Donald L. Elkins, age 50, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.  He was born April 12, 1972, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the son of Donald Wayne Elkins and Sherry Lynne Hunt Elkins.  At an early age, the family moved to California.  Donald grew up and attended school in Taft, California.  Following high school, he went to work in the oil fields of southern California where he continued to work for many years.

In 2015, he relocated to Ft. Scott in order to be closer to his family.  While living in Ft. Scott, he was employed by RSC Construction.  He married his longtime companion, Trina Royal.  She preceded him in death on April 2, 2021.

 

Survivors include his children, Samantha Elkins, of Nevada, Missouri, Brandon Elkins of Portland, Oregon, Britney Elkins, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Jessica Perkins of Emerald Isle, North Carolina and Justin Perkins of Bakersfield, California.  Also surviving are several grandchildren and two sisters, Melissa Gurule and Teresa Salazar both of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 26^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Donald Elkins Memorial 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 remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.comOb

George Washington Osborn, Jr., age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

George was born March 20, 1934, to George W. Osborn and Stella Cauthon Osborn in Bates County, Missouri. He was the sixth of seven children. George grew up on the farm and started farming when he was fourteen years old and proudly continued until he was eighty.

He married the love of his life, Joanne Greer, on November 17, 1954. He started his married life working for a ranch in Adrian, Missouri. In November 1959, they moved to Gardner, Kansas where he rented his own farm across the road from his widowed aunt so that he could take care of her. In those early years, he did what he could to take care of his family including digging graves.

He did so well with the farming and soil conservation that he won several farming awards in Johnson, Miami, and Linn counties. In 1967, he bought his own farm outside of Drexel, Missouri, (on the Kansas side) and moved his family there and started a large hog operation along with the farming. In 1988, he and Joanne moved further south to the Blue Mound, Kansas area where he enjoyed farming row crops and not worrying about pigs and cattle

George was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joanne when the farming schedule allowed.

George was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings and his youngest son, Doug.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of sixty-eight years, his daughter, Ruth Benson (Randy) of Webb City, Missouri and son, Pete Osborn of Beaver, Ohio. Also surviving are two grandsons, Randall Benson (Stephanie) of Kansas City, Missouri and Jonathan Benson (Kari) of Kailua, Hawaii (USAF) and three great-granddaughters, Kathy, Alyssa and Clara of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 22nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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.

Charles Louis Cable, age 88, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, just four days after his precious wife, Willa.

Charles was born February 18, 1935, in Liberal, Missouri to Louis M. Cable and Edna McKay Cable.He spent his youth on a farm near Lamar, Mo and graduated from Lamar High School with the Class of 1954. He continued his education at what is now known as Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. In 1959, he received a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry.

He took his first pastorate at First Christian Church in Savonburg, KS. There, he met the love of his life, Willa Ann Woody. They married on March 3, 1962, in Humboldt, KS. They were married for 61 years.

In 1966, the young couple purchased a farm in Redfield, KS.

Charles worked as a social worker for the State of Kansas until his retirement in 1999. Throughout the years, Charles worked as a
bi-vocational pastor in churches in Allen, Bourbon, and Crawford Counties in Kansas.

Charles appreciated life on his farm including fishing and swimming in the farm ponds.

In addition, he enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, fishing, and teaching the Word of God.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marge Cable Myers; a grandson, Luke Matthew Cable; and his beloved wife, Willa Woody Cable.

He is survived by two children, Bob (Lori) Cable of Fort Scott; Cherri (Paul) Walrod of Eudora, KS; eleven grandchildren: Loryn (Andrew) Woodworth of Bloomington, IN; Seth (Rachel) Cable of Overland Park, KS, Landon Walrod of Almagordo, NM; Samuel Cable of Kansas City, MO; Jamison (Cierra) Walrod of Shawnee, KS; Natalie Cable of Kansas City, MO; Jintry (Will) Phillips of Emporia, KS; and
Simon, Sami, Karly, and Kolson Walrod of Eudora, KS; as well as five great-grandchildren.

Charles will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and loving church family at Marmaton Community Church in Redfield, KS.

A joint Celebration of Life Ceremony for Willa and Charles will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:00 pm at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be given in their honor to Marmaton
Community Church.

Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling, age 96, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away on  Monday, March 13, 2023 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas

 

Rodell was born on October 25, 1926 in Fort Scott, he son of Reid and Olive Dorn Darling.   He attended the Fort School system and was a U. S. Army veteran during World War II.  After serving in the Philippines following the Japanese surrender, Rodell was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.  He then returned to Fort Scott and began his life anew.  He was married to Mary Elizabeth McKee in Uniontown, Kansas on April 29, 1950, and they became lifelong companions.

 

Rodell worked at several jobs in and around Fort Scott during his life but the one for which he was most well known was that of being a serviceman for the Gas Service Company; a job that he very much enjoyed having for 33 years before retiring in 1989.

 

In earlier years, Rodell was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed fishing as well as hunting quail and squirrels and even the occasional prairie chicken.  Beginning in the mid-1970s he and Mary became accomplished square dancers and participated extensively as members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club.   Over the years he also liked to walk throughout Fort Scott; something for which he is still remembered by some.  Like his wife Mary, Rodell’s biggest joy in life was his family.

 

Survivors include his son, Rodell Clay Darling (Virginia); two grandchildren, Linden Reid Collins (Austin) of Dallas, and Elizabeth Hope Darling (Ryan) of Pittsburg; and three great grandchildren, Eden Darling of Pittsburg, Ruby Darling Collins and Reid Yeager Collins, also of Dallas, and many nieces and nephews.

Rodell was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Sue Collins, his sister, Vivian Lugliani, and his brother, Wallace Darling.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 21^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel, burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.   Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Charles Franklin “Frankie” Durossette, age 51, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, KS.

He was surrounded by his entire family as he was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.

Frankie grew up in Fort Scott, where he met and married the love of his life, Melissa Jane Blaufuss. He met Melissa “cruising” town and fell in love with her right away.  They married, September 9, 2000.

Frankie was the manager and head mechanic, alongside his wife and parents, at 3D Auto Repair.

While he was an excellent mechanic, he enjoyed many things in life.  He enjoyed hunting, shooting firearms, fishing, coaching, and cheering for his boys at all sporting events.  Frankie was proud of all three boys.

At home, he was a master at all things.  Frankie and Melissa just built their dream home together. At home he enjoyed cooking and grilling. He could build or fix anything.  We were truly blessed with a great man.

 

Frankie and Melissa have three boys, Cody, Wyatt, and Caleb, their most precious possessions. Frankie was born April 6, 1971, to Frank and Mary (Michalek) Durossette. He is brother to: big brother, Billy, wife Christi Durossette, little brother Kevin, wife Autumn Durossette and Wes, wife Amber Blaufuss. Frankie is uncle to: Josh, wife Tab, Jake, Sophie, Kasen, Cash, Ellie, Kierstyn, Emersyn, Kynley, Kane, and Kaizley.

Frankie was excited to add Grandpa to his title soon. Frankie was preceded in death by Paternal and Maternal grandparents, Grover William and Maxine Lavon (Gibson) Durossette, and Edward and Ethel Mary (Murphy) Michalek.

 

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, March 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Frankie Durossette 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Willa Ann Woody Cable went softly into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after a very brief battle with brain cancer. She was born August 17, 1944, to Mable Smith Woody in Fort Scott, KS, She grew up on a farm east of Savonburg, Kansas where she was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, Emmett and Myrtle Smith.

 

Her affection for the outdoors was nurtured by her Grandpa Smith as they worked side-by-side with cattle, horses, and mules. This love of nature continued throughout her life. She found joy in gardening, hunting, and fishing. She travelled extensively throughout North America particularly enjoying visiting historic sites and national parks.

 

As a teen, Willa met Jesus and things only got better. Jesus walked with her step-by-step throughout her life. In May 1959, she met the love of her life, Charles Cable. They married on March 3, 1962, in Humboldt, KS.

 

When her two children were in school, she went back to school and attained her degree in nursing. As an LPN, she worked for many years in local nursing homes. This was one of the many ways that she faithfully served the Lord and touched the lives of those around her.

 

Willa’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Charles, two children, Bob (Lori) Cable of Fort Scott, Cherri (Paul) Walrod of Eudora, KS; eleven grandchildren: Loryn (Andrew) Woodworth of Bloomington, Indiana, Seth (Rachel) Cable of Overland Park, KS, Landon Walrod of Almagordo, NM, Samuel Cable of Kansas City, MO, Jamison (Sierra) Walrod of Shawnee, KS, Natalie Cable of Kansas City, MO, Jintry (Will) Phillips of Emporia, KS and Simon, Sami, Karly, and Kolson Walrod of Eudora; and five great-grandchildren.

 

She was known for her strength, wit, and heart for God. She will be greatly missed.

 

There was cremation. Services will take place at later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201, S. Main St. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Katherine Denise “Mammy” Beal Howe, age 70, resident of West Plains, MO, died Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Via Christi Emergency Room, Fort Scott, KS.

She was born April 4, 1952, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Olan and Audrey Brown Beal.

Mammy worked at the local donut shop and later as an over-the-road truck driver.  She enjoyed stock car racing, casinos, and playing bingo.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren.  She was known as Mammy to everyone.

Survivors include two children, Tina Martin (Matthew), and Lokota Beal (Megan); four brothers, Olan “Bud” Beal, Jr. (Janet), Alan Beal (Debbie), Russell “Rusty” Beal (Donna), and Robert Beal (Judy); three grandchildren Ryan Hill (Bryant), Amanda Hill (Joseph), and Lakota Beal, Jr.; three stepsons, Christopher Howe, Cory Howe, and Stephen Niehaus; a great granddaughter, Seguin Grace and baby Hill on the way.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Tonia Beal, and her parents.

 

Also surviving is her significant other Ron Falwell and his family, 1 son and spouse, 5 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, 8 great granddaughters, 1 great grandson, and preceded in death by 1 son.

 

Bud Beal and Rusty Beal will conduct graveside services at 1:00 Thursday, March 16^th, at the West Liberty Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Mammy Howe 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Jerry Wayne Allen, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.  He was born November 28, 1954, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harold Allen and Esther Gibson Allen.

Jerry first married Caroline Frances “Fran” Morrow on April 20, 1981, in Ft. Scott.  They enjoyed sixteen years of marriage until her death on May 29, 1997.  Jerry later married Deborah Morrow on December 28, 1998, at Miami, Oklahoma.

Jerry had a knack for working on small engines and had repaired many motor bikes and lawn mowers.  He also used his mechanical abilities to rebuild lawn tractors that he used in area lawn tractor pulls.  Fishing was also a favorite pastime.

 

Survivors include his wife, Deborah, of the home and three step-children, Sara Schnichels, Casey Keirsey and Christopher Keith.  Also surviving are two brothers, Pete Allen and Charles Allen and a sister, Barbara Wheeler.

In addition to his first wife, Fran, Jerry was also preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Esther Allen, a brother, Tom Allen, a sister, Bonnie Hill and his beloved dog, Susie.

 

There was cremation.  Private burial will take place at a later date in the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Ft. Scott.

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.

Michael Louis Pool, age 70, a resident of Lake Fort Scott, passed Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his home.  He was born July 27, 1952, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of William Louis “Louie” Pool and Norma Elaine Johnson Pool

Mike grew up in the Bronson area and graduated from the Uniontown High School.  He married Patricia A. Floyd on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.

Mike was a brick and stone mason as well as a tuck pointer.  He used his skills on construction sites throughout Kansas and Missouri.

Weekends were spent racing at the Mo-Kan track or fishing on the lake.

 

Survivors include his two sons, Brian Pool and Brent Pool (Tawny) both of Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Laura, Ashleigh, Logan, Nash, Kellen and Evan and a brother, Steve Pool of Penokee, Kansas.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Patty, on May 21, 2019.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Elaine Pool.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 15^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

William Stanley “Buddy” Pruitt, 82, resident of Garland, Texas, passed away March 1, 2023.

He was born July 26, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Thomas William Pruitt and Lazetta Fae (Ridenour) Pruitt.

 

Buddy is survived by his sons, Troy William Pruitt, and Richard Thomas Pruitt, both of Garland, Texas; a sister Fay Farley, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and seven grandchildren.

 

Ronnie Pruitt will conduct graveside services 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 13, 2023, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fulton, Kansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Suella Jean Hornby, 63, a resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.

She was born September 8, 1959, in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Kenneth Ross Wood and Jennie Louise (Reynolds) Wood.

She married Charles Matthew Hornby July 16, 1988, and he survives of the home.

 

Suella worked in sales and marketing, and she was a member of the Brainerd Church of the Nazarene, where she was the church pianist.

 

In addition to her husband, Charles, Suella is also survived by a brother, Stanley Wood (Denise), of Easton, Kansas, and two sisters, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Philip), of Raymore, Missouri.

 

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Hammond Methodist Church, with burial following at the Maple Grove Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. prior to the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Grove Cemetery, 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.

 

John Lyle Jackson, 93, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on March 6, 2023. John was born April 13, 1929, at Isabel, Kansas. He was one of eight children born to John Ervin Jackson and Jessie Eva (Hollister) Jackson. He married Norma Jean (Smith) Jackson Nov. 25, 1951, in Bronson, Kan.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers and five sisters, Calvin Jackson, Fern Jackson, Dean Jackson, Ruth McEndree, Stella Ludlum, Lila Ludlum and Shirley Ludlum.

 

John and Jean were married for 68 years at the time of her passing in September 2020.

John is survived by son Dan and wife Jeannie of Bartlesville, Okla., son Rick and wife Denise of Bartlesville, Okla., daughter Diana Myers and husband Vincent of Overland Park, Kan.; Grandchildren Janett (Chris) Ferrell, April Jackson, Zeb (Mandi) Jackson, Danielle (Mark) Bernal, Rachel Myers, Evan Myers, Skyler Myers; great-grandchildren, Collin, Foster, Carley, Justin, Nayeli, Brady, Everly, Larkin, Boone, Keith and Kassius; great-great-grandson Jaxxen; and grand-dog Bubba John.

 

John graduated from Isabel High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948. He was stationed in Germany before returning to Kansas in 1950. He was then recalled in 1951, for the Korean War, training many soldiers for deployment at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, completing service in 1953.

John and Jean made their home in Iola, Kan., purchasing 17 acres on Park Street, where they raised their three children and ran an office for MFA Insurance. They attended every football, basketball, baseball game and horse show that their children were involved in. John was the head of the Spur Club with Bud Sifers and they rang the Mustang bell at every home game.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his best friend Gene Sallee.

In 1975, they relocated to Fort Scott and opened Jackson Real Estate. After 15 years, they closed the real estate office and opened Outpost Antiques in downtown Fort Scott, for another 10+ years. John enjoyed finding a good deal…he had an eye for antiquities and collectibles of all types.

He eventually retired from H & H Real Estate in Fort Scott, at 80 years young.

 

John was a voracious reader and kept the staff in the public library busy every week, often reading one or two books a day. In his last years, he still enjoyed reading, garage sales, puzzles, and visiting with anyone that called or stopped by – even though he would never wear his hearing aids.

He was known to break out in song at any time with his favorites being ol’ Dan Tucker or Ramblin’ Bob.

John was a devoted fan of KU Basketball, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Following cremation, Chaplain Lloyd Houk will conduct graveside services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Flowers are welcome as well as cards and letters to the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Public Library and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.