Area Obituaries

Phyllis Lavon Sanders, 69 years, 4 months, 1 day old, lost her battle with cancer on February 21, 2026, at Northwood Hills Care Center, Humansville, Missouri, with her family by her side. Phyllis was born October 20, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Vaughn Amiel and Norene (Lantz) Martin. Phyllis grew up in the Sweden…

Becky Lee Klineline, 69 years, 3 months, 8 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on February 23, 2026, at her home with her husband, Joe, and family by her side. Becky was born November 15, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Louis and Doris (Lee) Prince. She graduated from Ava High School in 1975. Becky…

Rev. John Messenger Swatosh, age 82, entered eternal rest on February 15, 2026, at 4:26 p.m., surrounded by his loving family. John was born in 1943 to Frank and Echo (Messenger) Swatosh in Minnesota, the ninth of ten children. By the age of 13, John endured the loss of both parents. He was welcomed into…

Patricia Sue Hodges was born was born February 4, 1956, in Seagoville, Texas, to Delmar and Maxine (Hammons) Hodges and passed away suddenly at her home in Mountain Grove, February 26, 2025, at 69 years of age. Although Patsy was born in Texas, she spent most of her life in Missouri. She was a 1974…

Wanda J. Bilyeu, 89, of Monett, MO, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, while at the Aurora Nursing Center after a decline in health. Wanda was born on April 10, 1935, in Whitesboro, TX daughter of the late Arthur and Iva (Moore) Huie. Wanda graduated from Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, CA. For many…

Moe Melton, 28 years, 6 months, 11 days old, passed away on February 27, 2025 at Mansfield, Missouri. Moe was born August 16, 1996, in Mountain Home, Arkansas,  to Gerald Allen and Dorothy Evelyn (Trumbull) Melton.   Moe graduated from Ava High School in 2014.  He was a U.S. Army veteran and served 2015 to…

Hase “Dude” Tetrick,   93 years, 2 months, and 30 days old, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025 at Heart of the Ozarks with his children by his side. Hase was born November 25, 1931 in Trail, Missouri to Lewis and Valley (Tate) Tetrick.  He was raised in Ozark County near the Douglas County…

Lyle James Rowe,   90 years, 4 months, and 15 days old, passed away on  February 23, 2025 at Heart of the Ozarks. Jimmy was born October 8, 1934 in Sweden, Missouri to Leonard and Ruth (Warren) Rowe. Jimmy was an Army Veteran and served honorably. Jimmy was a Tug Boat Captain for U.S. Steel…

Loretta Engelhardt,  65 years, 3 months, 8 days old, passed away on February 22, 2025, at her home in Ava, Missouri.  She was surrounded by her family.  On November 14, 1959, Loretta was born in Gainesville, Missouri, to Marvin and Mary (Barcus) Caudill. Loretta was a Christian and attended Ava First Baptist Church.  She also…

Gary Ray Heatherly, passed away February 23, 2025 at the age of 68 years, 2 months and 1 day old in Cox South Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. On December 22, 1956 Gary was born to Gerald and Glenda (Smith) Heatherly. He worked at Rawlings Sporting Goods and Walmart for many years. He enjoyed bowling, golfing and…