George Marcus Warren, 98, of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, January 21, 2021. He was born November 16, 1922, in a barn near Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Rupert Marcus and Clara Alma (Price) Warren.

At age four, George and his family moved from Muskogee to McCune, Kansas in 1926. George graduated from McCune High School, President of his class, in 1941. After high school, George moved to Long Beach, California where he worked as a riveter for Lockheed. Later, he moved back to Kansas City, working as a riveter for Mid America Aviation. While working there, George enlisted in the Naval Air Corps as a pilot in the Test Flight Division in Hawaii. After World War II, he enrolled at Pittsburg State University where he was Phi Sigma Epsilon president. He graduated from PSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

After graduation from PSU in 1949, George came to Uniontown, Kansas, and took up farming with his dad Rupert. On October 13, 1956, George married the love of his life, Wilma Carolyn Bilyew. Two sons, Mark Edward and Joseph William were born to this union.

George served the Uniontown community on various boards. He was a member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board for several terms. He also served as President of the Uniontown Ruritan Club, and served on the Farmers Home Service Agency Board, Bourbon County Soil Conservation Service, Farmer’s Co-op Board for Fort Scott and Uniontown, and chaired the committee that unified schools to form U234 and U235. George also coached T-ball, Little League, and Pee Wee Baseball.

Wilma Preceded George in death on February 15, 1994. After her death George continued to serve the Uniontown community as a public servant. In 2013 George Attended an Honors Flight in Washington D.C.

George is survived by his two sons, Mark Warren and wife Mary, and Joe Warren and wife Lorequita, both of Uniontown; a sister, Anna Rose, also of Uniontown; five grandchildren, Sarah Walls and husband Cedric, Alison Weston and husband Chris, Wes Warren and wife Joanna, Kyle Warren, Glaizel Mae Warren, and two great-grandchildren, Stella Mae Walls, and Russell William Warren.

In addition to his wife Wilma, George was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bill Warren, and a grandson, Cory Warren.

Rev. Carl K. Ellis will conduct private family services 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Uniontown United Methodist Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Friends may see George and sign the book at the funeral home, and are invited to the graveside service at 12:00 noon on Tuesday at the Uniontown Cemetery following private services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Uniontown Community Ruritan Club 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.

Robert Lee Stewart, 74, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, died January 15, 2021.

He was born October 25, 1946, in Moran, Kansas, to Myron Leslie Stewart and Barbara Jean (Boyd) Stewart of Xenia, Kansas. Bob, or Bobby, as he was known to family and friends, grew up on the family farm and attended grade school at Xenia. At a very young age, he attended a cattle sale at Fort Scott with Curley Wright and discovered his calling for life as a cattle buyer. He started working at the sale barn when he was 10 or 11 and there was no turning back.

Bob graduated from Blue Mound High School and Fort Scott Junior College Truck Driving School. He worked many years for Capitol Truck Lines and continued as it changed to Graves Truck Lines and ANR Trucking, winning awards from the Teamsters for safe driving. Even with his steady job of delivering locally, he continued going to cattle sales on Saturday, buying and selling for many farmers and ranchers in the area. The only times he missed a sale were when one of his daughters illogically planned a wedding for that day of the week.

Bob married Bernita Eloyse Lalman on January 1, 1967, and together they loved and parented three daughters. Sadly, Eloyse lost her battle with cancer in March, 1976. In late 1977, Bob met and married Karen Dancy, who had a son from her previous marriage. Their blended family became complete when two more daughters were born.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen, of 43 years of the home in Fulton, along with five daughters: Tammy Brownback and husband Keith of Centerville, Belynda Davenport of Fort Scott, Robin Anderson and husband Rob of Wichita, Kari Messer and husband Josh of Fort Scott, Jodi Silva and husband Paul of Manhattan, Kansas. One son, Rick Stewart and wife Cara of El Dorado, Kansas, and the blessing of a bonus son, Jimmy Turner of Fort Scott.

Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Brett Brownback and fiancé Taryn, Kaylee Clifton and husband Timmy, Annyssa Davenport, Cooper Anderson, Jadyn Messer, Brady Messer, Lyla Silva, Karsen Silva, Anastasia Stewart, Harley Thornton, Briar Thornton, and 2 great-grandchildren, Kyser Brownback and Remy Brownback.

Bob has 2 sisters that will miss him dearly, Jeanette Church and husband, Robbie of Xenia and Carol Didier and husband, Tom of Wheatland, Missouri. He is also survived by many Stewart and Boyd cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Barbara Stewart and his first wife, Eloyse Lalman.

A graveside service is planned for 10:00 AM on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Osaga Cemetery, just west of Fulton under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, January 21, 2021, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Osaga Cemetery 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.

Bob’s truck and cattle trailer will be leading the procession from Konantz Cheney Funeral Home at 9:30 that morning. As Bob would say, “Roll Along!”

Laurence “Larry” Elmer Lyons, age 81, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021. He was born October 4, 1939 in Fulton, KS, the son of Luther Byron and Lucy Christine (Leitch) Lyons.

He married his lifetime love Patricia “Pat” Henderson on June 21, 1964, in Columbus, MS, and together over the 57 years that followed, they built a life they loved.

At 16 years old, Larry was the top Air Force Academy nominee from the state of Kansas, but he was too young to enroll, so he left the family farm and attended The University of Kansas, and later Park College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1959, entering pilot training and graduating in the Class of ’61 Delta. He went on to complete B-52 training, nuclear weapons delivery school, and Air Force survival school. He flew many active combat missions, including Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, where he piloted the first B-52 sent to air carrying nuclear weapons. Larry captained the B-52, C-5, and C-130, and still holds the record as the youngest ever combat-ready B-52 pilot in history. After 20 years of dedicated service to his country, decorated Lieutenant Colonel Laurence Lyons retired from the Air Force in 1979.

Following his military career, Larry happily settled back in Bourbon County, KS where his business endeavors included Petromark and the beloved Lyons Twin Mansions.

In his retirement he enjoyed being a member of ToastMasters, Shriners, Masons, and his local coffee group who solved the world’s problems daily. 

Of all of his storied accomplishments, Larry considered his family to be one of the most important. He was the proud patriarch, and was adored by each of those lucky enough to be considered family, whether a blood relative or otherwise.

He was the loving father of Joe (Laetitia), Preecia (Charles), Ben, and Nate (Bailey), as well as his honorary sons Masa and Clifford. He was the doting grandfather of Zach, Abby, Addi, Emma, Brooklyn, Lauren, Jhett, Jaxon, Lute, Ellis, and Lucille. He was a caring brother to Tom, Jerry, Doc, Betty, Jane, Ruth, Alice, and Peg, as well as Joe and JB, who were like brothers, and was cherished by a number of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Larry was a treasured patient of a few select medical caregivers who came to be considered family, and the Lyons family extends a very sincere thank you to these special people. Larry will be fondly remembered by all of those listed here, and many more.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a number of siblings. 

Larry was a master on the grill, a gracious provider, a dependable constant, the best hugger, the perfect gentleman, a lifelong scholar and teacher, a calming presence, a chocolate milk maker extraordinaire, a humble hero, a soft personality with firm opinions, a lender of comforting shirts, an encyclopedia of knowledge, an expert navigator with an internal GPS, and a truly gentle soul. He was appropriately referred to by many as simply being “the best man”. 

The Lyons’ home was always open to young people who needed a safe place to go, and Larry was glad to be able to feed and house those that showed up, never asking questions or expecting anything in return.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the USD 234 Pantry to continue Larry’s legacy of “feeding the world”, which was his way of expressing love.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 20^th, at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Friends are welcome but must remain on the road adjacent to the committal shelter wearing face-covering as directed by the cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Airforce Honor guard.

Donations to the USD 234 Pantry may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Jennie Louise Wood, 84, of Fort Scott, went to be with her Lord Wednesday evening, January 13, 2021 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born January 26, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Eldora (Reynolds) Beaver. Eldora married Ralph Beaver when Jennie was 15, and thereafter she considered him her father. She married Kenneth Ross Wood August 15, 1958, in Los Angeles, California.

Jennie was a partner in pastoral ministry to her husband, Kenneth, for 43 years. Using her gifts of music, hospitality, teaching, and encouragement, she served faithfully alongside her husband at churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, with the ability to make each one feel special and loved. She was a piano teacher for many years and loved her students and their families. She was a substitute school teacher and played her violin in community orchestras. She was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Jennie is survived by her husband, Ken, of 62 years. She is also survived by her children, Suella Hornby and husband Charles of Springfield, Missouri, Stan Wood and wife Denise of Leavenworth, Kansas, Melody Richardson and husband Lonnie of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke and husband Phil of Raymore, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Briana, Nathan, Reagan, Jaron, Graham, Carter, Ross, Alexandra, Annelise, Davis, and Sawyer, and one great-grandchild Noah, and a baby girl due in May.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Eldora Beaver, and four stepbrothers, Ralph Jr., Melvin, Harold, and Larry.

Services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00 am, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene with burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The service will also be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene 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.

James R. McNeley, 89, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday evening, January 8, 2021, at the Girard Medical Center. He was born December 30, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Loren “Bud” and Alice (Cotter) McNeley.

He married Madelyn Picht on December 26, 1953, in the Presbyterian Church parlor. She preceded him in death January 24, 2011.

Jim attended Fort Scott schools and St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where he sang in the church choir. He later served four years in the US Navy. With his father, they operated McNeley Power Equipment Company for many years. Jim studied for the ministry and became a priest and later the Bishop, in the Anglican Catholic Church. He served in the church in Fort Scott and later in Kansas City. After retirement, he attended All Saints Anglican Church in Chicopee, Kansas.

Jim is survived by two daughters, Gina (Jack) Karleskint of Fort Scott, and Mary Katherine McNeley of Grant’s Pass, Oregon; six grandchildren, Matthew (Kati) Karleskint, Doug (Kyla) Karleskint, Michael Karleskint, Aaron Stetz, Leif Stetz, and Meghan Stetz, and five great-grandchildren, Alli, Lilli, Graci, Jadin, and Jackson Karleskint.

In addition to his wife Madelyn, Jim was also preceded in death by his parents.

Services for Bishop McNeley will be held at a later date with burial at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to All Saints Anglican 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.

Troy Scott Felt, age 31, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, January 8, 2021.

Scott, known in his younger years as Cow Truck Buck and then grew into Scotty too Hottie. He was always handy with a wrench, from tearing apart bikes as a kid to rebuilding cars for his grandpa. He could be found by the water with a pole in his hand on any given day.

You can’t honestly describe the person Scott was with just one word. Scott was simple yet complex; he kept to himself but had plenty to say. He was quietly hilarious. He loved those around him even if he didn’t say it. He was a caregiver, a son, a brother, a friend, a mechanic, and a fisherman. He was a big brother, his parents baby boy, and his grandparent’s keeper.

Scott was the first-born son to Troy Felt, of Fort Scott and Melany Powell-Felt of Fort Scott. He has a brother Tyler wife Skylar, children Waylon and Easton and a sister Haley husband Adam children Knox and soon to be, Creek. He was the grandson of Tom and Beatrice Powell, of Fort Scott and Ronnie and Laura Felt, of Fort Scott, the nephew of Robert and Rhonda Kellstadt, Rick and Cindy Felt, Jerry Powell, Myron and Sherri Clark and was a cousin to many.

Scott was preceded in death by his beloved Grandma Beatrice Powell, Great grandparents Marjorie and John Fowler, Uncle Tommy Powell, and Great Uncle Rocky Combs.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct services at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 13th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery. The family invites friends to gather Wednesday evening beginning at 5:30 at Troy Felt’s home, 1500 145th St., Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Gunn Park 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.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

A private family memorial service with burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Juvenile Diabetes Research Funding 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.

 

Daisy Bonita Holeman, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, formerly of Bronson, KS, died Monday, January 4, 2021, at Via Christi Medical Center in Pittsburg, KS.

She was born June 8, 1925 to Albert Peter Wilson and Bonnie Dale (Willis) Wilson in Uniontown, KS. She was the oldest of four children, including Albert Lewis “Sonny,” Yvette and Anita. Bonita was named after her father’s favorite sister, Daisy Wilson Fouts. Her mother, Bonnie, found the name “Bonita” on a box of chocolates and that’s the name she always used.

At the age of four, Bonita insisted on going to the public school with other kids at Poplar Grove School by her family home even though she wasn’t old enough to attend.

Her mother, Bonnie, asked the teacher to just let her stay for a while. She told her that she’d eventually get bored and come home. But Bonita stayed. She completed her secondary education, graduating from Uniontown High School at the age of 16. When she started school, students were only taught cursive writing. She had to teach herself how to print when she was much older.

Bonita attended Fort Scott Community College and became a schoolteacher at Pleasant Ridge, a one-room schoolhouse, where she was the teacher, cook and janitor. She taught all grades and rented a room from a nearby farm family. She walked to school every day. In the winter, she had to heat the school with wood-burning stove. She was always grateful when one of her older students arrived at the school early to take on this difficult task on cold, snowy days. That job paid her $100 a month. One of her very first purchases was to buy her mother a new coat, because Bonnie hadn’t been able to afford one for many years. She loved her parents dearly and always expressed her gratitude for the love and lessons they provided.

She later earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pittsburg State Teacher’s College, now known as Pittsburg State University.

She began teaching at 18. A year or two later, she met Earl, who lived about a half-mile from the school. They married on September 16, 1945 and lived in the rural Bronson home where Earl was born. They had four children: Karen Kay, Linda Lea, Betty Ann and Scott Earl. Family was the most important thing to Bonita and she always expected to have everyone attend major holiday events at her home, where she delighted in preparing delicious home-cooked meals. Even though there wasn’t a lot of room in her house, there was always an abundance of love. There was also always room at her table for anyone who didn’t have anywhere else to go. She also loved shopping for “just the right gift” for members of her family at Christmas.

After the girls were old enough for school, Bonita taught three years a Bronson Elementary School. That was interrupted when she had Scott 13 ½ years after Betty was born. She then resumed her teaching career at Crest Elementary School in Kincaid, where she taught for 11 years. Upon completing her master’s degree, she taught special education students at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott. After teaching for 30 years, she retired.

Bonita was a long-time member of the Bronson Baptist Church, where she taught the Young People’s Sunday School Class and also served as the church clerk. She was a 60-year member of the Bronson Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma the International Society for Key Women Educators, the O.E.S Culture Club and Helping Hands Club. She served as a 4-H Club project leader in cooking, sewing and geology for 18 years.

Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, reading, making quilts and playing cards and games.

Bonita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl, daughters Linda and Karen, sons-in-law Chuck Shelton and Andy Johnson, brother Sonny, and sister Yvette Nelson. She is survived by her daughter Betty and son-in-law Merle, Uniontown; son Scott, Kansas City, MO; sister Anita, Independence, MO, Eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Lloyd Houk will conduct graveside services at 10:30 AM Friday, January 8^th, in the Uniontown Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either Bronson Baptist Church or the Bronson Library and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.

Dr. George Everett Hudiburg, 97, of Fort Scott, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the Girard Medical Center. He was born June 25, 1923, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Leo Everett and Ruth Mary (Lee) Hudiburg. He married Joyce Colleen Conley August 17, 1949, in Independence, Kansas, and she preceded him September 4, 2004.

George served during WWII in Company A of the 318^th Infantry and was honorably discharged in November of 1945 with a Purple Heart for wounds he received in battle in February of 1945. He was also awarded The French Legion of Honor which is the highest French distinction for fighting in France during WWII.

George went on to teach for several at Parsons Middle School and High School. He then went on achieve his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Arkansas. George completed his career in education as a Professor and student teacher supervisor at Pittsburg State University.

Survivors include his children, Peggy Joyce Bebb of Kalispell, Montana, Leo Everett Hudiburg and wife Janene of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Kenneth Joe Hudiburg and wife Michelle of Fort Scott, Kansas; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Joyce, he was also preceded in death by his parents, and his son-in-law, Jim Bebb.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct graveside services Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with military honors provided by the US Army National Guard Honor Detail.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to PSU College of Education Dept. of Teaching and Leadership.

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.