Jim Kirkland
May 7, 2026
James Conniedean Kirkland left this world for his heavenly home early in the morning of May 7, 2026, at his home in Clarkridge, Arkansas. Jim was born to Billy Ray and Norine Helen (Cutbirth) Kirkland on February 5, 1948, in the family home near Norfork Lake at Liner Creek.
Jim grew up roaming the Howards Ridge countryside from sunup till sundown...
Ronald Gene Potter
May 5, 2026
Ronald Gene Potter
Ava, Missouri
Ronald Gene Potter, 75 years went home to be with his Lord May 5, 2026 at Mercy Hospital. Ronald was born along with twin brother Donald on June 11, 1950 to Orvil and Effie (Porter) Potter.
On June 14, 1969, Ronald and Brenda Kay Lakey were united in marriage at Girdner Church. He was a loving husband to...
Dennis Gail Harper
May 5, 2026
Dennis Gail Harper
Ava, Missouri
Dennis Gail Harper, 68 years, 7 days old, passed away on May 5, 2026 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare in Ava, Missouri.
Dennis was born April 29, 1958, in Gainesville, Missouri, to W. Austin and Wilma (Garrison) Harper. He graduated from Ava High School in 1976.
He enjoyed growing up on the farm on Dogwood Hill. He loved...
Mary Keathley
May 4, 2026
Mary Evelyn (Cannon) Keathley, 89, passed on May 4, 2026, at her home in Gainesville. Mary was born on March 12, 1937, on the family farm in Bucklin, Missouri, to “Bill” Claude and Myrtle Cannon. Her older sister, Claudine, remained her closest friend throughout her life. Mary met Jim Keathley in school and they became high school sweethearts. The two...
Wesley "Wes" Emmitt Smith
May 2, 2026
Wesley “Wes” Smith
Norwood, Missouri
Wesley Emmitt Smith, 66 years, 8 months, 5 days old, passed away on May 2, 2026, at his home with all his loving family by his side.
Wes was born August 27, 1959, in John Day, Oregon, to Charles E. and Joyce (Shelton) Smith.
Wes grew up in Douglas County and attended Skyline and Ava High School.
On June 15,...
Braden Frye
May 1, 2026
Braden Lee Frye, age 17, was called home on May 1, 2026, where he was reunited in Heaven with his beloved Paw-Paw Richard. He was born on June 15, 2008, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Jim and Brenda (Miller) Frye.
Braden will be remembered as a hardworking, loving, and fiercely loyal young man who never met a stranger. He had a...
Lonnie "Buck" Strong
May 1, 2026
Lonnie Joe “Buck” Strong, 63, passed away May 1, 2026 in Joplin, MO. He was born January 27, 1963 to Landon and Margaret Strong in Eureka Springs, AR.
Lonnie lived his whole life in Ozark County. He worked for years at Giles & Kendall Cedar Mill. He also worked a few years for Wal-Mart Cont. He loved his family, friends and...
Donna Sue Dixon
Apr 29, 2026
Donna Dixon
Ava, Missouri
Donna Sue Dixon, 64 years, 7 months, and 8 days old, passed peacefully on April 29, 2026, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, with her family by her side.
Donna had a rocky introduction to the world on September 21, 1961, in Houston, Missouri. Born with an open spine, she was taken to Springfield, where her journey...
Paul Dean Plake
Apr 29, 2026
Paul Plake
Ava, Missouri
Paul Dean Plake, 89 years, 5 months, 28 days old, passed away on, April 29, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Paul was born October 31, 1936, in Newburg, Missouri to Benjamin and Ethel (Stevenson) Plake.
Paul was a Christian and a member of Ava General Baptist Church. He worked at Rawlings for 42 years.
On November 11, 1961,...
Ronnie Waine Kilburn
Apr 28, 2026
Ronnie Kilburn
Ava, Missouri
Ronnie Waine Kilburn, 75 years, 1 month, 8 days old, passed away on April 28, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, with family by his side.
Ronnie was born March 20, 1951, in Springfield, Missouri, to Elmer and Anna (Ridenour) Kilburn.
He graduated from Ava High School. Later he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and was a Veteran...
Elma Hambelton
Apr 27, 2026
Elma Jean Hambelton, daughter of Willie and Opal Friend was born on February 7, 1933. She entered into eternal rest on April 27, 2026 at the age of 93 years.
On August 23, 1952 she married Onard Hambelton. They spent 54 years in marriage until he preceded her in death on October 11, 2006. Elma was a homemaker and worked at...
Donald Gamblin
Apr 26, 2026
Donald Lee Gamblin, age 81, of Theodosia, MO was born October 18, 1944 in Oregon County, MO and passed away peacefully April 26, 2026 at his home.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Carol of Theodosia, MO; daughters Krista Pummer of Theodosia, MO, Trudy Hull and husband Gary of Gainesville, MO; two sisters Judy Burchfield and Janie Gamblin of Alton,...
Keven Patrick Wedemeyer
Apr 26, 2026
Keven Patrick Wedemeyer
Springfield, Missouri
Keven Patrick Wedemeyer, 28 years, 11 months, and 11 days old, passed away on, April 26, 2026, at his home.
Keven was born May 15, 1997, in Ava, Missouri to Keith Alan and Melantha Ann (Williams) Wedemeyer.
Keven graduated from Ava High School in 2016. He graduated from the Missouri Welding Institute the following year.
Keven enjoyed fishing and listening...
Howard Dwain Mitchell
Apr 25, 2026
Howard Mitchell
Wasola, Missouri
Howard Dwain Mitchell, 86 years, 10 months, passed away on April 25, 2026, at the Cox South Medical Center Emergency Room in Springfield, Missouri.
Howard was born June 25, 1939, in McClurg, Missouri to Teddy Chester and Octie Jane (Jenkins) Mitchell.
He grew up in McClurg community.
On March 4, 1961, Howard and Ella Faye Clayton were united in marriage at...
Ruth Lanell Lewis-Long
Apr 23, 2026
Ruth Lanell Simpson Lewis Long was born at Clarkridge, AR August 18, 1939 and entered into eternal rest April 23, 2026 at Hospice of The Ozarks - Hospice House, Mountain Home, AR.
The daughter of Henry Perry Simpson and Virgie Lee Siler Simpson, Lanell graduated with the Mountain Home High School Class of 1957 where she played clarinet with the marching...
Nancy Eveline Bailey
Apr 23, 2026
Nancy Eveline Bailey
Ava, Missouri
Nancy Eveline Bailey, 74 years, 1 month, 16 days old, passed away on April 23, 2026, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, with her family by her side.
Nancy was born March 7, 1952, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Clyde Stanley and Sibyle Mae (Byerley) Putney.
She received her High School Diploma.
On December 20, 1980, Nancy and...
Anna Maria Worthey
Apr 21, 2026
Anna Maria Worthey
Ava, Missouri
Anna Maria Worthey, 60 years, 5 months, and 20 days old, passed away on April 21, 2026, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, Missouri.
Anna was born October 31, 1965, in Kountze, Texas, to JD Terry and Gloria (Coker) Roininen.
Anna was a Christian and attended church when she was able.
Anna loved spending time with her...
Carolyn Sue Swearengin
Apr 19, 2026
Carolyn Sue Swearengin
Ronan, Montana
Carolyn passed away on April 19, 2026, leaving behind her family and all those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her faith and the simple joys that filled her life.
Carolyn was born on December 30, 1951, in Springfield, Missouri, to John William Barton and Bertha Lorene Malicoat.
Carolyn later married Glenn Swearengin. They lived...
Carol Ann Rhoades
Apr 19, 2026
Carol Ann Rhoades
Mansfield, Missouri
Carol Ann (Casaday) Rhoades, daughter of Kenneth D. Ruth E (Newman) Casaday was born on October 10, 1933, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and passed away in her home with her family by her side on April 19, 2026, at the age of 92.
As a young girl her family moved to Norwood, Missouri where she lived until she...
Charles Kevin Nix
Apr 19, 2026
Charles Kevin Nix, 66, of Gainesville, MO passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026 at his home surrounded by faith and family. He was born September 8, 1959 in Corpus Christi, TX to Charles Earl Nix and Barbara Ann (Coil) Edwards.
Kevin was known for his love of family and music. He was a skilled guitar player and also enjoyed fishing...
