Erla Mae Casner, 90, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates. She was born October 26, 1929, in Mapleton, Kansas, the daughter of William Fred and Lula Mae (Wellington) Bloesser. She married Merle LaVerne Casner on October 26, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He preceded her in death on June 10, 2017.
Erla graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1948. She studied organ under Professor Ronald Dawson and then Dr. John Ditto at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
She served twenty-four years as organist at the First Church of God in Fort Scott. She also served as substitute organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Scott. She performed several recitals at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on the pipe organ for Good Ol’ Days. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Erla is survived by two sons, Mark Casner and his wife Donna, and Keith Casner, both of Fort Scott; a sister, Fern Wratchford of Fort Scott; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband Merle, Erla was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, William Bloesser, and a grandson, Raef Casner.
Father Dave Jenkins will conduct funeral services for Erla at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with a Visitation beginning prior to services at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
