Marilyn Jean Carnes

Marilyn Jean Carnes

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. She worked for Dr. R.Y. Strohm for two years, then for the Western Insurance Company for 10 years. During that time, she and Leonard Carnes started dating. They were married Aug. 5, 1948, in Bentonville, Ark. Marilyn decided to quit work and stay home when Mike was born. The year he went to kindergarten, the pastor from the First United Methodist Church wanted her to work as the church secretary. After turning him down, he was persistent and said they would work it out so she could be home when Mike got home from school. She worked as the church secretary for five years. Marilyn then returned to her job at the Western for 20 more years. When she retired, she started helping at the family business, Cleveland Lithichrome, and continued until she was 89. Last August, Marilyn and Leonard celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They have lived in the same home for all 65 of those years. She was a member of Olive Chapter No. 13 Order of Eastern Star for 60 years, Amaranth, and White Shrine of Jerusalem. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Leonard of the home; one son, Mike Carnes and wife Susan, Fort Scott; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Jessica Carnes; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Rev. Ken Van will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapel, including an Eastern Star service at 6:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to either Mirza Shrine Transportation Fund or the First United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com