Obituaries

Funeral services for Elbert A. “Eb” Young, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Young died at 10:35 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born October 5, 1923, at Trail, Missouri, to Rueben Young and Nina Trail Young.  On November 4, 1945, he was married at West Plains, to Vanna “Iretta” Hicks, who preceded him in death on October 1, 2002.  On June 27, 2005, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Nancy Jane Hodge Driskell, who preceded him in death on March 13, 2014.  Mr. Young was employed at Cloud Oak Flooring Company for eighteen years, was a machinist for Invensys, formerly known as Eaton Corporation, for seventeen years until his retirement on August 8, 1997.  After retirement, Mr. Young worked at Brooke Haven Health Care for seven and a half years and part time at Invensys.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Mr. Young was a member of Junction Hill Pentecostal Church.

He is survived by three children, Rita Stephens, husband, Dick, West Plains, Missouri, Linda Ross, husband, Howard, Kansas City, Missouri and Carolyn Rumple, husband, Stephen, Sr., Peace Valley, Missouri; six step-children; six grandchildren, Tommy Stephens, wife, Roberta, Scott Stephens, wife, Jerri, Matthew Stephens, wife, Jenny, Angela Crites, husband, Joe, Theresa Braswell, husband, Courtney and Marva Shelley, husband, Mike; fifteen great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jesse Young, wife, Mildred, West Plains, Missouri and Les Young, Springfield, Missouri; one sister, Bessie Warren, husband, Don, Tallahassee, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wives, one son, Eddie Ray Young, two great-grandchildren, five brothers and three sisters, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held 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 family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Yelena Gerasimova, 16, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Miss Gerasimova died at 9:05 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015, near Pomona, Missouri.

She was born January 2, 1999, at Dneprodzerzhinsk, Ukraine, to Peter A. Gerasimov and Klavdiya Zvyagentseva Gerasimova.

She is survived by her parents, Peter and Klavdiya Gerasimov; three brothers, Vladimir, Pavel and Anatoliy; two sisters, Olga and Nadezhda; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Graveside services for Lorene Fannie Melching 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 17, 2015 at Oak Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Melching died 5:55 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2015 at West Vue Nursing Center. She was born May 6, 1926 at Rover, Missouri to William B. Ford and Bessie Edna Adams Ford. She graduated from the Thomasville High School and on December 16, 1960 was married at Livonia, Michigan to Ervin Lewis Melching who preceded her in death on November 27, 1987. Before her retirement, Mrs. Melching was a beautician. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by one brother, Henry Ford, wife, Sally, West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Bernice Richards, West Plains, Missouri and Ruby Crites, Chicago,, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one brother, Floyd Ford, and three sisters, Minnie Davidson, Velma Jolliff and Thelma who died as an infant, precede her in death.

Mrs. Melching will lie in state from 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 16th until 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 17th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for James A. Dale, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2015 at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Dale died 9:50 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2015 at Brooke Haven HealthCare. He was born June 17, 1928 at Lee’s Summit, Missouri to Robert Dale and Mary Martin Dale. On May 10, 1997, he was married at Alton, Missouri to Judith Ross. Before his retirement in 1998, Mr. Dale was a heavy equipment operator working in highway construction and building dams for forty-two years. After retirement, he enjoyed working on farms and homes in the Alton, Missouri area. Mr. Dale was a member of the Union Local 101 for sixty years and was a devoted union man; one of a kind. He was a member of the Elks and was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Dale, of the family home; three children, Bobby Dale, Gary Dale, Debbie Eimon, husband, Paul, all of St. Joseph, Missouri; four step-children, Pamela Pliler, husband, Rick, Paul Adelsberger, wife, Lisa, Phil Adelsberger, wife, Beth and Penny Gann, husband, Gary, all of West Plains, Missouri; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill Dale, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one sister, Mary Dale, State of Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, son, Mike Dale, two sisters, Clara Morris and Betty Vierqutz and one brother, Charles Dale, precede him in death.

A Celebration of Life Service for Jeffery A. West, 44, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Faith Assembly Church, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Jeff departed this life to be with God on July 29, 2015 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center, Houston, Texas.

He was born at West Plains, Missouri May 26, 1971 to Jessie Lea West and Evelyn Downing West, who preceded him in death.  Jeff was united in marriage to Janina Grigory West on February 16, 2002 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Janina; his special little boy (dog) Rusty, who has been with Jeff throughout his journey; Siblings, Melva Johnson, husband,  Perry D. Johnson, Joyce James, John West, wife, Sharon and Jerry West; Nieces and Nephews, Justin West, wife,  Jodie, Jeremy West, Teena Skiles, husband, Joe and Brock James, wife, Beth; several great-nieces and great-nephews, Brooke, Courtney, Alex and Maisie Skiles, Morgan and Perry D. Johnson III, Renner and Charlie West; In-laws, Sharon Coss, Susan Bears, husband, Tim, Denise Honeycutt, husband Trevor, Cari Hutchison, Amber Carter, husband, Brad, Sadie Carter, Ashley Honeycutt, fiancée, Cody Baker;  special brother, Dr. Scott Roush ,wife, Melissa; his God children, Sage, Seth, Sean; many cousins, including special cousin, Debbie Sullivan; and special friend Carmen Jacobs.

His parents, grandparents, two nephews, Perry D. Johnson, II and Bradley Reid, father-in-law John Grigory and mother-in-law Betty Grigory, precede him in death.

Jeff was employed at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative since 1993; he started as a meter reader, then 1st class lineman, Foreman, then Manager of Operations, which he took much pride in.  He had a love for music and sang in school plays, church choir, weddings and funerals, also in a Christian group, The Ninth Hour.  He had a great passion for the St. Louis Cardinals, playing golf with his friends and going to PBR Bull Rides with his family.  Jeff was a member of The First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the Choir.  He served on the University of Missouri Extension Council and West Plains Chamber of Commerce.  Jeff was also part of the Columbia Legacy Teachers Program at University of Missouri where a third year medical student wrote a  paper on Jeff titled “Don’t Take My Hope Away”.  He was also honored at a Banquet for the paper that was written.  When Jeff was diagnosed with Cancer he prayed to God “Lord, let me be your miracle, just show me what to do” and he lived by those words.  He felt this was a journey to help other people. His Faith never swayed and he never gave up.  Jeff had the best medical care possible between OMC Oncology department and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  He took part in every medical research study that was ask of him in hopes a cure would be found.  Jeff’s faith in God, his family and integrity was how he lived his life, our family get-togethers were so important to him.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Janina and his family and friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Jeffrey West Memorial Fund, Unit 705,  P.O. Box 301439, Houston, TX  77230-1439, may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home or Landmark Bank.

A friends and family celebration of life for Karen Good Lambert, 64, Drury, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Karen passed from this life, Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center, after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born July 17, 1951, to Edward and Roberta Good at West Plains, Missouri.  On July 8, 1998, she was married to the love of her life, Ron Lambert.  Karen was a long time hairdresser and owned “Hair and All That Jazz” for many years.  She will be remembered for her winning smile and fun loving nature.

She is survived by her husband, Ron; her mother, Roberta Good; one brother, Roger Good and wife, Sueann; two brothers-in-law, Bruce Lambert and Kenny Lambert; one sister-in-law, LaDena Severson; many special aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of friends.

Her father precedes her in death.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for James Freeman Tackett, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Tackett died at 2:10 p.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at his home.

He was born September 13, 1932, at Elijah, Missouri, to Roy Jake Tackett and Maxie Burtrum Tackett.  Mr. Tackett was a veteran, having served with the United States Air Force.  On February 19, 1955, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Doris Flo Fox.  Mr. Tackett worked at International Shoe Company for over forty-five years.  James was very talented; a jack of all trade, he was always working in his shop tinkering or making something.  He loved God, his family and the Missouri Ozarks. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and enjoyed hunting, especially deer and turkey.  James enjoyed country music and western movies; he could frequently be heard singing one of his favorite tunes.  He lived his life with integrity, honesty and generosity.  James loved to laugh and never met a stranger; he was a kind and good hearted man who brought joy to others and easily captured their hearts.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Doris Fox; one daughter, Rhonda Hollingshad, husband, Hershel; one grandson, Regan Tackett and fiancée, Leanne Peterson; one sister, Roberta Todd and husband, Edgar; two sisters-in-law, Freda Bean and Dorothy Stubbs and husband, Wayne; two brothers-in-law, Elvis Fox and wife, Lena and Glen Fox and wife, RaeDene; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Reggie Tackett, two sisters, Louise Roberts and Ilene Roberts and two brothers, Othel Bean and Luther Bean, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Ledbetter Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Ledbetter Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home

Funeral services for John Calvin Connor, 89, Henderson, Arkansas, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Connor died 8:15 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Baxter Regional Medical Center, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

He was born January 3, 1926 at Georgetown, California to Hiram Harrington Connor and Katherine Margaret Hanny Connor.  He attended the Lone Pine School near West Plains, Missouri.  Mr. Connor was married to Lorene Russell who preceded him in death and later was married to Dixie Smotherman.  He was a veteran having served with the United States Navy during World War II.  After service in the military, Mr. Connor returned to West Plains and went to work as a lumber grader for Cloud Oak.  He started Connor’s Auto Sales and Salvage as a hobby while working at Cloud Oak, operating the business for sixty-two years; after his retirement, Mr. Connor went to stay with his daughter, Donna.  He believed in giving to his community; he provided cars which were used for training of the Jaws of Life equipment and car parts for the automobile classes at the local high schools.  Mr. Connor loved animals, especially dogs.

He is survived by his former spouse and friend, Dixie Smotherman, six children, Johnny David Harrington Connor, Donna Armstrong, husband, Kurt, Becky Hankins, special friend, Mike Murrell, Betty Hockman, husband, Steve, Tammy Hite, husband, Tom and Micah McKemie; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Katherine Smith and Hellen Mathias; and a host nieces, nephews and friends.

His parents, first wife, daughter-in-law, Pamela Connor and brother, Harry Connor, precede him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Animal Shelter and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Clarence Phillip Green, 79, Overland Park, Kansas, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Green died at 8:04 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2015, at Hospice House of Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas.

He was born September 1, 1935, at Thomasville, Missouri, to Charles Layton Green and Nancy Perkins Green.  On April 9, 1953, he was married at Thomasville, Missouri, to Virginia Tackett.  Before his retirement, Mr. Green was employed with General Motors for forty-six years.  Phil and Virginia were “snowbirds” and traveled to southern Texas for the winter months.  He enjoyed traveling, camping and photography.  Phil was very talented; his talents included silversmith work, stained glass and jewelry making.  He made jewelry pieces for all of his family members, which they will forever cherish.  Mr. Green was a Christian.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Virginia Green; one son, Phillip Green and wife, Leana; one granddaughter, Heather Montgomery and husband, Stephen; three great-grandchildren and one on the way, Courtney, Christopher and Caitlyn; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one brother, Patrick Green and four sisters, Virginia Leitner, Ellen Chenopolis, Dessie Harris and Jewell Desota, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Huddleston Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice House of Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Randall Eugene Harris, 57, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 6, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Harris died at 4:02 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born May 7, 1958, at West Plains, Missouri, to Mearl Harris and Louise Blankenship Harris.  On January 24, 1998, he was married at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to Carla Lair.  Mr. Harris was employed with Ozark Action for twenty-four years.  He loved spending time with his family, camping, basketball, playing with his son, fishing and turkey hunting.  He was a good carpenter and enjoyed fixing things for others.

He is survived by his wife, Carla Harris; one son, John Randall Harris and girlfriend, Emily Sexton; one daughter, Alicia Pulley and husband, David; one grandchild, Finley Pulley; his parents, Mearl and Louise Harris; one brother, Ronnie Harris and wife, Doris, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Sherrie Guffey and husband, Danny and Bruce Lair; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerry and Sue Lair; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and his Ozark Action family.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Amy Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to OMC Foundation for Shaw Cancer Center Expansion and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Edward Neal Thornton, 81, Raytown, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Thornton Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Thornton died at 1:35 a.m., Sunday, August 2, 2015, at Kansas City Hospice House.

He was born November 6, 1933, in Douglas County, Missouri, to John Leston Thornton and Lucy Lillian Collins Thornton. Mr. Thornton was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. On December 31, 1954, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Marilyn Gilbert. Before his retirement, he worked as a branch manager of Trail Mobile Trucking Company. Mr. Thornton was a member of Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Marilyn Thornton, of the family home; one son, Edward Neal Thornton, Jr., wife, Alauna, Tonganoxie, Kansas; one daughter, Sandra Marie Thornton Spaeth, husband, Russell, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; three grandchildren, Joshua Robert Spaeth, Justin Russell Spaeth and Kayla Jean Thornton; one brother, William Ant Thornton, wife, Judy, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and one brother, Adolph Thornton precede him in death.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Nevaeh Jade Swanson, infant daughter of Christopher William Swanson and Jasmine Dawn Bullock, was born August 3, 2015, at West Plains, Missouri, and was called to be with the Angels on August 3, 2015, at West Plains, Missouri.

She is survived by her parents, Christopher Swanson and Jasmine Bullock; one brother, Jace Swanson; one sister, Anna Belle Bullock; and her grandparents, Brenda Gist, Brett DuVall, Jason Fish, Lisa and Wesley Maggard, William Swanson and Kellie Omar.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A visitation service for Moises Perez, Jr., 46, Dora, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2015, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Perez died at 7:20 a.m., Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at his home.

He was born March 29, 1969, at Newark, New Jersey, to Moises Perez, Sr., and Luz Celenia Martinez Perez.  On March 11, 2009, he was married at Chicago, Illinois, to Diana Sanchez.  Mr. Perez attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Diana Sanchez Perez, two children, Genesis Perez and Luzbeth Perez; two step-children, Cheyenne Watkins and Dajana Lee Watkins; his parents, Moises Perez, Sr., and Luz Celenia Perez; one sister, Marisol Acosta; and one brother, Richard Perez.

Funeral services for Russell Lee Cox, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Russell went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

He was born October 26, 1923, to Herbert Ray Cox and Effie Mae Wagoner. Upon his mother’s death at a young age, Russell was raised by his step-mother, Lula. On September 22, 1942, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Nadine Smith. Mr. Cox was a Veteran, having been drafted into the United States Army on March 5, 1943 and served his country proudly until December 25, 1945. He began working for the Central Telephone Company as a brush cutter and worked his way up to general manager in West Plains; he was promoted from that position to commercial manager over the state of Missouri and held that position until his retirement in 1978. He then went to work for the Public Service Commission as assistant manager of engineering in the Utility Division where he retired for the final time. Russell was an active member of the First General Baptist Church, until his health prevented him from attending.

He is survived by his wife of almost seventy-three years, Nadine Cox; one daughter, Beverly Duggins, husband, Johnnie; one son, Howard Cox, wife, Connie; three grandsons, Shaun Duggins, wife, Andrea, David Cox, wife, Jessica and Michael Cox, wife, Crissie; thirteen great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Macie, Mia and Tayt Duggins, Sophia, Kellett, Nathan, Richard, Mary-Eva, Mattie-Miller, Whit and Catron Cox; and one sister, Mary Ann Feldman.

His parents, three brothers and one sister, precede him in death.

Mr. Cox will lie in state from 12:00 Noon on Friday, until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to West Plains Christian Clinic or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Visitation services for Earl Gene Allcorn, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Allcorn died at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, at his home.

He was born November 3, 1930, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Floyd Earl Allcorn and Ruby Kernilia Sanders Allcorn.  On October 17, 1980, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Robin Martin.  Mr. Allcorn was a veteran, having served in the United States Army.  Before his retirement, he worked as a maintenance engineer.

He is survived by his wife, Robin Allcorn; nine children, Gary Allcorn, wife, Sue, Bobby Allcorn, Beverly Crunk, Debbie Hutchens, significant other, Mark, Crystal Allcorn, Rita Harmon, Allen Allcorn, Jennifer Allcorn, significant other, Justin and Rex Allcorn; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vernetta Smith, husband, Ronald and Reta Fore, husband, Howard; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Fern Fyffe, one brother, Donald Lee Allcorn and one niece, Ruby Mae Allcorn, precede him in death.

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

Harriett Patricia Dollins, 70, West Plains, Missouri, died at 9:50 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born June 1, 1945, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Marion Lindsey and Edith Johnson Lindsey.  On December 21, 1962, she was married at West Plains, to Dorval Collins.  Mrs. Dollins was a homemaker and retired from Taco Bell as assistant manager.  She enjoyed flowers, video games and puzzles.  Harriett was a “night owl” and an avid collector of cookbooks.

She is survived by her husband, Dorval Dollins; two daughters, Diane Sanders, husband, Greg and Cindy Crow, husband, Mike; five grandchildren, Michael Crabtree, wife, Kim, Christopher Crow, Larry Crabtree, Jr., wife, Mary, Brandi Anderson, husband, Austin and Magnus Sanders; and two great-grandchildren, Katie and Sydnee Crabtree.

Her parents precede her in death.

A celebration of life with family and friends will be Friday, July 31, 2015, starting at 4:30 p.m., at the Dollins Family Farm located off Highway 14, north of West Plains.  Memorial Contributions may be made to OMC Foundation Shaw Cancer Center and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Olivia Fern Hollingshad, 68, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Fern passed peacefully in her sleep on July 17, 2015, while vacationing in Alaska with her husband of forty-nine years, James R. Hollingshad.

Born in Mountain Grove, Missouri on April 24, 1947, to Alta June and George Walter Dobbs.  She is survived by her loving husband James; her son James W. Hollingshad; her daughter Dora Michele Krause, son-in-law Max Krause and granddaughter Mia Fern Krause; her foster son Donald Wayne Chamberlin; her brother Curtis Doyle Kincheloe and sister-in-law Patty Kincheloe; and her sister Vonnie Fouts and brother-in-law Johnnie Fouts, as well as countless nieces, nephews and other loved ones.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Phyllis Wheeler and Eunice Murline Roark and her brother Edward Dale Kincheloe.

Surpassed by only her love of God the Father, family was the most important thing to Fern.   After graduating from Houston High School, she followed the family she loved around the world on countless adventures, living in South Korea, West Germany, and Savannah, Georgia before eventually retiring in North Pole, Alaska, where they have spent the last twenty-five years.

Since retiring, Fern and Jim have split their time between a family farm in Dora, Missouri and traveling the nation to visit family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Sweeton Pond Cemetery.

Funeral services for Juanita Wanda Collins, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, at the Ball Church of Christ, Dora, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Collins died at 2:47 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born May 24, 1933, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Lester Hambelton and Edith Patrick Hambelton.  Juanita graduated from Dora High School with the Class of 1950.  On March 14, 1953, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Neal Collins.  Mrs. Collins was a homemaker and a cook at Dora school.  She loved spending time and playing with her grandchildren, even if it meant she had to endure a camping trip.  She enjoyed flowers and taking care of her family.  Mrs. Collins was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the Gospel Hill Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Neal Collins; two sons, Gary Collins, wife, Connie and Bradley Collins, wife, Mary; one daughter-in-law, Renee Collins; eight grandchildren, Brandy Howell, Tracy Lovan, husband, Kelly, Matthew Collins, wife, Jessica, Matt Collins, Jessica Leroy, husband, Dylan, Nolan Collins, Dakota Collins and Casey Collins; fourteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marcella Brown, husband, Floyd, Bonnie June Wallace and Joan Nash; five sisters-in-law, Betty Hambelton, Mary Lou Hambelton, Helen Collins, Alice Collins and Ina Bird; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Flossie Collins, one son, Timothy Collins, one great-grandson, Brayden Collins, four brothers, Chad Hambelton, wife, Velta, Pat, Rudolph and Gerald Hambelton, one infant sister, Geraldine Hambelton, seven brothers-in-law, Earl Collins, wife, Dixie, Jim Bird, Hollis Collins, Robert Smith, James “Shorty” Collins, Richard Wallace and Joe Nash and two sisters-in-law, Maxine Johnson, husband, Marshel and Darlene Osborn, husband, Claudie, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Ball Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Children’s Miracle Network and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Sherry Ann Johnson, 68, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at the Curry Street Church of Christ.
Mrs. Johnson died July 18, 2015, at her home.

She was born February 22, 1947, at Bessemer, Alabama, to James and Virginia Johnson.

She is survived by her father, James A. Johnson; two children, Paula Mankel (Timothy) and Paul Herring, Jr. (Kate Ellis); three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother; three sisters; many nieces and nephews; and her “Good Boy”.

Her mother and husband, Al Thompson, precede her in death.

Funeral services for James Lloyd Southards, 88, Sycamore, Missouri, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Needmore Church of God, Dora, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Southards entered his eternal reward July 7, 2015.

James grew up on a farm during the depression, he learned to value hard work.  He loved God, his family and the Ozark hills.  Throughout his life he was a skilled hunter and loved to fish.  As a young man, he served in the Pacific with the United States Army military police unit during World War II.  While stationed in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks, he was promoted to staff sergeant.  He was largely self-taught and knowledgeable about a wide variety of subjects and could fix or grow practically anything.  At the age of twenty-six, he gave his heart to the Lord, changing the trajectory of his life and family.  He grew to know that the love you have for God and the love you show others is, in the end all that matters.  He was a strong man of faith.  Throughout his life he used his talents to serve others through the church, first at Rock Hill Church of God in St. Louis, then at Needmore Church of God in Dora.  He lived and worked in St. Louis for thirty-six years.  After twenty-five years with Pepsi Cola he retired to his birthplace, the family homestead on Bryant River at Sycamore, Missouri.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Betty Louise Pease Southards; one son, Eddie Southards, wife, Ruth; one daughter, Brenda Proebsting, husband, Fred; five grandsons that he was so proud of, Dr. Eric Proebsting, wife, Kelly, Tim Southards, wife, Shari, Todd Proebsting, wife, Sarah, Reverend Steve Southards, wife, Erin and Ben Southards, As “Papa” took time to instill knowledge and values, he helped shape the fine men they would become; Papa also shared the joy of nine great-grandchildren, his face would light up at the very mention of their names.  He will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews and all who knew him.  He was a true representative of the “greatest generation”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Vena Southards and his siblings, Clifford Southards, Fern Tilman and Freeda Smith.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Ball Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Needmore Church of God or Ball Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.