Paul McConnell

(From Knell Mortuary)

Paul E. McConnell, age 83, Carthage, MO, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 3, 2019 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO, surrounded by family and friends.

Paul was born May 22, 1935 in Jasper, MO to the late Robert & Lois McConnell. Paul attended Westminster College in Fulton, MO. He served in the United States Air Force as a load master on a C124 airplane. Paul was employed with Dyno Nobel in Carthage for 34 years. He was known to most as “Slick”; he loved to buy and sell cars and “slick” them up. 

Paul married Sandra A. Parise on September 22, 1978; she survives.

Additional survivors include eight children, David McConnell (Nancy), Olathe, KS, Carrie Delphia, Leawood, KS, Angie Eastriege (Jim), Altoona, IA, Michael McConnell (Kathy), Altoona, IA, Heather Flower (Don), Olathe, KS, Brady McConnell (Christina), Spokane, WA, Becky Jacobs (Mike), Joplin, MO, and Brett Berziel, Joplin, MO; two sisters, Helen Bowser (Chuck), Ozark, MO and Sharon Southern (Gene), Joplin, MO; one brother, Bobby McConnell (Doris), Carthage, MO; thirteen grandchildren, Matt McConnell (Jamie), A.J. McConnell (Jenny), Emori Delphia, Tiffany Wintrode, Zachary McConnell, Max Flower, A.J. Flower, Faith McConnell, Ava McConnell, Elijah McConnell, Grace Jacobs, Ally Jacobs, and Lilly Jacobs; six great-grandchildren, Bailey, Maven, Emaline, Barrett, Taryn, and Raelyn; and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one granddaughter, Megan McConnell.

Visitation will be held 2-3 pm, Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Memorial services will immediately follow at 3 pm. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, MO. Memorial gifts are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Joplin, MO in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Ron Howerton

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Ronald “Ron” Howerton, 68, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. Ron was born August 7, 1950 in Carthage to Francis “Dale” Howerton and Viola (Smart) Howerton. Ron was a lifetime resident of Carthage and retired from Schreiber Foods after 43 years of service. He was a member of the United States Army National Guard for eight years.

Ron was united in marriage to Jalene Mitchell on October 1, 1971 in Carthage; she preceded him in death in 2017.

Ron is survived by three daughters, Melissa Harris and husband Kevin of Carthage, Christina McDaniel of Mount Juliet, TN and Rhonda Wilhelm and husband John of Stockton, MO; four brothers, Roger Howerton, Mark Howerton and Freddie Howerton, all of Carthage, and Steve Howerton of St. Louis; two sisters, Connie McCoy of Carthage and Bonnie Garin of Virginia Beach, VA; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Carlee, Melynn, Cade, Katie, Jenna, and Gracee; four great grandchildren, Caselynn, Jaedyn, Cole and Caston, along with his two canine companions, Toby and Peanut.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Donna Lasiter; and one brother, Gary Howerton.

A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Elizabeth Sanderson

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Letha “Elizabeth” Sanderson, 88, passed away February 2, 2019 at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Carthage. Elizabeth was born November 24, 1930 in Bethany, OK to Ralph T. and Letha O. “Coffman” Bailey. Elizabeth was a long-time resident of Carthage. She worked at the Powers Museum for twenty years and was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Carthage.

Elizabeth was united in marriage to Wesley T. “Dub” Sanderson on November 7, 1948 in Broadview, NM; he preceded her in death on June 4, 2001.

Elizabeth is survived by three sons, Leon Sanderson of Oklahoma City, Les and Larry Sanderson of Carthage; one brother, David Bailey of Clovis, NM; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Leroy Bailey and one sister Avon Bold-Krouskop.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the Church of the Nazarene in Carthage. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Avilla Cemetery, east of Carthage.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home. 

Bonnie Richey

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Bonnie Jean Richey of Grove, OK formerly of Miami, OK passed from this life, Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Grace Point Assisted Living in Grove, OK. She was 87.

Bonnie was born September 10, 1931 in Joplin, MO to Baron and Lila (Hutcheson) Slutter and she graduated from Joplin High School class of 1948. She had lived in Grove for a year moving from Miami. She had also lived in Joplin, MO , Cardin, OK and Muskogee, OK. Bonnie was a church pianist since she was 12 years old and a church secretary for many years in Christian Churches she and her husband Bill pastored. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Miami, OK and the Mid – Century Mother’s Club.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her granddaughter Cristin Brimm, her parents and her sister Nancy Rynders.

She married Frederick William (Bill) Richey December 31, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA and he survives of the home. Additional survivors include her son William Brent Richey of Pittsburg, KS and her daughter Jan Brimm and husband Jerry of Oronogo, MO.

Funeral services will be Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Miami, OK with Pastor Leon Weece officiating assisted by Danny Garner. Interment will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, MO with Danny Garner, Bob Asbell, Bob Evans, Jim Mabee, Jim Smith and Dick Wells serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday prior to serve at the First Christian Church in Miami. Services have been placed in the care of the Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth Wilson

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Elizabeth Ellen (Power) Wilson of Noel, Missouri. Formerly of Picher, Oklahoma passed away from this life peacefully in her sleep after a sudden illness on Wednesday January 30, 2019 at her home in Noel, Missouri. She was 55.

Elizabeth was born March 2nd, 1963 in Miami, Oklahoma to Eulene Gaston and Larry Power. She attended Baxter Springs Schools.

She married the love of her life Randy Wilson on May 12, 1979. She lived in the Picher area most of her life. She was a homemaker, where she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved The Walking Dead, George Strait, and the Dallas Cowboys. 

Elizabeth was proceeded in death by her parents Eulene Gaston and Larry Power, her grandparents, sister Tracy Power and stepfather Lynn VanHoose. Survivors include son Randal (Packer) Wilson and wife Danielle of Afton, Daughter Leslie Wilson and spouse Eric Draper of Miami, Daughter Jessica Lacy and husband Chris of Miami. Partner/Caretaker Ray Hopper of Noel and two fur-babies Rose and Charlie of the home. Siblings William (Bill) Hayes of Miami, Cynthia Schoenhals and husband of Quapaw, David Hayes of Quapaw, Aaron VanHoose of Mississippi, Claudia Goff, Brenda VanHoose, and Terri Lynn VanHoose. 5 grandchildren Shaelyn Bradley, Mack Dunbar, Jessica Dunbar, Jaspyr Wilson, Kynzleigh Draper. One great granddaughter Aleksandria Bradley. Elizabeth leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Memorial services will be held Saturday February 16th, 2019 at 2pm at the Highway Tabernacle Church in Quapaw. Rev. Ray Clonts will officiate. 

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri. To send flowers or remembrance gift to the family of Elizabeth Wilson please send to the Highway Tabernacle Church 220 S. Main Quapaw, Oklahoma.

Louetta Spurling

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Louetta Marie Spurling, age 80 of Liberal, Missouri passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Louetta was born August 10, 1938 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Lewis Johnson and Vola (Denny) Johnson. She was a 1956 graduate of Pittsburg High School and a 1959 graduate of Mt. Carmel Nursing School. On December 22, 1958 she married Delbert Earl Spurling in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Louetta was a RN at Barton County Health Department and a cook for Liberal R-2 School district. She was a member of the Church of God in Mindenmines, Missouri.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years Earl; one son, Steve (Sheila) Spurling, Webb City, Missouri; two daughters, Lynette Spurling, Liberal and Beverly (Kelly) Compton, Liberal; two brothers, Kenneth Johnson, Allen, Texas and Dennis Johnson, Orangeville, California; six grandchildren, Brian Edwards, Andy Edwards, Alana Wright, Mallory Spurling, Courtney Spurling and Drake Spurling and five great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

There are no services planned at this time.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Liberal Memorial Park Building in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Eddie Schiska

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Edward (Eddie) Schiska, age 70, of Pierce City, MO died on Sunday, February 03, 2019, at his home in Pierce City, MO. Mr. Schiska was born in Monett, MO on Friday, January 21, 1949. He was the son of Joseph (Joe) and Wilma (Fenske) Schiska.

Mr. Schiska was married to Suzanne Hankins on Monday, June 05, 1971, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO. He was an engineer on the railroad and was the fire chief for the Pierce City fire department for over thirty years. Mr. Schiska was an avid sportsman and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was well-known in the Pierce City area.

Surviving are the following: his wife, Suzanne of Pierce City, MO; two daughters, Amy Lombard of Overland Park, KS and Melissa Leech of Monett, MO; one sister, Saundra Bowen of Joplin, MO; one brother, Alan Schiska of Joplin, MO; three grandsons; and one great-grandson.

The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Private graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pierce City, MO.with Father Matthew Rehrauer officiating.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City, MO.