Tim Robinson

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Timothy R. “Pops” Robinson, age 60, Victorville, California, formally of Baxter Springs, Kansas passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 in Victorville, CA.

He was born on July 18, 1960 in Baxter Springs, KS, to the late Joseph Robinson and June Maria Lewis Robinson. He graduated from Norco High School, Norco, CA, in 1978. 

He enjoyed fishing, baseball, and football. He was loving, tender hearted, giving and a good singer, singing in the church choir and solos. He was a member of the Trinity Worship Center.

Tim is survived by one son, Timmy Joe Robinson, Baxter Springs; one daughter; Kaitlin Bourgue, Lindale, TX; three brothers, David Robinson, Joplin, MO, Gary Robinson, Riverside, CA, Elwyn, Robinson, Salina, KS; two sisters, Cathy Stone, Victorville, CA, and Debbie McDonough, Baxter Springs, KS; six grandchildren, of whom he loved very much; and his furry companion Chief.

Funeral services will be Wednesday 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Worship Center, 225 E. 16th St. Baxter Springs, KS. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in Osborne Cemetery, Joplin, MO.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt funeral Home, Baxter Chapel, Baxter Springs, KS.

Phyllis Elmore

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mrs. Phyllis Renea' Elmore, 51, of Noel, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson.

Norma Lollar

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Francis Normalee “Norma” Lollar passed away peacefully on Saturday July 31, 2021. She was born in Greenfield, MO on Christmas Day in 1926 to Leonard and Dallas (Scott) Morrison. 

Norma graduated from Greenfield High School at the age of 16, and then pursued higher education at a cosmetology school in Springfield, MO, alongside her good friend Louise Talbot. 

After graduating, she opened a salon in her hometown of Greenfield, in the basement of a hotel. She ran her salon for 10 years before she met and married Charles Freeman Lollar, later known as “Big Freeman.” 

Norma enjoyed many hobbies and had a servant’s heart. She was a cook, a baker, a gardener, bowled in a league, and was a talented quilter who won a blue ribbon at the Lamar Fair for her work on a quilt for her granddaughter. She worked as a cosmetologist, cooked at Lamar High School, and volunteered as a Pink Lady at the hospital. 

Norma’s favorite pastime was watching TV, and she loved her “stories” As The World Turns and The Bold And The Beautiful. She also loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, and NASCAR racing. Norma was very proud of her grandchildren, and always looked forward to them coming to Lamar for Easter and taking them to the park for the big Easter Egg Hunts. 

In the summer, she always took them to VBS at her church, Lamar Christian, and then had them come again in August for the fair where they would often find a way to walk in the parade – a highlight of the weekend. She loved to celebrate their accomplishments, and never missed the opportunity, no matter how small, to put their achievements in the newspaper. 

Norma is survived by her son Freeman Lee Lollar and his wife Pam of Nixa, MO; grandchildren, Mackenzie Wood and husband Jason of Statesville, NC, Hayley Pacheco and husband Kyle of Gardner, KS, and Kevin Rolston and wife Jessica of Shawnee, KS. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Ruby, Cora, Lily, and Violet. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Norma was known as a sweet, gentle soul who will be missed by all the people she lovingly called, “sugar.”

Dan Jenkins

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Daniel Lynn Jenkins, 30, of Lamar, Missouri, passed on to his next adventure on Thursday, July 29, at his parent’s home with his family loving on him.


Dan was born August 29, 1990, in Springfield, Missouri, to Dennis Lynn Jenkins and Kathryn Mary (Finley) Jenkins. His family returned to Lamar in June 1991 and he graduated from Lamar High School in 2009. 

 

Dan was stoked to be a woodworker at Meek's Door Shop Production in Lockwood. He was a member of Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS 9) family and was the founder of Hot Ham World Wide.

His path took many turns, with not all excellent choices, but enough good ones to form him into the complicated and compassionate human that he became.

He is survived by his parents, one sister, Alison Jenkins, and one brother, Nicholas Jenkins, all of Lamar, many friends across the nation, and, oh, hundreds of members of his STS9 family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Fred and Jimmie Finley and Sherman and Oletha Jenkins, and his cousin Nathan Finley.

COVID has caused many ripples in our world and one of them was the necessity and opportunity for Dan to return to his hometown.

Being outdoors brought Dan peace and happiness. He decided his destiny was to live on the family’s 115 acres near Milford and he secured a very tiny house to pursue this path. He talked his parents into putting in water and he was looking at a bigger tiny house. Then, sadly, he fell ill.

Even when things were bleak and others may have lost hope, he never did. He was 100 percent obstinate and 90% respectful. He went out on his own terms, and he pretty much did things his way.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at Daniel Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to Nathan’s Place or charity of choice in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com

MonnaRae Connell

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

MonnaRae Connell, 96, Loma Linda, MO, passed away July 28, 2021 at her daughter’s home after a long illness.

MonnaRae VanKirk was born July 13, 1925 in Fairland, OK the daughter of Sterling Benjamin and Ethel Pearl (Roberts) VanKirk. MonnaRae had lived in the area all her life. She formerly worked for Eagle Picher Industries in Seneca, MO. 

She was a faithful Christian who read 8 chapters in her Bible daily. MonnaRae read the entire Bible numerous times during her life. She loved to do crossword puzzles, crocheting and loved spending time with her family. MonnaRae was a member of the Peoria Assembly of God.

MonnaRae VanKirk married LaVerne Connell April 17, 1943 and he preceded her in death in February 24, 1998. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Grady VanKirk, Shirley Rantz, Jenny Craft, Ruedela Turner and daughter Letitia Palmer.

Survivors include her children, Randy and wife (Linda) Connell, Seneca, Brenda and husband (Curtis) Daniels, Loma Linda and Bruce and wife (Karen) Connell, Neosho; brothers and sisters; Elvin (Jack)and Anna VanKirk, Stigler, Ok; 15 grandchildren, 26, great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and a host of extended family.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm, Monday, August 2, 2021 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Bethany Baptist Church East of Seneca with Frank Ward officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery with Kris Daniels, Shaun Daniels, Justin Daniels, Trenton Connell, Bryce Connell and Bryan Connell serving as pallbearers.

Tony Preston

(From Parker Mortuary)

Anthony (Tony) Blake Preston, age 43, of Joplin, passed away on July 31, 2021 at his home.

Tony was a lifelong resident of the Joplin area. He was previously employed with Pepsi Co. where he held a successful career as an award wining Pepsi salesman. He was known for his dexterous abilities and talent in electrical, building, and remodeling projects which he enjoyed. 

He had a great love for his boys, family, friends, cooking and music. His smile was contagious and his heart was generous. He never met a stranger and was a giving individual who would give you the shirt off of his back if someone was in need. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his mother, Linda Cruzan, and her husband, Jim, of Seneca; his father, Daniel Preston, and his wife, Robyn, of Joplin; two sons, Jacob Tyler Preston, of Joplin, and Mason James Preston, of Carl Junction; his sister, Kerri Preston, of Cedar Point, NC; his brother, Tyler Preston, of Unionville, MO; his nephew, Case Preston, of Unionville, MO; and several extended family members.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm at the Osborne Cemetery in Joplin with Joshua Frakes officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation at the cemetery following the graveside services. Viewing will be available for family and friends after 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 3rd. Memorial contributions may be made to Soul’s Harbor of Joplin and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.

Michael Day

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

Michael Gene Bruce Day, age 18, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 9:50 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021, at a hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born January 16, 2003, in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Emily Louise Day.

Michael was a 2021 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and attended the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.









Michael is survived by his parents, Emily and Thomas LaRose of Mt. Vernon; four sisters, Hannah Day, Whittney LaRose and Samantha LaRose all of Mt. Vernon, and Ericka LaRose of Perryville, Missouri; maternal grandparents, Carrell and Joy Day of Joplin, Missouri and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Michael was preceded in death by grandparents, Karen (Kohuth) Bruce and Donald and Betty LaRose.

God brought the blessing of Michael into our lives to help us love and appreciate more and to see many things and ways through “his eyes”. His grin and love of life will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, in the funeral home chapel.

Memorial donations may be made payable to the family in care of the funeral to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.