Obituaries

Funeral services for Maynard “Gene” Ealy, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 5, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Ealy passed away at 4:46 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2018 at his home.

He was born September 11, 1944, at Flint, Michigan, to Maynard Monroe Ealy and Zella Mae Dodd Ealy.  On December 22, 1962, he was married to Brenda M. Marshall at Amy Union Chapel, Hocomo, Missouri.  Mr. Ealy was a veteran, having served with the United States Army for over twenty-three years before retiring.  He had planned to spend his retirement fishing, but was soon called to be a fisher of men and entered into the ministry of his Living God.  Mr. Ealy was a volunteer chaplain at Ozarks Medical Center for ten years; eight of those years he served as president.  He also worked at Fas-Serv Market for ten years, during which time he made many friends.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Brenda Ealy, of the family home; two sons, Scott Ealy and friend, Corrina, Branson,  Missouri and Terry Ealy, of the State of Mississippi; one brother, Bill Ealy, State of Indiana; two sisters, Shirley Myers and husband, Bob, and Hazel Blouin, all of State of Indiana; one brother-in-law, Randy Marshall, Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Linda Strosnider and husband, Brad, Mountain View, Missouri and Rose Ann Marshall, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one brother, David Ealy and two brothers-in-law, Gary Marshall and Jim Russell, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Journey Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Dorothy Lee Moore, 77, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Endurance Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Ms. Moore passed away at 8:37 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born July 15, 1941, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Emery Leroy Vankirk and Hazel Rosetta Crow Vankirk.  She attended Ritenour High School.  As a child, Dorothy rode two street cars to church each week with her family.  Dorothy played the piano for Gateway Temple Church, led children’s church and was active in Child Evangelism and also played the organ at The Pentecostal Church of God.  She was an avid gardener, quilter, had worked as a government secretary at the St. Louis Record Center for seven years, worked for fifteen years at West Vue and Pleasant Valley Care Facilities as a caregiver and after her retirement, she worked at Green Acres Assisted Living, Newton’s Group Home and cooked lunches for Faith Christian Academy.  Mrs. Moore was a devoted Christian, faithful wife of forty years, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by three children, Bethany Heath and husband, Jerry, Pam Launius and husband, Grant and Kenneth Moore and wife, Kimberly, all of West Plains; eight grandchildren, David Murdy, Christina Dailey and husband, Tim, Heather Murdy, Donna-Jean Acosta and husband, Dalton, Sarah Murdy, Autumn Moore, Kaitland Binkley and husband, Tyler and Corbin Heath; four great-grandchildren, Aidan, Miguel, KennethLee and Gabriel; one brother, Emory Vankirk and wife, Dawn, Derby, Kansas; one uncle, Lyndell Crow and wife, Zereta; one brother-in-law, Charles Wallis; two nieces, Cheryl Davis and husband, Brett and Karen Todd and husband, Chuck; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her parents and one sister, Mary Ferrell, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life service for Leslie Eddings Rader, 76, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Rader passed away at 9:45 p.m., Monday, October 29, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born October 24, 1942, at Delaware, Missouri, Mahan’s Creek neighborhood, the beloved son of the late Lowell Leslie and Lydia Eddings Rader.  He received his education in rural Schneider School and West Plains High School.  Mr. Rader served his country in the Missouri National Guard.  He was a long-time electrical worker at Rader Electric and RKL Construction, West Plains.  All of his life, he was a farmer and loved working on the family farm with his father and later owning and operating the farm.  Mr. Rader was of the Baptist faith, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior as a child and was a charter member of the Berean Baptist Church of West Plains.  He faithfully served and worshiped at Berean throughout his life.

He is survived by his siblings, Dr. Benjamin G. Rader and wife, Barbara, Lincoln, Nebraska, E. M. “Mike” Rader and wife, Marge, McKinney, Texas, Howard S. Rader and wife, Eve, Springfield, Missouri, Ada F. Cochran and husband, Mike, West Plains and Martha Alice Smith and husband, Danny, West Plains; seven nieces and nephews, Dr. Anne Rader, Portland, Oregon, Jill Hickman, McKinney, Texas, Allison Rader, McKinney, Texas, Becky Wood, Springfield, Missouri, Lance Cochran, West Plains, Marty Cochran, Golden, Colorado and Stacey Smith, West Plains; many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, neighborhood friends and church friends.

His parents, two nieces, Julia and Tina Rader and one nephew, Steve Rader, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Berean Baptist Church or OMC Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Odus Dwain Metz, 77, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 29, 2018 at the Assembly of God Church, Bakersfield, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Metz died at 3:15 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at his home.  He was born February 4, 1941 at London, Arkansas to Earl Metz and Georgia Hutson Metz.  On July 5, 1964, Mr. Metz was married at Jonesboro, Arkansas to Lavonne Tackett.  He was a veteran having served in the United States Army.  Mr. Metz was a long time farmer and loved to play softball.  He had been a Sunday School Teacher at LTI Training Institute, served on several churches councils,  and currently was attending the Assembly of God Church, Bakersfield, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Lavonne Metz, of the family home; three children, Ricky Dwain Metz, wife, Sherry, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Joey Wayne Metz, wife, Melissa, Caulfield, Missouri; and Keisha Paulette Russell, husband, Stan, Carrollton, Mississippi; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters, Virginia Carter, Violet Garrett, Shirley Adams, husband, Leon and Brenda Tackett, husband, Charles; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents and one brother, Gerald Metz, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m., until service time, Monday, October 29, at the Assembly of God Church.  Interment in be in the Higden-McLehaney Cemetery.

Funeral services for William David “Bill” Gunter, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Gunter passed away at 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018 at his home.

He was born June 11, 1934, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Orville Lee Gunter and Ethel Mettie Collins Gunter.  Mr. Gunter was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  On October 18, 1956, he was married at Pottersville, Missouri, to Eva Lee Osborn.  Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.  He loved farming, hunting and fishing.  Mr. Gunter was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Crider Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Eva Lee Gunter; two children, Tony Gunter and wife, Velva and Sherri Gunter, all of West Plains; two grandchildren, Jessica Dixon and husband, Chad and Eugene Gunter and wife, Jennifer, all of West Plains; five great-grandchildren, Kaylea, Emma and Joby Dixon and Kaebrynn and Kreed Gunter; two brothers, Norman Gunter and wife, Betty and Bob Gunter and wife, Barbara, all of West Plains; three sisters, Barbara Gunter, West Plains, Janet Jeffery and husband, Wendell and Joyce Crawford and husband, Bob, all of Springfield, Missouri; one brother-in-law, William Osborn and wife, Darlene, West Plains; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, three sisters, Lucille, Louise and Anna and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Johnnie and Dorothy Osborn, preceded him in death.

Mr. Gunter will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Virginia Mary Orf, 77, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Virginia passed away at 8:21 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born May 16, 1941, at Bowling Green, Missouri, to Oliver S. Orf and Rose T. Luebers Orf.  She loved her animals and her family and enjoyed crocheting, flowers and riding the Oats bus every Thursday.  Virginia was a mother figure even though she never was one.  She was a member of the Bakersfield Full Gospel Church for five years.

She is survived by three brothers, Donald Orf and wife, Linda, Calico Rock, Arkansas, Dennis Orf, Curryville, Missouri and Ralph Orf and wife, Ginny, Pace, Florida; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her parents, step-mother, Florence, two brothers, Lawrence Orf and wife, Diana and Ronnie Orf and one nephew and one great-nephew, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Bakersfield Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Foundation or Bakersfield Full Gospel Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for James Randall Rheinhardt, 88, Adona, Arkansas,  will be at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 31. 2018 at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Rheinhardt  passed away at 5:16 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Morrilton, Arkansas.  James was born on October 26, 1930 in Mattoon, Illinois to Oca Ruth and John Edward Rheinhardt.  Jim, as he was known by friends, is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Edward, Fred and Johnny Rheinhardt and sisters, Oca Ruth Madory and Lilllie Bell Wikel.

He is survived by his wife, of 68 years, Margret Bolderson Rheinhardt; sisters, Darlene McDonald, Gloria Beal and Merilyn Deitle; sons, George (Becky) and Jimmy (Joyce) Rheinhardt; grandchildren, Cindie (Nick) Haynes, James (Becca) Rheinhardt, George (Alex) Rheinhardt and Steven Rheinhardt; nine great-grandchildren; and many relatives  and friends.

After over 35 years working for the Terminal Railroad in East St. Louis, Missouri, Jim and Margret retired to the Mountain Home, Arkansas area to enjoy boating, fishing and spending time with their children and grandchildren.  He loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Memorial contributions may be made to Log-A-Load Program at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Deborah Kay Fierce, 65, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 1, 2018 at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Fierce died at 6:48 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at her home.  She was born July 19, 1953 at Davenport, Iowa to James Smith and Jeanette Emma Newt Smith.  On September 30, 1972, she was married at Davenport, Iowa to Thomas Fierce.  She had been an assistant manager at the Mini Mart. Mrs. Fierce enjoyed bingo, going to casinos and helping her family which she loved dearly. She was a Christian.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Fierce, Sr., of the family home; two children, Tom Fierce, Jr. and Reina, West Plains, Missouri and Travis Fierce and Rodney, Sebastopol, California; four grandchildren, Trey, Brody and Braidlyn Fierce and Brady Ramsey; one brother, Jim Smith and friend, Berta Eckert, West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Patty Richter and husband, Larry, Blue Grass, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, one son, Timothy Fierce and one sister, Donna Wailand, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 31st, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Fern O’Neal Smith, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Smith passed away at 7:09 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born February 6, 1931 at Dewey, Oklahoma to Roy Gannon and Eva Foster Gannon.  On July 6, 1951, she was married at Salem, Arkansas to Joseph W. Smith. Mrs. Smith was known for the many cards and poems that she sent to her family and friends; she spent many hours with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members.  She was a Christian and attended the Calvary General Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Smith, of the family home; five children, Peggy Baty-Willis, Cherokee Village, Arkansas, Bobby Smith, wife, Dawn, West Plains, Missouri, Phyllis Crider, husband, Dennis, West Plains, Missouri, Keith Smith, wife, Kambra, St. Charles, Missouri and Christina “Jean” Kerley, husband, Stace, West Plains, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Travis Baty, wife, Renee, Bradley Baty, wife, Kim, David Baty, wife, Joanna, Joey Smith, wife, Renae, Robby Smith, wife, Brandie, Morgan Goss, husband, Jacob, Angie Akers, Kortney Broeker, husband, Jarod and Lauren Kerley; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Jimmy Gannon, wife, Helen, Gamaliel, Arkansas; one sister, Sharon Kapphahn, West Plains, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one sister, Louise Crowell, son-in-law, Frank Akers and daughter-in-law, Tammy Smith, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 1st, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Loyd Gene Young, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Young passed away at 6:09 p.m., Sunday, October 28, 2018 at his home.

He was born July 8, 1933 at Trail, Missouri to Cliff Berry and Alma Young Collins.   Mr. Young started his education at the Trail School and then the family moved to West Plains where graduated from the West Plains High School.  He began over the road trucking at a young age and became an owner/operator and was active until just a few years ago.  On May 17, 1957, Mr. Young was married at Hernando, Mississippi to Linda Lee Lowe.  He enjoyed stock car racing and drove #14 at the tracks around West Plains; also, he played pool with his friends at the Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Young was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed his Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Young, of the family home; two children, Bruce Collins and wife, Brenda, and Janice Groves; five grandchildren, Kemberly Harris and husband, Jeff, Tangela Runyan, Ronnie Perkins and wife, Marcie, Chad Collins and wife, Jo Beth and Cory Collins and wife, Beckie; thirteen great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Rick Berry; and one sister, Tammy Newsome.

His father, mother and step-dad, Webb Collins and one grandson, Christopher Collins, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 1st, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Stuart Union Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Stuart Union Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Eva May Hall Taber, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 29, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Taber passed from this life to join her husband, Ed and Christ her Savior at 4:47 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born May 25, 1930, at West Plains, Missouri, to Marion Lorenzo “Doad” Hall and Fern Stephenson Hall.  Mrs. Taber graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1948, where she received her teacher-training certificate to teach in any public school in Missouri for two years.  After high school she attended Draughon’s Business School in Springfield, Missouri.  On February 21, 1953, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Edward Lee Taber, at Salem, Arkansas.  She and her husband lived in many places over the years, but always called West Plains “home”.  Eva cared for children in her home for many years so that she would be close to her own children; when they grew older she took various positions which included TG&Y in Midland, Texas and later retired from Pleasant Valley Manor in West Plains.  Eva loved to crochet and created many beautiful doilies, tablecloths and bedspreads, which she shared with family and friends.  She also enjoyed writing and receiving letters, reading, playing Mexican Train Dominos and later in life she enjoyed playing Bingo with her friends.

She is survived by one daughter, Josephine “Jo” Applegate and husband, Jerry, Raytown, Missouri; one son, Rick Taber and wife, Patti, Rover, Missouri; two grandsons, Jason Taber and David Taber and their families; three step-grandsons, Jeff Applegate, Bryon Applegate and Todd Applegate and their families; one great-granddaughter, Nala Taber; eight step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris Harrington; five sisters-in-law, Glenda Hall, Ruth Taber, Sue Hurt, Boots Callahan and Levita Reimon; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband Ed of sixty-five years, step-father, Elmer Tidball, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Elizabeth “Polly” and Ray Taber; one sister, Geneva Henry, one brother, Otis Hall and four brothers-in-law, Clarence Henry, George Harrington, Al Ray Taber and Wayne Hurt, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Vue Nursing Center Activities Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

George Logan Frommel, 92, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 9:00 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Pleasant Valley Manor.

He was born June 27, 1926, at Willow Springs, Missouri, to Hugh L. Frommel and Lena E. Wilson Frommel.  Mr. Frommel was a veteran, having retired as a Petty Officer First Class with the United States Navy; he was a combat veteran of WWII.  He was devoted to his wife, Setsuko, who preceded him in death in 2011.

He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, five brothers, H. L. Frommel, Jr., Franklin Frommel, Floyd Frommel, Willard Frommel and Ronald Frommel and two sisters, Helen Bartlett and Erma Johnson, preceded him in death.

A private burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Nelson, 49, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Nelson passed away at 5:35 p.m., Sunday, October 21, 2018 at her home.

She was born January 10, 1969, at West Plains, Missouri, to Otis Lee Butler and Margie Ann Edmonston Butler.  On March 18, 1989, she was married at the Hammond Mill Camp, West Plains, Missouri to Randy Nelson.  Mrs. Nelson worked as a claims associate at Wal-Mart.  She was a football mom and enjoyed attending her son’s games.  All of her family’s activities were important to her and her grandbaby was the light of her life.

She is survived by her husband, Randy  Nelson, of the family home; three children, Brandi Leigh Nelson, Mason John Nelson and Jared Austin Nelson, all of West Plains; one granddaughter, Madisyn Leighann Gunter; her mother, Margie Griffin, West Plains; her father, Otis Butler and wife, Karen, Koshkonong, Missouri; one brother, Michael Lee Butler and wife, Maureen, South Fork, Missouri; one sister, Jennifer Renee Hicks and husband, Justin, West Plains; and six nieces and nephews, Leyna, Lori, Eric, Dagean, Cameron and Lane.

Her grandparents preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Grand Gulf Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Gulf Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service for Travis Wayne Yocham, 59, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Elks Lodge, West Plains.  The family invites all family and friends to join in sharing their favorite memories of Travis.

Mr. Yocham passed away at 7:39 p.m., Monday, August 6, 2018 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.

He was born October 30, 1958, in Howell County, Missouri, to the late Vick Collins and Wilma Lee Yocham Collins.  On July 4, 1985, he was married to Jennifer Ledbetter.  Travis enjoyed racing, 4-wheeling and fishing; he loved building things and spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by Jennifer Yocham; seven children, Crystal Mays and husband, Ricky, West Plains, Missouri, Deidra Yocham and fiancee’ James Rubio, Harrison, Arkansas, James Simandl and wife, Andrea, Willow Springs, Missouri, Vance Farmer and wife, Keturah, Willow Springs,  Missouri, William Collins and wife, Sarah, Peace Valley, Missouri, Heather Stewart, West Plains and Casey Ledbetter, West Plains; twenty-one grandchildren, Dominique, Christian, Arionna, Tylor, Dustin, Brayden, Logan, Mya, Annabella, Kaitlyn, Haley, Brody, Noah, Michael, Tyler, Aiden, Issac, Bryston, Caiden, Mason and Phoenix; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jayden; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Brandon Ledbetter, one brother, Vick Ray Todd and wife, Donna, his grandparents, six aunts and several cousins, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Vedra Shannon Murphy, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Murphy passed away at 7:55 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2018 at her home.

She was born January 9, 1924, at Birch Tree, Missouri, to Louis Albert Dunn and Willia Etta Williams Dunn.  On September 10, 1941, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Virgil Marshall Murphy, who preceded her in death March 16, 2001.  The couple lived in the Birch Tree, Missouri area until 1950, until the family moved to West Plains, where Vedra has lived until the present.  She was employed in various jobs in the area; among those were, Richards Brothers, Holiday Inn, Wal-Mart and Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Mrs. Murphy retired in 2004.  She enjoyed oil painting, quilting, crocheting, music and cake decorating.  She also enjoyed serving her Lord faithfully and being a part of the fellowship at Calvary General Baptist Church, where she had been a member for many years.  Most of all, she enjoyed having her family around her and on special occasions she would insist on gathering them together for huge delicious meals and family fun.  Vedra will be missed by all of her family and friends.

She is survived by three children, Reta Butler and husband, Larry, Pueblo, Colorado, Patty Smith and husband, Ray, West Plains, Missouri and Rhonda Murphy Gallagher and husband, Frank, Tulsa, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Kerry, Jeff, Steve, Michelle, Wesley, Brian, Amy, Matt and Mercy; twenty-three great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Wilma Leonard, Mountain View, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Her parents, husband, one son, Duane Calvin Murphy, one grandson, James Allen Butler, five brothers, Clarence, Curtis, Ralph, Willard and Dale Dunn, two sisters, Mavis Hensley and Beatrice Murphy and two infant siblings, Noel and Eunice Dunn, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon’s or Cystic Fibrosis and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Richard Erwin Pyle, 72, Ava, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Homeland Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Pyle passed away at 6:50 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Heart of the Ozarks Health Care, Ava, Missouri.

He was born May 28, 1946, in the State of Hawaii, to Duke Pyle and Clara Valgas Pyle.  On September 1, 2001, he was married at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to Vola “Kay” Bressman Jones, who preceded him in death December 29, 2015.  Mr. Pyle was a Police Officer for the City of Houston, Missouri and was a truck driver; he was also a ham radio operator.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by four children, Tammy Williams and husband, Eddie, Mansfield, Missouri, Master Sergeant Richard Pyle Jr. and wife, Kathy, Mountain Home, Idaho, Jennifer Tobin and husband, Justin, Springfield, Missouri and Angie McDonald and significant other, Ronnie Collins, West Plains, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Bobbie Choate, Tyrone, Missouri; the mother of his children, Merilee Evans, Rogersville, Missouri;  and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and wife preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions may be made to Homeland Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Candy Lynn Gilliam, 49, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Candy passed away at 9:00 a.m., Monday, October 8, 2018 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.

She was born November 14, 1968 at Ypsilanti, Michigan to Valmon Holloway and Mary Kellum Bratcher.  Candy was a registered nurse at Ozarks Medical Center.  She loved hunting, being outdoors, shopping and loved her daughter, Ashley.  She was kind, loving and generous; Candy was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend.  She was raised in the apostolic faith.

She is survived by her fiancé, Rick Ledbetter, West Plains, Missouri; her daughter, Ashley Palmer and husband, Dale, Springfield, Missouri; one grandchild, Kendra Palmer; her mother, Mary Bratcher, West Plains, Missouri; her father, Valmon Holloway and step-mother, Jerri, Lanton, Missouri; two sisters, Rachel Holloway, West Plains, Missouri and Jeanna Jenkins and husband, John, Peace Valley, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

One brother, Joseph Holloway, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the family for medical expenses, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Memorial services for Tammy Jo Zastrow, 51, West Plains, Missouri, will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Center Grove Baptist Church, Moody, Missouri.

Tammy passed away at 6:00 a.m., Monday, October 8, 2018 at her home.  She was born March 13, 1967 at Freeport, Illinois to Russell Steele, Jr. and LeNae K. Booth Steele.  On September 18, 1999, she was married at the Center Grove Baptist Church, Moody, Missouri to David William Zastrow.

She is survived by her husband, David Zastrow, of the family home;  four children, Ralph Shephard, Rockford, Illinois, Kyle Steele, Fredericktown, Missouri, Sammatha Wheeler, West Plains, Missouri and Joshua Wheeler and wife, Marianne, Canada;  five grandchildren; her mother, LeNae Steele, Pottersville, Missouri; one brother, David Steele and wife, Robin, Pottersville, Missouri; one sister, Phyllis Hamilton and husband, Dusty, Mechesmey Park, Illinios; and many nieces and nephews.

Her father, one brother, Russell Steele, III and special uncle, Robert Booth, preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Visitation services for Louie Derwood Jones, Sr., 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Jones passed away at 8:55 p.m., Monday, October 8, 2018 at Brooke Haven Health Care.

He was born August 13, 1946, in Winnsboro, Louisiana, to Louie Jones and Lucille McKaskle Jones.  Mr. Jones was a veteran, having served in Korea with the United States Army.  He worked as a police officer in Ocean Springs, Mississippi from 1976 until 1988; was also a shrimp boater, carpenter and farmer.  After moving to the West Plains area he was a bus driver and custodian at Glenwood School for ten years.  He loved hunting, fishing, dancing and spending time with his grandkids.  Mr. Jones was a Master Mason at Woodside and Bayou Lodges.

He is survived by three sons, Louie Derwood Jones, Jr., Dwight Wesley Jones and Joel Micha Jones; six grandchildren, Brooke, Bradey, Tyler, Zachary, Faith and Grace; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Troy, Bo and Larry; five sisters, Janice, Judy, Jeanette, Robbie and Violet; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to AmVets and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Winnsboro, Louisiana.

Graveside services for Eva Louise May, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Howell Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. May passed away at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018 at her home.

She was born November 23, 1938, in Howell County, Missouri, to Joseph Glen Henry and Ida Mae Walker Henry.  In September of 1958, she was married at West Plains to John William Summers, who preceded her in death on March 11, 2000.  Mrs. May had worked at International Shoe Factory and was a farmer.  She enjoyed gardening and gospel singings.

She is survived by one son, Johnny Summers of the State of Oregon; two granddaughters, Katie and Hailey; two brothers, Raymond Henry and wife, Sue, West Plains and Donnie Henry and wife, Dorothy, Filer, Idaho; one sister, Mary Reid and husband, Tom, Peace Valley, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one sister, Jean Davis and three brothers, Bill, Darrel and Norman Henry, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.