Stories from Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Ronald “Ron” Lee Rains, age 84, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday morning, Aug. 14, 2023. He was born on June 18, 1939, in Chanute, Kan., to Charles Edgar Rains and Eva Leota Grogan Rains. He grew up in Chanute where his father was a pastor at the Highland Avenue United Brethren Church and graduated from Chanute High School with the class of 1957...

Supporters of an agency that receives county funds appealed to the Bourbon County Commission Monday evening to continue that funding. Several representatives of the Bourbon County Conservation District spoke to commissioners about the agency’s purpose, stressing its importance to the county. The district’s budget is $40,000 and officials have requested $43,000 for 2024...

Preserving the Fort Scott U.S. National Cemetery’s historic features is an ongoing process. This month, renovation began on the caretaker’s house. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Richard Wayne “Ricky” Peoples, Jr., age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, at his home. Following cremation, a private burial will take place at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Cadillac McNack, age 71, a resident of Fort Scott died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends for noon until service time at the chapel. ...

Edgar Henry Graham, Jr. died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital East in Lee’s Summit, Mo., where he was being treated for issues likely related to his years-long battle with NASH cirrhosis. Known as “Ed” or “Eddie,” depending on when you got to know him, he was born on Feb. 17, 1955, in Iola, Kan. Ed grew up in Uniontown, Kan., and attended school in the USD 235 district, graduating as high school valedictorian in 1973...

Lawrence “Randy” Burns, Jr., 58, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. He was born Sept. 26, 1964, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Lawrence Randall Burns, Sr. and Judith Ann (Norris) Burns. Randy lived his life to the fullest. ...

Garold (Gary) Billionis, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 17, 2023. Gary was born in Pittsburg, Kan., on June 25, 1946. Gary graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1964 and served proudly in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Gary attended Pittsburg State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1973 and a master’s degree in 1977...