These Obituaries are reprinted from the Lawrence County Record, Mount Vernon, MO
Ruth Bernice Broady
Ruth Bernice Broady, 90, Goodman, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at Granby House, following a long illness. she was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Marvel, Ark., to Oannie and Grace (Griggs) Nunley. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Baptist church and attended the Goodman United Methodist Church for the past several years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee.
Survivors include two sons, James Broady, Neosho, and Wayne Broady, Warrensburg; two daughters, Helen Woodrum, Wayne Goodman, and Janice Barker, Mt. Vernon; three sisters, Dorthy Anderson, and Marie Miracle, Joplin, and Norma Penry, Meriden, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at Chapel of Memories, Clark Funeral Home, Neosho. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Neosho.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Compassus, in care of the funeral home.
Leonard Claude Carr
Leonard Claude Carr, 82, Billings, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at his home. He was born Oct. 31, 1928, in Republic to James Jackson and Betty Marie (Cunningham) Carr.
He married Ethel Latham Feb. 24, 1947, She survives.
He retired from Dayco Products after 25 years, and was a member of the Full Gospel Church in Billings.
He was preceded in death by one borther, Roy.
Additional survivors include three sons, Claude, Verona, and Bill and Ronnie both of Billings; one brother, Jack Carr, Billings; 10 grandchildren; and several great-grandchidlren.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Full Gospel Church, Billings, with Pastor Victor Horton officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill West Cemetery, Billings, under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home, Billings.
Memorial donations may be made to St. John's Hospice in Aurora.
Vivian Aileen (Trantham) Day
Vivian Aileene (Trantham) Day, 91, Marshfield, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2011. She was born Feb. 9, 1920, in Strafford to Esley and Etta Clifton Trantham.
Survivors include two sons, Greg Day, Mt. Vernon, and Jeff Day, Seymour; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph (Red) Day Jr.; two brothers, Esley Jr. and Jim Trantham; one sister, Roann Oberlander; and one granddaughter.
Services were Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Day Funeral Home, Marshfield with the Rev. Richard McGehee officiating. Burial was in Mount Pisgah Cemetery,Strafford.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Mount Pisgah Cemetery Fund, in care of the funeral home.
William T. (Bill) Farren
William T. (Bill) Farren, 81, Joplin, died at 1:20 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon. He was born July 14, 1929, in Joplin to Terry Thomas and Ethel May Lawton Farren. He lived in Joplin most of his life. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was an electrician and retired in 1990 when he received his 55-year pin from the International Bortherhood of Electrical Workers Union, Joplin Local No. 95. He was a member of the Joplin Pistol and Rifle Club and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He married Jeanie Howard Farren July 8, 1977, in Joplin. She survives.
Additonal survivors include four sons, Dan Farren and Steven Farren, both of Joplin, Mark Farren, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Scott Farren, Jacksonville, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Tom.
Services were Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Parker Chapel, Joplin, with the Rev. Bob Simon officiating. Burial, with military honors, was at Osborne Memorial Cemetery, southwest section of Joplin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon or Compassus Hospice of Joplin.
Jeannette Barbara Morrison
Jeannette Barbara Morrison, 82, Ash Grove, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in her home of congestive heart failure. She was born Oct. 4, 1928, in Houston, Pa., to Lewis Harvey and Jeannette Barbara (Jester) Shaffer. She lived in the Ash Grove area for the last 27 years.
Jeannette married Glen Morrison on Feb. 20, 1946. She was a full-time mother/farmer/homemaker/grandmother. She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed baking, polkas and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include daughters Arlene Morrison, Lindy, wife of Thomas McDonald, Sandra Swilhart and Dona Morrison all of Mt. Vernon. Grandchildren; Glenn McDonald and wife Tabitha, Crystal Schubert and husband Nathan, Bobbi Spain and husband Kendall, Anna Dawson and husband Eric, Jason Swihart and wife Jenna, Ehtan McDonald, April Norris and Molli McDonald.
Great-grandchildren; Hailea, Madiosn and Trenton Schubert, Dominic, Calvin and Hunter Dawson, Lindsay and Gavin McDonald, Kendra Spain and Jenson Swihart. Sisters: Betty Hull of Glasgow, Va, Judy Carter, Moneta, Va., Verdie Fischer, Lonestar, Texas, and one brother Lewis Shaffer, Lewisville, Ohio.
She was preceded in passing by her husband of 57 years; infant son Glenn Harvey Morrison, infant daughter Barbara Jean Morrison; one sister, Darlene Watson, and a brother and two sisters in infancy.
A natural at home viewing with burial in the family cmeetery ont he farm northwest of Chesapeake was held Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, with Chaplain Jack Betts officiating. She was laid to rest at 1 p.m. in her handmade wooden casket.
Walter Fieker
Walter Fieker, 91, Sarcoxie, died at 6:05 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon. He was born Feb 2, 1920, in Stotts City to Louis and Anna (Ottensmeyer) Fieker. He served in the United States Army duirng World War II and helped build the Alaskan highway, serving overseas in the Philippines in the 340th Engineers.
He was a farmer.
He married Phyllis Lee Harrison May 12, 1951, in Sarcoxie. She died Jan. 5, 1999.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kendrick; four borhters, Lawrence, Clarence, Harlan and Nolan Fieker; and four sisters, Millie Long, Helen Henry, Bertha Barnes and Edna Cox.
Survivors include one son, Steve Fieker, Sarcoxie, one daughter Sue Rahr, Viroqua, Wis.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchidlren.
Services were Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, with the Rev. Bill Worthington officiating. Burial was in the Sarcoxie Cemetery, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon or the American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral home.
Noma Dell Hill
Noma Dell Hill, 96, Noma Dell Hill, 96, Miller, died at 10:55 a.m., Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at Mt. Vernon Place Care Center, Mt. Vernon. She was born Oct. 21, 1914, in Lawrence County to Bert E. and Celia (Dean) Johnson. She was a homemaker and lived in the Miller community her entire life.
She married Lawson Hill April 19, 1935, in Greenfield. He died Sept. 6, 2002.
Survivors include two sons, J.B. and Brad Hill, both of Miller; one brother, Jack Johnson, California; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Noel "Red" Johnson, and three grandsons.
Services were Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home, Miller. Burial was in the Shiloh Cemetery, northeast of Miller.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Henry Leonard "Hank" Lester
Henry Leonard "Hank" Lester, 69, Mt. Vernon, died at 2:25 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at St. John's Springfield. He was born May 25, 1941, in Mt. Vernon to Charles and Lena (Riley) Lester. He was a 1959 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He worked for 43 years as a truck driver, most recently for Nick's Transport, Mt. Vernon.
He married Kay Stockton Sept 21, 1967, in Mt. Vernon. She survives.
Additional survivors include three sons, Chuck Lester, Greg Lester and Darrell Lester, and one daughter, Melissa Myers, all of Mt. Vernon; two brothers, John Lester, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Bobby Lester, Mt. Vernon; one sister, Mary Walker, Mt. Vernon; and 16 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Charlene Casey and Betty Curts; and one borhter Larry Gene Lester.
Graveside services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Ozark Prairie Cemetery, north of Mt. Vernon, under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Mt. Vernon.
James B. McBee
James B. McBee, 83, formerly of Joplin, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon, following an illness. He was born Nov. 10, 1927, at Stella to Sam and Margaret (Smith) McBee. He served in the United States Army Air Corps. He worked as a truck driver for Yellow Transit and Tri-State.
Survivors include one son, Jay McBee, Joplin, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Kevin McBee.
Graveside services were Friday, Feb. 18, at Osborne Memorial Cemetery, Joplin, with Pastor Aaron Brown officiating, under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory, Joplin.
Willis Ray Meyer
Willis Ray Meyer, 78, Aurora, died at 3:48 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at his home. He was born Feb. 2, 1933, in Stotts City to George Herman and Velma Lena (Moenkhoff) Meyer.
He lived in Lawrence County his entire life and was a 1950 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He worked as a backhoe operator and safety officer of Missouri Gas Energy and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Aurora. He married Phyllis Irwin Aug. 12, 1955, in Stotts City. She survives.
Additional survivors include one son, Scott Meyer, Cape Girardeau; two duaghters, Sherry Myers, St. Charles, and Sandy Alfred, O'Fallon and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Norma Breedlove.
Memorial services were Monday, Feb. 21, at the United Methodist Church, Aurora, under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, Aurora. Private burial services will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home.
Etta Louise Peterson
Etta Louise Peterson, 75, Monett, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at St. John's, Joplin. She was born Sept. 20, 1935, in Wentworth to George Preston and Florence (Cowan) Reynolds.
She was a graduate of Pierce City High School and a homemaker.
She married Howard Peterson Aug. 20, 1955, in Verona. He survives. Additonal survivors include one son, Gary Peteson, Pierce City; one daughter, Juanita Bishop, Springfield; two brothers, Dale Reynolds, Sarcoxie, and Donnie Reynolds, Sheldon; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack Reynolds, Andy Reynolds and Cleo Reynolds.
Services were Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Buchanan Funeral Home Chapel, Monett, with the Rev. Bob Whittemire officiating. Burial was in Spring River Cemetery, Verona.
Richard "Yogi" Leroy Nerren
Richard "Yogi" Leroy Nerren, 39, Springfield, formerly of Mt. Vernon and Monett, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, as the result of a motorcycle accident on Highway 97 near Stotts City. He was born Oct. 25, 1971, in Bishop, Calif., to George Nerren and Ruby (George) Rager.
He married Pamela Shields Jan. 26, 2008, in Reno, Nev. She survives. He was a drywall worker.
Additonal survivors include his father, George Nerren, Bishop; his mother, Ruby Rager, Mt. Vernon; five sisters, Doris Lee Albers, Sacramento, Calif., Sonya Lynn Locquiao and Pamela Denise Rager, both of Mt. Vernon, and Jennifer Nerren and Jessica Nerren, Bishop. His body was cremated under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City. No services are planned.
Robert Bruce Reed
Robert Bruce Reed, 83, Springfield, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, in the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon. He was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Neodesha, Kansas., to Roger John and Olivia Barr Reed.
He married Sue Ellen Matthews Jan. 16, 1953, in Monett. She survives.
He was a member of South Haven Baptist Church, Springfield. He graduated from Marionville High School and received his bachelor's degree in industrial technology from Missouri State University, Springfield. He served in the United States Marine Corps and the Army for three years after World War II. He was a radio dispatcher for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and taught electronics at a vocational technical school in Springfiled. He taught mathematics in the Springfield Public Schools before working as a counselor with the Missouri State Employment Office with more than 30 years of service.
Additional survivors include five sons, Douglas Reed, Chapel Hill, N.C., Paul Reed, Kankakee, Ill., John Reed, Laguna, Calif., Philip Reed, Springfield, and James Reed, Oslo, Norway; three brothers, Louis Reed, Portland, Ore., Richard Reed, Independence, and Vernon Reed, Liberty; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Henderson Reed and Harry Reed.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, Springfield, with the Rev. Ryan Palmer officiating. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, Springfield.
Memorial donations may be made to South Haven Baptist Church, the Alzheimer's Association or the Missouri Veterans' Home/Mt. Vernon.
Herbert Lee Riott
Herbert Lee Riott, 69, Purdy, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1941, in Abesville to Claude and Mary (Coin) Riott. He was raised in the Barry County area and attended school in McDowell. He worked most of his life in construction and as an independent truck driver.
Survivors include four sons, Robert Riott, Pierce City, Steven Riott, Independence, Timothy Riott, Pueblo, Colo., and Brian Riott, Verona; one sister, Linda Kirk, Springfield; and four grandchidlren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Flo Ella Hopkins, and Tammy Riott; and two grandchildren.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.
Howard E. Smith
Howard E. Smith, 79, Aurora, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at his home. He was a retired vice president of sales for Washington Belt Company.
Arrangements are pending under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.
Raymond Stapleton Jr.
Raymond Stapleton Jr., 66, Verona, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, in his home following a lengthy illness. He was born June 24, 1944, in Shell Knob to Dale and Margie Stapleton.
He retired from a family-owned cleaning business. He had previously worked as a butcher at Russ' Supermarket in Purdy.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Linda Sue; two sons, Larry, Nixa, and Keith, Aurora, four sisters, Mary Swafford, Viola Castle, Janet Hemphill and Barbara McFarland; two brothers, Jerry Stapleton and Jim Stapleton; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Steve Brian.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday Feb 26, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnessess in Aurora, under the direction of White Funeral Home, Cassville.
Clinton Kenneth Ogle
Clinton Kenneth Ogle, 80, Mt. Vernon, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, in Sprinfield. He was born Jan. 21, 1931, in Willow Springs to Kenneth Perry and Mable A. (Roberts) Ogle.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield. Visitation will be from noon to service time Wednesday.
Leroy Watts
Leroy Watts, 87, Verona, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in St. John's, Springfield, following a sudden illness. He was born Oct. 11, 1923, in Joplin to Harley Monroe and Nellie Elizabeth (Hale) Watts.
He was a 1941 graduate of Joplin High School and attended Joplin Junior College. He served in the United States Army, where he was a medic during World War II. He worked for Sesco Engineering in Kansas City for many years. He wa a founding member of the Missouri Cowboy Poets Association, a member of the Ozark Writers' Guild and had attended Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.
He married M. Lavern Matthews July 9, 1948. She survives.
Additonal survivors include one son, L.W. Watts, West Minster, Colo.; one daughter, Roxanna Lee Watts, Monett; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Leo Watts, and one sister, Wanda Goodpastor.
Memorial services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, with the Rev. Hubert Conway officiating, under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.
Memorial donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes, in care of the funeral home.
Donald Ray Williams
Donald Ray Williams, 65, Webb City, died at 10:38 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at St. John's Joplin. H He was born June 22, 1945, in Aurora to Lloyd and Leona (White) Williams. He attended the Aurora Baptist Temple and went to school in Aurora as a child.
Survivors include two brothers, Roy Williams, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Paul Williams, Aurora.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services were Friday, Feb. 18, in Maple Park Cemetery, Aurora, under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell funeral Home, Aurora.
