James (Jim) Roberts Miesner unexpectedly passed on to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Jim’s life was filled with multiple achievements, but none were more important than leading his family in Christ. Born to William H. and Martha Frances (Roberts) Miesner in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 22, 1943, Jim displayed athletic skill, particularly in football.

However, the Vietnam War interrupted Jim’s playing career when he patriotically volunteered to be an infantry officer in the 82^nd Airborne Division.

Jim joined the Army in October 1966, served one tour (1968-1969) in Vietnam as a first lieutenant (often filling roles meant for officers two ranks above his). Jim was honorably discharged from active duty in April 1969 and married his wife of nearly 55 years, Ann (Morgan) Miesner on May 10, 1969.

Jim’s service in Vietnam earned him the Bronze Star medal, Combat Infantryman badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal, and National Defense Service medal, to name a few.

Jim rekindled his love of football after his service by coaching for several institutions:  Central Missouri State University (now known as University of Central Missouri), Fort Scott Community College, Cowley County Community College, and Arkansas City High School. While coaching,

Jim continued his pursuit of education and obtained his master’s degree and completed 77 hours of his doctorate. Jim served as Dean of Instruction at Panola College and culminated his career in education after 34 years of instruction and administration as President of Fort Scott Community College.

Jim actively participated in his community throughout his life and served in leadership roles across many organizations, including:  Veterans of Foreign Wars (lifetime member), Kiwanis Club (board member), Kansas Award for Excellence (board member and judge), USD 470 Board of Education (elected two terms), Two Rivers Quality Improvement Network (chair 9 years), Bourbon County Economic Development (council member), Arkansas City Beautification Foundation (trustee), Southwestern College Business and Industry Professional Development Center and Teacher Education Advisory committees.  While busy serving his community, Jim also served his church family acting in leadership and teaching roles too numerous to list.

While he gave his time to athletes, fellow coaches, students, educators, his community and church, Jim’s greatest achievement was how he poured the love of Christ into his family throughout his years. Jim chose to spend his retirement years praying, learning, and growing closer to his Savior, and he passionately shared his discoveries with his family at every opportunity. Holiday gatherings, visits, and phone calls always included conversations about the Lord and how He is alive and working in each of his family member’s lives. His unchangeable inner core of belief in Christ is Jim’s greatest contribution to those that he influenced.

Jim also possessed a lighter side. He never missed an opportunity to capitalize on his reputation as the King of Dad Jokes, often baffling those around him with his ultra dry sense of humor. He took immense joy and comfort in the laughter of his family and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, William H. Miesner; mother, Martha Frances (Roberts) Miesner; and brother, William (Hank) H. Miesner.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ann (Morgan) Miesner; children Kurt A. Miesner (Davi), Francy Miesner Mueller (Scott), Matthew Miesner (Shelly) and Hank Miesner (Tara); grandchildren, Riley Mueller, Cooper Mueller, Morgyn Miesner, Hugo Miesner, Emmy Miesner, Brody Mueller, Adeline Miesner, Lydia Miesner, Henry Miesner, Grace Miesner and August Miesner; sisters, Ann Ogle (Robert), Sue Burton (Ed) and Eve Bradsher (John) and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.

Interment will follow in Fort Scott National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to either Folds of Honor or Samaritan’s Purse and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Helen Wade, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning, February 15, 2024, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

Helen Lois Jackson Wade was born the daughter of Robert Elmer Jackson, Jr. and Orpha Geraldine (Dowty) Jackson, in rural Neodesha, Kansas on June 7, 1936, joining her sibling Jimmy who was two years older.  Her mother passed shortly after her birth of pneumonia.

Helen grew up in Redfield, Kansas, and attended the Redfield School. In her younger years she worked as a meat wrapper at the Foodtown grocery store.  She married Oscar James Wade on August 2, 1957, in Oklahoma.

OJ and Helen made their home near rural Redfield Kansas where they raised five boys; Mark, Phil, Steve, David, and Brian. Helen was a homemaker after marrying OJ. Her strong will helped her to survive raising five rambunctious and active boys. She loved to cook and made sure to feed anyone who came by the house. If you were helping haul hay or work cattle, you were guaranteed to be fed well.  Pat, Max, Troy, Marty, Mark, Mike, Jeff, Rich, and Kyle are just a few of the family friends that Helen loved to have stop in to visit & eat.   In her spare time, she loved to crochet and do embroidery.

After the boys were gone, she spent every day helping OJ around the farm, from feeding cattle to raking hay, which she couldn’t hardly wait to do.  Or she would go to the field and wait on OJ just to make sure he was okay.

In 1989 she lost her son Phil, and in 2022, her son Mark. After OJ’s passing in 2009, she continued on with the activities on the farm until her health failed and it became too much to continue. She enjoyed her Wednesday trips to town with Steve and the frequent Sonic stops for a drink or sandwich.

Helen has six grandkids: Jennifer, Sara, Lindsey, Taylor, Kyenne, Makyn, and two great-grandkids Emma and Marley. Helen is also survived by her sons and their wives, Steve and Linda, of Mapleton, Brian and Deana, of rural Fort Scott, and David and Deanna, also of Mapleton; and two sisters, Wilma Bradbury of Hammond, and Mary McKinnis, of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband, OJ, and her sons Philip and Mark, Helen was also preceded in death by her brother Jimmy in 1996.

The Family would like to thank “Caring Hearts” and her caregivers: Diana Cavin, June Bloomfield, Lisa Metcalf, Emily Turner, and the others that were a part of her being able to stay at home as long as she could. Also, a special thanks to Danielle Little from Gentiva Hospice for making her comfortable in her final days.

John Durling will officiate graveside services for Helen at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Centerville Cemetery near Devon, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Pauline Sue Hart, 85, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Freeman West Hospital, in Joplin, Missouri. She was born on October 9, 1938, in Arcadia, Kansas, the daughter of Paul Fowler Coonrod and Mildred Pauline (Davis) Coonrod.

Pauline graduated from Arcadia High School as Class Valedictorian in 1956. She later received a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University. She worked at many interesting jobs, with her first being at Kress’s when she was a teenager. She also worked as an operator for Bell Telephone, and for the Fort Scott Board of Education. Upon completing her degree, she went to work for Girard High School as their Media Specialist.

She joined Kenneth Hart in marriage in 1958, and they enjoyed life and traveled. Their marriage later ended in divorce. She later met Mike McKenney and they were together since 1988.

Pauline is survived by Mike McKenney, of the home; her sisters, Laura Felt and husband Ronnie, of Fort Scott, and Peggy Broad and husband Eric, of Florida; two brothers, Jerry Coonrod, of Arcadia, and Jack Coonrod and Rick Kirby, of Florida; a sister, Peggy Broad and husband Eric; brothers-in-law, Craig McKenney and wife Dana, Mark McKenney and wife Cindy, Tim McKenney and wife Deb, all of Fort Scott, and Pat McKenney and wife Kathy, of McAllister, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Lisa Proctor and husband Keith, of Compton, Missouri, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant brother, George.

Pauline was compassionate and full of life. She had a heart for cats, and she loved to travel, read, and make jewelry. She was genuinely loved by many and will be truly missed.

Graveside services for Pauline will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the Large-Pleasant View Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

James (Jim) Roberts Miesner unexpectedly passed on to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.  Interment will follow in Fort Scott National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.  Memorials are suggested to either Folds of Honor or Samaritan’s Purse and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.