Jimmy David Russell, 69, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 12:27 p.m., Saturday, December 5, 2020, at his home.
He was born August 25, 1951, at Brandsville, Missouri, to Paul Russell and Norma Morrison Russell. On September 27, 2000, he was married at Dora, Missouri, to Becky Barnett. Mr. Russell was a logger. He loved his grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Becky Russell, of the family home; two children, Carol Thompson and husband, Dustin, West Plains and Danny Russell, Oakley, Kansas; six grandchildren, Dallas, Jaxson, Eli, Kelsie, Lucas and Teresa; one brother, Allen Russell; one sister, Janie Lara; one sister-in-law, Danna Russell; and dear friends, Crystal Bender, Steven Thomas and Joey Russell.
His parents and two brothers, Lynn and Bob Russell, preceded him in death.
Donald Elmer Kenslow, 82, Springfield, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, passed away at 8:40 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.
He was born December 5, 1937, at South Fork, Missouri, to Herbert Elmer Kenslow and Juna Marie Hunter Kenslow. On June 26, 1960, he was married at West Plains, to Judy Warden. Mr. Kenslow was the owner and operator of Don’s Goodyear for many years and had worked at Stein Buick for nineteen years. He enjoyed fishing and admiring autos. Mr. Kenslow was a member of the First Church of God, West Plains.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kenslow, of the family home; two children, John Kenslow and wife, Susie, West Plains and Tami Merrick and husband, David, Willard, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jeffery Kenslow, Courtney Risner and husband, Seth, Corbin Russell, Chelsea Orchard and husband, Brandin, Traves Merrick, Daphne Wilkins and husband, Travis and Lili Merrick; twelve great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Kenslow and wife, Shirley, West Plains and Dennis Kenslow and wife, Edna, Kansas City, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents and one sister-in-law, Joyce Kenslow, preceded him in death.
A private burial was in the South Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Bobby Turnbull, 75, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Little Zion Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Turnbull passed away at 6:59 p.m., December 5, 2020, at Freeman Health Center, Joplin, Missouri.
He was born April 26, 1945, at Twin Bridges, Missouri, to Abra and Lola Turnbull. Bobby was a logger and loved to farm and work horses. He also enjoyed gardening. One of his favorite things to tell people was, “I am a professional logger and a professional liar.” Bobby would make up stories to entertain family and friends. When he was leaving to go home he would say “I’m going home to make up some lies”. He loved telling stories and making people laugh. Bobby loved his family and would spoil the children with candy. At the end of the day he was a good man that would help anyone in need. He was a mighty man with a mighty heart.
He is survived by; two brothers, Clarence Turnbull and wife Rhonda, Drury, Missouri, Richard Turnbull and wife Mary, Mountain Grove, Missouri; one sister, Mary Ann Turnbull, West Plains, Missouri; three sisters- in-law, Lois Turnbull, Tangula Turnbull and Marcia Turnbull; nineteen nieces and nephews, Connie Hooton, Randy Turnbull, Darren Turnbull, Wanda Meiners, Annetta Turnbull, Johnny Turnbull, Bonnie Delk, Carla Hoffman, Darla Turnbull, Angela Brownfield Pringle, Rex Turnbull, Sherri Trail, Robin Colbert, Angela Parker, Jennifer Bourgeois, Cory Turnbull, Richard Jr Turnbull, Cody Turnbull and Steven Turnbull; and many great nieces and nephews.
His parents, four brothers, James (Pete) Turnbull, John (Todd) Turnbull, Jerry Turnbull and Bill Turnbull, one sister-in-law Shirley Turnbull, two nephews, Kennith Turnbull and Ross Turnbull preceded him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Little Zion Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Ricky Bales, 60, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Bakersfield Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ricky Allen Bales, son of Joe Bill and Hazel Marie Mullins Bales was born September 12, 1960 at West Plains, Missouri. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 3, 2020 at 8:14 pm at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home.
On July, 21, 1978 in Bakersfield, Missouri, he married his lifelong love, Beverly Hickman. Through this marriage, Rick and Beverly were blessed with their two girls Ashley and Melissa. Rick retired from Baxter Healthcare in Mountain Home after nearly forty years of service. He then had the privilege of working for the Bakersfield R-IV school district over the last few years. Rick was an avid outdoorsman. He looked forward to deer season every year, taking many trophy bucks over the years. He also had a passion for restoring old muscle cars and taking care of his family farm. Above all, Rick loved his family. He was always so excited to watch his grandchildren play sports. Rick was always there for others in their time of need. There wasn’t anything that Rick didn’t know how to fix. Rick was a man of God and loved to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through song at the church he was so proud to attend, Bakersfield Assembly of God.
He is survived by his wife Beverly Bales, of the family home; two daughters, Ashley Eckman and husband, Andrew, West Plains, Missouri, Melissa Miller and husband, Kenny, Mountain Home, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Cooper, Braelyn, Tucker, Ella, Barrett and MaKenna; one sister, Patsy Cotter and husband PeeWee, Bakersfield, Missouri; six sisters-in-law, Carol Bales, Bakersfield, Missouri, Rose Ann Bales Hayes, West Plains, Missouri, Teresa Price and husband, Larry, Bakersfield, Missouri, Ann Taylor and husband, John, Mountain Home, Arkansas, Louise Shaw and husband, Bubba, Fort Smith, Arkansas and Debbie Murphy and husband Mike, Cherry Valley, Arkansas, very special friend, Jason Marsh and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, two brothers, Joe (Buddy) Bales and Larry (Butch) Bales, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 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.
John J. Feller, 73, of West Plains, Missouri, passed away November 30, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee from complications from a subdural hematoma.
John was born to Joe and Genevieve Stroven Bennett Feller, May 22, 1947 in Fremont, Michigan. In 1956 the Feller family moved to Mesa, Arizona where they built a home in the desert west of the Superstition Mountains. In 1964 the family moved to a farm near South Fork, south of West Plains, Missouri. John graduated from West Plains High School, Class of 1966. He married Beverly Poe, his high school sweetheart, January 26, 1968, at St. Mary’s Church in West Plains. He joined the Air Force and the couple moved to Dover Delaware where he worked as an Engineering Entomology Specialist and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After John was honorably discharged from the military, he moved his family, which included sons Mitch and Steve, back to West Plains where they lived on their farm near South Fork. They raised horses, pigs, and cattle for several years. John established Feller Pest Control shortly after returning from the Military, which served the West Plains area. To help build his business, John began taking college courses in landscaping, horticulture, and business management at the West Plains Residence Center (now MSU) where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1977. During his studies, John developed a renewed interest in the construction industry. While in high school John had learned the trade while working with his father, and assisted in building several houses in the West Plains area. In 1977 John established Feller Construction with a single employee. Always a designer, planner, and creator, John was able to use his expertise to develop many residential and commercial building projects in the West Plains area. Through his leadership, Feller Construction would eventually grow to include dozens of employees that successfully completed many major projects in the area.
In 1988 John moved Feller Construction to 829 E. Main Street and opened a cabinet shop, Cabinets Plus, as a branch of his construction company. In 1990 he purchased the building and surrounding property and began expanding. In 2018 John retired from Feller Construction Incorporated. While running Feller Construction, John developed a close connection with the community. Early on, John was an active member of the The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, also known as the Jaycees. During this time the Jaycees brought professional rodeos to the Howell County fairgrounds. And as part of their community fundraising efforts the Jaycees hosted haunted houses at various sites around downtown, such as on the Square and by the train tracks. John was a founding member of the Southern Missouri Home Builders Association, where he served for a period of time as President. He was instrumental in organizing the effort to build the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center while serving in this role. With John’s contribution the Home Builders supported many projects in the community including starting the West Plains Home and Garden Show, assisting Habitat for Humanity, building the Galloway Creek Nature Park Bridge and many more. John’s favorite hobby was rebuilding antique cars, with his first project in high school being a 1949 Dodge. In 1988 he restored a 1966 Mustang coupe, teaching his children auto mechanics in the process. Several other automotive projects followed, including a 1927 Model T Huckster Street Rod and a 1965 Mustang Convertible. John was a member of the West Plains Car Club and also served as President for a period of time. He regularly participated in their car shows and other events for many years. John was in the middle of a Model A Roadster build when he passed. John was constantly creating and designing new projects including award winning floats for the West Plains Christmas parade. These floats included a life size simulated steam train complete with real smoke, and a Snoopy and the Red Baron Biplane. When he had grandkids, he enjoyed building one-of-a-kind projects such as a working, child-sized excavator, and airplane swings. John also built a three story treehouse with electricity, just like he had as a kid in Arizona.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Genevieve Feller; Bev’s parents, Jack and Peggy Poe; his brother, Gary Wayne Bennett and brother-in-law James Lynn Murrell.
John is survived by his wife Bev of 52 years; son Mitch (Candace) and grandchildren Ford and Margaret Feller of Dallas, Texas; son Steve (Jana) and grandsons John S. and Jacob of Durham, North Carolina; brothers, Mike Feller (Dianna) of West Plains, Missouri ; Paul Feller (Patty) of Cabot, Arkansas; sisters Jeanne Murrell of Willow Springs, Missouri; Mary Berner (Randy) of Mtn. View, Missouri; Patty Ford (Jack) of Springfield, Missouri; Nicole Layden, Mtn. View, Missouri, and sister-in-law, Mary Bennett, Tempe Arizona. He is also survived by his brother-and sister-in-law, Glen and Karen Poe of Lenexa, Kansas. John also leaves many special nephews, nieces, cousins and lifelong friends.
In the near future the Feller Family will have an event with friends and family to celebrate John’s life.
In lieu of flowers the Feller family asks that any donations be provided to the Homeland Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W Main St, West Plains, MO 65775. Alternatively donations can be provided to any charity of choice in memory of John Feller.
Graveside services for Bonnie Ruth Seilhan, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 7, 2020 at Bailey Chapel Cemetery, Alton, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Seilhan passed away at 3:35 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2020, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.
She was born July 28, 1932, at Alton, Missouri, to Fred Sisco and Mary Lee Simpson Sisco. On October 15, 1960, she was married at Reno, Nevada, to Huey Seilhan. She worked as a supervisor of a uniform company for twenty years, a school bus driver and was a homemaker. Bonnie enjoyed gardening, rose gardens and macramé. Mrs. Seilhan was a member of Central Calvary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Huey Seilhan, of the family home; one sister, Carolyn Owens, Belle, Missouri; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Lavonda Lawson and husband, Johnny, Rolla, Missouri, Donnie Owens and wife, Maria, California, Missouri, Mike Sisco and wife, Stephanie, Alpena, Arkansas and Lisa Cofield, Alpena, Arkansas.
Her parents, one brother, Delmar Sisco and one niece, Debbie Rocha, preceded her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bailey Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Susan Louise Lockett, 45, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 7, 2020 at Homeland Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Lockett passed away at 8:35 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at her home.
She was born May 19, 1975, at Kansas City, Kansas, to Jack Lee Reed and Brinda Irene Bankston Reed. Susan graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1993 and attended MSU West Plains. On October 10, 2016, she was married at West Plains, to Tim Lockett. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, wife and dear friend. Her absolute joys were her children and her precious grandson; they were her world. Susan had a sweet smile that would melt your heart; she was loved by her family and will be deeply missed. Mrs. Locket was a member of Missouri Avenue Church of Christ.
She is survived by her husband, Tim Lockett, of the family home; two children, Mariah Roy and husband, Tyler and Malachi Allen and companion, Samantha Bruce, all of West Plains; one grandson, Micco Allen; one brother, Ryan Reed, West Plains; her twin sister, Amy Kimbrough and husband, Phillip, Peace Valley, Missouri; one niece, Allison Kimbrough; and two nephews, Brock and Brenden Kimbrough.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 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.
James Edward Jones, 89, Tecumseh, Missouri, passed away at 1:35 p.m., Sunday, November 29, 2020, at Ozarks Medical Center. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Grace Jane Rhoads, 88, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday December 1, 2020 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rhoads passed away at 6:30 am Thursday, November 26, 2020 at her home.
She was born March 7, 1932 at Pocahontas, Arkansas to Franklin and Glenary Marie Gorman Pankey. On October 21, 1951 she was married at Salem, Arkansas to Charles Leonard Rhoads, who preceded her in death on October 15, 2006. She enjoyed embroidery, reading and cooking. She had babysat all of her grandkids.
She is survived by seven children, Jerry Rhoads and wife, Anita, West Plains, David Rhoads and wife, Tammy, Drury, Missouri, Steve Rhoads and wife, Vicky, West Plains, Melanie Woodward and husband, Cary, Pottersville, Missouri, Lynn Rhoads and wife, Jodie, Branson, Missouri, Tracy Rhoads, Warrensburg, Missouri and Richard Rhoads; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband and one son, Kenneth Rhoads preceded her in death.
Mrs. Rhoads will lie in state from 4-8:00 PM Monday in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Amy Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Amy Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Billy (Bill) Thomas Fite, 72, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Fite passed away peacefully in his home on November 24, 2020. The world lost a wonderful and caring father, grandfather, and leader in Christ.
Bill was born in Greenfield, Missouri, on May 29, 1948. On February 18, 1972, he was married to the love of his life, Debra (Debbie) Fite. He held a master’s degree in education in industrial arts. He spent twenty-six years as a dedicated technology education teacher for the West Plains school system before retiring and devoting himself full time to Serendipity Christian Books & Gifts, which he co-owned with his wife. Bill loved God and spreading God’s word with everyone he came across. He opened Adonai House of Prayer in the back of Serendipity and offered people a place of worship for many years. In 2015, Bill retired from Serendipity and moved from Missouri to Wisconsin to be with his daughter and her family. He continued to minister and spread God’s word to anyone that he met. He was a devoted son-in-law that continued to travel regularly to take care of his father-in-law.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Peterman, and husband Joshua of Appleton, Wisconsin; his granddaughter, Valerie Peterman; father-in-law, Leslie Holloway and wife, Rosemary of West Plains, Missouri; sister, Mary Gabriella and husband, Richard; brother, Johnny Fite and wife, Betty; niece, Brenda Sawyer; nephew, Steven Neil Sawyer and wife, Charity; niece, Patricia Skillen and her husband, Brett; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Debra Fite; his parents, John and Zerva Fite; his mother-in-law, Ereline Holloway; and his nephew, Scott Fite.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Frieda Ann Boyd, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Boyd passed away at 3:48 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center, Mountain Grove, Missouri.
She was born April 5, 1935, at West Plains, to Fred Willard and Lottie Williams Willard. Frieda enjoyed music and visiting with people.
She is survived by one nephew, Fred Parton, of the State of Texas.
Graveside services for Juanita Cleo Harrell, 93, Brooksville, Florida, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Harrell passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Brooksville, Florida.
She was born June 5, 1927, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Leo Paul Bamber and Flora lee Hutchison Bamber. On December 4, 1942, she was married at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to John Everett Harrell, who preceded her in death on November 22, 2006. Mrs. Harrell worked as a hair dresser. She loved sewing and crocheting and at the age of ninety-three was learning to knit.
She is survived by two daughters, Katherine Russell and husband, Ken and Donna Wetzell and husband Joe; seven granddaughters; sixteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband and all of her siblings preceded her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hernando County Hospice and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Funeral services for Billy Ray Ellison, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Ellison passed away at 2:19 p.m., Friday, November 27, 2020, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born February 8, 1932, at Muldrow, Oklahoma, to William Ellison and Ida Thompson Pliler. On December 22, 1962, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Lois Edna Hicks. Mr. Ellison was a veteran having served with the United States Army. He was a Staff Sergeant in Korea. Bill retired from the City of West Plains as Electrical Foreman after over forty years of service. He was a reserve Police Officer for ten years and a volunteer fireman for twenty-five years. Following his retirement, he was a school bus driver for West Plains R-7 School District and was a car transporter for several local auto dealers. He loved his family, his church and working in his garden. Bill enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing. Mr. Ellison was a faithful member of Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle for fifty-four years.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Ellison, of the family home; four children, Joyce Vonallmen and husband, Dennis, West Plains, Sherri Orr and husband, Chris, Alton, Missouri, Missy Heath and husband, Jason, West Plains and Michael Ellison and wife, Sondra, West Chester, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Ricky Vonallmen, Randy Vonallmen, Cynthia Benge, Seth Ellison, Mika Ellison, Jarissa Wright, Kelsie Orr and Christian Orr; eleven great-grandchildren, Charli Anne, Braydon, Madyson, Taylor, Luke, Ashton, Jordann, Zack, Lexi, Kamren and Avree; two brothers, Gary Pliler, Republic, Missouri and Ted Pliler, West Plains; two sisters, Mildred Young and Faye Collins, both of West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one sister, Betty Moorhead and two brothers, Bobby Ellison and Dallas Pliler, preceded him in death.
Mr. Ellison will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle or The Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Graveside services for Robert Franklin Crawford, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2020 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Crawford passed away at 8:46 p.m., Sunday, November 29, 2020, at his home.
He was born at Summersville, Missouri to Edna and Wayne Crawford on September 9, 1932. He was united in marriage to Juanita Faye Roberts at Houston, Missouri on December 25, 1957. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2020. Bob and Juanita were high school sweethearts. They did not have children but enjoyed all of their nephews and nieces. When he was young, he spent a couple of summers in Wyoming with his mother’s sister and husband, Olyn and Bob Baker. He loved spending time with them hunting and fishing. He had fond memories of those days although less fond of his trip home alone on a bus with his destination (West Plains, MO) pinned to his shirt and money for emergencies sewed into his clothing. There were no cell phones to “call home” when he arrived. He also spent many days/weeks with his grandmothers, Margaret Crawford and Minnie Riley. He enjoyed time with his beloved Uncles James and Paul and in early days he hunted for arrowheads on the Riley farm. As he got older he spent many hours working on the family farm. He worked in the fields plowing land, harvesting crops and spent a lot of time during the summer bailing hay on the Crawford and Riley farms. Bob graduated from Summersville High School in 1950 and attended college at Southwest Missouri State. He was in the United States Army from 1953-55 and after training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri he was assigned to Korea in 1953. The Korean War ended when he was on a ship to Japan, then to Korea to serve. In Korea he worked on large machines clearing land. Returning from Korea he landed in California and chose to take a train for several weeks at home. During that train ride he remembered seeing the beautiful country in the West and planned to take Juanita to see it. Bob and Juanita made their home in Summersville where Juanita taught school and Bob worked for the Highway Dept. Both of them retired in 1998. They built their home on the Crawford farm land and lived there until 2016 when they moved to West Plains to be close to family and doctors. On their farm he raised cattle and farmed the land. Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. He went on many fishing trips with Dr. Hampton and enjoyed telling of those trips. He also loved to talk about raising cattle and all of the experiences he had. Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years and served as Master of the Lodge. He recently said he thought he might be the member who had been in the Lodge in Summersville the longest. He received his fifty year pin in 2009 at his home in Summersville. Juanita was active in the Eastern Star. Bob accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1944 and was baptized in Jacks Fork River by Rev. Milton Elmore. He lived a Christian life. He took care of his parents when they were ill in many ways whether it was plowing the garden for his mother, checking in on her every day when his dad was in the hospital, or taking her meals Juanita prepared. He made certain his dad got to dialysis in Salem three times a week. When Bob had to work Juanita drove his dad and mom to Salem. During those days Juanita taught school and Bob worked for the Highway Dept., then they took care of their own farm duties and took care of the needs of Bob’s parents.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Wayne and Edna Crawford, grandparents and father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Ruth Roberts.
He leaves to mourn his wife of sixty-three years, Juanita Crawford; one sister, Wanda Evelyn Crawford Gant; nephews, Ken and David Gant and their families; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Linda and Ron Gould, Brenda and
Bruce Collins, Donna and Jim Zwiener, Bob and Bonnye Roberts, and James Jr. and Ruth Roberts; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
He will be missed.
Mr. Crawford will lie in state from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Deborah Ann Nunn, 67, of West Plains passed from this life at her home on November 15, 2020. She was born in El Paso, Texas, to Ray and Barbara Ann Warren who preceded her in death.
Debbie was married to Jess Nunn on August 9, 1989. She was his faithful loving wife. She and Jess moved to West Plains to pursue a dream of owning a ranch.
Debbie worked as a purchasing agent for Marklyn Controls in Odessa, Texas. After moving to West Plains, she worked for Heart of the Ozarks United Way and served as secretary for the Central Church of Christ where she attended and was a Sunday school teacher. Debbie’s most important job was serving the Lord. Debbie survived many trials and much suffering with a great spirit.
Debbie loved to laugh, sing, play games and serve others. She had a loving nature which embraced not only family and friends but any animal in her care as well. She loved her dogs, bird, emus, and every other animal that she could make a pet.
She is survived by her husband, Jess, one brother, Ray Allen Warren (Regina) of Odessa, Texas; 1 niece, Trina Richard; one brother-in-law, Jay Nunn, one sister-in-law, Vicky Nunn; 3 step-children, John (Darlene), Josh (Missy) and Jory (Mary), several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many friends.
A celebration of life will be held at the Central Church of Christ on December 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paragould 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 Tommy Leon McKinney, 62, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 30, 2020 at Elijah Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. McKinney passed away at 10:55 p.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.
He was born February 14, 1958, at Caulfield, Missouri, to Edward Lee McKinney and Effie Lamb McKinney. Tommy loved church, singing and his family.
He is survived by two sisters, Darlene Harris and husband, Jim, Goodman, Missouri and Sandra Edmonds and husband, Bill, Middle Beach, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews, including special niece, Cathy Kimbrough.
His parents, three brothers, Paul, Bobby and Edward McKinney and one sister, Linda, preceded him in death.
Mr. McKinney will lie in state from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Michael Lee Harper, 70, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 10:00 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 2020, at his home.
He was born July 16, 1950, at Springfield, Missouri, to Ralph Lee Harper and Betty Love Harper. Mr. Harper was a Vietnam Veteran, having served with the United States Marines and earned two purple hearts. He was the owner and operator of Doss & Harper Stone Co. for a number of years alongside his family. He was a collector of many things and liked motorcycles and sports cars; he was also a Rolling Stones fan. Mike was a humble man who loved his family greatly. Mr. Harper was a Christian and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
He is survived by one daughter, Erin Harper, Springfield, Missouri; two grandchildren; his mother, Betty Harper, West Plains; one sister, Pat Harper, Sparta, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Shirley Harper, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.
His father, one son, Travis Michael Harper and one brother, David Howard Harper, preceded him in death.
Graveside services for James Foster Gannon, 85, Gamaliel, Arkansas, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Gannon passed away at 8:37 a.m., Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Baxter Regional Medical Center.
He was born November 19, 1935, at West Plains, Missouri, to Roy O’Neal Gannon and Eva Fern Foster Gannon. On December 17, 1954, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Helen Hiler. Jim retired from the telephone company. Mr. Gannon enjoyed hunting, fishing and making fudge. It brought him great joy to make and give away fishing baits. He was blessed to have a great family, grandkids and great-grandkids. Jim had the heart of a servant.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Gannon, of the family home; three children, Garnet Roam and husband, Dennis, Gamaliel, Arkansas, Pat Hoopes and husband, Corey, Bakersfield, Missouri and Quinton Gannon, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Camisha Hunter and husband, Brandon, Katrice LaRowe and husband, Ryan, Ashley Vannada and husband, Brad, Michele Joseph and husband, Brooks, Lindsay Malatesta, Dillon Gannon and wife, Preslee and Trevor Gannon; eight great-grandchildren, Addison, Jaxon and Hynlee Hunter, Lincoln and Camdon LaRowe, Kiera Vannada, Weston Joseph and Landry Gannon; one sister, Sharon Kapphahn, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents and two sisters, Fern Smith and Louise Crowell, preceded him in death.
Mr. Gannon will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House 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.
A celebration of life for James Norman Ficken, 67, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 2020 at First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Ficken passed away from an amazing life on November 19, 2020, at his home.
He was born April 1, 1953, in Howell County, Missouri, to Albert Ficken and Marcella Norman Ficken. Jim grew up in West Plains and had already purchased land before graduating the Class of ’71, beginning a lifelong love of farming and raising animals. Jim was a foreman for Ozark Asphalt for over 30 years, paving most of the highways in southern Missouri. He served with the National Guard during that time and raised cattle as well. Along with farming, Jim was an avid fisherman, turkey and deer hunter, taking advantage of every season. With the help of close friend James Rhein, Jim started West Plains Bee Club and was dedicated to helping beginning beekeepers. In the life of honeybees and their hive habits, Jim saw the miracle of God’s creation and loved sharing his knowledge of bees with others. Jim will be remembered as a man who loved swapping stories, could be depended on for anything and never met a stranger.
His children Jessica Collins and husband John, Joanna Myers and husband Keith, were the joy of his life. He treasured time with them, his well-loved eight grandchildren, Taylor Bunch, Rorie, Chase and Isaac Collins and Evy, Shelby, Maverick and Eleanor Myers, along with is dear friend, Nathan Cropper. On September 2, 2006, Jim and Jodie Stephens Ficken married, building a beautiful life together that expanded his family to include Jodie’s two children, Nathan Ruch and Ariel Ruch. Jim embraced Jodie’s Mama Betty, her brothers, sisters and extended family as his own. Jim has five remaining beloved siblings, Dennis Ficken and wife Sandy, Colleen Justus, Max Ficken and wife Bertha, Kenny Ficken and wife Linsa, Caroline Hanserd and sister-in-law Daisy Ficken.
Loved ones going before Jim are his parents, brother Derald, and brother-in-law John Justus.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or Evergreen Cemetery in honor of Jim’s service on the cemetery board and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Family and friends of Dennis Wayne Melvin,72, West Plains, Missouri are invited to attend funeral services at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday November 21st, 2020 at 10:30 am., under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Melvin peacefully passed away Thursday, November 19th, 2020 at his home surrounded by loved ones.
He was born January 29th, 1948 at White Church Missouri, to Paul Leo Melvin and Nellie Elizabeth Hendrix Melvin. He was blessed to have grown up on the farm in White Church, Missouri. He was proud to be from White Church, and passionate about his childhood and his upbringing. Wayne graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1966. On February 12, 1972, he was married to Wilda Wood. They have been together side by side for the last 48 years. Mr. Melvin was a veteran, having served with the United States Army. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with his Associates Degree. He primarily worked two jobs his entire life. First, working 13 years at the Shoe Factory in West Plains and later retiring from the United States Post Office after 35 years of service. He loved both jobs and was grateful of all the long-lasting relationships that he built, first as a factory worker and then as a mail carrier on the streets of West Plains. He enjoyed visiting with his family, following the St. Louis Cardinals, and just driving the backroads enjoying nature. Mr. Melvin instilled humility and a strong work ethic into both of his sons. He was a good husband and a loving father to his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and those that knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Wilda Melvin, of the family home; two children, Denny Melvin of West Plains, Missouri, James Melvin and wife, Samantha, West Plains, five grandchildren, Amanda Melvin, Kirsten Kays, Dakota Phegley, Drew Melvin and Kaden Melvin; one great-grandchild, Grey Kays; two brothers, Ronald Melvin and wife, Helen, Springfield, Missouri, and Donnie Melvin, West Plains; three sisters, Rita Roberson and husband, Danny, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Virginia Newberry, Valley Park, Missouri and Barbara Hanks and husband, Rick, Willow Springs, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Tammy Melvin; and many nieces and nephews of which he was proud.
Although he only knew them for a short time, his caregivers the last few months of his life were very special to him, Nurse Stephanie, His Roberta, Nurse Makayla, Nurse Susan and any of the Hospice Staff that came to visit him.
His parents, five brothers, John Michael, David, Ed, Tom, and Dale Melvin, his father-in-law, Dale Wood and mother-in-law, Marie Wood, preceded him in death.
Mr. Melvin will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.