Eugene L. Farmer (91) was born in the family farmhouse near Devon, Kansas, on January 5, 1930. He passed peacefully May 19, 2021, at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. He was the second child of Alfred and Rowena (McCrum) Farmer.

He, his older sister, Colleen, and younger brother, Don, all attended a one room country school for the first eight years. Later he graduated from Ft. Scott High School. In high school Gene excelled in both football and track. In January of 1949 he married Betty Jane Martin. On their first anniversary in January of 1950 he proudly brought home his wife and first child, Cindy. Cindy was followed by Rod in 1951, Kathy in 1952 and Marty in 1957.

Always a hard worker, he gained plumbing and heating experience from working for his father-in-law, C.C Martin of Martin Plumbing and Heating. Gene then began working in construction. Some of the buildings of which he helped build were the National Guard Armory, Mercy Hospital, and the KG&E company. He worked morning and night often milking both his father’s and his own cows, as well as sometimes farming in the moonlight.

In 1956, Gene began a new occupation as fireman, brakeman, and conductor for the Frisco railroad working between Kansas City and Fort Scott. At that point he was able to purchase his own farm just north of Bethel School and Church. He and his family moved to Overland Park in May of 1968.

In 1983 Gene married Ruth Milam Williams, a teacher and coach in the Olathe School District. After 35 years of service, Gene retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in January 1992. Upon retirement, with his strong work ethic, Gene followed his first love and purchased a farm, built their dream home, and began farming outside of Ft. Scott.

Gene and Ruth joined the First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Scott where they were quite active. Gene served as a deacon and Ruth served on many committees. Gene moved his Shriners’ membership to Mirza Temple of Bourbon County. He particularly enjoyed activities that benefited the crippled children. Having season tickets for many years they attended KU basketball and football home games and enjoyed many vacations with the Flying Jayhawks Alumni Association. Always a farmer, he loved to plant large gardens each spring and both enjoyed giving away much of the harvest to church, family, and friends. He loved training bird dogs (mostly setters) and took pride in being one of the most passionate quail hunters in Bourbon County. In addition to a love for the outdoors, which included farming, hunting, and fishing, he also pitched fast pitch softball for the Devon Hay Bailers.

A tractor purchased by Gene’s dad, Alfred, was a 1955 Minneapolis Moline ZB. Gene had it restored and enjoyed driving it in Ft. Scott parades. He won several awards including driving the featured tractor that appeared on the collector button for the 2008 Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. Gene’s grandson (Josh) later purchased the tractor which may be seen in future Turner Day parades. Both Gene and Ruth felt honored in receiving the 2009 Bankers Conservation Award for Bourbon County.

Gene is survived by three children Cynthia Huyett, Rod (Kris) Farmer, Marty (Sandy) Farmer, a brother, Don (Paula) Farmer, two sisters-in-law, Janice (Lee) Sprinkle and Margaret (Rob) Ferriman, thirteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Kathleen Bailey Oatman (daughter), Jane Martin Farmer (wife of 28 years), Ruth Milam Farmer (second wife of 37 years) and Colleen Kelley (sister).

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 10, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Scott at 308 S. Crawford under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1-2 pm with the service beginning at 2 pm. Interment will follow at the Centerville Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made either to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or 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.

Bonnie Gean Troll (nee Beasley) died peacefully at home on June 2, 2021. She was 85 years old. Waiting for her in heaven was her beloved husband, Red. They are finally reunited after 65 years of marriage.

Bonnie was born on January 16, 1936 in Dyersburg, Tennesee. She was the second of her four siblings, born to Belva and Doyle Beasley. She was a graduate of Cardwell High School and worked for many years as a nurse. She married her soulmate, Eugene (Red) Troll on September 15, 1956. They were the very proud parents of Karolyn McEntee (Jerry) and Gerald Troll.

Bonnie and Red raised their children in San Diego, California. She was a hard-working nurse, a dedicated mother, and a cherished friend to countless people. After their children were grown, they retired to Nevada, Missouri, where they lived on their farm, gardening, growing, and loving each other and their families.

Bonnie was well known in her community as an avid and gifted quilter. She was a gardener with the greenest of thumbs, and could make anything grow. In addition to quilting and canning, she was an extremely dedicated and active member of the Church of Christ.

Bonnie was so many things to so many people. She was a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, a friend, and a confidante. She dedicated her life to helping people in any way she could. She loved deeply, and was so very loved by everyone lucky enough to meet her. She had a way of making friends everywhere she went, a trait proudly carried on by her family and network of friends.

She is remembered by her sisters, Patsy and Renee, and her brother Bill. She joined her mother, father, and husband in heaven.

Her legacy of faith, love, and service will live on in her children, grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family extends far beyond that, and we all are honored to have had her in our lives.

Deepest appreciation to Compassus for their care and attention during this challenging time.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 4^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

Jan Ellen Tate, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born April 2, 1955, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Lewis Allen Dare and Virginia Bolinger Dare. Jan was raised on the family farm where she learned to love the land and country living. She also grew up attending the Mt. Orum Baptist Church south of Redfield, Kansas where she learned the love of God and her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She graduated from Uniontown High School and later went on to graduate from Pittsburg State University with a degree in business management. She married Kelly Tate on July 20, 1973, at the Mt. Orum Church.

In earlier years, Jan worked at Montgomery Ward and the Western Insurance Company. She also worked as a pre-need funeral counselor for Cheney Witt Chapel and as a bookkeeper for Ray Shepherd Motors.

Jan later began a career with American Family Insurance. She worked for a time with the Ed Graham agency in Ft. Scott and later moved to her own agency in Nevada, Missouri where she remained active with the business until the time of her death.

Jan will be remembered for her outgoing and cheerful personality. She enjoyed singing, playing cards, and attending her grandchildren’s activities.

She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband, Kelly, of the home; two daughters, Janelle Tate of Uniontown, Kansas and Jennifer Hymer (Charlie), of Ft. Scott and three grandchildren, Bryden, Bryleigh, and Kyndal. Also surviving are a brother, David Dare (Martha), of Uniontown, Kansas, a sister, Kathy Endicott (Garry) of Trafford, Alabama, and a sister-in-law, Mary Brownback (Loyd), of Mound City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Max Dare.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, June 3rd at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church and may be left in the 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.

Betty Jo Messer, 86, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Wednesday evening, May 26, 2021, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was a current resident of A Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott. She was born September 10, 1934, in Linn County, Kansas, the daughter of Chester W. and Mary Elizabeth (Hines) Shafer. She married Merlin Boyd Messer on September 14, 1952, in Fulton, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 8, 2014.

Betty graduated from Fulton High School in the class of 1952. She played on the basketball team and was a cheerleader.  She loved music, playing in the school band and developing her singing voice.  She was offered a college vocal music scholarship but was unable to accept it.  She relaxed from being a farmer’s wife and mother of 5 children by playing the piano and singing every afternoon. She introduced her children to musicals and continued that love by attending her grandchildren’s concerts and programs.    

She was an accomplished seamstress making clothing for the family.  She sewed at night to stay awake to make sure that Merlin would wake up to drive the fuel truck to the next destination.  

She tried to go to every basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball game and track and cross country meets that the grandchildren were in.

She was a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.  She was active in the Prescott United Methodist and First United Methodist Church while living in Prescott and Fort Scott the past 10 years.  She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as Rainbow Mom in Fort Scott.  She loved to sing in the church choir and as a soloist.  She was a member of the Fort Scott Sweet Adelines.

Betty is survived by her children, Millie Karleskint and husband Larry of Fort Scott, Margie Brown and husband Rod of Fulton, Martin Messer and wife Kathy of Franklin, KS, Matt Messer and wife Susan, of Fort Scott, and Scott Messer and wife Brenda, of Peculiar, MO; a sister, Vera McCormick and husband Rex, of Louisburg; two sisters-in-law, Marie Sears, and Shirley Shafer; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to her husband Merlin, she was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Jane Cummins, Alice Harkness, and Ina Kite, and four brothers, Allen Shafer, Keith Shafer, Clarence Shafer, and Chester Shafer.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott with burial following at the Barnesville Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to services on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church, or the Ellis Foundation Scholarship Fund 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.

Laura Marie Steele, 91, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born February 21, 1930, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Allen “Bert” Wallen and Inga Marie (Ekstedt) Wallen. She had eight older brothers and was the last of her family, with the exception of two nieces, Teresa Wallen of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Mary Kay Easton of Lexington, Kentucky.

Following her graduation from Fort Scott Community College, Laura worked at several companies over the years as a secretary and bookkeeper including Fort Scott Hydraulic Cement Co., Bruce Marble and Granite Works, the F.B.I. in Kansas City, Missouri, The Western Insurance, and Citizens Bank (now Landmark).

Laura married Russell Steele, a grain farmer of Uniontown, Kansas, in 1973, having met when she worked for The Western. She was a farm wife and homemaker until his death in 1992.

Laura was a member of the First Christian Church in Fort Scott. She played the piano for F.C.C., as well as for other churches in the area.

In addition to her husband, Russell, Laura was also preceded in death by her parents, and her eight brothers, Frank, Albert, Charlie, Harry, Raymond, Robert, Richard, and James Wallen.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Marvin Dean Nahon, Jr., 65, of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at his home. He was born February 22, 1956, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Marvin Dean Nahon Sr. and Gloria Jean (Cabodie) Nahon. He married Teresa Ames on June 20, 1994, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Marvin was a Registered Nurse at Nevada Regional Hospital and had recently retired after fourteen years.

In addition to his wife Teresa, Marvin is also survived by his mother, Gloria Nahon, of Frontenac, Kansas; his daughter, Kristi Nahon, of Arma, Kansas; two sisters, Linda Filby and husband Kenny of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Pam Trahan and husband Ken of DeSoto, Kansas, and one grandchild, Dyllan Nahon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Nahon, Sr.

Following cremation, family and friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday afternoon, May 29, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at a later date at the West Liberty Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to SE Kansas Humane Society 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.

Ronald Wilmot Bolin, Sr., age 67, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at his home.

He was born on September 9, 1953, in Ft. Scott, the son of Wilmot “Sandy” Bolin and Mildred Barrett Bolin. He graduated from Ft. Scott high school.

Ron worked his entire life as a mechanic and salvage yard owner. His passion was racing. Ron raced stock cars from the early 70’s until 2018. He made many friends through his years racing.

He loved anything mechanical as well as animals.

He was a hard-working man who would help anyone in need.

Survivors include his mother, Mildred Bolin, Ft. Scott; four sons, Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin, Jr. and wife Brooke, Brandon Hall, and Blake Bolin, all of Ft. Scott; two daughters, Megan Bolin and Kristen hall and husband Derek, all of Ft. Scott; two sisters, Connie Broyles, and Patty Frye and husband Jimmy; seven grandchildren, Caden, Dylann, Raegan, KaMiya, Anthony, Trae, and Tyce; significant other, Vanessa Hershey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Patricia Marie Bolin, and Michella Lynn Bolin; two brothers, Bobby McClenahan, and Ralph Van Winkle; and his father.

Rob Music will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 27^th, at the Ft. Scott Nazarene Church.

Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Ron Bolin 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.