Navy Penny

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Navy Kay Penny, infant daughter of Jacob Penny and Kayla Cannon, of Cassville, Missouri gained her angel wings Thursday, May 29, 2025.

She was born Thursday, May 29, 2025. Though her time here was brief, she brought tremendous love, joy and peace to our family.

Surviving are her parents, Jacob Penny and Kayla Cannon, of Cassville, Missouri; sister, Brynnleigh Penny of the home; paternal grandparents, Teresa Fly and her husband Jack of Washburn, Missouri and Shane Penny of Salmon, Idaho; maternal grandparents, Paula Anderson and her husband Roger of Granby, Missouri and David Cannon and his wife Gayle of Grove, Oklahoma.

Preceding her in death were her uncles, Jeromy Penny and Ryan Cannon.

Memorial services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, June 5, 2025 at New Life Fellowship in Neosho, Missouri. Arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

LeRoy Gowens

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

LeRoy Bruce Gowens, age 81 of Miami, passed away at 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Mercy Hospital of Joplin, MO.

LeRoy was born in Norton, KS on April 2, 1944 to the union of Aaron Virgil Gowens and Ida Hulda (Wudtke) Gowens. He graduated from Galena High School with the Class of 1962. He served in the US Air Force in the late 1960's. During his service he was stationed in the Philippines where he worked in security at the air base and also worked as a K9 Handler. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he then served in the Air National Guard for several years.

Mr. Gowens worked in the security division at the Tulsa Air Guard base, and then in the newspaper industry, both with his father at the Galena Sentinel Times, and later at the Joplin Globe. He also worked as a truck driver for a number of different freight lines, including Milton, ATC, and TDC before his retirement in 2018. He enjoyed shooting guns, and also spending time with his grandkids. He was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Miami, OK.

He was united in marriage with Patricia Ann Selby on July 2, 1984 in Miami, OK. She survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, Jody Gowens (wife, Tabatha) of Joplin, MO, Jason Gowens of Tulsa, OK, Nicholas Selby (wife, Andrea) of Southwest City, MO; eight grandchildren, Aaron Gowens, Matthew Gowens, Rusty Gowens, Alyssa Gowens, Reagan Gowens, Larry Selby, Jacob Selby, and Gabriel Selby; one great-grandchild on the way; and his siblings, Lorinda Thomas, Leanna Baker (husband, Danny), and Leon Gowens (wife, Debbie).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Ida Gowens; one son, Russell Gowens.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 6, 2025 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Pastor Dwight Moeller will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery of Galena.

Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 PM on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Doug West

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Doug West, formerly of Columbus, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Homestead Assisted Living in Girard after a 13-year battle with cancer. He was 76.

Doug was born on May 8, 1949, in Lee’s Summit, Mo., to Herbert C. and Betty J. (Howe) West. He graduated from Lee’s Summit High School, and then enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Doug was stationed at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, the Submarine Capital of the World. During his duty, he served on the USS Cadmus (AR-14) in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal.

After honorable discharge he married Barbara Sue Morehead on February 3, 1973. They followed family to Southeast Kansas where they made their home for more than 48 years.

Doug had many talents. In his younger years, he worked with family building homes in and around the area. Doug spent more than 35 years with Empire District Electric Company starting as a janitor and working his way to welder/machinist first at the Asbury and then the Riverton Power Plants. He retired in 2009. Even in retirement, he continued to weld and fix things for others. He was a member of the Sherwin Christian Church.

Doug is survived by son, Matt (Kari) West of Girard, brother-in-law, Danny (Leah) Morehead of Lone Jack, Mo., sister-in-law, Vivian West of Richmond, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mark; wife Barbara; his parents and in-laws; and both brothers, Richard (Rick) and Michael and his beloved sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Sandy & Paul Tarter and Melba Ann & Larry Jordan.

Several years ago, Doug participated in a Veteran’s Honor Flight, so in lieu of flowers, to pay it forward so other veterans can be recognized and share the experience his family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Parsons, Chetopa, St. Paul Veteran’s Honor Flight Program in care of the Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus, Kan.





The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Homestead Assisted Living and Harry Hynes Hospice for their care and compassion.







Following cremation, a graveside service with military honors will be held at Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, Kan., on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM, where he will be laid to rest.

Scott Duvall

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Scott Christopher Duvall, of Greenfield, MO, departed this life on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the age of 56.

He was born on August 5, 1968 in Springfield, MO to Neil Duvall and Collette (Goodwin) Fow. Scott graduated from Parkview High School in Springfield. 

He was united in marriage to Tara Annette Callahan on March 28, 1992 in Springfield, MO. 

Scott worked as a delivery driver for FedEx. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Everton, MO. He enjoyed many hobbies including baseball, golfing, watching NASCAR, fireworks, bowling, and playing pool with his family. Scott also enjoyed doing yard work around their home, and he was an animal lover. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his loving wife, Tara Duvall of the home; his son, Christopher Duvall and fiancé Kassady Lampe of Greenfield, MO; his father, Neil Duvall and wife Nancy of Springfield, MO; his mother, Collette Fow of Springfield, MO; two brothers, Greg Duvall and Becky of the St. Louis area, and Mike Duvall and wife Amy of Ozark, MO; one sister, Jennifer Houchins and husband Dan of Washington, MO; three nephews, Brandon Duvall, Samuel Houchins, and Levi Houchins; one niece, Lyla Duvall; and his loving church family.

Funeral services are pending at the moment.

Estil Thompson

(From Ferry Funeral Home)

Estil Herman Thompson, 92, Nevada, MO passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Estil was born August 22, 1932 in Walker, MO to Benjamin Perry and Minnie (Saathoff) Thompson. He married Shirley Ann Rogers on July 2, 1955 and she survives of the home.

Estil was raised in the Horton, MO area and attended Nevada High School. He served in the United States Army and was with 7th Armored Division while stationed in Germany during the Korean War. For a number of years, he drove a truck before beginning a job with the MoorMan’s Feed Manufacturing Company. For the next 31 years Estil continued employment there having started out as a salesman and six months later becoming District Manager.

In addition to his wife Shirley, survivors include three children, Steven Thompson (Mary), Ft. Collins, CO, Carmen Arnold, Lamar, MO, and Denise Thompson, Lamar, MO; five grandchildren, John, Mallory, Lauren, Holly, and Cheri; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Jennie Jadlot, Margaret Ketterman, and June Flint; two brothers, Amerman Thompson, and Enis Thompson.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Newton Burial Park with Pastor Bill Platt officiating.

Memorial contributions are suggested in his name to the Nevada Elks c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Kenny Cummings

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Kenneth Bryan Cummings, fondly known as Kenny, left this world on May 24, 2025. He had a huge heart and always brought a funny quip. Born on January 6, 1958, in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Kenny lived a life characterized by compassion, generosity, and unwavering support for his loved ones. He was always ready to lend a hand.

Kenneth served in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1995. His dedication and service left an indelible mark on his peers and superiors alike. 

A man of simple pleasures, you could usually find Kenny somewhere in a tie dye shirt and listening to classic rock, with his favorite being Pink Floyd. He is survived by his daughter Candace Poole (Lauren), son Jason Teasley (Billie), brother Jesse Cummings, sister Joy Langly, several grandkids, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family encourages relatives and friends to visit www.simpsonfh.com to share photos and memories of Kenneth. In the words of Pink Floyd, “Shine on you Crazy Diamond." - and shine, Kenneth did. He will be missed, but his light will continue to illuminate the lives of those he touched.

 

Joy Crockett

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Eunice Joy Crockett, née Rees, of Lamar, MO, went home to her loving Heavenly Father on May 27, 2025.

She was the third of four children born to Bill and Melba Rees, missionaries to China, South Africa (where Joy was born), and Hong Kong. From early on, she preferred to go by her middle name, Joy, and she was certainly a joy to many who knew her through the years.

After completing her secondary school (equivalent to Jr. High and High School) education at King George V School in Hong Kong, she came to Missouri to study at Ozark Bible College (now known as Ozark Christian College), though she never went on for a degree. During her time in Joplin, MO, she worked first in the office at Revival Fires, and then in the mailroom/printshop at OBC.

In 1984, she married Dwight Dale Crockett, a cattle farmer near Lamar, MO, and was a longtime valued member of Bethel Church. In addition to the farm work, she learned the ropes of Tax Preparation, and only recently quit that as a paying job, though, in true helpful fashion, she was continuing to assist a few people with their taxes on an entirely voluntary basis.

She loved singing, especially singing the songs her husband wrote. After he was no longer alive for her to sing with him, she continued to sing them as special music, often accompanied by a recording of his singing.

Among her other activities, she was a volunteer in both the Lamar and Joplin offices of Hospice Compassus, and did various volunteer tasks for Stained Glass Theatre Joplin, including being recruited as a member of their board. Both of these ministries will now have big holes to fill.

She enjoyed making small handmade gifts for Christmas, and always seemed to be in the middle of some crocheting project. She crocheted many beautiful afghans for her family members and also made lap afghans for hospice patients. She even won some awards at the Lamar Fair for her crocheting.







Joy was predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband. She is survived by sons Butch (Elizabeth) Crockett of Springfield, Wes (Hope) Crockett of Lamar, and Adam Crockett of Lamar, and by numerous grandchildren. She was excited that great-grandchildren were now starting to arrive. Also surviving are siblings Ben (Karen) Rees of Hong Kong, Dan (Shy) Rees of Joplin, and Phoebe Rees of Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial gifts be made to her favorite ministries: Ozark Christian College, GNPI (Good News Productions International), or ARM Prison Outreach, all in Joplin.

The family will celebrate Joy's life at Oakton Church on Monday June 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM and invite you to gather and visit at 9:00 AM.