Obituaries from November 2020

Joseph E. Harper, age 75, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements for Joseph Harper will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Wheeler E. Cortner, age 91, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. Graveside funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at the Rosebank Cemetery, Mulberry, Kan. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel. ...

Rachelle Renee Smith, age 37, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Nov. 2, 2020 in her home. She was born Oct. 25, 1983, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Charles Ernest Elliott Jr. and Kenna Kay Elliott. She was married to Mark Smith Oct. 9, 2004-2017, and they created two wonderful boys, Logan Thomas, and Gavin Michael. ...

Vera F. Williamson, age 94, Mound City, passed away Nov. 4, 2020. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at the Mound City United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to service time at the church...

Joseph Eldon Harper, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 of kidney failure and complications of COVID-19. A native of Fort Scott, Joseph spent the last few years of his life at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo. He is survived by a spouse, Gertrude (Johnston) Harper, two children, Mary Jo and Richard Harper; two grandchildren, Xavier Huffman and Cobie Haynes; one great-grandchild, Mabel Haynes, and family David Shaffer, Carroll Findley, Edna Stein, Wade and Julie Pellett, Nicole Pellett, Elly Booth, Weston Pellett, Dakota Brown, Jacob Pellett, Michael Nighswonger, Thomas Nighswonger, Brian Nighswonger, and Arria Booth.. ...

Rolene Lowry, age 70, resident of Fort Scott, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg. She was born Dec. 30, 1949, in Moran, the daughter of Ralph and Phyllis Jackson Miller. She grew up in Selma, attending country school there. ...

Roxine Poznich, age 73, resident of Fort Scott, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at her home. She was born in San Angelo, Texas, the daughter of Paul Hufstedler and Ruby Allison. Ruby later married Bob Roe, who raised Roxine as his own daughter. Roxine married Johnie Poznich in 1998 in Weir. He preceded her in death in 2008...

Vonna Lee (Brewer) Grosshart was born May 14, 1947 in Fort Scott, and joined her eternal father on Nov. 2, 2020 in Guthrie, Okla. She is the daughter of Oscar and Lucille (Duncan) Brewer. She was raised in Fort Scott by her maternal grandparents, Jesse and Pauline Duncan. Vonna graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1965 and Pittsburgh State University in 1969 with a degree in social work. She was married in 1969 to Donald Keith and had two children, Jeff Travis and Kara Beth...

Eloise Frisbie Robbins passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Freeman, Mo., at the home she shared with her daughter, Jessie, and son-in-law, Terry Carter. Mrs. Robbins was a month from her 90th birthday, Nov. 24. Born in Gallup, N.M., in 1930, Eloise was the first child and only daughter of Letha (Lowe) and Arthur Frisbie. ...

Thomas Franklin “T.F.” Edmonds, age 92, Blue Mound, Kan., passed away on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. He was born on Jan. 14, 1928 in Burbank, Calif., the son of Dale and Dorthea Curran Edmonds. He graduated from Blue Mound High School. T.F. proudly served his country in the Korean War in the United States Army. ...

Linda Joyce Poyner, age 70, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, at her home. She was born Jan. 27, 1950, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Arthur Scott Bolden and Neva Ruth Wolfe Bolden. Linda graduated from the Fort Scott High School. ...

Virginia Lee Kohl, age 88, Overland Park, Kan., formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. Graveside funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 at the Littell Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to Ascend Hospice in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Virginia Lillian Godwin, 58, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 at Cass Regional Hospital in Harrisonville, Mo. Virginia was born on Jan. 30, 1962 in Ft. Scott, Kan., to Stanley Lewis and Helen Joan (Pettibon) Schnichels. Virginia’s parents passed away when she was around 4 years old and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Norval and Ann Schnichels, in the Fort Scott area. She graduated from Fort Scott High School and for a period of time worked as a caregiver...

Barbara Jean Stewart, 94, of Fort Scott, formerly of Xenia, passed away Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, 2020 at her home. She was born May 30, 1926, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of Guy Russell and Agnes Sarah (Davis) Boyd. She married Myron Leslie Stewart on Dec. 8, 1945, in Osawatomie, Kan., and he preceded her in death Sept. 1, 1996...

John Fredrick Kruger, age 68, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, at his home. Rod Perez and Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. ...

Tranquilino Paulino “Paul” Baldonado, passed away, Saturday Oct. 31, 2020, in Crystal City, Mo., after hospitalization and a short time in hospice. He was born March 11, 1940 in Canjilon, N.M. to Paublin Baldonado and Rebecca (Maestas) Baldonado. Paul graduated from Trenton High School in Trenton, Neb., in 1957. ...

John Michael Sweet, Sr., resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, at his home. Private family committal will take place in the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701...

Nancy Kay Gulliford, age 61, a resident of Nevada, Mo., passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at the Moore Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo. She was born on April 18, 1959, in Nevada and was adopted by V.H. and Hazel Bley Gulliford on Oct. 15, 1959. Nancy Kay and her father were close. ...

Helen Irene Fritter, age 102, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. She was born on Sept. 21, 1918, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Harry and Lessie Fetters Beal. Following high school, Irene worked for a candy factory in Joplin, Mo., a tire factory in Kansas City, and then back in Fort Scott at Key Work Clothes until marriage. ...

Chad “Skwirl” Matthew Elmer, 48, of Gardner, passed away on Nov. 11, 2020. He was born on Sept. 3, 1972 to D. David Elmer and Rose Marie (Martens) Schaub in Olathe, Kan. Chad graduated from Fort Scott High School and was self-employed as a carpenter for Martens Family Enterprises...

Donny Ray Button, age 67, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at his home. Services for Donny Button will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Mary Ann Young, age 76, passed away at her home on Nov. 12, 2020. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. ...

James Douglas Shelton, age 73, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. He was born Jan. 28, 1947, in Littleton, Colo., the son of John Newton Shelton and Geraldine Marsh Shelton. James graduated from the J.B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Ill., and later attended the University of Kansas. He had worked as a carpenter. He enjoyed woodworking and being outside. He also liked to watch educational programs on television...

Kenneth Wayne Mullings, 94 of Brighton, Mo., passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at the Medicalodges Nursing Home in Fort Scott. This is a story of a life well lived for 94 years. Until the end of August, Kenneth lived independently without any assistance, managed all his business affairs, and drove on a daily basis to Wendy's Restaurant for lunch. ...

Avis Marie Boyd (Stradley) was born in Blue Mound, Kan., Oct. 4, 1926, to Elvin Adrian and Josephine Fern (Spillman) Boyd and passed Nov. 15, 2020. She was the eldest of three children. She was born with red hair and freckles, a true indicator she was descended from the Boyd clan in Scotland...

Wilbur Eugene Mowen, Sr., age 97, a former resident of Merriam, Kan., and more recently of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at his home at the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. He was born Aug. 29, 1923, in Beaver Falls, Penn., the son of Ned W. ...

Clayton L. Stoker, age 89, La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at the Star Valley Cemetery, La Cygne, Kan. Mask wearing and social distancing will be in place. ...

Carrie Lee (Middleton/Bruner) Elbrader passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. Carrie was a long-time resident of Bourbon County, Kan., and career teacher for over 30 years. She was born on Feb. 25, 1930, in Ft. Scott, Kan., to Lee and Allie Middleton...

Jimmie Lee Ross, 91, of Wichita, Kan., went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 19, 2020. Jimmie was born Nov. 6, 1929 to Jesse and Cora Ross, in Liberal, Mo. Jimmie served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio-teletype operator. He was a salesman throughout his career working for Litwins and KMDO radio in Fort Scott, Kan., then on to KSEK radio and JC Penney, in Pittsburg, Kan., until moving to Wichita, Kan., where he later retired from JC Penney. ...

Lewis K. Bailey, age 78, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the U.S. National Cemetery. Friends and family will meet at the cemetery. 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...

Minnie Ola Wrenn, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. She was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Mapleton, Kan., the daughter of Clyde Marion Willard and Mildred G. Harris Willard. She married Woodrow Wilson Wrenn on Aug. ...

Lewis Kenneth Bailey passed in peace on the morning of Nov. 20, 2020, when he went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Lewis’s 78 years on Earth were well spent, and his legacy as a compassionate, dedicated family man will be remembered my many. Lewis was born in Garnett, Kan., on March 10, 1942 to Fred and Isabella Elline (Mowat) Bailey. Lewis was born with a sparkle in his eye, a grin that lit up the room, and a heart of gold...

Beatrice June Powell, age 79, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. She was born June 9, 1941, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Cecil Edward Combs and Marjorie June VanDyke Combs. She was the oldest of six children. ...

Alvin Matthews Ruddick, age 87, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at the Cox Barton County Memorial Hospital Emergency Room in Lamar, Mo. He was born Jan. 13, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Alvin Earl and Mary Olivia Matthews Ruddick. ...

Armand Morris Opitz passed from this life to meet his Lord on Nov. 21, 2020. Armand was born in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 8, 1935, as the only child of the late Jenny Irene Fischer Opitz and Frank Morris Opitz. Armand attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute for high school. ...

David Mitchell DeMayo, 59, of Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at Mound City Christian Church, Mound City, Kan. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. ...

Talitha Ann (Brown) Madison, age 47, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. She was born April 10, 1973, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Mike and Vicki (Trites) Brown. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1991. ...

William Junior Hamilton, age 92, a former resident of Garland, Kan., and more recently of Bartlesville, Okla., passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at the Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville. He was born July 31, 1928, in Garland, the son of William Hamilton and Mary A. ...

Della Lorene Emmerson, age 85, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and Joplin, Mo., more recently of Gardner, Kan., passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Azria Health Care in Olathe, Kan. She was born July 22, 1935, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Charles Dixon and Della Reno Dixon. ...

Rubie Mae Blackman Scott, age 91, Mound City, Kan., passed away Nov. 29, 2020. Graveside funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at the Curry Cemetery. Friends may pay respects from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel...

Latroy F. “Troy” White, Jr., age 77, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sept. 18, 2020, at his home in Fort Scott. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. Burial with military honors was in the U.S. ...