Gavonn Michaela Annette Elise Burk, age 24, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS.  She was born on January 5, 1999, in Olathe, KS, the daughter of Jeff Burk and Mary McCully.  She grew up in Iola, KS.  Gavonn was a free spirit who stood for what she believed in.  She enjoyed attending live concerts and spending time with family and friends.  She adored her two daughters who meant everything to her.

 

Survivors include her daughters, Scarlett Burk and Gracelynn Jones; her mother, Mary Watson (Will), Fort Scott, KS; her father, Jeff Burk, Fort Scott, KS; 7 brothers, Tripp Chapman, Prestonn Burk, Daylonn Burk, Londonn Burk, Brittonn Burk, Ethan Watson, and Tylor Watson; 3 sisters, Railie Zimmerman, Peytonn Burk, and Kindra Watson; grandparents Irene and Dan Rhodes, Gary Hartman, and Theresa Burk and Marvin Hartman; great grandparents Loren and Ivana Higginbotham; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by a grandfather, Mike Burk and stepfather Billy Chapman.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 11^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in Holmes Cemetery, Prescott, KS.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Gavonn Burk 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.

Sandra Kay (Laws) Woods, age 75, a resident of Bronson, KS passed on to her heavenly home on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO.

Sandy was born in Kansas City, KS on August 26th, 1947. She was the first child and only daughter of Lyman Allen Laws and Evelyn Ivon (Crowder) Laws.  After moving to California at the age of 18 she met her future husband, Charles Austin Woods.  The two love birds quickly started their adventurous life together.  They married on October 27th,1968 in Fort Scott, KS and went on to have three sons, Randell, Christopher, and Brian. Nevada, Iowa, Arkansas, and Texas were all states they called home until 1989, when they planted roots in Sandy’s beloved childhood hometown of Bronson, Kansas.

 

Sandy lived life to the fullest. She loved traveling, reading, listening to music, playing pinochle, crafting, collecting chicken decor, picking up a great find at a garage sale or antique store, occasionally pulling the handle on a slot machine and cheering for her favorite Chief’s player, Travis Kelce.

Family was by far the most important thing in her life. When her health took a turn in later years, it never held her back from any event she wanted to attend.

She enjoyed talking, laughing, telling stories of the past and spending time with family and friends.

Sandy was always the biggest fan of her kids, grandkids and great grandkids at sporting events and everything else they participated in.

She was extremely proud of every family member, always celebrating each accomplishment in their lives and supporting them during hard times.

Sandy had a deeply loving passionate, opinionated, and devoted personality that drew others to her.  She was a “people person” who never met a stranger. She was always in the loop about the latest happenings and eager to share her thoughts on any topic. As the Woods family grew throughout the years, Sandy continued to be the glue that brought everyone together for holidays and other events.

Through example, Sandy taught the importance of shopping local, having traditions, honoring family and loving the Lord.

 

Sandy is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Woods of Bronson, KS; three sons, Randell and wife Sayda of Chanute, KS, Chris and wife Lael of Bronson, KS, Brian and wife Megan of Bronson, KS; two brothers, Ron Laws and wife Karen of Palacios, TX, Allen Laws and wife Karen of Magnolia, TX; nine grandchildren, Jordan, Logan, Alena, Kaydra, Makiah, Mackenzie, Daulton, Cayden and Nataliah; three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Copelan and Bryson; and many nieces and nephews.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and several other family members, including her beloved Grandmother, Ethel Crowder.

 

Funeral services will be held at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.

Visitation will begin at 1pm, with the service following at 2pm.

Burial will follow at Bronson Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the Sandra Woods Memorial Fund and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Josephine G. McDaniel, age 94, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas.

She was born March 9, 1928, in Arcadia, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph William McDaniel and Gracie Melissa Ridgway
McDaniel. She was the oldest of the seven McDaniel children. Josephine never had any formal schooling, but she faithfully took care of her brothers and sisters and later her nieces and
nephews. She enjoyed cleaning house and cooking. She especially enjoyed making homemade bread with her mother. One of Josephine’s chores was to hang clothes on the clothesline, and
she didn’t like anyone doing her job. She enjoyed playing with her dolls, working in her coloring book and doing puzzles, but most of all she loved Jesus. Her mother often read the
Bible to her in the evenings.

Josephine seldom missed attending the Assembly of God/Life Point
Church in Ft. Scott. For the last several years of her life, Josephine lived with her sister, Frances, in Ft. Scott.

Survivors include two brothers, William Leroy “Bill” McDaniel of Ft. Scott and Darrell McDaniel of Bentonville, Arkansas and two sisters, Frances Pearson and Ellen Morrow all of Ft. Scott. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Joseph McDaniel, Jr and John McDaniel.

Rev. Steve Bell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 6 th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the
Josephine McDaniel 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.com.

Mary Louise (Scarbrough) Ramsey, age 80, went to meet her Lord and Savior on January 30, 2023.  Mary was born in Willow Springs, Missouri on November 12, 1942.  She was the daughter of Bertha Antoinette (Cotton) Scarbrough and Pete Scarbrough.  She had an extraordinary loving relationship with her sister Martha Ann (Scarbrough) Gentry.

 

Mary was the proud Mom of Edward Ramsey, Dana Ramsey, Bob Padgett and even prouder Grandma of Garrett Ramsey, Rebecca Ramsey, Tanner Ramsey, Ross Nolan, Brenna Schroeder, Spencer Nolan, Grady Ramsey, Emery Ramsey, Remington Ramsey, Ryleigh Bowen, Waylon Ramsey, Lauren and Clayton Riisoe, Braden Gipe, Kara Riisoe, Hope Riisoe, Bradley and Morgan Little, Adeline Little, Hunter and Lex Padgett, and Waylon Padgett.

 

Mom loved her family like no other.  She provided for them and loved working as a CMA for many years.  Her passion was for her children, her grandchildren, her sister, and her sports.  She was an iconic “Grandma” to so many in the Rose Hill Community – she loved you all.

 

Her final wish was to return home to the loving Uniontown community where she raised her family.  We will miss her so much, but she will be with each and every one of us every single day.

 

Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 1:00 pm. on Friday, February 3, 2023, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Missionary Baptist Church 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.

 

 

James Hargraves Belknap, Jr., 84, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, January 19, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born March 3, 1938, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of James Hargraves Belknap, Sr. and Thelma Francine (Warwick) Belknap.

 

James graduated from Chetopa High School in 1956, and served in the US Army as a Radar Technician from 1958 until 1960. He was a Press Operator for Ennis Business forms from 1984 until retiring in 2003. He owned and operated Bronson Locker in Bronson, Kansas from 1974 until 1984, and Jim’s Lawn Mower Service and Repair for twenty years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chetopa, Kansas, a Lifetime Member of the Columbus Masonic Lodge, and a former member of the Bronson Ruritan.

 

James is survived by a son, Joseph Allen Belknap (Anita), of Chetopa, Kansas; two daughters, Deborah Kaye Fouts (Dean), of Mound Valley, Kansas, and Kimberly Diane Roberts (Tom), of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert H. Belknap, and a sister, Thelma Sue DeMent.

 

Following cremation, Darren McColm will conduct graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 30, 2023, at the Oswego City Cemetery in Oswego, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Sarah Eugenia Wesner Eckles, 83, passed away peacefully in her home on January 22, 2023. Sally was born November 23, 1939, to Ermal and Hulon Albright Wesner in Ida, Louisiana.

She attended college at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority, the Honor Society, and met her husband-to-be, Robert Lee Eckles. At LSU, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and had a long career as a social worker in New Orleans.

Sally and Bob were married September 4,1960, at the Church of the Covenant, New Orleans. They celebrated 62 years of marriage in September, 2022.

She was a devoted wife, mother, friend and member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Bob and Sally arrived in Fort Scott from Pittsburg, Kansas in the early seventies to raise their three young daughters. For 33 years she worked for Bourbon County SRS (now CFS) as a caseworker and supervisor. There she built true and lasting friendships with her co-workers. Her concern for those in need was a primary concern for her in both her public and private life.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Sally is survived by her devoted husband, Bob, their daughters, Margaret (Harvie Jordan), Mobile, Alabama; Alice Eckles (Ross Conrad), Middlebury, Vermont; and Ruth Eckles (Joe Rizzolo), Bahama, North Carolina, as well as five grandchildren: Kate Jordan, the Rev. Sarah Jordan, Violet Eckles-Jordan (Rose’ Hernandez), Thea Price-Eckles and Ana Price-Eckles, and her brother Jim Wesner (GeorgeAnn Wesner), Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

Sally will be remembered by many who love her as a kind and wise friend, a devoted mother, and a gifted vocalist who gave so richly of her talents in the choir at First Presbyterian Church as well as community choirs for many years. She performed with the Madrigals, a dinner-theater style presentation through Fort Scott Community College, and played Mother Superior in a local theater production of “Sound of Music,”among other roles over the years.

 

Among her many sources of pleasure were her memberships in a birthday club lunch group and a women’s supper club, Second Shift, in Chapter CA of the PEO Sisterhood and in Presbyterian Women.

 

She loved nature, adventures, travel, and took her family on many vacations over the years – from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone National Park to a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. One of the special joys of her life was that she and Bob were able to take each grandchild on a graduation trip of their choice, this included excursions to Paris, Spain, Scotland, and Ireland.

 

In 2010, she received the Presbyterian Women’s annual Life Membership for Faithful Service. She was an ordained Elder in the church, and over the years served as a mentor to confirmands, worked with the Logos program, and hosted the Monday Lunch for Senior High students.

 

She was thankful for her church community and noted many times over the course of her illness how their prayers gave her peace, comfort, and held her up in her time of need.

 

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will officiate funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation is at 10:00 a.m., prior to service time.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to First Presbyterian Church and The Beacon, 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..

 

Clarence William “Bill” Willey, age 69, resident of Deerfield, MO, formerly of Lane, KS, passed away Thursday morning January 19^th, 2023, at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, MO.  He was born July 3^rd, 1953, in Garnett, KS to Lloyd Warren Willey and Ester Rebecca Ashburn Willey.

Clearance, “Bill”, or “Billy” was raised in Lane, KS, and graduated from Central Heights in Richmond, KS.  Bill would serve thirty-five years in the military before his retirement. Bill spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1972 to 1975, and then he served thirty-two years between the Kansas Army Reserves and Kansas Army National Guard before retiring from the military in April for 2007.

Survivors include his three children, Brian Willey of Louisburg, KS, Jeremy Willey (wife Nikki) of Deerfield, MO, Deedra Doherty (husband Josh) of Columbus, KS; six grandchildren Brooke, Kayla and Carter Willey, Christian Doherty, Haven Cooper, and Neaveh Doherty; his brother David Willey and Helen Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by two brothers Lloyd and Johnny Willey, his sister Sally Willey, a niece Vona Jo Willey, and his parents.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 27^th, at the U.S. National Cemetery Fort Scott with military honors.

Memorials are suggested to the Bill Willey 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.

 

 

 

J

James Erwin Golden, Sr., age 69, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  He was born April 9, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Royal S. Golden and Elsie L. Foote Golden.

James grew up and attended school in Denver, Colorado.  He served with the United States Army from 1975 to 1979 where he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri.  While with the Army, James served with the Military Police and also did photography work.

Following his time with the Army, Jim moved to Ft. Scott, Kansas to pursue a career in truck driving.  He married Connie Hayes and they had two sons, James Jr. and Daniel.  For the majority of his life, James worked in the trucking industry where he was able to travel throughout the country.  For a time while his sons were in high school, James worked for the Water Treatment Plant in Ft. Scott, but later returned to trucking.  Following his retirement, James loved to drink coffee and spend time with his grandchildren.

 

Survivors include his two sons, James E. Golden, Jr. and Daniel Golden (Joyce) all of Ft. Scott; twelve grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.  Also surviving are three brothers, John, Dean and Dale Golden and a sister, Colleen Schmersal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandchildren and his former wife, Connie.

 

Following cremation, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the James Golden 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.com.

Wade Douglas Young, age 69, resident of Fort Scott, KS, gained his Heavenly wings surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Medicalodges Fort Scott.  He was born October 10, 1953, in Fort Scott, the son of Marion and Lena (Kerr) Young.  He was united in marriage to Mary Lou Johnson on August 26, 1982, in Fort Scott on the steps of the church.  They cherished each other for 40 years and from their union came beloved daughter, Kimberly Young.

 

Never knowing a stranger, you would usually encounter Wade with a smile on his face or offering a helping hand to someone in need.  He could be found at the dirt track rooting for Bolin, donning his blue and orange for the Denver Broncos, cheering on the Fort Scott High School football team, singing to some Motown oldies, or waving as he cruised around town with Mary by his side.  He was also a very adoring father, grandfather, and friend.

 

Those left to treasure his memory are his wife, Mary; his children, Kimberly Young (Brett), Cyress Alexander (Todd), Wade W. Young (Rusty); step-sons, Shawn Judson (Becky), Larry Judson (Tasha); bonus daughters, Chelsea Zandler, and Danielle Wisely (Shawn); twelve grandchildren, Keegan, Nicholas, Wade, Bekah, Elisha, Mary, Benjamin, Jonathan, Donathan, Darian, Gabrielle, and Alessandra; five great-grandchildren, Savannah, Whitney, Melissa, Moses, Rhysland Wade, and another on the way; siblings, Nellie Satterfield (Terry), sister-in-law Eloise Young, Wayman Young (Linda), Floyd Young, brother-in-law Frank Davis, Rodney Young, and Rhonda Warren (Ike).

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Loretta Young, Mary Anne Young, Janice Ray, Goldie Young, Junior Young, and Teresa Davis.

 

There was cremation.  No public services are planned.

The guestbook is available to sign at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Wade Young 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.

Dorothy Taylor, 77, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at her home. She was born October 27, 1945, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Charles James Alfred Bloesser and Nellie Ida (Brundige) Bloesser. She married Marvin Lee Taylor, Sr. on November 26, 1966, at the Redfield Methodist Church in Redfield, Kansas. He preceded her in death on August 5, 2022.

 

Dorothy graduated from Nevada High School in 1963, and was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Fort Scott.

 

Dorothy is survived by her children, Marvin Lee Taylor, Jr., of Dallas, Texas, Evan Randall “Randy” Taylor (Kayla Mitchell), of Fort Scott; two sisters, Lorraine Schnarre, of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Carol Arnold, of Nixa, Missouri; and four grandchildren, Dayton Lee Taylor (Lauren), of Manhattan, Kansas, Kyle Mitchell, Courtney Shelton, and Jackson Marlow, all of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband Marvin, she was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Alva Bloesser and Henry Bloesser; and two sisters, Leah Stubblefield, and Connie Shoemaker.

 

Rev. Joel Crippen and Rev. James Collins will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the First Southern Baptist Church, with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening January 24, 2023, at the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be livestreamed on Facebook Live via the Konantz-Cheney Facebook page for anyone unable to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church, 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.

 

Trisha Diane Willard, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away at age 42, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. She was born on December 11, 1980 in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Richard Eugene Willard Jr. and Susan Diane Wurtz Willard. Trisha grew up in Ft. Scott and she was an honor student at Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College, where she made a lot of lifetime friendships.

She met and later married Paul Studyvin in the spring of 2000 on the cusp of the century. They were later blessed with three children. Trisha was a loving and devoted mother and went above and beyond to give her children a loving, happy childhood. She enjoyed playing tennis, bowling and softball, as well as cooking, writing and photography. She was also a music enthusiast and fan of the band Pearl Jam and the shows Frazier and Seinfeld. She was a passionate, sentimental, kind hearted, strong willed woman who was always ready for a new adventure.

Survivors include her children, Chloe Studyvin, Carlee Studyvin, and Greg Studyvin; her parents, Rich Willard and Susan Wurtz-Willard; her brothers, Trenton Willard, Dusty Willard and Ziad Nabhan; and her sister Makya Coulter. She is also survived by her former husband, Paul Studyvin and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Tara Willard and her grandparents, Norman and Carol Minden, Richard Willard Sr., Gene and Dorothy Dull and Willie and Lois Wurtz.

Following cremation, a celebration of life service will be held at the 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the Faith Church.

Private burial will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Trisha Willard 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.com.

Inez Mae (Graves) Haugen, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 10, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born July 10, 1927, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of John Owen Smither and Dorothy Eleanor (Manges) Smither.

She married William Allen Graves September 10, 1945, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death September 17, 1994. She later married Milton O. Haugen July 25, 1997, and he preceded her in death in November of 2011.

 

Inez graduated from Fort Scott High School and attended Fort Scott Community College. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Scott.

 

Inez is survived by her children, Doug Graves and Christy, of Fort Scott, Sherry Hartshorne and Dave, Peggy Gniffke and Terry, Rick Haugen and Mary; fourteen grandchildren, including Chad Hall and Pamela, of Sedalia, Missouri, Chris Bart, of Hays, Kansas, Brady Graves, of Fort Scott, and Taylor Chaplin and Matt, also of Fort Scott. She is also survived by twenty-nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, she was also preceded in death by her parents, two daughters, Teresa “Terry” Ann Hall and Tracy Lea Helm, and a brother, Harold Smither.

 

Following cremation, Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023, at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet for a visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home the day of the service and leave for the cemetery at 1:45 p.m. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.