Obituaries from May 2018

James Eugene “Jim” Maynard, 84 of Belton, Mo., passed away Saturday, April 28, at his home in Belton. Jim was born Oct. 13, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Joseph and Erma May (Story) Maynard. Jim was raised in Kansas City and graduated from Kansas City East High School with the Class of 1951. ...

Robert E. Ryan, 74, of Nevada, passed away Friday, April 27, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. Bob was born March 11, 1944, in Paris, Ky., the son of Joseph Francis Sr. and Gertrude (Maher) Ryan. He moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., at an early age and during high school he worked at a potato chip factory. ...

Gary R. Richards Sr., 71, Moundville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 18, in the peace and comfort of St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo., with his family by his side, after enduring a battle with Lymphoma. Gary was a great man in every sense of the word. ...

Robert Clay Williams, 85, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, May 1, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin following a lengthy illness. Bob was born July 10, 1932, in Walker to John Henry and Jessie Alice (Tons) Williams. Bob was raised in Walker and graduated from Bronaugh High School Class of 1950. ...

Oren Leonard Martin, age 102, of rural El Dorado Springs, passed away May 2, 2018, at Community Springs Healthcare in El Dorado Springs. Oren was born April 10, 1916, in Vernon County, the second son of Charlie Martin and Iva Whitesell Martin. He married Frieda Kicenski on April 16, 1952. They were married 64 years before her passing in 2016...

Clement Francis Meyer, age 73, passed away on April 27, 2018. He was born on  Aug. 29, 1944, in St. Peter, Minn., to Clement Joseph and Berniece (Franklin) Meyer. He was blessed with the gift of gab and many stories originated from his upbringing on a farm with four siblings. ...

Beverly Ann Morgan, 94, a long-time resident of Sheldon, passed away on Friday, May 4, at her home after a long illness. Beverly was born June 11, 1923, in Omaha, Neb., and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1942. She married Arnold Morgan on June 28, 1942, in Joplin...

Rebecca Ann Oehring, 73, of El Dorado Springs, passed away Friday, May 4, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Becky was born Jan. 23, 1945, in St. Clair County, Mo., to Gilbert E. and Beauly May (Kincade) Blackmore. Becky graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in May of 1962. She married Charles Oehring on Sunday, July 29, 1962, with Bro. Hobert Mustain officiating...

Virginia Evelyn Potter, 86, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, May 6, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Virginia was born March 4, 1932, in Jackson County, Mo., to Olin E. and Iva Ruth (Kincaid) Reynolds. She married Norval L. Potter on April 13, 1951, in El Dorado Springs, and he survives of the home...

Colin M. Thomas, 74, of Coats, N.C., a native of Moundville, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 5. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, three children Jeff (Kara), Paul, and Kristen (Ken) and four grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the IMB Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230 or NAMB Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368...

Betty Jean Alexander went home Jan. 1, at St. Joseph East Hospital. Betty was born in Newton, Iowa, on Jan. 15, 1925. She is survived by her two children Linda Alexander, Lancaster, Ky., and Jim Alexander of Lexington. She is also survived by Jim’s two children and their spouses, Karey Alexander Nevels and Justin, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Tyler and Sarah Alexander of Lexington...

It is with great sadness that the family of Vonda Marie Landis announces her passing after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, on Sunday, May 6, at the age of 77 years. Vonda was born May 22, 1940, in Van Buren, Mo. She worked as an L.P.N. her entire career, until her retirement in 2009. Vonda and her son moved from Kansas City to Nevada in 1976 where she worked for many years at the Nevada State Hospital, ultimately relocating back to Kansas City in 1991...

Laura Sue Nichols, 51, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, May 6, at her home in Nevada. Laura was born Jan. 13, 1967, in Ft. Knox, Ky., to Robert Lee and Sandra Sue (Baker) Thomas. She attended school and graduated from high school in Broken Arrow, Okla. Laura has resided in Nevada for many years...

Melba Maurine Barnes, 89, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, May 8, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin following a brief illness. Melba was born June 4, 1928, in Metz to Louis McClellan and Donna May (Johnson) Wilson. She was united in marriage to B.W. “Junior” Adams who preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 1964. She later married Ray Barnes on Oct. 28, 1972, in Nevada and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2017...

Ronald G. Elliott, 81, Walker, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, at his home in Walker following a brief illness. Ron was born Feb. 9, 1937, south of El Dorado Springs, in Cedar County, to William LeRoy and Virgie May (Teague) Elliott. On Christmas day in 1975, he married Barbara Ann Hallam in Walker and she survives of the home...

Ronald David Hughes, 64, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, as a result of an automobile accident. Ron was born Oct. 28, 1953, in Nevada, to Raymond L. and Doris Jeanell (Heddinger) Hughes. He married Janet L. Bloesser on Dec. 10, 1983, in Walker, and she survives of the home...

Bettie Lou Alt passed away quietly on Mother’s Day, May 13, in Nevada, Iowa. She loved her friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed life, laughter and flower gardening. Bettie was born Oct. 28, 1930, in Rockville. ...

Cassandra Rachel Hocking, age 26, of El Dorado Springs, MO, passed away tragically on May 9, 2018. Cassandra was born in West Virginia on Sept. 17, 1991. She was married to the love of her life, Terry Hocking for nine years. Many people were fortunate enough to get to meet her. She was a bright and shining light for all who were lost. She would do anything to help out her family and friends. She was an amazing mother, a beautiful wife, a wonderful sister, the best aunt and a great niece...

Luther “Leon” Lamb, age 62, of Sheldon, passed away Sunday morning, May 13, at home in Sheldon surrounded by his family. Leon was born Feb. 27, 1956, in Lamar, to Luther and Shirley Cornell Lamb. He was preceded in death by his mother and two grandchildren, Hannah Lamb and Devin Ellifrits...

Katherine B. Nichols, 93, Nevada, passed away on Saturday, May 12, at Morningside of Nevada. Katie was born March 21, 1925, in Bullitt County, Ky., the daughter of Charles E. and Artie E. Mobley Stark. Katie grew up on a farm, graduating from Elizabethtown High School, Elizabethtown, Ky., in 1942. ...

Barbara Jo Pettibon, 80, Nevada, passed away on Saturday, May 12, in Joplin. She was born June 30, 1937, in Beardstown, Ill., to Allyn and Dilola (Jones) Turnbull. She married Robert Bowman on May 27, 1972, and he preceded her in death. One day, while strolling through the park, she met the second love of her life, Forest Pettibon, and they were united in marriage on Feb. 26, 1999. They enjoyed a special marital bond and truly were a team together in life...

Zana Ellen (Chambers) Blankenship, age 83, of Walker, passed away Sunday, May 13. Zana was born December 11, 1934, in Sedalia, MO, to Thomas E. and Elsie M. (Rains) Chambers. She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1953 and married Max Blankenship on July 1, 1953. To their union five children were born...

Dean Russell Eaton, age 84, of Milpitas, Calif., passed away on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at the Regional Medical Center in San Jose, Calif. Dean was born Feb. 22, 1933 in Deerfield, Mo., to George Britton Eaton and Luella Palmer Eaton. Dean was the youngest of five children. He had three sisters; Virginia, Margaret, Elinor and one brother, Harry...

Darrell Earnest Harden, 83, of Nevada, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 14, at the Webb City Health and Rehab Center following a lengthy illness. Darrell was born July 7, 1934, in Walker to John Raymond and Willa Rose (Edson) Harden. He was raised in Walker and attended Walker School...

On Tuesday, May 15, Jean Loving, widow of Buck Loving, passed away. We lost the woman who was grandmother to three, sister to two, great-grandmother to one, aunt to two, mother-in-law to two and for three lucky people, our mom. With her death, we all lost our cheerleader and the woman who taught by example. ...

Fredrick Leon (Fred) Buckner, 84, Nevada, passed away suddenly at his home in Nevada on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Fred was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Richards, to George W. and Addie May (Ellifrits) Buckner. He married Clara Hamlett on March 19, 1964, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 20, 1999...

Cecil Leon Harris, age 78, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday evening, May 16, at his home. Cecil was born Jan. 15, 1940, at Jasper, Mo., one of the six children of Jessie and Olive (Hall) Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Zella Ruth Harris and Reta Marie Guthrie; and two brothers, Ronald Eugene and Everett Lee Harris...

David Ward Weaver, age 73, of rural Liberal, Mo., passed away Tuesday, May 15, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. David was born June 18, 1944, in Liberal, oldest of the three children of Ward and Delilah (Friend) Weaver. Growing up in the country, his love of the land and devotion to farming developed early and was evident throughout his life. ...

Elisha Dawn Brundridge, 33, Nevada, died Thursday, May 17, at Nevada Reginal Medical Center in Nevada. She was born on Aug. 29, 1984, in Nevada to Warren L. and Carol Jane (Robertson) Friedl. She married Shane A. Brundridge on Nov. 16, 2004, in Walker and he survives of the home...

Elisha Dawn Brundridge, 33, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, May 17, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. She was born on August 29, 1984, in Nevada to Warren L. and Carol Jane (Robertson) Friedli. She married Shane A. Brundridge on Nov. 16, 2004, in Walker and he survives of the home...

Susan Elaine Janssen, 70, Nevada, passed from this life on Thursday, May 17, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. Susan was born May 22, 1947, in Aplington, Iowa, to Walter Henry and Audrey Irene (Filer) Zech. Susan graduated from Aplington High School, Class of 1965. ...

Mary Jo Ann Trude, 85, passed away on Monday, May 21, at her home in Sheldon. Jo Ann is survived by her son, Terry Trude; and her daughters, Brenda Borders, Debra Trude-Suter, Donna Payne and Becky Rider. She was also blessed with grandchildren, Robby Payne, Rendi Cox, Patrick Leavell, Larry Borders Jr., Rachel Doty and Rebecca Border; and great-grandchildren, Kaylee Cox, Alyssa Cox, JayCee Cox, Shari Jo Borders, Jayme Borders and Blair Doty...

Sandra Lee Cooke, 76 of Nevada, was called to be with the Lord on May 22. She was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., on June 14, 1941, to Bernice and Marion Hall. On Jan. 2, 1959, she married the love of her life, Thomas Cooke and together they had three children, Tom Jr., Carrie and Kim. Their family has grown to include 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren...

Orval Null, age 94, of Raymore, Mo., passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness at his home on May 21. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 25, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Orval was born March 19, 1924, to O.C. and Janie (Elliott) Null on the family farm in Montevallo. He attended Glenwood Elementary through eighth grade and earned his GED in 1970...

Donald LeRoy Ashby Jr., 53, Galena, Kan. (formerly of Nevada), passed away on Tuesday, May 22, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin from a recent diagnosis of lung cancer. Don was born Dec. 19, 1964, in Nevada, to Donald LeRoy Ashby Sr. and Judith Ann (Shields) Ashby...

Mark Gilmer Welborn, 63, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away May 15, following a short illness. A native of Vernon County, Mark was born at the Nevada City Hospital on May 10, 1955, to Joseph Eugene (“Gene”) and Lula (Pratt) Welborn of rural Nevada. He was the 4th of 6 children all raised in the Ellis community...

Mark Burres, 56, Harrisonville, Mo., died May 23. Graveside inurnment will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at Worsley Cemetery in Bronaugh. A celebration of life will be held at noon at the El Dorado Springs Optimist Club. Arrangements are by Atkinson Funeral home in Harrisonville, Mo., 816-380-3268...