Johnnie Raymond McKnight, 92, of Mt. Vernon passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He was born May 3, 1934, in Carterville, the son of Breece Frank and Ida May (Blackburn) McKnight.
Esther Lea Highbarger Mattox was born July 28, 1934, to Cleo and Lydia (Shirley) Highbarger. She was the oldest of three children and grew up in Barry County with her younger brother, H.C. There was also a baby sister, who passed away shortly after birth.
John Rollin Keckler, Jr., 64, of Monett passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at home. He was born Oct. 31, 1961 in Woodland Pointe, Md., the son of John Rollin Keckler, Sr. and Wilma “Gene” (Dorsey) Keckler. On Nov.
Phyllis Mae Jackson, 87, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Stark City. She was born in Barry County, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 1938; daughter of Phillip E. and Rena (Davis) Brittenham. She was a 1956 graduate of Purdy High School where she was the homecoming queen.
Harold Eugene Henson, 66, of Mt. Vernon passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at his home. He was born Jan. 3, 1960, in Monett, the son of Rudy and Jeannette (Natho) Henson. He was a 1978 graduate of Mt. Vernon, and worked as a welder for 33 years for Reyco Granning in Mt.
Cathy Marie Campbell, 65, of Aurora passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. She was born Nov. 12, 1960, in Atlanta, Ga., the daughter of the late Lucious and Marie (York) Horn. Campbell was a 1978 graduate of North Clayton High School in College Park, Ga.
Louella Mae Calton, 88, of Aurora passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at her home. She was born July 8, 1937, in Monett, the daughter of Samuel and Gertie (Smith) Aldridge.
Verlyn Hunter West, 86, of Longview, Texas, passed away peacefully into heaven on May 5, 2026, at Waterview The Cove Assisted Living facility in Granbury, Texas.
