About KOAM TV 7

This headline comes from KOAM TV 7

Donald L. Young

Donald L. Young, 89, of rural Thayer, passed away at 9:40 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022 at his home.

Among his survivors is his wife, Christine Young, of the home.

Further obituary information and service arrangements will be announced by the Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons.

Loretta J Hines

Loretta J Hines, age 81 of Milo, Missouri passed away December 8th at Moore-Few Nursing Home. She was born September 1, 1941 in Barton County, Missouri to Fred and Annice (Heiskell) Fite. She grew up in Barton County, Missouri and graduated from Golden City High School in 1959.

Loretta was united in Marriage to Bobby W. Hines on October 14, 1960 at the Assembly of God Church in Lamar, Missouri and he survives at the home. After their marriage Loretta and Bob lived in Lamar and Stockton before relocating to Milo in 1972.  Loretta worked as a custodian at Bryan School and later at the Fram. After leaving Fram, Loretta cleaned homes for many people in the community.

Loretta was an avid gardener and loved to can the vegetables she raised. She always kept a neat home and enjoyed working in the yard and planting flowers.

Survivors include, her husband Bob Hines of Nevada, daughter Ronnette (Joe) Wilson of Nevada, son Kevin Hines of Nevada and four grandchildren, Jessica (David) Sleezer of Olathe, Ks, Joshua Wilson of Olathe, KS, Nathan Hines of Nevada, MO and Karla Hines of Nevada MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Charles Fite and Ronald Fite and two sisters Naomi (Fite) Heckadon and Lois (Fite) Ogle.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Dennis Engelbrecht officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 2:30 on Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her name to Pentecostal Assembly or Milo Cemetery c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Melvin Dale Klotz

Melvin Dale Klotz, Sr, 86, affectionately known as Mel, reunited with the Lord and his beloved wife on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the Nevada Regional Medical Center following a battle with chronic illness.  Melvin was born on July 12, 1936 at home in Gorham, KS to Matilda Klotz.  He spent his early years in Kansas with his mother and maternal grandparents on the family farmstead, and later served in the United States Army.  In Great Bend, KS he met his wife Darlene “Jackie” Jackson.  They were wed on July 10, 1961 and spent fifty-nine years building their life and family together in Nevada, Missouri.

Melvin enjoyed working as a trucker, farmer, and pharmacy delivery driver.  His careers included Schlitz Brewing Company, Highland Dairy Products, and Wilkinson Pharmacy.  He enjoyed horses, farming, professional bull riding, and spending time with his dog, Bandit.

Melvin is survived by four children and their spouses, Linda and Kurt Fecht of Walker, MO; Doug and Cindy Webb of Carthage, MO, Dale and Melissa Klotz of Nevada, MO Kelly and Kerri Klotz of Kansas City, MO, and son-in-law, Lynn Cliffman of Nevada, MO.  His memory lives on as well through numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (Jackson) Klotz, his mother, Matilda (Klotz) Simon, step father, William Simon, half-brother, Gene Klein, and his eldest child, Sharon (Webb) Cliffman.

A memorial service for Melvin and his adored wife, Jackie will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Roger Beech officiating.  A graveside committal will follow in the Newton Burial Park.

Jennifer Rene Reeves

Jennifer Rene Reeves, age 40, Columbus, Kansas, passed away on November 27, 2022 at the University Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri after a courageous battle.

She was born November 11, 1982 in Joplin, daughter of the late Larry “Sonny” Reeves and Sue (Reed) Reeves Gordon of Joplin.

Jennifer had a wonderful personality, sense of humor, and her own kind of love for people.  She loved to joke and have fun.  She also loved to travel, go on ghost hunts, or load as many children up as she could and go look at Christmas lights whether that was in Branson, Tulsa, or even Arkansas!  She loved her family very much, and enjoyed spending time with them, but her favorite time was spent with her niece and great-niece, and cousin.  She loved to bake, cook, do crafts, plan parties, and decorate for Christmas and Halloween.  Those were her two favorite holidays; she would decorate the yard in Webb City like candy land!  She loved horror movies and a variety of music.  Though she wasn’t necessarily religious, she was spiritual, and she knew she was right with God.  She will be greatly missed by all. She fought a long, hard battle right up to the end!

In addition to her father, Jennifer was preceded in death by her grandmother, Doris Wood, an uncle, Jeff Reed, and a nephew, Miles Bresee.

She is survived by her sisters, Shannon Reeves of MO, Sue Drake of KS, Tracy Reeves of Ohio, and Kellie Fox of KS; her mother, Sue Gordon of MO, her granny, Leta Reeves of KS; niece, Ashlyn Bresee and great-niece Paisley Bresee both of OK,  Aunts and Uncles, Russell Wood (Jody) of MO, Clint Wood (Stacy) of MO, Michael Reed of KS, Becki Reed of MO, and Judy McGee of KS; cousins, Megan Reed, Jonathan Reed, Branden Reed and daughter Willow, Barry Wood, Brittainy Durall and children Molly and Phin all of MO.

Graveside services are pending.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary.

Hubert A. McClain

Hubert A. McClain, 90, of Monett, MO, passed from this life peacefully on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at Cox South in Springfield, MO.

Visitation for Mr. McClain will be held from 6 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Buchanan Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.

Wanda Kay (Thornburg) Mercer

Wanda Kay Mercer, 78, of rural Columbus, was called to her heavenly home at 9:58 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital.

She was born May 4, 1944 in Columbus, Kansas, the daughter of Fred and Mabel (Walker) Thornburg. She graduated from Columbus High School.

On June 29, 1962, she was united in marriage to Ronnie Mercer, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Wanda served as the Director of Volunteers at Mt. Carmel and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg for 16 years. She was also a volunteer and instructor at the Pittsburg YMCA.

Wanda devoted herself to her religion and the people around her. She enjoyed many years of dedicated service to Glittering Stones and Cherokee County 4-H, Lions Club of Pittsburg, Ascension Via Christi Auxiliary, and inducted into the Pittsburg YMCA Hall of Fame in 2018.

Membership was held in the First Christian Church of Columbus and Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Mercer of the home; a daughter, Tammy Mercer of Campbell, New York; Randy (Christy) Mercer of rural Galena, Kansas and Rex (Sandy) Mercer of rural Columbus; two sisters, Pat Stice of Oswego, Kansas and Debbie Turner of Iola, Kansas; five grandchildren, Randi (Dustin) Wiley, Elizabeth “Beth” (Dexter) Jones, Grady Mercer, Garett (Taylor) Mercer, and Cass (Lexia) Mercer; and 5 great-grandchildren, Weston, Sawyer, Tripp, Alaric, and Stocktin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Cuba Jean Thornburg and a sister, Thelma Martin.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Mt. Carmel Volunteer Association, Lions Club of Pittsburg, or Pittsburg YMCA. These may be left in care of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS  66762.  Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.

She leaves us with her favorite verse, Deuteronomy 31:6.  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.”

Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

Charles L. Cole

Charles Leon Cole, age 83, Joplin, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 at St. Luke’s Nursing Center with family at his side.

Charles was born September 17, 1939 in Joplin, Missouri, son of the late Glenn A. Cole and Adeline M. (Hall) Cole.  He grew up in Alba where he graduated from Alba High School in 1957.  He served in the United States Navy following high school, and returned in 1963 to begin work with Rocketdyne, then Teledyne where he retired October 13, 2009.  He was a member of the Central Christian Center of Joplin.

Charles was very talented as a mechanic and was always tinkering with his cars and race cars which he enjoyed very much.  He had many friends and fellow racers over the years.  He was a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and loved to go fishing, especially at Roaring River.  He was also a gun enthusiast and worked on and built several guns over the years.  He was always a fan of going fast whether on his bikes or in his cars.  He will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (Lewis) Cole; a daughter, Cindy Yount; brother, Dale A. Cole; and a son-in-law, Peter Morgan.

Survivors include his daughter, LeeAnn Morgan of Carthage; grandchildren, Brandon Cox, Jeremy Cox, Zachary Cox, and Caleb Morgan; 12 great-grandchildren, and his former wife, Rubie Ward of Joplin; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Doug Wilkerson officiating.  Interment will follow in Saginaw Cemetery with Brandon Cox, Jeremy Cox, Zachary Cox, Caleb Morgan, Don Cole, David Cole, and Dennis Cole serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Liberty helps spread a little holiday cheer this holiday season

JOPLIN, Mo — Liberty Utilities and the community team up to bring a little holiday cheer to senior citizens who don’t have family or close friends to celebrate with. Lasting until December 12th, the program gets senior citizens from local agencies to help make their holidays brighter. Lasting until December 12th, you can pick up a list from Liberty at their office 602 S. Joplin AvenueJoplin, Missouri from 8 AM to 4 PM.

News To Know: MO marijuana laws, pedestrian struck by traffic

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — Around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2022, Cherokee County authorities were notified that a woman had arrived at a Joplin, Mo. hospital suffering multiple stab wounds. Detectives determined the crime had occurred at a property north of Galena, Kan. As a result of the investigation, deputies located and took two suspects into custody: Steven D. Tyner, 49, of Columbus, Kansas and Ivy Christine Simpson, 23, of Webb City, Missouri. Authorities have issued multiple charges to the duo, including conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder. Click here if you would like to read the entire article.

AURORA, Mo. — Authorities in Aurora, Missouri say the investigation into a robbery at a Mcdonald’s last week has led to more arrests connected to other robberies. Last week police arrested two people, and now three more have been arrested for robberies outside of Aurora. 19-year-old Elijah Smith, 18-year-old Kyle Carlisle, and a juvenile have also been charged with robbery.

JOPLIN, Mo. — First responders were alerted to a fatal traffic crash involving a female pedestrian near MO-171 and Swede Lane in the eastbound lanes. The incident took place Thursday, December 8, at 6:13 a.m. Authorities have identified the pedestrian as 22-year-old Cheyanne Funk of Joplin. Click here to read more about this article.

MISSOURI — As of yesterday, December 8, 2022, it’s lawful for adults to possess and use marijuana in Missouri….but that doesn’t mean you can legally, buy it just yet, or use it everywhere. Medical marijuana has been legal in Missouri since a ballot measure passed in 2018, but voters went a step further this November by approving a constitutional amendment legalizing the drug for anyone 21 or older. The change comes with some confusion. For one thing, dispensaries can’t yet sell for recreational use. People will eventually be able to grow their own, but applications to do so won’t be taken until next month. And places such as schools and businesses can still prohibit the drug.

 

Flames light up the Joplin sky from large 2-story house fire

JOPLIN, Mo. — Just before 5:30 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2022, fire reported at 832 S Pennsylvania alerting Joplin E-911.

Joplin Police, Joplin Fire and METS ambulance responded.

Joplin Fire sounded a second alarm as flames and thick black smoke were visible from an active fire. Tipsters tell us they could see fire and smoke visible in the morning sky near 26th and Pennsylvania nearly two miles to the south.

This residence is on the NW corner of 9th and Pennsylvania. 2-story wood-framed structure with an attic that harbored flames. Even with Ladder 1 and another water cannon on Engine 2 the structure became fully involved within 30 minutes.

One person of the residence was injured exiting the home.  He was transported to an area hospital.  There is no update on his condition at this time.

Shortly before 8 a.m. Joplin Public works responded to assist Joplin Fire in taking down portions of the home to expose hidden fire and hot spots within the structure.

After taking down portions they then continue to soak the areas with water. This also helps to avoid rekindle fires in the coming hours and days.

Fire was declared out at 10:11 a.m.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.  The Joplin Fire Marshal is investigating.

| HOUSE FIRES >>Fire Dept reminders of Space Heater Safety

This  is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to cover live news where you live.  Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email alerts so you don’t miss an article.

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS, SEE NEWS WHILE YOU SURF…

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Joplin News First (@joplinnewsfirst) • Instagram photos and videos