Bobbie Copeland

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Bobbie Dale Copeland, 90, Neosho, MO, passed away April 25, 2024 in Springfield, MO after an illness.

Bobbie Dale Copeland was born November 15, 1933 in Neosho, MO the son of William and Elsie (Wampler) Copeland. Bobbie loved playing his guitar, writing music, working outdoors on the farm and in the garden. He loved to hunt, fish and traveling. Bobbie was a member of the VFW and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and he was a Christian.

Bobbie Dale Copeland married Joyce Saunders August 20, 1994 and she preceded him in death May 26, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Eunice, Maybelline, June, Charles, Jackie, Kenneth, Gerri, Tommy and Mikey.

Survivors include; his children Julie Weimer, Neosho, Janet Imhauser, New Port, NC and Bobby Duane Copeland, Palmdale, CA; brothers Frank Copeland, Neosho, MO and Billie Copeland, Booneville, MO; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3pm, Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Chapel with Harold Young officiating. Burial will be in the New Salem Cemetery with Benjamen Goodman, Jonathon Goodman, Lenard Goodman, Jim Goodman, Zack Decker and Jeromy Yandell serving as pallbearers.

The family has request plants only for the services. They will be making a memorial garden for Bobbie on the farm.

Sally Thomas

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Sally Ellen Thomas, age 77, of Joplin, passed away on April 23rd, 2024.

She was born in Miami, OK on July 12th, 1946, to her loving parents Sylvester and Miriam (Cook) Ulm.
Sally was a registered nurse at Freeman Hospital until her retirement in 2004. Throughout her life she enjoyed painting, crafting, and gardening in her free time. After retirement, she continued with her hobbies as well as enjoying traveling with her Beta Sigma Phi/Alpha Epsilon Zeta sorority sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sylvester and Miriam Ulm; two sisters, Carolyn Philips, and Rosemary Mathis; one brother, Jon Ulm.

Sally is survived by one sister Janice Sayles (Rodney) of Virginia; two sons, Jody Thomas (Monique) of Branson, and Nathan Thomas (Bridget) of Webb City; four grandchildren, Allison LeDuc (Michael) of Chesterfield, MO, Sam Thomas of Bella Vista, AR, Zachary Thomas of Hollister, MO, and Jonathan Thomas of Columbia, MO.

Sally wished to be cremated. A visitation/celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements in care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.

Chris Tate

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Rodney “Chris” C. Tate, age 54 of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 19th, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born on July 14th, 1969, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Vernon Tate and Terry Newton.

Say not in grief, ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.

Chris joined the Army after his high school graduation, served overseas as an E-5 Specialist and was honorably discharged in 1991. Shortly after he began work at Cardinal Scales, where he would start his career doing robot programming and welding and then have his first child in 1996. 

Chris loved playing his guitar more than anything. He was an outstanding guitarist, who could play almost any melody you’d ask him. Chris loved tinkering with his creations and making something new out of something old. He was the most creative, artistic and talented person. He was also the most loving, stubborn, yet genuine, father, brother and son a person could have. Chris also had a sense of humor like no other. He thought he was the funniest person in the world, which he was. He could light up a room with just a simple ‘Dad’ joke and have everyone in tears of laughter.

“His life was a blessing, his memory a treasure, he was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.’

Chris is survived by his daughter; Amy Tate, his sons; Jeremy Tate, Matthew Tate, his 3 grandchildren; Paisley, Layton and Lyvia, his mother; Terry Newton, his brother; Todd Tate, his sister; Kelly Young and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Tate, and brothers, V.J. Tate and Shane Newton.

“Although he has passed on, his memory forever stays. Remember how he smiled, and the joy he always gave. We’ll miss him all the time and think of him every day. His love filled the world, a love that will never fade.”

A memorial service has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation following the service.

Donald Elliott

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Donald Arthur Elliott went home to heaven January 1, 2024. He was born on September 17th, 1940, to William “Bill” Elliott and Ruth Deason Elliott in Salem, Indiana. 

In 1949, Bill sold the family farm in Indiana and moved everyone to Windsor, Colorado, where they started a dairy farm. They moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1956. Donald attended Greeley Central High School. Their basketball team went to State in 1958, the year Donald graduated.

He then attended McPherson College where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He married Nancy Ruth Erisman on June 10, 1961, in Quinter, Kansas. After graduating from McPherson with an industrial arts education major Donald and Nancy moved to Alma, Iowa, to teach school, where he coached football and track and the girls' basketball team. He enjoyed the 6-on-6 girls' basketball. Donald also became the proud father of a baby girl, Raquel, born in May 1963.

In 1964, thanks to the weather in Iowa, he decided it was better to work with his father, so they moved to Greeley. He worked for Elliott & Elliott, Inc. where he used his industrial art skills to design projects and manage home construction for the business where he became skilled in developing efficient buildings. He worked in building many single-family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, and apartment buildings.

After managing numerous apartments for Elliott & Elliott, he eventually broke away from the family business establishing Two Rivers Investments (TRI). He became a real estate broker and managed apartments, spear headed the formation of Weld County Apartment Association, serving as president several terms. He and Jan went to Washington DC acting as a lobbyist for the state apartment association. He also served on the Weld County Council. In 1998 his son-in-law Neal Jandreau bought TRI and it still thrives today.

During this time his family increased with son Brad being born in June 1966 and son Shawn arriving in September 1967. Sadly, his wife Nancy died unexpectedly in 1990. He then married Janelle (Jan) Book in February 1994 and became a step-father to Victoria Book and James Book, Jr.

His greatest joy came from being a father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Donald also enjoyed helping others, driven by a strong faith instilled by loving parents He served on church boards, and the Western Plains District Church of the Brethren Camp Colorado board of trustees. He and Nancy were founding members of the Peace Community Church of the Brethren in Windsor, Colorado. He also designed their church building and acted as superintendent of construction which was done by all volunteer workers. Years later he added nine stained glass windows. He also made stained glass windows for four other churches.

After becoming a snowbird and spending half the year in Arizona, Donald took up bridge and earned a senior silver status as a life master bridge player. He enjoyed being a bridge club director for several years. He and Jan enjoyed traveling to many different western states where he played in Regional Bridge tournaments. He also became a talented stained-glass worker. He was a very creative person whether designing buildings, managing apartments, negotiating real estate deals, or working on woodworking projects or stained glass. He made hundreds of toys for children’s Christmas stockings and Beads of Courage boxes for children with cancer.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Erisman Elliott, his parents Bill and Ruth Elliott, and his sisters Bonnie Elliott Peterson Anderson and Waneta Elliott. 

He is survived by his caring wife Jan, daughter Raquel Elliott Jandreau (Neal) of Windsor, CO, son Brad S Elliott (Heidi) of Wichita, KS, and son Shawn W Elliott (Buffi) of Greeley, CO, Jan’s children James Book and Victoria Book and his grandchildren Dylan, Faith and Zane Jandreau, Savannah, Megan and Jenna Elliott, step-grandchildren Mandi Welch and Maggie Bratton, his brother Leroy Elliott (Gwen) of Fisher, IN, his sister Ellen Bradley of Peoria AZ, and many nieces and nephews and 4 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to McPherson college Elliott family Scholarship Fund.

Pat Worley

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Patrick Worley, age 83, of Joplin, Missouri passed away Tuesday April 23, 2024, at his home following a recent decline in health.

Pat was born December 1, 1940, in Del Rio, Texas to Thomas George and Frederika (Vandestreek) Worley.

Pat was the owner/operator of Mallory Canvas Products and had also worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass for many years. He served as mayor of the Silver Creek community south of Joplin in the early 2000’s, establishing a relationship with the city of Joplin to provide sewer, water and emergency services to the community. 

He served honorably with the First Division of The United States Army during the Vietnam War during which he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and received the Bronze Star for Valor. Pat was an avid fisherman and sport shooting enthusiast winning many national awards and being a proud member of the NRA.

He married Katherine Webb on March 28, 1963, in Neon, Kentucky and she survives of the home. He is also survived by three sons, Daniel Worley and wife Heather, Carthage, Missouri, David Worley and wife Lori, Cedar Park, Texas, Patrick Worley Jr., Sarasota, Florida; five grandchildren, Sam Worley, Connor Worley, Corinne Stratton, Alexandra Worley, Jack Worley; one great grandson, Vincent Stratton; one brother James Worley, Boise, Idaho, one sister Judith Hingle, Lake Ridge, Virginia, as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday May 1, 2024, at Christ’s Community Church with Chris Sloan officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00-7:00 pm Tuesday April 30, 2024, at the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory Joplin, Missouri.

Joye Russell

(From Parker Mortuary)

Joye Ruth Barnes Russell, age 91, Joplin, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Joye was born September 21, 1932 near Southwest City, MO, daughter of the late William Clifford Barnes and Sydna Lee (West) Barnes. She attended Peter’s Prairie Grade School before graduating from Jay High School, Jay, OK. She then earned a degree in education from Missouri Southern State College before earning her master’s degree from Pittsburg State University in Education. She worked for 13 years with Southwestern Bell Telephone before beginning her career with the Joplin R VIII School District, which she enjoyed for over 26 years.

Joye was very involved with her community by being a member of the First United Methodist Church of Joplin where she enjoyed her time with the Tri M Sunday School Class. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Temple Chapter # 95, Order of the Eastern Star, past president of the Joplin Pilot Club, past President of the Joplin Eagles Aux., member of the Joplin Shrine Ladies, the Joplin Teacher’s Association, and was a volunteer with the Mercy Auxiliary with Mercy Hospice.

In addition to her parents, Joye was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Donald L. Russell who passed in 2003; a granddaughter, Ashley Dawn Laney; three sisters, Irene Haggard, Mary Lou Kissire, and Ethel Lee Axen.

Survivors include her son, Jay Burton Russell and wife Betty of Florida, daughter, Marisa Jean Russell Brooks and husband Gordan of Liberty, TX,; granddaughter, Sammi Burks Morehead; brother, Bill Barnes of Grants, New Mexico; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Chris Belk officiating.

A private inurnment will take place at a later date in Polston Cemetery, Southwest City, MO.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Deane Brownfield

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Deane Walter Brownfield, age 92, of Joplin, passed away on April 19th , 2024.

He was born in Topeka, KS on January 9, 1932 to his loving parents Walter and Esther (Dierschlag) Brownfield. He attended Topeka High School and graduated in 1950.

Deane married Patricia Roose in 1950 in Topeka, KS. From this union they produced three wonderful boys: Leonard and Scott born February 2, 1952 and Neal Brownfield born August 24, 1955. Patricia preceded him in death February, 1996.

He later married Joyce Stoffer in 2001. She preceded him in death in 2016.

Deane was a grocery stockman, grocery store manager and traveling salesman for several companies until his retirement in 1994. Throughout his life he enjoyed watching basketball, football and baseball. He enjoyed fishing and watching old westerns.

He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Esther Brownfield; two wives, Patricia Roose Brownfield and Helen Joyce Stoffer; one sister, Phyllis Sams; and one son, Leonard Brownfield.

Deane is survived by two sons Scott and Neal Brownfield.

A memorial visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 26 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Mason-Woodard.

Instead of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2616 Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804 in Deane’s name. They have online donation capability.

Arrangements under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory – Joplin, MO.