Obituaries

Dean Blaser, age 89, of Lamar, passed away early Tuesday morning, November 1, 2016, surrounded by his family at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.      Dean was born April 29, 1927, in Garber, Oklahoma, first of the three children of Werner and Alma (Hauser) Blaser. At age 14, he moved with his family to Barton County, graduating with the class...

Edith Ann Pennell, age 81, of rural Lamar, passed away early Saturday morning, October 22, 2016, at her home.      Edith was born June 2, 1935, in Jasper County, Missouri, the 10th of the twelve children of Alfred and Enola (Parrish) Pennell.  She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Roy, Leonard, and Loyd Pennell; and three sisters,...

Charles DeWayne Waring, age 59, of Oswego, Kansas, passed away Friday morning, October 21, 2016, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.      Charlie was born January 13, 1957, in Lamar, Missouri to Harley and Rosalie (Swift) Waring.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sonny Baston; and a step-daughter, Misty Johns.      Returning home after serving...

Raymond Joseph Braker, age 93, of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, October 11, 2016 at his home.      Raymond was born February 16, 1923, in Barton County, Missouri, one of the 11 children of Sam and Sarah (Banwart) Braker.  After serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned home to resume farming and raising...

Travis Heath Schiernbeck, age 42, of Lamar, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2016.      Travis was born February 5,1974, to Merlin and Brenda (Young) Schiernbeck. After graduating from Lamar High School in 1992, he was led by his natural ability and life-long interest in cooking to a career in restaurant management.  Travis had managed various restaurants including Perkins in New...

Linda Carol Pennell, age 64, of Lamar, Missouri passed away at her home, Friday, September 30, 2016.      Linda was born, October 2, 1951 in Denver, Colorado to Elmer and Martha (Leeper) Moenning. After high school, she married Arthur Henderson. After his death, she married Dale Fletcher, who also passed away.  On August 21, 2014, she married the love of...

Gideon Lee Cook, son of Aaron and Amy Cook of Lamar, was stillborn Monday, September 19, 2016 at Freeman Hospital.      In addition to his parents, Gideon’s family includes his sister, Katelyn Smith of the home; maternal grandparents, Chris and Joyce Remillard, Lamar; paternal grandparents, Terry and Deana Cook, Jasper; maternal great-grandmother, Mary Wells, Vacaville, California; paternal great-grandparents, Jim and...

Donald D. Stahl, age 93, of rural Lamar, passed away Friday, September 16, 2016, at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Don was born December 26, 1922, on the family farm he called home all of his life, the youngest of the three children of Ralph and Mary (Vlazny) Stahl.  After graduating from Lamar High School in 1940, he entered the...

Evelyn B. Shockey, age 97, of Carthage, formerly of Lamar, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2016, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.      Evelyn was born March 2, 1919, in Lakin, Kansas, second of the five children of George and Pauline (Brach) Riffel.  She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Edwin, Ray, and Harlan Riffel; and...

Norma Jean Holland, age 74, of Lamar, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2016, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri.        A complete obituary and service details will be added soon.

Margo Moore, age 80, of Lamar, Missouri passed away Friday, September 9, 2016 at Truman Healthcare Center.       Margo was born July 22, 1936 in East Lake, Texas to Talmadge E. and Alyce A (Cowan) Moore.  She was a high school graduate, had attended college and earned an associate degree.  While living in Florida, Margo’s career in retail sales included...

Anthony Coleman “Jim” Raper, age 70, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, formerly of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.      Jim was born October 14, 1945, in Vacaville, California, one of the eight children of Bill and Goldie (Quick) Raper.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack Raper; five sisters, Imogene...

Anna Elizabeth (Holt) VanGilder was born June 20, 1918 to Dennis & Flora (Faurot) Holt.  She passed away peacefully Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Anna married Leo Earl VanGilder, February 14, 1938.  He preceded her in death in 2008 after nearly 70 years of marriage.  Also preceding her in death, a son Carl Lee VanGilder,...

Muriel Maxine LeGrand, age 82, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Truman Healthcare Center.      Maxine was born January 24, 1934 in Newport, Missouri to Charles Abner and Grace Elizabeth (Brines) Wilkins. She graduated high school and on December 14, 1952, she married William "Billy" Lee LeGrand and together they raised five children. Billy preceded her...

A public memorial service will be held 6:00 pm, Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Daniel Funeral Home for Baby Belle, the infant found in Barton County pond.   Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date.  A memorial fund will be established to cover the cost of a grave stone.

Loeta Marie Haile Julian, age 87, of Lamar, passed away Saturday evening, August 27, 2016, at Barton County Memorial Hospital following a long illness.      Loeta was born October 29, 1928, in Joplin, Missouri, to Frank and Ona (McDaniel) Messer.     On October 1, 1949, at Lamar, Loeta married Roland Haile and they had shared more than 44 years together before...

Steven Wayne Williams, age 58, of Lamar, passed away Thursday morning, August 25, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family.      Steve was born July 23, 1958, in Smithville, Missouri, one of the five children of Woodford and Wanda (White) Williams.  At a young age, he moved with his family to Mindenmines and graduated from Liberal High School in...

Leland Carl Dockery, age 92, of Lamar, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Lee was born February 7, 1924, in Irwin, Missouri, seventh of the nine children of Zella and Edna Mae (Harmon) Dockery.  Growing up with an exceptional work ethic, Lee joined the CCC at an early age and was involved in building...

Mary Ella Phipps, age 96, of Lamar, peacefully passed away early Tuesday morning, August 16, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family.      Mary was born March 11, 1920, to Ira Lilburn Harman & Mary Lee Jones Harman.  She graduated from Milford High School in 1938 and was a life-long resident of Barton County.  On July 21, 1938 she...

Lorene “Sparkie” Robinson was born August 7, 1928 to Ollie and Myrtle (Mason) Dumolt.  She passed away peacefully, August 11, 2016 at Truman Healthcare.      Sparkie married Emory Dean Robinson, November 17, 1957.  He preceded her in death January 1969.  Also preceding her was a sister, Nadine Schmitz; two brothers, Lenoard Lee and Truman Dumolt, and Jimmy Lee, a nephew...