Mary Lou Vallier

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Mary L. Vallier, 96, of Erie, died at 7:37 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at her home.

She was born July 9, 1926, at Lamar, MO to Samuel H. and Wilhelmina Christina (Ulrich) Cotterill. She grew up in the rural Lamar area and attended a country school. She graduated from Lamar High School in 1943. She attended a secretarial school in Kansas City and also had attended Emporia State University and Pittsburg State University.

Her work career included employment at the Miami County Extension office, a law office in Emporia, the Locke Abstract Co. in Erie and the Fleming and Forsyth Law Office in Erie, from where she retired in 1992.

Mary Lou was a member of the Erie Federated Church and had served on various committees and the administrative council, had served as Sunday School secretary for 30 years and was active in the church women’s group. She was a member of the N.E.A.L.S. Legal Secretaries Association. For many years she served on the board of the Erie Senior Citizens Center.

Her hobbies included making quilts for all her family and doing fine embroidering. She loved to attend the various activities of her children and grandchildren.

On September 5, 1948 she and Stanley K. “Stan” Vallier were married in Lamar, MO. He preceded her in death on January 11, 2008.

Survivors include four children, Carol Vallier Berg of Minneapolis, MN, Stan Vallier II (Sharen) of Erie, Randy Vallier (Marisol) of Pearland, TX and Russ Vallier (Karen) of Chanute; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren two great-great grandchildren and several loving nieces and nephews. Three brothers, Carl, Wray and infant Roy Cotterill preceded her in death.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at the Erie Federated Church, with her son, Russ, officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery at Erie.

The family will receive friends in the church basement from 1 to 2 p.m., Monday.

The Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Erie is in charge of arrangements and friends may visit there from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, The family will not be present during that time.

Memorials are suggested to the Erie Federated Church or Horizons Home Health and Hospice of Chanute. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at P. O. Box 182, Erie, KS 66733. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Steven Conness

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Steven Allen Conness Sr., age 63, of Neosho, Missouri, passed away at 11:34 a.m. on May 12, 2023, at his home. He was born January 11, 1960, in Columbus, Kansas, to John and Mary (Coble) Conness.

Steve lived in the Neosho community most of his life and attended Neosho High School. He worked in construction and loved to work with his hands building whatever he could. 

His favorite pastime was growing roses and violets, listening to the Grateful Dead, and following his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by his two children, Christina Stevens of Granby, Missouri and Steven Allen Conness, Jr, and his wife, Airyka, of Afton, Oklahoma; his father, John Conness of Racine, Missouri; his mother, Mary Coble of Kansas City, Missouri; dear companion, Rose Begin and her three children; two brothers, Donnie Conness of Racine, Missouri and David Leon Conness and his wife Deanna of Wyandotte, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Ryilee Francisco and Madaline Frederick; two step-daughters Loni and Heather, and his beloved dog, Sonny.
His sister Dana Roller and brother, Brian Cox, preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends at a time of visitation, Friday, June 2, 2023 from 4 pm - 5 pm at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, Missouri.

Online condolences may be shared at this website.

Glenn Summers

(From Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home)

Glenn Dee Summers passed away at home with his wife, Ruth and son, Chris on March 8th, 2023.

He was born in 1941 to Hattie (Baugh) and William Bernhardt Summers at the edge of the Missouri Ozarks in Lamar, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri after completing the NROTC Marine Corps Officer’s Option program with degrees in Forest Management and Wildlife Management. His work life included District Forester, Superintendent of Union Pacific Railroad in Laramie and The Dalles.

 

In 1988, Glenn started his own business, River’s Bend Outfitters, a hunting and fishing guide operation. He was a member of the Oregon Hunter’s Association, Safari Club International, Mule Deer Foundation and Life Member of the National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Glenn Survived polio in his younger years. During college, he became a Golden Gloves Champion. He was extensively active in the World Taekwondo Federation attaining numerous Black Belts and teaching and training other martial artists and youth for nearly 30 years in The Dalles and Portland area.

Glenn was a voracious reader of all types of literature. That, coupled with his outdoor interest, generated his free-lance outdoor writing and wildlife photography. Over four decades Glenn published dozens of articles of hunting and fishing magazines and wrote an outdoor column for both The Dalles Reminder and The Dalles Chronicle for over 10 years. He penned a novel, A Walk in the Woods and two hunting books, Tales of the Hunt and The Elk I missed and a few I didn’t.

 

Glenn is survived by his wife Ruth of The Dalles and his son Christopher Summers and his wife Kelly Manning of Portland and their children, Chancellor, Reece and Rylin; his daughter Lyndsey and husband John Resnick of Ohio and their children Maxwell and Liberty.

Please help Glenn’s family celebrate his remarkable life on April 22nd, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at The Dalles Eagles Lodge. Food will be provided.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

David Bauer

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

David Wayne Bauer, known lovingly as "Bug" and "K-Car" by his grandchildren, passed away on June 1, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. 

Born on January 22, 1964, in Joplin, Missouri, David was a man who cherished his loved ones and found joy in life's simple pleasures. As the famous adage goes, "Family is not an important thing. It's everything." David exemplified this belief throughout his life, prioritizing his family and friends above all else.

David's passion for life was evident in his hobbies, which included hunting and dirt track racing. Working diligently as a drilling operator, he retired in 2022 from the drilling company. His commitment to his work was matched only by his devotion to his family. 

David is survived by his wife, Teresa Coulter of Pittsburg, Kansas, and their blended family, including sons Travis Bauer & Chandra of Midlothian, Texas, and Dakota Bauer & Shelby of Neosho, Missouri; step-children Talayna Coulter, Heather Ryan, and Zachary Coulter; grandchildren Kaleigh Bauer, Kabrey Bauer, Kaylor Bauer, Luke Bauer, Levi Bauer, Rosalee Bauer, Paige Ryan, Brooklynn Ryan, Braxton Coulter, and Brinley Coulter; and aunt and uncle Shawn Bauer and wife Marsha of Webb City. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Rosalee Bauer, and brother, John Neal Bauer.

David's service will begin with a visitation on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10:00 am, at Simpson Funeral Home, located at 400 West Daugherty Street, Webb City, Missouri, 64870. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 am at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, 415 North Saint Louis Avenue, Joplin, Missouri, 64801. 

David's loved ones are invited to remember his life, share stories, and upload photos to the memorial page. As the author Mitch Albom once wrote, "Death ends a life, not a relationship." May David's memory live on in the hearts of those who loved him and may his spirit continue to guide and inspire us all.

Funeral arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. The family encourages relatives and friends to visit www.simpsonfh.com to share photos and memories of David.

Peggy Williams

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Margaret Ann (Blinzer) Williams, Peg or Peggy to those who knew her, of Granby, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Medicalodge in Neosho, at the age of 84. 

She was born on December 14, 1938, in Pierce City, Missouri, to Leo (Buck) and Melba (Fertig) Blinzler. 

Peggy was raised in Wentworth, Missouri, where her parents owned the switchboard and she and her sister helped to run it. She graduated from Pierce City High School, class of 1956. 

Peggy worked for many years at the Granby elementary school and after retirement from the school, she worked at Brass Eagle in Granby. She later worked as a cook at Crowder College and retired at the age of 72. 

Peggy had many hobbies, but she really enjoyed watching her grandkids and great-grandkids play sports. She also enjoyed going to car races, her favorite driver was Jackie Dalton. She enjoyed going to the lake, taking rides in Jerry Dalton's old cars, quilting, crocheting, cooking for her family, and loved reading books about the orphan train, since her grandmother had come over by train from New York. 

In July 1959 in Granby, Missouri, Peggy married Jack Williams, who preceded her in death.

 

She is survived by two daughters, Becky (Fred) Tanner of Granby and Julie (Jackie) Copeland, all of Granby; three grandchildren, Eric Watts of Austin, Texas, Jennifer (Jason) Hart of Golden, Missouri and Stephanie Redden and fiance`, Steve of Granby; six great-grandchildren, Logan Watts, Brayden Watts, Sophie Williams, Piper Watts, Lane Morgan, and Carleigh Bringhurst; one sister, Pam Baker of Neosho; brother-in-law, Bob (Peggy) Williams and special friend, Jerry Dalton. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Pat White, and a brother, J.D. Blinzer. 

Services will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home, Granby. Interment will follow in the Granby Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9 am until service time on Wednesday.

Pauline Thomas

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Pauline Louise Thomas, 88 of Riverton, KS passed from this life into her heavenly home on May 31, 2023 at her home.

Louise was born June 18, 1934 in Cardin, OK to the union of Lee and Pauline (Williams) Qualls. She attended school in Picher, OK. 

The family moved to Baxter Springs, KS in 1951 where she met her husband John H. Thomas, Sr. They were united in marriage on May 6, 1952. They were divorced and later remarried in 2012. John preceded her in death on May 31, 2018. To this union was born their only child, John H. Thomas, Jr in 1953. He passed away on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2008.

Louise was the eldest of 8 children and helped raise them. She became a CAN and worked at various nursing homes and in private nursing before retiring. She was known for her wonderful cooking skills, especially her fried pies! She also loved to read and work puzzles. She wrote poetry and had some her poems chosen for publication.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Merry Thomas of Riverton, KS; grandsons, Brandon (Shannon) Thomas of Joplin, MO, Darrick Thomas of Riverton, KS, and Skylar (Jessica) Thomas of Galena, KS; great grandchildren, Colton, Grady, Jakobi and Laikyn Thomas; siblings, Nancy Falling of Glendale, AZ, Roger Qualls of Young, AZ, Linda Edens of Baxter Springs, KS, and Anita Strecker of Joplin, MO; along with many nieces and nephews.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, siblings, Bob Qualls, Raymond Qualls, and baby brother, Ricky Qualls.

Louise has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Graveside services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Mike Killingsworth

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Charles Michael “Mike” Killingsworth, of Greenfield, MO, departed this life on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in his home at the age of 66.

He was born on May 5, 1957 in Wichita, KS to Charles and Geneva (Jennings) Killingsworth. Mike graduated from Greenfield High School. 

He was united in marriage to Susan Kramer on October 20, 1979 in Greenfield, MO. 

Mike worked as a Journeyman Lineman. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Mike always looked forward to Deer Camp in the fall and Turkey Camp in the spring with his cousins and close friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles and Geneva Killingsworth; and his sister, Debbie Killingsworth.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Killingsworth of the home; two daughters, Kelly Trask and her husband Justin of Mt. Vernon, MO and Molly Fudge and her husband Travis of Springfield, MO; one grandchild, Maverick Fudge and one on the way; along with four grandchildren that were blessed to the family from the marriage of his daughters, Tobin Trask, Ryleigh Trask, Max Fudge, and Charley Fudge.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Greenfield Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greenfield Cemetery or to the Joe Killingsworth Golf Scholarship Fund. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.