Obituaries

George Scott Koppa, known affectionately to friends and family as Scott, entered into eternal rest on June 20, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on Nov. 9, 1974, in Fort Scott, Kan., Scott was a lifelong resident of his beloved hometown, where he also peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family...

Wanda June "Jay" Dunn, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, at the home of her daughter in Spring Hill, Kan. Jay was born July 10, 1939, in Oskaloosa, Mo.,, to Bill and Carrie Guss Carpenter and was the fourth of their six children. She graduated with the Class of 1957 from Liberal High School. After graduation, she moved to Fort Scott, where she worked at Key Work Clothes and the White Grill...

George Scott Koppa, age 50, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, June 20, 2025, at his home. Services for Scott Koppa will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Pleasanton Cemetery.  Contributions are suggested to the United Methodist Church of Louisburg or the KU Hospice House. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Doris Kathryn Ericson, age 89, a resident of rural Hiattville, Kan., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 20, 2025, just one day before what would have been her 90th birthday. Doris was born June 21, 1935, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Ross Graham and Charlotte Brehm Graham...

Arthur Joseph Pollreis, age 16, a resident of rural Walnut, Kan., died Wednesday, June 18, 2025, following a train accident near Erie, Kan. Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a memorial service at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Shirley Irene (Goddard) Winter, 84, Richards, Mo., passed away on June 18, 2025, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born on Sept. 17, 1940, near Eve, Mo., to Leslie and Maud (Brouhard) Goddard. She married her childhood sweetheart, Joe Winter, in 1960 and he preceded her in death on July 4, 2023...

Windfred Allen DeMott, age 84, resident of Bronaugh, Mo., died Saturday June 7, 2025, at the home. He was born Sept. 15, 1940, in Mound City, Kan., and his parents were Clyde Vernon DeMott and Alice Rosemond (Jackman) DeMott. He attended Mound City High School. ...

Windfred Allen DeMott, ate 84, resident of Bronaugh, Mo., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home. Services for Windfred Allen DeMott will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Ruby Frances Brown, age 85, of Duenweg, Mo., passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Saint Luke’s Nursing Center. Ruby was born on Jan. 29, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., to the late union of Charles and Leota (McVey) Large. She was a 1958 graduate of Fort Scott High School. ...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Craig Marshall McKenney, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Craig, age 72, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on June 4, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Born on Oct. 23, 1952, in Lawrence, Kan., he was the son of Lloyd James McKenney and Myla O. McKenney, who preceded him in death along with his cherished daughter, Parker Lea McKenney...

On June 7, 2025, Helen Rife went to join our Savior and her soulmate, Sam. Helen was born Nov. 9, 1938, to Leslie (Pete) and Bertha (Perry) Fuhrman at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. Helen graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1956. She went on to attend Iola Junior College, then later graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1961 with a teaching degree...

Jewell LeRoy Smith, Jr., age 76, a resident of Girard, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Aug. 19, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Jewell LeRoy Smith and Myrtle May Baker Smith. Jewell grew up in Fort Scott and graduated from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College. ...

Karen Salsbury, a woman of extraordinary musical talent, keen intellect, and unwavering determination, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, with her family at her side. Born on June 29, 1944, in Mauston, Wisc., her early passion for music blossomed into an illustrious career and a lifelong devotion to education...

Richard Paul Henderson, age 74, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025. He was born on July 26, 1950 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Charles and Lidea Morris Henderson. After graduating high school, Rich joined the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam War. ...

Margie S. Haynes, age 88, a resident of Cavalry Crossing Apartments in Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. She was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Graettinger, Iowa. She grew up in Nevada, Mo., and was united in marriage to John Franklin “Frank” Haynes on May 29, 1954, in Nevada. ...

Craig M. McKenney, 72, resident of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Michael David Kent, age 72, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kan., passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025. There was cremation and no services are planned at this time. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away, Monday May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Louise McIntyre on June 12, 1951. ...

Peggy Anne Gannon, age 81, died May 29 at sunrise at Cherry Creek assisted living in Denver, Colo., following a lengthy illness. Peggy was born Feb. 22, 1944, in Alameda, Calif., to Aubra L. and Mynettia Davis Gannon. In 1947, the family moved to a farm northwest of Fort Scott...

Patricia Ann Eastwood, age 83, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at her home in Fort Scott. She was born July 26, 1941, in Iola, Kan., the daughter of William Charles Hoggatt and Virginia Ann Thompson Hoggatt. Pat attended schools at Iola, Hoisington and Fort Scott. ...

Peggy Anne Gannon, age 81, resident of Aurora, Colo., passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025, at sunrise at Cherry Creek in Denver, Colo. Services for Peggy Gannon will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo.  A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time. ...

Alvin Glen “JR” Lattimer, Jr., age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born May 15, 1958, in Olathe, Kan., the son of Alvin Glen Lattimer, Sr. and Reva Joy Beasley Lattimer. ...

Dixie Kathleen Bradley Wilkerson, age 85, Independence, Mo., formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Friday, May 30, 2025. Funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to service time. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Dementia Society of America. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Marjorie Earline (Hildabrand) Wulz Foster, age 93, former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Arma Health and Rehab in Arma, Kan. She was born Aug. 13, 1931, in Hunter, Okla., the daughter of Chester Austin and Clara Neil (Blanchard) Hildabrand. Earline graduated from Hunter High School in 1949. She then attended community college in Tonkawa, Okla., and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1963 with a degree in dietetics and nutrition...

A large circle of family and friends mourn the passing of a very dear lady at her home in Richmond Hill on May 21, 2025. Ethel LaVon Toews was born Dec. 14, 1937, in Hillsboro, Kan., the daughter of Albert and Elsie (Hein) Toews. At an early age she was called "Von" by her siblings, and later in life she was known by some as Ethel, by others as Von, and of course by some as simply Mom, Grandma, or Great Grandma. ...

Marjorie Earline Foster, age 93, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2023, at Arma Health and Rehab in Arma, Kan. Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Dr. Gregory Hull Quinlan, 75, of Grantville, Kan., passed away at his home surrounded by his family after a hard-fought courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Quinlan was born Feb. 25, 1950, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Jo Ann and John Quinlan. He was raised in a close-knit family with his brothers and sister in Independence, Kan. ...

Wilmetta Burton, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at her home. Willie, as she was sometimes called, was born April 8, 1933, in Humboldt, Kan., the daughter of Oscar William Cline and Daisy Jones Cline. ...

Bob McFall, 78, passed away Dec. 30, 2024, in Woodburn, Ore. Bob was born to B.R. "Blackie" and Ruth McFall on May 6, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan. Growing up directly behind Fort Scott High School, Bob was able to enjoy an active childhood with practice fields, backstops, tennis courts, and a creek just steps away from home. As a teen, he took on the responsibility of being a paper carrier for the Fort Scott Tribune for six years and working at Whiteside's IGA...

Susan Beth Mashek, age 61, a resident of Nevada, Mo., passed away Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Nevad Regional Medical Center. Following cremation, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in the Richland Cemetery, Richards, Mo. ...

Laura Edith Krebs, age 85, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Pittsburg Care and Rehab Facility in Pittsburg, Kan.. Pastor Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 19, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Wilmetta Burton, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at her home in Fort Scott. Services for Wilmetta Burton will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott.

Brenda Sue Brown, age 66, of Prescott, Kan., passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, May 9, 2025. There was cremation. Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct memorial services at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. ...

Sharon Kay Miller, 81, of Fort Scott, most recently Tallahassee, Fla., passed away on Feb. 4, 2025. There was cremation. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the funeral home...

Kenneth Lee Peterson, age 101, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, Kan., went home to Heaven Wednesday, May 7, 2025, just a few weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. He was born May 31, 1923, the son of John Lemuel Peterson and Florence Edith Farmer Peterson. ...

Jean Marie Skidmore, 79, of Belton, Mo., died at 1:21 p.m.. Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at Fox Springs at Raymore, Mo. Mrs. Skidmore was born July 29, 1945 at San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of James and Mildred Grizzle Cowan. Jean was a retired banker at First State Bank in Pittsburg, Kan., where she was a loan officer. ...

John Ted Miles passed away suddenly May 1, 2025, at the Guest Home Estates Assisted Living Facility in Fort Scott, Kan. He lived at 9 N. Hillside Drive Holiday Lakes before his battle with diabetes caused blindness and a lower leg amputation. He was born to Alvin Ted Miles and Alice Virginia Ruby Miles on Jan. ...

Vicki Tyler Hudson, 66, of Arcadia, Kan., passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Arma Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arma, Kan. Vicki was born Feb. 12, 1959 in Pittsburg, Kan., the daughter of Herman and Iris Garrett Tyler. She attended grade school in Arcadia, Kan., and graduated from Northeast High School in the Class of 1977. ...

Matthew Joe “Matt” Wiebelhaus, age 48, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 8, 2025. He was born Aug. 7, 1976, at Fort Scott, the son of Gary Frederick and Judy Wiebelhaus. Survivors include mother, Judy Wiebelhaus, of the home, siblings Mike Wiebelhaus (Tina) of Pleasanton, Kan., Bob Wiebelhaus (Jan) of Garland, Kan., Mary Froese of Wichita, Kan.,, Gary Dean Wiebelhaus of Lawton, Okla., Roy Wiebelhaus (Jenn) of Chehalis, Wash., and Tim Wiebelhaus (Rebekah) of Lawrence, Kan. ...

Rebecca Sue Landers, age 60, was born Dec. 30, 1964 in Ottawa, Kan., to Maurice and Ellen Zimmerman. She passed away in Fort Scott, Kan., April 18, 2025. Rebecca was raised on a family farm outside of Fontana, Kan., with her three older siblings. She graduated from Prairie View High School in 1983. ...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Muliya Christine McMillan, age 38, on the morning of April 27, 2025, in her family home. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. Muliya was born on April 30, 1986, in Fort Scott, Kan. ...

Zachary Eldon White, 32, of Mound City, Kan., died on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. He was born on June 12, 1992 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Roger and Jessica Smith White. He graduated from Jayhawk-Linn High School in the Class of 2010. He then received his electrician certification from Fort Hays Technical School. ...

Donald Gene Cooper, 76, of Richards, Mo., passed away early Thursday morning, April 17, 2025. He was born July 1, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of William Jay Cooper and Lois (Houston) Cooper. He married Linda Lewis May 23, 2003, and she survives of the home...

Ira Johnathan "Sonny" Robinson, age 81, Mapleton, Kan., passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025. No formal services are planned. Memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Betty Bernice Wiggans, age 95, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kan. She was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Reece William Powell and Mae Elizabeth Holt Powell. ...

Larry Joe Richmond, 76, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kan. He was born on Nov. 26, 1948, to Joseph William and Vena Bonita (Clary) Richmond. He was born at his grandmother’s house in Vernon County, Mo., and joined two older sisters, Shirley Elizabeth and Bonnie Mae...

Betty M. Russell, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, 92, of Gautier, Miss., passed peacefully April 24, 2025, at Lighthouse Memory Care of Ocean Springs, Miss. She was born Aug. 10, 1932, the daughter of John R. Henning and Ruby L. Henning...