Otis Smith

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mr. Otis James Smith, 87, of Miami, Oklahoma, departed this life on Monday, December 18, 2017, while at the McDonald County Living Center in Anderson, Missouri, after a recent battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Otis entered this life on February 22, 1930, in Miami, Oklahoma, the eldest of four sons of the late Fred and Bertha (Ritchel) Smith. Otis was a lifelong resident of Miami. On May 16, 1952, he was united in marriage to Nina Lucille Miller and to this union one son was born. Otis was a professional firefighter throughout his life. He retired in 1977, as Captain of the Miami Fire Department. After retirement he and Nina became the resident caretakers of the Dobson Estate in Miami. He enjoyed fishing, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball and time spent with his family. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Immanuel Baptist Church, all located in Miami.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Nina Smith on September 26, 2017; and three brothers, Roy and Glenn Smith and L.J. Mills.

Otis is survived by his son, Randy Smith and wife, Lynda, of Anderson, Missouri; two grandchildren, Tyler Smith and wife, CeCe, of Bentonville, Arkansas and Kelsey Bergen and husband, Bo, of Rogers, Arkansas; one great granddaughter, Stella Smith (patiently awaiting the arrival of a second great grandchild, baby girl Bergen); several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held graveside on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, with Pastor Dennis Bergen officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Tyler Smith, Bo Bergen, Tom Collins, Leo Altebaumer, Rob McCulley and Allen Schemahorn. Jim Bland will be serving as an honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to the McDonald County Schools Foundation c/o the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website, www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

Eunice Kiser

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Eunice M. Kiser passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the age of 98, at Cherrelyn Healthcare Center in Littleton, Colorado. She was born on October 7, 1919, in Joplin, Missouri, the daughter of Irvin E. Vaughn and Maggie Mitchell Vaughn.

Eunice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Eunice and her husband, Kenneth, lived in the same home on B Street in Joplin for 70 years where all were welcome. Eunice was a wonderful cook and many gathered around her kitchen table. She loved playing cards with her sisters most afternoons after they all retired. She also enjoyed sitting on her front porch visiting with her friends and neighbors. Eunice was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Bill Repplinger, of Parker, Colorado; four grandchildren, Billy Repplinger of Aspen, Colorado, Penny Haag of Parker, Colorado, Jill Repplinger of New York, New York, and Matthew Repplinger of Denver, Colorado; two great-grandchildren, Alex Haag of Parker, Colorado, and Emily Haag of Boulder, Colorado; three great-great-grandchildren, Elly, James and Will, all of Parker, Colorado; her sister, June Ashens, of Santa Clarita, California; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 74 years, Kenneth F. Kiser; her daughter and only child, Peggy Ann Repplinger; three brothers, Vernon, Floyd and Virgil Vaughn; and four sisters, Pearl West, Lela Clemons, Maizie Bladl and Letha Paton.

Funeral services for Eunice are at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary Chapel in Joplin, Missouri, with Pastor Gregory Mech officiating. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday from 5-6:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent through our website www.thornhilldillon.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Sara Holden

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Sara Jane Holden, age 39, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a short illness.

She was born May 8, 1978 in Joplin, Missouri, to Richard and Cindy (Mayes) Sloniker and is preceded in death by her parents.

Sara graduated from Carthage High School class of ’96. She continued her education and attended beauty school and became a hairdresser. Sara enjoyed vacations, massages, dogs, casinos and laughter. She was the world’s greatest Mom.

She married Zach on April 19, 1997 and he survives. She is also survived by her two daughters, Sydney Rose Holden and Sammi Kaye Holden; two sisters, Amanda Qualls, and Annie Sloniker; in-laws, David Holden, Janette and Steve Cooper; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services will be 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017 at the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home with Mike Cloud officiating. The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m. Friday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers contributions are requested to the Holden Family Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Grover Harris

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Grover W. Harris, 92, Neosho, entered into rest on December 20, 2017 at Medicalodge in Neosho, following an extended illness. Grover was born Jan. 20, 1925 in Tipton Ford, MO, the son of William A. and Allie Pearl (Wilson) Harris. He lived in Houston, Texas for many years, working for his brother, E. L. Harris Construction Company as a heavy equipment operator. He returned to the area and continued working until the age of 80. He enjoyed mowing yards, watching old westerns, including those with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Randolph Scott. Grover is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, E. L. ‘Pat; Ellis ‘Joe’; Carl; James ‘Jimmy’; Leonard ‘Jick’ Harris and one sister, Vera Milford Harris Parker. He is survived by two nieces, Diane Schafer and Jickie Parker.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 at 11 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Chaplain Roger Hasselquist will officiate. The family will receive friends at a time of visitation from 10 am until service time at the funeral home. A private interment will follow the service.

Contributions in memory of Grover may be made to the Cedar Creek Cemetery, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

Kelsey Markley

(From Parker Mortuary)

Kelsey Jo Markley, infant daughter of Jeron Markley and Snoda Forste Markley was stillborn on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

Kelsey is survived by her parents, Jeron and Snoda Markley of Golden City, Missouri; two brothers Trayton and Haydn; grandparents, Clifton and Kay Forste of Golden City, Hubert and Dianna Markley of Lamar, Missouri; great-grandparents, Peggy Forste of Lockwood, Missouri, Betty Thomas of Carthage, Missouri; uncles, William Forste and wife Sarah of Golden City, Brian Harr and wife Christi, Darin Harr and wife Mandi both of Liberal, Missouri, and Aaron Markley of Springfield, Missouri; several cousins and other extended family members.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. No formal services are planned at this time.

Macey Bean

(From Parker Mortuary)

Macey Jill Bean, infant daughter of John and Amber Bean, was stillborn on Saturday, December 16, 2017.

Macey is survived by her parents, John Bean and Amber Kewer Bean of Joplin; brothers and sisters, Mariah, Marissa, Mariam, Isaac, Isaiah, MaCarrie, MaKinley, Valencia, and Kade; grandparents, John and Connie Kewar of Joplin, and James and Rhonda Bean of Weir, Kansas; great-grandparents, Ann Farmer of Shepherd, Texas, Brenda Murphree of Splendora, Texas, Norma McCoy of Joplin, and Jean Kewer of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; aunts, Jessica Everett and husband Chad of Petersburg, West Virginia, Chairtey Farmer of Splendora, Texas; uncles, Matt Bean and wife Destiny of Galena, Kansas, Allen McCall and wife Ashley of Huffman, Texas; and several cousins.

Macey was preceded in death by an aunt, Carrie Van Zant.

Graveside services will Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Hornet Cemetery with Pastor Tracy Holden officiating. Interment will be with her aunt in Hornet Cemetery.

Esther Giffen

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Esther L. Giffen age 90 of Joplin passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017 at her residence. 

 She was born on February 11, 1927 in Golden City, Missouri to Chrissie Wilhelm and Lyda (Blanchard) Wilhelm. Esther was a meat wrapper for many years for area businesses until her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband Grant Giffen; a son, John Giffen; and a brother, Leo Wilhelm. 

 Esther is survived by her daughter, Patricia Harlen of Greenfield, Missouri; sons, David Giffen of Joplin, James Giffen of Joplin; a sister, Louise Suiter of Lamar; 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Esther has been taken for cremation and there are no services planned at this time. 

 Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.comfor online condolences.