Funeral services for Melba Lorene Webb, 75, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Lost Camp Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Melba passed away at 10:04 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born February 5, 1940, at Hutton Valley, Missouri, to Henry Guy Webb and Lillie Mae Acklin Webb. She graduated from high school at Lyle, Washington and had been employed with Rawlings and Ozarks Medical Center. Melba loved cooking and was an avid reader. She was a member of Lost Camp Baptist Church.
She is survived by one sister, Joyce Bryan, husband, Tom, Lyle, Washington; her nieces and nephews, Tommy Bryan, wife, Sue, Jim Bryan, wife, Sharon, Richard Bryan, wife, Pam, Guy Havens, wife, Sharon, Ron Webb, wife, Janie, Gini Scudder, husband, Dave, Bonnie Bryan, husband, Ronnie, Donna Romans and Lou Ann Havens; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Her parents, two brothers, Harold Webb and Henry Guy Webb, Jr, two sisters, Janet Havens and Fern Spence, two nephews, Harold Wayne Havens and Chuck Havens and one niece, Beverly Bryan, precede her in death.
Miss Webb 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 Lost Camp Building Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Cynthia May Roby Dunlap, West Plains, 97, died peacefully at her home on Saturday evening, November 7, 2015, from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Cynthia was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 8, 1918, to Houston Strode Roby, a Southern Pacific Railroad executive, and Irene Hanisee Roby, originally of Vicksburg, Mississippi. A graduate of Eleanor McMain Secondary and Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, New Orleans, Cynthia also studied at the Texas School of Mines, El Paso (now known as UTEP) during her father’s assignment there. On May 15, 1946, she married her life partner James V. Dunlap, Jr., a U.S. Navy officer and sixth-generation Missourian then stationed in New Orleans. When her husband reentered civilian life as the manager of a University of Missouri research farm, Cynthia managed the sudden transition from a world of southern mansions to one of backwoods outhouses. A later move brought the Dunlaps to Columbia, Missouri, where their eldest son was born, then to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Jim taught at the University while managing his own family farm. Two more sons were born to the couple during the Nebraska years. In 1960, when the family established permanent residence in West Plains, Cynthia entered a lifelong participation in the affairs of the First Christian Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Womens’ Library Club. Thoughtful and sociable by nature, she attracted a wide circle of friends who will remember her in many different ways and for many different reasons. Following their mother’s instruction, the family leaves these friends to their personal remembrances, with a private interment to be conducted at a later date.
Cynthia Dunlap is survived by two sons, David, of West Plains, and Robert, of Ottawa, Kansas. Other survivors include daughter-in-law, Debra Sue Dunlap; granddaughters Melissa, Tessa, Erin, and Callie; grandson James and wife Lauren; three nephews, one niece, and their many children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Col. H.S. Roby, Jr. and one son, the late Kevin Dunlap of West Plains.
Memorial donations may be delivered to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home for benefit of the First Christian Church or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at a later date for William P. O‘Connell, 71, West Plains, Missouri.
Mr. O’Connell died November 7, 2015 at his home, after a long illness.
He was born June 10, 1944, at Dighton, Massachusetts, to Edward M. O’Connell and Edith Rogers O’Connell. He was a graduate of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and then went on to serve in the United States Air Force from 1962 – 1966. He was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He was also a lover of nature and city scapes.
He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Barbara Maguire O’Connell, West Plains, Missouri; one daughter, Jill Drever and husband, Tom, Falmouth, Massachusetts; one son, William O’Connell, West Plains, Missouri; one brother, David O’Connell and wife, Karen, Dighton, Massachusetts; one sister, Elizabeth Lee and husband, Robert, Thompson Town, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren, Thomas W. Drever and wife, Alicia, Mashpee, Massachusetts, Jessica Drever, Falmouth, Massachusetts and Joshua Drever, Falmouth, Massachusetts; and two great-grandchildren, Thomas J. Drever and Lillianna Drever, Mashpee, Massachusetts.
His parents, and one brother, Edward F. O‘Connell, precede him in death.
Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Noel William Shipley, 93, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Needmore Church of God, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Shipley passed away at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born November 16, 1921, at Dora, Missouri, to Christopher Columbus “CC” Shipley and Anna Elizabeth Coble Shipley. He was the seventh of thirteen children. On December 5, 1942, he was married at Gainesville, Missouri, to Betty Lee Mayberry, who preceded him in death on June 6, 1998. He retired from Missouri Department of Transportation after twenty years of service. His favorite hobbies were playing the guitar, woodworking and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball with the family. God and family were the two most important things in Noel’s life. He was a familiar face at Roy’s Store in Dora, Missouri, telling tales and drinking coffee alongside his dear friend, Clifton Luna. Mr. Shipley was a member of Needmore Church of God.
He is survived by three children, Clifton Shipley and wife, Donna, West Plains, Missouri, Vivian Collins and husband, Jearld, West Plains, Missouri and Aneta Shipley, Lebanon, Missouri; six grandchildren, Debbie Strong, West Plains, Denise Shipley, West Plains, Scott Shipley and wife, Gina, St. Charles, Missouri, Andrea Scherff and husband, Mike, West Plains, Jared Collins, Las Vegas, Nevada and Lance Shipley and wife, Jen, West Plains; five great-grandchildren, Adam Shipley, Genny Bradshaw, Jacob Shipley, Lane Scherff, Cole Shipley and Kylie Shipley; one sister, Ina Downen and husband, Skip; nine sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Olive Shipley, Gladys Shipley, Charlie Shipley, Alene Mayberry, Dorman and Shirley Mayberry, Olen Mayberry, Janet Mayberry and Linda Mayberry; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, wife, nine brothers, two sisters and one grandson, precede him 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 Ball Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery, Needmore Church of God Building Fund or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Dallas “Jerry” (J.J.) Johnson, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 8, 2015 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Johnson passed away at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at his home.
He was born July 27, 1945, at Siloam Springs, Missouri, to Julian Johnson and Lizzie Collins Johnson. He graduated from Dora High School with the Class of 1963 and on June 12, 1965, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Patricia “Patty” Lowe. Jerry worked as a truck driver from the age of sixteen years; traveling a total of over four million miles. In February, 2000, he was Driver of the Month; in 2003, he was 4th runner up in Hawaii as Contractor of the Year; in May, 2004, he was Driver of the Month and was the Truck Loader Carrier’s Association’s Independent Contractor of the Year, winning the grand prize of a 2006 International 18-wheeler. He loved spending time on his farm and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Johnson attended Spring Creek Church.
He is survived by his wife, Patty Johnson, of the family home; two sons, Stacey Johnson and wife, Kelly and Chris Johnson, all of West Plains; six grandchildren, Anthony, Brittney, Meagan, Zane, Zerek and Zoe Johnson; one great-grandchild, Addilynn Howell; one brother, Orville Johnson, Redding, California; one sister, Pauline Osborn, Eugene, Oregon; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one son, Michael Johnson; two sisters, Irene Ledbetter and Betty Partee and one brother, Tom Johnson, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Stuart Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Start Union Cemetery or Shaw Cancer Treatment Center Building Expansion and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Patricia Ann Wiley, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2015 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Wiley passed away at 6:15 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2015, at NHC Healthcare.
She was born November 19, 1934, at Fort Carson, Colorado, to Lester Renegar and Mary Ann Keeling Renegar. On December 29, 1969, she was married at Miami, Oklahoma, to James Wiley. Mrs. Wiley was a 5th grade teacher at Glenwood School for many years; after her retirement she worked as the Assistant Administrator for two years. She was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and was Past Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Wiley enjoyed crocheting, painting, ceramics and quilting. She loved being outdoors, camping, fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, was an avid deer hunter and was a student pilot. Mrs. Wiley was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.
She is survived by her husband, James Wiley; five children, Scott Wiley, Tracy Wiley, Serena Speaker, husband, Bill, Denise Solberg, husband, Cari and Randy Kilkenny; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Fred Renegar, wife, Reba; one sister, Sharon Bales, husband, Tracy; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents and one son, Gary Kilkenny, precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A Memorial service for Bobbi Jo Gullings, 52, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2015 at His Place Church. A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the family home.
Mrs. Gullings passed away at 9:35 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2015 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born December 4, 1962, at Altus, Oklahoma, to Amel Augustus Allen, Jr. and Melva Pauline Austin Allen. On January 20, 1984, she was married at Delta, Colorado, to Meryl Gullings. Mrs. Gullings was a stay at home mother, which she loved dearly. She was a wonderful wife and mother and enjoyed horses, shopping, antiques, decorating her home and working in her yard. She was very involved in her children’s school and activities. Bobbi enjoyed her life and her family to the fullest. Mrs. Gullings was a Christian and attended His Place.
She is survived by her husband, Meryl Gullings; three children, Rebecca Dawn Crumley and husband, David, McKenna Danielle Gullings and Bailey Jo Gullings; four step-children, Chad Michael Isaman, Bobbi Michelle English, Todd Jeremy Isaman and Matthew Alan Isaman; five grandchildren; Megan Rockwell, Jakob Rockwell, Jackson Coffel, Dylan Crumley and Kailyn Crumley, she was also blessed with eight other grandchildren; her parents, Jr. and Melva Allen; two brothers, Kris Denny Allen and wife, Tracie and Kevin David Allen and wife, Teresa; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Jeanette Elizabeth Harmon, 79, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held in New Jersey at a later date.
Mrs. Harmon passed away at 8:16 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at her home.
She was born April 5, 1936, at Boston Massachusetts, to Joseph Campbell and Jennie Morrison Campbell. On May 27, 1955, she was married at Patterson, New Jersey, to Roy Harmon.
She is survived by her husband, Roy Harmon; three children, Jean Lager, significant other, Steve Seley, Suzanne Gugliocciello, husband, Robert and Ross Harmon, wife, Carol; seven grandchildren, Kelly Sisco, husband, Reggie, Jolene Mock, husband, Travis, Cody Lager, wife, Tammy, Bob Gugliocciello, wife, Sarah, Dan Gugliocciello, Nick Gugliocciello, wife, Christine and Lindsey Harmon; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Neil Campbell.
Her parents, one son, Todd Harmon and one sister, Marjorie Heim, precede her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Billy Lee “Bill” Lancaster, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at First Church of God, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Lancaster passed away at 8:25 a.m., Saturday, October 31, 2015, at Brooke Haven Health Care.
He was born April 8, 1931, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to William Everett Lancaster and Kellie Stephens Lancaster. He attended Christie School in the Wayside Community and then later attended Koshkonong High School until the death of his father in 1948 when Bill was a junior. On December 4, 1952, he was married at Columbia, Missouri, to Shirley Anderson. The couple returned to the family dairy farm to start their family and had three children, Donald, Dennis and Charlotte. In 1965, the family moved to West Plains where Bill worked for thirty-three years, until his retirement, delivering gasoline and fuel oil to residents and gas stations all over south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. Bill enjoyed living in the rural Ozarks, gardening, working in his yard, traveling and serving at church. He loved being with his family, especially during the holidays, camping at Alley Spring and making memories with his immediate and extended family. He openly chose Jesus as his Savior and attended First Church of God for many years, where he had many wonderful friends. Bill made many friends over the years, simply because he was kind, loving, humble and accepted people for who they were.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Lancaster; three children, Donald Lancaster and wife, Janet, Dennis Lancaster and wife, Rita and Charlotte Kimball; seven grandchildren, D. Lancaster and wife, Shelley, Seth Lancaster and wife, Elizabeth, Leslie Lancaster, Kori Lancaster, Nicholas Lancaster, Kaleb Kimball and KeAndra Kimball; six great-grandchildren, D. W., Faith, Quinton, Mollie, Jude and Nora Lancaster; one brother-in-law, Vernon Anderson and wife, Jo; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, two sisters, Burneice Swope and Eva Dixon, three brothers, Courtney, Curtis and Quinten Lancaster, and an infant brother and sister, precede 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 Wayside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shaw Cancer Treatment Center, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Virginia Sue Bell, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015 at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bell passed away at 3:20 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2015 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born November 9, 1944, at Sturkie, Arkansas, to Marvin Shannon and Hallie Witt Shannon. She married Dennis Roberts in 1961 and on June 25, 1988 she was married at Hutchison, Kansas, to Leland Bell, who preceded her in death in April, 2008. Before her retirement, Mrs. Bell worked as a real estate agent for Dr. Deatherage. She enjoyed traveling, music, garage sales and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Bell was of the Pentecostal faith.
She is survived by three children, Kathy Jean Porchas, Frankie Roberts and Steven Roberts; one brother, James Shannon, wife, Ruth; four sisters, Bertha “Tiny” Elliott, Kathleen Wheeler, Sandra Newman, husband, Carroll and Linda Fox, husband, Riley; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, one daughter, Carla Sue Smith Young, two grandchildren, LaSandra Porchas and Christopher Roberts, four brothers, Rand, Ray, John and Doug Sr. Shannon, three sisters, Pearla Mae Smith, Sybil Stanley and Laura Norman and her beloved dog, Mickey, precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Kenneth Dale Ginn, 50, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Ginn passed away at 5:15 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2015, near Pomona, Missouri.
He was born February 27, 1965, at Springfield, Illinois, to Samuel Ginn and Martha Baughman Jones. He was a race fan and enjoyed building race engines. Mr. Ginn was of the Church of God faith.
He is survived by his special friend, Lisa Brown; two sons, Kyle Ginn and fiance, Crystal Hardy and Oren Ginn and wife, Breanna; his parents, Robert and Martha Jones; three brothers, Max Jones “Ginn” and wife, Vicki, James Ginn, wife, Julie and Gloyd Ginn; nephew, Alan Jones and wife, Kim; niece, Alesha Jones; and several other nieces and nephews.
His father, Samuel Ginn, grandparents, Isaiah and Sadie Baughman and Samuel and Clara Bell Ginn, precede 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 Union Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Hill Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for George Okal “Oak” Martin, Jr., 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Olden, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Martin passed away at 8:07 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2015 at his home.
He was born June 27, 1936, in Boone County, Indiana, to George O. Martin and Ida D. Smith Martin. He graduated from high school at Jackson Township, Indiana in 1954. Mr. Martin was a veteran, having served with the United States Army; he was a General’s Aide in Heidelberg, Germany and received a Commendation medal. On June 29, 1956, he was married in Boone County, Indiana, to Shirley Franks. Mr. Martin was a charter member of the West Plains Car Club and enjoyed painting, woodworking, carvings and auctions. He was of the Baptist faith and attended First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Martin, of the family home; two children, Cherie DeShazo, husband, Guy and Lisa Martin; four grandchildren, Ben DeShazo, Lucas DeShazo, Ashlea Acklin Rockwell, husband, Glenn and Jacob Acklin; two great-grandchildren, Quentin and Landen Rockwell; and one son-in-law, Terry Acklin.
His parents precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Veterans Honor Guard and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Otto Cyrus Barnett, Jr., 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2015 at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Barnett passed away at 11:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at his home.
He was born May 5, 1936, at Moko, Arkansas, to Otto Cyrus Barnett, Sr. and Maeoma Bell Barnett. On July 21, 1956, he was married at Downey, California, to Joann Byrd. He worked for McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach California, was a bus driver for Greyhound for twenty-five years, then drove a truck for MFA for several years before his retirement. He loved playing and watching baseball and basketball; he was a legendary Zizzer basketball player and had played for Drury College. Mr. Barnett was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Central Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Joann Barnett, of the family home; four children, Tammy Sortman, husband, Bruce, Rene Scott, husband, Richard, Connie Smith, husband, Randy and Toby Barnett, wife, Melissa; four grandchildren, Melissa Robbins, husband, Jason, Jennifer Brigman, husband, Brian, Tracy Finley, husband, Jared and Rebecca Jordan, husband, Paul; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Jack Barnett, wife, Leni; one niece and two nephews.
His parents and one grandson, Richie Scott, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to The National Kidney Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Wilma Lee Sexton, 81, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Sexton passed away at 5:27 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born December 18, 1933, at Rover, Missouri, to Garlin Judd and Audrey Hablutzel Judd. On December 19, 1959, she was married at Ava, Missouri, to Jackie “Jack” James Sexton, who preceded her in death on March 24, 2011. Mrs. Sexton worked at International Shoe Company and was a rural mail carrier. She loved watching soap operas. Mrs. Sexton was a Christian.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Kay Holifield, Caulfield, Missouri; two step-daughters, Patricia Ann Grigonis, husband, Kevin and Brenda S. Covil, husband, Christopher; one grandson, Johnny Bales; two great-grandchildren, Harley Becker, husband, Ron and Jayden Bales and two great-great-grandchildren, Ace and Axl Becker.
Her parents, husband and son-in-law, Bill Holifield, precede her in death.
Mrs. Sexton will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Henry George Ford, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2015 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Ford died at 8:45 p.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at his home.
He was born March 13, 1930, at Rover, Missouri, to William B. Ford and Bessie Edna Adams Ford. On February 7, 1951, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Sally Dykes. Mr. Ford was a cattle farmer; he loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Thomasville, Missouri and was a Shriner. Mr. Ford was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Central Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Sally Ford, of the family home; two children, Mike Ford, wife, Carol, Peace Valley, Missouri and Nancy Chamberlain, husband, Danny, Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Shannon Kiefer, husband, Chris, Chris Ford, wife, Jennifer, Brandon Chamberlain and Zac Crase; four great-grandchildren, Gracie Watson, Logan Watson, Ainsley Ford and Austin Ford; two sisters, Bernice Richards, West Plains, Missouri and Ruby Crites, Chicago, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one infant son, Larry Ford, one brother, Floyd Ford, three sisters, Minnie Davidson, Velma Jolliff and Lorene Melching and one infant sister, Thelma, 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 Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Roy Thomas Decker, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 26, 2015 at Union Hill Cemetery, Brandsville, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Decker died at 9:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2015 at his home.
He was born February 5, 1937, at Brandsville, Missouri, to Fred Decker and Attie Baughman Decker. He was married to Barbara Wilbanks and to that union four children were born. Mr. Decker worked as a mechanical engineer. He enjoyed mechanics and tinkering; he was a handyman and could fix anything. Mr. Decker was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by four children, Larry Decker, wife, Cathy, West Plains, Missouri, Donna Decker, Pomona, Missouri, Rick Decker, State of Georgia and Bennie Decker, West Plains; six grandchildren, Amy Hill, Christina Hollingsworth, Steven Decker, Ben Decker, Thomas Decker, wife, Sheila and Amber Carpenter; several great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lucille Morris, husband, Gene, Amarillo, Texas, Pauline Adams, husband, Charles, West Plains, Missouri and Norma Gerdes, Gower, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents and two brothers, Ralph Eugene Decker and Paul Decker, precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Union Hill Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Harriet Elizabeth Dencoff, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 23, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Dencoff died at 11:47 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2015 at Brooke Haven Health Care.
She was born October 20, 1931, the youngest of eight daughters, at the family homestead on S. 54th Avenue in Cicero, Illinois, to Harry Stancato and Alice Prancel. Her sisters raised her from infancy, as her mother died shortly after her birth. She was her father’s darling baby girl and soon earned the nickname “Babe” from him. As the daughter of a truck farmer, she soon learned to work the fields as a youngster and to handle her father’s huge Clydesdale plow horses. Being from a farm family, animals were always a part of her life; she was never without a dog or cat by her side. A natural born musician, she could play the piano “by ear” and was a constant entertainer for her family. Mrs. Dencoff attended schools in Cicero and was a graduate of J. S. Morton High School. The school of life had taught her much over the years and she was always in the process of learning something new, as she had an infinite variety of interests. On a blind date, she met Joseph Dencoff, a young Navy sailor recently home from World War II and working on the railroad. As they had similar life goals and seemed to like each other a whole lot, they became engaged and eventually married on June 24, 1951. The result of this union was three darling daughters who were raised to believe in the strong family values that Joe and Babe had instilled in them. The family started out on a little farm in Downers Grove, Illinois, and then moved to West Chicago, Illinois. Their lives were full of horses, goats, dogs, cats, 4H clubs, fishing, campfires, growing and selling sweet corn, bailing hay, etc. There was never a dull moment in the household with a variety of music lessons, horse shows, rodeos, county fairs, craft classes and much more. After living in Poplar Grove, Illinois for several years, they moved to Cabool, Missouri then eventually to West Plains, Missouri. Harriet led a colorful life, but it was the simple things that brought her the most joy; friends, family, church and the love she shared with Joe. She was an avid horsewoman, cook, piano player, dancer, singer and loved to crochet. Attending church with fellow Christians and friends at St. Paul Lutheran in West Plains gave her great joy. She truly enjoyed putting the needs of others ahead of her own and had the beautiful gift of being able to befriend all that she met, young and old and from every walk of life. She will truly be missed.
She is survived by her daughters, Catherine Owens, husband, Jerry, Sandwich, Illinois, Deanna Ripko, husband, George, Gamaliel, Arkansas and Ellen Norris, husband, Ron, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Julie Thanepohn, husband, Chad, Thomas Owens, wife, Stephanie, Victoria Shouse, husband, Jeremy Dustin Ripko, wife, Alicia, David Ripko, wife, Jessica, Heidi Clay, husband, Daniel and James Norris; several great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
Her parents, husband and all of her sisters, Julia, Esther, Amelia, Mabel, Rosemary, Loretta and Ethel, precede her 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.
Graveside services for Julia Gatewood, Pottersville, Missouri, will be at Oak Mound Cemetery, KK Highway, on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Gatewood passed away peacefully October 6, 2015. She was born July 18, 1927 in Ottawa County, Kansas. She married Moody Gatewood in 1946 in West Plains, Missouri. Together they moved to San Jose,California, where they created their married life. They had two beautiful children. Julia attended San Jose State University, California, and earned a Bachelors of Art Degree in Education. She continued her education at the University of Santa Clara,California, and earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Education specializing in Reading. She was a teacher for 15 years. After Moody and Julia retired in California, they moved to their Missouri farm to run a cattle ranch. Throughout Julia’s life, she was a writer and artist. Her many community contributions included Secretary and Treasurer of the Oak Mound Cemetery Trust, committee member to establish the West Plains Farmers Market, organizer and campaigner for the Missouri House of Representatives for Ozark County, member of the AAUW, member of the West Plains Artist Guild, historian of the West Plains Council of the Arts, and a member of the West Plains Women’s Business Group.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband of 65 years, and son, James Thomas Gatewood.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Lingo (Jack), daughter, Teresa Howie (Graydon), daughter-in-law, Dawn Gatewood, granddaughter, Shannon Barrow (Geoff), and three great grandchildren.
Mrs. Gatewood will lie in state from 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17th until noon, Sunday, October 18th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, people may donate to The Gatewood Family Scholarship,, C/O West Plains Council of the Arts, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for James Eugene Panter, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 2015 at Union Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Panter died at 6:22 a.m., Sunday, October 11, 2015 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born June 17, 1920, at Pikeville, Tennessee, to John L. Panter and Nora Smith Panter. He was married in 1945 to Kinsella Anderson, who preceded him in death in October, 1979. In 1981, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Barbara Downen Horn. Mr. Panter was a veteran, having served with the United States Marines. He worked for thirty-one years at Bridgestone-Firestone. Mr. Panter was a Christian.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Panter; three children, Karol Vetter, Ricky Horn, wife, Debbie and Rebecca Hudgens, husband, Tom; ten grandchildren, Ashley Horn, husband, Jeff Macler, Stephanie Horn-Ellison, husband, Nick Ellison, Jenny Horton, Amanda Hudgens, Megan Schmitt, husband, Chris, Josh Hudgens, wife, Donna, Sam Hudgens, Matt Hudgens, Gabe Hudgens and Sara Hudgens; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, first wife, three sisters and two brothers, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Grove Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Edna Ruth Kincheloe, 66, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Kincheloe died at 10:55 a.m., Sunday, October 11, 2015, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.
She was born January 14, 1949, at West Plains, Missouri, to Ralph Oscar Henry and Mary Hollis Hendrix Henry. Edna Graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1967 and was married to Robert Ray “Bob” Kincheloe and to that union two children were born, Brad and Bridget. She worked as an ophthalmologist assistant for Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Jones. She loved her grandbabies and enjoyed bird watching and flowers. Mrs. Kincheloe was a member of Trinity Worship Center.
She is survived by two children, Brad Kincheloe, wife, Leigh and Bridget Pendergrass; six grandchildren, Devin Vaughn, Britney Vaughn, Kelsey Pace, Katie Bonds, Kassie Cleaves and Ryder Kincheloe; three great-grandchildren, Lilly Vaughn, Bryston Ledbetter and Caiden Ledbetter; one brother, Earl Henry, wife, Pam; sister-in-law, Karen Henry; brother-in-law, Earl Dean Wilson; special friend, Toby Taylor; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
Her parents, one sister, Ernestine Wilson, one brother, Eldon Henry and one son-in-law, Melvin Pendergrass, precede her in death.
Mrs. Kincheloe will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday. The family will receive their friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
