Obituaries

Funeral services for Charles Edward Ward, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Ward passed away at 9:25 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born March 16, 1933, at Kansas City, Kansas, to Elizabeth Ward McGoldrick.  Charles was an only child and at the age of eight years old, his parents moved the family to Peace Valley, Missouri, where he graduated from Peace Valley School.  On December 19, 1952, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Marylyn Louise Young, who preceded him in death on June 13, 2008.  He met Marylyn while working at the Shoe Factory in West Plains. Mr. Ward was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Korean War.  After he finished his tour of duty in 1955 he started working as a milkman.  He was a Milk Hauler for Dairy Farmers of America (Mid-America Dairymen, Inc.) for the next forty years; he drove two different milk trucks and had two pup trailers.  He enjoyed on occasion taking his daughters on his route with him and would stop in at the store at Peace Valley to treat them to a chocolate soldier (now known as a Yoo-Hoo!).  Mr. Ward enjoyed riding motorcycles, bowling and traveling.  He also enjoyed listening to country music, with Ferlin Husky and Roy Acuff being some of his favorites.  Mr. Ward was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Curry Street Church of Christ.

He is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Bennett and husband, Jim, West Plains and Amber Turner, Kansas City, Kansas; three grandchildren, Matt Bennett and wife, Angie, Kansas City, Kansas, Meghan Turner, Columbia, Missouri and Michael Turner, Rolla, Missouri and one cousin, Bob Ward and wife, Sylvia, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

His mother and wife precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Robert Eugene Wood, 80, Liberty, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Wood passed away at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at his home.

He was born January 12, 1936, at Pomona, Missouri, to Russell Wood and Lola Dollins Wood.  In 1957, he was married in Howell County, Missouri, to Barbara Hankins.  Mr. Wood worked for Ford Motor Company and was a member of the United Automobile Workers Local 249 Teamsters Union.  He loved to hunt, fish and watch baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals.  Mr. Wood was a member of Liberty Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Wood, of the family home; two daughters, Debra Sharp and husband, Marty, Stockton, Missouri and Pamela Campbell and husband, Anthony, Greenville, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Christopher and Casey Faircloth and Corey, Connor and Caitlin Campbell; one step-granddaughter, Ashley Sharp, one brother, Doyle Wood and wife, Terri, West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Doreen Bridges and husband, Danny and Sue Bridges and husband, Gene, all of West Plains, Missouri; brother-in-law, Claude Hankins, Marshall, Missouri; sister-in-law, Bonnie Hankins, Farmington, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Evelyn Bunch and his father-in-law and mother-in-law precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Mazzie Aileen Williams, 88, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 at Gospel Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Williams passed away at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at her home.

She was born March 22, 1928, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Fred Harris and Nancy Elizabeth “Lizzie” Taylor Harris.  On December 20, 1947, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Fred Amel Williams, who preceded her in death on March 12, 2003.  She was a teacher at Bakersfield, Missouri, postmaster at Cureall, had worked at Wal-Mart and Baxter Lab and worked alongside her husband on their farm.  She loved her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening, quilting and writing poetry.  Mrs. Williams did volunteer work, was a 4-H leader and had been a foster parent for many years.  She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Gospel Hill Church of Christ.

She is survived by four children, Nancy Langston and husband, Sam, West Plains, Marsha Harris and husband, George, Pottersville, Dorothy Ryan and husband, Paul, West Plains and Carrie Porter and husband, Dale, West Plains; one special niece, Addie Melton and husband, David; twelve grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dale Harris, West Plains; and one sister-in-law, Earlene Harris, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Her parents, husband, two brothers and one sister, precede her 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 the Gospel Hill Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of life service for Kurt Anthony Schmitz, 58, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Schmitz passed away at 4:15 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born September 26, 1957, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to Howard John Schmitz and Antoinette Sue Kapp Schmitz.  On June 24, 1985, he was married at Reno, Nevada, to Peggy Lovewell.  Kurt enjoyed being Mr. Mom, being in the outdoors, spending time with his family, telling jokes, art and repairing bicycles.  He was a fun loving person and a great fisherman.  Mr. Schmitz was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Schmitz, of the family home; two daughters, Amy and Amanda Schmitz, both of West Plains, Missouri; one grandson, Damien; his mother, Antoinette Schmitz, Placentia, California; one brother, Mark Schmitz and wife, Donna, Riverside, California; one sister, Rose Marie Tessier and husband, Marc, Whittier, California; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jeanne and Norman Schauer, Mountain View, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

His father and one sister, Pamela Jean MacDougall, precede him in death.

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

Funeral services for Larry Gene Asberry, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Asberry passed away at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born July 20, 1945, at West Plains, Missouri, to Thomas Asberry and Florence Christine Findley Asberry Vaughan.  On December 11, 1982, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Carol Plank.  Larry owned and operated a convenience store, was a farmer and had worked for many years at DRS, formerly Southwest Truck Body.  He enjoyed old cars and corvettes and was a member of West Plains Car Club and Corvette Car Club.  He was a Christian and was a member of the Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Asberry, of the family home; two daughters, Michele Adkisson and husband, Darin and Kim Barnes and husband, Jeremy; six grandchildren, Laken Perkins and husband, Brayton, Zakry Adkisson, Allie, Maci, Jaden and Wyatt; three great-grandchildren, Kailyn, Weldon and Rush Perkins; one brother, Jim Asberry and wife, Jean; one sister, Ruth Ann Cockrum and husband, Leon; mother-in-law, Margaret Plank; and several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

His parents and step-father, Orvis Vaughan, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Free Union Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for James Eldred Johnson, 69, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnson passed away Thursday, April 7, 2016 at his home.

He was born November 21, 1946, at West Plains, Missouri, to Everett Johnson and Effie Hoggatt Johnson.  Mr. Johnson was a truck driver and was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  He enjoyed listening to Elvis and loved his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is survived by one daughter, Crystal Burnett; four grandchildren and one on the way, Cheyenne, Landon, Braedon and Kaden; three brothers, Harold Johnson, Rick Johnson and David Johnson and wife, Mary Jo, all of Springfield, Missouri; two sisters, Bonnie Rowlett and Patricia Rousey, both of Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, five brothers, Robert, Joe Kenneth, Donald Ray, Lonnie Gene and Everett Jr. Johnson, two sisters, Marilyn Sue Young and Rebecca Porter, sister-in-law, Barbara Johnson and two brothers-in-law, Paul Rowlett and Melvin Rousey, precede  him in death.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Viv’s Run for Life and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Ruby Maxine Brazeal, 73, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Brazeal passed away at 12:40 a.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 at her home.

She was born April 10, 1942, in Oregon County, Missouri, to Clarence Morgan and Clara Huff Morgan.  On February 7, 1959, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Everett D. “Bobby” Brazeal.  She received a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University in 1989 and was a special needs teacher and teacher’s aide, having taught at Fairview, Gainesville and retired from Glenwood after eighteen years of teaching.  Mrs. Brazeal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law.  She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, crocheting and loved to watch Cardinal baseball games.  Mrs. Brazeal was a faithful Christian and was active in each church that her husband, Bobby, pastored.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Brazeal, of the family home; three children, Dwayne Brazeal and wife, Laura, Brodnax, Virginia, Donna Fine and husband, Kelvin, West Plains and Doug Brazeal and wife, Velda, West Plains; son-in-law, Kevin Driskell; twelve grandchildren, Angel Brazeal, Eric Brazeal and wife, Eden, Scott Holt and wife, Christine, Clinton Holt and wife, Patty, Daphne Graham and husband, Chris, Kayla Fine and fiance’, Orion Van Nortwick, Sierena Johnson and husband, Jeremiah, Nikita Steinbruner, Michael Brazeal and wife, Jenna, Diana Brazeal, Gina Davis and husband, Chris and Amanda Collins and husband, Clayton; nineteen great-grandchildren, James, Alora, Boooklyn, Leah, Carter, Felecity, Tristan, Dalton, William, Abbi, Greyson, Scarlett, Zane, Ella, Anna, Julian, Justin, Emma and Eva; one brother, Jolly Morgan, Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Ann Morgan, Peoria, Illinois; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, two daughters, Judy Brazeal and Denise Driskell, eight brothers and one sister, precede her in death.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to OMC Cancer Treatment Center Expansion Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Lloyd Robert Rose, Jr., 61, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

On Monday evening, April 4, 2016, he unexpectedly passed away in a car accident in West Plains, Missouri.

He was born on May 14, 1954 to Lloyd Robert Rose and Lorene Luella (Lee) Rose in Sacramento, California. As his father was enlisted in the United States Air Force, Lloyd and his family spent the majority of his childhood traveling the world to places such as California, Tokyo, Japan, Washington D.C., Athens, Greece, and Mitchell, Nebraska. He attended high school in Mitchell Nebraska, obtained his GED in 1972 and later attended classes at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. In April 1974, Lloyd enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During basic training, he qualified as an expert marksman. He served as a mechanic working mostly on Huey helicopters while aboard aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean and along coastal North Carolina. He was extremely proud of his service as a Marine, and was honorably discharged in 1978. He returned to Mitchell where he began work as a machinist with the Burlington Northern Railroad in Alliance, Nebraska. Lloyd had accepted Christ and was baptized at the First Baptist Church. He was a free spirit with a loving heart and he was loved deeply in return.

He is survived by his wife, Joan (Cannon) Rose of the family home;one brother, Don Rose and wife, Nikki, Mitchell, Nebraska; one sister, Bonnie Jackson and husband, Andrew, Bozeman, Montana; niece Emily Meysenburg and husband Jesse and their two sons, Reece and Aiden of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; nephew, Alex Rose and wife Malissa, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; three stepchildren, Dawna Gravley and husband, Corbin and their daughter, Danerys, Tucson, Arizona, Phillip Gentry and wife, Sonia and their sons, Nick, and Connor Holt, West Plains, Missouri, Anthony Holt and wife, Tori, Seattle, Washington and Willie Gentry and wife, Rhonda and their daughter, Alexa, Portland, Oregon. God also blessed Lloyd with two special granddaughters with whom he had a special bond. Chelsie Thornton lived with Lloyd and Joan for much of her life and he loved her as if she was his own child and she loved him in return. Shelby Cockrum didn’t always live with her grandparents but stayed with them a lot, especially when she was younger. Lloyd always referred to both of them as “his girls”. Lloyd is also survived by one son, Marcus Scoggins and wife, Jena and their sons, Nolan and Jaden, Big Lake, Minnesota.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his father, mother, and grandparents.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Liberty Cemetery.

Graveside services for Wilma “Faye” Evans, 71, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Fowler Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Evans died 1:27 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at NHC HealthCare. She was born November 21, 1944 in Howell County, Missouri to Albert Lonzo Hensley and Zelphia Wilma Ramsey Hensley. She received her education at the Oak Grove School and on June 18, 1966 was married at West Plains, Missouri to Dallas Ray Evans who preceded her in death on June 15, 1977.

She is survived by her brother Ted Hensley, wife, Paula, Caulfield, Missouri and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents and husband preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 8th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fowler Cemetery and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Richard Lyle Freeman, 62, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Freeman died Monday, April 4, 2016 at his home in Springfield, Missouri. He was born March 27, 1954 in Hailey, Idaho, the son of Garland Leroy Freeman and Eleanor Nelson Freeman. He attended the West Plains High School and was married on May 15, 1976 at West Plains, Missouri to Carol Beach. Mr. Freeman was a veteran having served with the United States Army; and had been employed with Thompson Sales of Springfield, Missouri. He enjoyed deer and turkey hunting.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years and the mother of his children, Carol Freeman, Republic, Missouri; two children, Corey Freeman, companion, Sandra Saenz, Republic, Missouri and Alicia Cheyenne Freeman, Republic, Missouri; five grandchildren, Caleb, Cody, Jordan, Cortez and Breana Freeman; two brothers, Reverend Cody Freeman, wife, Bonnie, State of Pennsylvania and daughter, Darla White, husband, Jason; Robert Freeman, Springfield, Missouri and children, Jason Freeman, Shannelle Freeman, significant other, Kevin Rice and son, Emil Rice; Danny Freeman and son, Davin Freeman; and Kevin Freeman; two sisters, Jean Freeman, Moody, Missouri and Susan Green, Boise, Idaho; and special cousin, Mitchell Henson.

His parents preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time Friday, April 8th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery near South Fork, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Zion Cemetery and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Merlene Ruby Collins, 74, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 at Ledbetter Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Collins passed away at 3:55 a.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born January 11, 1942, at West Plains, Missouri, to Floyd “Josh” Robinson and Kate Ledbetter Robinson.  On April 1, 1966, she was married at Crider, Missouri, to Bobby Eugene Collins, who preceded her in death on June 7, 2013.  She had worked at Roho and Kentucky Fried Chicken and together with her husband, owned and operated AD Grocery Store at Crider.  Mrs. Collins was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Church of Christ at Crider, Missouri.

She is survived by two children, Ronnie Collins and special friend, Angie McDonald, Dora, Missouri and Barbara Busbey, Pottersville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Bryan, Kelsey and Bobbi; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, and two brothers, precede her 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 a charity of choice and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Dorothy Frances Koons, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 at Central Calvary Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Koons passed away at 4:14 a.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born November 1, 1925, at Jersey City, New Jersey, to William Rohrer and Martha Frances Gude Rohrer.  In 1945 she was married to Russell Gray and in 1968 she was married to Marion Koons who passed away on November 13, 1997.  Dorothy was a well-known pianist and organist.  She gave piano lessons, was a great seamstress and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, farming, gardening and her pets.  Mrs. Koons was a member of Central Calvary Baptist Church where she was the organist and choir director for twenty-seven years.

She is survived by three children, Lois Newman, Marty Oakley and Barbara Housley and husband, David; nine grandchildren, Carrie Harper, Kristin Poole, Jamie Wymer, Lori Sheppeard, Cory Ballard, Luke Oakley, Joe Oakley, Jessica Gray and Jennifer Gray; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margie MacCormick and Ethel Madden; and her extended Koons family.

Her parents, husbands, two children, Russell Gray, Jr. and Cindy Hammel and son-in-law, Marion Newman, precede her in death.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dorothy’s church family for being so kind and caring.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Hale Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Central Calvary Baptist Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for George “Wayne” DeShazo, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. DeShazo passed away at 4:57 a.m., Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born February 9, 1929, at Viola, Arkansas, to Rufus Leonard DeShazo and Mildred “Millie” Melvina Guthrie DeShazo.  On June 25, 1950, he was married at Hocomo, Missouri, to Wilma Lodema Stapleton, who preceded him in death on August 14, 2014.  He enjoyed gospel music and loved photography, gardening and fishing.  Mr. DeShazo was a member of the First Baptist Church.

He is survived by five children, Bruce DeShazo and wife, Anna, Glenpool, Oklahoma, Michael DeShazo and wife, Lori, Rocheport, Missouri, Larry DeShazo, Diana Brown and husband, Danny and Melinda Brenton and husband, Bryan, all of West Plains, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Kevin DeShazo and wife, Megan, Michael DeShazo, Jr., Christopher DeShazo, Lance DeShazo and wife, Megan, Crystal DeShazo, Carly DeShazo, Daniel DeShazo, Austin DeShazo, Devin Brown and wife, Amanda, Danielle Brown and Makayla Ray; one brother, Dean O. DeShazo and wife, Beverly, Las Vegas, Nevada; one sister-in-law, Loyda Stapleton, South Fork, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and wife, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Homeland Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Homeland Cemetery or Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Carl L. Roberson, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Roberson passed away at 4:35 a.m., Monday, April 4, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.

He was born January 9, 1935, at Beach Grove, Arkansas, to Jesse James and Aris Copeland Roberson.  He was united in marriage to Wanda Sanders on January 23, 1953; they celebrated their 63rd Anniversary this year.   To this union, three daughters were born:  Donna Jean, Lenora June, and Patricia Ann.   Carl was a Christian, was baptized April 13, 1986, served on the board for fourteen years at Township Line Church and currently attended United Freewill Baptist Church.  He enjoyed his little farm, cattle and horses.  Carl loved to hunt and started his grandsons out deer and squirrel hunting and watching them shoot.   He also enjoyed having a place for family reunions each year.  Carl spent a lot of time with his friend, Randy Crawford, hunting and having coffee in the afternoons.  He retired from Hiland Dairy after thirty-five years in the dairy business.

He is survived by his wife Wanda, of the family home; three daughters Donna Williams and husband, R.C., Little River, Texas, Lenora Martin and husband, Jerry, West Plains and Patty Wood and husband, Kevin, West Plains; three grandsons, Kenneth Martin and wife Amber, Lance Williams and wife, Jordan and Benjamin Charles; two granddaughters, Amanda Hulsey and husband, Brian and Kristie Crow and husband, Cameron; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer Coursey and husband, Justin, Brandi Bell and husband, Micco and Brennen Wood; five step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Faye Spoor, Kemp, Texas; one brother, Jerry Roberson and wife Wanda, Eustace, Texas; brother in law, Eddie Sanders and wife, Donna, Springfield, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Roberson, Raymore, Missouri and Vera Sanders, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, six brothers, Eldon, Melvin, Earl, Burl, Wayne and Alten, four sisters,  Eunice Koelling, Bernice Fossett, Villie Barnes and Merle Driver, five brothers-in-law, Art Koelling, Duane Driver, Dick Sheffield, Leon Sanders and R.W. Pierce and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Albert and Chloa Sanders, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Marjorie Lee Cockrum, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cockrum passed away at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2016 at her home.

She was born September 13, 1929, at Leota, Missouri, to Oliver Edward Vaughan and Ozella Lee Alexander Vaughan.  On August 5, 1946, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Thomas Edward “Tommy” Cockrum, Jr., who preceded her in death on February 14, 2015.  She enjoyed spending time with family, studying the Bible, sewing, quilting, puzzles, collecting Avon bottles and family history.  Mrs. Cockrum was a member of Washington Avenue Church of Christ.

She is survived by six children, Dennis Cockrum, wife, Kathy, Udall, Missouri, Veta Blair, husband, Harlie, Deanne Cockrum, Loran Cockrum, wife, Barbara, Geary Cockrum, wife, Vernetta and Mark Cockrum, wife, Fawn, all of West Plains; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Max Vaughan, wife, Elaine, Bakersfield, Missouri and Sherwood Vaughan, wife, Nina, West Plains; one sister, Bonnie Carlile, West Plains; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Mary Sue, three brothers, Bob, Otis and Orvis Vaughan, and two sisters, Maxine Vaughan and Opal Hicks, precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Free Union Cemetery or Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Mary Jeanne Lamons, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Mackey Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lamons passed away at 2:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at her home.

She was born June 19, 1933, at Chicago, Illinois, to Lhudgeire Jerome LaFontaine and Bernice Lorraine Plowman LaFontaine Evans.  On November 11, 1951, she was married at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Richard Wayne “Dick” Lamons, who preceded her in death on August 17, 1997.  Her first job was a telephone operator; she worked for many years in the jewelry department at Wilke Drug Store and in the advertising department at The Horse Trader.

She is survived by one daughter, Debbie Henry and husband, Michael, Mountain View, Missouri; son-in-law, Paul Johnson, West Plains, Missouri; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Leon LaFontaine and wife, Lois, Valrico, Florida; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Becky Jarvis and husband, Ron and their daughters, Debbie and LaDonna, West Plains, Missouri.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Shannon Denise Johnson and one granddaughter, Shawna Dunlapp, precede her in death.

Funeral services for Johnie Johnston, 89, Tremont, Illinois, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnston passed away at 6:45 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois.

He was born March 26, 1926, at South Fork, Missouri, to James Walker and Florence Douglas Johnston. He married Nelta Faye Miller Dec. 24, 1952, in Salem, Arkansas.  Mr. Johnston was a veteran, having served with the United States Army stationed in Germany during World War II. He was proud to travel to Washington D.C. in 2013 in the Honor Flight program.   At the age of seventeen, he worked with his father, building fuel cells for the B-17 bombers in Michigan. He went to Germany and was a machine/bazooka gunner. After the war, he worked as a projectionist at a movie theater in Germany until 1946.  He came to Chicago and was a photographer; then worked at Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria in heat treat for five years. He later worked at R.G. LeTourneau, was a carpenter for Stuber Builders in Tremont in 1957, worked for Tazewell Builders in Tremont, and then was a self-employed contractor in the Tremont area, retiring in the early 1990’s.  Mr. Johnston was a member of the Carpenter Union in Pekin and Tremont VFW and attended the Church of Christ in Morton.

He is survived by his wife, Nelta Faye Johnston, of the family home; six children, Jo Ann Johnston, Ste Genevieve, Missouri, Ray Johnston and wife, Jan, Barling, Arkansas, Richard “Rick” Johnston and wife, Marilyn, Greenwood, Indiana, Alan Johnston and wife, Tina, Tremont, Illinois, John Scott Johnston ,Sparland, Illinois and Roxanna Darlene Abernathy, Tremont, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Kenneth Johnston, Tucson, Arizona, Robert Johnston, Muskegon, Michigan and Carl Johnston, Warren, Ohio; and one sister, Betty Newberry, Wichita, Kansas.

His parents and one infant son, Gary Allen Johnston, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2016, at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont, Illinois followed by a visitation at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the South Fork Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Peoria Honor Flight and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Jerry Brumitt Eagleman, 73, Kansas City, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Eagleman passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 at his home.

He was born September 16, 1942, to Ralph Eagleman and Maxine Brumitt Eagleman.  He attended West Plains High School and on November 4, 1960, he was married at Bakersfield, Missouri, to Virginia “June” Orf.  The couple moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1960 and started working for Hallmark Cards and then took a job at General Motors before finding his passion in trucking.  Mr. Eagleman started working for E.O. Pulley trucking and then FBI (Fleming, Babcock, Inc.).  Mr. Eagleman was a hard worker and dedicated his life to making sure his family was cared for.  He loved fishing and watching baseball and football.  His favorite television show was “In the Heat of the Night”.  He also enjoyed watching and reading Westerns.  Mr. Eagleman was a member of Grandview Assembly of God Church.

He is survived by his wife, June Eagleman, of the family home; his youngest  daughter, Terri Michelle “Shelly” Decker and husband, Jerry Keith Decker, Harrisonville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Kiera Meagan Hutton, Nicholas Cameron Hutton and Dalton Shayne Decker; one great-grandchild, River Alora Woods; three brothers, Ronnie Eagleman and wife, Joanne, Jimmy Eagleman and Bobby Eagleman, all of West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Judy Eastman, West Plains, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Gary Orf and wife, Sue, Bakersfield, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Patricia Kesner, West Plains,  Missouri; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents, eldest daughter, Jerrie June Hutton Kerr and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ed and Marie Orf, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Bakersfield Cemetery.

Graveside services for Peggy Joyce (Skeen) Rieger, 78, Madison, Alabama, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2016 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Rieger passed away at 12:47 a.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at her home.

She was born June 22, 1937 at Huntington Park, California to Tilford Dickerson Skeen and Eleanor Hazel Lennert Skeen.  On November 14, 1954, she was married to Norman Rieger.  Peggy received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). While working for Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri, Peggy had the pleasure of opening both the OMC Gift Shop and the OMC Thrift Store. She managed the OMC Thrift Store until her retirement.  Peggy combined her loves of community service and quilting by devoting much of her time to Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides blankets to ill children.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Rieger; two children, Keril Rieger and Kevin Rieger and his wife, Becky; two granddaughters, Tracey Bolds and Lindsey Rieger; three great-grandchildren, Monica, Mya and Faizon Bolds; one sister, Connie Townsend; and one brother, Tom Skeen.

Mrs. Rieger will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, Peggy wished that memorial contributions be made to her local Project Linus chapter at 2106 Miller Ferry Way, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 or may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.