OBITUARIES
Hurla Gene "Dink" Thornburg
Oct 4, 2025
Hurla Gene “Dink” Thornburg, a cherished spirit of Nixa, departed from this world on October 4, 2025, at the age of 89. Born on May 3, 1936, in the quaint town of Almartha, Missouri, he was a beloved son of Hurla Ray and Bonnie Jean (Taylor) Thornburg.
On November 20, 1955, Dink's heart found its match when he married his devoted...
Nona Mae Jones
Oct 4, 2025
Nona Mae Jones, of Sparta, entered her eternal rest on October 4, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born to Floyd and Edith Adamson on June 9, 1937 and was united in marriage to the love of her life, Russ Jones, on July 17, 1953. They shared 67 wonderful years together before his passing.
She was preceded in...
William "Bill" L. Shortt
Oct 1, 2025
William L. “Bill” Shortt, age 60 of Sparta, died October 1, 2025. He was born December 2, 1964 in Springfield, the son of Samuel and Dorene (Swearengin) Shortt.
Bill was a lifelong resident of Sparta and Oldfield.
Bill is survived by his wife, Dixie Shortt of Sparta; his children, Tabitha Garrison and son Mason Garrison of Oldfield, Timothy Vermillion and wife and...
Marlene Bernice Sullivan
Sep 29, 2025
Marlene Bernice Sullivan, age 94, of Clever, Missouri passed peacefully in her sleep on Monday, September 29, 2025 due to a long decline in her health.
Marlene was born July 28, 1931, at home close to the streetcar barn in Kansas City, Missouri to James and Bernice Sullivan, and was an only child. There, she made her life as a city...
Mark Alan McCarty
Sep 29, 2025
Mark Alan McCarty, age 66, resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on September 29, 2025. He was born on November 12, 1958, to James and Retha McCarty. Mark grew up in Winfield, Kansas graduating from Winfield Senior High School in 1976. He attended Independence Junior College, where he served as a photographer for the school newspaper, and later earned his...
Cheryl Lynn Scott
Sep 28, 2025
On September 28, 2025, we said goodbye to our beloved wife, mother, and sister, Cheryl Scott. She was a joy-filled woman whose laughter was instantly recognizable. Cheryl had a gift for hospitality—welcoming all to her home with a meal, games, and non-stop laughter.
She carried a soft heart for the lonely, the hurting, and the underdog. A lifelong caregiver, she worked...
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...
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