Michael Gilmore

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Michael F. Gilmore, 78, passed away at home in Carthage, Missouri, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by his family. 

Michael was born on March 10, 1948, in Miami, Arizona, to William Francis and Edna Mae (Bever) Gilmore. He was awarded Father of the Year for the state of Wyoming in 1978. To his family, Michael will always be FATHER OF THE YEAR! He was a master of all trades with a heart of gold. Michael could fix anything. His generosity meant he never hesitated to help someone in need. 

Michael was united in marriage to Juanita Tagle on April 5, 1966; she survives. 

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Juanita; two sons, William Michael Gilmore (Dallas) and Timothy Michael Gilmore (Carla); a daughter, Susan Hetherington (Rob); grandchildren, Christian Gilmore, Ian Gilmore, Gillian Gilmore, and Carolyn Hetherington; and a brother, Jerry Gilmore. 

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, William and Edna; six brothers, Donald, Fredrick, Thomas, James, Stanley, and Larry Gilmore; and three sisters, Brenda Burd, Marilyn Cleveland, and Margaret Beadle. 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Park Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri. 

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. 

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Joe Fischer

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Joe B. Fischer, age 95, of Noel, Missouri, departed this life on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson, Missouri. He entered this life on January 8, 1931, in Wallace County, Kansas, the third of five children born to the late Julius and Ernestine (Weller) Fischer.

Joe was raised in Oakley, Kansas, and graduated from Oakley High School in 1949. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in Korea. On June 3, 1951, he married Luetta Mae “Lou” Bemiss, and together they shared nearly seventy-four years of marriage filled with love, commitment, and the blessings of a close family.

After their marriage, Joe and Lou resided in Nebraska until moving to Noel, Missouri, in 1963.

Once in Missouri, they built a life rooted in hard work and community. Joe and Lou owned and operated Fischer’s Clothing for a number of years. In addition to his work in retail, Joe was proud to have been a fire chief, a boy scout leader, and a proud member of the American Legion. He also farmed, raised chickens and served as a rural mail carrier.

Joe found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. And he especially treasured time spent with his family. In July of 1963, he began attending the Noel United Methodist Church where he became a lifelong faithful member.

He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Carpenter of Bentonville, Arkansas, Mayr Jane Fischer and HD Sawyer of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, and Nancy Huntsman and her husband, David, Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Toni Fischer of Noel, Missouri; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Ernestine Fischer; his beloved wife, Lou Fischer, on May 23, 2025; his son, Wayne Fischer; and four siblings, Fred Fischer, Bobby Logan, Gen Scully, and Lois Simonton.

Memorial Services are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the United Methodist Church of Noel, in Noel, Missouri, with Pastor Isacc Gibson officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church of Noel, in Noel, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

Rita Wenger

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Rita Mae (Grout) Wenger was born to Earl and Dorothea Grout on April 29, 1946, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. She passed away peacefully at her home the afternoon of June 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion that will forever inspire those who knew her.

Rita grew up in Iowa and attended Mid-Prairie High School. She continued her education at Iowa Wesleyan in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She married John Wenger on December 16, 1974, and together they celebrated 51 years of marriage, a true testament to their enduring love and commitment. 

Rita was a member of the Eastern Star. She was a faithful Christian and enjoyed being an active member of the church. She dedicated her life to education and loved working with her students. She had a passion for teaching students with special needs and took great pride in helping them achieve their goals. Their successes, both large and small, brought her great joy and reflected her compassion, patience, and dedication as a teacher.

Rita enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved to travel whether by land, sea or air. She was able to visit 49 states and some Caribbean islands. She enjoyed watching NASCAR, dirt track racing, and football (especially Iowa State Cyclones). She enjoyed listening to music and her favorite singer was Elvis. She enjoyed gardening and planting flowers. Rita especially loved animals. She grew up around farms and ended up living on a small farm. Her son Nick and his wife Kim expanded the farm by adding additional animals. Rita absolutely loved to watch all the babies run and play on the farm in the springtime.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Dorothea Grout, brother Russell Grout and her infant daughter Victoria Wenger.

She is survived by her husband John Wenger (Sarcoxie), son Nick Wenger and wife Kimberly (Sarcoxie) and daughter Jillian Wenger (Joplin). She is also survived by her three bonus children David Wenger (Missouri), Denise Goodwin (Iowa) and Danielle Stuart (Missouri), as well as 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. 

Rita's life was a shining example of kindness, compassion, generosity, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her radiant smile and selfless heart will forever be etched in our memories, inspiring us to live our lives with the same love, kindness, and joy that she embodied.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, June 18, 2026, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie. 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, Sarcoxie, Missouri.

Alaina Jean Wiedeman

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Alaina Jean Wiedeman was born August 14, 1973, in Nowata, Oklahoma, and died in Joplin, Missouri, of natural causes on June 7, 2026.

She was one of nine children who were placed in foster care by the Juvenile Court. When Alaina was five years old, she was brought to the Cerebral Palsy Center of Tri-County, Missouri, now named the Rosemary Wiedeman Center, where she met Rosemary Wiedeman. Bob and Rosemary took her into their home for the holidays, where it was love at first sight. Bob Wiedeman proposed adoption, and she soon became part of their family, which included a menagerie of pets. 

Bringing Alaina into their lives certainly brought stability and love into her life, but it also prompted them to slow down and enjoy life. In addition to receiving therapy and instruction at the CP Center and Vantage Point, she attended Joplin schools through age 21.

Although trapped in a body that would not do her bidding, she will be remembered for her never-fading smile, the twinkle in her eye, and her wicked sense of humor. She loved people, especially babies, animals, crafts, swimming, playing games, shopping, reading, the TV show ER, and movies that weren’t too violent or sexual. Purple is her favorite color. At one time, she enjoyed seeing shows in Branson as a fivesome with Aunt Sis and Uncle Ray McCulley. She was a registered voter and took this responsibility very seriously.

Alaina is preceded in death by Bob and Rosemary Wiedeman and her birth parents. (Bob and Rosemary ensured that Alaina remained in touch with her birth mother, writing, calling, and visiting her regularly until her death.) She is survived by Stan (Debbie) Wiedeman, Janet (Vic) Underwood, and Alaina’s twelve nieces and nephews and twenty-eight great-nieces and great-nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery & Crematory, 415 N St Louis Ave, Joplin, MO 64801, at 11 AM on Monday, June 15, 2026. Donations to the Rosemary Wiedeman Center would be greatly appreciated.

Jane Hossfeld

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Jane Elizabeth Hossfeld, 70, of Joplin, Missouri passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026. She was born on August 28, 1955, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Louis and Gwendolyn (Allsbury) Simpson. She was raised in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1973 from Highland Park High School.

On July 26, 1975, she married Thomas H. Hossfeld of Hiawatha, Kansas, in Topeka, Kansas. She often recalled meeting him at the Grasshopper, a disco dance club. He first asked her name and then, do you water ski? Together with family and friends they created countless boating memories at the lakes in KS, MO, and AR and also the ski slopes in Colorado. Later in life, she enjoyed her travels with family and friends.

Together they raised two daughters, Shelly and Lindsey. In the mid 80’s they were relocated to Joplin with Tom’s employer, Missouri Gas Energy. Jane was employed as a school secretary for Joplin R-8 when the girls were young. Later, she and Tom owned and operated Action Video and Tanning.

Jane’s greatest loves were her family. She was very proud of her daughters and their spouses, Shelly (Tanner) Faulkner and Lindsey (Scott) Browning. She deeply loved her grandchildren Paige, Miles, Megan Faulkner and Braxton and Brooklyn Browning. She was so proud of their accomplishments and growth. They always held a special place in her heart.

Jane was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist church. Her faith remained her foundation through every season of life, guiding her with grace and gratitude. She faced life’s challenges with remarkable strength and courage.

It was through the church she became a volunteer with homebound services. She delivered Meals On Wheels and was a long-time volunteer at Watered Gardens for more than 20 years.

She truly enjoyed her social camaraderie with her longtime friends, such as: Taco Tuesday’s, Wednesday lunch group, Wednesday wine group, Friday night dinners, birthday celebrations, bunco games, and lunches with lifelong friends for 35 plus years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom in 2003, her parents, brother Steve Simpson, sister Laura Weikel, Hobert and Cleda Hossfeld, and sister-in-law Julie (Hossfeld) Patteson.

She is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws, Shelly (Tanner) Faulkner and Lindsey (Scott) Browning, her five grandchildren, her brother Stuart (Karen) Simpson, brother in laws Don (Carol) Hossfeld and Allen Hossfeld, nieces and nephews and many cousins.

We say goodbye to our mother, mother-in-law, Nana and sister. Her legacy will live through our many traditions, cherished memories and our love for one another.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Monday, June 29, 2026, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2423 W 26th Street, with Pastor Keenan Cortez providing words of comfort. There will be a light sandwich lunch and visitation provided by the family in the church after the service. Please join us for fun conversations and to meet with the family.

A private family burial is planned.

In lieu of flowers, Jane suggested memorial donations can be made to Joplin Bright Futures or Watered Gardens.

The memorial service is under the direct care of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, MO.

Randy Bracken

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Charles “Randy” Bracken passed away on June 10th , 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Randy was born on November 19, 1947, to Elmer and Ruth (Blackburn) Bracken in Winchester, Tennessee. He married his wife, Carmen Johnson, on June 10, 1972, in Patoka, Illinois.

Randy received a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science degree from Southern Illinois University. He went on to teach horticulture for the Special School District of St. Louis County for thirty-five years.

Randy developed a lifelong love of hunting and fishing, first during his years in Tennessee and later throughout the remainder of his life in Missouri. Randy and Carmen lived for many years in St. Charles County, where Randy was an active member of several local Christian churches.

In 2019, Randy and Carmen moved to Webb City to be closer to family and to enjoy time with their grandchildren.

He is survived by Carmen Bracken, his wife of 54 years; one son, Adam Bracken (Paula); three grandchildren, Ally Bracken, Cy Bracken, and Nathan Bracken, all of Webb City; his former daughter-in-law, Stephanie Bracken of Webb City; and one sister, Donna Stevens of Estill Springs, Tennessee.

A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00am, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Mason- Woodard Mortuary with a service to follow at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cookson Hills Christian Ministries in care of the Mortuary.

Linda Jenkins

(From Lawson's Funeral Home)

Linda Lou Jenkins, age 74, of Grove, Oklahoma, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Grove, Oklahoma. She was born on March 15, 1952 in Littleton, Colorado to George Sterling Wilcox and Dorothy Ruth Jaeger Wilcox.

Our beloved grandmother Linda lived a life that was full of adventure, hard work, love, and kindness. In her younger years, she loved riding motorcycles and embraced life with a free spirit. She was spontaneous, fearless, and never afraid to follow her own path. She believed in living life to the fullest while working hard for everything she had, and her strength and determination were evident in all she accomplished.

Above all else, she was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she gave her love generously and unconditionally. She was always there with a listening ear, a comforting hug, words of wisdom, or a helping hand whenever it was needed.

To so many, Linda was known as the neighborhood grandma. Her door was always open, and her heart was even bigger. She had a remarkable gift for making friends wherever she went. It seemed impossible to meet her without instantly feeling like family. Every person who ever lived in the neighborhood became her friend, and over the years she built a family that extended far beyond blood relatives. The neighborhood children grew up knowing they were loved, welcomed, and cared for by her, and countless friends and neighbors came to think of her as family.

Linda never hesitated to help someone in need. Whether offering advice, sharing what she had, or simply being there for someone during a difficult time, she gave freely of herself. Her kindness touched the lives of so many people, and the impact she made will never be forgotten.

While we mourn her loss, we celebrate a life well lived. We will remember her adventurous spirit, her hardworking nature, her ability to make friends with anyone, and the endless love she shared with everyone that was fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy lives on through the family she raised, the friendships she cherished, and the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Linda is preceded in death by her father, George Sterling Wilcox and her mother, Dorthy Ruth Jaeger Wilcox; Brother, George Wilcox; and her fur babies, Preston and Toby.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Nancy Ruth Jackson and husband Davy of Grove, OK; 4 Grandchildren, Samantha Jackson of Birmingham, AL, Davy Jackson of Neosho, MO, Tabatha Buzzard and husband Luther of Grove OK and Jaxan Jackson of Grove OK; along with her extended family and friends.

Linda’s Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering with her family and friends will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Lawson’s Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 722 N 46th St., Grove, OK. 74344. Linda’s Memorial Gathering will conclude at the funeral home.

Linda’s family will have a Private Memorial Burial at Olympus North Cemetery, Grove, OK at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lawson’s Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 722 N 46th St., Grove, OK 74344 with Shaunda J. Lawson, 3rd Generation Owner/Funeral Director and Staff.