Area Obituaries

James Thomas McSwain, 76 years, 24 days old, passed to Heaven on March 10, 2021 at his home with family by his side. Tom was born February 17, 1945 in Thornfield, MO to Kerman and Irene (Smith) McSwain.     On July 16, 1966 Tom and Judy Posey were united in marriage at Ava, MO…

Michelle Blakey, age 54, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was born on February 2, 1967 in Exeter, California to Robert D. Gunter and Carmelita (Hernandez) Miller. Michelle attended Gainesville High School and was a member of the Class of 1985. Michelle had three children:  Ashley,…

Joseph Elvis Lafferty, 90 years, 9 months, 19 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on March 10, 2021 at his daughter’s home in Springfield, MO with all his family by his side. Joe was born May 21, 1930 in Breeden, MO in Douglas County to Ellis Theodore and Bertha Agnes (Nelson) Lafferty.  Joe was a…

Ashley Brooke Owens-Wilson, 45 years, 1 month, 17 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on March 9, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO with her family by her side. Ashley was born January 21, 1976 in Springfield, MO to Larry and Vicky (Mackey) Owens.  On July 15, 2000 Ashley and Mark Wilson were united…

Our family lost a piece of our hearts. At the age of 74 after privately fighting cancer, Mike lost the only fight he’s ever lost. He died peacefully surrounded by people that loved him more than words can explain. Mike was born to Dewey and Christine Grigg in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the family moved…

Kirk J. McKinnell, 73 years was found on March 4, 2021. He had been deceased for quite some time at his home from natural causes. It may have been possibly back in November 2020. Kirk was born June 23, 1947 in Los Angeles, CA. His mother was possibly named Merna or Hamm. He had lived…

Jan Allison Sparnicht, 73 years, 7 months 13 days old, passed away on, March 5, 2021 at her home with family by her side. Jan was born July 22, 1947 in Smithtown, NY to Bill and Patricia (Wiedenkeller) Peirce.  Jan was a Christian and a member of the Ava United Methodist Church.    Jan and…

Stephanie Grace Nelson, 76 years, 3 months, 14 days old, passed away on February 27, 2021 at Mercy ER Hospital in Springfield, MO after a long illness.  Stephanie was born on November 13, 1944 in   Painesville, Ohio to Robert Elwin and Lillian Eleanor (Youppi) Hubbard. On November 30, 1962 Stephanie and Thomas George “Buck”…

  Mary Evelyn Manis, age 91, was born March 13, 1929 in Allen County Humboldt, Kansas to parents Clarence “Bake” Barton and Lila Standley. She was one of six children, Eucla, Shelby, Pauline, Hubert and Daisy. Working before and after school in her parent’s bakery/café Mary learned the value of hard work and the experience…

Florence Lucille Albin, 86 years, a true light in her family’s world, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on February 21, 2021. Graveside services for Florence will be Friday, March 5, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ava Cemetery, Ava, MO. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.…