John Woolsey

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

John Leon Woolsey Jr., age 86, of Webb City, Mo., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 8, 2017 at his home. John was born January 25, 1931 in Webb City to his beloved parents, John “Leon” Woolsey Sr. and Jewel Craig Woolsey. He graduated from Webb City High School in 1948 and attended Joplin Jr. College from 1949-1950. John served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

John worked for the Missouri Highway Dept. in Engineering from 1951-1953, and upon discharge from the Army rejoined the Highway Dept. in 1955 through 1963. He then moved with his family to California where he worked for the California Dept. of Water Resources both in Engineering and as Construction Supervisor until relocating back to Webb City in 1977 where he worked with his Father and Brother Joe for the Woolsey Survey Company until his Father’s retirement in 1981. He then joined Snyder Construction Co. as a Surveyor until his retirement in 1996. John was a member of Wellspring Church of Webb City.

John married Shirley Roberts in 1951, and they were blessed with four children, Rodney, David, Shane, and Kimberlee. He married Olivia Cox Pelton in 1976, and they were blessed with three children, Karen, Robert, and Barbara. John was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Jewel Woolsey, his Stepmother, Ruth Key Woolsey, a daughter, Kimberlee Werberger, and a son, Rodney Woolsey. Survivors include his wife Olivia, of the home, his sons, David Woolsey and wife Janis, and Shane Woolsey, Miramonte, Ca., and Robert Pelton and wife Jessica, Plano Texas, and daughters, Karen Staggs and husband Bobby, Webb City, and Barbara Lake and husband Bill, Neosho, Mo., one sister, Mary Dean Williams and husband Lee, Webb City, two brothers, Craig Woolsey and wife Shirley, Tulsa, Ok. and Joe Woolsey and wife Deanna, Joplin. John was the proud Grandfather/Papa to 19 grandchildren; Dakotah, Spencer, Laramie Kittrick, Joe, Anna, Julie, Eli, and Leon Woolsey, Rose Brasuel, Shane and Shawn Werberger, Blake, Alivia, Lauren and Will Staggs, Christian and Grayson Pelton, and Bryce Lake, Great Grandaughters: Ali and Ava Werberger-Doll, and Mia Werberger, and Great Grandsons Braxon Woolsey, Troy, Tristan, Titus and Cole Brasuel,.

John was a man of God with a gentle spirit, highly respected, and loved by all. Until we join John in heaven with our Lord and Savior…John will be greatly missed, and he lives in our hearts forever.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Jay St. Clair, and Craig Woolsey, Ministers, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mortuary. Memorial contributions are requested to God’s Resort in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.