Dustin Ray Wiggans, age 46, resident of Knox City, TX formerly of Fort Scott, KS passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2023, at his home.

Dustin was born February 11, 1977, in Fort Scott to Jimmy and Pam Wiggans.  He graduated with the class of 1995 then immediately began eight years of service in the Navy.  Dustin was initially stationed at Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai where he trained as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer.  Subsequently he was stationed at Naval Air Station Fallon in Fallon, NV.  While at NAS Fallon, Dustin continued his duties as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer.  After leaving the Navy, Dustin began his career in the world of agronomy, receiving a bachelor’s degree in hydrology and a master’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State University.  He was currently working for the USDA in Knox City.

Dustin is survived by his father, Jimmy Wiggans and mother and stepfather Pam and Robert Williams; 2 sisters, Ali Wiggans (Matt) and Abi Krieger (Michael); and 2 nieces, Jocelin and Henley Rae Krieger.  He also leaves behind his girlfriend and partner, Ashley Nicole Cook; his beloved pet/sidekick, Kenni; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents Virgil and Lola Wiggans, and Jack and Pat Vender.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday evening December 26^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Cremation will follow with interment later in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Words of remembrance may be left online at cheneywitt.com.

Nancy Patterson, long-time resident of Fort Scott, age 86, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Horton House in Fort Scott, Kansas.  Her death was attributed to Alzheimer’s disease.

Nancy Jo Smith was born on August 1, 1937, in Lawrence, Kansas to Emmett P. and Naomi M. Anderson Smith.  She attended Pinckney Grade School, Lawrence Junior High School, and was a 1955 graduate of Lawrence High School.  Receiving the Karen Carlton Memorial Nursing Scholarship, Nancy was a 1958 graduate of St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, Kansas City, Missouri.

At the home of her parents, Nancy was married to Jerrold Clifford Patterson on December 13, 1958.  They are the parents of five daughters: Sandra Lynn, Sharon Sue, Brenda Kay, Deborah Ann, and Laura Lee.

The family moved from Overland Park, Kansas to Ava, Missouri in January 1971, where they were owner-operators of the Otasco store. On Thanksgiving Day of 1973, the Pattersons moved to Fort Scott.  Nancy retired from Mercy Hospital in January, 2000, with 26 years of service, most of which was spent as a surgical nurse.  She is a past president of the Mercy Auxiliary.  With a passion for genealogy, Nancy is a member of the Old Fort Genealogical Society and has researched not only the families of Anderson, Smith, Reynolds and Patterson, but also numerous Bourbon County families.  These are available in the OFGS library.

As a charter member of West Park Church of the Nazarene, Nancy taught adult Sunday School class and was very involved with the Nazarene World Missionary Society.  She and Cliff traveled to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papaua New Guinea in 1989 to observe first-hand third world medicine.  Most recently, Nancy attended the Diamond Community Church in rural Fort Scott.

Following Cliff’s death in early February 2019, Nancy lived at Country Place Senior Assisted Living in Fort Scott.   She moved to Horton House on September 2, 2023.

Survivors include:  daughters, Sharon McGaughey,  Kybruz, CA; Brenda  DeKeno (Don), Pea Ridge, AR;   Deborah Allen (Tim), Fort Scott, KS; and Laura Bonnell (Dwight), Aztec , NM.  Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, Joshua McGaughey (Bethany), Placerville, CA; Joseph Allen (Mallory), Fort Scott, KS; Jessica Borba (Seth), Placerville, CA; Nathaniel McGaughey (Rebekah), Placerville, CA; Dustin DeKeno (Chris), Oklahoma City, OK; Jacob Allen (Sarah), Wichita, KS; Corbin Soliday (Rachel), Lee’s Summit, MO; Sawyer DeKeno, Tulsa, OK; Andrea Soliday, Gardner, KS; Tayler DeKeno,  Pea Ridge,  AR; Jonathan Allen, Fort Scott, KS; and Caleb Soliday, Topeka, KS.  Nancy leaves fourteen great-grandchildren, Abraham Borba, Lela Borba, Maggie Kansas McGaughey, Tayton Allen, Gus McGaughey, Kyler Allen, William Borba, Lily Borba, Avery McGaughey, Joel Soliday, Andrew (“G”) Borba, Diana Allen, Olivia Soliday, and Elijah Allen.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Cliff; her parents; daughter, Sandy (January 2010); and her only sibling, a brother, Robert E. Smith (September 2006).

Rev. Joan Koller will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Friday, December 22^nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to either Cross Power Agape Ministries or Alzheimer’s 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 left online at cheneywitt.com.

Nancy’s family would like to note that this obituary was hand- written by Nancy. We are unsure of the date or the circumstances when she wrote it since the hand-written copy included only blanks in many places, but it was important enough to her for her to keep it tucked away in a folder. We want to honor her by publishing it but we certainly believe that she was much too modest in this account of her life.

Agnes Ruth Hill, age 90, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Homestead assisted living facility in Girard, Kansas.  She was born January 20, 1933, in San Pedro, California, the daughter of Henry Carl Jones and Sophie Evelyn Borders Jones.

Ruth married Roger Hill on July 23, 1955.  Following their marriage, Ruth and Roger lived in St. Louis, Missouri for a few years before relocating to Ft. Scott.  Over the years, Ruth had worked as a telephone operator and later at the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center where she helped prepare Meals on Wheels.  However, her primary occupation was taking care of her family.  She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother to her four children.  Ruth loved the outdoors and spent many hours working in her garden and canning the fruits of her labors.  She also had a tender heart for animals and often took in and cared for stray dogs and cats.

Survivors include her children, Dennis Hill of Lamar, Missouri, Diana Johnson (Sam) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Dallas Hill (Tammy) of Arma, Kansas.  Also surviving are several grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Dawn Maurer, son-in-law, Tony Fleeman, and a daughter-in-law, Frances Hill.  She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Roger Hill, her parents and a sister, Emma and a brother, Carl.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 21^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American 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.

Joaquina Naveira, resident of Farlington, KS, formerly of Elizabeth, NJ, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, in Farlington. She was born August 16, 1937, in Cuba, the daughter of Eugenio and
Regina Garcia. She married Nicholas Humberto Naveira in Cuba on October 27, 1963.

He preceded her in death on June 9, 2023. They arrived with their son in the United States in 1969 and settled in New Jersey. Joaquina worked several factory jobs in her early career. She was a
wonderful cook and seamstress.

Survivors include a son, Jose Naveira, and wife Becky, Fort McKavett, TX; a daughter, Daisy Naveira, Farlington, KS; 2 granddaughters, Emily Naveira, Cincinnati, OH, and Ashley Naveira,
Arlington, VA; 4 brothers; and 1 sister in Cuba.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 1 sister, and her parents.

Chaplain Adam Parrish will conduct graveside services at 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 20  at the Farlington Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook
at cheneywitt.com.

Velma Jean Russell, age 94, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed peacefully December 6, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Emporia, Kansas. She was born May 17, 1929, in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Wesley and Marjorie Reasoner. In 1938, the family moved to California, near Stockton. They returned to the Midwest nine years later. In 1946, Velma graduated from the Nevada High School in Nevada, Missouri. The following year, she returned to California by train. Her boarding did not go unnoticed by a young sailor returning from leave. He introduced himself somewhere between New Mexico and Arizona. They corresponded while he was at sea, met when they could, and were married on December 18, 1948, in Vallejo, California. Of all her accomplishments in life, her marriage ot sixty-seven years, and her six children and their families were, by far, her most significant and what she cherished the most. Velma’s faith in Christ sustained and enriched her. She gave her best in whatever she endeavored. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. Those who knew her were glad they did.

She is survived by a daughter Jane Gorton (Chris) of Emporia, Kansas and their sons, Nathan, Wyatt and Lucas (Casie); four sons, Paul Russell of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Sam Russell (Debra) of Salina, Kansas and sons, Simeon, Gabriel and Austin; Rod Russell (Rene) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and their children, Reed, Devon (Ben), and Chad (Casey) and Phil Russell (Misty) of Parsons, Kansas and their sons, Ben, Abe (Maddie) and Silas. Also, grandsons Wayne and Brian. Velma had eighteen great -grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, son, Wesley, her parents and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday, December 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Susan E. Willard, 80, resident of Fort Scott, passed away late Thursday evening, December 7, 2023. She was born February 4, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Thomas Hotard and Beulah (Vicknair) Hotard.

She married Ralph Owen “R.O.” Willard on May 27, 1966, in Metairie, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. He preceded her in death on August 15, 2011.

Susan graduated from Ben Franklin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Meadows Draughon College, also in New Orleans. She worked at Dowell until her marriage to R.O. and then she became a Homemaker. They moved to Fort Scott in 1990.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Holly Ross, recently of Fort Scott; her son, Barry Willard and wife Marie, of Lees Summit, Missouri; and two grandchildren, Jeff Willard, and Elisabeth Ross.

In addition to her husband R. O., Susan was also preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Thomas Hotard, Jr.

Pastor Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the services.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Roy Burton Johnson, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Saturday, December 9, 2023, at his home.

He was born February 24, 1934, in Ft. Scott, the son of Hugh W. Johnson and Mary Rebecca Neptune Johnson.  Roy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1953.  After high school, Roy served for two years with the United States Army.  Following his military service, Roy returned to Ft. Scott and married Letha Shelton on October 27, 1956, at the First Church of God in Ft. Scott.

Roy and Letha lived in Shawnee Mission, Kansas for nine years.  They then left the city and purchased a farm six miles west of Ft. Scott where they lived the majority of their married life.  Roy ran milk routes for approximately sixteen years and also owned and operated a hardware store and lumberyard in Redfield, Kansas for nine years.  Roy later began a career in insurance where he worked as an agent for twenty-five years.

In 2009, Roy and Letha sold their farm and moved into Ft. Scott.  Roy was still actively doing insurance work until his retirement in 2016.  Throughout his life, Roy has been an active member of the First Church of God where he served as Elder for many years.  He was awarded with a Life Elder Certificate in 2016.  Roy was also a member of the Redfield Ruritan Club for over fifty years where he served in a variety of capacities including club President, District Governor and Foundation Chairman.  He was also a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-seven years, Letha of the home; a daughter, Kelly Asbury of Exeter, Missouri; a granddaughter, Kyra Tollen (Dustin) of Battlefield, Missouri and a great-grandson, Biron Roy Tollen.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Olan, Bernard and James Johnson and two sisters, Ruth Lowry and Lois Fritter.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Thursday, December 14^th 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. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ruritan National Foundation or the First Church of God 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.

Velma Jean Russell, age 94, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed peacefully December 6, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Emporia, Kansas. She was born May 17, 1929, in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Wesley and Marjorie Reasoner.

In 1938, the family moved to California, near Stockton. They returned to the Midwest nine years later. In 1946, Velma graduated from the Nevada High School in Nevada, Missouri. The following year, she returned to California by train. Her boarding did not go unnoticed by a young sailor returning from leave. He introduced himself somewhere between New Mexico and Arizona. They corresponded while he was at sea, met when they could, and were married on December 18, 1948, in Vallejo, California.

Of all her accomplishments in life, her marriage ot sixty-seven years, and her six children and their families were, by far, her most significant and what she cherished the most. Velma’s faith in Christ sustained and enriched her. She gave her best in whatever she endeavored. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. Those who knew her were glad they did.

She is survived by a daughter Jane Gorton (Chris) of Emporia, Kansas and their sons, Nathan, Wyatt and Lucas (Casie); four sons, Paul Russell of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Sam Russell (Debra) of Salina, Kansas and sons, Simeon, Gabriel and Austin; Rod Russell (Rene) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and their children, Reed, Devon (Ben), and Chad (Casey) and Phil Russell (Misty) of Parsons, Kansas and their sons, Ben, Abe (Maddie) and Silas. Also, grandsons Wayne and Brian. Velma had eighteen great -grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William, son, Wesley, her parents and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday, December 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

I feel pretty brave when I have both of my kids by my side. Sometimes they convince me to do things I wouldn’t ordinarily do. For example, last year we vacationed in Grand Bahama and we spent one day at a local fishing/swimming hole. The waves were strong, the water was beautiful, clear and deep, and the dark rocks surrounding the hole were very jagged and tall. I was content to just sit and watch them spearfish, but Mariam convinced me to jump in. So I did. When I decided to climb out, I couldn’t. My daughter stood on the high rocks and tried to pull me out, but I have a weak shoulder which prevented a successful retrieval. So I yelled above the loud waves to my son to come and help. So with Aaron pushing on my bottom and Mariam pulling on my good arm, I came flying out of the hole like a dolphin. I was grateful that my kids were there and stood in the gap for me because I could not get out of my sticky situation by myself.

To “stand in the gap” means we’re working for the Kingdom of God. Believers are to  plant the seeds so the Holy Spirit can work in hearts. God has always used His willing followers to stand in the gap between good and evil. One of our responsibilities is to pray for God’s forgiveness and mercy to become a reality for those who are lost and can’t find their way. Pastors stand in the gap for their cities, parents pray down a firewall for their children, etc. Prayer is not a last resort, but a first response.

In today’s computer world, a firewall is comparable to standing in the gap. A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted network and a nontrusted network, such as the Internet. I believe one of the best firewall examples was Abraham.

Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family lived in Sodom. When the Lord came and visited with Abraham, He said, “’I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.’” Abraham asked the Lord if He would sweep away   the righteous with the wicked. And he ventured further and asked if He would destroy Sodom if 50 righteous people lived in the city. So the Lord said that He would spare the entire city for the sake of the righteous. Abraham was so deeply concerned for Lot that he pleaded with the Lord five more times, “Finally, Abraham said, ’Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?’ And the Lord replied, ’Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten’” (Genesis 18:20,32 NLT.)

Sadly, not even ten righteous people were living in Sodom. But because Abraham had stood in the gap as a firewall, angels safely escorted Lot and his family out of the wicked city before it was completely destroyed. Abraham’s firewall protected Lot and his family when the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Like Abraham, we can be a friend of God (ref. James 2:23) with bold confidence to stand in the gap and be a relentless firewall for our loved ones.  

The Key: Gaps are everywhere. Find one and stand in it.

Velma Jean Russell, age 94, resident of Emporia, KS, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, died Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in Emporia.

Funeral services for Velma Russell will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, December 15^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel with burial following in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook

Dirk Randel Myers, 66, resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away late Sunday evening, November 26, 2023. He was born November 8, 1957, in Lawton, Oklahoma, the son of Richard “Dick” Evan Myers and Virginia Joyce (Yoke) Myers.

He grew up in Fort Scott and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1976. After graduation, he attended The Kansas City Art Institute where he graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 1980.  Upon graduation he worked as a free-lance artist; some of his work included the brochure for the First Annual Homes for the Holiday Tour, the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta advertisement in the Fort Scott Tribune, and many items for the United Methodist Church of which he was a member. He moved to Pittsburg, Kansas and continued as a free-lance artist while working for the Senior Center. He was retired but continued to display and sell his artwork. Dirk loved the Lord, and his family with all his heart.

Dirk is survived by his mother, Virginia Myers, of Fort Scott; two sisters, Lesa D. Butler and husband Steve, of Lucas, Texas, Bridget A. Reber and husband Hobie of Lake Winnebago, Missouri; and five nieces and nephews, Kayla Blevins, Jennifer Butler, Samuel, Maxwell, Ava Reber and one great-nephew Asher Blevins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dick Myers and grandparents Francis and Dorothy Myers and George and Essie Yoke.

Following cremation, the family will hold a private graveside service in July of 2024.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Shirley Mae Andrews Doty, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, in Fort Scott, KS. She was 84 years old.

Shirley grew up in Arma, KS. She married Orval in August 1960. The fall of 1966, Shirley started college at Fort Scott Community College. After graduation, Shirley attended Pittsburg State University. She graduated with a major in Education in 1971. Shirley taught Kindergarten in Lansing, KS for one year. She then taught Kindergarten at Sunflower Elementary, DeSoto, and then moved to teaching Second grade at DeSoto Elementary. She retired after teaching 33 years. Shirley then joined Orval and lived in Fort Scott the remainder of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orval, her parents, Harold Andrews and Mary Endicott Jones, a sister, Betty Andrews Holland, and an infant son, Terry Wayne Colvin.

She is survived by her children; Jacque Doty, Ft Scott, Orval Doty (Teresa), Blue Mound, David Doty, DeSoto, Susan Plummer, (Dave) DeSoto, John Doty Ft Scott; her grandchildren, Brooke Crossley, Brad Crossley (Emma), Brittany Kibel, Amy Reynolds (Wally), William Doty (Andrea), Kristina Lohmyer (Eric), Amanda Plummer, Dylan Doty; her great grandchildren, Amy, Cameron, Kimber, Tristan, Kaylee, Madaline, Julia, Lucas, Adeline, Emma, Chase, Peyton, Brady; and her great great granddaughter, Luna. She also leaves behind her sister, Josie Harris Stilwell Ok and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family who will miss her very much.

There was cremation.  Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 16^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Interment will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.