Stories from Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Leesa Lynn Powell Silvers, of Fort Scott, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Fort Scott at the age of 70. As many of her friends and family knew, Leesa was generous, kind and loving, and would often forego her needs to ensure those around her were taken care of. She was also very forthcoming, honest and a listening ear when someone needed it most...

Paul Joseph Newton II, 64, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday evening, Feb. 18, 2022, at the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Room in Fort Scott. He was born July 4, 1957 in Fort Scott, the son of Paul J, and Jennie Zembal Newton. He married Sondra Simons, June 25, 1976 at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle...

Lennie Dean Dale, age 82, Hume, Mo., passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.   Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Hume Christian Church with burial in the Hume Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hume Cemetery, in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Kathryn Elaine “Kathie” Wilson, 70, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday evening, February 18, 2022, at the Medicalodge in Fort Scott. Arrangements will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Melissa Lynn Hays-Mitchell, 48, left our world unexpectedly on Dec 21, 2021. Melissa was born on July 4, 1973, to James Hays and Joann Sipe Hays in Fort Scott, Kan. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1991, and continued her education at Pittsburg State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in social work...

Ann Ackerman, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at her home in Fort Scott. There was cremation and no services are planned. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Earl Robert “Dink” Beerbower, age 96, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at his home. He was born June 4, 1925, in Fort Scott, the son of John Henry Beerbower and Ivy Myrtle Key Beerbower. Earl served with the United States Army during World War II. ...

Betty Boyko’s career path is taking her back to familiar territory. On Jan. 19, National Park Service Regional Director Bert Frost announced Boyko was selected to be superintendent of Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice, Neb. Boyko currently serves as superintendent at both Fort Scott National Historic Site and Fort Larned National Historic Site in Kansas. She will assume her new role in mid-March...

During the annual Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee held Saturday at the Empress Events Center, state legislators discussed bills being considered during this legislative session. Speaking at the event were District 13 Senator Richard Hilderbrand, District 12 Senator Caryn Tyson and District 2 Representative Ken Collins. District 4 Representative Trevor Jacobs was unable to attend. He sent a packet for attendees...