Margie Kruse

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Margie Lou Kruse, 99, of Sarcoxie, Missouri, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

She was born on August 27, 1926, in rural Newton County, Missouri, to the union of Howard and Fern (Crouch) Holle and lived a long life marked by love, devotion, and quiet strength.

Margie was a graduate of Diamond High School. She carried the values of hard work, family, and perseverance with her throughout her life. On May 14, 1948, Margie married Wilfred Marvin Kruse, sharing twenty years of memories together until his passing on April 1, 1969. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Betty Barcley.

Margie is survived by her son, Larry Kruse and his wife, Patsy, of Sarcoxie; her granddaughter, Christy Hanson and her husband, Eric, of Republic; and her great-grandchildren, Bailee Hanson and Jake Hanson.

Margie made her home on the family farm, where she lived for more than seventy-five years. She took great pride in her home, yard, flowers and found joy in caring for the place that meant so much to her. The farm was not only where she lived, but also where she built a life filled with routine, responsibility, and cherished memories. Her love for the land and for the life she created there reflected her deep appreciation for simple blessings and lasting traditions.

Throughout her working years, Margie was the owner of Margie’s Donut Shop and also worked for Kleeman’s restaurant. Her work reflected her strong spirit and her willingness to serve others. She was known for her dedication and for the care she put into everything she did. In addition to her work, she was a past member of the American Legion, where she valued the fellowship and connection that came with being part of that community. Margie enjoyed playing Bingo and especially loved spending time with her family and friends. Her family was the center of her life. Margie will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Funeral services for Margie are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sarcoxie, with Pastor Gary Griffin officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Sarcoxie. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to church in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.

 

Bob Scott

(From White Funeral Home)

Robert C. Scott Jr. (Uncle Bob) was born in Austin, Texas in 1952 to Robert C. Scott Sr and Meta Schmitt. Of Scotch and German stock, Bob loved Ray Wylie Hubbard and abhorred the idea that barbecue needs sauce - in other words, he was a full-blooded Texan. 

Maybe it was his born nature or maybe he learned it from the heroes in the Westerns of his childhood, but several character traits came to him early and stayed with him for life. He was incapable of telling a lie, which combined with a sharp wit and an inability to hold his tongue, could often cause either hot tempers or great laughter - often both in like order. 

Similarly, he had a wild side that needed occasional release; a little too occasionally when he became of military service age. His father, a detective for the Austin City Police Department, became aware of his son’s mostly harmless legal discrepancies (but discrepancies nonetheless) and gave him the ultimatum, “Shape up or ship out”. And Bob, not being able to tell a lie said, “O.K. I’ll ship out”. And so, Bob joined the Navy where he served six years mostly aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Constellation. 

Of course, during this military service, he also ‘shaped up (for the most part). Bob, proudly served in the United States Navy from 1972 to 1978. His six years of service included more than four years at sea aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), where he served as Ships Inertial Navigation Work Center Supervisor. This role reflected his exceptional technical ability, quiet leadership, and steadfast dedication to duty. 

His military service earned him the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Award. He was also proud to have been initiated as a “Shellback” after crossing the Equator and welcomed into the “Domain of the Golden Dragon” after crossing the 180th meridian. Bob carried great pride in his Navy years and remained an active member of Madeira Beach American Legion Post 273. Honoring his final wish, he will be buried at sea. 

After leaving the Navy, Bob continued to build a career rooted in technical expertise and service to others. He worked for several years as a software trainer for medical systems and later spent six years with Bendix Field Engineering Corporation as a highly respected Navigation Aids Technician in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supporting the Presidency of Civil Aviation. This ‘shaping up gave him an education in electronics and an introduction into computing, two skills that would keep him employed for the rest of his life. 

After retiring from a career in advanced electronics in the US Navy, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles, Fort Wayne, and Kansas City, Bob left urban life and moved to rural McDonald County where he proudly proclaimed the title of his new estate, Uncle Bob’s Do-Nothing Ranch. For once, perhaps, he told a lie because he did far from nothing there. He would gladly volunteer to provide a celebration or holiday table with the finest smoked meat there ever was. He would also gladly volunteer to fix any electric guitar in need of service - a willingness that kept his workbench surprisingly busy. 

He was also kept busy feeding the wildlife that frequented his deck; Opossums, racoons, birds, all were welcome except gray squirrels - they were a nuisance to be assailed (a deserved or undeserved prejudice he shared with his mother). Aside from fixing guitars, Bob was an accomplished builder of electric guitars and an avid ‘Rock-n-Roller’. Off the Do-Nothing Ranch, Bob enjoyed scuba diving, fishing, skeet shooting, and bird hunting. Both on and off the Do-Nothing Ranch Bob enjoyed Jack Daniels (perhaps the greatest assault to his sense of order was that it was not made in Texas).

Uncle Bob passed away on April 21, 2026. He was a gift to this world, and we are grateful for him. Uncle Bob is survived by his sister, Beverly Wardlaw; By his nephews, Caleb, Ben and Joshua Wardlaw; By his niece-in-laws Alisen Payette, Elizabeth Wardlaw and Lauren Wardlaw; By his great nieces, Birdie, Ruthie, and Dahlia Wardlaw; By his great nephews, Huxley, Grayson, and Roland Wardlaw, and lifelong dear friend and military comrade of 53 years Gregory K Flowers and his wife Brenda. He is also survived by his big, orange cat, Tater.

Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory.

Briley Davis

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Briley Dawn Davis was born On February 24th, 2011 in Rogers Arkansas. She was the daughter of Emily and Nathan Reagh. She entered into rest at the age of 15, on April 17th 2026, in Pineville Missouri after taking her own life.

Briley was a sister of five; Braxton, Brenton, Braylen Jasmine and Jayden. But to a lot of us she was so much more. The nights that were rough and hard to get through, she was one of the big reasons we pushed through.

We made future plans together the plans of us getting out of here and living a great life. She was always so smart, definitely the book worm out of all of us. She was a great friend to so many and an amazing sister for all of us and a beautiful and loving daughter. She enjoyed musicals like Hamilton and The Walking Dead.

She always had such great facial expressions and made everyone around her laugh and fill to the brim with joy. Our hearts shatter into a thousand pieces longing for her day after day, missing her even much more than the other.

Briley was loved by many, she didn’t want to die. She just wanted to be happy and free.

VISITATION

Ozark Funeral Homes - Anderson Friday, April 24, 2026
10:00 AM
100 Spring Street - P.O. Box 520
Anderson, MO 64831

FUNERAL SERVICE

Ozark Funeral Homes - Anderson Friday, April 24, 2026
11:00 AM
100 Spring Street - P.O. Box 520
Anderson, MO 64831

Jake Williams

 

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Henry Marshvon ”Jake” Williams, 87, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away at his home, April 22nd, 2026.

Jake was born January 7th, 1939 in Racine, Missouri at the Milnot Farm to Roy E. Williams and Hathaway P. Rich. He was the fourth child and the youngest son in his family. He attended Seneca High School where he played football.

On August 19th, 1960, he married Dale Virginia Scott in rural Neosho, Missouri. They shared 61 years of marriage before her passing on June 21st, 2022. This union was blessed with four children; Marsha, Tara, Kelly, and Von.

Jake dedicated 28 years of his career to New-Mac Electric as brush crew, lineman, and foreman before retiring in 1997. He valued the friendships he built with this co-workers over the years.

In his free time, Jake enjoyed camping, cutting wood, and fishing with his brothers. He was a genealogist searching for Williams family history. He loved playing dominos and loved spending time with family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Hathaway; his beloved wife Dale; his brothers, RoyLee, Pete, and Bill Williams, and his sister MaryLou Staib.

He is survived by his children, Marsha (Jerry) Powers, Tara Powers, Kelly (Caryl) Williams, and Von (Loretta) Williams; his sisters Lillys Ludiker, Connie (Tom) Humphries; his grandchildren Crystal (Tony) Powers, JesseAlan Powers, Quenton (Jennifer) Powers, Resa Weidler, Jake Williams, Garrett (Lindsey) Williams, Trinity Williams, Hunter Day, Bree Williams, and Cody Ritter; great-grandchildren Zander, Landon; twins, Autumn and Hazel; Austin, Emma, Maverick, Kaius, Sunnie, Sayler, and Tori.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, at Clark Chapel of Memories from 6 to 7 PM.

Funeral will be held Wednesday, April 29th, 2026, at Clark Funeral Home at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Burkhart Cemetery in Racine, Missouri.

Jan Bussey

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Jana Lee Bussey was born on January 27, 1941, in Wellsville, Missouri, the youngest daughter of Arthur B. and Lottie May (Brandenburg) Carpenter. She entered into rest on April 22, 2026, following a lengthy illness at the age of 85. 

 Jan and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri as a young child and graduated from East High School. She had worked at Hallmark Cards and Panhandle Eastern and at SouthWestern Bell as a telephone operator while living in Kansas City. On February 5, 1960, Jan and Everett E. Bussey, Jr. were married and they had two daughters, Tina and Debbie. 

 

The family moved to Neosho in 1968 from Kansas City. Upon moving to Neosho, she worked at Talbot Wire and Kraft Foods, where she retired in 1991. Jan had a deep and endless love for her family and they were always a priority in her life. Her biggest joy was being a Mother, Grandmother and Gigi. She never met a stranger and loved going to the local thrift stores and garage sales where she always found someone to visit with. She was a kind and giving person, always thinking of others. She was a member of the Neosho United Methodist Church. On May 14, 2024, after sixty five years of marriage, Everett preceded her in death.

She is survived by her two daughters, Tina Hierholzer and husband, Dan of Neosho and Debbie Bussey and Donna Hamblin of Republic, Missouri; two grandchildren, who brought tremendous joy to her life, Sarah Daspit and husband, Matt of Springdale, Arkansas and Blake T. Hierholzer of Neosho; three great grandsons, who fondly called her Gigi, Lance Daspit of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Grayson Daspit and Jackson Daspit of Springdale, Arkansas and Justin Hamblin of Republic, one nephew and four nieces and many friends. 

 In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mary Jean Zimmerman.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26th at the Clark Funeral Home from 2 pm – 4 pm. Funeral services will be on Monday, April 27th at 11 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with a private family graveside to follow. Contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, which was near and dear to her heart.

Howard Todd

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Howard Erwin Todd, age 72, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on April 18, 2026, at his home.

Howard was born on June 16, 1953, in Roseburg, Oregon, to Howard and Shirley Todd. He grew up alongside his brothers, and sister, forming the foundation of a life centered on family, resilience, and curiosity.

On April 12, 1989, he married Wanda Owens at the Lake of the Ozarks. Together, they built a life filled with love and raised a family of six children—three sons and three daughters—who were a constant source of pride and joy.

Howard dedicated his professional life to serving others as a firefighter and paramedic with the Joplin Fire District, JEMS, and METS Ambulance services. Through years of commitment and courage, he rose to the rank of Fire Marshal, retiring in 2001. Once retired he worked for Joplin Fire Protection. His career reflected his steady character, leadership, and willingness to meet challenges head-on.

Outside of his service, Howard was a man of remarkable talent and wide-ranging interests. He had a deep love for learning new skills and pursuing challenges, often mastering whatever he set his mind to. He was an avid gamer, known by his friends around the world as “FireCapt” while playing Call of Duty. Through gaming, he formed lasting friendships across the globe and even had the opportunity to travel and meet several of those friends in person.

Howard also enjoyed building intricate model planes, boats, and cars, as well as restoring full-size vehicles. His craftsmanship extended into smithing, where he created swords and knives, and into collecting and restoring black powder firearms, which he used in historical reenactments he greatly enjoyed. In later years, he even took up embroidery and quilting—further proof of his creativity and willingness to try anything new.

He was truly a jack of all trades, but more than that, he approached each passion with dedication, patience, and pride.

He was preceded in death by his parents Shirley Todd and Howard D. Todd.

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Todd, of the home; his sons, Howie Todd of Joplin, Missouri, Jason Gomez and wife Kim of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Joshua Gomez of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his daughters, Crystal Shryock and husband Bob of Joplin, Missouri, Jennifer Covalt and husband Jon of Mustang, Oklahoma, and Jessica Salas and husband Anthony of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his brothers, Bryan Todd and wife Heidi of Carthage, Missouri, and Daryl Todd and wife Sandee of Arley, Alabama; his sister, Terri Poore and husband Jim of Klamath Falls, Oregon; 12 grandchildren: Courtney, Brittany and husband Brandon, Meagan, Marissa, Dakota and wife Chelsea, Bobby, Emily, Jayden, Joie, Jacy, Khayli, Joseph and a host of nieces and nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 2 at the family home, 2502 N. Indiana Ave. Joplin, MO 64801.

Jocelyn Holmes

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Jocelyn A. Holmes, age 71, of Joplin, MO passed away on Thursday April 16, 2026 at her home residence following a brief illness.

Jocelyn was born on December 12, 1954 in Joplin, MO, the daughter of the late Leroy King and Minnie J. Holmes.
Jocelyn has lived all her life in Joplin, MO. She attended church at Believes Connection Church for many years and Hope Assembly Church for many years. She worked at the YMCA and St. John’s Hospital. 

Jocelyn was a go-getter she loved witnessing for Christ Jesus; she wanted everyone to know that Jesus Christ was the only true answer.

Jocelyn is survived by three sisters, Joyce Holmes of Joplin, MO, Debbie Butler of Omaha, NE, and Sheila Kindred Mingo of Denver, CO; two nephews and one niece; and many great nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Minnie J. Holmes and father, Leroy King; one brother, Bobbie Holmes; and one sister, Shelly Horton.

Services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory, 3701 E. 7th St, Joplin, MO 64801.