Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary of Daniel Hereford

Daniel Dewayne “Dan” Hereford, age 52, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 22, 2020, in Ft. Scott.

He was born November 24, 1967, in Ft. Scott, the son of Dale and Susan Clayton Hereford. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School. He married Jackie Brown on May 23, 1987, in Ft. Scott.

Dan has been employed by Timken for the past 31 years.

He enjoyed bee keeping, wood working, and gardening. He liked to attend auctions and occasionally bought things.

Dan never met a stranger. He had a great laugh and liked to tell stories, sometimes embellishing a bit. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include his wife Jackie of the home; his mother, Susan Porter and husband Larry, a son, Jake Hereford and wife Cindy, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Baylee Crahan and husband Jacob; 3 siblings, Lynna Myer and husband Larry, Lancaster, KS, Troy Landers and wife Becky, Ft. Scott, and Jeff Daly and wife Julie, Ft. Scott; 4 grandchildren, Karlee and Rydale Hereford, and Luke and Abbie Crahan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Hereford.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 28th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Missionary 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.

Obituary of Oaklyn Kastl

Oaklyn Rae Kastl, daughter of James Michael Kastl, Sr. and Cassandra LeeAnn Wells, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by siblings, Carlie, Jackson, Ashby Jr., Travis, Jazmine, Jaydynn, Jerzee and Jimmy Jr.

Also surviving are grandparents, Donna Kay Wallace, Dwayne Wells and Rodney and Dottie Pulliam; great-grandmother, Donna Rash and several aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Wayne Rash and Kenneth and Ruth Wells.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 26th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Oaklyn Kastl 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.

Obituary of Dexter Clark

Dexter Allen Clark, age 87, a resident of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 19, 2020, at his home.

He was born July 8, 1933, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of James H. Clark, Sr. and Alice Anna West Clark.

In earlier years, Dexter worked for the Ft. Scott Tribune first as a paperboy and later in the print room.  He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and later served with the United States Army during the Korean War.  Following his military service he graduated from Wichita Drafting College.

He married Lucille Williams in 1955.  They later divorced in 1987.  Dexter began a career with Litwin Corp., an oil refining business, where he worked for many years as Senior Design and Draftsman.  When the company relocated to Texas, Dexter took a position with PDF/Texaco in Eldorado, Kansas where he worked until he retired.

Dexter was extremely mechanically minded and used this ability in his hobby of constructing models of all kinds especially cars and airplanes. He also enjoyed ceramics, collecting stamps and coins, gardening and photography.  He was a member of the NRA.

 

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Clark, of the home in Wichita; a grandson, Shannon Colby Urban; four great-grandchildren, Isaac, Tristin, Michala and Jillian and two great-great-grandchildren, Zoe and Benjamin.  Also surviving are a brother, Richard Clark, of Lenexa, his in-laws, Rollin and Betty Swaim and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leon Clark and James H. Clark, Jr.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 23rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial with military honors will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery northeast of Ft. Scott.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Oaklynn Shadden

Oaklynn Virginia Shadden, age 2 months, died Sunday, October 18, 2020, at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, MO. She was born August 20, 2020, in Nevada, MO, the daughter of Samuel Shadden and Courtney Scheckel.

Survivors include her parents; a brother, Gydeon Hall; a brother/uncle, Zayne Schnichels; grandparents, Harry “Sid” and Dollie Shadden, Fulton, KS, Karon Schnichels (Troy Rhynerson), Ft. Scott, KS, and David C. Schnichels, Nevada, MO; great grandparents Charlotte Lucas and Alvin Ted Miles; aunts Brandi Toomay (Joel), Roxanne Merriman (Jay), Heather Hillis (Cody), and Megan Sherbon (Jared); uncles Steven E. Shadden, David Shadden (Jackie), and Kyle Schnichels (Laryn Thompson); and 18 cousins.

She was preceded in death by great grandparents, Virginia Schnichels, Goldie Schnichels, David W. Schnichels, Lewis Lucas, Faye Dean Lucas, Alice Virginia Ruby-Johnson, Colleen Joles Cowden and Harry H. Shadden.

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct graveside services at 10:00 Friday, October 23rd, in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Oaklynn Shadden 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.

Obituary of Clessa Hawkins

Clessa Kay Hawkins, age 56, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Saturday, October 17, 2020, at her home.
  She was born November 6, 1963, in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of Clarence Earl Coulter and Mary Elizabeth Call Coulter.
Clessa married Terry Wayne Hawkins on August 22, 1980, at Ft. Scott.  He preceded her in death on February 8, 2014.
Clessa enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time outdoors and with her grandchildren.  She also liked playing Bingo and taking the occasional trip to the casino.
Survivors include five sons, Jason Hawkins (Kenda), of Newport, Missouri; Terry Hawkins, Jr. (Krystal), Burt Hawkins (Vickie), Clarence Hawkins and John Hawkins (Ryan) all of Ft. Scott, Kansas and sixteen grandchildren, Jackson, Zane, Kendra, Myrissa, Austina, Aleigha, Leroy, Clarence, Jr., Earl, Lindsy, Lyla, Hunter, Teanin, Dustie, Saphera, and Atreya, two great-grandchildren and her beloved dog, Rose.  Also surviving are four brothers, Edward Earl Coulter, of Farlington, Kansas, Leroy Coulter and Randy Jay Coulter, both of Mulberry, Kansas, and Ronnie Lee Coulter, of Ft. Scott and three sisters, Linda Sue Ames, of Ft. Scott, Connie Bea Zumwalt, of Kentucky and Clessa’s twin sister, Tressa Mae McClure of Nashville, Missouri.
  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Leroy Hawkins, a brother, Michael Ray Coulter and three sisters, Mary Elaine Wells, Wanda Jean Drake, and Mildred Arlene Cooper.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, October 22nd at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:00 P.M.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
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.

Obituary of Roy Cole Holdridge IV

Roy Cole “RC” Holdridge IV, age 58, resident of Redfield, KS, died Thursday, October 15, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, MO.

He was born March 5, 1962, in Albuquerque, NM, the son of Roy Cole Holdridge II and Donna Kepley Holdridge.

He married Julie Piatt on January 10, 1994.  They later divorced.

Roy worked many jobs through his career, most recently at Ward Kraft.  He was a noted movie buff, especially westerns.  He possessed a vast knowledge of classic film trivia.  Roy was also a great cook.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

 

Survivors include a son, Lucus Holdridge, Redfield, KS; a daughter, Jennifer Menser-Roberts, Ft. Scott, KS; a brother, Ron Holdridge and wife Lora, Ft. Scott, KS; a sister, Missie Tillitson and husband Shawn; 4 grandchildren, Gabriel, Jocelyn, Jaxton, and Emma; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

There was cremation.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, October 21st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 until service time at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Roy Holdridge 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.

Obituary of Beth Ann Tinsley

Beth Ann  Tinsley

Beth Ann Tinsley, age 77, a resident of Bronson, Kansas passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at the Moran Manor Nursing Home in Moran, Kansas.

She was born January 17, 1943, in Moran, the daughter of Francis Bradford Glasgow and Keitha Yelton Glasgow.

She married Paul Everette Tinsley on May 25, 1959, at Lone Elm, Kansas.

In earlier years, Beth worked for Reasoner’s Equipment in Bronson. She later owned and operated B & P Sport Shop in Bronson and also operated her own dog breeding kennel.

She was a member of the Xenia Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Paul, of the home in Bronson and three children, Paula Ann Vincent, of Hiattville, Kansas and Everette Allen Tinsley and James Bradford Tinsley, both of Bronson and four grandchildren, David Paul Vincent, Deanaira Vincent, Dana Vincent and Alex Lee Lukenbill. Also surviving is a brother, Phillip Glasgow, of Lawrence, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 1st at the Bronson Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.

Obituary of Alice McElmurry

Alice Louise McElmurry, 89, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, October 14, 2020, at her home. She was born June 21, 1931, in Bronaugh, Missouri, the daughter of Robert Wilfred “Bob” and Mary Lou (Dighero) Clarida. She married Rex McElmurry on February 12, 1950, in Huntsville, Arkansas, and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2013.

Alice was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School there for over fifty years. She was also a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha and was a Boy Scout Den Mother.

Alice is survived by a sister, “Bobby” Patricia Ann of Olathe, Kansas; four grandchildren, Shay Medley and husband David of Springfield, Missouri, Tanna Truett of Gladsden, Alabama, Ashley Brown of Wichita, Kansas, and Charles “Chip” McElmurry, of Fort Scott; and five great-grandchildren, Robert Wehmer, William Wehmer, Harley Littleton, Alex Littleton, and Austin Truett. In addition to her husband Rex, Alice was also preceded in death by her parents, her son Charles Robert “Chuck” McElmurry, and her sister Betty Knox.

Rev. Gary DeMott will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2020, at Memory Gardens under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Loretta Arnold

Loretta Arnold, 72, of Fort Scott, passed peacefully from this life Tuesday evening October 13, 2020, at KU Medical Center. Loretta answered the call of her Savior to “come home, my child.”

Loretta was born on October 6, 1948, to Richard Dale and Helen Marie (Moyer) Hall at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas. She grew up in the Bethel community west of Fort Scott. She was a lifetime member of Bethel Community Baptist Church and attended grade school in the one-room schoolhouse still standing at Bethel Church. She attended Fort Scott schools and was a 1966 FSHS graduate. She was a graduated alumnus of Fort Scott Community College.

Her thoughtful and dependable work history includes thirty-seven years within The Western Insurance Companies, a secretary with Tri-Valley Developmental Services, and then retiring from the Bourbon County Courthouse treasurer’s office.

Loretta knew most everyone in Fort Scott and never met a stranger. She shared her friendliness with anyone. She was proud of her little hometown Fort Scott, boasting upon it with others. She was an exceptional cook who could bake an apple pie to match her mother’s Purple Ribbon winning pies, an ever-entertaining host to family, friend, or stranger.

She loved family get-togethers, enjoying a friendly game of cards, or such. Every weekend for twenty-seven years, her “Whipper Snapper Card Crew” met around a table to play a laughing, hilarious, and joking card game called Phase 10 with her lifelong friends, “sisters” Belinda Richardson and Becky Jaynes, along with their families.

Survivors include her husband Dale, of the home, stepchildren Troy Arnold (Jennifer), Tami Shirley, and Trent Arnold (Julie), with numerous grandchildren, and her son-in-law John Galvis. Also surviving are her siblings Jerry Hall (Alice), Rhonda Deck (Mike), Rex Hall (Karen), Michelle Long, Herbert Hall, and Damon Hall (Jill), and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her daughter Leasha Renee Galvis, her parents, a brother, Brett Alan Hall, son-in-law Larry Shirley, and her grandparents.

Rev. Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2020, at Memory Gardens under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home

. Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share and left in care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Dale Geiger

Dale Geiger, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 13, 2020, at Girard Medical Center. He was born June 24, 1933, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Schley and Ruth Marie (Wells) Geiger. He married Bonnie Bolinger on November 6, 1952, at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, and she survives of the home.

Dale was an insurance underwriter for The Western Insurance Co. for many years and also farmed.

He served in the US Army during the Korean War from November of 1953 until December of 1955 as a heavy artillery instructor in the 3rd Army Infantry under Dwight Eisenhower.

In addition to his wife Bonnie, Dale is also survived by his daughter Joyce Jennings of Mound City, Kansas, his son Steve Geiger of Uniontown, Kansas, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Dewayne Geiger.

Rev. Carl K. Ellis will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2020, at the Uniontown Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to either 4H, Meals-On-Wheels, or the Beacon, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Christie Belcher

Christie Elaine Belcher, age 62, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 12, 2020, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born May 9, 1958, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald Glen Hunziker and Maxine Christy Hunziker.

Christie graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  She married Dwight Belcher on April 21, 1983, in Nevada, Missouri.

In earlier years, Christie worked in the business offices of both Heartland Hospital in Nevada and Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.

In 1992, Christi and Dwight opened their restaurant, Max’s Way Station located on the north end of Ft. Scott.  Christie loved working at Max’s and keeping up with all of her customers.

She enjoyed helping others, being outside and spending time with her grandchildren.  She attended the Faith Church.

 

Survivors include her husband, Dwight, of the home; three children, Christie “Dawn” (Anthony) Wolfe, of Nevada, Missouri; Cassie Sauls, Ft. Scott and Dustin (Jordan) Belcher also of Ft. Scott and grandchildren, Jaiden, Donovan, Corbyn, Nakyah, Gabrielle, Christopher, Jill, Allie, Bella and Addie and three step-children, Shelly Claypool and David Belcher, both of Nevada and Dwight “JR” Belcher, of Texas as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are her mother, Maxine Hunziker and two brothers, Doug (Carol) Hunziker and David Hunziker, all of Ft. Scott.

 

She was preceded in death by her father, Don Hunziker and a granddaughter, Noel.

 

Rev. Matthew Hunt will conduct graveside services at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 17th at the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

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

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

Obituary of Della Raguse

On October 12, 2020, Della Mae Raguse, loving wife and mother of three children, left this earth for her heavenly home at the age of 94, joyful to be reunited with so many she loved.

Della Mae was born on November 5th, 1925 to Emma and Christopher Voss at their home on a farm near Holyrood, Kansas. She lived her entire childhood on the farm with her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Raised in a Christian family, Della Mae lived a life that was shaped and guided by her faith. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, and at a time when needed, answered the call to become a teacher, the vocation of service that would prove very important in the lives of both her and her family. 

On May 27, 1951, she married Carl Raguse, a Lutheran school teacher she got to know through church events and gatherings at the local skating rink. Together they raised one daughter and two sons, all of whom went on to become teachers and meet their spouses at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE. 

Though she continued to teach for a time after the marriage, she transitioned to the career of homemaker for several years to raise her children. She then began working as a secretary at the local community college and later at a Lutheran elementary school, both additional connections to education which she treasured.

Through these stages of life, Della Mae and Carl made their home in various locations including Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. Retirement led them to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1996, to live near their daughter and family.

Throughout both her working years and retirement, Della Mae always found ways to keep her faith and family as her highest priorities. Serving her church in many capacities, making her home a loving and comforting place to be, and spending time with family and friends were of utmost importance to her.

Della Mae is now joyfully reunited with her parents, her husband Carl, her sister and brother-in-law, LaVina and Al Juergensen, her brother Wilber, and an infant granddaughter.

She is survived by her sister, Marian (Charles) McKay, her sister-in-law Sandra Voss, her daughter, Cathy (Rick) Werling, her sons, Dan (Maggie) Raguse and Darin (Janet) Raguse, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Della Mae’s earthly life was filled with the love of family and friends, and faith in Jesus was her path to eternal life. All who knew her were blessed to have her in their lives.

Due to concerns around the current pandemic, the funeral will be limited to family members.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. 

The family knows that all who loved Della Mae will be present in thought and spirit. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. Memorials are suggested to either Trinity Lutheran Church or Fort Scott Presbyterian Village and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS  66701.