Wanda F. Evans, 57, of Blue Grass, Iowa; passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Clarissa C Cook Hospice House, with her family by her side, up-to the end.  She looked so beautiful and peaceful.  God gently reached out and called Wanda home; she happily took his hand and ascended into heaven.  There will be no more pain or illness.  Mom and Dad were waiting at Heaven’s gate for her with open arms.  Angelic music could be heard and Wanda was filled with the Holy Spirit. 
Wanda was born on March 7, 1965 to Jean and Russell Evans.  She was born with congenital rubella syndrome, along with many other medical issues.  Jean and Russell never gave up on her, loved her unconditionally, and raised her at home with the family.  When Jean passed 23 years ago, Russell became her main caregiver.  After Russell’s passing in 2021, Wanda was cared for by many loved ones.
Those left to honor her memory are her siblings John Russell (Carol) Evans of Ava, Missouri, Wilda (Tom) Smith of Bettendorf, Iowa, Lora (Robert) Picolet of Blue Grass, Iowa, and Debbie (Martin) Hamilton of Mountain Grove, Missouri; nieces and nephews: Matthew Evans, Kayla Evans, Bradley (Jennifer) Smith, Evan Smith, Kyle Smith, Kendra (Tim) Atkins, Keith Picolet, Emma Evans, Leland Trujillo, Maeson Truijllo, Kyzen Evans, Kolsten Evans, and Nymeria Atkins.  Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Jean and Russell Evans and niece Billie Sue Evans.
Wanda has now crossed through Heaven’s gate and has received her wings.
Online condolences may be left to the family by visiting Wanda’s obituary at ww.weertsfh.com 
Graveside  services will be held at Murray Cemetery south of Ava, Missouri at 3:30 on Wednesday June 29,2022.  Visitation will be held from 2:00-2:45 at Ava Family Funeral Home Ava, MO.  
Weerts Funeral Home Davenport, Iowa helped with the needs of the family in Iowa

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​Robert Harmon passed from this life on June 1, 2022 at his home near Ava, Missouri.  He was born on July 18, 1974 to parents Jackie Wayne and Virginia (Johnson) Harmon. 

Robert was an avid outdoorsman and spent many hours hunting and fishing, He also enjoyed making sure his firearms were ready for the hunting seasons.  He also like smoking meat and enjoyed seeing the fruits of his harvest.  Robert loved cars and especially hot rods.  He like to race and especially liked to win. Robert spend many hours getting together with his family for holidays and special occasions.

Robert is preceded in death by his father Jackie Wayne Harmon

He is survived by his children, Ethan Eli, and Olivia Harmon of Bradleyville, his mother Virginia Harmon, his sister Sara Blair and his brother Shane Harmon.  Robert will also be missed by many other family members and friends.
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Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Ava Family Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery at Brownbranch, Missouri.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 on Monday, June 6, 2022 until the service times.    

Thelma Ruth Mahan, age 92, passed away on May 1, 2022.  She was born on September 25, 1929, to parents Andy and Vanna (Dilk) Frost, she was one of 8 children.  

As a newlywed, she moved with husband Herman Graves from Missouri to California in search of a dream. She began working in the strawberry fields until she was hired as a civilian at McClellan Field Air Force Base on the assembly line. 

After Sacramento became too citified and fast-paced for them, Herman, her husband, decided they needed to return to Missouri and live a quieter life on the farm. To supplement the family’s income from the farm and a country grocery store, Thelma took a job in nursing at the hospital in Humansville, Mo.  Five years later she became a private nurse for someone with a heart problem and ended her health care career as a home health nurse.  

Ruth faithfully attended the First General Baptist Church, in Ava, Missouri after being baptized in 1995. She then attended Walnut Grove Baptist Church before moving to Johnson City, Tennessee where she attended Boones Creek Baptist Church.  When her health failed her and she could no longer attend services she reserved her Sunday mornings for televised services.  She continued to faithfully read her Bible and pray daily.

Ruth enjoyed reading, cooking, sightseeing, an occasional card game or dominoes.  When her health declined she moved in with her daughter Janice and her husband Earl. She grew to love the Johnson City area with the beautiful mountains and mild climate and close proximity to good doctors and hospitals .  She came to love the warmer climate and appreciated the care she was given to the end even though she yearned for her independence and her long-time friends and church in Missouri. 

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband of 50 years, Herman Graves, her second Husband of 12 years, Quentin (Bucki) Mahan, four brothers, Kenneth (infant), Glen, Bernie, and Merle Frost, and three sisters, Ruby Simmons, Wilma Frost (infant), and Fern Wilson. Also preceding her in death was her son Gary Graves and one grandson, Joseph Quenichet. 

Ruth was survived by one daughter Janice and husband Earl Stout, stepson Steve Mahan and wife Trish, and stepdaughter Rene Johnson and her husband Ron.  She is also survived by 3 grandchildren: John Graves, David Graves, and Laura Brewer.  She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is survived by a special sister-in-law Georgia Frost and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends and family.  She will be missed by the family dog Rocky as well. 

Cremation services were handled by Hernando Funeral Home, Hernando, Mississippi.  It was Ruth’s desire to be brought back to Missouri and buried at the Thornfield cemetery alongside her husband Herman.  

Memorial services will be held on Sunday June 5, 2022 at 3:00 at Ava Family Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri.  Rev Robert Roberts will be officiating. Ava Family Funeral Home is in charge of all services in Missouri.  Online condolences can be left at avafamilyfuneralhome.com

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The first stitch of the quilt of the life of Evelyn Pearl Witchy was started on March 2, 1938 when Evelyn was born to Loe and Elsie (Coombs) Letterman in Ava, Missouri.
 
The quilt of her life was added to when she married Earl Witchey on January 10, 1955.  Additions to the quilt continued during their marriage with the birth of their two children, Sandra and Sherry.
 
Evelyn made the quilt of her life more rich with her activities.  She was very involved in the Seventh-Day Adventist church, serving as the church Treasurer, volunteering with the church Community Services, and with the children at the church. Her quilt was made more beautiful with the sewing piecework and embroidery that she did to make wonderful quilts that her family will cherish for years. Her family, friends, and community remember her for her kindness, friendliness, helpful spirit and her belief in God.
 
The quilt of Evelyn’s life was made more precious with her loved ones that preceded her in death: her parents; her husband Earl; her sisters Ilene, Lee Etta, Florene, and an infant sister Sybil; her brothers Cleo and an infant brother; and her aunt Fae Pruett.
 
The quilt of Evelyn’s life will always be cherished by her immediate family members that she left here: her daughters Sandra Witchey Duke and Sherry Witchey; her grandchildren Janelle Adams, Ryan Duke and his wife Christina and her great grandchildren Silas and Solomon Duke; as well as her sister Dorothy Goff.  Many other nieces, nephews, as well as other family and friends made the quilt of Evelyn’s life full and will miss her dearly.
 
The final stitch was placed in Evelyn’s quilt of life on June 1, 2022 when she passed from this earthly life at her home in Ava, Missouri. 
 
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Ava Family Funeral Home, Ava Missouri starting at 10:00 AM.  Burial will follow in the Huffman Cemetery.
 
In lieu of flowers the family requested donations be made to Ava Seventh Day Adventist Community Services.  
 
All arrangements are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home.
 

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