Emil Charles Mashek, age 85, a resident of rural Richards, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born December 24, 1932, in Seward, Nebraska, the son of James Lewis Mashek and Mary Hromas Mashek. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he relocated to the Mashek family farm near Richards, where he farmed and raised cattle for the remainder of his life. He married Carmen Dobry on December 11, 1959, at Girard, Kansas. Emil was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of
Foreign Wars of Ft. Scott, the Ft. Scott Elks Lodge and the American Legion Post of Dwight, Nebraska. In addition to his life on the farm, he enjoyed going to casinos and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Carmen, of the home; two sons, Steven Mashek, and wife, Jodee, and David Mashek, all of Richards; a grandson, Skylur Emil Mashek also of Richards and two step-grandchildren, Victoria Krohn and husband, Stephon and Jonathon Ireland, all of Moore, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Mashek and a sister, Mary Ann Shane Jauernig.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, January 6 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Vernon County Youth Fair 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.

Virginia Marie Chambers, 90, of Fort Scott, and formerly of Hiattville, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, December 28, 2017 at the Country Place Memory Care in Fort Scott.

She was born July 31, 1927, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Don and Imo Irene (Rogers) Salmon. She married John Joseph “Joe” Chambers May 28, 1950, in Hiattville, Kansas, and he preceded her in death June 24, 1995.

Virginia graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1944 and during her time there was able to take courses from Fort Scott Junior College, graduating with sixteen college credit hours. She continued her education in the summers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1957. In 1963, she received her Master’s degree in School Administration from PSU.

Virginia taught in rural schools including Hepler Elementary in Crawford County and in the USD 234 and USD 235 schools for thirty-nine years, the last eighteen as a Title I Reading Teacher at West Bourbon Elementary. She retired in 1985. She also worked for the Economy Book Company training teachers to teach the phonics method of reading.

Virginia was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church where she served as pianist and organist for over sixty years. She was instrumental in writing and directing the annual Christmas Program, and she also served as Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, as well as helped with Vacation Bible School.

After moving to LaCygne, she transferred membership to the LaCygne United Methodist Church and remained an Associate Member of Hiattville United Methodist. She was a Lifetime Member of the Ideal Chapter #369 Order of Eastern Star which merged with Olive Chapter, the Kansas State Teacher’s Association, and the Bourbon County Retired Teachers Association. She received the Kansas East Conference Denman Award for Evangelism.

Survivors include close friend and heart-adopted daughter Regina Woodworth and husband Tom, of Iola, Kansas; brother Harold Salmon and wife Segrid of Placerville, California; sisters-in-law Juanita Long and Shirley Chambers, both of LaCygne, Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Joe, Virginia was also preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. January Kiefer will conduct funeral services Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, January 2, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Community College endowed scholarship, Hiattville United Methodist, or LaCygne United Methodist, 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.

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.