Obituaries

Zoe F. "Smitty" Lee passed away at her home on Wednesday morning, July 20, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Richard J. Lee, and her younger siblings, Olivia Thudium, Bill Smith and his wife Eleanor.       She will forever be remembered by a large, loving family as...

Rebecca Sue “Becky” Blaser, age 56, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.       Becky was born January 3, 1955 at Fort Scott, Kansas, to Buzz and Juanita (Davis) Sinn.  She graduated from Nevada High School in 1973 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern in 1986.  After substitute teaching at several...

Alvin Martin Unruh, age 89, of Lamar, died Monday July 18, 2011 at Barton County Memorial Hospital after a long illness.          Alvin was born October 28, 1921 to Henry J. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Unruh at Ringwood , Oklahoma .  He served his county during World War II in the United States Army from 1944 until 1946, serving...

James R. Cole, age 81, of Lamar, passed away Thursday July 14, 2011 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      James was born November 16, 1929 at Virgil City, Missouri, one of the two sons born to Chester B. Matt and Valeta (Hammer) Cole.  He graduated from the eighth grade in Montevallo and then moved with his family to Weiser, Idaho. ...

Kathie Lee Dunaway, age 57, of Golden City, and formerly of Bentonville, AR  died Saturday July 9, 2011 at her home after a sudden illness.   Kathie is survived by a brother, Tom McRell, of Anderson, MO.   A private family service will be held with burial in Bentonville.

Mary Lou Fryer, age 80, of Mindenmines, MO died Sunday July 10, 2011 after an illness.   Arrangements are pending and will be updated soon.

Juanita M. Hobbs, age 70, of Lamar, passed away Friday, July 1, 2011, at her home following a long illness.      Juanita was born July 10, 1940 at Kingsport, Tennessee, one of the three daughters of Harvey and Violet (Dolen) Rowland.  After graduating from Fall Branch High School in 1958, Juanita enlisted in the Navy where she trained as a...

Bob Berry, age 73, of Iantha, lost his battle with cancer, Thursday June 23, 2011.  Bob was born November 4, 1937 in Bois D'Arc, MO, to Wiley Bernard and Ova Olivia (Bishop) Berry.   He grew up near Olympia, MO and married Mae Williams on February 20, 1961.  Together they raised four children in Iantha, MO.  Bob liked to fish and...

Donna Rae Woodward, age 90, of Westchester, Illinois, passed away May 21, 2011.       On September 29, 1944, at Hutchinson, Kansas, Donna married Ralph W. Woodward Jr. and he preceded her in death October 15, 1996.  She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jay and Bill Isenhower.       Survivors include a son, Carl (Tracey) Woodward; a...

Margie "Granny" Baggs, age 89, of Lamar, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Margie was born January 20, 1922  Kansas City, Missouri, one of the eight children of  William & Eva (Duckett) Dinwiddie.  On September 1, 1938, at Carthage, Missouri, Margie married Dorwin "Buster" Baggs and he preceded her in death June 13, 1983. ...

Rebekah "Becky" Lee Long, age 63, of Lamar died Tuesday June 14, 2011 at her home after a lengthy illness.       Becky was born October 9, 1947 in Springfield, MO to James D. and Betty Jo (Davis) Speake.  She was an High School Graduate and on February 20, 1979 she married James "Bill" W. Long at Springfield, MO.  After moving...

William (Bill) Thomas Bodine, age 85, of Lamar, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2011, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.  He was a loving husband, devoted father and former Postmaster at Lamar, MO.  Bill was the youngest of 9 children who all preceded him in death.  Bill was born November 13, 1925 in Sedalia, Missouri to Clarence Edgar and Ella...

Christopher John Barber, age 48, of Lamar died Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at his home.   Christopher was born August 18, 2962 to James Charles Andrew and Geneva Faye (Hammers) Barber at St. Louis Missouri.  He was formerly employed by Thorco Industries as a welder. Christopher also operated a metal recycling business.  Survivors include two daughters, Toya Pettyjohn of Sheldon, MO,...

Christopher John Barber Christopher John Barber age 48, of Lamar, Missouri passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at his home. Arrangements are pending.

Mary Juanita Stockdale, age 92, of rural Jasper, passed away Thursday, May 19. 2011 at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood.      Juanita was born March 25, 1919 at the Brasher family home in Cedar County, Missouri to J.M. and Maggie (Hibbert) Brasher.  She graduated from Lamar High School in 1936 and was a life-long area resident.  On September 26,...

Donald Wayne Riley, age 71, of Jasper, Missouri passed away Tuesday,  May 17, 2011 at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation Center.      Don was born January 15, 1940 at Kansas City, Kansas to James and Pauline Riley.  Always a self-sufficient entrepreneur, Don owned and operated several heavy equipment companies, building roads, dams, & reservoirs in many southern states and Mexico.  He...

Melvin L. Dirksen, age 84, of Golden City, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Truman Healthcare Center in Lamar.       Melvin was born June 19, 1926, at the family home in Vesta, Nebraska.  In 1930, he moved with his family to Barton County where he has been a life-long farmer.  Melvin was a member of the Golden City Lions...

Mary Lorene Norwood, age 86, of Sheldon, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Barton County Memorial Hospital in Lamar.       Lorene was born August 25, 1924 at the rural Selvey family home north of Lamar, the sixth of the eleven children of Roy and Essie (McManis) Selvey.  After completing grade school at Ozark School, Lorene graduated from Lamar High...

Warren Earl Stewart born February 16, 1913 in Cambridge, Massachusetts went home to be with his Lord on Friday, April 29, 2011.   He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 14 and later felt the Lord calling him into full time ministry.  Even as a teenager, he spoke at several events for missions and churches.  After...

Elizabeth Lynn Maggard, age 45, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Lynn was born March 9, 1966, at Kansas City, Missouri, to Joseph, Sr. and Carolyn (Forrey) Canseco.  She spent most of her childhood in Butler, Missouri where she graduated from Butler High School.  In 1994, Lynn married Frank Maggard and moved...