Miscellaneous Jasper County, Missouri Obituaries 1996

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Thomas Johnson 

Thomas Lee Johnson, 60, 5509 Shoal Cliff Drive, died at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at St. John's Regional Medical Center after an illness. 

Mr. Johnson was born Feb. 20, 1936, at Lee's Summit. He had lived the past 15 years in Joplin. He was a Missouri highway patrolman for 15 years. He then worked for Explo Midwest, formerly of Joplin, for 14 years. He also worked as a safety and compliance manager for Ludwig Blasting and Drilling Co., Lemont, Ill., retiring in 1991. He was a former member of the National Guard. He was a member of Lee's Summit Baptist Church. 

He married Lois Ingram on Oct. 20, 1984, in Joplin. She survives. 

Also surviving are a daughter, Amy Marie Johnson, Salinas, Calif.; three stepdaughters, Rachael Carrell, Neosho, Joyce McGuire, Joplin, and Diana Dry, Germany; four stepsons, names and address unavailable; and two brothers, Lawrence Johnson, Kingburg, Calif., and Marshall Johnson, Paramount, Calif. 

The body is to be cremated. No services are planned. 

Arrangements are under direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. 

Martha Millard 

Martha Millard, 68, 1502 Michigan Ave., died at 2:21 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at St. John's Regional Medical Center after an illness. 

Mrs. Millard was born Aug. 18, 1928, at Rich Hill. She had lived in Joplin since 1972, moving from Excelsior Springs. She worked 8“ years in the bakery department at Wyatt's Cafeteria, retiring in 1991. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the St. Mary's Altar Society and the Senior Saints, all of Joplin. 

She married Cecil Harvey Millard on Sept. 16, 1946, at Olathe, Kan. He died Nov. 22, 1991. 

Surviving are two sons, Cecil Millard II, North Little Rock, Ark., and Kurtis Millard, Joplin; two daughters, Roberta Millard and Rose Millard, both of Joplin; two brothers, Fred Beasley, Mabank, Texas, and Bill Beasley, Junction City, Kan.; two sisters, Betty Barbar, Kansas City, Kan., and Jeanetta Beasley, state of Idaho; and three grandchildren. 

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. Raymond Kunkel will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Park Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be Bill Williams, Ray Kennedy, Paul Brothers, Tom Cusack, Grant Hallacy and Jim Orcut. 

A prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. 

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. 

Amanda Ward 

Amanda Opal Ward, 99, 2436 Odessa St., died at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at Freeman Hospital West after a short illness. 

Mrs. Ward was born Aug. 4, 1897, in Adair County. She lived most of her life in Joplin. She was a homemaker. He worked 15 years for shirt manufacturers in Joplin, including Miller Manufacturing Co. and Oberman Manufacturing Co. She attended Royal Heights United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Over 50 Club and the Senior Citizens Club. 

She married Grover C. Ward on Jan. 1, 1936, in Joplin. He died July 13, 1941. 

Surviving are a son, John Ward, Joplin route 6; a daughter, Barbara Spencer, of the home; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be Johnnie C. Ward Jr., William Chad Ward, Christopher John Ward and Marty G. Hanke. 

The family will receive friends from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. 

Viola Blackford 

SHELDON, Mo. … Viola Blackford, 77, Sheldon, died at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at Barton County Memorial Hospital, Lamar, after a short illness. 

Mrs. Blackford was born April 22, 1919, at Massena, Iowa. She had lived in Barton County the past 52 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Grace Place Baptist Church in Barton County. 

She married Ray Floyd Blackford on Jan. 29, 1935, at Carthage. He died Aug. 30, 1981. 

Survivors include a son, David Blackford, Lamar; her mother, Enola Pennell, Newport community; six brothers, Lloyd Pennell, Luther Pennell and Lonnie Pennell, all of the Newport community, Roy Pennell, Iantha, Louis Pennell, Jasper, and Nick Pennell, Osceola; four sisters, Rosie Kaderly, Jerico Springs, Mary Harris, Hardin, and Wilma Pennell and Edith Pennell, both of the Newport community; and four grandchildren. 

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar. The Rev. Kevin Sheat will officiate. Burial will be in Howell Cemetery. 

Friends may visit from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. 

Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. 

Lela Davidson 

PIERCE CITY, Mo. … Lela Pearl Davidson, 87, rural Pierce City, died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at her home after a long illness. 

Mrs. Davidson was born Dec. 9, 1908, at Stark City. She had lived in the Pierce City area for 65 years. She was a homemaker and a member of VanBuren Methodist Church, near Wentworth. 

She married James Davidson on Dec. 28, 1929, at Cherryvale, Kan. He is her only immediate survivor. 

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City. The Rev. Charles Leonard and the Rev. Charles Canady will officiate. Burial will be in VanBuren Cemetery, near Wentworth. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

Albena Etter 

MONETT, Mo. … Albena Marie Courdin Etter, 91, Monett, died at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at Cox-Monett Hospital after a long illness. 

Mrs. Etter was born Oct. 9, 1905, in Monett and was a lifetime area resident. She retired in 1975 from Stocker Propane Co. of Monett. She was a member of Waldensian Presbyterian Church, the Waldensian Ladies Auxiliary and the Pleasant Dale Club, all of Monett. 

Survivors include a daughter, Willadean Ray, Monett. 

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Waldensian Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Wade Ditty will officiate. Burial will be in Waldensian Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home, Monett. 

Contributions may be made to the Waldensian Cemetery Association, in care of the funeral home. 

Beulah Hammons 

WHEATON, Mo. … Beulah Lee Hammons, 95, 202 Wilson Ave., died at 6:33 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at her home after a short illness. 

Miss Hammons was born June 10, 1901, at Stella. She was a lifetime area resident. She taught school in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri for 48 years. She was a private nurse for many years. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God, Wheaton. 

There are no immediate survivors. 

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Dice Cemetery, near Fairview. John Sittler will officiate. 

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Wheaton Funeral Home. 

Vernon Johns 

ORONOGO, Mo. … Vernon C. Johns, 67, 203 Victor St., died at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at his home after a sudden illness. 

Mr. Johns was born June 5, 1929, at Webb City. He moved to the Oronogo area in 1991 from Portland, Ore. He had been a maintenance worker in Portland. 

There are no immediate survivors. 

Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Oronogo Cemetery. The Rev. John Wilkins will officiate. 

Arrangements are under direction of Simpson Funeral Home, Webb City. 

William Jones 

AURORA, Mo. … William P. Jones, 86, Aurora, died at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at a local nursing home after a long illness. 

Mr. Jones was born June 19, 1910, at Parkersburg, W.Va. He was a retired laborer for a casket manufacturing company at Monett. He was an Army veteran of World War II. 

He married Claudine Vaught on Dec. 19, 1947, in the state of Ohio. She survives. 

Also surviving are two daughters, Ellen Freeman, Joplin, and Sue Stacy, Oklahoma City, Okla.; and eight grandchildren. 

The body is to be cremated. No services are planned. 

Arrangements are under direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, Aurora. 

Brenda Kruse 

STARK CITY, Mo. … Brenda Jo Kruse, 37, Stark City, died at 4:25 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at Freeman Neosho Hospital, Neosho, after a sudden illness. 

Miss Kruse was born Jan. 10, 1959, at Stella. She was a lifetime area resident. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. 

Surviving are her parents, Joe and Ann Kruse, Stark City; a brother, Curtis Kruse, Stark City; and a sister, Debbie Cotton, Neosho. 

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Dice Cemetery, Fairview, with the Rev. Lawrence Shuey and the Rev. Walter Smart officiating. 

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Clark Funeral Home, Granby. 

Contributions may be made to Teen Challenge, in care of the funeral home. 

Homer Means 

AURORA, Mo. … Homer E. Means, 64, Aurora, died at 4:50 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at his home after a short illness. 

Mr. Means was born Aug. 14, 1932, in Aurora. He was a lifetime resident of the Aurora area. He was a retired self-employed printer. He was a member of Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Aurora. 

He married Doris Bellis on Nov. 17, 1951, in Aurora. She survives. 

Also surviving are a son, Mike Means, Aurora; three daughters, Janey Hood, Mount Vernon, and Donna Long and Barbara Hudson, both of Aurora; two sisters, Vivian Ellis and Madeline Moutray, both of Aurora; and 10 grandchildren. 

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Don Gardner will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, Aurora. 

Contributions may be made to the church or to Hartline Hospice, Springfield. 

Mary Meister 

MONETT, Mo. … Mary S. Meister, 75, Monett, died at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at Cox-Monett Hospital after a sudden illness. 

Mrs. Meister was born Nov. 10, 1921, in the Pioneer community near Monett. She was a lifetime area resident, a homemaker and a farmer. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Purdy. 

She married Raymond Meister on Nov. 21, 1944, at Lawton, Okla. He died April 1, 1993. 

Survivors include two sons, Norman Meister, Little Rock, Ark., and Walter Meister, Springfield; a daughter, Arlene Meister, Monett; a sister, Rose Mettlach, Pierce City; six grandchildren; and five grandchildren. 

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Purdy. The Rev. Arhart Wolf will officiate. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home, Monett. 

Contributions may be made to St. John's Cemetery, in care of the funeral home. 

Marion Nelson 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. … Marion J. Nelson, 74, 227 S. Main St., died at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at her home after a sudden illness. 

Mrs. Nelson was born June 4, 1922, at Joplin. She was a lifetime resident of the area. She was a 1940 graduate of Joplin High School. She attended Franklin Technical School and Missouri Southern State College, Joplin. She was a switchboard operator for eight years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. She attended Bethany Presbyterian Church. 

Surviving are two daughters, Debby Nelson, of the home, and Patty Nelson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; a brother, Richard E. Smith, Joplin; and two grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. Elder Don Kilgore will officiate. 

The family will receive friends from noon to 12:45 p.m. Friday at Parker Mortuary, Joplin. 

The family will be at the home of the brother, Richard E. Smith, 2031 Murphy Ave., Joplin. 

Mildred Scott 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. … Mildred Theresa ``Babe'' Scott, 90, Colorado Springs, Colo., a former Carl Junction resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996, at her home after a long illness. 

Mrs. Scott was born June 2, 1906, at Champaign, Ill. She moved from the Carl Junction area 40 years ago. She had worked at Etcher-VanBriggle Pottery Co. in Illinois. She was a member of Audubon Heights Baptist Church and a charter member of the American Association of Retired Persons. 

She married Clarence Scott on Dec. 20, 1930. He died May 13, 1987. 

Survivors include two daughters, Lynda Porter and Carolyn Mason, both of Colorado Springs; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. 

The body has been cremated. 

Memorial graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Carl Junction Cemetery. The Rev. Bob Simon will officiate. 

Arrangements are under direction of Simpson Funeral Home, Webb City. 

The family will be at the home of Ray and Margaret Townsend, Joplin route 3. 

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Comforter, Colorado Springs. 

James Stivers 

CARTHAGE, Mo. … James A. Stivers, 86, 102 Wilson Road, died at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at McCune-Brooks Hospital after a one-year illness. 

Mr. Stivers was born Oct. 11, 1910, at Oakland, Calif. He lived at Sacramento, Calif., and retired in 1972 after 35 years as a high school principal there. He lived at Woodland, Calif., before moving to Carthage in 1989. 

He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage, and a former member of the Carthage Kiwanis Club. He was a former member of Masonic lodges at Woodland and Willits, Calif., and the Scottish Rite Temple at Sacramento. 

He married Evelyn Rusconi on Dec. 21, 1941, at Carson City, Nev. She survives. 

Also surviving are a daughter, Barbara Hulett, West Orange, N.J.; and two grandchildren. 

The body has been cremated. 

Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church. The Rev. Bruce Green will officiate. The ashes will be interred in the church columbarium. 

Arrangements are under direction of Knell Mortuary, Carthage. 

John Zahm 

HALLOWELL, Kan. … John William Zahm, 78, Hallowell route 1, died at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at his home after an illness. 

Mr. Zahm was born June 25, 1918, near Hallowell. He was a 1937 graduate of Columbus High School. He was a farmer, retiring in 1991. 

He was a member of the United Methodist Church; Prudence Masonic Lodge No. 100, Columbus; the Fort Scott Consistory; the Cherokee County Shrine and Clowns of Columbus; and the Mirza Shrine, the Quetzalcoatl and the Hospital Dads, all of Pittsburg. 

He married Mary Marie Wiseman on May 21, 1938, at Columbus. She survives. 

Additional survivors include two sons, John W. Zahm Jr., Iola, and Clark Zahm, Hallowell; a daughter, Judy Moss, Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters, Frances Price, Livermore, Calif., and Janet Bailey, Wichita; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. 

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus. The Rev. Gary E. Reed and the Rev. Gary Parsons will officiate. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Columbus. 

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

Contributions may be made to the Hospital Dads or to the Children's Transportation Fund of Mirza Temple, in care of the funeral home. 

Grace Dawson 

MIAMI, Okla. … Graveside services for Grace H. Dawson, 91, Miami, who died Tuesday, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at GAR Cemetery, Miami. 

The Rev. Dawna Bridgewater will officiate. 

Arrangements are under direction of Jim Thomas Funeral Home, Miami. 

Mrs. Dawson returned to the Miami area from the state of California. Her husband, Carter Dawson, preceded her in death. 

Myrle Etzel 

AFTON, Okla. … Myrle Maxine Etzel, 77, Afton, died at 12:03 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, at Grove General Hospital, Grove, after a long illness. 

Mrs. Etzel was born Jan. 9, 1919, at Commerce. She was a lifetime resident of Afton. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Afton, where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She had been a counselor at the Grand Lake Baptist Camp. 

She married Robert Leroy Kelly on Jan. 30, 1942, at Vinita. He died in 1945. She married John Blackey Etzel on May 18, 1948, at Nowata. He died in May 1985. 

Survivors include two sons, Ron Kelly, Afton, and John Etzel Jr., Narcissa; a daughter, Nancy Kelly Beck, Fort Gibson; a stepdaughter, Mary Studdard, Neosho, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. 

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, Afton. The Rev. Herb Patterson will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Afton. 

Pallbearers will be Ed Turlington Jr., Lance Turlington, Mark Kelly, Brett Kelly, Gabe Etzel and Jason Etzel. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Adcock Funeral Home, Afton. 

Kenneth Reading 

COMMERCE, Okla. … Kenneth L. Reading, 55, 500 N. Quincy St., died at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996, at Baptist Regional Health Center, Miami, after a short illness. 

Mr. Reading was born March 10, 1941, at Siloam Springs, Ark. He moved to the Commerce area in 1964 from Siloam Springs. He was a shop foreman for Pioneer Rock and Chat at Cardin. He was a member of Southeast Baptist Church, Commerce. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. 

He married Lois M. Reading on Dec. 5, 1958, at Tahlequah. She survives. 

Additional survivors include three sons, Kendall Reading and Kevin Reading, both of Commerce, and Kent Reading, Broken Arrow; three brothers, Jim Marsh, Lowell, Ark., Darrell Reading, Siloam Springs, and Doug Reading, Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Fayelene Hill, Siloam Springs; and six grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fairmont Cemetery, Gentry, Ark. The Rev. Jerry VonMoss and the Rev. Clyde Stilley will officiate. 

Pallbearers will be Scott Sharpenstien, Ed Rogers, Terry Flaherty, Larry North, Jerry Fields, Ronnie McFadden, Donald Hutson and Fred Flaherty. 

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Paul Thomas Funeral Home, Miami. 

Richard VanBuren 

GROVE, Okla. … Richard S. ``Steve'' VanBuren, 46, Monkey Island community, died, Sunday, Nov. 10, 1996, at his home of a sudden illness. 

Mr. VanBuren was born Jan. 27, 1950, at Iola, Kan. He was a Marine Corps veteran, serving in Vietnam from 1970 to 1975. After his discharge, he moved to Monkey Island. In 1994, he opened Monkey Island Watercraft Rental, which he owned and operated until his death. 

He married Melinda Smith on Dec. 14, 1985, at Jay. She survives. 

Additional survivors include a daughter, Kelly VanBuren, Edmond; a brother, Larry VanBuren, Liberal, Kan.; and a sister, Lynda Sheffler, Wichita, Kan. 

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove. Memorial services will be conducted at the home of David and Louise Miller, near Silver Keys on Monkey Island. 

The body is to be cremated.

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