Obituaries from December 2024

Cynthia Eileen “Cindy” Staton, age 67, Prescott, Kan., passed away Nov. 26, 2024. She was born on March 31, 1957, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of James Willaim and Jean Rae Long Mayhugh. She graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School in the Class of 1975...

Jessie JoDean Haynes, age 60, a resident of Joplin, Mo., passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. She was born Jan. 3, 1964, in Iola, Kan. A celebration of Jessie’s life will be held at 3 p.m.. Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Amelia Elizabeth Bower, age 86, resident of Deerfield, MO., died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at her home. She was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Fort Scott, KAN., the daughter of Marion Alfred Jones and Opal Laoma Gillenwater Jones. Amelia worked for Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott for over 20 years until her retirement. ...

Hector M. Morillo was born on Dec. 7, 1951 in Caguas, Puerto Rico and passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.  Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. ...

Roy Earl Eads, Jr., 81, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born on May 11, 1943, in Farmville, Va., the son of Roy E. Eads, Sr. and Oleta Lenore (Rousey) Eads. He married Juanita Elizabeth Bigelow on Dec. 25, 1966, in Fort Scott, and she survives of the home...

Catherine C. Beth, age 99, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Credo assisted living facility in Fort Scott. Arrangements will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott. 

Peggy Ann Mason, age 65, resident of Uniontown, Kan., passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. There was cremation. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Retta Ruth Smith, age 87, of Wichita, Kan., formerly of Bronson, Kan., passed away on Dec. 4, 2024, at The Center at Waterfront, surrounded by family. Her sense of humor, loving nature, and delicious homemade cooking will be deeply missed. Born on Oct. 15, 1937, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Virgil and Grace (Wyatt) Fisher, Retta grew up on a dairy farm in Hammond, Kan. She embraced farm life further when she married Glenn E. Smith of Bronson, Kan., on March 5, 1961...

Norma Lee Wood, age 88, resident of Tulsa, Okla., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Okla. Merl Wood will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, Kan. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com...

Sherman Leroy Spence, age 84, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Cremations, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Pleasanton/Jayhawk Linn Trap Shooting Team or Linn County Hunter Safety. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ...

Keith Alan Smith, age 72, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at the Pleasanton High School. Memorial contributions are suggested to Kaden Jax Gerleman-Smith Education Fund, in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. ...

Catherine C. Costin Beth passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Fort Scott, Kan. She was born May 24, 1925, in Oil Hill, Kan., the town that City Services built near Towanda, Kan. Her mother was Edith Neeley Costin, and father was Cass Cartell Costin...

In recognition of a life well lived, Larry James Faulkner surrounded by family, passed at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo., after suffering a stroke at the age of 79. Larry was born on Dec. 6, 1945 to Edward Chester “Buck” Faulkner and Frances Leona (Gordon) Faulkner. ...

Morris Earl Robinson, age 90, a resident of Redfield, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Springfield, Mo. He was born June 12, 1934, in Redfield, Kan., the son of Earl Kenneth Robinson and Frances Mary McGuire Robinson. ...

Vicky Sue Runyan Long, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. She was born Aug. 19, 1959, in Fort Scott. She graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1977. In earlier years, Vicky worked as a waitress. She later moved to Illinois where she worked at several nursing homes. Vicky enjoyed going to classic car shows, attending stock car races and taking the occasional trip to the casino...

Richard Lee Lindsey, age 69, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Care to Share. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Keith Alan Smith, age 72, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at the Pleasanton High School. Memorial contributions are suggested to Kaden Jax Gerleman-Smith Education Fund, in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. ...

Sherman Leroy Spence, age 84, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Cremations, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Pleasanton/Jayhawk Linn Trap Shooting Team or Linn County Hunter Safety. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ...

Norma Lee Wood, age 88, resident of Tulsa, Okla., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Okla. Merl Wood will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, Kan. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com...

Claude Allen Warner, 81, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Born Sept. 23, 1943 in Horton, Mo., to Alba and Jack Warner, Sr. Claude is survived by his son, Jay Warner and daughter-in-law, Jolene Warner; four grandchildren, Jayla, LJ, Jayce, and Jaxi Warner all of Fort Scott; one sister-in-law, Pennie Warner, Lamar; and his beloved dog, Buddy; and several nieces and nephews...

Claude Allen Warner, 81, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Born Sept. 23, 1943 in Horton, Mo., to Alba and Jack Warner, Sr. Claude is survived by his son, Jay Warner and daughter-in-law, Jolene Warner; four grandchildren, Jayla, LJ, Jayce, and Jaxi Warner all of Fort Scott; one sister-in-law, Pennie Warner, Lamar; and his beloved dog, Buddy; and several nieces and nephews...

Dawnelle Rose Ornstein, age 36, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at her home. She was born April 30, 1988, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Jimmy Dean Kimler and Donna Chaplin. After completing high school, Dawnelle went on to become a CNA. ...

George E. Montgomery, 81, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 11, 2024, in Kansas City at KU Medical Center. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 20224, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, The Rosary will be 6:30 p.m. ...

Helen Louise Bolling, 82, of Bronson, Kan., passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born to Archie and Neola Clark, Helen was a woman of remarkable creativity and generosity. Affectionately known as the “Archi-tect,” she had a passion for remodeling and reimagining her home, creating a sanctuary for all who entered. ...

George Edward Montgomery, Jr., 81, of Fort Scott, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday evening, Dec. 11, 2024, in Kansas City at KU Medical Center. He was born Jan. 16, 1943, in Pulaskifield, Mo., the son of George Edward Montgomery Sr., and Una Mae (Edwards) Montgomery. He married Terry Simons on Feb. 4, 1972, in Miami, Okla. She survives of the home...

Steven Glen Ward Oct. 5, 1947-Dec. 13, 2024 With gratitude for a life well lived, we share the passing of Steven Glen Ward on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Alison, and son-in-law, Donovan; his grandchildren, Oliver and Theodore; and his brother, Allen. ...

Margie Elizabeth Seaver, age 73, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at the Medicalodges of Fort Scott. Margie was born to Leslie and Mary (Johnston) Seaver, on Jan. 3, 1951 in Fort Scott, where she resided most of her life. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1969. ...

Bryan Lee Turpen, age 47, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.  A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at the La Cygne Chapel.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Grady's Kids or Ray of Hope...

Benjamin David “Benji” Smith, age 22, a former resident of Mapleton, Kan., left this troubled world and was welcomed into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ on Dec. 12, 2024. He was currently serving in the United States Navy at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., on the USS Florida (SSGN-728). ...

Jennie Darlene (Brillhart) Cowan, 98, died in Mesa, Aariz., on Dec. 13, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. Darlene was born on Oct. 4, 1926 to Housan and Jennie (Crane) Brillhart in Fort Scott, Kan., the youngest of four children. Darlene was a talented seamstress. ...

Barbara Woodward, 91, of Bronson, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. Barbara Louise Ermel was born on Aug., 24, 1933, to Ernest and Irene (Howerton) Ermel in Fort Scott, Kan. She graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1951. After high school, she attended Fort Scott Junior College and worked at the Western Insurance Company. ...

Richard Woodward, 92, of Bronson, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Richard Kenneth Woodward was born on June 2, 1932, to Benjamin Franklin Woodward and Susie (Koehn) Woodward in Moundridge, Kan. His family moved to Bronson, Kan., in 1945, where he graduated from Bronson High School in 1951. ...

Donald Lee McDaniel, age 88, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. He was born Sept. 17, 1936, in Fort Scott, the son of Andrew Galen McDaniel and Donna May Stephens McDaniel. Don served in the U. ...

Larry Dean Swaim, 76, of Fort Scott, passed away Dec. 24, 2024, at Guest Home Estates. He was born on Jan. 30, 1948, in St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Charles Abraham Swaim and Evelyn Elizabeth (Hull) Swaim, and lived on a farm in Brown County. He married Charlotte Ann Kellogg on July 20, 1974, at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg, Kan., and they were married for 50 years. Charlotte survives of the home...