Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Paul Schnichels

Paul David Schnichels, age 68, a resident of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at the Midland Care Hospice in Topeka.

He was born June 21, 1951, in Cautemoc, Mexico.  He and his three siblings were adopted by Elfie M. Schnichels, a Baptist missionary.

Growing up, Paul attended a country school and went to Junior High in Ft. Scott.

He enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and swimming.

Paul was naturalized at the federal building in Ft. Scott, Kansas on May 3, 1963.

Paul enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1969.  He served aboard the destroyer USS Henderson.  He served in a hostile fire zone in the South China Sea, the Tonkin Gulf and patrolled the coast of North Vietnam.  Paul served under the Johnson and Nixon administrations.  He earned four medals and a letter of commendation.  Paul was honorably discharged in 1975.

Paul attended Ft. Scott Community College from 1973-1974.

He had several jobs including being a farm hand for four years.  He was a station attendant at the Derby Station in Ft. Scott.  He also made aluminum frames for Extrusions and Peerless.  Paul was active at the VA where he enjoyed volleyball, handball, lifting weights, ping pong, cards and chess.  He also enjoyed cars, listening to music and had a lot of girlfriends.  Paul was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about history, English, God and the Bible.

Paul struggled with mental health issues and was in treatment for mental illness for forty-five years.  After struggling with alcoholism, Paul stopped drinking in 1986.

Paul had a strong faith as a Baptist Christian for Christ.  He was converted in a jailhouse in August of 1971 and was baptized in 2000 at Emanuel Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

Paul had a godly mother and loved the Lord.  He will be glad when he sees the Lord face to face.

 

Survivors include his mother, Elfie Schnichels, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and two sisters, Rose Brown and Linda Wurtz.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Schnichels.

 

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct a private funeral service on Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Emanuel Baptist Church 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.

Obituary of Carolyn J. Stancer

Carolyn Jean Stancer, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

She was born May 15, 1953, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Wayne Cash and Wilma Leona Hillman Cash.

Carolyn married Kevin E. Stancer on August 24, 1974, at Ft. Scott.

In earlier years, Carolyn had worked for both Great West and Lincoln National Insurance Companies.  Carolyn has worked the last several years at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott.

 

Survivors include her husband, Kevin, and her son, Terry Tarter, both of Ft. Scott; two brothers, Tommy Cash of Boston, Massachusetts and Everett Cash of Wichita, Kansas and a sister, Evelyn Page, of Windsor, Missouri.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Nick and Alex Nuzum whom she helped raise and her beloved dog, Spike.

 

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.  A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Obituary of Michael Johnson

Michael "Pookie" Louis Johnson

Michael Louis “Pookie” Johnson, age 69, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at his home.

He was born October 18, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Donald Leroy Walker and Mary Louise Johnson.

He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He then attended Ft. Scott Community College and later attended Baker University on a football scholarship. He had worked for several years for Bourbon County. Pookie loved spending time with his family and playing cards with his friends.

Survivors include three sisters, Joyce Johnson, Glenda Kimani, and Diana Johnson, all of Ft. Scott and a special cousin, Cadillac McNack, also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Janice Ray and Barbara Wilburn and two infant brothers.

Private burial will take place on Friday, May 29th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Michael Johnson 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.

Obituary of Susan Schnichels

Susan Kay Schnichels, age 68, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Yates Center Health and Rehab in Yates Center, KS.

She was born on September 18, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald and Betty Powell Wiggans.

She married Paul Morris, Sr. in 1974. They later divorced. She married Mark Schnichels on January 4, 1980. He preceded her in death on February 6, 2007.

Susan worked for Tri-Valley Developmental Center for 10 years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Paul Morris, Jr., Ft. Scott; 3 daughters, Brandi Johnson, Yates Center; Kayla Schnichels, Ft. Scott, and Kara Schnichels, Pittsburg, KS; a step son, Mark Schnichels, Ft. Scott; 3 step daughers, Annette Blevins, Colorado, Frankie Kimmel, Iowa, and Sara Schnichels, Ft. Scott; her mother, Betty Wiggans, Ft. Scott; a sister, Carla Fowler and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; one brother, William Wiggans and wife Amy, Ft. Scott; 17 grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Wiggans; 2 sisters, Mary Sampson and Dawnie Sharp; a granddaughter, Mia Johnson; and her father.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to 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.

Obituary of Nadyne Walker

Nadyne Marie Walker, age 92, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her home.

She was born August 25, 1927, in Uniontown, KS, the daughter of Herbert and Beulah Neth Holt. She graduated from Uniontown high school with the class of 1946.

She married Don Walker on April 28, 1963, in Uniontown.

He preceded in death in 2000.

 Nadyne worked for Western Insurance Company for several years. She then worked in the office for Key Industries for 38 years. She was a member of the Community Christian Church and more recently attended Rinehart Christian Church in Richards, MO.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth Campbell and wife Vicki, Flora, IL; a stepdaughter, Donna Wray and husband Harry, Columbia, MO; 2 granddaughters Nichole McFarland and Lisa Sampley; 2 step-grandsons; 1 step-granddaughter; numerous nephews and 1 niece; and special friend Jim Henning.

Besides her husband Don, she was preceded in death by a nephew, Brad Holt; a brother, George Holt; and a sister, Marilyn Brown.

There was cremation.

Private burial will take place in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to Rinehart Christian Church 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.

Obituary of Shelly Guder Collier

Shelly Kay Guder Collier, age 47, a resident of rural Bronson, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at the home of her parents in rural Bronson.

She was born August 14, 1972, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Russell R. Guder and Wanda D. Carson Guder. Shelly graduated from Uniontown High School and Allen County Community College.

She married Marc Collier. They later divorced.

Shelly had been employed by F. & S. Supply in Iola for seventeen years. She later worked for Herff Jones. and Twin Motors. She enjoyed camping and cutting wood.

Survivors include her son, Joe Collier, of Bronson and her parents, Russell and Wanda Guder, also of Bronson; a granddaughter, Nova Julian and a sister, Windy Ballinger. Also surviving is her long-time companion, Troy Driscoll.

Private services with burial in the Bronson Cemetery will take place on Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) 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.

Obituary of Lynette Renee

 

Lynette Renee Vann, age 55, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.

She was born July 28, 1964, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald and Joann Nelson Vann.

She worked cleaning for area businesses prior to her disability. Lynette enjoyed listening to music, watching classic movies, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her companion of 30 years, Rick Petrechko, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Vanessa Willard, Ft. Scott; a son, E.J. Willard, Omaha, NE; her mother, Joann Vann, Ft. Scott; a sister, Marsha Vann, Ft. Scott; a brother, Keith Vann, Ft. Scott; an aunt, Kathryn Hopkins, Ft. Scott; and five grandchildren, Devonte, G.G., Kordae, Dezziona, and Kamdyn.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Private family burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to 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.

Obituary of Susan Large Brown

Susan Lynn Brown, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died late Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at her home.

She was born December 12, 1954, in Wichita, KS, the daughter of Merle Eugene and Dorothy Wiley Large.

She married James Michael Brown on July 18, 1974, in Fort Scott.

Susan worked for several years in claims processing for American States insurance Company and others. She later worked as a secretary for Mid Continental Restoration.

She enjoyed crocheting, bingo, fishing and helping with the family annual Christmas light display. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Jim of the home; a daughter, Lori Brown, Ft. Scott; her mother, Dorothy Hofman, Ft. Scott; three brothers, Curtis Large, Meredosia, IL, Charles Large, Meredosia, IL, and Fredrick Large, Ft. Scott; three sisters, Dianna Brown, Kenney, IL, Joyce Mills, Houston, TX, and Eugena Surratt, Meredosia, IL; three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Christopher and Michael Moore; and grandmother, Enid Large, Ft. Scott.

She was preceded in death by a son, Aaron Brown; a brother, Thomas Large; and her father.

There was cremation. A private memorial service will be held. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Eugene McClelllan

Eugene A. McClellan, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2020, at his home.
He was born January 12, 1941, in Council Grove, Kansas, the son of Julius Eugene McClellan and Beulah Martin McClellan.
  Gene graduated from the Wilsey, Kansas High School and later served for two years with the Kansas Army National Guard.
 In the 1970’s, Mid-Western Distribution brought Gene to Ft. Scott, Kansas.
He married Julie Simmons Hutchison on November 18, 1978; they had two children together.
Gene later worked for both RC and Coca-Cola Companies.
Gene and Julie began their own upholstery business, Gene’s Upholstery, in 1983.
Gene was an avid fisherman and enjoyed visiting with his many friends and fishing buddies.  He was a past member of the Lions Club, the Elks Lodge and the First Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Julie, of the home; seven children, Brenda Pense (Jim) of Yelm, Washington, Trisha Heston (Doug), of Scottsdale, Arizona, Rick McClellan (Teresa), New Bloomfield, Missouri, Chuck McClellan (Tina), of Quemado, New Mexico, Cheryl McClellan, Josh McClellan (Rechelle), of Nevada, Missouri and Matt McClellan (Star), of Ft. Scott, Kansas; two step-children, Daren Hutchison (Kristen) and Jill Durbin (Jesse), all of Ft. Scott, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are three brothers, Harold McClellan (Debbie), of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Larry McClellan (Gail), of Billings, Montana and Randy McClellan, of Olathe, Kansas and two sisters, Cheryl Hunley (Wayne) and Carol McClellan, all of Olathe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gary McClellan and two sisters, Sue Ann McClellan who died in infancy and Judy Swanson.
There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.  Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, Integrity Hospice or the Diabetes 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.

Obituary of Mary Barrett Irvin

Mary Barrett Irvin, 2019
Mary Barrett, 1944.

Mary Barrett Irvin, 99, of Fort Scott, formerly of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2020, at her home in Presbyterian Village. She was born in Murdock, Minnesota, on August 1, 1920 to Agnes and Earl Barrett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six of her eight siblings, and Willis Hugh Irvin, her husband of 74 years.

Mary graduated from St. Cloud, Minnesota School of Business, moving to San Francisco to work as a secretary during the war.

There she met Hugh while his ship was in the Navy yard. They were married on June 19, 1945, before her new husband left to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After his discharge the nationwide adventure began. Mary and Hugh lived in 11 states, adding three children along the way- Roger in Florida, David in Omaha, and Barbara in New Jersey.

Mary and Hugh retired to Rogers, Arkansas, in l981 from Fairfax, Virginia. She was active as a volunteer at St. Mary’s hospital, St. Vincent De Paul church and Meals on Wheels. She belonged to Roger’s Friendship Club and enjoyed playing bridge.

Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott was home since 2013. There she was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Church.

Mary was dedicated to Hugh, her family and the many friends they made over the years as they moved across the country. Together they embraced square dancing in Texas, both making fast friends and Mary making the costumes. She pursued new places and relationships with equal interest.

Mary grew up in the difficult time of the great depression and she became strong and confident in her ability to succeed. It was hard, if not impossible, to win an argument with her.

 

She managed the family’s business with the organization and efficiency of a CEO—overseeing multiple moves, setting up a dozen different homes, managing the finances, helping her kids through college.

Hard work never deterred her. Mary was a problem solver who rarely failed to find a solution to issues that others didn’t know they had.

She will be remembered as a talented seamstress, furniture refinisher, decorator, painter, and lifelong volunteer to friends, relatives, and her community. She excelled at many things and wouldn’t submit to any praise.

Her presence remains in the good works she left behind.

Mary is survived by two sons, Roger (Susan) of Monroe, Oregon, and David (Janet) of Fort Scott, Kansas; a daughter, Barbara Irvin (Bruce Mayer) of Madison, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Patrick Irvin (Jarita), Christopher Irvin (Annie Brice), both of Oregon, Kelly Irvin and Betsy Philipp (Nick), both of Kansas; and six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Henry, Jack and Shail Irvin of Oregon and Barrett and Theo Philipp of Kansas. Surviving siblings are two Barrett brothers: Gerome of Melrose, Minnesota, and Patrick (Kay) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Integrity Hospice for their extraordinarily kind and attentive care of Mary over the last few months and Presbyterian Village staff for their compassionate support over many years.

Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Presbyterian Village of Fort Scott Good Samaritan Fund.

Contributions 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 to the family may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Leasha Galvis

Leasha Renee Galvis, 47, of Olathe, Kansas passed away, Monday, May 11, 2020 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born the daughter of Loretta Hall August 26, 1972 in Pittsburg, Kansas. She married John A. Galvis on September 26, 2003 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he survives of the home.

Leasha graduated from Uniontown High School in 1990 as the class Salutatorian and was in the National Honor Society, she graduated from Pittsburg State University in the Honors Program and received her Master’s Degree from Kansas State University. She worked for Searles Valley Minerals in International Sales and was proficient at Bilingual Translation. She was a member of the Indian Creek Community Church.

Leasha had a special way of bringing, giving, & sharing joy to those who knew her. She was deeply, deeply loved by her family here in the United States and Colombia, South America.

In addition to her husband, John, she is survived by her parents, Loretta and Dale Arnold of Fort Scott, 2 brothers, Troy Arnold of Fort Scott and Trenton Arnold of North Platt, Nebraska, five sisters, Tami Cassell-Shirley of Fort Scott, Kansas, Sandra Galvis of Bogota, Colombia, Luz Galeano of Lenexa, Didi Vincent of Andover, Kansas, and Katie Klein of St. Louis, Missouri as well as several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Funeral Services will be private and burial will be in the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Scott, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The Family suggests memorials to “Care To Share”, donations 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.

Obituary of Weldon Roberts

Weldon Blake Roberts, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.  He was born June 8, 1952, the son of James P. Roberts and Waneda Alberta Blake Roberts.  Weldon had served with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.  He later served with the Kansas Army National Guard.  He married Marlene Elliott in March of 1980.  He had been employed by Craft Fabricators in Ft. Scott for several years.

 

Survivors include his wife, Marlene, of the home; two children Mitchell Roberts and Janelle Roberts and two grandchildren, Kandi and Isabel Rodriguez, all of Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are three sisters, Rowena Jahansouz, Rhonda Spears and Brenda Moser.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James and Ronald Roberts and two sisters, Deborah Silvers and Linda Roberts.

 

There was cremation.  Burial with military honors will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.