Urban Shaffer

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Urban A. Shaffer, 88, of Carthage, passed away on January 3, 2014 at the Mount Vernon Veterans’ Home. 

He was born on July 17, 1925 to Ben Shaffer and Ella (Daffron) Shaffer in Sarcoxie, Missouri. Urban was a postal worker and also farmed. Urban earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from University of Missouri – Columbia. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Carthage. Urban served in the US Navy during World War II.

 Urban married Jean Smith on July 23, 1946 in Mexico. She preceded him in death on December 7, 2011. Urban was survived by two sons Mark Shaffer of Mount Vernon, and Doug Shaffer of Carthage, two brothers Lee Shaffer of Garnett, Ks and Glenn Shaffer of Neosho, one sister Grace Kay Larson of Fort Scott, Ks, and four grandchildren Elizabeth Shaffer of Springfield, Paul Shaffer of Mount Vernon, Katelyn Shaffer, and William Shaffer both of Carthage. He was preceded by his wife Jean and his parents Ben and Ella Shaffer.

 A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

 Arrangements are under the direction of the Ulmer Funeral Home.

Brandon Stephenson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Brandon Austin Stephenson, age 18 of Carthage, MO, passed away December 30, 2013 at 9:06 a.m. at Freeman West Hospital as a result of injuries received when he was struck by a vehicle a week ago.

Born May 27, 1995 in Nashville, TN, he moved with his family two months ago from Carthage, where he had lived since the age of three. He attended Carthage Schools and Alba Christian Church. Brandon loved sports, especially football, baseball and wrestling.

Survivors include his parents, Eric and Andrea Stephenson of Webb City; siblings, Amanda Reynolds and Ryan Reynolds, both of Joplin, Kaycee Stephenson of the home; nieces and nephews, Christopher, Lizzie and Jamie; grandparents, Eric and Nancy Stephenson of Alba, MO, Linda Strange of Golden City, MO, Donnie Hix and wife Barbara of Gillette, WY, Lela McAdams of Nashville, TN; great-grandparents, Don and Wanda Maples of Alba; Marjorie Vetter of Golden City; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

 Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

A celebration of Brandon’s life will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Alba Christian Church, Main and Hatch St., Alba, Missouri, with Bobby Stackhouse officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the Annex. For anyone unable to attend the memorial services, please feel free to leave a memory or send a condolence to the family at parkermortuary.com.

Eileen Singer

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Eileen C. Singer, loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother age 68 of Joplin, Mo. passed away January 2, 2014.

She was born June 21, 1945 in Washington D.C. and attended catholic school and nursing school.

Eileen worked as a nurse’s aid and medical technician but for most of her life she was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tipton, Ia. Her interest’s included reading, crocheting and bird watching.

She married Joe Singer on November 27, 1965 in Silver Springs, Md. Survivors include 2 daughters; Theresa Bell of Warrensburg, Mo. and Suzanne Frick and her husband Byron of Johnston, Ia. Brent Bell of Warsaw, Mo. Her four grandchildren, Allyson Richardson and her husband Aaron of Warsaw, Mo., Sarah Mason of Columbia, Mo., Madeline Frick and Kyle Frick both of Johnston, Ia. She was preceded in death by an infant son, John, her parents, Michael Sr. and Ellen “Hanley” McKain and her brother, Michael Jr.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel, with Father Justin Monaghan officiating.

In lieu of flowers and statuary the family requests contributions to the American Diabetes Association in care of the Mortuary.

Jeannette Williams

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Jeannette Marie ( Shank) Williams, age 44 of Joplin, Mo. passed away December 29, 2013 following a sudden illness.

She was born December 10, 1969 in Joplin, Mo. to Charles and Gloria (Erwin) Shank.

Jeannette was a lifetime area resident. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1988 and from Missouri Southern State University in 1993. Jeannette had worked for 20 years at various doctor’s and medical billing offices throughout Joplin before her current employment with Vatterott College as the Medical Program Director. Jeannette was very involved with the music department at First Baptist Church, Joplin, Mo. as well as her church family. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, daughters, and extended family.

She married Richard “Rick” Williams on February 17, 2005 in Joplin, Mo., and he survives. Other survivors include 2 daughters; Olivia (7) and Melodye, (5) both of the home, her parents Charles and Gloria Shank, one brother; Bryan Shank and wife Wendy, 1 niece Mykayla Shank, and 1 nephew, Aaron Shank.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Homer and Opal Shank, Leon and Loraine Erwin, and 1 nephew, Andrew Kristopher Shank.

Jackie Silvey

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Jackie Allene Asher Silvey, age 87 of Joplin, Mo., passed away January 1, 2014 following a short illness.

She was born December 18, 1926 in Baxter Springs, Kansas to Grant and Bertha (Crume) Asher.

Jackie married John Silvey on September 13, 1997 in Joplin, Mo, and he preceded her in death on September 20, 2012. She was also preceded in death by her sister Norma Jean Krummel on January 20, 2012

Auntie Jack, as her family called her, was a care giver and family supporter her entire life. Jackie’s middle name Allene is a four generation namesake.

She is survived by one niece, Lynna Allene Blasé, two nephews, Grant Krummel and wife Shelley, Stephen Krummel, six great nieces and nephews, Lisa Quiroz and husband Raul, Chad Murray, Galen Krummel and wife Lisa, Nathan Krummel and wife Angie, Andrea Krummel, Daniel Krummel, four great great nieces and 1 great great nephew.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday January 4, 2014 at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary chapel with Rev. Floyd Austin officiating. Burial will follow at the Hornet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the mortuary.

Bennie Traw

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Bennie Glenn Traw, 69, Neosho, died January 2, 2014 at Truman Healthcare and Rehab in Lamar, MO, following a lengthy illness.

 Bennie was born March 26, 1944 in Neosho and had returned to Neosho eight years ago. He served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam and worked as plant manager for a cable television company. He was a former mason and a member of the Neosho United Methodist Church.

 Bennie and Lois Hulser Ellner were married on July 11, 1981 at Bellevue, NE and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, David Traw, St. Augustine, FL and Jeffrey Traw, Virginia Beach, VA; two stepsons, Michael Ellner, Jupiter, FL and Paul Ellner, Waltham, MA; one grandson, Justin Traw and a sister, Alta Belle Roberts, Waynesville, MO.

The family will have a memorial service at a later date.

Cremation is under the direction of Clark Funeral Home.

Anna Berry

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Anna A. Berry, 81, Pierce City, died Jan. 1, 2014 at Freeman Neosho ER, following a sudden illness.

Anna was born Feb. 29, 1932 in Anacortes, WA and was a lifelong area resident. She was a homemaker and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. 

Anna married Earl Ray Berry on April 2, 1963 and he preceded her in death on April 24, 2011. She is survived by two daughters, Gail Oxendine and husband, Don, Pierce City and Linda and husband Charlie Ingram, Pierce City; one sister, Joan Volentine, Anacortes, WA and 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

 Services will be Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at 1 pm at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel in Granby, Pastor Jeff Werda will officiate. Interment will be in the Newtonia IOOF Cemetery, Newtonia. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3-4 pm at the funeral home.

 Service arrangements are under the directions of Clark Funeral Home, Granby, MO.