Shanna R. Griffiths, age 65, a resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center Emergency Room in Nevada, Missouri.

She was born August 19, 1956, in Olathe, Kansas, the daughter of Douglas Brian Culp and Marilyn Dee Vermillion Culp.

She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Robert Dean Griffiths on February 15, 1975, in Ft. Scott.

Her life’s work was health care. In earlier years, Shanna worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott and later St. John’s Hospital and Freeman Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri. For ten years, she taught nursing classes at Missouri Southern University. She later completed training to become a nurse practitioner. She was currently serving at nurse practitioner at the Nevada Regional Medical Center’s Rich Hill Clinic.

She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada.

One of her hobbies included doing family genealogy.

Survivors include her husband, Bob, of the home; two children, Douglas Brandon Griffiths (Priscilla) of Deerfield, Missouri and Lisa René Peterson (Shane) of Albany, Missouri; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Sarah McCulley (Les) of Deerfield, Missouri and Sherry Daniels of Topeka, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Father Pete Savidge will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 9^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following funeral services, there will be cremation.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Dustin James Johnson, age 37, died Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was born on April 4, 1984 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Randy and Bobbie Francis Johnson.

He graduated from Uniontown High School. He served his country in the United States Navy.

Dustin was employed as a maintenance supervisor with Seats Incorporated, Spring Hill, Kansas. He attended the Pleasanton Church of the Nazarene.

There was not a thing Dustin couldn’t build or fix. He worked with wood, constructed solar panels, and fixed or rebuilt engines. He was “handy” in every sense of the word.

He liked shooting pool, two-stepping, collecting and shooting guns and was learning to play guitar.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Glenn Francis and Billie Wilson, and paternal grandfather, Ed Johnson.

Dustin is survived by his mother, Bobbie Brown and husband Howard; father, Randy Johnson; children, Tristin and Adrianna; brother, Glenn Johnson and wife Michell; niece, Adeline; nephew, Cooper, stepbrother Shannon Brown; stepsister, Leslie Doering, and several cousins that were more like siblings.

Graveside funeral service will be held 2 pm Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

A visitation and gathering will be held after the graveside from 3:30 to 5 pm at the Pleasanton Nazarene Church.

Contributions are suggested the Uniontown High School FFA or Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Addie L. Grigsby, age 83, a resident of rural Prescott, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Louisburg Healthcare & Rehab Center in Louisburg, Kansas. She was born May 1, 1938, in Springfield, Tennessee, the daughter of John Edward Woodard and Daisy Mae Crow Woodard. Addie graduated from the Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, Tennessee. She met Arthur N. Grigsby on a blind date in Nashville, Tennessee. Art and Addie were married on June 30, 1957, at the Stewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tennessee. Addie was a devoted wife and mother. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior while talking with Cora Mae Collins at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Ft. Scott, Kansas. She was currently a member of the First Baptist Church of Mound City, Kansas. Addie enjoyed refinishing furniture, gardening, canning, sewing and crocheting, as well as reading, singing and listening to music.

Survivors include her husband, Art, of the home; four children, Deborah GrigsbyLynch (Virgil) of Prescott, Kansas, Melissa Brown (Lynn), Ft. Scott, Kansas, Arthur N. Grigsby, Jr. (Kim), Prescott, Kansas and Tina Page (John), Cheyenne, Wyoming, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Becky Brady of Madison, Tennessee and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by ten infant grandchildren; four sisters, Rose Meadows, Ruth MacArthur, Jeannie Copley and Doris Parks and two brothers, Burton and David Woodard.

There was cremation. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 A.M. Monday, March 7^th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 7^th at the First Baptist Church of Mound City. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Mission 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 cheneywtt.com.

Marjorie Aleen (Commons) Hayden, 99 years young, was peacefully lifted into Heaven early Friday morning, February 25, 2022. Marjorie was born July 1, 1922, on the family farmstead of rural Devon, Kansas where she grew up with her parents, Allie (Al) and Stella Virginia (Tippie) Commons and family until her marriage to her beloved Raymond Alfred Hayden on April 28^th, 1946, when he returned home from WWll.

Marjorie was a hand’s on, hard-working farm wife and mother. Together she and Raymond’s union produced 6 living children: Larry Hayden (Kathi Crews)-Port Angeles, Washington; Dale Hayden (Connie Smith)-Manhattan, Kansas; Roxie (Hayden) Armstrong (Jim Armstrong-Deceased)-Kansas City, Kansas; Randy Hayden-Fort Scott, Kansas; Lana (Hayden) Bowman-Fort Scott, Kansas; Dallas Hayden (Jill Schaeffer)-Olathe, Kansas. In addition, Marjorie and Raymond lost twin boys early in their marriage.

Marjorie and Raymond enjoyed their 11 grandchildren: Kristyn Hayden, Emily (Hayden) Hoots, Lora (Hayden) Hanes, Joleene (Armstrong) Miller, Garen Armstrong, Lisa Hayden, Cari (Bowman) Hunziker, Leslie Bowman, Taylor (Bowman) Workman, Austin Hayden, and Kelsey (Hayden) Huston. From the grandchildren’s unions, Marjorie had 26 beautiful great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Raymond; her parents; one brother, Guy Commons and sister-in-law Cloma; one sister, Gladys (Commons) Johnson and brother-in-law Lee Johnson; son-in-law James (Jim) Armstrong, and many, many friends and family members over her near 100 years.

In addition to her love of family, Marjorie will be remembered for so many things such as her beautiful smile, her green thumb at gardening and all things that grow (her African violets were her favorite), and a passion for sewing, embroidery and quilting since she was a young girl. Being a farm wife and mother of 6, she was also a master in the kitchen. Family and friends will always remember, and try to mimic, her prowess at cooking for large groups, her pies, and her magnificent home-made noodles.

Her children especially want everyone to remember her legacies of love of family, hard work, and steadfast faithfulness to her Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Jonathan Anderson. Burial will be in Centerville Cemetery, Devon, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Kindred Hospice, 8735 Rosehill Road, Unit 200, Lenexa, Kansas 66215. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Her family and friends are saddened by the loss of their precious mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. But…this is not the end. She will live on in the precious arms of her savior, Jesus Christ.

Gail Annette Potter, age 84, former resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, March 01, 2022, at Medicalodge of Frontenac, KS. She was born September 22, 1937, in Bronaugh, MO, the daughter of John and Lena Noel Reed. She graduated from Liberal, MO high school with the class of 1955. She married Homer Richard Potter on October 25, 1958, in Hannon, MO. He preceded her in death on October 4, 1988. Gail worked for Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott for 15 years. She worked for Federal Crop Insurance for 5 years, and later for Marcy’s Clothing Store. She enjoyed yard work, gardening, and watching TV, especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She was a local sports fan as well as her KC Royals and Chiefs. She loved spending time with her family and attending grandchildren’s events.

Survivors include a daughter, Lori Farmer and husband Mark, Pittsburg, KS; 2 sons, Doug Potter and wife Shelly, Ft. Scott, and Brian Potter, Pittsburg, KS; 5 grandchildren, Jared, Ashton, Hunter, Lanie, and Maddux; 2 great grandchildren, Korbyn and Ivy; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Dennis Reed and John Reed, Jr.; a sister, Bonnie Depue; and her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 1:30 PM Friday, March 4^th, in the U. S. National Cemetery. 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.

Kathryn Elaine “Kathie” Greenfield Wilson, 70, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday evening, February 18, 2022, at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. She was born August 12, 1951, to Rachel Hord and John C. Greenfield Sr., in Tacoma, Washington. Kathie was one of ten children: four sisters and five brothers. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1969. She married David Cunningham in 1970 in Fort Scott, Kansas. After his passing in 1972, she then married Perry Wilson, and the two celebrated many wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2018.

Kathie was a kind soul, who never met a stranger. She enjoyed shopping for bargains, rides in the country, and reading romance novels. She loved life, loved to laugh, and she especially loved her grandkids. Kathie saw beauty in simple things where others may have overlooked them. She always made sure to lift others up, even during her most trying of times. She always had the biggest smile. To know Kathie, was to know love.

She is survived by two children, Jason and wife Natalie Cunningham of Lockwood, Missouri, and Rachel Fields of Fort Scott, Kansas, and six grandchildren, Addison, Maren, Ellen, William, Enych, and Elsie. She was preceded in death by her first husband David Cunningham, her second husband Perry Wilson, her father John C. Greenfield Sr., sisters Cheryl Bagnall, Ella Greenfield, and brothers Paul and Brian Greenfield.

Services will be held at 11:30a.m. Friday March 4, 2022, at Konantz Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas with burial following at 12:30 p.m. at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband Perry Wilson. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Perry William Bower, 89, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday morning, February 23, 2022, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born February 14, 1933, in Redfield, Kansas, the son of Jesse Shotwell and June Kathryn (Dunbar) Bower. He married Helen Louise Winterbower on December 2, 1961, in Hepler, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Perry graduated from Uniontown High School with the Class of 1951, and received his associate degree from Fort Scott Community College. He served in the US army from 1953 until 1955. He owned his own business, Perry Bower Truck Line for over 55 years, transporting cattle, and retired in 2010.

In addition to his wife Helen, Perry is also survived by his children, Kenneth Bower and wife Stacy, Terry Bower and wife Lori, Lisa Bradley and husband Rudy, and Carla Hambric, all of Fort Scott; a brother, Chet Bower and wife Linda, of Fort Scott; a sister, Roberta Rickman, of Girard, Kansas; eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mable Green and Margaret Rhodes, four brothers, Jay, Floyd, Leroy, and John; two infant sisters, and a grandson, Jacob Bradley.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022, at Memory Gardens of Bourbon County Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Gardens Maintenance Association, 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.

Ann Ackerman, age 84, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, February 21, 2022, at her home in Ft. Scott. There was cremation and no services are planned. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Earl Robert “Dink” Beerbower, age 96, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at his home. He was born June 4, 1925, in Ft. Scott, the son of John Henry Beerbower and Ivy Myrtle Key Beerbower. Earl served with the United States Army during World War II. He married Sherry C. Slayton in September of 1958, at Wichita, Kansas. Earl owned and operated his own roofing, sheet metal and heating and air business for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite. He enjoyed fishing and listening to country music. He recently received the Elks National Veterans Service Award for the time he spent with the military.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry, of the home; grandchildren, Joey Beerbower, Scott Beerbower, Lisa Coyan and Chanel Thrush and great-grandchildren, Gracelyn and Laine Beerbower and Livia Varner. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews including, Dawn Parker and husband, Travis and their children, Tyler, Hunter and Jenna, and also, Marilyn Beerbower, Todd Beerbower (Sherry) and Gil Beerbower (Laina). He was preceded in death by preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Earl Beerbower and Gerald Dwayne Beerbower; seven brothers, Clyde, Cecil, Clarence, Albert, Lawrence, Carl and Nole Beerbower and three sisters, Mable Dodson, Lillie Wallace and Mae Uptegrove.

Rev. Chris Eshelman will conduct graveside services at 1:30 P.M. Monday, February 28^th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #25. 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.

Leesa Lynn Powell Silvers, of Fort Scott, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Fort Scott at the age of 70. As many of her friends and family knew, Leesa was generous, kind and loving, and would often forego her needs to ensure those around her were taken care of. She was also very forthcoming, honest and a listening ear when someone needed it most.

Leesa was a fighter who battled through various illnesses in recent years. She would eventually bounce back with the same determination and spunk she always had. But sickness also took its toll, primarily on her body while her mind and spirit often remained vibrant.

In recent years, Leesa was in a great deal of pain, and the family is grateful that her spirit can rest easy now that her body is free of pain. Now there is lasting comfort and peace for a woman who gave her all to make sure her friends and family’s needs were met. She would give you the shirt off her back, or her last dime, while she went without. We will miss her smile and laugh, her witty remarks and her often risqué sense of humor, but we will learn to live with the love she left behind and know that her spirit is with us as she continues to guide those she loved.

Leesa was born Jan. 7, 1952, to Wallace Eugene Powell, Jr., and Norma Jeane Powell (Barnett) in Independence, Mo. With her dad being a golf professional, Leesa and the family moved from place to place throughout the Midwest during her younger years.

Leesa graduated from Neosho High School in 1970. She eventually went to beauty school and became a licensed cosmetologist after earning a certificate at Fort Scott Community College, working in Kansas and Missouri.

She was a carefree spirit who lived life on her terms. She loved Mountain Dew, iced tea, cheese and crackers and her fuzzy socks, among several other things she treasured. Many a laugh or “wow” were shared over stories of her youth, whether it was attending the Woodstock music festival in the late 1960s, or a hitchhiking adventure shortly after getting married. Even on her sickest days, she could make you laugh with a clever observation.

She married Danny Silvers in 1972 and the couple had two children, a son, Danny, Jr., who was stillborn in 1972, and Jason Eugene Silvers of Fort Scott, who was born in 1974. She was in a relationship with John Coleman in the mid-1980s and the couple gave birth to Leesa’s third child, Kasee Johnel Coleman Howard of Fort Scott, in 1985.

Leesa loved all things related to food and cooking, and could often be found watching the Food Network, with “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “Chopped,” and “The Pioneer Woman” among her favorite shows. She also enjoyed arts and crafts and passed her skills on to her children and grandchildren. She loved helping her grandchildren with their projects.

In the 1990s, Leesa went back to school. She earned a two-year degree at FSCC in 1992 before venturing on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University in 1994. She briefly worked as a social worker in Mound City before leaving to pursue other ventures. She continued to show her love for helping youth in need by working for several years at Heartland Behavioral Health Services in Nevada, Mo., in the mid-to-late 1990s. Leesa worked as pageant director for America’s Youth Showcase and AmeriKids from about 2000 to 2005.

Leesa’s smile and personality lit up a room, and she drew people to her. She was engaging, loyal and funny, and often had a knack for being brutally honest. Leesa would “tell you like it is.” But if you were in her circle of family and friends, her love knew no bounds. Strangers were also on the receiving end of this love. A decline in her health led to several hospital stays in recent years. While she was often able to return home, her health issues led to a stay in Medicalodges of Fort Scott, which was her home for nearly the last year. But her spirit and willpower retained their strength as she fought many hardships through her love for her grandchildren, as she would say.

Leesa was preceded in death by a son, Danny Silvers, Jr.; her parents, Wally Powell (2012) and Norma Powell (2004); and a brother, Larry Powell (2011.) Survivors include a son, Jason E. Silvers; a daughter, Kasee Howard; six grandchildren, Braeden (Brady) Silvers, Kenli Coleman, Kaeda Stufflebeam, Kai Powell, Kross Powell and Krymsyn Howard; as well as many other treasured family and friends.

Following cremation, a memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home in Leesa’s honor to help with funeral expenses. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Paul Joseph Newton II, 64, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Friday evening, February 18, 2022, at the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Room in Fort Scott.

He was born July 4, 1957 in Fort Scott, the son of Paul J, and Jennie Zembal Newton. He married Sondra Simons, June 25, 1976 at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Paul Joe graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1975, where he wrestled and played football. He then attended Fort Scott Community College. Over the years he owned and operated Newton Automotive, was employed by KDOT, Fort Scott Truck & Tractor, Mid Continental Restoration and Bourbon County Public Works.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting, spending time with his family, and watching his grandsons play sports. He didn’t know a stranger, and always kept us laughing. He enjoyed being the family Bingo Caller, Uber Driver, and was well known as the backup Umpire for Safe Valley Baseball and “never made a bad call”.

Paul Joe is survived by his wife, Sondra of 45 years, of the home, two sons, Paul J. Newton III (Trey) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Josh Newton and wife, Trisha of Fort Scott, a daughter, Sammi Simpson and husband, Kaleb of Fort Scott, a sister, Paulette Albright and husband, Richard of Fort Scott, and grandchildren, Ryder, Rush, Ridge & Rocki Newton, Willow Simpson and Treyton Newton, sister-in-law, Law Dawnell Newton of Rolla, Kansas, along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Jennie Newton, and siblings, Marlene, Scott, and Jeff Newton.

Pastor Matthew Hunt will officiate funeral services for Paul Joe at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Faith Church (South of Fort Scott) on Hwy 69, 2203 Deer Road, Garland, Kansas 66741.

Burial will be private (for family only) in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to IBT (services for families impacted by Autism), which may be submitted on their website: http://ibt-inc.org.

The family wants to make the memorial contribution recipient in the obituary a link to their website for ease in giving for those who want to give online:

http://ibt-inc.org

Rose Marie “Billie” Rivet née Corbin, age 88, died Thursday February 3, 2022, peacefully at her home in Fort Scott, KS. She was a former resident of Troy & Averill Park, New York. 

Billie was born July 29, 1933, in Berlin, New York, daughter of Maurice H. and Maria S. (Church) Corbin. 

Billie was an eccentric creature of beauty who loved garage sales, crafting, and collecting things for the people she cared for. She was an avid photographer; her favorite subjects were family and friends; once the photos were developed, she would proudly display them for all to see.  Billie had a love for animals, especially her cats.                     

She was known by her grandchildren for her tea parties, which we now know was an excuse to clean out the fridge. She was best known for her love of turquoise (the color and the stone). Quotes made famous by Billie included ‘in one ear and out the other’ and ‘tough titty said the kitty.’

As a member of the Sand Lake and Stephentown Seniors she and her sister Katherine took many adventures together including traveling on a cruise ship to explore Alaska and Hawaii. 

She is survived by two sons, Rodney Baisley (Teresa Weidman, former spouse) and Ronald (Sarah) Baisley, 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 1/2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 plus years, Thomas J. Rivet, her daughter Ruth A. (Baisley) Seror, her sister Katherine S. & (Lewis) Hoffman, her parents Maurice H. and Maria S. (Church) Corbin, and Robert G. Baisley (former spouse; father of their children Rodney, Ruth and Ronald). 

Per her request no services will be held. A celebration of life has been scheduled for Saturday February 26, 2022, for family and friends to gather, share memories, tears and laughter. 

Her remains will be cremated and sent to rest in Memory Gardens (Albany, New York) with her loved ones. 

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider donating to their local animal shelter to honor Billie’s love for animals.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.