Linda Sue Beckham passed away January 14, 2025, at the age of 84. She was born in Topeka, Kansas but spent most of her adult life in Fort Scott, Kansas. While she enjoyed retirement, she often spoke fondly of her co-workers after many years of working at Whiteside’s West in Fort Scott. She loved her family dearly, held a special place in her heart for all animals and thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden.

She is survived by her loving husband Joe Beckham; her sisters Cindy Chase and husband Richard, Robin Knapp and husband Carroll; her children, Becky Howard and husband Kevin, Bob Beckham and wife Jamie; grandchildren Kiel and Tanner Beckham, Haley, Zack and Lukas Howard and Katie Hutson; great grandchildren Jonathan and Zoey Howard, Savannah, Everly and Kinsley Hutson, Fynnlie, Warren, Barrett, Kiegan and Mason Beckham.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Norberta and Elmer Russum.

There was cremation.  A visitation will be held Monday, January 20th from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Interment will follow at a later date in Butler, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Paws and Claws and leave in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Editor’s note: the venue for the funeral has changed.

Joseph Michael Grieshaber, age 52, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Friday, January 10, 2024, at his home following a brief fight with cancer.  He was born November 3, 1972, in Neosho, MO, the son of Michael and Kathy Miller Grieshaber.  Joey worked as a youth minister for several years before becoming an EMT.  Upon the death of his wife, Jamie Channel, he changed direction and became a schoolteacher.  He was currently employed at Uniontown, KS teaching 6^th grade and coaching football.  Joey married Stephanie Krieger on February 27, 2022.  Joey enjoyed all things outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and camping.  He was deeply involved with Highland Games and that community.  He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Stephanie of the home; nine children, Petra Johnston (Caleb) Raytown, MO, Titan Grieshaber, Kansas City, MO, Adrianna Krieger, Joplin, MO, Amayah Rodriguez, Joplin, MO, Alexandria Boyd (Gauge), Joplin, MO, and Ryder Cosens, Truman Burns, Kyser Grieshaber, and Riggs Grieshaber, all of the home; his mother, Kathy Villa (David), Bakersfield, CA; and 2 brothers, Austin Vill (Maddie), and Pierce Villa (Cynthia), both of Bakersfield, CA.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Jamie; a sister, Melissa Cooper; and his father.

There was cremation.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 18^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Joey Grieshaber Memorial Fund 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 b

Joseph Michael Grieshaber, age 52, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Friday, January 10, 2024, at his home following a brief fight with cancer.

He was born November 3, 1972, in Neosho, MO, the son of Michael and Kathy Miller Grieshaber.  Joey worked as a youth minister for several years before becoming an EMT.  Upon the death of his wife, Jamie Channel, he changed direction and became a schoolteacher.  He was currently employed at Uniontown, KS teaching 6^th grade and coaching football.  Joey married Stephanie Krieger on February 27, 2022.  Joey enjoyed all things outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and camping.  He was deeply involved with Highland Games and that community.  He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Stephanie of the home; nine children, Petra Johnston (Caleb) Raytown, MO, Titan Grieshaber, Kansas City, MO, Adrianna Krieger, Joplin, MO, Amayah Rodriguez, Joplin, MO, Alexandria Boyd (Gauge), Joplin, MO, and Ryder Cosens, Truman Burns, Kyser Grieshaber, and Riggs Grieshaber, all of the home; his mother, Kathy Villa (David), Bakersfield, CA; and 2 brothers, Austin Villa (Maddie), and Pierce Villa (Cynthia), both of Bakersfield, CA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jamie; a sister, Melissa Cooper; and his father.

There was cremation.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 18^th, at St. Paul’s Church, 2423 W. 26^th St., Joplin, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Joey Grieshaber Memorial Fund 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 online at cheneywitt.com.

Patricia Ann Barker Wallace, age 72, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

She was born July 4, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Earl Barker and Velma Mealman Barker. Patricia grew up in Prescott, Kansas and received her early education at the Prescott Grade School. She later went on to graduate from the Prairie View Grade School in Lacygne in 1958.

In 1976, Patricia became a client with Tri-Valley Development Center. She kept busy in the workshop and enjoyed the companionship of the other clients and staff. She was active with the Open Hand Friends program at Tri-Valley and enjoyed taking group trips to Branson, Wichita, Topeka and other destinations.

Patricia had a reputation for being hardworking, trustworthy and friendly. While working at Tri-Valley, Patricia fell in love with Archie Wallace, another Tri-Valley client. Patricia and Archie were married on July 4, 2000, in Ft. Scott. Thanks to services provided by Tri-Valley, they were able to live privately for most of their twenty-four years of marriage.

Patricia loved watching the Kansas City Royals and KU Jayhawk Basketball. She also enjoyed cross stitch where her work received several awards at Tri-Valley exhibitions. Patricia attended Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene. She will be remembered for her happy personality with her ever-present smile.

Survivors include her husband, Archie, two sisters, Barbara Wicks of Nevada, Missouri and Betty Jo Gardner, of Hutchinson, Kansas and a brother, James Barker, also of Hutchinson. Also surviving are an aunt, Norene Mealman and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Velma Barker and her feline children, Tiger and Snowball.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Tri-Valley Developmental Center 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 cheneywit.com.

Donald Fredrick Wunderly, resident of rural Fort Scott, passed away January 4, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

Born July 26, 1950, in Fort Scott to Fred and Julia (Brennan) Wunderly, Don graduated from FSHS in 1968. He was active in football, FFA and 4H. He attended University of Arkansas pursuing a Physical Education degree. He excelled in football and served as a team captain. Don went on to play football for the British Columbia Lions and briefly in the NFL.

He found true contentment on the family farm where he settled with his wife and children. He was known for his physical strength and unwavering work ethic as well as his willingness to help anyone in need. An avid outdoorsman, Don had a passion for hunting and fishing, and he enjoyed chopping firewood – a task he continued until shortly before his passing. He enjoyed simple pleasures like daily country drives with his wife, Peggy, always passing by neighboring family farms and stopping at Dayton Cemetery to pay respects to departed loved ones. Don also treasured spending time with his children and grandchildren, engaging in outdoor activities and playing pitch or dominos. He loved sharing stories around the bonfire.

Don married Mary Margaret (Peggy) Grillot in Saint Francis Church in St Paul, KS, on September 27, 1974. She survives of the home. Also surviving are his children; Megan Weddle, Fort Scott, and Nate (Jade) Wunderly of Overland Park, and grandchildren Kaeli (Clay) Holloway and Delani Weddle of Fort Scott, Brennan and Braylan Wunderly of Overland Park, and great-grandson Trey Holloway of Fort Scott.

Surviving siblings include a sister, Barbara Schmidt and brothers Mike Wunderly, Dan (Stephanie) Wunderly, and twin brother Ron Wunderly, all of Fort Scott, Joe (Marsha) Wunderly of Fulton, sister-in-law Linda Wunderly of Mapleton and numerous and beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Julia, sister; Pat Cook and brother Lawrence Wunderly.

Following cremation, Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The Rosary will be at 9:00 a.m. prior to services at the church. Private family interment will take place at a later date in the Dayton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Don Wunderly Memorial and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

Don’s family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and supportive staff of Girard Medical Center and all of Research Medical Center.

Vicki Sue Cox Parsons, age 68, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg.  She was born January 15, 1956, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Albert L. Cox, Sr. and Rosalie Smith Cox.

Vicki married Donald M. Parsons on February 29, 1972, in Girard, Kansas.  They later divorced.  Vicki received her BSN in nursing from Pittsburg State University.  She worked at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg for twenty-six years.  She worked as a nurse in several areas of the hospital, but she especially enjoyed her time in pediatrics.

Vicki dearly loved all her family and was a second mom to her eleven grandchildren; she faithfully attended their many activities and loved hosting sleepovers.

Vicki was an avid traveler and was privileged to take many vacations with her family, some of which included Europe and South Korea.  She will be greatly missed by her family and all who loved her.

Survivors include her children, Brandy Stanley (Roger), Micah Parsons (Sarah) all of Pittsburg, and Andrea Briley (Christopher) of Webb City, Missouri, and eleven grandchildren, Montana, Kayln, Blair, Andrew, Christopher, Brady, Levi, Addison, Parker, Calista and Rourke.  A great-granddaughter is expected later this month.  Also surviving are two brothers, William Cox (Kelly) of Ft. Scott and Robert Cox, Murphysboro, Illinois and two sisters, Teresa Ahmadi (Reza) of Houston, Texas and Cindy Larsen (Danny) of Ft. Scott.

Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Albert L. “Sonny” Cox, Jr. and three sisters, Jean Schroder, Sharon Baucom, and Linda Metcalf.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 13^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the chapel.

Following services, there will be cremation, and a private burial will take place later at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Fostering Connections 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.

Elaine Marie Guss, 65, of Fort Scott, died at 10:56 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Elaine was born on June 16, 1959 at Santa Monica, Calif., to Vernon and Katherine Guss. She moved to Fort Scott when she was eight years old and lived the rest of her life in Bourbon County. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1978.

From her union with Michael Harper, Elaine had four wonderful children: Candy Turner, Michael Harper, Dustin Harper and Scott Harper all of Fort Scott.

Elaine regularly attended Grace Baptist Church, and she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids.

She wasn’t afraid to carry on a conversation with anyone, and she never knew a stranger. She looked forward to trips to Branson with her mother. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for her family.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Katherine Guss and a sister, Maryann Martin. She is survived by her children, Candy, Michael (Amy), Dustin (Alison) and Scott; three brothers, Stuart (Carla) Guss, Bruce Guss and Roy Guss; seven grandkids, Courtney Harper, Lily Harper, Landon Turner, London Turner, Charlee Harper, Ella Harper and Memphis Harper; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 8^th at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Elaine Guss Memorial Fuind 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.

Charles B. Schafer passed away peacefully on the morning of December 26, 2024, in Wellsville, Kansas. He embraced life and loved teasing those around him with his infectious-and playfully mischievous-sense of humor. A friendly man with a quick smile, he wanted to put people around him at ease and enjoy the moment.

During various stages of life, he went by different names. He was known as “Charlie” to most of the world, “Ben” to his siblings and their children, “Mr. Schafer” to his students, “Pop” to his immediate family, and “Grandpa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charles was born on January 28, 1938, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He was the third of five children born to John and Annabel Schafer. He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1956.

While attending Fort Scott Junior College, Charles met the love of his life: Rosalie Lorie Stites. She was a 1957 graduate of Parker High School. Two years later, Charles and Rosalie were married at the Methodist Church in Parker, Kansas.

From 1956 to 1964, Charles proudly served in the Kansas Army National Guard. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6.

Charles had a knack for all things mechanical. He was also creative and inventive. As a high school student, he began designing and building wooden furniture pieces. While substituting for his shop teacher, he discovered a love for working with young people. In the manner of a sturdy dovetail joint, he combined his natural mechanical abilities with a desire to teach students.d He majored in Industrial Arts at Pittsburg State University (then known as Kansas State College of Pittsburg) in Pittsburg, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Master of Science degree.

Charles initially taught at Miami High School in Amsterdam, Missouri, before moving on to Central Heights High School in Kansas. For the final 26 years of his 37-year career, he taught in the LeRoy-Gridley School District. He instructed students in a range of industrial arts including welding, wood working, metal foundry, basic automotive care, small engine repair, and drafting.

Charles and Rosalie were married for 59 years. In 1968, they moved from Amoret, Missouri to Richmond, Kansas. They lived in Richmond for more than 50 years and raised their sons there. As supportive parents, they attended baseball games and high school plays among many other events. They were fixtures in the small town and longtime members of the Richmond United Methodist Church. Charles loved working on projects in his shop and taking daily breaks to meet the coffee drinkers at “R and B’s” in Richmond.

In April 2019, Charles moved into Wellsville Health and Rehab in Wellsville, Kansas. With his sociable nature, he was soon at home there. He became one of the home’s better-known characters. It seemed that every staff member and resident knew him. Donning a crumpled straw cowboy hat, he played guitar and sang in the semi-annual Gong Show. And he wore shorts year-round (some pairs were “winter shorts”).

At Wellsville, Charles was known as an inventor, builder, and handyman. He turned his room into a mini-shop with a vice and an assortment of tools and supplies. No longer able to have a woodworking shop, he began building things out of pieces of corrugated cardboard glued together. His cardboard creations included Halloween masks, iPad holders, lecterns, game boards, log cabins, and a bingo board with lights. Scott Averill, owner of Wellsville Health and Rehab, referred to him as “our amazing Charlie.”

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, John F. and Annabel M. Schafer; his older sisters Barbara Mattingly and Joan Baugher; and his wife Rosalie (who died in 2019).

He is survived by his sister Phyllis Smith and brother David A. Schafer. Other survivors include his sons and their children. David D. Schafer, his wife Valerie, of Stonewall, Texas, and his step-daughters Sandra Jacoby and Cindy Jacoby. Dan Schafer, his wife Konnie, of Plainview, Texas, and their children: Galvan and Whitney Schafer; Daniel and Katie Schafer and their sons Bennett and Beau; Kassie Schafer; and Harlan Schafer. Joe Stites and his wife Mindy, of Wellsville, Kansas, and their children Joseph and Ava.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Garnett. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Richmond United Methodist Church in Richmond, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Richmond Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Richmond United Methodist Church or the “Wellsville Memorial Fund” in care of Wellsville Health and Rehab.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Larry Dean Swaim, 76, of Fort Scott, passed away December 24, 2024, at Guest Home Estates. He was born on January 30, 1948, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Charles Abraham Swaim and Evelyn Elizabeth (Hull) Swaim, and lived on a farm in Brown County. He married Charlotte Ann Kellogg on July 20, 1974, at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg, Kansas, and they were married for fifty years. Charlotte survives of the home.

Larry graduated from Robinson High School in 1966 and earned his BME in 1970 and Master of Music in 1974 from Pittsburg State University. He taught music to elementary school children for USD 234 in Fort Scott for thirty-nine years, teaching them to enjoy music of all kinds.

Larry attended First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott. He was active in the Olive Chapter of O.E.S. and served as Grand Organist and Worthy Grand Patron, Hiawatha Masonic Lodge AF & AM, and was also State Musician for seven years. Larry was also interested in Genealogy and travel.

In addition to his wife, Charlotte, Larry is also survived by his children Aaron Swaim and Allison, of Gardner, Kansas, and Lisa Collier and Troy, of Paola, Kansas; five grandchildren, Porter and Griffin Swaim, Jenna, Jacie, and Jensen Collier, and his cherished dog, Oliver.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

Following cremation, Pastor Christopher Eshelman will officiate funeral services at 10:30 a.m. of Friday, January 10, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, with interment following at Evergreen Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Masonic Services will take place at the cemetery.

The family will receive friends for a visitation and Order of Eastern Star Service on Thursday evening 5:00-7:00 p.m. January 9, 2025, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or O.E.S. Scholarship Fund and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

Donald Lee McDaniel, age 88, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott.  He was born September 17, 1936, in Fort Scott, the son of Andrew Galen McDaniel and Donna May Stephens McDaniel.

Don served in the U. S. Army from 1959 until 1961.  He married Barbara Wolfe on December 23, 1959.  She preceded him in death on May 21, 2013.  Don retired from the Postal Service after 28 years of service.  Because of his evening work schedule, Don cherished morning breakfasts and late-night bowls of ice cream with his family.  He enjoyed farming, working on cars, and watching PGA golf on tv.  He had great affection for all animals, especially the family dogs.  He liked walking in Walmart and catching up with friends.  He also helped care for many foster children over a 10-year time span while adopting 2.

Survivors include 3 sons, Randall McDaniel, Carthage, MO, Ricky McDaniel, Fort Scott, KS, and Ronald McDaniel, Pittsburg, KS; 3 daughters, Patricia Flanigan, Carthage, MO, Jeanise Malone, Fort Scott, and Tanya Lockwood, Fort Scott; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and several nieces and nephews.  Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark McDaniel; 2 brothers, Andrew “Junior” McDaniel and Robert McDaniel; 2 sisters, infant Rosalee McDaniel, and Silva May Modica; and his parents.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 3^rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 prior to the service at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Bethel Church Building Fund and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

I made a new friend last week.  We were standing next to each other in a looooong line at the post office here in Las Vegas, and I listened to her try to help a young man behind her navigate his paperwork.  She noticed me (eavesdropping) and sweetly said, “I sure hope I told him right.  I’m not even sure I’m doing mine right.” She was trying to decide if she should attach a mailing label to her package or not.  I told her that whatever she did was just fine, and if the postal worker didn’t approve, she should tell him that I told her it was fine.  It was a goofy thing to say, but we both laughed. And in the next few minutes, we laughed a lot.  My kind of gal.

It turns out that Ty lives near me.  We exchanged phone numbers, agreed that God works in the craziest of ways, and today had lunch together.  I had hoped to share Jesus with her, but I didn’t have to.  As we hugged in front of the restaurant before going inside, she handed me a gift: a Christian book she had written.  Before we even ordered, I asked Ty to tell me about her life. She shared how God had taken her from homelessness at the age of 14 by directing her steps and giving her entrepreneurial skills.

While we were eating, Ty received a text from her mother, the same mother who had abandoned her and left her (Ty) to raise her two-year-old brother. “To my beautiful, intelligent, wonderful daughter” it began.  Ty had forgiven her mother and bought her a car and a home about an hour away.  “That’s what God calls us to do,” she said matter-of-factly.

We talked about how God had orchestrated our meeting in that looooong line in the post office.  Ty said that she now spends most of her time writing software codes for doctors and accountants and isn’t really into developing relationships with people, so it was strange that we talked and laughed the way we did. I assured her that I had no idea how she did what she did because my brain does not work like that.  I’m just into people. I love making friends.

This past week, my husband sent me an email he had received that dealt with finding good friends.  Some of it, I liked.  Some, not.  Take this one, for instance: “If you want to reach the top, surround yourself with the right people.  We have heard your network is your Net Worth.  It is so, so true!  Be with those who will help you climb higher.”  I get what the writer intends, but money never should be a qualification for a friendship.

The writer went on to list other kinds of friends we need: a Covenant Friend who loves no matter what; a Confidant Friend who never is jealous of other’s success; a Hospitable Friend who keeps people grounded; and a Spiritual Friend (“one that will pray for you without you asking, the one that you go to for advice, you go to when you need a reality check”).

Christmas is the perfect time to remember family and friends.  Jesus was all about relationships and instructed his disciples to spend their lives discipling others.  I cannot imagine how empty my life would be without my friends, but I wonder how many times I’ve been too self-absorbed to reach out like I did with Ty.  What opportunities did God lay at my feet, but I just ignored them?  I’m afraid it’s not their loss, but mine.