Kenneth McGuffey

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Kenneth Ray McGuffey, 75, of Stella, Missouri passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016 on his farm with his loving family by his side.

He was born on June 11, 1941 in Borger, Texas, one of six children born to the late, Kenneth and Pearl (Wilson) McGuffey. He married Carolyn Kay Ellis on January 16, 1960 in Rocky Comfort, Missouri. Kenneth was a turkey farmer for 49 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, bailing hay, taking care of his cattle and going Elk hunting in Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill McGuffey, Butch McGuffey; three sisters, Ada Schmidt, Mary Kay McGuffey and Betty Till.

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carolyn McGuffey of the home; two children, Billy Ray McGuffey and wife, Terri of Neosho, Missouri and Melinda Parsons and husband, Ron of Stella, Missouri; five grandchildren, Megan Knox and husband, Zach of Stella, Missouri, Tiffany Lewis and husband, Ryan of Pineville, Missouri, Ryan Lawson and husband, Zach of Grove, Oklahoma, Mattie Woodrum and husband, Alfred of Neosho, Missouri, Caleb McGuffey and wife, Vanessa of Grove, Oklahoma; six great grandchildren, Rayne Knox, Skye Knox, Kole Lewis, Payton Lewis, Aiden and Zane Ray McGuffey; as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss Kenneth.

Della Damron

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Della Mae Damron, 87, of Olathe, Kansas formerly of Stark City, Missouri, departed this life on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Olathe, Kansas, after a recent decline in health.

Della entered this life on July 5, 1929, in Jane, Missouri, daughter of the late Henry and Etta Belle (Witham) Johnson. Her formative years were spent in Treece, Kansas and Picher, Oklahoma. On December 9, 1946, she was united in marriage to Charles Graten Damron, Jr. and to this union two sons and six daughters were born. Della was a devoted homemaker throughout her life. They resided twenty years in Johnson County, Kansas, before moving to Stark City, Missouri, in 1998. She enjoyed researching genealogy, reading, sewing, gardening and spending time with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles Damron on October 5, 2004; four brothers, Clyde, Jack, Joe and R.C. Johnson; and two half-sisters, Mamie George and Ida Lawrence.

Della is survived by two sons, Gary Damron and wife, Barbara, of Hugoton, Kansas and Grant Damron and wife, Jennie, of Burlingame, Kansas; six daughters, Brenda Smith and husband, Eldon, of Anderson, Missouri, Charla Doerry and husband, Armin, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gina Damron of Berwick, Louisiana, Greta Weaver and husband, Al, of Spring Hill, Kansas, Clarisa Damron of Ashland, Missouri and Trisha Damron of Osawatomie, Kansas; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-five great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Helen Tryon

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Helen Virginia Tryon, 74, of Lanagan, Missouri, departed this life on Tuesday evening, July 12, 2016, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, after a long courageous battle with COPD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emogene Elledge and Claude Porter; and an infant sister, Mary Porter.

Helen is survived by her four children, Kevin Tryon and wife, Tina, of Gravette, Arkansas, Greg Tryon of Lanagan, Missouri, Angela Nevin and husband, Jim, of Mobile, Alabama and Simi Elston and husband, Terry, of Kahoka, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Welsly and James Nevin, Zach and Amy Elston, Thomas, Ashley, Laura and Isaac Tryon, Caiden Williamson and Grace Hendren; five great grandchildren, Canaan, Elijah, Gabby, Nathanial and Noah Nevin; three siblings, Cola Sloan of Atlanta, Georgia, Faye Sumrall of Show Low, Arizona and Wayne Porter and wife, Sue, of Jerusalem, Arkansas; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and friends.

Helen was a homemaker and caregiver throughout her life. She enjoyed watching movies and going to yard sales with her grandchildren. She loved the beach, tigers, collecting dolls and spending countless hours with her family and friends. She attended Sunday Services at the Anderson Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Melvin Parker

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Melvin Chester Parker, age 82, of rural Golden City, passed away Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016, surrounded by his family at Good Shepherd Nursing Home.

Melvin was born March 22, 1934, in Barton County, to Earl and Ilah (John) Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Alden Parker and Rex Parker; and three sisters, Loretta Gardner, Reba Oberman, and Lynda Cearnal.

A natural athlete, Melvin excelled in sports in the Golden City and Lockwood school systems and he attended Pitt State on a basketball scholarship. Throughout his life, Melvin supported and encouraged many young athletes, especially enjoying the time spent cheering for his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who cut wood, fished and hunted turkey, quail, and deer. Always interested and involved in his community, Melvin was twice honored as “Citizen of the Year”. He was a Rotarian for many years and an active member of First Christian Church of Lamar.

On March 29, 1953, in Jasper, Missouri, Melvin married Bonnie Stevenson, and they made their home and raised their four children in Barton County. Melvin enjoyed a long career in the lumber business, working at various locations including Stocker Propane and Wolf Lumber Company in Golden City, Oneal Lumber in Republic, Kirk Lumber in Nevada and managing Community Lumber in Lamar before owning & operating Community Home Center for several years. He later worked for TapJac, Barton’s in Carthage, and Isenhower Lumber in Lamar before retiring in 2015 due to illness. Melvin’s vast knowledge of lumber and construction, genuine dedication to serving others, and his cheerful disposition created life-long friendships. In 1996, Melvin and Bonnie purchased a farm near Golden City where they enjoyed country living and operated a dog kennel, breeding labs and golden retrievers.

Survivors include Bonnie, his wife of 63 years, of the home; three sons, Doug (Sharon) Parker, Scott (Julie) Parker, and Brady Parker, all of Lamar; a daughter, Cheryl Parker-Reed, Lamar; five brothers, Norman (Marlene) Parker, Golden City, J.C. (Margie) Parker, Republic, Stanley (Henrietta) Parker, Golden City, Jim (Lois) Parker, Lockwood, and Jerre (Maureen) Parker, Houston, Texas; a step-brother, Bob (Anh) Bitney, Texas; a step-sister, Janis (Ralph) Kasper, Harrisonville, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Betty Parker, Golden City and Ann Parker, Lockwood; ten grandchildren, Nathan Parker, Brandon Parker, Darin Parker, Carrie Thieman, Chet Parker, Michael Parker, Garrett Parker, Gabe Reed, Ashley Parker, and Derek Parker; twelve great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

Virgil Dodson

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Virgil Kenneth Dodson, Sr., age 79, of rural Lamar, passed away early Monday morning, July 11, 2016, surrounded by family at his home.

Virgil was born December 7, 1936, in Carthage, Missouri, the youngest son of the eleven children of Ray and Alva (Arnold) Dodson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Dodson; parents; three brothers, Allen, Paul, and Donald Dodson; and four sisters, Ruby Jepson, Ruth O’Maley, Jewel Gatlin, and Virgie Weiss.

On November 6, 1954, in Pendleton, Oregon, Virgil married Marlene Peterson and they raised their four children and shared 58 years before her passing on June 10, 2013. In addition to owning and operating Robbie’s Bar in Lamar, Virgil had worked in trucking and construction for many years and was a member of the Carpenters Union #311 for 50 years. Always interested in serving others, he was an active Mason, a member of York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Carthage and Barton County Shrine Clubs, and Carthage Train Crew. He was instrumental in organizing and promoting the Barton County Shrine Club and the Lamar Boxing Club and enjoyed the fellowship of friends in Lamar Metro and Lamar Elks Lodge.

Survivors include two sons, Virgil Dodson, Jr. of Durham, North Carolina and Billy (Alicia) Dodson of Lamar, Missouri; two daughters, Connie (Shaun) Earll, Kansas City, Missouri and Catherine (Mickel) McCulley, Aurora, Missouri; three sisters, Bonnie (Bill) Arnold and Margie Randall of Carthage, and Emily Sue (Rodney) Ehnen of Smithville, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

Betty Woodcock

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Betty Lou Woodcock, age 76, of Lamar, passed away early Sunday morning, July 10, 2016, at Barton County Memorial Hospital.

Betty was born October 10, 1939, in Platteville, Wisconsin, first of the four children of Victor and Rose Burkholder. She was preceded in death by her parents; her second husband, Lyle E. Woodcock; both of her brothers, Victor “Butch” and Michael; her sister, Josie; a son, Jeffrey McCullough; and a daughter, LaGene (McCullough) Glaser; and a grandson, Michael McCullough.

Survivors include her companion of the past 10 years, Tom Champlin, Lamar; four sons, Terry McCullough, David McCullough, and Ralph McCullough, all of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Vic McCullough of Mission, Texas; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of good friends.

Betty had worked as an administrative assistant for American States Insurance Company in Indianapolis for many years. After retiring, Betty and Lyle moved to Mission, Texas, where they managed an RV Park until Lyle passed away in 2001. After moving to Lamar in 2005, Betty became an active member and treasurer of the Eagles Club where she and Tom enjoyed many evenings filled with dancing and the fellowship of friends. Betty always looked forward to spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Stacy Warren

(From Parker Mortuary)

Stacy Lynn Warren, age 37, formerly of Joplin, passed away Monday, July 11, 2016 in Gibson County, Tennessee following a sudden accident.

Stacy was born April 16, 1979 in Joplin to the late Michael Warren and Kimberly Ann Gallimore. Stacy attended schools in Joplin and worked for Aegis Communications as a Telemarketer. Stacy loved her children greatly and did everything she could to make sure they had all they needed.

Surviving Stacy are her son, Tyler Parker of Joplin, daughters, Mycah Parker of Joplin, Hannah Clark of Paris, Tennessee and Jayden of Webb City; sisters, Heather Miller and husband, Dusty of Webb City, Melissa Harris and husband, Corey of Neosho and Stephanie Benarja and husband, Issam of Joplin; grandmother, Geraldine Pennetti of Camden, Tennessee.

Additionally, Stacy is preceded in death by a brother, Dustin Doke and her grandfather, Robert D. Gallimore, Sr.

Services will be Thursday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary with visitation to follow. Stacy will be taken for cremation following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Parker Mortuary to help with funeral expenses.