Ralph Allen Schellack Jr.

Ralph Allen Schellack Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Ralph Allen Schellack Jr. passed on to his Heavenly reward on Oct. 8, 2024, at the age of 69. Allen, as he was known, was born on Dec. 12, 1954, in Joplin, Mo., to Ralph Sr. and Clova (Foster) Schellack.

Allen met the love of his life and beloved wife, Karen Vanderpool, and they were married on Oct. 18, 1980, in Kansas City, Kan. They shared almost 44 years of a loving, Godly marriage together. Allen was known for his love of God, family, friends, and community. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and served God faithfully for many years. He served as lead pastor at several churches throughout Kansas in his many years of ministry. He was also a devoted member of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Allen worked as a police dispatcher for the Fort Scott Police Department and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years until he retired from his position. After retirement, he never stopped serving his community when he founded and directed Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries. He also served as the chaplain for the Fort Scott Police and Fire Department. He faithfully served in Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, where he helped the less fortunate of Fort Scott through a partnership with the Salvation Army.

Survivors include his wife Karen Schellack (Fort Scott, Kan.); son and daughter-in-law Dustin and Sara Schellack (Little Rock, Ark.); son Joshua Schellack (Warner Robins, Ga.); three granddaughters Ember Schellack, Emma Schellack, and Marley Schellack; one sister and two brothers: Gill (John) Barnett, Emil (Anna) Schellack, and Doug (Shannon) Schellack. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Allen was preceded in death by his father and mother Ralph and Clova.

Rev. Virgil Peck III will conduct a celebration of life service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Fort Scott Nazarene, 1728 Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.