COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Kathleen “Kathy” Marie McNally Schurman, 69, of Joplin, MO died Monday, July 26, 2021, at her home following an illness.

Kathy was born December 17, 1951, in Pittsburg, KS to Paul E. and Helen M. (Woolaver) McNally. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of St. Mary’s Colgan. She later earned her B.S. Degree in Nursing at Pittsburg State University and a Master’s degree at Central Michigan. On March 17, 1973, Kathy married Ron Schurman at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS; they later divorced, and he preceded her in death in May of 2018.

Kathy worked for many years at the former St. John’s Regional Medical Center in home care and quality assurance. For the rest of her career, she worked at Freeman Health System in Joplin, MO specializing in home health, risk management and customer satisfaction. While at Freeman, she was a recipient of the Freeman Excellence in Nursing Award. She retired in December 2015.

In her younger years, Kathy loved to play softball. Traveling the world and learning about history brought her much joy. Kathy never met a stranger, could talk to anyone, and was genuinely interested in other people. She was easygoing with a keen sense of humor and always quick with a smile. For Kathy, spending time with her family and friends and “outings” with her posse were times she cherished the most. She was loved by many.

Survivors include her daughter Monica Fleming and husband Mike of Leawood, KS; two granddaughters Anna Fleming and Josie Fleming; siblings Ginny Linin and husband Brent of Goodland, KS and John McNally and wife Deborah of Lenexa, KS; niece Kim Linin (Rich Devlin) and nephew Brian Linin (Janda) and their children.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents.

A rosary will be recited on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at 4:00pm at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Family will receive friends from 4:30-5:30 following the rosary.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 2, 2021, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Chris Rumback as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Gail Sue Bryant, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born May 16, 1955, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Leo Stephen Edwards and Marjorie Lorane Lowry Edwards. Gail operated her own daycare business out of her home. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and working in her garden. She also liked doing various crafts.

Survivors include her children, Stephanie Laver (Shawn), of Redfield, Kansas, Michael Bryant (Dawn), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Andrea Bryant also of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Bryant, Brittany, Draven, Andy, Aubrey, Mia, Sterrett and Gavin and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Compton and a sister, Lora Kopp, both of Yukon, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Cheyenne.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Elsie Birdene Kelly, age 61, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born March 9, 1960, in Nevada, Missouri. Throughout the years, Elsie had made her home in Ft. Scott as well as Ottawa and Quenemo, Kansas. Elsie was a Registered Nurse and worked primarily at the Osage Nursing Center. Elsie loved her family and was a devoted mother to her children.

Survivors include her five children, Janelsa Orozco (Rafael), of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Shannen Price, of Ottawa, Kansas, Michael Prock (Leodiaz), of Dallas, Texas, Matthew Prock (Belynda) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Crystal Thurston (Jeremy), also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving are her parents, several brothers and sisters as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Anthony Kelly and her son, Gregory Price.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Elsie Kelly Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Leanne Denise Pollreis, age 53, resident of Walnut, KS, died Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. She was born January 13, 1968 in Lakeland, FL. The daughter of Donald Voss and Joyce Gilland Voss. She graduated from Siloam Springs, AR, high school with the class of 1986. She married Randy Pollreis in June of 1994. Leanne held a BA from John Brown University and a Masters from Pittsburg State University.. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and being a teacher. Her favorite times were spent with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Randy of the home; four sons, Gavin Pollries, Dominic Pollreis, Coby Pollreis, and Arthur Pollreis, all of the home; her mother, Joyce Voss of Wichita, KS.; one brother Kurt Voss, of Zuni, New Mexico, one sister, Leslie Lafoy, and husband David, of Peabody, KS.; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Donald Voss.

Leannne requested cremation. Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a memorial service at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Ronald Dean Littlejohn of Miami, OK passed from this life Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Integris Miami Hospital in Miami, OK. He was 80.

Ronnie was born December 6, 1940 in Chetopa, KS to Raymond and Maxine (Sweet) Littlejohn. He had lived in Chetopa, Ks and Miami, OK most of his life and he graduated from Chetopa High School in 1958. Ronnie had worked for B.F. Goodrich in Miami, OK and Eagle – Picher in Miami. He was a member of the Northwest Baptist Church in Miami, OK.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Richard Littlejohn.

Survivors include his wife Deloris Littlejohn of the home, 2 sons Scott Littlejohn and wife Elizabeth of Commerce, OK and Lance Littlejohn and wife Denise of Commerce, OK, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time. Arrangements were placed in the care of the Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Bob Ellis, age 86, went to be with the Lord on July 16, 2021. Bob was a native of the Pineville area, formerly of Joplin for many years, and most recently a resident of Riverton, Kansas.

Bob was born to Earl and Kate (Daugherty) Ellis on November 16, 1934, in Pineville, Missouri and lived in McDonald County while growing up, graduating from Pineville High School. He served in the Army during the Korean war.

On August 16, 1958, he married Bonnie (Harrington) Ellis of Jane Missouri, where they made their home before moving to Joplin in 1964. Bob worked at Eagle Picher Industries in Joplin his entire working career before his retirement after over forty years.

On November 1, 2006, Bonnie passed away from cancer. They were married for 48 years.

He is also predeceased by a daughter, Brenda Carson; his parents, Earl and Kate Ellis; a brother, Jim Ellis; a brother-in-law, Clayton Gardner, and his mother-in-law, Rosa Harrington.

Bob married Betty Ellis of Riverton in 2008 and she survives. Also surviving are a sister, Louine Gardner of Pineville; a brother, Tucker Ellis and wife Sherron of Pineville; and Sister in law, Nancy Ellis of Anderson, Missouri.

Also surviving are a son, Bobbie Joe Ellis, Jr. (Joe) of Duenweg, Missouri and his fiancé, Laurie Selsor; a daughter, Kathy Ginger and Husband, Russ, of Seneca, Missouri; two grandsons. Jason Ginger and wife, Carolyn and Rusty Ginger and wife Jennifer, all of Seneca, Missouri, and five great-granchildren, Logan Ginger, D’Lainey Ginger, Hagen Ginger, Barrett Ginger and Kade Ginger.

All friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life for Bob on Sunday, August 1, starting at 2:00 p.m., at the Noel Senior Citizens Center. Please bring a memory and a dish to share – the celebration will begin at 2:00 p.m. and at approximately 3:00 p.m., we will have a potluck dinner for everyone who would like to stay and eat with our family.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Bert Humble Jr., 92, of Carona, KS, passed away on July 27, 2021, in Columbus, Kansas.

Bert was born on December 21, 1928, to Bert and Gladys O (Crowder) Humble in Cherokee County, KS. Bert was drafted in the United States Army and served during Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

He married Dorothea Lee (Bernhardt) on August 28, 1954, in Weir, Kansas. She preceded him in death on March 20, 2014.
Bert was a farmer and also worked for the Parsons Ammunition Plant.

He is survived by three children, Joyce Humble of Columbus, KS, Thomas Humble of Carona, KS, and David Humble and his wife Colette of Columbus, KS; and two grandchildren, Chelsey Holcomb and her husband Heath and Seth Humble and his fiancé Devyn Rexwinkle; and a great grandson Hank Holcomb.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and three sisters, Darlene Froelich, Maxine Batalia, and Margaret Purdum.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday July 31, 2021, at the Lone Elm Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Trudy Ann Snead, 54 of Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at the Nevada Regional Medical Center.  Trudy was born on May 3, 1967, in Ft. Scott, KS to Michael O’Marrah and Helen Virginia (Morrison). She married Gene R. Snead on September 20, 1987 in Nevada, MO and he preceded her in death on August 26, 2015.

Trudy came to Nevada from North Dakota and graduated in 1985 from Nevada High School. She later received an associate degree from the Crowder College, Nevada, MO.  Trudy worked for Key work clothes in Nevada, was a para for the Nevada R-5 School District, and also for Butler-Davidson Counseling in Nevada.  She most recently had been working for the Career Center in Nevada.  Trudy enjoyed cooking, camping with her family and friends, and loved 80’s music.

Survivors include four children, Tina O’Banion, Springfield, MO, Bethany Snead, Springfield, MO, Tim Snead (Elysiah), Nevada, MO, Chelsea Ogburn (Jackson), Nevada, MO; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous brothers and sisters. In addition to her husband Gene, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Rev. Roger Todd officiating.  Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.