Justin Dean Hersh, age 45, a resident of Overland Park, KS passed away unexpectedly Thursday, February 8, 2024, at his home. He was born February 10, 1978, in Fort Scott, KS. to Jack D. Hersh and Ann (Cook) Hersh. He graduated from FSHS with the class of 1996, and then attended Kansas State University with degrees in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources.

He is survived by his parents Leon and Ann Stark; sisters, Lisa Young, Amy Major (Mark); nephews, Jacob Major (Logan) and Alex Major; niece, Monica Hampton; aunt, Diann Tucker (Raymond), uncle, Garry Cook (Karen); and several cousins. He loved his constant companion, his dog, Lemmy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Hersh; paternal grandparents, Paul and Evelyn Hersh, Cecil and Marie Stark; and maternal grandparents, Amos and Alberta Cook.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, family gatherings, and K-State friends get togethers. He was an avid K-State Wildcat and Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, February 16^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to either Community Christian Church or Fort Scott High School Scholarship 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.

Keith E. Gibson, age 89, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024, at his home.  He was born March 31, 1934, in Mount Ayir, Iowa, the son of George Gibson and Violet Rowena Newman Gibson.

Keith served with the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956.  Following his military service, he married Barbara Stuckey on September 29, 1957, at Porterville, California.  He had worked for several years in the roofing business.  Keith will be remembered as a quiet man who could fix almost anything.  He especially enjoyed motorcycles and dune buggies, watching football and reading western novels.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; two sons, Randy Gibson and wife Julie, of Alpine, California and Russ Gibson and wife, Jill of Gentry, Arkansas; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are three brothers and a sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.

Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice 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.

Brenda Sue Hathaway, age 66, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at her home.  She was born July 8, 1957, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Leon Moore and Donna Hall Moore.

Brenda married David Hathaway on May 26, 1984, at Mapleton, Kansas.  Brenda never knew a stranger and loved meeting new people.  She worked in food service for both USD #234 in Ft. Scott as well as Country View Nursing Home in Prescott.  Her outgoing personality also led to a career in sales.  Brenda worked in the cell phone industry for several years.  Her success in this business gave her the opportunity to take numerous trips throughout the United States.

Brenda loved her family and wanted us all to remember, “When you have someone you love in Heaven, you have a little bit of Heaven in your home.”

Survivors include her husband, David, of the home; her children, Kyle Hathaway (Shannon), Rhonda Cole (Ben), Rachel Thompson, and Angela Carpenter (Jeff) all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Kyler Clampitt, Kaylyn Hathaway, Blaine Hathaway, Laryn Schnichels (Kyle), Hayden Cole (Madison), Nicolette Carpenter and Dalton Carpenter; six great-grandchildren, Cason, Colbi, Jace, Addy, Cohen and Spencer.  Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Patty Hathaway of Ft. Scott and Bertha Valdivia of Topeka, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

Brenda was preceded in death by two sons, Kenny and Clinton Clampitt, her parents, Frank and Donna Moore, two brothers, David and Lonnie Moore, mother-in-law, Helen Hathaway, and brother-in-law, William Hathaway.

There was cremation.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Wednesday, February 14^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the Barnesville Cemetery east of Fulton, Kansas.

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.

Joann Delores Vann, age 82 a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away, Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Fort Scott. She was born September 7, 1941 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Anthony Nelson and Helen Turk Nelson.

She married Donald Vann, they had three children, Marsha Vann, Keith Vann and Lynette Vann.

Joann worked for 3M in Nevada, Missouri for over 20 years. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping and fishing. Joann also loved to go and watch her grandkids and great-grandkids participate in sporting events. The last several years she enjoyed going with her friends to play bingo.

Survivors include her two children, Marsha Vann and Keith Vann and wife Sherry, both of Fort Scott; two brothers, Robert Nelson, and Ricky Nelson, four sisters, Katherine Hopkins, Barbra Cruikshank, Rosemary Bradley, and Victoria Nelson; grandchildren, Tarrell Vann, and wife Erin, of Fort Scott, Darvin Willard and wife Amy, of Paola, Kansas, Trever Vann, of Fort Scott, E. J. Willard, of Omaha, Nebraska, Vanessa Willard, of Fort Scott, Kayla Woody, of Fort Scott, Heather Jackson, of Uniontown, Kansas, Sabrina Jackson, of Colony Kansas, and Greg Jackson of Wichita, Kansas; 30 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents,  a daughter, Lynette Vann, brother, Anthony Nelson, Jr., and a sister Carol Ford.

Rev. George Proctor will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 8^{th, 2024} at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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, Fort. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Sharon Kay Mauck, age 77, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  She was born December 26, 1946, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Kenneth Lee Peterson, Sr. and Marie Elizabeth Judy Peterson.

Sharon graduated from Ft. Scott Christian Heights with the Class of 1964.  She went on to graduate from Ft. Scott Junior College.  She married Raymond Weston Mauck on June 14, 1968, at Ft. Scott.

Sharon gave her life to Christ at an early age and did her best to serve Him throughout her lifetime.  Following their marriage, Ray and Sharon went to the mission field and served fourteen years in Jamaica.  After returning to Ft. Scott, she worked as the secretary at Ft. Scott Christian Heights and later did clerical work at Mercy Hospital and then Great West/Cigna.  After retirement, Sharon worked part-time for Midwest Hearing Aids.

Sharon was an active member of the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).  She and Ray served as children’s pastors for over thirty years where they had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with numerous young people.  She was also an avid supporter of Ft. Scott Chrisitan Heights.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoyed doing embroidery, reading and tending to her flowers.  Sharon loved her family and faithfully looked after her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her husband, Ray, of the home; her daughter, Amber Reeves of Ft. Scott; two granddaughters, Allie and Erika and three great-grandchildren, Micah, Roman and Olivia.  Also surviving are her father, Kenneth Peterson, Sr. of Ft. Scott; two brothers, Kenneth “Sonny” Peterson, Jr. (Betty) of Ft. Scott and Rodney Peterson (Heather) of Belleville, Ontario, Canada, three sisters, Pat Harris (Jim) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Marilyn Cornell (Bob) of Ft. Scott and Melinda Teed (Rick) of Kallispell, Montana; and in-laws, Marjorie Rice of Claremore, Oklahoma and Larry Mauck (Joann) of Eldorado Springs, Missouri as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Peterson.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 9^th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Peterson Memorial Fund at Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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.

Connie Sue Raymond, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at her home.  She was born November 10, 1960, in Paola, Kansas, the daughter of Jess Warren Edwards and Shirley Jean Thatcher Edwards.  She married David Hayes on June 10, 2008, in Ft. Scott.

Connie was disabled due to a car accident she had as a youth.  This same accident took the lives of her mother and older brother.  She was a woman of faith and was proud of her Cherokee heritage.  Connie enjoyed crocheting and spending time on her computer.  She was currently doing an online Bible study.

Survivors include her husband, David Hayes of the home.  She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.  Memorials are suggested to the Connie Raymond 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.

Susan Elaine McClure, age 72, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went home to her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.  Susan was born to Raymond Roy Bassett and Virginia Bassett on April 21, 1951.  As a young girl, Susan enjoyed playing softball where she played first base.  She was a good seamstress and loved to sew.  As much as she loved to sew, she hated to dust and was often teased about it by her sister.  Susan graduated high school in 1969.  She married Kenneth Ray McClure on June 26, 1970.  To this union, three children were born, Bryan, Aimee and Amber.  One of Susan’s joys was attending as many of her grandchildren’s school activities as possible.  She could be seen sitting in the stands at football, basketball and even wrestling events.  Susan was also an avid collector of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.  Susan loved getting out and having an occasional girl’s day with her sister.  The day usually included a manicure and pedicure, visiting flea markets, and enjoying a piece of pie.  Everyone who knew her knew how much she loved God.  Susan was known for her card ministry and collecting magazines to give to the shut-ins.  Susan was looking forward to attending her granddaughter’s wedding in August and her other two granddaughters’ graduations in May.

Survivors include a son, Bryan McClure of the home; two daughters, Aimee McClure of Ft. Scott and Amber Goodbody and husband, Ryan, also of Ft. Scott; one sister, Nancy Orton and husband, Mike, of Joplin, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Debbie McClure of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Macayla, Emma and fiancé, Jeremiah, Brittany, Skyler, KW and Tristen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers and a grandchild.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 2^nd at the Community Christian Church.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Stroke 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

Patsy D. Sanders, age 86, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at her home. She was born April 9, 1937, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Coleman Eden and Belva Edwards Eden. She married Willis Orville Sanders. Patsy had worked as a jewelry associate at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott for many years. After her retirement from Wal-Mart, she provided babysitting
services out of her home. Patsy loved to play Bingo and travel.

Survivors include two children, Pam Owenby (Russell) of Deerfield, Missouri and Greg Sanders of Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Jamye Coffman (Tom), Patricia Brake, Kallie Stowe (Killian), Drew Howlingcrane, Brandon Owenby (Meghan) and Dani Owenby; twelve great-grandchildren, Brady, Sawyer and Sabrina
Coffman, Sami and Abi Rhynerson, Daniel, Darbi and David Brake, Oliver and Archer Stowe and Braxlynn and Memphis Owenby and a great-great-grandson, Ryker.

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Shannon Sanders, a daughter, Linda Howlingcrane, two great-grandchildren, a brother, Floyd Eden and three sisters, Laura Miller, Berniece Stone and Pearl Thurston.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 6 th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House 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.

Johnny Lee Spears, Sr., age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri.  He was born September 30, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Marion Lee “John” Spears and Elsie Shaffer Spears.  Johnny grew up in Kansas City and later moved to Ft. Scott where he graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1976.  Following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy.  He served with the Navy for nine and a half years and was stationed in Connecticut and Virginia.  He served as a missile technician on submarine crews.  Johnny married Kathy Seal in June 1983.  Following his discharge from military service, the family relocated to Texas for several years prior to returning to the Ft. Scott area.  Johnny completed the Harley Davidson program at Ft. Scott Community College.  He worked for a year at a Harley Davidson dealership in Louisiana.  Johnny loved listening to music and reading.  In earlier years he enjoyed fishing and recently had taken up the hobby of grilling and smoking meat.  He was a great fan of the Las Vegas Raiders and of NASCAR.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of the home; three children, April Sloan (Robert) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Jennifer Spears of Covington, Kentucky and Johnny L. Spears, Jr., of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Michael Woodward, Michelle Robinson, Kyle, Brady and Scott Sloan, and Aliziegh, Marley and Astonia Spears and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Avery and Alexander Robinson.  Also surviving are four brothers, Danny Spears, Warsaw, Missouri, Kenny Spears Fulton, Kansas, Jessee Spears, Pleasanton, Kansas and John Jenkins, of Nevada, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Crystal White and a sister, Lillian Vanderford.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Thursday, February 1^st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Johnny Spears 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.

David Doerfler, age 90, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024.  He was born on August 16, 1933, in Emmeram, KS, the son of Joseph and Albina Doerfler, the 7^th of 10 children.  As a child, the family moved from Hays, KS to Wichita, KS where he had childhood jobs such as shining shoes at the barber shop at age 12 and working with the Vornado fan company.  The family still has 3 green Vornado fans that still work.  In his teen years his family moved to Fort Scott, KS where he attended high school and worked at the NuGrill.

David served in the United States Army from 1954 – 1956 where he was stationed in Germany.  He had to eat a lot of liver and onions and thankfully that was a meal that was never allowed in our house when the family was growing up.  Upon returning home he took over the family-owned D & D Café, next to the railroad depot.  Hamburgers were 5 for $1.00.  He also met Kathryn Kalm at the Cottage – Inn and they were married in 1958.

Pam was born in 1960, being their only child.  In 1968, he  sold the D & D Café to begin his postal career and retired as supervisor in 1992.  David enjoyed his free time on the golf course.  Back in the day at the Fort Scott Country Club, there were many tournaments, and he was club champion 5 times with 5 hole-in-ones to his credit.  He passed his passion for golf on to his grandsons, Nick, and Alex, and relished the fact that they both played on the Jayhawk Linn high school golf team.  He was a member of the Community Christian Church.  Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with family.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; daughter Pam Clark and husband David; grandsons Nicolas and Alex (Ellen) Clark; 2 great grandsons, Landen, and Arthur Clark; and a brother, Alan Doerfler, St. Louis, MO.

He was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Logan Clark; 4 brothers; 4 sisters; and his parents.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 31^st, at the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM Wednesday until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either Children’s Mercy Neo-Natal Unit or Community Christian Church 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.

Joseph Wayne Rash, age 43, a resident of Garland, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at his home. He was born June 26, 1980, in Kansas City, the son of Wayne Cecil Rash and Donna Mae Cole Rash.

Joseph enjoyed reading about history, collecting comic books and movies, and spending time on the computer. He attended the Hannon Freewill Baptist Church in Liberal, Missouri. Joseph loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and had read the entire Bible.

Survivors include his mother, Donna Rash; three sisters, Rosemary Harris of Ft. Scott, Kay Wallace of Pittsburg, Kansas and Donna Hassan of Cady, Texas and three brothers, Glenn Rash of Ft. Scott, Cecil Rash of Topeka, Kansas and Roy Rash of Independence, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Wesley Wallace and Henry Rash and a sister, Sherry Palmer.

There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Dayton Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Joseph Rash 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.

Joseph Wayne Rash, age 43, a resident of Garland, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at his home. He was born June 26, 1980, in Kansas City, the son of Wayne Cecil Rash and Donna Mae Cole Rash.

Joseph enjoyed reading about history, collecting comic books and movies, and spending time on the computer.

He attended the Hannon Freewill Baptist Church in Liberal, Missouri. Joseph loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and had read the entire Bible.

Survivors include his mother, Donna Rash; three sisters, Rosemary Harris of Ft. Scott, Kay Wallace of Pittsburg, Kansas and Donna Hassan of Cady, Texas and three brothers, Glenn Rash of Ft. Scott, Cecil Rash of Topeka, Kansas and Roy Rash of Independence, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Wesley Wallace and Henry Rash and a sister, Sherry Palmer.

There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Dayton Cemetery will be held at a later.

Memorials are suggested to the Joseph Rash 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.