, yard work, and tending to her pets through the years.

Survivors include a sister, Jo Ann Heffernan, Ft. Scott; one nephew Tom Heffernan, Ft. Scott; two nieces, Cheryl Bell and husband Paul, Kansas City, MO, and Phyllis Caunt and husband Gabe, Colorado Springs, CO; two wives of nephews, Shirley James and Caline Heffernan; four great-nieces, one great-nephew, one great-great-niece, and two great-great-nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Larry Eugene Brown; a sister Blanche James; and two nephews, Randy James and Jerry Heffernan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, December 28^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Wednesday evening at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Jerry Eugene Clements, age 71, a resident of Fort Scott, died Saturday, December 16, 2017, at his home.

He was born December 22, 1945, in Fort Scott, the son of Guy Allen Clements and Doris Alene Johnson Clements. He graduated from Fort Scott High School and then Fort Scott Community College. He married Linda Lloyd on June 8, 1968, in Fort Scott. Jerry worked as a supervisor of the La Cygne Power Plant for 36 years. He enjoyed playing golf, working on old cars, fishing, raising cattle and working on his farm. His favorite thing was spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home; two sons, Adam Clements, and wife Katie, of Fort Scott, and Jason Clements, and wife Casidey, of Liberty, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Riley, Kinley, Javon, Kain, Jaxon, Kalia and Roman Clements; two brothers, Terry Clements, and wife Jane, of Riverton, Kan., and Robert Clements, and wife Mary Jo, of Willard, Mo.; a sister Joyce Young, and husband Jim, of Fort Scott; he was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Larry Joe, Darrel Guy, Gary Wayne and Timothy Clements.

Pastor Tom Mullins will conduct graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2017, at the U.S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. Memorial are suggested to Care to Share or Hammond United Methodist Church 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 guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Charles William Tracy, age 68, a resident of Haysville, Kan., passed away Monday, December 11, 2017, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.

He was born June 29, 1949, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Herbert W. Tracy and Loleta May Workman Tracy. Charles had worked as a mechanic. He enjoyed racing and collecting model cars as well as going to auctions. He also enjoyed riding his trike.

Survivors include two daughters, Stacy Hess and husband, Woody, of Eldorado, Kan., and Tonjia Horsley, of Haysville and a brother, Alva Tracy and wife, Joyce, of Haysville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, David Sims, Brandon Huffman, Jessica Horsley, Cody McFarlane, Jeremy McFarlane, Heather Tracy and Austin King; six great-grandchildren with one more on the way; seven nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond Ivan Tracy; two uncles, Charles and Bill Workman, a great-nephew, Michael Tyler Tracy a great-great-niece, Katalina May Smallwood and his grandparents.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 16, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Large Cemetery south of Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Glen Allen Pearson, Sr., age 79, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., went to be with the Lord Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital.

He was born on October 18, 1938, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Martin and Manda Bell Pearson (Leopard). Glen served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1962 aboard the U.S.S. 9 Owen in Norfolk, Va., working as a 2nd class boiler tech. After returning from the Navy, Glen married Frances McDaniel on September 9, 1962. He went to work for Derby gas station, Comstock’s Service Station, then Bruce’s Marble and Granite for several years before staring his own business. In 1965, Glen started Pearson Trash Service which he ran successfully until 1983 when his health forced him to retire. Glen enjoyed playing baseball with the kids at family dinners and get-togethers, he really enjoyed cutting wood, coon hunting and fishing. He enjoyed gardening and watching the deer come up. He loved playing Spades, Uno, Monopoly, Dominoes and joking with the kids, always making them laugh.

Survivors include his wife Frances, of the home, one daughter Agnes Pearson, and companion Eugene Thomas, of Fulton, Kan.; six sons, Marty Pearson and wife Tina, of Fulton, Kan., John Pearson, of Fort Scott, Glen A. Pearson Jr., of Fort Scott, Arthur Pearson and wife Rachell, of Redfield, Kan., Timothy Pearson and wife Shelly, of Dewey, Okla., Randy Pearson and wife Christina of Fort Scott, Kan.; 29 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, two brothers, Jerry Pearson, of Fulton, Mo., and Don Pearson and wife Ruth, of Toano, Va.; two sisters, Alberta Clark, of Wichita, Kan., and Anna May Daily, of Fort Scott; along with several great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews. Glen was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nettie Collier, a brother John Pearson, a grandson William Pulliam and a great grandson Rushton Hicks.

Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Glen Pearson Memorial Fund or the V.F.W. in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at www.cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Chester Wayne “Chet” Holleman, age 53, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott.

Chet was born in Brawley, Calif., March 1, 1964. Chester was the son of a distinguished Naval Vietnam Veteran, Wayne Holleman, whom along with Chet’s mother, Peggy, currently reside in Pinon Hills, Calif. Chester a Naval Veteran himself, enjoyed reminiscing about the places he lived with his parents, including Puerto Rico and Whidbey Island, Wash., as well as the places he visited while serving aboard the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove as a single man.

After completing his military services, Chester settled in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he met his wife-to-be, Barbara (Cockrell). They married on March 28, 1997, in Hot Springs, Ark., under a dogwood tree that the bride’s beloved late grandfather had planted years before. The couple, Fort Scott residents since 2006, loved the small town and as Chester had “never met a stranger,” his wife would be honored to welcome those who wish to pay their respects and join Barbara in honoring a true gentleman.

Barbara received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Virginia Marie “Ginger” Thomas, age 95, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, December 8, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

She is survived by her three children, Lloyd Howser and wife, Judy, of Fort Scott, Mary Ann Dykstra, of Bella Vista, Ark., and Jeannette M. Lovejoy and husband, Jerry, of Roseville, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Following cremation, a private family burial will take place in the Lath Branch Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan.

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Clara Mae Barnes, age 65, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, December 9, 2017, at her home.

She was born on May 10, 1952, in Newton Co., Mo. Her parents were Albert F. and Jeannie B. Seaton. She was a loving mother and grandmother. The family wishes to give special thanks to the V.F.W. Post #1165 for their support.

Survivors include a son, Leroy Sparlin, Jr., Neosho, Mo.; three daughters, Liz Ragsdale and husband Travis, Ozark, Mo., Debra Shockley and husband Travis, Fort Scott, and Theresa Johnson, Goodman, Mo.; four sisters, Loreta Calentine, Granite City, Ill., Carletta Eperly, Houston, Texas, Carla Jean Moore, San Antonio, Texas, and Patty Ann Morrill, Texas; a brother, Rick Seaton, Grandy, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Albert Mitchell, Chris Mitchell, Casey Shockley, Haley Shockley, Amy Merimick, Christopher Moore, Josh Sparlin and Samantha Sparlin; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marty Barnes.

There was cremation. Private family services will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Clara Barnes Memorial Fund 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

John Newton Shelton, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott.

He was born January 28, 1925, in Littleton, Colo., the son of John Houston Shelton and Edith Baugher Shelton. He married Geraldine Marsh on June 25, 1943, in Englewood, Colo. John served with the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Following his military service, he worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker in Colorado and Illinois. In 1980, John and his wife moved to Fort Scott, where he was employed by Peerless Products. John enjoyed reading and had a wealth of knowledge on various subjects. He also liked to spend time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Gerrie, and his seven children, Larry Shelton (Cathy), of Fort Scott, Jim Shelton, of Fort Scott, Steven Shelton (Roxanne), of Woodstock, Ill., Darryl Shelton (Deb), of Gardner, Kan., Don Shelton (Terri), Kevin Shelton and Sharon Shelton, all of Fort Scott; 23 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Michael Shelton, and three brothers, Wayne, Bob and Don Shelton, who was his twin.

Rev. Jimmy Tucker conducted funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 8, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors followed in the Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart 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.