Obituary

Obituary For Randall Readinger

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Randall Ray Readinger, age 56, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at the Ft. Scott Mercy Hospital Emergency Room.  He was born April 10, 1961, in Ft. Scott, the son of Delbert Readinger and Leota Carpenter Readinger.  He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1979, while in high school he was on the football and wrestling teams. He later went on to receive both his BA and MBA degrees from Pittsburg State University. He married Betsy Anthon on August 29, 1987, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  While in high school, Randall worked hauling hay.  Following his education, he moved to Tulsa where he was employed by Arthur Anderson, Transok, and Thrifty Rent-A-Car.  He later moved to Pittsburg, Kansas where he served as CFO for Watco.  In 2006, the family moved to Ft. Scott where Randall worked as CFO for Ft. Scott Livestock Market and was also the owner of SGT Printing and Promotions.  Randall was involved with a number of area civic organizations.  He served as Secretary of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Chairman for the Bourbon County Republicans and served as treasurer for several Republican political candidates. He was an active member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and served as treasurer for the Knights of Columbus.  He thoroughly enjoyed his life in the country where he enjoyed taking care of his animals and making wine.  He was a member of the P.S.U. Rugby team, then later a member of the Tulsa Rugby Club. He also liked to remodel houses and enjoyed recycling and repurposing old items in his restorations. 
 
Survivors include his wife, Betsy, and his three children, Heather, Hayley and Matthew Readinger, all of the home.  Also surviving are his mother, Leota McClendon, of Liberal, Missouri; a sister, Debra Martin and husband, Larry and a brother, Loren Readinger and wife, Julie, all of Ft. Scott; a step-brother, Mark McClendon, of Liberal, Missouri, three step-sisters, Lisa McClendon Butts, also of Liberal, Jenet Hill, of Nevada, Missouri and Vicky Ray, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Betty Jo Anthon, of Neosho, MO and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members.  He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Delbert and Eva Readinger, step-father, Jim McClendon; step-brother, Lynn McClendon and step-sister, Bonnie Bailey. 
 
Father Robert Wachter will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 2 at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.  The rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the church.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities or Mary Queen of Angels Catholic 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.
Area News, Fort Scott

New Catholic Boarding School To Open 2018

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Daniel Kerr, president of St. Martin’s Academy shows the newly poured foundation to the first building in construction at the school.

Years in a Pennsylvania boarding school created a passion and vision for education for a local Fort Scottian.

Daniel Kerr’s experience altered him.

“It was a life-changing experience,” Kerr said.

Since that time Kerr has had an interest in developing a boarding school that would incorporate farming into the school curriculum and  has been working towards that vision and laying the groundwork.

“This is not a reform school,” Kerr said. ” This will be for kids of high character and goodwill. There is a fairly rigorous application process and an in-person interview with parents and prospective students.”

Thus plans were begun for constructing St. Martin’s Academy, a boys Catholic boarding school.

The Kerr Family Estate deeded to St. Martin’s Academy about five acres of land west of Fort Scott on Indian Road.

Daniel Kerr met with the bishop and vicar-general of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita to tell them of his vision.

“They are enthusiastic and have been supportive of our plans,” he said.

In October 2017 construction began of phase one, Theotokos Hall.

Kevin Klassen Construction, Kansas City, is the main contractor, Kerr said. The architect is Greg Madeen, Durango, CO, who does alternative energy construction and design.

This month the City of Fort Scott granted the school a land use permit.

Also this month, the footings for the first building were laid.

The footprint of the hall is 74 feet by 36 feet, with a full basement, first floor, and loft area, totaling over 6,000 square feet, Kerr said.

Theotokos Hall is the first and largest building and will be constructed of native oak timbers and stone.

“Overall, the school campus will be situated on five acres with access to 200 acres,” Kerr said. “We live on the property and built a house here. Kerr is married with children.

The school will be using passive solar and hope to have a windmill for electrical and also active solar, he said.

Theokotos Hall will serve the needs of the school for the first year before becoming the permanent dining hall and hearth. It is slated for completion in July 2018.

Eventually, there will be five separate buildings on the site.

St. Martin’s Academy Plan 2017

By 2022 there is a plan to complete construction on the crowning feature of the campus, a  chapel made of native stone.

Patrick Whelan, who will be the new headmaster, has moved to Fort Scott with his family and has been working on the school’s curriculum development and educational compliance, along with recruiting students, Kerr said.

“We are blessed to be able to work together for about 15 months of preparation leading into the first academic year,” Kerr said.

“We’ll be applying for grants, benefactors, and financial partners interested in investing in a bold new adventure in education,” Kerr said.

Some upcoming events for St. Martin’s Academy:

Feb. 9 -10 the academy staff will be hosting the Third Annual Prairie Troubadour Conference in Fort Scott. This year’s topic is “Field and Family: Reflections on a Healthy Human Ecology”, according to information provided. To learn more and to purchase tickets http://prairietroubadour.org/

F.O.R.T Leadership Camp will be offered April 16-22, 2018 and again June 11-17, 2018 for boys ages 12-14. Cost is $500 per session. The young men will learn to build a fire, make a shelter, forage for food, race kayaks, serve mass and butcher a hog, according to information provided. Visit: SaintMartinsAcademy.org/#camp.

For more information view the academy’s website at http://www.saintmartinsacademy.org

This photo shows the foundation wall of the first building being built at St. Martin’s Academy on December 20. The Fort Scott Lake overflow area can be seen from the school.

St. Martin’s Academy is located at 1994 Indian Road, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. The phone number is 620-223-2704.

Obituary

Obituary For Betty Jean LaPierre

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Betty Jean LaPiere

Betty Jean LaPiere, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2017, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born March 15, 1934, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Harry Sandwith and Margaret Davidson Sandwith. Betty had worked for fifteen years in the central supply department of Ft. Scott Mercy Hospital. She later had been employed by both Medicalodge and Dollar General Store. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and taking care of her family.

Survivors include her seven children, Richard Osgood, of Springhill, Florida, Margaret Wipple, of Keystone Heights, Florida, Gerald LaPiere and Gilbert LaPiere, both of Olean, New York, Matthew LaPiere, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, David LaPiere, of Arma, Kansas and Mark LaPiere, of Moore, Oklahoma. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joseph Sandwith and three sisters, Alfreda Smith, Harriet Wilcox and Adelene Burch.

There was cremation, and no services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Obituary

Obituary For Kristine Jane Pulliam

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Kristine Jane Pulliam, age 57, a resident of Iola, KS, died Monday, December 25, 2017, at her home.  She was born May 27, 1960, in Harlan, IA, the daughter of Herbert and Alice Morris Hansen.  She grew up and graduated high school in Elk Horn, IA.  She married Earl Dean Pulliam on November 13, 1993, in Farlington, KS.  He preceded her in death on July 24, 2007.  Kris worked as a cosmologist for several years.  She then began a career as a CNA/CMA, working for several local nursing homes and Allen County Hospital.  Everything revolved around her children, grandchildren, and family.  She loved teaching them to fish, drink coffee, and tell them stories.  She enjoyed sewing, various crafts, and being outdoors.  She was a home away from home for many.

Survivors include two daughters, Emily Pulliam and Ethan Lefert, Iola, KS, and Amber Pulliam and fiancé Jonathon Gay, Bronson, KS; a step-son Earl Jay Pulliam; three step-daughters, Sarah Chandler and husband Jason, Krystal Pulliam, and Heather Gaughan; a brother, Ralph Edward Hansen and wife Grete, St. Mary’s, GA; a sister, Martha Farley and husband Jim, Bronson, KS; two grandchildren, Willow Pulliam and Remington Pulliam; thirteen step-grandchildren; a nephew, John Farley and wife Cheryl, Iola, KS; a niece Roberta Reetz and husband Nathan, Pittsburg, KS; and six great nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband, Earl, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jayde Pulliam, a brother, Robert Hansen; a nephew, Zack Hansen; and her parents.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday, December 28th, at the Bronson Community Center.  Memorials are suggested to the Kristine Pulliam Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Fort Scott

Landmark Bank Expands

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Workers from Hornbuckle Framing LLC, Ottawa, work at Landmark Bank Wednesday. From left, Dane Broddy, Nick Nicnew and James Montgomery, all of Ottawa.

Landmark Bank, located at the corner of Main and 23rd Streets is expanding space.

“This is to make it more inviting for the customer,” John Leek, South Branch Landmark manager said. “Our transaction volume is in the top three daily that Landmark has statewide.”

“I think there is a misconception that we are drive-through,” Leek said. “We open accounts. I do consumer loans as well.”

There are eight employees at the south branch location.

 

Leek said he is “excited” about the expansion and looks forward to the completion.

“We apologize for the mess,” he said.

The addition to the existing building measures 26 by 30 feet or 834 square feet.

Two offices, storage and enlarging the teller area and front lobby are part of the plan, according to Jim Daniels, Loyd Builders Inc. Daniels is the superintendent who was on site Wednesday.

Hornbuckle Framing LLC is a sub-contractor for Loyd Builders, Daniels said. The framing crew was working to frame the addition.

The expansion began about three weeks ago.

“We are hoping by the beginning of April, we will be done,” Daniels said.

Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

Drive-through hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8  a.m. to 2 p.m.

The bank’s phone number is 620-768-2374.

The contractor’s plan for the expansion.
Obituary

Obituary For Viola Brown

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Viola Mae Brown, age 94, a resident of Ft. Scott, died Friday, December 22, 2017, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. She was born on November 8, 1923, in Arcadia, KS, the daughter of William Roscoe and Sadie Osmon Brown. She graduated from Arcadia High School. Viola married Donald L. Brown on September 8, 1940, in Garland, KS. He preceded her in death on February 5, 1995. Viola worked for Key Work Clothes beginning on May 20, 1953. She retired after 45 years. She was always one to stay busy. If not working, she enjoyed cleaning, yard work, and tending to her pets through the years.

Survivors include a sister, Jo Ann Heffernan, Ft. Scott; one nephew Tom Heffernan, Ft. Scott; two nieces, Cheryl Bell and husband Paul, Kansas City, MO, and Phyllis Caunt and husband Gabe, Colorado Springs, CO; two wives of nephews, Shirley James and Caline Heffernan; four great-nieces, one great-nephew, one great-great-niece, and two great-great-nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Larry Eugene Brown; a sister Blanche James; and two nephews, Randy James and Jerry Heffernan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, December 28th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Wednesday evening at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the 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

Obituary for Russell Eugene Johnson

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Obituary for Russell Eugene Johnson

Russell Eugene Johnson, age 90, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. He was born August 1, 1927, in Fulton, Kansas, the son of Andrew Webb Johnson and Flora Gump Johnson. While in high school, Russell began working for the railroad. He later joined the United States Navy and served during World War II. Following his service with the Navy, he returned to Kansas and worked for the Frisco Railroad which later became the Burlington Northern Railroad. He married Lena Wheeler on August 12, 1951, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Russell attended the Fulton United Methodist Church as a small child when it was newly built. He returned to it when he and his wife, moved to Ft. Scott for his work. The people there have been his spiritual, emotional and social support for many years. Each one was very dear to him. Russell had an interest in local history and the Linn County Museum of Pleasanton has a display devoted to Russell and his family history in honor of the work he and his son did at the museum. Russell also looked forward to the annual Burlington Alumni gatherings. After the death of his wife, Lena, in March of 2016, Russell moved to the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott where he was warmly welcomed. He developed many close friendships in his short time there.

Survivors include his daughter, Debra Johnson-Dobrowsky and her husband, Rick Dobrowsky, of Olathe and two grandchildren Lauren and Dana Dobrowsky. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lena; a son, Stephen Johnson and a sister, Vinita Butler.

Rev. Chuck Russell and Pastor Connie Edgerton will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 23rd at the Fulton United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 26th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to Heart to Heart 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

Obituary for Mikayla Lynn Norris

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Obituary for Mikayla Lynn Norris

Mikayla Lynn Norris, age 18, a resident of Fort Scott, died Tuesday, December 19, 2017, in Kansas City MO. She was born December 22, 1998, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Mike Norris and Jyandy Wulz Santhuff. She was a 2017 graduate of Fort Scott High School and a member of the cheerleading team. Mikayla had a beautiful smile and was so full of life, she loved spending time with her friends listing to music and singing. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially her brother and sister.

She is survived by her parents, Mike Norris, Fort Scott, and Jyandy Wulz Santuff and husband Chris, Kansas City, MO.; her brother and sister, Nicolas and Meganne Norris, Fort Scott; step-brother and sister, Remington and Shelby Santuff, Kansas City, MO.; grandparents, Tom and Ginger Norris, Fort Scott, Steve and Lauren Wulz, Dallas, TX., Kym Richardson, Gilbert, AZ., Ed and Judy Santhuff of Oak Grove, MO.; great-grandparents, Curt and Gloria Shankel, Fort Scott, Leon and Earline Foster, Independence, KS.; aunts and uncles, Johnny and Christi Keating, Fort Scott, Carey Wulz, , Charlie Wulz, , Hannah Wulz, of Dallas, Clint and Natalie Santhuff, Mark and Stephanie Warrick of Oak Grove, MO., Cameron Richardson, Curtis Richardson, Krysten , of Gilbert, AZ.; a niece Livia LaRue, of Kansas City, MO.; as well as many cousins. She was preceded by, her grandfather Rich Richardson; Great-grand parents John and Doris Murray, Ralph Kermit Graham, George and Joyce Norris, Charles Wulz.

Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 23, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00–7:00, Friday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Mikayla Norris Memorial and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County

KState Extension: Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Now Available

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Submitted by Krista Harding, Southwind Distrist

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, choke cherry, lilac and sand hill plum.

This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area. The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The bundles offer a variety of trees designed to attract songbirds or quail. For example, the Songbird bundle contains 18 trees and shrubs selected for their attractiveness to songbirds. The Songbird bundle does not contain sufficient plants to meet all of the needs of songbirds, but once established, the bundle will create a small island of plants that will provide some year-round cover and supplemental food during late summer, fall and winter. This will attract birds for your enjoyment.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola and Fort Scott, or can be mailed or e-mailed.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244- 3826.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

YAT Receives Check From Gunn Park Trails

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YAT members receive a check from Gunn Park Trail members at the site of the multi-sensory play area in Ellis Park Wednesday afternoon. From left: front is Frank Halsey, Gunn Park Trails organizer; Diana Mitchell, YAT member; and Penny Pollack-Barnes, Tri-Yak-Athon Race coordinator. In back from left are Tom Robertson, Eric Bailey and Larry Fink, all YAT members.

Slow but sure progress is being made on a playground for children in the community.

Youth Activity Team members met at the future site of a multi-sensory playground at Ellis Park in Fort Scott Wednesday to receive a  $2,500 check from representatives of Gunn Park Trails to add to the fundraising efforts to build the playground.

Frank Halsey, who has blazed trails at Gunn Park for about a decade and in the last five years initiated the annual Tri-Yak-Athon contest, was there with the check.

The Tri-Yak-Athon is a race for bikers, runners and kayakers, which this year was turned over to Penny Pollack-Barnes to help coordinate. Gunn Park Trails members host the Tri-Yak-Athon.

Barnes presented the check, which was proceeds from the Tri-Yak-Athon in October, to the YAT.

The YAT members present to receive the check were Eric Bailey, Larry Fink, Diana Mitchell, and Tom Robertson.

Halsey said this is the first money raised for a cause by the Tri-Yak-Athon.

“We appreciate what you’ve done,” Mitchell told Halsey.

The goal for the playground is $180,000 and with this check, $39,000 has been raised, Mitchell said.

The playground equipment will eventually be at the south end of Ellis Park, west of the basketball court and near the UMB Pavillion.

“We have a lot more fundraising to do,” she said.

The YAT have a list of fundraisers they have sponsored through the years.

In 2007 the YAT initiated a Miles of Pennies community fundraiser for the Guinness Book of Records; in 2008 they sponsored a Jason Aldean concert for the city; in 2009 they sponsored a Luke Bryan concert, Mitchell said.

Then the group took a few years off.

In 2011 both Aldean and Bryan and the Duck Dynasty family came for the last concert.

 

The planned multi-sensory playground will be located in Ellis Park at the south end.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Submitted

Carnival Cruise of Mexican Riviera

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It’s not too late to say “Bon Voyage” to the winter blues
and join friends on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera!
Departing from Long Beach, CA and sailing to
Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Departing Kansas City for Los Angeles February 23rd
and returning March 3rd. Bus from Fort Scott to airport and back.
Space on this trip is becoming limited book now so you don’t miss out! This would make a great getaway present for the New Year!
For brochures contact Don Miller at 223-6423
For information and booking call Karen Keen 913-499-1331

Bourbon County Local News