Lonnie Best

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Lonnie James Best, age 48, passed away Tuesday, Sept 1, 2020 at his home following an illness.

Lonnie was born January 19, 1972 in Columbus. He was a lifetime resident of Columbus.

He worked in masonry at construction projects. He was a member of Columbus Christian Center, Columbus, KS. He actively participated in NA Recovery. He enjoyed working on cars and fixing things.

Lonnie was married to Joanne Harmon on May 1, 2016 in Baxter Springs, KS. She survives.

Additional survivors include two step-daughters, Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie and Cheii Tsinhnahjinnie, both of Parsons, KS.

Lonnie was entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus, for cremation.

The family invited friends to attend a memorial service at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Columbus Christian Center, Columbus. Pastor Jim Lewis will officiate.

Dennis Gregg

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Dennis L. Gregg, 66, of Mulberry, passed away at 3:08 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2020, at the Pittsburg Care and Rehab.

He was born February 26, 1954, at Pittsburg, KS, the son of Clinton and Eula M. (Gilbreath) Gregg.

Dennis served in the United States Army in Korea and in Vietnam before being Honorably Discharged.

He worked as an electrician.

Dennis is survived by one daughter, Rosie West (Rhett Young) of Pittsburg, three brothers, Michael, Steven and Douglas Gregg all of Pittsburg, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

Kurt Zenbauer

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Kurt Zenbauer, age 48 of Galena, passed away at his home on Friday, August 21, 2020. 

Kurt was born in Cleveland, OH on August 4, 1972 to the union of Mark Anthony “Tony” Zenbauer and Helen Virginia (Smith) Zenbauer. 

He and his family moved to Galena in 1977. Kurt worked as a line worker at Glister Mary Lee in Joplin, and also as a bread maker, meat cutter, and “jack of all trades” at Ryan’s Restaurant in Joplin. 

His favorite thing to do was to attend church at the Joplin Seventh Day Adventist Church where he had been a member for several years. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Tony Zenbauer. Survivors include his mother, Helen Zenbauer; and one brother, Erich Zenbauer, both of Galena. 

Mr. Zenbauer has been entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena for cremation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Shawn Packard

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Shawn Joseph Packard, 58, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away in his sleep Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at his home.

He was born Monday, October 2, 1961, to Charles E. and Evelyn Marie (Ferraro) Packard. Shawn attended Pittsburg public schools graduating from Pittsburg High School in 1979 where he was involved in Dragon football and track. He earned several honors during high school football. While playing football at Pittsburg State, he received a bad leg injury which cut short his football career.

Shawn graduated from Pittsburg State University with a BS in Secondary Education emphasizing in Health and Physical Education and a Masters degree in Physical Education. He taught for 14 years at Pittsburg Community Middle School as an instructor for Health and PE and later as the schools Athletic Director. At the same time, Shawn owned and operated a business called Pack’s Gym where he taught an after school weightlifting program for his students. 

He is survived by a son, Shawn Jacob Packard, who was his whole life; two sisters, Deanna Fields and her husband, John of Pittsburg, KS, and Mary Packard of Pittsburg, KS; two brothers, Charles Packard and his wife, Cheryl of Lawrence, KS, and James Packard and his wife Sheila of Rolla, MO. Also surviving are his nephews, John D. Clark, Ashley Packard, and Ian Packard and nieces, Kimberley Casper, Debra O’Doherty, Angie Prendergast, and Alyssa Packard. There are seven great nieces and four great nephew, that Shawn thought the world of.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

In the wake of COVID-19, A Private Family Only Graveside service will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020. Following the service, you may view Shawn’s service on our website (www.brennermortuary.com) through Shawn’s obituary page. Friends can sign the register book from 12 pm to 5 pm Friday at the Brenner Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the USD 250 Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

Audrey Crutcher

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Home)

Audrey Elaine (Golden) Crutcher, revered high school business educator and former Fort Scott resident, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, in Springfield, Missouri. Her husband of nearly 65 years, James Samuel “Tex” Crutcher, preceded her in death on July 26, 2018.

Born October 1, 1931, on the Golden family farm and ranch near Garland, Kansas, she was the daughter of Walter Bryan Golden and Opal Louise (Pettibon) Golden.

Crutcher graduated from Fort Scott High School and then attended Fort Scott Community College where she was named homecoming queen in 1949. She continued her education at Kansas State Teacher’s College and graduated with a degree in business from what is now Pittsburg State University. 

After college, she worked in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as a secretary at the headquarters of Phillips 66 Oil Company and lived in an apartment building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. After two years she returned to Pittsburg, Kansas, where she was employed at the Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma Dairy Association.

She married James Samuel “Tex” Crutcher November 25, 1953 in Pittsburg, Kansas. They later moved to Columbus, Kansas where her husband was assistant coach of football, basketball, baseball and track at Columbus High School from 1955 to 1958.

In 1958, the Crutcher family, which now included son Greg and daughter Kim, moved to Garland, Kansas to help manage the Golden Farm and cattle operation with her father Walter B. Golden. They continued farming but moved to Eddy Street and later East National Avenue in Fort Scott where the farm and ranch operation was headquartered. For many years she was employed at Fort Scott Motors, an automobile dealership.

In the early 1970’s, Audrey Crutcher returned to college and earned a teaching certificate. She performed her student teaching obligations at Uniontown High School then took a position teaching business practices, accounting and typing at Fort Scott High School for many years. Her leadership and mentoring influenced many young women to pursue careers in business.

In their retirement, she and her husband Tex, former president of Citizen’s National Bank, managed a popular travel club for seniors called Funseekers for more than 20 years. The group traveled regionally and to countless destinations around the world. She was a longtime member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization that supports women’s educational opportunities

The Crutcher’s moved to Springfield, Missouri, in June 2015, to be closer to their daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include daughter Kimberley Hart and her husband James of Willard, Missouri; a son, Greg Crutcher, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three grandsons, Aaron Hart and wife Kristi of Jefferson City, Missouri; Justin Hart and wife Sarah and Tyler Hart and wife Kayla of Republic, Missouri. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Trysten, Mason, Grayson, Abe, Remington, Viv, Marion James and Eliza Mae.

Additionally, she is survived by her sister Bernita Hill and nephew John Hill, both of Fort Scott and Robb Hill of Des Moines, Iowa. In Texas, Crutcher is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Paul DeWitt Crutcher, William Donald Crutcher, Diane Margaret Crutcher, Judy Jane Crutcher and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt and Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Friday, August 28th at the First United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 A.M. prior to services at the church. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Community Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Camille Parnell

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Home)

Camille Lynn Parnell, age 58, a resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, August 23, 2020 at her home. She was born July 11, 1962 in Ida Grove, Iowa, the daughter of Ronald Zimmer and Cherrie Clark Zimmer. 

Camille worked for Mid-Continental Restoration Company. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and gardening. She loved spending time with her family especially her grandkids. 

Camille is survived by her two children, Jimi Huntsman and husband, Garrett, of Peculiar, MO., Zach Parnell and, Cassidy Riley, of Harrisonville, MO.; three grandchildren, Athena Parnell, Collin Huntsman, and Riley Parnell; dad, Wayne Stehr, and wife Nell, of Newcastle, Ok.,; three brothers, Chris Zimmer, of South Carolina, Andy Stehr, of Midwest City, OK., Adam Stehr, of Norman, OK., two sisters, Patti Sangster, of Norman, OK., and Karla Brinkley, of Blanchard, OK. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

There was cremation. Pastor Michael Apfel will conduct a Memorial Service at 2:30 P.M. Friday, August 28, 2020 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Stanley Edmondson

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Stanley D. Edmondson, age 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 11:51 am, Friday, August 21, 2020 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO. Stanley accepted Jesus at an early age at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He was a lifetime resident of Columbus.

He was born on February 10, 1939 in rural Columbus, KS. His parents were Shade and Lucille (Relf) Edmondson. He graduated from Cherokee County Community High School with the class of 1956. He then graduated from a Kansas State barber school in Wichita, KS and barbered from 1962 – 1966.

Stanley proudly called himself a Kansas wheat farmer. He started driving a tractor at age 9 and continued working the fields until his death. He farmed many years with his dad and brother and most recently with his son. He was an active member of House of Prayer, Riverton, KS and was past president of Columbus Jaycees. 

Stanley lived life to the fullest. He had a passion for fun and adventure and lived that out as an avid hunter, fisherman, piloting his own plane, participating in demolition derbies, dune buggy driving, motocross and motorcycle trips, flying Powerchutes, and building tractors for professional tractor pulling, at which, he was very successful.

Stanley was married to Patricia Ann Randall on January 20, 1961 in Siloam Springs, AR. They were the best of friends and had over 59 wonderful years together. Their granddaughter Tori once said, “I hope someday I have a marriage like grandma and grandpa.” Stanley’s loving wife Pat survives him.

Additional survivors include one son, Derek “Shade” Edmondson, (wife, Sandra), Columbus; two daughters, Kim Linebarger (husband, Dan), Granbury, TX, and Karla Line (husband, Garvin) Columbia, MO; one brother, Ted Edmondson,(wife, Rebecca), Columbus; nine grandchildren, Paul Bezinque (wife, Nicole), Joel Bezinque (wife, Stephanie), Tori Bezinque, Jacob Line, Travis Line, Ethan Line, Drew Edmondson, Kyle Edmondson, and Natalie Edmondson; and 5 great-grandchildren, Kate, Foster, Kyla, Brooks, and Lane, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Patsy Bendure.
Stanley’s family will cherish his memory especially the many family gatherings for holidays and the annual family dove hunt. He will be greatly missed by each of us.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at House of Prayer, Riverton, KS. Pastor Audie Tash and Ronnie Johnson will officiate. Friends are asked to observe Covid restrictions by wearing masks and social distance. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, KS. Arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus, KS