(From Ozark Funeral Home)Eloise Ilene Smith passed away on May 2, 2026 at the age of 94 at Oak Pointe Assisted Living in Neosho, Missouri.
Eloise was born on September 25, 1931 to Ernest and Martha (Lewis) Crosby in Anderson, Missouri. The family lived on a farm where Eloise attended a small country school named Banner. After her eighth-grade graduation she entered Anderson High School and graduated in 1949.
Eloise met Henry Smith, “the love of her life” at the local theater in Anderson and on April 12, 1952, they were married in Coy, Missouri. After they married, the couple moved to Killen, Texas after Henry joined the Army where he did his basic training at the army base at Fort Hood. After basic training Henry was shipped to Manheim, Germany during the Korean War while Eloise spent her days picking pecans, swimming and making friends. When he returned, they purchased the family farm in Coy, Missouri and eventually increased their property to 170 acres in the beautiful Patterson Creek valley where they made their life together for 68 years until Henry’s passing in 2020. They had two daughters, Peggy and Patsy who have many fond memories of growing up on the farm.
Eloise worked at the Anderson State Bank as a teller and Henry at Roper Gas Company until they decided to leave their jobs and dedicate their time working together on the farm. They milked cows and had an egg operation with 2 chicken houses and 24,000-layer hens. Later they sold their milk cows and invested in registered Charolais and Limousine beef cattle. You could also find Eloise in the hot summer sun raking hay along with Henry on the baler. The workload was seven days a week, but they were doing what they loved. Eloise took pride in her beautiful yard, and it was evident with all her beautiful flowers and trees, and she never let a weed grow, even the fencerows were always weed free. She loved to do ceramics, quilt and cook. She made the best fried chicken, homemade hot rolls, fried potatoes, dressing, chocolate milkshakes and donuts. She made sure when the grandkids came to visit, they got their favorite food.
Eloise formerly attended Full Gospel Church in Anderson, Missouri where she served as church secretary to Pastor Dean Royce. She was currently a member of the Buffalo Creek Baptist Church, but at the time of her death was attending weekly services at Oak Pointe Assisted Living of Neosho. She was a devout woman of faith, and she passed that faith on from generation to generation.
Eloise is survived by one daughter Patsy and husband James Loncarich of Goodman, Missouri, a son-in-law that is like her very own son, Larry Rustin of Joplin, Missouri, three grandchildren, Frank and wife Rebeca Loncarich, Lauren and husband Joshua Manning and Rachel and husband Andrew Stemm, seven great grand-children, Caleb Loncarich, Emma and husband Caleb French, Luke Manning, Claire and husband Silas Griffith, Logan Loncarich, Ryan Stemm and Jack Stemm and one great-great grandson, Josiah French and a great-great granddaughter on the way. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Edna Crosby, Joann Crosby and Peggy Crosby, two brothers-in-law, Tom Smith and Leslie and wife Judy Smith and a host nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Martha Crosby, husband Henry, daughter Peggy Rustin, siblings Vernon, Elmo and Karon Crosby and one sister, Maxine Shaver.
Eloise worked at the Anderson State Bank as a teller and Henry at Roper Gas Company until they decided to leave their jobs and dedicate their time working together on the farm. They milked cows and had an egg operation with 2 chicken houses and 24,000-layer hens. Later they sold their milk cows and invested in registered Charolais and Limousine beef cattle. You could also find Eloise in the hot summer sun raking hay along with Henry on the baler. The workload was seven days a week, but they were doing what they loved. Eloise took pride in her beautiful yard, and it was evident with all her beautiful flowers and trees, and she never let a weed grow, even the fencerows were always weed free. She loved to do ceramics, quilt and cook. She made the best fried chicken, homemade hot rolls, fried potatoes, dressing, chocolate milkshakes and donuts. She made sure when the grandkids came to visit, they got their favorite food.
Eloise formerly attended Full Gospel Church in Anderson, Missouri where she served as church secretary to Pastor Dean Royce. She was currently a member of the Buffalo Creek Baptist Church, but at the time of her death was attending weekly services at Oak Pointe Assisted Living of Neosho. She was a devout woman of faith, and she passed that faith on from generation to generation.
Eloise is survived by one daughter Patsy and husband James Loncarich of Goodman, Missouri, a son-in-law that is like her very own son, Larry Rustin of Joplin, Missouri, three grandchildren, Frank and wife Rebeca Loncarich, Lauren and husband Joshua Manning and Rachel and husband Andrew Stemm, seven great grand-children, Caleb Loncarich, Emma and husband Caleb French, Luke Manning, Claire and husband Silas Griffith, Logan Loncarich, Ryan Stemm and Jack Stemm and one great-great grandson, Josiah French and a great-great granddaughter on the way. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Edna Crosby, Joann Crosby and Peggy Crosby, two brothers-in-law, Tom Smith and Leslie and wife Judy Smith and a host nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Martha Crosby, husband Henry, daughter Peggy Rustin, siblings Vernon, Elmo and Karon Crosby and one sister, Maxine Shaver.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to:
Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Neosho
P.O. Box 594
Neosho, MO 64850
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all the staff at Oak Pointe Assisted Living for the love and care they showed for their mom and grandmother.
Also, they would like to acknowledge and thank Three Rivers Hospice for everything they did to make the end of her life as comfortable as possible.
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