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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Dec. 10
The Lowell Milken Center Reaches a Record Number of Visitors in 2024
Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.
The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th Visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some of her family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.
Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.
Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.
Larry James Faulkner Obituary
In recognition of a life well lived, Larry James Faulkner surrounded by family, passed at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri after suffering a stroke at the age of 79. Larry was born on December 6, 1945 to Edward Chester “Buck” Faulkner and Frances Leona (Gordon) Faulkner. He was born at the Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas, as were all three of his daughters. Larry grew up in El Dorado with his family, Buck, Frances and two sisters, Joy Lee Faulkner Howry and Lynda Jean Faulkner Varner. He spent as much of his childhood, and adulthood for that matter, fishing and hunting every chance he could. He was known to ride his tricycle around with a pocket full of snake or toads.
Larry married Carol Sue Williams on September 6, 1964, in El Dorado, Kansas. Larry’s childhood was spent in El Dorado and he and Carol began their lives together there as well. Larry had many jobs growing up, mowing lawns, carting ice, and primarily driving his father around the oil well leases they tended as a family. One of Larry’s family neighbors was Carol’s uncle Roy who lived a few houses down. It was through this connection that Larry met Carol. Their families vacationed together at Many Points Lake and Lake Itasca, Minnesota.
He had a brief stint as a roofer, and then sparked by a childhood memory of linemen climbing poles in front of their house (he liked climbing things), he went to trade school to become a Wichita Lineman. Larry moved the family to Fort Scott Kansas in 1973 where he worked the remainder of his life with KG&E (Kansas Gas and Electric) which became Westar.
Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman and considered himself a farmer. He spent many holidays and Summers hunting pheasant and quail in western Kansas and Elk just west of Cannon City, Colorado with relatives where they often were caught up in snow storms in nothing by Summer tents. Beyond hunting and fishing, Larry loved county music and could whistle a mean George Jones or Hank Williams tune.
Larry settled his family in a 100 year old stone farmhouse east of Fort Scott and had many adventures there. Many hours were spent tending garden, pruning orchard trees, raising a multitude of animals and clearing the surrounding woods cutting firewood most weekends. Whenever possible, the family would travel to Stockton Lake, El Dorado Lake, Marion Lake..do you see a theme? One of our favorite Larry stories at the farm, and there were many, was when he decided to “help” his daughters by sorting a fire cracker out of a large pile of fireworks with a newly welded piece of steel and set off World War III with tiny rockets, missiles, and parachutes flying everywhere and the girls diving for cover. Larry and Carol later in life raised quail to sell to restaurants and nature preserves before auctioning off the farm.
Larry retired after 30 plus years, and with Carol, sold the farm and traveled for many years before resettling near friends in Colony, Kansas. Larry and Carol traveled all over northern Minnesota, and into Canada through Ontario and Saskatchewan where they found many new friends, specifically at Cranberry Portage near Grass River Provincial Park in Manitoba Canada. Larry, Carol and their grandson Morgan spent many Summers here from as soon as the ice broke in May through September, with other family visiting when they were able.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Buck, and his mother, Frances as well as both of his sisters, Joy and Lynda. He is survived by his wife Carol, his three daughters; Diana Kay Faulkner Stoughton and husband Fredric, her sons Mackenzie, Mitchell (Katelyn), and Morgan; Toni Renee Faulkner Peterson and husband Christopher, her children Riley, Bennett, and McKenna; and Trudy Rae Faulkner; along with his great grandchildren, Aidan, Brodie, Callen, and Cobie.
When asked if he would have done anything different, Larry responded, “I would invest in the oil stockmarket. I had a good life, family, and some good friends, Never took no shit off of anyone. Tried to be as honest as I could be. No regrets.”
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.
KS Commerce Dept. Launches Quality of Life Improvement Grant Program
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Obituary of Catherine Beth
Catherine C. Costin Beth passed away Friday, December 6, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Fort Scott, KS. She was born May 24, 1925, in Oil Hill, KS, the town that City Services built near Towanda, KS.
Her mother was Edith Neeley Costin, and father was Cass Cartell Costin.
Catherine accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in 1937. In 1939 she came to live with Frank and Jessie Gifford as their foster daughter. She graduated from Fulton High School in 1943.
In 1944 she was united in marriage to Ellis Lee Beth, her high school sweetheart. They were married more than 75 years before his passing. She and Ellis Lee farmed their entire life together. She also worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for over 27 years. She served as the County Executive Director in her last ten years at ASCS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, a daughter, Cathy Lee Beth, a son, Darrel E. Beth, a sister, Mary Jane Berry and two half-brothers, Verne and Floyd Costin.
Those surviving are two daughters, Marilyn (John) Sipe and Marsha (Doug) Bell; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Beth; grandchildren, Shana (Mike) Emerson, Clifton (Whitney) Beth, Beth Ann (Casey) Alexander, Catherine Bell (Nick Sterner) and Elizabeth Bell; and great-grandchildren, Cali, Nick and Austin Emerson, Ella and Carter Beth, Isaac and Eli Alexander, Bryn and Claire Sterner, and great-great-grandchild, Lincoln Emerson.
There was cremation. A private family burial will take place at a later date at the West Liberty Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Norma Wood
Norma Lee Wood, age 88, resident of Tulsa, OK passed away Friday, December 6, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, OK. She was born June 28, 1936, in Independence, MO, the daughter of William Vasco Dunnam and Laura Amanda Roundtree Dunnam. She married James “Bill” Wood, Sr. on January 11, 1954, in Kansas City, MO. He preceded her in death in 2003. Norma enjoyed being a preacher’s wife. She liked reading, shopping, and spending time with her family. Norma was a wonderful homemaker and cook.
Survivors include her children, Sandra Mullins (Danny), Oak Grove, MO, James W. Wood, Jr. (Darlene), Fort Scott, KS, Laura Cavin, Teague, TX, Debra Wood (Mona McIntosh), Tulsa, OK, Joe Wood (Sharla), Enid, OK, and Merl Wood (Amy Murray), Tulsa, OK; special child Cherry Ann; siblings Russell, Earl, Billy, and Bobby Dunnam, Margaret Williams, and Betty Warren; 6 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Besides her husband Bill, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Thomas and Wesley Dunnam; 2 sisters, Nina Allen, and Beatrice Pellett; and her parents.
Merl Wood will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, KS.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Starlite FCE minutes November 2024
Starlite FCE minutes
November 2024
The November meeting of Starlite Family and Consumer Education was held at the Presbyterian Village meeting room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and vice president Joyce Allen led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Thirteen members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered forty-five hours and had recycled forty-five pounds.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Doris Ericson presented the Treasurer’s report.
Old business consisted of announcing that Jackie Warren had been selected as the Heart of FCE for Southeast Kansas. Glenda Miller also reported on the Fall Follies that were held in Humboldt and announced that next years State Convention will be in Dodge City. It was also announced that Taylor Bailey had won the Gorden Parks Poetry contest.
New Business of assigning 2025 lessons and hostesses was completed. The Club also voted to decorate a Christmas Tree in the Christmas Tree decorating contest at Presbyterian Village. Claudia Wheeler, Joyce Allen, Betty Johnson, Letha Johnson, Taylor Bailey and Glenda Miller volunteered to decorate the tree. The date of the December meeting was set for December 9th at the Yeager Building to start at 10:30. The members signed up to bring items to go in the gift bags for Tri-Valley clients as well as dishes to bring for their dinner. It was motioned by Doris Ericson to donate money to Preferred Living in leu of exchanging Christmas presents, Deb Ericson seconded the motion, motion carried. Claudia Wheeler moved that the meeting be adjourned, La Anna Taylor seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
The Lesson on exotic vegetables was present by Joyce Allen. Refreshments of Pecan Cobbler, nuts and mints were provided by Glenda Miller and Terri Williams.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Tourism Grants Awarded to The Artificers and The Lowell Milken Center Today
Kansas Tourism Department Director Bridgett Jobe handed over two grants today in Fort Scott.
“You can see that Fort Scott is going through a renaissance,” Jobe told attendees at the Artificers reception for the award presentation.
The Artificers
Kate and Trent Freeman were awarded the $25,000 grant designed to help local businesses develop new attractions.
“They have had an instrumental role in rehabilitating our downtown area….with an innovative approach to enhance the beauty of this community for years to come,” Bourbon County Economic Development Director Rob Harrington said.
Jobe told reception attendees that the Freeman’s “passion for the community really came through.”
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes also received a $6,300 check from Kansas Tourism Director Bridgett Jobe today.
The grant is to help expand attractions that draw tourists to the community.
The center will use the funds to create a new history panel on an unsung hero in Ukraine who saved 100’s of children from starvation in her Ukrainian town, said Ronda Hassig, spokesperson for LMC.
“The Lowell Milken Center is a treasure,” Jobe, said. “Coming here inspires me to be a better person. It inspires me that it’s here in Kansas.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Dec. 9
Jesus, Jackhammers, and Elvis by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Hayward Tucker
Jesus, Jackhammers, and Elvis
Just so you know, the results of my MRI were fine. Now back to the beginning. I didn’t research what all goes on with having an MRI, but I knew there was nothing for me to do before or during the procedure. I’m certainly acquainted with colonoscopies, so I thought the MRI would be a piece of cake. As I completed the questionnaire at the hospital and read, “Are you claustrophobic?“ I checked the “NO” box. (In retrospect, I now believe that was a big fat lie.) The female technician was very cordial and she instructed me to remove my watch and a certain undergarment. No problem. Lying flat on my back, she asked if I preferred silent headphones or headphones with Spotify. She said she could play anything I wanted, so I asked to listen to Elvis. So into the tube I went. I closed my eyes knowing I’d tolerate it better without seeing my enclosed surroundings.
After I got in there, I soon realized it was hot and stuffy. Using my outside voice I said, “It’s hot in here!” She turned the fan on high speed and asked if that was better. I responded, “No, not really.” So she immediately brought me out of the tube. I knew I was in serious trouble if something didn’t drastically improve. I asked, “Are we the only two in here?” She said, “Yes.” So I candidly said, “OK, I’m taking off my socks, shoes, and jeans.“ She responded that she would cover me with a sheet. I said, “No, I don’t want a sheet.“ So back into the tube I went with my eyes closed. I’d done everything I knew to do and could tell I still needed help beyond myself. So I desperately prayed a simple short prayer, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me.” You know, there’s something wonderful and powerful about that Name.
The Elvis music was an excellent distraction as it began playing softly. Thankfully, I no longer felt like a smoldering hotdog suffocating in a bun, but I still kept my eyes closed. As the jackhammers began banging out their varied rhythms for about 20 minutes, I gratefully realized that Jesus had indeed answered my prayer. I had lost my pants, but not my marbles, and that was a supernatural victory.
A few days after the procedure, I read a fitting scripture that I personalized: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters (the tube), I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT). I definitely felt His presence while the jackhammers, accompanied by Elvis, serenaded me. Jesus said, “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time” (Matthew 28:20 GW).
I didn’t need grace as I drove to the hospital, nor as I entered the building, nor as I filled out the paperwork. But I sure needed “tube grace” and I got it in that precise moment. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). God didn’t help me early or late, but right on time. I’ve always been fond of Isaiah 41:10 and I experienced this promise during my tube adventure: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” God will not fail us nor abandon us at any stress point in our lives. There is strength in the Lion of Judah and in the name of the Lord.
The Key: I wonder how many MRI tubes Jesus has climbed into for all those with claustrophobia?
King & Queen Mattress & Box Spring Sale at Sleep Inn Hotel on Dec. 9
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