OBITUARIES

Sandy Glain Shawley

Sandy Glain Shawley

Oct 8, 2025

Sandy Glain Shawley, age 57, of Clever, Missouri, passed away on October 8, 2025. She was born on January 7, 1968, to Glain Thompson. Sandy graduated from Nixa High School in 1986 and married the love of her life, Robert Shawley, on May 27, 2011. Together, they shared countless adventures and a life filled with laughter, love, and faith.

Sandy truly...

Hurla Gene "Dink" Thornburg

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...

Charley Kent Sisco

Charley Kent Sisco

Oct 8, 2025

Charley Kent Sisco age 65 of Chadwick entered his eternal home on October 8, 2025 surrounded by his family.

He was born to Gene and Norma (Spradling) Sisco on April 19, 1960. He was a devoted husband to Cheryl Sisco, whom he loved dearly. They were united in marriage on June 5, 1982. To this marriage they were blessed with two...

Daniel O. McMaster

Daniel O. McMaster

Oct 4, 2025

Daniel O’Neal McMaster, age 82 of Ozark, Missouri, passed away at Cox South Hospital on Friday, October 3, 2025. He was born on March 12, 1943, in Wynne, Arkansas, to Willie and Reba (Clements) McMaster.

He served his country in the U.S. Army.

In September of 1968, he moved to DeKalb, Illinois, where he met the love of his life, Carol Thompson,...

Nona Mae Jones

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

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

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

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

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...

Frances Marie Vanhorn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...