F. Cedric McCurley, 88, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on June 28, 2023, in Springfield, MO. Cedric, known affectionately as Ced, was born in Chanute, KS to Hubert and Louise Anderson McCurley. Ced spent his formative years in Fort Scott, KS. In 1961, Cedric married Elizabeth Jane Higgins, daughter of Ed and Margaret Gorman Higgins, in a ceremony held in Mound City, Kansas.

Ced is survived by his devoted spouse and their loving children: Eric (Karen), Scott; Kent (Linda), Mason, Chloe; Greg (Patti), Catherine, Michael, Daniel; Heather Trinca (Peter), Olivia, Spencer, Caroline. He also leaves behind his sisters: Bernie Simmons, Ann Johnston (Charles); sister-in-law, Kathy McCurley (Doug); and brother-in-law, Doug Ropp (Patty), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Lucille Langdon and Elaine Ropp, his brother Doug McCurley, and brothers-in-law Joe Langdon and Ronnie Simmons.

A private inurnment will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery to honor Cedric’s memory. The family kindly requests no memorials or gifts, but appreciates the support and condolences received during this difficult period.

Lucille Mae Griffith, age 97, of Fort Scott, KS, formerly of Uniontown passed away Sunday, June 25, 2023

at Credo Assisted Living Center after a brief illness. She was born April 28, 1926 in Cleona, PA, the daughter of John H. Funk and Rosa “Rosie” Kreider Funk. Lucille graduated from Cleona, PA schools. She worked at Bethlehem Steel as a lathe worker for a short time before attending a 3-Year nursing program at the Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948.

Lucille work at Pennsylvania Hospital and then moved to Denver, Colorado to work as an RN at Denver Hospital. Lucille was a volunteer for USO (United Service Organization) where she met her husband Charles “Charley” Konantz Griffith who was in the Air Force. Charley was transferred to Nebraska

Airforce Base near Omaha and Lucille and Charley were married in Nebraska on June 2, 1951.

Lucille was proud of her work as a nurse at Newman Young Clinic, Mercy Hospital, and the Uniontown school district. She was a member of the Uniontown Methodist Church and later a member of Faith Christian Church in Fort Scott. Lucille was an excellent cook and enjoyed sewing, knitting, and visiting with friends. She was a member of Uniontown Eastern Star and taught knitting to 4-H members.

Lucille and her husband served as volunteers for the Red Cross Disaster Teams and worked the aftermath of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornados.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Anna Alt, and her special sister-in-law Alice Ramsey.

Lucille is survived by her four children, Bill Griffith, Cindy Bartelsmeyer (John), Mary Wynn (Rick), Sara Griffith, 11 grandchildren Aaron Griffith, Lisa Zimmerman, Grace Lundy, Marty Manwiller, Amy Peterson, Chris Bartelsmeyer, Joy Rhea, Charity Strozier, Nathan Wynn, Andrea Rowe, Megan Messer, 21 great-grandchildren, her sister Marian Heffner, brother Melvin Funk, brother Richard Funk, and many nieces and nephews.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation 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.

 

 

Neranjan “CU” Ramdial, age 60, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at his residence. There was cremation.  Graveside service details will be announced later by the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Lisa Jo Larkin, age 56, resident of Las Vegas, NV, died Monday, June 19, 2023, at the Nathan Adelson Hospice following a lengthy illness.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, July 14^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott, KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Patricia A. Bolton, 83, former resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born March 18, 1940, in Muscotah, Kansas, the daughter of Floyd Harold Tipling and Anna Belle (Woodward) Tipling. She married William Gary “Bill” Bolton on August 23, 1959, in Muscotah, Kansas, and he preceded her in death on September 8, 2007.

 

Pat received her BA in Biology and Home Economics from Emporia State University. She was a homemaker and part-time college professor.

 

Survivors include her daughters, Kathryn Renee Bradford and husband Merl, of Minden, Nebraska, and Constance Zoe Townzen and husband Darren, of Rogers, Arkansas; a brother, Paul A. Tipling and wife Dixie, of Salina, Kansas; four grandchildren, Andrew Bradford, Emily Kennedy and husband Kyle, Daniel Townzen, and Laura Stephens and husband Sam; three great-grandchildren, Leif, Anders, and Finn.

In addition to her husband, Bill, she was also preceded in death by her parents.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Norma Kay Johnson, age 79, of rural Deerfield, MO passed away June 20, 2023 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK after a brief illness.

She was born March 3, 1944 at the Dr’s office in Garland, KS, the daughter of Charles Glen Linn and Wilma Heitz Linn.

She graduated from Bronaugh High School in 1962. She worked at the ASCS office in Nevada after graduation where she met the love of her life, Bernard Johnson.

Bernard and Kay were married on December 29, 1962, at her parent’s home in rural Bronaugh and started their life together. Side-by-side for 52 years, they would raise a family, and build a successful farm and ranch operation while residing on the centennial farm where they became the third generation of Bernard’s family to farm and ranch.

Kay Johnson loved her family. Those who knew her well marveled at her ability to multi-task with aplomb.

She was capable of preparing three home cooked family meals a day, facilitate and perform farm work, cater a picnic on-site at a grain field at a moment’s notice, drive all three kids to baseball, football, softball, track, bible school, dance practices, 4-H and FFA activities, and recitals, all while accommodating the schedule of everyone in her family.

She was an exceptional cook and particularly gifted as a pastry chef. She ran a business out of her kitchen providing cakes and pies to local diners in Nevada and Fort Scott. She made elaborate wedding cakes for those fortunate enough to hire her and managed the bakery at a large grocery store in Fort Scott for several years.

She also worked at DayCo in Fort Scott.

She was a highly competent “Family Doctor” who kept her husband and three children healthy, happy and productive through the various scrapes, ailments and accidents of an active life on the farm.

In her free time she bred and raised Cocker Spaniels.

After the passing of her husband in 2014, she leased the crop ground to her nephew, Ryan Linn and took pride in building her cowherd.

She did volunteer work as a teaching assistant at the elementary school in Bronaugh where she earned a certificate of recognition from her students.

She was a member of Rinehart Christian Church.

Kay Johnson considered her children, grandchildren and great grandson her life’s greatest accomplishment and greatly enjoyed each moment spent with them. Kay Johnson did these things while always carrying herself with class and dignity. She was a role model to her family and a great example of a life well lived.

Survivors include one son, Mark Z. Johnson and wife Brenda, Orlando, OK; two daughters, Lisa Kay Peterson and husband Jared, Owasso, OK, and Brenda Johnson-Farmer, Parkville, MO; six grandchildren, Tayler Joseph Peterson, Kaylee Jo Farmer, Rylee Elisabeth Cash, Hayden Jared Peterson, Sydney Pearl Johnson, and Charley Ries Johnson; one great grandson, Brooks Joseph Peterson; one brother, Jimmy Linn and wife Jackie, Bronaugh; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 26th, 2023, at the Rinehart Christian Church.

Burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, KS.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the McKill Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of sympathy may be emailed to the family at [email protected].

Jessie Margie (Dikeman) Streeter, age 89, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, passed away June 13, 2023.

 

She was born November 26, 1933, near Pawnee Station, Kansas to William and Bessie (Long) Dikeman. The youngest of six children, Jessie attended rural grade schools in Bourbon County and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1950. She loved school and was especially fond of reading and math.

 

On December 31, 1950, Jessie married James (Jim) Streeter in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 2020. They were best friends who loved being together whether they were roller skating, bowling, playing cards or games, water skiing, golfing, camping, walking, dancing, playing tennis, putting puzzles together, or spending time with their family. As travel companions, they toured every US state, most of it pulling a travel trailer behind their pickup truck. Their travels also took them to Canada, Mexico, Austria, and Germany. After retiring, they migrated each winter to the warmer climates of Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They never let their traveling interfere with being at the big and little events of their children and grandchildren, whether near or far. It was not uncommon to see them at sporting, musical, and educational activities, as well as birthday celebrations, weddings, or baby showers. Watching and attending Kansas City Royals games also provided much enjoyment for them.

 

Jessie’s work life began early. During her senior year of high school, she worked part time at Standard Advertising. Shortly after being married, her husband joined the service and was stationed overseas. During this time, she worked at Key Work Clothes during the day and at the Liberty Theater in the evening. Once her husband returned and as they started a family, she worked part time at the Federal Land Bank and then at Cullor Limestone. She also worked part time in the office at the First Baptist Church where they were active members for many years. Some may remember her as a long-time secretary at Winfield Scott Elementary School. Her last full-time job was in the Bourbon County Appraisers Office. After retiring, she worked seasonally at Mertz Tax Service.

 

Jessie especially enjoyed entertaining in her home. She planned and hosted both small and large get togethers for family, friends, co-workers, 4-H, and church groups. Family events almost always included hand-churned homemade ice cream made with her personal recipe. She loved to decorate and took pride in self-designing the rural home they built in 1967. Her passion for decorating continued when they moved to a duplex in Fort Scott in 2011. She also had a knack for growing and displaying beautiful flowers and healthy plants.

 

Survivors include two children, David Streeter (Debbie), Carl Junction, Missouri, and Susan Kern (Steve), Loa, Utah; six grandchildren, Chris Linder, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Angela Suarez, Pittsburg, Kansas, Nick Streeter, Carl Junction, Missouri, Kelsie McCrea, Peculiar, Missouri, Wes Streeter, Pittsburg, Kansas, and Jason Linder, Clearfield, Utah; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings Alta Carper, Raymond Dikeman, Ruth Dikeman, Frank Dikeman, JoAnn Gilbert, and two great-grandchildren.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 27^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

 

Vicki Jo Brown, age 72, resident of Fort Scott, KS, passed away Friday, June 16, 2023, after a long battle with ALS.  She was born April 20, 1951, in Moran, KS, the daughter of Edwin and Dorothy Alumbaugh Trites.

 

Survivors include her husband, Michael; son Kyle Brown and wife Jamie; granddaughters Graycyn and Kinsley Brown, Hannah Brandt and husband Caleb, Emmah Dikeman, and husband Miles; grandsons Hunter Reeves and wife Madi, and Hollis Reeves; and a brother, Don Trites and wife Vinita.

 

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tally Reeves, and her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 23^rd, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to either St. Jude’s Hospital or the Ronald McDonald House and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Richard Lee Ferguson, Sr., age 76, resident of Arma, KS, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO.

He was born May 22, 1947, in Joplin, the son of Beryl and Mildred Adams Ferguson.

Richard was raised in Ft. Scott, KS, and graduated from FSHS.  He worked as a mechanic for various auto dealerships in his career.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, guns, and building engines. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and sitting on the back porch with his dog Harley.

 

Survivors include three daughters, Tammie Kuns, Ft. Scott, KS, Kimberly Ferguson, Pittsburg, KS, and Linda Harper (Brian), Ft. Scott; two sons, James Nickelson, Garland, KS, and Richard Ferguson, Jr. (Melinda), Moran, KS; 13 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Crystal, four siblings, and his parents.

 

David Alan Shinn, age 76, a resident of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at his home in Uniontown.  He was born January 10, 1947, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of James Orval Shinn and Thora May Nichols Shinn.  Alan graduated from Iola High School and then Allen County Community College and Emporia State University.  He later went on to receive a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1971.

He married Rebecca Emert on May 29, 1969, at Iola, Kansas.  Alan served as a math teacher for Uniontown USD #235 for fifty years.  He loved teaching the fundamentals of math and his students often placed well in area math competitions.  Aside from working in the classroom, Alan also served as the Uniontown High School Assistant Football coach and the girls’ Golf and Softball coach.  He also drove a bus for twenty-five years.

In addition to teaching, Alan also served two years as the Uniontown City Clerk and also worked weekends in the office at the Ft. Scott Sale Barn for many years.

Alan was a longtime member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown where he had served as a Deacon.  During the church’s remodeling project, Alan became familiar with the Volunteer Christian Builders Association and went on to help with other building projects.  He loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting both deer and turkey as well as fishing at Roaring River.

Survivors include his wife, Becky, of the home; his children, Kevin Shinn (Diana) of Uniontown, and Melissa Gage (Jason) of Louisburg, Kansas; six grandchildren, Emily Jefferis (Austin), Holly Richwine (Dylan), Lauren Shinn, and Brayden, Bryce and Brock Gage and a great-grandson, Kase Jefferis.  Also surviving is a brother, Jack Shinn, of Pittsburg.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark Shinn.

Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 17^th at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown.

Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Shinn Family Scholarship or the First Missionary Baptist 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 guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Neva Carol Boyd Coberley, age 88, passed away peacefully Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Medical Lodge of Neosho, MO. She was born in Rural Bourbon County on February 2, 1935, to Margaret (Lind) and Claude Stainbrook. She had five sisters Irene, Marjorie, Claudia, Nancy, and Florence. They preceded her in death.

She married her high school sweetheart Donald Boyd with whom she had 4four children: Dennis, Kimberly, Gary, and Lisa.  They eventually moved to Lawrence, KS where she was employed by Kansas University and The Lawrence School System. She lost Donald Boyd to cancer in 1976 and decided to move her youngest back home and settled in Redfield KS.

 

She met and eventually married Wade Coberley, and they melded their children Jesse, Cathy, Bud, Mae, and Angie to make a family of nine. They moved from Ft. Scott, KS to Aurora, MO, and settled.  She loved KU sports, singing, Blue Grass festivals, and flea marketing.

She loved her family fiercely and doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She loved to travel, which they did until health declined. She lost Wade Coberley in 2017 and moved to live with Lisa in Aurora, MO.

Ill health led her to Medical Lodge where she was loved until the end of her life. She was quick witted, loved crossword puzzles, reading extensively, and her family.

She was loved by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include nine children and stepchildren, 27 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. She loved them to the moon and back. She was preceded in death by her son Dennis in 2011.

 

Services for Neva are planned for 1:00 PM Friday, June 16^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Hatch Cemetery, Uniontown., KS.

Donations are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Nicholas Humberto Naveira, age 87, resident of Elizabeth, NJ, and more recently of Farlington, KS, died Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Comfort Care Home, Pittsburg, KS.

He was born December 6, 1935, in Cuba, the son of Gregorio and Caridad Rodriquez Naveira.  He married Joaquina Garcia.  They arrived in the United States in their 30’s and settled in New Jersey.  Nicholas worked as a mechanic, and later a machinist for the Red Devil paint supply company.

 

Survivors include his wife Joaquina Naveira, Farlington, KS; a son Jose Naveira and wife Becky, Farlington; a daughter, Daisy Naveira, Farlington; and a sister, Cira, Florida

He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Luis and Soillo Naveira, and a sister, Luisa Naveira.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 13^th, at the Farlington Cemetery.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.