Karen Murray was born on Feb. 12, 1943 to her doting parents, Troy and Anna. They raised Karen and her older sister on a farm in rural Ash Grove. After graduating as high school valedictorian, she received her degree in education from Missouri State University (formerly SMSU).
Hazel Blehm Freeman, 93, passed away Aug. 30, 2026, in Canon City, Colo. She was born on June 16, 1933, in Simla, Colo., to Ramond and Georgia (Bowman) Hammel. She was united in marriage to Dean Blehm, and they shared 35 years together and raised five children before his passing.
Sharon Gail Dunn of Republic, passed away on Sept. 8, 2026. She was born on Oct. 23, 1939, in Billings, to Lloyd & Winona Utke, and would have turned 87 next month. She was the oldest of four children.
Judy J. Woods, 75, died on Sept.8, 2026, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield.
Born on March 1, 1951, She attended Iberia High in Iberia and Drury University in Springfield, and worked for many years as a graphic designer at Bass Pro.
Dusty Stevens, 33, Walnut Grove, passed away Sept.r 3, 2026, at his home. He was born to Robert Berry and Marisia Stevens (Welch) on Oct.16, 1992, in Springfield. He was raised in Fair Grove and graduated from Buffalo High School in 2012.
He was a quality inspector.
Mary Ruth Beyer, 73,was born on Nov, 21, 1952, in Rolla, to Rufus and Emma Jean (Zeck) Smallwood and went home to be with her Lord on Sept. 1, 2026, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’ Disease.
