Craig Fitzjohn

(From Parker Mortuary)

Craig Luke Fitzjohn, 19, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. He was born Nov. 30, 1997, in Joplin, Mo., and was a 2016 Joplin High School graduate.

Survivors include his parents, Craig M. Fitzjohn, Joplin, and Barbara Jordan, Joplin; brothers, Cody Jackson, Kansas City, Kan., and Cory Fitzjohn, Joplin; grandparents, Sharon Fitzjohn, Joplin, Lewis Vance, Joplin, and Linda Neal, Kansas City; aunts, uncles, cousins, friends; and his canine companion, Hannah.
Craig Luke's passion was skateboarding. He spent most of his free time with friends at Joplin Skate Park. He also enjoyed fishing with his dad and friends.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parker Mortuary. Services will be at 12 p.m., Friday at the mortuary, with Paul Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jurgen Schroter, David Vance, Cody Jackson, Chris Hill, Logan Brown and Joshua Quinn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions for a skate memorial in Craig's honor at Joplin Skate Park may be made at Kerosene Skate Shop, 815 South Main, Joplin or skateknucklehead.com.

Doris Carson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Doris Fay Carson, age 77, of Joplin, Missouri passed away on Sunday January 22, 2017 at Freeman Hospital. 

She was born June 1, 1939, in Stark City, MO, the daughter of Ruth Agnes Wright. Doris graduated from Joplin High School in 1957, followed by St. John’s School of Nursing in 1961. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas.

Doris was the Family Planning Director & Nurse Practitioner for the Economic Security Corporation for 30 years, and then RN for the Community Clinic until her retirement in June, 2016. She married the love of her life, Richard E. Edwards on November 10, 2001. She was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder, Parrish Nurse and Sunday School Teacher. She was past President of the Lions Club, American Diabetes Educator, a lifetime member of the NAACP and the African Violet Society of America and the Gesneriad Society, serving as Master Judge for both.
Doris was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Wright, and grandmother, Alberta Wright. Survivors include her husband Richard; a son, William E. Carson, two daughters: Jocelyn Evans and Donna Walker and two granddaughters whom she adored, Adrienne Carson and Maegan Burr.
The family would like to thank the staff of Joplin’s Mercy Hospital for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Clinic of Joplin.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday January 28, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church Joplin with Rev George Triplett and Rev. Brock Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Friday at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory. The family suggests contributions to the Community Clinic in care of the Mortuary.

Arrangements entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Clive Veri

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Dr. Clive Veri Sr., age 80, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on January 20, 2017 at the Communities of Wildwood Ranch in Joplin. Dr. Veri was born May 21, 1936 in Catskill, NY to Nicholas and Josephine Veri. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean (Shults) Veri of Joplin, daughter Gina Ganahl, and her husband Dennis Ganahl of Chesterfield, MO, son, Clive Veri Jr. and his wife Laura of Carl Junction, MO, one sister, Josephine Payne of Catskill, NY, and six grandchildren, Dennis and Kevin Ganahl, Alyssa Terry and husband Logan, and Emma, Sarah, and Collin Veri.

Dr. Veri devoted his life to the education of young adults. He served as President of Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT from 1983-1989 and President of Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH from 1989-1998. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved to Holiday Island, AR wher he enjoyed fishing, boating and travel.

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at the Holiday Island, AR Community Church, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in the name of Dr. Clive Veri are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. 3645 South Ave. Springfield, Mo. 65807. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.

James Tilton

(From Parker Mortuary)

James Franklin Tilton, age 62, Joplin, passed away at 12:03 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2017 at his home after an extended illness.

James was born September 17, 1954 in Lake Providence, Louisiana to the late Bryant E. Tilton and Grace Guest Tilton and had lived in Joplin most of his life.

He worked as a security guard for Missouri Southern State College and cooked for several food establishments. James enjoyed computers, telling stories and watching movies. He will be missed by all that knew him.

James is survived by a daughter, Angela York, Carl Junction; a sister, Gayle Tilton, Joplin; a brother, Howard Smith, Joplin; and four grandchildren, Isaac, Shanda, Shampagne and Tapanga.

Graveside services are planned for Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Boyd Crook will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Judy Grisham

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Judy Kay Grisham passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2017 at the age of 74, surrounded by her loved ones. 

She had been battling an illness and is now at peace with her Father in Heaven. Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and Emmett Pethoud, and sisters Mary Putney and Connie Hals. She is survived by her loving husband, Noel, children Nick Grisham, Dawn (Brett Parry), and Nancy Hughes, as well as 19 grandchildren and more than 20 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Joyce Rich, and brother John Pethound.

Judy was born July 3, 1942 in Los Angeles, California and attended Victor Valley High School. At the age of 15 she met the love of her life, Noel Dean and from that time on he sweetly called her his “angel.” After high school they were married on October 18, 1959. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the California, Los Angeles LDS Temple on May 8, 1969.

Judy lived her life in optimism. Regardless of the challenge, she met her obstacles with a positive outlook. Her husband lovingly recalled, “She had a tenderness about her.” She loved raising and training both horses and dogs. She enjoyed gardening and baking, Judy was continually an example of hard work and bettering herself. She was a very active in the LDS church and selflessly served in various capacities. Her most recent service was as a genealogy specialist. Noel and Judy spent their time together connecting their family I the past, with their family here on earth.

Funeral services was held at Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints in Miami, OK. January 23, 2017. Burial was in the Seneca Cemetery, West Seneca, OK.

Arrangements under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

Gene Smithers

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Marvin "Gene" Smithers passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at his home. Gene was born March 8, 1957 to Houston Smithers and Margaret "Wallace" Smithers.

Gene was a long time Carthage resident and employee of Schreiber Cheese. He served his country honorably for ten years in the U.S. Army.

Gene is survived by his daughter Christina Lynn Gruensfield and son Kevin Kerbie Smithers and wife Monica of Springdale, Arkansas. He is also survived by his sister, Darlene Douglas of Trinidad, Texas and four grandchildren: Kara Jeanne Smithers, Greyson Ray Smithers, Bryce Liam Smithers and Decker Gruensfield.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Leonard Murphy

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Leonard Dale Murphy age 86, passed away at 2:44 pm, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri following an illness.

Mr Murphy was born November 27, 1930 in Rocky Comfort Missouri. His parents were Cloyce and Laura (Brown) Murphy. He had lived in the Joplin – Carthage area most of his life.

He entered the US Army in 1950 during the Korean War and was discharged in 1952. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Carthage, MO.

He owned and operated Len’s Auto Service in Carthage, MO for 25 years, retiring in 1992. He also worked at several newspaper companies including the Joplin Globe, Kansas City Star, San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, and San Jose News. His favorite pastime was fishing. He also loved repairing cars.

He was married to Betty Davis for 25 years. Their married ended in 1980. He later married Mary Jean (Rockwood) Wilson. She passed away December 17, 2000.

Surviving is one son, Carey Murphy, Carthage; two daughters, Vickie Fosdick, and Patricia Marston, both of Carthage; one step-son, John Snapp, Joplin, MO; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Pastor Joe Miller will officiate. He will be laid to rest at Macedonia Cemetery Stella, MO at a later date.