Lynn Rae Clayton, 79, started her heavenly life on April 24, 2025, when she passed from this life at her home surrounded by her family.  Lynn was born on May 16, 1945, in Denver, Colorado.
Lynn was raised in Sidney, Nebraska, and attended school there until her senior year, when she moved to Casper, Wyoming, with her mother. Lynn attended Casper Junior College and obtained her education and training in nursing, becoming a licensed practical nurse in 1965, practicing her profession for 45 years.  She enjoyed helping people in their time of need and often stated, “That is why God put me here- to use the gift He gave me.”

                During her nursing education, Lynn met her future husband, and they were married on January 22, 1966.  To this marriage, five children were born.  They were all so much fun and brought great joy to her.  She raised them to know and love God, family, and be respectable, responsible citizens.  God blessed her with the gift to see all of their children and their grandchildren accept the Lord as their savior. 
After retirement, Lynn began her journey with cancer, with the support of her family, friends, and church family.  She said, “Never underestimate the power of prayer.”

In her spare time, Lynn enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, playing piano, and taking care of family and flowers.

Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, her mother, her son Jimmy, and her beloved grandparents.

Lynn will be missed by her daughters: Lisa Woodall, Kim Cook, Becky Clayton, Shelly Potts and husband, David, Laurel Clayton, and Leslie Maltese, and husband Sal.  She also left grandchildren: Corey Clayton and wife Lindy, Kailee Biggs and husband Clint, Branden Woodall and wife Macey, Megan Cantrell and husband Corey, Savannah Cavalier, Emelie Godbey and husband Izic, Darian Clinton and husband Tyler, Derrick Bushong and wife Alena, Shelby Bushong, Nick Taylor. Lynn will also be missed by her great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Gi, Cooper, Brooklynn, Harper, Emery Jo, Gracie, Willow, Jay, Jaxon, Izabella, Lyla, and Nellie.  Lynn’s best friend, Emelie Jenkins, will also miss Lynn in her life. There are also several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss Lynn’s influence on their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sandy Church.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Ava Family Funeral Home. 

All services are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home. 

Lynn Clayton, 79, passed from this life on April 24, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on May 16, 1945.  
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM at the Ava Family Funeral Home Chapel.  
A full obituary will follow. 

The book of life of Ila Louise Stillings came to an end on April 19, 2025, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Missouri, with her family by her side.  Her book began on October 6, 1933, when Ila was born to parents Bailey and Iva (Robertson) Ludwig, in Ava, Missouri.

Pages were added to Ila’s book with all the friends she made during the 17 years she worked at Emerson Electric.  Her book was enhanced by all the wonderful paintings and projects Ila did by refurbishing all sorts of objects, from Prince Albert cans to coffee pots.

Other pages were added to Ila’s book with the many hours she spent watching Nascar; she was an avid race fan, recording most of the races, and especially loved watching Dale Earnhardt. The pages of Ila’s life were greatly influenced by her love of reading and books.  She would spend many hours lost in a world of books, and at one time had many shelves full of books.  In all her years, her story was enriched by many beautiful chapters of her love of family and church.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, Wilda, Virginia, Larry, Mary, Annette, and Aloma.  Her soulmate of 38 years, Thomas Boak. Also preceding her in death was the father of her daughters, Benny Stillings.
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Left to continue the story of Ila’s life is her daughters, Kathryn Pierce and Kimberly Stamper, and 5 grandchildren: Jedediah, Jesse-Ben, Katchina, Marla, and Tyler. Surviving in-laws are Lawrence Ray and Eva Stillings, Norma Stillings, and Mary Lou Ludwig. 

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Ava City Cemetery, starting at 2:00 PM.   Ila’s sister-in-law Norma Stillings will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Freewill Baptist Church.

Ila Stillings passed from this life on April 19, 2025.  She was born on October 6, 1933, to parents Bailey and Iva Ludwig.  

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Ava City Cemetery. 

​A full obituary will follow

William Milton Kelley, Jr, "Bill" passed from this life on February 7, 2025, at Cox South Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.  He was born on November 6, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky to William Milton Kelley and Regina Mae (White) Kelley. 
In 1954, Bill entered service in the Army and spent the next 20 years serving our country, including time in Korea. During this time, he worked as a parachute instructor and held other positions. The one position that he enjoyed the most was as an investigator for the Military Police. 
Bill was always busy, especially helping other people.  He spent many hours riding his “green” tractor. Loved to fish and especially liked taking his grandchildren fishing.  He loved children and spending time with his family.  Bill also played cards weekly with a special group of friends. He was honest and would tell it like it is.   
Bill is preceded in death by his parents William and Regina Kelly.  He is also preceded by his daughter Judy Mae Kelley and his brothers Jerry Kelley and John Delbert “Jimmy” Kelley.
Bill is left to be missed by his wife Sharon of 36 years.  He will also be missed by his children: Craig and Angelia Henson of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, Christy Henson, Edmond, Oklahoma, Richard Lee Henson of Springfield Missouri, Mollie and John Cooper of Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, and Becky and Steven Haven of West Plains, MO.  He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Bryon McKinnon, Phillip Wight, Kyle Wight, Brittney Henson, Brenda Taylor, Kevin Bettis, Steven Kelley, Angela Kelley, B.J. Kelley, Rachael Kelley, Jessica Kelley, and Ronnie Kelly Jr. He also left behind great-grandchild, Mason Wight.  Missed by his beloved sister Wanda (Kelley) Davis of Memphis Tennessee.  He will also be missed by many other friends and family members.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Ava Family Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Stoutland Cemetery with full military honors.
All arrangements are under the care of Ava Family Funeral Home. 

William "Bill" Kelley Jr passed from this life on February 7, 2025, at Cox Health, Springfield, Missouri. He was born on November 6, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky. 
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 11:00 at Ava Family Funeral Home Ava, Missouri.  Graveside will follow in the Stoutland Cemetery, Stoutland, Missouri.   

​A full obituary will follow

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.