Anthony Joseph "Tony" Karleskint

Anthony Joseph "Tony" Karleskint, age 89, resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, following a brief illness. He was born June 3, 1921, in Miami, Okla., the son of Joseph C. Karleskint and Mary L. Hickman Karleskint. He married Buena Renfro on March 4, 1946, in Fort Scott.

Tony was a self-employed farmer and contractor. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus for 70 years. He was an avid bowler and bowled on the Knights of Columbus team for 50 years.

Survivors include his wife Buena, of the home; five sons, Jim Karleskint and wife Dee, Tonganoxie, Kan., Lawrence Karleskint and wife Millie, Jack Karleskint and wife Gina, Ed Karleskint and wife Becky, and Chris Karleskint and wife Lea Kay, all of Fort Scott; four daughters, Sue Mildfelt and husband Jerry, Fort Scott, Kathy Higgins and husband Ron, Tulsa, Okla., Mary Jo Clements and husband Robby, Willard, Mo., and Pat Warford and husband Mike, Springfield, Mo. Also surviving are two brothers, Joe Karleskint, Parsons, Kan., and Jake Karleskint, Cleveland, Ohio; four sisters, Sister Alfreda Karleskint, Wichita, Kan., Sister Bernette Karleskint and Sister Barbara Karleskint, both of St. Louis, Mo., and Virginia McLaughlin, Tucson, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Bessy Louise Karleskint, and an infant granddaughter, Nicole Karleskint.

The Rev. Darrin May will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Monday in the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No.1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., Sunday in the Cheney Witt Chapel followed by visitation.

Memorials are suggested to either the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or St. Mary's Catholic School and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.