Mary Bell (Isabel) Tallman, 93, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away November 24, 2021, at her home in Scottsdale,

Arizona. She was born April 9, 1928, in St. Paul, Kansas. She married Harry “Charles” Tallman October 13, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kansas and he preceded her in death February 10, 1991.

She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Ann Burns of Scottsdale, Arizona, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and a daughter, Mary Kathleen Laven.

Rev. Ken Ansel will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Marita Lynne Bigelow, 79, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning November 30, 2021, at her home. She was born July 20, 1942, in Fort Scott, Kansas the daughter of Preston “Pete” Lafayette and Dorothy Lavella (Pottorff) Barr.

She married Galen C. Bigelow, Sr. on June 7, 1960, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death October 8, 2020.

Marita graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1960 and stayed in Fort Scott until 1970 when they moved to Dodge City, Kansas.

The family lived in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, from 1975 until 1978, moving back to Fort Scott, and then moved to Moran, Kansas in 1981. She and Galen owned and operated Bigelow’s Dairy Spot Restaurant in Moran until 1990 when they moved back to Fort Scott.

Marita worked at Mercy Hospital for seventeen years in the business office as a cashier, retiring in 2008.

She attended Bethel Community Church.

Marita is survived by her children, Michelle McKay and husband Eric, Teresa Fly and husband David, both of Fort Scott, Galen C. Bigelow, Jr. and wife Trena of Elsmore, Kansas, and William “Bill” Bigelow and wife Michelle, of Moran, Kansas; a brother, Joe Barr and wife Rita, of Fort Scott; two sisters, Charlotte Stewart and husband Alan, of Iola, Kansas, and Charlene Keating and husband John, of Fort Scott; a sister-in-law, Janice Barr; eleven grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Galen, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Darrel Barr.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation 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.

Catherine Diane (Felt) Boyd, age 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021, in Springfield, MO. She spent her final days surrounded by the love and support of her Kansas and Missouri family.

Diane was born July 24,1945 to Martin Joseph and Helen Louise Maher in Kansas City, MO. Diane spent summers in Fort Scott with her grandparents where she met and married Marcus Leon Felt.

She graduated from Ursuline Academy, Paola, KS in 1963.

Diane was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.

While in Fort Scott, Diane worked as a legal secretary for Nuss and Farmer Law Firm. She then worked for Frisco/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad where she retired in Fort Worth, TX in 2009.

Diane was a member of Willow Park Baptist Church.

In her retirement, she enjoyed being active in her Joy Fellowship class. Diane traveled to Israel with her church, where she fulfilled a dream of being baptized in the Jordan River. She held dear the time spent with her church family.

Left to cherish her memory is, her husband, Gerald Mungon (Weatherford, TX); daughters, Kimberly Felt (Nevada, MO) and Angela Craggs (Virginia Beach, VA), sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Paul Willard (Vassar, KS), niece, Traci and nephews, Brian and Shawn. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Derek, Amanda, Kandyce, Bethany, and Aaron along with 11 great grandchildren.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and 11-month-old son, Martin Leon Felt.

The family will receive friends from 11 AM until  Noon on Wednesday, December 1^st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Private family burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Willow Park Baptist Church @ www.willowparkbaptist.org. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Lifelong Fort Scott resident Maybelle Mertz, 100, passed away comfortably at her home on November 15, 2021.

Mrs. Mertz was born and was raised in Fort Scott. She was born on February 6, 1921, the daughter of Harlan and Mabel (Hicks) Spencer. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1939. She and Jim Mertz were married January 20, 1945, at their home in rural Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death May 30, 1982.

She was the owner of The Horseshoe Ranch where she and Jim had horses and cattle throughout their lives. She worked as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Wards and at The Vogue, she was Deputy Clerk of the District Court, then started Mertz Tax Service at their home in the country. After moving to “town” she continued Mertz Tax Service until she was appointed to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals in 1989 and served a four-year term. During this tenure, she was proud to attend college classes at the University of Reno, Nevada. She worked several years as an Enumerator for the State of Kansas, she was a House Mother for Baker University, University of Kansas, and Kansas State University in her “retirement” years!

Mrs. Mertz was full of spirit and energy; age was never a factor! She was a member of numerous organizations and clubs throughout her life, and she served as president of many as she loved to help lead and make things better for people. She worked tirelessly on the Gaited Horse Show during the Bourbon County Fair to help earn monies for improvements to the fairgrounds. She was a horsewoman and especially loved parade horses. She participated in parades and horse shows with her silver-mounted saddle and fancy parade outfits first on her paint horse Buck and then palomino Sonny through the course of her life. Following her horsewoman days, she became an avid golfer. She was a member of Fort Scott Country Club, Crestwood Country Club, Topeka Country Club, and golfed with Women’s leagues throughout the state and the world when she traveled to Africa and golfed at Victoria Falls, as well as in Europe.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the Bourbon County Conservation Supervisors Board, Federated Women’s Clubs, Beta Sigma Phi, The Area on Aging for Kansas, Elks, United Methodist Women’s Club, PEO. She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital, volunteered with the Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, a former Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, attended Fort Scott Shrine Club events, and Mirza Temple Pittsburg, KS women’s events.

Mrs. Mertz is survived by a daughter Melessa Demo (Brad), Fort Scott, grandchildren Mandy Symons, Centennial, CO, J.T. Symons (Angie) Corolla, NC, and a great-grandson Hunter Symons Norfolk, VA, and grand-dogs Beans and Frank. In addition to her husband Jim, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Jim “Sandy” Mertz on March 15, 2021, and two brothers, Joseph Spencer, and George Spencer.

Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening November 18, 2021, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist 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.

Donajean Bauer, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, went to be with her Lord on Friday, November 12, 2021, at her home. She was born June 30, 1945, in Moran, KS, the daughter of Leland and June Enos Mattson. Donajean attended old Elsmore rural grade school and graduated from Elsmore high school. She also attended Fort Scott Community College.

She married Duane Bauer on September 1, 1963, in Elsmore, KS. She worked for the Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott in her early years. Donajean then worked for Security State Bank and later UMB for a total of 42 years until retirement.

She served selflessly and faithfully at Mt. Zion church where she was a member. At church she was a continuous supporter of Walk of Faith for Missions, taught Sunday school, served as VBS director and organized Gospel Tribe youth nights. Donajean was tireless in her efforts to show people Jesus and lead them in accepting Him as their Savior.

Many local organizations also benefitted from her dedication including Care to Share, FCE, United Way, founding member and board member for the Keyhole, and 31-year perfect attendance at Pioneer Kiwanis, serving as president multiple times.

Donajean loved God and her family. She delighted in her grandchildren and never missed attending a sporting event or performance.

She enjoyed flower gardening, personalizing greeting cards, decorating at Homes for the Holidays, serving on Good Ol’ Days committees, and helping with the Bourbon County Fair. She generously shared her love and was loved by so many.

Survivors include her husband Duane of the home; a daughter, Danna Wilson and husband Jeff, Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren, Mattson Gromer and husband Dylan, and Peyton Steele; a sister, Diana Fewins, Moran, KS; brothers-in-law Don Bauer and wife Donna and Darrell Bauer and wife Jan; sister-in-law Mary Ann Magnuson and husband Max Patterson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Bauer; and her parents.

Pastor Rick Womack will conduct services at 11:00 Tuesday, November 16^th, at the 1^st Baptist Church, Ft. Scott.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or Mt. Zion Baptist Church Garland 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.