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.

Karin Lee Turk, age 74, a former resident of Topeka, Kansas, and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024, at Arma Health & Rehab in Arma, Kansas, surrounded by her family.

She was born October 26, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Jack and Margaret Williamson. Karin graduated from the Hayden High School and Platte Business College. She married Steven Lee Turk on March 15, 1968.

Throughout her life, Karin wore many career hats. She was a professional cake decorator and also ran a daycare out of her home for over ten years. She later did clerical and claim work for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Other than her favorite role of grandma, Karin enjoyed baking, embroidering, and reading. She was also an accomplished seamstress and had a secret dream of becoming a fashion designer. She often made outfits for her children in their younger years, and in her own words, she was “almost as good as mom.”

Following the death of her husband in September of 2005, Karin moved to Ft. Scott to be with her daughter. However, she still remained connected with her other family and cared for her own elderly mother in her later years.

Survivors include her children, Jennifer Clara Lemke of Ft. Scott, Steven Louis Turk of Topeka, and Matthew Berglund Turk of Pensacola, Florida; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who were pride and joy. She is also survived by her siblings, Susan Williamson and James Williamson, both of Topeka. In addition to her husband, Karin was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John Williamson.

Following cremation, a private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Benjamin David “Benji” Smith, age 22, a former resident of Mapleton, Kansas, left this troubled world and was welcomed into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ on December 12, 2024.

He was currently serving in the United States Navy at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on the USS Florida (SSGN-728).  Benji was born March 25, 2002, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Randall Douglas Smith and Tonya Linn Hill Smith.

Shortly after his birth, the Smith family moved to France in preparation for the mission field.  They served as missionaries in the West African nation of Ivory Coast and later in Burkina Faso.  Even at a young age, Benji had a very outgoing personality and loved interacting with the African people.

The family occasionally returned to the United States for furlough but returned for good in 2017.  Benji dearly loved his church family at Xenia Baptist Church.  He graduated from the Christian Learning Center in 2020 and went on to receive an associate’s degree from Ft. Scott Community College.  He later enlisted with the United States Navy.  He had completed the Naval Nuclear Power Training Course and currently held the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.

Benji loved being outdoors and running.  He was very meticulous and intelligent but also possessed a keen wit and a sharp sense of humor.

Survivors include his parents, Randy and Tony Smith of Mapleton and siblings, Jonathan, of Ft. Scott, LaRée of Lexington Kentucky, and Joshua, who is also serving in the Navy at the Naval Nuclear Power Command in Charleston, South Carolina. Also surviving are his maternal grandparents, Bill and June Hill of Mapleton as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Benji was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Norman and Kay Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 30^th at the Xenia Baptist Church.

Burial with full military honors will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Xenia 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

Margie Elizabeth Seaver, age 73, of Fort Scott, KS. passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. Margie was born to Leslie and Mary (Johnston) Seaver, on January 3, 1951 in Fort Scott, where she resided most of her life. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1969. She worked the majority of her career in the insurance industry, retiring from Great West / CIGNA insurance. Margie loved spending time with her family, her plants, her cats, sewing and growing tomatoes and peonies.

She is survived by her children, Kimberley Denton and Casey Graham, Joshua and Melinda Seaver, both of Fort Scott; grandchildren, Zachary and Marissa Denton of Prairie Village, KS., Abigail Denton and Shane George of Monet, MO., Jennifer Denton and Chad Classen of Frontenac, KS., and Marlie Seaver of Fort Scott; great-grandson, Rowan Denton; siblings Roy and Joyce Seaver, of Phoenix, AZ., Joan Seaver of Fort Scott. Margie was preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 23^rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Chapel Grove Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Mt. Carmel Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

George Edward Montgomery, Jr., 81, of Fort Scott, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday evening, December 11, 2024, in Kansas City at KU Medical Center. He was born January 16, 1943, in Pulaskifield, Missouri, the son of George Edward Montgomery Sr., and Una Mae (Edwards) Montgomery. He married Terry Simons on February 4, 1972, in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives of the home.

George worked many different jobs in his lifetime; railroad, carpentry, city codes officer, Director of Fort Scott Housing Authority. In his retirement he devoted his time and energy to his family and his church family. He enjoyed helping with maintenance and served on the building committees for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic School.

George is survived by three brothers and two sisters, his children, George Montgomery III (Cindy), Bonner Springs, Kansas; Richard Montgomery (Susan), North Charleston, South Carolina; Carl Johnson (Jeanette), Holt, Missouri; Tessie Tucker (Joe), Fort Scott, Kansas; Blake Montgomery (Angela), Olathe, Kansas; Elizabeth Murphy, Fort Scott, Kansas; Justin Montgomery (Tylar), Fort Scott, Kansas; nineteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and a brother.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Yancey Burgess at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening, December 19, 2024, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with a visitation following from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Burial will take place at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery following cremation.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School or to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church 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.

Dawnelle Rose Ornstein, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at her home.  She was born April 30, 1988, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Jimmy Dean Kimler and Donna Chaplin.  After completing high school, Dawnelle went on to become a CNA.

She was united in marriage to Alan Ornstein on May 9, 2009.  Dawnelle and Alan’s wedding ceremony was held at Elm Creek Lake west of Ft. Scott.

Dawnelle had worked as a CNA and as a clerk at Five Corners Mini Mart.  Currently she was working as a customer service representative for Clarity Insurance Company, formerly Cobalt.

Her most important job, however, was being a loving and devoted wife and mother.  Dawnelle loved being a mom and faithfully attended her sons’ sporting events.  She also enjoyed being outdoors.  Favorite times were spent camping with her family or going for a ride on the motorcycle.

Survivors include her husband, Alan and their three boys, Terrian Joseph, Tavian Alan and Talan Dean, all of the home in Ft. Scott.  Also surviving is her mother, Donna Chaplin of Ft. Scott and a brother, Jody Chaplin, of Uniontown, Kansas and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dawnelle was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Cherokee Springston.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 18^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Large Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Dawnelle Ornstein Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Morris Earl Robinson, age 90, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Springfield, Missouri.  He was born June 12, 1934, in Redfield, Kansas, the son of Earl Kenneth Robinson and Frances Mary McGuire Robinson.  He was united in marriage to Darlene Harned on January 2, 1955, at the Fulton United Methodist Church in Fulton, Kansas.

Following their marriage, Morris served with the United States Navy from 1956 to 1958.  He remained active with the Navy Reserves until 1962.

Morris was a lifelong educator.  After serving in the Navy, he began his teaching career in Uniontown, Kansas.  He also taught at Westphalia and Bronson.

In addition to teaching, Morris also loved working on the farm.  He worked at a ranch in Colony, Kansas and later moved his family to British Columbia where he managed the Green Valley Ranch for several years.

He later taught at the Dome Creek School and McBride Elementary School in British Columbia.  In 1970, the family moved to Pickens, South Carolina where he taught at the Olenooy Valley Christian School.  He later returned to Kansas and worked as the City Superintendent at Uniontown for six years.  In addition to working for the City, he also worked the family farm at Lake Frances.

Teaching was still in his blood and in 1978, he taught ACE curriculum at the Community Life Fellowship School in Redfield, Kansas and later at Patton Fellowship School in Patton, Missouri.  In 1986, he relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri where he was employed by Teen Challenge.  While at Teen Challenge he continued to teach and help students obtain their GED certification.  He retired completely in 2000 and returned to the farm in Redfield near Lake Frances.  Morris loved spending time outdoors.  He also enjoyed music and played the guitar, piano, mandolin and harmonica.  Favorite times were spent with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Morris is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; ten children, Sonia Gonske, Montgomery, Texas, Twyla Young (Tim), Garland, Kansas, Lesha Seaver, Liberty, Missouri, Mark Robinson (Marianne), Thompsonville, Illinois, Suzanne Ruble (Tim), Springfield, Missouri, Lela Robinson-Bradley (Steve), Murrieta, California, Lynna Longaro (Joe), Austin, Texas, Kimerly Feiner (Larry), Glendale, Arizona, Isaac Robinson (Pia), Tarlac City, Philippines and Raymond Robinson of Ft. Scott and a son-in-law, Tyronn Nunnelly of St. Louis, Missouri as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are three brothers, Lynn Robinson and Lyle Robinson, both of Redfield, Kansas and Jerry Robinson of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Morris was preceded in death by a daughter, Myrna Robinson-Nunnelly, a brother, Merle Robinson and a sister, Anita Ayre.

Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 16^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Robinson Family Cemetery near Redfield, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Teen Challenge 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 onli