Nels E. Olson

Nels Elvin Olson, 91, a lifelong resident of rural Neosho County, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri with his daughter by his side, and surrounded by the love of his family. Nels was born on May 18, 1931 to Virgil and Myrtle (McGuffey) Olson on the family farm in Odense, Kansas.

Nels belonged to a generation that wasted nothing and knew the value of hard work and education. He began his education in a one room schoolhouse that laid the foundation for his thirst for knowledge and created the lifelong reader he became. Nels then went on to attend Stark High School and graduated from Chanute High School. Nels often remarked that he had to work much harder for good marks in school during his years in rural education than he did once he began attending school in Chanute.

From the young age of 15, Nels’ father taught him how to operate a bulldozer and thus began his construction of many ponds and other projects around Neosho County. His mechanical skills seemed to just improve naturally – he could fix just about anything. The work ethic Nels possessed had him either bulldozing, in the field cropping, working cattle, baling his alfalfa (always in those small, square bales) or helping out a neighbor at any time from sun-up to sun-down. He treated his herd with the gentlest hands, never raising his voice to them and nurturing his land with the same loving touch. Nels was always resourceful in strategies to provide for his family. He could figure up the pay for his help in his head when it came to baling those square bales, and he would often labor all day in the winter caring for his livestock, then haul a load of hay all the way to Arkansas overnight, returning just in time to start his long days over again. Nels was honored to be the caretaker of his Grandpa Nels’ farm, which had been in the Olson family and farmed by a direct descendant for 110 years. In spare time, Nels found joy in hunting. He was a superior marksman, hunting his own game – be it quail, pheasant, elk in Colorado, deer, or wild turkey – up until his 90th year, and his legendary, yet true stories, are memories his family will treasure.

On October 12, 1950, Nels married his soul mate, Phyllis Schulenberg, and they created a home that was full of love, laughter, and comfort for 38 years. Having a large family was always their goal, and together they had four daughters (the latter two, Cali and Carol, passing in infancy). Their home was always full of family and friends, with wide open doors and home cooked meals. His legacy then grew from his daughters, Cindy and Cooker, who later had their own children, giving Nels the opportunity to perfect his storytelling skills with his grandchildren, one of his many talents. Time spent with the kids meant he was allowed to be ornery and playful, anything to bring a smile. He was the “favorite” uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a cherished “Grampy” to his grand and great-grandchildren.

After Phyllis’ passing, Nels married Marian Weir, sharing 32 years of marriage. She survives of the home.

Nels leaves behind many memories and smiles, from teaching all of his grandchildren to fish with a cane pole, to hunting with his grandson Andy, to pulling pranks with Mick, and annual trips to Colorado with Cindy and Cooker. The lessons and knowledge he gifted to his community, friends and family are merely the beginning of the legacy of a life well-lived.

Nels is survived by his wife Marian, of the home
His Daughters:
Cindy (John) Lemons of Erie, KS
Cathy (Michael) Rydquist aka “Mick and Cooker” of Kansas City, KS
His Granddaughters:
Kërsten (Andy) Gray of Shawnee, KS
Keaton Millison of Kansas City, KS
His Great grandchildren:
Kallie Millison
Jaycee Millison
Jet Millison
Gretchen Gray
Georgia Gray
Sister Neva Redburn, of Chanute,
several nieces and nephews,
and Marian’s sons, Mike and David Weir

Nels was preceded in death by:
His parents, Virgil and Myrtle Olson
His first wife, Phyllis and two infant daughters
His Siblings:
Everett Olson,
Norma Hall,
Leon Olson,
Richard Olson,
Jerry Olson.
His Grandsons:
Dean and Mike Lemons,
Ryan Olson,
And his great-grandson Gage Lemons.

Family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, July 1, 2022 for visitation at Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute, KS from 5-7pm.

Service will be held for Nels at Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute on July 2, 2022 at 11:00am with interment to immediately follow at Odense Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Friends Home Lutheran Church in Savonburg, KS, Kansas City Hospice House, or Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors Inc. and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.

Online condolences can be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

Alice Lancaster

Alice Lancaster, age 93 of Wichita, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2022.

A full obituary will be posted when available

Memorial service for Alice will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at Countryside Funeral Home in Fredonia, KS.

Ruth Marie Cox

Ruth M. Cox passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022. She was born November 3, 1930, the daughter of Ray E and Florence (Benny) Neagle in Stark, Kansas. She attended Mt. Zion grade school and graduated from Grant Township Rural High School. She married Mort W. Cox on September 4, in Erie, Kansas. They had 3 children, son Bill and daughters Debbie and Laura Sue. Ruth loved to do puzzles and was an avid reader of mystery books. Family was the most important to Ruth and she spent as much time with her family as possible. Ruth was also a very active member in Grant Avenue Baptist Church in Chanute.
Ruth is survived by her son Bill (Corina) Cox of Chanute, KS, daughters Debbie (Roger) Dean of Altoona, KS, and Laura Sue (Tim) Guinotte of Ottawa, KS, brother Keith (Doris) Neagle of Kansas City, MO, sister Cora McMillan of Victoria, TX, five grandchildren: Jason (Amy) Dean, Jeff (Hailey) Dean, Joshua (Jessica) Dean, Jenni (Philip) Martin and Jarrod Cox, and nine great-grandchildren: Denton, Madisyn, Ryleigh, Dagen, Darah, Avery, Zayden, Bennett, and Alexis.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mort W. Cox, four sisters: Helen Smith, Virginia Aikins, Zana Aikins, and Anna Johnson, and one brother Albert Eugene Neagle.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the funeral home, with a private family burial on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Savonburg. Memorials have been suggested to cureduchenne.org and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, Kansas, 66720.

Pastor Mark Andrew Garfield

Mark Andrew Garfield, age 58, of Lamar, Missouri passed away June 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer.
Mark was born July 20, 1963 in Lamar, Missouri to Larry Earl Garfield and Dorris Darlene (Diggs) Garfield. Mark graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1981. On September 7, 1985, Mark married Kenda Jean Lehman in Lamar, MO. He later pursued his education at Global University and became a licensed minister.
Mark was the Pastor at Lamar First Assembly Church from 2013 until present. In 2009, Mark and his wife moved to Chicago, Illinois to help serve at Church on the Rock in Huntley, Illinois, where he was an Associate Pastor from 2009 – 2013. His previous years he served at Oakton United Methodist Church as a worship leader, bible study teacher as well as young adult groups. He was involved with the Ministerial Alliance and performed pastoral care at hospitals and nursing homes. Before going into fulltime ministry, Mark was a lineman at Barton County Rural Electric Co-Op. He enjoyed farming and was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis (Los Angeles) Rams and the L.A. Lakers.
Survivors include his wife Kenda; one daughter, Whitney (Jeffrey) Begley; one son, Parker (Ciara) Garfield all of Lamar; his parents, Larry and Dorris Garfield of Lamar; two brothers, Kent (Karen) Garfield of Lamar and Bryan (Carmen) Garfield of Naples, Florida; four grandchildren, Macey Garfield and Gracee Garfield of Lamar, Isaac Begley and Jacob Begley of Golden City, MO. His father and mother-in-law, Roy and Thelma Lehman; brother and sister-in-laws, Jerald (Connie) Lehman, Allen (Lisa) Lehman and Karma (Mark) Hartong all of Lamar.
Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Steve and Mildred Diggs and Earl and Velma Garfield, and sister-in-law, Penni Lehman.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m.,Wednesday, June 29, 2022 , at Oakton United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Oakton (Oak Grove) Cemetery in Lamar, MO.
Contributions are suggested and made payable to Lamar First Assembly Church Building Fund in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Edward R. Johnson

Columbus, KS- Edward R. Johnson, age 79, a service station owner, died Wednesday June 22, 2022 at his home in Columbus, KS. Arrangements are by Midland Cremation Society of Joplin.

Fred M. Heck Sr.

Pittsburg, KS- Fred M. Heck, Sr., age 63 a property maintenance worker, died Thursday June 23, 2022 at Lee’s Summit Medical Center in Lee’s Summit, MO. Arrangements are by Midland Cremation Society of Joplin.

Stephen J. Ferrell

Pittsburg, KS- Stephen J. Ferrell, age 56, a manufacturing company administrator, died Saturday June 25, 2022 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. Arrangements are by Midland Cremation Society of Joplin.

Virginia N. Daniels

Joplin, MO- Virginia N. Daniels, age 87, a bartender, died Thursday June 23, 2022 at National Healthcare in Joplin, MO. Arrangements are by Midland Cremation Society of Joplin.

Rodney Paul “Kink” Donham

Rodney Paul “Kink” Donham, age 82 of Carl Junction, went to be with Jesus on Monday, June 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by family.

Paul was born on January 22, 1940, in Seneca, Missouri to Kenneth “Speck” and Mae (Durham) Donham.

Paul married the love of his life, Linda Cantrell, on August 26, 1961, in Carl Junction, Missouri. He owned his own construction company and Donham’s Trash Service in Carl Junction for many years. Paul later worked for his brother Lee Roy at L&D Cabinets until he started his job at Dean’s Custom Cabinets where he recently retired after twenty-one years. He served as a volunteer of the Carl Junction Fire Protection District for over thirty years. He was a member of the Fir Road Christian Church and served as a Treasurer and Deacon.

In his younger years, he liked to hunt and fish. Since retiring he enjoyed watching Andy Griffith, Barnwood Builders, and all sports. Paul was very witty and always had the best jokes. He loved seeing his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids play and succeed in life.

Paul is survived by his wife Linda Donham; three children, Dr. Rodney Donham Jr., Janice Wright and Bob Andersen, Darrell and Angela Donham. Grandchildren, Kenny and Krissy Andersen, Caleb and Cassidy Wright, James and Erica Andersen, Marcus and Mercedes Donham, and Makayla and Landon Osborn. Great-grandchildren, Greyson, Calhan, Charlotte, Madison, Alaia, and Crew. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Donham and his wife Judy, Richard Donham, Lee Roy Donham and his wife Becky. Sisters-in-law Doris Donham, Beverly Donham, and Sharon Logan. Brother-in-law Jim Cantrell.  Along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth “Speck” and Mae Donham, and brothers Wayne Donham and Roger Donham.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 5th at 10:00 a.m. with service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Fir Road Christian Church with Kelly Ross officiating. Interment will follow at the Carl Junction Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Carl Junction Helping Hands or the Carl Junction Cemetery Association in memory of Paul.