Obituaries

Virginia Abbie (Fry) Hininger, a life-long Barton County resident, age 90, passed from this world to her heavenly home on March 19, 2022 after a long illness and residence at Truman Health in Lamar, MO.   The second oldest of six children, she was born November 2, 1931 to Alfred and Clara (Stephens) Fry in a tenant farmhouse east of...

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Sterling Westmoreland, age 85, of Lamar, Missouri passed away March 17, 2022, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.   John was born November 25, 1936 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Jerry G. Westmoreland and Jennie Mae (Presley) Westmoreland. John served in the United States Army from February 1960 - April 1962, where he...

Ancil Austin Johnson, 78, died at Mercy Hospital Joplin, March 11, 2022 at 12:42 a.m., Ancil was born May 6, 1943 to Edward Austin and Virgie M. Weaver Johnson in Lake Springs Missouri. He attended and graduated high school in Rolla, Missouri and went on to college at SMS Springfield, where he completed a degree in Agriculture. Ancil married Karen...

Robert "Bobby" Eugene Griffitt, age 67, of Lockwood, Missouri passed away March 8, 2022, in Lamar, Missouri.        Bobby was born January 15, 1955 in Lamar, MO to William Aaron Griffitt Sr. and Marie Adell (Demeaux) Griffitt. Bobby graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1974. On October 26, 1991, Bobby married Lorinda Jane Allen in...

Adley Ann Fitzsimmons, newborn daughter of Jeff and Aspyn (Schiltz) Fitzsimmons of Lamar, Missouri, passed away March 3, 2022, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.   Survivors include her parents, big sister Ava, grandparents; Jim and Wendy Schiltz, Robert and Pat Fitzsimmons, great-grandparents; Betty Schiltz and Bob and JoAnn Walster.   Adley was preceded in death by her great-grandfather,...

Emily Sue Jett, age 90, of Lamar, Missouri passed away March 4, 2022, at Good Shepherd Community Care in Lockwood, Missouri.   Emily was born March 19, 1931 in Dodge City, Kansas to Robert LeRoy Aton and Margaret Sue (Redman) Aton. Emily married Robert "Bob" Garrett on November 16, 1951, he preceded her in death on December 18, 1998, she...

Jewell Evelyn Marti, age 89, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 26, 2022, at Medicalodges of Frontenac in Frontenac, Kansas.   Evelyn was born January 3, 1933 in Hastain, Missouri to James Walton Thorburn and Lula Bell (Vincent) Thorburn. On July 30, 1955, Jewell married Leonard Lewis "Joe" Marti in Lamar, MO.   Evelyn was a homemaker and a member...

Virginia Mae Potter, age 104, of Lamar, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022.   Virginia was born on December 9, 1917 to Willis and Sada (Williams) Dearing in Sheldon, Missouri. She attended several country schools, rode a horse to Milford High School for two years then moved to Lamar by herself to finish high school....

Larry Joe Roland, age 82, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 22, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.   Larry was born December 1, 1939 in Jerico Springs, Missouri to Charley Jackson Roland and Maxine Fontella Bratton. Larry was raised on a farm Northwest of Milford. Larry graduated from Sheldon High School in the class of 1957 and Rolla...

Joe R. Pace, age 73, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 19, 2022, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri.   Joe was born July 27, 1948 in Salem, Missouri to John Harrison Pace and Allie Laura June (Schmolzi) Pace. Joe graduated from Salem High School in the class of 1966 and University of Missouri in 1978. On July 11,...

Jay Dwight Miller, age 89, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 16, 2022, at Truman Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lamar, MO.   Jay was born June 8, 1932 in Winnepeg, Manitoba Canada to Dwight Thomson Miller and Lestie Agnes (Sherwood) Miller. Jay graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1951 and then graduated with his bachelor's degree...

Gerald Lee Peters, age 79, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 15, 2022, at his home.   Gerald was born July 11, 1942 in Lamar, Missouri to James O. Peters and Hazel Reaves Peters.  On March 23, 2008, Gerald married Nancy Elaine Dalton in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Gerald worked as a mail carrier for the United States Post Office....

Wanda "June" Miles, age 89, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 8, 2022, at Good Shepherd Community Care and Rehabilitation in Lockwood, Missouri.   June was born June 7, 1932 in Jerico Springs, Missouri, to Carrol Jay Higgns and Elsie (Burk) Higgins. June graduated from El Dorado Springs High School. On January 26, 1952, June married Louie Joyce Miles in...

Elnora Darlene Wooldridge, age 85, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 4, 2022, at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation in Carthage, Missouri.   Elnora was born August 19, 1936 in Dade County, Missouri to Willard T. and Oma (Martin) Stephens. She graduated from Golden City High School in the class of 1954. On July 8, 1955, Elnora married Keith Dale Wooldridge...

Noel Cornelius Grigery, 88, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away, Thursday, February 3, 2022 at St. Lukes Nursing Center, Carthage, Missouri. He was born July 1, 1933 in Piedmont, Missouri, son of William Thomas and Allie Tabitha (Clements) Grigery.   Noel worked as a Installer/Repairman for Southwestern Bell/AT&T for thirty eight and a half years. He also volunteered at Good Samaritan...

Jesse Albert Masterson, age 73, of Lamar, Missouri passed away January 31, 2022, at his home.Jess was born June 10, 1948 in Lamar, Missouri, to Ray Allen Masterson and Fern Lucille Hannah. Jesse graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1966. On October 25, 1980, Jesse married Sharon Kay Kentner in Lamar, MO. Jess worked as a driver for...

Gabriella Rosa Yang, beloved infant daughter of Heavyn Hart and Erin Yang, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022. Gabriella smiled and stole the hearts of everyone she touched in the 3 months and 18 days that she brightened this world.   In addition to her parents, Gabriella is survived by her maternal grandparents; Aroha Hart...

Billie Gene Edge, age 94, of Lamar, Missouri went to his Heavenly home on January 25, 2022 at Cox Barton County Memorial Hospital.   Billie was born July 26, 1927 in Springfield, Missouri to Benjamin and Laura (Miller) Edge. He was raised in Springfield, Missouri. He met the love of his life Betty Louise Poole and they were married on...

Clara Bell McDonald was born on January 6, 1934 on the Mabee family farm just north of Golden City, Missouri to Roscoe and Elva Lena (Mabee) Leivan. She passed into eternal rest January 23, 2022 at Good Shepherd Community Care and Rehabilitation facility in Lockwood, Missouri where she had been a resident for a little over three years.   Clara...

Billy Jack Coonts, age 79, of Lamar, Missouri passed away January 19, 2022, at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, MO.   Billy was born August 28, 1942 in Vendor, Arkansas to Guy Franklin Coonts and Darcus Holt.    Billy worked as a Optician for Pearl Vision.   Survivors include one brother, Robert Gene (Melanie) Coonts of Independence, Missouri.  ...