James Guy, 69, Columbus

James Guy, 69, Columbus, died January 16, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo.Born in Columbus, James was the son of Bobbie Guy and Betty Gatewood Guy.James and Debra Schreiner were united in marriage in May of 1974. She preceded him in death in 2020.

Shawndra Clark, Baxter Springs

Shawndra Rachele Waits Clark, 44, Baxter Springs, died Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.Born Thursday, February 22, 1979 in Joplin, Mo, Shawnda was the daughter of Richard Waits and Deborah Kay Waits.She graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1997.

Vera Hanigan, 92, Oswego

Vera Maybell Hanigan, 92, died at the family farm February 14, 2024 in Oswego, doing exactly what she loved best, tending the farm.Vera was the last child born to Clifford Paxton and Dolly Mae (Beck) Hanigan September 15, 1931, at home in Fairview Township, Labette County.

Shirley McMurry, 84, Carl Junction

Shirley Anne McMurry, 84, Carl Junction, Mo., died February 19, 2024 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin after an illness.Born December 6, 1939, in Broken Arrow, Okla., Shirley was the daughter of Cecil and Wilrose Ingle. Shirley was a homemaker and was of the Christian faith.

Miles Kress, 62, Baxter Springs

Miles (“Andy”) Andrew Kress, 62, Baxter Springs died February 17, 2024, due to a long illness. Born in Baxter Springs, April 21, 1961, Andy was the son of Harry Wesley and Loretta Mae (Baker) Kress.

LaMoin Calvin Gilbert, 87, Galena

LaMoin Calvin Gilbert, 87, Galena, died at 7:45 a.m., Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Galena Nursing and Rehab. Born May 9, 1936 in Nepo, Okla., LaMoin was the son of Donnie Calvin and Thelma M (Kirby) Gilbert. He had lived in Galena the past two and a half years, moving from Camp Verde, Ariz.

Robert Richards, 67, Columbus

Robert Richards, 67, died February 18, 2024, at his home in Columbus. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 22 at the Bath- Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus. Burial will follow at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Elsie Trease, 97, Quapaw, Okla.

Elsie Jane Trease, 97, Quapaw, Okla., died at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Westgate at the Wildwoods, Joplin, Mo. Born July 22, 1926 in Jasper County, Mo., Jane was the daughter of John and Olive Buxton Edwards. She lived most of her life in rural Quapaw, Okla.

Norma Ferguson, 94, Altamont

Norma L. Ferguson, 94, long-time resident of Altamont, died at 8:55 a.m. at Elmhaven Nursing Home in Parsons Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born on April 7, 1929, in Rice County, Norma was the daughter of Arthur and Mary Frances (Hodges) Foss.

James Watkins, 73, Galena

James Phaire Watkins (Schutz), known affectionately as “JP”, 73, Galena, died at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri after a battle with cancer. Born April 7, 1950 in Neosho, Missouri, JP was the son of Lucius P.