Joy Ann Whitesell O’Neal, age 82, resident of Nevada, MO previously Ft. Scott, KS died Tuesday October 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin MO.

She was born July 17, 1940, in Filley, MO, the only daughter of Kenneth Whitesell Sr. and Bonnadell “Bonnie” Blevins Whitesell.

Joy graduated from Eldorado Springs High School in 1958. She then attended the University of Missouri and Fort Scott Community College. She married George O’Neal on October 31, 1959, in Nevada, MO. They had one son, Larry.

Joy took great pride in her job. She worked at Key Industries in Ft. Scott, KS for many years. While there she held various positions including Vice President of Customer Service, Shipping and Accounts Receivable. A co-worker remembered her as “a lovely person to work with.” She also took pride in her community, serving in many organizations. She was involved with the Downtown Program, board member of The Beacon, City Council, Mayor and Rotary where she served as president as well as one of the first female members of that organization. Joy supported the Keyhole Youth Center serving on the board. As a cancer survivor she advocated for the Care to Share organization and helped with Relay for Life events. She also enjoyed Ft. Scott’s rich history, volunteering for candlelight tours of the fort and tours of the city’s Victorian homes.

Joy attended Community of Christ Church.

Always an encourager, she exuded positive energy. She took great pride in her son, Larry, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As busy as she was Joy continued to travel/care for her mother who resided in the family home that Joy was born in, giving many of her weekends to travel back and forth.

She was an encourager, always looking for the positive in life…drawing people to her. The past few years she resided at Joe Clark Residential Care Home where she was in charge of activities playing Yahtzee and bingo encouraging others around her to participate. She could tell you all about the dreams and aspirations of the staff that worked there.

Joy Ann was aptly named; she was quite frankly a joy.

Survivors include a son, Larry O’Neal and wife Teresa, Ohio; a brother, Gary Whitesell and wife Robin, Stockton, MO, a granddaughter, April Kennard; four great grandchildren, Nate Elliot, Joshua Lyon, Katie and Jack Kennard, sisters-in-laws Vera Whitesell, Filley, MO and Wendy Whitesell, Newport Beach, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, brothers Jack, Kenneth, Jr. and Barney Whitesell and granddaughter Erin Lyon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 22^nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Eldorado Springs City Cemetery, Eldorado Springs, MO.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Dale Gene Johnson, age 85, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Via Christi Medical Center in Pittsburg, KS. He was born August 20, 1937, in Ft. Scott, the son of Buford and Evelyn Goodrick Johnson.

He graduated from Mound City high school with the class of 1955. Dale joined the Army following high school and served 4 years in Germany.

He married Charlotte Sears in April of 1978 in Mound City, KS. He worked for Rural Electric in Iola, KS, and City Maintenance and the public school system in New Mexico. Dale and his wife Charlotte ministered to the Navajo and Apache people in New Mexico and Arizona for 15 years.

Dale enjoyed his guns, woodworking, construction, attending auctions, and his dogs and cats. He was a member of the Gideons and the Bethel Community Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife Charlotte of the home; 2 children, Rebecca Johnson and husband Mark Thorndike, Anchorage, AK, and Dan Johnson and wife Jill, Lubbock, TX; 4 step-children, Robert Barkdoll and wife Pat, Galesburg, IL, Rick Barkdoll and wife Tammy, Chanute, KS, Michelle Hoyt and husband James, Austin, TX, and Donna Tippie Taylor, Blue Springs, MO; a step son-in-law Vern Crawshaw, Altoona, KS; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter Sally Ann Johnson; a stepdaughter, Teresa Crawshaw; and three brothers, Eddie, Richard, and Russell Johnson.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Friday, October 21st, at the Bethel Community Baptist Church.

Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery Mound City.

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

Memorials are suggested to either Gideons or Bethel Community Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Joy Ann Whitesell O’Neal, age 82, resident of Nevada, MO, previously Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO.  Services for Joy O’Neal will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Sandra Jill Fulcher, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Girard Medical Center. She was born January 3, 1935, in Iola, Kansas, the daughter of John Joseph “Jack” Laird and Mary Hazel (Remington) Laird. She married Roy “Bruce” Fulcher July 28, 1953, in Sedan, Kansas, and he preceded her in death November 3, 1993.

Sandra is survived by her daughter, Alana Fulcher, of Raytown, Missouri, and her son, Jeffrey Bruce Fulcher, of Phoenix, Arizona

. In addition to her husband, Bruce, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and an infant son, Jack Troy Fulcher in 1967.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Milton “Junior” Yazel, 93, of Columbus, Kansas, passed away October 14, 2022, in Oswego, Kansas. He was born February 24, 1929, in Freeman, Missouri, the son of George Algon and Naomi (Wigginton) Yazel. He married Lily Mae Irvin, and she preceded him in death March 1, 1987.

Junior served in the US Army, and worked for many years as a machinist for 3M in Nevada, Missouri.

Junior is survived by his sister, Helen Wood, of Walker, Missouri; a grandson, Seth Allen Turner, of Raleigh, North Carolina; a nephew, Troy Wood, and close friend, Dave Turner of Columbus, Kansas.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Christy Dawn McHenry, age 43, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 14, 2022, at her home.  She was born May 29, 1979, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Vern McHenry and Debbie Ballou.

Christy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1997 and went on to attend Ft. Scott Community College.

Christy had worked in customer service for the majority of her life.  She was last employed by Power Sales in Lenexa, Kansas.  Christy enjoyed going to concerts and tending her flower beds.  She will also be remembered as an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals.

Christy will be lovingly missed by her son, Dalton Womeldorff (Kaylin) of Joplin, Missouri, her mother, Debbie Ballou of Fulton, Kansas and her father, Vern McHenry (Kim) of Gardner, Kansas; her sister, Kelly McHenry (Jordan Stewart) and her brother, Keith McHenry (Kristen) all of Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Declan, Konnor, Madalyn, and Greyson as well as many aunts and uncles and close friends and her beloved basset hound, Charlie.

Christy was preceded in death by grandparents, Virginia McHenry and David Ballou.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 20^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the American Stroke Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Lois Anita Henderson, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born April 12, 1939, in Ft. Scott the daughter of Andrew James Rose and Veneta Marie Anderson Rose.  Lois graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  She married Marvin Henderson on October 4, 1958, at Ft. Scott.

Lois began working for Key Industries in 1957.  She continued working at Key for over forty years.  Lois enjoyed her family, playing bingo and computer games with friends, watching soap operas specifically The Bold and The Beautiful and Days of Our Lives and also watching the Chiefs games with her son, Lyle.

She especially enjoyed making what she called cozy quilts to give to family members and friends and truly hoped that they would know the joy she had in planning and making them for each specific person.  Lois wanted her close friends to know how much she treasured their long friendships, talks, and laughter.  She was grateful for her dear friend, Jackie Webster, and their daily communications.

Lois also wanted her care-givers, Kim, Marlene, Clara and Mary (who named Lois “My Ms. Lou Lou and said God brought them together”) to know their help and talks got her through many long days.  To everyone that had ever met her and shared memories, the family’s favorite remarks about her will always be “sweet lady” and she was until the very end.

Survivors include her two children, Valorie Leblanc (Pierre) and Lyle Henderson all of Ft. Scott; five grandchildren, Lyle Henderson (Ashley), Ali Dixon (Kyle); Austin Jefferis (Emily), Jean-Francois Leblanc and Pierre-Luc Leblanc and three great-grandchildren, Kyler and Brooklyn, Nicolas, and  Baby Jefferis on the way.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, her son, Kenneth Eugene Henderson; two brothers, Andrew Rose Jr and Gerald Rose and two sisters Jocelyn Rose and Kathryn Tanner.

There was cremation.

A private graveside service will be held at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the register book at Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the SEK Mental Health Center or 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.

Darrell Dean Crown, age 68, of Hollister, MO, left his earthly home, as a result of a stroke, to join his loved ones in Heaven on, Friday morning, October 7,2022, at Cox South, Springfield, MO. He was born May 4, 1954, in Fort Scott, KS to Mahlon Dale Crown and Wilma Lois (McBride) Crown. He had 5 brothers and one sister. His favorite pastime was exploring old Buck Run, doing math problems, and teasing his sister, Carolyn Sue. As a young boy, Darrell enjoyed collecting Marvel Comics, most of which he had for over 50 years. As an adult, he loved the Marvel Universe movies, with the Hulk being his favorite character. Many a Sunday afternoon he could be heard rooting the Kansas City Chiefs on and during the summer cheering on the Kansas City Royals.

He attended Fort Scott elementary and secondary schools, as well as Fort Scott Community Junior College. Following junior college, he went on to get a BS degree in Mathematics from Pittsburg State University and later received a MS in Teaching from the same University. Before being disabled, he had a long career in IT/Computer Programming, first with Western Ins, then American States Insurance and finally Safeco Insurance. The job he most fondly remembers however, is being a carhop at the Dairy Mug in Fort Scott and making lifelong friends with many of his coworkers. He moved around to several states with his jobs but will always consider Fort Scott, Kansas his home.

Although he came from a large family, he also considered his church community to be his family. Church is where Darrell truly shined. He was ordained into the ministry at age 17 as a deacon, from where he continued his ministry as a priest, an elder and pastor of 2 congregations. Physically he was slowing down some, but still felt he had two sermons left that he wanted to share with others. Even after his first stroke, he always maintained his “preacher voice”. Pryor to that he spent many years singing in his home congregation, at camps, conferences and even a few plays! His favorite song to sing was always “The Lord’s Prayer”. He loved having his sons sing the song with him as a trio. Darrell transferred his church membership to various congregations, due to his moves, but his last membership was held at the Community of Christ, Branson, MO

Darrell married Cynthia Ann George on August 14, 1981, at Nevada, MO in an evening ceremony at the Community Christian Church. They were married for 41 years but were high school sweethearts of 50 years. From their union two sons were born, Joshua and Kevin.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia, sons, Joshua Crown, and Kevin Crown (Lyndsey) and the loves of his life his two granddaughters, Annabelle Beverly (Lady Bug) and Piper Ruth (Bumble Bee). Brother, Steven Crown, Joplin, MO, and Sister, Carolyn Sue Hight (Danny) Oak Grove, MO and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Crown, and Jill Crown, along with several cousins, numerous nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gary, Richard, David, and Dana Crown, his parents-in-law Delbert and Beverly George.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, October 21^st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, KS.  Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials would be made to the American Stroke Association 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.

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Gail L. Shrakes, age 72, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

She was born October 11, 1949, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Harlon Guffey and Velma Rhodes Guffey.  At an early age, she moved to Eve, Missouri where she grew up.  Gail graduated from the Nevada High School.  She married Frankie Shrakes, Jr. on June 6, 1966, at 6 o’clock in the evening.  Gail and Frankie enjoyed fifty-six years of married life together.

In earlier years, Gail worked as a cook at the Red Barn Restaurant and also as a cook at Mercy Hospital and area nursing homes while she was attending cosmetology school at Fort Scott Community College.  After completing cosmetology school, Gail owned and operated her own beauty salon, Gail’s Professional Touch, for several years.

Gail enjoyed spending time with her family, especially while fishing at the lake or gathering around the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

Gail will be lovingly missed by her husband, Frankie, of the home; three daughters, Teresa Shrakes (James Woolery) of Ft. Scott, Heidi Dixon (Rob), also of Ft. Scott and DiAnna Dakon (Ronald) of Smithville, Missouri; six grandchildren, Ricky Ann Vargas (Ariel), Austin Shelden, Alek Shelden (Megan), Ashton Dixon, Nickolas Dakon and Skylar Dakan and three great-grandchildren, Lola, Santiago and Laney Vargas.  Also surviving is a special cousin, J. R. Stewart (Wendy) of Ft. Scott.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan Guffey and Velma Walker and a sister, Sharon Park.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 12^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation 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.

Eula Jean Zimmerman, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.  There was cremation, and no services are planned at this time.  Arrangements were 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.

Steven Joe LaRue, age 72, resident of Bronson, KS, died Saturday, October 1, 2022, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.  He was born on October 21, 1949, in Iola, KS, the son of Charles and Elaine Johnson LaRue.

He married Mary Jo Hall on December 7, 1969, in Bronson.

Steve worked for Diebold Lock and Key in Minneapolis, MN for 10 years.  After moving back home, he worked for Diebolt Lumber in LaHarpe, KS, for the next 30 plus years.  All during this time he was also working as a locksmith.

Steve loved his 1950 John Deere tractor.  He even had it parked outside his window these last few months so he could view it in the background of the hummingbird feeder.

In earlier days, he was very involved in his children’s activities, especially sports.  He also enjoyed calling bingo.

Steve never met a stranger and always had a joke to tell.  Every morning he would play several “oldies” including “Wake Up Little Suzie.”  He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, the Masons, and the Shriners.

Survivors include his wife Mary Jo; 3 daughters, Sherry Dwyer and husband Terry, Linwood, KS, Linda Zibert, LaHarpe, KS, and Donna Kovacic and husband Jeff, Stark, KS; 2 sons, Donald LaRue and wife Janet, Overbrook, KS, and Dean LaRue, Linwood, KS; 3 brothers Larry LaRue and wife Mary Ann, Michigan, Roy LaRue and wife Amy, Florida, and Ray LaRue and wife Tami, Moran, KS, 6 grandchildren, Diana and husband Tyler, Julia and husband Chad, Bryson, Wade, Abby, and Orin; 3 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Hunter Kovacic; and a granddaughter, Makala LaRue.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, October 6^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at the Carriage House, 310 S. Main St., Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Steve LaRue Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.