Ruby Bernauer

(From Meadors Funeral Home)

Ruby Lenora (Punneo) Bernauer, 97, was born July 25, 1928 in Dequeen Arkansas, and awoke in Heaven with Jesus September 26, 2025 in Houston Missouri. 

Ruby was born to Dora (Herman) Cowart and Claud Punneo and grew up in Arkansas, later moving to California. She was a Grandpa's girl and was close with her siblings growing up. She met her true love, Thomas "Tom" Bernauer at the Navy Pier where it was love at first sight and she sent her parents a photo from that evening saying she found the man she was going to spend her life with. They did just that after being wed on February 26, 1945 at the courthouse in Muskogee Oklahoma, when Tom returned home from war. To this union, they were blessed with 5 wonderful children: Jeanne, Elbert, Steven, Nancy and Carl. 

Ruby spent several years working at mattel, and unbeknownst to many was also involved with the at home war efforts building sight lenses for the B52's with special clearance. They traveled across the country together and retired to Lockwood Missouri in 1978 where they spent 28 years before moving to Republic Missouri in 2006 where they lived out their remaining years together. 

They were active members of their Lutheran Congregations in Lockwood and Republic Missouri, and proud members of the DAV and VFW. Ruby was well known for her quick wit, blatant truths, sass and sense of humor. She always enjoyed nature, especially butterflies, hummingbirds and flowers. She loved getting her hair done, manicures, and being pampered like the Queen she was. She loved good food (especially Mexican!) and her family, she was happily looking forward to becoming GiGi again in the coming months to Oliver and Denver, who she will undoubtedly watch over from Heaven now. 

Ruby joins her Mama and Daddy in Heaven, as well as her husband Tom; all of her siblings: Jesse, Claudia, Edith & Margarite; her babies: Carl, Steve & Jeanne, son in laws: Bill and Bob, daughter in laws: Kathleen, Jean and Leoma, and granddaughter Debbie. 

She is survived and remembered with love by son: Elbert Bernauer, of Wichita Kansas; loving daughter and son in law Nancy and Curt Cichon of Houston Missouri, who cared for her the last years of her life. Grandchildren: Donna & James, Gary, Scott, Carl, Michelle & Bernard, Curt & Shelly, Susan & Martin, Mary & Stacy, Ashley & Craig, Ernie & Andrea and Rosie & Ernest. As well as many many in laws, great grandchildren including the youngest crew who were her best buddies in her later years - Evander, Arianna, Vincent, Archer & Karson, great great grandchildren, along with many other loved ones and special long time friends - Connie, Anita, Candice, Sam and Thomas. 

Funeral services are under the care of Meadors Funeral Home in Republic Missouri, with visitation on Monday October 6th from 10:00 - 11:00 am, followed by funeral service at 11:00 am, with burial immediately following at Springfield Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 pm

Mary English

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Mary Sue English, age 77 of Riverton, passed away at 1:25 AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing Facility, rural Baxter Springs.

Mary was born in Oswego, KS on March 31, 1948 to the union of Raymond Floyd Burrows and Rosa "May" (Wertz) Burrows, and graduate from Oswego High School. She had also lived in Wichita, KS before moving back to Oswego in the early 1980's and Riverton, KS shortly thereafter.

Mary worked in production at Eagle Picher for 23 years, and later worked at Able Body for 5 years before her retirement in 2012. She was skilled seamstress and was known throughout the family for making clothing, pillows, quilts, and blankets. Family time was one of her greatest joys, often defined by a good home cooked meal, baked goods, and board games and card games. She had been a member of the Galena Assembly of God, and later a member of the Riverton House of Prayer.

She was united in marriage with Monte Ray English, Sr. in June of 1967. To their union was born three children, and they later divorced.

Survivors include two sons, Monte Ray English, Jr. of Joplin, MO, and Michael English of Joplin, MO; one daughter, Michelle Dodd of Riverton, KS; seven grandchildren, Brandon, Jessie, Katrina, Zack, Josh, Charlie, and Bethany; seven great-grandchildren, Elijah, Sara, Hailey, Katum, Krossyn, Zuri, Sylas; eight sisters, Ruth Rotert of Riverton, KS, Helen Johnson of Riverton, Wilma Dehart of Branson, MO, Dorothy Davis of Labettte, KS, Glenna Jones of Oswego, KS, Shirley Stalford of Oswego, Liz Tipton of Galena, KS, and Vicky Wells of Galena, KS.

She was preceded in death by both parents, Ray and May Burrows; infant brother, Charles; three brothers Tom Burrows of Galena, Floyd Burrows of Sherwin, KS, and Lloyd Burrows of Twin Bridges, OK, and one sister Thelma Wilson of Oswego, KS.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 2, 2025 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Pastor Audie Tash will officiate. Pallbearers serving will be her sons, Mike and Monte, and her grandsons, Brandon, Josh, Zack, Charlie. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery of Galena.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and conclude as the service begins at 11:00.

Memorial contributions may be made to Charlie 22 Outdoors in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Linda Brisco

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Linda Gay Brisco, age 71, of Monett, MO passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Miller, MO. She was born in Fort Bragg, CA on Sunday, August 29, 1954; daughter of Clifford and Lenora (Jennings) Brisco.

Linda has been cremated and no services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.

Diane Hess

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Diane Cecilia (Lyonais) Hess, beloved mother, Grammie, aunt, and dear friend, died on December 25, 2025, in Carthage, Missouri. She was 90 years old. Diane was born on February 25, 1935, in Williston, North Dakota to Philip and Lucile Lyonais. In 1943, she moved with her family to Renton, Washington, where she attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and later graduated from Renton High School in 1953.

Diane was a remarkable woman, known for her unwavering faith, deep compassion, and strong devotion to family. Her Catholic faith guided her life and shaped the values she lovingly passed on to her children and grandchildren. She dedicated herself to nurturing those around her, leaving a profound and lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Throughout her life, Diane created countless cherished memories with her family—from joyful summer visits that filled her home with laughter and warmth, to long road trips where she shared lessons of faith, love, and life. She was determined, intelligent, self-sufficient, fiercely independent while also embracing her role as matriarch, confidante, and friend. She instilled in her grandchildren the importance of family, faith, and meaningful connections, values that continue to guide their lives today.

Diane’s warmth and kindness will be fondly remembered by all who were touched by her spirited presence. She had a lifelong love of music, dance, love of God, and scrabble and was always impeccably dressed, often adorned in her finest outfits and hats. Her grace, joy, and sense of style were reflections of her vibrant spirit.

Diane is survived by her loving children, daughters, Jodi (Schlup) and Kendra (Sanders), and sons, Brad, Kurtis, and Noel; her brother, David; sister, Marlene; a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many extended cousins, nieces and nephews.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Lucile; eight of her siblings, Barbara, Carole (Meyers), Leslie (Storey), Jean (Peretti), Phil, Richard (Dick), Steve, and Lynne (Lake); son, Toby; and grandson, Philip. The family finds great comfort in knowing that Diane is now at peace, celebrating eternal life in heaven joining God on Christmas Day—the birthday of Jesus Christ, whom she loved and served so faithfully.

In honoring Diane’s memory, the family encourages all who knew her to carry forward her spirit of love, kindness, and joy, rooted deeply in her faith in God. She walked her life guided by that faith, and we walk alongside her still—uplifted by the love she gave so freely. She will be profoundly missed, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved.

Rosary service will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Visitation will follow until 8:00 PM. 

Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO on Friday, January 9, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM with Father Sanoop Thomas officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kent, Washington at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Pierce City, Missouri. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
—John 11:25-26

Rest in Peace, "Grammie, Lady Diane." You are forever in our hearts.