Betty Jo Messer, 86, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Wednesday evening, May 26, 2021, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was a current resident of A Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott. She was born September 10, 1934, in Linn County, Kansas, the daughter of Chester W. and Mary Elizabeth (Hines) Shafer. She married Merlin Boyd Messer on September 14, 1952, in Fulton, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 8, 2014.

Betty graduated from Fulton High School in the class of 1952. She played on the basketball team and was a cheerleader.  She loved music, playing in the school band and developing her singing voice.  She was offered a college vocal music scholarship but was unable to accept it.  She relaxed from being a farmer’s wife and mother of 5 children by playing the piano and singing every afternoon. She introduced her children to musicals and continued that love by attending her grandchildren’s concerts and programs.    

She was an accomplished seamstress making clothing for the family.  She sewed at night to stay awake to make sure that Merlin would wake up to drive the fuel truck to the next destination.  

She tried to go to every basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball game and track and cross country meets that the grandchildren were in.

She was a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.  She was active in the Prescott United Methodist and First United Methodist Church while living in Prescott and Fort Scott the past 10 years.  She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as Rainbow Mom in Fort Scott.  She loved to sing in the church choir and as a soloist.  She was a member of the Fort Scott Sweet Adelines.

Betty is survived by her children, Millie Karleskint and husband Larry of Fort Scott, Margie Brown and husband Rod of Fulton, Martin Messer and wife Kathy of Franklin, KS, Matt Messer and wife Susan, of Fort Scott, and Scott Messer and wife Brenda, of Peculiar, MO; a sister, Vera McCormick and husband Rex, of Louisburg; two sisters-in-law, Marie Sears, and Shirley Shafer; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to her husband Merlin, she was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Jane Cummins, Alice Harkness, and Ina Kite, and four brothers, Allen Shafer, Keith Shafer, Clarence Shafer, and Chester Shafer.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott with burial following at the Barnesville Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to services on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church, or the Ellis Foundation Scholarship Fund 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.

Laura Marie Steele, 91, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born February 21, 1930, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Allen “Bert” Wallen and Inga Marie (Ekstedt) Wallen. She had eight older brothers and was the last of her family, with the exception of two nieces, Teresa Wallen of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Mary Kay Easton of Lexington, Kentucky.

Following her graduation from Fort Scott Community College, Laura worked at several companies over the years as a secretary and bookkeeper including Fort Scott Hydraulic Cement Co., Bruce Marble and Granite Works, the F.B.I. in Kansas City, Missouri, The Western Insurance, and Citizens Bank (now Landmark).

Laura married Russell Steele, a grain farmer of Uniontown, Kansas, in 1973, having met when she worked for The Western. She was a farm wife and homemaker until his death in 1992.

Laura was a member of the First Christian Church in Fort Scott. She played the piano for F.C.C., as well as for other churches in the area.

In addition to her husband, Russell, Laura was also preceded in death by her parents, and her eight brothers, Frank, Albert, Charlie, Harry, Raymond, Robert, Richard, and James Wallen.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 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.

Marvin Dean Nahon, Jr., 65, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at his home. He was born February 22, 1956, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Marvin Dean Nahon Sr. and Gloria Jean (Cabodie) Nahon. He married Teresa Ames on June 20, 1994, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Marvin was a Registered Nurse at Nevada Regional Hospital and had recently retired after fourteen years.

In addition to his wife Teresa, Marvin is also survived by his mother, Gloria Nahon, of Frontenac, Kansas; his daughter, Kristi Nahon, of Arma, Kansas; two sisters, Linda Filby and husband Kenny of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Pam Trahan and husband Ken of DeSoto, Kansas, and one grandchild, Dyllan Nahon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Nahon, Sr.

Following cremation, family and friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday afternoon, May 29, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at a later date at the West Liberty Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to SE Kansas Humane Society 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.

Ronald Wilmot Bolin, Sr., age 67, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at his home.

He was born on September 9, 1953, in Ft. Scott, the son of Wilmot “Sandy” Bolin and Mildred Barrett Bolin. He graduated from Ft. Scott high school.

Ron worked his entire life as a mechanic and salvage yard owner. His passion was racing. Ron raced stock cars from the early 70’s until 2018. He made many friends through his years racing.

He loved anything mechanical as well as animals.

He was a hard-working man who would help anyone in need.

Survivors include his mother, Mildred Bolin, Ft. Scott; four sons, Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin, Jr. and wife Brooke, Brandon Hall, and Blake Bolin, all of Ft. Scott; two daughters, Megan Bolin and Kristen hall and husband Derek, all of Ft. Scott; two sisters, Connie Broyles, and Patty Frye and husband Jimmy; seven grandchildren, Caden, Dylann, Raegan, KaMiya, Anthony, Trae, and Tyce; significant other, Vanessa Hershey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Patricia Marie Bolin, and Michella Lynn Bolin; two brothers, Bobby McClenahan, and Ralph Van Winkle; and his father.

Rob Music will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 27^th, at the Ft. Scott Nazarene Church.

Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Ron Bolin 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.

Linda Kay Jones Weiner, 78, of Raleigh, North Carolina and formerly of Fort Scott, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Linda was born on February 3,1943 and was raised in Fort Scott by her grandmother Eunice S. Hill and step-grandfather, Carl F. Hill, a partner in Hill Lumber Company with his two brothers Grover and John. They have preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was Wesley J. Erwin, her second husband, who helped raise her son Michael, and her brother Jimmy J. Jones.

Linda Kay was a graduate of Fort Scott High School Class of 1961. She received a BSN from Avila University in Kansas City and an MSN from the University of Illinois. In addition to teaching nursing at several nursing schools in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas, Linda was an ANA Certified Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric mental health nursing and practiced as a therapist with Provident Counseling in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following her marriage to Larry A. Weiner in 1992, the couple moved from St. Louis to Raleigh, NC. Linda was active in Assistance League of the Triangle Area and served on the Consulting Circle of “A Place for Women to Gather”, an outreach program of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Linda loved her friends in Canasta Cuties and Tea & Tattered Pages, her book club. In addition to reading, Linda liked to knit, and knitted many prayer shawls for friends over the years.

Linda Kay is survived by her husband Larry, of Raleigh, NC, son Michael C. Morrison, from her marriage to Clair L. Morrison, her four beautiful granddaughters, Megan, Madison, Michaela, McKenna Morrison, stepson Keith Weiner, half-siblings Kimberly Lessert Rossi and Craig D. Lessert. She is also survived by two cousins, Betty Ann Young and Fred J. Young, whose mother was Grace Woodward, FSHS class of 1936, niece Cathy Keesee Scott and nephew T. Carl Jones.

Linda Kay remained close friends with many of her high school classmates, enjoying FSHS reunions and taking numerous trips with high school friends throughout the years. While growing up in Fort Scott, she was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and attended Miss Mary’s Kindergarten, before kindergartens became a part of the Fort Scott public school system.

Rev. Jim Logan will officiate graveside services at 11:00 a.m. June 2, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas, where her cremains will be buried next to her childhood friend, Kyle Sweeney Keith. Services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.,

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: FSHS Alumni Association, 424 South Main St.,

Peggy LaVonne Davis, age 85, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, May 17, 2021, at her home. She was born February 12, 1936, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Raymond and Florence Wyckoff Mason. She married Ralph Davis on August 7, 1955.

Peggy worked for the Western Insurance Company and as the homemaker of her family. She was a member of the First Church of God where she worked in Women’s Ministry and helped serve many funeral dinners.

Survivors include her husband Ralph of the home; two sons, Rick Davis and wife Susan, Ft. Scott, and Roger Davis and wife Diana, Broken Arrow, OK; a daughter, Chris Conrad and husband Robert, Springfield, MO; eight grandchildren, Melissa Conrad Thomas and husband Bud, Jason Conrad, Josh Conrad and wife Haiden, Jennifer Davis Simhiser, Kelli Davis, Haley Bellmyer and husband Mark, Kelsey Bellmyer and husband Caleb, and Marley Davis; 6 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel Mason; a sister, Bonnie Taylor; and her parents. The family wishes to thank Integrity Home Health Care and Hospice for their loving support.

Pastor Ed Sneed will conduct private family graveside services at the U. S. National Cemetery on Friday, May 21^st.

The family will receive friends Friday from 11:00 until 12:00 noon at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the First Church of God and may be left in the 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.

On May 4, 2021, the curtains closed on the life of John Phillip “Phil” Hammons after being on life’s stage for 77 years with his quick wit, his roaring laughter, and his irrepressible personality.

The world was graced with Phil’s presence on March 23, 1944 in Fort Scott, KS.  The second son of Carol and Paul Hammons, brother to Stephen Carson.  He was best described by his sainted mother Carol…”He’s never been quite right.”  Following an idyllic childhood he attended the University of Kansas where he was an active, proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity…”How’d he get in?” you might ask…we’re not sure either!  Phil graduated with a major in Math in 1966 and moved to St. Louis, Missouri to work for Ford Motor Company.

In 1968 he married Susy Sheaks. Their children, Josh and Carey, were born in Missouri, which caused considerable consternation because this clashed with his deep Kansas Jayhawk roots.

The family moved to Fort Scott in 1975, where Phil joined Hammons Realty to work with his dad.  The doors of Hammons Realty Company closed in 2018 after more than 50 total years in operation.

In retirement, Phil continued his real estate activities at H&H Agency and his independent appraisal business. Additionally, he was the treasurer for the Fort Scott USD 234, treasurer for the First United Methodist Church, treasurer for the Class of 1962, and treasurer for his golf group (which was his most challenging pro bono task).

A childhood bout with polio left Phil with a weak upper left arm, and rather than become the target of jokes about his disability, he became the jokester of the room, targeting anyone around him, politically correct or not.  He used it to his advantage.  Most any time he found himself at a disadvantage, he’d cry “But I had THE polio as a child!”

He laughed as uproariously as anyone else at his own jokes; he was his own laugh track.  You may have been at the receiving end of Phil’s witty comments and comebacks.  Even if some of them stung, the secret is…that meant he cared about you.

Admittedly more of a brain than an athlete, believe it or not, Phil had FOUR holes-in-one in his lifetime playing the game he loved with a group of guys he treasured.  An avid KU basketball fan, in February 2020, he took great pride in taking his grandson, Nate, to his very first basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse complete with a pre-game stop at The Wheel.  Another very special moment was singing a duet in church with granddaughter Avery.  Although he didn’t much like hearing that she was the lead and he was her backup.

While recovering from his first round of chemo in March 2021 at Nottingham Health and Rehab in Olathe, KS, his Sigma Chi brothers serenaded him.  The weather was perfect and Phil was able to sit by a large open window and even sing along until becoming verklempt.

Phil’s hometown community rallied around him during his battle with lung cancer.  Phil said, “I’ve had more people at my house in the last 30 days than I had in the previous 30 years!” (Phil was more of a professional guest than host).

The town he loved really came through for him in a big way during these difficult 11 weeks since the diagnosis.  He was miraculously able to stay at home with his dog, Roxy, for the last several weeks of his battle because of the selfless community support.  On May 2nd, 2021, an impromptu, surprise, friendship parade was organized in a couple of hours, and approximately 100 people passed by his bedroom window with messages of love and support.  He greeted each person by name and was deeply touched by their presence.

Beyond his witty and larger-than-life personality, Phil was a good man, a good father, and grandfather (Pop to his grandchildren), a good community man, a staunch member of the First United Methodist Church, a talented tenor, and well-known local real estate broker/appraiser.

Although they were divorced, he and Susy worked to maintain good relations which made it possible for many combined family celebrations over the years. Most recently, the family had several “Fridays with Pop” for favorite family meals of the past and good conversations.

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends, who when reunited with him on the other side, MAYBE by then, all of his old, tired jokes will finally seem new again.  No question, he will greet them asking, “Did we go to high school together?” OR “Are you here for the cheerleaders’ convention?”

Phil leaves behind his devoted children, Joshua John Hammons (Pittsburg) and Carey Carson Hammons Parks (Overland Park), grandchildren, Avery Jane Parks and Nate Carson Parks, and last but not least, the famous Roxy the Doxy (as Phil called her), his devoted dog.  She was a particular comfort in his last days (when she wasn’t standing on his chest!).  Fortunately for Phil, his children were committed to him in spite of the fact that he said to a home health nurse, “Help, my kids are trying to kill me!” during her very first home health visit.  If you knew Phil, this surprises no one (other than that unsuspecting home health nurse).

Greeting Phil on the other side are his father, Paul Leroy Hammons; mother, Emily Carol Carson Hammons; brother, Stephen Carson Hammons, and countless other treasured family members and friends both human and canine.  The Hammons family LOVES dogs and in particular, Phil looked forward to reuniting at the Rainbow Bridge with his loving companion of 15 years (who he stole from his neighbors…that’s a story for another time) Maggie the dachshund.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Phil’s memory to the organizations that brought the Hammons family its most pedigreed members:

Roxy,  Phil’s dachshund: The SE Kansas Humane Society in Pittsburg, KS, – Humane Society, P.O. Box 783, Pittsburg, KS 66762 (https://www.thesekhumanesociety.com/donate).

Abe, Josh’s cocker spaniel mix:
Golden Paw Rescue out of Joplin, MO – Golden Paw Rescue, 2300 N Main St., Joplin, MO 64801, (https://www.goldenpawrescue.org/).

Willow, Carey, Avery, & Nate’s beagle mix:

Always & Furever Animal Sanctuary in Spring Hill, KS – Always & Furever, 23595 W 223rd St., Spring Hill, KS 66083 (https://www.alwaysandfurever.org/donate/).

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021, at The First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Due to COVID restrictions, the attendance is limited to 100 attendees maximum. The family is investigating options to stream the service online. Buck Run Community Center will be set up with chairs and a large screen for church overflow to watch the service.

When available, details to join the live stream of the service will be shared on Phil’s CaringBridge site at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philhammons, on Facebook, and also available from Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS, 66701.

Immediately following the church service, a procession to the cemetery will be held.

The family encourages all to join in the procession to the cemetery and at the graveside. The family requests that you please submit stories and memories to the online guestbook at www.konantz-cheney.com.

Gloria Delonia Luker, age 87, of Uniontown, KS, died Friday, May 07, 2021, at Moran Manor in Moran, KS. She was born February 21, 1934, in Troy, AL, the daughter of J.P. Colquitt and Lillie B. Griggs Colquitt. Gloria spent her childhood years in Troy, graduating from high school in 1953. She married Eldon D. Luker on April 7, 1955, in Troy. They made their home in Uniontown, KS, working together on the farm. Gloria was a friend to many, someone who never met a stranger. She was a member of the Paint Creek Church of the Brethren where she taught Sunday School and served as moderator of the church for many years.

Survivors include her husband Eldon of the home; a daughter, Marita J. Tanner and husband Albert, Uniontown, KS; a son, Brent D. Luker and wife Andrea, Overland Park, KS; and 3 granddaughters, Meredith Luker, Alyssa Luker, Brittany Jo Tanner. She was preceded in death by a son, William K. “Bill” Luker, 5 brothers, 2 sisters and her parents.

Rev. Chub Bolling will conduct memorial services at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 13^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial of cremains will follow in the Marion Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either the Beacon or Uniontown High School 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.