Vana Lynn Rash, age 59, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO. She was born July 20, 1961, in Shreveport, LA, the daughter of Ivan and Norma Barber Bare. She married Glenn Rash on June 2, 1989, in Canyon City, CO. She worked as an RN in the hospital setting during her career. She loved her work, caring for those she met. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend to many. Vana was an avid reader and a devoted member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her husband Glenn of the home; a son, Garret Rash, Ft. Scott; a niece, Brenna; and two nephews, Brandon, and Brent. She was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Sandoval; and her parents.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Wednesday morning June 30^th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle 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.

Thelma Opal Thomas, 83, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at her home. She was born October 10, 1937, in Boicourt, Kansas, the daughter of Benjamin and Viola (Brant) Wurtz, and was the next to the youngest of twenty-five children. She married Marion Elmer Phillips on September 24, 1958, and he preceded her in death on March 25, 1984. Thelma married Otis Thomas on June 20, 2015, and he survives of the home.

Thelma’s first job was at the Western Insurance. She and Marion started Phillips Insurance Agency in 1961 and retired from there in 1996.

In addition to her husband Otie, Thelma is survived by her children, Diana Cavin (Roger), Brenda Bailey (David), and Randy Phillips (Laura), all of Fort Scott; her sister, Lillie Mae Jackson, Pleasanton, Kansas; six grandchildren, Brent (Danielle) Cavin, Fort Scott, Ashley (Peytonn) Cavin, Pleasanton, Kansas, Austin Bailey and fiancée Valerie, of Holland, Michigan, Breanna (Mitchell) Newman, Fort Scott, Bethany (Kahn) Phillips, Shawnee, Kansas; and Jordan Phillips, Kansas City, Missouri; three great-grandchildren, Ginnyfer Cavin, Graham Cavin, and Hagen Newman, all of Fort Scott; and her niece that she was very close to, Carolyn Butler, of Fort Scott, Kansas.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Marion Phillips; ten brothers, Virgil Wurtz, Ray Wurtz, Robert Wurtz, Roscoe Wurtz, Willie Wurtz, Lester Wurtz, Lee Wurtz, Albert Wurtz, Ollie Wurtz, Irvin Wurtz; one sister, Rosella Jane Clemens. She was also preceded in death by three half-brothers, and nine half-sisters.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott with burial following in Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 29, 2021, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church and 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.

Linda Linnett Boyd Johnson, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas went peacefully to be with the presence of her Lord on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at her home.  She was born April 17, 1949 in Pittsburg, KS the daughter of “Tutti” and Billy Lee Boyd.  She married the love of her life Robert Johnson on November 20, 1976 in Fort Scott.  They had two children Derrick Wayne and Michael Randell.  Linda loved their many trips to Branson, shopping until she dropped, and just spending time with family. 

After graduating with her beautician’s certificate, she spent many years owning and operating her own hair salon in Fort Scott, KS.  She was then employed by Mercy Hospital as a housekeeper, CNA, and CMA at both the Burke St location and when they later moved to Woodland Hills Blvd.  Upon retirement, Linda enjoyed spending time with her two grandsons Randell Matthew and Liam Robert. 

Survivors include her two sons Derrick Wayne and Michael Randell and his wife Jana and their two boys Randell and Liam.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts and uncles and cousins, also the love of her life and best friend Robert Johnson but it gives us great comfort to know they are together again today.   

Rev. Rob Carr will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 29^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 prior to the service Tuesday morning.

Memorials are suggested to the Linda Johnson Memorial 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.

Paul Franklin Carlson, 90, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away April 1, 2020. He was born March 1, 1930, at the family home on 705 Clark Street, Fort Scott, Kansas, and was the third of seven children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur F. and Lorena M. (Ballou) Carlson, sister Mildred L. (Carlson) Askew, brothers Norman R. Carlson, Larry D. Carlson, and daughter Paula Jo (Carlson) Gearity.

He is survived by his best friend and wife Rebecca Peters-Carlson, two granddaughters Christine Gearity and Kathy Gearity, and one great-granddaughter Katarina; brothers Ralph J. (Saundra) Carlson, Donald J. (Mim) Carlson, and Gerald L. (Donna) Carlson, 16 nieces and nephews, and numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.

Paul attended Eugene Ware School, Fort Scott; Gravette Holiness Bible School, Gravette, Arkansas; and graduated from Mt. Zion Bible School, Ava, Missouri, in 1948.

Based in San Diego, California, Paul proudly served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Paul was a lifetime member of the NRA.

In 1959, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he remained until the time of his death. Paul received a commendation from the Governor of Alabama for his dedication and good work for 20 years as photographer for the state organization NAMI-Alabama (National Alliance on Mental Illness-Alabama).

Paul joyfully served Christ Jesus as his Savior and Lord for many years. He was an ordained Christian minister, preaching and distributing countless Bibles and other Christian writings to people across the United States.

The service is open to the public.

The family will conduct the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 2, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery with full military honors following.

Memorials are suggested to Jailhouse Rock Ministries, Inc., P O Box 880, Stockton, MO 65785.

Katherine Elaine Proctor-Farr, age 66, resident of Nevada, MO, died Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, MO. She was born June 6, 1955, in Wichita, KS, the daughter of David and Lillie Smith Moyer. She married Donnie Proctor on May 1, 1981. He preceded her in death on November 17, 1997. She later married Bill Farr. He preceded her in death in 2017. Kathy enjoyed reading books and watching HGTV. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.

Survivors include a daughter, Kim Starr and husband John, Billings, MT; a son, Ray Proctor and wife Angie, Nevada, MO; 2 brothers, John Moyer and wife Barb, and Mike Moyer and wife Pat, all of Wichita, KS; 4 sisters-in-law, Sherry Moyer, Wichita, KS, Diana Clark, Ft. Scott, KS, Cindy Proctor, Ft. Scott, KS, and Mary Jane Young, Garland, KS; 4 grandchildren, Andra, Nick, Chandler, and Thor; an aunt, Betty Moyer, Haysville, KS; mother-in-law, Margaret Bolden, Ft. Scott; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends; and special friends, Irvin and Dorinda Durossette.

Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Moyer; a sister, Linda Moyer; and father-in-law, Don Bolden.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 23rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Kathy Proctor-Farr Memorial 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.

Bernard John Nilges, age 98, a resident of Iola, Kansas, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2021, at his home.

He was born August 24, 1922, in Scipio, Kansas, the son of Samuel P. Nilges and Mary Catherine Peine Nilges.

He served with the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. While with the Army, he participated in the Battle of the Bulge and later helped with relief efforts at the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. He was proud of his time spent in the military where he faithfully served his country.

Hospice had given him a plaque in honor of his military service just prior to his death. Following his military service, he returned to Anderson County, Kansas, where he married Norma Jean Blubaugh on July 16, 1948.

He owned and operated his own farm and dairy for forty years. He was a farmer and proud to be one. He loved to see things grow and to know that he had a part in that. He loved to be outdoors and enjoyed nature.

Following retirement from farming in the mid 1980’s, Bernie and Norma Jean moved to Iola, Kansas.

He worked for twelve years as a bus driver. He was also a very good carpenter. He loved working with his hands and was good at whatever he was doing.

Bernie was a soft-spoken man. He never asked for much and yet he gave so much to anyone and everyone.

He will be dearly missed not only by his family but by anyone who ever knew him.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dawn Henshall, Melissa Preston, Tammy Snyder, Melissa Andres, Rodney Andres and Debra Wools who have served as caregivers for both Bernie and Norma over the years.

Survivors include his wife, of seventy-two years, Norma Jean, of the home; and two daughters, Cristine Bacon (Chuck), of Moran, Kansas and Connie Hiner (Sam), of Burlington, Kansas. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Bryan Bacon (Brenda), Jessica Bacon, Tina Withers (Chris), Erica Combs (Donnie) and Renee Fischer (Chancy) and ten great-grandchildren, Abigail, Caleb, Austin, Hannah, Collin, Cassidy, Evan, Ava, Addison and Jocelyn and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Joe, Fred, Herman and Mark and three sisters, Cecilia, Agnes and Rose.

Linda Moore, 67, of Redfield, passed away early Thursday morning, June 10, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born December 10, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Franklin “Pete” Parker and Helen Juanita (Cowel) Parker. She married Larry Allen Moore June 30, 1973, and he preceded her in death December 23, 2000.

Linda is survived by her children, Brenda Martin (Kirby), Redfield, Melissa Mitchell (Arthur), Wichita, Kansas, and Larry Joe Gier, Jr., Fort Scott; three brothers, Charles Parker, Redfield, Ronald Parker (Debbie), Redfield, and Frank Parker (Lucy), Fort Scott; seven grandchildren, Jesse Keppen (Natasha), James Keppen (Sharlotte), Shelby Moore (Clinton Hazen), Allen Moore, Kylie Geir (Chandler Betts), Kiera Gier (Donald Adams), Tamia Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Clinton Jr., Karson, Hunter, Annabelle, and Parker; and one great-granddaughter due in September, Aleah. In addition to her husband Larry, Linda was also preceded in death by her parents, and four great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life Visitation Friday, June 18, 2021, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas. Following cremation, internment will be held privately at a later date. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Mary Jo DiNardo, age 96, passed away June 14 at her home for the past 12 years at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott.

Mary Jo was born January 9, 1925, to Myrle and Wilma Gunsaullus in Fort Scott, Kansas. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1943. She married James V. DiNardo on January 15, 1946, after meeting at the Tower Ballroom in Pittsburg when he was stationed at Camp Crowder. Together they had five children. She worked at Citizens National Bank for over 20 years.

Mary Jo, fondly known as “Mary Go” to her family, will be remembered for her “champagne taste.” She frequently threatened her children and grandchildren that they wouldn’t be going to the Ritz” if they didn’t behave. She had an affection for her many dogs over the years as they were her constant companions.

Mary Jo was an exceptional cook and came from the generation that took pride in preparing two daily meals with her specialties including spaghetti and meatballs and garlic potato salad. She enjoyed driving her convertibles, happy hours with family and friends, reading, and dinner out. She also loved live music, and when living in Florida was a regular on the live music scene. Mary Jo and Jim enjoyed it when the family would visit their condo in Naples where they lived after retirement for several years. Mary Jo loved going to the casino and in the 70’s and 80’s organized several group trips to Las Vegas. Her last outing was a trip to the casino a few weeks before her death.

Survivors include her children, Susan DiNardo of Fort Scott; John DiNardo, Frisco, TX; Lisa (Mark) Ward, Fort Scott; Tammy (Brad) Hill, Pittsburg, KS; and five grandchildren: James (Dorian) DiNardo of Sweet Home, OR; April (Darwin) Stubbs, Juno Beach, FL; Alex and Austin Ward, Los Angeles; Bella DiNardo, Plano, TX; and two great-grandchildren Cormac & Carson Stubbs. Mary Jo also leaves behind some very special people at Presbyterian Village who became like family to her. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband in 2009, a son Marc James DiNardo in 1987, her parents, and a brother.

Following cremation, private family graveside services will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The guest book will be available at the funeral home until July 6, 2021.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Village and 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.