Dr. Neumer McKarus

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dr. Neumer McKarus, age 73, Joplin, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at St. Luke's Mid-America Institute on the Plaza in Kansas City.

Dr. McKarus was born March 27, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio, son of the late Roger Essa McKarus and Nellie Eva Courey McKarus. The family moved to California where he graduated from LA High School then received his professional degree from USC College of Optometry in 1964. He practiced in LA and was the Optometrist for the RAMS and LAKERS before moving to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1978. He practiced in Joplin from 1981 until he retired May 31, 2013, for a total of 46 years of service.

He helped many people throughout his professional career, and was known for his sense of humor, and always being upbeat and positive. Dr. McKarus was a member of Forest Park Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Cindi Turnage McKarus; sons, Jeffery McKarus of Carthage, Stephen McKarus of Lamar, Blake O'Dell and wife Laurie of Carthage, and Clay O'Dell and wife Mica of Yorktown, Virginia; grandchildren, Brenyn Jungmann, Stuart McKarus, Clayton O'Dell, Brayden O'Dell, Ashtyn O'Dell; brothers, Roger and Douglas McKarus both of California; sister, Jeanette Kahwaji and husband Sammy, formerly of Webb City; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Forest Park Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Forest Park Baptist Church on Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.