Phyllis L. Ward, age 89, went to her eternal home in Heaven on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Her parents were Roy & Lula Bentley and she was raised in Ft. Scott, KS.

She was a loving mother and housewife. She did work a few years before retiring to Ft. Scott, at Rival Mfg., in Albany, MO.

She enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidering & could make the best pies ever.

She raised five ornery children on ranches with her husband, Harold Ward. They were married for 68 years before his passing in June of 2019.

She loved her family which included five children, eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She loved babies and they brought her great joy.

She spent her last several years in Wichita, Kansas.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was welcomed home by her husband, Harold, her parents Roy and Lula Bentley, In-laws Hubert and Tressie Ward, along with several siblings and in-laws and two sons, Harold Stephen Ward and Ricky Joe Ward. They had a wonderful reunion celebration upon her arrival.

She is survived by three daughters, Debra Vanderveer (Tim) of Crawfordville, FL; Diana Thompson (Monte) of Wichita, KS; Patricia Cadle of Goddard, KS.; along with the grandchildren and great- grandchildren who knew her as Nana.

We will look forward to seeing her again some day in Heaven.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Cheney Witt Chapel.

She will be laid to rest in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday April 22nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association 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.

Leanna Corine Leonard, age 80, resident of Chandler, AZ, died Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Brookdale Chandler Regional Care. No services are planned. Burial will take place in the Memory Gardens Cemetery, Ft. Scott, KS. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Ludean Evans, age 71, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  She was born March 11, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of David Donald Harris and Maxine Cagle Harris.  Ludean graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1969.  She married David Eugene Evans on December 21, 1968, at the Nazarene Church in Ft. Scott.  Ludean was a devoted wife and mother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially when attending her grandchildren’s sporting events or going on a camping trip.  She also enjoyed gardening.

 

Survivors include her husband, Gene, of the home; two daughters, Jennifer Pryor and Billi Jo Shoemaker, both of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Ericah Uhler (Justin), Zack Pryor (Carolina), Jarrett Shoemaker (Addy), and Kyra Pryor (Kevin) and a great-grandson, Hugh Uhler.  Also surviving are a brother, Jim Harris (Susie) of Ft. Scott and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Donald Harris and her life-long, best friend, Linda Poyner.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Monday, April 18^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time 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.

 

Richard Lee Dixon, 79, of Frontenac, died on April 8, 2022 at his home.

Dixon was born in Fort Scott on January 9, 1943, the son of Richard and Velma Totman Dixon.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2022, at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Arma, Ks. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. that day. Burial will be at Pittsburg Garden of Memories.

Jean Margarette Younggren, age 93, resident of Redfield, KS, died Monday, April 11, 2022, at Girard Medical Center.  She was born November 9, 1928, in Seward County, KS, the daughter of Odor and Lucile Stroud Black.

She was later adopted by Johnie and Velma Dye.  Jean married Oscar Younggren on October 14, 1945.

He preceded her in death in 2005.

Jean was a hard worker, whether on the family farm, cooking at the local school, or working as a nurse’s aide at local hospitals.  She could drive the tractor and feed the livestock.  Every cow had a name.  She was also skilled in crocheting and sewing.  She made many of the grandchildren’s nightgowns and clothes.  She was an excellent cook, with her specialty being cinnamon rolls.

Jean was the type of person who never met a stranger, always enjoying a visit.

 

Survivors include 2 sons, John Younggren, Mike Younggren and wife Mary, and Connie Neil, all of Ft. Scott; a sister, Marie Towner and husband Roy, Rolla, KS; 9 grandchildren, Jason, Meleesa, Shana, Shelly, Summer, Shane, Tara, Megan, and Kati; and 15 great grandchildren.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Henry William Odor Black and Forest Lee Black-Davis; and 2 sisters, June Florence Black, and Clara Mae Black-Willis.

 

 

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM Friday, April 15^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will take place at a later date in the Hugoton, KS Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to Bourbon County 4-H 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.

David Wayne Elbrader, age 60, a former resident of Redfield, Kansas, and more recently of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Wichita.  He was born February 4, 1962, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Neil Elbrader and Roberta Jane Brown Elbrader.  David graduated from the Uniontown High School and later attended Ft. Scott Community College.  David helped his parents run the family business, Elbrader’s Used Cars, located north of Ft. Scott.  He helped with mechanic work as well as bookkeeping.

 

Survivors include his sister, Janet Rochat of Wichita, Kansas; two nephews, Scott Rochat of Derby, Kansas and Matthew Rochat of Wichita and a niece, Katelyn Knaak and her husband, Tyler, of Omaha, Nebraska.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Roberta Elbrader, and a brother-in-law, Arlen Rochat.

 

Pastor Jeff Feagins will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Friday, April 15^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Richard Joseph Chermok, age 55, resident of Garland, KS, died Monday, April 4, 2022, at Via Christi Emergency Room, Ft. Scott, KS.  He was born April 6, 1966, in Lawrence, KS, the son of Louis Joseph Chermok, Jr. and Darlene Agnus Vochal Chermok.

Richard graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1984 and Ft. Scott Junior College in 1986.  He worked for Craft Fabricators for many years before operating heavy equipment in Virginia.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and vegetable gardening.

 

Survivors include his mother Darlene, Arma, KS, two brothers Michael and wife Kristin, Parker, KS, and Daniel and wife Dalene, Fruita, CO; a sister, Teresa Chermok, Ft. Scott; two nephews, Nathan, and Jacob and wife Megan; two nieces, Jessica and Kalene; and one great nephew and one great niece.

He was preceded in death by his father Louis; a brother Pat; and his grandparents.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct private family services on Friday, April 8^th, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Richard Chermok 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.

 

David Dale Carey, age 82, of Redfield, KS, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. He was born on July 13, 1939, to William and Bonnie Flo (Cloney) Carey in Decatur, IL.

 

He joined the Navy with five of his closest friends where he served from 1956-1960 traveling the world in service to his country. He had a lifelong love of motorcycles and did some stunts at the Macon County Speedway. His greatest passion was horses, and he was a true cowboy who loved rodeo and roping. He was a PRCA Gold Card Member and won the Great Lake Circuit heeling in the team roping in 1976.

 

He met the love of his life, Susan Diane Riley and married her in 1977 in Casper, WY. They lived in Wyoming, Illinois, & Kansas. Throughout the years he worked for Staley Express, KAR Productions, and Kirkland Welding. He was an assistant rodeo coach at Fort Scott Community College under Coach John Luthi and went on to coach and mentor many young rodeo athletes throughout his life.

Dave and Sue spent their retirement traveling in their motorhome with lifelong friends to Arizona and Florida and found a roping to go to whenever possible. They also set up their Cowboy Warehouse tack trailer at local rodeos for years.

He was an encouragement to many and never knew a stranger. Dave was one of the best storytellers and had so many to share!

 

He is survived by his wife Sue, his sister Kay Turner and husband John of Wyoming, and daughters: Chrissy Shoot and husband Doyle, Cody White and husband Ryan, and sons: Lance Carey and wife Grace, Jimmy Litts and wife Shannon, Curt Carey, Bart Carey, & Billy Carey. He had 12 grandchildren & four great grandchildren.

 

Per his request a Celebration of Life with a roping and cookout will be planned for later this spring. Memorials can be made to the FSCC Rodeo Team in care of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.

 

Nola J. Smith, age 67, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

She was born September 25, 1954, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Calvin L. Pitts and Grace Wiggans Pitts.  Nola married Richard Alan Smith on March 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Uniontown, Kansas.

In earlier years, Nola worked for the Western Insurance Company and then for Key Work Clothes.  She later accepted a secretarial position for the Fort Scott Community College and then worked in claims and data entry for Great West/Cigna.  Nola’s last job was working as a carhop for Sonic which she considered quite an accomplishment for someone of her age.

Nola was happiest when she was surrounded by her family.  They have many memories of her preparing meals, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  She also enjoyed taking the occasional trip to the casino or spending a little time antiquing or going to an auction.  Quiet times at home were spent doing jigsaw puzzles.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

 

Survivors include her son, Christopher Smith (Darla) of Wamego, Kansas and Kimberly Smith (Allen Beerbower) of Redfield, Kansas and two grandchildren, Glenn Arron Smith and Hailey Beerbower.  Also surviving are two brothers, Carl Hall of Pittsburg, Kansas and Ed Pitts (Luanne) of Redfield.

Nola was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, on October 6, 2018 and also by her parents.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 6^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening 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.

Alberta Lanell Coe, age 89, lifelong resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Comfort Care Home of Pittsburg, KS.

She was born October 24, 1932, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Oscar Leroy and Pearl Givens Taylor. She attended Ft. Scott schools, graduating from FSHS with the class of 1950. From the age of 9, she and her sisters “The Taylor Sisters” sang and performed live and on the radio with A. J. Cripe of Pittsburg.

She married Ben Coe, Jr. on May 23, 1953, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on December 27, 2017.

Alberta managed the bookstore at Fort Scott Community College until 1985. She then enrolled in the cosmetology school, graduating in 1986. She then operated her beauty shop with daughter Janel and worked for the next couple of years.

Together, Alberta and Ben enjoyed going to auctions, buying furniture to refinish and sell. She loved sports, both locally and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Alberta was a giving individual, always providing an open door for those in need of a place to stay or a warm meal. She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Survivors include four sons, Ben Coe and wife Lanza, McKinney, TX, Kevin Coe and wife Kim, Wichita, KS, Keith Coe and wife Carla, Newman, GA, and Pat Coe and wife Mitzi, Springfield, MO; two daughters, Marianne Garrison and husband Jon, Pittsburg, KS, and Janel Blackburn and husband Lee, Ft. Scott; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Francis Putnam; four Sisters, Helen Coyan, Beulah Putnam, Deloris Person, and twin sister Roberta Sellers; and an infant grandson Milo James Coe.

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 5^th, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

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

The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends following from 6:00 to 8:00.

Memorials are suggested to Cradling Memories – The Milo James Coe Foundation 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.

David D. Mullies, 81, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning, March 28, 2022. He was born March 8, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Ewing Edgar and Wilma L. (Saunders) Mullies. He married Patricia Ann Jennings October 15, 1960, and she survives of the home.

David was a licensed attorney in private practice since 1966, practicing in Texas and Kansas. He was partner and member of the law firm Hudson & Mullies for approximately 38 years, and served as Senior and Managing Partner of the law firm for 20 years. He was President, General Manager, and shareholder of Crutcher-Mullies Cattle Company for 20 years, which owned and operated a 2,000-acre farm and ranching business operation.

David was active in the community and held numerous memberships over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank N.A. in Fort Scott for 29 years, and also served as Chairman of the Bank Audit/Compliance Committee for several years. He was a member and Former President of the Fort Scott Jaycees, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1971. He served 7 years on the Fort Scott City Planning Commission, six of those as Chairman. He served 3 terms on Board of Directors for Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and as President in 1976; served 2 terms on Fort Scott Country Club Board of Directors as President 1990 and 1991; served as an Officer and director of Fort Scott Industries, Inc., and Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. for over 35 years; Trustee for Bourbon County on Mid-America, Inc.; U.S. Highway 69 Association and U.S. Highway 54 Association, Trustee for Bourbon County for many years.

He was one of the original founders, President, and board member for over 10 years of Fort Scott Community College Endowment Association; One of the original board members and committee to develop, construct, and operate the Southeast Kansas Community Corrections Center. He was a member Phi Delta Phi, International Legal Fraternity; Member of Ancient and Honorable Order of Glorified and Exalted SOABS for 23 years; former member of Kiwanis International, Member of Rotary International, Board of Directors for 5 terms Pelican Bay Association, Osage Beach, Missouri; Mercy Hospital foundation Board for 6 years; Member of Wall Street Investment Club serving as Secretary for 30 years; member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, social fraternity; Fort Scott City Library Board; Co-Chairman of Committee to write and update the Fort Scott Comprehensive Plan and original zoning regulations; General Secretary Old Fort Days Rodeo for 3 years; Member of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Solid Waste Committee; Listed Who’s Who Outstanding Young Men of America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in American Business, and Who’s Who in Kansas; Fort Scott Law Library Trustee; Fort Scott United Way Committee; member of Kansas Association of Commerce and Industry; member of Downtown Redevelopment Committee; member of Town-cite Pack Committee for Urban Renewal; member of the Bourbon County Bar Association, serving as President for 3 terms; member of Southeast Kansas, Kansas, and American Bar Associations.

In addition to his wife Patricia, David is also survived by his children, Lisa George and husband Rich, of Elmhurst, Illinois, and John Mullies and wife Carrie of Olathe, Kansas; a sister Mairlyn Weickert, of Pleasanton, Kansas; his grandchildren, Heather Ann George (fiancé Alex Ong), Richard E. George, IV, Megan Patricia George, and Daphne Ann Mullies. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Edgar William Mullies.

The family will receive friends Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home followed by a Funeral and Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. with Dusty Drake officiating. Burial will follow at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, designated to be used for the Chamber Building that David helped to build. Contributions 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.

Bertha Mary Golden, age 90, joined her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on March 22, 2022. She was born to Harry Wilson and Bertha Amanda (Thrush) Bisel on October 14, 1931 in Wakefield, KS. She married Raymond Theodore Golden on December 18, 1950 in Topeka, KS.

Bertha graduated from the 8th grade at Benham District #31 grade school in Wakefield where she assisted in the family business at Broadview Dairy. After marrying, she and her family lived in the Kansas City area until relocating to Leavenworth, then to Prescott, Kansas, and finally to Fort Scott, KS. She earned her GED (high school diploma) in 1972 while raising 7 children. She then worked as a nurses’ aid at Cushing Memorial and the VA Hospital in Leavenworth. After moving to Prescott, she served at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott for 22 years, before retiring in 2000. She kept busy with gardening, canning and travelling for many years. She also baked and provided pies for Flanner’s Owl Roost until its’ closing in 1996. At the Leavenworth Wesleyan Church, she served as pianist until her family relocated to Fort Scott in 1974, where she became a faithful member of Parkway Church of God (Holiness). After some health struggles, Bertha resided at Medicalodge where she was well-loved. She was a devoted mother, sister and grandmother.
Bertha leaves behind her grateful children, Charlotte and John Jones of Denver, Colorado, Catherine Golden, Mary Woellhof and Joyce Flanner of Fort Scott, Janice Wallace of Mound City, KS and Paul and Deborah Golden of Ottawa, KS. She is also survived by her brother, David Bisel of Dade City, FL. Also left behind are 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Awaiting her in Heaven are: her husband of 57 years, Raymond; her eldest son, Stephen Ray Golden; grandsons, Kyle Flanner and Aaron Alexander; her parents, Harry and Bertha Bisel; along with her five sisters and five brothers two sons-in-law, Karl Flanner and Wes Woellhof and many friends and family members.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 25th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Thursday evening at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice or the Fort Scott Christian Heights Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.