Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Donald McDaniel

 

 

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 3rd, 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.

An Encounter at the Post Office by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

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.

Obituary of Karin Turk

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.

Obituary of Benjamin David “Benji” Smith

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 30th 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

Obituary of Margie Seaver

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 23rd 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.

 

Obituary of George Montgomery Jr.

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.

 

Obituary of Helen Bolling

 

Helen Louise Bolling, 82, of Bronson, Kansas, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Born to Archie and Neola Clark, Helen was a woman of remarkable creativity and generosity. Affectionately known as the “Archi-tect,” she had a passion for remodeling and reimagining her home, creating a sanctuary for all who entered. A gifted seamstress, Helen crafted everything from tuxedos to intricate wedding gowns, often providing emergency fixes to save the day. Her hands not only created beautiful garments but also wove together the fabric of her family and community with love and care.

 

Helen’s journey with her beloved husband, Chub, began when they married as teenagers on December 14, 1958. Their union spanned 66 years, weathering every storm life presented. Their marriage was the cornerstone of Helen’s life, a testament to enduring love and commitment. Together, they built a family rooted in unity and strength, with children Michael, Mitchell, and Amber.

 

A voracious reader, Helen found great joy in scriptures and religious texts, deepening her faith and embodying the teachings of Christ through her daily actions. She pastored a handful of churches, along with a Chub, throughout her lifetime, including the Paint Creek Church in Redfield. Her home was the heart of many gatherings, notably her legendary Easter dinners that welcomed all, sometimes hosting over 100 guests. Her generosity extended beyond her immediate family, offering refuge and mentorship to many in times of need.

 

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Neola Clark; brother, Jerry; sisters, Norma Kuns and Joyce Totten; and great-granddaughter, Claire Louise Bolling.

 

She is survived by her devoted husband, R.T. (Chub) Bolling; sons, Michael (Melinda) Bolling, Mitchell (Sharon) Bolling, daughter, Amber (Eric) Ericson; siblings, Ruth Emmons, John Clark, and Joe Clark; sister-in-law, Wanda Kring; grandchildren, Lindsey (Brian) Shaughnessy, Cara (Daniel) Thomas, Austin Bolling, Seth (Disheila) Bolling, Garrett (Mandie) Ericson, and Ethan (Tyler) Ericson; and great-grandchildren, Sage (Tea) Shaughnessy, and Maya Shaughnessy, Aidan, Victoria, and Kian Thomas, Caroline Bolling, Theodore and Eldon Bolling, and Julian, Jameson, and Journee Ericson. She is also survived by an incredible number of people who became the family of her heart, including Richard and Steve Shadden.

 

Helen’s memory will forever inspire those who knew her to live with generosity, faith, and an open heart, just as she did every day. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

 

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bronson Community Center, located at 509 Clay St., Bronson, KS 66716.

A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Bronson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the City of Bronson Park Renovation Fund. Memorial contributions 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.

Obituary of Dawnelle Ornstein

 

 

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 18th 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.

Obituary of Morris Robinson

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 16th 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

Obituary of Vicky Long

 

Vicky Sue Runyan Long, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.  She was born August 19, 1959, in Ft. Scott.  She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1977.  In earlier years, Vicky worked as a waitress.  She later moved to Illinois where she worked at several nursing homes.  Vicky enjoyed going to classic car shows, attending stock car races and taking the occasional trip to the casino.

 

Vicky is survived by several cousins.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Maxine Runyan, and a brother, Richard Wesley “Ricky” Runyan.

 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Guest Home Estates Activity 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

Larry James Faulkner Obituary

 

In recognition of a life well lived, Larry James Faulkner surrounded by family, passed at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri after suffering a stroke at the age of 79. Larry was born on December 6, 1945 to Edward Chester “Buck” Faulkner and Frances Leona (Gordon) Faulkner. He was born at the Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas, as were all three of his daughters. Larry grew up in El Dorado with his family, Buck, Frances and two sisters, Joy Lee Faulkner Howry and Lynda Jean Faulkner Varner. He spent as much of his childhood, and adulthood for that matter, fishing and hunting every chance he could. He was known to ride his tricycle around with a pocket full of snake or toads.

Larry married Carol Sue Williams on September 6, 1964, in El Dorado, Kansas. Larry’s childhood was spent in El Dorado and he and Carol began their lives together there as well. Larry had many jobs growing up, mowing lawns, carting ice, and primarily driving his father around the oil well leases they tended as a family. One of Larry’s family neighbors was Carol’s uncle Roy who lived a few houses down. It was through this connection that Larry met Carol. Their families vacationed together at Many Points Lake and Lake Itasca, Minnesota.

He had a brief stint as a roofer, and then sparked by a childhood memory of linemen climbing poles in front of their house (he liked climbing things), he went to trade school to become a Wichita Lineman. Larry moved the family to Fort Scott Kansas in 1973 where he worked the remainder of his life with KG&E (Kansas Gas and Electric) which became Westar.

Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman and considered himself a farmer. He spent many holidays and Summers hunting pheasant and quail in western Kansas and Elk just west of Cannon City, Colorado with relatives where they often were caught up in snow storms in nothing by Summer tents. Beyond hunting and fishing, Larry loved county music and could whistle a mean George Jones or Hank Williams tune.

Larry settled his family in a 100 year old stone farmhouse east of Fort Scott and had many adventures there. Many hours were spent tending garden, pruning orchard trees, raising a multitude of animals and clearing the surrounding woods cutting firewood most weekends. Whenever possible, the family would travel to Stockton Lake, El Dorado Lake, Marion Lake..do you see a theme? One of our favorite Larry stories at the farm, and there were many, was when he decided to “help” his daughters by sorting a fire cracker out of a large pile of fireworks with a newly welded piece of steel and set off World War III with tiny rockets, missiles, and parachutes flying everywhere and the girls diving for cover. Larry and Carol later in life raised quail to sell to restaurants and nature preserves before auctioning off the farm.

Larry retired after 30 plus years, and with Carol, sold the farm and traveled for many years before resettling near friends in Colony, Kansas. Larry and Carol traveled all over northern Minnesota, and into Canada through Ontario and Saskatchewan where they found many new friends, specifically at Cranberry Portage near Grass River Provincial Park in Manitoba Canada. Larry, Carol and their grandson Morgan spent many Summers here from as soon as the ice broke in May through September, with other family visiting when they were able.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Buck, and his mother, Frances as well as both of his sisters, Joy and Lynda. He is survived by his wife Carol, his three daughters; Diana Kay Faulkner Stoughton and husband Fredric, her sons Mackenzie, Mitchell (Katelyn), and Morgan; Toni Renee Faulkner Peterson and husband Christopher, her children Riley, Bennett, and McKenna; and Trudy Rae Faulkner; along with his great grandchildren, Aidan, Brodie, Callen, and Cobie.

When asked if he would have done anything different, Larry responded, “I would invest in the oil stockmarket. I had a good life, family, and some good friends, Never took no shit off of anyone. Tried to be as honest as I could be. No regrets.”

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. 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 Catherine Beth

Screenshot

Catherine C. Costin Beth passed away Friday, December 6, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Fort Scott, KS.  She was born May 24, 1925, in Oil Hill, KS, the town that City Services built near Towanda, KS.

 

Her mother was Edith Neeley Costin, and father was Cass Cartell Costin.

 

Catherine accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in 1937.  In 1939 she came to live with Frank and Jessie Gifford as their foster daughter.  She graduated from Fulton High School in 1943.

 

In 1944 she was united in marriage to Ellis Lee Beth, her high school sweetheart.  They were married more than 75 years before his passing.  She and Ellis Lee farmed their entire life together.  She also worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for over 27 years.  She served as the County Executive Director in her last ten years at ASCS.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, a daughter, Cathy Lee Beth, a son, Darrel E. Beth, a sister, Mary Jane Berry and two half-brothers, Verne and Floyd Costin.

 

Those surviving are two daughters, Marilyn (John) Sipe and Marsha (Doug) Bell; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Beth; grandchildren, Shana (Mike) Emerson, Clifton (Whitney) Beth, Beth Ann (Casey) Alexander, Catherine Bell (Nick Sterner) and Elizabeth Bell; and great-grandchildren, Cali, Nick and Austin Emerson, Ella and Carter Beth, Isaac and Eli Alexander, Bryn and Claire Sterner, and great-great-grandchild, Lincoln Emerson.

 

There was cremation.  A private family burial will take place at a later date at the West Liberty Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes 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 online at cheneywitt.com.