Billy Hey, 83, Columbus

Billy Dean Hey, 83, Columbus, died peacefully February 5, 2025, at his home.Born October 15, 1941, in Vinita, Okla., Bill was the son of George and Francis Hey.Bill attended several rural Cherokee County one-room schools, wherever his mother was teaching at the time.

Bettie Barrett, 77, Wichita

Bettie June Barrett, 77, Wichita, died February 5, 2025, surrounded by her family.Born June 22, 1947, in Hockerville, Okla., Bettie was the daughter of Nettie and Claude Brown.She spent her childhood in Picher, Oklahoma. She met Bill on a blind date and found her soulmate and spouse of 60 years.

John Mitts, 85, Big Fork, Mont.

After high school he attended Joplin College and Kansas State College in Pittsburg, before transferring to Westmar College in LaMars, Iowa, graduating in 1964, and marrying Sandra Shelton.

Gary Moyer, 67, Baxter Springs

Gary Linn Moyer, 67, Baxter Springs died February 3, 2025, at his home following an illness.Born August 15, 1957, in Columbus, Gary was the son of John W. and Shirley L. (Soper) Moyer.He graduated from the Columbus High School with the Class of 1975.

Marsha Hutton, 72, Iola

Marsha Ann Hutton, 72, Iola, died Thursday, February 6, 2025, at her home in Iola.Born January 22, 1953, in Pittsburg, Marsha was the daughter of Mike and Sadie (Saia) Benso.Marsha was the proud mother of Adam Pintar whom she shared with late husband Jerry Pintar.

Ron McClenning, 73, Parsons

Ron was an excellent welder who took pride in his work and would help family and friends with his welding skills. He enjoyed working on ATVs and driving dune buggies. Ron cherished his family and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Shirley Runyon, 88, Quapaw, Okla.

Shirley Ann Runyon, 88, Quapaw, Okla., died Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing Facility in Baxter Springs.Born July 3, 1936, in Howell, Mich., Shirley was the daughter of Frank Martin Breningstall and Eva Ola (Nichols) Breningstall.

Betty Wulf, 85, Chetopa

Betty Wulf, 85, Chetopa, died the evening of Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Freeman Health System in Joplin.Complete obituary details and funeral arrangements will be announced by the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral of Chetopa.

Lawrence Richardson, Joplin, Mo.

Lawrence Dean Richardson, 87, Joplin, Mo., died Thursday, February 6, 2025 at The Arbors at Silver Creek Alzheimers Assisted Living.Born November 14, 1937 in Oswego, Lawrence was the son of the late Norman Dean and Grace Naoma (Ruble) Richardson.He graduated from Joplin High School in 1955.

Charles Heavin, 96, Topeka

Charles Ray Heavin, 96, Topeka, died Saturday, February 1, 2025.Born July 6, 1928, in Baxter Springs, Charles was the son of Charles and Mary Gaddy Heavin. He graduated from Baxter Springs High School. Charles married Shirley Graham in 1953.