Obituaries

Marilyn Louise Bruner, age 76, resident of Fort Scott, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at her home. She was born Nov. 5, 1943, in Mapleton, Kan., the daughter of Walter Eberly and Agnes Mackie Bruner. Marilyn loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. ...

Charles Earl “Charley” Schubert, 75 of Americus, Kan., formerly of Uniontown, Kan., passed away, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kan. He was born Oct. 3, 1944 in Fort Scott, the son of Ira Edward and Doris Elizabeth (Likely) Schubert. He married Lora May Gerdsen on Dec. 18, 1966 in Uniontown. She survives of the home...

John Thomas “Tommy” Leihsing, 86 formerly of Hartford, passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 at Presbyterian Manor in Emporia. He was born Aug. 30, 1933 in Worland, Mo., the son of Herman Joseph and Julie Ann Jenkins Leihsing. Tommy was inducted into the United States Army on June 25, 1953. He proudly served until receiving an honorable discharge on May 19, 1955. On Jan. 25, 1957 he married the love of his life, Carol LaVonne Bethune...

Patricia Sue Warzel Keating, age 93, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 at the Kansas University Medical Center. The daughter of Gus and Grace (Good) Warzel, she was born in Fort Scott on April 20, 1926. Educated in the Fort Scott school system, Patricia graduated High School with the Class of 1943. ...

Charles Earl “Charley” Schubert, 75 of Americus, Kan., formerly of Uniontown, Kan., passed away, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kan. He was born, Oct. 3, 1944 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Ira Edward and Doris Elizabeth (Likely) Schubert. He married Lora May Gerdsen on Dec. 18, 1966 in Uniontown, Kan., she survives of the home...

Karen Lynn Stewart, age 70, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at her home. She was born Feb. 8, 1950, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Robert Johnson and Beverly Struble Johnson. She married Paul Stewart on Sept. 27, 1974, at Nevada, Mo. ...

David Earl Cummings, age 66, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. He was born on Sept. 8, 1953 in Lamar, Mo., the son of Lester W. and Dolores Hamilton Cummings. Dave graduated from the Kansas City Kansas School for the Blind. He had impaired vision resulting from a tractor accident early in his life. ...

Cynthia Layne Files, age 64, Mound City, Kan. passed away on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Funeral service will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 at the Mound City First Christian Church. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 at the Church. Contributions are suggested to Mound City Christian Church Children's Ministry. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel...

Loretta May Schoonover, 82, of Arma, Kan., passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 24, 2019 at Via Christi Villages in Pittsburg, Kan. Mrs. Schoonover was born March 26, 1937 in Fort Scott, Kan., to the late John Leonard and Fannie May Evans. Loretta attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., where she earned a Bachelor's degree in education. Loretta was passionate about helping children and taught at the elementary level for a total of 23 years...

Robert Dale Avery, age 88, of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Dale was born the son of Harry and Alpha Mae Miller Avery on Dec. 26, 1931, on the home place back in the hollow at Prescott, Kan. ...

Linda Kay Wheeler, age 78, resident of Fort Scott, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at her home. She was born July 29, 1941, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Chester and Mildred Rogers Seaver. She graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1959. ...

Richard Butts, age 84, formerly of Linn County, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cemetery near La Cygne, Kan. Visitation will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Contributions are suggested to NorthCare Hospice House, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Robert (Bob) G. Lay, age 84, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, Feb. 2, 2020, in Hillsboro, Ore. Bob was born on a small farm Sept. 22, 1935, in Bourbon County, one-half mile north of Fulton, Kan. The family often struggled to survive through harsh winters, hot summers, and tough times, but they had much love, happy times, and were very close as a family. ...

Nina Pearl Garrett, age 91, resident of Iola, Kan., died Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Iola, the daughter of Benjamin Harry and Pearl Oka Stotler. She married Marion Gene Garrett on March 21, 1947, in Yates Center, Kan. He preceded her in death in 1993. Nina farmed her entire life. She also worked as bookkeeper for Iola high school. She was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church...

Jerry Eugene Nafgzer, 83, of Fort Scott, formerly of Lancaster, Ohio, went to be with his Lord peacefully, Monday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2020 at the Guest Home Estates of Fort Scott. He was born Nov. 23, 1936, in Obetz, Ohio, the son of Burl Monroe and Hazel (Dewey) Nafzger. He married Judy Arlene Kilbarger on March 6, 1959 in Sugar Grove, Ohio, and she survives of the home...

William R. Bowen, age 93, a former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of Spring Hill, Kan., passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kan. He was born July 20, 1926, in Carthage, Mo., the son of Earnest R. Bowen and Corda V. ...

Desmond Andre Jackson, age 61, resident of Fort Scott, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 at his home. There was cremation. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Mary Ann Plain, age 79, a former resident of Altamont, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, at the Elm Haven Nursing Home in Parsons, Kan. She was born June 3, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Edward E. Davis and Louise M. Leaper Davis. ...

Ashley Jodel Kline, age 36, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at her home. She was born Sept. 17, 1983, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Thomas Applegate and Debby Lee Applegate. She married Robert Kline on Oct. ...

Howard Chester Ausemus, 99, of Hepler, died at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in the Medicalodge in Girard. Chester was born June 26, 1920 at Hiattville, Kan., a son of Carl and Emma (Armstrong) Ausemus. He graduated from Hepler High School in Hepler, Kan...

Raymond Palmer “Pete” Hall, 90, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Jan. 28, 2020 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada following a brief illness. Pete was born March 14, 1929 in Osborne, Kan., to John W. and Mabel A. (Palmer) Hall. On May 1, 1958 he was united in marriage to Nellie Ann Swait in Nevada, Mo., and she survives of the home...

Marjorie Mae Foster, age 98, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at the Medicalodges in Fort Scott, Kan. She was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Fort Scott the daughter of Frank and Ruby (Gump) Phillips. She married Melvin “Boots” Foster Nov. 2, 1940, in Nevada, Mo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 2007. Before retiring, Marjorie was secretary and bookkeeper for Boots Foster Floor Covering Service...

Janice R. Stoughton, 79, of Fort Scott, passed away on Jan. 22, 2020 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She was born on Nov. 30, 1940 in Kansas City, Kan., to Raymond and Lenora Hufford. She worked as a bank teller for 20 years before she was diagnosed with M.S. ...

Sharon Daggett Smith, age 70, Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. ...

Julia Ann Dale, age 87, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Jan. 20, 2020. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne, Kan. Burial will be in the Cadmus Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the La Cygne Library. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Howard Arthur Purcell, age 80, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at KU Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kan. He was born Jan. 6, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Ralph Emerson and Arleen Edna (Wade) Purcell, the oldest of identical twins...

Colene Janette Gress, 67, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 15, 2020, at her home. She was born Aug. 27, 1952 in Salina, Kan., the daughter of John W. and Carolee Ann (Green) Summers. She married Wesley Gress Aug. 24, 1975 in Kansas City, Kan., and he survives of the home...

William Wesley Bright, age 98, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away peacefully on Jan. 17, 2020 . Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Woodfin Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Schneider Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Good Sheppard Hospice. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Christina G. Hagood, age 93, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. She was born May 1, 1926, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of John Joseph Peters and Philomena Bachman Peters. Christina married John Byron “Jack” Hagood on Feb. ...

Colene Gress, 67, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 15, 2020 at her home. Funeral arrangements for Colene Gress are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Leota Vyrl Bruce, 104, of Blue Bell, Pa., formerly of Ottawa, Kan., passed away Dec. 13, 2019. A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, Kan., (913) 856-7111. Memorial Service will follow at 2 p.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Prescott Cemetery, Prescott, Kan...

Florene Helen Wilborn, 82, of Fort Scott, formerly of Batesville, Texas, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 13, 2020 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. She was born, May 20, 1937 in Batesville, Texas, the daughter of Clifford and Jamie Lily (Baxter) Jones. She married Paul Wilborn, June 2, 1955 in Batesville, Texas. He survives of the home (Cavalry Crossing)...

Anita Felipa Lee, age 68, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at her home. She was born May 11, 1951, in St. Joseph, Mo., the daughter of Andrew James Henderson and Ida Jones Henderson. She was united in marriage to Earnest L. ...

Agnes Kathleen Graham, 89, wife of Arthur Eugene Graham, died Jan. 10, 2020. Born July 5, 1930 in Fort Scott, she was the daughter of the late Charles Eugene and Ruth Cecelia Stiles Lienhard. Mrs. Graham was a graduate of the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. ...

Linda L. Minkler, age 72, of Kincaid, Kan., passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Centerville Community Church in Centerville, Kan. Burial will follow in the Kincaid Cemetery in Kincaid. ...

Jerry Colleen Malone, age 76, resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.There was cremation. 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...

Mary Del Sparks, age 93, passed away on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott where she had been a resident for two years. Mary Del was born on Sept. 21, 1926 in Pittsburg, Kan. She was the daughter of Peter A. and H. Leota Dixon Esch. ...

Mary Del Sparks, 93, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2020 at the Country Place Living Center. Funeral arrangements for Mary Del Sparks are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Sharon A. Price, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her home in Fort Scott, Kan., on Jan. 5, 2020. She was born in Corning, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1940, the daughter of William and Lois Stark Jackson. She married Joe Price in 1957. ...

George L. Stites, age 87, Fontana, Kan., passed Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, Kan. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Foundation. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

James Randall Smith, 70, of Fort Scott passed away suddenly, Saturday evening, in Fort Scott, Jan. 4, 2020. He was born June 24, 1949 in Chicago, Ill., the son of John Fred and Virginia Marie (Kedzior) Smith. He married Paulette Smetana, July 11, 1970 in Villa Park, Ill., she survives of the home...

Rebecca Rae “Becky” Kaiser, 60, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, in Springdale. Becky was born Feb. 28, 1959, in Salina, Kan., to Samuel Roscoe and Judith Ann Cowles Dillon. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Spring Creek Fellowship with visitation one hour prior to service. An evening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the church. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home. Online guestbook and obituary at www.heritageofnwa.com...

Jackie Leon Plain, age 86, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. He was born Nov. 2, 1933, three miles east of Mapleton, Kan., the son of Arthur and Belle Post Plain. He was the last of five children. ...

Diane Lee Fryda, age 57, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott. She was born April 25, 1962, in Duluth, Minn., the daughter of Clifford Fryda and Rosemary Ruzinsky Fryda. ...

Ralph E. Bradley, 83, died Jan. 1, 2020, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia. He was born May 27, 1936, on a farm near Prescott to Benjamin B. and Mabel E. (Self) Bradley. During the summers Ralph worked for O.E. Kaufman, a farmer in western Kansas. Ralph graduated from Mound City High School in 1954, Fort Scott Junior College in 1956, Emporia State University in 1959, and University of Kansas in 1967 with his Master’s Degree in Education. ...

Earl R. Simpson, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Mount Vernon, Wash., on Dec. 13, 2019. He was born on June 2, 1940 to Clarence and Lucille Sheehy Simpson in Fort Scott, Kan. In 1958, Roger graduated from Hume High School in Missouri. Soon after graduation, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Midway Island and later Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. ...

Gary Wesley Dennison, 75 of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday night, Dec. 31, 2019 at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He was born Jan. 18, 1943 in Booneville, Mo., and became the son of Guy Wesley and Allie Faye (Maberry) Dennison. Gary worked with Tri-Valley Developmental Center before taking up residency in the Medicalodge Nursing a few years ago...

Geraldine F. Raney, age 98, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at her home in Colorado. Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a graveside service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Glendale Cemetery south of Fulton. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 p.m. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS...