The Spring River Current: Issue #28, December 16, 2016

Jerry Dale Jones
Jerry Dale Jones, 47 of Broken
Arrow, OK formerly of Baxter
Springs, KS passed from this life
on Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Jerry was born in Burbank, California
to the union of Jimmy and
Warrena (Price) Jones. Jerry graduated
from Baxter Springs High
School with the class of 1987.
Kay Leslie Brewster
Kay Leslie Brewster, age 71,
passed away at 4:00 pm, Saturday,
December 10, 2016.
Kay was born October 12, 1945
and was raised in Joplin, the
youngest child of Joe and Mary
Lewis and sister to Carolyn, Jim
and Rhonda. She graduated from
Joplin High School in 1963.
She married Daniel Brewster
of Baxter Springs, Kansas at the
Presbyterian Church in Baxter
on Sept. 6th, 1969. Dan and Kay
met while working together at the
Howard Johnsons in Joplin. Kay
was a waitress and Dan was a busboy.
After marrying they moved
to Topeka, Kansas where daughter
Robyn was born in 1972. They
Deborah Ann Douglas, age 42
went to be with her Lord on December
8, 2016 after a long illness
in the home of her grandfather,
Lonnie Ferguson at 707 W 9th St,
Joplin, MO.
Deborah was born October 26,
1974 in Baxter Springs, KS. She
lived in Galena, KS in her younger
age, then moved to Stark City,
MO for much of her young life.
She then moved to Joplin MO
where she has lived most of her
life.
She is preceded in death by her
Bradley James Burkybile age
45 passed away from this life on
Sunday, November 27th, 2016
unexpectedly. Brad was born on
January 25th, 1971.
He was a military veteran of 12
years and did 2 years combat tours
during Operation Enduring Iraq
Freedom with 1st Calvary Division
at Ft. Hood Texas. He was
awarded 2 medals for the Global
War on Terrorism. After leaving
Throughout Jerry’s life he was a
mechanic and auto body repair
man. He served in the Army National
Reserves. He was a member
of the First United Methodist
Church of Broken Arrow, OK, and
Grove Christian Center, where
he was involved with helping on
mission trips. Jerry enjoyed Mustang
cars, boating, fishing, and
spending time with his family, especially
his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his parents,
Jimmy and Warrena Jones of Baxter
Springs, KS; three daughters,
Jennifer McElhaney of Carthage,
MO, Jessica Jones of Joplin, MO,
Megan Jones of Carthage, MO;
one sister, Tammy Miner and husband
Stuart of Riverton, KS; three
grandchildren, Kaleb Sandefer,
Audrey Sandefer, and Cambri
next moved to Parsons, Kansas
where Dan opened a law practice
and served as county attorney,
with Kay working as his secretary.
Their son Justin was born in
1974. They lived in Parsons until
2005, raising their kids there.
Once the kids were in school Kay
went back to school herself and
earned an Associates Degree at
Labette Community College. She
worked as the principal’s secretary
at Lincoln Grade School in
Parsons for 14 years followed by
6 years in the admissions office at
Labette Community College. She
retired in 2005.
Kay was a gardener and crafter.
She was always busy with a project
whether it sewing a costume
for the kids, refinishing wood
furniture or running the rototiller
in garden. She later delved into
genealogy, researching the history
of the Lewis and Brewster
families. She was an avid reader,
always with a stack of novels on
her nightstand. She was great with
Deborah Ann Douglas
Bradley James Burkybile
grandmother, Anna Ferguson, and
grandparents Fred and Marie Cusick.
Survivors include her parents,
Garry and Diana (Cusick) Douglas
of Joplin; grandfather, Lonnie
Ferguson, Joplin, two sisters,
Diana Marie Cluck, Wichita, KS
and Christian Douglas, Texas;
one brother, Troy Kolker, Missouri;
nieces, nephews, aunts,
uncles, and many other family
and friends.. She will be missed
dearly.
She enjoyed taking care of oththe
army he returned to Afghanistan
as a Government Contractor
for 3 years and returned to Cibolo,
Texas to start a career in the oil
fields. He was a member of the
American Legion 543 and will receive
full military honors.
Brad is survived by Mother-
Beverly (Burkybile) Doss, Brother-
Lloyd (wife Spring) Johnston
the 3rd (PJ) Son- Jarred (wife Larissa)
Burkybile, Daughter- Megan
Burkybile, Granddaughter- Aspen
Library Holds Santa Shop
By Dustin Andrews
Baxter Springs - Johnston
Public Library is holding their
Santa Shop.
The Santa Shop is a
fundraiser being held by the
Library to continue to raise
funds to repair the elevator
that was damaged during the
2015 winter floods.
The Shop is setup in foyer
and in the main Library and
features various new items
such as books, art prints and
toys for sale at affordable
prices.
The Library will be open
for normal business hours
through the 22nd, but don’t
wait until the last minute, get
in there and get something for
your bookworm.
New additions to the
children’s department: “Dork
Diaries: Tales
From a Notso-perfect
Pet
Sitter” by Rachel
Russell; “Diary
of a Wimpy Kid:
Double Down”
by Jeff Kinney;
“I Survived
the Eruption
of Mount St.
Helens” by
Lauren Tarshis;
“Absolutely
Truly by Heather
Vogel Frederick;
“Serafina and the
Black Cloak” by
Robert Beatty;
“Twas the Night Before
Christmas” by Clement C.
Moore, adapted & illustrated
by Daniel Kirk; “The Lion
Inside” by Rachel Bright;
Sneed; Special son, Jacob Britt;
Significant other, Tracy Davis and
her two boys, Ryan, and Zach;
two nieces, Julia Miner and Sarah
Miner; two nephews, Ryan Miner
and Noah Miner.
Funeral services will be held at
10:00 a.m., Friday, December 16,
2016 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel.
Bob Edmondson will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Gandy
Cemetery. Family will receive
friends on Thursday from 6:00-
7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers for the service are,
Lloyd Maute, Mark Weaver, Paul
Nixon, Tanner Linn, Todd Price,
and Stu Miner. Online condolences
may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
technology, easily learning to use
each new gadget even at 70. She
was known for her patience, tenacity
and for being exceptionally
organized. She was always the
Mom, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and
Friend who made sure you got a
card or present on your birthday.
Kay is survived by husband
Daniel Brewster, Joplin MO; son
Justin Brewster, Portland, OR;
daughter, Robyn Brewster Henry,
Newton, KS; brother, James Lewis,
Broken Arrow, OK; and sister,
Rhonda Yost, Webb City, MO.
She will be dearly missed by all
who knew and loved her.
A memorial service was held at
2:00 pm, Thursday, December 15,
2016 at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel,
Baxter Springs, KS. She will
be laid to rest in Baxter Springs
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the
COPD Foundation.
ers, and showed it by working at
Joplin Sheltered Workshop for a
period of time. She loved playing
video games.
Funeral services will be at 1:00
pm, Tuesday, December 12, 2016
at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena,
KS. Pastor Jeff D. Martin will officiate.
Burial will be in Oak Hill
Cemetery, Galena, KS.
The family will received friends
from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Monday,
December 12, 2016 at Derfelt Funeral
Home, Galena, KS.
Burkybile, Nephew- Lloyd Johnston
the 4th (PJ), Niece- Abby
Johnston.
He is proceeded in death by
Father- Lloyd Johnston the 2nd
(Bubby) and his 4 grandparents,
Lloyd and Dixie Johnston, and
Bill and JoAnn Burkybile.
Brad’s services will be held
at Central Texas State Veterans
Cemetery in Killeen, Texas on
December 16th, 2016 at 2:00p.m.
“Llama Llama Gram and
Grandpa” by Anna Dewdney;
“When I Grow Up: Misty
Copeland” by Lexi Ryals;
“Creature Features: 25
Animals Explain Why They
Look the Way They Do” by
Steve Jenkins.
Obituaries
Connie Jo Allen
Connie Jo Allen, age 66, died at
8:18 am, Sunday, December 11,
2016 in Columbus.
Connie was born November 19,
1950 in Pittsburg, KS. Her parents
were Joseph Paul and Mary Loise
(Carlini) Spendal. She had lived
in Columbus most of her life.
She graduated from Southeast
High School, Cherokee, KS. She
first worked at KOAM-TV studio
before working at the Family
Life Center. She later retired from
Calibrated Forms in 2009. She
was a member of Center Christian
Church where she used to enjoy
singing in the Woman’s Choir.
She enjoyed traveling and watch-
Evelyn Donna Mae McMinn of
Miami, OK passed away Tuesday,
December 6, 2016 at Windridge
Nursing Center in Miami, OK.
She was 91.
Evelyn was born March 3, 1925
in Pevely, MO to Horace and
Betty J. Cook, 96 of Columbus,
KS died at 12:20pm, December
10, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Columbus.
She was born October 26, 1920
in Erie, KS the daughter of Dewey
Victor Cummings and Mae
(Proctor) Cummings Luman.
On May 2, 1941 she was united
in marriage to Joseph W. Cook in
Lamar, MO; he preceded her in
death June 24, 2005.
Betty was a secretary in the registrar’s
office at PSU for many
years.
She was a longtime member of
the First Presbyterian Church of
Columbus and a 71 year member
Fayette, Ala. - Clifford A. Sappington,
age 69, died December 7,
2016, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Services
were held at 2 p.m., December 11,
2016, at Moore’s Bridge Baptist
Church with Bro. Brannon Pinion
officiating. Burial followed in the
church cemetery with Magnolia
Chapel Funeral Home North directing.
Visitation was held Saturday,
December 10, 2016, from 6
to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The
ing her grandkids.
Connie was married to David
Earl Allen on August 30, 1969
in Pittsburg. He preceded her in
death January 31, 2015. She was
also preceded in death by one sister,
Linda Larkins.
Surviving is one son, Jay Allen
(wife, Tracy), Wichita, KS; one
daughter, Mandee Schmelzer
(husband Eric), Columbus, KS;
5 grandchildren, Lauren Schmelzer,
Lindi Jo Schmelzer, Wyatt
Allen, Dalton Allen and Collin
Galloway; mother-in-law, Juanita
Allen, 4 sister-in=laws, Pam
Guardado, Carolyn Wheelock,
Mila Jaeger, and Becky Allen;
Norma Elizabeth Collier
Evelyn Donna Mae McMinn
Betty J. Cook
Clifford Sappington
paw Nursing Home and she loved
to quilt
She was preceded in death by
her husband Joseph Collier on
December 31, 1996 her daughter,
Lori Branham and her parents.
Norma is survived by her son,
Joseph Collier, Jr. of Miami,
OK, 2 daughters, Patty Cline and
her husband Ronnie of Miami,
OK and Tammy Tibbs and her
husband Bill of Colcord, OK,
2 brothers, Solomon Evans and
Ed Evans, Sr. 7 grandchildren, 8
Fairy (Williams) Mercer. She
graduated from Quapaw High
School 1943. She married Chester
M. McMinn on January 20, 1945
and they lived 65 years in Quapaw
on their farm, until his death
May 1, 2010. Since that time she
resided in Miami.
She had worked at Lerner Sewing
Factory until beginning employment
as a bank teller at American
Bank in Baxter Springs,
KS from 1968 – 1995. She later
worked part time at the Bank of
Quapaw in Quapaw, OK.
She also was preceded in death
by 2 great grandchildren, her parents
and her sisters June Wren and
Lorraine Dawes .
of the American Legion Ladies
Auxiliary in Columbus.
Survivors include Vicki Jo Reagan
and her husband Joe of Columbus,
Jack K. Cook of Las Vegas,
NV, Bill Cook and wife Twyla
of Parsons, KS and Connie L.
Fredericks of Columbus; a nephew
Christopher G. Cummings and
his wife Valorie along with many
more grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
great-great-grandchildren
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by
her parents, husband and a brother
Dewey Victor Cummings, Jr.
Funeral services were held at 11
a.m., Wednesday, December 14,
body lie in state one hour prior to
services at the church.
He was preceded in death by his
father, Lee Roy Sappington of
Miami, Oklahoma.
Survivors include his wife of
50 years, Dianne Sappington of
Fayette, Ala.; daughter, Aimee
Dianne Guin of Northport, Ala.;
son, Mark Allen Sappington of
Birmingham, Ala.; sister, Sharon
Neal of Miami, Okla.; mother,
Marjorie Sappington of Miami,
Okla.; grandchildren, Courtney
Elyse Sappington of Honolulu,
Hawaii., Kyle Allen Sappington
of Birmingham, Ala., Erica
Dianne Senkbeil of Northport,
Ala., Anna Marie Caldwell of
Dadeville, Ala., and Devin Lee
Guin of Northport, Ala.; and one
great-grandchild, Brayleigh Caldwell.
He was a 1966 graduate of Quapaw
High School in Quapaw,
December 16, 2016 - Page 5
one brother-in-law, Donnie Allen;
and a host of other relatives and
friends.
Funeral services will be at 10:00
am, Saturday, December 17, 2016
at Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus,
KS. Justin Coberley will officiate.
Burial will be in Park Cemetery,
Columbus.
The family received friends
from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Thursday,
December 15, 2016 at Derfelt Funeral
Home, Columbus, KS.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions
may be made to Center
Christian Church or Hospice
Compasses in care of the funeral
home.
Norma Elizabeth Collier of Miami,
OK, passed away Saturday,
December 10, 2016 at Windridge
Nursing Center in Miami. She
was 82.
Norma was born June 23, 1934
in Park Hill, OK to Carmon and
Ora (Hensley) Evans. She had
lived in Miami since 1967. She
had been a member of the First
United Methodist Church in
Commerce, OK. Norma worked
for Bob’s Shoes in Miami and for
Miami Nursing Home and Quagreat-grandchildren
that she loved
very much and her family at Windridge
Nursing Center.
Memorial services were held
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
at 10:00 a.m. at Paul Thomas
Funeral Home Chapel in Miami,
OK. Pastor Joe Dan Morgan will
officiate. Services have been
placed in the care of Paul Thomas
Funeral Home and Cremation
Service of Miami, OK.
Survivors include her son Colin
McMinn and his wife Sue of
Goodman, MO, 2 grandchildren
and 2 great grandchildren.
Graveside services were held
Friday, December 9, 2016 at 2:00
p.m. at Ottawa Indian Cemetery,
East of Miami, OK. Rev. Steve
Daugherty officiated. The family
will received friends from 6 to 8
p.m. Thursday evening at the Paul
Thomas Funeral Home in Miami,
OK. Services 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
2016 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral
Home in Columbus with Pastor
Shin Hyo Lee officiating. Burial
will follow in the Columbus
City Cemetery. The family received
friends at the funeral home
from 10 am until service time on
Wednesday. Condolences may be
left at our website www.bathnaylor.com.
Memorials may be made
to the American Legion Auxiliary
and/or the First Presbyterian
Church of Columbus. Services
and arrangements are under the
direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral
Home of Columbus.
Oklahoma. Shortly after graduating,
he began working at BF Goodrich
Tire and Rubber Plant in
Miami, Okla. Upon the closure of
the plant 19 years later, he moved
his family to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to
work at the plant there, as a supervisor.
He retired after 35 years of service.
He was an avid hunter and
fisherman who loved being outdoors.
He also loved watching his
grandkids in all their activities,
and being a volunteer fireman at
Mayfield Fire Dept.
Pallbearers were Kyle Sappington,
Devin Guin, Josh Senkbeil,
Eddie Ellis, Dave White and
Doug Edmonds.
Honorary pallbearers are Kyle
Caldwell, Dr. Green, Dr. Hill,
members of Mayfield Volunteer
Fire Dept., members of Moore’s
Bridge Baptist Church and the
Moore’s Bridge community.
Monarch’s Migrating to New Location
Columbus, Kansas
www.columbusauctionbarn.com
THANK
YOU
VETERANS!
THIS PAPER IS
FREE BECAUSE OF
YOU AND OUR
ADVERTISERS!
By Dustin Andrews
Baxter Springs - One of
the newest businesses in
town Monarch Pharmacy
is preparing to “migrate” to
their new location at 16th and
Military.
If you’ve driven by the
former bowling alley and
noticed all the work these last
few months you know that
corner has came a long way.
Currently the parking lot
looks like a battle field, but
they are in the process our
pouring the concrete.
Last week city workers
relocated the water meter and
helpe to move the process
along.
Kelly St. Clair-Barnes said,
“The parking lot is all that is
really left to finish before we
can move in.”
She also said the interior of
the building is all but done,
once the lot is finished workers
will work on the floors and
finish out the cabinets.
The new pharmacy will
feature a working soda
fountain, local goods, and
hand dipped ice cream.
St. Clair says she expects to
be in the new location no later
than the first of February.
Before the relocate and with
Christmas fast approaching
swing by and check out their
selection of Melissa and Doug
toys.