A graveside service for Dennis Charles Walker, 62, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Redburn Cemetery.
Mr. Walker passed away at 4:30 p.m., Monday, November 19, 2018 at West Plains, Missouri.
He was born March 5, 1956, at West Plains, to Ralph Eugene Walker and Rebecca Maxine Brown Walker. On June 2, 1979, he was married at West Plains, to Sallie Jo Hollinger, formerly of Branson, Missouri. The couple had been together for forty-three years and married for thirty-nine years. Mr. Walker retired from Garnett Wood Products. Dennis loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He was a long time member of First Freewill Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Sallie Walker; his parents, Ralph and Edna Walker; two brothers, Danny Walker and wife, Karen and Norman Walker and wife, Kim; three sisters, Dorothy Walker, Zodie Forbes and Regina Walker; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
A memorial service for Orvel Milford Croston, 97, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 314 N. Walnut St., Willow Springs, Missouri, with a lunch to follow.
Mr. Croston passed away at 10:43 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born March 9, 1921, at Presho, South Dakota, to Irvy Tom Croston and Eva Fay Ernest Croston. Mr. Croston was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during WWII, battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe; he received American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was a farmer, raised sheep and enjoyed gardening. On July 10, 1994, he was married at Willow Springs, Missouri, to Betty Smith. Mr. Croston was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church; he attended Church in South Dakota and most recently in Willow Springs, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Croston; five step-children, Marcille O’Neal, Larry Pulley, Karen Bell, Kathi Lincoln and Martha Collins; two brothers, Alan Croston and Myron Croston; several step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, “Mama” Fannie (his grandmother that raised him after his mother’s death) and his siblings, Irvy, Laverne, Arnold, Evelyn, Irvin Jr., Elroy, Dwayne, Floyd and Ronald, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Sergeant First Class James Lee Ross (U.S. Army Retired), 57, League City, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
SFC Ross was called to be with our Lord after a brief battle with lung cancer on November 19, 2018, with his loving wife by his side/surrounded by family and friends. He was born on November 20, 1960, at Fort MacArthur Army Hospital in San Pedro, California to Leslie Wayne Ross and Yoo Ja (Lee) Ross; SFC Ross was a proud member of the West Plains Zizzer Class of 1979 where he was blessed to meet Christine Daniels (Zizzer Class of 1980) who would later become his lifelong wife of over 35 years.
SFC Ross joined the Army in February 1980 and served at various posts in Kansas, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Texas, and Hawaii, where he was proud to serve beside some of the best soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in the entire world. SFC Ross concluded his military career as a POW/MIA Investigation Team Leader and Vietnam Refugee Debriefer, traveling extensively in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Combodia. At the time of his retirement, he was credited with being “the most accomplished and respected POW/MIA investigator in the Department of Defense”.
Following his military career, the Ross family settled in Houston, Texas, where SFC Ross was employed at LyondellBasell Industries in Channelview, Texas. Over a twenty-one year period with LyondellBasell, SFC Ross served in various roles as a security guard, worldwide electronic security system administrator, and security supervisor. He retired from private industry on November 1, 2016, in order to spend more time with his family and friends.
SFC Ross is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Christine (Daniels) Ross, League City, Texas; his son, Matthew James Ross, The Woodlands, Texas; his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Christine (Ross) Grimes and Shea E. Grimes, League City, Texas; three most excellent grandchildren, Haileigh Shea Grimes (age 11), Matthew Luke Grimes (age 9), and Thomas James Grimes (age 2); his mother, Yoo Ja (Lee) Etter, League City, Texas; his mother, Carol A. (Sigler) Ross, West Plains, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Janet A. (Hartheim)Daniels, Houston, Texas; his sisters and their husbands, Patricia “Trish” (Hall) Wadkins, Pomona, Missouri, Sondra (Hall) Cleveland and Gerry Cleveland, Caulfield, Missouri, Lee Ann (Ross) Wheelbarger, Houston, Texas, and Shiela (Hall) England and Randall England, Springfield, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and special friends, Brett and Diane Mitchell, Dorothy Cornett and Maria Giannopoulos.
SFC Ross is preceded in death by his father, Leslie Wayne Ross, of West Plains, Missouri; his step-father, Neldon Etter, of Sugar Creek, Missouri; his father-in-law, Lee P. Daniels, of Houston, Texas and his brother-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Wadkins, Pomona.
Burial will be at the Free Union Cemetery, Leota, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Ashley Nicole Raymond, 29, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Lone Star Cemetery, Mountain Grove, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ashley passed away Friday afternoon, November 16, 2018 near Koshkonong, Missouri.
She was born April 1, 1989 at Springfield, Missouri to Pamela Sue Brown. Ashley was working as a kiln operator at Timberland Forest Products. She loved her kids, her job and Superman. Ashley was a Christian.
She is survived by her partner, Tammy Jean Varney; her children, Nicholas and Braidyn Raymond; her mother and dad, Pamela and Daniel Brown; her father, Randy Denner; two brothers, Daniel Louis R.Z. Brown and Dakota Cottengin; one sister, Randi Joann Raymond; and her nieces and nephews, Olivia, Raylena and Kaleb.
Her grandparents, Robert and Mary Jo Denner, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6;00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 23rd, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A visitation service for Mary Kay Severin, 48, Pomona, Missouri, will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Severin passed away at 12:20 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2018 at her home.
Mary was an unassuming woman that was loved, is missed and will always be remembered. Her story starts on January 3, 1970, the oldest child to Jim and Lorraine Rogers. Mary was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and spent her childhood there. It is also where she would meet the love of her life, Allen Severin. Mary and Allen were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church June 19, 1993. Allen and Mary spent many years building their home, traveling, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling and being entrepreneurs.
Mary spent many years dabbling in her family history and building an operational photo studio in their home, which was ideal for taking pictures of their son, Arron, after he was born July 1, 1996.
Visiting their home, you would find a new house project in process, NASCAR race or Packers game on TV and lots of love from their dog, Comet. Mary and her family took many trips, as they love to travel and she was always looking at life through her camera’s lens.
In 2013, Mary and Allen purchased land in Pomona, Missouri, just outside of West Plains. They began construction of their new home, a passive solar house that is made of both nature and upcycled materials. This effort fed Mary’s compassion for sustainability and natural living with a low carbon footprint. They grew their family by the addition of four ducks and a new pet dog named Lily. Mary began a paper crafting hobby of card making, Allen got a job at Caterpillar and the family spent several years building their new home before moving into it in 2017.
Mary’s fight with cancer was driven by her intent to never give up. Every day she explored alternative solutions that supported her beliefs. This gave her much comfort in her last few months.
Passing before her was her father, James Floyd Rogers, maternal grandparents Earl and Joyce Voigt and paternal grandparents, Floyd and Delores Rogers. Loved ones that will miss Mary until they meet again are her husband, Allen; her son, Arron; her mother, Lorraine Voigt Rogers; her sister, Becky Rogers; and many friends.
Funeral services for Freda Casey Bean, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bean passed away at 4:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018 at her home.
She was born May 7, 1927, at Crider, Missouri, to Alfred Henson and Clara Edith Maritt Casey. Freda attended the schools of Vienna, Mt. Olive and Bakersfield. On December 5, 1944, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Luther “Shorty” Bean, who preceded her in death February 7, 2000. Before her retirement, Freda worked at International Shoe Factory. Mrs. Bean was well-known and loved in both Ozark and Howell Counties for her famous Sunday dishes and homemade pies at church potlucks and Christian singings. She was a member of Elijah Church of Christ, where she and her husband, were devoted to the Elijah Singers and for many years took care of cleaning the church building and mowing the Elijah Cemetery. For the last 15 years, she attended Central Church of Christ in West Plains.
She is survived by her daughter, Janice Bean Johnston, West Plains; three grandchildren, Danny E. Bean, Jr., and wife, Christina, Charles City, Iowa, Donnie Bean and wife, Jessica, Bakersfield, Missouri and Jason D. Johnston, Memphis, Tennessee; nine great-grandchildren, Ashley Marie, Daniel Justin, Briann, Alexis, Aydan, Danny Bean, III, Cassie, Amanda and Donnie; three great-great-grandchildren, Max, Alivia and Mason; one brother, Dr. Pat Henry Casey and wife, Shirley, Millington, Tennessee; many nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Donald and Emma Joice.
Her parents, husband, one son, Danny E. Bean, Sr., one grandson, Douglas E. Bean, two great-grandchildren, Lauren Carey and Baby Bean, two sisters, Beulah Casey Meadows and Georgia Gertrude Casey Mitchell, two brothers, Melvin Casey and Fred Casey, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy Jake Tackitt and Maxie Burtrum Bean-Tackitt, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mary Katherine Boles Bench, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 25, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bench passed away at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, November 18, 2018 at her home.
She was born February 22, 1933, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Elisha Boles and Lula Wilson Boles. Kathy, as she was known by most, was a member of the Church of Christ for 70 years. On January 21, 1949, she was united in marriage at Brandsville, Missouri, to Gene Bench. Kathy was a dedicated wife for almost 70 years! She was a great mother; she was always there for her children and loved them as only a mother could. She was also great support to her husband, Gene, as he was the Evangelist for congregations in seven states; she never complained about the many moves that her family was required to make. Kathy loved gardening, especially growing flowers of all kinds; she delighted in sharing “starts” of her flowers with others. She was an outdoors person and loved working in her yard. The last few years of her life, she was subject to falling, which made it difficult to continue her passion for flowers. Kathy was a very loving person and made friends easily; to know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she made on her journey through this life.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Bench, of the family home; two sons, Bruce Bench and wife, Barbara, Kalispell, Montana and Dennis Bench and wife, Deanna, Seneca, South Carolina; five grandsons, David Coleman, Jr., and wife, Jennifer, North Port, Alabama, Stephen Coleman and wife, Kristi, Haughton, Louisiana, Kyle Bench and wife, Maelyn, Bozeman Montana, Jason Bench, Kalispell, Montana and Dennis Bench, Jr., of South Carolina; one brother, Richard Boles, Kansas City, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Keith Bench and wife, Jurhee, Blue Springs, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, one daughter, Jeanne Bench Coleman, two brothers, two sisters, three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Union Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Hill Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Robert Harold Hubbard, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Hubbard passed away at 2:54 p.m., Sunday, October 21, 2018 at his home.
He was born October 21, 1928, at Savannah, Georgia, to Robert Harold Hubbard and Verna Cook Hubbard. On April 20, 1951, he was married at Denver, Colorado, to Alyce Mae Bachman. Mr. Hubbard was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. He enjoyed jazz music, playing guitar and drums and loved his wife and family. Mr. Hubbard was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Alyce Hubbard, West Plains, Missouri; five children, Theresa Wagner, Longmont, Colorado, Robert Allen Hubbard, West Plains, Missouri, Kathryn Lee Shoaf and husband, Danny, LaBelle, Florida, Debra Kay Green and husband, Rick, West Plains, Missouri and Douglas George Hubbard and wife, Kerry, Hesperia, California; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and a special sister-in-law, Janice Ann Richards, Watertown, South Dakota.
His mother, Verna, one son, Larry Kevin Hubbard and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, preceded him in death.
Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Kenneth Ronald Collins, 75, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Collins passed away at 12:06 p.m., Friday, November 16, 2018 at his home.
He was born October 12, 1943, at West Plains, Missouri, to Fred Morgan Collins and Dorothy “Maxine” Foster Collins. On January 12, 1961, he was married at Eminence, Missouri, to Kay Smith. Mr. Collins was an electrician. He loved his farm, woodworking and most of all his family. Kenneth could fix anything and would help anyone in need without wanting recognized for his good deeds. Mr. Collins has been a member at First Baptist Church for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Collins, of the family home; three children, Kenny Collins and wife, Shelly, West Plains, Kenya Cook, West Plains and Karla McDuffey and husband, Tim, Linn Creek, Missouri; six grandchildren, Taran Collins, Jamie Collins, Kayla Baker, Austin Cook, Tyler McDuffey and Sara McDuffey; two great-grandchildren, Sophie and Emma Roberts; one sister, Rhonda Counts and husband, Steve, Bowling Green, Kentucky; and one niece, Angela Counts.
His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wonderfully Made Class at First Baptist Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Charles Joseph Land, 92, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Land passed away at 2:33 a.m., Sunday, November 11, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.
He was born January 8, 1926, at Lanton, Missouri, to Charles Clinton Land and Bertha Ann Jackson Land. Mr. Land was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy, during WWII. On April 21, 1950, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Flossie Bandy. Before his retirement, Mr. Land worked as a lineman at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He enjoyed playing pitch every week with his friends, doing crossword puzzles, watching Judge Judy and in better health he loved to play pool and participate in tournaments. Mr. Land was a devoted Christian and Deacon; he was a long time member of First General Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Flossie Land, West Plains; four children, Larry Land, spouse Brenda, West Plains, Jim Land, spouse, Sy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Patty Cromer, spouse, Steve, West Plains and Pam Solomon, West Plains; ten grandchildren, Jordan Land, Brian Land, Jarrod Land, Brad Cromer, Natalie York, Jamie Simpson, Shannah Wood, Leslie Hoenie, Ashley Hall and Garrett Solomon; eighteen great-grandchildren, Katy Beth Land, Abby Land, Kelsi Haney, Keeli Land, Jackson Land, Audrey Land, Tanner Land, Drew Cromer, Kori Cromer, Karley York, Brayden York, Payton York, Chloe Simpson, Mason Bryan, Trey Hoenie, Ellie Hoenie, Lance Land and Miley Hall; two sisters, Mary Lou Bassham and Laquita Underwood; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one brother and four sisters, preceded him in death.
Mr. Land will lie in state from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Martha Mae Henry, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church, West Plains, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral home.
Martha Mae Henry was born July 10, 1928, in West Plains, Missouri, the only child of the late Paschall O. Johnson and Mamie M. (Wadley) Johnson. Marty, as she was known by her friends, entered into eternal rest November 11, 2018, at the age of 90 years.
Marty attended West Plains Public Schools and graduated from West Plains High School in 1946. During her junior year, she was selected for membership in the Quill and Scroll Society, an achievement of which she was most proud.
While in her senior year of high school, Marty met the love of her life, the late Harold L. Henry, also of West Plains. Harold and Marty were married March 14, 1948, and made West Plains their home for a period of time before moving to Willow Springs. While living in Willow Springs, Marty gave birth to two of their three children, sons Lynn and Don. In 1951, the family moved to Springfield so Harold could attend college at Southwest Missouri State (now MSU). They later moved to Columbia for Harold to attend the University of Missouri School of Law. While in Columbia, Marty worked in the pathology lab at the University of Missouri Medical School. After Harold obtained his Juris Doctorate degree in 1956, they moved to Jefferson City where Harold worked as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Missouri. A few months after moving to Jefferson City, their daughter, Terre, was born. In December 1957, the family returned to West Plains, making it their permanent home.
While Harold and Marty lived in Jefferson City, they became members of the First Methodist Church and were faithful members of the church for the remainder of their lives. Marty and Harold both taught Sunday school. Harold taught high schoolers, and Marty taught younger age children for 14 years. Marty also helped with Vacation Bible School for a number of years and was one of the organizers of the Friendship Circle Preschool.
Marty was an avid golfer, making nine hole in ones. She enjoyed playing with her lady friends and with Harold in the Cat and Dog League. She and Harold also enjoyed crappie fishing for many years. Although Harold usually caught the most fish, Marty caught the big one, a 2 ¾ lb. crappie, and had it mounted and hung on Harold’s law office wall as a reminder that she caught the biggest one.
Marty’s favorite pastimes also included cooking, reading and cross-stitching – often times Bible verses and prayers which she gave to family and friends. Marty was a member of the Women’s Federated Library Club serving as President, Secretary and Historian for a number of years. She was noted for and enjoyed giving the history of the library club to new members. She was also a member of the MSU-West Plains Philanthropic Women for Education and a lifetime member of the Friends of Garnett Library.
In 1995, Marty and Harold established the Judge Harold and Martha M. Henry Endowed Scholarship for students attending the West Plains campus of MSU who are in need of financial assistance. Over the past 23 years, they have already helped more than 50 students obtain their college educations.
Following Harold’s death in 2007, Marty volunteered two afternoons a week at Brooke Haven Health Care until she was physically unable to help. Marty’s children describe her as a devoted wife and exceptional mother. When the children were in grade school, Marty served as a homeroom mother and was active in the PTA. She and Harold rarely missed the children’s ballgames, concerts and school functions. Marty also served as a cub scout den mother and a brownie and girl scout leader. Marty is fondly remembered by her family for her cooking, most notably her homemade rolls, sugar cookies, German chocolate cake and pies, and she loved showing her grandchildren how to cook.
She is survived by three children, H. Lynn Henry and wife, Becky, West Plains, Judge Don M. Henry and wife, Connie, West Plains, and Terre Ann Franken and husband, John, Carrollton, MO; five grandchildren, Jennifer Donn Davis, Jason Richman Henry, Regan Lynn Henry, Dr. Sarah Emily (Franken) Bernard and Laura Elizabeth Franken; two step grandchildren, Pamela Tackitt and Megan Dorris; three great-granddaughters, Brina Jacen Davis, Kaelyn Nicole Henry and Cora Mae Bernard; three great-grandsons, Bode Mack Henry, Dylan Tribble and Asher John Bernard; three step great-grandsons, Joshuah Jeffery, Jeremiyah Jeffery and Trintan Hendrix; and two step great-granddaughters, Hayley Dawn Tackitt and Kierstin Renae Tackitt.
Marty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Harold.
Mrs. Henry will lie in state from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Marty’s honor be made to the Friendship Circle Preschool of the First United Methodist Church, the Judge Harold and Martha M. Henry Endowed Scholarship or CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mary “Burnett” Sharp, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 11, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Sharp passed away at 4:02 a.m., Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at her home.
She was born June 18, 1930, in Ozark County, Missouri, to William Thomas Birdsong and Lucy Viola Owens Crawford.
She was married to Eugene Strong for thirty-eight years and in later years, she was married to George Anderson. Mrs. Sharp was employed at Hallmark Cards in Lawrence, Kansas for several years and Baxter Lab in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She made quilts for her children and grandchildren and was famous for her cherry-go-rounds, fried pies and popcorn balls, which she enjoyed sharing with her family and friends. Mrs. Sharp loved going to bluegrass festivals and yard sales in her spare time.
She is survived by six children, Al Strong, Dora, Missouri, Sandra Pendergrass and husband, Larry, Dora, Missouri, Mike Strong, West Plains, Missouri, Pam Luna and husband, Bob, Dora, Missouri, Janice Robertson and husband, Jerry, Kingwood, Texas, Connie McIntosh and husband, Duke, Drury, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren, Jeff Strong, Jesse Strong, JoDee Clarkson, Cody Strong, Debbie Strong, Kevin Luna, Rick Luna, Donnie Luna, Brad Green, Kristi Halseth, Brandon McIntosh, Cheyenne McIntosh, Traci Lee and Roger Pendergrass; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and eleven great-great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband, Hezekiah Sharp, three brothers, one sister and a very special granddaughter, Tina Pendergrass, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Arnold Archibald Wiese, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Dry Creek Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Wiese passed away at 2:50 p.m., Monday, November 5, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born September 19, 1934, at Pomona, Missouri, to Frederick Christopher Wiese and Anna Murtis Bertleson Wiese. On February 21, 1957, he was married at Alton, Missouri, to Jewell “Joann” White. Mr. Wiese was a farmer and worked for a number of years as an accountant for several businesses in the area, including, Dr. Jack Hayes, Ozark Action and Turning Leaf. He loved farming and studying the Bible. Mr. Wiese was a member of Dry Creek Church for over seventy years, where he served as a Deacon.
He is survived by his wife, Joann Wiese; four children, Sheryl Ford, Anna Merline Luton and husband, Jerry, David Wiese and wife, Krista and Dane Wiese and wife, Emma; eleven grandchildren, Rebekah, Jay, John, Jesse and Timothy Ford, Harley, William and Coatney Wiese, David and Sherman Keeler and Sarah Bullock; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one grandson, Brian Matthew Wiese, one son-in-law, Robert E. Ford, four brothers, one sister and his very best friend, L. S. Keeler, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Dry Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Dry Creek Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for John Martin Deidiker, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Deidiker passed away November 5, 2018 at his home.
He was born in Peace Valley, Missouri, the eldest son of Charles Herman and Nettie Lenora Ferguson Deidiker. John was a graduate of the West Plains High School Zizzer Class of 1957. He lettered in baseball all four years in high school and later spent many years involved in the American Legion baseball program in West Plains. He was especially known in high school and American Legion baseball for his powerful throws from deep centerfield to home plate. During high school he also received his radio electronic certificate from DeVry Institute. John spent most of his life doing what he enjoyed most, working as an announcer and sports broadcaster over local radio stations KWPM, KALM and other Ozark Radio Network Stations owned by Robert Neathery, and later with KHOM in West Plains. He was known throughout Howell and adjacent counties for his professional and upbeat way of bringing the news, sports and entertainment to the people of the Ozarks. Following his retirement from broadcasting, John worked as a dispatcher for the West Plains Police Department and Howell County 911. He also served on numerous boards, including the Senate Bill 40 Board, Howell County 911 and Harlin Museum. He continued his service to the community as a volunteer at Ozark Medical Center until the time of his illness. He enjoyed talking with and helping people. His knowledge of West Plains and Ozark history allowed him to talk about the Ozarks wherever he traveled. He was a member, twice president of the West Plains Chapter and a Lt. Governor of the Optimists International; a member and officer in the International Order of Odd Fellows in West Plains; and was a member of the West Plains American Legion Hall Post 23. John was a veteran of the United States Army, having served overseas as chief announcer with KANU Radio at Kagnew Station Asmara, Eretria, Ethiopia, East Africa. His honorable discharge as a Specialist 4 took place at Fort Irwin, California in 1964. He was married in 1963 to Johnnie Sue Walker of West Plains and to that union was born a son, Carl Ray Deidiker.
He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Sue; son, Carl Ray, both of the family home; his mother, Lenora, of West Plains; two brothers, Floyd Deidiker and wife, Pat, West Plains and Jim Deidiker and wife, Sue, Rogers, Arkansas; one aunt, Doris Deidiker, Farmington, Missouri; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and two great-great-nephews.
His father, two nieces and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lorene Walker, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. The family wishes to express their thanks to John’s doctors and the Riverways Hospice staff for providing such professional and attentive care.
Funeral services for Emma Lou Emerick, 92, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday November 9, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Emerick passed away at 4:42 p.m., Monday November 5, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born July 31, 1926, at Moko, Arkansas, to Amzie Conrad and Dollie Reavis Conrad. Emma Lou graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1944. On June 26, 1949, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Jack Delbert Emerick, who preceded her in death on October 16, 2012. She enjoyed all of her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren; she loved to play cards, games and telling jokes. Mrs. Emerick was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.
She is survived by one daughter, Christy Ingalsbe; two grandchildren Khara Moss and husband, Nathan and Shaun Ingalsbe and wife, Jackie; four great-grandchildren, Ethan Moss, Haylee Ingalsbe, Brody Moss and Logyn Ingalsbe; one sister-in-law, Bernadean Fuller; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, son-in-law, Carl Ingalsbe, three brothers and one sister, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Emerick will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Thursday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Roy Owen Black, 72, Hutton Valley, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Hutton Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Black passed away at 7:45 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born April 28, 1946, at Hutton Valley, Missouri, to Owen Black and Nerva Jane Parrott Black. Roy was a graduate of Willow Springs High School. He worked as a football lacer at Rawlings and loved playing pool, hunting, fishing and sports. Mr. Black was a member of First General Baptist Church, Willow Springs, Missouri.
He is survived by one sister, Marideth Benfield and husband, Leroy, West Plains, Missouri and four nephews, Paul and Eddie Benfield and Loyd and Danny Warden.
His parents, one sister, Loretta Warden, brother-in-law, Loyd Warden, Jr. and one great-nephew, Cole Benfield, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hutton Valley Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Visitation services for Talena Blanche Hayes, 57, Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Hayes passed away at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Hospice House of the Ozarks, Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Funeral services for Maynard “Gene” Ealy, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 5, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Ealy passed away at 4:46 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2018 at his home.
He was born September 11, 1944, at Flint, Michigan, to Maynard Monroe Ealy and Zella Mae Dodd Ealy. On December 22, 1962, he was married to Brenda M. Marshall at Amy Union Chapel, Hocomo, Missouri. Mr. Ealy was a veteran, having served with the United States Army for over twenty-three years before retiring. He had planned to spend his retirement fishing, but was soon called to be a fisher of men and entered into the ministry of his Living God. Mr. Ealy was a volunteer chaplain at Ozarks Medical Center for ten years; eight of those years he served as president. He also worked at Fas-Serv Market for ten years, during which time he made many friends.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Brenda Ealy, of the family home; two sons, Scott Ealy and friend, Corrina, Branson, Missouri and Terry Ealy, of the State of Mississippi; one brother, Bill Ealy, State of Indiana; two sisters, Shirley Myers and husband, Bob, and Hazel Blouin, all of State of Indiana; one brother-in-law, Randy Marshall, Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Linda Strosnider and husband, Brad, Mountain View, Missouri and Rose Ann Marshall, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, one brother, David Ealy and two brothers-in-law, Gary Marshall and Jim Russell, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Journey Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Dorothy Lee Moore, 77, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Endurance Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Ms. Moore passed away at 8:37 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born July 15, 1941, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Emery Leroy Vankirk and Hazel Rosetta Crow Vankirk. She attended Ritenour High School. As a child, Dorothy rode two street cars to church each week with her family. Dorothy played the piano for Gateway Temple Church, led children’s church and was active in Child Evangelism and also played the organ at The Pentecostal Church of God. She was an avid gardener, quilter, had worked as a government secretary at the St. Louis Record Center for seven years, worked for fifteen years at West Vue and Pleasant Valley Care Facilities as a caregiver and after her retirement, she worked at Green Acres Assisted Living, Newton’s Group Home and cooked lunches for Faith Christian Academy. Mrs. Moore was a devoted Christian, faithful wife of forty years, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by three children, Bethany Heath and husband, Jerry, Pam Launius and husband, Grant and Kenneth Moore and wife, Kimberly, all of West Plains; eight grandchildren, David Murdy, Christina Dailey and husband, Tim, Heather Murdy, Donna-Jean Acosta and husband, Dalton, Sarah Murdy, Autumn Moore, Kaitland Binkley and husband, Tyler and Corbin Heath; four great-grandchildren, Aidan, Miguel, KennethLee and Gabriel; one brother, Emory Vankirk and wife, Dawn, Derby, Kansas; one uncle, Lyndell Crow and wife, Zereta; one brother-in-law, Charles Wallis; two nieces, Cheryl Davis and husband, Brett and Karen Todd and husband, Chuck; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Her parents and one sister, Mary Ferrell, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life service for Leslie Eddings Rader, 76, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Rader passed away at 9:45 p.m., Monday, October 29, 2018 at West Vue Nursing Center.
He was born October 24, 1942, at Delaware, Missouri, Mahan’s Creek neighborhood, the beloved son of the late Lowell Leslie and Lydia Eddings Rader. He received his education in rural Schneider School and West Plains High School. Mr. Rader served his country in the Missouri National Guard. He was a long-time electrical worker at Rader Electric and RKL Construction, West Plains. All of his life, he was a farmer and loved working on the family farm with his father and later owning and operating the farm. Mr. Rader was of the Baptist faith, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior as a child and was a charter member of the Berean Baptist Church of West Plains. He faithfully served and worshiped at Berean throughout his life.
He is survived by his siblings, Dr. Benjamin G. Rader and wife, Barbara, Lincoln, Nebraska, E. M. “Mike” Rader and wife, Marge, McKinney, Texas, Howard S. Rader and wife, Eve, Springfield, Missouri, Ada F. Cochran and husband, Mike, West Plains and Martha Alice Smith and husband, Danny, West Plains; seven nieces and nephews, Dr. Anne Rader, Portland, Oregon, Jill Hickman, McKinney, Texas, Allison Rader, McKinney, Texas, Becky Wood, Springfield, Missouri, Lance Cochran, West Plains, Marty Cochran, Golden, Colorado and Stacey Smith, West Plains; many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, neighborhood friends and church friends.
His parents, two nieces, Julia and Tina Rader and one nephew, Steve Rader, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Berean Baptist Church or OMC Foundation and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
