Ronald O. “Ron” Downing

Ronald O. “Ron” Downing, 74, of Chetopa, died at 1:57 p.m., Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. His wife, Shyrlee survives of the home. Graveside services for Ron Downing will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 27, at Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa.

Erma Loree Stover

Erma Loree Stover, 94, of Columbus, died at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing in Baxter Springs. Funeral services are pending through Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus.

Betty Jo Long, 69, Joplin, Mo.

Betty Jo Long, 69, of Joplin, Mo., died November 19, 2021 due to illness. Born in Columbus, Betty Jo was the daughter of Robert and Mary Babst. They preceded her in death. Betty Jo worked for 50 years at Babst Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. as the office manager before retiring.

Richard Hughey, Baxter Springs

Richard Alfred Hughey 35, of Baxter Springs, died Sunday, November 21, 2021. Born May 1, 1986 in Claremore, Okla., Richard was the son of Richard Chissoe and Rachel Ann Hughey. He had lived in the Cherokee County and Ottawa County, Okla. area all his life. He worked for Tyson Foods in Noel, Mo.

Fern Sandella, 100, Girard

Fern Sandella, 100, formerly of Scammon, died Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the West Ridge Assisted Living in Girard. Born May 24, 1921 in Turk, Fern was the daughter of Ted (Edward) and Martha (Ferns) Skahan. Fern was a graduate from Cherokee County Community High School.

Mark Garrison, 60, Andover

Mark Edward Garrison, 60, of Andover, died Friday, November 19, 2021 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. Born July 31, 1961 in Wichita at McConnell Airforce Base, Mark was the son of Ed and Carole (Bender) Garrison.

D.E. Locke, Jr., 82, McCune

D.E. “Woody” Locke, Jr. 82, of McCune, formerly Parsons, died at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Ascension Via Christy Hospital in Pittsburg.

Michael Keyser, 71, Galena

Michael Dennis Keyser, 71, of Galena, died at 6:20 a.m., Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at his home following a sudden illness. Born June 18, 1950 in Joplin, Mo., Mike was the son of Herman L. and Mary Ellen (Chase) Keyser.

Lydia Charlton, infant

Little baby Lydia Juniper Rose Charlton died November 9, 2021 at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Born November 1, 2021 she was the daughter of Jonah Charlton and Cheyenne Harrill.

Richard Gordon, 73, Joplin, Mo.

Richard Eugene Gordon, 73, of Joplin, Mo. died at 7:03 p.m. Sunday, November 14, 2021 at his home following an illness. Born April 16, 1948 in Independence, Mo., Richard was the son of Roscoe Gordon and Opal (Houston) Gordon.