Obituaries from March 2014

Loy Pearl Holland, 92, St. Joseph, Mo., passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Shepherd's Residential Care Facility. Loy was born in Ness County, Kan., on Jan. 28, 1922, to Walter Harry and Nellie (McCubbin) Schamaun. She married Edwin Burns Holland on May 16, 1943 in Fort Scott, Kan. He passed away on April 28, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Thelma Spence, Mayme Amstutz and Duane Schamaun; one niece, Patricia Cooper Jacobs and one nephew, Robert Spence...

Judith Ann Judy Coleman, affectionately known as Pude, age 66, Mound City, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born on April 13, 1947 at Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Dale and Hazel Casida Burkhead. Hazel died when Judy was 11. ...

Kelsey Gordon, 19, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Services for Kelsey will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Osage City Baptist Temple. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be at the Goodrich Cemetery east of Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kelsey Gordon Memorial Fund, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, Kan. 66451...

Marilyn Dee Culp, age 80, formerly of Fort Scott and more recently of Bronaugh, Mo., died Monday, March 3rd, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Mo. She was born April 30, 1933, the daughter of John Clark and Ruth Elsie Lewis Vermillion. ...

Merle Dean Karns, age 89, a resident of Wichita, Kan., died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Hospital in Wichita. There was cremation. Pastor Matthew Hamilton will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 10 at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. ...

Mary Lou (Helton) Sheperd, 67, passed away March 6, 2014 at her home in rural Carl Junction, Mo., following a long illness. She was born Sept. 24, 1946 in Canon City, Colo., to Edwin and Hettie Helton. Mary spent 29 years working for the Department of the U.S. ...

Dorothy Mae Stinnett, 93, of Fort Scott, died Tuesday evening, March 4, 2014, at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. She was born Feb. 13, 1921 in Moran, Kan., the daughter of Charley Lee and Mary Lou (Tackkett) Teel. She married Harold Russell Stinnett in Garnett, Kan. He preceded her in death Nov. 14, 2000...

James Edward Gates, 41, of Girard, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at his residence in Girard. He was born Aug. 31, 1972 in Vinita, Okla., a son of Gloria James. He grew up in Radley and graduated from Girard High School and Fort Scott Community Junior College...

Robert Guy Olney, Jr., age 66, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Landmark Hospital, Joplin, Mo. He was born Sept. 28, 1947, in Bartlesville, Okla., the son of Robert Guy Olney, Sr. and Helen Puckett Olney. He married Claudia Marie Wright in 1966 in Iola, Kan. They lived and raised their family in Iola until they were divorced in 1986. Robert later moved to Fort Scott. He greatly enjoyed his time visiting with friends and neighbors at the Highrise on Scott Avenue...

Charles E. Shull, 81, retired St. Francis Hospital Supervisor of Patient Accounts, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Friday, March 7, 2014. He was born at Uniontown, Kan., the youngest child of Lee and Mamie (Steele) Shull. He married Evelyn (Ater) on May 6, 1951 at the Ater farm in Hiattville, Kan. ...

Gene Cowan, 73, of rural Fort Scott, died at his home Monday morning, March 10, 2014. Funeral arrangements for Gene Cowan are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Karrie M. Caruthers, age 66, resident of Bronaugh, Mo., died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at her home following a cancer illness. She was born Dec. 22, 1947, at Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Elmer William Bias and Lula Jean Kesterson Bias. Karrie first married Larry David Coleman on Sept. ...

Marilyn Jean Carnes, age 90, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Mercy Hospital. She was born Feb. 17, 1924, in Fort Scott, the daughter of George and Sigrid Carlson Mikesell. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1941. ...

Virginia Lea Clarkson, 88 passed away March 8, 2014 at the Medicalodge of Frontenac. She was born March 10, 1925 in Pittsburg, Kan., to William and Ida Mae Lewey Kennedy. She was a lifelong area resident, having lived in the Arma and Camp 50 area since the 1950s...

Martisha A. Mabery, Age 88, a resident of Fort Scott, died Monday March 10 at the Franklin House in Fort Scott. Funeral services for Martisha Mabery will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Ronald Vernon Hale, age 90, a resident of rural Savonburg, Kan., died Monday, March 10, 2014, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Savonburg Bible Church. Burial will follow in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Moran V.F.W. ...

Gene Edwin Cowan, 73, of rural Fort Scott, died at his home Monday morning, March 10, 2014. He was born Jan. 13, 1941 in Redfield, Kan., the son of William Ralph and Dorothy Mae (Hughs) Cowan. He married Margaret Lula Erie Sept. 25, 1959 in Fort Scott, Kan. She survives of the home...

Merlin Boyd Messer, 80 of Fulton, Kan., died Saturday evening, March 8, 2014 at the Prescott Country View Nursing Home. He was born April 21, 1933 in Fulton, Kan., the son of William Boyd and Opal (Campbell) Messer. He married Betty Jo Shafer Sept. 14, 1952 in Fulton and she survives of the home...

Donna S. Wright, age 95, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. She was born July 19, 1918, in Bluejacket, Okla., the daughter of Louis Christopher Shoe and Anna Elizabeth Hill Shoe. She married Clifford R. ...

Martisha A. Mabery, age 88, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Franklin House in Fort Scott. She was born Oct. 17, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Peter Elijah Marlett and Iva Mae Hillman Marlett. She married Charles Oliver Mabery on Sept. ...

Lloyd Ralph Allen, 84, passed away Saturday. Memorial services with military honors will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Fort Scott National Military Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan. Lloyd was born Aug. 6, 1929 in Quitman, Ark., the son of William and Edith (Robinson) Allen. ...

Delbert James Hart, age 66, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Topeka, Kan. He was born Oct. 8, 1947, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Gerald "Jack" Hart and Myrtle Martha Geisler Hart Morgan. He was drafted into the U. S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. Delbert loved to travel, and explored many places across the country. He also was an avid reader. He read and studied the bible every day. He attended Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Topeka...

Joseph Benjamin Houk, resident of Topeka, Kan., died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Homestead Assisted Living in Topeka. Services for Joseph Houk will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Roy Mack Mayhugh, age 85, passed away March 12, 2014 at his residence in Prescott, Kan. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Prescott Countryview Nursing Home, in c/o Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Joseph Benjamin Houk, resident of Topeka, Kan., died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Homestead Assisted Living in Topeka. He was born Dec. 24, 1931, in Moran, Kan., the son of Clarence Allen and Mary Ann Reade Houk. He graduated from Moran High School with the class of 1950. ...

Mary Elizabeth Coulter, age 85, former resident of both Fort Scott and Mulberry, Kan., died Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Arma Care Center in Arma, Kan. She was born March 30, 1928, in Arcola, Mo., the daughter of Edgar William Lonnie Call and Allie B. Cooper Call. Mary married Clarence Earl Coulter on March 4, 1944, in Baxter Springs, Kan. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing Bingo as well as spending time with her many children and grandchildren...

Waneta Madeline Beerbower, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at her home. She was born June 28, 1931, in Bourbon County, Kan., the daughter of Jud and Mollie Mabery Johnson. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1954. ...

Gleness Marie Kluge, age 67, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday March 13, 2014. She was born at Kansas City, Kan., on July 29, 1946. Graveside funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Kan. ...

Edwina Kay Lohuis, 73, of Oak Grove, Mo., passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Independence, Mo. Funeral Services for Edwina will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Mo., (816) 229-3276. ...

Darla Dawn Gross, age 73, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at her home following a cancer illness. She was born Sept. 3, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Orville Walter Ray and May 
Belle Small Ray. She married Glenn Gross on Sept. 18, 1965, in Jellico, Tenn. He preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 2012. Darla had worked for Resource Independent Living where she provided in-home care for the elderly...

Junior Lemuel Peterson, 88, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away late Saturday evening March 15, 2014 at Mercy Hospital. He was born May 16, 1925 in Fort Scott, the son of John Lemuel and Florence Edith (Farmer) Peterson. He married Jacqueline "Jackie" Richey June 29, 1947 in Fort Scott. She survives of the home...

Vernon E. Anderson, 84, El Dorado, died Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Lakepoint Rehabilitation in El Dorado. A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Mt. Orum Cemetery, Redfield, Kan. Visitation with the family present is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Carlson Funeral Home, El Dorado, Kan., which is in charge of the arrangements...

Gleness Marie Kluge, age 67, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday March 13, 2014. She was born at Kansas City, Kan., on July 29, 1946 the daughter of Pete and Catherine Skinner Shomaker. She worked as a school bus driver in the Kansas City, Kansas School District. ...

Vernon E. Anderson, 84, El Dorado, died Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Lakepoint Rehabilitation in El Dorado. A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Mt. Orum Cemetery, Redfield, Kan. Visitation with the family present is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Carlson Funeral Home, El Dorado, Kan., which is in charge of the arrangements...

Bertha Lorene McClaughry, age 97, of Hume, Mo., passed away Monday March 17, 2014 at the Mercy Health Center. She was born in Old Walnut, Hume, Mo., the daughter of G. F. and Bertha Rachael Falor Horton. She graduated from the Hume High School in the Class of 1933. ...

Rev. Gene Nelson, age 81, a resident of rural Uniontown, Kan., died early Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at his home following a cancer illness. He was born April 30, 1932, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Harry and Juanita McKee Nelson. He married Donna Yvette Wilson on March 20, 1951, in Arkansas. ...

Ronnie Lee Sheehy, 71, of Athens, Texas, passed away on Jan. 27, 2014 in Palestine, Texas. Ron was born in rural Vernon County, Mo., to Rex and Betty Sheehy on June 12, 1942. He went to high school in Richards, Mo., and graduated in 1959. He was a longtime employee of AT&T and was involved in the Elks Lodge 564 and the fraternal order of Eagles of Nevada, Mo. ...

Keith Alan White, age 61, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Mercy Hospital. He was born April 2, 1952, in Fort Scott, the son of Joseph and Bonnie Harkness White. He graduated from Warren High School in Downey, Calif., with the class of 1970. ...

Esther Fitzsimmons, age 89, resident of Redfield, Kan., died Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Fort Scott Manor. She was born Jan. 16, 1925, in Redfield, the daughter of Burr and Nellie Post Williams. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1943. ...

Kathey Ann Weddle, age 60, a resident of Fort Scott, died Friday, March 21 at her home. Funeral services for Kathey Weddle will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Patrick R. Jackson, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 23, 2014, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 28 at the First Presbyterian Church. ...

Eva Mae Wheeler, age 83, resident of Fort Scott, died Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Mercy Hospital. There was cremation. Private family burial will take place in Ava, Okla. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Chester Eugene Crim, age 79, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott. He was born Jan. 19, 1935, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Virgil Ross Crim and Pearl Inez Harvey Crim. Chester spent 23 years in military service. ...

Kathleen Ann "Kathey" Weddle, age 60 resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, March 21, 2014, at her home. She was born Aug. 24, 1953, in Phoenix, Ariz., the daughter of John Clifton and Helen Louise Hunt Kisner. She married Ray Weddle on Oct. 11, 1991, in Miami, Okla. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends. She was a member of the Community Christian Church where she enjoyed helping with the M.O.P.S. program...

Howard R. Beerbower Jr., 71, of Springfield, Mo., died at 6:48 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2014, at Memorial Medical Center. He was born Sept. 5, 1942, in Ardmore, Okla., to Howard Sr. and Betty Patton Beerbower. He married Lisa Goltz on Aug. 10, 1973, and she survives...

Though the group that organized the community garden at 915 S. Horton St. has disbanded, the opportunity for those who like to garden, but don't have the space, will continue. The Bourbon County Community Garden Committee is still under the leadership of Jody Brillhart, but the Visioning a Healthier Bourbon County group no longer exists...

Patrick R. Jackson, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 23, 2014, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. He was born Jan. 10, 1949, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Peter F. Jackson and Geraldine Eva McCormick Jackson. ...

Billie Maize "Bill" Montgomery, age 92, Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at St. John Owasso, Okla. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Blue Mound Federated Church. Burial will be in the Sunny Slope Cemetery. ...

Maurine Harward, 100, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away March 22, 2014 in Hemet, Calif. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Darlene Marie Grant, age 88, a former resident of rural Redfield, Kan., and more recently of Chanute, Kan., died Thursday, March 27, 2014, at her home in Chanute. Funeral services for Darlene Grant will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott...

Erma Arlene Clayton, 98, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning March 27, 2014 at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. She was born in Mapleton, Kan., March 11, 1916 the daughter of Holly and Ella (Blodgett) Dennis. She married Ellsworth Clayton Dec. 25, 1934 in Mapleton, Kan., and they were married for 30 years...

Dwight M. Howard, 94, passed away on March 25, 2014 at his home surrounded by family. Dwight was born in rural Allen County, Kan., on Aug. 25, 1919, the son of Roy and Ida Howard. He graduated from Colony High School in 1937. After high school Dwight graduated from Iola Junior College in 1939. ...

Herbert J. Swender, 85, died March 24, 2014, at Neosho Memorial Hospital in Chanute, Kan., surrounded by family. Herb lived the life he wanted, a life filled with joy and laughter, friends and family, and a rewarding career in a field he loved. Herbert J. ...

Wanda Ruth Wilson, 83, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday morning, March 28, 2014 at the Guest Home Estates. She was born Jan. 6, 1931 in Walnut, Kan., the daughter of Wayne and Pearl Blanche (Wright) Geiger. She married Riley W. Wilson Aug. 22, 1948 in Walnut, Kan., and he preceded her in death Dec. 31, 1982...

Margie Kathleen Northrop, age 92, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, at the Fort Scott Manor. She was born Oct. 3, 1921 in Rich Hill, Mo., the daughter of Thomas Frederick Lyons and Nannie Brown Lyons. She was a 1938 graduate of Fort Scott High School. Margie married Harold Northrop on April 1, 1949 in Bentonville, Ark. He preceded her in death on June 14, 1998. She was retired as a secretary for Western Insurance Company followed by 10 years employment with KMDO Radio Station...

Darlene Marie Grant, age 88, a former resident of rural Mapleton, Kan., and more recently of Chanute, Kan., died Thursday, March 27, 2014, at her home in Chanute. She was born May 9, 1925, in Mapleton, Kan., the daughter of Thomas E. Ball and Dollie Jane Gunsolley Ball. ...

Edward Irvine Blincoe, Sr., 88, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Dec. 17, 2013 in Denver, Colo. He was born Oct. 2, 1925 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Ernest Edward and Francis (Irvine) Blincoe. He married Betty Burns Armstrong Nov. 25, 1949 in Hutchinson, Kan., and she survives of the home...

Maurine Louise Dodge Harward, 100, residing in Hemet, California passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2014. Maurine, born March 18, 1914 in Fort Scott, Kan., was the daughter of Fred S. Dodge and Emma Stratton. She was the last survivor of her siblings Ross Dodge, Leonard Dodge, Dorothy Dodge Hall, Hazel Dodge, Clark Dodge and Fred "Jack" Dodge. She is survived by her son Garn Scott Harward and his spouse Linda, as well as her daughter Jennifer Espejo...