Obituaries from September 2020

Walter Joe (W.J.) Steward, 82, of Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sept. 2, 2020, at his home. W. J. was born in southeast Vernon County, Mo., on April 23, 1938, to Walter Lavere and Mary Josephine (Bradin) Steward. W. J. and Avril Ann Levi were united in marriage on Aug. 7, 1965, in Stockton, Mo...

William Edward Wehmeyer, 67, Sheldon, Mo., died on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Bill was born Feb. 7, 1953, in Nevada, Mo., to Samuel and Betty E. (Garfield) Wehmeyer. No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the family in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Mo...

Ricky Dale Kennedy, 64, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, at Freeman Health System, Joplin, Mo. Ricky was born on Dec. 9, 1955, in Nevada, to Walter Harold and Gwendolyn Leona (Morris) Kennedy. Ricky was raised in the Metz, Mo., area and graduated from Metz High School Class of 1973. ...

Sierra Dawn Lukenbill, 31, of Nevada, Mo., left her earthly home on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, to begin her new life in her heavenly home. Sierra was born in Nevada on March 28, 1989, to Ed and Marcella (Thompson) Lukenbill. She attended both Nevada and Bronaugh schools and graduated from Bronaugh R-7 School in 2007. ...

Judy Elizabeth Weaver, 75, of Liberal, Mo., passed away Sept. 8, 2020, at her daughter's home in Lamar, Mo. Judy was born Sept. 8, 1945, in Liberal, Mo., to Ward and Delilah Ione (Friend) Weaver. Judy graduated from Liberal High School in the class of 1963. On Feb. 22, 1967, She married Curt Cavanaugh and together they had one daughter and they later divorced...

Arnold Pettit was born on Oct. 11, 1935, in Yankton, S.D. He moved to (Vernon County) Nevada, Mo., at six months of age and lived there most of his life. He departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at home with his wife. He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Pettit. They were married Sept. 30, 1993...

John Myron West, 89, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, at his home in Nevada. John was born June 15, 1931, in Bellwood, Neb., to Harry L. and Anna W. (Ladwig) West. He married Estella McClellan in 1958 and to this union one daughter, Barbara, was born. Estella preceded him in death in 1984. John later married Pearl A. Kegerries in 1988 and she passed away in 2013...

Jack Vernon Edmiston, 87, died peacefully on Sept. 8, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. Jack was born Sept. 22, 1932, in Nevada, Mo., and was the son of Henry Vernon Edmiston and Mary Virginia (Bean) Edmiston. He lived in Nevada the entirety of his life until moving to North Carolina last year...

Juanita Smith, 97, formerly of Vernon County, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, at Northland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kansas City. Juanita was born Dec. 21, 1922, in Holstead, Miss., to Isaac P. and Julia O. (Alford) Douglass. She married Harold Grant Smith on July 7, 1945, in New Orleans, La., and he preceded her in death in 1993...

Franklin Delano Drummond, 77, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada, following a lengthy illness. Frank was born Dec. 8, 1942, in Yuba City, Calif., to Bert L. and Bess (Morgan) Drummond. He was united in marriage to Joyce Ann Key on Nov. 30, 1962, in Nevada, and she survives...

Ronald “Melvin” Stanley, 58, Nevada, Mo., died on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Melvin was born Jan. 1, 1962, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ronald E. and Sarah K. (Cox) Stanley. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 21, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Roger Beach officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park...

Tanner Chadwick Duncan, 27, of Nevada, Mo., went to be with his Lord on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Tanner was born on May 3, 1993, in Nevada. Tanner was a skilled mechanic and could fix anything. He loved working with cattle and caring for his farm and running his semi-trucks. ...

Marie Elayna Cantrell, 62, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Mo. Maria was born on Dec. 23, 1957, in Detroit, Mich., to Larry Lee and Marnell (Modlin) Blasengym. She married William “Bill” Olen Cantrell and he preceded her in death in September 2017...

Louis M. Wait Jr., Nevada, Mo., went to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at the age of 92. Louis was born Aug. 12, 1928, in Waldo, Mo., to Louis Martin and Lizzie Mable (Woods) Wait. He was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Thompson on June 24, 1951, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 8, 2010...

Ronald James “Jamie” Alexander, 53, Nevada, Mo., went to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Jamie was born March 28, 1967, in El Dorado Springs, Mo., to Ronald E. Alexander and Shirley J. Beckman. He was united in marriage to Patti Pence on Aug. 16, 1986, in Schell City, Mo., and she survives of the home...

Carolyn Gray Thornton, 95, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Morningside, in Nevada. Carolyn, the youngest of eight children, was born June 2, 1925, in Nevada, to Chester H. and Iola P. (Welch) Gray. She was united in marriage to Lester Thornton on June 4, 1946, in Nevada, and he preceded her in death on June 13, 2017...

Ruby was a resident of rural Metz, Mo., who was currently living at Medicalodge in Nevada, Mo. She passed away Sept. 24, 2020, at the age of 97 years and 11 months. Ruby was born on Halloween in 1922 in a rural area north of Metz to Fred and Eula Westerhold...

Patty Lee Culbertson, 87, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Kansas City Hospice House following a short illness. Patty was born on June 16, 1933, to Raymond A. and Virginia M. Shindler in Nevada, Mo. She wedded Dean Culbertson on Oct. 14, 1966. They worked alongside each other for many years at Nelly Don. They were married for 31 years until his death. Upon retirement she remained in Nevada enjoying small town life...

Charles Clinton Austin, 87, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at Medicalodges in Nevada. Charles was born June 18, 1933, in Tiffin, Mo., to Tommy C. and Hattie E. (Horning) Austin. He married Evelyn Goodpaster on April 11, 1952, in Nevada, and she preceded him in death on March 13, 2013...