William Schaiff

William Edward Schaiff, 91, life-long resident of Columbus, died May 27, 2024.He was born April 19, 1933.William Edward Schaiff always strove to be better. What’s more, he knew the world around him could be better too.

Martha Christiansen

Martha Anne (Belt) Christiansen, 95, Columbus, died at Medicalodge of Columbus, Tuesday, May 28, 2024.Born Saturday November 17, 1928 in Columbus, Martha, was the daughter of Lloyd C. and Martha Elizabeth (Hurt) Belt on Kansas.

John Hazell

John Charles Hazell, 74, Parsons, died the morning of Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Freeman West in Joplin, Missouri.Born April 11, 1950, in Parsons, John was the son of Boyd and Mildred (Brueggeman) Hazell.

Bobby Smith

Bobby J. Smith, 70, rural Chetopa, died Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at his home.Bobby was born November 16, 1953. He was a United States veteran.There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 3, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa.

Patricia Alsenz

Patrica Faye Alsenz, 82, Columbus, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at her home. Patrica was born August 30, 1941 in Borger, Texas.Patrica has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. No services are planned at this time.

Mary Downing

Mary Lea (Trask) Downing, 94, North Miami, Oklahoma, died Friday, May 24, 2024, at Windridge Nursing and Rehab in Miami, Oklahoma.Born December 16, 1929 at Berryman, Missouri, Mary was the daughter of Leslie and Edith (Payne) Trask. She graduated from Sullivan, Missouri High School in 1949.

Joan Murphy

Joan (Leuty) Murphy, 77, Parsons, died at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family. She had battled cancer and its side effects for a year.Born January 7, 1947, at Chetopa, Barbara Joan Leuty was the daughter of Leroy E. and Pauline (Finley) Leuty.

Samuel Ames Jr.

Samuel “Sam” Ernest Ames Jr., 69, Baxter Springs, died Friday, May 24, 2024, at Legacy Living in Baxter Springs after a long illness.Born July 17, 1954, in Baxter Springs, Sam was the the only child of Samuel “Sam” Ernest Ames, Sr. and Mae Corrine Rush.

Virgil Martin

A visitation will be held with the family of Virgil Martin Monday, June 3 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus. Funeral services will be held at the Columbus First United Methodist Church Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. A full obit will be in a later issue of the News Report.

Teresa West

Teresa West, 69, Columbus, died peacefully at home on May 22, 2024. Teresa was a kind, caring, and very loved by family and friends.Born March 17, 1955, Teresa was the daughter of Emma Wyrick and Gordon Hale.