Linda Chapman

(From Knell Mortuary)

Linda A. Chapman, 72, Carthage, MO, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017 at her home. Linda Ann Lindsey was born October 26, 1944 in Carthage, MO to the late Lyndon Lindsey and Mattie (Lock) Lindsey. She graduated from Carthage High School, Class of 1962. Linda married Charles Allen Chapman on November 2, 1962 in Carthage; he survives. She worked at ADM Milling for 22 years and was a member of Parkview Christian Church, Sedalia, MO.

Survivors include her husband, three sons, Craig Allen Chapman (wife Kriss), Springfield, MO, Douglas Lynn Chapman (wife Kathy), Carthage, MO, and Dustin Dale Chapman (wife Stacey), Carthage, MO; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Dwight Lindsey, and one sister, Winnie Lindsey.

Graveside memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2016 at Park Cemetery. Memorial gifts are suggested to Oxford Hospice of Joplin in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Jack Gilion

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mr. Jack Lee Gilion, 72, of Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Anderson, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday morning, February 1, 2017, after months of declining health.

Jack entered this life on May 11, 1944, in Anderson, Missouri, one of four children born to the late William Conrad and Ona Lea (Hudgens) Gilion. After graduating from Anderson High School in 1962, he attended Joplin Junior College and Kansas State Teachers College, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1968. On May 29, 1964, at the Anderson Full Gospel Church, he was united in marriage to Donna Faye Tash and to this union a daughter and two sons were born. Jack taught school in Seneca, East Newton, McDonald County and two years in Phoenix, Arizona. While in Arizona, he pastored New Life Fellowship Church in Casa Grande. They left Arizona in 1984, moving to Riverton, Kansas. Jack was employed by the Missouri Division of Aging for several years retiring in 1999. After retirement, he and Donna decided to return home to Anderson. They attended Grove Christian Center and were members of the McDonald County Republican Club. They moved once more in 2008, to Joplin. He enjoyed attending auctions, was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and an active member of the House of Prayer in Riverton, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant son, Dustin Gilion.

Jack is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Donna Gilion of the home; two children, Brent Gilion of Joplin, Missouri and Dawn Hilderbrand and husband, Bill, also of Joplin; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Billy Gilion and wife, Doralee and Earnest Gilion and wife, Loretta both of Anderson; a sister, Deborah Darity and husband, Larry, of Noel, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Graveside funeral services for Mr. Gilion are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017, at the Anderson Cemetery with Pastor Audie Tash officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Brent Gilion, Creighton Gilion, Clay Gardner, Connor Hilderbrand, Bill Hilderbrand, Matt Magee and Rawleigh Tash. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established and contributions me be left at Community Bank and Trust in Anderson. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

Lois Kerr

(From Lockwood Funeral Chapel)

Lois Marie (Jones) Kerr, of Lockwood, Missouri, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 13 days. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Kerr, her parents, one brother, and one sister.

Lois was born July 18, 1931, in Aurora, Missouri, the fourth child of Emerson and Veda (Vineyard) Jones. She had two sisters: Mary Elizabeth Coleman (now deceased) and Virginia Ruth Keatts of Golden City, and two brothers: Emerson Eugene Jones (now deceased) and John Calvin Jones of Greenfield.

August 19, 1950 Lois married John C. Kerr. Together they raised five children; two sons: John David (Kathy) Kerr of Stockton, and Jeffery Scott (Dee) Kerr of Springfield; and three daughters: Brenda Sue (Russell) Davidson of Toledo, Ohio, Patricia Ann (Troy) Dingman of Carthage, and Pamela Jean Huser of Charlotte, North Carolina. The family grew to include 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Her family was blessed that she devoted her life to her family and her church.

Lois and John became active members of the First Baptist Church of Lockwood not long after their marriage. The Kerr family were all actively engaged in the activities of the church. Lois taught children's Sunday School for many years and was an active member of the Women's Missionary Union. She was a Girls' Auxiliary leader and summer Bible School teacher. She faithfully attended church as long as her health permitted.

Lois expressed gratitude that she was able to remain in her home until her final illness. She did her best to stay focused on good, finding blessings in each day, and looking forward to the next opportunity to play cards or games with kids and grandkids.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, in the First Baptist Church of Lockwood. Burial will follow in Brashears Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. until service time in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Lockwood. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Lockwood Funeral Chapel.

Gary Cutler

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Gary Kent Cutler, age 77, of Webb City, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 following a decline in health.

He was born May 22, 1939 in Pocatello, Idaho to George and Elnora (Lewshinski) Cutler.

Gary served in the United States Navy and worked in sales for the Prudential Insurance Company. He was a member of Christ’s Church of Oronogo.

He married Cynthia Bradford in 1979 at Elk City, Idaho and she survives. He is also survived by five daughters, Carrie McCoy and husband, Ian, of Walker, Missouri, Michael Linda Gayman and husband, Luke, of Webb City, Missouri, Sarah Rachel Gayman and husband, Jon, of 29 Palms, California, Peggy Elmore and husband, Jeff, of Carthage, Missouri, and Rebecca Cutler of Joplin, Missouri; 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 6, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, Webb City, Missouri.

Susan Shipman

(From Knell Mortuary)

Susan R. Shipman, 63, Carthage, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at her home after a lengthy illness. Susan Rene’ Raines was born December 15, 1953 in Monett, MO, a daughter of the late Betty Raines. Susan was a graduate of Aurora High School, Aurora, MO, Class of 1971. She married Richard Shipman on July 7, 2007 in Carthage, he survives. Susan was a machine operator for Justin Boot, Carthage for 30 years and was a receptionist for H & R Block, Carthage for 25 years. She was a member of the Carthage Order of the Eastern Star and was a Lady Shriner.

Additional survivors include three sons; Dustin (Jenny) Shipman, Wichita, KS, Preston (Crystal) Shipman, Rogers, AR and Austin (Anne) Shipman, Joplin, MO; two sisters, Leslie (John) Moore, Aurora, MO and Janet (Tim) Swope, Branson, MO, five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; her step-father, Junior Shepherd and step-mother, Louise Shepherd. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Shepherd Herndon, her step-father, Donald Dale Herndon and one brother, Harold Herndon.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, February 4 at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Memorial services will follow at 7:00 PM. Chaplain Wendy Christianson will officiate. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Cornell-Beshore Cancer Foundation, Freeman Hospital in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut Carthage, MO. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Jeffry Davidson

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Jeffry Lance Davidson, 53, Neosho, died February 2, 2017 at Joplin Health and Rehab, following an illness. 

 He was born August 28, 1963 in Rocky Comfort, Missouri, the son of Joe and Glenda (Lauderdale) Davidson. Jeffry was a lifelong area resident and worked for Crowder Industries. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed music, collecting coins, watching the Beverly Hillbillies and the Wizard of Oz and going to Branson and Silver Dollar City. Jeffry was a special light and made friends everywhere he went. 

 He is survived by his nephew, William Wiseman of Neosho and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mindy Davidson.

Services are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, MO.

Sharon Dale

(From Parker Mortuary)

Sharon Kay Dale, age 68, Joplin, passed away at 11:25 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at her home after an illness.

Sharon was born May 1, 1948 in Joplin to the late Jack Tucker and Ernestine Fort Tucker and had lived in Joplin all of her life.

She had worked as a truck driver but retired from Macy's Department Store after 22 years of service.

Sharon married Lawrence R. Dale on April 21, 1979 in Alexandria, Louisiana. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2004.

Survivors include her children, John Newberry and Kerri Delaney, both of the State of Florida, Michael Newberry, Joplin; two sisters, Carolyn Cavener, San Antonio, Texas, Jackie Mae Riley, Joplin; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.