Obituaries

A Celebration of Life for John Lewis will be held at a later date.  

Even though none of us believed it would ever happen, he slipped peacefully from this earth surrounded by family and friends at 3:20 p.m., December 22, 2021

John was born in De Soto, Missouri, to Ernest Benjamin Lewis Sr. and Mary Katherine Haverstick Lewis on May 16, 1946. He was the youngest of twelve siblings. Even though he was the youngest, he grew up knowing how to work hard and the value of a dollar. On February 19,1966 he married his best friend and partner for life, Mary Margaret Wideman Lewis of the family home. Through that partnership they started J&M Foundation in 1974 in West Plains, Missouri. He was saved at a young age and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church for over forty years.  He was known for saying, “he didn’t have to have four walls to talk to the Lord, he could do that anytime or anywhere he needed or wanted to”.  He was an avid outdoorsman whether it was hunting, fishing, trapping, raising cattle, cutting hay, sitting in his chair in shop and just waiting for a friend to come around to tell stories with, or sitting up at Triangle Station shooting the breeze and swapping stories.  He was never without a word or two of advice, or at the very least a comment about what was going on either in the world or his little corner of it.  If you made friends with him you had a friend for life and were also counted as family.  He was very proud of all of his grandchildren, although it was hard to know it under his gruff exterior. He didn’t want them to miss out on life’s challenges, but he cheered them along at whatever they undertook, even though they may not have realized it.

He is survived by one daughter, Laura Kathleen Lewis Stewart and husband Lowell Alan Stewart Sr. who became the son he never had; five grandchildren, Lowell Alan Stewart Jr (Fiancé Allison), Caleb James Stewart, Randall Wayne Stewart (Fiancé Emily), John Dylan Stewart, and Lauren Elizabeth Stewart; and one great-grandchild, Lowell Alan Stewart III; two brothers, Charles Lewis, Raymore, Missouri, and David Lewis, Boise, Idaho; one sister, Patricia Lewis Crain, Festus, Missouri; and one sister-in-law, Mona Faye Lewis, Hillsboro, Missouri.  He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and a whole host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Ernest Benjamin Jr., Cecil, Robert, Raymond and Richard Lewis, three sisters, Opal Schillinger, Gladys Hammock and Mary Katherine Flecke, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elven and Juanita Wideman, and four brothers-in-law, Ray Schillinger, Robert Hammock, Richard Flecke and John Wideman.

Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery or Saint Louis Children’s Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Dorothy Louise Johnson, 93, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 27, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Johnson passed away at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at NHC.

She was born August 9, 1928, at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Raymond Mancil Baser and Georgia Gilliam Baser.  She attended elementary school at Boatman, a one-room school in Peace Valley, and then attended Peace Valley High School through tenth grade.  On March 15, 1946, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Carroll Wayne Johnson.  Mrs. Johnson was head housekeeper at NHC.  She enjoyed quilting, cooking, and baking, and she loved spending time with family.  She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Carroll Johnson; one son, Donald Johnson and special friend, Carol Freeman, Pomona, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Linda Johnson, Pomona, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brandon Johnson, Thayer, Missouri, Schanda Steele and husband, Mackenzie, West Plains, Missouri, Kristi Lansdown and husband, Doug, West Plains, Missouri, and Stephanie Pierce and husband, Dugan, West Plains, Missouri; eleven great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Katelen, Jaylen, Kaylee, Jadon, Amariah, Graysen, Van, Rhiannon, Karsen, and Hayden; five great-great-grandchildren, Aubree, Benjamin, Kacy, Fisher, and Blakely; and two sisters, Margie Mitchell and Twila Reid.

Her parents, one son, Gary Johnson, one infant grandson, Ronald Johnson, two brothers, Mancil Baser and her twin, Donald Baser, three sisters, Nila, Burnadean, and Oreila, two brothers-in-law, Johnny Reid and Darroll Johnson, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray and Edith Johnson, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Rose Morgan, 66, Mountain View, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Morgan passed away at 8:26 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, at her home.

She was born February 20, 1955, at Saint Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Henry Thompson and Marvie Brewer.  On August 3, 1973, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Carl Edward (Eddie) Morgan, who preceded her in death November 18, 2013.  Mrs. Morgan was a member of the Howell County Rural Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary.  She enjoyed watching and participating in demolition derbies with her husband.  She loved her kids and grandkids, and she enjoyed spending time with the family at Cloud 9 Ranch.  Mrs. Morgan loved her husband and enjoyed their life together.  She was of the Christian faith.

She is survived by two children, Rhaquinda Guy and husband, Bradley, Mountain View, Missouri, and Michael H. Morgan and wife, Kelly, West Plains, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Dennis Thompson and wife, Leslie, West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Doris Moss and husband, David, West Plains, Missouri, and Donna Sue Denny and husband, Ed, state of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, and one grandson, Dakota Morgan, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Lupus Foundation of America and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Michael Elston Weaver, 82, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Willow Springs Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Weaver passed away at 11:43 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, at Willow Care Nursing Home.

He was born July 9, 1939, at Batesville, Arkansas, the son of Claude Weaver and Kathleen Harmon.  On September 14, 1957, he was married at Batesville, Arkansas, to Kathy Young.  Mr. Weaver was a law enforcement officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  He achieved a bit of fame during his years as Safety Officer by conducting programs at several local schools and radio stations, and even appearing on Aunt Norma’s Children’s Hour, teaching children about safety and to obey state laws.  Mr. Weaver was an artist and illustrator, and was a certified Bob Ross Instructor.  He was a poet, singer, and songwriter.  He was also a wood carver and builder.  He loved to fish and work in his shop.  Mr. Weaver was an elder at Willow Springs Church of Christ.  He loved leading singing and teaching Bible study, and he occasionally preached.  His family was everything to him, and he was known as the rock of the family. 

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, of the family home; two children, Sandy Perkins and husband, Danny, Willow Springs, Missouri, and Rhonda Loring and husband, Terry, West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren, Tim Perkins and wife, Malina, Matt Perkins and wife, Amanda, Garrett Loring and wife, Lacey, and Blaine Loring and wife, Mickey; and eight great-grandchildren, Devin Perkins, Nolan Perkins, Aurelia Perkins, Lucy Perkins, Fielder Perkins, Khloe Loring, Grayden Loring, and Luna Loring.

His parents, one aunt, Mary Levitt, and one uncle, Kenneth Levitt, preceded him in death.  

Mr. Weaver will lie in state from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Willow Springs 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.

Funeral services for Eugene Davidson, 92, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Davidson passed away at 1:38 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at his home.

He was born March 7, 1929, in Baxter County, Arkansas, the son of Frank Davidson and Martha Hensley.  On October 14, 1954, he was married in Howell County, Missouri, to Phyllis Bryant.  Mr. Davidson was a veteran and retired from the United States Air Force after twenty years of service.  He enjoyed farming.  He also enjoyed traveling on the GO Club bus trips.    

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of the family home; two sons, Dwight Davidson and wife, Kathy, Cedar Point, Iowa, and Thomas Davidson, Caulfield, Missouri; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one grandson, Daniel Davidson, and two brothers, Luther and Roy Davidson, preceded him in death.  

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

James Bernt Klock, 77, Pomona, Missouri, passed away at 3:19 p.m., Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Cox South, Springfield, Missouri.

He was born October 3, 1944, at Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Benjamen Karl Klock and Ruth Amos Byerly Klock. On October 31, 1964, he was married at La Plata, Maryland, to Carolyn Faye Newton, who preceded him in death August 18, 2021.  Mr. Klock served with the United States Army.  He was a carpenter and craftsman.  He enjoyed playing golf, gardening, and photography, and he was an avid reader.  Mr. Klock was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by six children, Beth Mathews and husband, Randy, Makaha, Hawaii, Tina Ham and husband, Robert, Ocala, Florida, Jim Dewey Klock and wife, Marcie, Stafford, Virginia, Amanda Brown and husband, Devin, West Plains, Missouri, Allison Klock-O’Connor and husband, Greg, Warrensburg, Missouri, and Ross Klock, Pomona, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Bonnie Mason, Sally Emerey and husband, David, and Chrissy Sullivan; and numerous cousins.

His parents, wife, one daughter, Wendi Borders, and three brothers, Thomas, Jonathan, and Jessie Klock preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks or any autism research or support organization and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Orval (Gene) Jamtgaard, 81, West Plains, Missouri, passed away December 15, 2021, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.

Per Gene’s will and specific wishes there will be no funeral or celebration of life service. Gene was born November 5, 1940 in Iowa and grew up in Crystal Lake Iowa. He graduated in 1958 and is still friends with many of his classmates. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Independence from 1959-1963. He started employment in 1966 with Interstate Power Company in Mason City, Iowa and retired after 32 years. Gene and his wife, Jan, moved to West Plains in 2008. Gene enjoyed his time doing wood working projects; some he sold, but most were given to family, friends, and businesses in the West Plains community. His favorite time of year was Christmas when he gave out new ornaments he made throughout the year. Gene was very active in the military organizations in West Plains. He had a giving heart and will be missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to any Veteran’s organization and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Max Lee Fox, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Fox passed away at 12:10 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2021, at NHC.

He was born July 30, 1936, in Kansas, the son of Orvell Fox and Clella Ledbetter Fox.  He was married to Adella Ann Buff, and to this union six children were born.  On September 12, 1998, he was married to Anna Lue Whited.  Mr. Fox was a truck driver, having driven for Roadway Express.  He enjoyed fishing, telling stories, tinkering, and fixing most anything.  He attended Curry Street Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Lue Fox, of the family home; seven children, Vonna Brown, Russellville, Kentucky, Ronald Dean Fox and wife, Deborah, Christiana, Tennessee, Vicky Lynn Emring and husband, David, St. Charles, Missouri, Glinda Mitchell and husband, Mike, Joelton, Tennessee, Randy Louis Fox and wife, Brenda, Westmoreland, Tennessee, Catherine Sailors, Henderson, Tennessee, and Ed Whited and wife, Jane, West Plains, Missouri; nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

His parents and one sister, Loretta Collins, preceded him in death.  

Mr. Fox will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Wednesday.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Leroy Eugene Hall, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Howell Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Hall passed away at 9:55 a.m., Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

He was born November 29, 1947, at West Plains, Missouri, the son of Melvin Prentis Hall and Ora Eva Brower Hall.  On March 4, 1983, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Ella Mae Thompson, who preceded him in death February 3, 2007.  Mr. Hall worked for the City of West Plains in the Sanitation Department.  He was a member of the West Plains Car Club.  He enjoyed fishing and working on lawn mowers and weed eaters.  Mr. Hall was always ready to help anyone, especially at McDonald’s.

He is survived by one sister, Norma Hilburn, West Plains, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Jim Thompson and Tommy Thompson, both of West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Ruby Hall, West Plains, Missouri; and seven nieces and nephews, Andi Hilburn-Vaini, West Plains, Missouri, Connie Fisher, Midlothian, Texas, Patty Smith, Superior, Wisconsin, Carol Farmer, Huntsville, Alabama, Eva Smith, Bakersfield, California, Junior Hall, and Raymond Gene Hall, Duluth, Minnesota

His parents, wife, Ella Hall, four brothers, James Edward Hall, Everett Riley Hall, Kenneth Dale Hall, and Charles Lee Hall, and one brother-in-law, Larry Hilburn, preceded him in death.  

Burial will be at Howell Valley Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Jacqueline Clara Broyles, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Broyles passed away at 4:44 a.m., Friday, December 17, 2021, at her home.

She was born December 27, 1926, at Harrisburg, Illinois, to William Wesley Tucker and Mildred Margaret Smith Tucker.  On March 10, 1942, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Robert Lee Broyles, who preceded her in death April 3, 2009.  Mrs. Broyles loved reading, embroidering, quilting and fishing, as well as spending time with her family.  She was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church at Moody, Missouri.

She is survived by five children, Rosa Lee Conlee and husband, Paul, Alton, Illinois, Roy Allan Broyles and wife, Rose, West Plains, Missouri, Rebekah Darnell and husband, Robin, Godfrey, Illinois, Robin Tharp and husband, Tim, Carlinville, Illinois, and Bob Broyles, West Plains, Missouri; twenty-eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Her parents, husband, one brother, and two sisters, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at South Fork Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery or Center Grove Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Luella Jane Mansur, 64, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 6:26 p.m., Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Ozarks Medical Center.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Carlisa Faye Dykes, 57, Riley, Kansas, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Ms. Dykes passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Manhattan, Kansas.

She was born October 20, 1964, at West Plains, Missouri, the daughter of William and Edith Dykes.

She is survived by her son, Johnny and wife, Kayla; three grandchildren, William, Marcus, and Rowan; two sisters, Linda Vandiver and Louise Judd; and one brother, James Dykes.

Her parents and three sisters preceded her in death.  

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

Funeral services for Casey L. Holloway, 28, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Holloway passed away at 11:41 p.m., Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare.

He was born January 27, 1993, at West Plains, Missouri, the son of Darrell Holloway and Susan Hall.  Mr. Holloway enjoyed Pokémon, WWE, and spending time with his family.  He loved his mom very much.

He is survived by his mother, Susan; two brothers, Coty Holloway, West Plains, Missouri, and Layne Katzenmaies, Mountain Home, Arkansas; two sisters, Shachawna Collins, Mountain View, Missouri, and Laura Hooper, West Plains, Missouri; five nieces; and two nephews.

His father and grandparents preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Oak Mound Cemetery. 

Mark Allen Lemons, 62, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 3, 2021, at his home.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Wanda Va Minge, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Moody Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Minge passed away at 6:10 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare.

She was born April 4, 1928, at Moody, Missouri, to Bedford Oden Cameron and Marie McElmurray Cameron.  She graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1944.  She married Lehman Mitchell Minge, and to this union five children were born.  Mrs. Minge was a seamstress at Tri-County Shirt Factory at Salem, Arkansas, for a number of years.  She enjoyed quilting and cooking, and she loved her family.  She was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church at Moody, Missouri.

She is survived by two children, Larry Minge and wife, Judy, Moody, Missouri, and Karen Summers and husband, Bill, Bakersfield, Missouri; three daughters-in-law, Joan Minge, Johnnie Minge, and Susan Minge; eleven grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren, plus five on the way; one brother, Leroy Cameron and wife, Jewell; one sister, Irene Judd; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, three sons, Lonnie, Gary, and Ronnie Minge, two granddaughters, Beth Ann Summers and Rhonda Minge Piland, one brother, Charles Cameron, and one brother-in-law, Thomas Judd, preceded her in death.  

Mrs. Minge will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Moody Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Moody Cemetery or 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.

Funeral services for Lewis Laverne Callahan, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Callahan passed away at 9:07 a.m., Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare.

He was born November 16, 1932, at Pottersville, Missouri, to Zenephan Hickman (Hick) Callahan and Bertha Fox Callahan.  Mr. Callahan was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  On May 14, 1955, he was married to Pansy Hayes, who preceded him in death July 17, 2013.  In September 2014, he was married to Sharron McTompson.  Mr. Callahan was a fireman, a carpenter, and a farmer.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and helping anyone, especially his family.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Sharron, of the family home; four grandchildren, Scott Pringle and wife, Jessica, Mountain View, Missouri, Jeff Ledbetter and wife, Brittany, West Plains, Missouri, Shawn Pringle and wife, Valene, Mountain View, Missouri, and Sarah Ledbetter and fiancé, Chad French, West Plains, Missouri; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Mickey Callahan and wife, Louise, Crider, Missouri; one sister, Betty Jo McGoldrick, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, Pansy, two daughters, Sherry Pringle and Joyce Ledbetter, one grandson, Jason Ledbetter, and six brothers and sisters preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, in the Rose Chapel.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life for Casus Claud Baird, 73, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021 at First Christian Church, under direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Baird passed away at 10:34 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Springfield, Missouri.

He was a man who answered to a lot of names.  Most people — students, teachers, parents — knew him as Mr. Baird.  His church family and his close friends knew him as Casus. If you grew up with him in the small town of Hardy, Arkansas, or were one of his five brothers and sisters, he went by Sonny, a name that phonetically matched his disposition.  In the hours after his passing, the phone rang with offers of condolences. And multiple callers gave him another name, Best Friend. Three people were lucky enough to call him Dad. You’d think a little three-letter word would stay simple and consistent. But, depending on their ages, whether they were pleading to stay out past curfew, or straining to run downstairs on Christmas morning, it could sound so different and take on a whole world of meaning.  And, one, got to call him husband. Her name is Helen, but most times, across almost 53 years he could be heard calling her Hon. Theirs was not a Hollywood love. In those movies the lights come up as soon as the first kiss is delivered. Nor was it the kind that makes a novel sizzle, filled with jealousy and betrayals. It was quiet. It was deep. It was real. It’s the kind of love that was summed up in an offhand comment he made during the recent Thanksgiving holiday, “We’ve been together all these years, we know what works, and we’re still having fun together.” Everyone should be so lucky.  He had another love, and for that love he received three more names — first teacher, then principal, then superintendent. That love was Howell Valley School. (A few students sent to his office because of a tussle on the playground or after back-talking a teacher, might have had other names for him, but as this is a small-town paper, we’ll omit those from the public record.)  Knowing that the world doesn’t sleep and competition is always increasing, he worked constantly to raise the standard of education. By the early 1980s, at a time when less than 2% of the country owned a computer, Howell Valley had its first PCs. Later, in 10 of his last 11 years as superintendent, the school was “Accredited with Distinction,” one of the highest honors a school district can receive.  Great accomplishments are the result of even greater commitment. Over the years he mopped and waxed the floors; tended to skinned knees and bee stings; cut the grass; moved furniture and fixtures; swung a hammer; cooked; played catch; shot a basketball; prayed earnestly for his community; and thought often of those students who were beyond his help. His footprints mark the hallways. The students he touched reach around the world.  

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Helen Baird of West Plains, Missouri; two sons, John Baird and wife, Melissa, Seattle, Washington, Daniel Baird and wife, Megan, Honolulu, Hawaii; one daughter Sarah Coats and husband, Andy, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; two granddaughters Katie and Emma Coats; one brother, Lee Baird, and wife, Debbie of Williford, Arkansas; four  sisters, Anna Jane Quinn of Olympia, Washington; Deanna Kern and husband, Tom, of York, Pennsylvania;  Marvine Kudis and husband, Gary, of Rockville, Maryland; Susie Buchanan and husband, Vincent, of Livingston, Texas; brothers-in-law, Johnny Leyland and wife, Kay, of Herman, Missouri, Danny Leyland and wife, Phyllis, of Sparta, Missouri and Davy Leyland and wife, Cindy, of Gladstone, Missouri; a special Uncle, Thomas Baird of Searcy, Arkansas, and several cousins, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Marvin Casus Baird who died when Casus was 11, and mother Jessie Marie Baird.

He always had a smile. A big laugh. And an even bigger heart.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Two called him Gampy. One more, who’ll be arriving in about four months, his firstborn grandson. It’ll be a few years before he can pronounce his unique first name. We’ve decided to call him Casus.

Mr. Baird will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, in the Rose Chapel.  Burial will be at Howell Valley Cemetery.  Family, friends, community members, and the Howell Valley community including alumni, teachers, and students are invited to a reception/celebration of life from 4-6 p.m. at Howell Valley School in the new Howell Valley Gymnasium.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to:  Community Foundation of the Ozarks, c/o Howell Valley School Foundation, 1378 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains, MO 65775, with checks made payable to Casus Baird Memorial Fund.  Memorial contributions may also be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Joyce Marie Burgess, 62, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Mount Zion Cemetery, Olden, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Burgess passed away at 8:51 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021, at her home.

She was born January 9, 1959 at West Plains, Missouri, to Albert Lewis Drumright and Betty Rae Personette Drumright.  On October 4, 1974, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Daniel Burgess.  Mrs. Burgess worked at Regal Beloit.  She enjoyed her flowers, and she loved her family, kids, and grandkids.  She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her husband, Danny, of the family home; one daughter, Michele Schach and husband, Brian, Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brady Smith.  Braxton Cunningham and husband, Zach, McKinze Slaton, and husband, Cody, and Caleb Burgess; three great-grandchildren, Hunter and Remington Smith, and Eliana Slaton; two brothers, Joe Drumright and wife, Barbara, and Donnie Drumright; seven sisters, Helen Fox and husband, Donald, Lillian Lunn and husband, Olan, Mildred Andrews and husband, Robert, Rhonda Spencer and husband, James, Wilda Gibson and significant other, Glendal Johnson, Catherine Stockton and husband, Larry, and Margaret Tackitt and husband, Curtis; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one son, Michael Burgess, four brothers, Lloyd, David, Clifford, and John Drumright, and one sister, Shirley Kay Drumright, preceded her in death.  

Mrs. Burgess will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the family and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Melvin Ray Bradley, 77, Peace Valley, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 6, 2021, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Bradley passed away at 6:05 a.m., Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Cox South in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born December 3, 1943, at West Plains, Missouri, to Lawrence Ruel Bradley and Hazel Irene Thompson Bradley.  On June 9, 1962, he was married at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Christine Sanders.  Mr. Bradley was a fabrication engineer at DRS for forty-five years.  He loved farming, hunting, fishing, and trapping, and he enjoyed camping and going on float trips with his family.  He loved his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and his wife.  Mr. Bradley was a member of First Assembly of God, Pomona, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Christine, of the family home; four children, Tammy Bradley, Peace Valley, Missouri, Cynthia Bradley and Mike Edwards, Anchorage, Alaska, Sherry Bradley, Springfield, Missouri, and Saundra Bradley, Peace Valley, Missouri; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one brother, Martin Bradley and wife, Stella, West Plains, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Richard Sanders, Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Doy Ray Richardson, West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Shirley Burns, Texas; and several  nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

His parents and one brother, Kenneth Bradley, preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, in the Rose Chapel.  Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Youth Ministries at First Assembly of God, Pomona, Missouri, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.