After a 2-week hospital stay with an unconfirmed diagnosis, Todd Spencer Woodward, a 2003 Fort Scott High School Graduate, died on December 1, 2021, in Auburn, Washington. Todd was born to Barbara Doherty Woodward and John Spencer Woodward in Ocean Springs, Mississippi on July 26^th, 1984. Todd was proceeded in death by his father John “Woody,” his grandparents Margaret and John Woodward, and Delores and Bernard Doherty.

He is survived by his mother Barbara Doherty Woodward, of Fort Scott and his sister Amber Woodward Benzabeh and husband Adam Benzabeh of Westfork Arkansas. He is also survived by 16 Aunts and Uncles and 35 first cousins, as well as many, many friends who loved him.

After graduation, Todd attended college for a while and then moved to Orlando, Florida where he worked as an Audio/Visual Technologist for conventions all over the country in various venues. Covid effectively cancelled all conventions, so in Dec. 2020, Todd decided to follow his lifelong dream of living in the Pacific Northwest where his family had spent some very wonderful times. He was pursuing new career opportunities in Coding and Stock Brokerage there when he became unexpectedly ill on Nov. 20th. He lost his battle to his undefined illness after 2 weeks in the hospital.

Todd grew up in Vancleave, Mississippi, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas before moving to Fort Scott, his mother’s hometown, in 1995. His generous and gentle spirit was evident in the way he treated people. To his mother’s dismay, sometimes he would often give his things away if someone else needed them more. His empathy extended to animals. He rescued kittens, puppies, turtles, and even fish that had floated onto shore after a flood. He called a humane society to help save a heron that was sick at a hotel conference where he was working, and spent thousands to save his elderly Husky.

From an early age Todd was skillful in all sports until an injury at 12 years old prevented him from running.

He then turned his talent to electronical sciences, music, and photography. Todd was a gifted pool player as well as a musician, playing the guitar, saxophone, and piano by ear. He learned the lyrics to thousands of songs by heart.

Anyone in need could count on Todd. When his father and grandmother became ill, he stayed up all night, by their side, until the moment they passed. Todd was too good to leave this world so soon, but he left us with an incredible legacy of how to live a selfless life. He was the very best of us. We will miss his big bear hugs and quick wit.

Due to the nearness of the Holidays and difficult travel weather possible, a Memorial Service for Todd will be held in the Spring at a time and place in Fort Scott, Kansas, to be determined in the future. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Scott.

Although Todd did not have cancer, donations in his name are requested for Care to Share in Fort Scott (in appreciation for the care they gave both his Father and Mother) or to an Animal Shelter of donor’s choice. Memorial contributions for Care to Share 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.

Leslie “David” “Dee” George was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on December 23, 2021. He was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on December 30, 1942. He graduated from Uniontown High School and Pittsburg State University. He married the love of his life Barbara Irene Davis on June 3, 1962, and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2018. He worked for Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, OK for 28 years. He moved back to Uniontown and worked the next 28 years for Agricultural Engineering Associates in Uniontown, KS.

He was a loyal husband, dad, papa, brother, uncle, employee, and friend. He lived out his marriage vow “til death do us part” in his devotion to Barbara by sitting with her for hours, daily at the nursing home till her death. He loved to work hard and play hard, but he loved his family the most. His motto was “go big or go home!” He was the best Papa by traveling all over for sporting events, plays, or whatever the grandkids were involved in.

He is survived by his daughters Debra Thomas and husband Chad of Bartlesville, OK, daughter Susan (George) Dunkleberger and husband Scott of Edmond, OK; 3 granddaughters Emily and husband Danny of Tulsa, OK; Megan of Bartlesville, OK and Sydney of Edmond, OK and 3 grandsons Davis of Norman, OK, Tyler of Edmond, OK and Noah of Bartlesville, OK. Brothers “Skeet” George, Clare George, John George and wife Mindy, “Bugs” George and wife Mary Ellen, and Joe George and wife Loretta of the Uniontown area; sisters Janie Chisholm of Wichita, KS and “Tues” Andrews and husband Joe of Gas City, KS; numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews (almost too many to count!) In addition to his wife Barbara, he was also preceded in death by his parents, Les and Pauline (Buntain) George; brother Marion George; and several in-laws.

Pastor Ed Sneed will conduct funeral services at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the First Church of God in Fort Scott, Kansas. The Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God and 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.

Leslie David George, 78, of Uniontown, passed away Thursday evening, December 23, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services for David George will be Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the First Church of God in Fort Scott, Kansas.

The Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First Church of God and 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.

Mary Irene “Sug” Beckford, 90, formerly of Fulton, Ks. passed away Thursday morning, December 23, 2021 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. Funeral arrangements for Mary “Sug” Beckford are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Harold A. West, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born August 30, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Homer and Bessie West.

Harold proudly served our country in the Army in Vietnam.

He was an avid bowler in his younger years and could play pinocle for hours. His favorite board game was Wahoo where he told everyone their best play then moved their marble for them.

He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, junking, and working on small engines.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Harold retired from Extrusions after working many years.

He didn’t know a stranger and was always willing to help friends and family.

He will be missed by many.

Survivors include his wife Jolene of 59 years; two sons, Harold Allen West(Shaun), and John West (Susan); a daughter, Cindy Brubaker (Troy); two sisters, Hazel Spielman and Cheryl West; grandchildren Christina West, Kylee Thomas, Jordan West, Jayden West, Bryon West, Angel Brazeal (Patrick), Joshua West, Brandon West, Aaron West, and Anthony Bauder (Mia); as well as great grandchildren, Nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carl West, and Ron Lee West; two sisters, Hester Forrester, and Joan Bailey; and a daughter Kay Ratzlaff.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 23^rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Honor Guard.

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

Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. Post #1165 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.

Rachel Marie Hall, age 52, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, at her home. She was born June 17, 1969, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Harvey Wayne Hall and Barbara Louise Taylor Hall. Rachel enjoyed listening to music and spending time with her family and friends. She was also a great fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. Rachel will be remembered for her fantastic fried chicken.

Survivors include her three children, Brandon Hall (Jodi Clayton), Jacklyn Colvin (Micah Davis) and Kenny Meek (Brandy Meek) all of Ft. Scott and nine grandchildren, Nevaeh Davis, Josephine Davis, Cora Davis, Katie Meek, Erica Grewing, Kylie Higgins, Elizabeth Higgins, Jason Johnson and Ashlin Williams and a great-grandson, Malachi Chamberlin. Also surviving are her mother, Barbara Underwood, of Ft. Scott; and three sisters, Tammy Underwood, of Garland, Kansas, Linda Wiggans and Cheryl Hawkins, both of Ft. Scott, numerous nieces and nephews and a special friend, Don Shorter.

Rev. Kevin Moyes will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Monday, December 20^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following services, there will be cremation.

The family will receive friends on Monday from Noon until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Rachel Hall Memorial Fund 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.

James Brett Dawson, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, December 13, 2021, at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission, KS. He was born January 9, 1956, in Kansas City, KS, the son of James “Jim” and Patricia Placke Dawson.

Brett enjoyed the Old West. He studied the history, did reenactments with the Border Creek Raiders, and acted in documentaries, movies, and a commercial. He met many interesting people in the industry. Brett recently found his passion in life teaching woodshop for Iola High School and CTE Construction for Neosho Community College.

He had a soft heart for all animals, especially horses. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, often playing pranks on them. Brett was a man of God willing to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife Debra of the home; 7 children, Amy Welch (Scott), Matt Dawson, Shawna Ivy (Milton), Hali Dawson, Brande Molina (Aaron), Victoria Wright, and Shelbi Neel; 15 grandchildren, Kalli, Kooper, Kinley, Karly, Dayton, Broc, Elisha, Alexis, Cameron, Arianna, Josie, JayJay, Jaymi, Kyng, and Kilo; a brother, Jeff Dawson; and a sister, Terri Diaz.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kalli Welch, a bother-in-law, Chris Wright, and his parents.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Friday Evening, December 17^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 Sunday afternoon January 9^th, at the First Baptist Church in Mound City, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Brett Dawson Scholarship 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.

Scott Lee Ehnes, of Stover, Missouri passed away Sunday morning, December 5, 2021, at the home of his aunt Jane Lacy, in Lathrop, Missouri. He was born July 8, 1960, in Cheyenne, Wyoming the son of Steven and Shirley Allene (Steely) Ehnes.

Scott served in the U.S. Army from 1977 until 1979. He worked as an industrial welder.

In addition to his aunt Jane, Scott is survived by his three sons, Scott, Jeremy, and Andrew; two sisters, Sharon Ann Wingert of Golden City, Missouri, and Susan Lucy Wilske, of Olathe, Kansas, and two brothers, Steven Lawrence Ehnes, and Stanley “Nick” Ehnes, both of Lebanon, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, Dennis Wright.

Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Military Honors will be presented by the US Army Funeral Honors Detail, Fort Riley, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Ruby D. Hixon (86) recently of Franklin, TN peacefully departed this world on November 30, 2021. She was born Ruby Drucilla Bowen to James Andrew and Bertha Marie on March 29, 1935, in Deerfield, MO. She was married to William K. (Bill) Hixon on August 30, 1952. The Bill and Ruby team became true entrepreneurs who cultivated several successful businesses, the most notable being Style Rite Furniture. They purchased a failing furniture store in Aurora, CO and with their business acumen, hard work, and determination, built it into a prosperous enterprise. But they were both from the heartland and decided that Fort Scott was where they wanted to raise their sons. So, in 1968, they bought a dilapidated barn on the south side of town and converted it into what we all knew as the Furniture Barn. After a couple more decades in business at that location, they retired and enjoyed several years of traveling the country in their motorhome. But their hometown, Fort Scott, again called to them and they settled once again on Lake Fort Scott. Then Bill’s love for the Rocky Mountains drew them to find homes in the mountains but Ruby’s love of warm weather and golf sent them to Bella Vista, AR. Ruby lost her beloved husband of 55 years in 2007 and had difficulty finding her “forever” home until moving to the Nashville, TN area to be near her middle son, Mitch, and daughter-in-law, Lyn who lovingly watched over her until her passing.

Ruby is survived by her sons Mark (Mary Misasi), Mitch (Lyn Eshelbrenner), and Mike (Sherri Ruby), five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and her sister, Emma Frederick of Bella Vista, AR.

A celebration of her life will be held on December 17, 2021, at the Cheney Witt Funeral Home in Fort Scott, KS. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a memorial service from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. The family will attend a gravesite service at the Fort Scott National Cemetery where Ruby will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Bill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to one of Ruby’s favorite causes: macular degeneration disease research. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.