Naomi Kepple

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Naomi R. Kepple, 100, of Carterville, MO, passed away on April 1, 2021 at her home, following a long and fulfilling life.

Naomi was born on February 21, 1921, in Carthage, MO, the daughter of the late Charles and Maude (Slatten) Cruzan. She has been a lifetime area resident. She graduated from Carterville High School in 1938. 

She taught piano and organ lessons for many years in both Joplin and Carterville. She also worked for the Joplin R-8 School District before retiring in 1975. She was an active member of Carterville Methodist Church, where she was the organist for 45 years. She loved spending time with her family, traveling, oil painting and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She married Howard Dillon in November of 1941. Together they had three daughters. He preceded her in death in November of 1958. She then married Ray Kepple in October of 1971, and he preceded her in death in July of 1983.

She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Beverly Dodge and Barbara Dillon; a grandson, Bradley McClintock; four brothers, Leonard, Lester, Clyde and Virgil Cruzan; and three sisters, Cecile Brown, Dorothy and Mary Cruzan.

Naomi is survived by one daughter, Sharon McClintock and husband Kenneth, Carterville, MO; three grandchildren, Brian Dodge, Gilbert, AZ, Brent Dodge and wife Amy, Joplin, MO and Kevin McClintock and wife Katy, Joplin, MO; a granddaughter-in-law, Kelly McClintock, Hot Springs, AR; seven great-grandchildren, Jude McClintock, Allison Dodge, Dillon Dodge, Michael Dodge, John Dodge, Susannah Brogan, Shea Schrader; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Carol Dillon, Oswego, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Bob Wynne will officiate. Prior to Friday's service, a visitation will be held at 1 p.m. at Mason-Woodard Chapel.



Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.