David Thornton

(From Parker Mortuary)

David Thornton, age 71, Joplin, passed away at 1:38 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2018.

David was born November 30, 1946 in Wichita Falls, Texas to the late Charlie Thornton and Nell Shelby Thornton.

He was a graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington and worked as a field engineer at Allgeier-Martin and Associates from 1985 until his retirement in 2014.

David had a passion for music and dancing. He was a dance instructor and event director for the UCWDC. David loved life, had an incredible sense of humor and was the life of the party wherever he went.

He also loved animals and donated much of his time to rescue campaigns. He and his wife organized the first large fundraiser for the Joplin Humane Society, an event that still carries on today.

David was a family man and will be missed by all who knew him.

He married Lynn Perry on March 24, 1994 in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include three children, Jason Thornton, Wichita, Kansas, Amy Thornton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lindsey Wallace and husband, James, Joplin; siblings, Sue Fritz and husband, John, Oklahoma City, Perry Thornton and wife, Dawn, Little Rock; and grandchildren, Jacob, Gracie, Tytus and Taylor.

Memorial services are planned for Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel. Jason Thornton and Jeff Martin will officiate. The family will receive friends following the services at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society, in care of Parker Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

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Terri Sprouse

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Terri L. Sprouse, 63, Neosho, died September 1, 2018 in Joplin, following an extended illness. She was born March 23, 1955 in Chelan, WA to Albert R. and Emma (Sapp) Carroll.

Terri served briefly in the US Navy (1973-1974). She enjoyed working on cars as a hobby and attended the Pentecostal Church. 

 On May 7, 1975, she married Steven R. Sprouse; he survives of the home. Terri and Steve co-owned and operated Steve’s Used Cars in Joplin. 

 In addition to her husband, Terri is survived by two children, Carole Ann Sprouse-Collins and Jennifer Kay Sprouse-Turner; two brothers, John Carroll and wife, Lynne and Joe Carroll and wife, Deana; three sisters, Robin Vance and husband, Tim, Dena O’Dell, and Lynn Spor and husband, Louis; fourteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; in-laws, Roy and Betty Sprouse and sister-in-law, Brenda Gardner and husband, Bud. Terri was preceded in death by a son, Darren Ray Sprouse; and two sisters, Julie Lindley and Christy J. Carroll; and her parents.

Graveside services will be Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 2 pm at the Sterling (Atlas) Cemetery in Duenweg, MO.

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Nona Deisley

(From Parker Mortuary)

Nona Nadine Deisley, age 92, Joplin, passed away at 11:50 a.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018 at her home after an illness.

Nona was born September 15, 1925 in Joplin to the late James Gosnell and Gladys Lucas Gosnell and had lived in Joplin most of her life.

She worked as a cocktail waitress, and election judge (while she lived in Chicago), and as a window dresser for the former Kassab's Department Store in Joplin.

Nona was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Deisley, Sr. and a son, Paul Deisley, Jr.

Survivors include her son, James Michael McBean and wife, Claire, Ft. Myers, Florida; a daughter, Cindy Deisley-Thompson, and husband, Gerold, Joplin; grandchildren, Paul Deisley III, Cody Henson, Kim, Mickey, Nona, Cindy; and several great grandchildren, including Draven and Damien.

Private family services are being planned for a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

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Morris Henderson

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Morris Wayne Henderson, 90, of Monett went to be with his Lord in Heaven on Monday September 3, 2018 while staying at Lacoba Homes in Monett. He was born in Purdy, Missouri on June 24, 1928; the son of the late Elzy and Florence (Wormington) Henderson. He was united in marriage on April 26, 1947 to Imogene Rhea; she preceded him in death on September 2, 1996. He was then united in marriage in Elm Springs, Arkansas on October 17, 1997 to Rena Nickle; she survives.

He was the owner of Skateland in Monett as well as several other businesses in town, and was a member of the Arnhart Baptist Church in East Purdy.

Morris is survived by his wife Rena of the home; one son: Denny Henderson and his wife Roxie of Purdy and their children: Wayne, Jennifer, Rachael, Zach, and Ali; deceased son Randy’s children: Cory and Alicia; one daughter: Kathy Davis and her husband Chris and their children: Caseye, Jessica, Dustin, Megan, and Jennifer; one step-son: Duane Wormington and his wife Angela of Alpina, Arkansas; two step-daughters: Leta Dunlap of Pierce City and Rhonda McFarland and her husband Bob of Stella; eighteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; nine step great-grandchildren and sixteen step -great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Morris is being held on Thursday September 6, 2018 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri. Funeral services are being held on Friday September 7, 2018 at 10:00a.m. at the Arnhart Baptist Church in East Purdy. Burial will follow services at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Butterfield, Missouri.

Memorial donations for Morris may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Butterfield.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri.

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Waity Skym

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Waity H. Skym, age 85, of Wentworth, MO died on Monday, September 03, 2018, at Freeman Health System West in Joplin, MO after a fall at her home. Mrs. Skym was born in Eagar, AZ on Saturday, April 01, 1933. She was the daughter of Carl L. and Atella (Wiltbank) Haws. Waity Haws Miller married Franklin Skym on Saturday, November 23, 1991, in Eagar, AZ. She was a homemaker and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints in Monett, MO.

Surviving are the following: her husband, Franklin of the home; four stepsons, Frank Skym of Wentworth, MO, Carl Skym of Richmond, VA, Stewart Skym of Washington DC, and Jack Skym of Washington DC; three daughters, Royann DeSpain of Safford, AZ, Carla Jo Miller of Santa Barbara, CA, and Lenella Miller of Safford, AZ; three step-daughters, Melanie Skym of the State of AZ, Kayko Tucker of Salam OR, and Melissa Ide Laird of Kansas City, MO; many grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Mrs. Skym was preceded in death by a daughter, Mimi Thea Miller, and her first husband, John Allen Miller.

The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO on Friday, September 07, 2018, from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Monett, MO on Saturday, September 08, 2018, beginning at 10:30 AM. Burial will be September 11, 2018, in the Snow Flake Cemetery in Snow Flake, AZ.

Memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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Donnie Stogsdill

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Donnie Dean Stogsdill of Commerce, OK left his earthly home on Friday, August 31, 2018 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was 52.

Donnie was born March 9, 1966 in Independence, MO to Larry and Louise (Barton) Stogsdill, the first of twin sons. He was raised in North Miami, OK and he graduated from Commerce High School in 1984 where he played all sports and was a state champion power lifter, the second of three Stogsdill brothers that was champion lifters. He was president of his class. He attended and graduated from N.E.O. A. & M. College in Miami, OK and Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS where he received his Bachelors Degree in education and history.

Donnie began a football coaching career at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS as an assistant defensive coach. He then moved to Henderson State in Arkadelphia, AR as an assistant defensive coach. He began his teaching and coaching career at Nowata High School in Nowata, OK then to Fairland High School in Fairland, OK, Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, OK where he was defensive coordinator and history teacher. From Oklahoma City he accepted the job as head football coach at Victory Christian High School in Tulsa, OK followed by head coach at Tahlequah Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, OK where he guided both schools to their very first district championship and first playoff appearance for both schools.

Illness forced him to take some time off but he returned to teaching and coaching at Wyandotte Schools in Wyandotte, OK where he was currently. He loved his time as a Wyandotte Bear. His students, athletes, fellow coaches and administration he considered his second family. He was of Baptist faith and an avid St. Louis Cardinal and New York Yankee baseball fan. He was very proud of his Cherokee heritage and loved to teach and talk about the history of his tribe.

Donnie was preceded in death by his grandparents that he couldn't wait to walk the streets of gold with, Peck and Faye Stogsdill and Zelpha Barton.

Donnie is survived by his wife Joy McCoy of the home, who never left his side at home or at the hospital during his illness, his son, Dillion Stogsdill and wife Megan of Commerce, OK, two step-children, Kalli Tandy of Ozark, MO and Shelby Arehart and husband Travis of Joplin, MO, his parents, Larry and Lousie Stogsdill of North Miami, OK, 3 grandchildren that were the pride of his life, keeping him living longer than the doctors expected, Dawson and Decklyn Stogsdill and Waylen Arehart, three brothers, Brad Stogsdill and wife Linda of Miami, OK, his twin, Lonnie Stogsdill of Miami, OK and Larry R. Stogsdill of North Miami, OK, several nieces and nephews who loved their uncle very much and the nicknames he gave each one.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Wyandotte High School Gymnasium with Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK with Keith Patterson, Dale Sanders, Mark Ritchey, Brad Homer, Dendal Young and Rick Hall serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Commerce, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Commerce, OK.

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Tom Sills

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Thomas J. “Tom” Sills, age 61, of Joplin, passed away on Saturday September 1, 2018, at his home, following an illness.

Tom was born on November 13, 1956 in Baxter Springs, Ks., the son of the late Marvin and Josephine (Savute) Sills. He has been a resident of Joplin since 2005. He served in the United States Army. He worked as a dispatcher at CFI Trucking for fifteen years and then in retail sales for Cartridge World. Tom still holds the title of home run king for Baxter Springs Little League.

Tom had two passions in his life, his grandkids and his black truck. His loud, boisterous laugh and his sense of humor will be remembered by all that knew him.

Tom is survived by one son, Travis Sills and wife Elizabeth, Carl Junction, Mo.; one daughter, Traci Sills, Joplin; two brothers, Frank Sills, Coffeyville, Ks., and Marvin Sills and his wife Linda, Galena, Ks.; four sisters, Joanne Garrett, Joplin, Carol Johnson and husband Earl, Houston, Tx., Sandra Haymaker, Pittsburg, Ks., and Linda Meredith, Reed Springs, Mo.; four grandchildren, Aubrey, Brayden, Ivy, and Sophia; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

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