Stories from Tuesday, August 4, 2020

In the most recent update given by the Vernon County Health Department, it was announced that Vernon County now has 47 confirmed positive cases and two probable cases as of Monday. A case is determined to be "probable" if it meets clinical criteria and epidemiologic evidence with no confirmatory laboratory testing performed for COVID-19; meets presumptive laboratory evidence and either clinical criteria or epidemiologic evidence; or meets vital records criteria with no confirmatory laboratory testing performed for COVID-19. ...

Eric LeRoy Maus, 49, of Schell City, Mo., passed away suddenly on Friday morning, July 24, 2020. He was born Sept. 10, 1970, in Nevada, Mo., the son of David L. Maus Sr., and Beverly Souza Maus. Eric grew up in the Schell City area, where he attended Schell City Elementary School and graduated from Schell City High School in 1988...

Joy Preston 77, of Nevada, passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin surrounded by her family. Joy was born July 15, 1943, in Metz, Mo., the daughter of Emmett Monroe and Arvilla Louise (Arrasmith) Hogan. She married Johnny W. Preston Sept. 2, 1961 and he survives of the home...

Sylvan “Van” Earl Oyerly, 66, Stark City, Mo., passed away Aug. 2, 2020. He was born April 23, 1954, in Kansas City, Mo. Van had been employed at Neosho Box and Wood and later, as a welder for K&S Wire, Neosho. He enjoyed gardening, working in the yard, and being with his grandkids. ...

Peter William Cornell, 70, of Milo, Mo., passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. Pete was born Oct. 5, 1949, in Watertown, Iowa, the son of Ernest August and Libbie J. (Swartz) Cornell. He married Deborah Kay Wermers Oct. 7, 1977, in Mt. Vernon, S.D., and she preceded him in death on Nov. 14, 2019...

Leon Wayne Gill, 62, Richards, Mo., died on Sunday, July 19, 2020, following a recent battle with cancer. Leon was born April 29, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., to Marvin O.R. and Beulah G. (Bear) Gill. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Richards Community Building at 2 p.m., Aug. 8...