Funeral services for Jerry LeRoy Marsh, 81, West Plains , Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 1 , 2020 at the First Baptist Church , under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Jerry LeRoy Marsh entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 29, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 9, 1938 at West Plains Missouri to the late Roy and Cecil Marsh. On May 5, 1957 he was married to Mary Beth Kessinger in West Plains, Missouri. To this union four children were born: Randy Lee, Regina Marie, Valla Jo and Craig Allen.
Jerry graduated from West Plains High School in 1956. In 1955, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard from which he retired in 2000 after 45 years of service with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5. Jerry made a career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company lasting 30 years.
In 1965, he joined the Masons and was initiated into Mt. Zion Lodge #327, West Plains, Missouri and was awarded his 50 year pin in 2015. He was also an avid member of the West Plains Chapter #193 Order of the Eastern Star serving several offices including his most cherished position of Worthy Grand Patron of the State of Missouri in 1995. He received his 50 year pin in 2016. Jerry was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church and volunteered with their food bank.
He is survived by his children, Regina and her husband Gary York, Valla Jo Matlock and son Craig Marsh and his wife Babbette, step-granddaughter Heather (York) Swearengin and her husband Brian, Clint Corman and his wife Abby, Alec Matlock, Preston York, Evan Marsh and his wife Lorryn and granddaughter Lauren Matlock, great-grandson, Jerico York and four step-grandchildren, his brother, Donald Marsh and his wife Joan and sister Janet Parker and her husband Darrell.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Beth Marsh. One son, Randy Lee Marsh, his parents, and one brother Reathel Marsh.
Mr. Marsh’s visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. May 31, Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hammond Mill Camp and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.
Carole Mary Skamarocius, 84, Pomona, Missouri, passed away at 2:10 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at her home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Florence Louise Neal, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Neal passed away at 10:08 p.m., Saturday, May 23, 2020, surrounded by family.
She was born December 27, 1930, at Davenport, Iowa, to Willard Livingston and Hannah LaGrange. On August 9, 1947, she was married at Davenport, Iowa, to Charles William Neal, who preceded her in death on July 22, 2002. Florence attended Old Tyme Full Gospel Church. She enjoyed family, sewing, cooking, antique malls and a good chocolate malt. Florence will be remembered for her strong will, welcoming home and the endless love for her family.
She is survived by one daughter, Christine Tharp and husband, Buck; eleven grandchildren, Jason Adolphson and wife, Katherine, Felicia Adolphson, Eric Adolphson, Jennifer Eytcheson and husband, William, Tamara Bogan and husband, Jeremy, Kyle Adolphson and wife, Anne, Lucas Adolphson and wife, Chelsea, Sean Adolphson and wife, Erica, Quintin Adolphson, Meghan Johnson and husband, Mike and Justin Adolphson; and many great-grandchildren.
Her parents, step-father, Jack Jackson, husband, one daughter, Carol, one son-in-law, Roger Adolphson, two grandchildren, Christopher and Gabriel, and her siblings, Robert, Jackie, Evelyn and Lois, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Neal will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Senior Citizens Center and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Funeral services for Robert Robinson, 92, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Pottersville Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Robinson passed away at 11:08 p.m., Sunday, May 24, 2020, at his home.
He was born February 22, 1928, at Crider, Missouri, to Alfred Isaac Robinson and Verla Leona Hicks Robinson. On November 5, 1953, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Wilma Jane Callahan, who preceded him in death on October 5, 2011. Mr. Robinson loved his church and church family; he was saved on September 28, 2014, at the age of eighty-six years. He was a member of Pottersville Baptist Church. Robert enjoyed bird hunting with his son, Robbie, his brother, Don and Max Fox. He attended schools at Crider and Pleasant Point. Robert had worked in the timber industry and at Meeks Lumber Company for sixty-five years before retiring.
He is survived by two sons, Robert Glen Robinson and significant other, Cathy VanVleck, South Fork, Missouri and Rex Lee Robinson, Pottersville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Charles Robert Robinson, Agnes LeAnn Fowler and husband, Mike and Zaylor Watts and husband, Greg; two granddaughters-in-law, Angie Robinson and Paige Robinson; nine great-grandchildren, Derrick, Dominick, Devin, Bristol, Ciara, Parker, Evie, Tera and Kacy; one brother, Don Robinson and wife, Rita, Crider, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; a host of family and friends; and his church family he dearly loved.
His parents, wife, one grandson, Johnny Lynn Robinson, three brothers, Chester, Paul and Arch Robinson and one sister, Lola Belle Roberts, preceded him in death.
Visitation Services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Pottersville Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Pottersville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Pottersville Cemetery or Pottersville Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Marlin Carl Sipler, 74, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 1:09 p.m., Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born January 13, 1946, at White Haven, Pennsylvania, to Merritt C. Sipler and Betty Ruth Lampman Sipler. On May 20, 1983, he was married at White Haven, Pennsylvania, to Maria Anella DiRonualdo, who preceded him in death on October 6, 2008. Mr. Sipler was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. Mr. Sipler loved his kids and grandchildren. He enjoyed going to yard sales and visiting with people.
He is survived by four children, Keith Sipler and wife, Brittany, Marissa Guerrero and husband, Michael, Raymond Sipler and Darren Sipler; four grandchildren, Allie Sipler, Austin Sipler, Maria Guerrero and Ryleigh Sipler; and his step-children, Donna Lowe and husband, Chris and their children, Nicole and Christina; and Jeff Mascornick.
His parents and wife preceded him in death.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Private graveside services for Dean Smith, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Smith passed away at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2020, at NHC Healthcare.
He was born November 8, 1932, at Eunice, Missouri, to Robert and Ruth Kaighin Smith. On December 22, 1956, he was married at Tyrone, Missouri, to Maria Grogan. Mr. Smith was a veteran, having served with the United States Army. He attended SMSU now known as Missouri State University. Before his retirement, he was the Director at Division of Family Services in Texas County, Missouri. He loved sports and going to car shows. Dean enjoyed coaching basketball and baseball, refereeing and announcing games for the Grizzlies. He was a member of the Grizzly Basketball Hall of Fame. Mr. Smith was a member and Deacon at First Baptist Church, West Plains and was a long time Gideon.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Smith of sixty-three years; one son, Stan Smith and wife, Lesa, of West Plains, Missouri; one granddaughter, Kristi Drummond and husband, Josh; two great-grandchildren, Sophie and Brooks, all of West Plains, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Eugene Grogan and wife, Lisa, of Lawrence, Kansas; and one nephew, Andy Grogan.
His parents preceded him in death.
Mr. Smith will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Nancy Ruth Parsons, 80, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, passed away at 3:09 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at Ozarks Medical Center. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Phill Whitsell, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Whitsell passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at West Vue Nursing Center.
He was born October 5, 1937, at Evening Shade, Arkansas, to Henry S. Whitsell and Beautohn Melita Hutchison Whitsell. Mr. Whitsell was a veteran, having served with the United States Army. He was a Tanker while in the Army and enjoyed telling the true story of running over a Volkswagen Beetle. Phill retired as a post office clerk with the United States Postal Service. He loved sports and enjoyed playing golf. He was an avid fan of the Razorbacks, Grizzlies and Zizzers; he loved watching games. Phill loved his children and grandchildren. Mr. Whitsell was a member of First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife Susie (Cherry) Whitsell; two children, Greg Whitsell and Regina Eades; and four grandchildren, Jacob Whitsell, Nicole Whitsell, Trenton Eades and wife, Susie and Madison Eades and friend, Wyatt Reid.
His parents, one brother, Jim Whitsell, son-in-law, Bob Eades and daughter-in-law, Wendy Whitsell, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Heart Care Services of OMC Foundation and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Nanoleve “Nana Lee” Jolliff, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Jolliff Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Jolliff passed away at 2:00 a.m., Thursday, May 14, 2020, at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born August 27, 1926, at Bakersfield, Missouri, to Alfred Fore and Mattie Roberts Fore Tiner. On December 14, 1946, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Ralph Ira Jolliff, who preceded her in death on July 19, 1997. Before her retirement, Mrs. Jolliff worked at International Shoe Factory. She enjoyed gardening and flowers.
She is survived by two sons, Rick Jolliff and wife, Sherri and Billy Jolliff and wife, Jamie, all of West Plains; six grandchildren, Rick Jolliff, Jr. and wife, Melanie, Crista Kay Franks, Jaclyn Romans and husband, Quinton, Kayla Cobb and husband, Aaron, Justin Jolliff and wife, Mandy and Katelyn Riley-Adamson and husband, John; eleven great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, two sisters, Maureen Fowler and Jo Lynn Wakefield and two brothers-in-law, Joe Fowler and Ted Wakefield, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Jolliff will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2020 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Jolliff Cemetery or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
David Leon Burleson, Sr., 81, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 8:35 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020, at his home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside Services for Devon Keith Massey “Porkey”, 22, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Hale Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Massey passed away at 1:00 a.m., Sunday, May 10, 2020, in Ozark County, Missouri.
He was born August 20, 1997, at West Plains, Missouri, to Timothy Don Massey and Amanda Gail Dobbs Massey. He received his education in Oilton, Oklahoma. He resided with his mother in Dora, Missouri, where he enjoyed the outdoors, his family and friends. His passion was to become a professional bull rider and welder. Devon was a natural born giver, a very selfless soul. Humbled and always willing to help someone in need even if his actions went unrecognized. He touched many lives in his short time here and will be forever missed.
He is survived by his mother, Amanda Massey; his father Tim Massey and wife, Jamie; his siblings, Jordan Collins, Noah Marshall, Joe Marshall, Levi Massey; grandparents, Lora Mae Massey and Glane and Kaye Dobbs; and many aunts and uncles.
His grandfather, Keith Massey, and uncles, Ronnie, Randy and Brian Massey and Kella Dobbs, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hale Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Funeral services for Mary Edith Eldringhoff, 93, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 18, 2020 in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Eldringhoff passed away at 10:05 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2020, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.
She was born March 16, 1927, at Independence, Iowa, to Lester L. Angelow and Leola M. Halstead Angelow. On February 4, 1949, she was married at Mt. Vernon, Missouri, to Claude Alexander Eldringhoff, who preceded her in death on February 3, 2009. She loved her family, especially her grandkids and enjoyed gardening and canning. Mrs. Eldringhoff was a Christian and was a member of Antioch Church.
She is survived by three children, Brenda Bunch, Roy Eldringhoff and wife, Donna and Karen Quertermous; eight grandchildren, Mindy Bunch Taylor and husband, Michael, David Bunch and wife, Jenny, Joey Eldringhoff, Heather Coleman and husband, Eric, Tyma Eldringhoff, Shaun Quertermous, Samantha Williams and husband, John and Sheila Blankley and husband, Chad; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband and son-in-law, Keith Quertermous, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Eldringhoff will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Danny Lee Riley, 66, Moody, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2020 at Jolliff Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Riley passed away at 2:14 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at his home.
He was born August 25, 1953, at West Plains, Missouri, to Freddy “Leon” Riley and Alma Lea Fowler Riley. Danny graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1971. On February 9, 1974, he was married at West Plains, Missouri to Cindy David. Mr. Riley worked as a meat cutter, an oil driller and was the owner and operator of Riley Septic Service. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and CB radios. Mr. Riley was a member of South Fork Church.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Riley; three children, Danny Riley II and wife, April, Dennis Riley and Daelyn Riley; daughter-in-law, Katelyn Riley-Adamson and husband, John; and seven grandchildren, Haley, Rylie, Cash, Macy, Alana, Brantley and Hudson.
His parents, one son, David Riley, one daughter, Danyel and mother-in-law, Naomi Wheeler, preceded him in death.
Mr. Riley will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Neurofibromatosis NF1 NF2 and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Rose Ann Hubright, 55, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 10:06 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2020, at her home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Jackie Rhine, 72, Pomona, Missouri, passed away at 9:34 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at her home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Anthony Lynn Miller, 5 day old son of Christopher Miller and Martha Ann Yutzy Miller, Peace Valley, Missouri, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Jonas Yutzy.
Anthony went to be with the Angels at 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.
He was born May 4, 2020, at West Plains, Missouri, to Christopher Miller and Martha Ann Yutzy Miller.
Anthony is survived by his parents, Christopher and Martha Miller; grandparents, Chrissie Miller and Jonas and Marianna Yutzy; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
His grandmother, Mattie Miller and aunt, Christina Miller, preceded him in death.
Burial will be in the Peace Valley Amish Cemetery, Pomona, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Robert Donald Woods, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Woods passed away at 9:55 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020, at his home.
He was born April 24, 1930, at Pottersville, Missouri, to James Woods and Hazel Black Woods. On November 24, 1951 he was married at Norwich, England to Joan Violet Elgood, who preceded him in death on March 22, 2020. Mr. Woods served his country for more than 22 years in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel prior to retiring. Mr. Woods enjoyed playing golf and taking care of his yard.
He is survived by six children, Steven Woods, Naples, Italy, James Woods and wife, Vicky, Cherokee Village, Arkansas, Michael Woods and wife, Debra, West Plains, Julia Hoover and husband, Randy, West Plains, Rebecca Eckman and husband, Bob, Thayer, Missouri and David Woods and wife, Rhonda, San Antonio, Texas; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one brother Larry Woods and wife, Evie; and one sister Nancy Flanigan.
His parents, wife and one daughter-in-law, Angela Woods preceded him in death.
Mr. Woods will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Monday, May, 11, 2020 at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.
Graveside services for Sharon Ruth Swenhaugen, 73, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Pottersville Cemetery.
Mrs. Swenhaugen passed away at 2:52 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020, at her home.
She was born March 8, 1947, at Modesto, California, to Cecil Ivan Conway and Vern May Palmer Conway. On June 30, 1990, she was married at Emerald Piont, California, to Michael Swenhaugen. Mrs. Swenhaugen was a Christian and enjoyed gardening, flowers and collecting Garfield memorabilia.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Swenhaugen, of the family home; four children, Louwanna Smith and significant other, Bruce Drussell, West Plains, Missouri, Raymond Dempsey Smith, Twin Bridges, Missouri, Caroline Fowlkes, Salem, Arkansas and Elizabeth Norris, Salem, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Kevin Jackson and wife, Nikki, Felicia Nicole LeAnn Mock and husband, Tracey, Delaney Elizabeth Smith and Luther Dempsey Smith and special friend, Brooke Griffin; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Grace and Emily; one brother, Rudy Conway, Ceres, California; one sister, Barbara Bishop, Modesto, California; and special friend and caregiver, Pammy Smith.
Her parents and five sisters preceded her in death.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Flora Pearl Shrable, 79, Gepp, Arkansas, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2020 at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Shrable passed away at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Hospice House of the Ozarks, Mountain Home, Arkansas.
She was born April 8, 1941, at Springerton, Illinois, to William A. Simpson, Sr. and Nellie A. Wilson Simpson. On November 26, 1959, she was married at Howell County, Missouri, to Lowell Shrable. Mrs. Shrable was the owner and operator of Dairy Queen Brazier for many years. She enjoyed painting, cake decorating, traveling and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Shrable was a volunteer at the OMC Thrift Store. She loved the Lord and attended the Bakersfield Full Gospel Church.
She is survived by her husband, Lowell Shrable, of the family home; three children, Teresa Owenby and husband, Burl, West Plains, Terena Lester and husband, John, Bakersfield, Missouri and Ron Shrable and wife, Laurie, Caulfield, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Paul Jordan and wife, Becky, Andy Owenby, Troy Lester and wife, Lia, Stephanie Mitchell and husband, Logan, Kaleb Shrable and wife, Erin, Jacob Shrable and wife, Ashley, Noah Shrable, Larissa Blanks and husband, Jared, Allison Holesapple and Meagan Holesapple; nine great-grandchildren, Gracie, Hayden, Harlen, Raklen, Evelyn, Easton, Koy, Everly and Mavlynn; two sisters, Betty Collins, Scottsburg, Indiana and JoAnn Byrd and husband, Richard, Mountain Home, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; and longtime special friends, Arlene and Keith Wilcox.
Her parents, great-grandson, William Layne Lester, three brothers and two sisters, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Shrable will lie in state from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the County Line Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to ALS Association or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Gale L. Newman, 84, Mtn. Home, Arkansas, passed away at 9:48 a.m. May 6, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri after a brief illness.
He was born January 4, 1936 at the family farm on AB Highway in West Plains, Missouri, the youngest child of Charles Carroll Newman and Doris Chesnut Newman. They preceded him in death.
His education began in a one-room schoolhouse, Homeland School, until the family moved to town when Gale was in the third grade. He graduated from West Plains High School in 1954 where he was a good athlete, playing both basketball and football. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia on an NROTC scholarship and was active in campus activities, including serving as President of Phi Kappa Psi social fraternity and induction into QEBH, a senior honor society. Following his 1958 university graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served his country as a helicopter pilot from 1958-1962. On June 20, 1959, he married Janet Gum Paris in West Plains, Missouri. They had three daughters, Elizabeth Paris, Cynthia Carroll and Janet Caroline, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last summer.
The couple lived on all three coastlines of the United States during their first four years of marriage, first at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida and then at the Santa Ana Helicopter Base in Santa Ana, California. Gale began his civilian life in Portland, Maine as a salesman for the Warren Paper Company then returned with his family to Missouri in 1963 and developed property on Table Rock Lake in Branson. The family moved to Hannibal, Missouri in 1967 where he worked as General Manager for Bonanza Buildings and later started his own farm metal building company, Sun Building Systems. In 1984 he was named Executive Director of the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Council. At its helm, he grew manufacturing in the city by 30 percent, represented Hannibal as part of the governor’s Economic Development Group in Japan, and coined the phrase “America’s Hometown,” still used today for Hannibal postmarks. Hannibal became the Newman family’s “hometown,” too, and the couple developed warm and enduring friendships that lasted a lifetime. In 1986, he became Executive Director of the Naples, Florida Area Chamber of Commerce and the couple enjoyed life in the Sunshine State for 12 years. During this time, he loved piloting his 52 ft sport fishing boat, the “Restless Spirit,” and took it and his family on numerous ocean adventures. The couple returned to the Ozarks in 1998, this time in Elizabeth, Arkansas on Lake Norfork. He not only built and designed his dream house there, but also milled the lumber used in its construction. The 400-acre wildlife refuge known as Stonehollow became his passion, labor of love and home for 18 years. The property was recognized as an Arkansas Stewardship Forest for his tireless work in reestablishing native grasses and tree preservation. Flying was a big part of his life. He taught himself to fly at 16 and owned an airplane and continued flying until he was in his 70s. His favorite airplane was the V-tailed Bonanza. He was a man of many talents, had an unquenchable thirst for learning and could build and repair anything. He built his first house at 12. He majored in creative writing in college and continued writing the rest of his life, specializing in poems for birthdays, “talks” for church services, and eulogies for friends and family. His grin was wide, and his boundless energy and zest for life contagious. He loved his family dearly, and he doted on his dogs, Millie and Corgi. All will miss him terribly. Mr. Newman was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mtn. Home where he served as an elder. He enjoyed playing tennis at the Mtn. Home Tennis Center.
Preceding Mr. Newman in death were his parents, his brother, Melvin Newman, his son-in-law, Sam Grisham and his nephew Mark Newman.
He is survived by his wife of the family home, one sister, Maxine Reid, Springfield, Missouri; three daughters, Elizabeth Bennett (Drew) West Plains, Missouri; Cynthia Newman, Dallas, Texas; and Caroline Devoy (John) Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren, John Zupan (Eva) Mansfield, Texas; Catherine White (Ryan) Springdale, Arkansas; Mary-Louise Tollenaar (John) West Plains, Missouri; Margaret Schloss (Jason) Fayetteville, Arkansas; Molly Rivard, San Antonio, Texas; Olivia and Henry Devoy, Houston, Texas; nine great grandchildren, Avery and John J. Zupan IV, Sophia, Caroline and Mary-Claire White, Frances and Sam Schloss, Eleanor Tollenaar and Jackson Miller Rivard; a first cousin, Joe Spears, West Plains, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.
A private family graveside service will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery in West Plains and a memorial service will be held at a later date in Mtn. Home, Arkansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Mtn. Home and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main Street, West Plains, MO 65775.
