Obituaries

Donald Clyde Mealy, Jr., 67, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 9:05 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at his home.  

He was born March 10, 1956, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Donald Clyde Mealy, Sr. and Anne Hutson Mealy.  On June 9, 1979, he was married at Lawton, Oklahoma, to Susan Harmon.  Don was the owner and manager of Twin Bridges Bar & Grill, which he enjoyed.  He was a hard worker and loved serving people.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Mealy, of the family home; and one son, Alex Mealy, Springfield, Missouri. 

His parents and one sister, Judy Osborne preceded him in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Funeral services for Judie Ann White, 63, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2023, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. White passed away at 10:13 a.m., Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at her home.  

She was born February 7, 1960, at Wyandotte, Michigan, to Ike Compau and Mary Weininger.  On June 17, 1983, she was married at Tarpon Springs, Florida, to Ronald White.  Mrs. White had worked as a cardiac tech at Bayonet Point Regional Hospital.  She enjoyed reading, writing, singing, baking and cake decorating.  Judie was a proud supporter of all animal organizations.  Mrs. White had been of the Pentecostal faith for thirty-eight years.

She is survived by her husband, Ron White; two children, Katherine Adolphson and husband, Jason and Tim White and significant other, Amanda Morton, all of West Plains; six grandchildren, Amber Rose and husband, Jose’ Zuniga, Charles Smoot, Garrett Smoot, Sarahbeth Adolphson, Dawson White and Atlee White; her step-father, Max Allgood; three brothers, Steve Kennan, Darren Keenan and Bryan Keenan; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2023 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pottersville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Eunice Mae Foster, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Foster passed away at 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born May 2, 1928, at Vidette, Arkansas, to Charlie Wray and Delia Johnson Wray.  Before her retirement, Mrs. Foster worked at The International Shoe Factory.  She enjoyed cooking, sewing, embroidery work and working in her yard.  She loved to help people.  Mrs. Foster was a member of Good News Baptist Chapel.

She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Chapin and husband, Roy; two grandchildren, Catherine Walters and husband, Darin and Elizabeth Bowen and husband, Raymond; three great-grandchildren, Aiden Walters, Wyatt Bowen and Reagan Bowen; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, two husbands, W. Ray Cannon and A. L. Foster, three brothers, Dwaine, Charles and Robert Wray and one sister, Lois Harber, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for James Junior Rigger (Rieger), 96, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr.  Rigger passed away at 2:16 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at his home.  

He was born July 24, 1926, at Dora, Missouri, to James Rieger and Florence Orwick Rieger.  On July 27, 1947, he was married at West Plains, to Phyllis Lorene Dobbs, who preceded him in death on August 24, 2013.  Mr. Rigger was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during WWII and received many medals and accomplishments, including the Victory Medal European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Purple Heart Medal, Soldiers Medal and Army Occupation Medal of Germany; he fought in the Ordains-Rhineland Central Europe Campaign.  Before his retirement, Mr. Rigger was a lineman at Howell-Oregon Electric Coop.  He loved spending time with family and enjoyed being in nature.  One of his biggest joys in life was helping people.  James was a member of the VFW, Lion’s Club, Order of the Eastern Star and was a Mason.

He is survived by two children, Katherine Allee, Nixa, Missouri and Larry Rigger and wife, Kathleen, Springfield, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Joyce Rigger, Nixa, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Dawn Bruffett and wife, Ellie, State of New York, James Bruffett and wife, Kendra, Nixa, Missouri, Amber Hopper Gall, Springfield, Missouri, Elizabeth Wheeler and husband, Ben, Springfield, Tara Rigger and husband, Allan Gibson, Springfield, Serenity Matney and husband, Tony, Lampe, Missouri and Eli Rigger, Nixa, Missouri; nine great-grandchildren, Skyla Bruffett, Henry Matney, Nate, William and Evie Bruffett, Kesler and Surelle Gibson, Ethan Hopper and Adeline Wheeler; two brothers, Lloyd Rieger and wife, Aggie, Twin Falls, Idaho and Norman Rieger, Aniston, Alabama; three sisters-in-law, Joy Rieger, West Plains, Gloria Rieger, Stockton, California and Delores Driscoll and husband, Jim, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, wife, one son, Bradley James Rigger, two great-grandchildren, Chloe Martinez and Jake Wheeler, two brothers, Joseph and Clinton Rieger, one sister-in-law, Peggy Rieger and one brother-in-law, Hervy Dobbs and wife, Donna, preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Hale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hale Cemetery or Sweeton Pond Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775

Funeral services for Richard Dewight Bean, 58, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 12, 2023, at West 160 Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Bean passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at his home.  

He was born April 5, 1965, at Mountain View, Missouri.  Richard is the son of the late James Ralph Bean and Mary Sue Marshall Bean and son-in-law to Sally Ann and Gary Johnson.  Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, being outdoors and gardening; he was always busy.  He was a strong Father figure to many and was loved by many friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Marcella Scott Bean; three daughters, Amanda Bean (Johnathan Vick), West Plains,  Nicole Bean (Tim Williams) Louisville, Kentucky and Victoria Bean, West Plains; two sons, Aarron Bean (Chrystal) and Charles Bean, both of West Plains; eight grandchildren, Hayden Bean, Jaycee and Luka Roberts, Huxley Cates, Stella Bean, Ezekiel and Mathias Vick and Alina Bean; five sisters, Connie Smith (Jim) West Plains, Judy Bratton (Jim), Joplin,  Missouri, Katrina Patterson (Fiancée Chuck Lovejoy), Jessup, Georgia, Iris Hensley (Rod), Pottersville, Missouri and Hope Belt (Randy), Caulfield, Missouri; two brothers, Ricky Bean (Robbie), West Plains and Eddie Bean (Tammy), Yellville, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, two sons, Dale D. Bean and Doug A. Tucker and father-in-law, Dale K. Scott, preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at West 160 Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Bly (Big Springs) Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Bly Cemetery or OMC Cancer Treatment Center and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Visitation services for Harriet Irene Daily Hedrick Kuebler, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 12, 2023, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Kuebler passed away Sunday, May 7 2023 surrounded by her family at home. She was born June 22, 1928 at Robinson, Illinois to Leonard and Minnie (nee Faught) Daily.  She married Nelson Frazier Hedrick on June 1, 1951. After her late husband’s passing in 1976, she married Walter Carl Kuebler on June 13, 1992.

She is survived by six sons: Loyd (Mary) Daily, Melvin (Cherie), Leon (Pat), Joseph (Tina), Warren (Joanne), and Kevin (Denise) Hedrick, as well as Steven, Ronnie (Mary), and Jeff Kuebler; 25 grandchildren: Lori Jo (Matt), Deena Lee, Anna, Angela (Kevin), Joe Jr. (Shannon), Kelly (Dan), Michelle (Joe), Melynda (Karsten), Kevin, Timothy (Regina), Adam, Missy (Kurt), Jeanne, Amanda (Eric), Kristy (Zack), Joey, Kerrie, Bobby, Shaunda, Tiffany, Tony (Jessica), Adam (Natasha), Johnathen, Kaitlan, and David;40 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Banks; and several nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Minnie Daily, brothers Leonard and Ray, sister Pete, and two husbands, Nelson Hedrick and Walter Kuebler. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Sandra Ann Madison, 63, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 11:15 p.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at her home.  

She was born December 3, 1959, at Fort Yukon, Alaska, to Jonathon Solomon and Hannah Williams Solomon.  On August 18, 2001, she was married at Fairbanks, Alaska, to Berthold Madison.  Sandra enjoyed beading, fishing with her grandsons and traveling back to Alaska.  She was a record holder for the World Eskimo Indian Olympics.  She was also an elder of the nutritional tribe and a lifetime member of St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church.

She is survived by her husband, Burthold Madison, West Plains, Missouri; two children, Vanessa Rickers and Elizabeth Phyfe; six grandchildren, Denique Nelson, Faith Baker, Chance Baker, Justin Baker, Ashton Stokes and Arianna Stokes; one great-grandchild, Ophelia; her mother, Hannah Solomon, Fort Yukon, Alaska; six brothers, Raymond Solomon, Fort Yukon, Alaska, David Solomon and wife, Doris, Copper Center, Alaska, Robert Solomon and wife, Patsy, Fort Yukon, Alaska, Jonathon Solomon, Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska, Duane Solomon and wife, Susan, Fort Yukon, Alaska and Theodore Solomon and wife, Rachel, Fort Yukon, Alaska; two sisters, Mary Beth Solomon, Fort Yukon, Alaska and Georgina Solomon and husband, Duke, Galena, Alaska; and several nieces and nephews.   

Her father preceded her in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Billy Gene Judd, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Pottersville Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.     

Mr. Judd passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

He was born October 13, 1942, near Rover, Missouri, to Edward Mark (Bud) Judd and Goldie French Judd.  Billy attended school at Thomasville, Missouri and graduated from Alton High School with the Class of 1961.  Mr. Judd was a veteran, having served with the United States Army in Korea.  In 1967 he was married to Faye Moss and to their union one son, Kevin was born.  Billy enjoyed coon hunting, mowing the yard and restoring old pickup trucks.  He retired from SEI , West Plains in 2004 as a fork lift driver, which he loved to reminisce about.  He loved it when he could tell coon hunting and other stories to people who dropped by.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Faye Judd, of the family home; one son, Kevin Judd, West Plains; two grandchildren, Katie Young and husband, Jason, Malta Bend, Missouri and Kameron Judd, Nashville, Tennessee; two brothers, Larry Judd and wife, Bertie and Rick Judd and wife, Rachel, all of West Plains; and many other relatives and friends. 

His parents, one infant daughter, Kari Ann, and one brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Joyce Judd, preceded him in death.     

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

Ricky Joe Haynes, 60, West Plains, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at his home.  

He was born August 1, 1962, at Cabool, Missouri, to Hurshel Haynes and Geraldine Wilkerson Haynes.  On November 20, 2005, he was married at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to Pamela Rothe.  Bluegrass music was Ricky’s passion; he played guitar, mandolin and banjo.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Mr. Haynes loved talking and spending time with his grandkids.  He never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Haynes, of the family home; son, Shawn Haynes, Tammy and Shay, Paragould, Arkansas; step-children, Kara Marler and Zach, Westville, Oklahoma, Candi Sisco, Thayer, Missouri and Christopher Mathis, Paragould, Arkansas; his grandchildren, Liam, Rosalie, Decklan, Dakota, Aubrey and Scarlet; two brothers, Jerry Haynes and wife, Joy, Foley, Alabama and Bruce Haynes and wife, Kathy, Buffalo, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; and other family and friends that were like family. 

His parents, one daughter, Delena Clements, one grandson, Quinten Marler and six brothers, Kenny,  Mike, Roger, Danny, Steve and Randy Haynes, preceded him in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Terry Lane Haish, Jr., 48, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 6:00 a.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, at his home,

Mr. Haish was born December 25, 1974, at Aurora, Illinois, to Terry Lane Haish, Sr. and Colleen Lenert.  He was a truck driver for U.S. Xpress.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, and staying active.  Mr. Haish loved spending time with his family and friends, and he was always the life of the party.

He is survived by one son, Kristopher Haish and wife, Samanta, state of Illinois; three sisters, Jennifer Millen and husband, Andrew, State of Michigan, Pamela Haish, West Plains, Missouri, and Kristine Cherry, Hinkley, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

His daughter, Mariah Haish, mother, Colleen Haish, and grandmother, Mary Lenert, preceded him in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Illinois at a later date.  

Local arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Johnny Gilbert Wilson, 87, Pottersville, Missouri, passed away at 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born April 23, 1936, at Cook County, Illinois, to John Wilson and Patricia Bray.  On May 1, 1970, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Carol Harris, who preceded him in death April 29, 2023.  Mr. Wilson worked at Southwest Truck Body for a number of years.  He loved to go fishing with his wife, and he went hunting a lot.  He had a large collection of fishing lures.  Mr. Wilson was a member of Pottersville Baptist Church for fifty-three years.

He is survived by three children, Randy Wilson, Highlandville, Missouri, Brian Wilson, Pottersville, Missouri, and Crystal Frazier, West Plains, Missouri; a bunch of grandchildren; a few more great-grandchildren; one brother, Don Wilson and wife, Sharon, Springfield, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, Carol Wilson, and one son, Michael Wilson, preceded him in death.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Carol Jean Wilson, 77, Pottersville, Missouri, passed away at 8:23 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born June 26, 1945, at West Plains, Missouri, to Eugene Harris and Bertie VonAllmen.  On May 1, 1970, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Johnny Wilson.  Mrs. Wilson was a physical therapist at West Vue.  She loved going fishing with her husband and going to yard sales.  She also loved to spend time with her family.  Mrs. Wilson was a member of Pottersville Baptist Church for fifty-three years. 

She is survived by her husband, Johnny Wilson, Pottersville, Missouri; four children, Vera Collins and husband, Danny, Pottersville, Missouri, Liz Harris, Conway, Arkansas, Brian Wilson, Pottersville, Missouri, and Crystal Frazier, West Plains, Missouri; a bunch of grandchildren; a few more great-grandchildren; two brothers, Glen Harris and wife, Cecile, West Plains, Missouri, and Steve Harris and wife, Sue, West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Marie Thatcher and husband, Wayne, South Carolina, and Alma Harris, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home

Graveside services for Mary Ruth Kirkland, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Baptist Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Kirkland went to be with the Lord at 5:05 a.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born in 1944 to Marion Taylor and Minerva Beard Taylor.  On March 7, 1970, she was married in Ozark County, Missouri, to Kenneth Kirkland, who preceded her in death on September 3, 2017.  Mrs. Kirkland worked at the West Plains Bank for 26 years, as well as helping Kenny on their farm near Caulfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Clinton Taylor and Dennis Taylor, her two sisters, Velma Taylor and Louise Climer, one sister in law, Lucy Taylor and one nephew, Clinton Taylor Jr.

She is survived by eight nephews, Jimmy Taylor (wife Debbie), Vigil Goodwin (wife Azira), Joe Taylor (wife Arlene), David Climer (wife Suzanne), Glenn Climer (wife Jane), Mathew Taylor, (wife Becky), Shannon Taylor (wife Erin) and Cahen Taylor; two nieces, Sally Hunt and Courtney Bledsoe (husband Gary); and all her great-nephews and great-nieces she loved and tried to spoil.

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

Graveside services for Patricia Ann Chopski Kinder, 92, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, with a viewing after the service, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Reverend David Ball will officiate.  

Mrs. Kinder passed away at 10:32 p.m., Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born September 14, 1930 in Dewey, Oklahoma, to Nicholas Adam Chopski and Anna Mae Easley Chopski.   She was married December 18, 1948 in Sturkie, Arkansas to Paul Dean Kinder who preceded her in death on April 19, 1990.

She is survived by one son, Paul David Kinder, West Plains; two daughters, Erma Harris (Tom), West Plains and Nancy Menningen, Lake of the Ozarks; a son-in-law, David Murphy; ten grandchildren, Trista Mendenahl, Derek Menningen (Meredith), Ray Murphy (Amy), Bryan Harris (Ginger), Ted Harris (Kristina), Joel Harris (Leslie), D.J. Surritte (Jessica), Cassie Kinder, Tessa Carlson (Erik) and Evan Kinder (Lorrin); twenty-two great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; one sister, Ruby Due (Manuel “Red”) West Plains; one brother, Donald Chopski (Nellie) Springfield; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in law. Doyle Surritte and Christy Dowell remain special members of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two daughters, Myrna Sue Surritte and Brenda Murphy, one son-in-law, Monte Menningen, four infant grandchildren, her father-in law and mother-in-law, Thomas Roscoe Kinder and Grace Kinder, and several brothers/sisters-in-law.

Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Claudette Louisa (Frankie) Yoder, 81, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 12, 2023, at Fowler Cemetery. 

Mrs. Yoder passed away at 1:34 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023, at her home.  

She was born March 25, 1942, at Lewiston, Maine, to Reginald Martin and Violet Dulac Martin.  On February 25, 1966, she was married at Bristol, Indiana, to Jerry Yoder.  Frankie enjoyed sewing, crafting, gardening and bird watching.  Her favorite pastime was aggravating her husband and children.  She had a wonderful personality and never met a stranger.  Mrs. Yoder attended First Christian Church for several years.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Yoder, Caulfield, Missouri; six children, Stephanie Lynn Pearson and husband, Robert, Caulfield, Scott Yoder and wife, Pat, Augusta, Kansas, Stacey Ledbetter and husband, Steve, Shelley Bean and husband, Billy, Shane Yoder and Suzette Moss and husband, Charles, all of Caulfield; twenty grandchildren; forty-six great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, John Martin, State of California; three sisters, Jeanette Brown, State of Michigan, Annette DuLaney, State of Texas and Bernadette Milmoore, State of California; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, one great-granddaughter, Maddie Pearson, three brothers, Victor, Richie and Lester and one sister, Reggie, preceded her in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital for Children and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

John Charles Kosin, 62, West Plains, Missouri, passed away April 26, 2023, at his home.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Visitation services for Burton John Ory, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, in the Main Room at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Major Burton John Ory was born July 8, 1950, in Reserve, Louisiana, to Raymond Ory, Sr. and Claudia Ory and departed this life on April 25, 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Pitcock Ory; two daughters, Julie Ory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Melissa Ory Suarez and husband, Alex, Allen, Texas; his blessing of five grandchildren; three brothers, Ronald Ory and wife, Linda, Brandon, Florida, Raymond Ory and wife, Susan, Katy, Texas and Rodney Ory and wife, Lynn, LaPlace, Louisiana; one sister, Kathy Ory Snage and husband, Alex, High Point, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. 

Burt always had a love of law enforcement.  He graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a Master’s degree in criminology and began his career with an internship with the FBI.  He joined the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1972, where he remained until his retirement in 2004.  While there he quickly worked his way up the ranks, being promoted to lieutenant, captain and major.  Mr. Ory served his community for thirty-two years.  Burt was also a veteran, having served with the United States Marines for eight years before he was honorably discharged.  He was in the Marine Reserves from 1972 – 1980. 

He was an avid fisherman and loved to rebuild antique and classic cars.  There was always a car in his garage that he was working on.  Burt also loved cooking and was frequently asked to prepare his great pots of jambalaya for local community functions.  He loved sharing his cooking and if you ever visited him, you always left with something special from his freezer.     

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Louisiana at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Regional Animal Shelter and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Betty Sue Chronister, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, at Hickory Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Chronister departed this life on April 27, 2023, at West Plains, Missouri.

She was born July 26, 1933, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Earl and Ethel Gold.  Sue graduated from elementary and high schools in St. Louis, Missouri.  The family attended Tower Grove Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where she met Robert “Bob” Chronister, her future husband.  After high school, Sue attended college in Bolivar, Missouri.  During that time, Bob was enlisted in the Air Force.  While he was enroute to a new assignment near Seattle, they were married on June 11, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri.  They lived in the state of Washington until he completed his enlistment, then they returned to the St. Louis area.  They lived in Crestwood, Missouri, where their two sons, Craig and Brian, were born.  In 1976, they relocated to Alton, Missouri.  While living in Alton, they attended Alton First Baptist Church where Bob served as a deacon and Sue taught Sunday school for several years.  Sue also worked for the Alton school district as a secretary.  In 2020, they relocated to West Plains, Missouri, to be closer to their family.  Sue enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and contributing to local church cookbooks.  She also enjoyed gardening and crafts.

She is survived by her two sons, Craig Chronister and wife, Angie, and Brian Chronister, all of West Plains; sister-in-law, Carolyn Belt, Alton; brother-in-law, Vernon and wife, Joyce, West Plains; nieces, Terry Belt, Arlington, Virginia, and Jill Bruyr and husband, Keith, Thayer, Mo; nephews, Richard Chronister and wife, Regena, West Plains, and Andrew Chronister and wife, Kimberly, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and many cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of nearly sixty-nine years, her parents, Earl and Ethel Gold, parents-in-law, E.J. and Ina Chronister, uncles, aunts, and cousins, as well as beloved dogs, Barney & Blackie.

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

Graveside services for Roger Steven (Steve) Cockman, 72, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Pottersville Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    The family will hold a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Center of God Church, 4474 State Route K, West Plains.  Family and friends are invited to a gathering at 4Corners Store, KK & AD Hwy after the conclusion of the graveside service.

Mr. Cockman passed away early Tuesday morning, April 25, 2023 from complications from COPD and emphysema after a three year battle with cancer.

He was born February 23, 1951, at Greensboro, North Carolina, to Hubert Cockman and Stella Johnson Cockman.  Before his retirement, Steve worked at University of Arkansas, Little Rock.  He loved spending time with his daughter and grandkids, cutting and raking hay every season and helping his neighbors mend fences and work cattle.

He is survived by his domestic partner of twenty-five years, Carol Bishop; son, Joseph Steven Williams, Mount Vernon Arkansas;  daughter, Lisa Terry, West Plains; and four grandchildren, Nehemiah Bishop, Lexus Kamm, Coral Kamm and James Kamm. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Pottersville Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.