Obituaries

Donald Lee Henson, age 90, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on January 15, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Mr. Henson, son of Orville and Rosa (Lyall) Henson, was born on August 22, 1934, in the Mineral Springs community in Barry County. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He worked for Schreiber Foods in Carthage for 40 years and in 1973 received an Industrial Education Certificate through Franklin Technical School for training in Industrial Control Circuit. Following his retirement, he also was a member of the Shell Knob Eagles Lodge and Lions Club, both in Shell Knob. Donald had a long life enjoying the outdoors hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed hunting turkey and deer. He also found peace driving through the woods hunting morel mushrooms. For a time, he made knives from saw blades, deer antlers and other materials. He passed down a couple of them to his daughter and great grandson.

Barbara Louellen “Barb” Hickman, 87, of Fairview, Mo. passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital – Springfield in Springfield, Mo.

Stephanie “Steph” (Cannady) Swadley, 43, of Seligman, Mo. passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Cassville in Cassville, Mo.

Emily Kay Hayes, 80, of Cassville, Mo. passed away Friday, January 17, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Samuel “Lex” Elliott, 89, of Cassville, Missouri passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Roaring River Health & Rehabilitation in Cassville. Lex was born October 12, 1935 to Sam and Lois Elliott in the tiny town of Carnegie, Oklahoma.

Steven LaVerne Vore, 70, of LaVista, Nebraska, formerly of Pierce City, Missouri, died at 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska, following a short illness.

Michael Edward “Mike” Blank, 76, of Exeter, Mo. passed away Friday, December 13, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.

Wesley John Strosahl, age 95, departed this life on January 8, 2025, at home after an illness. He was born in Maynard, Iowa, on February 11, 1929, to Louis Strosahl and Bessie (Ford) Strosahl. Wesley proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.

Stephen Ray “Steve” Bateman, 69, of Wheaton, Mo. passed away Monday, January 6, 2025, at Roaring River Health and Rehab in Cassville, Mo.

Michael “Mike” Danley, 71, of Eagle Rock, Mo. passed away Friday, January 3, 2025, at his home.