Obituaries

Lester Waring, age 89, resident of Garland, Kan., passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Girard Medical Center. He was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Garland, the son of Albert Lester Waring, Sr. and Annie Marguerite Dobelbower Waring. Following high school, Lester served in the U. ...

Michial “Mike” Leon Spurling, 68, of Liberal, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., after a lengthy illness. Mike was born on July 27, 1956, in Lamar, Mo., to Wilbur and Ethel Spurling. He lived his entire life in the Liberal, Mo., area, where he was raised by Wilbur and Velma Spurling...

Michael "Mike" Shelden, 58, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away March 3, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him. Born on July 24, 1966, in Fort Scott, Kan., he was the son of Virgil Shelden (deceased) and Mary Shelden. Mike was a devoted family man, known for his warm heart and deep love for those around him. ...

Betty Pauli Ruddick, age 91, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday March 2, 2025, in Camdenton, Mo. She was born July 3, 1933, in Manhattan, Kan., the daughter of Lowell Carl and Wilma Swart Pauli. Betty graduated from Paseo High School in Kansas City in 1951 and graduated from Drury College in 1955. ...

David Allen Ayers, age 76, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Joplin, Mo. He was born June 7, 1948, in Mound City, Kan., the son of Chester Ayers and Reba Henderson Ayers. David graduated from the Blue Mound High School. ...

Wendell Oliver Arnold, age 89, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. He was born July 1, 1935, in Ottawa, Kan., the son of Oscar C.R. Arnold and Effie Lynne Walker Arnold. Wendell graduated from the Ottawa High School. ...

Michael D. Shelden, 58, of Fort Scott, passed away at his home Monday evening. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Wanda Jane (Leek) Giddens passed away peacefully at her home in Tulsa, Okla., on Feb. 12, 2025, at the age of 95. Wanda was born on Jan. 18, 1930, in Richards, Mo., to Ross and Hazel (West) Leek, on what was recorded as the coldest night in the area – 13 degrees below zero. ...

Betty P. Ruddick, age 91, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Camdenton, Mo. Jay Lotterer will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 10 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. ...

Delbert David Metcalf, “Dub” as he was known to most, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on Nov. 11, 1948, to Wayne and Ellen Schubert Metcalf in Fort Scott, Kan., where he remained a life-long resident. ...

Joyce Anne (Payne) Johnson, 85, of Augusta, Kan., originally from Fort Scott, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. She was born on Feb. 4, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl C. and Belva L. (Simons) Payne and granddaughter, Jordan Rene “JoJo” Shores. ...

Hubert Owen Thomas, “Tommy” to JoAnn, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at his home in Pawnee Station, Kan., where he resided with his wife, JoAnn Thomas. Hubert was born June 22, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Earl Owen and Edna Mae Thomas and later the brother of Karen “Sue” Thomas...

Thomas “Tom” Frederick Karleskint, age 81, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., left this earthly body and went to be with Jesus on Feb. 21, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was born July 14, 1943, in Fort Scott, Kan., the youngest of 13 siblings (Rita, Esther, Helen, Leo James, Marjorie, Joan, William, Rosalie, Alice, Carol, Patricia, Ruth, Tom) to Frederick and Caroline Karleskint. ...

Delbert David Metcalf, 76, passed away Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, 2025, at Twin Oaks Health & Rehab, Lansing, Kan. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Thomas F. Karleskint, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at his home. Funeral services for Tom Karleskint will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan.

Gayle Diane Farris, a beacon of love and courage, passed away on Feb. 4, 2025, in Greenville, S.C., at the age of 63. Born on Nov. 30, 1961, in Fort Scott, Kan., Gayle’s life was a testament to her unwavering spirit and the joy she brought to those around her...

Danny Lee Hall, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Nov. 3, 1952, in Fort Scott, the son of Forrest Elvin “Slim” Hall and Betty Jean Wratchford Hall. Danny was disabled since birth, and his life revolved around time spent at home with his mom and dad. ...

Carolyn Jean Humphrey Kincaid died Jan. 17, 2025 in Montecito, Calif. She was 93. Carolyn was born in Fort Scott, Kan., on July 21, 1931 to Wilbur William Humphrey of Kansas and Bertha Harriet Lapham Humphrey of Clay Center, Kan. Her family moved to Carpinteria, Calif., in 1936. Carolyn graduated from Stanford University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy...

Penelope Sue Reasoner, age 73, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. She was born on Dec. 23, 1951, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Eugene and Grace Berniece Pottorff Coombs. She attended early school years in St. ...

Patricia Margaret “Trish” Scott, age 63, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. There was cremation. Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Charles Robert (Chuck) Smith of Kansas City, Mo., passed away at Research Hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 after a brief illness. Charles was born Aug. 8, 1965 to Gerald (Firpo) and Patricia Smith. Chuck grew up in Fort Scott, Kan., and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1983. ...

Charles Robert (Chuck) Smith of Kansas City, Mo., passed away at Research Hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 after a brief illness. Charles was born Aug. 8, 1965 to Gerald (Firpo) and Patricia Smith. Chuck grew up in Fort Scott, Kan., and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1983. ...

Penelope Sue Reasoner, age 73, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Services for Sue Reasoner will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Opal Maxine Hunziker, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. ...

Gordon Leon Phillips, age 67, recently of Englewood, Colo., passed away peacefully in his sleep while at home Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Gordon was born Aug. 28, 1957 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Thomas E. Phillips and Josephine Marie (nee McDaniel) Phillips...

Sharon Kay Miller, 81, of Fort Scott, most recently Tallahassee, Fla., passed away on Feb. 4, 2025. She was born in Fort Scott, Kan., on June 11, 1943, to loving parents Kenneth Wilson Simons and Veda Fern Wheeler Simons. She graduated with the Fort Scott High School class of 1961. Sharon married George Kepley (G.K.) Miller on June 23, 1962 in Mapleton, Kan...

Opal Maxine Hunziker, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at her home. She was born July 29, 1940, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Leland Christy and Eileen Colvin Christy. Maxine graduated from the Uniontown High School. ...

Jean Russell, age 74, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at her home. Leota Jean Russell was born Sept. 9, 1950, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Charles Gruver and Doris Hillman Gruver. Jean’s father passed away when she was very young and she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Floyd Camp. ...

Mary Alice Beth, age 90, Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Moran Manor Activity Fund. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. ...

Lisa Jayne Coyan, age 55, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Lisa Coyan Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Linda Caroline Defebaugh, age 80, resident of Nevada, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born June 28, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Wilbur and Hattie Frances Leonard. Linda married the love of her life, Glen A. ...

Tammy Marie Gode, age 49, a resident of Fulton, Kan., passed away early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025, at her home. She was better known by Kansas relatives as Marie, to California relatives as Tammy, and to her grandchildren as Grandi. Marie was born on July 23, 1975, in California and is the daughter of Paula Snavely (nee Adams). Paula and her daughter Marie moved to Fort Scott, Kan., in the early 90s, where Marie became a mother several years later at age 23, to her daughter Danielle...

Gloria Jean Long, age 77, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.  A memorial service for Gloria will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at Schneider Funeral Home and Cremations, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time at the chapel. ...

Bowonn Edward Owen, age 9, Mound City, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, as the result of an accident. A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions will be used to defray funeral expenses. Gifts can be sent to Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be made at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Keagan Grubbs, age 8, Mound City, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, as a result of an accident.  Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions will be used to defray funeral expenses. Gifts can be sent to Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be made at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ...

Alva Leroy Snyder, 89, resident of Bronson, Kan., passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Labette Health Center in Parsons, Kan. He was born Aug. 23, 1935, in Harding, Kan., the son of George Franklin Snyder and Mary Elizabeth (Townsend) Snyder. He married Marjorie Marilyn Schwartz on April 4, 1958, in Fulton, Kan., and she preceded him in death Jan. 5, 2005...

Ellen Frances Cook Mullane was born on March 5, 1924 in Fort Scott, Kan. She died on Dec. 8, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. She was preceded in death by John Timothy "Tim" Mullane, her husband, of 68 years, her parents, William E. Cook and Ruth (McFadden) Cook; three siblings: Bernard Cook, Willard Cook and Alvena Cook McClellan; children, infant son, Daniel Joseph Mullane, daughter Molly Marie O'Malley, son, Dennis Michael Mullane, son-in-law, Jerry M. ...

Goldie Marie Weyant Arndt, age 94, a resident of Uniontown, Kan., passed away Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan. She was born April 27, 1930, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Willis William Wells and Goldie Belle Weston Wells. ...

Larry Marvin Murray, age 73, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at the Fairmount Church. Burial will be in the Littell Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Mound City First Baptist Church Mission Fund. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ...

Jackie Dale "Jack" Kimlin, age 66, Mound City, Kan., passed away Sunday Jan. 26, 2025.   A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 at the Mound City First Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Curry Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church...

James Benjamin "Jim" Hargrove, age 69, formerly of Mound City, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 A funeral service will be held a 11 am Friday Jan. 31, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, Mound City, Kan. Burial will be in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m to service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to American Heart Association. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ...

John Loyd Dickerson, age 65, Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church in Mound City, Kan. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. before Mass. Friends and family can gather afterwards in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall for fellowship. Memorial contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

George Edward Montgomery, Jr., 81, of Fort Scott, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday evening, Dec. 11, 2024, in Kansas City at KU Medical Center. The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Yancey Burgess at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church under the direction of the Konantz Cheney Funeral Home. ...

David Wayne “Tiny” Watkins, age 77, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was born Feb. 25, 1947, in Fort Scott, the son of William Wayne Watkins and Edna Mae “Cricket” Kells Watkins. ...

Tammy Marie Gode, 49, of Fulton, Kan., passed away early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025, at her home. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patricia Marie Tennison, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and wife. Patricia's strength, passion, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Patricia is survived by her husband Kevin. ...

Opal Vivian Davis, beloved spouse, mother, grandmother, and aunt passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Opal was born April 21, 1942, the first child of Edgar and Opal (Higgins) Headrick. Opal attended Stotesbury Grade School through the fourth grade and then transferred to Metz when her parents purchased their family farm. ...

Linda Sue Beckham passed away Jan. 14, 2025, at the age of 84. She was born in Topeka, Kan., but spent most of her adult life in Fort Scott, Kan. While she enjoyed retirement, she often spoke fondly of her co-workers after many years of working at Whiteside’s West in Fort Scott. She loved her family dearly, held a special place in her heart for all animals and thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden...

Alta Dean Davis, age 97, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, at her home. She was better known by Kansas relatives as Aunt Deanie, to California relatives as Auntie Alta and to many friends as Miss Alta. Alta was born on Dec. ...

Robert James “Bobby” Shoemaker, age 64, Prescott, Kan., passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 at the Mound City First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church Camp Scholarship Fund or Mission Fund. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...