Graveside services for Melissa Ann “Lisa” Holstine, 59, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 22, 2018 at County Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ms. Holstine passed away at 12:13 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2018 at Willard Walker Hospice, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
She was born January 18, 1959, at Wichita, Kansas, to Birl Cotter and Milicent McCarty. Lisa graduated from West Plains High School and worked in customer service for 23 years. She enjoyed crafts, making cookies, treasure hunting and liked to deer hunt. Ms. Holstine was a member of Church of Christ.
She is survived by two daughters, LeeAnn Holstine and Amanda Fesler and husband, Matt; four grandchildren, Kolby, Keegan, Madison and Olivia; one brother, Mark Cotter and wife, Dani; one sister, Nona McElroy; and her nieces and nephews, Philip McElroy, Garen McElroy, Shalana Warnick, Zach Hazelhurst and Ben Cotter.
A celebration of life service for Luke Arlen Freiman, 47, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Freiman passed away at 8:50 p.m., Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in Ozark County, Missouri.
He was born April 26, 1971, at West Plains, Missouri, to Mike Freiman and Janet Harris. On November 13, 2010, he was married at Caulfield, Missouri, to Kimberly McKee. Luke worked for many years as a Boilermaker. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, mushroom hunting, frog gigging and all types of hunting with his friends and especially his son. Luke loved to cook for his family and friends. He absolutely adored his wife and son; Luke really loved to watch his son play basketball.
He is survived by his wife, Kim Freiman, of the family home; one son, Jake Freiman, of the family home; father, Mike Freiman and wife, Judy, West Plains; step-father, John Bennett and wife, Rena, Waynesville, Missouri; one brother, Casey Bennett, Springfield, Missouri; one sister, Jody Mizell and husband, Brad, Springfield, Missouri; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steve and Linda McKee; many nieces and nephews; his boilermaker family; and many special friends that Luke considered family, the Dora gang.
His mother, Janet Harris Bennett and Granny Freiman, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Sherrill Ann Thompson, beloved daughter of Laurel R. Thompson and Margaret M. Morrell Thompson, was born March 4, 1953, at Crista Hogan Hospital in West Plains, Missouri. She entered into eternal rest Friday, December 14, 2018, at the age of sixty-five years.
Sherrill was a member of the West Plains High School Zizzer Class of 1971, thereafter completing her post-secondary education while working and raising two sons, Ian A. Elder and Eric A. Elder. She completed her comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at SMSU-Springfield in 1988 and passed her Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination the next year. She achieved her Master of Accountancy degree at SMSU-Springfield in 1999. Sherrill worked many years at Eaton Corporation; Wahlquist, Wahlquist & Buchanan, CPAs; as sole proprietor of her own independent accounting office; Air Evac EMS, Inc.; West Plains R-VII School District; the First Christian Church; and the City of West Plains. No stranger to hard work, Sherrill always found time for beauty. She was an accomplished artist, long active in the local Art Guild and the West Plains Council on the Arts. In more recent years, she added photography to her painting and drawing repertoire. She loved music, her family and friends, her church family, her garden, and her pets. She played several instruments and, even up to the time of her death, had ambitions to learn more. She was an active participant and board member of the West Plains Community Garden. Sherrill served various offices in the Rotary Club of West Plains and was also a charter member and officer of the Sunrise Rotary Club of West Plains. Offices served in both clubs included that of president. She was a Paul Harris Fellow. Sherrill served on several community boards and committees, including the South Central Missouri Rehabilitation Center, the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, the West Plains Council on the Arts, and the committee to explore a charter form of government in West Plains. She worked for many years on the local American Cancer Society Relay for Life event. Sherrill was baptized at a young age at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in West Plains. As a long-time member of First Christian Church, Sherrill enjoyed teaching Sunday school, working on Bible school, planning worship services, serving on the church council and diaper ministries, and—perhaps most—singing in the choir.
She is survived by two sons, Ian Elder and wife, Ileana, Washington, D.C and Eric Elder, Massachusetts; her parents, Laurel and Margaret Thompson, West Plains; two grandchildren, Astrid and Elam Elder; three brothers, Jim Thompson and wife, Sarah, West Plains, Steven Thompson, West Plains and Russell Thompson and wife An, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee; one sister, Vickie Petkovic, West Plains; and many cousins and nieces and nephews.
Her grandparents, Thomas E. and Ivy Morrell and Earl H. and Faye Thompson and her nephew, Jeff Thompson, preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Sherrill will be Wednesday, December 19, at 10:00 a.m. in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday evening, December 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Garden of West Plains or to the Ozarks Medical Center Cancer Treatment Center and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Deloris Marie Beavers, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 15, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Beavers passed away at 1:15 p.m., Friday, December 7, 2018 at Pine Place Green House at West Vue Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
She was born November 16, 1927, at Culp, Arkansas, to Walter Freeman and Alice Seawright Freeman. On September 30, 1950, she was married at Mountain View, Arkansas, to Garland Gerald Beavers, who preceded her in death on February 16, 2006. Marie had worked at Baxter Lab and loved quilting and being a homemaker. Mrs. Beavers was a member of Missouri Avenue Church of Christ.
She is survived by four children, Gary Martin and wife, Rhonda, Judy Myers and husband, Chuck, Larry Beavers and wife, Marty and Patricia “Patti” Perry and husband, Tim, all of West Plains; thirteen grandchildren, Brian Martin, Brent Martin, Laura Hopkins, Tina Medlock, Tony Brower, Terri Self, Brandon Beavers, Michael Beverage, Ashley Beverage, Zac Perry, Shyann Hibbs, Jeff Myers and Chuck Myers, Jr.; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one brother, Claude Freeman and wife, Anna, Norfork, Arkansas; two sisters, Ruth Franklin and husband, Gary, Sherwood, Arkansas and Mary Lou Yoder, Claremore, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, three brothers and two sisters, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Beavers will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Thomas Donald Brown, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Brown passed away at 12:31 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born December 30, 1930, at Leedey, Oklahoma, to Carl Henry Brown and Wanda VonZella Eades Brown. He was married on August 17, 1955, at West Plains, Missouri, to Artice Darlene Evans, who preceded him in death on May 23, 2010. Mr. Brown was a veteran, having served with the United States Marines. He was a farmer and sawmill operator. Tommy enjoyed woodworking and combining seed.
He is survived by two children, Debbie Hooker and husband, Mike, Grapevine, Texas and Karen Brown, West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Clint Hooker and wife, Katie, Thomas Dodson and Hunter Dodson; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Luke; two sisters, Jennie Mangrum and husband, Lowell, West Plains and Waneva Taylor, Owasso, Oklahoma; and one sister-in-law, Neita Jean Brown, West Plains.
His parents, wife, one brother, Joe Brown and one infant sister, preceded him 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 Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Evergreen Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for George Nicola Saba, 55, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Saba passed away at 5:25 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Flagstaff Medical Center, Flagstaff, Arizona.
He was born September 12, 1963 in Jordan to Nicola Saba and Suad Tawil Saba. On August 26, 1990, he was married at Nazareth, Israel to Inam Sabbah. Mr. Saba had attended Barber School and was a businessman. George had a huge heart for people in need; he was a Godly man that took care of his community. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Mr. Saba was of the catholic faith and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church and His Place House of Worship.
He is survived by his wife, Inam Saba; four children, Nicole Combs and husband, Brett, Nicola-Elias Saba “Nick”, Aida Saba and Adam Saba; three grandchildren, Lexcee Saba, Easton Combs and Camden Combs; one brother, Habib Saba; four sisters, Rajaa Rodriguez, Jackie Tawil, Jumanah Tawil and Jay Sayegh; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Clyda Joan Frazee, 86, Willow Springs, Missouri will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Frazee passed away at 2:25 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2018 at Willow Care Nursing Home.
She was born September 22, 1932 in Mountain Grove, Missouri to Burley and Melissa Messer Tharp. On February 18, 1959, she was married in Marshfield, Missouri to Kenneth Gale Frazee who preceded her in death on October 20, 2006. Mrs. Frazee enjoyed cooking, gardening and caring for others.
She is survived by three children, Michael Frazee and wife, Claudia, Normal, Illinois, Ken Frazee and wife, Robin, Orlando, Florida and Matthew Frazee, Columbia, Missouri; four grandchildren, Keiki, Will, Robert and Bennett Frazee; and two great-grandchildren, Josh and Zach Frazee.
Her parents, husband and one sister, Jean Galloway, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Frazee 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 Alzheimer’s Association and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Ester “Fay” Griffee, 56, West Plains, Missouri, will be announced at a later date.
Mrs. Griffee passed away at 3:09 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born May 7, 1962, at Calico Rock, Arkansas, to George Aaron Cowgill and Nellie Alzada Porterfield. On May 31, 2009, she was married to Lanny Brent Griffee. Mrs. Griffee was of the Baptist faith; she was saved and baptized at Enterprise Baptist Church. She enjoyed bible study, painting and crafting.
She is survived by her husband, Lanny Griffee; three children, Jessi Allen, Little Rock, Arkansas, Derek Griffee, Springfield, Missouri and Leanne Asmussen, West Plains, Missouri; two brothers, Lee Cowgill, Calico Rock, Arkansas and David Cowgill, Viola, Arkansas; two sisters, Marcia Griffin and Anita Mitchell, both of Viola, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Visitation services for Rosa Lee Sutton, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 30, 2018 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Sutton passed away at 7:25 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born March 6, 1940, at West Plains, Missouri, to Leo Philpott and Rosa Pearl Garver. In June, 1982, she was married at West Plains, to Norris Sutton. Rosa loved her family and enjoyed raising her kids. She loved flowers, working in her flower gardens, cooking, crocheting and most recently she enjoyed Nintendo games, watching game shows and puzzle books.
She is survived by her husband, Norris Sutton; seven children, Charlotte Schroeder and special friend, Edward Namanny, Atlantic, Iowa, Charlene Johnson and husband, Eric, St. Louis, Missouri, Angie Kirchner, Atlantic, Iowa, Audrey Johnson and husband, Allen, Sidney, Iowa, Nona Erickson and husband, Terry, Lewis, Iowa, Mona Mattes, West Plains and Kevin Sutton, West Plains; twenty-one grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim Philpott, Norfork, Arkansas; one sister, Ardena Moerschel and husband, Ernest, Brandsville, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, three sons, Robert Philpott, Rick Philpott and Gus Franklin and one infant son, Keith Sutton, preceded her in death.
A private burial will be held at a later date at Blue Mound Cemetery.
Funeral services for Harold Isaac Johnson, 70, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Johnson passed away at 3:24 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2018 at his home.
He was born August 20, 1948, at West Plains, Missouri, to Everett Johnson and Effie Hoggatt Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy for six years, the majority of that time being spent on the USS Shangri-La. Doodle, as he was known to his loved ones, enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to music and playing pool. He was very special to many and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by one sister, Bonnie Rowlett; two brothers, Rick Johnson and David Johnson and wife, Mary, all of Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, six brothers, Robert, Joe, Kenneth, Donald Ray, Lonnie Gene, Everett Jr. and James Eldred Johnson, three sisters, Patricia Rousey, Marylyn Sue Young and Rebecca Porter, one sister-in-law, Barbara Johnson and two brothers-in-law, Paul Rowlett and Melvin Rousey, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity of choice and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Lt. Col. Robert N. Alter (USAF Ret.) 97, West Plains, Missouri, will be held 3:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
On the evening of November 19, 2018, Lt. Col. Robert N. Alter passed away quietly at his home in the presence of several of his children, about one month short of his 98th birthday. Robert was born on Christmas Day, 1920, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he lived until 1941 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He became an officer and pilot in the Army Air Corp. He served with distinction in the Pacific Theatre where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserved Medal. Upon returning to the United States in 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Eileen Ross, and began a family, while continuing service in the Air Corp, as a pilot and test pilot. He left military service briefly following the end of the War, but returned to the newly formed US Air Force where he received training at MIT to become a meteorologist. He practiced his new profession most of the remainder of his military career while continuing to remain on active duty flight status as a pilot. Beside his wartime duty, he served his country overseas in North Africa, Japan, and the Philippines; and stateside in Georgia, Arizona, Texas and Louisiana. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1964, he, Eileen and 9 of their 10 children moved to West Plains. He built a home and small cattle ranch on property he had purchased in Missouri while still in the Air Force. During that time, he also initiated and commanded the ROTC program at the West Plains High School.
Robert and Eileen where married for 65 years, until her death in 2010. They leave behind 10 children: Robert J. Alter, Washington, D.C., Joyce Pool, Linda Cromer, James Alter and Debbie Altizer, all of Springfield, Missouri, Susan Knight and Marilyn Gordon, both of West Plains, Missouri, Karen Perry, Camdenton, Missouri, Sharon Dishman, Athens, Georgia, and Janet Thompson, Kimberling City, Missouri; 20 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
The “Colonel’s” body will be taken to join that of his loving wife at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri; a military service will be held on Friday, November 30th at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Honor Flight Of The Ozarks (honorflightoftheozarks.org) with the statement “Donated in memory of Lt. Col. Robert N. Alter” to ensure 100% goes to the honor flight program; another option is the Convoy of Hope (convoyofhope.org); and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for John Henry Pyatt, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 30, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Pyatt passed away at 11:54 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born June 15, 1929, at Irondale, Missouri, to Daniel Monroe Pyatt and Rosetta Smith Pyatt. On October 24, 1999, he was married at Pomona, Missouri, to Pauline Shanks. Mr. Pyatt was a pastor, serving several churches within the Assembly of God and was currently attending Stuart Union Church. He loved the Bible and studied it every morning. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline Pyatt; nine children, Connie Pyatt, Mark Pyatt, Steve Pyatt, Nathan Pyatt and wife, Jane, Check Smith and wife, Janet, John Smith and wife, Becky, Bob Smith and wife, Kim, Claude Smith and wife, Melinda and Connie George and husband, Clint; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a few great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Reverend Lonnie Pyatt; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Benny and Tiffany Grogan.
His parents, one son, John Pyatt, four sisters and six brothers preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Stuart Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Shirley Joann Burns, 83, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at First Missionary Baptist Church, Pottersville, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Burns passed away at 1:02 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at her son’s home in Silex, Missouri.
She was born August 19, 1935, at Bolivar, Missouri, to Charles Oscar Naylor and Pauline Ingalls Naylor. On December 4, 1955, she was married at Las Vegas, Nevada, to James Edom Burns, who preceded her in death March 27, 2001. She enjoyed reading, her quilting club and Love Thy Neighbor Club. She was active in fundraisers for the Pottersville Fire Department and has served on the Pottersville Cemetery Board of Directors. Mrs. Burns was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, Pottersville.
She is survived by three children, Ed Burns and wife, Judy, Hillsboro, Oregon, Randy Burns and wife, Teri, Silex, Missouri and Opal Immerman, Pottersville, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jamie, Jackie, Torie, Ryan and Nikki Burns and Joshua Immerman; ten great-grandchildren and one on the way; one sister, Barbara Holt and husband, Darrell, Springfield, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, one brother, Charles Robert Naylor and her son-in-law, Mark Immerman, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Burns will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Pottersville Cemetery. A Celebration of Life gathering at her home in Pottersville will be held following the burial. All friends and loved ones are invited. Memorial contributions may be made to Pottersville Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Donald Wayne Furbee, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Furbee passed away at 2:50 p.m., Monday, November 19, 2018 at his home.
He was born April 3, 1948, at Canton, Ohio, to Alex Wayne Furbee, Jr. and Betty Hutchison Furbee. Mr. Furbee was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. On March 11, 2000, he was married at Orland Park, Illinois, to Joanne Mahn. Doc lived for his wife and loved spending time with her. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and in his younger years enjoyed fishing. Mr. Furbee was an avid dog lover and supported his fellow veterans.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Furbee; five children, Tracy Eckert and husband, Andy, Julie Furbee, Heather “Peanut” Chipman and husband, Scott, Elizabeth Furbee and Donald Furbee, Jr.; one step-son, Edward Stoops and wife, Kasia; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Derek, Tina, Braden, Sydney, Alexis and Mason; one step granddaughter, Gabrielle; and five great-grandchildren.
His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to K-9’s for Warriors and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A graveside service for Dennis Charles Walker, 62, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Redburn Cemetery.
Mr. Walker passed away at 4:30 p.m., Monday, November 19, 2018 at West Plains, Missouri.
He was born March 5, 1956, at West Plains, to Ralph Eugene Walker and Rebecca Maxine Brown Walker. On June 2, 1979, he was married at West Plains, to Sallie Jo Hollinger, formerly of Branson, Missouri. The couple had been together for forty-three years and married for thirty-nine years. Mr. Walker retired from Garnett Wood Products. Dennis loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He was a long time member of First Freewill Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Sallie Walker; his parents, Ralph and Edna Walker; two brothers, Danny Walker and wife, Karen and Norman Walker and wife, Kim; three sisters, Dorothy Walker, Zodie Forbes and Regina Walker; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
A memorial service for Orvel Milford Croston, 97, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 314 N. Walnut St., Willow Springs, Missouri, with a lunch to follow.
Mr. Croston passed away at 10:43 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born March 9, 1921, at Presho, South Dakota, to Irvy Tom Croston and Eva Fay Ernest Croston. Mr. Croston was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during WWII, battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe; he received American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was a farmer, raised sheep and enjoyed gardening. On July 10, 1994, he was married at Willow Springs, Missouri, to Betty Smith. Mr. Croston was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church; he attended Church in South Dakota and most recently in Willow Springs, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Croston; five step-children, Marcille O’Neal, Larry Pulley, Karen Bell, Kathi Lincoln and Martha Collins; two brothers, Alan Croston and Myron Croston; several step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, “Mama” Fannie (his grandmother that raised him after his mother’s death) and his siblings, Irvy, Laverne, Arnold, Evelyn, Irvin Jr., Elroy, Dwayne, Floyd and Ronald, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Sergeant First Class James Lee Ross (U.S. Army Retired), 57, League City, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
SFC Ross was called to be with our Lord after a brief battle with lung cancer on November 19, 2018, with his loving wife by his side/surrounded by family and friends. He was born on November 20, 1960, at Fort MacArthur Army Hospital in San Pedro, California to Leslie Wayne Ross and Yoo Ja (Lee) Ross; SFC Ross was a proud member of the West Plains Zizzer Class of 1979 where he was blessed to meet Christine Daniels (Zizzer Class of 1980) who would later become his lifelong wife of over 35 years.
SFC Ross joined the Army in February 1980 and served at various posts in Kansas, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Texas, and Hawaii, where he was proud to serve beside some of the best soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in the entire world. SFC Ross concluded his military career as a POW/MIA Investigation Team Leader and Vietnam Refugee Debriefer, traveling extensively in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Combodia. At the time of his retirement, he was credited with being “the most accomplished and respected POW/MIA investigator in the Department of Defense”.
Following his military career, the Ross family settled in Houston, Texas, where SFC Ross was employed at LyondellBasell Industries in Channelview, Texas. Over a twenty-one year period with LyondellBasell, SFC Ross served in various roles as a security guard, worldwide electronic security system administrator, and security supervisor. He retired from private industry on November 1, 2016, in order to spend more time with his family and friends.
SFC Ross is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Christine (Daniels) Ross, League City, Texas; his son, Matthew James Ross, The Woodlands, Texas; his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Christine (Ross) Grimes and Shea E. Grimes, League City, Texas; three most excellent grandchildren, Haileigh Shea Grimes (age 11), Matthew Luke Grimes (age 9), and Thomas James Grimes (age 2); his mother, Yoo Ja (Lee) Etter, League City, Texas; his mother, Carol A. (Sigler) Ross, West Plains, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Janet A. (Hartheim)Daniels, Houston, Texas; his sisters and their husbands, Patricia “Trish” (Hall) Wadkins, Pomona, Missouri, Sondra (Hall) Cleveland and Gerry Cleveland, Caulfield, Missouri, Lee Ann (Ross) Wheelbarger, Houston, Texas, and Shiela (Hall) England and Randall England, Springfield, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and special friends, Brett and Diane Mitchell, Dorothy Cornett and Maria Giannopoulos.
SFC Ross is preceded in death by his father, Leslie Wayne Ross, of West Plains, Missouri; his step-father, Neldon Etter, of Sugar Creek, Missouri; his father-in-law, Lee P. Daniels, of Houston, Texas and his brother-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Wadkins, Pomona.
Burial will be at the Free Union Cemetery, Leota, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Ashley Nicole Raymond, 29, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Lone Star Cemetery, Mountain Grove, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ashley passed away Friday afternoon, November 16, 2018 near Koshkonong, Missouri.
She was born April 1, 1989 at Springfield, Missouri to Pamela Sue Brown. Ashley was working as a kiln operator at Timberland Forest Products. She loved her kids, her job and Superman. Ashley was a Christian.
She is survived by her partner, Tammy Jean Varney; her children, Nicholas and Braidyn Raymond; her mother and dad, Pamela and Daniel Brown; her father, Randy Denner; two brothers, Daniel Louis R.Z. Brown and Dakota Cottengin; one sister, Randi Joann Raymond; and her nieces and nephews, Olivia, Raylena and Kaleb.
Her grandparents, Robert and Mary Jo Denner, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6;00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 23rd, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A visitation service for Mary Kay Severin, 48, Pomona, Missouri, will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Severin passed away at 12:20 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2018 at her home.
Mary was an unassuming woman that was loved, is missed and will always be remembered. Her story starts on January 3, 1970, the oldest child to Jim and Lorraine Rogers. Mary was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and spent her childhood there. It is also where she would meet the love of her life, Allen Severin. Mary and Allen were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church June 19, 1993. Allen and Mary spent many years building their home, traveling, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling and being entrepreneurs.
Mary spent many years dabbling in her family history and building an operational photo studio in their home, which was ideal for taking pictures of their son, Arron, after he was born July 1, 1996.
Visiting their home, you would find a new house project in process, NASCAR race or Packers game on TV and lots of love from their dog, Comet. Mary and her family took many trips, as they love to travel and she was always looking at life through her camera’s lens.
In 2013, Mary and Allen purchased land in Pomona, Missouri, just outside of West Plains. They began construction of their new home, a passive solar house that is made of both nature and upcycled materials. This effort fed Mary’s compassion for sustainability and natural living with a low carbon footprint. They grew their family by the addition of four ducks and a new pet dog named Lily. Mary began a paper crafting hobby of card making, Allen got a job at Caterpillar and the family spent several years building their new home before moving into it in 2017.
Mary’s fight with cancer was driven by her intent to never give up. Every day she explored alternative solutions that supported her beliefs. This gave her much comfort in her last few months.
Passing before her was her father, James Floyd Rogers, maternal grandparents Earl and Joyce Voigt and paternal grandparents, Floyd and Delores Rogers. Loved ones that will miss Mary until they meet again are her husband, Allen; her son, Arron; her mother, Lorraine Voigt Rogers; her sister, Becky Rogers; and many friends.
Funeral services for Freda Casey Bean, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bean passed away at 4:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018 at her home.
She was born May 7, 1927, at Crider, Missouri, to Alfred Henson and Clara Edith Maritt Casey. Freda attended the schools of Vienna, Mt. Olive and Bakersfield. On December 5, 1944, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Luther “Shorty” Bean, who preceded her in death February 7, 2000. Before her retirement, Freda worked at International Shoe Factory. Mrs. Bean was well-known and loved in both Ozark and Howell Counties for her famous Sunday dishes and homemade pies at church potlucks and Christian singings. She was a member of Elijah Church of Christ, where she and her husband, were devoted to the Elijah Singers and for many years took care of cleaning the church building and mowing the Elijah Cemetery. For the last 15 years, she attended Central Church of Christ in West Plains.
She is survived by her daughter, Janice Bean Johnston, West Plains; three grandchildren, Danny E. Bean, Jr., and wife, Christina, Charles City, Iowa, Donnie Bean and wife, Jessica, Bakersfield, Missouri and Jason D. Johnston, Memphis, Tennessee; nine great-grandchildren, Ashley Marie, Daniel Justin, Briann, Alexis, Aydan, Danny Bean, III, Cassie, Amanda and Donnie; three great-great-grandchildren, Max, Alivia and Mason; one brother, Dr. Pat Henry Casey and wife, Shirley, Millington, Tennessee; many nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Donald and Emma Joice.
Her parents, husband, one son, Danny E. Bean, Sr., one grandson, Douglas E. Bean, two great-grandchildren, Lauren Carey and Baby Bean, two sisters, Beulah Casey Meadows and Georgia Gertrude Casey Mitchell, two brothers, Melvin Casey and Fred Casey, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy Jake Tackitt and Maxie Burtrum Bean-Tackitt, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
