Obituaries

Lola “Kay” VanDorn Ramsey, age 80, of Lamar, Missouri, died unexpectedly Monday, April 2, 2018 at Cox Barton County Hospital.    Kay was born June 1, 1937 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Clarence Edwin and Lola Grace (Leatherman) Venable. She graduated Liberal High School in 1955 and married Richard R. VanDorn in August of that same year. She worked as a...

Daniel Lewis Bazal, 34, of Liberal, MO passed away unexpectedly March 23, 2018. He was born November 26, 1983 to Ed  and Cindy  (Long) Bazal. After graduating Liberal High School in 2002, he briefly attended Pittsburg State University. He worked for Miller’s Professional Imaging and as assistant to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and was a co-host with Matt and...

Robert Lee Stump, age 77, of rural Lockwood, Missouri, passed away late Sunday night, March 25, 2018, surrounded by family at Good Shepherd Community Care and Rehabilitation.      Robert was born September 1, 1940, in Dade County, Missouri, first of the three children of Lee and Faye (Ford) Stump.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Juanita...

David W. Blackford, age 74, of Lamar, peacefully passed away Friday afternoon, March 23, 2018, surrounded by family in his home.      Dave was born October 20, 1943, in Barton County, Missouri, son of the late Ray and Viola (Pennell) Blackford. He graduated from Golden City High School in 1961 and began a career as a truck driver, with most...

Velta  Elaine Eldred of Golden City went home to her Savior  on March 19, 2018 at the age of 101. She peacefully left this world at Cox Barton County Hospital surrounded by her family. Elaine was born March 17, 1917 in Louisburg MO to William Radford and Jemima Elizabeth (Williams) Jones. She grew up in that area one of eleven...

Margie Marie Bethke, age 86, of Lamar, passed away Friday morning, March 9, 2018, surrounded by her family at her home.      Margie was born February 12, 1932, in Cleveland, Missouri, second of the six children of William and Agnes (Blake) Stoner. Much of her childhood was spent in Jerico Springs before her family moved to Barton County where Margie...

Glen A. Stone, age 83, of Lamar, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Truman Healthcare Center.      Glen was born May 23, 1934, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, second of the four children of the late Orville and Viola (Thorman) Stone. A gifted track athlete, he graduated from McAlester High School, earning athletic and academic scholarships to achieve degrees from Oklahoma...

Glenn Graydon Williams, age 93, of Lamar, Missouri passed away at his home, Tuesday, March 6, 2018.      Glenn was born January 20, 1925 in Medoc, Missouri to Thomas and Saleta (Morrison) Williams. He graduated Carl Junction High School in1943 and served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Midway. On July 11, 1945, he married Margaret Lavon Tucker...

John Clayton DeBolt, age 95, of Lamar, Missouri, died at his home, Friday, March 2, 2018.      John was born September 20, 1922 in Chanute, Kansas to Charles Clayton and Roberta Jeanette (Heminger) DeBolt.  He graduated high school and served his country in the United States Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1946. On June 1, 1946 he married Myrdith...

James Charles Rives, Jr., age 64, of Lamar, Missouri passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at his home in Lamar, after a short illness.      Jim was born August 26, 1953 in Lamar, Missouri to James Charles Rives, Sr. and Josephine Marie (Snider) Rives.  He had worked for O’Sullivan Industries for many years and was also a Self-Employed handyman.  Jim...

Judy Carol Combs, age 62, of Lamar, Missouri died Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Freeman Hospital West, after a long illness.    Judy was born June 22, 1955 in Hindman, Kentucky to Robert and Idella (Morgan) Vanover. She had worked as a waitress and bartender for many years until becoming disabled. She loved her family especially her grandchildren.    Judy...

Doyle Lee Robinson, age 76, of Lamar, Missouri died at his home, Thursday, February 15, 2018.      Doyle was born the oldest of six children, July 25, 1941 in Garfield, Arkansas to Alfis Lee and Arlene Fay (Reddick) Robinson. After graduating from high school, he served his country in the United States Navy and was stationed at Naval Air Station...

Mandy Nichole Caruthers, age 36, of Lamar, Missouri passed away with her family surrounding her, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at her home.      Mandy was born December 22, 1981 in Joplin, Missouri to Rick and Debbie (Hull) Heinen. She was a 2000 graduate of Pittsburg High School and had attended Labette Community College and Pittsburg State University, which lead her...

Nickie Leon Sinnett, age 71, of Lamar, unexpectedly passed away Saturday morning, February 10, 2018 at his home.      Nickie was born July 26, 1946, in Slater, Missouri, youngest of the three children of Forrest and Allie (Perkins) Sinnett. His childhood was spent in Marshall, Missouri and he was raised by his mother and step-father, Lester Cleveland.  Nickie was preceded...

Vicky Arlene Myers, age 68, of Jasper, Missouri died Thursday, February 8, 2018 as a result of an automobile accident North of Carthage.      Vicky was born September 4, 1949 in Jasper County, Missouri to George Harrison and Genevieve Irene (Pennington) Waltz. She graduated Jasper High School in 1967. Vicky enjoyed puzzles, coloring, baking, collecting angels, riding around in her...

Shirley M. Lamb, age 82, of Lamar, passed away Friday afternoon, February 9, 2018, at Cox Barton County Hospital.      Shirley was born May 29, 1935, in the Newport community, youngest of the three children of James and Margaret (Swearingen) Cornell. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Art and Ray Cornell; and a great-granddaughter, Hannah Lamb....

Joe Wesley Francis, age 60, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday evening, February 7, 2018, surrounded by loved ones at his home.      Joe was born January 22, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, graduated from Lamar High School in 1976, and earned a nursing degree from Pittsburg State. A natural and compassionate caregiver, Joe touched countless lives throughout his career in...

Rhonda Susan “Suzi” Dunagan, 59, of rural Lamar, passed away early Friday morning, February 2, 2018, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.      Suzi was born December 13, 1958, in Lamar, fifth of the six children of Dean and Mary (Wolverton) Strong.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Heather Joleen Dunagan; a brother, Larry Strong; and...

Early Saturday morning, January 27, 2018 Marjorie Jones, 94, of Via Christi Village, Pittsburg, Kansas, went to be with her Savior after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.      Marjorie June Bunton was born June 21, 1923 near Verdella, Missouri to Emmet & Jessie Kuhlman Bunton.  She attended school at Excelsior country school and Liberal High School.  On August 18,...

Carl Edwin Arft was born June 27th, 1925 in Lamar, Missouri to Roy and Mable (Hollingshead) Arft.  Carl passed away January 26, 2018 in Republic, MO. He grew up in the Kenoma area. Carl graduated from Lamar High School in 1943; at age 19 he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Camp Fannin, Texas.  After four months...