Lois Lavon (Middleton) Cooney, age 89, a resident of Frontenac Medicalodge and formally of Ft. Scott, KS, left this world on Monday, November 7, 2022.

She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.  Lois was born to Lee Charles and Allie (Peterson) Middleton on February 3, 1933, in Pawnee, KS.  She graduated from Uniontown high School in 1951.  She married Alvin D. Cooney on November 25, 1953, at the Dry Ridge Baptist Church.  He preceded her in death on April 4, 1974.

After her husband retired from the Air Force in 1971, Lois returned to the area and worked for the Western Insurance Company as well as Newman-Young clinic.  Upon retiring, she worked for the Beacon until health issues forced her to move closer to her daughter in Frontenac.

Lois was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Garland, KS, and a past member of Eastern Star.  She enjoyed walking, reading, her church, volunteering and working at the Beacon, as well as spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Michael Cooney (Ruth), Galveston, TX; a daughter, Lori Mendicki (Patrick), Frontenac, KS; five grandchildren, Haley and Shawn Bugni, Frontenac, KS, Rachel and Jeff Paxton, Houston, TX, Kadin and Lauren Mendicki, Frontenac, KS, Tanner Mendicki, North Kansas City, MO, and Bradley Cooney, Galveston, TX; eight great-grandchildren, Kyndal, Reid, Kanton, and Emersyn Bugni, Trip and Holden Mendicki, Stella Cooney, and Ivy Paxton.  She is also survived by a brother Kenneth Middleton, Uniontown, KS, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Carrie Elbrader, Carolyn Rourk, and Donna Williams, as well as a brother, David Middleton.

A special thanks to Pittsburg Guest Home Estates, Medicalodge Frontenac, and Gentiva Hospice especially Melissa and Sam.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, November 14^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

Memorials are suggested to either Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or Gentiva Hospice, 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.

Judith Kay Long, age 78, resident of Edwardsville, KS, died Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Advent Health Hospital, Shawnee, KS.  She was born March 6, 1944, in Fort Scott, KS, the daughter of Daniel Ernest and Margaret Eugenia Johnson Henderson.

Judy worked for J.C. Penney Warehouse, Overland Park, KS in the returns department for 18 years until her retirement.  She enjoyed shopping for anything on sale and kept most of her purchases through the years.  She also like to visit on the telephone.

Survivors include two sons, Trent Long, OK, and Travis Long, Al; a sister, Mary Adamson, Fort Scott; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Troy Long.

Graveside services will be held at 9:00 AM Wednesday, November 9^th, in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Fulton, KS.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.

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

Betty Jean Button, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 4, 2022, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  She was born January 17, 1940, in Ellis, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Kutina and Stella Parsons Kutina.

Betty married Ronald Button on January 17, 1955, at Ft. Scott.  Betty along with her sister-in-law, Rose, completed beauty school in Nevada, Missouri.  Betty worked as a beauty operator in Ft. Scott for many years.  Later in life, she worked for Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott.  Betty liked to travel and watch gameshows.

Survivors include her three children, Johnny Button, of the home; Teresa Vanderpool (John) of Uniontown, Kansas and Cheryl Russell (Larry) of Ft. Scott, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Michael Russell, Justin Russell, Nick Russell (Jessy), Josh Vanderpool, Cody Vanderpool, Menda Candido (Jurandir) and Kayla Bunnel (Jeremy) and eleven great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie, on April 20, 2018.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ruby, twin brothers, Floyd and Lloyd, and a granddaughter, Melissa Russell.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 9^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Shelter 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.

Minnie Lorene “Cricket” Likely, age 95, a longtime resident of Bronson, Kansas, and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at the Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola, Kansas, just two days shy of her 96^th birthday.

She was born November 3, 1926, in Moran, Kansas, the daughter of LaMoyne Knapp and Bessie Mae Smith Knapp.  Cricket graduated from the Moran High School.  She married Harry Benjamin “Fuzz” Likely in June of 1947, at Bronson.  Together they raised three children.

In earlier years, Cricket worked as a cook for the Bronson school system.  She later worked at Miller’s Dress Factory in Iola.  She later began working at the Bronson Post Office and eventually served as the Bronson Postmaster.  She was a   long-time member of the Bronson Baptist Church.  Cricket enjoyed spending time with family and friends playing cards and dominos.

Survivors include her three children, Norma Pope (Rex) of Fredonia, Kansas, Kathy George (Gale) of Uniontown, Kansas and Tom Likely (Debbie) of Parker, Kansas; six grandchildren, Tanya Ostrosky (Dusty), Myra Barnett (Dee), Delta Pollock (Jared), Denise George, Tommi Compton (Chris) and Troy Likely (Lacey); twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Cricket was preceded in death by her husband, Fuzz on May 20, 1997.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, four sisters, and a grandson Curtis George.

There was cremation.  Rev. Rusty Newman will conduct a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 7^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson 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 the Bronson 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.

Jan Fritter, age 79, a resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born September 3, 1943, in Nevada, Missouri, the daughter of William Faulconer and Vera Beatrice Davis Faulconer.  Jan married Donald Fritter on November 7, 1975.  She had worked as a nurse at the Nevada State Hospital and later as a nurse in Ft. Scott.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Michelle Mott of Jeffersonville, Indiana and her granddaughter, Cheldon Mott of Havelock, North Carolina.  Her husband, Don Fritter, preceded her in death on August 23, 2019.

Graveside services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Thursday, November 3^rd at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Thursday until leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 P.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to t

Franklin Emerson Brisbin, Jr., age 33, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.  He was born December 27, 1988, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Franklin E. Brisbin Sr. and Vickie Lynn Brewer.  Frankie had worked for various construction companies over the years.  He could often be found outdoors; he especially enjoyed fishing. Frankie will be remembered for his kind-hearted spirit and his love for children.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his children, Braxton Hudson, Kylee, K’Dence, Karley, Ayden and Addison Brisbin; his mother, Vickie Crowe (Burt Hawkins) of Ft. Scott, his father, Franklin Brisbin, Sr., of Pittsburg; two sisters, Cara Guthrie (Andrew) of Ft. Scott and Courtney Heckert of Pittsburg.  Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Brandon, Blayke, Zachary, Bryleigh, Charleigh, Blayze, Skyleigh, Kolton, Dynver, Gracesyn, Arrow, Myrissa, Brantley, Shelbii, Lennox and Halon and his grandmother, Donna Brisbin-Hashgaen of Pittsburg.  He was preceded in death by his step-father, Charles Crowe, his grandfather, Vernon Brisbin and an uncle, Daryll Brisbin.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, November 2^nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Frankie Brisbin 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.com.

Daryl M. Roufs, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 24, 2022, at his home.  He was born August 13, 1959, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harold J. Roufs and Catherine G. “Kay” Hill Roufs.

Daryl graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  He worked as a heavy equipment operator and maintenance-man throughout the United States.  In addition, he helped on the family farm near Fulton, Kansas.  One could say Daryl was a collector.  He enjoyed showing off his many “treasures” to his friends and grandkids.  In earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his children, Lonnie Roufs (Sara) of Uniontown, Kansas, Tabitha Hardesty (Kent), Kayla Bronson (Jeff), and Erica Bolton (Jason) all of Ft. Scott, five grandchildren, Kenzi, Morgyn, Cruz, Mason and Matthew and his beloved dog, Stan.  Also surviving is a brother, Gary Roufs (Cathy).

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Johnny Roufs.

There was cremation.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 1^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Heath Cannon Memorial Hunt and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Linda Darlene HowlingCrane, age 65, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022, at her home following her battle with cancer.  She was born May 16, 1957, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Willis Sanders and Patsy Eden Sanders.

Linda attended Ft. Scott Schools.  Shortly into her senior year, the family moved to Versailles, Missouri and she graduated from there with the Class of 1975.  Linda will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  For the last several years, she has served as the primary care giver for her son and also took care of her grandchildren.

She loved taking trips to Branson with her family.  She was fortunate enough to make one last trip to Silver Dollar City and enjoy the pumpkins and fall colors; she returned home on Friday morning and passed away Saturday evening. Linda loved to do crafts of all kinds.  She also had a green thumb and could grow houseplants to gigantic proportions.

Survivors include two daughters, Jamye Coffman (Tom) of Ft. Scott and Patricia Brake of Mound City, Kansas; a son, Drew HowlingCrane of the home in Fulton and an adopted son, Doug Ekberg (Angela) of Independence, Missouri; ten grandchildren and a great-grandson. Also surviving are her mother, Patsy Sanders, of Ft. Scott; a brother Greg Sanders also of Ft. Scott and a sister, Pamela Owenby (Russell) of Deerfield, Missouri.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Willis and her brother, Shannon.

Bert Severy and Robert Clark will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 27^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

(Linda will do her best to be on time.)

Following funeral services, there will be cremation.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the Lath Branch Cemetery east of Ft. Scott.

Services 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.

Nella May “Billie” Johnson, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS died Thursday, October 20, 2022.  She was born July 14, 1927, in Brickeys, MO, the daughter of William and Castilla Dixon.

After the death of her parents at the age of 3, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Rebecca, and Boyd Jackson in the Stotesberry, MO area.  After graduating from Fort Scott High School, she attended 2 years at Fort Scott Community College while working at Land’s Inn.  She was part of the college band playing flute and piccolo.

She married Paul M. Johnson on December 25, 1951, at the home of her sister-in-law Alberta and Amos Cook, prior to Paul leaving to serve in the Army.

They later divorced.  Billie honored her vows and never dated or remarried.

She worked for Campbell’s laundry for several years.  Billie was a waitress for many restaurants in Fort Scott through the years.

They were blessed with two children, Paula, and Melvin Johnson.  Billie volunteered for SECAP and was known as a very giving person.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include her children, Melvin Johnson, Pawnee Station, KS, and Paula Page and husband Dave, Ft. Scott; 2 grandsons, Andrew, and Paul Johnson; 5 great grandchildren, Blake, Austin, Georgia, Victoria, and Carter; and one great-great grandchild.

Pastor Michael Wriston will conduct graveside services at 11:00 Tuesday, October 25^th, in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice 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.

Joy Ann Whitesell O’Neal, age 82, resident of Nevada, MO previously Ft. Scott, KS died Tuesday October 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin MO.

She was born July 17, 1940, in Filley, MO, the only daughter of Kenneth Whitesell Sr. and Bonnadell “Bonnie” Blevins Whitesell.

Joy graduated from Eldorado Springs High School in 1958. She then attended the University of Missouri and Fort Scott Community College. She married George O’Neal on October 31, 1959, in Nevada, MO. They had one son, Larry.

Joy took great pride in her job. She worked at Key Industries in Ft. Scott, KS for many years. While there she held various positions including Vice President of Customer Service, Shipping and Accounts Receivable. A co-worker remembered her as “a lovely person to work with.” She also took pride in her community, serving in many organizations. She was involved with the Downtown Program, board member of The Beacon, City Council, Mayor and Rotary where she served as president as well as one of the first female members of that organization. Joy supported the Keyhole Youth Center serving on the board. As a cancer survivor she advocated for the Care to Share organization and helped with Relay for Life events. She also enjoyed Ft. Scott’s rich history, volunteering for candlelight tours of the fort and tours of the city’s Victorian homes.

Joy attended Community of Christ Church.

Always an encourager, she exuded positive energy. She took great pride in her son, Larry, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As busy as she was Joy continued to travel/care for her mother who resided in the family home that Joy was born in, giving many of her weekends to travel back and forth.

She was an encourager, always looking for the positive in life…drawing people to her. The past few years she resided at Joe Clark Residential Care Home where she was in charge of activities playing Yahtzee and bingo encouraging others around her to participate. She could tell you all about the dreams and aspirations of the staff that worked there.

Joy Ann was aptly named; she was quite frankly a joy.

Survivors include a son, Larry O’Neal and wife Teresa, Ohio; a brother, Gary Whitesell and wife Robin, Stockton, MO, a granddaughter, April Kennard; four great grandchildren, Nate Elliot, Joshua Lyon, Katie and Jack Kennard, sisters-in-laws Vera Whitesell, Filley, MO and Wendy Whitesell, Newport Beach, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, brothers Jack, Kenneth, Jr. and Barney Whitesell and granddaughter Erin Lyon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 22^nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Eldorado Springs City Cemetery, Eldorado Springs, MO.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.

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.