(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Phyllis J. Rusk Close, age 95, of Joplin, Mo., passed away Thursday morning, October 29, 2020, peacefully at her home with her children, Renee’ and Phillip by her side. Phyllis was born December 13,1924, in Carterville, Mo., the daughter of Glen Rusk and Juanita Dunham Rusk. She was a 1943 graduate of Carterville High School.
Phyllis married Robert D. Close on September 1, 1946 at First United Methodist Church, in Carterville, Mo. and they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary together. Robert preceded her in death in 2018.
Phyllis was employed as a lab technician and doctors assistant for Dr. P. M. Pence, Carterville, Mo. and for Drs. Phillips & Diasher, Seward, Alaska.
Phyllis was employed as a lab technician and doctors assistant for Dr. P. M. Pence, Carterville, Mo. and for Drs. Phillips & Diasher, Seward, Alaska.
After returning from Alaska she was employed by First National Bank and Trust Co. of Joplin, Mo. She became a full time homemaker when she and Robert began their family.
Phyllis was a loving mother and homemaker. She was a Girl Scout leader and neighborhood chair person for 7 years and past president of the PTA as well as a room mother at Eastmorland Elementary School for 10 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Joplin for 63 years and past president of the Tri-M Sunday School class. She was a member and past president of the Woman's Club of Joplin.
Phyllis’ interests included china painting and doll collecting. She had been a member of the Spiva Art Center. She was a member and past president of the Ozark Porcelain Artists. She was a member and teacher of the International Porcelain Artists as well as the World Organization of China Painters. Phyllis taught china painting at Missouri Southern State University in their Continuing Education program. Phyllis was a guest artist and displayed her work in the Rotunda at the state capital in Jefferson City. She was still teaching at the age of 93. She was a past president of the Joplin Federated Doll Club and a charter member of the Missouri Kewpie Club.
Phyllis was a charter member of Briarbrook Country Club and a member of Twin Hills Country Club. Other memberships included the Carterville American Legion, Joplin Historical Society, and a Y. W.C.A.board member. She enjoyed trips from being a member of Prestige of St. John’s Hospital, Lifestyles of Southwest Missouri Bank, and Mesa sponsored by US Bank. Phyllis was past president of the Opti-Mrs. Club and a lifetime member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Eta Upsilon Chapter.
Survivors include one daughter, Renee Close Goostree, Joplin; one son, Phillip J. Close and wife, Jo Hannah, Grove, Oklahoma.; two granddaughters, Emily Goostree, Webb City, and Alexandra Close Maffei and her husband, C.J., Grove, Oklahoma.; two great-grandsons, Ethan Goostree, Webb City; and Calum Maffei, Grove, and a niece, Mary Anita Gustin and family, Belen, N.M. Phyllis was preceded in death by her brother, Glen W. Rusk and sister-in-law Harriet Knight Rusk.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2nd, at the First United Methodist Church of Joplin, with Pastor Marsha Eichler officiating. Burial will follow at the Carterville Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to Ronald McDonald House of the Four States or Carterville Cemetery Association, in care of the mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin.
Phyllis was a loving mother and homemaker. She was a Girl Scout leader and neighborhood chair person for 7 years and past president of the PTA as well as a room mother at Eastmorland Elementary School for 10 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Joplin for 63 years and past president of the Tri-M Sunday School class. She was a member and past president of the Woman's Club of Joplin.
Phyllis’ interests included china painting and doll collecting. She had been a member of the Spiva Art Center. She was a member and past president of the Ozark Porcelain Artists. She was a member and teacher of the International Porcelain Artists as well as the World Organization of China Painters. Phyllis taught china painting at Missouri Southern State University in their Continuing Education program. Phyllis was a guest artist and displayed her work in the Rotunda at the state capital in Jefferson City. She was still teaching at the age of 93. She was a past president of the Joplin Federated Doll Club and a charter member of the Missouri Kewpie Club.
Phyllis was a charter member of Briarbrook Country Club and a member of Twin Hills Country Club. Other memberships included the Carterville American Legion, Joplin Historical Society, and a Y. W.C.A.board member. She enjoyed trips from being a member of Prestige of St. John’s Hospital, Lifestyles of Southwest Missouri Bank, and Mesa sponsored by US Bank. Phyllis was past president of the Opti-Mrs. Club and a lifetime member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Eta Upsilon Chapter.
Survivors include one daughter, Renee Close Goostree, Joplin; one son, Phillip J. Close and wife, Jo Hannah, Grove, Oklahoma.; two granddaughters, Emily Goostree, Webb City, and Alexandra Close Maffei and her husband, C.J., Grove, Oklahoma.; two great-grandsons, Ethan Goostree, Webb City; and Calum Maffei, Grove, and a niece, Mary Anita Gustin and family, Belen, N.M. Phyllis was preceded in death by her brother, Glen W. Rusk and sister-in-law Harriet Knight Rusk.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2nd, at the First United Methodist Church of Joplin, with Pastor Marsha Eichler officiating. Burial will follow at the Carterville Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to Ronald McDonald House of the Four States or Carterville Cemetery Association, in care of the mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin.
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