Julie DeCarlo

Julie Nell DeCarlo, age 65, of Joplin, MO, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2022. She was born December 11, 1956, to the late Maurice DeCarlo and Faye Nell (DeCarlo) Kleeman.

Julie grew up just outside of Joplin in Tabor Woods where she was a cheerleader at Carl Junction High School and excelled at various sports. 

A few years after graduating, Julie birthed a beautiful and loving handicapped child (Shara) which steered Julie into a challenging, but very rewarding career caring for the handicapped. She spent years in Tulsa, OK, where she garnered numerous awards for her dedication and care of severely handicapped adults. 

After a very successful career in Tulsa, Julie moved back to Joplin to be closer to her family where she again lent her service to the community assisting with the care of the severely handicapped.

Years of hard work and her battle with cancer took its toll and sent Julie into an early retirement.

Regardless of Julie's declining health, she never missed an opportunity to help family and friends. She enjoyed watching movies with Shara and spent most of her time with family and lovingly caring for her 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Julie was deeply devoted to her family and friends. She never met a stranger; her compassion and generosity were boundless.

Julie raised her two oldest grandkids (Jamaul and Kendriana DeCarlo), after the tragic loss of her daughter Kendace (Sissy) in July 2001. Julie's surviving children include her daughter Shara DeCarlo of Joplin, MO; sons Adrian DeCarlo of Joplin, MO, Blake DeCarlo of Neosho, MO, and Martin DeCarlo of Joplin, MO. Her surviving siblings include Mary Faucett of Springfield, MO, Susan DeCarlo of Joplin, MO, Dan DeCarlo of Springfield, MO, and Matthew DeCarlo of The Villages, FL.

Julie requested a private burial at Ozark Park Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, MO, where she will rest next to her daughter Sissy. The family wishes to thank all who cared for her during her last days and a heartfelt thank you for all the prayers and condolences. A Celebration of Life will be held at her son Blake's restaurant (DeCarlo's) in Neosho, MO, for close friends and family.

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The new book, Remembering: People Who Touched Our Lives, featuring 56 stories about people who left a lasting impact, is available now at Always Buying Books, The Book Guy and Changing Hands Book Shoppe in Joplin and the Lamar Democrat office in Lamar and can be purchased from Amazon at this link.

Signed copies can be ordered at the PayPal link below or by sending $25 (including sales tax and shipping) to Randy Turner, 2306 E. 8th, Apt. A, Joplin, MO 64801.