Obituaries from March 2021

Dorothy Louise Pettibon, 89, of Nevada, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at Nathan Richards Healthcare, in Nevada. Dorothy was born on Feb. 2, 1932, in Richards, Mo., to James Reuben and Lucy Mae (Lawson) McConnaughey. She married Elmer Earl “Bill” Pettibon on Sept. 3, 1950, in Deerfield, Mo., and he preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 2017...

Traci Ranae Guinn, 45, El Dorado Springs, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Traci was born Dec. 27, 1975, in El Dorado Springs, the daughter of David Louis and Linda Kay (Allen) Pratt. Traci was raised in Nevada and later transitioned to Kansas with her mother. ...

March 10, 1989- Feb. 26, 2021 Our beautiful boy, our big river, our no-fear son, our boy wonder, has flown on to another realm. To all that truly knew Kyle, he was too big for this world. Yet, he viewed himself as the world was too big for him. Kyle lived life fast and few could keep pace. ...

Carole Ann Nation, age 71, passed away peacefully, in her sleep, Thursday Feb. 25, 2021, at her home in Nevada, Mo. Carole Ann was born on Oct. 28, 1949, in Austin, Texas, to Franklin Edward and Joanne (Hagan) Nation. She was a graduate of Nevada High School and Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. After graduation she worked as an accountant for several business firms and at the time of her retirement was a division Vice President at Capco Energy...

Annette Joyce Quitno, 89, Nevada, Mo., passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Forest Creek Memory Care in Overland Park, Kan. Annette was born on Feb. 18, 1932, in DeKalb, Ill., to Joseph and Frances Male. She was united in marriage to Bob Quitno on June 23, 1951...

Ina Maxine Lee, 87, of Nevada, Mo., passed away Friday, March 5, 2021, at Moore Few Care Center, in Nevada. Ina was born on May 31, 1933, in Couch, Mo., to Loren Bascom Wetzel and Delphia Florence (Phenix) Wetzel. She married the love of her life Carroll Jean Stephens in 1957 at West Plains, Mo. ...

Dixie Lee Knier, 86, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at her home in Nevada. Dixie was born July 24, 1935, in Westerly, W.Va., to Charles L. and Lenora E. (Rust) Shamblin. Dixie came to Neosho from New York State where she resided for seven years. She has lived in Nevada for the past three years. Dixie loved her family and her many friends...

Melvin Ray Foley Jr., Butler, passed in peace on March 3, 2021, at the age of 72.  Melvin was born Nov. 11, 1948, in Lexington, Mo., the son of Melvin Ray Foley and Mary Cornelius (Moppin) Myers. Melvin is survived by his adoring wife, Stephanie (Dawson), who was the love of his life for 30 years. ...

Shirley Lee Bass, 81, Nevada, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Shirley was born Nov. 10, 1939, in Vernon County, Mo., to Roy Lee and Dortha (Pope) Ramsey who proceeded her in death. She was one of five children. Shirley served in the United States Navy in her early life and worked at The Nevada State Hospital in her adult life...

Galen T. Gazaway, 77, El Dorado Springs, Mo., died on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Community Springs Nursing Home in El Dorado Springs. Additional family and service information will be announced by Ferry Funeral Home at a later time. View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com...

Galen Tyrone Gazaway, 77, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Community Springs Heath Care facility, El Dorado Springs, Mo. Galen was born to Frances P. (Portwood) and Clifford Gazaway in Croweburg, Kan., on July 11, 1943...

Charles Vernon Wright, 94, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at his home in Sheldon. Charles was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Arastus V. and Mary L. (Weston) Wright. He married Ruby Castlebury on March 28, 2009, and she survives of the home...

Arthur Leroy Morris, 77, was born on Aug. 14, 1943, in Mountain Grove, Mo. Jesus took Art into His arms on Friday, March 12, 2021, in Phillipsburg, Mo. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 20, at Sunshine Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., with graveside service and burial to follow at Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield, Mo. Visitation will be one hour before services from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the church...

Sherri J. Spillman, 58, of Lone Jack, Mo., passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Friday, March 12, 2021. She was born Sept. 10, 1962, in El Dorado Springs, Mo., the daughter of Jackie J. and Norma J. (Beason) Wallace. She was the Co-Owner and Operator of Spillman Auto Service with her husband Greg...

Donald R. Flagor, 81, Nevada, Mo., died on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada. Don was born Aug. 10, 1939, in Deerfield, Mo., to Reuben E. and Sarah E. (Lolley) Flagor. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 19, at Newton Burial Park, in Nevada, with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Friend may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home...

Norma Ann Roby Shelton was born on Sept. 15, 1939 and died on March 13, 2021. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 20, at Sheldon Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs, Mo. It will be a time for visiting and sharing memories. There will be no formal service...

Donald R. Flagor, 81, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada. Don was born Aug. 10, 1939, in Deerfield, Mo., to Reuben E. and Sarah E. (Lolley) Flagor. He married Jean Hammer on June 24, 1960, in Nevada, and she survives of the home...

John McNeley, Milo, Mo., died on Monday, March 15, 2021. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the First Baptist Church, in Nevada. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 19, at the First Baptist Church. Those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing and are asked to wear face masks to protect themselves and others...

John Milton McNeley, 58, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021, at his home. John, who was named after both of his grandfathers, was born to Charles A. “Buzz” and Elsie McNeley on Sept. 29, 1962, in Everett, Wash. He moved with his family to Nevada, Mo., in 1966, and except for school and a short stint living in Kansas City, was where he lived his entire life...

Rebecca Belle Gilmore, 86, formerly of Milo, Mo., died on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada. Rebecca was born Feb. 22, 1935, in Metz, Mo., to John C. and Beryl A. (Brown) Alexander. Funeral service time and date are pending and will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home...

Rebecca Belle Gilmore, 86, formerly of Milo, Mo., passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada. Rebecca, the oldest of three children, was born Feb. 22, 1935, in Metz, Mo., to John C. and Beryl A. (Brown) Alexander. She married Delmar Ray Gilmore on Dec. 17, 1955, in Nevada, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 2016...

Kenneth Leon Emery, 87, Deerfield, Mo., passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021, at his home. Leon was born to Kenneth L. and Nettie Lee (Carpenter) Emery on Jan. 14, 1934, in Deerfield. Leon attended school in Deerfield and graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1951. ...

Donald James Kitsmiller, 92, Nevada, Mo., passed away at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada, Mo., on Sunday, March 21, 2021, following a brief illness. Donald was born on Sept. 14, 1928, to Jesse Elmer and Beatrice Achord (Lemaster) Kitsmiller in Jerico Springs, Mo. He married Margarette Louella Harden on June 27, 1953, in Nevada, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2016...

Randy Joe Lewis, 62, of Sheldon, Mo., a retired farmer and scrapper, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021, following a brief illness. Randy was born Jan. 22, 1959, in Windsor, Mo., to Cecil and Helen (Harris) Lewis. He was united in marriage to Norma Jean Hart on Sept. 4, 2009, in Miami, Okla. Randy leaves behind his wife, Norma, and two young sons, Caleb Joe Lewis and Kyle James Lewis of the home, as well as four additional children from a previous marriage...

Robena L. (Wise) Rasnic, 98, formerly of Nevada, Mo., peacefully passed away on March 19, 2021, at Friendship Village in Chesterfield, Mo., where she had lived with her late husband, Jack Rasnic, for the past several years. Jack and Robena made many friends at Friendship Village and were fortunate to have family close by during their final years...

Aaron Enoch Goodwin, 39, Deerfield, Mo., passed away in Hot Springs, Ark. Aaron was born on May 31, 1982, in Big Lake, Minn., to Johnnie Albert and Connie JoAnn (Wood) Goodwin. Aaron moved with his family from Minnesota to Deerfield in 1991. He grew up in the Deerfield area and graduated from Fort Scott High School Class of 2001. ...

Becky (Trude) Rider, 63, formerly of Nevada, Mo., was born Jan. 1, 1958, and passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021, in Magnolia, Texas, as a result of a battle with cancer. Becky was a vibrant and loving spouse, sister, and friend to all; she was beautiful inside and out. Her husband, Brian Rider was by her side and was a vigilant caregiver throughout the process. Becky and Brian were married July 6, 1997; he was the love of her life...

Kevin Eulane Williams, 66, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Nevada Regional Medical Cente,r in Nevada. Kevin was born Dec. 11, 1954, in Elkhart, Kan., to Virgil E. and Genevieve J. (Davis) Williams. Kevin attended school in Walker and Nevada High School. ...

Rose Lorene Eagleson, 96, formerly of Columbus, Kan., died March 25, 2021, at the Barone Care Center, in Nevada, Mo. Rose was born Oct. 27, 1924, in Columbus, Kan., to Langdon Samuel Heavin and Lola Francis Dowdy Heavin. She attended a country school before transferring to high school in Columbus...

Otto Dean Modlin, 60, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at his residence in Nevada, Mo., surrounded by family. Otto was born on Aug. 15, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., to Larry Lee and Marynell (Blasengym) Modlin. He married Kathy Anne Baker on March 5, 2015, in Eureka Springs, Ark., and she survives of the home...

James Lee Huff, 83, Lee’s Summit, Mo., formerly of Nevada, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021, at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit. Jim was born on Nov. 13, 1937, in Las Vegas, Nev., to Robert and Lucille Huff. He married Marilyn Jean Mize on March 16, 2001, and she survives of the home...

Eugene “Gene” Snyder, 93, Bronaugh, Mo., passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Medicalodges of Fort Scott, Kan. Gene was born on Feb. 5, 1928, in Moundville, Mo., to Frank Ansel and Leatha Lea (Emery) Snyder. He married Wilma Marie Fengler on Oct. 20, 1946, in San Jose, Calif., and she preceded him in death on July 15, 2019...

Frances Zoe Lewis, 92, formerly of Schell City, Mo., died on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at Sunrise of Overland Park in Overland Park, Kan. Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, at Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, in Schell City, with Brother David Souza officiating. Private burial was held at an earlier date at Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City...

John Henry Bower, age 84, a resident of rural Deerfield, Mo., passed away Friday, March 26, 2021, at his home. He was born May 3, 1936, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Jesse Bower and June Dunbar Bower. He had served with the United States Army. John married Amelia E. ...

Timothy “Seth” Dowty, 32, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Monday, March 29, 2021, in Sheldon. Seth was born July 18, 1988, in Nevada, Mo., to Timothy S. and Dawn M. (Mussmann) Dowty. Seth was raised in Nevada where he also attended school. He has worked at Murphy Farms for the past five years. ...