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.

Cheryl Paxson, 70, Chetopa

Cheryl Paxson, 70, Chetopa, died at 3 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. She is survived by her husband, Wesley Alan Paxson, of the home.

Mary Burrows, 74, Chetopa

Mary Jane (Camper) Burrows, 74, Chetopa, died at 10:26 a.m., Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her residence.Born January 25, 1951, in Chetopa, Mary was the daughter of Glen and Mildred (Baker) Camper. She grew up and attended school in Chetopa, graduating from Chetopa High School.

James Maxson II, 58, Wyandotte, Okla.

James (Jamie) T. Maxson II, 58, Wyandotte, Oklahoma, died Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at his home.Born December 6, 1967, in Miami, Oklahoma, Jamie was the son of Jim and Darlene Maxson. He served in the National Guard from 1987 to 1991.

Nancy Foss, 87, Pittsburg

Nancy Joann Pearce Goodrich Morgan Foss, 87, Pittsburg, died December 29, 2025, at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg.Born February 19, 1938, in Baxter Springs, Nancy was the daughter of Howard and Marjorie (Bingham) Pearce.Nancy graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus.