Obituaries

Funeral services for Leon Orville “Bill” Callahan, 68, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Callahan passed away 6:41 a.m., Friday, February 7, 2020 at NHC Healthcare.

He was born January 27, 1952, at West Plains, Missouri, to Emanuel Edward “Sonny” Callahan and Vesta Florence Lawing Callahan.  Mr. Callahan was known by many as “Bill” and worked as a carpenter for many years.  He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors.  His family and friends were a big part of his life and he enjoyed visiting with them.  Mr. Callahan attended the Crider Church of Christ.

He is survived by one daughter, Brandi Groves; one sister, Lovern DeShazo; three brothers, Verbal, Dewayne and Leolen “Slick” Callahan; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, three sisters, Murline Peterson, Deloris Belt and Vivian Robinson and four brothers, Charles, Ermal, Larry and Fabian Callahan, preceded him in death.

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

A Celebration of Life service for Edwin Eugene Cantrell, 76, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Gene passed away January 31, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his wife, Christel and sidekick, Tucker.

He was born March 6, 1943, as he would say he was born the day Davey Crockett died, but a few years later.  He was born in a boxcar in Hanford, California, to Kenneth and Nellie Cantrell.  Gene received his GED and went into the Army.  He was a private in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963.  Gene was a self-employed carpenter for thirty-five years.  He worked at Howell County Rural Fire District #1 as a Maintenance Man, working his way up to a Safety Officer, Lieutenant and later a Captain.  He retired March 30, 2012, after twenty-one years of service.  Gene put in countless hours to help build the department up to where it is today.  He was instrumental in helping to establish the Howell County Rural Fire Station #1 on K Highway built.  Gene also worked at the U.S. Forestry service for a few years and hauled freight with Larry Piper for a number of years.   He was a member of Elks Lodge.  Mr. Cantrell was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ.  If you knew Gene, you knew he was a jokester; he loved to joke around with his family and friends and enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling.  On May 28, 1966, he was married to Myra Lockhart, who preceded him in death October 13, 2005.  On April 5, 2008, he was married to Christel Auffert.

He is survived by his wife, Christel Cantrell, of the family home; his sidekick, Tucker George; father-in-law, Joe Auffert, West Plains, Missouri; grandmother-in-law, “Granny” Oleta Auffert, West Plains; two sisters, Sharon Hunt and husband, Bill and Joanne Spitzer, all of the State of California; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Cantrell, State of Oklahoma and Stacie Auffert, West Plains; brother-in-law, John Avila, State of California; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and several friends; and his special “Family”, Joyce Piper and family, Chris and Sheri Piper and family, all of West Plains, Larry and Kelly Carter and family, State of Arkansas and Rick and Debbie Horn and family, West Plains.

His parents, grandparents, first wife, mother-in-law, Gayla Auffert, one brother, Larry Cantrell and one sister, Karen Avila, preceded him in death.

A private burial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to family to give to various charities and events that Gene supported throughout the years, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Earl Monroe Crofford, Jr., 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 10, 2020 at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Crofford passed away peacefully at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at his home.

He was born May 29, 1945, at Newport, Arkansas, to Earl and Dorothy Pauline Lewis Crofford.  Earl grew up in Newport and lived for a time in Oak Dale, Louisiana, moving with his father’s job at MOPAC Railroad.  He graduated from Newport High School, with the Class of 1963.  He loved playing tennis, football, basketball and track, representing the Newport Greyhounds.  Earl attended Arkansas State University at Jonesboro, Arkansas before joining the United States Navy in 1967.  While in the Navy, he married Patricia Ann Crumpton, also of Newport, on November 18, 1967.  Earl was stationed for three years at the United States Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi.  In 1970, Earl and pat were transferred to the Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia.  While at sea he was aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) and the USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11) and completed his tour in April of 1971 with an Honorable Discharge.  Following his tour in the Navy, Earl moved to Jonesboro then to Batesville, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics.  He began his business career as the Employment Manager at Waterloo Industries, Pocahontas, Arkansas.  Earl later worked as Traffic manager at Waterloo until he went on to work as the Director of Employee Relations for the City Water and Light, Jonesboro, Arkansas.  In 1981 Earl and Pat moved to Jennings, Louisiana, where Earl worked for LeeVac Shipyard.  He loved his job there as Personnel Manager.  The State of Louisiana, the friendly people, the culture and the great good became a perfect home for the Crofford’s.  When the oil industry began moving downward, Earl knew this was going to affect the ship building trade, so in 1984, he moved to West Plains and began working at Marathon Electric (later known as Regal) and was the Personnel Manager.  The Crofford’s felt like West Plains was home, it was the same size and friendliness as their hometown of Newport.  They enrolled their children in Fairview School where they quickly made lifetime friends with students and faculty.  Earl began to learn his new job and became a member of the community and a Zizzer supporter.  Early in Earl’s college career, he had planned to get a teaching degree, but as he studied he began to learn toward a business career.  1987 saw the change toward his original love of teaching began to happen.  He became the marketing education coordinator for the South Central Area Vocational – Technical Center, where he wore many hats, including working with the students, employers, speaking before civic and industrial groups, counseled and advised students.   Earl went back to college at University of Missouri, Columbia and received his MED-Practical Arts and Vocational-Technical Education and began marketing.  While Earl was teaching, he also was the Zizzer boys’ tennis coach.  Many happy times were spent teaching young men to play and have a passion for the game.  Ann Burtrum was the bus driver for the Zizzer Tennis Team; Earl always told her that she was the good luck charm for the team – she drove and they won!  He also made many educational trips fun for the DECA students, such as trips to Dallas to see “market”, where they saw products being sold, processes of sales to shops and markups.  Education was very important to Earl; his motto was “Is it good for the students?”  He truly cared about each one of his students and how he could help them develop in the young minds a passion for education which would result in the creation of lifelong learners.  Earl was a busy guy, he also worked at Mountain Grove, OMTC, MSU and Mountain View teaching business, economics, micro and macro and business marketing, all of which he tried to make fun for his students so that they could understand, learn and succeed.  In Earl’s lifetime of working he also served and volunteered on many organizations, some included are Northeast Arkansas Safety Council, Missouri Vocational Association, American Vocational Association, Missouri State Teacher’s Association, Mountain Grove Chamber of Commerce, and United Way.  Earl gave his life to Jesus as a young man; he and his family attended Church and became members wherever they lived.  While in West Plains they were members of First Christian Church and currently First Baptist Church.  He served in many ways, including serving on boards, Deacon, Elder and Youth Group Leader.  He and his wife, Pat, were kindergarten Sunday School Teachers for many years.  Parkinson’s and dementia began to take control of Earl’s body in 2008, the year he retired.  Earl never forgot his years in the classroom; he spent many days and nights with Pat talking about his former students.  It was always a joy when any student would visit; his eyes would light up and the joy was obvious.  Tennis, golf, fishing and hunting were a few of the hobbies he loved, but being with family was the most important.  He loved his family and enjoyed being with them.  Earl was a loving son, husband, father, granddaddy and great-granddaddy.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Pat Crofford; two children, Steve Crofford and wife, Carrie and Amy Cunningham and husband, Scott; four grandchildren, Haley, Kyley, Carter and Hudson Cunningham; two great-grandchildren, Gabe and Astrid Perez; sister-in-law, Myrna Sarzotti and husband, Tony; two cousins, Carol Bowden and husband, Cookie and Bill Lewis and wife, Donna; three special nieces and nephew, Rob Crumpton, Lynn Crumpton and Sandy Lightner; and many special family members and friends..

His parents, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Martha Crumpton and one nephew, Bill Crumpton, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

A celebration of life service for Peggy Patricia Hensley, 67, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Pottersville Cemetery.  Peggy’s cremains will be laid to rest next to her son.

She was born January 14, 1953 and passed away January 27, 2020, at her home.  On June 18, 1973 Peggy was united in marriage to Darrell Hensley, at Gamaliel, Arkansas.  This union was blessed with one son, Jamey Heath Levi Hensley.  Peggy graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1971.  She worked for more than three decades at Marathon Electric, forming many friendships there.  MeMe’s home welcomed family, friends and countless schoolmates of her son, and later her granddaughters.

Peggy leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Darrell; two granddaughters, Abbie and Zoey; her father, Perry L. Hayes, Sr.; one sister, Terry Wood and husband Gerald and their children, Emily and Seth; one brother; Perry; her mother-in-law, Myrtle Hensley; two brothers-in-law, Kenny and wife, Dawna and Larry Joe and wife, Rose; one sister-in-law, June; their children and grandchildren; and her extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Mitchell Hayes, one son, Jamey, one sister, Barbara Terry, one sister-in-law, Meril Ann Williams and father-in-law, Melvin Hensley.

A memorial service for Joe Anthony Orozco, 57, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Oak Lawn Cemetery. 

Mr. Orozco passed away 3:50 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born January 20, 1963, at Chicago, Illinois, to Luis Orozco and Patsy Klimczak.  On September 1, 2001, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Carol Garner.  Mr. Orozco had worked at Champion Boats.   He loved to fish, listen to music and collected vinyl albums.  Joe loved his family greatly and had a huge heart.  Mr. Orozco was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Orozco; two children, Melissa Bergquist and husband, Jeremiah, Brunswick, Georgia and Brianna Orozco, West Plains; three granddaughters, Kaia, Channing and Aislyn Bergquist; one grandson, Ezekiel Bobby Prantl; two brothers, Raymon and Salvador Ortega; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

His parents, one son, Bobby Joe Orozco and one brother, David Ortega, preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Debra Y. Collins, 65, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Collins passed away 10:33 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born February 22, 1954, at West Plains, Missouri, to Victor Eugene “Gene” Bragg and Mary Louise Abney Bragg.  Debra graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1972.  On October 30, 1976, she was married at Pomona, Missouri, to Gaylen Collins.  Debra worked as a department manager at Wal-Mart.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and making jewelry.  Mrs. Collins was of the Pentecostal faith.

She is survived by her husband, Gaylen Collins, of the Family home; two children, Alebra Richey and husband, Daniel, Noble, Oklahoma and Rosada Wilson and husband, Randy, West Plains, Missouri; five grandchildren, Draye, Skye, Jazz, Remington and Rayden; and two brothers, Victor Bragg, Jr., Independence, Missouri and Samuel Bragg, Yukon, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents and one sister, Marcella Louise Day preceded her 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 Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Bernice May Richards, 101, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Richards passed away peacefully at 3:22 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born January 30, 1919 at Rover, Missouri to W.B. and Bessie Adams Ford.  Bernice graduated from Thomasville High School with the Class of 1937.  On April 28, 1962, she married the love of her life, Hugh Richards, who preceded her in death March 4, 2002.  Bernice was a schoolteacher in Missouri and later worked in an office in Chicago, Illinois.  She was described by many as a kind, elegant lady and she always had a sweet disposition.  Bernice enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She loved to cook and work in her garden and give her produce to her family and many friends.  She treasured her role as an Aunt and loved her nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Richards was a godly, Christian woman; she and Hugh were charter members of the Central Calvary Baptist Church.  

Bernice is survived by a special sister-in-law Sally Ford; her nephews , Robert Jolliff and wife, Claudia and Mike Ford and wife, Carol; her nieces, Bonnie Maritt,  Patricia Scott, Linda Barder and husband, Fred and Nancy Chamberlain and husband, Danny;  many great-nephews and great-nieces; and two step-children, Terry Richards and wife, Peggy and Linda Richards.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters Floyd Ford, Henry Ford, infant Thelma Ford, Minnie Davidson, Velma Jolliff, Ruby Crites and Lorene Melching and an infant nephew Larry Ford.  

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of West Vue Nursing Center for their loving care of Bernice for the past three years and to two very special friends who were so often by her side, Jessica Conreys and Janice Martin.  

Mrs. Richards will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Jolliff Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Louise Evon Carroll, 76, Pottersville, Missouri, will be announced at a later date.

Mrs. Carroll passed away 11:34 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born May 9, 1943, to Earl and Anna Palmer.  Louise loved taking care of animals and ranching; she was a caregiver for handicapped adults.  Mrs. Carroll was a member of Spring Creek Community Church.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Carroll, of the family home; three children, Will Carroll, Pottersville, Missouri, Annette Morgan and significant other, Juan Castro, Garden Dale, Texas and Deneen Olson and husband, Robert, Gillette, Wyoming; seven grandchildren; five brothers, Dale, Melvin, Larry, Don and Gary Palmer; and special friends Frank and Judy Bell, Pottersville, Missouri.

Her parents and four sisters preceded her in death.

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

Funeral services for Jessie Virginia Ziolkowski , 90, Sand Springs, Oklahoma, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ziolkowski passed away Sunday, January 26, 2020 at her home.

She was born April 28, 1929, at West Plains, Missouri, to Jack and Lillie Burkhart.  Jessie attended college and became an educator.  She spent thirty years as a caregiver for the elderly and continued working until she was eighty-six years old.

She is survived by two sons, John and Robert; two granddaughters, Jennifer Ziolkowski and Jessica Adkins; and two great-grandchildren, Ashton Shea and Payton Schultz.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  

Funeral services for Bobby Dale Bridges, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Bridges passed away 2:52 a.m., Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at his home.

He was born May 15, 1939, at Viola, Arkansas, to Drew and Alpha Cooper Bridges.  Bobby grew up in Viola, Arkansas, later moving to West Plains.  He served his community in many ways through his years.   He was always willing to help anyone in any way that he could.  He served his country for ten years serving on the Selective Service Board.  Mr. Bridges owned and operated an auto parts store for a number of years and was a building inspector for the City of West Plains and in 1990 started his own inspection business that he continued doing until his health prevented it.  He endured health problems throughout his life, with his first heart attack at the age of thirty-three and several other serious issues, but did not let that stop him from enjoying his life to the fullest.  Bobby stated:  “God got me through along with my wife, who stood by my side through all of the health issues, God bless her” Bobby loved spending time with his family.  On May 13, 1982, he was married at West Plains to Marge Martin.  Together, they enjoyed camping, boating, singing gospel music and being active in church.  Bobby also enjoyed racing cars, softball and spending time with his children, his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mr. Bridges was a member of Calvary General Baptist Church.   “When I am gone, look for me in Heaven”

He is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Marge Bridges; four children, Vickie Hancock and Shelly Upton and husband, Kirt, (from a previous marriage) and Cindy Atwell and husband, Walter and Kelly Lawing; nine grandchildren, Allison, Ashton, Logan, Jensen, Tasha, Jacob, Whitney, Meagan and Michaela; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and all eleven siblings preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Mt. Calm Cemetery, Moody, Missouri.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calm Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Kathy Ann Sanders, 61, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2020 at Ball Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Ms. Sanders passed away at 6:45 p.m., Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born August 2, 1958, at Kansas City, Missouri, to James D. Barnett and Fern C. Allcorn.  Kathy was raised by Troy and Flo Freeman Sanders.  She graduated from Dora High School.  Ms. Sanders was a Christian and attended Church of Christ.

She is survived by four brothers, Rick Barnett, State of Kansas, Jim Barnett, Gary Fyffe and Roy Fyffe, all of West Plains; three sisters, Kernie Covey, Independence, Missouri, Shelly Koziol, Grain Valley, Missouri and Jamie Barnett, State of Kansas; eleven nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and four great-great-nieces and nephews.

Her parents, the parents that raised her and one sister, Ruby Mae Bales, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Graveside services for Maria Ethel Spears, 83, Thayer, Missouri, will be held at a later date. 

Mrs. Spears passed away 10:55 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born March 28, 19 36, at Duxbury, Massachusetts, to Bernard Cincotta and Edna Wise Cincotta.  On May 19, 1962, she was married at St. Louis, Missouri, to Paul W. Spears, who preceded her in death in 1999.

She is survived by two children, John Cincotta and wife, Maloa, Peace Valley, Missouri and Brenda Schneider and husband, Timothy Meister, St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren, John Cincotta, II, Timothy Cincotta and wife, Kara, Ronald Becker, Anna Blades and partner, Jonna Oulvey and Stephen Blades; three step-children; several step-grandchildren; one sister, Donna McManamon, Leesburg, Florida; and several nephews.

Her parents, husband and one step-son, preceded her in death.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Interment for Lawrence Wayne Hadley, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2020, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Hadley passed away 7:53 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born June 30, 1936, at Corning, California, to Lawrence Simon Hadley and Thelma Yost Hadley.  His three sisters, Jean, Celeste and Phyllis were all older than he and he would tell you that being the youngest had its perks.  Lawrence graduated from Orlan Joint Union High School in 1955.  He went to work in the grocery industry and joined the Army Reserves.   He was honorably discharged in 1962.  Lawrence met and married the true love of his life, Joyce (Rowe) Willardson on June 28, 1985, at Reno, Nevada.  Together they built a large following in Yurika Foods and were married for thirty-five blissful years until Joyce’s passing on March 7, 2018.  He was a wonderful person, a loving husband who missed his wife dearly, a wonderful father and will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his children, Larry Hadley, Sheryl Allen, Larry Willardson, Ron Willardson and Jolene Whitlock, all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife and three siblings preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Kiara McKenzie Holden, 14, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at His Place House of Worship, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Kiara passed away Thursday evening, January 23, 2020, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. 

She was born June 13, 2005 at West Plains, Missouri, to Galen Holden and Candie Snethern Holden.  Kiara was an alumni at Glenwood Mustang Elementary and a Freshman at West Plains High School.  She loved to participate in many sports before she was diagnosed with acute B-cell leukemia.  Kiara was competitive in all aspects of life.  She was a fighter and very strong.  She was determined not to give up.  Kiara lost her battle and in the same moment gained her ultimate victory on January 23, 2020 at the age of fourteen years old.  Kiara loved Jesus!! She was an active helper and youth praise team member at her church.  She loved her His Place church family.  Kiara loved babies, crafting, hunting with dad, shopping with mom, playing PS4 and riding four wheelers with her brother, Barent.  Many who came in contact with Kiara loved her.  She absolutely loved her medical teams and staff and affectionately loved her family and friends.

Kiara is survived by her parents, Galen and Candie Holden; one brother, Barent  Holden, of the family home; one mema, Shirley Holden; two uncles, Jeff Snethern and wife, Anita and Curt Snethern and wife, Tammy; four aunts, Charlotte Bray and husband, Gene, Sherry Venneman and husband, Jeff, Crystal Courtney and husband, Trent and Tonya Veith and husband, Tim; thirteen cousins, Dillin, Megan, Courtney, Caleb, Emily, Jessy, Ember, McKaylie, Creyton, Clayre, Stella, Daxton and Isla.

She is preceded in death by her Papa, Ivan Clay Holden, her Papa, J. C. Snethern, her Grandma, Mary Snethern, her great-grandma, Gracie Koonce and her cousin, Little Paul Marshall.

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at His Place House of Worship.  Burial will be in the Elk Creek Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to Friends of Kids with Cancer, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Irene Trantham, 94, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Trantham passed away 12:37 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born January 29, 1925, at Rover, Missouri, to James Albert Redburn and Emma May Clark Redburn.  On May 11, 1945, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Richard W. Trantham, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2000. Soon after they were married, Richard left for the European Theater of WWII. After his return they started their sawmill business and farm in 1948.  Irene served the rest of her life working alongside her husband and supporting her family and community.  She was strong of mind, body and spirit and could prove any of these at a moment’s notice.  She loved her life and creator.  She was and always will be the very definition of a matriarch.  Irene received her education at Bales School.  Mrs. Trantham was of the Assembly of God faith and was baptized on August 28, 1977.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, reading, her cats, doted on her cows, sitting in her porch swing watching the cars go by, watching westerns and her other favorite TV shows.  Irene loved her daily visits with Glen and Vivian and loved time spent with her grandchildren and their children.

She is survived by one son, Glen Edward Trantham and wife, Vivian; three grandchildren, Jeffery Glen Trantham and wife, Alesa, Melissa Dawn Roush and husband, Scott and Misty Lea Shafer and husband, Josh; thirteen great-grandchildren, Tyler, Chris and wife, Kasey, Karson, Victoria, Daniela, Christopher, Sage, Seth, Sean, Cash, Judah, Aly and Jay; two great-great-grandchildren, Bella and Dawson; one sister, Allena VonAllmen; special friends, Jeremy, Mary and Ethan Nix; and numerous nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors.

Her parents, husband, three sisters, Avie, Erma Lee and Ruby, four brothers, Leonard “Bud”, Fred, Lester and Loyd and one great-granddaughter, Shelby Dawn, preceded her 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 Jolliff Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House or Rover Fire Department and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Anna Marie Hambelton, 61, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 27, 2020 at Ball Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hambelton passed away Monday, January 20, 2020 at West Plains, Missouri.

She was born December 31, 1958, at Mountain View, Missouri, to Nova D. “Shorty” Martin and Martha Ann Owen Martin.  Anna grew up in House Springs, Missouri and attended North West High School until her senior year.  She graduated from Dora High School with the Class of 1977. On January 27, 1979, she was married at Dora, Missouri, to Victor Hambelton.  Mrs. Hambelton enjoyed her work at Arlee’s Home Fashions, where she had worked for over twenty years.  She loved singing, music, concerts, sewing and crafts.  She enjoyed time spent at Cloud 9 Ranch with family and friends.  Anna loved being a grandmother and was excited to meet her new expected grandbaby.

She is survived by her husband, Victor Hambelton; one son, Kasey Hambelton and fiancé, Ashton Shipley; one granddaughter, Brailyn and one grandchild on the way; her parents, Shorty and Martha Martin; one brother, Doug Martin and wife, Rhonda; her niece and nephews, Mandy Verplancke and husband, Nathan and their daughter, Reece, Brad Martin and wife, Diana and their children, Cameron and Olivia and Staff Sergeant USAF, Adam Martin; special cousins, Brenda Uhlmann, Connie Camden and Becky Blake; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many friends.

Her grandparents, Novie and Flo Martin, Elbert and Mary Owen, father-in-law, Rudolph Hambelton, mother-in-law, Dollie Lancaster, brother-in-law, Cole Hambelton and sister-in-law, Wanda Hall, preceded 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.  Burial will be in the Ball Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Charles Riley, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 at Curry Street Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Riley passed away at 10:15 a.m., Monday, January 20, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born March 28, 1937, at Elijah, Missouri, to John Tolbert Riley and Cora Ellen Martin Riley.  Mr. Riley graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1955.  On June 14, 1959, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Betty Johnston.  Mr. Riley was a member of the Missouri National Guard and was a lumber salesman prior to his retirement.  He was always up for a good joke and loved his family, gardening, cooking and bird hunting.  Charles, along with Frank Hall, was instrumental for establishing South Howell County Ambulance service.  Mr. Riley was a member of Curry Street Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Riley, of the family home; two children, Kelly Gleghorn and husband, Kevin and  Keith Riley and wife, Karen, all of West Plains; five grandchildren, Amy Sanders and husband, Steve, Chad Gleghorn and wife,  Kendra, Allen Riley, Kendall Riley and Anna Riley; four great-grandchildren, Forrest, Avery, Landry and Grayton; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, three brothers, Eugene Riley, Russell Riley and Cecil Lloyd Riley, two sisters, Wilma North and his twin sister, Charlene Thornton, three half-sisters, Opal Martin, Jewell Kurz and Nell Williams and one half-brother, Pete Riley, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Medical Center Cancer Treatment Center or Fowler Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Terry Andrew Johnson, 47, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnson passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at his home.

He was born October 6, 1972, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Rickey W. Johnson and Andrea Henn Johnson.  Terry enjoyed his job as a truck driver and loved racing.  Mr. Johnson was a Christian.

He is survived by his parents, Rickey and Andrea Johnson; his daughter, Tonya Johnson and her mother, Melissa Plachey Johnson; two grandchildren, Vivian and Justice; his fiancé, Rachel Phillips; one brother, Rick H. Johnson; one nephew, Levi; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

His grandparents preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Amy Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Stanley Wayne Grisham, 70, Jackson, Tennessee, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Family Life Church, Dora, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Grisham departed this life and entered heaven on January 20, 2020, in Jackson.

He was born March 22, 1949, at Gainesville, Missouri, the son of the late Clyde and Reba Terry Grisham. Stan was a 1967 graduate of Dora High School in Dora, Missouri, and went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. On August 2, 1974, Stan married Linda Hartman Grisham who survives of the home. The Grisham’s are members of Englewood Baptist Church.

Stan enjoyed spending time relaxing with Linda and his close family in nature while camping at local sites and the white sand beaches of The Gulf. He also proudly served his country as a member of The United States Navy. Those who knew him best speak fondly of his work ethic, his pride in his family, and his love for God. All of these character traits he shared with his wife and instilled in their children. Perhaps, though, he was most fond of his role as “Big Daddy/Pepaw” where he shared countless silly jokes and asked for belly rubs and “squeezes” from those who looked up to him in much more than just a physical sense.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Hartman Grisham; one son, Jason Grisham and wife, Claire; one daughter, Kalyn Singleton and husband, Kyle; four grandchildren Maxwell and Jaxon Grisham and Bryce and Ryleigh Singleton; his brother, Dennis and sister-in-law, Janice Grisham; his father-in-law Jerry Hartman; brother-in-law Rick Hartman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tim and Agena Hartman; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Stan was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Susan (Grisham) Danley.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will follow in Ball Cemetery. 

Funeral services for Ursula Wiehe, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wiehe passed away at 11:15 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2020 at her home.

She was born February 13, 1933 to Paul and Anna (Lang) Tholl in Zweibrucken, Germany.  Having survived Nazi Germany as a child, Ursula eventually worked at a U.S. Military PX near her home where she met Robert Wiehe, a soldier serving in post WWII occupied Germany.  The two were married on November 8, 1952 in Solothurn, Switzerland.

After the birth of their first daughter, Marilyn, they were transferred back to the United States to live in Edwardsville, Illinois.  In 1955, Ursula had a son, Kenneth, and in 1971, she had another son, Kurt.  Her family business in Germany was of floral arrangements, landscaping and interior decorating.  She continued these pursuits in America to the benefit of family and friends.  She loved to cook authentic, German food and desserts to bless anyone she could with a meal. Ursula was also a devout Christian having a very special love for her church family, Messianic Jewish ministries and also ministry to orphans in Africa. Ursula devoted her life to the Lord, her husband, and family and friends until her passing.

She is survived by three children, Marilyn Mitchell, San Antonio Texas, Dr. Kenneth Wiehe and wife, Gail, Paris, Illinois, and Kurt Wiehe and wife, Melissa, West Plains, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Daniel Wiehe and wife, Rebecca, Katelyn Wiehe, Matthew Mitchell, Micaela Wiehe, Maddy Wiehe, Nathan Wiehe, Natalie Wiehe, and Melia Wiehe; and one great-grandchild, Braddock Wiehe.

Her parents, husband, Dr. Robert Wiehe, one brother, Karl-Heinz Tholl and one grandchild, Natalie Mitchell, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Christian Academy and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.