Elsie Thomason

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Elsie Thomason, 94, a former Joplin resident, passed away March 29, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona where she had moved to be close to her son. 

Elsie was born September 24, 1920 in Lavaca AR to Philura and Dennis Spain. She was married to John Harold Thomason on August 1, 1942. They moved to Joplin in 1946. Elsie graduated from Joplin Business College. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Joplin and a lifetime member of the “Unity Literary Club of the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs”. She was very active with the Boy Scouts and was a longtime member of “Tri-State Family Boat Club”. 

She is survived by her son Don Thomason and wife Jo, Glendale, AZ, grandsons Darin and Kristi, Peoria, AZ, Cory and Ashley of Collierville, TN. Great grandchildren Austin, Caleb, Katie and Claire. Services will be held at Mason-Woodard in Joplin Thursday April 2, 2015.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Rev. Roger Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m Thursday at the Mortuary

Anna Wolfenbarger

(From Parker Mortuary)

Anna R. Wolfenbarger, age 95 of Joplin, passed away at 3:14 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Granby House in Granby, MO.

Born February 1, 1920 in Park City, UT, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Nina Wright Oehring and had lived in Joplin since 1981, moving from California. For 12 years, she was a caregiver for Oxford Healthcare, retiring in 1998. She was a member of Community of Christ in Joplin.

On February 2, 1940, she married James A. Wolfenbarger at Nevada, MO. He preceded her in death December 12, 1987.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Croan and husband Donald of Neosho; a son, Jim Wolfenbarger and wife Anita of Hesperia, CA; four grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at Parker Chapel with Evangelist Lester Lay and Elder Kenneth Simpson officiating. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Newton Burial Park in Nevada, MO with Donald Croan, Ken Liddle, Anthony Williams, Mike VanGrinsven, Nicholas Pollard, Matt Williams and Daniel Willet serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Community of Christ, in care of Parker Mortuary.

Alvin Borden

(From Parker Mortuary)

Alvin Edward Borden, age 72, died Tuesday, March 31 in a Joplin hospital after a lengthy illness.

Alvin E. Borden was born October 9, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the home of his parents, QD Borden and Eva Mae Ridgeway. He attended school in Lawton and Faxon, OK. He graduated from Chattanooga H.S. in 1961.

Alvin was a Vietnam veteran serving in the Air Force. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam, 1965, 1967 and 1968 as a Staff Sergeant. He earned the purple heart and other service medals.

Following his military service, Alvin worked in automotive maintenance managerial positions for TG & Y and Montgomery Ward in Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana and Oklahoma. He also worked at the Farmers Coop in Chattanooga, Oklahoma and with his father, owned and operated B&B Farms.

In 1961, he married Sharon Wilcoxson with whom he had 2 children, Lorie Walters and Michael Borden, both of Lawton, Oklahoma.

On January 8, 1989 he married Nancy Daniels in Joplin, Missouri and she survives of the home. Alvin and Nancy made their home in Chattanooga, Oklahoma until 2011 when they moved to Joplin.

Survivors are his wife, Nancy, his 2 children, Lorie Ann Walters and husband Danny of Lawton; son, Michael Borden and wife Tammy of Lawton; 3 step-children, Kimberly Daniels and Robert Chesney of Chattanooga, Chad Daniels of Wichita, Ks, Jason Daniels and wife Linda of Nevada, Missouri.

Other survivors are sisters, Ida Mae Jones and husband John of Elgin, Oklahoma, Linda Lewis and husband Gregg of Lawton, Judy Roy and husband Herb of Del City, Oklahoma; brothers, Bill Borden and wife Rita of Blanchard, Oklahoma, David Borden of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Donnie Borden of Chattanooga. There are 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Until ill health forced his retirement, Alvin enjoyed all things outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening. He was most recently a member of First Baptist Church, Chattanooga.

Services will be held Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Family will receive friends following the service at the home of Nancy and Alvin.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Lester York

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Lester Paul York went to his heavenly home March 31, 2015. 

He was born to Massey and Creola York November 25, 1941 in Jasper, MO. Lester was a Carthage High School graduate going on to obtain an architect degree at Labette Community college in Parsons, KS. He was in law enforcement 11 years with Jasper County Sheriff Department as a polygraph operator and investigator. Lester owned and operated Crown Barber Shop. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years Mary Jane York of the home. Lester is survived by his children Doyle York of Jasper Ruth Ann and Lonnie Knight Sr. of Grove, Mike Quick of Joplin, Jonna and Carl Short of Carthage, David and Christie Quick of Carl Junction and Kelly and Megan Quick of Ozark , One brother Leonard and Arlene York of Denver, CO. 34 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren. Lester is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Lloyd and Clifford York and one son Steven Quick. 

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday April 3, 2015 at Park Cemetery in Carthage. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday April 3, 2015 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

John Vincent

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

John E. Vincent age 48 of Joplin, Mo passed away on Tuesday March 31, 2015 at his home. 

He was born on September 4, 1966 in Joplin the son of Elvin Ray and Kathryn “Moore” Vincent. He was a 1984 graduate of Memorial High School. He married Heather on July 26, 1996 in Webb City, MO. John worked as a Restaurant Manager for Western Sizzlin and was a member of Relay for Life. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan, loved NASCAR, old cars and Fishing. 

John was preceded in death by his mom Kathryn Vincent. Survivors include his wife Heather of the home, three sons: Dustin Vincent of Joplin, MO, Jonathan Vincent of Joplin, Mo and Jacob Vincent of Joplin, Mo; a daughter Carrie Vincent of Joplin, MO, his dad Elvin Ray Vincent, three brothers: Doug Vincent of Joplin, MO, Dennis Vincent of Miami, Ok and Greg Vincent and wife Chris of Diamond, MO; two sister: Anessia Wilmoth and husband Kyndal of Miami, Ok and Carmen Rudasill of Carthage, Mo, several half-brothers and sisters, Mother and Father in-law Robert and Rhonda Enochs of Lamar, Mo, numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday April 4, 2015 at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory with Pastor Gene Bebee officiating. Burial will follow in the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery Joplin, MO. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. The family suggests contributions to the Dream Foundation in care of the mortuary. 

Arrangements entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Keith VanHove

(From Parker Mortuary)

Keith Wayne Van Hove, age 69 of Joplin, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at his home doing what he loved on his farm with his cattle.

Keith was born March 12, 1946 to the late Harvey Van Hove and Norma Hovaldt Van Hove in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was an owner-operator truck driver, leasing to Frontier Leasing and SMX for over 24 years. Keith also was an avid cattleman, owning and operating his own cattle farm. He was associated with Curtiss Breeding Service and Graham School of Kansas for Cattle Management and Breeding.

Keith was a part of many organizations including member of Owner/Operator Association, Missouri Farm Bureau and most important, his church, Faith Tabernacle.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Otten Van Hove of the home.

Additional survivors include, daughter, Jamie Ferrell and husband Wayne of Tulsa, OK.; son, Keith Van Hove, Jr. of Tulsa, OK; special daughter, Tami Berens and husband Riston of Marion, SD; special son, Ricky Hendricks and wife Heidi of Joplin; special nephew, Troy Otten and wife Kharla of Mesa, AZ; sisters, Nina Behm and husband Doug of Shrewsbury, MA., Ardis Walker and husband Ross of Sun Lake, AZ., Nita Wirth of Sioux Falls, SD., Rita Snowden and husband Mike of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers, Merlyn Van Hove and wife, Karen of Freeman, SD., Lyle Van Hove and wife, Deb of Parker, SD., Larry Van Hove and wife, Karen of Las Vegas, NV., Scott Van Hove and special friend, Dierck of Scottsdale, AZ and Reed Van Hove and wife, Tammy of Elgin, MN; two grandchildren, Braelyn and Carter Berens.

Preceding him in death are parents, Harvey and Norma Van Hove; brother, David Van Hove; four sisters, Donna Towne, Karla Rollins, Jean Ellen Schrag and Kathy Van Hove.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Church, 820 N. Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin. Twyla Johnson and Eric Roach will be officiating the service.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Jean Dipley

(From Parker Mortuary)

Nova Jean Dipley, age 75 of Joplin, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin.

Jean was born November 3, 1939 to the late, William Edward Carlton and Nova Cordilia Maize in Hobart, Oklahoma. She was a P.B.X. operator/supervisor, retiring after many years of service for Tri-State Motor Transit. She was a member of Central City Christian Church in Joplin.

On October 18, 1957, Jean married Clinton Dipley in Barstow, California. He preceded her in death on May 7, 2005.

She is survived by a daughter, Karla Taylor and husband, John of Carl Junction; sons, Gary Lee Dipley and Larry Allen Dipley, both of Joplin; sisters, Donna Blevins and husband, Powell of Salem, Arkansas, Betty Wahl and husband, George of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; brothers, Al Carlton and wife, Maxine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Dewaine Carlton and wife, Joan of Carthage; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and great friends.

Other than her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by brothers, Bill Carlton, Kenney Carlton, Bob Carlton and sisters, Joyce Bateman and Jimmie Clayton.

Services for Jean will be held Monday, April 6th at 10:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary. Family will receive friends on Sunday from 5-7:00 p.m. also at the mortuary.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.