JOHN DAVID NEWCOMB

David Newcomb, 72, passed away on March 31, 2021. He was born on November 11, 1948, to John and Pauline (Greer) Newcomb. Following graduation from Fort Scott (KS) high school in 1966, David attended Fort Scott Community College and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam. David moved to Kansas City in 1977, began working for Arvey Paper Company, and was transferred to their Cincinnati, Ohio location. He lived in Cincinnati until his death.

David was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include a sister, Sandra Kramer (Don) of Kansas City, MO; a nephew, Jeremy Kramer of Lee’s Summit, MO; a niece, Erin Graves of Kansas City, MO, as well as 4 great-nieces and nephews.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery on August 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Amy Jo Wiggans, age 65, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 31, 2021. She was born on November 23, 1955, in Ft. Scott, KS, the daughter of Robert Marion Minor and Marilyn Sue (Brooker) Minor, at Mercy Hospital.

Amy devoted her life to taking care of others. She retired from Mercy Hospital as a registered nurse after almost three decades. She was loved by her patients as her true compassion always shined through. She cared and it showed.

Amy loved the Lord, her family, and animals of all kinds (especially dogs). She doted over her grandkids and her dogs. Amy was a member of The Brethren Church and she loved worshipping with that beautiful voice of hers. Amy is home with the Lord and resting in his heavenly arms. All pain is gone and she’s dancing with her Bill.

Survivors include four sons, Randy Wayne (Carrie) Earnest, Bronaugh, MO, Patrick Aaron Earnest, Ft. Scott, William Gerod (Louise) Wiggans, Ft. Scott, and Gary Lee Wiggans; and two brothers, Rob Minor, Fulton, KS, and Floyd Minor, Ft. Scott. Also surviving are Amy’s grandchildren whom she was so proud of; Taylor O’Dell, Koltin Earnest, Mattie Earnest, Garrett Earnest, Isaac Earnest, Nellie Earnest, Kendall Earnest, McCallister Wiggans, Jackson Wiggans, Chandler Lawrence, and a great granddaughter, Everleigh Tyson.

Amy was preceded in death by the love of her life, Bill, and her parents.

Rev. Floyd Minor and Rev. Randy Query will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 7^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions as suggested to the Amy Wiggins 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 or remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Clara May Pigg Schwartz, 100, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. She was born January 21, 1921, in Arma, Kan., the daughter of Jesse T. and Flora Ruth (Vaughan) Pigg. She married Kenneth Fritz Schwartz on December 16, 1942, in Nevada, Mo. Kenneth passed on September 5, 2014, at 103 years of age. They were married 71 and a half years.

Clara grew up in Bourbon County. She attended Gish School, Fort Scott High School (Class of 1938), Fort Scott Junior College, Washburn and Pittsburg State Universities.

Clara was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 37 years, retiring in 1978. In 1971, she became the first woman appointed to a district (District Traffic Manager Operator Services in the Parsons District). In 1972, Clara was named Woman of the Year in Business by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. During her years of employment, she worked at offices in Fort Scott, Chanute, Pittsburg, Topeka, and Parsons.

As a member of the Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg and Fort Scott, Clara served on the Board of Deacons and was moderator of the women’s organizations.

For many years, she was active in the Altrusa Club, Telephone Pioneers of America, Business and Professional Clubs, Pierian Beta Clubs, Pauline’s Toy Workers, Azram Temple No. 81, Daughters of the Nile, Fort Scott Daughters of the Nile Club, Olive Chapter No. 13 Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem, and Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, serving each group with distinction.

After retiring, the Schwartzes made their home at Lake Fort Scott where they enjoyed swimming, boating, and fishing. Much of their time was spent traveling, including trips to Australia, Japan, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Mexico, and Canada, as well as cruising all the Caribbean Islands.

Survivors include daughter Susan Schwartz Jones and husband Jimmie of Fort Scott, son, John Schwartz and wife Kathleen of Aubrey, Texas, and grandchildren Mandy Shoemaker, Fort Scott, Kan., Danny Jones, Elkins, Ark., Elizabeth Ann Jones, Dallas, Texas, Nicholas Schwartz and wife Madelyn, Aubrey, Texas, Steven Schwartz and wife Claire, Aubrey, Texas, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Schwartz, and her granddaughter, Kelly Schwartz.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, at the first Presbyterian Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of the Nile Endowment Fund or in memoriam at First Presbyterian Church 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. The family requests that everyone wear masks and observe social distancing at the funeral.

Gail Sue Bryant, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born May 16, 1955, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Leo Stephen Edwards and Marjorie Lorane Lowry Edwards. Gail operated her own daycare business out of her home. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and working in her garden. She also liked doing various crafts.

Survivors include her children, Stephanie Laver (Shawn), of Redfield, Kansas, Michael Bryant (Dawn), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Andrea Bryant also of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Bryant, Brittany, Draven, Andy, Aubrey, Mia, Sterrett and Gavin and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Compton and a sister, Lora Kopp, both of Yukon, Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Cheyenne.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.

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.

William Charles Ziegler, age 78, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, July 23, 2021, at his home. He was born April 16, 1943, in Girard, KS, the son of John and Mary Zupancic Ziegler. He married Joyce Taylor on August 12, 1967, in Ft. Scott. She preceded him in death on October 27, 2018.

Bill worked for the Frisco/Burlington Northern Railroad until retirement.

He served in the United States Air Force.

Bill enjoyed fishing, yard work, time with friends, and driving around town checking on family.

He loved spending time with family, always looking for helpful projects to complete. Bill loved life and his devoted wife Joyce.

Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Ziegler, Ft. Scott; a son Dennis Ziegler and wife Lisa, Ft. Scott; a sister, Marie Schettler and husband Leo, Plano, TX; a step-sister, Donna Doti, Terre Haute, IN; 4 grandchildren, Tristen Ziegler, Peyton Ziegler, Nakesha Young, and Keagen Young; 2 great-grandchildren, Kynden Miller and Kaesyn Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife Joyce, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann Thomure; a brother, John Ziegler; a step-sister, Margaret Evens; and his parents.

Kenny Blake will conduct funeral services at 10:00 Tuesday, July 27^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery.

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

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.

Shirley Jean Hutchins, 90, of Scammon, Kansas, passed away at her home Monday afternoon, July 19, 2021. She was born in Uniontown, Kansas, the daughter of Edmond Riley and Deloris Joan (McGuire) Brown. She married James Keith Hutchins on October 9, 1948, in Mound City, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2002.

Shirley graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1948, and continued education in Oklahoma City and Joplin, Missouri. She was an artist, writer, and musician, and lived in a variety of places, including Uniontown, Redfield, Leavenworth, and Scammon, Kansas, Joplin, Missouri, and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Shirley is survived by her children, Rilea Moyer (Rex) of Spearfish, South Dakota, Paul Hutchins (Cynthia) of Scammon, Kansas, and Kathleen Ragsdale (Fred) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband James, Shirley was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Stephen Hutchins, and two daughters, Kathryn and Jeanie D., and four babies at birth.

Following cremation, graveside services for Shirley will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.