All Obituaries

LARRY G. SPENCER               Larry G. Spencer, age 73, passed away November 20 at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas.             Larry was born in Independence, Kansas, on December 15, 1947, to Lee and Maude Spencer, the youngest of seven children.  He attended Independence schools, graduating from Independence High School in 1966.  He took classes at Independence...

Reta Beth Coursey Smock went to be with her Lord and Savior November 13, 2013 after an extended illness. She was residing at Medicalodges, Independence, Kansas. She was a member of the First Church of God in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Reta was born August 27, 1946 to Marvin Earnest and Eula Elizabeth (nee Thompson) Coursey in Seminole, Oklahoma. Reta had a varied career in the health service industry. The most rewarding was as an office manager in Shawnee. She will be missed by her surviving...

William Michael Britt gained his heavenly wings on November 12, 2021 at the Medicalodes in Independence, Kansas. The family is requiring masks to be worn to the Celebration of Life Services which will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 19, 2021 at the Webb & Rodrick Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of the Webb & Rodrick Chapel. Visitation hours will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18,...

  William”Bill” Thomas Newkirk II, 65, passed suddenly Tuesday, November 9, 2021. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 a the First United Methodist Church at 10:00am. Visitation will be Monday the 15th at Webb & Rodrick Chapel, 5:00-7:00pm. Memorials may be left to First United Methodist Church in Bill’s name, or to the charity of your choice.   Bill  was a lifelong resident of Independence, born April 16, 1956 to...

Betty Ann Collins born February 21, 1938 to Clarence and Lorraine Owens, passed away November 3, 2021. She is survived by her two brothers Keith and Steven Owens, her three sons; Doug Collins, Chris Collins his wife Tammy, and Mike Collins, grandchildren; Ashley Emberson her husband Gene Pate Collins his wife Courtney, Calvin Collins, and Ian Collins, great-grandchildren Trevor, Dali Anne, and Creek.   The family will have a memorial service on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 1:00pm at...

Margaret Swearingen Mordy, age 75, of Grove, OK, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, after battling cancer. Margaret was born on September 21, 1946, in Nevada, MO, to John Wallace “Jack” and Josephine (Jackson) Swearingen. She was raised and educated in Nevada and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in business and accounting. She was employed right out of college by a national CPA firm in Kansas City, and later worked for a nonprofit organization in Kansas...

William Wade Shipley was born in Boonville, Missouri on July 12, 1925, to William Wade  and Grace Odneal Shipley.  Both were teachers. He died at Eagle Estates, Independence, KS on November 2, 2021 at age 96. Wade’s  father died at age 35 of typhoid fever on August 4, 1926 while attending Columbia University in NYC where he had been pursuing a doctoral degree. His mother remarried on June 7,1930 to William Ray Ferguson who became Wade’s Dad. Grace and Ray eked out...

Dennis Eugene Cox was born to Donald Eugene Cox and Betty (Dwyer) Cox on November 19, 1950 in Independence, KS. After several months of illness, Dennis went to heaven on October 21, 2021.Dennis graduated from Independence High School in 1968. Shortly after, he enlisted with the United States Navy, serving four years with an honorable discharge on May 20, 1975. After his discharge, Dennis attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa and graduated in August of 1979, receiving a diploma...

Peggy Jean Maugans-Belt passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021, in Grove, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas at 11:00 am. Peggy was born on August 27, 1951, to Donald and Phyllis (Trotter) Maugans. Peggy grew up and spent her childhood in Independence, graduating from IHS, ICC and attended nursing school in Chanute. She loved her pets, most recently Shorty and James. She is preceded in death by her...

Anna Marie Eytcheson, 58, of Independence, went home to her Lord Jesus October 1, 2021 at Montgomery Place after a quick decline in health due to liver cancer.  Anna was born November 12, 1962 in Attica, Kansas to Earl and Mildred Floyd, both deceased, the youngest of 6 children.   She is survived by her two sisters, Nan (John) Mothes of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Shirley (Edgar) Barrett, of Attica, KS, her brothers, Jerry (Phebe) Floyd, of Bristow, OK, and Bill Floyd, of Paola,...