Audrey E. Frantz, 97, of Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at her home.

She was the wife of the late Franklin A. “Buck” Frantz who passed away in 2001.

Born September 3, 1921, in Arcadia, Kansas, she was a daughter of the late James Herbert and Francis Elizabeth (Horn) McDaniel.

Audrey was a 1939 graduate of Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott, Kansas, and a 1941 graduate of Woodrow Wilson Junior College. She worked in the accounting department of the Continental Insurance Co. in Chicago, Illinois for forty years.

She was a member of Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church and she loved to write poetry.

Audrey is survived by a nephew, Wayne Winterberg of Midlothian, Illinois, and by her “adopted granddaughter”, Olga Schillinger.

Following services in Pennsylvania on Friday, May 31, 2019, at the Kresge Funeral Home, Audrey will be entombed next to her husband Buck in Rosebank Cemetery in Mulberry, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home in Fort Scott, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Dean M. Ellis, 65, a resident of Eugene, Oregon, died June 1, 2019, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He was born to Mark and Barbara Ellis April 3, 1954, in San Francisco, California, where he grew up and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School.

He moved to Eugene, Oregon in the early 1980’s. He worked in a number of restaurants in San Francisco, Santa Maria, and Eugene, Oregon.

Dean is survived by his brothers, Richard Ellis and wife Judith Nishimori, of Santa Maria, California, and Carl Ellis and wife Sandra, of Fort Scott, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Barbara Ellis.

Private services will be held in in San Rafael, California. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance on Mental illness, www.nami.org, or the San Francisco Zoo. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Marilyn Gibson Blincoe passed away on Saturday, April 27 at her home in Lodi, CA. She was taken up into the arms of God her Heavenly Father.

Marilyn Louise Gibson was born to Carl and Nina Gibson on September 20, 1929, in LaCrosse, Kansas. She grew up in Dighton, Hays, and Lawrence. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority at the University of Kansas. She met her husband, Robert Melville Blincoe, at the university. They were married January 27, 1950, in the First Christian Church of Lawrence.

Marilyn began taking care of foster babies in Seattle in 1958. She dedicated herself to providing a loving home for more than 250 babies. This was her life mission for more than five decades, first in Seattle and then in Burlingame, Atherton, and Lodi, CA.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of 69 years and her children Robert Alan (Jan), Carl (Susan), Mark (Cyndi), Kris and Nicole, as well as 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Patricia Louise Jones preceded Marilyn in death. Now Marilyn is reunited with her parents, her brothers Robert Desmond, Carl Dean and Daniel Gibson, and other loved ones who went before her.

There will be a private memorial service at Fort Scott National Cemetery. Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Robert Eugene “Bob” Hall, age 86, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, June 03, 2019, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott. He was born on March 16, 1933, in Devon, KS, the son of Walter Roy and Bertha Marie Walker Hall. Bob served in the Army as a Sgt. in Korea. Following his service, he married Betty Lou Deer of Mapleton, KS. To this union, they were blessed with five children. They later divorced. Before his disability, Bob worked as a self-employed carpenter and painter. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing, noodling with his boys, pool tournaments, playing cards with family and friends, and having drinks at “the office” (aka the 5th Wheel). He loved his children and grandchildren very much and will be deeply missed by them all. Before his passing, Bob allowed God into his life and gave himself, his kids and grandkids the greatest gift ever.

Survivors include two sons, LeRoy Hall, spouse (Kelly) and, Ft. Scott, and David Hall, Mapleton, KS; two daughters, Janet Hall, and Cheryl (Hall) O’Brien, both of Ft. Scott; 14 grandchildren, Robbie Hall (Lisa), Jerried Hall, Trey Hall, Jeremy Hall, Casey Hall (Joni), Jennifer Hall, Bobbi Miller, Jimmy Swink, Levi Rodebush (Tamera), Ryan Swink, Brandon Swink, Brent Kober (Laura), Shane Kober (Amanda), and Taylor Hall (Greg); and numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Larry Steven Hall; a granddaughter, Lacey Page; a grandson, Butch Hall; a brother, Dorwin Hall; and his parents.

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 8th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice 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.

Joseph Albert Brungardt, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019, at the Franklin House in Ft. Scott. He was born May 1, 1936, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Michael “Mike” Brungardt and Mary Kaberlein Brungardt.

Joe served with the United States Army from 1955 to 1958 where he was stationed in Germany.

He married Mary Lou Farmer on June 11, 1977, in Ft. Scott.

In earlier years, Joe had worked in Highway Construction he later worked for Farmers Co-Op in Ft. Scott and Girard and managed the grain elevators.

He was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his two step-daughters, Deborah Lea Vernon and husband, Bob, of Apache Junction, Arizona and Paula Dee Eastwood and husband, Jim, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Robert Brungardt, of Nebraska.

His wife, Mary Lou, preceded him in death on March 11, 2017. He was also preceded in death by a step-son, Brad Farmer; a grandson, Paul James Decker; three brothers, Raymond, Clem and Richard Brungardt; and two sisters, Eleanor Kuhn and Maggie Leikiam.

There was cremation. A graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Breast Cancer Research 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.

Robert D. Bledsoe, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, May 27, 2019, at Girard Medical Center, Girard, KS.

He was born July 26, 1942, in Happy Hill, MO, the son of Henry Leslie and Nettie Mae Wyrick Bledsoe. Robert was a welder throughout his working career.

He married Lillian Mae See on March 9, 1984, in Wichita, KS.

He enjoyed NASCAR and watching pro football, especially the New England Patriots. Robert was caring and always willing to help people in need. He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Lillian of the home; two brothers, Howard Bledsoe and wife Carol, Dubois, PA, and Amos Bledsoe and wife Gayle, Salem, AR; 3 step-daughters, Tina Cooper and husband Bill, Wichita, KS, Monica Thill, Wichita, KS, and Kimberly Keplar, Augusta, KS; 8 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Bledsoe; 4 brothers, Leslie Lee, Don, Raymond, and Gary Bledsoe; 2 sisters, Violet Carol and Beulah Smith; and his parents.

There was cremation.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 1:30 until 2:30 PM Tuesday, June 4^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Patricia Alaine “Patty” Pool, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was born March 31, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Henry Eugene “Gene” Floyd and Maxine Monroe Floyd. Patty graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1969. She married Michael L. Pool on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.

In earlier years, Patty worked at several area banks. She later worked in the Bourbon County Vehicle Registration Office for over twenty-years. Patty enjoyed playing the violin and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home; and two sons, Brian Pool (Jana) and Brent Pool (Tawny), all of Ft. Scott and five grandchildren; Laura, Ashleigh, Nash, Kellen and Evan. Also surviving are two brothers, Earl Floyd, of Overland Park, Kansas and Steve Floyd of Ft. Scott and two sisters, Lynette Jackson, of Ft. Scott and Bonnie George of Concordia, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation 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.

Joe “Pete” Erie, age 82, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2019, as the result of a fire at his home.

He was born May 29, 1936, in Stotesbury, Missouri, the son of Henry John “Skeet” Erie and Winifred Marie Sheehy Erie.

Pete married Nina Lou Buck on September 9, 1956, at the Buck family home in Dadeville, Missouri.

Pete was employed by Key Industries for twenty-three years. He later worked as maintenance supervisor for the U-234 School District for twenty-thee years. Pete was instrumental in founding the Bourbon County Rural Fire Department; he remained active with the fire department for many years. He also maintained his own cattle herd.

Survivors include his son, John Erie, and wife, Terry, and his daughter, Sondra Ruhl, and husband, Nick, all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin (Brooke), Dawn Bryant (Micheal), Wendy Budd (David), John Erie, Jr. (Stephannie), Anita Vaugh (Daniel) and Bethany Thompson (Ray); and thirteen great-grandchildren, Codee Budd, Caden Bolin, Andy Bryant, Coree Budd, Aleana Erie, Dylann Bolin, Mia Bryant, Koby Erie, Alex Thompson, Raegan Bolin, Payton Bowling, Willow Vaughn, and Kanyon Vaugh with two more great-grandchildren on the way. Also surviving are two sisters, Peggy Cowan, of Ft. Scott, Pat Hoskins and husband, Frank, of Hillsboro, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Edna Erie, of Ft. Scott, and several nieces and nephews.

His wife, Nina, preceded him in death on November 26, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Mike Erie, and a brother-in-law, Gene Cowan.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 23^rd 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 the Scott Township Fire Department or the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene 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.

Mary Alice Longfellow, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Friday morning, May 10, 2019, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, MO.

She was born November 7, 1947, in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Maurice and Jane Dunlap Tharp.

She married Daniel Longfellow on June 18, 1993. Together they enjoyed camping and spent one entire summer reenacting the Old West era throughout Kansas. Mary worked as a CNA for Ottowa Retirement Village until her retirement. She was an all-around good person who will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband Daniel of Ft. Scott; two daughters, Paula Christine Roadcap, Topeka, KS, and Sharon, Georgia; a stepson, Richard Longfellow, Ft. Scott; two sisters, Betty Jane White, Montana, and Donna Bea Nabus, Ft. Scott; four grandsons; and one granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph William Dunlap, Ronald M. Tharp, and Lewis E. Tharp; a half-sister, Sharon Lee; and her parents.

Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct graveside services at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 15th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.

Friends may gather at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Donna Ruth Needham’s journey to our Lord ended peacefully on May 7, 2019, in Fort Scott, Kansas. Her journey began June 21, 1931, in Wichita, Kansas.

Donna was a graduate of Wichita North High School. She earned her B.S. in education at Pittsburg State University. There she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and gained lifelong friends as she did everywhere she was. After teaching at Hutchinson High School (1954-1962), she moved to Fort Scott and began her teaching career at Cottey College. She earned her Master’s in Education at Pittsburg State University. She retired from Cottey as Professor Emerita in 1997. While there, she oversaw the physical education program and served as chair of the Social Science division. In 1996, Donna received the Missouri Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

Donna focused on all things water-related! She taught synchronized swimming, competitive swimming, diving and water safety. She was especially skilled at working with those who feared the water. She was also a certified trainer for the American Red Cross. It was not uncommon to see Donna with her friends in her beloved boat on Fort Scott Lake where she loved to water ski and frequently taught others to water ski.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Thelma (Warne) Needham, and her sister Faye Shogren.

Survivors include her nephew Michael Shogren (Debbie) of Wichita, Kansas, niece Donna Robbins (Kevin Fessman) of Derby, Kansas, nephew Scott Shogren (Wendy) of Wichita, Kansas, and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Donna’s sense of humor, honesty, generosity and infectious laughter endeared her to everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by dear friends! She will be especially missed by Lisa Proctor of Nevada, Missouri, Karen Polon and Ed Hyde of Nevada, Missouri, Mary Ann Benage of Fort Scott, Kay Roberts of Columbia, Missouri, Becki and Kent Roberts of Fort Scott, and Janie Harrison of Conway, Arkansas. We are grateful for the care and comfort that she was given at Presbyterian Village.

Her faith and her church Mary Queen of Angels were the light in the darkness we call life.

Following cremation, the Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Fort Scott. 

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. with burial following in the St. Mary’s Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

  Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School or Cottey College and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.