Graveside services for Trilby Catherine Benton, 96, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2016 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Benton passed away at 6:36 p.m., Monday, August 8, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.
She was born November 29, 1919, at Doniphan, Missouri, to George W. Cook and Almeda Hall Cook. On December 30, 1948, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to John Wilborn Benton, who preceded her in death on March 22, 1990. Mrs. Benton held a Cosmetologist license and worked in accounts receivable at Reed-Harlin Wholesale for seventeen years. She enjoyed making special cakes for children, loved to garden and can produce. Mrs. Benton was a member of the First Christian Church.
She is survived by her son, Michael Benton and wife, Tammy; two grandchildren, April Muenks and husband, Shawn and Phillip Benton and wife, Mikayla; special friend, Norma; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, two brothers, Thomas Carter Cook and Wayne Cook and one sister, Ethel Rerry, precede her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Brian “Muffin” Massey, 47, Oilton, Oklahoma, formerly of West Plains, Missourui, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Massey passed away at 7:51 a.m., Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Hillcrest Hospital, Cushing, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family.
He was born October 26, 1968 at Mountain Grove, Missouri to Keith Massey and Lora Mae Freeman Massey. Brian’s youth was spent growing up and working on the family farm. This is where Brian grew into the avid outdoorsmen that he was. He had a great passion for horses. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and brothers while hunting and fishing. He also took great pride in gardening and spent many hours helping his mom can and tend to the garden. Brian held many jobs in his adulthood: Arkansas Electric, MFA, and Garst Seed Company. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge 2418. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him and his loved ones.
Brian is survived by his daughter, Rileigh Maekay Massey , Marshall, Missouri; his mother Lora Mae Massey, West Plains, Missouri; three sisters: Kathy Collins and husband, James, Willow Springs, Missouri, Brenda Cherry and husband, Tim, West Plains, Missouri and Patricia Massey and Mike, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; one brother, Tim Massey and wife, Jamie, Oilton, Oklahoma; one uncle Dale Massey and wife, Corky, Ava, Missouri; special family friend, Renee Stephens, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Brian is preceded in death by his son Peyton Brian Massey, his father Keith Massey, two brothers, Ronnie Massey and Randy Massey, paternal grandparents, Gid and Lois Massey and maternal grandparents, Elmer and Nellie Freeman.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Blanche Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Bertha Dana Willard, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2016 at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Willard passed away at 2:47 a.m., Monday, August 1, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born November 14, 1922, at Rover, Missouri, to Elmer Franklin VonAllmen and Nora Belle Jolliff VonAllmen. On June 10, 1941, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Dr. Joseph Ira “J.I.” Willard, who preceded her in death on November 11, 1999. J. I. was a pastor in churches in Oregon, Howell, Vernon and Jackson Counties in Missouri. Bertha was a supportive wife and a vital part of his ministry, teaching, counseling and mentoring families in their churches.
She is survived by four children, Joyce Hancock and husband, Dr. Steve Hancock, Cicero, Indiana, Wilda Pingel and husband, Robert, West Plains, Missouri, Mary Jo Freeman and husband, Dr. Roger Freeman, Independence, Missouri and Mark Willard and wife, Pam, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Stefani Hancock, Scott Hancock, Wesley Freeman, Melissa Cunningham, Aaron Freeman, Charles Pingel, Dr. Caleb Pingel, Heather Gallant, Alison Dueker and Hilary Wheeler; thirty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Dean VonAllmen, West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Jane Willard, Chatsworth, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Her parents, husband, five brothers and two sisters, precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Jolliff Cemetery.
Funeral services for Betty Ann Atkinson, 83, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday August 3, 2016 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Atkinson passed away at 6:45 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016, at her home.
She was born September 20, 1932, in the West Plains, Missouri area, to John “Henry” Bailey and Ruth Crow Bailey. On May 20, 1950, she was married at the Methodist Church, Hardy, Arkansas, to Everett E. Atkinson. Mrs. Atkinson was of the Methodist faith and was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over sixty years. She attended West Plains High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. Betty always enjoyed school, her teachers, classmates and school activities; she held several class offices and was a member of the National Honor Society both her Junior and Senior years. After graduation, she was secretary to the Vice-President of auditing and Roy R. Wilson of McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, St. Louis, Missouri for several years. She and her husband were co-owners of Atkinson Real Estate & Investments, Inc. Betty obtained her Real Estate Brokers License in 1963 and was a Certified Real Estate Appraiser for several years; she was one of the organizers and Charter Member of the West Plains Board of Realtors and served as interim Secretary during the formation of the Board. After 40 years and her husband after over 50 years, bot h retired from the real estate business in June, 2002. Mrs. Atkinson was a life member of the V.F.W. and served on he Board of the George G. Hayes Society of West Plains. Betty enjoyed playing the fiddle with the Bluegrass group at the Civic Center. With her parents and families throughout her childhood and with her husband of sixty-six years, she always enjoyed home, the Ozarks scenery, live-water streams and wildlife. She spent a lot of time on the farms of her parents and grandparents.
She is survived by her husband, Everett E. Atkinson; several cousins; and many life-long friends.
Her parents and one infant brother precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Evergreen Cemetery and may be left at Robertson -Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Graveside service for Carrol Anne Spears, 70, West Plains, will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Dripping Springs Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Spears passed away at 12:43 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016, at her home.
She was born September 1, 1945, at Stockton, California, to Fred Dill Bentzel and Rebecca Girdley Bentzel. On May 26, 1979, she was married at Joplin, Missouri, to Rodney Warren Spears, who preceded her in death January 28, 2006. She enjoyed cross stitch, reading, family gatherings and spending time with her family.
She is survived by three children, Stacy Whiteside and husband, Robert, Elizabeth Williams and husband, Wayne and Justin Spears and wife, Trena; five grandchildren, Annetta Overstreet and husband, Clay, Austin Williams, Clay Rucker and wife, Kari, Audrey Drumright and husband, Hayden and Blake Spears; four great-grandchildren, Alessa Overstreet, Maci Overstreet, Jamison Drumright and Zayden Rucker; one brother, Craig Bentzel; mother-in-law, Joyce Steele; several nieces and nephews; and many special cousins and friends.
Her parents and husband precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Dripping Springs Cemetery and may be left at Robertson Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Derek Gene Belcher, 32, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Bethany Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Belcher passed away at 4:45 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2016 at his home.
He was born December 20, 1983, at West Plains, Missouri, to Freddy Gene Belcher and Lisa Ann Roberts Belcher. On December 12, 2012, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Lacey Ann Stafford. Mr. Belcher was a logger and loved cutting timber. He enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, fishing, hunting and being outdoors. He will be missed by his loved ones. Mr. Belcher was saved and baptized and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lacey Belcher; three children, Kenneth, Duane and Valarey Ann Belcher; one step-son, Brayden Lee Perkins; his parents, Freddie and Lisa Belcher; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Lisa Stafford; two brothers, Craig Belcher and fiancé, Jen and Ethan Belcher; brother-in-law, Cody Stafford and fiancé, Mandi; grandmother-in-law, Betty Sage; three nieces, Haley and McKenzie Stafford and Mallorie Shaw; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
His grandparents, Kenneth and Maxine Roberts, Theo and Alma Belcher and grandfather-in-law and grandmother-in-law, Tony and Irene Stafford, precede him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Charles Lee Hall, 81, Houston, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 29, 2016 at Homeland Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Hall passed away at 11:52 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.
He was born June 22, 1935, at West Plains, Missouri, to Melvin Hall and Ora Brower Hall. On September 25, 1954, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Ruby Lung. Before his retirement, Mr. Hall worked at Missouri Highway and Transportation.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby Hall; one brother, Leroy Hall; one sister, Norma Hilburn; sister-in-law, Martha Diamond; and several nieces and nephews, including Andi Hilburn-Vaini.
His parents, one brother, James Edward Hall, brother-in-law, Larry Hilburn and sister-in-law, Ella Hall, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Thurlow Donald Collins, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2016 at Wanda Cemetery, Granby, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Collins passed away at 1:48 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born September 19, 1935, at West Plains, Missouri, to Elmer and Esther Collins. On May 25, 1954, he was married at Kansas City, Missouri, to Wanda Moffett. Before his retirement, Mr. Collins worked for the Forestry Department. He enjoyed coon hunting, fishing and gambling.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Collins; four children, Allen Collins and wife, Ruby, Steve Collins and wife, Nancy, Tony Collins and Marvin Collins; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin Collins and wife, Linda and Dewald Collins and wife, Norma; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one son, Chris Collins, one sister and two brothers, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Siloam Springs Volunteer Fire Department and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Robert Allen Kingsolver, Sr., 84, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at Fowler Chapel Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Kingsolver passed away at 10:23 p.m., Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born August 23, 1931, at Clayton, Ohio, to Charles Derrick Kingsolver and Lily Lenore Abbott Kingsolver.
Robert Allen Kingsolver, Sr.
Mr. Kingsolver was a veteran, having served with the United States Air Force as a B-29 top gunner during the Korean Conflict. On September 28, 1963, he was married at Clarksville, Ohio, to Velma “Esther” Pugh. He held a teacher’s certificate and was a school teacher in Ohio for seven years. He worked as a truck driver for Hiland Dairy and was a Learjet machinist in Wichita, Kansas. Bob enjoyed playing horseshoes and was a world and state champion horseshoe pitcher. Mr. Kingsolver was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Fowler Chapel Church.
He is survived by his wife, Velma “Esther” Kingsolver; five children, Robert Allen Kingsolver, Jr., Patrick William Kingsolver and wife, Lori, John David Kingsolver and wife, Jamie, Leah Dale Clapp and husband, Bob, Chris Barclay Kingsolver and wife, Gere; twenty-one grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; special family friend, Renee James; one brother-in-law, Elmer Pugh and wife, Cheryl; five sisters-in-law, Fern Carpenter, Norma Barnes, Bertha Dyer, Janie Kingsolver and Audrey Sallee; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, two sisters, Rosemary Combs and Iva Jeanne Elswick and one brother, Joseph Kingsolver, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Baptist Hill Cemetery.
Funeral services for Charles Royce Fugate, Sr., 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Fugate passed away on July 22, 2016, at his home in West Plains, Missouri, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family. Royce was born on August 13, 1935, in Pomona, Missouri, the only child of Charles “Ted” and Margaret Fugate. He was raised both in Kansas City, Missouri and on the farm of his maternal grandparents, George and Marcella Eidson. He attended St. Joseph grade school in White Church, where he first noticed his future spouse and partner in life, Rita. Royce attended Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College in Kansas City Missouri and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1959. Two days after graduation, he began in Kansas City a 38-year career with the Missouri Department of Transportation, eventually holding the key positions of Division Engineer for Research, Development, and Technology; District Engineer for District 9 Willow Springs; Assistant District Engineer for District 4 Kansas City; and the first Value Engineering Administrator for the state. On July 10, 1965, he married Rita Sharon Gilliam at St. Joseph Church in White Church. His career took them to homes around the state (Jefferson City, Macon, Independence, Blue Springs, Willow Springs). On April 6, 1967, they welcomed their son, Charles Jr., into their life. In 1996 Royce “retired” to a second, 15-year career as City Administrator/City Engineer for the City of West Plains. Under his direction, the city undertook numerous major accomplishments and upgrades, including: expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, new aquatic center and public library, additions to the West Plains Civic Center, construction/expansion of a new City Hall, a new central water treatment plant, and installation of two peaking power generators which provide essential and surplus power to the community. Royce loved the City of West Plains and continued to be its promoter, champion, and friend after retiring in 2011. He served one term on the City Council. Among his many professional and civic accomplishments: membership and leadership roles in Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Public Utility Alliance (recipient of Distinguished Service Award 2011), Rotary (West Plains, Willow Springs, Jefferson City), Advisory Committee for Ozarks Medical Center, and many more. In 2005, Royce was appointed by the governor to the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, where he served for eight years. He was a mentor to countless people in engineering, civic work, leadership, and life. In April of this year, he was inducted into the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers Hall of Fame. Royce was a devoted lifelong Catholic and a current member of St. Mary’s Parish in West Plains. He served on church councils in nearly every city in which he resided. He was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of Assembly 3196, a past Faithful Navigator in Fourth Degree and past Grand Knight. He was an avid quail hunter, bird dog enthusiast, golfer, and KU fan.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Fugate, West Plains; his son Charles Fugate and son-in-law Joseph O’Malley, of Overland Park, Kansas; as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive their friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. A rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, White Church, Missouri; Knights of Columbus Assembly 3196, West Plains; Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri; or Ozarks Medical Center Foundation—The Cancer Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Lee Von Carrico, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Carrico passed away at 1:20 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Gainesville Health Care Center.
He was born July 10, 1934, at Wild Cherry, Arkansas, to Austin R. Carrico and Tressie Jane Sanders. Mr. Carrico was a veteran, having served in the United States Army. On October 25, 1965, he was married at Rockford, Illinois, to Norma Jean Mundt, who preceded him in death in October of 2007. He was self-employed most of his life and was a truck driver for Wilbert Vault Company, Rockford, Illinois for nineteen years. He was a former Mason with the Masonic Temple in Roscoe, Illinois. Mr. Carrico loved to fish, watch westerns, enjoyed watching and coaching baseball, playing guitar and singing in bands. He was proud of his garden.
He is survived by two grandchildren, Mike Webb and wife, Heather and Tracy Nelson and fiancé William Wadkins; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Donnie Carrico and wife, Jackie; one sister, Oleta Mae Sanders; one sister-in-law, Rosalie Carrico; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, wife, four brothers, Joda Mace Carrico, A. Dell Carrico, Gene Garrett and Chester Lee Carrico, precede him in death.
Mr. Carrico will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Shady Grove Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Bakersfield Full Gospel Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Linda “Joan” Gentry Rose, 66, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 24, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rose quietly passed away at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in her home following a long and courageous battle against both lung cancer and leukemia.
Joan was born September 17, 1949 in Lyons, Kansas to June Lewis and was raised by her grandparents, Robert and Rachel Cannon. She graduated high school from West Plains Senior High in 1967. On December 25, 1976, she married David Lee Gentry and begat two children, after which the marriage conceded. She was then introduced to Lloyd Robert Rose, Jr. who courted her for twenty years until they were united in holy matrimony in 2006. Lloyd preceded her in death on April 4, 2016. During her lifetime, Joan was a respiratory therapist for thirty-five years. She loved all types of animals, making homemade jewelry, gardening, traveling and especially being a proud mother and grandmother. Joan was a loyal, longtime member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.
She is survived by three children: daughter Dawna Gravley and husband Corbin, of Tucson, Arizona; Phillip Gentry and partner, Sonia Holt, of West Plains, Missouri; and Willie Gentry and partner, Rhonda Byers, of Portland, Oregon. She is also survived by four granddaughters: Chelsie Thornton, whom she raised and who lived with her as a daughter, Shelby Cockrum, Danerys Gravley, and Alexa Gentry. Furthermore, she is survived by four siblings: Bill Lewis and wife Jan of Monroe City, MO; Brenda Griffin and husband, Ed of West Plains, MO; Walter James Lewis and wife, Sabrina of Wentzville, MO; and Jana Mayle, also of West Plains, MO. She was blessed by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Liberty Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Plains Regional Animal Shelter or to the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Ronald (Ronnie) James Brixey, 67, St. Charles, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ronnie died Monday, July 18, 2016, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Peters, Missouri. He was born April 23, 1949 at Kansas City, Missouri to Fred James Brixey and Agnes Wood Brixey. Ronnie enjoyed watching the re-runs of the Gomer Pyle TV shows, loved to sing and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. He recently received a special visit by the Kansas City Wolf, the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a jolly person, never knew a stranger and had a smile for everyone. Ronnie would salute the men, shake their hands and would kiss the ladies hands.
He is survived by his mother, Agnes Brixey, St. Charles, Missouri; his aunt, Oralee Cearley; and cousins, Barbara Ledford and Carolyn Hoover.
His father and one brother, Dennis Brixey, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.
Graveside services for Kayden James Schafer-Smith, 4, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Kayden passed away at 5:32 p.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Mercy St. Francis Hospital, Mountain View, Missouri.
He was born November 6, 2011, at West Plains, Missouri, to Nathan Smith and Melody Schafer Miller. Kayden attended West Plains Head Start and loved his family, playing with his dinosaurs, singing songs and playing with his friends.
He is survived by his parents, Nathan Smith and Melody Schafer Miller; his grandparents, Randall Schafer, Waunita Schafer, Lloyd and Kathy Goss and Stan and Tammy Smith; great-grandparents, Owen and Judy Smith, Youvah Schafer and Wanda Clouse; one brother, Kashton Smith; aunts and uncles, Tony and Melody Francis, Jackie and Shaun Ingalsbe, Clayton Schafer, Jacob and Melissa Montgomery, Taylor and Tyler Reavis, Randi Schafer, Ashley Smith and Brian Smith; and several cousins, Piper Francis, Haylee Ingalsbe, Logyn Ingalsbe, Ramzi Schafer, Leighton Reavis, Kale Smith, Kelvie Smith and Reavis baby on the way.
His great-grandparents, Boyd Schafer, Edith Turner, Oscar Smith and Wayne Clouse, precede him in death.
Kayden will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Emil Oren Girdley, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016 at First Christian Church.
Mr. Girdley passed away at 2:25 p.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.
He was born April 10, 1931, at West Plains, Missouri, to Leslie Girdley and Inez Minnich Girdley. He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1950 and on August 25, 1960, was married at Fairbanks, Alaska, to Lydia Romans. Before his retirement, Mr. Girdley was a truck driver for Ozark Gas Co. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, raising flowers and singing; he also enjoyed playing pool and winning tournaments. Mr. Girdley was a member of First Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lydia Girdley, of the family home; four children, Bunny Thompson and husband, Mike, Theodosia, Missouri, Veda Doss and husband, Ron, Sam Girdley and Lynn Girdley and wife, Carolyn, all of West Plains; fourteen grandchildren, Derek Thompson, Keri Woods and husband, Brandon, Jay Shelton and wife, Heather, Holly Carlson and husband, Cory, Nicole Rothove, Debbie Leach, Tammy Henderson, Mark Doss and wife, Kathy, Shea Girdley, Bryce Girdley and wife, Casey, Kalyn Girdley, Angel Holman and husband, Allen, Brian Simpson and Lacey Uphaus and husband, Brian; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; one half-brother; three half-sisters; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, step-father, James Porter, two sisters, Evelyn Bridges and Becky Bentzel Massey and one brother, Kenneth Girdley, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Charles Lynn Pendergrass, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Pendergrass passed away at 12:09 a.m., Friday, July 8, 2016 at his home.
He was born May 20, 1932, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Edward Pendergrass and Nola Freeman Pendergrass. Mr. Pendergrass was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On May 28, 1955, he was married at Crider, Missouri, to Nora Louise Caplinger. He was a truck driver and worked for Ozark Asphalt Company for many years. He enjoyed gardening and fishing and loved to raise a big garden and give away produce to family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Nora “Louise” Pendergrass; three children, Lynn Pendergrass, Sonda Brown and husband, Keith and Theresa Mefford and husband, David; five grandchildren, Steven Brown and wife, Amber, Lacy Walker and husband, Kevin, David Mefford and wife, Jessica, Sara Mefford and Keri Mefford; ten great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Hayden, Lillian, Natalie, Jaxxon, Kinley, Khloe, Joel, Parker and Grayson; three brothers, Eli Pendergrass, Dale Pendergrass and wife, Betty and Larry Pendergrass and wife, Sandra; four sisters, Geneva Johnson and husband, Eugene, Doroline Barnes, Ann Newton, Shirley Hart and husband, Robert; one sister-in-law, Thelma Pendergrass; one brother-in-law, J. D. Thompson ; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, one great-grandson, Nicholas Dustin Ross-Mefford and thirteen siblings, Claude and Madge Pendergrass, Verlie and Charlie Freeman, Orpha and Eli Freeman, Elmer “Buck” and Nava Pendergrass, Dorothy and Howard Abbott, Carl and Geneva Parsley, Gene “Jack” and Mary Helen Pendergrass, T. J. and Evalee Parsley, Estel Pendergrass, Paul and Donna Pendergrass, Una and Emmert Lambert, Pauline “Polly” Thompson and Ronnie Pendergrass, one sister-in-law, Louise Pendergrass and two brothers-in-law, Denzil Barnes and Doin Newton, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ozarks Honor Flight or Eaton Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Phyllis Myrtle Deatherage Wild, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Wild passed away at 9:35 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born July 10, 1932, at Moody, Missouri, to Robert “Bob” Robinson and Bertha Ellen Broyles Robinson. She graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1949. On February 21, 1950, she was married at Sturkie, Arkansas, to William Virgil Deatherage, who preceded her in death on July 2, 1998. In 1999, she was married to Franklin “Frank” Ottie Wild, who preceded her in death on July 30, 2007. Mrs. Wild worked at Montgomery Ward in Kansas City, was the owner and operator of Leota Store and Marathon Electric, now known as Regal, before her retirement. She enjoyed embroidery and quilting; making many quilts for families that lost their homes to fire. Phyllis, along with Jackie Broyles started the “Broyles Family Reunion” in 1981; she had served as Treasurer for the Free Union Cemetery and Moody Community Association. She was known as Granny Phyllis or Aunt Phyllis to many. Mrs. Wild was a member of the Church of Christ, and had attended Free Union, Central, Curry Street and Moody Churches of Christ.
She is survived by one daughter, Dianna Feller and husband, Mike, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Shauntai Camron, Willie Harris and wife, Christy, Adam Harris, Kay Lynn Kramer and husband, Matt, Tina Flanagan and husband, Patrick, Bob Feller and wife, Kari and Sheila Spencer and husband, Mike; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Baylee, Logan, Hadley, Khloe and Lincoln; several step-great-grandchildren that loved her dearly; one sister, Mary Perry and husband, Louis, West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Mary Robinson, Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husbands, two sons, Randall Eugene Deatherage and Calvin Rex Deatherage, one sister, Beulah and three brothers, Dale, Dane and Charley, precede her in death.
Mrs. Wild will lie in state from 10:00 a.m., Friday, until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Vue Nursing Center’s Memory Care Unit for activities and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Wanda Lee House McCulloch, 70, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. McCulloch passed away at 2:21 p.m., Monday, July 4, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born April 3, 1946, at Elijah, Missouri, to Joseph Ray House and Edna Bowen House. She attended Fairview, a one room school, at Elijah, Missouri and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1964. She was married August 10, 1979, at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Larry McCulloch, who preceded her in death July 4, 1997. She lived in Hillsboro, Texas for twenty years, where she owned and operated “Poppers & Sweets”, a flower and gift shop. She enjoyed crafts, making jewelry and designing flower arrangements. She was a devoted care giver to her family and her husband’s family. Mrs. McCulloch was of the Church of Christ faith.
She is survived by one brother, Mike House and wife, Linda; one sister, Bonnie House; nephew, Jason House and wife, Bobbi; great-niece, Baley KaMarie and her best friend and great-niece Jaidyn Mae, all of Caulfield, Missouri; and a special family friend, Jeanie Atkinson Petrus, West Plains, Missouri.
Her parents and husband precede her in death.
Mrs. McCulloch will lie in state from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Sherwina Ann Conley, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Conley passed away at 6:27 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born March 14, 1942, at Springfield, Missouri, to Robert L. Clifton and Edith Brunson Clifton. Sherwina graduated from Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Missouri, with the Class of 1959. She was married June 6, 1960, at Fordland, Missouri, to Denney Conley. Sherwina enjoyed crafting and knitting. Mrs. Conley was a Christian.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Denney Conley, of the family home; six children, Denney Conley, Jr., and wife, Angie, State of South Carolina, Patricia May and husband, Stoney, West Plains, Missouri, Tim Conley, Sacramento, California, Elizabeth Kirchner and husband, Paul, State of Kansas, Matthew Conley and Glenn Conley, both of Sacramento, California; seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Her parents, one son, Michael Joseph Conley and one great-granddaughter, Kristina, precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Memorial Wall and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Sandra Nadine Brame Mayo, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Sandra passed away at 3:46 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.
She was born May 22, 1944, at Van Buren, Missouri, to Cleo Brame and Lola McSpadden Brame. She was married to Howard Mayo and to this union two children were born, Harold and Stephanie. Before her retirement, Sandra worked in the Dietary departments at West Vue Nursing Center and Pleasant Valley Manor. She also held a cosmetologist license. Sandra enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, playing bingo and visiting with friends.
She is survived by two children, Harold Mayo and wife, Cheryl, Batesville, Arkansas and Stephanie Mayo, West Plains, Missouri; two grandchildren, Josephine and Jaclyn; one brother, Kenneth Brame; and one niece and one nephew.
Her parents precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Dry Valley Cemetery, Van Buren, Missouri.