Obituaries

A memorial service for William Michael (Fuzzy) Gamblin, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mr. Gamblin passed away at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at his home.  

He was born October 28, 1950, at Memphis, Tennessee, to Albert Gamblin and Jetti Chappell Gamblin.  Fuzzy graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1970.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy.  On July 9, 1975, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Anita Lung.  Mr. Gamblin was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Gamblin, of the family home; two sons, Gage Michael Gamblin and wife, Daley, Austin, Arkansas and Cort William Gamblin, Springfield, Missouri; one grandchild, Goldie Lynn; one brother, Kenneth Gamblin; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents and one brother and sister-in-law, Conrad Lee and Wilma Gamblin preceded him in death.  

A private burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Donald Duane Williams, 75, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 9:03 p.m., Saturday, December 24, 2022, at his home.  

He was born April 1, 1947, at Fairberry, Illinois, to Glen and Gladys Williams.  Mr. Williams was a veteran, having served in the United States Army.  Before his retirement, he worked at Howard Johnson’s Hospitality.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, tinkering and working on cars.  Mr. Williams was of the Methodist faith.

He is survived by two children, Wendy Carrell and husband, Mack, West Plains and Duane Williams, Springfield, Illinois; four grandchildren, Daniel Caplinger and wife, Tabitha, Kayce Caplinger, Jonathan Williams and Kaytlynn Williams; three great-grandchildren, Aubrea, Alaina and Mathew. 

His parents, wife Pauletta and one sister, Sandy, preceded him in death.  

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

Graveside services for Gayla Rae Mitchell Langston, 69, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at Fowler Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Langston passed away at 5:33 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

She was born February 11, 1953, at Dayton, Ohio, to James and Althea (Post) Faulkner.  Gayla had a passion for cooking and owned her own restaurant.  She was a member of the Church of Christ. 

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Langston, of the family home; two children, Jim Kidwell, Stafford, Virginia, and Christy Flores (Jeo), Nokesville, Virginia; several grandchildren; three brothers, Tom Faulkner (Brenda), Nixa, Missouri, Raymond Faulkner, Springfield, Missouri, and Bill Faulkner, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one sister, Velma Christianson, and one brother, James Faulkner, preceded her in death.

Linda Jo Rhoads, 70, West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Thayer, Missouri, passed away at 7:25 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born June 5, 1952, at South Fork, Missouri, to Joseph Henry Rhoads and Luretta Cook Rhoads.  Linda made jewelry and quilts and enjoyed crafting and making dog clothes.

She is survived by three sisters, Mary Ellen Rhoads Stewart and husband, Richard, Doylestown, Ohio, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads Schmidt, Dupo, Illinois and Martha Ann Rhoads Hadley, Pottersville, Missouri; two brothers, Samuel Luther Rhoads, Caulfield, Missouri and William David Rhoads, St. Louis, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, two brothers, Joseph Daniel and John Allen, three brothers-in-law, Nathan Jefferies, Walter Schmidt and Carl Hadley, and one sister-in-law, Judy Rhoads, preceded her in death.  

The family will hold a private graveside service.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Graveside services for Harry Leroy Appel, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Gospel Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Appel passed away at 9:25 p.m., Sunday, December 25, 2022, at West Vue Nursing Center.  

He was born March 1, 1932, in Ellis County, Oklahoma, to Emanuel Appel and Martha Renner Appel.  Harry attended school in Bishop and Shattuck, Oklahoma.  On December 23, 1950, he was married to Carole Litchfield in Higgins, Texas.  Harry joined the United States Navy as a young man.  He served on the USS Bon Homme Richard, USS Coral Sea, USS St. Paul and the USS Tortuga.  Ships on which he served were deployed to Korea twice during the Korean War and four times to Vietnam during the Vietnam War.  He also trained recruits at San Diego Naval Base and Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois.  Mr. Appel retired after 20 years of service, having reached the rank of Lieutenant.  Harry was very proud of the years he spent in the Navy.  After retirement, Harry and Carole moved to a farm near Marshall, Arkansas.  Together they raised cattle for 40 years and planted huge gardens.  Harry also read electric meters and programmed voting machines for Searcy County.  In 2013, they moved to West Plains to be close to their daughter and family.  Harry enjoyed woodworking and created many pieces of furniture for family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Carole; daughter, Linda Hobbs and husband, Danny, West Plains; daughter-in-law, Laverne Appel Weems, Springdale, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Bethany (James) Kunz, Jason (Andrea) Appel, Brianne Hobbs and Travis (Ashley) Appel; nine great-grandchildren, Griffin, Garrett, Maya, Conner, Owen, Reece, Evan, Jacob and Avie; his siblings, Margaret Baker, Canyon, Texas, Ruth Sutherland, Choctaw, Oklahoma, Darlene (Ron) Stricker, Phoenix, Arizona and Larry (Judy) Appel, Dumas, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, one son, Tom Appel and one brother, Jim Appel, preceded him in death.  

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.

Funeral services for Florene Varue (Peachie) Roberson Moore, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2022, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Moore passed away at 7:45 a.m., Saturday, December 24, 2022, at her home.

She was born December 15, 1931, at Babylon, Long Island, New York, to Clifford Eugene and Ethel Robbinna (Crammond) Smith.  Peachie’s family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, when she was a child, and then settled in Hocomo, Missouri, when she was twelve years old.  She attended elementary school at Egypt Grove and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1950. Her first job was at Richard’s Brothers in West Plains.  She married her high school sweetheart, Dwayne Roberson, in 1951, and they moved to LaSalle Peru, Illinois, where they lived for sixteen years, before moving back to Hocomo in 1967.  Peachie cooked at South Fork Elementary school for many years, and was known and loved by the staff and students there.  She later cooked at Fairview Elementary, and finished her career at West Plains Elementary.  She made many life-long friends during those working years.  Peachie was loved by everyone that knew her.  She loved to sing and played the piano her entire life.  She had a beautiful alto voice, and knew every song in the Heavenly Highway’s Hymnal.  As a young adult, she and her husband, Dwayne, sang together in the Roberson Family Quartet. Peachie was a faithful supporter of Hammond Mill Bible Camp.  She was one of the first campers when the camp was founded in the early 1940s.  She worked tirelessly planning and cooking at the camp for over 40 years.  In her later years, Peachie stayed busy in her home, taking care of her husband, and she remains the Phase 10 Champion, even after being challenged many times by her grandchildren.  She loved working word puzzles, and never missed Wheel of Fortune.  She also loved to travel, and loved going to Branson to see the shows.  Peachie was a member of Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist church for over thirty years, and loved playing piano and singing with her church family.  At the time of her death, she was attending Calvary General Baptist Church with her husband Jay, as it was close to her home, and she loved the small congregation there.  Whether you called her Mom, Grandma Peachie, Aunt Peachie, or Sister Peachie, please know that she loved you all.  We will miss her, but we rejoice to know that she is singing with the angels now, and all her troubles on this earth are no more.

She is survived by four children, Randall Roberson, Danny Roberson (Rita), Kenny Roberson (Kim), and Kay Sharbono (LeRoy); nine grandchildren, Jason Roberson, Trevor Roberson, Jenna Cousins, Dana Gifford, Matthew Roberson, Grayson Strodtman, Levi Strodtman, Chelsea Ebner, and Garrett Strodtman; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one sister, Z. Kay Birckelbaw; and her husband, Jay Moore.

Her parents, husband, Dwayne Lee Roberson, one granddaughter, Serena Gail, and siblings, Duane, James, Darrell, Hardy, Alyne, and Zola, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Amy Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hammond Bible Camp and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Carol Joyce Barnett, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Barnett passed away at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at her home.

She was born October 13, 1944, at Woodlake, California, to Myrtle and Anna Mae (Duvall) Milam.  On October 6, 1984, she was married at Crossville, Tennessee, to Ron Barnett.  Mrs. Barnett was a meat cutter and co-owner of Barnett’s Meat Processing and Market.  She enjoyed traveling, hunting, and fishing.  She was a member of the Assembly of God.

She is survived by her husband, Ron, of the family home; two children, Alison Shannon and husband, David, West Plains, Missouri, and Sherry Campbell, West Plains, Missouri; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and one on the way; and one niece, Dianne Shahan.

Her parents, one son, Bill Coates, one sister, and two nieces preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Funeral services for Loeta May Watson, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Watson passed away at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at her home.

She was born January 19, 1937, at Barnsdall, Oklahoma, to Walter L. and Thelma Bartley Mayfield.  Loeta graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1955, and later graduated from a Bible college in Nebraska.  On October 6, 1961, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Virgil (Ray) Watson, who preceded her in death on September 19, 1992.  Mrs. Watson worked at the West Plains Credit Bureau for ten years and at West Plains Bank and Trust for thirty-seven years.  She was a member of First Church of God in West Plains, Missouri.

She is survived by two children, Steven R. Watson and spouse, Ronda, and Janet Watson and spouse, Howard Stoddard; two grandchildren, Brandon Watson and spouse, Nicole, and Stephanie Watson; one brother, Norman Mayfield and spouse, Evelyn; two brothers-in-law, Leroy Trantham, and Gene Watson and wife, Della; two sisters-in-law, Oneta Stevens and Nadene Young; and several nieces and nephews

Her parents, husband, and younger sister, Geneva Trantham, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Glenda Irene Fite, 82, West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Thayer, Missouri, passed away at 12:17 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center. 

 She was born May 23, 1940, at Quincy, Illinois, to Ralph Kramberg and Bessie Roberta Winget Kramberg.  Glenda graduated from Central High School, Camp Point, Illinois, with the Class of 1958.  She was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  On November 4, 1960, she was married at Fort Sam Houston Texas, to Victor Fite, Jr., who preceded her in death on December 5, 2000.  Mrs. Fite was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness and enjoyed doing church work.

 She is survived by two sons, Victor Fite III and wife, Diana, Mesa, Arizona and Walter Fite and wife, Rosemary, Batesville, Arkansas; one grandson, David Fite and wife, Amy; one great-granddaughter, Azura Fite; one brother, Richard Kramberg and wife, Marilyn, Clayton, Illinois; one sister, Sharon Earp, Dayton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. 

 Her parents and husband preceded her in death.  

 Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Please join the family in celebrating the life of Alice Deyonne Sparks, 66, West Plains, Missouri, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Pottersville Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Deyonne passed away peacefully at 6:40 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri due to complications from recent strokes.

She was born June 21, 1956, in Denver, Colorado, to Jim and Alice.  Deyonne loved giving gifts to people as she said that was her love language; she also enjoyed sewing, attending church services and watching her grandchildren.  She was a devout Christian who loved to share God’s words through her giving, generosity, volunteering and kindness.

She is survived by her one daughter, Amber Russell and  husband, Cory; one son, Daniel Sparks and wife, Sarah; her pride and joy, her grandkids, Koby Sparks, Katherine Sparks, Morgan Russell, Kooper Sparks, Caleb Russell and Kenley Russell; her mother, Alice Levesque and husband, Bob; her father, Jim Morgan and wife, Jan; two sisters, Glenda Shaw and husband, Jim and Kay Cowan and husband, Mark; several nieces, nephews and cousins; her living kidney donor; and a multitude of friends.  All of these people she loved and touched deeply.  

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Pottersville Baptist Church.  Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Jonesboro, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022.  Memorial contributions may be made to a charity that Deyonne was very passionate about, the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Jason Alan Orr, 43, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Orr passed away at 12:46 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2022, at his home.  

He was born August 20, 1979, at West Plains, Missouri, to Ray Ginder and Karen Kroening Ginder.  On July 12, 2005, he was married at Montego Bay, Jamaica, to Tara McDaniel.  Jason loved big. To know him was to love him. There is nothing he loved more than his family. He loved watching his girls play sports and loved the moments that he got to coach them. He also loved spending time in nature hunting and fishing with his girls. After working for nearly 25 years at Wal-Mart, Jason knew he wanted to make a difference in children’s lives and be there for his girls. Jason went back to school to get his teaching degree and spent the last two years teaching and coaching for the Glenwood school district. He was a big part of First United Methodist church and loved to serve and volunteer.

He is survived by his wife, Tara Orr, of the family home; two daughters, Ella Claire Orr and Molly Kate Orr, both of the family home; his parents, Ray and Karen Ginder; brother-in-law, Jeff McDaniel and wife, Brittany; grandmother-in-law, Flo McDaniel; niece, Emmy McDaniel; nephew, Hudson McDaniel; special friend, Garrett Warren; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

His grandparents, Franklin Kroening, Carl and Wilma Lang, Leon and Alberta Orr and Pat and Eunice Ginder, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rick and Bonnie McDaniel, grandfather-in-law, E. J. McDaniel, and cousin, Ryan McDaniel, preceded him in death.

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Molly and Ella Orr Account at West Plains Bank & Trust Co. and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Deborah Kay Stiner, 67, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 23, 2022 at Howell Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Stiner passed away at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022, at her home.  

She was born September 4, 1955, in the State of Nebraska, to Howard Kay Warner and Patricia Ann Mikesell Warner.  Mrs. Stiner had worked as a CNA.  She enjoyed riding horses, crossword puzzles and working cattle with her husband, Donnie.  Debbie loved her family. 

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Donnie Stiner; two children, Donnie Stiner, Jr. and Tonya Stiner; two sisters, Carol Marcak and husband, Bennie and Lynn Warner; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Bonnie Stiner; four brothers-in-law, Ronnie, Bo, Jessie and Billy Stiner and one sister-in-law, Maggie Stiner, preceded her in death.  

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.

Funeral services for Marcos Christopher, 63, Moody, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   

Mr. Christopher passed away at 5:45 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at his home. 

He was born August 30, 1959, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Harold and Victoria (Romo) Christopher.  He attended North Winneshiek High School, in rural Decorah, IA.  On August 5, 1987, he married Heather Webster-Craft in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  To this union, seven children were born.  Marcos and Heather were divorced in 2015.  On June 29, 2020, he married Carolyn J. Dunton in Gainesville, Missouri.  Mr. Christopher had a gift for training dogs and horses which took him to many places around the country.  He enjoyed leather working and crafted several saddles and tack, and was intrigued by metalworking, creating useful pieces to use on the farm.  He was passionate about playing and listening to music. Mr. Christopher was of the Christian faith. 

He is survived by his seven children; Andrew Christopher and one granddaughter, Autumn Mae Christopher, Olive Branch, Mississippi; Ethan Christopher, Moody, Missouri; Ania, Caleb, Joseph, Ellie, and Emily Christopher, all of Pottersville, Missouri; the children’s mother, Heather Christopher Uchtman, Pottersville, Missouri; and his wife Carolyn J. Christopher of Caulfield, Missouri; two brothers, Timon Christopher (Laurie), Decorah, Iowa; and Noe Christopher, Stevensville, Montana; three sisters, Eunice Christopher (Steve Hamilton), Decorah, Iowa, Elizabeth Feuerhelm (Brian), Lansing, Iowa, and Esther Christopher Kuhn, Decorah, Iowa; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at South Fork Cemetery.  A meal for family and friends will follow at the Moody Community Center in Moody, MO.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Christopher family and left or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

A Celebration of Life for Betty Louise Hartle, 89, Richland, Missouri, will be held in the Spring of 2023, and will be under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Hartle passed away at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Richland Care Center in Richland, Missouri.

She was born April 15, 1933, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Troy and Mattie Mae (Hayes) Whiteside.  She graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1951.  On April 24, 1954, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Ransom Bettis Hartle, who preceded her in death July 23, 2009.  Mrs. Hartle enjoyed needlework, refinishing furniture, reading, knitting, and crocheting.  She was of the Baptist faith. 

She is survived by one daughter, Geniece Warren and husband, Bruce, Richland, Missouri; two grandchildren, Barton Warren and wife, Meagan, Richland, Missouri, and Lillie DeHart and husband, Jake, Wichita, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Violet Warren, Elaine Warren, Ransom Warren, Warren DeHart, and Maisy DeHart; three brothers, Dean Whiteside and wife, Pat, James Marland Whiteside and wife, Mary Anna, and Richard Whiteside and wife, Donna; two sisters, Fern Tackitt and husband, Bob, and Elaine Durham and husband, Tilman; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, and one sister, Carolyn McLain, preceded her in death.

A private burial will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Animal Shelter and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

William Monroe Moncrief, 82, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2022, at his home.  

He was born May 6, 1940, at Wauchula, Florida, to P.A. Moncrief and Essie Irene Shappard Moncrief.  He was united in marriage to Brenda Busbey on June 9, 2001 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  For many years, Monroe managed a Publix in Florida before moving to Missouri in the 1980’s and was a truck driver for several years.  In the late 1980’s he bought land in White Church, Missouri and raised cattle.  For the past 20 years, Monroe drove medical transportation before retiring in 2020 from Ready Transportation.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger days and loved a good crossword puzzle.  He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed his family more than anything.  Monroe will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife of over 21 years, Brenda Moncrief; two daughters, Reina McCullough and husband, Ronnie, Gainesville, Missouri and Retha Rickman and husband, William, West Plains,  Missouri; seven grandchildren, Dakota and Leighann McCullough, State of Tennessee, Gage and Peyton McCullough, Gainesville, Missouri and Kenyon, Kendra and Favre Kiger, West Plains; special friends, Will Berry and Sherri Crowley, both of West Plains and Carolyn McCullough, Gainesville, Missouri; and family fur baby, Dottie. 

His parents, one brother, Shorty Moncrief, one sister, Irene Atchley, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bessie and Willie Busbey, brother-in-law, Calvin Busbey and grandmother-in-law, Cubby Reid, preceded him in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life for Dorothy Anne (Dottie) Summers, 71, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Ms. Summers passed away at 1:47 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Ozarks Healthcare.

She was born July 30, 1951, to Cecil Richard and Emma Louise (Hurst) Summers.  She graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1969.  She attended Missouri State University, and was a member of the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.  Ms. Summers was a schoolteacher, having taught in the Waynesville and West Plains school districts.  She was instrumental in developing the At Risk program in West Plains, and was also a teacher in that program.  Her students were always “her kids”.  Ms. Summers enjoyed flowers and reading.  She loved her family very much, and was proud to be “Gram” to her grandkids.  She and Doug were special friends for seven years; all it took was a phone call.  Ms. Summers was a member of the Church of God.

She is survived by one daughter, Hillary Tugwell and husband, Jim, West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Emma, Mary Katherine (Kate), and James Andrew; special friend, Doug Parrish; and several cousins.

Her husband, Van Miller, her parents, and one brother, Richard (Dick) Summers, preceded her in death.

Burial will be at Howell Valley Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Education Foundation and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Laurel Thompson, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022 at First Christian Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   

Laurel Ray Thompson, beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather, passed into eternity Wednesday morning, December 14, following a brief illness. 

How can one write an obituary for someone who, by the grace of God and the love of another, made you?  I am not certain it is possible, but I will try. 

A life-long resident of West Plains, Laurel was born at his parents’ modest home on a high hill (where the county health department now sits) in West Plains on May 31, 1932. He no doubt lived the typical busy life of a small-town boy in the 1930s and ‘40s. He was fortunate to enjoy being surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins on both his mother’s and father’s side of the family. He lived at several locations in the West Plains area and even in Seattle for a time when his father was in the Navy. His solo train trip to Seattle when he was 12—armed with more than one fried chicken and a plethora of doughnuts–made for a favorite story.  Laurel began his education at home with his mother, who taught him numbers, letters, and how to tell time as she went about her household tasks. He started his formal schooling in a one-room schoolhouse and then attended D.W. Reese school on Grace Avenue. He graduated with the West Plains High School class of 1950, having attended classes at Central, which is now Looney Hall on the Missouri State University campus.  It was in high school that Laurel met the love of his life, Margaret Myrtle Morrell. Margaret had moved to West Plains from Kansas with her parents when she was 16. The sweet couple married on March 17, 1951, in a small ceremony at the parsonage of the First Christian Church.  After marriage, Laurel and Margaret moved to Kansas City while Laurel attended Central Technical Institute to attain his First-Class Radio Telephone license. When he finished his training, he and Margaret returned to West Plains where they have forever after made their home.  Laurel is well-known for his long career in radio broadcasting and his civic engagement from the 1950s onward. For him and his family, his greatest accomplishments were his long marriage to Margaret and their family of five children. He said more than once that his goal was to help West Plains grow and prosper, to be a place where his children could grow up to live and work and raise their own families. It was for this that he selflessly and tirelessly labored at work and civic projects that he believed in.  Laurel’s remarkable list of achievements began in his youth. Active in Boy Scouts, he was an Eagle Scout and was awarded the Order of the Arrow. In the mid-1950s, he was instrumental among community members who wanted their own hospital. Ozarks Medical Center came into being due fundraising efforts that allowed anyone, especially those of modest means, to support the financial goals. Once the hospital was a reality, Laurel was a walking blood bank for the hospital. He further served the hospital for 8 years as a board member and vice-chair.  We cannot enumerate all of Laurel’s achievements here but will give some highlights. Laurel may be best known for his 40-year career in radio broadcasting at KWPM and in the Neathery cable television system. He enjoyed a second career in retail, and a third career as Public Information Officer for the City of West Plains.  He worked for 13 years on the Chamber Advisor Committee for SMSU-West Plains, was a Rotarian for 47 years, a member of the West Plains Industrial Development Corporation and part of the Ozarks Development Corporation, West Plains Aero Club, West Plains Tourism Development Council, the Missouri Corridor Coalition (chairman), the Highway 63 Corridor group (co-chair), and the West Plains Civic Center Board. He was active in the National Association of Broadcasters and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, where he served as president. The list of accomplishments and honors goes on and on. He was probably most gratified by his work for the creation and administration of Ozarks Medical Center, his work to bring SMSU-West Plains into being, and ODC’s Ozark Sheltered Industries in Pomona. Education and opportunity for all were close to his heart.  All his loved ones are so proud of, so awed by, all that he has accomplished and all the lives he has touched. He never sought the spotlight, though. For us today, the importation thing is that he was a loving husband, father, grand- and great-grandfather. He modeled service and humility all his life, in all aspects of his life. Taking family members, young and old alike, on their first plane ride; taking his children and grandchildren fishing—especially trout fishing on the White River—and hunting were among his greatest joys. He loved telling stories, and he had so many. He was a walking family and community historian. He will be remembered for his ready smile, his ready laugh, his ornery sense of humor, and his unwavering commitment to his family and his community.   

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Thompson, of the family home; three children, Jim Thompson and wife, Sarah, West Plains, Russell Thompson and wife, An, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee and Vickie Petkovic, West Plains; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Leon Thompson, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, one daughter, Sherrill Ann Thompson, one son, Steven Kent Thompson and one grandson, Jeffrey Scott Thompson, preceded him in death. 

Mr. Thompson will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Rotary Club for the backpack program and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. 

Funeral services for Kathryn Faye Provow, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2022 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Provow passed away at 8:54 a.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.  

She was born March 14, 1939, in Alexander County, Illinois, to Clyde Everett Tatum, Sr. and Anna Mae Dillman Tatum.  On March 4, 1957, she was married at West Plains, to Charlie Homer Provow, who preceded her in death on October 25, 2019.  Before her retirement, Mrs. Provow was a Beautician.  She loved her family and enjoyed gardening, watching wildlife and making bird houses.  Mrs. Provow was of the Baptist faith. 

She is survived by two children, Billy Provow and wife, Linda, Pottersville, Missouri and Debra Lambert and husband, Douglas, West Plains; four grandchildren, Corey Lambert and wife, Chantell, Alichia Boshears and husband, Derek, Felicia Julian and Charlie Lampley and wife, Melanie; five great-grandchildren, Kylar Lambert, Tristyn Lambert, Kallie Julian, Charles Lampley, Jr. and Kenzi Perkins; two brothers, Bill Tatum and wife, Rose Marie and Clyde Tatum, Jr. and wife, Jan; one brother-in-law, Roy Provow and wife, Mona; one sister-in-law, Karen Sue Tatum; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husband, one infant son, David Provow, two brothers, Leonard and Leroy Tatum and three sisters, Carolyn Kee, Karen Kennedy and Evelyn Jost, preceded her 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 Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  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.

Graveside services for Junior Clay Dillin, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Dillin passed away at 7:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born July 5, 1937, at Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Leo and Virginia (Cleghorn) Dillin.  On February 22, 1961, he was married at Lemay, Missouri, to Luella Pinnon.  Mr. Dillin was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  He had been a welder at a shipyard in Saint Louis.  He loved to talk and tell long stories.  He especially loved his family.  Mr. Dillin was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Luella, of the family home; three children, Mike Dillin and wife, Jane, Cabool, Missouri, Mark Dillin and wife, Tammy, Caulfield, Missouri, and Roger Dillin and wife, Traci, Arnold, Missouri; three grandchildren, Rebecca, Austin, and Sarah; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Fay Stahl, Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Elsie Pinnon and husband, Edward, South Fork, Missouri.

His parents, one brother, and one sister preceded him in death.

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