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Funeral services for Earl Dean “Dene” Robertson, 92, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2017 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Robertson passed away at 2:41 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2017 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born May 24, 1924, at Burnham, Missouri, to Eddie Oscar Robertson and Delphia Jane Hale Robertson.  Dene graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1942.  Mr. Robertson was a veteran, having served with the United States Army Air Corp.  On March 31, 1944, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Ruth McClellan.  He worked as a real estate broker, farmer and carpenter; Dene enjoyed playing checkers.  Mr. Robertson had over fifty years perfect attendance at Sunday School; he attended Harbor of Hope Church until his health failed.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Ruth Robertson, of the family home; two children, Sherman Robertson and Shirley Robertson, both of West Plains; two grandchildren, Christopher Wayne Robertson and wife, Misty and Zachary Dene Robertson and wife, Pam; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, including, Sam Stewart, Eddie Stokes, Roseann Choats and Carla Jane Mullins Burns.

His parents and five sisters, Hazel Mullins, Beryl Beebe, Ruby Stewart, Blanche Spence and Opal Stokes, precede him in death.

Mr. Robertson will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial 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 Chief Master Sergeant Lowell Clyde “Pete” Hensley, 93, Paris, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 5, 2017 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Hensley passed away at 3:10 a.m., Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Monroe Manor, Paris, Missouri.

He was born May 22, 1923, at Elijah, Missouri, to Walter Hensley and Vernie Davis Hensley.  He attended grade school at Pottersville, Missouri and graduated from Bakersfield High School.  On August 20, 1946, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Rachel Harris.  Mr. Hensley was a veteran and a charter chief, having served with the United States Air Force; he traveled the world during his military career, living in Japan, Norway, France and Spain before his retirement to West Plains, Missouri in 1967.  Lowell later worked part time as a bus driver for Fairview School while building the family a new home; much later he worked at Schwegman Office Supply, before retiring again to his small beloved farm on K Highway.  He was an extremely private and shy man, a man of tremendous integrity and quiet humor.  He was the rock of his family, always there for anyone needing a helping hand.  Lowell loved to read and travel.  After retirement, he and Rachel motored across the United States in their motor home for several years.  He enjoyed camping at the lake and fishing; best of all he loved time spent with family at home and puttering around his small farm.  Mr. Hensley was a faithful member of the Curry Street Church of Christ for over fifty years.

He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Rachel Hensley; two children, Jerry Hensley and wife, Eva and Betty Hunter and husband, Robert; four grandchildren, Amy Patillo and husband, Richard, Tia Bruce and husband, Jordan, Sara Hill and husband, Benjie and Matthew Hensley; six great-grandchildren, Jackson Bruce, Grayson Bruce, Boston Patillo, Adeline Patillo, Addi Hill and Anna Hill; and five sisters, Charlene Huffman, Shirley Callahan, Violet Losh, Barbara Sue Lee and Mildred Rutan.

His parents, one brother, Thurman Hensley and three sisters, Ruby Huffman, Dorothy Spencer and Irene White, precede him in death.

Mr. Hensley will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Honor Flight and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Loeta Ruth Barr, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2016 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barr died 9:04 a.m., Saturday, December 24, 2016 at NHC HealthCare, West Plains. She was born May 9, 1934 in Ozark County, Missouri to Harley Homer Gunter and Radie Armenda Howard Gunter. She graduated from the West Plains High School with the Class of 1952 and  on November 7, 1952, she was married at Salem, Arkansas to Donald Dale Barr who preceded her in death on May 25, 2013.  Mrs. Barr enjoyed reading the Bible,  scrap booking, quilting, recipe collecting, cooking, gardening, and taking care of people. She was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ.

She is survived by two children, Gary Barr, wife, D’Laine and Ruth Neely, husband, Don, both of West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brad Barr, wife, Jennie, Rover, Missouri, Michael Neely, Springfield, Missouri, Alice Barr-Alba, husband, Ben, Westminster, California, and Allison Neely, Springfield, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Bella Barr and Penelope Alba; one brother, James Terry Gunter, wife, Peggy, West Plains, Missouri; three sisters, Beryldene Finley, Roberta Goss and Diana Heselton, husband, Alan, all of West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two granddaughters, Angela and Nancy and one sister, Shirley Gunter, precede her in death.

Mrs. Barr will lie in state from 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 27th, until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Elk Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elk Creek Cemetery and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Bobby Joe Pratt, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Pratt passed away at 12:46 a.m., Monday, December 26, 2016 at his home. He was born August 4, 1944 at Pocahontas, Arkansas to Lucien Pratt and Lorine Raglin Pratt. On January 6, 1966, he was married at Pocahontas, Arkansas to Leona Willene Crawford. Mr. Pratt was a veteran having served with the United States Navy. Before his retirement in 1998, he was employed as a fabricator with Falcon Communications. Mr. Pratt was a member of the Lord’s Church for over 33 years, having served as a Deacon and Elder of the Church and was attending the West 160 Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Leona Willene Pratt, of the family home; two sons, Tony Pratt, wife, Melissa, West Plains, Missouri and Scott Pratt, wife, Kassie, Jonesboro, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Ryan, Hayley and Raines Pratt; two brothers, Lucien Pratt, Jr., Ash Flat, Arkansas and Gary Don Pratt, wife, Becca, Maynard, Arkansas; his mother-in-law, Alta Crawford, Pocahontas, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one brother, J. T. Pratt, one sister, Joyce Ann Jones, father-in-law, Otto Crawford and sister-in-law, Loujean Pratt, precede him in death.

Mr. Pratt will lie in state from 4:00 p.m., Tuesday until noon (12:00 p.m.) Wednesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fair Haven Children’s Home or the Paragould Children’s Home and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Helen Louise North, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Oak Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. North entered into eternal rest  at 11:46 a.m., Saturday, December 24, 2016 while a resident at NHC HealthCare.  She was born February 21, 1925 at West Plains, Missouri to William “Will” Carroll and Sara Samantha (Sadie) Ross Carroll.  On August 6, 1947, Helen was married at Salem, Arkansas to Cecil Albert North who preceded her in death on April 17, 1974.  Mrs. North spent her entire life in West Plains; she had worked at both the International Shoe Company and Marathon Electric for many years; she and her husband opened and operated the Speed-Wash Laundry in West Plains.  After her husband’s death in 1974, she continued to own and operate the laundromat for a total of fifty years. Her deep love and devotion to her family will be deeply missed.

She is survived by one son, Jerry North, West Plains, Missouri; one daughter, Sharon Bode and husband, Richard, Rogersville, Missouri;  one grandson, Carl Bode, Joplin, Missouri; three step-grandson’s, Randy, Ronnie and Bill Upton, all of West Plains, Missouri; plus many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two step-children, Ed North and Shirley (Upton) Petrey, two brothers, Orval Fields and Jimmie Carroll,  two sisters-in-law, Mabel (Jennings) Fields and Bertha (Graham) Carroll and on step-grandson, Rick Upton, precede her in death.

An acknowledgement to the wonderful care and compassion provided to Mrs. North in her final days by the doctors, nurses and staff of Baxter Regional Health Care, Mountain Home, Arkansas and the nurses and staff of NHC HealthCare.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Robert Dale “Butch” Reid, Sr., 67, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Reid died 8:07 p.m., Friday, December 23, 2016 at his home.  He was born August 4, 1949 at West Plains, Missouri to Herbert Eugene White Reid and Olive Bonnie Brixey Reid.  He graduated from the West Plains High School with the Class of 1967 and on October 26, 1971 was married at Peace Valley, Missouri to Gwendolyn McQuitty.  Mr. Reid was a veteran having served with the United States Army and was a truck driver with the Butch Reid Trucking Company.  He enjoyed gardening, mowing and story telling.  Mr. Reid was of the Pentecostal faith.

He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Reid, of the family home; two sons, Robert Dale “R.D.” Reid, Jr., fiancée, Jana Brill and Roger Reid, all of West Plains, Missouri; five grandchildren, Bobby Dale Reid, III, Wyatt Reid, Colter Reid, Breanna Jackson, husband, Trever and Sawyer Reid; two great-grandchildren, Tucker Reid and Paisley Reid; five brothers, Tom Reid, wife, Mary, Ted Reid, wife, Barbara, Jim Reid, wife, Sharon, Don Reid, wife, Lisa and Kim Reid, wife, Christy, all of Peace Valley, Missouri; two sisters, Wilma Jewell, West Plains, Missouri; Bessie Busbey, Peace Valley, Missouri; sister-in-law, Twila Reid, State of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Scott Reid, one brother, John Reid, two nephews, Ricky Jewell and Calvin Busbey, infant brother and sister, David and Nora, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, G. F. and Phila McQuitty and two brothers-in-law, James Jewell and Willie Busbey, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 26th, at Langston Street Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Bennett Chapel Cemetery.

Funeral services for Linda Sue McGoldrick House, 69, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. House passed away at 12:19 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Select Specialty Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.

She was born July 9, 1946, at West Plains, Missouri, to Joe Luther McGoldrick and Opal Marie Bennett McGoldrick.  She attended elementary school in the State of Illinois and graduated from Sandia High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico with the Class of 1965.  She was married July 15, 1967, at West Plains, Missouri, to Mike House.  Mrs. House was employed by the Bakersfield School District as a teacher’s aide for twenty-five years.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother.  Mrs. House was a member of the Elijah Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband, Mike House; one son, Jason House; one granddaughter, Jaiden Mae; her siblings, Rosalee Carter and husband, Bill, Nashville, Tennessee, Jerry McGoldrick and wife, Judy, Caulfield, Missouri and Bill McGoldrick, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and sister-in-law, Bonnie House, Caulfield, Missouri.

Her parents, one sister, Sherry McGoldrick, one niece, Julie McGoldrick and one sister-in-law, Wanda House McCulloch, precede her in death.

Mrs. House will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

James Beach (Jim) Campbell, 63, South Fork, Missouri, died 1:00 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2016 at his home.    Arrangements for James Beach (Jim) Campbell are incomplete and will be announced later by Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life Services for Carol Elaine Wade, 71, Mountain View, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Kingdom Hall Of The Jehovah Witness, Mountain View, Missouri.

Mrs. Wade died 6:56 a.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, Missouri.  She was born December 23, 1944 at West Plains, Missouri to Nute L. DeBoard and Leota J. Ulrich DeBoard.  On December 23, 1960, she was married at West Plains, Missouri to James Wade.  Mrs. Wade was a member of the Kingdom Hall Of The Jehovah Witness.

She is survived by her husband, James Wade, Mountain View, Missouri; two children, Judy Graham, husband, Floyd and Lanny Wade, wife, Barbie, all of Mountain View, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Jedidiah, Andrew, Lacey, Emily, Ethan, Alexis and Evan Graham, and Laken and Seth Wade; sixteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill DeBoard and Gary DeBoard, wife, Janice, all of West Plains, Missouri; sister-in-law, Velvet DeBoard, West Plains, Missouri; two nephews; and one niece.

Her parents, one brother, Danny DeBoard and one nephew, Jason DeBoard, precede her in death.

Funeral services for Orella Phillips, 90, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Phillips passed away Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Broken Arrow Nursing Home.

She was born June 8, 1926, at Elijah, Missouri, to Claude E. Colvin and Grace E. Hopkins Colvin.  Orella received her education at Valley Star School, Ozark County, Missouri, Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield, Missouri, Maplewood High School, St. Louis County, Waxahachie High School, Waxahachie, Texas and one year of Bible School at Waxahachie, Texas, an Assemblies of God School known as S.B.I.  She was married in 1942 at St. Louis, Missouri, to Ray Highfill, an Assemblies of God Minister and remained married to him until his death in 1969, at Irving, Texas.  In 1988 she married James Phillips, who retired from Texaco, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Roe Highfill and wife, Marti, West Fork, Arkansas; her daughter, Jeanette Highfill Staub and husband, Roger, West Fork, Arkansas; two grandsons, Stephen Staub and wife, Christina, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Michael Staub, Tulsa Oklahoma; three granddaughters, Rachel Ann Tafoya and husband, Vince, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Elizabeth Martinez and husband, Rick, San Antonio, Texas and Victoria Grace Highfill, Nashville, Tennessee; 7 great-grandchildren; one niece, Debra Reeves Wallace and husband, Gerald; and one nephew, Stanley Reeves.

Her parents, husbands and one sister, Maxine Reeves, precede her in death.

Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Graveside services for Noelle Marie Holland, 60, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Noelle passed away at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Willow Care Nursing Home.

She was born September 8, 1956, at West Plains, Missouri, to Malcolm Jennings Holland and Clara Ellen Coleman Holland.  Noelle attended school and worked at the Sheltered Workshop.  She enjoyed the Special Olympics and the fellowship with her friends; Noelle loved her family, friends and caregivers at Willow Care.  They all loved her and will miss her.  Noelle was a Christian.

She is survived by three brothers, Robert Holland, wife, Linda, Pete Holland, wife, Marilyn, and Chuck Holland, wife, Mary; one sister, Joyce Burge; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one sister, Rosalie Moffett and one brother, Ronald “Red” Holland and his wife, Betty, precede her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Willow Care Activities Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Graveside service for Timothy R. “Jake” Olson, 48, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Olson passed away Friday, December 16, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born July 11, 1968, at Brainerd, Minnesota, to Larry and Marion Ward Olson.  On April 20, 1991, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Lisa Harris Olson.  At the age of nine years old, Jake started his concrete career laying concrete blocks at the Glass Sword Theater with his father during the summer.  By the age of fifteen he had finished his first concrete floor by himself.  In his spare time he worked nights at McDonald’s until graduating from West Plains High School in 1986 at which time he joined his father full time working side by side playing in the mud.  In 1994 he bought the family business, Olson Construction, continuing on his father’s reputable legacy.  Mr. Olson served on the Glenwood School Board for seven years.  Jake had a zest for life, laughing every day, even through the worst days.  He had a special love for his family and friends and lived every day to the fullest, with an amazing sense of humor.  He was an avid reader, loved cooking, all water sports, mustangs, guns and especially spending time with and picking on his boys.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Olson, of the family home; two sons, Jacob Olson and girlfriend, Gretchen, and Thomas Olson, all of West Plains; his parents, Larry and Marion Olson, Elizabeth, Arkansas; one sister, Tamey Clements and husband, Kent, Aurora, Colorado; one brother, David Olson and wife, Amanda, State of North Dakota; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Laura Harris, Rick Harris, Pamela Harris and Catherine Caetano; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends that he loved dearly.

His grandparents, one nephew, Shawn Meziere, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard Dale Harris and Hazel Harris, precede him in death.

A visitation, with heart felt memories encouraged, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Visitation service for Juanita Alice Smith, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 Noon, Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Smith passed away at 2:35 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born January 24, 1937, in Howell County, Missouri, to William Oliver Taylor and Pearly Alice VanWort Taylor.  On August 23, 1973, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Herbert Smith, who preceded her in death on July 25, 2005.  Mrs. Smith delivered Meals on Wheels and received an award signed by President Bush for her outstanding service; she also delivered newspapers for several years.  She had a big heart and gave her time to others; her life was caring for others, always going above and beyond to help anyone in need.  Mrs. Smith enjoyed embroidering and making baby quilts.  She loved animals, often taking in strays and raised Chihuahuas and Schipperkes.  Mrs. Smith was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by one brother, Jimmy Joe Taylor and wife, Mary Jo; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and special friends, Debbie Plachy and Joe Forslin.

Her parents, husband, four siblings, Crystal Ellison, Earldean Cantrell, David Taylor, and her infant twin sister, Rose Mary Taylor, and four half-siblings, Jess, Robert, Josephine and May Wilson, precede her in death.

Burial will be held at a later date in the Amy Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to TASTC Animal Shelter and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Mary Juanita Smith, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Smith passed away at 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born December 31, 1922, at Trail, Missouri, to William Riley Hicks and Lola Leona Tate Hicks.  She was married to William Alfred “Buck” Ridge, who preceded her in death September 23, 1975.  On May 3, 1976, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Jeff Lincoln Gill, who preceded her in death on March 20, 1991.  On December 11, 1999, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Gordon Bernard Smith, who preceded her in death on October 18, 2004.  Mrs. Smith was a cook at Fairview School for many years, worked at Biscayne Market and in the cafeteria at Ozarks Medical Center.  Providing for her family was an important part of her life.  She loved baking and cooking and was excellent at doing such tasks.  Mrs. Smith loved everyone and always said there is no one she didn’t like; she was well known for her loving and giving heart was deeply loved and will be missed by many.  Mrs. Smith was one of the founding members of Cornerstone Family Worship.  She loved attending church functions with her family and friends and enjoyed visiting with everyone.

She is survived by four children, Helen Carte, Ballwin, Missouri, Joan Smith and J.B. Bell, West Plains, Missouri, Larry Ridge and wife, Leslie, Warrensburg, Missouri and Mike Ridge and wife, Janna, New Franklin, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; special niece, Lola Pattillo, who loved spending time visiting her and doing special things with her; one special nephew, Roger Thompson, who visited her often; and several other nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husbands, one son, William Alfred Ridge, Jr., one granddaughter, Stephanie Ridge, four sisters, Pauline Billups, Burnica Thompson, Iretta Young and Lorene Aborn and two brothers, William Hicks and Dwayne Hicks, precede her in death.

Mrs. Smith will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or Lupus Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for James Rogers, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2016 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Rogers passed away at 4:55 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born August 15, 1937, at Myrtle, Missouri, to Shelby Rogers and Artie Mae Johnson Rogers.  James loved life and made the most of it.  He drove stock-cars and enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter, canoeing in the summer and horseback riding.  He loved his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by one brother, Glen Rogers and wife, Becky; three sisters, Reba Ratliff, Jessie York and Sue Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and two brothers, Bob Rogers and Joe Rogers, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Cotton Creek Cemetery or Brooke Haven Healthcare Nursing Scholarship Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

On Angel’s wings you were taken.  But in our heart you’ll stay.  And in God’s light you will rest until we meet again someday.

Graveside services for Maxine Bussell, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2016 at Wayside Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bussell passed away at 6:15 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born January 2, 1926, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Lloyd T. Guy and Bertha Mae Jewell Guy.  Maxine was a graduate of the Melean Studio of Modeling in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1945. On October 9, 1945, she was married at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Oliver Bussell and became a military wife.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church.  Mrs. Bussell was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association Auxiliary.

She is survived by two daughters, Donna Langston, West Plains, Missouri and Jeanne Bishop, Glenwood, Iowa; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and her little dog Molly.

Her parents, husband, seven siblings and one great-granddaughter, precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Robert Anthony Salamone, 28, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Salamone passed away at 9:19 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born June 6, 1988, at Chicago, Illinois, to Beth Salamone Case.  Robert graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 2007.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  Robert worked for Mac Industries.  He loved life and had a passion for Mixed Martial Arts “MMA”.  Mr. Salamone was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his mother, Beth Case and her significant other, Bill Branscum; step-father, Jeffrey Case; one child, Landen Mapes and one on the way; one brother, Brandon Yanke; one step-sister, Tabitha Guernsey; grandfather, Eugene Harms; nieces and nephews, Nicholas Yanke, Brelynn Yanke and Carmen and Jeffrey Guernsey; several aunts and uncles; and many cousins.

His daughter, Electra Salamone, one sister, Amy Yanke, grandparents, Frances Harms, Nicholas Salamone and Albert and Nancy Case and two uncles, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Barnett Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Ronald Coleman Holland, 83, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Holland passed away at 8:56 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born April 30, 1933 at Fremont, Missouri to Malcolm Jennings Holland and Clara Ellen Coleman Holland.  On January 3, 1955, Mr. Holland was married at Hernando, Mississippi to Betty Lou Pliler, who preceded him in death on May 23, 2016.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  Before his retirement, Mr. Holland had been employed for forty years with Doss & Harper Stone Company as a mechanic.  He enjoyed his garden, loved to hunt and fish, was a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a devoted caregiver to his wife, Betty.  Mr. Holland was a member of the Pomona Christian Church.

He is survived by three daughters, Teresa Smith, husband, Bruce, Rhonda Hinten, husband, Daniel and Sheila Joyce, husband, Bobbie; seven grandchildren, Jeremy Smith, wife, Brittany, Jessica Cunningham, husband, Jeff, Danielle Dale, husband, Clinton, Kara Curnutt, husband, Greg, Donnie Hinten, wife, Brittany, Brandon Joyce, wife, Toni and Tyler Joyce;  thirteen great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert Holland, wife, Linda, Pete Holland, wife, Marilyn, and Chuck Holland, wife, Mary; two sisters, Noelle Holland and Joyce Burge; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, one grandson, Bobbie Ryan Joyce and one sister, Rosalie Moffett, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m., until service time, Wednesday, at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Frank William “Bill” Speak, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Speak passed away at 11:30 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born January 17, 1936, at Salina, Kansas, to Guy Emberson Speak and Moreia Mills Speak.  On November 8, 1960, he was married at Las Vegas, Nevada, to Mardeese “Mardi” Smith, who preceded him in death on February 19, 2001.  He loved fishing, collecting knives, bowling, coin collecting and spending time with his family.  Mr. Speak attended Central Calvary Baptist Church.

He is survived by five children, Deborah Hanson and husband, Mike, Batesville, Arkansas, William Speak, Conway, Arkansas, Tamara Crawford and husband, Stephen, Christiana, Tennessee, Cheryl Nail and husband, Tim, Conway, Arkansas and Candy Ellett, West Plains, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, Matthew Hanson, Michael Hanson, Chris Hanson, Tiffany Neal, Timothy Emfinger, David Emfinger, Amanda Johnson, Ethan Crawford, Meagan Jossund, Brittany McMurphy, Shaun DeShazo, Angel Ellett and Danielle Ellett; twelve great-grandchildren, Krysen, Quetin, Dylan, Chloe, Maddie, Brylee, Emerson, Lyric, Lennyn, Kolton, Hadyn and Wesley; one brother, Bud Speak and wife, Linda, Springfield, Missouri; brother-in-law, Jack Smith, Wasilla, Alaska; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife and one brother, Jim Speak, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Homeland Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Russ Sortor passed away peacefully at home, with his family, in West Plains on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the age of 69.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Arlene; daughter, Deanna Michalowski and husband, Ryan, McCordsville, Indiana; son, Lt. Col. Paul Sortor and fiancée, Marisela, stationed at Scott Air Force Base Illinois; granddaughter, Devin Sortor, U.S. Territory of Guam; brother-in-law, Robert Hughes, Orland, California; two brothers, Doug Sortor and wife, Sharon, Grand Junction, Colorado and Chuck Sortor and wife, Kathy,Shiloh, Illinois; sister, Carol Acton and husband, John, Lakewood, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, close friends and neighbors that he loved dearly.

Russ was born on July 31, 1947 in England during WWII to Arnold and Claudia Sortor. He joined the Air Force in 1967 as a F-111 crew chief during the Vietnam era. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada where he met and married the love of his life, Arlene. Following his military enlistment, he transitioned into a management career in the freight industry in Denver, Colorado, before relocating his family to West Plains in 1984 where he owned and operated several successful businesses, including Quality Automotive, from which he retired in 2012.

Russ enjoyed the holiday season, so he volunteered as Santa Claus at several venues including the West Plains Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with Santa and the Optimist Club Christmas parade. He was the patriarch of a close-knit family sharing strong Christian values. Russ was charming and charismatic with a witty sense of humor that made everyone laugh. He loved classic automobiles and enjoyed working on his farm.

A Celebration of Life remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the West Plains Civic Center Theatre.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Russ’s honor to Ozark Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Center Nurturing Hope Expansion Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the many caregivers and medical staff at OMC and The Shaw Building for their efforts, care, and dedication.