Danny Vandergrift

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Danny Lane Vandergrift, age 76 of Carterville, Missouri, passed away at Freeman Hospital in Joplin on Saturday, July 27, 2024 following an extended illness. Danny was born April 25, 1948 at his home in Carterville to the late Ira and Mary (Sisk) Vandergrift.

Danny graduated from Webb City High School and then enlisted in the United State Navy in 1967 where he served in the electrical department. After his honorable discharge in 1973, Danny went to work as an Electrical Inspector for power and chemical plants. He was a long-time member of Carterville First United Methodist Church.

Other than his parents, Danny is preceded in death by a brother, John Vandergrift.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife, Mary Vandergrift; daughter, Michelle of Louisiana; grandson, Michael Terry; brothers, Marion Vandergrift of Carterville and Jim Vandergrift (Kay) of Russellville, Arkansas; sister, Virginia Modglyn of Mt. Vernon, Missouri.







Inurnment of ashes will take place at a later date at the Carterville Cemetery Veterans Memorial with military rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Carterville Cemetery Association in care of the funeral home.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.

Lester Fowler

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Lester C. Fowler II, 68, of Joplin, MO passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at his residence after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Fowler was born February 7, 1956 in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was the Owner and Operator of AAA Appliance in Joplin for eight years. He was a past member of the Carpenter’s Union back in Maryland and attended The Bridge church in Carthage where he was saved this past May. He was a Veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the Marines.

Survivors include his daughter, Ashley Beaird of Warrenton, Missouri; his parents, Lester and Doris Delahanty Fowler of Lothian, Maryland; four sisters, Eileen Tenney of Lothian, Maryland, Charlene Mathesius of Hollywood, Maryland, Barbara Jackson of Mansfield, Texas, and Jennifer Rutrugh of Lothian, Maryland; three grandchildren, Addison Beaird, Malorie Beaird, and Kinley Beaird and many nieces and nephews.

Per his wishes he will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Dennis Lincoln

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Our beloved William Dennis Lincoln passed away in the early morning of July 22, 2024, in Lanagan, Missouri in a motorcycle accident.

Dennis was born in Merced, California, November 6, 1974. He lived in Lanagan, Missouri.

Dennis is survived by his loving parents, William Dennis Lincoln Sr. and Ellen Lincoln; his five children; Lacey, Lindsey, Laney, William and Chevy Lincoln; his sisters, Cindy and Kassie; and four nieces and one nephew.

 

He is missed and loved by so many.

His service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at Neosho/Granby Seventh Day Adventist Church; 18268 Highway 60, Granby, Missouri 64844; Pastor Ieti Faletogo will officiate.

Final resting place will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Neosho, Missouri.

Don Arnce

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Donald “Don” William Arnce, Sr., age 73, passed away peacefully at his home on July 29, 2024, following a three-year battle with cancer. He was born April 4, 1951, in Webb City, Missouri to the late Charles Clifford Arnce and D. Marie (Pierce) Arnce.

Don married the love of his life, Patricia Ann (Hutson) on July 24, 1970. Together they shared 50 years of marriage and raised two children.







Don graduated from Joplin High School in 1969. He served in the Kansas National Guard, he was a member of Joplin Lodge #335, Joplin Shrine Club and the Joplin Oriental Band.

Don was active in serving the Neosho community. He was a volunteer fire firefighter for the Neosho Fire Department where he served as Captain, Assistant Fire Chief and acting Fire Chief during his tenure. He also gave of his time to Neosho Habit for Humanity and served on the board of I.O.O.F cemetery over twenty years.

Don is survived by his children, Bill Arnce and wife Christy of Carl Junction, Missouri and Jeanne Fenske and husband Chris of Neosho, Missouri; and four grandsons, Taylor and Trevor Arnce and Carter and Caleb Fenske; sister-in-law Linda Arnce; siblings, Charlie Arnce and wife Ellen and Jennifer Gaddis. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife and twin brother Robert “Bob” Arnce.

Masonic Rites will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at Clark Funeral Home, Neosho with visitation immediately following at approximately 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cremains will be interred at I.O.O.F Cemetery at a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Neosho Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 841 or Shriners Children’s Hospitals Ladder of Smiles, 601 East St. Louis Street, Springfield, MO 65806.

Frances Rowley

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Frances K. Rowley was born on July 15, 1938, in Springfield, Colorado, one of two children to Cordy Wiley and Ruby Madge (Beard) Jones. She entered into rest on July 26, 2024, at her home in Neosho, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 86. 

Frances graduated from Eldorado, Kansas High School in 1956. She had worked for many years at Sale Memorial Hospital and at Teledyne in Neosho, retiring on October 11, 1993, and then working at Saberliner for a time. 

She was an avid reader and enjoyed journaling about the trips made with her husband in their RV for over 40 years. They enjoyed traveling and made friends all over the country. On September 16, 1956, in El Dorado, Kansas, 

Frances and Ron Rowley were united in marriage and shared sixty-seven years together. 

Frances is survived by her husband, Ron; three children, Jim Dale Rowley and wife, Ramona of Winfield, Kansas, Jean DeAnn Todd of Anderson, Missouri and Jay Dale Rowley and wife, Jane Marie of St. Leonard, Maryland; ten grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren, with one due to arrive in February 2025, eight great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, Jason Neal Wagner and a brother, Jim C. Jones.

Memorial graveside services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10 am at Neosho Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Frances may be made to Phoenix Hospice, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.

Shirley Cook

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Shirley Kay (Sprouls) Cook passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St Louis County, MO. Shirley was born April 10, 1939, in Oakton, MO to Bert Andrew and Nellie Belle (Hininger) Sprouls. She grew up in Barton County, MO and was a 1957 graduate of Lamar High School. Shirley married Thomas Cook on January 14, 1978.

Shirley enjoyed a lengthy career in the healthcare industry where she worked as a home healthcare nurse, nurse’s aide, and x-ray tech. She and Tom were long time members at First Baptist Church of Lamar, where they enjoyed participating in activities and being a part of their church family. After Tom’s death in 2012, she moved to St Louis with her daughter and there she continued to make friends and touch lives with her kind and loving personality.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Debbie Geile and husband Rob; sons Mike Simmons, Mark Simmons, Matt Cook and wife Dot, and Dusty Cook. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Cook; brother Marion Sprouls; sisters Vera Caruthers and Violet Ring

A visitation will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 9 AM to 10 AM, followed immediately by the funeral service at 10:00 AM. Both events will take place at First Baptist Church Lamar.

Gary Gory

(From Knell Mortuary)

Gary Lee Gory, 83, Carthage, Missouri, passed away at his home on July 17, 2024. 

Gary was born on December 28, 1940, in Manhattan, Kansas, the first son of the late Peter Earl Gory, DVM, and Mary Jane (Trester) Gory. Gary's life was a testament to his character, intellect, kindness, and generosity, which touched the hearts of all who knew him.

Gary was a proud graduate of Carthage High School, class of 1958. After graduating high school, he joined the army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Gary rose up the ranks receiving a top-secret clearance. His love for science and intellectual curiosity led him to Kansas State University and then to the University of Missouri, where he earned his Master of Public Health degree. 

His military and academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his successful career as a quality control manager for General Foods Corporation, where he was known for his meticulous work and dedication.

Survivors include his sons, Craig Gory (Aldine), Dover, Delaware, Kevin Gory (Cheryl), Harrington, Delaware, and Kent Gory (Mary), Dover, Delaware; his brothers, Michael Gory, DVM, Joplin, Missouri, and William Gory (Diane), Joplin, Missouri; his sister, Melissa Zimmerman (Richard), Joplin, Missouri; his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss his presence dearly. Gary was also preceded in death by his brother, Patrick Gory.

Gary's love for the outdoors was evident to anyone who knew him. After retiring he returned to Carthage and built his home near his parents’ home. Gary and his father spent many days at the lake house. He found solace and joy in nature, often spending his time meticulously mowing and grooming his eight acres of lawn on his beloved Kubota tractor. Gary had a passion for automobiles and pickup trucks. He enjoyed taking drives to scenic destinations in the Four State Area. This simple pleasure was one of the many ways Gary enjoyed the beautiful Ozarks. He also enjoyed longer road trips to Delaware to visit his sons and extended family.

Services will be announced at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary, Carthage, Missouri.