Babe Young

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Jack Avery “Babe” Young, age 90, a resident of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019, at the Glenwood Village in Overland Park, Kansas. 

He was born January 17, 1929, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Jack Young and Geneva Wollard Young. He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1945. 

From an early age, Babe showed an interest in music. He played the clarinet and saxophone in the school band and often performed in a jazz band for area dances. He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. While in the Army, Babe was a member of the Signal Corps and also performed in army bands. 

He married Marilyn Phillips in July of 1954, at Ft. Scott. Babe and Marilyn later relocated to the Kansas City area where he was employed for many years for Bendix Corp. 

Following his retirement, his loved of performing was rekindled and he and some friends formed a jazz band which played for various occasions in the Kansas City area. In addition to playing music, Babe enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as reading Old West magazines.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; his son, John Young and wife, Jeri, of Garland, Texas and a granddaughter, Lauren Minyard and husband, Kyle, of Lebanon, Oklahoma. A great-grandchild is expected in March. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Young and a sister, Wilma Neaderhiser.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, December 6th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 P.M. on Friday. Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans 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.

Don Cummings

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Donald Verne Cummings, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, KS, went to his heavenly reward Thursday, November 28, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family.

Don was born June 19, 1937, in Fort Scott at the old Mercy Hospital to Paul Verne and Delta Armour Cummings. He attended the one room schoolhouse at Godfrey and graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1955. 

His first job was with JC Penney Company where he worked in the men’s department and learned that gentlemen always carry a white handkerchief which he did every day. He served as a Sergeant with the National Guard Military Police unit in Pittsburg, KS. 

On June 24, 1961, he married Peggy Pat Rose in the Sacred Heart Church in Mound City, KS. 

His career with the Western Insurance Company began in the supply department in 1957. In 1962 he accepted a transfer to the Lebanon, IN, branch office as a commercial lines underwriter. In 1976 he assumed management of the Kansas City, MO, branch office and in 1979 became manager of the office in Bettendorf, IA, the Western Insurance Companies largest branch office. He returned to Fort Scott in 1987 and worked as commercial lines manager for American States Insurance retiring in 1994 after 37 years in the insurance industry. He always appreciated the opportunities the Western Insurance Company provided him.

Don was an avid collector and trader and the couple owned Collectiques, an antique business in Iowa. Upon returning to his hometown he took great pleasure in restoring the Victorian home which had been in the family since 1955. He would tell everyone that his children came to see their grandparents in this home and now his grandchildren and great grandchildren came to see him in the same home. 

After retiring, his focus turned to gardening and landscaping to provide a proper setting for the home. He was a former member of Kiwanis, the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Western Block House Committee, a board member of CASA and served on the Bourbon County Strategic Planning Committee. Don was very proud of his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and enjoyed traveling to research his patriot.

He is survived by his wife of 58 ½ years, Peggy; children Cara Gentry, Fort Worth, TX, Chris (Lori) Cummings, Dallas, TX, Todd Cummings (Brandi), Independence, MO, and Joey (Rachel) Cummings, Fort Scott; grandchildren Wyatt Gentry, Cari (Andrew) Oteo , Michael, Keli Jo, Caleb, and Jacob Cummings, Ashley (Greg) Garza, Sannam and Aamir Alaudin; and great grandchildren Charlee Rose Cummings, Quinn and Ana Oteo, and Kareena and Aubree Garza. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters Betty Joan Cummings and Mary Lou Brungardt.

Gene Payne will conduct memorial services at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 7th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to either Fort Scott Wreath Ride or E3 Ranch Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Doris Armstrong

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Doris Lavon “Dodo” Armstrong, 86, of Pittsburg, Kan., died at 9:24 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Carrington Place in Pittsburg following an illness.

Doris was born on Feb. 15, 1933, in Pittsburg, the daughter of Clarence and Nettie (Miller) Curry. She was a lifelong resident of the community and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1951. 

In Doris’s early years, she worked at the Colonial Fox Theatre. 

On May 29, 1954, Doris married Jack L. Armstrong in Pittsburg. They were joined in love for 65 years; he survives at the home.

Doris was a homemaker and provided in-home care. She belonged to the United Methodist Church, and she loved children, dogs, shopping, watching tennis and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Survivors include her husband; children Karla Armstrong of Pittsburg, Lisa Mooney and husband Bruce of Pittsburg, and Jason Armstrong and wife Leeann of Chicago; grandson Casey Mooney and wife Melissa of Pittsburg and two great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Dawsyn Mooney of Pittsburg.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, with Pastor Roger Brown officiating. Burial will be at a private date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.

Mary Lou Gandy

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Mary Louise Gandy, age 68 passed away Sunday afternoon, December 1, 2019 at Mercy Hospital Joplin Missouri after a sudden illness.

Mary Lou was born July 17, 1952 in El Dorado Kansas. Her parents were Edwin Earl Gandy and Betty Louise (Lyster) Gandy. She graduated from Galena High School with the class of 1970. She had lived in Galena most of her life other than a living briefly in Trona, California.

She worked as a secretary at Doane Products, last working in 2003.

Surviving are two sons, Jared Earl Jarvis (wife, Shannon), Galena, and Zachary Blaine McLean, Galena; one brother, Kevin Dale Faulkner, Baxter Springs, KS; and one sister, Sandra K Gandy-Harvey, Leesburg, FL.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Earl Gandy and her mother Betty Shindler.
She has been entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS for cremation. Mary was an organ donor and many people will benefit from her generosity.

The family invites friends and relatives to attend a Celebration of Life at 4:00 pm, Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Spring River Boat and Ski Club, Galena, KS.

Alma Jessee

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Alma Irene Jessee, age 90, of Galena, KS passed away Tuesday morning, December 3, 2019 at her home.

Alma was born July 10, 1929 to the late Orville and Margaret (Arnold) Eckhardt in Oklahoma. She lived in the area since 1945, marrying Peter Graham Jessee on March 12, 1947. He preceded her in death.

During her life Alma worked as a CNA for Dr. Stanley Davis. She was a member of Oronogo Christian Church.

Surviving Alma are three sons: Buddy Joe Jessee (wife Janet) of Tulsa, OK; Richard Wayne Jessee (wife Patty) of Columbus, KS; and David Brent Jessee (wife Karin) of Galena, KS; two daughters: Janice Sue Kane (husband Michael) of Lees Summit, MO; and Marcia Ann Beggs of Columbus, KS; and one brother Virgil Eckhardt of Rogers, AR; 13 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

Arrangements are being handled through Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus, KS. Graveside Service will be on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM, at Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be given to Avalon Hospice, and may be left in care of the funeral home.

John Stone

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

John A. Stone, Baptist minister (retired) of Columbus, KS passed from this life to join the Lord in eternal life on November 30, 2019 at the age of 83.

John is survived by his loving wife Maggie; his sons Benjamin (Cindy), Eric (Missy), and Peter (Marika); his stepsons Mark (Kathy), Bruce (Olga), and Gary (Tuesday) and his 11 grandchildren.

John was born on September 23, 1936 in Paducah, KY. He graduated high school from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Sioux Falls College and went on to complete Seminary School in Kansas City, MO.

He was united in holy matrimony to his great love Maggie Arnes Stone on January 1, 1986. The newlywed couple moved to Kansas later that same year. John enjoyed glass cutting, gardening and attending auctions, but the thing he enjoyed most was preaching the word of the Lord.

John served many families through thoughtful prayer in numerous churches throughout the Midwest. John officially retired from preaching in January 2019, although he never stopped serving the Lord.

A funeral service will be held Saturday December 7th at United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM.

Sheena Essig

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Sheena Denise Essig, 45, of Parsons, KS formally of Baxter Springs, KS passed from this life on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO.

Sheena was born December 25, 1973 in Parsons, KS to Riley Clay and Goldie Elaine (Shepard) Essig. Sheena worked several years in the meat department at Lyle’s Foodtown in Baxter Springs. She attended Bethel Church in Baxter Springs, before moving to Parsons.

Sheena loved spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling.

Sheena is preceded in death by her mother, Goldie Essig. 

She is survived by her father, Riley Essig of Independence, KS; daughter, Alexis Elizabeth Elaine Essig and companion Michael of Parsons, KS; brother, Justin Essig of Gardner, KS; sister, Amber Cuellar of Alabama; along with two grandchildren and extended family and friends.

Sheena has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Family will plan a memorial service at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.