Bill Province

(From Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home)

William George Province, 77, of Fort Scott, passed away at his home on March 16, 2026. He was born April 1, 1948, in Carthage, Missouri, the son of George and Barbara Province. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1966. He married Penelope “Pennie” Sue Hudson on December 18, 1971, in Fort Scott, and she preceded him in death in 2014.

Bill was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict.

Bill is survived by a son, Ryan and wife, Stacie Province of Shawnee, Kansas; a daughter, Brooke and husband, Mike Sebbert, of Olathe, Kansas; and 2 grandsons, Cael and Ian Province. In addition to his wife, Pennie, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Cheryl Butler.

Bill will be buried in the Fort Scott National Cemetery with his wife Pennie. A private graveside service will be held for family. The family would like to offer a special thank you to the wonderful staff of Caring Hearts Home Health and Harry Hynes Hospice who provided kind and compassionate care to Bill in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 3 Medical Center Circle, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Memorial contributions may also be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

Irene Pedro

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Irene Faustino Pedro, 62, of La Russell, Missouri, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family. 

Irene was born May 9, 1963, in Pollap, Chuuk, Micronesia, to Faustino Pedro and Daniela (Hetiback) Pedro. Irene was of the Catholic faith and prayed daily. She enjoyed fishing and gardening. Irene also loved taking care of her family. 

Irene is survived by two brothers, John and Alfonso Pedro; four sisters, Bonnie Amando, Yobita, Inocenta, and Yomina Pedro; thirty-seven nieces and nephews; seven great nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Faustino and Daniela Pedro; one brother, Kenneth Pedro; and one sister, Josepha Timothy.

Milton Piercy

(From Meierhoffer Funeral Home)

Milton Daniel Piercy Jr., 84, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was born Sept. 12, 1941, to Milton Daniel and Mary Katherine (Farrell) Piercy, in Carthage, Missouri.

He served in the United States Army and trained as a demolition specialist.

After his military service, Milton applied his skills to the field of accounting, eventually retiring from a dedicated career at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

Dan was a member of St. Joseph Cathedral Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Catherine Heimovics.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy of 57 years; children, Anthony Piercy and Paul Piercy (Amy); grandchildren, Olivia, Lola, and Huck; brothers, Bill and Pat Piercy.

Memorial Mass and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, St. Joseph Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com

Ronnie Stephens

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald “Ronnie” Douglas Stephens, age 87, of Joplin, MO passed away on Tuesday March 17, 2026 at his home.

Ronnie was born on December 15, 1938 in Joplin, MO to the union of Hal Nees and Hazel Evelyn (Pierson) Stephens. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1961 and returned home in 1963. He married the love of his life, Shirley Smith, on August 18, 1960 in Rockford, IL and together they were blessed with 65 years of marriage before his passing. 

He began working as a pin setter at the local bowling alley in Joplin, MO and then went on to lead an extremely successful career at the Highway Department in Rockford, IL before retiring after 29 years of service. In 1989, he and Shirley moved back to Joplin where they have resided for the last 36 years. 

Apart from his professional life and military service, Ronnie was a man of many interests. He had a passion for the great outdoors, with fishing being one of his favorite pastimes. He could often be found at the local lakes, enjoying the tranquility of nature and the thrill of the catch. His love for crafting with his hands extended into woodworking. 

Ronnie also had a particular fondness for old cars, dedicating countless hours to tinkering with engines and restoring vintage vehicles to their former glory. His sense of humor was infectious, and he had an uncanny ability to make anyone around him smile. His kindness was evident in his actions, whether helping a neighbor in need or offering a listening ear to a friend.

In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by four siblings, Sonny Stephens, Betty Pearl Stephens, Peggy Irene Renfrow and Bill Stephens.

Ronnie is survived by his two daughters, Venida Junis (Wes) and Lisa Anderson; one brother, Donny Stephens (Joyce); nine nieces; and eight nephews.

A private burial will be held at Osborne Memorial Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the special care and direction of Parker Mortuary.

Jim Smith

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

James Leo Smith, known to many as Jim, entered the Kingdom of Heaven at the age of 85, on March 16, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones, following unexpected complications from surgery.

Jim was born on July 1, 1940, to John K. and Juanita E. Smith in a one-bedroom house in Diamond, Missouri. Growing up, Jim developed a love of baseball and farming, but most of all, he is remembered for the deep love he had for his beloved wife, Joyce Marie Smith, and his family.

He met Joyce when she worked at a local diner in Diamond and quickly fell in love. Jim and Joyce were married on July 20, 1959, and shared 66 loving years of marriage. Together, they were blessed with four children, thirteen grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.

Jim’s life can be summed up in James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” He was a quiet man, but in his quietness, he saw people for who they truly were. He cared deeply, loved generously, and lived with kindness, patience, and gentleness – always protective of his family.

Jim was a devoted man of faith who served as a deacon and treasurer of the Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin and later as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Crane. He was an experienced carpenter and builder and owner of J. L. Smith and Co. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and tending to his cows, while reveling in God’s creation on the farm.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Marie Smith; his children, Trudy and her husband Rick Holland of Joplin, Tammie and her husband Philip Costa of Billings, James Smith and his fiancée Mary of Aurora, and Mike and his wife Barbara Smith of Montana; his grandchildren, Laura, Sarah and Erin, Dereck, Gabe, Elaina and her husband Adam, Justin and his fiancée Melissa, Jeremey, Alex, Nick and his wife Katelyn, Jacob & his wife Brittany, Kelsie and her fiancé Cody, Mikayla & her husband Bryce, and Emma Smith; as well as 31 great-grandchildren.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John & Juanita Smith; his brother, Walter (Buddy) Smith and sister, Kay Morgan.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2026 at the Crane First Baptist Church in Crane, MO. Burial will follow at Mars Hill Cemetery just outside of Crane. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

Amanda Cooley

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Amanda Blayne Cooley, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 17, 2026, at the age of 40.

Amanda was born on February 4, 1986, in Carthage, Missouri, to Tim Cooley and Barbara (Orler) Cooley.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri, and worked as a logistics overseer for a trucking company. She was a helpful asset to the company and worked hard in all she did. 

She was a devoted mother to her sweet daughter, Harper, who was the center of her world.

She is survived by daughter, Harper Cooley; her father, Tim (Cathy) Cooley; her mother, Barbara (Dean) Vandergriff; and her siblings, Aubrey (Luke) Blackburn, Ian (Emily) Cooley, Abigail Cooley, Aspen Cooley, Daniel Cooley, and Ali (Cory) Bass. She is also survived by her grandmother, Rhea Marcum; her uncles, Chad (Heather) Vandergriff, Greg (Leigh) Orler, John (Mark) Orler, Ben (Julie) Orler, and David (Cheryl) Cooley; her aunts, Cathy Orler, Betsy (Mike) Williams, Ginny Heatherly, and Mary Rosemann; along with many cousins, including Madison Vandergriff, Jack Vandergriff, Grace Orler, Jane Orler, Robert Orler, Ashley Orler, Luke Williams, and James Heatherly; and her nieces, Paisley Blackburn, Sophia Blackburn, Eliza Cooley, Bella Claire Bass, and nephews Carter Ray Bass and Dean Henry Bass. 

Amanda was preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Cooley; her sister, Emily Vandergriff; her uncle, Adam Vandergriff; her grandparents, Jack and Sue Vandergriff, Joe and Barbara Orler, Donald Cooley, Penelope Cooley, and Kenneth Marcum; and her cousins, Rhea Rosemann and Fae Rosemann.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on March 24, 2026, at Neosho IOOF Cemetery, with Marcus Rogers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ali Bass for the benefit of Harper Cooley, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

Terry Taylor

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

The world has lost a dash of flavor, a splash of color, and a pinch of laughter with the passing of Terry Taylor on March 17, 2026. Known for his unique blend of humor, creativity, and adventure, Terry was a man who never met a punchline he didn't like, a canvas he didn't want to fill, or a new trail he didn't want to blaze. As the wise, Mark Twain once said, "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing," and Terry was a living testament to that.

Born in Wichita, Kansas on June 13, 1945, to the late Norman and Dorothy Taylor, Terry was a resilient soul who could turn a grim situation into a comedy sketch. After attending Whitewater High School as the last graduating class of 1963 Terry attended Butler Community College as a successful kicker. Terry moved to Wichita and then to Cunningham and finally settling in Jasper, Missouri, Terry became a beloved figure at the Kingman Healthcare Center, where he retired. He was not only known for his quick wit but also his love for black powder rendezvous, raising hunting dogs, and golf. And boy, did he love a good golf joke. He served as a proud member of the Chisholm Trail Gun Club.

Terry's adventurous spirit was perfectly balanced by his love for the simple pleasures of life - his family, cooking, and baking. He was a man who believed that life was like a batch of cookies; sometimes sweet, and best enjoyed with loved ones around. He shared this wonderful life with his wife, Glenda Taylor, since their marriage on March 25, 1988. Terry's motto was, "Life is short, eat dessert first," and he did exactly that by living every moment to the fullest.

Terry is survived by his loving wife Glenda Taylor; daughters, Denise (Bob) Unruh of El Dorado, KS, Melissa (Shane) Smith of Rosalia, KS, Leslie (Steve) Dunn of Norwich, KS, Tamara (Stephen) Miller of Illinois and a son Tracy (Tracie Dyann) Paige of Valley Center, KS; 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and his only nephew Wesley Tallman of Towanda, KS. 

Terry is preceded in passing by his parents and his twin sister Sherry Taylor.

Terry's laughter and love will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew him. The family encourages relatives and friends to visit www.simpsonfh.com to share photos and memories of Terry. We all have a hilarious Terry story to tell, so let’s come together and remember him as he was – funny, creative, adventurous, resilient, and filled with love. Please note that services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.