Bert Hurn

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Bert C. Hurn, 98, a lifelong Newton County, Missouri native, was born on December 15, 1924 in Granby, MO, the fifth child of Harvey and Golda (Bennentindi) Hurn. 

 Bert was raised in Neosho where he graduated from Neosho High School, class of 1942. After high school, he graduated from Joplin Junior College and went on to attend Washington University in Saint Louis, MO. He would finish his master’s degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia and afterwards earned his Juris Doctorate in Law from Mizzou.

Bert would then begin his long and historic career in law. First, he returned to Neosho to start his own practice for several years. During this time, he was first appointed as the city attorney for Granby, MO. Afterwards, he was appointed to the same position for the City of Neosho before his appointment as Neosho Municipal Court Judge. His final appointment at the local level would be as Newton County Prosecuting Attorney.

His expertise and attorney pedigree earned him the prominent appointment by the President of the United States to serve as a United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City. To this day, he is still the only federal U.S. Attorney to be appointed by U.S. Presidents from both political parties. 

 Bert specialized in and investigated white collar crimes, armed bank robberies, and terrorism. Bert was also an expert marksman, both in long rifles and handguns, as required by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Unprecedented in his prominent position, Bert would even respond to crime scenes and observe arrests in-person. He served in this position for many years and would eventually return home to Southwest Missouri.

After returning home from his duties in the U.S. Attorney’s office, Bert would take a short break and then reopened his private practice. He would also attend Crowder College, taking classes in fine arts and fabrication. Bert had many interests; he was eager to learn new talents and would be a person of many trades. A number of trades he enjoyed were sculpting clay and wood, painting wildlife scenes and portraits, photography, stained glass windows, metal sculpture and jewelry, hand carving canes, staffs, and slingshots, just to name a few.

Bert was a member of the First Baptist Church in Neosho, where he sponsored the Royal Ambassadors and spent time investing in young people. He was also a member in good standing for over 75 years with the Newton County Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, a member of the Federal Bar Association and the Neosho Lions Club.

At the time of his death, Bert was working with a local writer, regarding his life’s work and accomplishments. Bert was a proud patriot and was especially proud to fly the American Flag, the Christian Flag, and the United Nations Flag at his home.

Bert was married to Dixie Louise (Kelly) until her passing in 2017.

Survivors include his son Ashley; Two granddaughters, Danielle Warner, and her husband, Caleb and Aubrey Snyder; one great-granddaughter, Murphy Warner; and Patricia Thompson, a close family friend.

In addition to his wife, Bert is preceded in death by one Son, Marcus Hurn; Ashley's wife, Lucy; a sister, Wilma Moore and her husband, Ross; a sister, Maxine Mitchell, and her husband Roy; a sister, Fern Fortney, and her husband, Jack; a brother, Russel Hurn and his wife, Tommie.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. A committal service will follow at the Neosho I.O.O.F Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Ashley Hurn, Jahn Hurn, Jimmy Hurn, Caleb Warner, Steve Hopkins and Wes Franklin.

Funeral arrangements are under the personal direction of Clark Funeral Homes, Neosho, MO. Online condolences may be sent to www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.