Steven Howard Schmidt, affectionately known as Steve to his friends and family, was a beacon of light and love in the lives of all who knew him. Born on March 10, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, Steve’s journey through life was marked by his selfless nature, his quick wit, and his amiable personality. On the serene morning of January 28, 2026, in the peaceful surroundings of Star Valley, Arizona, Steve was called home to the Lord, succumbing to heart failure at the age of 75.

Steve’s early life in Kansas laid a strong foundation for the remarkable man he would become. He was a proud graduate with an MBA in Global Management, which he utilized throughout his dynamic career. His service to our nation as a veteran of the United States Navy was a testament to his patriotism and valor. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Professionally, Steve dedicated most of his career to the oil and gas industry, where his expertise and work ethic were greatly valued. He was also a respected member of the Masonic Lodge, where his brothers in faith held him in high regard for his integrity and fellowship.

Steve was a devoted family man. He is survived by his loving brothers, Ross and Charles Schmidt; his sister, Paula Cochran; and his cherished children, Michelle Brigge, Stephanie Gatz, Scott Schmidt, and Holly Schmidt, from his union with his first wife, the late Marilyn Houston. His second marriage to Nancy Schmidt, also deceased, blessed him with a step-daughter, Corey Gabbert. With his third wife, Tangi Schmidt, he shared a loving home and a step-daughter, Alexis Brooks. His grandchildren—Michael, Aaron, and Lucretia Brigge; Kyla Gatz; Hayden Schmidt; Angelina and Dollie Houston; Christina Gabbert; and Riley Castillo—will carry forward his legacy of kindness and joy. He was also blessed with several great grandchildren.

As a devout Christian, Steve’s faith was the cornerstone of his existence. He walked in the light of God’s love and sought to exemplify Christ’s teachings through his actions and words. His life was a living sermon of compassion and service.

Steve’s zest for life was evident in his diverse interests. An avid outdoorsman, he found solace and excitement in hunting, fishing, and camping. He embraced the freedom of the open road, riding his motorcycle and taking in the beauty of nature. Steve’s love for his four-legged companions, Buster, Maggie, Precious, and Champ, was unparalleled, and they were a source of great joy and comfort throughout his life.

In retirement, Steve’s drive and dedication did not wane. He managed campgrounds and facilities, ensuring that others could enjoy the natural world he so dearly loved. His laughter and friendly demeanor made him a favorite among those he encountered in his work and travels.

Steve Schmidt’s life was a journey of love, service, and adventure. His story does not end with his passing but continues in the hearts of those he touched. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, generosity, and unwavering faith. As we remember Steve, let us celebrate the man who brought us so much joy and who now rests in the eternal embrace of our Heavenly Father.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, February 13th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Military honors will be provided by the US Navy Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 P.M. until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Keith Farley Malone, age 91, passed away on January 31, 2026, at 4:00 AM. He was born March 4, 1934, to Carl and Lillian (Billye) Malone in Pittsburg, KS. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1952, then married Joycelyn Elaine Norris on November 2, 1952.

Keith started plumbing at the age of 20 for his father-in-law at Norris Plumbing in 1954. He later became a partner in 4-Way Plumbing in 1974, then formed Malone Plumbing in 1984. He finally closed the business out in early 2018 at the age of 83.

Keith was an avid sports fan his entire life. He coached Little League baseball for four years and girl’s fast pitch softball for six years when his children were young. He played and sponsored intermural basketball, fast-pitch softball, and slow pitch softball until the age of 60. The family spent most of their leisure time and vacations traveling to support their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids sports activities and tournaments! When he was resting, Keith would be listening or watching the Royals, Chiefs, KU, or one of the local Ft. Scott teams. Beyond organized sports, Keith enjoyed hunting and fishing as well imparting a love for both in his sons.

Keith was an active member of the Church of Christ that met on Margrave St. where he served as a deacon and treasurer for several years. He was an excellent example of faithful attendance and brotherly kindness to all. He loved the community where he grew up and lived his entire life seldom leaving for more than a few days. He was an excellent example to his children and grandchildren demonstrating loyalty, love, and self-sacrifice. He was a good husband, father, and friend to all.

Keith is survived by his three children Brent Malone (Connie), Brandon Malone (Kathy), and Gaynor Crane (Stephen), 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Bill and Nina Norris, sister Karen Heppler (Malone), infant brother Clair Michael Malone, and step-granddaughter Leesa Meree Haehn (Hite).

There was cremation. There will be a joint graveside memorial service for Keith and Joycelyn at 3:30 PM Friday, February 13th at the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either Presbyterian Village or Alsheimer’s Association 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 online at cheneywitt.com.

 Robert Franklin (Bobby) Beal, Sr., age 66, resident of Hesston, KS, died and rejoined his wife Judy Saturday, January 31, 2026, in his home with his granddaughter Breanna Morales and her family.  He was born on December 18, 1959, in Austin, Texas, the son of Olan F. and Audre C. Beal.  Bobby loved watching Paranormal Activity and Bigfoot documentaries.  His favorite things in the world were working on cars, fishing, going ghost hunting in cemeteries with the boys and working on the farm with Uncle Ronny before his passing.  He was also a member of the Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olan F. and Audre C. Beal, his wife, Judy A. Beal, and his sisters Tonia E. Beal, and Katherine D. (Mammy) Howe.

Survivors include his 3 sons, Robert Beal, Jr. (Crystal), Columbus, KS, Robert O. Beal, Mayview, MO, and Dalton Beal, Mayview, MO; 2 daughters, Brandy Garner (Jason) Fort Scott, KS, and Christal Beal (Danny Lagud), Mayview, MO; 3 brothers, Uncle Olan F. (Bud) Beal, Jr. (Janet), Deerfield, KS, Alan L. Beal (Debbie), Mineral Wells, TX, Rusty E. Beal (Donna), Deerfield, MO; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren with 2 on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 7^th, at the West Liberty Cemetery north of Fort Scott.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

John Joseph Shafer, age 79, a former resident of Mapleton, Kansas and more recently of Pleasanton, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at his home. He was born on January 12th, 1947, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Buster and Margaret (Paddock) Shafer. John served with the United States Navy where he was stationed onboard the USS Forrestal. After receiving a medical discharge, John returned to the Kansas City area. With the middle name Joseph and a past that included more than one Mary, John’s journey eventually led him to Jo, whom he married in November of 1978 — the partnership that anchored the rest of his life. He was united in marriage to Arlene Jo Hart on November 10th, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout their marriage, John and Jo lived in several small towns, but Kansas City always kept calling them back until finally in 1993, when they moved to Mapleton, Kansas where they remained until 2023 when they moved to Pleasanton, Kansas. John spent most of his life behind the wheel of a truck. He drove for construction and concrete companies, waste management services and for a short time even drove a school bus, but John was also an entrepreneur at heart. He built his own company Precision Mudjacking and Pressure Grouting where he employed mostly family. John enjoyed old cars, riding motorcycles, watching war documentaries, and spending time with family. Many memories were made at annual Memorial weekends and playing the game Axis & Allies with his family. John even constructed his own oversized game board. He also liked working on woodworking projects with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Jo, of the home; his eight children, Vicki (Herndon) and husband Reinaldo Maldonado of Overland Park, Kansas, Paul and wife Brenda Herndon of Parsons, Kansas, John of Lebanon, Missouri, Tammy (Shafer) Ashwood of Waynesville, Missouri, Sonja (Shafer) and husband Michael Stroble Paola, Kansas, Travis and wife Stacey Shafer of Crescent, Iowa, Crystal (Shafer) and husband Vincent Warren of Winfield, Kansas, Danielle Shafer and partner Eddy Miller of Pleasanton, Kansas; three adopted daughters, Brenda Shafer of Fort Scott, Kansas , Shannon Renee of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri,  and Melissa Bailey also of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Also surviving is a brother, Kevin Michael Shafer and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Buster and Margaret Shafer, his son, Jaime Joe Shafer, a brother, David Lee Shafer, and four grandchildren, Makayla Marie Margaret Shafer, Scott Allen McMannus Jr, Timothy Wayne Shafer, Steven Wayne Brewster.

The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 PM, Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 7^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow at the Mapleton Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Mapleton Park and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

George Thomas “Tom” Hueston, age 76, resident of Mapleton, KS passed away Friday, January 30, 2026, at his home. Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 4th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Uniontown Eagles Shooting Sports and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Robert Dean Griffiths, age 72, a resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri following a brief illness. He was born September 11, 1953, the son of Harold Griffiths and Betty Wunderly Griffiths. Bob grew up on the family farm near Bronaugh where he learned to love farm life and the hard work that came along with that lifestyle. After graduating from Bronaugh High School, Bob married Shanna Ruth Culp on February 15, 1975, at Ft. Scott, Kansas. Bob owned and operated his own trucking company. In earlier years, he drove all over the United States; later he settled into making short runs, hauling cattle and grain. Bob hauled his last load of cattle the day before he became ill. In addition to trucking, Bob also maintained his own farm and cattle operation. He wasn’t afraid of hard work and constantly kept busy tinkering on some sort of project. Bob’s wife, Shanna, passed away on March 4, 2022. After her death, Bob began a relationship with Glenda Leer. Bob and Glenda enjoyed his last years together.

Survivors include his two children, Doug Griffiths (Priscilla) of Fouke, Arkansas and Lisa Peterson (Shane) of Albany, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Emily Workman (Brett), October, Tatum, and Kutter Peterson, Jorja and Barrett Griffiths and Beau Hendershot and three great-grandsons, Jayce and Wade Workman and Augustus Peterson. Also surviving are his dear friend, Glenda, a brother, David Griffiths and two sisters, Carol Claflin and Joyce Agee, several nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Sarah McCully (Les). In addition to his first wife, Shanna, he was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bill Griffiths and a sister-in-law, Sheri Daniels.

Following cremation, a gathering for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday, January 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Bob and Shanna will both be laid to rest at the Worsley Cemetery west of Bronaugh at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Farm Aid 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.

Rose Mary Bailey, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2026, at the Credo Senior Living Center in Fort Scott. She was born March 6, 1930, in Eve, Missouri, the daughter of Joseph Ray Clyburn and Edna Pauline (Weber) Clyburn. She married Arthur Leon Bailey December 18, 1949, in Garland, Kansas, and he preceded her in death on May 29, 2009.

Rose was active in Shriners Mobile Noble and Eastern Star, achieving her 75-year pin in the Topaz Chapter O.E.S. She was secretary of the bowling league, and also enjoyed playing cards.

Survivors include her son, Larry Bailey, of Fort Scott; her daughter Debra Holt and husband Randy, also of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Justin Bailey, Jeremy Bailey, Ryan Bailey, Clint Holt, Ross Holt, and Haley Fry; twelve great-grandchildren, Dakota, Trevor, and Brayden Bailey, Madison Brothers, Shelby Bailey, Myla and Dani Bailey, Julian and Mara Fry, Rhys Holt, Knox and Eastyn Holt; two great-great-grandchildren, Kinzer and Colyns Brothers. In addition to her husband Arthur, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Margie Martin, and three brothers, Earl Clyburn, Joe Clyburn, and Donald “Bill” Clyburn.

Graveside services have been postponed due to weather. Memorial contributions may be made to Care To Share or Shriner’s Hospital and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

DEATH NOTICE

Jason Thomas Buffington, age 53, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS. There was cremation. Memorial services will be announced at a later date by the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Esther Mae Marsh, age 80, resident of Fort Scott, KS and formerly Bronson, KS, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.

Due to expected severe weather, the funeral service is delayed a week to 1:00 PM Saturday, January 31st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Cremation will follow.  Memorials are suggested to Medicalodge Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Katherine Lorraine (Harkness) Wynn, age 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by members of her family, on January 17, 2026, in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Lorraine was born in Prescott, Kansas, on August 26, 1937, to Lawrence Phillips and Lille (Buchanan) Phillips. She was raised in Prescott, Kansas, where she graduated from Prescott High School and later received her degree in cosmetology from Stewart Beauty Academy in Topeka, Kansas.

Lorraine was married to K. W. Harkness for 40 years. They had four children and loved taking trips in the family camper and on Honda Goldwing motorcycles. K. W. and Lorraine eventually traveled the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks on a motorcycle. K. W. Harkness preceded her in death on May 24, 1995.

Lorraine married Ronnie Wynn on November 2, 2001, and they were married for almost 25 years. They enjoyed going on several cruises with her family and traveling across Kansas with Ron’s grandchildren.

Lorraine had several occupations during her life. She started as a beautician but soon worked in the family business painting and hanging wallpaper. She always said her most important career was being a housewife and mother. She liked collecting recipes and enjoyed cooking for her family. Some family favorites included homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, noodles, sugar cookies, ginger cookies, and raisin pie. She always made elaborately decorated cakes for family birthdays and even made wedding cakes for family and friends.

Lorraine loved Jesus and her family. She would do anything for her children. She loved her church family and was especially happy when she settled in Fort Scott, where she could attend Grace Baptist Tabernacle, and raise her children.

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Wynn; three children, Angela Mae (Harkness) Russell and husband Rick of Arkansas, Shawna Lorraine Harkness of Fort Scott, and Jarett Stanton (Stan) Harkness and wife Deana of Texas; two stepchildren, Jeremy Wynn and wife Stanna of Colorado, and Julie Patton and husband T. C. of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by beloved cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, K. W. Harkness; her son, Kevin Harkness; and two sisters, Irene Paddock and Ladeen (Vaughn) Poole.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 22nd at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery in Prescott, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the International Waldenstrom’s Macrogloblinemia Foundation 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.

Esther Mae Marsh, age 80, resident of Fort Scott, KS and formerly Bronson, KS, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. She was born on September 22, 1945, in Iola, KS, the daughter of Claude Charles Bennett and Goldie Mae Dunbar Bennett. Esther was raised on the family farm northwest of Iola. She attended Carpenter country school and later graduated from Iola high school with the class of 1963.

Esther worked for SEKAN Printing for over 30 years. She married Clifton Carl Marsh in 1981 in Fort Scott KS. He preceded her in death on July 18, 2025. She enjoyed sewing, making quilts, flowers, gardening and all things outdoors. She loved listening to classic country music.

Survivors include a son, Ted Sutterby, Linn Valley, KS, a daughter, Audra Peterson (Les), Highlands, NC; 4 grandchildren, Luke, Gregory, Joshua, and Emily; 4 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Chester Bennett, Buffalo, KS, and Lester Bennett, Colony, KS; a sister, Mary Evans, Yates Center, KS; a sister-in-law Margaret Bennett, Humboldt, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Vincent Marsh, a brother, Webster Bennett, and her parents.

Pastor Jeff Feagins will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow. Memorials are suggested to Medicalodge Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.