Leland Easterday

(From Parker Mortuary)

Leland Dow Easterday, age 87, Joplin, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Joplin,

Leland was born October 1, 1929 in Rocksprings, Wyoming, son of the late Everett E. Easterday and Ruby O. Carter Easterday. He graduated from Milan High School, then earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Kirksville State Teacher College, now Truman State, and earned his doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas. He was a teacher for over 40 years, retiring as a professor of elementary education at Missouri Southern State University. Leland also served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 where he was stationed in Wiesbaden,Germany. He was a member of Forest Park Baptist Church, the National Education Association, Missouri National Education Association, National Council for the Social Studies, and Gideon's International. After his retirement he loved to travel with his wife of 54 years, Rosa Mae, and they traveled to all 50 states over the years.

In addition to his parents Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Mae Easterday who died on March 25, 2009, and a brother, Dean Easterday.

Survivors include his daughters, Debra K. Eckhart and husband David of Webb City, Brenda Lee Harter and husband Morris of Joplin; grandchildren, Emily Willett and husband Justin of Overland Park, Kansas, Ashley Alcorn and husband Matt of Webb City, Stacy Stockton and husband Aaron of Webb City, Stephanie Harter and fiance' Matt Campbell of Lacrosse, Wisconsin; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Sydney Willett, Blair and Annabelle Alcorn, and Lydia and Luke Stockton; brothers, Glen Easterday and wife Phyllis of Des Moines, Iowa, Larry Easterday and wife Sharon of O'Fallon, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Colleen Easterday of Raytown, Missouri, Doris Veeder of Trenton, Missouri, and Etheleen Sparks of Chillicothe, Missouri; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m..







In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Forest Park Baptist Church Media Ministry, or Gideon's International.