Marjorie Mae Foster, age 98, died Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Medical Lodge in Fort Scott, Kansas. She was born September 14, 1921, in Fort Scott the daughter of Frank and Ruby (Gump) Phillips.  She married Melvin “Boots” Foster November 2, 1940, in Nevada, Missouri. He preceded her in death on February 13, 2007. Before retiring, Marjorie was secretary and bookkeeper for Boots Foster Floor Covering Service.

Marjorie was a long-time member of the First Christian Church of Fort Scott. In her younger years she loved playing golf with her husband and good friends.  She was active in the Ladies Golf Association of Fort Scott and Mound City.

Survivors include a daughter, Helen Kay Heffernan and husband Don, of Hebron, Kentucky, and a son, Melvin Foster and wife Susan, of Fort Scott. Marjorie had three grandchildren: Steven Heffernan and wife Jane of Hebron, Kentucky, Heather Foster of Webb City, Missouri, and Matt Foster and wife Mary of Manhattan, Kansas. She had seven great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and three sisters.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Konantz Cheney Funeral Home before leaving for the cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Activities Fund at Fort Scott Medicalodge and may be left in care of the Konantz Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.

Colene Janette Gress, 67, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, January 15, 2020, at her home.

She was born August 27, 1952 in Salina, Kansas the daughter of John W. and Carolee Ann (Green) Summers.

She married Wesley Gress August 24, 1975 in Kansas City, Kansas, he survives of the home.

She was a C.N.A and C.M.A. and a Surgical Technician and Worked at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kansas.

In addition to her husband, Wes, she is survived by three daughters, Andrea Weak of Pocahontas, Illinois, Renea Gress of Fort Scott, Kansas and Stephanie King of Pittsburg, Kansas, two sisters, Tonja Seusy, Deborah Smith both of Bella Vista, Arkansas, a brother, Ron Summers of Bella Vista, Arkansas and two grandsons, Levi and Kyran Weak.

The family of Colene Gress will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Avalon Hospice, donations may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney,com.

Florene Helen Wilborn, 82, of Fort Scott, formerly of Batesville, Texas, passed away, Monday evening, January 13, 2020 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.

She was born, May 20, 1937 in Batesville, Texas, the daughter of Clifford and Jamie Lily (Baxter) Jones. She married Paul Wilborn, June 2, 1955 in Batesville, Texas, he survives of the home (Cavalry Crossing).

In addition to her husband, Paul, she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Shank and her husband, Mark of Redfield, Kansas, and Jeannie Witty and her husband Robert of Wichita Falls, Texas, a sister, Barbara Wilborn of San Antonio, Texas, four grandsons and one granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, the family will plan memorial services in Batesville, Texas, at a later date. Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements.

Mary Del Sparks, age 93, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott where she had been a resident for two years.

Mary Del was born on September 21, 1926 in Pittsburg, KS. She was the daughter of Peter A. and H. Leota Dixon Esch. She attended St. Mary’s School in Pittsburg and graduated from St. Mary’s Colgan High School with the class of 1944. Mary Del graduated from Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, now called Pittsburg State University, in 1948. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education

Mary Del married James (Sparky) Sparks of Arma, KS after meeting in college. They were married on August 8, 1948 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg. Sparky and Mary Del had four daughters.

Jim preceded her in death on June 30, 1991.

Mary Del is survived by her daughters and son-n-laws J.W. and Diana Endicott of Fort Scott, Rick and Kim Farmer of Rogers, AR. and Shelly Sparks of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are granddaughters and their husbands: Mathew and Mary Foster, Cris and Laura Corey, Jake and Susan Brown, Cody and D’Ambra Hawkins, Kayla Stillwagon, Heather Townzen and Steven and Hillary Townsley; two grandsons: Mathew Hampton and Christopher Stillwagon as well as 15 great-grandchildren. In addition, Mary Del is survived by her brothers and their wives Pete and Shirley Esch of Fayettville, AR and David and Masolyne Esch of Joplin, MO.

Mary Del was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her daughter Kay Lynn Stillwagon, her brother John Gerald Esch and sisters-n-law Betty Esch and Louise Esch.

Mary Del taught school in Crawford and Bourbon Counties. She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Chapter FU PEO and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. Mary Del devoted her life to caring for her friends and family. She was a loyal friend to many who found her always available when needed. She was never too busy to offer support to others. Mary Del’s sense of style and fashion were outdone only by her quick wit and delightful sense of humor, always gracious. Mary Del was loved and admired by all who knew her.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Fort Scott Area Community Foundation in care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held for the family. Graveside services for friends and family will be at Fort Scott National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020.

Family will receive friends following the graveside services at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main in Fort Scott.

Sharon A. Price, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her home in Ft. Scott, KS, on January 5, 2020. She was born in Corning, CA, on September 30, 1940, the daughter of William and Lois Stark Jackson. She married Joe Price in 1957. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2016. Sharon worked at J.C. Penney in Lenexa, KS, until she retired. Sharon enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, taking them to the swimming pool. She enjoyed crocheting blankets and doll clothes, baking and cooking for holidays and birthdays and having the family with her. Sharon also liked watching cooking shows and loved her some Steve Harvey and Wayne Brady.

Survivors include a daughter, Sarah Riggs and husband James, Ft. Scott; two sons, Joseph Price II and fiancé Patty, Springfield, KS, and Patrick Price, Otisville, NY; two brothers, Steve Jackson, Red Bluff, CA, and Albert Jackson and wife Charlie, Spokane, WA; a sister, Mary Lee Sterwood and husband Skip, WA; one grandson William J.C. “Billy” Gooderl and wife Stacy, Ft. Scott; great grandchildren, Kayla and husband Kyle Purdy, and Cheyenne, Selena, and James “Fred” Gooderl; along with her fur babies Buddy, Abby, Sadie Sue, Gracey, Man 2, Chica, Ralph, Bdog, Reilly, Nina, and lastly Lucey. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and many family by choice, including Jim and Renee Calovitch, Kristen, Daeshone Bohrn and Doug Bohrn.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, January 10^th, in the Centerville Cemetery, Devon, KS. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

James Randall Smith, 70, of Fort Scott passed away suddenly, Saturday evening, in Fort Scott, January 4, 2020. He was born June 24, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois the son of John Fred and Virginia Marie (Kedzior) Smith. He married Paulette Smetana, July 11, 1970 in Villa Park, Illinois, she survives of the home.

Jim was Owner/Operator of Smith and Chambers here in Fort Scott for years before retiring in 2008. After retiring he filled his time with the renovation of the Liberty Theatre and Crooner’s Lounge. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Fort Scott.

In addition to his wife, Paulette, he is survived by a son, Dallas Smith and his wife, Christie of Fort Scott, and a daughter, Darcy Smith and her husband, Scott of Fort Scott, a brother, David Smith of Wheaton, Illinois, three sisters, Donna Haddad of Fort Myers, Florida, Karen Smith and Kim Smith both of Plainfield, Illinois, and six granddaughters, Megan, Eleanor, Catherine, Addison, Ashley and Alyssa Smith all of Fort Scott.

Funeral services for Jim Smith will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Apfel officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until the service starts and again when the services are concluded, Thursday at the Church.

The family suggests memorials to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund or The Trinity Lutheran Church. 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 may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney,com.

James Randall Smith, 70, of Fort Scott passed away unexpectedly, Saturday evening, in Fort Scott, January 4, 2020. Funeral arrangements for Jim Smith are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Diane Lee Fryda, age 57, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

She was born April 25, 1962, in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Clifford Fryda and Rosemary Ruzinsky Fryda. The family lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Floodwood, Minnesota; Watertown, South Dakota and Lincoln, Nebraska before Diane found her way to Kansas and became part of the Tri-Valley family. While with Tri-Valley, Diane worked in janitorial services at Niece. She later worked for eleven years at Pizza Hut. She loved her job at Pizza Hut and could sometimes be seen waving in the lunch crowd. In addition, she occasionally worked at the receptionist desk at Tri-Valley. Diane enjoyed reading and doing word searches as well as looking up current events and science facts on her tablet. She also enjoyed cooking and researching health-friendly recipes.

Survivors include her mother, Rosemary Fryda; three sisters, Nadine (Ron), Debbie and Candice and five brothers, Daniel (Elaine), David, Dean (Lisa), Kim (Sarah) and Paul (Corisa) and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 11^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Tri-Valley Developmental Center 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.