Nellie Ledford

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Our precious angel baby, Nellie Mae Ledford, was returned home to our Lord in heaven on Wednesday October 1, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo following a sudden illness. 

Nellie Mae was born on April 11, 2014, the daughter of Lance and Jacqueline (Burtrum) Ledford. During her five short months here on Earth, she touched many lives and was loved deeply by family and friends. Her life was a gift to us, a loan from our Lord above that brought great joy to our family. We will always miss her, cherish our time with her and remember how her beautiful eyes and smile would light up a room. 

Additional survivors include four brothers; Presley, Fletcher, Briar and Chipper, one sister; Tru, her paternal grandfather; Frank Ledford, maternal grandparents; Joseph & Michelle Burtrum, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Nellie Mae was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Mylinda Ledford. 

Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 6, 2014 at Carterville Christian Church, Robin Sigars, will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family during a time of visitation from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Joan Russell

(From Parker Mortuary)

Betty Joan Burnham Russell, age 84, Carl Junction, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at her home after a lengthy illness.

Joan was born September 22, 1930 to Orval W. Burnham and Ethel Z. Garrison Burnham in Carl Junction, Missouri. She graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1948 where she was Salutatorian of her class. Joan worked as a secretary at Brady-Stevens of Joplin, and was secretary for the Carl Junction School District. She was also a teller at the Carl Junction Bank, and worked with Surgi Manufacturing as their bookkeeper.

She met the love of her life, Charles P. Russell, who was a former World War II soldier taking classes under the GI Bill. They were married on April 11, 1959 in the First Baptist Church of Carl Junction. They lived in Merrium, Kansas for the next 54 years, and returned to Carl Junction just recently to be with family.

Joan was a very talented needle worker, and made dozens of quilts for family, countless braided rugs for her home and family, and hundreds of Raggedy Anne and Andy Dolls that she sold for many years at the Old Shawnee Town and Shawnee Farmer's Market. She was named Kansas Folk Life Person of Interest for her work on her rugs, and held several presentations and demonstrations of her craft throughout the state of Kansas.

She was a dedicated genealogist who traced her ancestors back to the American Revolution, and was inducted into the society of First Families of Ohio. She was a member of the John Ross Chapter of the DAR in Shawnee, Kansas. Her hobbies also included cannery which she won numerous awards at the Johnson County Fair. She was also an avid Scrabble player who played her game every night.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Charles of Carl Junction; children, Sara Kitch (John), Jana Russell (Phil Anderson), and David Russell (Jodi); grandchildren, John, Laura, Tyler (Kati), Leslie Goodwin (Daniel), Hollie Petry (Luke); great-grandchildren, Alexis and Sutton; brother, Richard Burnham (Carole); several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Thomas.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Bill Kenagy officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Contributions can be made to Shawnee Town (Museum) or Johnson County Public Library.

Sonny Ginter

(From Parker Mortuary)

Grant Edward Ginter, III, age 62 of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at his residence.

Sonny was born on November 12, 1952 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the late Grant Edward Ginter, II and Margie Sides Ginter.

He worked as a butcher early in life but most recently was a very dedicated employee at McDonald's at 7th and Maiden Lane, sometimes even walking to work in inclement weather to fulfill his employment obligations.

He is survived by three sisters, Toni Gazaway, Rita Buckaloo and Teresa Houston; one brother, Glen Ginter; and many nieces and nephews.

Family, friends, and co-workers are all welcome to join in for a simple backyard BBQ to celebrate Sonny's life. The gathering will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 5, at 2714 S. Michigan Avenue in Joplin. Please bring a smile, any stories you wish to share and a favorite side dish if so desired.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Four State Cremation.

Richard Williams

(From Parker Mortuary)

Richard Lee “RL” Williams, 75, of Carl Junction, went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2014 at Freeman Hospital, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Richard was born on May 29, 1939 in Joplin to Chester Jack and Mildred Irene Williams. He married Gloria Mae Halliwill on October 12, 1956.

Richard was a truck driver for Ozark Engineering for 25 years and Original Co-Owner of Ozark Crane Services for over 10 years, until retiring. After retirement, he worked for Avis Rental Car. He was a hard working father and grandfather. He enjoyed farming, gardening, playing with his dog Teddy, watching NASCAR, spoiling Gloria-the love of his life, and supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their many activities.

Richard is survived by his wife Gloria Williams, of the home; a son, Rick Williams and wife Penny, of Carl Junction; a daughter, Karen Wilkins and husband Ted, of Carl Junction; and a son, Doug Williams and wife Diane, of Springfield, MO. He was the grandfather to 7 granddaughters, Heather Edwards and husband Tommy of Riverton, KS, Amanda Walker and husband Michael, of Carl Junction, Autumn Stogner and husband John, of Republic, MO, Ashley Tate and husband Randy, of Springfield, MO, Stefanie Wilson, of Carl Junction, Kelsey Wilson, of Carl Junction, and Kaitlin Wilson, of Carl Junction; and 2 grandsons, Derick Williams and fiancé Haleigh Sills, of Baxter Springs, KS, and Tyler Williams, of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are 8 great-grandchildren, Courtney Edwards and fiancé Clay Goodman, Logan, and Shelby Edwards, Austin and Isabelle Tate, Brenleigh Walker, Ryken Williams, and Lincoln Stogner; and one great-great-grandchild, Cale Goodman. He is also survived by his extended family, Deanie Case, Debbie and Roger Howell, Susie and Raymond Ervin, Kenny and Brandi Case, and Steve Grant.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Cox; and life-long friend, Riley Case.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at Parker Mortuary with Pastor, Dan Toney, and family friend, Mark Frerer officiating. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Parker Mortuary.

Doris Lewis

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Doris Marie Lewis, age 97, of Joplin, passed away on Tuesday September 30, 2014, at her home, following an illness.

 Doris was born on March 5, 1917 in San Francisco, Ca., the daughter of the late John Joseph and Nettie (Osio) LaBorde. She has been a resident of Joplin since 1950. She worked as a manager for Howard Johnson Hotel. During the war she worked as a riveter, and later she drove a taxi. She was a member of the Spring City Church of Christ. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association and was once named Woman of the Year. 

She married Ellis H. Lewis in San Francisco. He preceded her in death on September 24, 2009. She was also preceded in death by a, Jackie Hill, and a brother, John (Jack) LaBorde. She is survived by several brothers, sister-in-laws, and a cherished and loving caretaker, Michele Sanders.

 Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Bob Stafford will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Judy Howery

(From Parker Mortuary)

Judith Kay “Judy” (Baker) Howery, age 71, Joplin, formerly of Hutchinson, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at her home with family at her side.

Judy was born December 25, 1942 in Hutchinson, daughter of the late Thomas Haldane Moshier and Alta Elena McCoy Moshier.

She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1960 where she was a talented musician playing mainly the bass. She played the string bass for her High School Orchestra, the Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, Overland Park City Band, was a charter member of the Hutchinson Symphony, the Four State Orchestra, and Barn Players of Kansas City. She was also a can-can dancer at the Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas. She was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church of Joplin, and sang in a mixed quartet for local nursing homes. She participated in Project Linus Blanket Project for Kids, and was accomplished in painted wood crafting.

She worked as an insurance agent prior to moving to Joplin in 1994 where she worked for the City of Joplin as Deputy City Clerk from 2002 until her retirement on April 22, 2008.

In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman Douglas Moshier and Vernon Thomas Moshier.

She married Eldon Leroy Howery on August 19, 1995 in Joplin, he survives. Additional survivors include her children, Brenda Rinehart and husband Edward of Overland Park, Kansas, Roger Baker and wife Tina of Hutchinson; sister, Janet Schmid and husband Larry also of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Friday, October 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Bob Dart and Rev. Brock Watson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Graveside services will be Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hutchinson, Kansas, with family receiving friends at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hutchinson, 407 E. 12th Ave. at 11:00 a.m.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Family requests that memorial contributions be made to the donor's favorite charity in Judy Howery's name.

Bruce Decker

(From Parker Mortuary)

Bruce H. Decker, Jr., age 66 of Joplin, passed away Monday evening, September 29, 2014 at Freeman West Hospital after an illness of several years.

Born September 22, 1948 in Lamar, MO, he was the son of the late Bruce Henry Decker, Sr. and Louella June Stout Decker and lived in Lamar until moving to Joplin in 1992. For over 20 years, Bruce worked in production and maintenance for Leggett & Platt, retiring due to ill health. An ardent Harley-Davidson rider, he belonged to the Harley Owners organization and participated in countless rides, many for fundraising.

He married Katherine Ray Decker on July 8, 1995 in Joplin. She preceded him in death April 25, 2004.

Survivors include two daughters, Kim Bankston and husband Tim of Raytown, MO, Sharon Holcomb of Joplin; a brother, Dennis Decker and wife Aronda of Republic, MO; two sisters, Jeri Lynn Waltrip, Elaine Lown of Carthage, MO; several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Friday at Parker Mortuary Chapel, after which the family will receive friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots or Bikers against Child Abuse, in care of the mortuary.