OBITUARIES
Dr. Joe Pridgen
Sep 25, 2025
Dr. Joe Pridgen was born Joseph Francis Kelly, Jr. to Beulah Lorenda Huddleston Pridgen (of Alloy, West Virginia) in Inverness, Florida on March 4, 1959.
Joe loved his birthday as a Soldier because it was a command.
He was adopted by his stepfather Ralph H. Pridgen of Green Sea, South Carolina.
He grew up in Tampa, Florida and attended Hillsborough High School.
A retired major...
Frances Marie Vanhorn
Sep 25, 2025
Frances Marie Vanhorn, age 94, of Ozark, passed away on September 25, 2025. She was born July 17, 1931, to Keith and Dorothy Crick.
On January 10, 1968, she married Gene Vanhorn, who preceded her in death in 2019. Frances worked for many years as a cook at the Ozark Dinner House, where her fried chicken was a favorite. She was...
William Francis Shank
Sep 23, 2025
William (Bill) F. Shank, age 78, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away on September 23, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
Bill was born on August 7, 1947, in Salina, Kansas, to Ralph and Millie Shank. He graduated from Solomon High School in 1965. Bill went on to have a long and successful career in sales and management with multiple John Deere...
Christian Henri Mast
Sep 22, 2025
Christian Henri Mast, 84, of Nixa, Missouri, was born on May 26, 1941, and passed away on September 22, 2025.
Christian served proudly in the United States Air Force before beginning a career that included administrative duties with Seaboard and Western Airline in Frankfurt, Germany, work in computer operations in the Pikes Peak area, and later as a Personal Banking Officer....
Doris Sue Estes
Sep 20, 2025
Doris Sue (Davis) Estes, age 91, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away September 20, 2025. She was born April 26, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, to Verdie L. and Weymuth (Simmons) Davis. Doris was proud to have grown up on the north side of Springfield and was a graduate of Central High School.
At the age of 16, she met the love of...
Andrew “Drew” Cully
Sep 17, 2025
Andrew “Drew” Gunnison Cully, 35, of Ozark, Missouri,tragically lost his life on Sept. 17, 2025, in an accident involving his MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA while completing a training mission for the Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Known as the “Night Stalkers,” the 160th SOAR is the Army’s premier special operations flying unit.
Born May 12, 1990,...
Carrie Lavon Cunningham McGinnis
Sep 16, 2025
Carrie Lavon Cunningham McGinnis, born March 27, 1938, in Rome, Missouri, to proud parents James Clifford Cunningham and Ruby Carrie Fulton Cunningham, Lavon went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 16, 2025. This was a journey she had faithfully prepared for her entire life. She faced her battle with cancer on her own terms—with grace, dignity,...
Brenda Sue Ward
Sep 16, 2025
Brenda Sue (Conn) Ward, 72, of Republic, Missouri, formerly of Nixa, passed away on September 16, 2025.
She was born on May 7, 1953, to Robert Lee Conn and Nona Alene (McCafferty) Conn. On June 8, 2002, Brenda married the love of her life, Leon Ward. Their marriage was filled with love and devotion.
Brenda was a proud and caring mother, grandmother,...
Michael Edward Pace
Sep 11, 2025
Michael Edward Pace passed away on September 11, 2025 from complications related to Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a disease he had bravely battled and had been in remission from. He was a fighter to the end. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Ankur Varma, MD and Juan Carlos Rico Crescencio, MD, as well as the entire UAMS team...
Darrel E. Becker
Sep 10, 2025
Darrel Eugene Becker, 85, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away on September 10, 2025. He was born on August 30, 1940, to Abe and Velma Becker.
Darrel graduated from Buhler High School in Buhler, Kansas, where he enjoyed playing football and working on vehicles. He worked as a Pizza Hut Manager and later retired after 28 years as the Dillons Deli Manager.
On...
John Henry Edmiston
Sep 9, 2025
John Henry Edmiston, 79, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away on September 9, 2025. He was born on March 17, 1946, to Paul and Martha Edmiston.
John graduated from St. Francis High School and later went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in college. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for thirty years, holding many roles before retiring...
Marvin Allen Little
Sep 7, 2025
Marvin Allen Little, age 93, of Stover, Missouri, passed away on September 7, 2025. He was born September 26, 1931, in Lowry, Arkansas, to Milton and Eliza Little.
Marvin grew up on a farm where hard work became second nature to him from an early age. In 1948, he proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving his country with...
Virginia "Jeannie" Lang
Sep 6, 2025
Virginia “Jeannie” Lang, 96, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was born on June 26, 1929, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to William and Mary (Grochalski) Pauloski. After her mother’s passing when she was just 14, Virginia was raised with love and guidance by her stepmother, Florence. She grew up in Pittsburgh’s “Polish Hill” neighborhood, where her faith...
Dr. Dennis D. Sloan
Sep 4, 2025
Dr. Dennis D. Sloan, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 75. He was born March 19, 1950, in Springfield, Missouri, to Bill and Ada (Gill) Sloan.
Dennis was a proud graduate of Central High School. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Southwest Missouri State University, his master’s degree at Southern Illinois...
James Michael Wade
Sep 2, 2025
James Michael Wade
March 21, 1951 – September 2, 2025
James Michael Wade, 74, of Nixa, Missouri, passed peacefully on September 2, 2025, with his wife by his side.
James will be remembered as a husband, father, and grandfather who cherished time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Jody Wade; daughters, Jessica Myers and Jamie Spencer; and son-in-law, John...
Richard Ray Baladez
Sep 2, 2025
Richard Ray Baladez, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, passed away at the age of 49. He was born on January 25, 1976, in Pomona, California, to his mother, Joy Ann, who raised him with love and strength.
For 21 years, Richard shared his life with his wife, Julianna, the love of his life. Together they built a home filled with...
Metta Jean Scott
Aug 30, 2025
Metta Jean Scott, of Ozark, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, at the age of 100. She was born May 15, 1925, and lived a full and beautiful life.
Metta dedicated 36 years of service to Southwestern Bell, where she worked with diligence and care. Outside of work, she found joy in the simple things—crocheting, knitting, playing the organ, and...
Linda Louise Schilter
Aug 29, 2025
Linda Louise LaFollette Cummins Schilter was born on July 4, 1938, to Gertrude (Miller) and Charles Clinton LaFollette in Kansas City, MO. She passed on August 29, 2025, at the age of 87.
Linda graduated as Valedictorian from Miami High School in Amsterdam, MO. Then she attended UMKC. As a child, she enjoyed riding her favorite horse, "Nipper" (an old mare)...
Shannon Chad Bolin
Aug 29, 2025
Shannon “Chad” Bolin, 54, of Highlandville, Missouri, passed away on August 29, 2025, in his home surrounded by his loving and adoring family and into the arms of his Savior after a courageous battle with cancer.
Chad was born on August 11, 1971, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Roger and Betty (Pryer) Bolin. He was a proud 1989 graduate of...
Shirley Rice Jensen
Aug 29, 2025
Shirley Mae Jensen, age 88, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, in her cherished hometown of Ozark. Born on September 1, 1936, in Rogersville, Missouri, she was the beloved daughter of Henry Lafayette and Mary Marie (Plank) Layne.
Shirley leaves behind a legacy of love and strength through her four devoted sons: Wayne Rice and his wife JaDonna of Ozark,...
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