Mary Lou Bower

(From Parker Mortuary)

Mary Lou Bower, age 71, Joplin, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2015 at her home.

Mary Lou was born January 17, 1944 in Imperial, Nebraska, daughter of the late Edward and Louise Bussell. She attended school in Nebraska, and then Barnes School of Business in Denver, Colorado where she learned her accounting skills. She was a partner and officer with Mid-America Accounts Control Bureau in Joplin, working with her husband. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and enjoyed taking care of her family.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Bower, and sister, Evelyn Norman.

Survivors include her husband, Doug, whom she married on February 24, 1963 in Imperial, Nebraska; sons, Thomas Bower of Diamond, Missouri, Douglas Bower and DeAnn Brock of Joplin; Michael Bower and wife Sherri of Joplin, and Matthew Bower and wife Nicole of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Eric Bower, Luke Bower, Jarrett Bower, Ethan Ritchell, Brayden Bower, and Ella Bower; sister, Emma Jane Haddorf of Fort Collins, Colorado, and a brother in Nebraska; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be held Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Justin Monaghan.

Cremation will follow by Parker Mortuary.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Mary's Catholic School.

Kay Henry

(From Parker Mortuary)

Brenda Kay Henry, age 63, Carl Junction, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kay was born July 14, 1951 in Bedford, Indiana, daughter of the late Robert Magner and Margaret Strange Magner. She graduated from Madison Grant High School in Fairmount, Indiana, and moved to Joplin where she attended Ozark Christian College from 1970 - 1974. She also earned an associate's degree in business management from Labette Community College, Parsons, Kansas following OCC. It was during that time she met Jerry D. Henry, and they were married August 11, 1973. She has worked for Bagcraft in Baxter Springs, Kansas since 1980, most recently working in the office. She was also a member of College Heights Christian Church. Her biggest enjoyment was spending time with her family and friends that included her family at Bagcraft. She was loved by all who knew her and will be known for her radiant smile.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Jerry Henry; son, Shane Henry and Christina of Joplin; brother, Jeff Magner and Jan of Indianapolis, Indiana; sisters, Julia Ann Blosser and Tim of Marion, Indiana, Connie Carmack and Wayne of Converse, Indiana; grandson, Robert Zane Henry; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be Sunday, March 22, 2015 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Family requests memorial contributions be made to the Children's Haven care of Parker Mortuary or flowers may be sent for the visitation.

Michael Dean

(From Parker Mortuary)

Michael P. Dean, age 32, Joplin, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 in Joplin

Michael was born August 27, 1982 in Wichita, Kansas, and attended Joplin Schools. He was a computer wiz, and was a SEO writer, and did some online marketing with AT&T. Family was extremely important to Michael, especially family gatherings where he was always the life of the party. Interacting with his family was his greatest joy. He also loved to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, repelling, or anything else that he could do that was exciting.

Survivors include his parents, Robert Michael "Mike" Dean and Iva Susan Millender Dean of Oronogo, Missouri; his wife, Chenoa, of the home; children, Logan Breck Dean, Brendan Michach Dean, Emmalee Nicole Tilford; step-children, Ayla Marie and Phoenix Blake Michael; his siblings: sister, Danyel Renee Warne and husband Brian, sister, Jobi Lynn George, brother, Kenneth Allen Philpott and wife Priscilla, sister, Susan Marie Edge and husband Josh, brother, John Patrick Dean; three nephews, 11 nieces, 2 great-nephews, and 1 1/2 great nieces.

Memorial services will be Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Pathways United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Miller officiating.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Michael Dean Memorial Fund at Community Bank and Trust of Joplin.

Cecil Clayton

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Cecil Clayton, age 74, of Purdy, MO and Cassville, MO, died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Bonne Terre, MO. Mr. Clayton was born in Purdy, MO on Tuesday, April 16, 1940. He was the son of Lloyd and Rosie (Childress) Clayton. Mr. Clayton was married to Connie Day and she preceded him in death on April 27, 2008. He was a retired, well-known logger.

Surviving are the following: two sons, Darren Clayton of Pierce City, MO and Steven Clayton of Purdy, MO; two daughters, Cecilia Fenton of Pierce City, MO and Jena Clayton of Pierce City, MO; four sisters, Marcine Schockley of Lawrence, KS, Linda Day of Corinth, MS, Janie Spearman of Corinth, MS, and Carolyn Dorsey of Corinth, MS; three brothers, Wayne Clayton of Purdy, MO, Marvin Clayton of Purdy, MO, Jerry Clayton of Pensacola, FL; one half-brother, J.D. Johnson of Joplin, MO; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Mr. Clayton was preceded in death by one son, Jonathan Clayton, on February 16, 2008 and his sister, Ruby Holland in 2015.

Private graveside services will be held in Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, MO on Monday, March 23, 2015, beginning at 10:30 A.M. with Brother Russell Bishop officiating. Mr Clayton was cremated at his request.

Bob Riggs

(From Parker Mortuary)

Robert E. (Bob) Riggs, age 68 of Webb City, passed away at 4:35 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015 at Webb City Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Born June 26, 1946 in Joplin, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Mary Lou Hyso Riggs and lived in the Joplin and Webb City areas his entire lifetime. A 1964 graduate of Joplin High School, he retired in 2012 as a generator technician for Cummins Central Power with over 20 years of service. He formerly owned and operated a boat sales and repair business, served as Fire Chief in Carterville and as Scoutmaster of Troop 25 in Webb City. Bob was devoted to his church and his family. He loved going to Grand Lake, fishing and model trains.

On July 22, 1967, he married Helen E. O’Connell. She survives.

Additional survivors include a daughter, Mary Sanders and husband Chris of Webb City; a son, Robbie Riggs of Joplin; two granddaughters, Cassie and Katrina DeGonia; a brother, David Riggs and wife Peggy of Springfield, MO.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday at Parker Chapel with Pastor Gary Balfour officiating. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with family members serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.

Betty St. Clair

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Betty Jean St. Clair, age 86, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 2:56 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2015, surrounded by her family. Betty was born December 5, 1928 in Etna, Mo. She returned to Webb City in 1985 when her husband became the Minister of First Christian Church of Webb City. She was employed as a Secretary to the Registrar of Ozark Christian College and retired as the Receptionist for the College. She assisted her husband in ministries in Mo. and Indiana. While in Indiana she was employed as Secretary to the Head of Anesthesiology at Indiana University Medical Center. Betty was a member of First Christian Church of Webb City and had recently been attending College Heights Christian Church of Joplin. Betty lived a life that taught us all how to love people who really needed love. Because of Jesus, that is her greatest legacy. She has really changed the world. Well done Mom !

Betty married Calvin W. St. Clair February 26, 1950 in Kahoka, Mo. He preceded her in death on September 27, 2012. She was also preceded in death by two infant sons, Calvin Jr., and Rodney Wayne, her parents, Ralph and Velva Welbourne, two brothers, Robert and John Dye, and two sisters, Helen Overfield, and Dorothy Dye. Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl Latkowski and husband David, Greenwood, In., four sons, Jeff St. Clair and wife Julie, Neosho, Mo., Jay St. Clair and wife Julie, Joplin, John St. Clair and wife Melony, Racine, Mo., and Andrew Moore, Eldon, Mo.22 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one on the way.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the College Heights Christian Church Chapel with her children officiating. Burial will follow at the Osborne Memorial Cemetery with Mike Geisert and Stan Parkison, Ministers, officiating. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the Mortuary. Memorial contributions are requested to God’s Resort, P.O. Box 4981 Joplin, Mo. 64803. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.

Frances Smith

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Frances V. Smith age 81 of Joplin, MO passed away Wednesday March 11, 2015 at the Joplin Health and Rehabilitation. 

She was born on October 12, 1933 in Crockett, TX the daughter of Delbert and Clara Daisy “Mills” Minter. Frances was a housewife raising her children. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God, and played the accordion for a gospel group called the Brothers and Sisters. Frances was loved and will be missed by many. 

Frances was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two daughters: LeAnn Blankenship and husband Steve of Joplin and Penny Smith of Joplin, MO; a brother Billy Ray Minter of Crockett, TX; two sisters: Ester Sue Due and husband Grady of Pearland, TX and Betty Bloom of Alamogordo, NM; three grandchildren: Crystal, Ryan and Sammy Joe; and a great grandchildren Gabe. 

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Saturday March 28, 2015 at the Cunningham Park 26th and Maiden Lane, Joplin, MO. A memorial service will be held at a later date In Crockett, TX.