Lavaun Bushnell

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lavaun (Stone) Bushnell was born on August 11, 1929, in Violet Hill, Arkansas, one of three children to Walter and Fern (Cooper) Stone. She entered into rest on January 23, 2024, in Joplin, Missouri, at the age of 94. 

Lavaun was a lifelong area resident and graduated from Neosho High School in 1947. She worked as a secretary and retired from East Newton High School where she was secretary for the principal, Don Johnston. 

Lavaun loved family get togethers at the lake and was an avid water skier and loved being on the family farm. She greatly enjoyed music and singing with her sister and brother-in-law. She was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church. 

On October 18, 1947, in Neosho, Lavaun and Dawn Bushnell were united in marriage and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2021, after sharing seventy-four years together. 

Lavaun is survived by two daughters, Donna Van Otterloo of Joplin and Toni Scott of Pineville, Louisiana: five grandchildren, Jonathan Van Otterloo and wife, Heather, Paul Van Otterloo and wife, Kathy, Lee Van Otterloo and partner, Shelley, Kirsten Scott and husband Brian and Sheila Pescue; and six great grandchildren, Marcus Scott, Tia Vogel, Mindy Van Otterloo, Katrina Hill, Ryan Roberts and Scott Roberts. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Penny Bushnell; sister, Wayne Studdard and brother, Thednal Stone. 

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 1 pm at Neosho Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Tuesday evening, January 30, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho. Contributions in memory of Lavaun may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church or Faithful Friends, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, Missouri 64850.