Doris Smalley

(From Parker Mortuary)

Doris Terry Smalley, age 88 of Galena, KS, passed away at 3:36 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin after a short illness.

Born August 6, 1925 in Heavner, OK, she was the daughter of the late John Terry and Mabel Stubbs Terry. She had lived in Joplin since 1956, moving from Amarillo, TX. She was a waitress and served as Night Manager at the former Fred & Red’s Restaurant for 15 years. She was a member of the Christian Church and enjoyed listening to and watching Gospel singing. A gardener, she raised fruits, vegetables and flowers. She most enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On March 17, 1951 she married Frank Smalley in Clovis, NM. He preceded her in death on November 25, 2005. Eight siblings also preceded her in death.

Survivors include five children, Benjamin Wayne Snowden and wife Debbie of Joplin, Voncille Wilkerson and husband John of Galena, KS, Rita Winton and husband Thomas of Joplin, Michael Smalley and wife Peggy of Webb City, Ginger Spellman and husband Monty of Mt. Vernon, MO; eleven grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Charlie King, minister officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Joplin Salvation Army or Humane Society.

Juanita Feken

(From Parker Mortuary)

Juanita June (Hart) Feken went to be with the Lord Dec. 1, 2013. She was born June 6, 1917 in Joplin to the late Roscoe C. Wolfe and Adelia Anna (Matthews) Wolfe and was a lifelong resident of Joplin. Juanita spent the last 4 months of her life under the compassionate care of the staff at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Carthage, MO.

Working hard all her life, Juanita’s jobs included 26 years with the SS Kresge Company, LaBarge Electronics, Commerce Bank and teacher’s aide for the Joplin School District. Her last involvement was with the American Red Cross where she truly found her calling helping others. Juanita worked full-time for the Red Cross into her 70’s as well as being a 50+ year volunteer with that organization.

For many years she was a very active member and past President of Joplin V.F.W. Post 534 Auxiliary. She was a past State President of Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge Auxiliary and past member of the Joplin American Legion Auxiliary.

Juanita lost her husband Charles L. Hart in 1960. In 1977 she married a wonderful man, Fred Y. Feken, who left us much too soon in 1983. She was also preceded in death by two infant brothers, Margie and Wilber followed by brothers, Ira, Dueward and Fredrick Wolfe; three sisters, Pauline Bellamy, Ouedia Hulen, Eddie Johnson; two stepsons, Grant and Tim Feken and granddaughter Lucinda (Cindy) Winters. Juanita loved and was loved by her family.

Survivors include three daughters, Dixie (Dan) Ryan of Carterville, Sharon Winters & Lou Ann (Larry) Bryant of Joplin; four stepchildren, Ann Mitchell and Wilev Feken both of Waco, MO, Lisa Feken of Asbury and Phil (Becky) Feken of Tulsa; grandchildren, Douglas Cramer, Debra (Tim) Palmer, Christy (Dan) Wimer, Carrie (David) Box, Michael Winters, Jim (Kim) Winters and Dena Adams all of Joplin, Lori (Brad) Thompson and Kelli (Andy) Brannan of Nevada, MO; and a special caretaker, Sharon Hurtt of Joplin. She was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as GG and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Juanita’s name to the Joplin Chapter of American Red Cross or VFW Post 534 Auxiliary of Joplin. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4th, where an informal celebration of Juanita’s life will follow.

Will Darden

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Will Darden, 85, Neosho, died Nov. 30, 2013 at Medicalodge in Neosho, following an illness.

 Mr. Darden was born Nov. 16, 1928 in Searcy, Arkansas and moved to Neosho in 1964 from Biloxi, MS. He served in the U.S. Air Force and owned and operated Darden Motors in Neosho for 49 years and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He loved to fish, hunt, listen to gospel music and enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sporting events.

 Will and Jenell (Holcomb) were married on Feb. 28, 1948 in Malvern, AR and she survives. Also surviving are three children, Carol Clark, Neosho; JoAnn Bickell and husband, Jimmy, Belle, MO and John Darden, Neosho; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Kay Smith.

Visitation is 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, at Clark Chapel of Memories. Interment will be at Neosho IOOF Cemetery.

Funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, December 5, 2013, at Clark Chapel of Memories

Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home.

Jim Bowman

(From Parker Mortuary)

Jim Bowman died on November 30 in Joplin, Missouri. He is survived by wife Joan, sons Kevin and Greg, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

He was born on July 4, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri to Meryl Bowman and Lillian Wruck Bowman. He was their only child. He spent his early years at Pembroke Day School for Boys and then graduated from Southwest High School in 1951.

In 1953, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and trained at Kessler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was eventually stationed at Cambridgeshire, England where he worked as a radar technician on B-45 airplanes. He would go on to attain the rank of Master Sergeant. During off-duty time, Jim enjoyed driving his Austin Healey around the English countryside and courting a beautiful lady that had caught his eye.

Jim married Joan Beryl Tarry on September 28, 1957 at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Northampton, England. Returning to Kansas City, they started their life and planned a family. Jim was employed in sales and warehousing. The family moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1967.

For the next three decades, Jim worked tirelessly at the family business co-founded by his father. He served as President & CEO of Ozark Terminal, Inc. in Neosho, Missouri. He was a true pioneer in the underground warehouse industry and the company grew and prospered. His sons Kevin and Greg joined him, creating a third generation of expanding success.

Throughout his life, Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He particularly loved fishing, hunting, trap shooting, sporting clays, and boating. He shared these activities with his family and created many wonderful memories. He was a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. In later years, he began collecting HO-gauge electric trains. He hand-crafted an incredibly detailed fully functioning layout. Everyone who saw his masterpiece was amazed by his patience and artistic skill.

In retirement, he learned to relax and reap the benefits of his hard work. For the next 20 years, often with a group of their closest friends, he and Joan travelled all over the world. He was thrilled to see and photograph foreign lands and interesting people. Before each trip, he was always reluctant to travel so far away. Once he got back home, he was always eager to share what he had experienced.

In 2007, Jim and Joan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with three grandchildren: Kevin & Tania’s son, Niko; Greg & Tracy’s children, Shannon and Derek. They all adored their beloved Pap.

This summer, Jim celebrated his 80th birthday surrounded by family and friends. Soon after, he and Joan took their last trip to England. On November 30, he lost his long battle with heart disease. His final hours were spent with family that he loved and cherished. He will be missed by all.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Frank Sierra officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Mortuary. The casket will remain closed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of Joplin.

Lili Ueno

(From Parker Mortuary)

Lili Liu Ueno, age 58 of Joplin, passed away at 12:40 a.m. on Friday, November 29, 2013 at Freeman West Hospital.

Born June 8, 1955 in Taichung, Taiwan, she had lived in Missouri the past 11 years, moving from California where she had lived since 1977. Lili worked as a Sushi Chef for Ichiban Restaurant in Joplin.

She married Kiyohisa Ueno on May 15, 1979 in Reno, NV. He survives.

Additional survivors include a son, George Ueno of Joplin; three daughters, Kathy Ngo and husband Khanh of San Diego, CA, Julie Ueno Le and husband Tuan of San Jose, CA, Cindy Ueno of San Jose; her mother, Feng Lin of Joplin; two brothers, Frank Liu and wife Tiffany of Joplin, Michael Liu and wife Amy of Rolla, MO; two grandchildren, Hannah Le and Logan Ngo.

She was preceded in death by her father, Chung Ping Liu and a brother, Fu Kun Liu.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. A private visitation was held at the mortuary. Interment will be in California.

Albert Walton

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Albert W. Walton, 81, of Carthage passed away at 3:55 a.m. on December 1, 2013 at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation Center.

 Albert was born on September 21, 1932 in Wichita, Kansas to Orie and Ruby Walton. He was a retired machinist and supervisor for Rocketdyne and Teledyne, and he also worked at H.E. Williams in Carthage. Albert served with the U.S. Army as a Corporal from 1949 to 1952. He was a member of “The Chosen Few” in Korea 1950. Albert received a Purple Heart. He was a member of the Jaycees Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Order of the Purple Heart.

 Albert married Bonnie Willis on March 14, 1952 in Carthage, Missouri. She survives Albert is survived by his son Steven Walton and wife Therese of Kingwood, Texas, his daughter Nancy Williams and husband Fred of Burleson, Texas, 5 grandchildren Matt, Chris, Paige, and Mark Walton, Natalie Draper and husband Joe Don, one nephew Robert Coonrod, two nieces Donna Newcomb and husband Mike and Susan Defoe . He is preceded by his parents, and one brother Robert Donald Walton.

 Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Oak Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions can be made to Peterson Outdoor Ministry care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ulmer Funeral Home.

Carolyn Kennedy

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Carolyn Easton Kennedy, 82, of Carthage, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2013. 

She was born on May 17, 1931 in Traverse City, Michigan to Peter Stormer and Maude Halverson. Carolyn retired from Mo-Dot as a Senior Payroll Clerk. Carolyn was married to Ted Easton in 1951 in Traverse City, Michigan. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1980. Carolyn later married Jim Kennedy in 1989 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in October 17, 2013. Carolyn is survived by four daughters Christie Sanders, Lori Holley, Kerri Myers and husband Kevin all of Carthage, and Missy Easton of Clever, Missouri; 8 grandchildren Tracy Eden, Heather Hall, Becci Sanders, Randi Ferguson, Sydney Sanders, Jarrid Easton, Chad Easton, and Dustin Holley; and 7 great grandchildren. Carolyn is preceded by her parents, one son Dick Easton, one daughter Becky Franklin, two brothers, one sister, and one great granddaughter Emma Sanders. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Ulmer Funeral Home.

 Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the Ulmer Funeral Home Chapel. 

Contributions can be made to M.D.A or A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease Foundation) care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ulmer Funeral Home.