Obituaries

Rodney Douglas Barnes, 74, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Feb. 28, 2021. Rodney was born on Feb. 11, 1947 to Roy and Eulas (Hedrick) Barnes of Reeds Spring. Rodney graduated from Reeds Spring High School with the class of 1965. He married his beloved wife, Susie, on Jan. 22, 1966. They had four children – Scott, Teresa, Dana and Lori...

James Edward Callan, 91, of Monett, Mo., went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 26, 2021, while at his home. James was born on November 9, 1929, in Monett, son of the late John Edward Callan and Adeline Ann (Debross) Callan. James’ grandparents came to this country from Ireland. ...

John Edwards Patton passed from this life on Saturday morning, Feb. 27, 2021, at home. John was born on December 3, 1942, in Monett, Mo., son of the late Hershal Patton and Evelyn (Edwards) Patton. He married Alice (Stockton) Patton on Jan. 17, 1964 and she survives. They were blessed with over 57 wonderful years together...

Lena Roberts, 98, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., formerly of Monett, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, February 26, 2021, while at the Northland Rehab and Health Care Center in Kansas City, Mo. Lena was born August 20, 1922, in Monett, daughter of the late Steve and Mary (Bertalot) Balmas. ...

Jennie Lee Schelin, 92, of Verona, Mo., passed away peacefully at her home on Friday morning, February 26, 2021. Jennie was born on February 18, 1929, in Monett, Mo., the daughter of the late Merle Logan and Mary Ella (Spahr) Means. Jennie graduated from Monett High School in 1947. ...

Marsha Elaine Dorrance, 61, of Stotts City, passed away at 3:54 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. A celebration of Marsha’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Frances Grogan, 73, of Eagle Rock, died Thursday, Feb. 25. Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

April L. Whitely, 57, of Pierce City, died Thursday, Feb. 25. Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Funeral Home in Cassville.

Nina Almus Brashers, 57, of Marionville, died at 3:54 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, at her home. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 1, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be held at a later date at the Rock Prairie Cemetery in Halltown...

Elizabeth Sue Colley, 35, of Miller, passed away at 1:44 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, at her mother’s home. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the First Baptist Church of Miller. A private family burial will be held at the Waters Cemetery in Jasper...

Marvin L. Johns, 95, of Shell Knob, died Sunday, Feb. 21. Services will be held at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Richard “Whitey” Mettlach, 72, of Monett, died Feb. 19, at Specialty Select Hospital in Springfield, from coronavirus complications. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery...

Carl Raymond “Ray” Ritchey, 79, of Shell Knob, died Tuesday, Feb. 16. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, March 1 at Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Betty Jo Thomas, 90, of Monett, died Thursday, Feb. 25, in Aurora. Visitation is being held on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 2-4 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Graveside services are being held on Monday, March 1, at 2 p.m. at the Calton Cemetery in Pleasant Ridge...

Phyllis Clark Williamson, 95, of Marionville, died Friday, Feb. 19, at Oak Pointe Senior Living in Monett. A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Bell City Cemetery in Bell City. Arrangements are under the direction of the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville...

Leland Doss, 65, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Tuesday morning, February 23, 2021, while at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Mo. Leland was born on March 11, 1955, in Springfield, Mo., son of the late Cecil T. Doss and Erna May (Osterloh) Doss. Leland went to Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt through 8th grade and then graduated from Mt. Vernon High School with the Class of 1973...

Richard “Whitey” Mettlach, 72 years of Monett, passed away February 19, 2021, while at Specialty Select Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, from coronavirus complications. Whitey was born in Pierce City, Missouri, to Raymond and Rose (Stipp) Mettlach. ...

Deena Monzell Abramovitz, 62, of Wentworth, died Saturday, Feb. 20. Visitation and Rosary were held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Funeral Mass is being held on Wednesday Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City. Burial will follow services at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pierce City...

Leland Doss, 65, of Monett, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Ronald “Jay” Hopkins, 76, of Pleasant Hope, died Saturday, Feb. 13. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at Corinth Cemetery in Cassville.

Steven “Steve” Lewis Tay, 59, of Pierce City, died Feb. 21, at his home. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Pierce City Cemetery. Burial will be at Pierce City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City...

Abelino C. Rodriguez, 86, of Monett, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21, at his home being. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Church of the Nazarene, Monett. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. following the service at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Monett. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home...

Glen “Rod” Roller, 89, of Seligman, died Friday, Feb.19. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 22, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial was at King Cemetery in Seligman.

Mary Ann Scott, 79, of Monett, formerly of Springfield, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, at Liberty Health and Wellness in Liberty. A private family memorial service will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Leslie P. Watson, Jr., 67, of Exeter, died Thursday, Feb. 18. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville.

Sue Ann Childress, 82, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life to her eternal home in Heaven on Tuesday morning, February 16, 2021, at Aurora Nursing Center, Aurora, Mo., with her children by her side. Sue was born on May 10, 1938 in Aurora, Mo., daughter of the late Frank Russell Robbins and Ella Nancy (Hilton) Robbins. ...

Gordon Russell Gray, of Green Valley, Arizona, died in Green Valley on February 10th, 2021, at the age of 81. He and his wife, Becky, would have celebrated 57 years of marriage on June 20th, 2021. Gordon was born and raised in Monett, Missouri, in the Ozark hills of the southwest part of the state. ...

Doris Taylor, age 82, of Columbia, Missouri passed away on February 11, 2021, at Columbia Manor. She was born on September 15, 1938, in Monett, Missouri; a daughter of Glenn Johnson and Henrietta Isbell. She was united in marriage to Jim Taylor and he preceded her in death...

Bobby Gene Gaines, 62, of Pierce City, died Feb. 15, at his home. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Barbara Ann Randall, 78, of Pierce City, died Feb. 14 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Cleo “Joann” Robbins, 77, of Aurora, died Saturday, Feb. 13. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Deborah Spiva, 60, of Cassville, died Wednesday, Feb. 17. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Floretta Jean Woodson, 90, died at 3:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Summit Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Bernice Branum, 87, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life on Sunday evening, February 14, 2021 while at Lacoba Homes following a lengthy illness. Bernice was born on October 8, 1933, in Buffalo, Mo., daughter of the late Bertrum Iverson Richerson and Pansy Beulah (Gaunt) Richerson. ...

Sue Ann Childress, 82, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life to her eternal home in Heaven on Tuesday morning, February 16, 2021 at Aurora Nursing Center, Aurora, Mo., with her children by her side. Sue was born on May 10, 1938 in Aurora, Mo., daughter of the late Frank Russell Robbins and Ella Nancy (Hilton) Robbins. ...

James Dale Mutrux, 90, passed away Feb. 10, 2021, at his home in Springfield, MO.  Mr. Mutrux; son of Harold and Effie (Hankins) Mutrux, was born Aug. 20, 1930, in rural Barry County MO, near Cassville. He served in the US Air Force in the Korean War as a radio mechanic, and later as an electronic test equipment technician. ...

Robert H. Ryder, age 96, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Ryder, son of Harry Clark and Ella Mae (Harper) Ryder, was born on October 31, 1924, in Pioneer, Missouri. He was a 1942 Wheaton High School graduate and was subsequently drafted in the United States Army in 1943 and was called out to serve in January 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1946. ...

John Larry Altizer, 81, of Shell Knob, died Saturday, Feb. 13. Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Elizabeth May Essary, 77, of Marionville, died Friday, Feb. 12, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville.

Patricia Ann McCormick, 81, of Aurora, died Saturday, Feb. 13, at her home. A funeral service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the United Methodist Church in Aurora, with burial to follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, in the funeral home chapel...

Cleo “Joann” Robbins, 77, of Aurora, died Saturday, Feb. 13. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Dorthy Frances Jones, 79, of Mt. Vernon, died at 3:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with burial to follow at the Campground Cemetery in Chesapeake...

Henry Melvin Rampy, 87, of Springfield, passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Dominic Michael Roberts, 18, of Aurora, passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 19, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Due to COVID-19, the family has requested for those attending the services to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing...

Steven Duane Ward, 69, of Mt. Vernon, died at 8:11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, at his home. A celebration of Steven’s life will be held at a later date at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon and in New Palestine, Indiana, at a later date to be determined...

Mary Ellen White, 75, of Ash Grove, died at 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with a funeral service immediately to follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at the Rock Prairie Cemetery in Halltown...

Eugene Emmitt “Gene” Roetto, 76, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Sunday morning, February 7, 2021, while at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Gene was born on August 21, 1944, at home in rural Barry County, son of the late Emmitt John Roetto and Helen Margaret (Seufert) Roetto. ...

Carol Jean Cole, 78, of Shell Knob, died Thursday, Feb. 4. A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2021. For further information contact Kelley Norman at kellnorm@prodigy.net. Arrangements are by Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

Flora Evelena Farrell, 95, of Miller, died Feb. 5. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Covenant Baptist Church in Mount Vernon. Internment will follow at the Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Aurora. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m...

Town’s “Joe the Barber” Hilton, 77, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Springfield Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be held from 1-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy. Memorial service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Jason Mackey and Rev. Kevin Hilton will be officiating...