Karen (Mabery) Atkins formerly of Fort Scott passed away suddenly on June 23, 2020 in Nixa, Missouri.

Karen was born March 15, 1949 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the only child to Frank and Faye (Duncan) Mabery. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1967.

She lived and worked in Fort Scott until 2002 when she moved to Nixa, Missouri to help with the family business, Atkins Weatherproofing in Springfield, Missouri, along with her children and husband, she worked and help run the business until her untimely death.

She loved car racing, sports and spending time with her family.

She became interested in The Alzheimer’s Association when her cousin was diagnosed. Karen helped organize the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene, Texas and for the yearly auction she made a special quilt that hangs in the office in Abilene TX.

She was also interested in family history, traveling, and she made a lifelong wish trip to Ireland.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frank Lee and Faye Mabery. Karen was a devoted daughter and caretaker to her parents in their later years.

Karen leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband, Wayne, and her children all of Nixa, Missouri: Karalee Taylor (John Lowe) and Frank Atkins, grandchildren, Kelby Taylor, Madison Shelden, and Tru Atkins, great-grandchild, Sophie Taylor, Taxen and Asher Cosens. She, also, leaves behind her lifelong friends and cousins who will cherish a lifetime of memories.

Karen grew up with an idyllic childhood in Fort Scott surrounded by doting parents and a huge extended family, including incredible aunts, uncles, and cousins. She enjoyed dozens of close friends and a loving relationship with her cousins. She was blessed with small town, rural hometown living where she and friends could explore the streets and countryside of Fort Scott on horseback.

Karen was an avid animal lover and her family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the donate to C.A.R.E Rescue Animal Shelter or the Missouri Forget-Me-Not-Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, and may be sent to or left in the care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct Graveside services, 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Grace Earlene Myers, age 96, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, July 01, 2020, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 15, 1924, in Sprague, MO, the daughter of Rev. Earl R. Bingham and Susan Pickford Bingham.

She graduated from Fulton, KS High School in 1942 and attended Fort Scott Junior College. She taught school for several years in Bourbon and Linn counties.

On June 1, 1949, she was married to Oscar Otto Myers of Niangue, MO, at the home of her parents near Devon, KS. They lived in the Bourbon county area until 1950 when they moved to Marysville, KS, where Grace went to work for Selective Service.

They later moved to Emporia, and then to Olathe, KS, in 1961 and lived there until they retired in 1970.

After retirement they moved back to their farm near Devon.

Oscar and Grace celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on June 1, 1999. Oscar passed away on June 26, 1999.

Grace and Oscar enjoyed their retirement years on their farm where they cared for their cattle, pets, and garden.

Grace was a long time member of the Mapleton Christian Church . She received her 75 year membership pin from Violet Chapter No. 200, Fulton Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include two sisters-in-law; a nephew and several nieces, cousins, grand nieces and grandnephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a cousin who was raised in her parents’ home from an infant, Earl Inman; and another close cousin, Hazel Beck.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 7th in the Good Spring Cemetery, near Niangua, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the charity of donor’s choice 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.

James Leon Picht, age 90, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, June 30^th, 2020, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

He was born February 8, 1930, in Hiattville, KS, the son of Glen Picht and Martha Payne Picht.

Jim attended school in Ft. Scott K-12 and then Fort Scott junior College, and then he attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS.

Jim served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War.

He then started his career in teaching. He served the Davenport, IA, school system for forty years as a teacher, then principal, retiring in 1995.

Jim married Joan Beck in 1958 in Davenport, IA, where they were members of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Jim returned to Ft. Scott in November 2018 and attended St. John’s United Methodist Church there.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Rachel Myers, and Rebekah Myers; and son-in-law Rev. Ron Myers. Also surviving are cousins, a nephew, and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Joan; a daughter, Rev. Linda Myers; a son, David Picht; and a brother Don Picht.

There was cremation.

Private inurnment will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott. Memorial services will be held at a later to be announced date at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Ft. Scott.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Ellen Roberta Chaplin, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Monday, June 29, 2020, at the home of her daughter in Ft. Scott.

She was born October 1, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Robert Wiggans and Doris Spaur Wiggans.

Ellen graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1970.

She first married David Hathaway on May 29, 1969, and to this union, two daughters, Rachel and Rhonda where born.  David and Ellen later divorced, and Ellen married Raymond Chaplin on September 2, 1981.  At this time, three more children, Chris, Kim and Jeff were added to the family.  Raymond and Ellen later divorced.

Ellen had been employed by Head Start, Key Work Clothes and Valu Merchandisers.  Her last place of employment was at Tri-Valley Developmental Services where she had worked in client services.

Ellen enjoyed crocheting and doing cross-stitch.  She loved her family dearly and enjoyed the many times spent with family and friends.

 

Survivors include her two daughters, Rachel Thompson and Rhonda Cole and husband, Ben, all of Ft. Scott; three step-children, Chris Chaplin and wife, Stephanie, Kim Wright and husband, Jay and Jeff Chaplin; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a brother, Richard Wiggans and wife, Dorothy and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Wiggans and Doris Pellett and a brother, Mark Wiggans.

 

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 2^nd at the Clarksburg Cemetery.

Friends and family may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Appropriate social distancing will be practiced.  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.

Larry Ginter, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, June 22, 2020, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, MO.

He was born June 8, 1944, in Appleton City, MO, the son of Elton Glen Ginter and Marjorie Cook Ginter.

Larry served in the United State Navy.

He married Kathleen Ruth Hannan on August 8, 1969, in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2019.

Larry worked as a computer programmer for the Kansas City Chiefs, Midwestern Distribution, and various other companies.

He reluctantly became a lover of cats over the years.

His true passion was collecting and dealing in sports cards and memorabilia. From his hobby, which turned into a business, he met many interesting people through the years.

Survivors include a son, Pete Ginter and wife Bonnie, Jacksonville, FL; a sister, Beverly Borris, Hurst, TX; a sister-in-law, Maureen Dahnke, Kansas City, MO; two grandchildren, Austin and Marilyn Ginter; and three nieces, Lesley Kingsley,  Kala Meyer and Liz Davis.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 11:30 AM Monday, June 29^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private family burial will take place following in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Larry Ginter Memorial Fund 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.

Mary Janet Elliott, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.

She was born on July 7, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Edward William Ogle and Cleda Medrienne Davis Ogle.

She married Charles E. Elliott, Sr. on January 7, 1957, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on December 30, 1994.

Mary provided daycare for children for over 40 years. She enjoyed crocheting and working in the yard. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She attended the First Southern Baptist Church.

Survivors include 2 sons, Charles Elliott, Jr., Ft. Scott and William Elliott and wife Sue, Henderson, TN; a daughter, Marlean Roberts, Ft. Scott; 2 brothers, Edward Ogle, Jr., Topeka, KS, and Dale Ogle, Ft. Scott; 4 sisters, Carol Ayers, Ft. Scott, Roberta Wilson, Chanute, KS, Kathy Ogle, Ft. Scott, and Brenda Ogle, Ft. Scott; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Kenna Elliott; a son-in-law, Weldon Roberts; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, June 26^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Tonya Sue Belle, age 46, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, June 20, 2020, at her home.

She was born June 4, 1974, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Edward and Linda Ogle Coulter.

She married Jessee Belle on May 25, 2013, in Ft. Scott.

She worked as a CNA at Guest Home Estates.

Tonya enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Jessee of the home; 3 daughters, Ashlei Goddard and husband Jordan, Nikola Goodwin and fiancé Aaron Brown, and Windy Goodwin and fiancé Antonio Juarez, all of Ft. Scott; 3 step children, Domanick Belle, Kaidence Belle, Aurora, MO, and Bailey Belle, Purdy, MO; 2 sisters, Mariann Mackley and husband Norman “Marie”, Ft. Scott, and Tami Eaton, Neodesha, KS; 3 brothers, Eddie Coulter and wife Kelly, Chanute, KS, Lance Coulter and wife Erin, Uniontown, KS, and Anthony Ogle, Ft. Scott; her father, Edward Coulter, Ft. Scott; 5 grandchildren, Aaydan, Braydan, Caydan, and Jaydan Goddard, and Connor Brown and one grandson on the way; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces , great nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Lee Coulter; stepdaughter Francise Belle; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services at 10:00 Thursday June 25th, in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Tonya Belle Memorial Fund and 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.

Gerald Joseph Davis, age 82, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, June 19, 2020, at his home.

He was born November 21, 1937, in Farmington, MN, the son of Lawrence Edward and Rose Louise Tutewohl Davis.

He served in the U. S. Airforce and Airforce Reserve.

He married Mary Kathleen Matney on June 17, 1961, in Albuquerque, NM.

His main hobby was his family, it was the most important thing to him. He taught his kids horseback riding, water skiing, fishing, construction, and cooking. His adage was work hard and play harder.

After sending all the kids to college, his greatest accomplishment, he obtained his GED in 1994. Education was a top priority for him.

He was a very generous man, compassionate, giving, and a loving father. He was always willing to help and put others needs before his own. He helped many in the community and supported those in need.

Gerald never let his family down, made sure all were at church every Sunday and expected them to have high moral values. His optimistic and constantly positive attitude will be greatly missed. He leaves behind a great legacy.

He was a member of V.F.W. Post #1165, Knights of Columbus, Local Watershed District #2, and Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. He was a big supporter of Tri-Valley and a recipient of the Presidents Volunteer Service Award.

Survivors include his wife Mary of the home: two sons, Mark James Davis and wife Connie, Gravette, AR, and William Edward Davis, Wichita, KS; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Swezey and husband Ronald, Franklin, KS, and Teresa Kathleen Davenport and husband Jerry, Farlington, KS; two brothers, Lawrence Louis Davis and wife Barb, and LaVerne Michael Davis and wife Alice; eight grandchildren, Jenni Edge and husband Brandon, Mulberry, KS, Amanda Davis, Gravette, AR, Jacob Davis and wife LeAnn, Rogers, AR, Jeremy Swezey and fiancé Alex, Overland Park, KS, Mary Swezey and fiancé Brian, Arma, KS, Brianne Sheridan and husband Joe, Pittsburg, KS, Dehn Davenport, Ft. Scott, KS, and Davis Davenport, Farlington, KS; five great-granddaughters, Sarah Burns, Annalyn Davenport, Olivia Davis, Maci Jo Edge, and Rose Swezey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by a son, Michael Joseph Davis; two brothers, Richard and Ronnie Davis; a sister, Bernadine Peterson; a sister-in-law Janice Davis; and his parents.

The mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 24^th, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Private family burial will take place later in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 PM Tuesday, June 23^rd at the church, with visitation following from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.

Memorials are suggested to either the Michael J. Davis Memorial at Tri-Valley or Care to Share and 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.

Albert Horace Eshelbrenner, Sr., age 100, resident of Frontenac, KS, died Thursday, June 18, 2020, at Medicalodge of Frontenac.

He was born December 8, 1919, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Carl W. Eshelbrenner, Sr. and Sophia Leitz Eshelbrenner. He graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1939.

He served in the U. S. Army Air Force during WWII.

He married Mildred A. Pirnat on February 13, 1946, in Ft. Scott.

She preceded him in death on November 12, 1999.

Albert worked from 1946 until 1970 in the family business at Ft. Scott Packing House then for Mercy Hospital until his retirement.

He was a past Grand Knight and lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus 3^rd degree and Commodore Barry General as 4^th degree Knights of Columbus.

He was a lifetime member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. and served on the honor guard. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and UTC.

Survivors include two sons, Albert H. Eshelbrenner, Jr. and wife Linda, and Richard J. Eshelbrenner; two daughters, Barbara Hagood and husband John, and Rosemary Ballweber and husband Eric; a brother, Robert B. Eshelbrenner and wife Barbara; a sister, Helen Harper; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl, Jack, and Bill Eshelbrenner; four sisters, Betty Scott, Esther Hopkins, Joan Mills, and Mary Sue O’Keefe; a daughter-in-law, Carol Eshelbrenner; a grandson, David Ballweber; and his parents.

The mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 23rd, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Ft. Scott.

Private family burial will take place later in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Monday at the Church with Knights of Columbus service following.

Memorials are suggested to either Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or V.F.W. Post #1165 and 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.

Alpha Louise Culbertson, 59, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday evening, June 17, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Wichita, Kansas. She was born December 31, 1960 in Nevada, Missouri, the daughter of Bennie Curtis and Nettie Ruth (Turner) Culbertson. She married Jonathan Money August 30, 2013.

Alpha attended Fort Scott schools and graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1979. She was not only an incredible mother and friend, she was also a very gifted artist. Alpha worked for the City of Fort Scott as a Codes Enforcement Officer. Her caring nature, positivity and smile were always contagious by those around.

She is survived by daughter, Danielle Cooper of Wichita, Kansas, and sister, Sheila Fox of Arma, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Jessica Arens.

Funeral arrangements for Alpha L. Culbertson are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge and may be sent to, or left in the care of, the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.