Johnny Wayne Shelton passed away on September 5, 2024, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Missouri. He was born on December 26, 1947, at Ava, Missouri, to Orvil Victor and Opal (Shaw) Shelton.

Johnny was an avid outdoors person. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, or anything where he could spend time outdoors.

Johnny and his father Orvil ran a DX station for many years. Later Johnny spent time as a truck driver as well as an electrician.

Johnny is preceded in death by both parents Orvil and Opal 

Johnny has left behind brother Jerry (Tina) of St. Louis, Missouri. Johnny has also left behind many other family and friends who will miss him.

A private burial, with full Masonic rites, will be held at the Ava City Cemetery.

All arrangements are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home

​Paul Steven LaDuke, 88, entered his heavenly home on Sunday, August 18, 2024, surrounded by his family in Seymour, Missouri.  He started his earthly life on March 31, 1936, born to parents Louis and Lula (Hall) LaDuke of Buckingham, Colorado, as the 15th of 19 children. 
 
After moving around, Paul found a small farm in Missouri. Life took Paul to many places with numerous jobs, but the pull of the Ozarks was strong. He finally came back to the farm in Missouri. Paul loved the land and loved to grow things in the fertile Ozark soil. It did not matter whether it was garden produce or flowers; Paul grew everything with great success. 

Not only did Paul use his hands to grow things, but he also used his hands to make things.  Paul could look at many things and envision how to create them from wood. His and Darlene’s house displayed the many things Paul had made with his own hands.  
 
Paul loved to make people laugh. He made sure that anyone he met had a smile when they parted. Paul loved having kids and would spread his love to the children he was related to and those he claimed.  
 
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, 16 of his siblings, two grandchildren, and the mother of his children, Eunice LaDuke.
 
Left to miss Paul are his wife of 48 years, Darlene; his children, Susie, Sharon, Steven, Sandra, and Stella; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sisters, Sylvia and Nora. Many other family and friends will miss Paul in their lives.
 
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Ava Family Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri.  Visitation will precede the service starting at Noon.  Burial will follow at the Oak Forest Cemetery, Norwood, Missouri. 
 
All services are under the care of the Ava Family Funeral Home. 

Paul LaDuke, entered his Heavenly home on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at his home in Seymour, Missouri.  He started his earthly life on March 31, 1936 in Buckingham, Colorado.  

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Ava Family Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will be held from 12 until service time.  Burial will follow in the Oak Forest Cemetery, Norwood, Missouri. 

A complete obituary will follow. 

Randie Schmucker, 75, passed into her heavenly home on July 11, 2024, at Gainesville Care Center.  She was born on August 8, 1948, to parents James and Valena (Erickson) Duckworth, in Corpus Christi Texas.

Growing up Randie moved many times with her family.  This caused Randie to be bashful when meeting new people. 

One of the things that Randie loved was going to church.  She was a Christian and her faith overcame her bashfulness, and she spent many years teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. 

Randie was a true housewife to her husband Mahlon.  She was a wonderful cook and showed her family her love for them by seeing that they never went hungry.  She also spent many hours with her flowers and garden, canning the products of her hard work to enjoy later.

Randie is preceded in death by her parents James and Valena and all her siblings.

Left to mourn Randie are her children; daughter Stacie (Fred) Reinhardt from Locust Grove, Oklahoma, son Dan Schmucker (Renee) from Gainesville, MO, son Steven Schmucker from Mountain Grove, MO, and stepdaughter Vicky Libby from Ocala FL.  She will also be missed by eleven grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.  She will also be missed by many other family and friends.

Graveside services will be held on July 17, 2024, at Goodhope Cemetery starting at 1:00 PM.
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Visitation will be held from 5-7 on July 16, 2024, at Ava Family Funeral Home.  

​Randie Schmucker, started her heavenly home on July 11, 2024 at Gainesville Care Center.  She started her Earthly life on August 8 1948.  
Graveside services will be held on July 17, 2024 at Goodhope Cemetery starting at 1:00 PM.  
Visitation will be held on July 16, 2024 at Ava Family Funeral Home from 5-7.  
​A full obituary will follow

Phillip G Brooke passed away on May 7 2024.  He was born on November 11, 1950 to parents Voyne and Pauline (Plumb).  

A full obituary will follow. 

Jean Farbin, 89, passed from this life on March 8 2024 at Mercy Hospital with her family by her side.  

Jean requested memorial contributions be made for the continue medical expenses of Jeff Barry
A full obituary will follow

Bufford Sweatt (Bo Elliott), 56, passed away on January 2, 2024, at Ozark Regional Medical Center, West Plains, Missouri.  He was born on July 27, 1967, to Franklin Alfred Sweatt and Sally Lou (Mills). 

Bo was the storyteller as he was growing up and had some really good ones.

Bufford was mechanically inclined to fix anything.  Before his health prohibited it he worked as an auto mechanic.  He knew how to fix anything, and his children were always asking him for advice on cars, plumbing, electrical, and even construction.  He liked to see something that did not work come to life. 

He was a hard-shelled man but to those who knew him he had a soft center and especially for his children was there when they needed to talk to him. He was great with children and so happy to be a father. 
 
Bufford was preceded in death by his mother Sally, a brother Luke and sisters Elizabeth and Evelyn. 

His loss will be mourned by his father Franklin Sweatt and his dad Marvin Elliott.  He also will be mourned by wife Kathy and children: Eugene Elliott, Willard Hall, Sherman Hall, Cheyenne Hall.  He will also be missed by his granddaughter Alaina Arnold.  He also left behind siblings: Janita Cisco, Tony Sweatt (Rochelle) Daniel Sweatt (Kathleen) Justin Elliot, (Gabby), Johnny Elliott, LeAnn Elliot, Melissa Goodsky (Curt), Doug Berry (Dee) and many nieces and nephews.  Many other family and friends will miss Bo in their life.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 10:00 Am at New Hope Cemetery, east of Ava.  No public visitation is planned.
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Family requests donations in lieu of flowers. 

Nancy Joan Pellham passed from this life on November 15, 2023, at her home near Ava, Missouri, surrounded by her family.  She was born on July 6, 1938, to Homer and Dollie (Phillips) Ellison.

On April 23, 1958, Joan was united in marriage with Elmo Pellham. To this union four children were born.

Joan loved working in her yard and garden, she enjoyed beautiful flowers.  She also enjoyed raising her chickens.  Joan was a hard worker she spent many years doing factory work. Even as her health declined, she wanted to go out and work in her yard.  Joan also enjoyed music, especially older country and bluegrass music, she enjoyed Thursday night music at the theater in Ava and would take family members with her when they were visiting. Joan also spent many hours lavishing love and attention on her dogs especially Precious.
 
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Elmo, her parents, Homer and Dollie Ellison, her siblings; Virginia Richards, Barbara Rohrman, Howard Ellison, Tony Ellison, Jerry Ellison, Roma Mackey, and Billie Miller.  Joan was also preceded by all her dogs that have gone on before her.

Left to mourn Joan are her children; Paula Pellham, Judy Heier and husband Scott, of Ava, Missouri, Johnny Pellham and wife Nancy of Sparta, Missouri, and Tammy Barry and husband Jim of Brighton, Missouri.  She will also be missed by her 8 grandchildren: Tabitha, Melanie, Austin, Brianna, Valerie, Lida, Julian, and Anna. She will also be missed by her 5 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Other family members and friends will also miss Joan in their lives. Precious her dog will especially miss Joan.
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Graveside services will be held on Monday November 20, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Mt Tabor Cemetery, west of Ava.