Obituaries from January 2018

Warren Wesley Gress, 91, of Fort Scott passed away Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2018. Funeral arrangements for Warren Gress are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Richard Allen Claypool, 84, formerly of Richards, Mo., passed away on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo., following a lengthy illness. Richard was born Dec. 11, 1933 in Richards, Mo., to Raymond E. and Ida Irene (Striech) Claypool. On April 26, 1958, he was united in marriage to Edna Lucille Shafer in Nevada and she survives of the home...

Gustav Steven (Guss) Rohnke, age 58, resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He was born Sept. 26, 1959 in Fort Scott, the son of Gustav Adolf Rohnke and Thelma Marie Ruby Rohnke. Guss was a 1978 graduate of Fort Scott High School. ...

Warren Wesley Gress, 91, of Kansas City, Kan., passed away Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2018, at the Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home. He was born May 3, 1926 in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Grover C. and Mary Haff Gress. Warren served in the United States Navy from 1944 through 1946, graduated from the School of Business at the University of Kansas in 1950, and then became an accountant and tax preparer in Kansas City, Kan. He was a member of the Sunset Hills Christian Church in Kansas City, Kan...

Mair Elizabeth Eleanor Stoker, age 87, La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 at the Health Care Resort of Olathe. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in the Star Valley Cemetery. ...

Emil Mashek, age 85, a resident of rural Richards, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Funeral services for Emil Mashek will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Connie Jo Pavey Mathers, age 70, a resident of Centralia, Mo., formally of Fort Scott, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at her home. She was born Jan. 17, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kan. the daughter of Percy Pavey and Doris Pavey Pritchett. She married Larry James Mathers on April 18, 1965 in Wichita, Kan., he preceded her in death on March 22, 2008. She enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her grandkids.

Gary R. Wilson, 66, of Girard, Kan., passed away at 2:15 a.m., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in the emergency room of the Girard Medical Center. He was born June 24, 1951 in Pittsburg, Kan., a son of Ralph and Margaret Jean (Schneider) Wilson. Gary grew up in the Walnut and Hepler, Kan., areas and attended Girard High School...

Rev. Jim Dillow, 70, of Fort Scott, and former Pastor of the Parsons Church of the Nazarene, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 1:05 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Aug. 25, 1947 at Chanute, Kan., to Harold and Alma (Moore) Dillow. He grew up and attended schools in Chanute and graduated from Chanute High School in 1965. Following high school, Jim attended Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma where he graduated in 1970...

Darrel L. Taylor, age 84, passed away late Monday evening, Jan. 1, 2018, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade, Kan. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan...

Emil Charles Mashek, age 85, a resident of rural Richards, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He was born Dec. 24, 1932, in Seward, Neb., the son of James Lewis Mashek and Mary Hromas Mashek. He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. ...

Laurel Marie "Bebo" White, age 97, Prescott, Kan., passed away on Wednesday Jan. 3, 2018 at Prescott Country View. She was born on April 10, 1920 in Linn County, Kan., the daughter of Elias and Leona Bradley Bloomfield. She graduated from Prescott High School and married Earl T. ...

Evelyn Lucille Reynolds, age 95, former resident of Uniontown, Kan., died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Windsor Place, Iola, Kan. She was born on June 5, 1922, in Elgin, Kan., the daughter of Charles C. and Bertie Macher Mumbower. She married Willis J. ...

Jimmie Dale “J. D.” Duren, age 55, a resident of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott. He was born March 24, 1962 to Charles Duren and Betty Lou Johnson. He enjoyed playing pool, fishing, and singing karaoke. He loved to cook and smoke meat for his family. J.D. never met a stranger, and was known for his Hawaiian shirts. He was a collector of all things, and would tell people “you never know when you might need that.”...

Douglas Merrill Collins, age 71, a resident of Fort Scott, died Jan. 4, 2018, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kan. Father Robert Wachter will conduct funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2017, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30. ...

Irma Grace Hyson, age 99, Blue Mound, Kan., passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at Life Care Center in Osawatomie. She was born on Nov. 17, 1918 at Blue Mound the daughter of Charles Lewis and Jesse Edith Sutterby Green. She graduated from Blue Mound High School. ...

William "Pete" Corwin Pointer Jr., age 71, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at Prescott Country View. Memorial service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. The family suggests contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel...

Debra Sue Lowry, 62 went to be with the Lord on Jan. 7, 2018. She was born May 20, 1955 in El Dorado, Kan., the daughter of Patricia Ann (Long) Johnson and Harold ‘Smoky’ Long. Debra married Donald E. Lowry on April 15, 1976; they later divorced. Debra was a longtime resident of Fort Scott, Kan. ...

David Leroy Blethen, 53, passed away Dec. 23, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Joplin. He was born Aug. 12, 1964, to David LeRoy Blethen and Kathleen Jane Blehen (Herring). He was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kan. He married Deanna Ilene Burch on Oct. 17, 1992. ...

David Leroy Blethen, 53, passed away Dec. 23, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Joplin. He was born Aug. 12, 1964, to David LeRoy Blethen and Kathleen Jane Blehen (Herring). He was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kan. He married Deanna Ilene Burch on Oct. 17, 1992. ...

Rebecca Marie Murray, 66, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born April 5, 1951, in Coffeyville, Kan., the daughter of John F. and Madilyn Louise (Slater) Troutman. She married Wayne Murray July 10, 1982, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death July 3, 1999...

Wesley Elmon Wallace, Jr., age 58, a resident of Garland, Kan., passed in to the loving arms of Jesus Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at his home, after a 10-year battle with diabetes complications. He was born Aug. 30, 1959, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Wesley E. ...

Ruth O’Dell, age 84, a former resident of Mapleton, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at the Fort Scott Manor in Fort Scott, Kan. She was born Jan. 21, 1933, on the family farm near Lacygne, Kan., the daughter of Clemmit Anderson and Edith Reynolds Anderson. ...

William Andrew “Bill” Heckman, age 85, a resident of Bronson, Kan., passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at his home in Bronson. He was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Hepler, Kan., the son of Andrew Joseph Heckman and Mamie Leah Dunbar Heckman. He married Pat Judd on Aug. 17, 1972. Bill constantly kept busy. He did farm work as well as mechanic work for many years. He also mowed yards...

John David McTheeney, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, Kansas. He was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Neelyville, Mo., the son of Andrew Washington McTheeney and Elise Mae Curtis McTheeney. John married Aletha Kyle on May 28, 1988 in Garnett, Kan. ...

Kamey Dee Fleener, 60, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kan. Kamey was born Dec. 20, 1957 in Nevada, Mo., to Kenneth D. and Marcella F. (Hamilton) Scism. Kamey grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1976. Kamey lived most of her life in Nevada. She has lived in Xenia, Kan., since 2013...

Carol Jean Johnson, age 76, formerly of Olathe and Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday Jan. 11, 2018. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggest to Rainbow. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel...

Ralph L. Myrick, age 90, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born at Mapleton, Kan., on Dec. 21, 1927 the son of Newton George and Lula May Needham Myrick. He graduated from Blue Mound High School. ...

Zachary Lee Hansen, 38, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., made our world a little quieter when he left, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. The wonderful ruckus, that was Zach, was born April 27, 1979 in Audubon, Iowa, the son of Robert Morris and Katherine Marie Hansen. ...

Thomas Leo Nutter, 89, passed away on Jan. 14, 2018 in Jackson, Miss. Visitation for Thomas will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton, Miss., from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be on Thursday at Franklin Baptist Church in Flora, Miss., at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour before. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery...

Oka Ola Hare Clinesmith, age 98, of Fort Scott, passed away on Jan. 13, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. Oka was born to Andrew Jackson Hare and Mae Johnston Hare in 1919 on a Bourbon County farm south of Fort Scott. She attended Katt School and Fort Scott Junior High before moving with her family to Tribune, Kan. ...

Sterling Martin Barker, age 64, Kincaid, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Prescott Country View. Graveside funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 at the Boulware Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. ...

David Richard McArthur, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at his home. He was born Feb. 16, 1945 in Pratt, Kan., the son of Kenneth McArthur and Crystal Colby McArthur. David was in the Navy and served his county during Vietnam. ...

Jacob H. Underwood, age 98, died on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, of natural causes. He was born on July 6, 1919, on the family farm in Uniontown to Jay and Hazel McKinnis Underwood and resided in Fort Scott and rural Uniontown his entire life. Mr. Underwood graduated from Uniontown High School in 1936 and Fort Scott Community College two years later. ...

Ruth Ann Sickles, age 55, a former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of LaHarpe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at her home in LaHarpe. Rev. Trena Cooper will conduct funeral services at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Neva Kathleen Baker, age 100, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away on Friday Jan. 19, 2018. Service details will be announced at a later date. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel...

Mary Jane Mitts, age 87, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. She was born at Foster, Mo., on Sept. 30, 1930 the daughter of John and Mary Frances Galvin Vaughn. She was married to Willard Mitts on July 14, 1963. He preceded her in death on Feb. ...

Hattie Lela Homan, 99, of Uniontown, Kan., passed away Friday evening, Jan. 19, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. She was born Dec. 17, 1918, in Rolla, Kan., the daughter of LeRoy Johnathan and Lena Effie (Saul) McMillan. She married Leslie Otto Homan Sept. 28, 1944, in Lawrence, Ill. He preceded her in death March 2, 1982...

Alice Naomi Halling, 97 of Severance, Kan., passed away Jan. 20, 2018 at Two Timbers Home Plus. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Following the visitation will be a Funeral Mass being held at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Benedict Catholic Church under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Lula Mae “Lou” Piotrowski, age 80, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at Medicalodges of Fort Scott. Services for Lou Piotrowski will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Ronald Lee Honn, age 74, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 at the Miami County Medical Center Emergency Room. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mound City. Burial will be in the St. ...

Lula Mae “Lou” Piotrowski, age 80, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at Medicalodges of Fort Scott. She was born Feb. 18, 1937, in St. Paul, Kan., the daughter of Chares “Bud” and Vera Mudd Groner. She graduated from St. Paul high school. ...

Willa Jean Ellis, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Jan. 22, 2018 at her home. She was born March 25, 1930, in Rich Hill, Mo., the daughter of Howard and Gertie (Williams) Marlin. She married her childhood sweetheart, Danny Ellis, Feb. 8, 1948, in Nevada, Mo...

Deborah Lee Hawkins, age 66, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at her home. She was born Jan. 7, 1952, in Lawrence, Kan., the daughter of Roy Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1970. ...

Elsie Lyon Miller Carmichael died Jan. 25, 2018 at Bishop Drumm Nursing Home in Johnston, Iowa, with family by her side. Visitation and services were held on Monday, Jan. 29, at Glen Echo Christian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Elsie was born Sept. 13, 1924 to John Raymond and Alice Ruth Padgett Lyon in Fort Scott. ...

Kyle Mathew Collier, 32, of Franklin passed away on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. A celebration of Kyle’s life will be held Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Crossroads Baptist Church at 701 S. Kansas Highway 7, Girard, Kan., (7 miles south of Girard). You may honor Kyle by dressing casually. Kyle would have liked jeans, T-shirts and flannel shirts...

Betty Lee Brooks, age 87, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, at Mercy Hospital, following an illness. Betty was born on Feb. 17, 1930 in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of the late Levi Perry and Lilly Laura (Love) Feagins. Betty married Raymond F. Brooks on July 20, 1947, together they raised six children. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of Community of Christ Church...

Theresa L. Smith, age 45, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to service time at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. The family suggests contributions to The Smith Family in care of Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, KS, 66075...

Cleta Fern Stump, age 67, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 at her home. A visitation will be Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. ...