Jim Coberley

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Orville James “Jim” Coberley passed away Saturday June 1, 2024 at the age of ninety-one. He was a resident of Airport Drive Village for sixty-one years. He served as a member of the village zoning and planning committee for many years.

Jim was born to Harvey and Eulalia (Wright) Coberley on April 22, 1933 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where he lived and worked on a large ranch. He had a favorite horse named Red. At the age of fourteen, his family moved to Jane, Missouri. He was a graduate of White Rock High School where he played basketball, baseball, ran track, and was involved in a school play.

He served in the Army from 1953-1955.

He married Ruby Weston on September 1, 1955 in Wichita, Kansas, in a quiet ceremony and afterward they celebrated with a strawberry milkshake. At the time of his passing they had been married for 68 years and 9 months. Each year they celebrated with the famous strawberry milkshake.

Jim worked for Eagle Picher for 38 years. While working for Eagle Picher he became an engineering tech. Part of his responsibilities were to transport the batteries used on the Apollo Rockets. On one trip he carried the batteries for the Apollo 11 and was there to see it launch into space. After being an engineering tech for several years he became the manager of shipping and receiving for the Joplin plant and before he retired he was the purchasing manager at the Webb City Plant.

Jim was a current member of the Carthage Seventh Day Adventist Church, where for many years he served as the assistant treasurer, and elder. Prior to moving to the Carthage church, he was a member of the Joplin Seventh Day Adventist Church where he was a Head Deacon, an Ordained Elder, served as the church treasurer for many years and the resident handyman. He also served as the school board chairman for the Joplin Seventh Day Adventist church school for many years.

He loved traveling and spending time with his family while they went camping, fishing, floating the rivers and creeks in and around Pineville, and boating and skiing at Table Rock Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Eulalia Coberley, step-mother Opal Coberley, four brothers: Don, Lyle, Jack and Dean, and his daughter Melinda Sue.

He is survived by his loving wife Ruby (Weston) Coberley, his son Mike Coberley & wife Edith, his daughter Amy Hoagland & husband Terry. His grandchildren James Standley & wife Jeannie, Gwen Haase, Jennifer Quick & husband Matt, Brandon Coberley, Ben Hoagland & wife Anessa, Holley Hoagland, Garrett Files & Alex Files. Four great grandchildren, Harley and Jase Haase, and Colton and Brooklyn Cates, his sister Doris Schlessman & husband Don of Pineville Missouri. As well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 am Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Family will receive friends and guests from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Mason-Woodard.

Arrangements under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory - Joplin, MO.