Mary Irene “Sug” Beckford, 90, formerly of Fulton, Kansas passed away Thursday morning, December 23, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas.  She was born February 13, 1931, in Devon, Kansas, the daughter of George Franklin and Mary Elizabeth (Townsend) Snyder. She married Charles L. Beckford on August 27, 1950, in Fulton, Kansas, and he preceded her in death on October 19, 2008.

Sug graduated from Fulton High School. She helped plan many alumni reunions. She worked for The Western Insurance as a supervisor in the Key Punch department for 21 and a half years. She retired when The Western closed in 1988.

She was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, West Liberty UMW, and Olive Chapter 13 OES. She was Past Matron and Past District Aide OES, Past Worthy High Priestess Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and was a Reach to Recovery volunteer for 15 years. She served as Sunday School Treasurer for 25 years, was Past UMW President, member and secretary for the Osaga Historical Society, and a member of the Fulton Community Center Board. Sug also served as Mother Advisor of Fort Scott Assembly 39 Rainbow Girls. Mary never missed an opportunity to serve in any capacity.

Sug’s favorite pastimes were reading, fishing, and gardening. She was a KU Basketball fan and loved angel food cake. She was known for her banana bread and homemade strawberry ice cream. Her grandkids thought she made the best vegetable soup and chili ever. She loved all of her family, but had a special relationship with her great-granddaughters Willow, Maddie, and Evie, and was looking forward to meeting her great-grandson, Donovan.

Survivors include her children, Randy L. Beckford and wife Carmen, of Fulton, and Vickie S. Lord and husband Gerald, of Lawrence, Kansas; a brother, Alva Snyder, of Independence, Kansas; sister-in-law Joyce Sipe, Fort Scott; seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Charles, she was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John E. Snyder, and George J. Snyder, two granddaughters, and one grandson.

Memorial services for Sug will take place 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the West Liberty United Methodist Church, and she will be interred with her husband Charles in the Mapleton Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to West Liberty United Methodist Church the day of the service or mailed to: West Liberty Treasurer c/o Kathy Valentine, 2638 Tomahawk Road Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Ivan LeRoy “Pokey” Harding, Jr., age 77, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, April 18, 2022, at his home.  He was born May 7, 1944, in Parsons, KS, the son of Ivan LeRoy and Orlean Sampsel Harding.

Pokey attended Walnut public schools and graduated from Joint Rural High School Stark, KS with the class of 1962.  He graduated from Pittsburg State University Auto Technology School.

Pokey served in the U. S. Navy and later the Reserves.

He married Shirley Simon on April 2, 1976.

Pokey worked for Quality Chevrolet in Wichita briefly before moving to Ft. Scott.  He then worked for Ft. Scott Motors, Shepherd Team Auto Plaza and finally 5-Corners Automotive.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Blue Lodge, American Legion, and Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Shirley of the home; a son, John Ivan Harding and wife Helen, Topeka, KS; a daughter, Jeri Keller and husband Jeff, Wichita, KS; two stepsons, Randy Houdashelt, Ft. Scott, and Jimmy Houdashelt, Parsons, KS; a sister, Carolyn Sinn, Ft. Scott; an uncle, Joe Harding and wife Phyllis, Stark, KS; two grandchildren, Ashley and Austin; two step grandchildren, Derek and Dillon; two step great-grandchildren, Aiden and Macie;  and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 11:30 AM Monday, April 25^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends Monday from 10:30 AM until service time 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.

Ivan LeRoy “Pokey” Harding, Jr., age 77, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, April 18, 2022, at his home.  Services for Pokey Harding will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Phyllis L. Ward, age 89, went to her eternal home in Heaven on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Her parents were Roy & Lula Bentley and she was raised in Ft. Scott, KS. She was a loving Mother and Housewife. She did work a few years before retiring to Ft. Scott, at Rival Mfg., in Albany, MO. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidering & could make the best pies ever. She raised 5 ornery children on Ranches with her husband, Harold Ward. They were married for 68 years before his passing in June of 2019. She loved her family which included 5 children, 8 Grandchildren & 16 Great Grandchildren. She loved babies and they brought her great joy. She spent her last several years in Wichita, Kansas. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was welcomed home by her husband, Harold, her parents Roy & Lula Bentley, In-laws Hubert & Tressie Ward, along with several siblings & in-laws and 2 sons, Harold Stephen Ward & Ricky Joe Ward. They had a wonderful reunion celebration upon her arrival.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Debra Vanderveer (Tim) of Crawfordville, FL; Diana Thompson (Monte) of Wichita, KS; Patricia Cadle of Goddard, KS.; along with the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren who knew her as Nana. We will look forward to seeing her again someday in Heaven.

A celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Cheney Witt Chapel. She will be laid to rest in the Uniontown Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 22^nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the 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.

Ann Bannon Meara Bolden passed away on April 10, 2022. She was born on December 2, 1977, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Daniel F. Meara and JoAnn F. Meara.

She began her education at St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott, Kansas, then went to Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School, where she graduated in 1996.

She then attended Pittsburg State University before meeting the love of her life, Derek C. Bolden. She and Derek were married at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, in Fort Scott, Kansas, on October 14, 2000. They then lived in Kansas City, Kansas.

Although she began to experience the symptoms in 2005, she was finally diagnosed with primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2010, she continued to discharge her duties at work.

From then to the date of her death, she maintained her love for her family and friends. She prayed for those in distress and those in need of her love. She was well-known for her courage in the face of her debilitating disease and her unfailing sense of humor.

She always brought out the best in all of us and we will continue to hold her in the most sacred place of our hearts for the rest of our lives.

She leaves her husband, Derek C. Bolden, her parents Daniel F. Meara and JoAnn F. Meara, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Priscilla and Chuck Tolman, her aunts Peggy Niles, Mary Morrow, and Mary Jane Schaefer, her brother, Daniel F. Meara III and wife Amy, sister Megan F. Sailors and husband Jeff, brother, Brendan L. Meara and wife Julie, brother James Meara and wife Zo, brother John Meara and wife Jodie, and sister Kathleen Meara; her sisters-in-law Valerie Witt and Dionne Green, and brother-in-law John Chambers and wife Jennifer; her cousins Matt Morrow and wife Kathy, Jeanine Bock and husband Tim, Ronald Schaefer and wife Christy, Laurie Roach, Larry Schaefer and wife Sharon, Leslie Crane and husband Bruce, Geri Roling and husband Mark, Pamela Harrison and husband Brad, Steven Schaefer and wife Mackenzie, and the families of her cousins. She loved as individuals each of her nieces and nephews: Daniel F. Meara IV, Patrick Meara, Samuel Sailors, Maxwell Sailors, Alexis Sailors, Leo Meara, Theodore Meara, Robin Meara, Chairno Baldeh, Kirsten Green, Mathew Baldeh, Tristen Green, Simone Baldeh, Caleb Chambers, Alex Chambers, and Dylan Chambers.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 714 S. Eddy, Fort Scott, Kansas.

Ann was particularly concerned for those in need, the hungry and homeless. For that reason, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Harvesters Community Food Network, a non-profit organization for the relief of the poor, 3801 Topping Ave., Kansas City, MO 64129. Donations may also be made to St. Mary’s School, 702 S. Eddy, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Phyllis L. Ward, age 89, went to her eternal home in Heaven on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Her parents were Roy & Lula Bentley and she was raised in Ft. Scott, KS.

She was a loving mother and housewife. She did work a few years before retiring to Ft. Scott, at Rival Mfg., in Albany, MO.

She enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidering & could make the best pies ever.

She raised five ornery children on ranches with her husband, Harold Ward. They were married for 68 years before his passing in June of 2019.

She loved her family which included five children, eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She loved babies and they brought her great joy.

She spent her last several years in Wichita, Kansas.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was welcomed home by her husband, Harold, her parents Roy and Lula Bentley, In-laws Hubert and Tressie Ward, along with several siblings and in-laws and two sons, Harold Stephen Ward and Ricky Joe Ward. They had a wonderful reunion celebration upon her arrival.

She is survived by three daughters, Debra Vanderveer (Tim) of Crawfordville, FL; Diana Thompson (Monte) of Wichita, KS; Patricia Cadle of Goddard, KS.; along with the grandchildren and great- grandchildren who knew her as Nana.

We will look forward to seeing her again some day in Heaven.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Cheney Witt Chapel.

She will be laid to rest in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday April 22nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s 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.

Leanna Corine Leonard, age 80, resident of Chandler, AZ, died Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Brookdale Chandler Regional Care. No services are planned. Burial will take place in the Memory Gardens Cemetery, Ft. Scott, KS. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Ludean Evans, age 71, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  She was born March 11, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of David Donald Harris and Maxine Cagle Harris.  Ludean graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1969.  She married David Eugene Evans on December 21, 1968, at the Nazarene Church in Ft. Scott.  Ludean was a devoted wife and mother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially when attending her grandchildren’s sporting events or going on a camping trip.  She also enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include her husband, Gene, of the home; two daughters, Jennifer Pryor and Billi Jo Shoemaker, both of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Ericah Uhler (Justin), Zack Pryor (Carolina), Jarrett Shoemaker (Addy), and Kyra Pryor (Kevin) and a great-grandson, Hugh Uhler.  Also surviving are a brother, Jim Harris (Susie) of Ft. Scott and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Donald Harris and her life-long, best friend, Linda Poyner.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Monday, April 18^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National 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 Care to Share 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.

Richard Lee Dixon, 79, of Frontenac, died on April 8, 2022 at his home.

Dixon was born in Fort Scott on January 9, 1943, the son of Richard and Velma Totman Dixon.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2022, at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Arma, Ks. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. that day. Burial will be at Pittsburg Garden of Memories.

Jean Margarette Younggren, age 93, resident of Redfield, KS, died Monday, April 11, 2022, at Girard Medical Center.  She was born November 9, 1928, in Seward County, KS, the daughter of Odor and Lucile Stroud Black.

She was later adopted by Johnie and Velma Dye.  Jean married Oscar Younggren on October 14, 1945.

He preceded her in death in 2005.

Jean was a hard worker, whether on the family farm, cooking at the local school, or working as a nurse’s aide at local hospitals.  She could drive the tractor and feed the livestock.  Every cow had a name.  She was also skilled in crocheting and sewing.  She made many of the grandchildren’s nightgowns and clothes.  She was an excellent cook, with her specialty being cinnamon rolls.

Jean was the type of person who never met a stranger, always enjoying a visit.

Survivors include 2 sons, John Younggren, Mike Younggren and wife Mary, and Connie Neil, all of Ft. Scott; a sister, Marie Towner and husband Roy, Rolla, KS; 9 grandchildren, Jason, Meleesa, Shana, Shelly, Summer, Shane, Tara, Megan, and Kati; and 15 great grandchildren.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Henry William Odor Black and Forest Lee Black-Davis; and 2 sisters, June Florence Black, and Clara Mae Black-Willis.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM Friday, April 15^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will take place at a later date in the Hugoton, KS Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to Bourbon County 4-H 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.

David Wayne Elbrader, age 60, a former resident of Redfield, Kansas, and more recently of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Wichita.  He was born February 4, 1962, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Neil Elbrader and Roberta Jane Brown Elbrader.  David graduated from the Uniontown High School and later attended Ft. Scott Community College.  David helped his parents run the family business, Elbrader’s Used Cars, located north of Ft. Scott.  He helped with mechanic work as well as bookkeeping.

Survivors include his sister, Janet Rochat of Wichita, Kansas; two nephews, Scott Rochat of Derby, Kansas and Matthew Rochat of Wichita and a niece, Katelyn Knaak and her husband, Tyler, of Omaha, Nebraska.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Roberta Elbrader, and a brother-in-law, Arlen Rochat.

Pastor Jeff Feagins will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Friday, April 15^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

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