Thomas Waples, 75, passed away from this life on October 17, 2024, at his home.  He was born on March 22, 1949, to parents Jerry and Betty “Jean” (Saunders) Waples in Los Angeles, California.

On May 10, 1969, Thomas would marry Linda in Denver, Colorado.  Thomas was proud to have spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy he was assigned to the USS John Adams (SSBN620) as 1st class Torpedoman and 2nd class Diver.  Then he had Civil Service  work with NOSC San Diego with the USN Dolphins and Sea Lions (Quick Find  IUWG-1)  during this time he had many Commendations and Awards along with a nomination for "Sailor of the Year.”  Thomas was also instrumental in the Tomahawk Cruise Missile program.

 He then spent 30 years in a construction business in Ramona, California. 

In 2009 Thomas retired.  Thomas and Linda spent the next 15 years enjoying their life and retirement.  Part of this retirement included moving to Missouri.  In Missouri Thomas and Linda were able to build their dream house.  Thomas almost single-handedly finished the house.   

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Jean Waples.

Thomas’ wife Linda will miss Thomas as her beloved, special husband and best friend for 55 years.  Also missing Thomas will be his daughter Tina and husband Lonnie Moreno, and son Todd and wife Ranee Waples. Thomas will also be missed by grandchildren Thomas and wife Megan, Garrett, Emily, Ruby, Jaazmine, Justine, Augustin, Tanya, Lexie, and Megan.  Thomas also left behind great-grandchildren Sienna, Brayden, Zoey, Maija-Ann, Alexander, Madeline, Theodore, and Seraphina.  He also left behind a sister Jan Gross and niece and nephew Heidi and Patrick. Thomas will also be missed by special and supportive brother-in-law George and Rebecca Beasley.  Many other friends and family will miss Thomas in their lives.

There are no services planned at this time.

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All services under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home.

 

Gary Kester passed away from this life on September 28, 2024, at Cox Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.  He was born on November 16, 1942, to Virgil and Charlene (Gray) Kester, in Springfield Missouri.

Gary was raised in Ava graduating in the Ava High School class of 1960.  After graduation, Gary received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Millsaps College in 1964.  He continued his education at the University of Missouri receiving his Master of Arts in Spanish in 1967, he then received his PhD in Spanish in 1970. He then used his education to educate others teaching at Macalester College, Lafayette College, And Trinity School, in New Yor City.  He then became a trusted employee at Strand Bookstore in New York City.

Gary was a quiet, unassuming person. He loved reading, but one of his favorite things was cats. His love of cats was so strong that he fed stray cats all over Ava.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Charlene (Gray) Kester.

He will be missed by his sister Marilyn and husband Rodney Alms.  Many other friends and neighbors will miss Gary in their lives.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM, at St. Francis Anglican Church west of Ava on Hwy 76. 
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All arrangements are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home LLC. 

Honie Louise Nokes passed from this life on September 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Springfield, Missouri.  She was born on February 26, 1974, to Gary and Theta (Clayton ) Nokes, in Springfield, Missouri.

Honie was a creative person.  She spent many hours making quilt tops. She also loved to design and make dream catchers that she would share with others.  She spent many hours drawing beautiful pictures. 

Everyone who knew Honie could see how friendly she was.  She had never met a stranger. That was even evident with her cats.  She loved her cats, especially Trucker.

Honie was preceded by her father, Gary Nokes.  She is also preceded by her grandfather John Nokes, step-grandfather Weldon Turner, and grandparents Tilford and Lilliam Clayton as well as her uncle Wilford Clayton and aunt Sherry Workman
 
Left to miss Honie is her mother, Theta Nokes, and her brother T.J. Lee Nokes. Her grandmother Maxine Turner will miss her as well.  She will also be missed by her aunts Christine Clayton, Ella Faye Mitchell, and Vicky Nokes, and her uncle Orville Clayton.   Her special friend Steven will miss her as well.  There are also many more friends and family that will miss Honie in their lives.
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Memorial Service will be held on September 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Ava Family Funeral Home.  

Honie L Nokes passed from this life on September 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Mo.  She was born on February 26, 1974, to parents Gary and Theta (Clayton) Nokes.  

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Ava Family Funeral Home.  

A full obituary will follow. 

Mark A Ross entered into his heavenly home on September 16, 2024, with his wife and sister by his side. Mark was born to Glen and Judy (Jessup) Ross on July 2, 1974.

 Mark will forever be remembered for his big hugs, collection of hats, dad jokes, and the fact that every boat he owned wound up being towed in more than once. He enjoyed go-carts, 4-wheelers, grandchildren, watching videos with the kids, and target practicing. He had to be given a limit to the number of times he could order from palemetto. He was a strong, kindhearted man who raised 3 wonderful children.

Mark’s wife Regina, children Ashli, Alisha, and Dustin, 6 grandchildren, parents Glen and Judy, brother David, sister Kristie, and many more family and friends will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.
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All arrangements are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home.  

Mark Ross, 50, passed from this life on September 16, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Springfield.  He was born on July 2, 1974. 

No services are planned at this time.
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A full obituary will follow. 

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.