Category Archives: Obituary

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.  

Funeral Services For Goldie Schnichels

Funeral services for Goldie Schnichels will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, October 16th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

Memorials are suggested to the Goldie Schnichels 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.

Obituary of GALEN C. BIGELOW, SR.


Galen Charles Bigelow, Sr., 77, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday evening, October 8, 2020. He was born November 8, 1942, in Hiattville, Kansas, the son of Charles William and Luella Elizabeth (Wescoatt) Bigelow. He married Marita Lynne Barr June 7, 1960, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Galen graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1960, and he served in the US Army National Guard from 1960 until September of 1992. He retired from Gene’s IGA/Heartland after seven years in 2005 where he was Manager over Fresh Produce and Dairy. Before that Galen worked at Dayco in Fort Scott. His earlier career included Frito Lay, Inc. District Manager for Western Kansas, Schwann’s Route Salesman for Mt. Vernon, Missouri area, and he owned and operated Bigelow’s Dairy Spot Restaurant in Moran, Kansas. Galen was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and also attended First Baptist Church and Bethel Community Church.

In addition to his wife Marita, Galen is also survived by his children, Michelle McKay and husband Eric of Fort Scott, Teresa Fly and husband David, also of Fort Scott, Galen Bigelow, Jr. and wife Trena of Elsmore, Kansas, and Bill Bigelow and wife Michelle of Moran, Kansas; a sister, Juanita Eads and husband Roy of Fort Scott; eleven grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation 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 Robert Kibble

Robert E. Kibble, 90, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday evening, October 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates. He was born May 4, 1930, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Donald Vance and Beulah (Ramsey) Kibble. He married Irene Natalie Hitchcock July 5, 1978, in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death January 24, 2017.

Bob served in the US Navy, and worked in Maintenance at the Farmers Co-Op.

Bob is survived by his son, Steve Kibble and wife Julie, of Fort Scott; two step-sons, Roy Daniel and Dale Daniel, Both of Bolivar, Missouri; two step-daughters Della Orender of Frontenac, Kansas, and Jan Daniel of Bolivar, Missouri; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his special friend Teresa Wunderly. In addition to his wife Irene, Bob was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Donaldeen Rye and Sue Thorpe, a son, Alan Kibble, and a grandson, Jason Bolinger.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the West Plains Cemetery in Fort Scott. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Dixie Kalm

Dixie Lou Kalm, age 72, a resident of rural Arcadia, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was born February 24, 1948, in Xenia, Kansas, the daughter of Eugene Charles “Curley” Williams and Margaret Frances Russell Williams.

Dixie married Keith Edward Kalm on February 16, 1969.  In earlier years, Dixie had been employed by the Western Insurance Company.

Following the birth of her son, Steven, Dixie became a stay at home mom.  In 2002, she became the secretary of the First Baptist Church in Ft. Scott and remained there until ill health forced her retirement just a few months ago.

She enjoyed crafts of all kinds and often shared her talent with 4-H and Vacation Bible School activities.  She enjoyed feeding the hummingbirds and watching sports of all kinds.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

 

Survivors include her son, Steven Kalm and wife, April, of Girard, Kansas; two grandchildren, Austin O’Dell and fiancé, Rikki Falkin and Ashlynn O’Dell.  Also surviving is a brother, Don Williams, of Blue Mound, Kansas and in-laws, Raymond Kalm, of Garland, Kansas; Lewis Kalm and wife, Jeanie, of Frontenac and Kathryn Doerfler and husband, Dave, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, on July 4, 2003.  She was also preceded in death by her parents.

 

Pastor Bob Kraus will conduct graveside services at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, October 13th at the Sheffield Cemetery near Arcadia, Kansas.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. prior to leaving for the cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the First 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.