Rocky Eutsler

(From Stumpff Funeral Home)

Roxann (Rocky) Eutsler, Marionville, MO, daughter of James and Daisy (Wannell) Buckner, was born on June 8, 1960 in Aurora, MO and departed this life on March 28, 2026, at the age of 65.

Rocky was a lifelong resident of the area and was a firefighter for Marionville, City and Rural Departments.

Rocky is survived by her husband, Carl Eutsler of Marionville, MO; two sons, Carl Dewayne Eutsler and his wife, Jeanie of Rayville, MO and Douglas Allen Eutsler and his wife Danielle of Crane, MO; two brothers, Loyd Buckner of Crane, MO and Jimmy Buckner of Weir, KS; five grandchildren, Katelyn Gabby, Faith, Hope and Joseph and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Stumpff Funeral Chapel, Crane, MO. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, Marionville, MO.

Ruby Black

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Ruby Ruth Hininger Buck, 92 of Webb City, Missouri passed away March 28, 2026, in Lockwood, Missouri. She was born on October 15, 1933, in Iantha, Missouri. Ruth, as she was known to most of her friends and family, was born to John Arthur Laverne Hininger and Rube Elisabeth Lisher. Ruth's mother passed away on February 4, 1934, not ever having really known her little girl. Ruby May Engle came into Ruth's life, being the only mother she would remember.

Ruth attended Crossroads Country School until high school. She graduated from Liberal High School in 1951. After graduating, she moved to Kansas City to work at Hallmark Cards until her marriage to William F. (Bill) Jones on May 9, 1953. From this union , two daughters were born, Ruth Leann and Laura Louise. Sadly, this marriage ended in divorce. She later married Donald R. Buck in 1987.

Ruth had a strong work ethic and held many roles throughout her life, including farm wife, employee at Elders Shirt Manufacturing and Dawson Furniture Company. Driving the OATS bus was by far the most rewarding. She had a passion for the elderly. She loved talking to her elderly passengers on trips and bringing them joy. Ruth loved sewing when Leann and Laura were young, she enjoyed sewing their clothes. She was a very talented seamstress. Later in life, she drove alongside her late husband Donald Buck driving an 18-wheeler across the country. Ruth often described herself as a "jack of all trades, master of none"; however, she was truly skilled in many things.

Ruth enjoyed visiting with her neighbors and friends and was always willing to help them wherever needed. Don and Ruth enjoyed flying their Stearman Biplane and had many friends in Jennings, LA and Galesburg, IL. Their poodle, Buddy, was her and Don's companion on the truck and in her life for many years.

Ruby Ruth is survived by her daughters Ruth Leann Braker (Bruce) and Laura Louise Scarlato (former husband John Scarlato). Granddaughters Valerie Barker (David), Kari Meadows (Joe), and Remington Elder (Travis). Her only grandson was Tanner Scarlato (Daria), which she adored. Great-granddaughters Kasyn and Lakyn Meadows. On February 4, 2026, a great grandson was born, Ford Lasley Elder of which Ruth got to meet a few weeks before passing.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A special thank you to Good Shepherd Community Care for their loving care and support, the First Christian Church of Webb City, and her dear friends Mary Hollingshead, Harlene Curtis , Dennis and Valerie Eden, Gloria Gideon and Lloyd Mullins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother Ruby Elizabeth Hininger, her father Arthur L. Hininger and bonus mother Ruby May Hininger. Her husband of 24 years Donald Ross Buck, her two brothers Lewis Laverne Hininger (1941) and Earl Marion Hininger (1969). Ruth's half brother Carl Arther Hininger passed away in 2022.

Services will be held Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:00 at Oakton Cemetery, Lamar, Missouri. Pastor Lynn Ragsdale will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Buck's memory may be made to the First Christian Church of the Joplin Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.




Services 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 Mrs. Buck.

Kathleen Hance

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Kathleen Gail Hance, a beacon of reliable love and endless compassion, gracefully departed from this world on March 29, 2026. Born Kathleen Sullivan on March 5, 1940, she was a woman of extraordinary loyalty, a trait that radiated through her every action and relationship. Her life was a testament to the words of Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

Kathleen dedicated 27 years of her life to Carl Junction Lumber before retiring in 2005. Her work ethic was unparalleled and her dedication to her craft inspired those around her. Beyond her professional life, Kathleen was a passionate gardener, an enthusiastic bowler, and a skilled seamstress. She had a particular love for Morrell Mushroom Hunting, a hobby that brought her immense joy. As an active member of the Carl Junction Cemetery Board and the City of Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce, she was a well-respected figure in her community. However, it was her beloved family that mattered most to Kathleen.

Married to the love of her life, Paul Hance, on October 17, 1958, Kathleen was a testament to the deep, enduring love one can hold in a lifetime. She is survived by her devoted husband, Paul; daughter, Susan (Rick) Schultz; son, Arty (Shelley) Hance; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Hance, many grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Arthur and Naydeen Sullivan and her son David Hance. Her life was a beautiful journey, filled with love, loyalty, and the desire to make a difference in the lives of those she encountered.

A Visitation will be held Tuesday March 31, 2026, 5pm at Simpson Funeral Home of Carl Junction. A Graveside service will be held Wednesday April 1, 2026, 2pm at Carl Junction Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to good shepherd Hospice or First Christian Church of Columbus, KS.

In honor of Kathleen's life, we invite all who knew her to share their memories, stories, and photos on her memorial page. Let us celebrate Kathleen's life by remembering the reliable, loving, loyal, and compassionate woman she was. As Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Kathleen Hance made us all feel loved, and for that, her memory will forever be cherished.

Billie Trickett

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Billie Jack Trickett Jr., age 58, of Baxter Springs, KS, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Billie, son of the late Billie Jack Trickett Sr. and Helen Marie (Ferguson)Trickett Lewis was born on March 19, 1968. He grew up and lived most of his life in Galena and Baxter Springs, KS area. He was an avid outdoorsman, often enjoying the areas lakes and rivers. He loved spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews who will miss his yearly Halloween activities and decorations he often did for them. He loved time spent with them fishing, camping and floating.

He is survived by one brother, James Trickett, and his wife, Melissa, of Fairland, OK; three sisters, Johnnia Wamaack, of Galena, KS, Jodie Mascher and Michele Fonseca, both of Baxter Springs, KS; several nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends. In addition to his parents, Billie was preceded in death by two sisters, Mitzi Trickett and Kindel McPherson; and two brothers, William and Franklin Trickett.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Fairview Baptist Church, 4300 S Joplin Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Flower arrangements may be delivered to the church on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematory of Joplin, Missouri.

Michael Hoyt

(From Peterson Funeral Chapel)

Michael Joseph Hoyt, 30, of Aurora passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026 at his home. He was born November 8, 1995 in Gravette, AR., the son of Mickey Hoyt and Reneau Rogers. He was a behavioral Support Tech for home healthcare.

Survivors include his wife, Sabrina; one daughter, Isabell Hoyt of the home; his father, Mickey of Siloam Springs, AR.; two brothers, Thomas Hoyt and wife, Kayla of Wichita Falls, TX. and Nate Paul of Arkansas; one sister, Christine Perez and husband, Ruben of Verona, MO.; nieces and nephews, Anna Perez, Maggie Perez, Adam Perez and Miguel Perez; sister-in-law, Madison Morgan; brother-in-law, Brett Frame; mother and father-in-law, Jennifer and Timothy Morgan; grandmother "Gurmmers", Frances Reedy and his uncle, "Pappy", Patrick Esh.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Reneau Rogers.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM in the Peterson Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until service time. Cremation will follow.

Arrangements are under the care of Peterson Funeral Chapel.

Gary Gebhart

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Gary Wayne Gebhart of Miami, OK passed from this life Friday, March 27, 2026 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS. He was 73.

Gary was born February 19, 1953 in Neosho, MO to Freddy and Dorothy (Standefer) Gebhart. He had lived in the Miami, OK and Bentonville, AR area all his life. He graduated from Miami High School class of 1971 and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Gary was an accountant for Wal-Mart in Bentonville, AR. He loved traveling and camping and was a sponsor for the Miami High School Band for several years and was a loyal supporter. He was a board member for Miami Little Theatre. Gary was a member of the First Christian Church in Miami, OK

Gary was preceded in death by his parents.

Gary is survived by 1 brother, Max Gebhart of Miami, OK, 1 sister, Becky Oexman and husband Jim of Miami, OK and 1 nephew, Adam Oexman and wife Danielle of Lawrence, KS.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026 at First Christian Church in Miami, OK. Pastor Greg Highsmith will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Park Cemetery in Joplin, MO. Creslie Clark, Kaleb Smith, Zach Wilson, Steve Chaquette, John Watt and Jeff Lothus will serve as pallbearers. Daniel Watt and Joey Williams will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.

Laverne Hayes

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

James Laverne Hayes, 85, of Purdy, MO, passed from this earthly home to his eternal home in Heaven on Sunday, March 29, 2026, while at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Laverne, as he was called by those who knew him, was born on June 18, 1940, in Butterfield, MO, to Doyle “Slim” and Ruby Ellis Hayes. Laverne was a graduate of Cassville High School and attended trade school in Joplin, MO. He was the owner of Hayes Heating and Air, retiring at sixty-two. He worked for Hardy Sheet Metal in Joplin, Monett Sheet Metal, D and S Engineering in Aurora and Tifa Micrasol of Newark, NJ. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, camping and spending time with his family. Laverne was a faithful member of the Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church.

On December 26, 1959, he married Henrietta Henderson. They have been blessed with over sixty-six years of wonderful memories made together. To this union, four children were born.

Survivors include his wife, Henrietta, of the home; two sons, Kelly Hayes and wife Judy and Mike Hayes and wife Kristina; two daughters, Melinda Chapman, and husband Doug and Laura Rose and husband Brian; eleven grandchildren, Brian Lyons and wife Margaret, Andy Hayes, Anna McPherson and husband Jon, Josh Rose and wife Amber, Jeremy Rose, Chase Chapman and wife Adrianna, Chad Chapman and wife Michelle, Chance Chapman and wife Rachelle, Chane Chapman and wife Katie, Brittany Hayes and Alli Jo Hayes; and sixteen and a half great-grandchildren; one brother, Lewis Hayes and wife Linda of Springfield, MO; one sister, Leveta Rhinehart of St. Genevieve, MO; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Laverne was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois Hayes, brother-in-law, Charles Rhinehart; great-grandsons, Jordan Rose, Noah Chapman and Emmett Chapman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church, 11057 Farm Road 2060, Purdy, MO 65734. Pastor Jesse Cole and Pastor Lee Neill will be officiating. Interment will be held at Bethel Cemetery. Memorial contributions can made be to Macedonia Ladies Auxiliary or American Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, 301 Euclid Ave, Monett, MO.