Obituaries

Funeral services for Richard Lee Kuntz, 30, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Kuntz passed away 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at West Plains, Missouri.

Richard was born July 8, 1989, at Naples, Italy, to Teresa Kuntz.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  His passion and talent was music.  He enjoyed writing songs, skateboarding, floating and fishing with his Grandpa.  Richard was a brother to many and had many close family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Teresa Ayers; his grandmother and adopted mother, Doris Kuntz; one sister, Christen McClain; aunts and uncles, Robert Kuntz and wife, Belinda, Billy Ray Kuntz and wife, Lisa, Trina Johnson and Jamie Johnson; and his cousins, Joshua Hathaway, Raymond Kuntz, Colin Kuntz, Heather Kuntz, Erin Johnson and Nathan Johnson.

His grandfather, Bill Kuntz and one cousin, Jesse Kuntz, preceded him in death.

Mr. Kuntz will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Graveside services for Jacie Leeann Iler, stillborn infant daughter of Shayla Young and James Iler, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2020 at Babyland in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Jacie went to be with the Angels at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She is survived by her parents, Shayla Young and James Iler; two brothers, Joseph and Colton; four sisters, Emily, Miley, Faith and Avacyn; grandparents, Dayla Whitworth, Shelby Whitworth, Laura Ott and James Iler; maternal great-grandparents, Betty and Clifford Needles and JoAnn Whitworth; maternal great-great-grandmother, June Roberts; two aunts and one uncle, Sarah Blanks, William Grub and Samantha Iler; and several cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.

Her paternal grandparents preceded her in death.

Funeral services for Pauline Omega Bean, 79, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2020 at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bean passed away at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born September 23, 1940, at Elijah, Missouri, to Willis Marion Tackitt and Martha Hill Tackitt.  On September 15, 1956, she was married at Leota, Missouri, to Russell Gene Bean, who preceded her in death on November 24, 2011.  Pauline enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, crafts and music; she especially enjoyed baking and made the best cinnamon rolls.  She loved her children and grandchildren.  Mrs. Bean was a member of Elijah Church of Christ.

She is survived by four children, Paula Jean Bass and husband, John, Caulfield, Missouri, Pamela Sue Bean, Caulfield, Missouri, Patricia Kay Fox, West Plains, Missouri and Rusty Bean, Caulfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, SSG Jordan Hartley and wife, Shea, Josh Hartley, Garrett Fox and Ainsley Fox; three great-grandchildren, Kane, Kodi and Kori Hartley; two brothers, Lee Olen Tackitt and wife, Edie and Billy Joe Tackitt and wife, Patsy; two sisters, Myrtle Hensley and Blanche Langston Hardin; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two sons, Randy and Scotty Bean, one grandson, Cody James Hartley, one foster son, Rodney McIntire, one brother, J. B. Tackitt and five sisters, Esther Langston, Snowie Spoon, Jewell Tackitt, Katherine Tackitt and Doris Bonham, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Bean will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

John Raymond Holland, 63, Mountain View, Missouri, died 8:300 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Mountain View.  Arrangements under direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Garold Dean Cotter, 69, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Cotter passed away at 3:22 a.m., Monday, May 4, 2020 at his home.

He was born January 1, 1951, at Ott, Arkansas, to Okus Cotter and Lucy Inez Burns Cotter.  Garold graduated from Viola High School with the Class of 1968.  On February 25, 1972, he was married at Kansas City, Missouri, to Kathy Foster.  He enjoyed hunting and raising his cattle.  Mr. Cotter was a member of the Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Cotter, of the family home; two children, Ronnie Cotter and wife, Cathy, Viola, Arkansas and Pamela Lewis and husband, Brad, Mountain Home, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Ronnie, Jr., Lizzy and Trevor; two brothers, Dwayne Cotter and wife, Linda and Ewell “Pewee” Cotter and wife, Patsy; four sisters, Freda Rowland and husband, Jim, Jecquita Durham, Verlene Miller and Eudene Legg and husband, Bob; brother-in-law, Bob Foster and wife, Martha; sister-in-law, Cathy Foster; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one brother, Quenton Ray Cotter, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Travis and Jewell Foster and three brothers-in-law, Charlie Durham, Larry Miller and Bill Foster, preceded him in death.

Mr. Cotter will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Hurst Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hurst Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Service for Carol Jean Brown, 62, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at a later date. 

Ms. Brown passed away at 8:22 a.m., Monday, May 4, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born August 12, 1957, at West Plains, Missouri, to Curtis Neal Brown and Mildred Stone Brown.  Carol worked in admitting and was a switch board operator for many years at Ozarks Medical Center and had developed friendships with many first responders.  She had an amazing capacity to love, and did so with everything she had. Carol was always looking out for others and trying to help. Even though she never had children of her own, countless babies and littles, including so many nieces and nephews, were loved on by her over the years. Her family will miss her, but know without a doubt that she is running toward our Savior and singing in that Heavenly Choir with her precious Mama and Daddy, and brother.   The family would like to thank all who have been so sweet to Carol thru the years; she loved you all.

She is survived by one brother, Curtis Brown and wife, Janet, Katy, Texas; one sister, Margaret Koontz and husband, Henry, Springfield, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents and one brother, Larry Brown, preceded her in death.

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

Funeral services for Bill Freeman, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Central Church of Christ, where Bill will be lovingly remembered, with Evangelists Arvil Hill and Steve Stamatis officiating, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Billy Wakefield Freeman passed away at 10:05 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020, at his home.

He was born August 24, 1941, to Earl “Buck” Freeman and Myrtle Ballinger Freeman.  Bill grew up in Dora and graduated from Dora High School with the close knit Class of 1959.  On May 17, 1996, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Ruby Hall.  Bill loved the Lord and his church family.  He made a joyful noise to the Lord and loved gospel singings.  Bill drove the church bus to area wide singings for a number of years.  Mr. Freeman spent most of his career as a firefighter for the West Plains Fire Department.  Through his job, he became acquainted with many people in West Plains.  Bill never met a stranger and he never forgot a face.  He loved his family deeply.  Bill shared many experiences with extraordinary friends and co-workers.  Many jokes were played and stories exaggerated; he enjoyed those times with each and every one of you.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby; one son, Bill Freeman and wife, Karen; three blended family daughters who were blessed by his love, Janet Callahan, Barbie Oliver and husband, Shawn and Gina Lair; eight grandchildren, who were the joy of his old age, Ashton, Devon, Audrey, Dane, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Shelby and Greyson; one sister, Shirley Vining and husband, John; one nephew, Terry Vining and wife, Patti; three step-grandchildren, Sarah Lawson, Doug Dierck, Richard Dierck and wife, Ashley; and twelve step-great-grandchildren.

His parents and an infant step-great-grandson preceded him in death.

Mr. Freeman will lie in state from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Paragould Children’s Home or Jerry’s Kids for Muscular Dystrophy and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Dewayne Edward Cork, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Cork passed away at 5:27 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020 at his home.

He was born February 16, 1936, at Princeton, Illinois, to Claude Cork and Orpha Wells Cork.  Mr. Cork was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy.  On July 10, 1990, he was married at Paducah, Kentucky, to Maxine McCoy.    Before his retirement, Mr. Cork worked for the United States Postal Service in Princeton, Illinois.  He enjoyed gardening and yard work.  Mr. Cork was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Cork, of the family home; three children, Dale Cork, Buda, Illinois, Rebecca Cork, Princeton, Illinois and Debra Peters, Paisley, Florida; two step-children, Michael Woodruff and wife, Charmine, Aurora, Illinois and Steve Woodruff, West Plains,  Missouri; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one step-daughter-in-law, Maria Woodruff, West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Alice Depa, State of Florida and Glenna Morse, Princeton, Illinois.

His parents, one son, Brian Cork, one sister, and two brothers, preceded him in death.

Mr. Cork will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the South Fork Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Christopher Andrew Burgess, 51, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at a later date. 

Mr. Burgess passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at his home.

He was born December 7, 1968, at Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Freeman Burgess and Debbie Erwin.  Mr. Burgess had worked as a welder.  He loved motorcycles, camping, riding four wheelers and spending time with his family.  Mr. Burgess was a member of Amy Baptist Church.

He is survived by two children, Morgan Cook and husband, Dillynn and Sidney Burgess, all of Rolla, Missouri, his mother and step-father, Debbie and Carl Slavings, Caulfield, Missouri; one sister, Michelle Burgess; one step-sister, Abby Slavings; and many nieces and nephews.

His father preceded him in death.

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

David Clinton Moore, 62, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 1:18 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020, at his home.  The family will have a memorial service at a later date.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

On April 29, 2020, William T. “Bill” Prosser left this earth peacefully with his family beside him after a long struggle with his health.

Bill was a dedicated husband, and father.  Hel was a proud veteran and served in both Korea and Vietnam with the security police. Bill retired from the Air Force with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant after 23 years. During his tour in Vietnam, Bill received the Bronze Star.  Bill grew up in Mogadore Ohio and graduated from high school there. During high school, Bill was an avid football player and all-around athlete. He joined the Air Force after high school as he really wanted to serve his country. After the Air Force, Bill continued his career with the department of public safety at the University of Maine at Orono as the assistant director. Bill also graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in University Studies in 1982. Obtaining his degree was always a lifetime goal.  Bill raised 3 children with his wife, Lorraine, who he met in Bermuda after his return from Korea. All three children also attended the University of Maine. In 2002 Bill married Pat Foster and they enjoyed living in West Plains, Missouri for the rest of Bill’s life. Bill Prosser was a kind and quiet man who loved serving his community and nation and was always happy to help a neighbor. Bill always had an upbeat attitude about life and was an inspiration to those who knew him. Bill loved to tell stories and jokes; he loved to sip coffee and talk about anything. In his later life, with his health failing, Bill would always look forward to overcoming his health concerns and getting back to normal life.

Bill Prosser was loved by his family and friends and will be sorely missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Vernon Lee Cooper passed away at his home in West Plains, Missouri on April 28, 2020, at the age of 81.

He was born January 5, 1939 at a home on a farm near Humphreys, Missouri, to Harold D. Cooper and Dorothy Mae Phillips Cooper.  He was married to Doris Fern Rinehart on December 30, 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri.  He graduated from Humphreys High School in 1957 and received an AA from Trenton Junior College in 1959 and received his BS in Social Studies from Kirksville State Teachers College (Truman State) in 1961; he later received his MA in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Mr. Cooper began his teaching career in Monroe City, Missouri, teaching High School from 1961-68.  The family moved to West Plains in 1968 where he began teaching at Southwest Missouri State-West Plains which became Missouri State University-West Plains.  He enjoyed teaching “Supply & Demand” to many students during his 38 years at MSU-WP before he retired in 2006.  Vernon grew up on a farm and his first paid job was as a farmhand.  He put himself through college working as a farmhand after classes and during the summers.  He enjoyed his own small farm near West Plains where he later would take his grandchildren and great-grandchildren for rides to count the cows.  He was baptized at the Christian Church in Humphreys, Missouri and was currently a member of Smith Chapel in West Plains.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Cooper; three children, Kelli Cook and husband, Mark, West Plains, Vernon Kent Cooper, MD and wife, Janice, Branson, Missouri and Harold Kory Cooper, PhD and wife, Michele Buzon, PhD, West Lafayette, Indiana; six grandchildren, Whitney Frazier and husband, Kody, Hallie Eskew and husband, Matthew, Rebecca Cooper, DVM, Lt. George William Cooper, Lydia Cooper and Elliot Cooper; five great-grandchildren, Jaidyn and Karson Frazier and Rylie, Aliyah and Audrey Eskew; three sisters, Joan Stinnett, Lees Summit, Missouri, Karen DeVore, Warrensburg,  Missouri and Mary Grothe and husband, Larry, Wheeling,  Missouri; one brother, Roger Cooper, Humphreys, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Jennings, Gladstone, Missouri and Keith Rinehart, Brookefield, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Barbara Rinehart, Purdin, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Phyllis Forson, six brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law, preceded him in death.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date at the Haseville Church.   Memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice or Garnett Library-MSU and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

A graveside service for Steven Keith Bench, 58, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Bench passed away at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2020 at his home.

He was born February 18, 1962, at West Plains, Missouri, to Floyd Barton Bench, Jr. and Vadna Geneva Fore Bench.  Steven graduated from West Plains High School and had worked at Western Farm & Home Center and Edgeller & Harper.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing; in the summertime he mowed neighbor’s yards for them.  Mr. Bench was a Christian.

He is survived by his parents, Jr. and Vadna Bench, West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Brenda Bergeson and husband, Bradford, Kansas City, Kansas; one niece, Cassandra Mitchell and husband, Derick and their daughter, Addison. 

Graveside services for Gary Wayne Johnson, 72, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Mt. Zion Cemetery (Poe Hill), under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnson passed away 8:52 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2020 at his home.

He was born December 30, 1947, at West Plains, Missouri, to Carroll Johnson and Dorothy Baser Johnson.  He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1966 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University, now known as Missouri State University.  On May 23, 1998, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Linda Beach.  Mr. Johnson was a claims adjuster for Shelter Insurance.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, St. Louis Cardinals, playing golf, checking game cameras, traveling, riding on dirt roads and dancing.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Johnson; two children, Kristi Lansdown and husband, Doug and Stephanie Pierce and husband, Dugan; two step-children, Cody Stone and Rebecca Robinson and significant other, Scottie Hunter; his parents, Carroll and Dorothy Johnson; ten grandchildren, Kelsey and husband, Reg, Jaylen, Katelen and husband, Hunter, Kaylee, Jadon, Hayden, Karsen, Tiffany and husband, Luke, Lyndsey and Lauren; six great-grandchildren, Aubree, Benjamin, Kaci, Fisher, Kaiden and Khloe; one brother, D. D. Johnson; one sister-in-law, Carol Freeman; one nephew, Brandon Johnson and one niece, Schanda Steele and husband, Mackenzie.

His infant son, Ronald Johnson, paternal grandparents, Ray and Edith Johnson, maternal grandparents, Raymond and Georgia Baser, one uncle and aunt, Darroll Johnson and wife, Joyce, preceded him in death.

Mr. Johnson will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House or Ozarks Honor Flight and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A private graveside service for Ruby Delorise Pliler, 75, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at Howell Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Pliler passed away 2:45 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2020 at her home.

She was born April 14, 1945, at Springfield, Missouri, to Preston Williams and Genoba Barnett Williams.  She was married in 1962 to Bob Henry.  On May 28, 1987, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Dallas Ivan Pliler, who preceded her in death on May 24, 2012.  Ruby loved her family, her grandkids and her dog.  She enjoyed flowers and gardening.

She is survived by four children, Delorise Stephens, Denise Brewer and husband, Dennis, Debbie Burnett and mother’s dog, Rosie, all of West Plains, Missouri and Don Henry and wife, Sarah, Dexter, Missouri; ten grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one brother, Rick, Springfield, Missouri; and three sisters, Brenda and Thelma of Springfield, Missouri and Barbara of Paducah, Kentucky.

Her parents, husband, one granddaughter, Melissa; one brother, Charley and one sister, Pauline, preceded her in death.

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

A private graveside service for Enoch Tilson, 90, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at Ledbetter Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Tilson passed away 5:07 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born February 20, 1930, in Howell County, Missouri, to Alfred “Jack” Tilson and Vada Etchel Ledbetter Tilson.  On January 9, 1954, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Pauline Hudlow.  Enoch and Pauline loved each other greatly and had a wonderful life together.  He loved their gardens, fishing, Cardinals baseball, bluegrass music and just being together.  Enoch attended Pleasant Point School and West Plains High School.  Mr. Tilson was a veteran, having served with the United States Marines in Korea.  He received a Purple Heart for the injuries he received while serving our country.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Tilson; one brother, James Nevin Tilson and wife, Imogene, Park City, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Kate Robinson and two brothers, Irvin Tilson and J. B. Tilson, preceded him in death.

Mr. Tilson will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    Memorial contributions may be made to Ledbetter Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Dale Henry Mitchell, 72, Caulfield, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at his home. 

He was born December 17, 1947, at Elijah, Missouri, to Q. L. Mitchell and Georgia Gertrude Casey Mitchell.  On October 19, 1968, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Patsy Ann Kesner.  Mr. Mitchell worked at Baxter Lab before his retirement.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming and talking with people; he loved his grandkids, kids and his wife.  Mr. Mitchell was a member of Fowler Chapel Church; he was a faithful Christian and loved the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Mitchell, of the family home; two children, Daphne Stokes and husband, Donald, West Plains, Missouri and Liz Clements and husband, Jeff, Mountain Home, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Tyler Williams and wife, Jaden, Caulfield, Missouri, Nate Williams, Caulfield, Missouri, Olivia Clements, Mountain Home, Arkansas and Lincoln Clements, Mountain Home, Arkansas; two great-grandchildren; Kabella and Kreed; one sister, Carolyn Joy Brown and husband, David; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A private graveside service for Dorothy Louise Corwin, 97, Sanford, Florida, formerly of Pomona, Missouri, will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Corwin passed away 9:25 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2020 at Healthcare & Rehab of Sanford, Sanford, Florida.

She was born March 6, 1923, at Oakland, Texas, to Albert Sciba and Agnes Kubena Sciba.  On August 16, 1986, she was married at White Church, Missouri, to Robert Douglas Corwin, who preceded her in death on September 21, 2012.  Mrs. Corwin was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, White Church, Missouri.

She is survived by one son, Dale Wiebe; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Daria and one sister, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Corwin will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A private graveside service for Juanita Dixon, 99, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at Union Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Dixon passed away 2:22 p.m., Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born August 30, 1920, at Elk Creek, Missouri in Howell County, to Nellie King Morgan and Charley King.  Nita received her education at West Plains High School and graduated in 1939.  On February 14, 1942, she was united in marriage to Fent Dixon.  Mr. Dixon preceded her in death in 2001 after being married for fifty-nine years.  Nita Dixon captured the true spirit of the Greatest Generation that she was a part of for almost a century.  She was a high school athlete, captain of the volley ball team, who was both kind and beautiful.  She followed her husband across the country while he was serving the Army during World War II.  After her children were a little older, she went to work in county government until her retirement age of sixty-five.  She also enjoyed working as an election judge in Howell County for many, many elections.  Nita enjoyed cooking for her family and church community.  She was famous for her Howell County blue ribbon fudge and pickle relish.  She churned out the best homemade ice cream for gatherings at the Brandsville Church of Christ and her family enjoyed her iron skillet fried chicken at picnics and holidays.  Her grandchildren loved it when she played her harmonica or ball games with them.  She will be sadly missed by so many.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Havens and husband, Clinton, Ozark, Missouri and Nancy Joneshill, Searcy, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Vicky Smith and husband, Karl, Dane Joneshill and wife, Hannah, Clint Dallas Havens and wife, Ashley and Chelsea Etheridge and husband, Caleb; twelve great-grandchildren; and one sister, Aloth Driskell, Toquerville, Utah. 

Her parents, husband, infant son, John Patrick Dixon, sister, Lorene Bray and son-in-law, Barry Joneshill, preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Union Hill Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main, West Plains MO  65775.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date for Roger Dale Harris, 67, Pomona, Missouri. 

Mr. Harris passed away at 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2020 at his home.

He was born October 10, 1952, in Oregon County, Missouri, to Gilbert Harris and Irene Combs Harris.  Dale had worked at Invensys and DRS.  He loved fishing, hunting and playing pool.

He is survived by his special friend, Sharon Hale; three children, William Dale Harris and wife, Christy, West Plains, Missouri, Adam Eugene Harris, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Kaylynn Kramer and husband, Matt, Buffalo, Missouri; four grandchildren, Austin Harris, Logan Harris, Lincoln Kramer and Khloe Kramer; three brothers, Ronnie L. Harris and wife, Joy, West Plains, Richard Dean Harris and wife, Gina, Ash Grove, Missouri and Jay Roy Harris, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Janet Bennett and one brother, Randall Keith Harris, preceded him in death.