Obituaries from June 2025

Peggy Anne Gannon, age 81, died May 29 at sunrise at Cherry Creek assisted living in Denver, Colo., following a lengthy illness. Peggy was born Feb. 22, 1944, in Alameda, Calif., to Aubra L. and Mynettia Davis Gannon. In 1947, the family moved to a farm northwest of Fort Scott...

Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away, Monday May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Louise McIntyre on June 12, 1951. ...

Michael David Kent, age 72, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kan., passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025. There was cremation and no services are planned at this time. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Craig M. McKenney, 72, resident of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Margie S. Haynes, age 88, a resident of Cavalry Crossing Apartments in Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. She was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Graettinger, Iowa. She grew up in Nevada, Mo., and was united in marriage to John Franklin “Frank” Haynes on May 29, 1954, in Nevada. ...

Richard Paul Henderson, age 74, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025. He was born on July 26, 1950 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Charles and Lidea Morris Henderson. After graduating high school, Rich joined the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam War. ...

Karen Salsbury, a woman of extraordinary musical talent, keen intellect, and unwavering determination, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, with her family at her side. Born on June 29, 1944, in Mauston, Wisc., her early passion for music blossomed into an illustrious career and a lifelong devotion to education...

Jewell LeRoy Smith, Jr., age 76, a resident of Girard, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Aug. 19, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Jewell LeRoy Smith and Myrtle May Baker Smith. Jewell grew up in Fort Scott and graduated from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College. ...

On June 7, 2025, Helen Rife went to join our Savior and her soulmate, Sam. Helen was born Nov. 9, 1938, to Leslie (Pete) and Bertha (Perry) Fuhrman at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. Helen graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1956. She went on to attend Iola Junior College, then later graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1961 with a teaching degree...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Craig Marshall McKenney, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Craig, age 72, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on June 4, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Born on Oct. 23, 1952, in Lawrence, Kan., he was the son of Lloyd James McKenney and Myla O. McKenney, who preceded him in death along with his cherished daughter, Parker Lea McKenney...

Ruby Frances Brown, age 85, of Duenweg, Mo., passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Saint Luke’s Nursing Center. Ruby was born on Jan. 29, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., to the late union of Charles and Leota (McVey) Large. She was a 1958 graduate of Fort Scott High School. ...

Windfred Allen DeMott, ate 84, resident of Bronaugh, Mo., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home. Services for Windfred Allen DeMott will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Windfred Allen DeMott, age 84, resident of Bronaugh, Mo., died Saturday June 7, 2025, at the home. He was born Sept. 15, 1940, in Mound City, Kan., and his parents were Clyde Vernon DeMott and Alice Rosemond (Jackman) DeMott. He attended Mound City High School. ...

Shirley Irene (Goddard) Winter, 84, Richards, Mo., passed away on June 18, 2025, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born on Sept. 17, 1940, near Eve, Mo., to Leslie and Maud (Brouhard) Goddard. She married her childhood sweetheart, Joe Winter, in 1960 and he preceded her in death on July 4, 2023...

Arthur Joseph Pollreis, age 16, a resident of rural Walnut, Kan., died Wednesday, June 18, 2025, following a train accident near Erie, Kan. Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a memorial service at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Doris Kathryn Ericson, age 89, a resident of rural Hiattville, Kan., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 20, 2025, just one day before what would have been her 90th birthday. Doris was born June 21, 1935, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Ross Graham and Charlotte Brehm Graham...

Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Pleasanton Cemetery.  Contributions are suggested to the United Methodist Church of Louisburg or the KU Hospice House. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

George Scott Koppa, age 50, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, June 20, 2025, at his home. Services for Scott Koppa will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Wanda June "Jay" Dunn, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, at the home of her daughter in Spring Hill, Kan. Jay was born July 10, 1939, in Oskaloosa, Mo.,, to Bill and Carrie Guss Carpenter and was the fourth of their six children. She graduated with the Class of 1957 from Liberal High School. After graduation, she moved to Fort Scott, where she worked at Key Work Clothes and the White Grill...

George Scott Koppa, known affectionately to friends and family as Scott, entered into eternal rest on June 20, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on Nov. 9, 1974, in Fort Scott, Kan., Scott was a lifelong resident of his beloved hometown, where he also peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family...

Ronald “Ronnie” Fred Taylor, 87, resident of Bronson, Kan., passed away at his home early Thursday morning, June 26, 2025. He was born June 6, 1938, in Xenia, Kan., the son of William Ray Taylor and Helen Mae (Stewart) Taylor. He married Bonnie Mason on May 31, 1959, in Fort Scott, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 17, 2020...

Charles William “Bill” Lewis, 79, of Fort Scott, passed away at Overland Park Regional Hospital early Friday morning, June 27, 2025. Services are set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with private burial following at Memory Gardens...

George Scott Koppa, known affectionately to friends and family as Scott, entered into eternal rest on June 20, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on Nov. 9, 1974, in Fort Scott, Kan., Scott was a lifelong resident of his beloved hometown, where he also peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family...

Everett Eugene “Gene” Forester, a cherished father, grandfather, sibling, and friend, passed away at the age of 72 on June 26, 2025, in Arma, Kan. Born on Sept. 6, 1952, in Marionville, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Charles William “Bill” Lewis, 79, of Fort Scott, passed away at Overland Park Regional Hospital early Friday morning, June 27, 2025. Bill was born in unforgettable fashion on Nov. 2, 1945 – on the front steps of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott. His mother, Marjorie Alice (Singmaster) Lewis, went into labor enroute, and his father, Marvin Singleton Lewis, famously “caught” him just outside the hospital doors. ...

George Scott Koppa, known affectionately to friends and family as Scott, entered into eternal rest on June 20, 2025, at the age of 50. There was cremation. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, July 5 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. ...

Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Blue Mound, Kan. Friends and family will gather 10 a.m. prior to the funeral home at the Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel. ...

Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She departed this world surrounded by the love of her family and friends...

Joseph Erie, 40, departed this earthly life on May 26, 2025, in his home. We all know that Joe fought a long, courageous and unwavering battle of testicular cancer. Joe was born July 10, 1984, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Michael Henry Erie Jr. and Agnes Delores Pearson. ...