Jacob H. “Jake” Underwood, age 98, a former resident of Uniontown, KS, and more recently of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  He was born on July 6, 1919, on the family farm in Uniontown to Jay and Hazel McKinnis Underwood.

Mr. Underwood graduated from Uniontown High School in 1936 and Fort Scott Community College two years later.

In July of 1941, he was called to serve in the military.  For three years he was stationed at Camp Polk in Louisiana with the 7^th Armored Division.  Before leaving to fight the war in Europe, he married Doris Patterson on May 9, 1944.  They were married until her death in 2002.

He was shipped to Belgium in 1944 with the 106^th Infantry and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a prisoner of war in Bad Orb Prison Camp in Germany from December 1944 and was liberated in April of 1945.

After returning to civilian life, he began his career as the County Clerk and later became the business manager for the Fort Scott School District where he faithfully served for 35 years.

Mr. Underwood was an active community member both in Fort Scott and Uniontown.  At the time of his death, he belonged to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and Ruritan.  Jake was proud to be a lifelong Democrat.  He was truly an example of the “Greatest Generation” – proud veteran, devoted family man, and dedicated civic leader.

He is survived by two daughters: Susan Karleskint, Uniontown, and Mary Gregory and husband Brad, Bolivar, MO; sister-in-law’s Janice Patterson of Fort Scott, and Erma Patterson of Atlanta; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and a niece in Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris Underwood, daughter, Ruth Ann Burleson, brother, Gilbert Underwood; and brother-in-law’s, John and Byron Patterson.

Rev. Connie McKee will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 20, at Uniontown United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.  Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W.  Memorial are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S Main, Fort Scott, KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Oka Ola Hare Clinesmith, age 98, of Fort Scott, passed away on January 13, 2018, in Columbia, MO.

Oka was born to Andrew Jackson Hare and Mae Johnston Hare in 1919 on a Bourbon County farm south of Fort Scott. She attended Katt School and Fort Scott Junior High before moving with her family to Tribune, Kansas. She graduated from Tribune Senior High School and married Carl Benjamin Clinesmith. They moved to Emporia, Kansas, where she attended Emporia State for one year while Carl taught music in Pretty Prairie. When Carl was called to duty in the Army Air Force Oka moved to Wichita and worked for Boeing. After the war, they returned to Fort Scott where she lived for over 70 years. Here they raised two children, Carl Benjamin Clinesmith, Jr. and Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller.

Oka worked as the secretary and was assistant to the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, from 1951 – 1985 while Carl taught band, choir and orchestra for Fort Scott Public Schools and Junior College. Oka served as a deacon and elder of the church, sang in the choir and was a member of the United Presbyterian Women. She was a private clarinet teacher and later enjoyed playing clarinet in the Fort Scott Civic Orchestra. She was a member of P.E.O.

Oka was a textile artist creating remarkable treasurers including braided rugs, English smocked music boxes, eggs and bells, and elegant petit point angels and Santas. And anyone who knew Oka will miss her practical and indispensable scrubbies.

Oka is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl, and her three sisters Eda Ruth Hare, Leta Mary Hare and Georgia Anne Hare Chesney. She is survived by her children Carl Benjamin, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of New York, NY; Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller and her husband Bill of Columbia, MO; and their families including grandchildren Ellen Clinesmith (Jon Carr) of Uncasville, CT; Sarah Miller Coats (Kourtney Coats) of Enid, OK; Karen Miller Lutgen (Keith Lutgen) of Minneapolis, MN; and great-grandchildren Ryan Clinesmith, Wesley Coats, Wyatt Coats, Lucy Lutgen and Greta Lutgen.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Saturday, January 20, 2018, with Rev. Dr. Jared Witt officiating.

Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, or the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund. Donations may be sent to or 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.