Leona Belle Harned, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born at home in Fulton, Kansas on July 3, 1941, the daughter of Luther Martin Harned and Julia Alma Cadwell Harned.  Leona’s early years were spent in Fulton, Kansas.  She attended the United Methodist Church in Fulton, Kansas during her youth. The Harned family later moved to Ft. Scott where Leona graduated from Ft. Scott High School and later from Ft. Scott Community College.

Throughout her life, Leona worked at various Ft. Scott restaurants which embodied her love for people and her love for serving others.  Her last places of employment were in the cafeteria at Ft. Scott Community College and later at Marsha’s Deli.  She reluctantly retired from Marsha’s Deli at age 78.

Leona had a strong love for Christ and shared her faith unashamedly.  She spent many hours watching the TBN network on television and had an extensive collection of Bibles.  She also enjoyed singing especially the old hymns of the church.  She was a member of the Faith Church located south of Ft. Scott.

Leona is survived by two sisters, Julia Turbeville of Houston, Texas and Darlene Robinson of Ft. Scott, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Edwin, Jimmy, and George Harned.

Following cremation, Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 1^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Faith Church where it will be used for outreach, Bibles and missions.  Services are under the direction 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.

Gale Eugene Holman, age 67, resident of Belton, MO, died Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.  There was cremation.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.

Laverne Cummings Person, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the home of her daughter in Olathe, Kansas. She was born August 12, 1927, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Booker T. Cummings and Cleo Mae Jenkins Cummings. Laverne received her early education at the E. J. Hawkins School in Ft. Scott and went on to graduate from the Ft. Scott High School.

She married Dennis C. Person on March 2, 1946, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on November 15, 1950. Because of the untimely death of her husband, Laverne had to work hard to meet the needs of her family.

In earlier years, she worked as a housekeeper and then took a job at the County Clerk’s office where she worked for a few years. Later, she was employed in human resources by the City of Ft. Scott where she worked for many years. Laverne had a life-long love of reading, and the last few years of her tenure with the City were spent working at the Ft. Scott Public Library.

In addition to reading, Laverne also enjoyed cooking and baking. Laverne was a woman of faith and was a longtime member of the United Missionary Baptist Church. She was also a past member of the Eastern Star and the Athenium Study Club.

Family was everything to Laverne, and they all pulled together to take care of her during her final years. Many precious memories were made on the back porch on Hill Street where family and friends gathered to listen to her words of wit and wisdom. Laverne will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her four daughters, Janice Greene (Arthur), Linda Wilson (Larry) and Cindy Becky (Brent) all of Olathe, Kansas and Holly Rogers (Richard) of Parker, Colorado; her daughter-in-law, Beverly Albertson Person of Kansas City, Missouri; twelve grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Jerry Cummings of Sacramento, California and Phillip Cummings (Mary Ann) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Wava Cummings and Alta Cummings and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

In addition to her husband, Dennis, Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, Booker T. and Cleo Cummings, a son, Dennis Person, Jr.; five brothers, Donald, who died in infancy, and Gardner, Charles, Albert and David Cummings and a sister, Maxine Gordon.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Public Library 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.

David Edwin Myers, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Missouri.  He was born August 4, 1959, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of John Elmer Myers and Waneta B. Witsell Myers.  Following high school, David earned an associate degree from Johnson County Community College.

Throughout his life, David worked primarily in the grocery industry.  He also did landscaping work.  He was last employed by Price Chopper in Ft. Scott prior to loosing his eyesight.  David married Servillana “Shirley” Laderan on March 8, 2007.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of the home and his daughter, Krystine Ryz Vitug Myers of Arizona.  Also surviving are two sisters, Berniece Wells Pflum of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Faye Laird of Shawnee, Kansas.

Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 25^th at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.  Cremation arrangements were handled by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Ft. Scott, Kansas.

John Andrew Allen, age 87, resident of Uniontown, Kansas, died Monday, March 20, 2023, at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born September 30, 1935, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Chester Allen and Mildred (Baugh) Allen. John married Margaret O’Brien on July 21, 1955, in Baldwin, Kansas.

In his earlier years he worked for the Bronson School District. He and Margaret started and operated Allen’s Building and Repair Company for many years and then became the owners and operated the Bronson Self Service Station until his retirement.

He was a member of the Bronson Baptist Church. He was active with anything that involved his children and family, including 4-H, Junior Grange, coaching girls’ softball, and Boys Scouts.

He loved living at the lake, taking all his kids and grandkids fishing, water skiing/tubing and playing games…especially Jokers (Marbles).

Like his wife Margaret, John’s biggest joy was just spending time with all his family.

Survivors include four daughters, Dinah Glaze, Iola; Sally (Frank) Johnson, Uniontown; Becky (Ben) Smith, Chanute and Annetta (Tim) Trammell, Farlington; three foster children, Gordon Kreider, Houston, Missouri;  Willie (Debbie) Simpson, Blue Springs, Missouri and Joyce (Tom) Carder, Kearney, Missouri; one sister, Bonnie Trowbridge, Poway, California; one brother-in-law, Denney (JoJo) O’Brien, Lake Havasu City, Arizona; sister-in-law, Velma O’Brien, Bakersfield, California; grandchildren, Jamaal Glaze, Trey Glaze, Tayonna Glaze, Nevin Glaze, Andrew Johnson, Allen Johnson, Jerrod Smith, Bo Smith, Tiffany Gee; six foster grandchildren, Amber Sojka, Justin Simpson, Austin Simpson, Brian Simpson, Brandon Simpson, Niki Larrea; 24 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret; his parents; foster son, Melvin Simpson; brother, Willie Allen; Sister, Betty Garman; and granddaughter, LaCheole Glaze.

Following cremation, memorial services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, March 24th, in the Cheney Witt Chapel conducted by Rev. Rusty Newman.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that you spend some time in honor of dad fishing or playing Game King Double-Double Bonus Poker at your favorite casino.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Jo Ann Dalton passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023, at her home. She was a beloved, cherished wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma. Jo Ann was born June 15, 1935, in Redfield, Ks to Charles and Aileen Richard.

On August 24, 1951, she married Charles Dalton.  She and Charley resided at the family farm in Redfield. She was active in her children’s lives and even helped raise two special nephews, Larry, and Rick. They lived in Redfield until their children were grown and then moved to Fort Scott, Ks.

Jo Ann worked as Deputy Register of Deeds from 1967 until 1978 when she was appointed Register of Deeds. She held that position until her retirement in 2000. She loved serving the people of Bourbon County.

Jo Ann enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling to spend time with her family.  She loved watching her grandchildren grow and would always be there for every accomplishment they made.

Jo Ann is survived by her children Bill Dalton and wife Laura of Parsons, Ks and Becky Cashman and husband Jim of Cedar Crest, NM; grandchildren Trevor Cashman and wife Jeni of Cedar Crest, NM, Dustin Cashman and wife Jacquelyn of Cedar Crest, NM, Tara Martinez and Keith Hamill of Olathe, KS,  Heather Hammett and Samantha Martinez of Olathe, Ks; Nathan Dalton and wife Miranda of Oronogo, MO, and 15 great-grandchildren; Alexia, Madison, Cain, Kamara, Hudson, Cole, Kasen, Brady, Jude, Layne, Hunter, Cody, Ryder, Khalell and Kaedyn;  sisters-in-law Gail Dalton and Donna Dalton; brothers-in-law Ron Dalton and Chewy Brewer and many nieces and nephews, including Angie Dalton who always checked on her Aunt Jo Jo.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Charles, sisters Geri Brewer and Doris Williams.

Jo Ann adored her family, and they adored her. She was always active in her grandchildren’s lives. We will have many wonderful memories and forever cherish her.

Pastor Brian Rhoades will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Friday, March 24^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

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

Rosetta Marie Bailes passed away at her home in Fort Scott, Kansas on Sunday night, March 19, 2023. She was welcomed to her heavenly home and is worshiping Jesus with a new body.

She was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Charles and Rose Anna Workman on July 31st, 1953. At five years old her family moved back to Fort Scott, where she grew up. Rosetta graduated class valedictorian in 1971 from Fort Scott High School. She then graduated with honors from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Microbiology. She worked as a research Microbiologist in the American Type Culture Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1980 she graduated from nursing school and began her nursing career dedicated to helping people. In January 1984 on a mission trip to Haiti, Rosetta met Jon Bailes and married June 6, 1984.

Throughout her life, she worked as an RN, helped Jon run family businesses, raised children, worked in the church, and led mission teams.

Together, she and Jon shared the love of Jesus as medical missionaries in Haiti from 1994-2000.  On returning from the mission field, she continued working part-time as a nurse. She dedicated herself to family, church ministry, and her greatest passion – her grandchildren. She would always put others before herself and enjoyed swimming, bargain shopping, and making her grandchildren creative birthday cakes.

Rosetta is preceded in death by her father, Charles Workman, and 2 grandbabies.

Survived by her mother Rose Anna of Fort Scott, two sisters, Laura of Pittsburg, Loma of Fort Scott, husband Jon Bailes of Fort Scott, four children, Melanie Lamb of Fort Scott, Christopher Bailes of Oceanside, CA, Charity (Samuel) Jackson of Fort Scott, and Charley (Christine) Bailes of Kansas City, KS, and 12 grandchildren.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 27^th at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Community Christian Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church Youth Department 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.

Donald L. Elkins, age 50, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.  He was born April 12, 1972, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the son of Donald Wayne Elkins and Sherry Lynne Hunt Elkins.  At an early age, the family moved to California.  Donald grew up and attended school in Taft, California.  Following high school, he went to work in the oil fields of southern California where he continued to work for many years.

In 2015, he relocated to Ft. Scott in order to be closer to his family.  While living in Ft. Scott, he was employed by RSC Construction.  He married his longtime companion, Trina Royal.  She preceded him in death on April 2, 2021.

Survivors include his children, Samantha Elkins, of Nevada, Missouri, Brandon Elkins of Portland, Oregon, Britney Elkins, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Jessica Perkins of Emerald Isle, North Carolina and Justin Perkins of Bakersfield, California.  Also surviving are several grandchildren and two sisters, Melissa Gurule and Teresa Salazar both of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 26^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Donald Elkins Memorial 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.comOb

George Washington Osborn, Jr., age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

George was born March 20, 1934, to George W. Osborn and Stella Cauthon Osborn in Bates County, Missouri. He was the sixth of seven children. George grew up on the farm and started farming when he was fourteen years old and proudly continued until he was eighty.

He married the love of his life, Joanne Greer, on November 17, 1954. He started his married life working for a ranch in Adrian, Missouri. In November 1959, they moved to Gardner, Kansas where he rented his own farm across the road from his widowed aunt so that he could take care of her. In those early years, he did what he could to take care of his family including digging graves.

He did so well with the farming and soil conservation that he won several farming awards in Johnson, Miami, and Linn counties. In 1967, he bought his own farm outside of Drexel, Missouri, (on the Kansas side) and moved his family there and started a large hog operation along with the farming. In 1988, he and Joanne moved further south to the Blue Mound, Kansas area where he enjoyed farming row crops and not worrying about pigs and cattle

George was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joanne when the farming schedule allowed.

George was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings and his youngest son, Doug.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of sixty-eight years, his daughter, Ruth Benson (Randy) of Webb City, Missouri and son, Pete Osborn of Beaver, Ohio. Also surviving are two grandsons, Randall Benson (Stephanie) of Kansas City, Missouri and Jonathan Benson (Kari) of Kailua, Hawaii (USAF) and three great-granddaughters, Kathy, Alyssa and Clara of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 22nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart 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.

Charles Louis Cable, age 88, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, just four days after his precious wife, Willa.

Charles was born February 18, 1935, in Liberal, Missouri to Louis M. Cable and Edna McKay Cable.He spent his youth on a farm near Lamar, Mo and graduated from Lamar High School with the Class of 1954. He continued his education at what is now known as Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. In 1959, he received a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry.

He took his first pastorate at First Christian Church in Savonburg, KS. There, he met the love of his life, Willa Ann Woody. They married on March 3, 1962, in Humboldt, KS. They were married for 61 years.

In 1966, the young couple purchased a farm in Redfield, KS.

Charles worked as a social worker for the State of Kansas until his retirement in 1999. Throughout the years, Charles worked as a
bi-vocational pastor in churches in Allen, Bourbon, and Crawford Counties in Kansas.

Charles appreciated life on his farm including fishing and swimming in the farm ponds.

In addition, he enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, fishing, and teaching the Word of God.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marge Cable Myers; a grandson, Luke Matthew Cable; and his beloved wife, Willa Woody Cable.

He is survived by two children, Bob (Lori) Cable of Fort Scott; Cherri (Paul) Walrod of Eudora, KS; eleven grandchildren: Loryn (Andrew) Woodworth of Bloomington, IN; Seth (Rachel) Cable of Overland Park, KS, Landon Walrod of Almagordo, NM; Samuel Cable of Kansas City, MO; Jamison (Cierra) Walrod of Shawnee, KS; Natalie Cable of Kansas City, MO; Jintry (Will) Phillips of Emporia, KS; and
Simon, Sami, Karly, and Kolson Walrod of Eudora, KS; as well as five great-grandchildren.

Charles will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and loving church family at Marmaton Community Church in Redfield, KS.

A joint Celebration of Life Ceremony for Willa and Charles will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:00 pm at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be given in their honor to Marmaton
Community Church.

Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling, age 96, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away on  Monday, March 13, 2023 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas

Rodell was born on October 25, 1926 in Fort Scott, he son of Reid and Olive Dorn Darling.   He attended the Fort School system and was a U. S. Army veteran during World War II.  After serving in the Philippines following the Japanese surrender, Rodell was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.  He then returned to Fort Scott and began his life anew.  He was married to Mary Elizabeth McKee in Uniontown, Kansas on April 29, 1950, and they became lifelong companions.

Rodell worked at several jobs in and around Fort Scott during his life but the one for which he was most well known was that of being a serviceman for the Gas Service Company; a job that he very much enjoyed having for 33 years before retiring in 1989.

In earlier years, Rodell was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed fishing as well as hunting quail and squirrels and even the occasional prairie chicken.  Beginning in the mid-1970s he and Mary became accomplished square dancers and participated extensively as members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club.   Over the years he also liked to walk throughout Fort Scott; something for which he is still remembered by some.  Like his wife Mary, Rodell’s biggest joy in life was his family.

Survivors include his son, Rodell Clay Darling (Virginia); two grandchildren, Linden Reid Collins (Austin) of Dallas, and Elizabeth Hope Darling (Ryan) of Pittsburg; and three great grandchildren, Eden Darling of Pittsburg, Ruby Darling Collins and Reid Yeager Collins, also of Dallas, and many nieces and nephews.

Rodell was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Sue Collins, his sister, Vivian Lugliani, and his brother, Wallace Darling.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 21^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel, burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.   Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Charles Franklin “Frankie” Durossette, age 51, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, KS.

He was surrounded by his entire family as he was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.

Frankie grew up in Fort Scott, where he met and married the love of his life, Melissa Jane Blaufuss. He met Melissa “cruising” town and fell in love with her right away.  They married, September 9, 2000.

Frankie was the manager and head mechanic, alongside his wife and parents, at 3D Auto Repair.

While he was an excellent mechanic, he enjoyed many things in life.  He enjoyed hunting, shooting firearms, fishing, coaching, and cheering for his boys at all sporting events.  Frankie was proud of all three boys.

At home, he was a master at all things.  Frankie and Melissa just built their dream home together. At home he enjoyed cooking and grilling. He could build or fix anything.  We were truly blessed with a great man.

Frankie and Melissa have three boys, Cody, Wyatt, and Caleb, their most precious possessions. Frankie was born April 6, 1971, to Frank and Mary (Michalek) Durossette. He is brother to: big brother, Billy, wife Christi Durossette, little brother Kevin, wife Autumn Durossette and Wes, wife Amber Blaufuss. Frankie is uncle to: Josh, wife Tab, Jake, Sophie, Kasen, Cash, Ellie, Kierstyn, Emersyn, Kynley, Kane, and Kaizley.

Frankie was excited to add Grandpa to his title soon. Frankie was preceded in death by Paternal and Maternal grandparents, Grover William and Maxine Lavon (Gibson) Durossette, and Edward and Ethel Mary (Murphy) Michalek.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, March 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the funeral home.

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