Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Theodore Rohde

Theodore A. Rohde (Ted), age 94, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at his residence, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, with his beloved companion, Carla Farmer and his family by his side.

 

Ted was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Theodore Ludwig and Frieda Harrigfeld Rohde. Ted graduated from Emerson, Nebraska High School in 1947. Ted was a Nebraska farm boy, headed to duty during the Korean conflict. He joined the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany and assigned to the 28th Infantry Division (G-2 Headquarters Section).  While in Germany he also played on one of the army football teams.

 

Once back state side in 1953, he was offered a full scholarship to the University of Kansas to play football. During his four years at KU, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, set several national records and two KU records for punting including the longest punt of 84 yards.  At KU, he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, and was on the track team. Reflecting on Ted’s life the Kansas Athletic department said “Your life is an example for us all and you will forever be part of the Kansas Athletics fabric. Once a Jayhawk…Always a Jayhawk.” Ted often reflected to others that these were the best four years he could ever remember. It was a time in his life when he knew something great had happened.

 

After college, he was drafted to play football for the Chicago Cardinals, but that career ended earlier than he wished due to injury. Ted turned to his accounting degree to gain employment in the business world with Arthur Andersen & Company.

 

In 1957, Ted married Barbara Holladay and had 3 daughters: Teresa, D’Ann, and Gretchen.  The family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where he found employment with Bell Intercontinental Corporation, later known as the Wheelabrator-Frye Group. Ready to retire at the age of 45, Ted turned to golf. He was very good at this sport and had a lot of fun teaching his girls how to play and drive the golf cart. Retirement wasn’t for him, he went back to the business world, helping struggling companies come back to be profitable entities. Armstrong Containers and Hiawassee were several of those companies. As Tom Rost, fraternity brother and lifelong friend recounts, “Ted was known by colleagues as a business resurrector.”  Once again, he decided to retire, this time taking up tennis. Ted was great at every sport he played, always with that big green cigar in his mouth! He was a natural athlete and encouraged/mentored Carla’s grandsons in their sports/education and life.

 

In 2023, Ted had the privilege of being selected for an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with a high school football player, Matthew Leistikow, as his honor flight travel companion. Ted was a member of the Fort Scott Elks Club, the Fort Scott Rotary Club and attended First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott. Ted had a 14-year history of service on the Board of Royal Aloha Vacation Club as well as service on the Board of Eagles Nest, Branson, MO.

 

Ted is survived by Carla Farmer, his sister Marjorie Wyatt, Barbara Holladay Rohde, daughters Teresa Rohde (Bob Weaver), D’Ann Rohde (Dave Mathews) and Gretchen Oftedahl (Scott). Carla’s children, Christa Horn (John) and Ryan Farmer (Tran). Grandchildren, Christopher Rohde (Kim), Courtney Moore (Larry), Taylor Mathews (Mimi), Emma Mathews, Hunter Oftedahl and Cheyanne Oftedahl. Carla’s grandchildren Tucker Horn (Mollie), Hudson Horn and Sutton Horn. Great grandchildren Joshua Rohde, Luke Rohde, Josephine Moore and Anastasia Moore. He loved and was so proud of his numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who all lovingly referred to him as “Uncle Bud”.

 

Ted was preceded in death by his dear sister Dorothy and her husband Leo Andersen, his brother-in-law Albert Wyatt, his beloved brother Robert and his wife Sue Rohde, his son-in-law Thomas Herrero and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

 

Services will be held at Cheney Witt Funeral Home in Fort Scott, Kansas on Friday June 28, 2024, with visitation at 10:00am and committal service at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at 11:00 am.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KU Athletic Football Department or a charity of your choice 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.

 

 

The Obituary of Delbert Sinn

Delbert Lee Sinn, age 83, resident of Independence, MO passed from this life on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center, Independence, MO.  Delbert was born August 6, 1940, in Fort Scott, KS, the son of George Alfred Sinn and Sophia Muriel Cordill Sinn.  He is survived by one sister, Joyce Ann Sinn, Mapleton, KS.  His long-time companion, Harriet Tindle of Independence, MO kept their pact to outlive him.  After being told of Delbert’s death, Harriet passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, under hospice care in Independence, MO.

 

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers George Donald Sinn, Richard Leo (Dick) Sinn, and Kenneth Eugene Sinn; and one sister Carol Jean Sinn Carter.

 

Delbert graduated from Fort Scott High School and began his career at Mid-Continental Waterproofing Company.  Later he formed his own company, Delbert L. Sinn Ceramic and Floorcovering, working well into his 70’s on remodeling projects.  He also repaired all kinds of appliances and lawn equipment that family and friends dropped off at his home in Independence.

 

Delbert is also survived by his three daughters, Kimberlee (Paul) Mitchell, Stephenville, TX, Kristina (Mark) Deason, Fort Worth, TX, and Katricia (Tim) Bradbury, Fort Scott, KS.  Delbert has 7 grandchildren, Ryan, Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell (Courtney), Jacob Bradbury, Cooper Bradbury, Luke Bradbury, and Samantha Bradbury.

 

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 8th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice or Faith Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Faith Church is the home church of Katricia, who has been our father’s compassionate and consistent caregiver for many years.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Deborah Baxley

Deborah Sue Baxley, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the Ascension Via Christie Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. Debbie was born March 20, 1957 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Cecil Otis Lancaster and Vivian Louse Towel Lancaster. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1975. Debbie was employed at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, then she went to work for her sister Marsha at Marsha’s Great Plains Deli. At the Deli you could find Debbie out front at her table taking orders and visiting with the customers as they came in. She spent many hours at the ballpark watching her brothers play, then when the nieces and nephews started playing she would go to all their games as well. She had great pride the last several years getting to spend time with her own grandchildren and taking them out to eat and driving around.

Debbie is survived by her daughter Shelly Rowe (Dan) of Fort Scott, Kansas, two grandsons, Anthony and Christopher Rowe; two brothers Tom Lancaster (Kay) and Don Lancaster, both of Fort Scott, one sister Carolyn Washburn (Gary) of Eagle River, Alaska; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Vivian Lancaster, a sister Marsha Lancaster, and a grandson, Tucker Rowe.

A private family graveside will take place the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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

 

Obituary of Joanna Woody

 

Joanna Woody, age 96, a former resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri and more recently of the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, in Ft. Scott.  She was born February 29, 1928, in Vernon County, Missouri near what was Swartz, Missouri, the daughter of Willard Earl Foster and Pearlie Wilma Hawkins Foster.  Joanna attended grade school at Eureka and McGugh country schools.  She later attended Bronaugh High School through her Junior year.  Her family moved to rural Redfield, Kansas and Joanna graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1946.  Joanna married James R. “Jim” Woody on April 19, 1946, after he returned home from serving in World War II.  They settled on a farm in Vernon County.  Joanna joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Garland where she and her family attended when she was a child.  After her husband’s conversion, they both joined and help start Pleasant View Baptist Church.  After the church disbanded, they moved their membership back to Mt. Zion where Joanna is still a member.  Over the years, she served as pianist and Sunday school teacher and also helped with Vacation Bible School.  In earlier years, Joanna served as a 4-H cooking and sewing leader when her children were members. She was also a member of TOPS for over twenty years.  She will be remembered for her homemade pies, dill pickles and pickled beets.  Joanna’s desire was to serve her Lord in any way she was able and to see her children and grandchildren accept Christ and live for Him.

 

Joanna is survived by her children, Linda VanSickle (Gary) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Gloria Guzman (Frank) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dr. Michael Woody (Linda) of Carthage, Missouri, Cynthia Leech of Grandview, Missouri, Dedra Woebbecke (Michael) of Shawnee, Kansas and Marty Woody (Gayle) of Bronaugh, Missouri.  Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Muriel Woody of Webb City, Missouri; twenty-one grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Joanna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim on January 19, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by two sons, Willard Woody and Rev. Ron Woody, a brother, Calvin Foster and two sisters, Barbara Fay Simmons and Virginia Flo Willard and a grandson.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Zion Mission Department or Samaritan’s Purse 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.

 

 

 

Obituary of David Troutman

David Dee Troutman, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born May 3, 1945, the son of Vernon Troutman and Verna Clark Troutman.  Dave grew up in Niotaze, Kansas and graduated from the Caney High School.  He then served with the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Japan.  Following his military service, Dave worked as a police officer in Las Vegas and also worked as a truck driver and mechanic.  Dave married Beverly Jo Duff on July 14, 1973, at Thayer, Kansas.  Together, they had three sons, Tyler, Matt, and Justin.  Dave took a job with the Social Rehabilitation Service and the family relocated to Ft. Scott.  He was a member of Community Christian Church.  He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible as well as listening to music.

 

Survivors include his three sons, Tyler Troutman of Independence, Kansas, Matthew Troutman (Jessica) of Independence, Missouri and Justin Troutman of Joplin, Missouri and four grandchildren, Evan, Salma, Meriam and Autumn.  Also surviving is a sister, Nancy Beyl (Frank) of Claremore, Oklahoma.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, on July 22, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard and two sisters, Linda and Geneva.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Community Christian 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.

Obituary of John Trebian Jr.

John Trebian, Jr., resident of Fort Scott, KS, was born in Freeport, IL on October 12, 1984, the son of Jonna Williams and John Trebian, Sr.  He went to school in Freeport until the family moved to Largo, FL where he finished school and met his wife.  John married Lindsey on July 28th, in 2004 after being together for 5 years.  For the past 25 years, they have built a wonderful life together and always helped everyone they could.

 

John is preceded in death by his sister Rebecca Trebian; his son James Rhea Trebian; and his father John Trebian, Sr.

 

Survivors include his wife, Lindsey Trebian; his children John Trebian III, Trinity Trebian, Tyler Trebian, and Sophia Trebian; his mother Jonna Williams; brother Nick Trebian and sister Carmen Trebian, brothers Bird and Rick Lester, and sister Renee Lester.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, May 23rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Cremation will follow.  Memorials are suggested to the John Trebian 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.

Obituary of Sylvia Woodall

Sylvia Ellen Woodall, age 85, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.  She was born April 30, 1939, in Pleasanton, Kansas, the daughter of John Emery Henderson and Mary Olive Wilcox Henderson.  Sylvia graduated from the Pleasanton High School.  She married David Allen Woodall on January 31, 1960, in Miami, Oklahoma.  Sylvia was a devoted wife and mother.  She enjoyed cooking and sewing and caring for her family.

 

Survivors include her three children, Beverly Rast (Walter) of Coolidge, Arizona, Robert Woodall of Branchville, South Carolina and John Woodall of Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Also surviving are seventeen grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, David on December 1, 2016.  She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Crosby, a son, David Nolen Woodall, a great-grandson, Lance Haley, Jr., a brother, Emery Henderson and a sister, Frances Campbell.

 

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, May 16th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Friends and family will meet at the cemetery.  Following services, the family will have a time of visitation at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main St.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Sylvia Woodall 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.

Obituary of Gene Davis

Gene Valgene Davis, age 92, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott.  He was born March 28, 1932, in Arcadia, KS, the son of Charley and Chloe Totman Davis.  He married Patricia Ann Edgar on November 10, 1952, in Huntsville, AR.  She preceded him in death on December 15, 2012.  Gene worked for the Frisco Railroad, KG&E, Safeway, and finally KDOT, retiring in 1994.  He loved spending time with his family and treasured his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 

Survivors include 3 daughters, Connie Peterson (Dallas), Lindsborg, KS, Linda DeMott (Gary), Fort Scott, KS, and Carol Graham (John), Parker, CO; a sister, Betty Christian, Wichita, KS; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

His son Gary Davis passed away the day following on May 10, 2024

 

 

Rev. Dallas Peterson and Rev. Gary DeMott will conduct graveside services at 2:00 PM Friday, May 17th, at the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM Friday until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.