Shelley Beardsley

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Shelley Lynne Beardsley, 59, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 20, 2026.

Born on March 20, 1967, Shelley was the daughter of Carl and Carolyn Ellis. She graduated from Wheaton High School with the Class of 1985 before continuing her education at Crowder College, where she graduated in 1987.

Shelley called Ritchey, Missouri, home for the past 30 years, where she built lasting friendships and was known for her big, caring heart and love of family.

On July 18, 2002, Shelley married the love of her life, Daniel Beardsley. Together they built a life centered on family, love, and cherished memories.

Shelley was a devoted mother and grandmother who treasured every moment spent with those she loved most. She is survived by her children: Cody Beardsley and wife, Mary; Jerry Morgan and wife, Emily; Amanda Benning and husband, Tommy; Brittany Browning and husband, Chad; and Donoven Beardsley. She is also survived by her sister, Lisa McNeill and husband, Kevin; son-in-law Paul Burdick; her dear cousin, Jennifer Mills, who was with her until the end, as well as many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Daniel Beardsley; her parents, Carl and Carolyn Ellis; her sister, Gina Littlefield; her daughter, Brandie Burdick; and her grandparents.

Shelley will be remembered for her amazing cooking and her love of nature, especially time spent by the creek. Above all, she treasured every moment with her grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. Her kindness and loving spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Shelley’s life will be held on July 24, 2026, at 6:oo PM at Wheaton Southern Baptist Church, Wheaton, MO. Paul Wahlert will be officiating.

Koby Brown

(From Peterson Funeral Chapel)

Koby Allen Brown, 37, of Mt. Vernon, MO. passed away Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Cox Medical Center South in Springfield. He was born April 27, 1989 in Springfield, MO., the son of Richard Smith and Melissa Huse.

Survivors include his mother, Melissa Reidle and Richard Smith, both of Aurora, MO.; two children, Kason and Kylea; one brother, Kyle Huse of Mt. Vernon, MO.; and sister, Felicia Poindexter of Pierce City, MO.

Graveside services will be held Friday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m. at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins, MO. under the care of Peterson Funeral Chapel.

Arrangements are under the care of Peterson Funeral Chapel.

Steve Slinker

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Steven Alan Slinker was born on Saturday, January 8, 1949, at 12:10 p.m. at the Lamar Clinic in Lamar, Missouri, to James Kent Slinker and Margie Pearl Helms Slinker of rural Lamar.

Steve attended Prairie Rose Country School through the eighth grade and later graduated from Lamar High School in May 1967. He continued his education at Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri, from August 1967 through December 1968. In December 1968, he enlisted in the National Guard, where he proudly served for six years.

As a teenager, Steve worked for several neighboring farmers, as well as the Blue Top, Harley Hagins Phillips 66 Station, the Lamar Greenhouse, Davis TV, and Gilkey Chevrolet.

Steve attended the Church of the Nazarene in Lamar until age 10 when his family joined the First Christian Church of Lamar. He was baptized on November 4, 1960, by Minister Roy Wheeler. Throughout his life, he remained an active, devoted member of the church, serving in the Bus Ministry, as a youth sponsor, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Elder. He encouraged his children to remain faithful and to worship with their own families as they grew older.

In the fall of 1968, Steve was introduced to Leila Rose Beydler by his sister, Pam. Pam had taken a position with Finley Engineering Company, where Leila had already been employed for a year. Steve and Leila were united in marriage on October 12, 1969, at the First Christian Church in Lamar, Missouri. The ceremony was officiated by Dan Fields, a friend of Steve’s. His brother-in-law and sister, Jim and Pam Ryder, served as best man and maid of honor, having themselves been married just two months earlier.

Steve worked for Potter Plumbing and Heating from 1969 to 1972, during which time he also took night classes at Pittsburg State University for a semester in refrigeration. In December 1972, he began working for Missouri Gas Energy in Lamar, where he served as a resident serviceman and built a dedicated career spanning forty years.

In June 1972, Steve and Leila moved to the farm east of Lamar that he and his father purchased, after living in town for nearly three years. There, he farmed alongside his father until his father’s retirement. Steve also operated a mobile home rental business for over thirty years.

Steve found great joy in raising his family on the farm. He cherished family vacations, attending ball games, and spending time at the lake. He coached his children in baseball, basketball, and in life, and later took pride in cheering on his children and grandchildren in all their pursuits.

He is survived by his loving wife, Leila Slinker; his children, Kent (Dana) Slinker of Webb City, Missouri; Steve E. Slinker (friend Jessica Miller) of Lamar, Missouri; and Charity (Ryan) North of Galena, Kansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carter and Kylie Slinker of Webb City, Missouri; Colten (Alaina) Slinker of Springfield, Missouri; Codie Slinker of Liberal, Missouri; and Tyler Reitz, Kynlee King, and Mykayla King of Galena, Kansas. He was also blessed with bonus grandchildren, Marlee, Jordan, and Raylan North of Galena, Kansas, and Makinley and Jaydon Miller of Lamar, Missouri.

Additional survivors include his sister, Pam (Jim) Ryder of Lamar, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Lola (Lonnie) Wallace of Jerico Springs, Missouri, and Bea (Dennis) Ambler of Lamar, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Amy Ryder; Tim (Sarah) Ryder; Janet (Buck) Taylor; Karla Wallace; Doug (Bridgette) Wallace; Stephanie (Howard) Morris; Beth Ambler (Jeremy Hutton); and April Vaughan, along with a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family.

Steve will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his deep faith, and his unwavering devotion to his family and community.

A funeral service will be held at Lamar Christian Church at 1:00 PM Saturday July 25, 2026 followed by interment at Brasher Cemetery near Jerico Springs.

If you prefer to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, the family suggests Barton County Memorial Park (BCMP) in care of the funeral home.

Julietta Rivera

(From Clark Funeral Home)

On a warm mid-July morning, the world became infinitely brighter for a beautiful, fleeting moment. Julietta Rose Rivera made her gentle entrance into the world at 10:29 AM on July 18, 2026. Though she was tiny—weighing 3 pounds and 13.4 ounces and measuring 16 ¾ inches long—her presence was magnificent. From the very first second, she was cradled in the loving arms of her mother, Jara Carlton, and her father, Brandon Rivera, she knew absolute warmth.

Surrounded by a legacy of fierce love, Julietta was immediately wrapped in the devotion of her grandmothers, Estibalit Jaramillo and Jennifer Johnson. Every tiny detail of her was cherished—from her sweet head measuring 28 centimeters, to the dark hair adorned with a delicate white bow, to her perfect hands curled peacefully over her heart. For twenty-seven sacred hours, Joplin, Missouri held a piece of heaven as Julietta slept soundly, knowing nothing but the sound of her parents' voices, the gentle touch of her family, and a love that spans across generations.

On July 19, 2026, at 1:50 PM, Julietta softly closed her eyes to this world. Dressed like a tiny angel in her beautiful, lace-trimmed gown, she left an imprint on her family's hearts far larger than her small size. Her time on earth was short, but her life was entirely defined by pure love. Julietta will forever remain her parents' precious girl, her grandmother’s sweet angel, and a beautiful, eternal light in the hearts of everyone who loved her.

She is cherished and lovingly remembered by her parents, Jara Carlton and Brandon Rivera; maternal grandmother, Jennifer Johnson of Neosho, Missouri; maternal great-grandparents, Jerry and Anita Patterson of Anderson, Missouri; maternal aunt, Janessa Carlton of Neosho, Missouri; maternal uncle, Aiden Johnson of Neosho, Missouri; paternal grandparents, Juan Rivera and wife Betty Torez; paternal grandparents, Estibalit Jaramillo and Raul of Noel, Missouri; paternal uncle, Rogelio Rivera; and paternal uncle, Isaiah Herrera.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 31st at 4:00pm at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Neosho, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SOFT Organization, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66 Neosho, MO 64850.

Mary Ann Bunch

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mary Ann Bunch, age 89, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in the comfort of her home in Joplin, Missouri.

Mary Ann was born on October 19, 1936, the youngest of two children born to the late Howard and Ursula (Johnson) Fisher. She was raised in Joplin, Missouri, and graduated from Joplin High School in 1956.

On June 27, 1969, she was united in marriage to Gary Bunch, and together they shared the last 57 years. Their marriage was a lasting partnership built on love, loyalty, and the many memories created through the years. Mary Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her family was the center of her world. She is survived by her husband of fifty-seven years, Gary Buch; five children, Stephanie Barlow, Steven Mittag, Sheila Conrow, Aaron Bunch, and Chris Bunch; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Darrell Fisher.

Mary Ann dedicated many years of service to her work and retired in 1998 from the Missouri State Highway Department, where she served as a legal secretary.

Faith was an important part of Mary Ann’s life, and she was a longtime member of the Church of Christ Joplin Congregation. She lived her faith through kindness, humility, and the example she set for others.

Mary Ann found great joy in the simple and beautiful things of life. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, and she treasured every moment spent with them. Her family brought her immense happiness, and she delighted in watching them grow and thrive. She also enjoyed crocheting, a pastime that reflected her patience, creativity, and care.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri, with her son, Aaron Bunch officiating. Burial will follow at Webb City Cemetery. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Steven Mittag, Aaron Bunch, Chris Bunch, Jordan Bunch, John Conrow and Jake Mittag. The family will receive friends on Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Arrangements are under the care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.

Mary Henson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Mary Jane Henson, age 92, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Mary was born on July 8, 1934, in Joplin to John and Lucy Probis. A lifelong resident of Joplin, she was deeply rooted in the community she called home. She married the love of her life, Bill Henson, and together they shared many wonderful years of marriage while raising their four children until Bill's passing in 1990.

A devoted woman of faith, Mary was an active member of Second Assembly of God, where she faithfully served her church for many years. She found great joy in caring for others, whether through her service, her cooking, or the handmade gifts she lovingly created.

Mary was an exceptional cook who enjoyed collecting cookbooks and was especially proud to have several of her own recipes published. She also had a lifelong passion for sewing and quilting, creating countless beautiful quilts that will continue to be treasured by her family and loved ones for generations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Henson; her daughter, Debra Spencer; and her parents, John and Lucy Probis.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Stacey Starchman and husband Richard of Joplin; her sons, Terry Henson of Joplin and Billy Henson and wife Tyea of Webb City; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; as well as many other extended family members and dear friends who will miss her greatly.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Second Assembly of God in Joplin. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Second Assembly of God in Mary's memory.

 

Mike Wood

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Michael Scott “Mike” Wood, age 61, of Seligman, Missouri passed away Friday, July 17, 2026 at his home.

He was born September 12, 1964 in Columbus, Mississippi, the son of Melvin Douglas and Shirley Jean (Eldridge) Wood. On July 25, 1992 in Arlington, Texas he was united in marriage to Kristi Willim, who survives. Also surviving are his mother, Shirley Wood of Arlington, Texas; sister, Stephanie Bliss Tancred and husband Chris of Arlington, Texas; mother-in-law, Dannell Willim of Miami, Oklahoma; brothers-in-law, Douglas Willim and wife Karen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, David Willim of Miami, Oklahoma, and Drew Willim and wife Robin of Bentonville, Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews and his dog, Piper.

Preceding him in death were his father, Melvin Wood and father-in-law, Douglas Willim.

Mike graduated from Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, and later attended Tarrant County Junior College, where he earned an associate degree in welding. He and Kristi had made their home in Seligman for the past 21 years. Mike was employed by Long Ridge Ranch in Seligman.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, RVing, and crafting knives in his spare time. Mike especially enjoyed traveling with Kristi, including memorable trips to Alaska. He treasured time spent with his family and friends. Mike was a member of Corinth Baptist Church.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor Donnie Spears will conduct the services.

Contributions may be made to Corinth Baptist Church in memory of Michael.