Obituaries from July 2025

John Alvin Wright, 86, of Topeka, passed away on June 28, 2025 at his son’s home in Topeka, Kan. He was born June 21, 1939, in Dade County, Mo., the son of J. Samuel and Perna (Jones) Wright. John grew up in Fort Scott, Kan., where he also graduated from high school. ...

Jacqueline A. Webster, age 85, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. Services for Jacqueline Webster will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Charles Sellers, 65, passed away at the VA home in Warrensburg, Mo., Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Lawrence Virgil Hilburn was born Jan. 14, 1945 in Quapaw, Okla., to Virgil and Betty Hilburn. He died July 7, 2025 due to heart disease. Larry spent his childhood in Calfornia, Galena, Kan., and graduated from Quapaw High School. His adult life was spent in Miami, Okla., Little Rock, Ark., Peoria, Okla., and Fort Scott, Kan. He served in the Air Force from 1962-66...

Joycelyn Elaine Malone, age 92, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away July 3, 2025, at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. She was born June 22, 1933, to William (Bill) and Nina Norris in Nevada, Mo. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1951, then attended the Mercy School of Nursing. She married Keith Farley Malone on Nov. 2, 1952...

Charles Paul Sellers, 65, passed away at the VA home in Warrensburg, Mo., Tuesday, July 1, 2025. He was born Aug. 4, 1959, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Garland Dell Sellers and Norma Jean (Quick) Sellers. He married Amy Seal July 29, 2016, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of the home...

Jacqueline A. Webster, affectionately known as Jackie, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on Sept. 17, 1939, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Jonathan Reagan and Mary Rea Reagan, Jackie's life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and her faith...

Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025 after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her entire life. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Marie Hueston. Born May 21, 1951, she attended school in Mapleton, Fulton, and finally at Uniontown where she graduated...

Donald Ray Barnard, age 85, known affectionately as Don to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his home in Pittsburg, Kan. Born on Oct. 12, 1939, in the small town of Arcadia, Kan., Don's life was a testament to his enduring spirit, and his love for his family. ...

Julie A. Elbrader, 79, of Fort Scott, died Tuesday afternoon tragically at the home. She was born July 7, 1946, in Bourbon County, Kan., the daughter of Levi and Elnora Thompson. She married Robert N. Elbrader on Aug. 14, 1964 in Fort Scott and they had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year, in Fort Scott. Her husband proceeded her in death. She had lived all of her life in the Fort Scott area. She worked for the Ellis Foundation for many years prior to retiring...

Berniece Buell, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away July 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on Dec. 8, 1929, in Lake City, Mo., the daughter of William and Ruth Pitts. Despite a challenging early life, Berniece faced adversity with strength and grace. ...

Charles Howard Cress, age 89, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., commonly known as Charlie to his friends and loved ones, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Fort Scott, Kan. Born on July 5, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to the late Col. Howard C. Cress and Arnstina Cissna Cress, Charlie's life was marked by dedication to his family, his country, and his community...

Maxine Louise Martinez, 101, passed away peacefully during her sleep on July 10, 2025, at her home of 46 years, surrounded by several of her loving children. Louise was just one month short of turning 102. She was born Aug. 30, 1923, to Elbert (E.B.) Harvey and Anna Harvey (Schwenke) in Fairview, Okla. She was the third of four daughters who were known to many as the “Harvey girls.”...

Janis D Hamilton, 86, transitioned to heaven June 14, 2025 in Overland Park, Kan. She was born in Jan. 1939, and grew up in Kingman, Kan., with her parents Helen and Earl Kostner.  She attended Kingman High School where she was the 4-H leader and competed with food demonstrations, readings, and more. ...

Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Centerville Community Church. Burial will be in the Centerville Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to gather for a meal and fellowship after the burial at the church.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Prairie FFA or Centerville Community Church. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Dr. Charles “Stewart” Reeves, age 88, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Balfour Central Park in Denver, Colo. Stewart was born in Louisburg, Kan., to Charles Hunter Reeves and Alta Mae (Ring) Reeves. After graduating from Louisburg High School, Stewart joined the United States Navy and attended The University of Kansas (KU) for both his undergraduate and medical degrees...

Clifton Carl Marsh, age 81, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Mo. Born on Oct. 6, 1943, in Hermitage, Mo., to Clifton and Ida Mae (Thompson) Marsh, Carl’s life was a combination of love, laughter, and the great outdoors...

Hazel Marie Gulliford, age 99, a resident of Nevada, Mo., passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Moore Few Care Center in Nevada. She was born on Jan. 11, 1926, in Garland, Kan., the daughter of Charley and Viva (Clyburn) Bley. She attended school in Bronaugh, Mo., and after graduation, Pittsburg State College. She married V.H. Gulliford on April 30, 1947. He preceded her in death in 2016...

Barbara Jean Dawson Swearingen, a cherished soul known for her friendly demeanor, generous spirit, and passionate love for horses, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in her hometown of Fort Scott, Kan. Born on Dec. 10, 1944, also in Fort Scott, Barbara's life was a testament to her enduring love for her community and the people within it...

John Sackett, age 65, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. John was born in Fort Scott, Kan., to William (Jim) and Mary Sackett (Monroe). John enlisted in the Army in 1977. When he stepped onto the bus to travel to Fort Polk, La., for boot camp, he looked back at that moment as the most defining decision of his life. ...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leon Calvin Perry, who departed this life on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the age of 81. Born in Kansas City, Kan., on May 31, 1944, Leon lived a life full of passion, purpose, and an unwavering love for the outdoors...

Kathryn Lancellotti, 94, of Olathe, Kan., formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., died at 12:35 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025 at Hoeger House at Olathe, Kan. Mrs. Lancellotti was born Dec. 7, 1930 at Camp 50, the daughter of Joe and Cloinde Selle Palazzari. Kathryn was a retired school teacher at Eugene Ware Grade School in Fort Scott, Kan., where she worked until retirement. ...

Lance Leslie Sears, age 87, Hume, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the Hume Christian Church. Burial will be in the Hume Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of Larry Ballou Sr., who left this world on July 26, 2025, in Joplin, Mo., of the age of 84. Born on Feb. 4, 1941, to Charlie and Delores (Monroe) Ballou in Fort Scott, Kan. Larry's journey through life was nothing short of remarkable. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends he loved so dearly. ...

Julie Ann Elbrader, 79, passed away tragically on July 8, 2025, in a fire at her lifelong home. She was born on July 7, 1946, to Levi Albert Thompson and Elnora Josephine (Lewis) Thompson. Julie was the second youngest of six siblings, all of whom have passed away: Mary, Marjorie, George, Doug, and Levi. On Aug. 14, 1964, Julie married Robert Elbrader, who preceded her in death after 60 years of marriage...

Peggy Ann Lowry “Hill”, walked through the gates of Heaven on Monday, July 28, 2025. Peggy was born on Oct. 12, 1955, to Donald Eugene and Rosetta Mae (Proctor) Lowry. Peggy had two children, Jennifer Rose Lowry and James Robert Lucas. Peggy loved to cook and everything she made was amazing, from her special Hawaiian Chicken to fried chicken and baking was her way of showing love. ...

Nicholas R. Payne, age 34, passed away July 4, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Pittsburg Adventist Church, 430 E. 21st St., Pittsburg, Kan. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Clarksburg Cemetery near Garland, Kan. Memorials are suggested to the Nicholas Payne Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  ...