Cynthia Fowler

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

In loving memory of Cynthia Gale Fowler, age 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 9:39pm. 

She was born November 26, 1956, and brought laughter and warmth to those she knew well. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and grand-mother.

She is survived by her loving mother, Dorothy Cope of Lamar, MO; her daughter, Sarah Jaryno of Lamar, MO; her 2 sisters, Dawn Egan of San Diego, CA. and Andra Smith of Liberal, MO. She also leaves behind her 3 cherished grand-children, Brandy Seaton of Lamar, MO, Anthony Brooks JR of Lamar, MO, and Jaya Rivers of San Diego, CA with some extended family who will all miss her dearly.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO.

Tony Williams

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Tony Mack Williams passed away peacefully at his home on August 3, 2026, following a battle that he chose not to medically fight, which is a battle in its own.

Tony was born on September 21, 1953, in Joplin MO to John Jr. and Pauline Williams. He held several jobs throughout his adult life and served a brief stint in the US Army. His favorite of those being a proud self-made agriculturalist whose primary focus was high yield, cash-only, botany.






He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John E. Williams and Glenn D. Williams and his son Brandon S. Vickers.

Tony leaves behind his wife Jeanne M. Williams. They wed in Joplin on January 24, 1975. He is also survived by one daughter, Melissa Martin and her husband Gregg of Cape Coral FL, and son, Spanky Williams of Joplin MO. Grandchildren: Colton Cook of Lamar MO, Kirstin Eldridge and spouse Mitchell of Joplin MO, Ivory Taylor and spouse Joseph of Joplin MO, and Sadie Williams of Joplin MO. One great-granddaughter whom the great rings true – for the year she has been in this world she was the sparkle in his eye.

Memorial Service TBA.
Cremation arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.

Sherrie Wake

(From Peterson Funeral Chapel)

Sherrie Lee Wake, 75, of Aurora passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026 in Cox Monett Hospital. She was born December 25, 1950 in Mountain Grove, MO., the daughter of Darrell and Louise (Barnes) Stepfeller.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis; two children, Eric Stepp of Aurora, MO. and Melissa Reavis of Crane, MO.; two sisters, Barbara Sheridan of Aurora, MO. and Nelda Gallan of Crane, MO.; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.






A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Harvest Church in Aurora.

Arrangements are under the care of Peterson Funeral Chapel.

Dean Shaw

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Richard "Dean" Shaw, of Peoria, AZ, peacefully passed on August 2, 2026 after valiantly navigating life with kidney cancer the past eight years.

He was born on January 15, 1943 in Greenfield, MO, the only child of Richard E. and Evelyn V. (Batten) Shaw. As a descendant of the Shaw, Grisham, Montgomery, Allison, Speer and Hudspeth pioneer families of Dade County, Dean had deep roots in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Janet (Baldwin) Shaw on July 14, 1962 and shared 64 wonderful years. Working side by side since 1970, Dean and Janet managed The Downtown Pancake House, Springfield, MO; the Ottawa Country Club, Ottawa, KS; Burgeteria/Queen's Carryout, Ottawa, KS and until 2011 owned/operated Blazers Restaurant, Gardner, KS which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

The Shaws enjoyed their retirement years in sunny Arizona and made Westbrook Village their home for 20+ years. Through the neighborhood's Roadrunner RV Club, Dean shared his valuable restaurant/catering skills to help plan/organize monthly excursions "on the road in the rigs." Dean & Janet visited many national parks and U.S. western states while enjoying a special camaraderie with their fellow adventurers. Whether it be by a campfire or in a restaurant booth, Dean was always appreciated for his masterful storytelling which could become rather dramatic depending on the topic. If you were talking vehicles, then be prepared...Dean's passion was cars. Regardless if it was a new or antique motorcar, Dean researched, memorized the specs and knew every option ever offered for the year/make/model. He was quite literally an "Auto Savant" whose idea of winding down after a road trip was to go to the car wash and then perform a good detail. We imagine he is now cruising down Heaven's highways in a sporty convertible with no stop signs or speed limits in sight!

Preceding him in death was son Gregory Dean Shaw in 2020.

Survivors include his loving wife Janet of Peoria, AZ; daughter Jana Fevurly and her husband John of Scottsdale, AZ; son Christopher Shaw and his wife Kendra of Ponte Vedra, FL; daughter in law Angela Casey Shaw of Leawood, KS and nieces Cathy (Baldwin) Williams & Cona Sue (Baldwin) Cummins of Springfield, MO. As a proud grandparent, Dean was known as "Pepa" to his Magnificent Seven grandkids: Jack, Justin & Jacob Fevurly of Phoenix, AZ; Colton & Kamlyn Shaw of Ponte Vedra, FL; McKenna & Marley Shaw of Leawood, KS.

A Visitation will be at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2026, followed by a casual Celebration of Life at 6:00 p.m. at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS.

On Friday, September 4, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. a Visitation will take place at the Greenfield Funeral Chapel, Greenfield, MO. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Dean and his family encourage contributions to the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation which administers the annual "Greg Shaw Memorial Scholarship" founded to honor competitive spirit in and outside of the classroom while encouraging students to "reach for the stars" in their future pursuits. To Donate to Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation please click on the link below.

Vernon Ast

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Vernon Gerhart Ast, 83, of Verona, MO, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Springfield, MO. Born on March 16, 1943, in Cheney, KS, son of the late Francis John Ast and Margaret Gertrude (Hermes) Ast. Vernon was a beloved figure in his family and in his community.

Vernon graduated from high school in Garden Plain, KS, in 1961 and attended Pittsburg State University for a year. His professional life was marked by significant contributions, first at Ritchie Brothers in Wichita, and subsequently at Main Street Feed in Verona, MO, where he devoted over thirty years.

A proud veteran, Vernon served in the Army Reserves, embracing the discipline and camaraderie that came with military life. He was a devout member of the Sacred Heart Church in Verona, MO.

In his younger years, Vernon was a proud member of the Wichita Ski Club, traveling to Europe to ski the majestic Swiss Alps and spending countless weekends carving through the slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. He was also an avid water skier who found great joy in teaching his younger siblings the sport he loved. A lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, Vernon rarely missed a game and cherished mornings spent over coffee at his brother Dave’s barn, sharing stories and lively conversations about the Chiefs with his longtime friends.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Margaret (Hermes) Ast; and two brothers, Stan and Mike.

He is survived by his brothers, David Ast of Monett, MO, Melvin (Gwen) Ast of Wellington, KS, Ron Ast of Kingman, KS, Glenn (Sarah) Ast of Avon, CO; sisters, Judy Mertes of Maize, KS, Linda (Mike) McFerrin of Fort Collins, CO; and twenty-six nieces and nephews. His family and friends will forever remember his warm spirit and generous heart.

To honor Vernon's life, two services are scheduled. A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett, MO. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Rose Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon, KS, on Thursday, August 20th at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery, with a Rosary beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Monett High School Ag Dept or to St. Rose Catholic Church Capital Fund, honoring Vernon's lifelong passion for agriculture and his faith. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.

Ted Merriman

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Ted Merriman, 88, Mami, OK, passed away, August 4, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin after an illness.

Ted Merriman was born May 6, 1938 in Seneca (Wella Park Area), MO the son of Arnold and Cinderella (York) Merriman. Ted was a life long area resident. He was a logger, saw miller and a heavy equipment operator. He loved to coon hunt and riding mules, fish, being outdoors and visiting with family and friends. Ted loved his hounds and loved training them for the big hunts. He was of the Apostolic faith.

Survivors include his sons Dakota Merriman and Clayton Rust both of Miami,OK; one sister Emma Lou (Merriman) Atchison, Miami, OK; host of nieces, nephews extend family and friends.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Cinderella Merriman; two children Johnny Lee Merriman and Teddie Eugene Merriman; siblings, A.J. Merriman, Rod Merriman, Claude Merriman, John R. Merriman and Phyllis Merriman Reed.

The body has been taken for cremation under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

No services planned at this time.

Keith Brisco

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Keith Sanvern Brisco, age 63, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Phoenix.

He was born September 24, 1962 in Aurora, Missouri, the son of Louie S. and Wilma R. (Bradley) Brisco, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was a nephew, Jimmy Lee Lesey.

Surviving is his sister, Jenise (Brisco) Caskey of Bradley, Arkansas.

Keith had a lifelong curiosity about the world around him and was a natural wanderer at heart. He loved collecting rocks and artifacts, often sending his discoveries to the University of Missouri in Columbia for study. His fascination with history, nature, and how things worked stayed with him throughout his life. Raised in Cato, Missouri, Keith attended Cassville High School in Cassville, Missouri before proudly serving in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he returned to Cato, where he spent much of his life working as a farmhand.

A gifted tinkerer and inventor, Keith was always creating, improving, or repairing something. One of his inventions, a wrench design—was later patented by a company, a testament to his ingenuity and practical mind. 

In 2015, he visited Phoenix, Arizona, beginning a new chapter in his life. Keith traveled back and forth between Phoenix and Cato a couple of times before eventually making Phoenix his permanent home. He approached life with curiosity and a sense of adventure that never faded. Keith will be remembered for his inventive spirit, love of discovery, and the quiet determination that defined his life.

No services are scheduled at this time. Burial will be at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins, Missouri. Arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.