Cora Belcher, 95, Independence

Cora Pauline (Fry) Belcher, 95, Independence, died Friday, May 8, 2026. Born November 27, 1930 on a farm near Williamsport, Penn. Cora was the daughter of Lester C. and Anna S. (Emick) Fry.Cora’s elementary years were in a one-room school.

Virginia McNeely, 91, Pittsburg

Virginia Catherine McNeely, 91, Pittsburg, died at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday May 6, 2026, at her home following an illness.Born September 21, 1934 in Pittsburg, Virginia was the daughter of John and Audrey Vera (Coots) Smith.

Michael Davis, 74, Columbus

Michael Joseph Davis, 74, Columbus, died Sunday, May 3, 2026 at his home.Born March 23, 1952 in Pittsburg, Michael was the son of Joseph G. and Rosemary Sotta Davis. He had resided in Columbus for the past 20 years, graduating from Columbus High School with the Class of 1970.

Dorothy Walton, 98, Riverton

Dorothy Walton, 98, Riverton, died at 7:17 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2026 at Westgate at Wildwood Ranch.Born April 21, 1928, Dorothy was the daughter of Albert Lincoln Kinkade and Bessie Jane (Morrision) Kinkade. She graduated from Galena High School with the Class of 1946.

Melody Holden, 67, Galena

Melody Ann Holden, 67, Galena, passed away at 1:18 AM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 after ongoing health complications from a car accident in late 2025.Born in Spokane, Wash. November 26, 1958, Melody was the daughter of Jack Robinson and Betty (Jones) Robinson.

Anna McKinzie, 62, Joplin, Mo.

Anna Marie McKinzie, 62, Joplin, Mo. died unexpectedly at her home the morning of Monday, May 4, 2026.Born November 23, 1963, Anna was the daughter of Melvin Ray McKinzie and Colleen Joyce (Johnston) McKinzie. She had lived in the Galena and Joplin, Mo. areas all of her life.

James Buckner, 77, Weir

James Earl “Jim” Buckner, 77, Weir, died Saturday, May 2, 2026 at his home.Born July 10, 1948 in Wichita, Jim was the son of James and Daisy (Whorel) Buckner. He married Wilma Louise Tillman June 28, 1969 in Columbus. She preceded him in death February 23, 2010.

Deloris Markham, 91, Carthage, Mo.

Deloris J. “Jean” Markham, 91, Carthage, Mo., died Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Joplin, Mo.Born May 24, 1934, in Galena, Jean was the daughter of the late Floyd and Ada (Anderson) Fox.She graduated from Joplin High School in 1952 and later worked in manufacturing for several years.

James Brisbin, 77, Cherokee

James L. Brisbin, 77, Cherokee, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and man of deep Christian faith, died peacefully Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Pittsburg.Born in April 1949 in Independence, Mo., James was the son of James and Deloris Brisbin.

Carmen Wade, 79, Baxter Springs

Carmen Eva Wade, 79, Baxter Springs, died Monday, April 27, 2026.Born Thursday, August 1, 1946 in Columbus, Carmen was the daughter of Milton and Sue (Stone) Hall.Carmen and Stephen P. Wade were united in marriage January 15, 1966.