Ozark County Times

12/29/2025

Graveside services for Vera May Hall, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Ball Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Vera passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025, at 9:55 a.m. in West Plains.
She was born on May 18, 1930, in Dora, Missouri, to Court Canady and Lydia Bell Canady. She grew up in the Ozarks, where she developed a lifelong love for the outdoors and the simple joys of country life. On June 7, 1947, she was united in marriage to James Windell Hall in Baxter County, Arkansas. Together, they shared many years of life, family, and cherished memories. Her greatest earthly love was her family, whom she treasured deeply. Fishing was a close second, and she spent countless happy hours on the water with her fishing buddies. Among those she especially enjoyed fishing with were Joy Rieger and her son-in-law, Rich Collins. These moments brought her great joy and peace. Vera was an excellent cook and well known for her homemade meals. Her specialties included homemade pie crusts and chicken noodles, dishes that became family favorites and lasting memories around the table. She also possessed many creative talents, she was a skilled artist who painted beautiful works and a good singer who enjoyed sharing music with others. An avid lover of the outdoors, Vera delighted in growing flowers, especially roses, and found joy in hunting mushrooms. Whether tending her garden, fishing, or creating art, she approached life with quiet skill, patience, and appreciation for God’s creation. Vera May Hall will be remembered for her love of family, her many talents, her warmth, and her enduring connection to the outdoors she loved so dearly.
She is survived by her three children, Cynthia Morrison and husband, Rayburn, Barry Hall and wife, Rita, Sue Lynn Collins and husband, Rich; five grandchildren, Shaun Gentry, Nick Gentry, Kristi Huff, Misty Davis, and Richelle Collins; two step-grandchildren, Mike Morrison and Rebecca Shelden; Eleven great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one brother, Lee Canady, and one sister, Ruth Grayson preceded her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com

12/29/2025

Kevin J Stage, 62, of Gainesville, MO, passed away on December 24, 2025, in his home. Kevin was born in Delavan, Wisconsin to Keith H. Stage and Jacqueline L. Toohey Stage on August 29, 1963.
Kevin married Denise E. Loots on August 8, 1984. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Kevin is preceded in death by his parents, Kevin and Jacqueline Stage; his wife, Denise Stage; his son, Jason M. Spanley; and his sister, Karen K. Glenn.
He is survived by his children: Amy Sommers (Harley), Bryan Spanley, Daniel Stage (Jennifer), and James Loots (Kate); his siblings: Sandra Stage, Terry Helbling, Janis Spengler (Greg), and Kim Stage; his 14 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He absolutely adored all his grandchildren. Kevin enjoyed forging, grilling, and having family get togethers whenever he had the chance.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date (TBD).
The family of Kevin wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the care of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve. 🎄 The Ozark County Times office will be closed Dec. 24-26, to allow staff to enjoy the Christmas holiday with their families. We hope you have a wonderful holiday as well.

12/23/2025

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Sloan, 65, of West Plains, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Patricia died Monday, Dec. 22, at her home. She was born Feb. 23, 1960, in Springfield. On June 15, 1990, she married Jack Sloan in Bakersfield. Pat loved her family. She served as a firefighter for 20 years in the Caulfield community. She also conducted medical runs for the fire department.She is survived by her husband Jack Sloan; three children: Pam Ryan, Christopher Martinez and Michele Sese; five grandchildren: Tyler, Lacie, Whitnie, Trayton and Elias; five great-grandchildren: Gannon, Nolan, Kane, Phoebe and Mavis; three brothers: Roger Brumley and wife Phyllis, John Oetting and wife Mary, and Aaron Oetting and wife Bethany; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Bertha Lee Lister Brumley; stepfather Wilfred Alfred Brumley; one granddaughter Winter Wright; and one sister Rose Oetting. Memorial contributions may be made to Fowler Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com

12/23/2025

Here's a little reminder that Christmas dinners are being given away at the Century Bank of the Ozarks Gainesville location today. Merry Christmas!

Reminder! A limited number of Christmas dinners will be available on a first come, first served basis. Pick up will be at our Gainesville ATM lobby from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday, December 23.

The dinners from Town & Country Supermarket will include a whole ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, home style stuffing and home style gravy. A very Merry Christmas to everyone!

12/23/2025

It's paper day - a day early! We're bringing you today's edition of the Ozark County Times early so readers can enjoy it before Christmas! You may notice that it's a little different than usual. Instead of our regular coverage of local news, government, law and courts, school sports, obituaries and more, we’ve embraced a more sentimental approach, inspired by the warmth of cherished family photo albums.

In that spirit, we’re proud to present the second annual Ozark County Christmas scrapbook edition, a collection of local photos and greetings from businesses that we hope will bring smiles, stir treasured memories and embrace the joy of belonging to such a close-knit and caring community.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted photos and to our advertisers who have helped make this community scrapbook edition a reality. It has been a labor of love, and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish each of you a merry Christmas filled with love, laughter and countless blessings. Your continued support of this independent, locally-owned newspaper means the world to us. We truly couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for being part of our story and of this blessed community.

Merry Christmas!

12/22/2025

Sharon Mae Horn, 76, of Theodosia, died Dec. 16, 2025, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas, surrounded by her loving family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Sharon was born on May 6, 1949, in Champaign County, Illinois, to Harold “Bus” and Wanda (Paul) Mahin. She graduated from Mahomet High School in Mahomet, Illinois.
On April 6, 1973, Sharon married the love of her life, Mike Horn, in Mahomet. Together, they made their home in Illinois, raising their children in Thomasboro before moving to Theodosia, in 2004. Sharon enjoyed a long career with H & R Block and proudly retired in December 2024. Her greatest joy in life, however, was her grandchildren, who brought her endless pride and happiness.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Mike Horn, and their three daughters: Kelli Horn of Theodosia, Heidi Wilson of Marshfield and Tina and husband Tim Anderson, also of Theodosia. She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: Dakota and Jake Anderson, Michael Wilson, Shianne Anderson and Joel Merenghi, Tristian Flahaut and Dreena Renfrow, Corbin Anderson, Morgen Anderson and Mari Morris, Zachary Flahaut, and Logan Anderson, as well as six great‑grandchildren: Dawson Anderson, Isla Anderson, Greyson Morris, Alley Anderson, Evangeline McNeil and Isabelle Flahaut.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.

This obituary will be published in the Dec. 31, 2025, edition of the Ozark County Times.

12/22/2025

Graveside services and burial for Sharon Kay Ashmead, 59, of Gainesville, were held Dec. 20 at the Isabella Cemetery.
She died Dec. 13. Sharon was born on Oct. 7, 1966, to Lester Ashmead and Joyce (Wells) Ashmead. Known as “Sissy,” Sharon was a devoted and loving mother whose greatest joy in life was caring for others, especially her family.
Sharon was a dedicated homemaker who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved caring for her dogs, spending time outdoors, and sharing her love of music—especially karaoke. Known for her generous and giving heart, Sharon consistently put others before herself. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need and could make a meal out of nothing. She devoted her life to taking care of others until her final days.
Sharon cherished time with family and friends and left a lasting impression wherever she went with her vibrant, free spirit. She was loyal, loving, and always ready with laughter. Having given her life to Christ, she openly shared her faith and was often heard saying, “Sweet Baby Jesus!”
She is survived by her children: daughter Sonya Parker; son Travis Ashmead and wife Jessica; son Christopher Ashmead; daughter Sarah Prewett; and son Curtis Gray.
She is also survived by her siblings: sisters Jennifer Engles, Sondra Clark and Kristie Ashmead; and brother Michael Ashmead.
Sharon was a proud and loving grandmother to Kyle Hambelton and wife Taylor Hambelton, Bethany Ashmead, Jada Roden, Avery Parker, Zachary Gray, Kayla Prewett, Earnest Jo Prewett, Sarah Prewett, Katlin, Kylie, Curtis, Presley, Levi, Josiah Williams, Jonathan Williams, Julianna Williams, Trevor Ashmead, and Tatiana Ashmead. She was blessed with great-grandchildren, Silas and Malaya.
She is further survived by her nieces, Cheyanne Clinton, Kendra Johnson and husband Noah, Kassandra Turner, Miranda Hill, Abby Johnson, and Bristol Johnson; and her nephews, Seth Johnson, Ryan Hill, Josh Maynard, and Dakota Maynard; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Richard Alvin Ashmead “Ricky” and Jeffrey Lynn Ashmead “Jeff”; and her beloved granddaughter, Makayla Anne Prewett.
Funeral services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Gainesville.

This obituary will be published in the Dec. 31, 2025, edition of the Ozark County Times.

12/22/2025

Looking for somewhere to go on Christmas? The VFW Post #5366 in Isabella will be hosting its community Thanksgiving dinner at noon on Christmas Day. Everyone is welcome!

The Theodosia VFW is hosting a free Christmas Dinner for the public! Everyone is invited!

12/22/2025

CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES - Help us share the season's meaning by posting information below about area church services taking place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or throughout this holiday season.

12/21/2025

12/20/2025

Stacey Mills shared these photos with us of bald eagles in Thornfield.