Lanita Rochelle Tucker, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 26, 2020, at the Select Specialty Hospital, Kansas City, KS.
Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will announce a public memorial service at a future date including a full obituary. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
\Judith Ann Brandt, 75 of Centerton, Arkansas, passed away Monday evening, March 23, 2020 at her home. She was born on March 9, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas the daughter of Paul Stewart and Lillie Ann Sivey Elliott. She married Larry Kenneth Brandt on June 24, 1978 in Wichita, Kansas, he survives of the home.
Judy was a member of the Fort Scott High School Class of 1963. She was a transcriptionist for the Ozark Guidance Center for over 20 years. She loved gardening and restoring dolls to give to underprivileged children.
In addition to her husband, Larry, she is survived by a son, Justin Brandt and wife, Cheryl of Anderson, Missouri, a daughter, Jill Brandt Allen and husband, Stephen of Castle Rock, Colorado, a brother, Larry Elliott and wife, Pam of Fort White, Florida and a step-sister, Kathy Voyles of Jefferson City, Missouri, and two granddaughters, Skyler Brandt and Elizabeth Allen.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Jesse Brandt.
Rev. Don Elliott will officiate graveside services for Judith Ann Brandt at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Pleasant View (Large) Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Aaron K. Stern Foundation, 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 to the family may be sent to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
William Darrel George passed away March 21, 2020, at the age of 66 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Darrel was born on May 11, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to William “Bill” and Doris George. He was raised in Uniontown, Kansas, and attended Uniontown High School where he graduated in 1971.
During his high school career, he was very involved with 4-H and FFA in addition to playing sports and working on the family farm. Darrel then attended Fort Scott Community College and later Kansas State University earning a degree in Livestock Production.
His passion for agriculture and caring for the land grew and after college, Darrel returned to the family farm in January of 1976 and formed G-Three Cattle Company with his father, Bill, and brother, Gale.
Darrel’s perseverance and devotion to his family and the farm were unending and he continued to work diligently for 44 years as a farmer and rancher.
Darrel met the love of his life, Laura Koester, in his childhood while showing horses and livestock in 4-H at the Bourbon County Fair. After college, they reconnected again at the county fair and they were married May 14, 1977. Darrel and Laura resided in Uniontown where they happily spent their 42 years of marriage, both of them loving the outdoors, showing and riding horses, raising their four children, and caring for the land and legacy they were building for the future.
His love of the Bourbon County Fair began in his youth and continued throughout his life. Darrel spent many of his years serving the Bourbon County Fair Board in various roles and on many committees. He served as the Fair Board Vice President from 1998 to 2000, as the President from 2005 to 2016 and as the Bourbon County Horse Project Leader for nearly 20 years. He was also selected as the “Fair Board Member of the Year” in both 2011 and 2015. In addition to his leadership roles, Darrel gave countless hours working to maintain the grounds, caretaking and preparing the rodeo arena, donating supplies, and supporting events. His passion, however, was working with the youth. He loved to help the 4-Hers learn and enjoy their projects and never forgot that the fair is ultimately for the benefit of the kids. One of his greatest accomplishments was being inducted into the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Hall of Fame in 2019 and this honor truly shows the amount of love, enthusiasm, dedication, and time Darrel gave to this organization.
In addition to his dedication to the county fair, Darrel also served as the president of the Mid-Eastern Kansas Western Horse Association (MEKWHA), on the K-State Southeast Agricultural Research Advisory Committee, and as the Uniontown Saddle Club President. He was a member of the Working Ranch Cowboy Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, and the Kansas Livestock Association.
Some of Darrel’s other honors included: Kansas Farm Family of the year in 1994, Kansas Master Farmer/Master Homemaker in 2007, Grassland Award in 2001, and the Bourbon County Extension Appreciation Award in 2000.
However, it is not the titles or roles he is remembered for. Darrel was the embodiment of hard work, grit, and integrity. His dedication never ceased and he spent all of his days working diligently to be a worthy caretaker of the land and livestock. There were countless late nights on the tractor planting after sundown while listening to the Royals on the radio and numerous early mornings gathering and shipping cattle at sunrise.
He had an unrivaled work ethic and never quit until the job at hand was completed. He was known to tell his children, “We don’t eat dinner until the animals have had theirs”.
This old cowboy loved doing all things horseback and had a way with horsemanship that can never be matched. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the outdoors and agriculture and to always do the right thing.
Darrel’s life was filled with compassion for his work, pure joy and love for his family, and hope for the future to come. His time on earth has been fulfilled by the countless hours of dedication and devotion he put into life. Much like the end to a long day of work, the end of his life is the completion of a job well done.
Darrel was preceded in death by his parents William Miles and Freda Doris George, Uniontown. He is survived by his wife, Laura, Uniontown; two daughters, Lindsey Huseman and husband Mark, Ellsworth; and Lacey Wray and husband Mark, Ottawa; two sons, Cole George and wife Erika, Uniontown; and Drew George, Denver, Co. Darrel’s legacy will certainly live on in his five beloved grandchildren, Hagen and Heidi Huseman, Ellsworth; Sage and Sadie Wray, Ottawa; and Brielle George, Uniontown. Darrel is also survived by his four siblings; Sharon Hixson and husband Warren, Hutchinson; Herschel George and wife Carol, Uniontown; Gale George and wife Kathy, Uniontown; and Steve George and wife Myra, Salina; and his nieces and nephews, and the rest of his family and friends.
Services are still pending. However, the family plans to hold a private burial in the coming weeks.
There will be a celebration of life later this year for all family and friends to remember and honor this man who will never be forgotten.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Bourbon County Fair Association for the rodeo arena upgrades and maintenance, and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
On Saturday, March 14, 2020, Esther Anne Sewell passed from this earth at age 97. She was known as Annie to her friends, Grannie Annie to her grandchildren and, of course, Mom to her children.
Annie is survived by three children: Larry Sewell and wife Patricia of St. Louis, Steve Sewell and wife Victoria of Fort Scott, and Barbara McCord and husband David, also of Fort Scott. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Stephanie King, Ashley Ryan, Meredith Tucker, Victoria (Tori) Sewell, Forrest Sewell and Lee Painter, and their spouses. Annie leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, with one more due in May.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Larry Woods, who gave his life at the Battle of the Bulge in January of 1945 during World War II, and her second husband, Glen Sewell, who also fought in Europe and received the Purple Heart, passed in 2016.
Annie was born October 31, 1922, to Mark and Esther Weeks in Fort Scott, Kansas. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1939 and Fort Scott Community College in 1941. She received her degree from Kansas State University in 1944, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She married Larry Woods in the summer of 1944 in Fort Scott and moved to Camp Maxey near Paris, Texas. Annie moved back to Fort Scott in August of that year.
In August of 1948, she married Glen Sewell, Jr. in Lawrence, Kansas. Annie, after teaching art at Fort Scott High School for one year, she left to share in the responsibilities of the Fort Scott Greenhouse with her parents. Glen came to Fort Scott to be the office manager for Key Work Clothes and later joined the family business with Annie.
A faithful Christian, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church. Annie was also a charter member of the Old Fort Genealogy Society and the PEO Chapter FU. She was a volunteer for the Old Fort before it became a National Historic Site. Her hobbies included golf, gardening, needlepoint, floral design, antique collecting and enjoying life.
Having lived through both the Depression and the Dust Bowl, Annie was always grateful for everything and appreciated the little things. She was proud of her family and was a good friend to many. She was hard-working from a very young age, making regular trips with her parents to the rail station to gather fresh-cut flowers shipped from the cities. As a young woman, Annie helped nurture the Fort Scott Greenhouse into a familiar establishment that flourished for many years in Fort Scott. Her hard work and creative mind impacted many who experienced her beautiful window displays, bouquets and more. Her flowers comforted the sick and mourning, celebrated births and weddings, and brought joy to many life events.
An excerpt from the book The Greenhouse by her granddaughter Lee Painter sums up Annie’s life nicely:
“This story is told through the eyes of the Fort Scott Greenhouse, which was nurtured and loved by the Weeks family and their descendants from 1921 until 2004. It is a story of love, family and friends. It is a story of hard work, dedication, passion and compassion. It is a story of enchanting times.”
It is a story of Annie Sewell. We will miss her.
A graveside service will be held at the National Cemetery for family members only. A celebration of Annie’s life will include her friends in the community and family at a later date. She would want everyone to stay healthy and safe.
Memorials for the Good Samaritan Program/Presbyterian Village can be left with Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS. Memorial contributions 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, KS 66701. Condolences may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com. The funeral home will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for folks to drop by and sign the guestbook.
Larry David “Grandpa” Coleman, age 74, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Landmark Hospital, Joplin, MO.
He was born on March 31, 1945, in Anna, IL, the son of John Patterson and Lenora Lucille Coleman.
David worked as a roofer for the Roofer’s Local Union #20 Kansas City.
He enjoyed fishing, spending time at the lake, and playing cards with the grandkids. He loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include two daughters, Kimberly and John Woodall, Ft. Scott, KS, and Tammy Davidson and husband Bryan, Uniontown, KS, two sons, Travis Coleman and wife Amanda, Ft. Scott, KS, and David Coleman and wife Nancy, Pleasanton, KS; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Judy Ogden, Deborah Elliott, and Leona Richardson.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy and Roger Turner; two sisters, Kathy Optandy and Bonnie Brown; and his mother.
Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the David Coleman Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Reta Mae Johnson, age 99, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away early Friday, March 13, 2020, at her home.
She was born August 4, 1920, on the family farm northeast of Bronson, the daughter of John Christian Ermel and Mary Susan Lawry Ermel.
She attended the Dry Ridge Grade School and graduated from the Bronson High School in 1937. At the age of seventeen, she began teaching grade school. She taught at Blazing Star, Victory and later Bronson schools.
She married Buford William Johnson on May 21, 1939, in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Reta Mae’s main priority was taking care of her family and her home. She enjoyed working in her garden, tending her flowers and looking after her chickens and geese.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. She also enjoyed decorating cakes and painting. She was a member of the Bronson Baptist Church.
Survivors include her four children, Judy Wilson and husband, Rex, of Bronson, Ronda Murrow, of Uniontown, Kansas, Vlad Johnson and wife, Donna, of Wamego, Kansas and Wes Johnson and wife, Billie Sue, also of Bronson. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, Stacy Davis (Matt), Jana Wilson (Brian), Marci Fox (Mickey), Lisa Hemby, Nikki Burks (Joe), Debbie Sharkawi (Tarek), Chad Murrow (Misty), Julie Shroyer (Zachary), Casey Johnson (Song), Trevor Johnson, Clint Johnson (Angela), and Brandi Spainhoward (Mitch); thirty great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
Her husband, Buford, preceded her in death on February 12, 2010. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Fink and Maxine Burt.
Rob Mauk will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 20th at the Bronson Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Bronson Baptist Church 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.
Terri Lynn Allison, age 59, resident of Springfield, MO, died Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at the Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, MO.
She was born October 6, 1960, in Fort Scott, KS, the daughter of Patricia Smith. She graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1979. She married Michael Allison on April 5, 1985, in Fort Scott.
She enjoyed picking berries, talking on the phone, and decorating for every holiday. Terri’s favorite flowers were lilies. She took pride in helping others through Life Builder’s Outreach. She was a member of the Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Survivors include her husband, Michael, of the home; four sons, Brandon Smith, Gantier, MS, Michael Allison, Jr., Springfield, MO, Daniel Allison, Altoona, PA, and William Allison, Springfield, MO; two daughters, Stephanie Allison, Halltown, MO, and Heather Allison, Springfield, MO; five grandchildren; and an aunt, Della Dietrich, Kincaid, KS.
She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather George Decker.
There was cremation. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Springfield. Memorials are suggested to the Terri Allison Memorial 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
William Russell Lyman, age 54, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at his home.
He was born November 19, 1965, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Clifford H. Lyman, Jr. and Linda K. Nutter Lyman. William graduated from the Ft. Scott High School in 1984.
He served with the Kansas Army National Guard and later served for four years with the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, William was stationed at the China Lake Naval Weapons Testing Center and he also served on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Following his discharge from the Navy, William attended Rice Aviation School in Houston, Texas where he graduated with high honors.
He worked as a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic. He worked for B. F. Goodrich Aerospace in Everett, Washington and Southwest Airlines in Houston, Texas.
William enjoyed cooking, working on cars, refinishing furniture, watching football and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his parents, Clifford and Linda Lyman, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and his son, David R. Lyman, of Dallas, Texas. Also surviving are two nieces, Crystal Wielichowski and husband, Todd and their children Kashton and Weston; and Alyssa Beck and two nephews, Brandon Beck and his wife, Jean’t and their children, Raine, Gavin and Coralyn and Clifford H. Lyman IV and his wife, Catharine.
William was preceded in death by his sister, Sherrell A. Lyman Beck and his brother, Clifford H. Lyman III as well as his grandparents, Russell and Mary Nutter and Clifford and Hattie Lyman.
Pastor Jim Logan will conduct graveside services at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 14th at the Uniontown Cemetery.
Friends and family may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:40 P.M
. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Erla Mae Casner, age 90, died March 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott, Kansas.
She was born October 26, 1929, in Mapleton, Kansas, daughter of William Fred Bloesser and Lula Mae Wellington Blosser.
She married Merle LaVerne Casner on Oct. 26,1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He preceded her in death June 10, 2017.
Erla graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1948.
She studied organ under Professor Ronald Dawson and then Dr. John Ditto at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
She served twenty-four years as organist at the First Church of God in Fort Scott. She also served as substitute organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Scott. She performed several recitals at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on the pipe organ for Good Ol’ Days. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She is survived by two sons: Mark Casner and wife Donna, and Keith Casner both of Fort Scott, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and sister Fern Wratchford of Fort Scott.
Besides her husband, Merle, she was preceded in death by her brother William Bloesser and grandson, Raef Casner.
Father Dave Jenkins will officiate funeral services for Erla at 2:00 p.m., Thursday March 12, 2020, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m., Thursday until the service at 2:00 p.m.
Burial will be held at Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Pittsburg, Kansas and 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 submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Survivors include her four children, Charles Andrew Haddan (Juanita), of Nevada, Missouri; Teresa Gayle Jameson, of Pittsburg, Kansas; William Thomas Hadden (Brandy), of Arma, Kansas and Audrey Kilpatrick-Doherty (Stephen), of Ft. Scott; seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Jimmy and two sisters, Mary and Cindy, all of Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 28 at the Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Friday prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.
Memorials are suggested to the Trena Cooper 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.
Martha Ann Clark, 86, of Fort Scott, passed away, Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.
She was born May 11, 1933 in Springfield, Missouri the daughter of John Paul and Cora Shaup Jones.
She married Kenneth E. Clark on October 3, 1954 in Stark, Kansas, he preceded her in death, March 9, 1999
. She had been a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Scott.
She is survived by two sons, Kenneth Clark, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Garland, Kansas and Kevin Clark of Chanute, Kansas; three grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Kenneth, she was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Keith Clark, two brothers and four sisters.
Pastor James Collins will officiate graveside services for Martha at 12:30 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2020 at he Fort Scott National Cemetery.
The Family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association, 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.
Marilyn Louise Bruner, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, February 24, 2020, at her home. She was born November 5, 1943, in Mapleton, KS, the daughter of Walter Eberly and Agnes Mackie Bruner.
Marilyn loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She and her brother Joe always planted a large garden. She enjoyed baking, cooking, dancing, gardening, playing cards and board games. She also enjoyed attending church and dining out with friends. Her CB handle was “Dancing Queen”.
Survivors include a sister, Venita Miller, Kincaid, KS; two sisters in law, Darla Bruner, Ft. Scott, KS, and Freda Bruner, Mound City, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by five sisters, Pauline Seitz, Lorraine Wilcox, Leora Ross, Shirley Ball, and an infant sister; three brothers, Virgil, Joseph, and Willard Bruner; and her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 29th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, KS.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Marilyn Bruner memorial fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
