Bob Heesch

(From Knell Mortuary)

Robert Leroy Heesch, 63, Jasper, Missouri, known to many as Bob, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at his home. Bob was born on January 30, 1963, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the son of the late Robert L. Heesch and Rosie (Trout) Heesch. He lived a life marked by hard work, loyalty, and a genuine love for the people around him.

Bob married the love of his life, Sandra Kay Stieben, on March 9, 1991 in Emporia, Kansas, and together they shared 30 years of love and memories until her passing on July 13, 2021.

He was a heavy haul truck driver and was very successful in his work, earning the respect of those who knew him through his dedication and strong work ethic. Bob took great pride in his career and especially loved driving his truck, a passion that carried him over one million miles on the road. His years behind the wheel reflected not only his commitment to his profession, but also his determination and steady character.

Outside of work, Bob enjoyed tinkering and working on different projects. He found satisfaction in staying busy and using his hands to build, fix, and improve things. He was the kind of man who could always be counted on to lend a hand, and he took great joy in helping others. Most of all, Bob loved helping his family and friends. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need and truly cared about making life better for the people he loved. His generous spirit, kind heart, and friendly nature left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his children, A.J. Heesch, Omaha, Nebraska, Jeremy Heesch (Katie), Reeds, Missouri, and Cassandra Ralston (Craig), Carthage, Missouri; his grandchildren, to whom he was known as “Old Papa”, Aiden Heesch, Ryan Heesch, and Ryleigh Heesch, who brought him great joy and pride; his siblings, David Heesch, Richard Heesch, and Susan Wickes; his beloved dogs, Cooper and Callie, who were faithful companions to him; and many extended family members and friends.

Those who knew Bob will remember him as a friendly, generous, and kind man who lived with an open heart. He had a way of making others feel welcome and valued, and his presence brought comfort and strength to those around him. His life was a reflection of service to others, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for the simple things that matter most. Whether he was on the road, working on a project, or helping someone in need, Bob gave of himself freely and without hesitation.

Per Bob’s wishes, there was cremation. The family will hold a celebration of life from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Friday, August 28, 2026 at the SMB Community Room, 2417 S. Grand Ave, Carthage, MO 64836. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com.

Jessica Bacon

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Jessica C. Bacon, age 56, of Joplin, MO passed away at her home on August 6, 2026.

Jessica was born on March 28, 1970, in Haverhill Massachusetts to her parents Charles Bacon and Diane (Smith) MacGregor. She spent her life traveling the east coast but spent most of her time living in Florida before moving to Joplin, MO.

Jessica is lovingly survived by her mother Diane MacGregor, her four children, Timothy Michaud Jr, Calista Michaud, Alicia Weir, and Kassandra Bacon. She was also the best grandmother to her 4 grandchildren Phoebe Michaud, Dinah Michaud, Jordan Sullivan and Sawyer Michaud.

Jessica was always so kind, she would go out of her way to help anyone who needed it, even a complete stranger. She would make friends with everyone she would talk to no matter if it was only 5 minutes. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her memory will live on in those whom she loved and all the lives she has been a part of.

As she would say, thank you for reading this and have a blessed day. And I LOVE YOU!

 

Malinda McCormick

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Malinda Ann McCormick, age 53, passed away peacefully in the hospital on August 18, 2026, at 2:09 AM. A resident of Weir, Kansas, she leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Malinda was born on January 24, 1973, in Yakima, Washington. She spent the majority of her life in Ashland, Oregon, where her happiest times were at Oak Hills Ranch, owned by her grandparents, Ray and Dorothy Mitchell.

She was a vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone she met. She found great happiness in the quiet moments of life, whether she was lost in the pages of a good book or enjoying the fresh air while crabbing at the coast. She was a lover of all music but held a special place in her heart for Prince. Above all else in this world, Malinda adored her grandchildren, who were the absolute center of her universe. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, John Deligatti; her mother, Joyce Mitchell; her children, Christina Nash, Dakota Hollenbeck and his wife Cassie Hollenbeck, and Alexander Nash; her sister, Lori Alexander and husband William; and her brother, Troy Tolliver. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Piper Hollenbeck, Reata Hollenbeck, McKinley Hollenbeck, Judson Parker, Micah Parker, Aubrey Hollenbeck, and Ernest Longoria IV.

Malinda was preceded in death by her father, Gary McCormick, and her sister, Terra McCormick.

A celebration of life will be held in Oregon in 2027. Exact details and dates will be announced by the family once they are finalized.

 

Reese Gold

(From Williams Funeral Home)

Reese Elwood Gold, age 57, of Reeds, Missouri, passed away at 3:11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his home. He was born on February 24, 1969, in Aurora, Missouri, the son of Willis Ray and Judy Lane (Heatherly) Gold.

Reese was a 1987 graduate of Marionville High School in Marionville, Missouri. He was a farm manager for Select Genetics and attended Harvest Community Church in Avilla, Missouri. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding horses, and spending time with the grandkids.

On November 22, 1996, he married Monika Patricia Renner, in Springfield, Missouri. She preceded him in death on June 3, 2019.

Reese is survived by his three daughters, Randi Beal and her husband, Tim, of Papillion, Nebraska, Rachel Evans and her husband, Alex, of Waverly, Nebraska and Sydney Gold, of Reeds, Missouri; two granddaughters, Emma Beal and Nora Evans; five sisters, Kelly Johnson and her husband, David, of Republic, Missouri, Gayle Burgess of Aurora, Missouri, Garnett Gold of Alabama, Jessie Alley of Missouri, and Pam Gold of Aurora, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Monika Renner of Joplin, Missouri; his brother-in-law, Richard Renner of Carl Junction, Missouri; his sister-in-law, Lori Gold of Marionville, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.

Reese was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Judy Gold; his wife, Monika Gold; two sisters, Goldie and Willa Gold; brother, Randy Gold; paternal grandparents, Eldon and Dorothy Gold and father-in-law, Rick Renner.

A memorial service was held  Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Williams Funeral Home in Marionville, Missouri, with burial following at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery.

 

George Bickell

(From Clark Funeral Home)

George F. Bickell, Sr., was born on January 2, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri, one of five children, to George and Mildred (Wright) Bickell. He entered into rest on August 21, 2026, at his home in Neosho, at the age of 92.  George graduated from high school in St. Louis, Missouri and from Hadley Technical School, also in St. Louis. 

On March 31, 1954, in St. Louis, he and Charlene Ferrill were united in marriage. He was employed as a welder at ART Welding in St. Louis and was a member of Local 27, Boiler Makers Union. The family lived in Illinois for thirty-nine years before moving to Greers Ferry, Arkansas. They resided in Greers Ferry from 1993 until moving to Neosho in 2005. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed woodworking, creating metal art and gardening. 

He and his wife, Charlene raised numerous foster children together. He was a member of Cave Springs Baptist Church in Neosho. Charlene preceded George in death on February 7, 2022, after sharing sixty-seven years of marriage. 

He is survived by four children, Judy Merriman and husband, John of Neosho, George F. Bickell, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Lecanto, Florida, Marilyn Durham and husband, Brian of Belleville, Illinois and Tracy Hinz and husband, Jim of Spokane, Washington; three grandsons, Corey Merriman of Kansas City, Missouri, Casey Merriman of Seneca, Missouri and Colby Merriman of Baxter Springs, Kansas; nine great grandchildren; one brother, Douglas Bickell and wife, Glenda of St. Louis, Missouri and special in-laws, Richard and Betty Mertens. 

In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by an infant brother, brother, Don Bickell and sister, Loretta Vance.

Visitation

Tuesday, August 25

10-11 a.m. 

Cavesprings Baptist Church
11274 Iris Rd, Neosho, MO 64850

Funeral Service

11 a.m.

Cavesprings Baptist Church
11274 Iris Rd, Neosho, MO 64850

Patti Shipman

(From Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home)

Patricia Ann “Patti” Shipman, 70, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

Patti was born December 23, 1955, in Miami, Oklahoma, to Wheeler Loren and Leola Edmonson. Patti had her own way of approaching life, be kind, look on the bright side, and above all, have some fun. She was funny, warm, endlessly social, and almost always in a good mood. She brought an unmistakable energy wherever she went. But don’t let all that cheerfulness fool you—Patti was remarkably tough, too.






Patti attended Glendale High School in Springfield, where she was a cheerleader, and later began a career as a commodities broker. It was at work that a handsome former Marine named James Shipman walked into her office and into her life. To nearly everyone else he may have been Jim, but to Patti he was almost exclusively “Shipman” or “Ship.” And to Shipman, she was always “my bride.” Even years into their marriage, if someone called the house asking for Patti, he would simply ask, “Would you like to speak to my bride?”

Patti and Shipman married in 1987 and built a life together in Aurora, where summers brought a full house as their blended family of five came together.

Being a mother was one of Patti’s greatest joys, and she had a way of making motherhood look effortless. She never missed a volleyball game or track meet and was always the mom with the best snacks, happily shuttling her daughter and her friends wherever they needed to go.

Patti loved having people around her, and her home was often where everyone gathered. From legendary Super Bowl parties to summers by the pool and treasured Fourth of July traditions, Patti could usually be found in her spot behind the bar on the screened-in porch, surrounded by family and doing exactly what she called it: “holding court.”

Patti was a longtime member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, a community that shaped much of her family’s life and brought her many treasured friendships. She spent years volunteering with the church’s LOGOS youth program, both preparing and coordinating its weekly dinners.

Patti had no shortage of friends. From “Three Girls Three” and the “Lunch Bunch” to church friends, golf friends, neighbors and countless others, her circle was wide and everyone was welcome.




Sports were a constant in Patti’s life. Her father raised her to love the St. Louis Cardinals, while her father-in-law introduced her to another lifelong passion: golf. She also loved the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys and, later in life, took up pickleball.




Patti adored dogs and had a soft spot for animals in need. While playing at Honey Creek Golf Course, a skinny, abandoned dog wandered up to her; Patti took her home and named her Par, after the score she made on the hole where they met. Par was her beloved companion for nearly 20 years.




Patti’s optimism was all the more remarkable considering the losses she endured. She lost her mother and older sister, Karen, to cancer while still in high school, and later lost Shipman in 2018 and her daughter Kimberly in 2020—yet through it all, she remained remarkably resilient and continued to choose joy.




Later in life, Patti reconnected with Steve Wageman, whom she had known since high school. They shared a love of sports and many happy hours together on the screened-in porch. Steve was a loving and devoted partner to Patti in her final years.




Above all, Patti loved her family and was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren. She especially treasured being “Nana.”




Patti is survived by her daughter Kristin Gray and her husband, Daniel, of Fort Worth, Texas; her son James “Jimmy” Shipman III and his wife, Christiane, of Austin, Texas; her daughter Sara Kendrick and her husband, Brian, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and her daughter Kathryn Shipman of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Davis, Sullivan, Blakely, Samuel, Reagan and James; her brother, Gary Edmonson and his wife, Sandy, of Tacoma, Washington; her loving companion, Steve Wageman; her beloved dog, Yadi; and an extraordinary circle of extended family and friends.




She was preceded in death by her husband, James Shipman; her daughter, Kimberly Waldron; her parents, Wheeler Loren and Leola Edmonson; her older sister, Karen (Edmonson) Quaif; and her beloved Par.




Patti made life more fun for those around her. She showed up, gathered people together, found reasons to celebrate and rarely passed up an opportunity to have a good time.




For those who loved her, there is comfort in knowing that Patti is reunited in heaven with Shipman, Kimberly, and Par—surely with plenty of stories to tell and, in true Patti fashion, already holding court.




A memorial service celebrating Patti’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, with a Celebration of Life reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri.




In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Patti’s honor to the Aurora Dawg Pound.

Ryker Rumsey

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Ryker Skye Rumsey died at birth Friday, August 14, 2026 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin MO

He is survived by his parents, Ashton Rumsey and Alexis Soto, Joplin, MO. Maternal grandparents, Brian and Heather Baker, Baxter Springs, KS; Paternal grandparents, Jeffrey and Maria Rumsey, Joplin; and Maternal great-grandparents, Jack and Lisa Foster, Riverton, KS

Graveside services will at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 21, 2026 at Pleasant View Cemetery, Baxter Springs, KS.