Obituaries

Funeral services for David Leon Riley, 32, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2015, at First Christian Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Riley died at 4:35 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2015, near West Plains, Missouri.

He was born December 24, 1982, at Amarillo, Texas, to Danny Lee Riley and Cindy Lynn David Riley.  He graduated from West Plains High School and on March 31, 2007, he was married at West Plains, to Katelyn Elizabeth Jolliff.  David worked as a technician for Dish Network.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting.  David was of the Pentecostal faith and he loved the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Katelyn Riley, of the family home; two children, Macy and Brantley, of the family home; his parents, Danny and Cindy Riley, Moody, Missouri; two brothers, Danny Riley, wife, April, West Plains and Dennis Riley, wife, Chrissy, Springfield, Missouri; one sister, Daelyn Riley, West Plains; grandparents, Russell and Beverly David and Alma Fowler; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rick and Sherri Jolliff; brother-in-law, Rick Jolliff, Jr., wife, Melanie; two sisters-in-law, Kayla Cobb, husband, Aaron and Christa Franks, husband, David; and nieces and nephews, Haley, Alana and Hudson Riley, Rylie Eskew, Shelli, Addie, Kensley, Aaron and Brayton Cobb, Aaron  Jolliff, Christopher, Courtney and Jessica Franks.

His grandmother, Naomi Clark, grandfather, Leon Riley, papa, J. D. Jones and one infant sister, Danyell Riley, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Jolliff Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Louise Ellison, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2015, at Bean Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ellison died at 4:19 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Baxter Regional Medical Center, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

She was born February 11, 1930, at Gamaliel, Arkansas, to Earl Watts and Nellie Davidson Watts.  On July 11, 1957, she was married at West Plains, to Bob Ellison.  She graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1951 and was a member of the Christian Women’s Club and Moody Helping Hand Club.  Mrs. Ellison was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Ellison, of the family home; two children, Cindy Tyree, husband, Lynn and Stan Ellison, special friend, Jean Ann Dickson, all of West Plains; three grandchildren, Ashley Hamby, husband, Josh, Luke Tyree and Kate Tyree; one great-granddaughter, Ellie Tyree; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents and three brothers, James, Bob and Dale Watts, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Bean Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Brittany Kay VanDrimmelen, infant daughter of Kenny Cee VanDrimmelen and Katherine Brittany Joice, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015, at Baptist Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Brittany went to be with the Angels April 21, 2015, at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

She was born April 18, 2015, at Batesville, Arkansas.

She is survived by her parents, Kenny VanDrimmelen and Katherine Joice, Mountain View, Arkansas; her siblings, Sheyenne, Shelby and Kenny; grandparents, Rex and Danita Wolf; great-grandparents, Don and Georgia Ellison and Max VanDrimmelen; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Her paternal grandparents, Kendell and Darlene VanDrimmelen, one brother, Samuel Ray Joice and one sister, Stacie LeAnn Joice, precede her in death.

Memorial Contributions may be made to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home

Funeral services for Clarence Edgar Crabtree, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Crabtree died at 6:20 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2015, at his home.

He was born April 20, 1932, at West Plains, Missouri, to William Henry Crabtree and Edna Perry Crabtree.  On July 2, 1954, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Billie Jean harrison, who preceded in death on June 24, 1994.  Before his retirement, he worked at Southwest Truck Body for forty-five years and at Cloud Oak Flooring for nineteen years.  He enjoyed the outdoors.

He is survived by one son, Larry Crabtree, significant other, laurie Edwards; three grandchildren, Michael James Crabtree, wife, Kim, Larry Edgar Crabtree, Jr. “Bubba”, wife, Mary, and Brandi Nicole “Sissy”Anderson, husband, Austin; two great-grandchildren, Katie and Sydnee Crabtree; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife and one sister, Frances Bell, precede him in death.

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

A private graveside service will be held at Howell Valley Cemetery, for James Raymond Beam, 60, Pomona, Missouri.

JR departed from this earth to start his heavenly journey at 3:50 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

James Raymond Beam was born September 29, 1954, at Akron, Ohio, to Joseph Franklin Beam and Nellie Kathryn McBee Beam.  JR was a Christian.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy.  On July 1, 1994, JR wed his best friend, Tracy Brown.  They were happily married for twenty-one years.  A hard working man, JR made his living driving a truck for Transland Trucking Company, Springfield, Missouri for twenty-one years, until his cancer prevented him from continuing the job he loved.  JR enjoyed many things that included working on his 1961 Thunderbird, yard work, BBQ’s with family, and above all, spending time with his wife.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Tracy; four children, Jim Beam, wife, Diane, Joey Beam, fiancée Jennifer, James Young, Daniece; special daughter and son-in-law, Mindy and Joe Howell; eleven grandchildren, Patrice, James, Kaitlynn, Hunter, Mikayla, Peyton, Kylie, Lily, Dylan, Morgan and Jacob Ray “a/k/a Little JR”; two sisters, Renee Beam and Gail Klein; mother-in-law, Pat Brown; sister-in-law, Tara Brown, special Friend, Willie; brother-in-law, Troy Brown, wife, Mary; several nieces and nephews; and co-workers at Transland Trucking Company.

His parents, one brother, John and father-in-law, Merle Brown, precede him in death.

A special thank you to Dr. Spurling and staff at Ozark Family Care for the excellent care JR received.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Howell Valley Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Holly “Lynn” Lawrence, 71, West Plains, Missouri passed away peacefully Friday, April 10, 2015 at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.  Lynn fought an uphill battle for six weeks after complications following heart surgery.

She was born in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania and spent most of her childhood and young adult life in Southern Florida until 1979.  Lynn and husband Bob moved their family to a farm near Alton, Missouri where their children attended school at Thayer.  Even though Lynn loved many things about living in Missouri, her heart truly never left Florida.  She met her true love and best friend, Robert Lawrence in 1968 and they were married in 1969.  Lynn and Bob shared a lot of laughter and tears during their forty-six year marriage.  Up until Lynn’s last moments with us Bob was still kissing her cheek and assuring her this was not the end but just the beginning and thanked her for being a wonderful wife, mother, nana, sister and friend.  All that knew Lynn would agree with Bob.  Lynn’s first and foremost priority was taking care of her family and friends.  Some consider cooking a job, however in Lynn’s eyes it brought her great joy.  Both daughters, Chrissy and Jessica are both blessed with many recipes, but most valued are the memories of kitchen time with mom. Lynn worked at Ozarks Medical Center for twenty-two years as a Clinic Technician.  Until her retirement in 2008 she assisted numerous Physicians and Nurse Practitioners.  Lynn will live in the hearts and laughter of people she shared her opinions with on politics, gardening, growing flowers and plants.  Her love for her hobby of “junkin” as she called it provided a source of playful teasing by family of what items she would haul home (sometimes hiding the item and not revealing it until just the right time).  No matter what shape or despair her treasure was in when it was brought home she could always breathe life back into it and produce a gem.  More times than not the joke was on those who teased her.  Each summer while vacationing in Florida time was spent “junkin” with her sister, Rachel.  This is the only time Lynn could not hide her treasures from Bob since he had to load and then unload them.  Lynn had a great love for the ocean and beach.  Some of the happiest times for Lynn was exploring what types of shells, sand dollars or mysteries that washed up on the beach with her family.  And let’s not forget her favorite food of all, seafood.  Although her children where loved deeply by Lynn, grandchildren Taylor and Sophie held a very special spot in her heart. Nana as they called her was that cool grandmother that never got upset over spilled milk, taught them nick names for squirrels “Chester” and Red Birds “Rex” and showed her true sense of humor by telling jokes and pulling pranks. Sophie says, my Nana always danced in the kitchen when I was having a bad day to make me feel better.

She is survived by husband, Robert Lawrence of the family home; three children, Jamie Lawrence, West Plains, Chrissy Walker, husband, Jerry, West Plains and Jessica Denton, husband, Jon, Akron, Ohio; five grandchildren, Taylor Ryan, Sophia Walker, Logan Lawrence, wife, Summer (great grandchildren Everli Slade and Kaber), Jordan Lawrence, Springfield, Missouri, Whitney Lawrence (great grandchild Chandler); one sister, Rachel Snyder Hartmann, West Palm Beach, Florida; one nephew, Beck Hartmann, wife, Kim, and daughter Ashley; one niece, Heather Hartmann Vanderplate, husband, Jake.

No services will be held out of respect for Lynn’s final request which was for her family to surround her with love as she embraced her journey to heaven.  After being cremated she wanted her ashes spread in the Ocean where other members of her family have been placed. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A private graveside service was held for Herbert Metzger, 98, West Plains, Missouri, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Metzger died at 8:49 a.m., Sunday, April 19, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born January 24, 1917, at Aurora, Illinois, to George E. and Ethel Clinger Metzger.  On July 17, 1946, he was married at Lexington, Kentucky, to Norma J. Cox.  Herbert liked to work with his hands; by the age of ten, he could tear down and rebuild model T’s.  He has fond memories of the Kentucky farm where he worked for several years.  As a young man he broke horses on the farm and from that received a leg injury, but did not let the injury keep him from working.  He held many other jobs.  After moving to West Plains, he was employed at Cloud Oak Flooring Company as a foreman for several years.  He was also the owner of J. I. Case Tractor Company.  In 1964, he and Norma moved to California and did lots of traveling in their motor home.  After retiring in 1988, they moved back to West Plains.

He is survived by his son, Don Metzger and wife, Loretta; one granddaughter, Traci Willison and husband, Shane; great-grandchildren, Mayce, Kale, Jackson and Griffin Willison; and daughter Jean Eby and husband, Richard, Argos, Indiana.

His parents, wife, one son, Herbie Metzger, one brother Paul and one sister, Edna Hansen, precede him in death.

Graveside services for Reggie Tackett, 58, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Ledbetter Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Tackett died 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2015 at his home.  He was born February 20, 1957 at West Plains, Missouri to James Freeman Tackett and Doris Flo Fox Tackett.  On June 10, 1978, he was married at West Plains, Missouri to Rhonda Kaye Pliler.  Mr. Tackett was an electrician having been employed with White Electric.  He enjoyed camping and hunting and loved spending time on the river with his son and friends.

He is survived by his son Regan Tackett; his parents, James and Doris Tackett; one sister, Rhonda Hollingshad, husband, Hershel; and numerous, aunts, uncles and cousins.

His grandparents precede him in death.

Mr. Tackett will lie in state from 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 20th until 12:00 (noon), Tuesday, April 21, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ledbetter Cemetery and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for James Louis Jacobs, Jr., AOC, USN, Retired, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at10:00 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2015, at Pomona Christian Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Jacobs died at 2:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at his home.

He was born June 10, 1935, at Dayton, Ohio, to James Louis Jacobs, Sr. and Lily Ben Torgeson Jacobs.  On November 29, 1957, he was married at Phoenix, Arizona to Jacqueline Carol Sharff.  Mr. Jacobs was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy.  He also retired as a groundskeeper with the West Plains R-7 school district.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, working with his hands, being outdoors and was a strong supporter of the Republican Party.  Mr. Jacobs was a member of Pomona Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Jacque Jacobs, of the family home; five children, Jeanie Bondy, husband, Doug, Portsmouth, Virginia, Juana Lee Deal, husband, Andy, Suffolk, Virginia, Hank Jacobs, wife, Sharon, Portsmouth, Virginia, Jill Rich, husband, Rick, West  Plains, Missouri and Jenny Olson, husband, Robert, Viola, Arkansas; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren and three on the way; one brother, Randy Jacobs, wife, Pat, Phoenix, Arizona; two sisters, Mabel “Punky” Slack, husband, Karl, Richmond, Indiana and Genny Madison, husband, Larry, Ontario, California ; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one infant sister and two infant great-grandchildren, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  A private burial will be at a later date at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Pomona Christian Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Kenneth Clifford Blake, 76, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 16, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Blake entered into eternal rest at 3:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2015 after battling diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

He was born June 16, 1938, at Terre Haute, Indiana, to Kenneth and Lydia Mae Bowers Blake.  Kenny attended Viola High School where he met the love of his life.   On June 6, 1956, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Flossie Marie Minge, who preceded him in death on March 18, 2013.  Mr. Blake was a proud veteran, having served with the United States Marine Corps.  He was a farmer and had worked at Baxter Lab.  He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, woodworking and spending precious time with his grandchildren.  Mr. Blake was a Christian with a strong belief in everlasting life and eternal peace.

He will be deeply missed by his two children, Deborah Mahan, husband, Mike and David Blake, all of Bakersfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Micheal Mahan, wife, Tracy, Lisa Bean, husband, Bobby, Clifford Blake and Cruise Blake; five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Logan and Mason Mahan and Bo and Luke Bean; one sister, Ellen Bales, husband, Rufus, Blue Springs, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His grandparents, William and Leota Bowers, mother, wife, one great-grandson, Jaxon Mahan and one brother, Gary Blake, and a special niece Sandy Bales precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Fluty Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Fluty Cemetery or the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Sylvia “Louise” Andrews, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Andrews passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015, at her home, after a long, courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

She was born June 18, 1944, in West Plains, to James and Ada Bale.  Louise graduated from West Plains High School in 1962. She met a young man and love of her life, Gordon Andrews, at her father’s (Howell and Oregon) County Line Grocery. They were married June 29, 1963.  Louise accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age at Elk Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church where her father was an elder. She served Elk Creek as a faithful member who truly loved the Lord. She was the pianist for many years.  She spent five years after high school working at the West Plains Cheese Company. When her children were little, she was a homemaker. Then Louise spent eighteen years as a secretary for the West Plains R-7 school district.  Louise enjoyed doing for others, putting others first, traveling with Gordon in their numerous motorhomes, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her loving father, James Bale, her beloved mother, Ada Bale, two brothers, Charles Bale and Jimmy Bale (infant) and one brother-in-law, Al Baker.

Louise is survived by her husband and caregiver of 51 years, Gordon Andrews; two daughters and their spouses, Sheri and Joe Lammert and Tina and Marvin Hatley; two sisters, Barbara Baker, Marie Skinner and her husband, Tom; a sister-in-law, Betty Bale; five grandchildren, Peyton Lammert, Drew Lammert, Ethan Hatley, Josiah Hatley and Elias Hatley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends who will miss her very much.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Elk Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Elk Creek Cemetery or The Gideon Bible Society, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life for Anna Jennine Beltz, 48, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2015, at Clear Springs Cemetery, Texas County, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Beltz died at 8:23 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2015, at her home.

She was born March 24, 1967, at West Plains, Missouri, to Larkin Leon Collins and Patricia Ann Colbert Collins.  On June 29, 1985, she was married at the Oak Lawn Church of God at Clear Springs, to Wayne Beltz.  Anna had worked as an inspector at Invensys, in her earlier years worked at Roho and her favorite job was dairy farming.  Anna loved her family and enjoyed family gatherings and time spent with her family, friends and especially her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed camping, yard sales and reading.  Mrs. Beltz was a member of Maness Memorial Baptist Church and had previously been a member at Faith and Hope Church.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne Beltz, of the family home; three children, Jennifer Compton, husband, Chris, Willow Springs, David Beltz, wife, Nicole, West Plains, and Russell Beltz, wife, Julia, Willow Springs; six grandchildren, Payton Compton, Madyson Beltz, Kay Anna Compton, Jazmine Beltz, Jake Alan Beltz and Allison Beltz, and one granddaughter on the way, Tori Rae Beltz; two brothers, Kevin Collins, wife Kileene and Lyle Collins, wife, Patti, all of West Plains; two sisters, Marlena Upton, husband, Billy, West Plains and Leona Kerns, husband, Kyle, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Her parents and one nephew, Keagan Collins, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Cathy Lynn Deatherage, 63, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Free Union Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deatherage died at 2:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at her home.

She was born June 21, 1951, at Savanna, Illinois, to Raymond Carlson and Harriett I. Thulen.  On May 1, 2004, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Randall Deatherage.

She is survived by her husband, Randall “Roe” Deatherage, of the family home; one son, Arnold Deatherage, wife, Cari, Pottersville, Missouri; four grandchildren; two brothers, Terry Carlson, wife, Elizabeth, Cleveland, Mississippi and Roger Carlson, wife, Susan, State of Arizona; one sister, Christy Flies, husband, Joe, Naperville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents precede her in death.

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

A Memorial service for Danny Lee Fox, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Crossroads Church, Crider, Missouri.

Danny Lee Fox, son of the late to Leonard Eldon Fox and Evelyn Johnson Fox, was born August 13, 1955, at West Plains, Missouri.  He entered into eternal rest April 2, 2015, at the age of fifty-nine years.

On August 1, 1981, he was married at Rover, Missouri, to Bobbi Sue Walker.  Danny was a skilled carpenter.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Danny was a dedicated father and “grandad.”  He loved being outdoors and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by one daughter, Danielle Fox Collins; seven grandchildren, Bricen Collins, Braden Collins, Brenton Collins, Noah LeVey, Aaliyah LeVey, Michael Woodard and Makenzie Woodard; two sisters, Rosalea Hensley, husband, Larry Joe and Barbara Lamb, husband, Herb; one brother, Leon Fox; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends.

His parents, wife, one daughter, Danae Fox Woodard and one brother, Nemol Fox, precede him in death.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Memorial Service for William Edward Reddy, 86, Birch Tree, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Montier Church of God of Prophecy, Montier, Missouri.

Mr. Reddy died at 3:02 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born August 5, 1928, at Springfield, Ohio, to William Edward Reddy, Sr. and Susan Shoemaker Reddy.  On October 23, 1971, he was married at Mountain View, Missouri, to Linda Dunn.  He enjoyed watching wrestling, metal detecting and going to the West Plains Senior Center.  William attended Montier Church of God of Prophecy which he enjoyed very much.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Reddy, of the family home; three children, Jennifer Foster, husband, Randy, West Plains,  Missouri, Sharon Reddy, Houston, Missouri and Steve Reddy, Licking, Missouri; six grandchildren, Melissa Bland, Shane Bland, wife, Debbie, Brandon Bland, Chance Bland, wife, Sarah, Eric Reddy, wife, Kelly and Ryan Reddy; several great-grandchildren; one brother, Mike Lily, wife, Maxine, Winona, Missouri; and a host of other relatives and friends.

His parents, William Reddy, Sr. and Susan Reddy Lily and one sister, Marie Barnes, precede her in death.

A Memorial Service for Barbara Ann Haeffner, 76, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1051 Preacher Roe Blvd., West Plains.

Mrs. Haeffner went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 19, 20 15, after battling ALS for several years.

She was born February 6, 1939, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Aubert H. Matheny and Harriett Golden Matheny. She married Bobby Haeffner in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 1, 1958 and to this union two children were born, Debbie Haeffner Culpepper and Mike Haeffner. She worked as a cosmetologist for over fifty years, was a master gardener and an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her husband, Bobby Haeffner, sister, Pat Matheney Davis, brother-in-law, Dave Davis, sister-in-law, LeeLee Matheny, brother-in-law, Russell Haeffner, daughter, Debbie Haeffner Culpepper, son, Mike Haeffner, son-in-law, Walt Culpepper, daughter-in-law, Cindi Haeffner, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one brother, Greg Matheny, sister-in-law, Sherry Haeffner and one grandson Andrew Brinkley, precede her in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to ALS Association or Immanuel Lutheran Church, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Elizabeth Aldine Briscoe, 89, the third of nine children born to Mary A. (Patten) Briscoe and F. Lindsay Briscoe, passed away April 1, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Home.  She was born in West Plains October 3, 1925.

She is survived by one brother, Jim and wife, Mary Ellen; two sisters, Mary Jo and Priscilla; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.  One niece, Melissa (Briscoe) Smith and one sister-in-law, Ginger (Amyx) Briscoe are West Plains residents.

Her parents, one sister, Angaline and four brothers, John, Bob, Larry and Bill, preceded her in death.  A private family burial is planned; she was cremated.

Elizabeth was a 1942 graduate of West Plains High School, she worked for several years at Reed-Harlin Company; then, in 1946, moved to New York City to work for the Hartford Insurance Company where she spent the rest of her working career.

She loved music, singing, gardening, cooking, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, word games of all kinds, her friends, her family and her Lord.  She was a life-long member of The First Christian Church.  Memorial Contributions may be made to The First Christian Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Raymond James Allan, 94, West Plains, Missouri, died at 12:35 a.m., Sunday, April 5, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born February 28, 1921, at Festus, Missouri, to James Allan and Alice Agnew Allan.  Mr. Allan was a veteran, having served with the United States Air Force.  On January 5, 2005, he was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Dorothy Allan.  After retiring as a Chevrolet mechanic, he enjoyed farming, animals and gardening.  Mr. Allan was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Allan, West Plains, Missouri; two children, James Allan, wife, Gloria and Raymond Allan, all of Salt Lake City, Utah; one sister, Elaine Smith, State of Rhode Island; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, first wife, one sister and two brothers, precede him in death.

Burial will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, Rhode Island.

A Funeral Mass of Resurrection for Mary Ann Syer Dixon, 86, will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church , West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

She was born November 20, 1928, at Northumberland, England, to Robert Metcalf and Catherine Hope Metcalf. On Nov. 20, 1948, she was married to Thomas Robertson Murdy Dixon, and enjoyed a happy marriage of over fifty-four years until Thomas’ death in June 2003. To their marriage three children were born, Christine, Robert and Irene. As a girl, Mary lived through the Battle of Britain. Many times the daily routine was interrupted by the sound of air raid sirens, warning of the approach of Luftwaffe bombers. Mary would sometimes remark, only half in jest that she spent as much time in bomb shelters as she did in school.
As a young woman, Mary loved to dance. She and her husband Tom spent many happy hours at dances. She also loved to go places. Whether it be a short trip to a nearby beach or park, or a long journey to a foreign country, Mary was always ready and eager to travel, even on short notice. She was also an accomplished seamstress and embroiderer, an avid reader, and enjoyed both theatre and cinema.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband and four sisters.

She is survived by her three children, three sisters, nine grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mary was of a gentle and kindly disposition. She paid more attention to the needs of those around her than to her own. She was patient and never complained, even in her last illness.

Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Library Foundation or any charity of choice, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Faye Thornton, 73, West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Thornton died April 4, 2015, at her home.

She was born August 5, 1941, at Amoret, Missouri, to John Henry Short and Alice Mae Lynch Short. On October 31, 1959, she was married at Butler, Missouri, to Bobby Thornton, who preceded her in death on July 27, 1993. She was a Christian and was known for babysitting. She had many recipes published in the newspaper. She loved garage sales and collected teapots. Mrs. Thornton took great pride in her yard and flowers.

She is survived by her son, Tony Thornton; daughter-in-law, Trudy Thornton; grandson, Bobby Thornton; great-grandson, Braxton Thornton; six brothers, Jesse Lee Short, wife, Donna, David Short, wife, Peggy, Johnny Short, wife, Donna, Jimmy Short, wife, Cheryl, Jerry Short and Edward Short; three sisters, Betty Irwin, Connie Cox and Sharon Scrogham, husband, Elbert; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.