Lorna Slater, 80, Fort Scott

Lorna L’Deana (DeVilbiss) Slater, 80, rural Fort Scott, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.Born Tuesday, May 29, 1945, in Waynoka, Oklahoma, Lorna was the daughter of Loren V. and Jesse M. (Buckland) DeVilbiss.

Arthur Martin, 88, Baxter Springs

Arthur LeRoy “Bud” Martin, 88, Baxter Springs, died peacefully the morning of January 11, 2026, at his home along Shoal Creek, his favorite place to be.Born July 6, 1937, Bud lived his life rooted in the Baxter Springs area.

Teri Gaston, 41, Joplin, Mo.

Teri Suzanne Gaston, 41, Joplin, Missouri, died unexpectedly Tuesday, January 7, 2026.Born May 10, 1984, in Joplin, Mo., Teri was the daughter of Ron and Becky Gaston. She grew up in Baxter Springs. She graduated from Baxter Springs High School in 2002.

Vicki Turner, 78, Commerce, Okla.

Vicki Lynn Turner, 78, Commerce, Okla., died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Eastwood Manor in Commerce, Okla.Born February 1, 1947, in Miami, Okla., Vicki was the daughter of Billy Hues and Reva (Sears) Haynes. She had lived in Commerce all her life and was a 1965 graduate of Commerce High School.

Ronnie Shiverdecker, 78, Joplin, Mo.

Ronnie Lee Shiverdecker, 78, Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Cherokee, died at 1:38 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Westgate of Wildwood Ranch in Joplin.Born July 7, 1947, in Fulton, Missouri, Ronnie was the son of Joe and Dixie (Foster) Shiverdecker.

Joe Reagan, 85, Columbus

Joe W. Reagan, 85, Columbus, died Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Medicalodge in Columbus.Born November 14, 1940 in Little Rock, Ark., Joe was the son of Joe and Lucy (Page) Reagan.Joe and Vicki Cook were united in marriage August 9, 1976 in Columbus. She survives of the home.

William Hamlin, 59, Baxter Springs

William “Bill” Eugene Hamlin, 59, Baxter Springs, died unexpectedly January 9, 2026, at his home.Born December 13, 1966, in Joplin, Mo., Bill was the son of William Howard Hamlin and Phyllis Ann Hamlin (Wilfley). He grew up around Galena where he made lifelong friends and built his family.

Betty Swanick, 83, Parsons

Betty Jane (McCartney) Swanwick, 83, Parsons, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at her home.Born June 17, 1942, in rural Labette County, Betty was the daughter of Clarence and Emma (Knight) McCartney. She grew up and attended school in Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School.

Ruth Lavender, 81, Altamont

Ruth M. Lavender, 81, rural Altamont, died at 1:51 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Born March 30, 1944 in Hallowell, Ruth Marie Adams was the daughter of W. Glenn and Hazel (Westervelt) Adams.

Francis Crockett, 81, Baxter Springs

Francis Eugene (Gene) Crockett, 81, Baxter Springs, died January 3, 2026 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., after a brief illness.Born May 1, 1944, in Picher, Okla., Gene was the son of Francis Crockett and Kathryn (Peace) Crockett. He was a 1962 graduate of Picher High School.