Obituaries

Funeral services for Oleta Mae Hatfield Auffert, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Auffert passed away at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at her home.  She had just turned ninety-five years old.

She was born May 6, 1927, at Stilwell, Oklahoma, to Oren Franklin and Hazel Mae Parsons Hatfield.  She graduated from Dahlonegah Public Schools in Stilwell with the Class of 1946.  On May 5, 1946, she was married at Stilwell to Joseph Everett Auffert, who preceded her in death in May 2004.  Mrs. Auffert was a homemaker and, from time to time, would babysit for special friends.  Granny’s hobbies included putting puzzles together, tending to her many flowers, and spending time with her family.  She was still an active member of the Howell County Rural Fire District #1 Auxiliary.  She had also helped to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Research.  She enjoyed the many phone calls, visits, and cards she received through the years.  Mrs. Auffert did what she could do for her community as long as her health would allow it.  She was well-known for her Famous Fresh Apple Cake.  Mrs. Auffert was a member of Curry Street Church of Christ, where she attended for over seventy years.

She is survived by two children, Joe Auffert, West Plains, Missouri, and Louise Ledbetter and husband, Gene, West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren, Rick Ledbetter and special friend, Vicky Combs, Christel Cantrell and special friend, Terry King, and Stacie Auffert and special friend, Mark Rumbaugh, all of West Plains, Missouri, and Twyla Riley and husband, Danny, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and three great-grandchildren, McKenzie E’Lease Cox and fiancé, Jake Garrett, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and  Emalee Grace Brashear and Marlee Shayne Brashear, West Plains, Missouri.  She is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Everett, daughter-in-law, Gayla Auffert, granddaughter, Stephanie Dawn Auffert, son-in-law, Gene Cantrell, and one brother, Herman Hatfield.

Visitation will be prior to the service, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Casket honors during visitation will be provided by Southern Tri-County Honor Guard.  Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Howell County Rural Fire District #1 Auxiliary or Cystic Fibrosis and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Billy Ray Clark, 63, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2022, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Clark passed away at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at his home.

He was born May 20, 1958 at West Plains, Missouri, to Wilmer Dale Clark and Elizabeth Marsh.  On June 15, 1991, he was married at Casper, Wyoming, to Angela Renee Kenitzer.  Mr. Clark worked in construction and was great at it.  He loved his hunting dogs, and to go hunting and fishing.  He enjoyed farming and taking care of all of the animals.  Mr. Clark attended church at Cornerstone Family Worhsip.

He is survived by his wife, Angela, of the family home; one son, Chris Clark and wife, Erika, Kansas City, Missouri; two step-children, Heidi Duell and husband, Ryan, Boise, Idaho, and Joshua Kenitzer and wife, Trish, Buffalo, New York; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim Clark and wife, Cathy, Edgerton, Kansas; and one sister, Sandy Null, Little Rock, Arkansas.

His parents preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Valley Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Howell Valley Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Lorine Mae Gannon, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2022, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Gannon passed away at 5:35 p.m., May 6, 2022, two days shy of her 91^st birthday at West Vue Green House Homes.  

She was born May 8, 1931, at Hugoton, Kansas, along with her twin sister, Dorine Mae, to James E. Webb and Rosa A. Bartels Webb.  As a small child, her family moved to Compton, California, where she received her education.  Her mother was a homemaker and her father a carpenter and Preacher in the Church of God.  It was there she met Clarence E. (Gene) Gannon.  Lorine and Gene were married on December 24, 1947.  Gene preceded her in death on September 16, 2002.  To their union three children were born, Peggy Ann, Charles Eugene and Vicki Lee.  In 1963, they moved to West Plains.  Lorine was a wonderful mother and grandmother who made the best applesauce tarts and pies.  She was a homemaker, loved to sew, make quilts, work jigsaw puzzles and collect dolls.  Lorine had a big heart and always watched for ways to help others.  Above all she was a faithful Christian from an early age and loved to read her Bible.  She served as youth leader for many years in the Church of God and was a member of the Gideon’s Ladies Auxiliary, alongside her husband.  Lastly, she attended United Freewill Baptist Church and West Vue worship services. 

She is survived by three children, Peggy Kimbrough, West Plains, Charles Gannon and wife, Jayne, Anderson, Indiana and Vicki Jones and husband, Max, West Plains; her grandchildren, Tracy Morris and husband, George Bressie, Jeannie Cox and husband, David, Jason Gannon and Brian Gannon, Alan Jones and wife, Kim and Alesha Tripp and husband, Thomas; great-grandchildren, David (Zach) Cox, Courtney Hamilton and husband, Matt, Cooper Gannon, Keylee Jones, Isaiah Jones and April Tripp; several nieces and nephews ; and her extended family, Lanny Kimbrough and wife, Deana, Andrew, Katie, Blake, Karlee and Nate; Chuck Kimbrough and wife Erin, Kyle and Abbey; Andrea Edwards Dewey and husband, Matt, Cora, Emma, Ava and Finn.

Her parents, husband, siblings, Elnora, Dorine, Sadie, Lavena Marie, Corena, Irvin and Alvin, great-grandson, Zebulon S. Cox, son-in-law, William J. Kimbrough and extended family, Michael L. Kimbrough, Cynthia Kimbrough Edwards and child Erin Elaine, preceded her in death.    

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Family burial will be at Union Hill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society or Alzheimer’s Research of Missouri and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Marshall Cawvey, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022 at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Cawvey, long-time West Plains resident, passed from this earthly life on May 4 at the home of his daughter in Fair Grove, Missouri. He was 93 years old and died of natural causes.

Marshall was born and raised in Moko, Arkansas. He met the love of his life, Janet Bridgeman, just prior to being deployed to Korea in 1951. He and Janet routinely exchanged letters during his deployment. He meritoriously served in the armed forces as a combat engineer during the Korean Conflict, earning two Bronze Stars. Upon discharge from the US Army, he married Janet on May 22, 1953 in Salem, AR. They would have celebrated 69 years of marital bliss this month. Together they raised six kids who considered themselves extremely blessed to have Marshall and Janet as parents.  Marshall was co-owner of Cawvey Monument Company for more than 30 years before retiring so he could focus on his golf game. He achieved a hole-in-one, a couple of eagles, and “shot his age” several times in his mid-80’s. He and his brother-in-law, Bill Bowling, especially enjoyed beating the two generations of sons, grandsons, and other young people whenever they played together.  Marshall was a follower of Christ and member of the First General Baptist Church in West Plains before transferring his membership to the Faith Freewill Baptist Church, Fair Grove, in late 2020. He led a quiet, honest life and was looked up to by many in the community.

Marshall was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil & Lona Mae Cawvey, brothers Hedley and Gerald, sisters Rose and Chris, and children Craig, Sheila, and Marsha.

Survivors include his wife, Janet, sister, Fern Duke, children Von (Jan) Cawvey, Robin (Terry) Torretta, Terri (Brian) Tomlinson, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice (a non-profit organization), and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Alene Marie Mayberry, 87, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Ball Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Mayberry passed away at 5:24 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born May 19, 1934 at Zanoni, Missouri, to Elva Oather Blair and Cousby Jane Shanks Blair.  Alene graduated from Dora High School with the Class of 1951.  On June 28, 1951, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Olen Edward Mayberry, who preceded her in death on March 31, 2003.  Mrs. Mayberry was a lunch director at Dora School for twenty-seven years.  Her family owned a saw mill where she skidded logs with mules.  She enjoyed flowers, gardening, cooking, canning, and woodworking.  Mrs. Mayberry attended Ball Church of Christ at Dora, Missouri.   

She is survived by two sons, Eddie Mayberry and wife, Lola, Wasola, Missouri, and Ted Mayberry and wife, Mary, Dora, Missouri; five grandchildren, Jason Mayberry and wife, Amanda, Cody Mayberry and wife, Kelli, Josh Mayberry and wife, Samantha, Craig Mayberry and wife, Candace, and Andy Mayberry and wife, Brittany; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jacob, Joseph, Laryme, Elizabeth, Lillian, Lydia, Henley, Annabelle, Willow, Rosali, Matthew, Addison, Kai, Brylon, and Braxton; one brother, Bernis Blair, Pontiac, Missouri; one sister, Euva Dodson, Dora, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Dorman Mayberry, Sedgewickville, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Her parents and husband preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thursday, at Ball Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Ball Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Amador Sanchez-Lopez, 72, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2022 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Sanchez-Lopez passed away at 7:47 a.m., Sunday, May 1, 2022 at his home.  

He was born January 27, 1950, in Puerto Rico to Amador Sanchez and Aricelina Lopez.  On January 13, 1967, he was married at Staten Island, New York, to Dominga Rosado.  Amador was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during Vietnam as SPC Airborne Paratrooper.  Mr. Sanchez-Lopez received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History for Secondary Education from Antillean Adventist University.  He was a Bilingual History Teacher for Chicago Public Schools; he enjoyed his time as a History teacher and loved to read.  Amador was a devout Christian; he had a ministry in Cuba that he was proud of.  He loved his family and enjoyed watching movies.  Mr. Sanchez-Lopez was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Dominga Sanchez, Dora, Missouri; three children, Amador Sanchez and wife, Janeta, Schwarzenbach, Germany, Diana Sanchez, Dora, Missouri and Camila Sanchez, Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his mother, Aricelina Lopez, West  Plains, Missouri; one sister, Gladys Sanchez, Puerto Rico; and several nieces and nephews.

His father, one grandchild and two brothers, preceded him in death.    

Visitation will be from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Friday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Hale Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hale Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Darlene LaVelle Osborn, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2022, at Smith Chapel Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   

Mrs. Osborn went home at 6:34 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at CoxHealth Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.   

Darlene was born September 2, 1934, in Gainesville, Missouri, to Coleman Thurman Watson and Monna Ann Freeman Watson Farmer.  She graduated from Gainesville High School with the Class of 1951. On June 1, 1952, she married Lyman Smith, the father of her five beloved children. Lyman preceded her in death on January 22, 2011.  She later fell in love again, and on April 8, 2017, she married William Morton Osborn.  Darlene loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly. She enjoyed driving the bulldozer with her father when she was young. She enjoyed crocheting, painting, gardening and loved nature, especially animals of all kinds. Mrs. Osborn was a faithful and diligent servant of God all her life. She attended Curry Street Church of Christ. 

She is survived by her husband, William Morton Osborn, of the family home; four children, Debi Robinson, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Teresa Clark and husband, Eric, Wildwood, Missouri, Kevin Smith and wife, Tammy, Warsaw, Missouri and Angela Moody and husband, Mike, Springfield,  Missouri; two step-children, Annette Johnson and husband, Rick and William Osborn, Jr.; nine grandchildren; Robin Kennedy and husband, Will, Darrin Robinson and wife, Emma, Terra Davis, Shanna Castillo, Lana O’Hara, Nathan Hardesty, Marcus Clark, Coleman Smith and wife, Jenna and Morgan Moody; fourteen great-grandchildren, Mariah, Mikayla and Miranda Kennedy, Lily and Niya Robinson, Isaiah Robinson, Jaden Green, Alijah, Tammil and Alaisia Davis, Lexi Castillo, Bubby Letts, Maddie O’Hara and Elijah Smith; three step-grandchildren, David Osborn, Clayton Johnson and Dayton Johnson; one step-brother, Keith Farmer; and her dear friend, Faye Dawson.  

Her parents, first husband, Lyman Smith, one son, Kenneth Paul Smith, one son-in-law, Art Robinson, and one grandson, Kaleb Tyrell Moody, preceded her in death.   

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Smith Chapel Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Marcella June Thornton, 95, Belton, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2022 at Fowler Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Thornton passed away at 9:48 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2022, at her home.  

She was born November 15, 1926, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to George Everett Hardcastle and Nell Long Hardcastle.  On July 2, 1949, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Cecil Leroy Thornton, who preceded her in death on August 13, 2010.  Before her retirement, Marcella was the bookkeeper for her and her husband’s sawmill business (Thornton Sawmill) after her time working for Pratt and Whitney in Kansas City, Boeing in Wichita, and Eaton (later known as Invensys) in West Plains.  She was a kind and loving mother.

She is survived by her two daughters, Janet Thornton, Belton, Missouri and Kay Thornton, Prairie Village, Kansas.   

Her parents and husband preceded her in death.  

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.

Judith Kay Bicker, 89, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 5:45 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at West Vue Nursing Center. 

She was born March 15, 1933, at Cleveland, Ohio, to Elmer Leppert and Helen Strong Leppert.  On November 14, 1953, she was married at Garfield Heights, Ohio, to Ernst Phillip Bicker, who preceded her in death on June 14, 2017.  Mrs. Bicker worked as a staff assistant at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio.  She enjoyed cooking and baking; she loved giving baked goods to friends, family and people in need.  Mrs. Bicker was a Christian. 

She is survived by two children, William Bicker and wife, Ann, Grand View, Texas and Lois Bicker, Napoleon, Ohio; two grandchildren, Megan Channell and husband, Steve, Kansas city, Kansas and Andrea Davis and husband ,Randy, Grand View, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Jaxon Davis, James Channell, Audrey Davis and Caroline Davis; and several nieces and nephews 

Her parents, her step-mother, Gertrude Kruse Leppert who raised her from age 6, her husband and one brother, William Leppert, preceded her in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Jennie Malinda Pitcock, 98, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Pitcock passed away at 4:30 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born May 5, 1923, at Alton, Missouri, to Loren Schell and Lillie Wilcox Schell.  In January, 1945, she was married to Leroy Long, who preceded her in death on August 13, 1970.  On November 9, 1971, she was married at Miami, Oklahoma, to Ira Joel Pitcock, who preceded her in death on July 8, 1994.  Mrs. Pitcock enjoyed quilting, jigsaw puzzles and was a wonderful cook.  She loved her family and grandkids.  Before her retirement, she worked many jobs.  Mrs. Pitcock was a member of the Central Church of Christ. 

She is survived by four children, Loretta Barker, Oak Grove, Missouri, Lillian Reinmuth, Koshkonong, Missouri, Edith Black and husband, Loyd, West Plains,  and Frank Pitcock, West Plains; eight grandchildren, Allen Ray Margo and wife, Amy, Marie Boyer, Bryon Margo and wife, Lois, Richard Reinmuth and wife, Penny, Patricia Taber and husband, Ricky, Terry Lee Black and wife, Devony, Brent Pitcock and wife, Diana and Travis Pitcock and wife, Nellie; fourteen great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews .

Her parents, husbands, one sister, Gertrude Watkins and five brothers, Robert, Lee, Glenn, Gordon and Boyd, preceded her in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Huddleston Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Oralee Cearley, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Cearley passed away at 7:08 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022, at her home.  

She was born May 14, 1928, at Grimmett, Missouri, to Hobart Brixey and Mona Burgin Brixey.  Oralee attended school at Turner, Hopkins and Star Schools in the community of Grimmet, Missouri.  On March 14, 1946, she was married at Olathe, Kansas, to Nova Cearley, who preceded her in death on May 13, 2008.  When she was a young woman she worked at Safeway in Kansas City and after she was married she was a home maker.  Mrs. Cearley loved to garden and can and enjoyed flowers.  She was a great cook and was well known for her pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls and wild grape jelly.  She baked a special cake or pie when it was anyone’s birthday and enjoyed baking and cooking for neighbors and friends.  Most of all, she loved her family and enjoyed watching her grandkids and great-grandkids play baseball and basketball.  Mrs. Cearley was of the Baptist faith. 

She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Ledford and husband, Jim, Viola, Arkansas and Carolyn Hoover, West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Brian Hoover, Christy Hoover and Adam Ledford; six great-grandchildren, Marcus, Tanner and Colby Hoover, Brett and Mason Wilbanks and Levi Ledford; one sister-in-law, Agnes Brixey; and several nieces and nephews .

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Sharon Dollins, three sisters and three brothers, preceded her in death.  

Mrs. Cearley will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 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 or Cystic Fibrosis Association of West Plains and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Kenneth Leo Green, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Green passed away at 6:28 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at NHC Healthcare.  

He was born September 12, 1930, at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Thurlow E. Green and Mae Catherine Green.  Kenneth was a Veteran, having served in the United States Army, 42^nd engineers during the Korean conflict.  After being discharged from the Army, Kenneth began working at the International Shoe Factory, where he was employed for thirty-eight years.  During this time, he met and married Earnie Evalee Blair; they were married on May 8, 1954.  They were married for thirty-nine years, until her passing in 1993.  To their union, three sons were born, Dwayne, Ronnie and Roger.  On March 9, 1996, he was married at Springfield, Missouri, to Betty Jo Cook Carter.  They enjoyed twenty-six wonderful years of laughter and spending time with family and friends sharing lots of stories.  Kenneth enjoyed fishing, coon and squirrel hunting; he loved catching fish at Bennett Pond.  He walked many miles as a child and young man through the woods of Fanchon and Thomasville, Missouri.  Mr. Green was a Christian with membership at Curry Street Church of Christ. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Green; three children, Dwayne Green and wife, Janetta, Ronnie Green and wife, Kathy and Roger Green and wife, Wendy; five grandchildren, Brent Green and wife, Dedra, Stephen Green, Brad Green and wife, Rachel, Kristi Halseth and husband, Brian and Jeff Strong and wife, Beth; and four great-grandchildren, Kaetlin Halseth, Molly Halseth, Cayden Green and Veyda Green.

His parents, first wife, two sisters, Judy Lawson and Dorothy Burgess and one nephew, David Lawson, preceded him in death.  

Mr. Green will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday and Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Langston Street Chapel.   Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.

A memorial service for Jo Ed Pounders, 73, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Wilson Funeral Home, 1323 W. Keiser Ave., Osceola, Arkansas. 

Mrs. Pounders passed away at 4:40 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at NHC HealthCare, West Plains, Missouri.

She was born October 27, 1948, at Dyess, Arkansas, to Edward and Maude Francis.  Mrs. Pounders taught English as well as journalism for 39 years at Rivercrest High School.  She enjoyed watching sports and loved her grandkids. 

She is survived by two children, Jason Pounders and wife, Jillian, Cabot, Arkansas and Haley Mitchell, West Plains, Missouri; five grandchildren, Dawson, Stella, Wesley, Charlotte and Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents and one brother, Paul Francis, preceded her in death.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rivercrest Alumni Association, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO  65775.  Local arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Clara Zell Cherry, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Cherry passed away at 1:44 a.m., Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born September 6, 1932, at Lanton, Missouri, to Floyd and Hazel Helmer Bench.  On November 23, 1948, she was married at Hardy, Arkansas, to James Elwin Cherry, who preceded her in death on March 31, 1978.  Clara Zell graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1950.  Before her retirement, Mrs. Cherry worked at Kellett-Landis-Brill Abstract and Land Title Company for over fifty years.  She loved to sing and was an excellent cook.  Mrs. Cherry was a long time member of Junction Hill Pentecostal Church. 

She is survived by three children, Tim Cherry and wife, Brenda, West Plains, Renee Hastert and husband, Terry, Leawood, Kansas and Lisa Riggs and husband, Ralph, West Plains; six grandchildren, Jimmy Cherry, Stephanie Riggs, Ryan Riggs and wife, Shayla, Regan Riggs and wife, Lily, Misty Dunbar and Kimberly Jeffery and husband, James; fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob Bench, Lawrence, Kansas and Floyd Bench, Jr. and wife, Vadna, West Plains; one sister-in-law, Susie Whitsell, West Plains; several nieces and nephews; and her very good friend of over 50 years, Margaret Keister .

Her parents, husband, two sisters, Jean Hogan and Irene Cherry and three brothers-in-law, Vance Hogan, Phil Whitsell and Dennis Cherry, preceded her in death.    

Visitation service will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society or 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 Mary Jo Robertson, 77, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mary Jo passed away January 6, 2022, at West Vue Nursing Center.  

She was born July 10, 1944, at Springfield, Illinois, to Maurice Eugene Brown and Doris Ellen Bolin Brown.  Before her retirement, Mary Jo had worked at West Vue Nursing Center and Invensys, where she was known as the “cake lady”; she loved baking birthday cakes for everyone at the plant.  She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting baby blankets that she donated to others.

Mary Jo is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends, the Krasuski family; and the family of her deceased long time partner, Ed Schneider, Jr.     

Her parents, one daughter, Michelle Linthicum, one sister, Karen Henry, one brother, Dr. Gene Brown and long time partner, Ed Schneider, Jr., preceded her in death.  

Dennis James Griffin, 86, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 9:55 a.m., Sunday, April 24, 2022, at his home.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Joann Louise Kallansrud, 89, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Kallansrud passed away at 10:57 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022 at her home.  

She was born May 5, 1932, at Burlington, Iowa, to Robert Sieler and Gertrude Nelson Sieler.  On April 4, 1954, she was married at Bedford, Indiana, to Beryl Allan (Kall) Kallansrud, who preceded her in death on October 19, 2001.  Joann enjoyed gardening and loved her cats.  She loved making her late husband’s life interesting. 

She is survived by two children, Charles Raymond Clampitt, Pomona, Missouri and Cynthia Jane Teel, San Bernardino, California; four grandchildren, Dianna Wire, Heather Clampitt, Steven James Teel and Tianna Jean Clampitt; and one great-grandchild, Porter Niesen. 

Her parents, husband and one son, Jimmi Douglas Kallansrud, preceded her in death.  

Graveside services for Mary Thomasina Surritte, 92, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Amy Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Surritte passed away at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Baptist Retirement Village, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  

She was born February 16, 1930, at Bakersfield, Missouri, to Thomas Luther Rhoads and Oma Mae Lewis Rhoads.  On April 30, 1950, she was married at Hocomo, Missouri, to Benny (Dale) Surritte, who preceded her in death on December 2, 2015.   

She is survived by: her daughter, Dalene and her husband, Kenny Wells, her son, Ken and his wife, Nita Surritte. Grandchildren: Kendra and Patrick Smith of Edmond, Oklahoma, Cacey and Lauren Wells of Boone, North Carolina and Kelsey Jeremy Baldwin of Edmond, Oklahoma. The lights of her life are her great grandchildren: Terra Wells, Harper Mae Wells, Lincoln Silas Smith, and Ari Dillon Baldwin each one when you mentioned their names she literally would light up.

Her parents, husband, five siblings and great-grandson, Hudson Taylor Wells, preceded her in death.  

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

Funeral services for Donna Maxine (Graham) Keith, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Keith passed away at 11:45 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at NHC Healthcare.

She was born April 3, 1941 at Des Moines, Iowa, to Roy and Nellie Graham.  On April 3, 1982, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Jerry Keith.  Donna was married to Jerry, the love of her life, for forty-one years.  She loved to arrange flowers.  She really loved to be in style.  She enjoyed traveling.  Donna was a collector of teddy bears and angels.  She was a member of Good News Baptist Church.  She was also a member of the Red Hat ladies.  Donna loved to cook for her family, and to cook the fish that Jerry caught.  She loved to work with the kids in church.  She also loved going to yard sales and shopping at flea markets.    

She is survived by her husband, Jerry, of the family home; three children, Robert Wood and wife, Julie, Fulton, Missouri, Theresa Smith and husband, Richard, Nixa, Missouri, and Tammy Adrian and husband, Keith, Lebanon, Missouri; four stepchildren, Dwayne Keith and wife, Brenda, Panama City Beach, Florida, Gary Keith and wife, Amy, Marshfield, Missouri, Greg Keith and wife, Debbie, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Eric Keith and wife, Jennifer, Greenville, Missouri; twenty-four grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and one sister, Glenda Myers, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Her parents Roy and Nellie Graham, one grandson, Landon Dale Adrian, and one sister, Sharon Graham, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Moody Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.