Steve Perry

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Stephen E. Perry, aged 73, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2024. He was born on June 3rd, 1950, in Joplin, Missouri, to Robert and Rosebud Perry. He was a 1968 graduate of Joplin High School and lived in Chicago in his early adult years. 

He married Melissa Thacker on October 21st, 1982, and moved back to Joplin where he raised his family and spent the rest of his adult years. He worked as a finance manager in the car business and truly enjoyed the relationships made in his professional life. Steve was an avid golfer and spent many days with friends at Schifferdecker Golf Course.

He is survived by his son, Hunter (Lynsey) Perry of Joplin, and daughters, Lauren (Kendon) Porter of Joplin, and Rebecca Perry of Joplin, and his grandchildren Connor, Bianca, Reagan, Brooks, Thatcher, Kennedy, and Griffin. Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Melissa, his mother, Rosebud, and his father, Robert.

Family, friends, and others are invited to a memorial service at Mason Woodard Funeral Home in Joplin, Missouri, at 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 30th, to honor the life of Steve. A visitation will follow at 3:00pm.

Clif West

(From Parker Mortuary)

Clifford Eugene West, known to everyone as Clif, passed from this life on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, his 71st birthday.

Clif was extraordinarily driven, witty, brilliant, and artistic. After college, he was a teacher in Jefferson City, MO before moving to Frankfurt, Germany. Clif taught for the Department of Defense in Frankfurt for more than fifteen years before moving to Japan and South Korea. He eventually returned to the U.S. and lived in Washington, D.C. working as a government employee being the supervisor of all military education facilities.

In 2009 Clif suffered a devastating stroke, and moved home to Seneca, MO. He spent the last several years of his life in Warsaw, MO.

Clif was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie House (Millard) and Bill West, and a beloved sister-in-law, Karen West.

He is survived by his brothers, Joe West and wife Susan and Dan West all of Seneca; four nieces, one nephew, several great nephews and nieces, and his best friend, Mary Ann.

Even with a myriad of health problems, Clif remained true to his artistic self and continued to draw and paint. He was a unique individual who made a unique place for himself in the world. His loved ones would like to share one of Clif’s favorite quotes by poet Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Clif will be taken for cremation with a private service to be held at a later date with inurnment of his ashes in Seneca Cemetery.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Michael Clinton

(From Colonial Funeral Home)

Charles Michael Clinton, known to most as Michael, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Herndon, VA on April 14, 2024. He was born Feb 3, 1948, in Monett, MO and grew up in Joplin, MO. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Catalina “Pat” Clinton. 

Michael had a remarkable life filled with a deep passion for music and basketball. He was a talented musician proficient in playing the clarinet, piano, drums and bass guitar. His rich bass voice led him to be part of several groups beginning with his first band in high school, Mike and the Midnighters. He would later go on to sing bass with several gospel groups such as the Ozark Country Jubilee in Branson, MO, The Missourians, The Silver Creek Boys and The Skyline Boys. 

Beyond music, he dedicated over 25 years to coaching men’s and women’s basketball, leaving a lasting impact on the teams he worked with. He coached at various Division II colleges and high schools throughout the years including Emporia State University, Missouri Southern State College, Kansas Newman College, Joplin Senior High School, Herndon High School, Parkview High School, Chantilly and Centreville High School.

He had an extensive career in sales with various companies during his lifetime. Aside from his professional endeavors, Michael enjoyed playing golf and cherishing moments with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter Christian Clinton Brezler (husband Scott) Potomac Falls, VA, son James Charles Clinton (wife Kelli) Culpepper, VA, grandchildren Vivian, Collin, Hayden and Jordan, and his companion for over 20 years BJ Deweerd of Herndon, VA. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Catalina “Pat” Clinton.

A memorial service will be held on May 11, 2024, at the Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edward’s Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176.
The family will receive friends at 11am with a memorial service beginning at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Upward Basketball program at Herndon United Methodist Church. Please use the following link and select other and specify in memo Upward Basketball in honor of Charles Michael Clinton https://herndonumc.org/upward/.

Arrangements by Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, Leesburg, VA.

Bobbie Copeland

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Bobbie Dale Copeland, 90, Neosho, MO, passed away April 25, 2024 in Springfield, MO after an illness.

Bobbie Dale Copeland was born November 15, 1933 in Neosho, MO the son of William and Elsie (Wampler) Copeland. Bobbie loved playing his guitar, writing music, working outdoors on the farm and in the garden. He loved to hunt, fish and traveling. Bobbie was a member of the VFW and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and he was a Christian.

Bobbie Dale Copeland married Joyce Saunders August 20, 1994 and she preceded him in death May 26, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Eunice, Maybelline, June, Charles, Jackie, Kenneth, Gerri, Tommy and Mikey.

Survivors include; his children Julie Weimer, Neosho, Janet Imhauser, New Port, NC and Bobby Duane Copeland, Palmdale, CA; brothers Frank Copeland, Neosho, MO and Billie Copeland, Booneville, MO; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3pm, Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Chapel with Harold Young officiating. Burial will be in the New Salem Cemetery with Benjamen Goodman, Jonathon Goodman, Lenard Goodman, Jim Goodman, Zack Decker and Jeromy Yandell serving as pallbearers.

The family has request plants only for the services. They will be making a memorial garden for Bobbie on the farm.

Sally Thomas

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Sally Ellen Thomas, age 77, of Joplin, passed away on April 23rd, 2024.

She was born in Miami, OK on July 12th, 1946, to her loving parents Sylvester and Miriam (Cook) Ulm.
Sally was a registered nurse at Freeman Hospital until her retirement in 2004. Throughout her life she enjoyed painting, crafting, and gardening in her free time. After retirement, she continued with her hobbies as well as enjoying traveling with her Beta Sigma Phi/Alpha Epsilon Zeta sorority sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sylvester and Miriam Ulm; two sisters, Carolyn Philips, and Rosemary Mathis; one brother, Jon Ulm.

Sally is survived by one sister Janice Sayles (Rodney) of Virginia; two sons, Jody Thomas (Monique) of Branson, and Nathan Thomas (Bridget) of Webb City; four grandchildren, Allison LeDuc (Michael) of Chesterfield, MO, Sam Thomas of Bella Vista, AR, Zachary Thomas of Hollister, MO, and Jonathan Thomas of Columbia, MO.

Sally wished to be cremated. A visitation/celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements in care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.

Chris Tate

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Rodney “Chris” C. Tate, age 54 of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 19th, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born on July 14th, 1969, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Vernon Tate and Terry Newton.

Say not in grief, ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.

Chris joined the Army after his high school graduation, served overseas as an E-5 Specialist and was honorably discharged in 1991. Shortly after he began work at Cardinal Scales, where he would start his career doing robot programming and welding and then have his first child in 1996. 

Chris loved playing his guitar more than anything. He was an outstanding guitarist, who could play almost any melody you’d ask him. Chris loved tinkering with his creations and making something new out of something old. He was the most creative, artistic and talented person. He was also the most loving, stubborn, yet genuine, father, brother and son a person could have. Chris also had a sense of humor like no other. He thought he was the funniest person in the world, which he was. He could light up a room with just a simple ‘Dad’ joke and have everyone in tears of laughter.

“His life was a blessing, his memory a treasure, he was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.’

Chris is survived by his daughter; Amy Tate, his sons; Jeremy Tate, Matthew Tate, his 3 grandchildren; Paisley, Layton and Lyvia, his mother; Terry Newton, his brother; Todd Tate, his sister; Kelly Young and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Tate, and brothers, V.J. Tate and Shane Newton.

“Although he has passed on, his memory forever stays. Remember how he smiled, and the joy he always gave. We’ll miss him all the time and think of him every day. His love filled the world, a love that will never fade.”

A memorial service has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation following the service.

Donald Elliott

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Donald Arthur Elliott went home to heaven January 1, 2024. He was born on September 17th, 1940, to William “Bill” Elliott and Ruth Deason Elliott in Salem, Indiana. 

In 1949, Bill sold the family farm in Indiana and moved everyone to Windsor, Colorado, where they started a dairy farm. They moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1956. Donald attended Greeley Central High School. Their basketball team went to State in 1958, the year Donald graduated.

He then attended McPherson College where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He married Nancy Ruth Erisman on June 10, 1961, in Quinter, Kansas. After graduating from McPherson with an industrial arts education major Donald and Nancy moved to Alma, Iowa, to teach school, where he coached football and track and the girls' basketball team. He enjoyed the 6-on-6 girls' basketball. Donald also became the proud father of a baby girl, Raquel, born in May 1963.

In 1964, thanks to the weather in Iowa, he decided it was better to work with his father, so they moved to Greeley. He worked for Elliott & Elliott, Inc. where he used his industrial art skills to design projects and manage home construction for the business where he became skilled in developing efficient buildings. He worked in building many single-family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, and apartment buildings.

After managing numerous apartments for Elliott & Elliott, he eventually broke away from the family business establishing Two Rivers Investments (TRI). He became a real estate broker and managed apartments, spear headed the formation of Weld County Apartment Association, serving as president several terms. He and Jan went to Washington DC acting as a lobbyist for the state apartment association. He also served on the Weld County Council. In 1998 his son-in-law Neal Jandreau bought TRI and it still thrives today.

During this time his family increased with son Brad being born in June 1966 and son Shawn arriving in September 1967. Sadly, his wife Nancy died unexpectedly in 1990. He then married Janelle (Jan) Book in February 1994 and became a step-father to Victoria Book and James Book, Jr.

His greatest joy came from being a father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Donald also enjoyed helping others, driven by a strong faith instilled by loving parents He served on church boards, and the Western Plains District Church of the Brethren Camp Colorado board of trustees. He and Nancy were founding members of the Peace Community Church of the Brethren in Windsor, Colorado. He also designed their church building and acted as superintendent of construction which was done by all volunteer workers. Years later he added nine stained glass windows. He also made stained glass windows for four other churches.

After becoming a snowbird and spending half the year in Arizona, Donald took up bridge and earned a senior silver status as a life master bridge player. He enjoyed being a bridge club director for several years. He and Jan enjoyed traveling to many different western states where he played in Regional Bridge tournaments. He also became a talented stained-glass worker. He was a very creative person whether designing buildings, managing apartments, negotiating real estate deals, or working on woodworking projects or stained glass. He made hundreds of toys for children’s Christmas stockings and Beads of Courage boxes for children with cancer.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Erisman Elliott, his parents Bill and Ruth Elliott, and his sisters Bonnie Elliott Peterson Anderson and Waneta Elliott. 

He is survived by his caring wife Jan, daughter Raquel Elliott Jandreau (Neal) of Windsor, CO, son Brad S Elliott (Heidi) of Wichita, KS, and son Shawn W Elliott (Buffi) of Greeley, CO, Jan’s children James Book and Victoria Book and his grandchildren Dylan, Faith and Zane Jandreau, Savannah, Megan and Jenna Elliott, step-grandchildren Mandi Welch and Maggie Bratton, his brother Leroy Elliott (Gwen) of Fisher, IN, his sister Ellen Bradley of Peoria AZ, and many nieces and nephews and 4 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to McPherson college Elliott family Scholarship Fund.