|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obituary of Charlotte Elaine Lucas

Charlotte Elaine Lucas, age 77, a long-time resident of Humboldt, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott, Kansas. She was born June 15, 1948, the daughter of Gerald Lee Stephens, Sr. and Evelyn Nadine York Stevens. Charlotte grew up in Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High School. She was united in marriage to Lewis William “Bill” Lucas on April 25, 1981. Charlotte worked as a CNA and CMA at the nursing home in Humboldt for many years. She had been an active member of the First Baptist Church of Humboldt. Charlotte loved her grandchildren dearly and always wanted to spend time with them or hear about their activities. She also enjoyed spending time with her friend group known as the “Golden Girls.” She could often be found socializing at the senior citizens center or visiting the Humboldt Library. She also never missed Humboldt’s annual Bibelesta Parade.
Survivors include a daughter, Karon Schnichels (Troy) of Linn Valley, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Brandi Robertson, Heather Hillis, Megan Sherbon, Courtney Miller, Kyle Schnichels, Zayne Schnichels, Madgelene Harper, Eric Lee Lucas, Sarha McCormick, and Heath Lucas; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a daughter-in-law, Mandy Lucas, a sister-in-law, Lorraine Stephens and a nephew, Simon Stephens. Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on December 28, 2017. She was also preceded in death by a son, Eric Lucas, a daughter, Melody Lucas, a brother, Gerald Stephens, Jr. a grandson, Earnest Lucas and a great-granddaughter, Oaklynn.
Pastor Jerry Neeley will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Tri-Valley Developmental Center 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 August Tax Collections Above Estimate
|
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital Opens Following Successful Kansas Licensure Survey
Up and Running
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – As of 9:00 am Thursday, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. is open for business.
The official opening follows the successful completion of the Kansas Licensure Survey. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Freeman’s mission to expand access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare throughout Southeast Kansas.
“This has been an exciting, and very long journey with many working diligently to support the reopening of this hospital! The overwhelming support and positive response from the community has been humbling and we are so honored to join the Fort Scott community and reopen a hospital and emergency department for the Bourbon County residents, assuring they have access to inpatient and emergency care,” said Renee Denton, Chief Executive Officer of Rural Hospitals.
The last time Fort Scott residents enjoyed access to a full-service, hometown-based hospital was 2018, which has forced local residents to seek medical treatment in communities 30-plus minutes away.
“We are thrilled to open our doors in Fort Scott and begin serving this vibrant community,” said Matt Fry, Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and tireless efforts of community stakeholders and our entire team. We are deeply proud to bring Freeman’s standard of care to the people of Southeast Kansas.”
Freeman officials first announced the six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital – located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. – to a crowd of nearly 150 local residents in June 2024.
“We had a staff huddle this morning and I told them, ‘It’s a great day to open a hospital,’” said Anita Walden, Chief Administrative Officer at Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. “Today is the culmination of 14 months in the making, and it’s been a lot of hard work by a lot of people to make today even possible. Of course, the support from the citizens of this community and from Bourbon County has been overwhelming.
“Our success will be dependent on the community utilizing the services of our hospital,” she added.
Freeman officials were notified Wednesday evening that the hospital had successfully passed the Kansas licensure survey. The survey is a rigorous process that ensures hospitals meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and patient care. Passing this survey affirms Freeman’s readiness to provide exceptional healthcare services in Fort Scott — and reflects the strength of the organization’s culture and commitment to excellence. Now, attention turns to passing a credentialing survey conducted by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials.
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of the local community, with a focus on accessibility, innovation, and personalized care. The opening represents not only a physical expansion, but also a cultural one — reinforcing Freeman’s values of compassion, collaboration, and community investment.
Freeman Health System extends its heartfelt thanks to every team and community member who contributed to this achievement. Their dedication and teamwork made this moment possible — and their continued efforts will shape the future of healthcare in the region.
For more information about Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. and the services offered, visit freemanhealth.com.
###
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2025, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Fort Scott Freeman Hospital and Emergency Department Opens Today

At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee this morning, Fort Scott Freeman Hospital Board members Lindsay Madison and Don Doherty announced they had received notice that the hospital and emergency department, long-awaited by the community, is open today. The hospital is located at 401 Woodland Hills, the former Mercy Hospital building.
More information will be provided as it becomes available from Freeman Hospital staff.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 4
Chamber Coffee Hosted by the City At Memorial Hall on Sept. 4
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Obituary of David Michael Harney
David Michael Harney was born on 7 March 1935 in Winchester, Massachusetts, one of nine children of the late Edward Francis “Ted” Harney and Mabel Garland, of Arlington. In the late 1950s, David served in the US Army in Korea. He then studied to be a landscape architect and started a successful landscaping business in southern California.
In the 1970s Dave moved to Fort Scott and went into the truck-transport business. While Dave spent years traveling throughout the United States he maintained a home in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he had many close friends that he considered family. He enjoyed his friends, enjoyed life, and always had his many projects to work on.
In 2007 Dave built his dream home in Fort Scott and held a family reunion for his brothers and sisters and their offspring in 2008, including his “favorite nieces”. He received many offers to purchase his dream home and later sold it and moved into a smaller home which he then landscaped beautifully so that it became a showplace. In retirement David continued landscaping which he loved.
His family was important to David, and over the years he amassed a large collection of family photographs from the 1890s to present, as well as family letters, which he organized and digitized in preparation to creating a family book or video. David’s work on this project will be continued by his sister Linda and his niece Susan “Suki” Vierra.
David is survived by his brothers Richard Harney, Oregon; Peter Harney, Washington; and sister Linda (Harney) MacDonald, Wyoming; as well as his many “favorite” nieces and nephews on the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and West Coast.
There was cremation. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Edward Lee Ramsey

Edward Lee Ramsey, age 60, went to meet his Lord and Savior on August 28, 2025. Ed was born in Independence, Missouri on May 2,1965. He was the beloved son of Leonard Roscoe Ramsey and Mary Louise Ramsey and nephew of Martha Ann Gentry. He was the proud and loving father to Garrett and Rebecca Ramsey, Tanner Ramsey, and Yheana Josol.
He was an even prouder Granddad to Grady Ramsey, Emery Ramsey, Remington Ramsey and Waylon Ramsey. Ed was the loving brother to Dana Ramsey, Bob Padgett and Terry Fritz. He was a loving uncle to Ross and Brenna Nolan, Spencer Nolan, and Brook Roberts. Ed was married to his beloved and caring wife IanLou Matanod Ramsey and loved and appreciated all of his family here and in the Philippines.
Ed was a loving husband and good father. He preached the family motto “Family over everything”. Ed (Eddie) graduated from Uniontown High School in 1983 and then continued his education and football career at Ottawa University where he earned the name “Big Ed”. Ed was a passionate lifelong teacher, coach and mentor to many. One his favorite motivators was to say “Pin your ears back and go”. His entire life Ed loved spending his time hunting (especially with Max, Chip, Gunner and Molly), fishing, and riding his ATV. There were many memories made enjoying the great outdoors.
After retirement, Ed was fortunate enough to be able to return home to the Uniontown community where he worked as a bus driver and served First Missionary Baptist Church as a deacon. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
Following cremation, services will be held for Ed at the First Missionary Baptist Church (100 5th Street) in Uniontown, Kansas on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. After the service, we will lead a procession to Ed’s favorite spot on the hill- we will have a prayer fire and fellowship for all who wish to attend. If you feel led to give, your donations will go towards an education fund for Ed and Ianlou’s daughter Yheana. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Obituary of Kenneth Bradley Hart

Kenneth Bradley Hart age 88 of rural Garland, quietly slipped away on August 30, 2025 at his home. He was born September 1, 1936, the son of Merle Franklin Hart and Martha Lou (Bradley) Hart at the end of a long, hot summer at the home of his grandparents Henry and Louisa (Corn) Bradley in Chetopa, Kansas.
He spent his early years in Kansas City, Missouri playing in the woods, climbing trees, shooting wasp nests with a slingshot, flinging mudballs at clean cars on the highway and annoying his older brother and baby sister.
Halfway through his 8th grade year, His parents sold their house in Kansas City and purchased Hart’s Shoe Shop on Wall Street and the family made their home in the back of the shop. Kenneth graduated from Fort Scott High School as part of the Greatest Class of 1954. He attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960 and completing a master’s degree in secondary school administration later.
Seeing Vietnam on the horizon, he joined the local National Guard unit, serving 6 months in Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and 6 years in the National Guard with training in survey and artillery. During basic, without knowing it, he won the medal as Battalion marksman.
He held several jobs during his lifetime starting with the soda fountain next to the shoe shop, assistant manager of the Fox Theater, a short stint on the railroad, and Bruce Marble and Granite Works. It was while he was at Bruce’s that he was hired by the Metz, Missouri superintendent to teach English, Business, and Social studies. After seeing the class of 1964 through their high school years, he accepted a position at Fort Scott High School teaching English and sponsoring the Crimson yearbook, the junior class and the Junior-Senior Prom. While the community college was housed in the same building as the high school, he also sponsored the Maroon yearbook and taught some classes there.
After leaving teaching in 1982, he worked at Lincoln National Insurance processing claims and working in the mail room until the company left Fort Scott. He formally retired from there New Year’s Eve 1992 and was a full-time father and cattleman.
In 1957 he married Pauline Sue Coonrod with whom he traveled to 49 of the 50 states. He never made it to Michigan but he circumnavigated it so he didn’t care that he never made it there. He and Pauline also traveled internationally to Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Grand Cayman, Great Britain and Ireland (where he ate some terrible peas).
After he and Pauline divorced, he hung up his travel bags and focused on his relationship with God, family, and hunting.
On April 20, 1983 he married Evangeline Faith Simpson in Pittsburg, Kansas and began a new adventure. Late that summer he received Jesus as his savior and began attending church and singing in the choir at Independent Bible Baptist Church in Pittsburg. He later served as song leader, Sunday school superintendent and VBS director.
Kenneth and Evangeline became interested in genealogy tracing their family histories for several years until their sons were born then he focused on raising his sons, playing video games and watching movies with them and rewriting the story books they tossed in his lap. He introduced them to really good music from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. He often sang along to the radio much to his son’s chagrin.
As part of that focus, he moved his growing family to worship closer to home at Cherry Grove Baptist Church and later moving with them to Freedom Spirit Church. He stopped attending church when his hearing failed but continued to support the church his wife called home which is presently Faith Church.
He spent his retirement taking over his father-in-law Stanley Simpson’s cattle operation, deer hunting with his brother Merle Jr and reading and listening to books. He also loved target shooting and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. He often lamented that he hadn’t purchased a lifetime membership when he was only $50 away from it.
He loved watching birds and over the years he put up houses and feeders for Carolina wrens, bluebirds, Cardinals, Purple Martins and hummingbirds. He was especially pleased with the number of Cardinals and hummingbirds he attracted.
In the last decade or so of his life he became a fan of Royals and Cardinals baseball, football (he thought college was more interesting than the NFL) and NASCAR (for the crashes).
Survivors include his wife of 42 years Evangeline of the home, five sons Keegan, Trevor, Justin, and Dalton Hart of the home and Zachary Hart of Fort Scott. His sister June (Gene) Christy of Girard, his sister-in-law Dolores Daum Hart of Fort Scott, one nephew Mark (Angela) Christy, five nieces Candice Hart (Craig Dunn), Kimberly Hart-McBride (Ron McBride), Kelly Hart (John Lane), Gina Christy, Samantha Christy-Dangermond (Tom Dangermond), nine great nieces and nephews, seven great grand nieces and nephews and his lifelong best friend Don (Mim) Carlson and his devoted cat Perce Blackborow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved brother Merle Hart Jr and all his first cousins. He was also preceded in death by his good friends Howard Kivett, Hubert Leonard, and Norman Cross and his beloved dogs, Patrice Lamumba, Boromir, Butterrum, Codi, Galadriel, and Rommel Panzer and cats Chubby and Ash Chippy.
The family extends their thanks to everyone at Gentiva Hospice for their care, especially Christina, Treva and Michelle. You are superstars!
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday, September 9th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 PM Monday the 8th at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Rifle Association, the Fort Scott Public Library, or Faith Church building fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
FSCC Trustees Meet at noon on Sept. 4 to Review Budget Items
The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a board workshop on Thursday, September 4 at 12:00 pm in the Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Agriculture Building to review budget items. No action will be taken at this meeting.
Submitted by
Juley McDaniel
Director of Human Resources
Fort Scott Community College
Ft. Scott Fire Dept. 9/11 Stair Climb / 5K / Walk Challenge Is September 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|















