Obituaries
R E Helsley
R E Helsley, son of Raymond Elbert and Eve E. (Lakey) Helsley, was born Dec. 11, 1932, in Wright County, Missouri, near Hartville and passed peacefully into Heaven on July 27, 2025. He was 92 years, 7 months and 16 days. Early in 1952, a beautiful young lady started attending church, and R E said...
Howard Wayne Lansdown
Howard Wayne Lansdown, son of the late Virgil and Amie "Dood" (Moore) Lansdown, was born Feb. 26, 1943, in Hartville, and departed this life Aug. 1, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield, at the age of 82 years, 5 months and 6 days. Howard grew up on the family farm just outside of...
Darrell Roy Smith
Darrell Roy Smith, son of the late Roy and Audrey (Gasperson) Smith, was born March 16, 1956, in Cabool. Darrell departed this life July 31, 2025, in Republic, with his children by his side. He was 69 years and 4 months of age. He spent the first five years of his life in California when his...
Dr. Robert “Bob” Wayne Perry
Dr. Robert “Bob” Wayne Perry, of Mansfield, passed away on July 30, 2025, at the age of 76. A devoted family man, educator, coach and community leader, Bob leaves behind a legacy rooted in learning, leadership, and service. Born and raised in Hannibal, Bob dedicated his professional life to the...
Harvey Leon Gilley
Harvey Leon Gilley, 77, of Shawnee, Kan., passed away on July 24, 2025. Harvey was born in Pryor, Okla., on Aug. 3, 1947, to Afton and Reda Mae (Jenkins) Gilley, both preceded him in death. Harvey grew up on a farm in Mountain Grove. He and his four siblings enjoyed swimming in the pond, hunting...
Betty Ann (Krenke) Cox
Betty Ann (Krenke) Cox, 93, of Mountain Grove, was born Nov. 15, 1931, in Hebron, Neb., the daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Opfer) Krenke. She gained her wings on July 18, 2025, in her home with her daughter by her side, after a short illness. Betty grew up on a farm, where she said she could drive...
Betty Jean (Cutbirth) Tooley
Betty Jean (Cutbirth) Tooley, affectionately known as “Aunt Betty,” daughter of the late Oma and Ora Lee (Stephenson) Cutbirth, was born July 5, 1951, in Hartville, and departed this life July 21, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, at the age of 74 years and 16 days. Betty grew up in Hartville...
Lena Fay (Shimel) Cole
Lena Fay (Shimel) Cole, daughter of the late Willis A. and Mary Lee (McClanahan) Shimel, was born June 24, 1931, near Mansfield, and departed this life on July 18, 2025, at her residence in Mansfield. She was 94 years and 24 days of age. On May 14, 1951, she was united in marriage to John “Port”...
William Roy Bowers
William Roy Bowers, son of the late Theron and Mary (Moriarty) Bowers, was born June 24, 1937, in Pampa, Texas. He departed this life on July 20, 2025, at his home in Mountain Grove at the age of 88. William grew up in Augusta, Kan. He served in the United States Army and served a tour of duty in...
Donald D. Crewse
Donald D. Crewse was born Feb. 26, 1938, in Huggins, the sixth child of Hobert and Dollie (Greenlee) Crewse. He entered the arms of Jesus on July 10, 2025, at the age of 87 years, 4 months, and 14 days. Donald grew up in the Graff community, and attended the Crewse School and Union Chapel Church....