Dale Cates, 83, Joplin, Mo.

Dale Emerson Cates, 83, Joplin, Missouri, died at 7:05 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at his home following an illness.Born October 3, 1941, in Joplin, Missouri, Dale was the son of Elmer Ree and Alene (Archer) Cates. He was a lifetime area resident.He graduated from Riverton High School in 1959.

George Royster, 80, Joplin, Mo.

George L. Royster, 80, Joplin, Missouri, loving husband and father, died peacefully at home Wednesday, January 22, 2025, after a battle with cancer. He spent his final days surrounded by his family that he loved deeply.

Kurt Herrelson, 58, Pittsburg

Kurt Herrelson, 58, Pittsburg, died at his home January 22, 2025.Born January 10, 1967, in Baxter Springs, Kurt was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Bobbie Carlisle, and Charles and Gin Herrelson.

David Lightle, 63, Joplin, Mo.

David Wayne Lightle, 63, Joplin, Missouri, died Friday, January 24, 2025, at his home in Joplin, comfortably surrounded by his family.He was the son of Franz and Gloria Lightle and the brother of Michael Lightle and Gloria Mae Owens.David married his soul mate Tina Valentine’s Day 1981.

Timothy Cashion, 54, Weir

Timothy (Tim) Lee Cashion, 54, Weir, died Tuesday, January 21, 2025.Born March 7, 1970, in St. Louis, Mo., Tim was the son of Don R. Cashion and Mary Whitehead Cashion.The family relocated to Southeast Kansas when Tim was five. He attended school at Southeast and graduated in 1988.

Ronald Kloer II, 57, Scammon

Ronald “Ronnie” Merle Kloer II, 57, Scammon, died Friday, January 24, 2025. Born May 7, 1967, in Oswego, Ronnie was the son of Ronald Sr. and Norma (Bean) Kloer of the home.He graduated from Columbus Unified High School in 1986.

Shirley Scott, 85, St. Paul

Shirley L. Scott, 85, St. Paul, formerly of rural Weir, died at 7:33 a.m., Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.Born January 12, 1940 in Buffalo, Shirley was the daughter of Thomas and Hazel Salem. She graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus.

Thomas Grisham, 74, Picher, Okla.

Thomas Barton Grisham, 74, Picher, Okla., died December 21, 2024.He was born June 23, 1950. Tom grew up in Picher, Oklahoma, a town that he was proud to be from and loved until the day he died. Tom graduated from Picher High School in 1968, where he made lifelong friends.

Mary Watson, 81, Peoria, Okla.

Mary Ellen Watson-Stasell, 81 Peoria, Okla. died Friday January 24, 2025 at Integris Regional Hospital in Miami, Okla.Born May 19, 1943, in Picher, Okla., Mary was the daughter of Le-Roy and Margarite (Kennedy) Watson She was a member of the Spring River Indian Baptist Church and the Quapaw Nation.

Nickolas Kitch, 45, Columbus

Nickolas Joe Kitch, 45, Columbus, died at his home Monday, January 20, 2025.Born February 26, 1979, in Columbus, Nick was the son of Terry Kitch and JoAnna (Golden) Reynolds.