As of Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Oct. 15, 1933 – March 28, 2026
Ruby Ruth Hininger Buck, 92, of Webb City, passed away March 28, 2026, in Lockwood. She was born on Oct. 15, 1933, in Iantha, Mo.
Ruth was born to John Arthur Laverne Hininger and Ruby Elisabeth Lisher. Her mother passed away on Feb. 4, 1934, not ever having really known her little girl. Ruby May Engle came into Ruth’s life, being the only mother she would remember.
Ruth attended Crossroads Country School until high school. She graduated from Liberal High School in 1951. After graduating, she moved to Kansas City to work at Hallmark Cards until her marriage to William F. (Bill) Jones on May 9, 1953. From this union , two daughters were born, Ruth Leann and Laura Louise. Sadly, this marriage ended in divorce. She later married Donald R. Buck in 1987.
Ruth had a strong work ethic and held many roles throughout her life, including farm wife, employee at Elders Shirt Manufacturing and Dawson Furniture Company. Driving the OATS bus was by far the most rewarding. She had a passion for the elderly. She loved talking to her elderly passengers on trips and bringing them joy. Ruth loved sewing clothes for Leann and Laura were young. Later in life, she drove alongside her late husband Donald Buck in an 18-wheeler across the country. Ruth often described herself as a “jack of all trades, master of none.” However, she was truly skilled in many things.
Ruth enjoyed visiting with her neighbors and friends and was always willing to help them wherever needed. Don and Ruth enjoyed flying their Stearman Biplane and had many friends in Jennings, La., and Galesburg, Ill. Their poodle, Buddy, was her and Don’s companion on the truck and in her life for many years.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Ruth Leann Barker (Bruce) and Laura Louise Scarlato (former husband John Scarlato); granddaughters, Valerie Barker (David), Kari Meadows (Joe), and Remington Elder (Travis); her grandson, Tanner Scarlato (Daria); and great-granddaughters Kasyn and Lakyn Meadows. On Feb. 4, 2026, a great-grandson was born, Ford Lasley Elder, and Ruth got to meet him few weeks before passing.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A special thank you to Good Shepherd Community Care for their loving care and support, the First Christian Church of Webb City, and her dear friends Mary Hollingshead, Harlene Curtis , Dennis and Valerie Eden, Gloria Gideon and Lloyd Mullins.
Ruth was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Elizabeth Hininger; her father, Arthur L. Hininger, and bonus mother, Ruby May Hininger; her husband of 24 years, Donald Ross Buck; her two brothers, Lewis Laverne Hininger (1941) and Earl Marion Hininger (1969); and her half brother, Carl Arther Hininger (2022).
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2026, in Oakton Cemetery at Lamar, with Pastor Lynn Ragsdale officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or the Joplin Humane Society, in care of Simpson Funeral Home.
Jan. 8, 1958 – March 27, 2026
It is with a blend of sorrow and joy that we bid farewell to Michael Wayne Frey, known to many as Mike or Big Mike. The sorrow comes from the void his absence leaves in our lives, but the joy stems from the legacy of laughter and love he leaves behind. Michael was born in Carthage on Jan. 8, 1958, and took his final pit stop from this grand race of life on March 27, 2026, at his residence in Webb City.
Big Mike was a man of many talents. He was as reliable as a well-oiled engine and as quick-witted as a champion drag racer. He was a devoted employee at the Dyno Nobel Dynamite Plant for 42 years, retiring in 2020. However, Mike’s work was not confined to the boundaries of the plant. He was a natural handyman, always ready to lend a hand with a loving smile. He was a jack of all trades and a master of many. His hobbies were as varied as his Hot Wheels collection – from car restoration and building model cars to fishing.
Michael was a man who always put family first. He was the comedian of the family, constantly cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. His love for his family ran as deep as his passion for cars and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Frey, and his spouse, Becky Frey. He is survived by his son, Michael Frey Jr.; his wife, Marilyn; his daughter, Jackie and her husband Brandon Molloy; and his grandchildren, Maisie, Reegin, Leilynn and Mia; his mother, Theresia Frey; his sisters, Debbie and Connie and her husband David; his brothers-in-law, Doy and his wife Ruth, and Herbie and his wife Patsy; his sister-in-law, Darlene and her husband, Glenn; along with many nieces and nephews.
In his honor, keep your engines revving, your fishing lines tight, and your laughter loud. Like a Hot Wheels car, Michael’s journey was fast, exciting, and filled with love. His ride may be over, but his spirit continues to race on in our hearts.
In remembrance of Michael, a visitation will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026, at Simpson Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life at 6:30 p.m. As Michael would have said, “Why cry when you can laugh?” So let’s remember him with smiles, laughter, and lots of love.
Nov. 3, 1944 – March 29, 2026
Grace Eileen Sargent, age 81, of Joplin, departed this life on Sunday morning, March 29, 2026, in the comfort of her home after a recent decline in health. She entered this life on Nov. 3, 1944, in Neosho, born to the union of the late Lucius Phair and Emma Ellen (Levi) Watkins.
She married Lonnie Dean Sargent on April 7, 1963, and together they shared a life shaped by love, service and the many places they called home. Because of Lonnie’s service, the family lived in Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, South Dakota, Louisiana, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Washington, Japan and Germany. Each move brought new experiences and memories, and through every chapter she remained steady, caring, and resilient. In 2015, she and Lonnie returned to their roots and moved back home to Joplin.
Grace was a woman of many talents and simple joys. She found happiness in doll making, crocheting, sewing, and a variety of craft projects that reflected her patience and creativity. She also enjoyed bowling and square dancing, and she appreciated the comfort of old westerns. Gardening brought her peace, and she took pleasure in word search puzzles that kept her mind active. Her beloved dog held a special place in her heart, and above all else, Grace treasured time spent with her family. Her life was enriched by the love she gave so freely and the many memories she helped create for those around her.
She is survived by her son, Lonnie Sargent and wife, Jerri, of Webb City; three grandchildren, Lonnie Jesus Sargent Zarate, Gregory Elwin Zarate, and Kamaryn Addison Sargent; a brother, Robert Anderson and wife Lynne, of Galena, Kan.; a sister, Sherry Anderson, Quapaw, Okla.; and a host of other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Lonnie Dean Sargent on July 1, 2016; her daughter Renee Marie Williams; two brothers; and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2026, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, with Chaplain Paul Milliken officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Purcell. Pallbearers will be Marcus Anderson, Robert Anderson, Rudy Anderson, Zachary Anderson, Jacob Logan and Jayden Church.
As it was when the Sentinel was in print, ‘Obituaries are news to us.’ THERE IS NO CHARGE
Obituaries on this page are primarily found by looking for those with a connection to our immediate area on local funeral home and crematory websites. So we don’t miss one, please notify us by email at news@webbcity.net.
