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.

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.

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 3^rd 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.

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.  

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.

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.

Goldie May Schnichels, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at her home. Services for Goldie Schnichels are pending and will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Memorials are suggested to the Goldie Schnichels Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Hope Elaine Holeman, age 94, resident of Parsons, KS, formerly of Bronson, KS, died Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Labette Health Center in Parsons. She was born on November 13, 1925, in Iola, KS, the daughter of Olin and Florence Hicks Burtch. They moved to Bronson in 1941. She obtained her teaching degree from Kansas University after beginning at Baldwin College. She taught high school for several years. Hope married Colwell Holeman in August of 1950. She played the piano her entire life. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles. After retirement from the farm, she and Colwell would travel to the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas in the cold winter months to spend time with friends and family. She was a member of the Bronson United Methodist Church.

Survivors include 2 sons, Bob Holeman, Parsons, KS, and Bill Holeman (Lora) Bronson, KS;  seven grandchildren, Justin Holeman (Jamie), William Holeman, Jessica Laforge (Jordan), Joshua Holeman (Yuli), Joel Holeman (Crystal), Andrew Holeman, and Adrienne Holeman; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Colwell; a daughter Mary Margaret Holeman; and a brother, Robert Burtch.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 10^th, at the Bronson Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church 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.