Obituaries from November 2016

Charles Vernon Swink, 68, Stotesbury, Mo. passed from this life on Oct. 29, 2016 at his home in Stotesbury following a lengthy illness. Charles was born Oct. 20, 1948 in Nevada, Mo. to Charles Herman and Claudia Maxine (Finney) Swink. He was united in marriage to Cheryl Ann Rayburn on June 18, 1980 in Miami, Okla. and she preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 2014...

Virginia N. Dark, 95, formerly of Nevada, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Truman Gardens in Independence, Mo. Virginia was born March 29, 1921 in Joplin, Mo. to Arthur and Rhoda (Peterson) Gatewood. On Dec. 14, 1940 she was united in marriage to Joe H. Dark and he preceded her in death in 1996...

Betty L. Beeman, 88, Nevada, Mo. passed from this life on Oct. 28, 2016 at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada. Betty was born July 23, 1928 in Vernon County, Missouri to George B. and Ada Belle (Dory) Craig. She was united in marriage to Norman Beeman on June 14, 1947 in Girard, Kan...

Scott Matthew Arlint, age 27, of Walker/Houston, Mo, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. He was born July 27, 1989, in El Dorado Springs, Mo, the son of Alen Arlint and Rose (Milligan) Arlint. Scott attended Northeast Vernon County School and graduated with honors. He married Kendra Mitchell in 2008. To this union one child was born, Jocelynn Renee Arlint...

De'Von Hibbs, 10 month old infant son of Daniel and Nashonite (Hackman) Hibbs of Nevada, Mo., passed away Oct. 30, 2016 at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. De'Von was born with major heart defects. He fought hard for life and loved "Sponge Bob". De'Von loved and was deeply loved by his family, his First Baptist Church family, and will be greatly missed by all. For the past 10 months the family motto has been "The Fight Don't Stop Until Your Heart Stop"...

Charles Walter Brewer of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Nevada, died Oct. 31, 2016 at Liberty Hospital in the company of his loving family. He was 90 years old. Charlie is survived by his children, Doug Brewer, Nixa, Mo. and Lora Brewer Ackerman, Kansas City, Mo., his grandchildren, Meredith Ann Ackerman, Claire Dorothy Ackerman and Benjamin Charles Brewer, his sister, Mary Sue Luff, Independence, Mo., and many who loved and admired him. ...

Sharon K. Wiggans, age 58, resident of Nevada, Mo, and formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born Jan. 3, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif. She married Donnie Wiggans, Sr. on June 15, 1976, in Girard, Kan. ...

Genevieve J. Williams, 88, Nevada, Mo. passed from this life on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. following a brief illness. Genevieve was born August 21, 1928 in Stonington, Colo. to John William and Etta Grace (Redman) Davis. She was united in marriage to Virgil Williams on January 1, 1952 in Fort Sumner, N.M. and he preceded her in death in 1996...

Sallie (Grammy) Steve was born in Rockville, Mo. on May 12, 1917, to Elmer and Lucy (Henderson) Dodds. A few months away from 100 years, she was able to always adapt to a changing world and remain true to her optimistic and caring self. She lived alone in her home, thanks to assistance from neighbors and friends...

Mark Anthony Steele, 59, of Broken Arrow, Okla. passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Tulsa, Okla. Memorial services were held on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, in Broken Arrow, Okla. Mark was born on Jan. 10, 1957, in Independence, Mo., the son of Charles E. ...

I was passing by someone in Wal-Mart when I noticed the person I was passing had been in the Vernon County Jail many times. Most of the time, this type of encounter does not lead to a pleasant conversation or a friendly smile; but in this case, the gentlemen asked how I was doing and then began to tell me about his new job, and his efforts of getting his life back on track.He also asked me to thank the jail staff, and the deputies he had dealt with in the past for helping him...

Dennis A. Pendrak, 68, Nevada, Mo., passed from this life on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. following a lengthy illness. Dennis was born on January 15, 1948 in Arkansas City, Kan. to A.F. "Del" and Erma Jean (Cassady) Pendrak. On July 29, 1972 he was united in marriage to Lois A. Lewis in Arkansas City and she survives of the home...

Shirley Ilene Robinson (Wares), age 86, of Paola, Kan., passed away Nov. 10, 2016 at her home. Shirley was born to Allen and Mary Wares (Kagel) in Belvidere, Ill. She graduated from Belvidere High School in 1947. On Oct. 10, 1948, she was united in marriage to Roy Robinson. They were blessed with three children, Sherry Rae, Randall Roy, and Sandra Jean. The family moved to Sheldon, Mo. in 1969...

Howard Luther Lyons, 95, of Richards, Mo. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 at his home. Howard was born on Feb. 28, 1921 in Metz Township on the farm now known as McGinnis Youth Center to Paul E. and Roxie Lyons. He attended Metz Schools and graduated from Metz High School in 1939. After high school Howard worked with the CCC Program (Civilian Conservation Corp ) as a hospital orderly and an ambulance driver...

Mildred Irene Godsey, 96 of Nevada, passed away on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at the Nevada Nursing and Rehab. She was born Feb. 20, 1920 in St. Clair County to Marion and Nellie (Etherton) Lewellen. On July 5, 1957 she was married to Thomas Godsey and he preceded her in death in 1981. ...

Donald J. Reynolds, Sr, age 86, of Sheldon, Mo. passed away on Nov. 10, 2016 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Donald was born on June 10, 1930 in Wentworth, Mo. to George and Florence (Cowan) Reynolds. Donald was raised in Wentworth and worked as a plumber for a number of years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ...

Donald Edward Condron, 65, Nevada, died on Monday, Nov. 21, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. No services are scheduled at this time.

Rickey Lee Merchant, 56, died Monday, Nov. 21, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, at Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo with Rick Womack officiating. You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com...

Robert Lee "Bob" Hacker, passed away on Nov. 21, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. He was born June 27, 1930, in Nevada to Howard and Angie "Palmer" Hacker. He was married to Carol Ann Thomas on Oct. 15, 1965, in Nevada and she survives of the home. A lifelong resident of Vernon County, he graduated from Walker High School in 1948. ...

Harold Dean Brewer, 87, formerly of Metz, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada following a brief illness. Harold was born on Aug. 3, 1929 in Deerfield, the only child of Roy L. Brewer and Iva (Hyder) Brewer. He married June Ann Handly on Dec. 21, 1951, in Harrison, Ark., and she preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 2014...