Karen DePung

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Karen Louise DePung, 67, Neosho, died March 1, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, following a short illness. 

 She was born July 30, 1949 in Ukiah, California, the daughter of James and Louise (Daugherty) Neal. Karen lived most of her life in Southwest Missouri. She had worked at various places, however over the last few years she had retired. She was happy to be in her new home and enjoyed being outside, gardening, crocheting and spending time with her family, especially her great grandchildren. She was a member of Church of Hope. 

 Karen married Don DePung on April 17, 2010 and he survives. Also surviving are three children, Billy Joe Powers of Gladstone, MO, JoEtta Powers of Neosho and Michelle James of Clever, MO; four step children, Tim DePung, Tammy DePung, both of St. Louis, MO, Sarah Johnson and Lisa DePung, both of Baltimore, MD; two brothers, Rodney Neal and wife, Cathy of Neosho and Michael Neal of Goodman; sister, Virginia Wilder and husband, Herk of Neosho; eight grandchildren; seven step grandchildren and four great grandchildren with one on the way. Karen is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth Neal. 

 Services will be held Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Clark Funeral Home in Neosho with Dr. Jerry Seigel officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Karen may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Advocates, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

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

Eula Hulsey

(From Parker Mortuary)

Eula Mae Hulsey, two months short of 90, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1. She was at home with her two daughters and grandson.

Eula was born May 9, 1927 in Duenweg, Missouri to William H. and Lola Conrow. She attended Duenweg schools, graduating in 1945. She lived in Joplin her entire life.

Eula married Claude R. Hulsey on October 3, 1948. Together they had two daughters, Claudia Hulsey Kendall and Jo Hulsey, both of Joplin. Eula operated CJ's Uniforms Unlimited for the past 25 years, retiring in December of 2016. She was a lifelong member of Wildwood Baptist Church, where she was the oldest member.

She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as one brother, Billy R. Conrow and one sister, Betty J. (Tootsie) King.

She is survived by her daughters, Claudia Kendall (Mark Weaver) and Jo Hulsey (John Reed); one grandson, Jimmy Kendall and one she came to call a grandson, Jeff (Treedog) Trease, and the absolute joy of her life, great grandson, Cash Kendall. Also surviving are three brothers, Pete Conrow (Leona), Johnny Conrow, Charlie Conrow (Rosalie), and one sister, Emma Lou Poe, all of Joplin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Eula's Sunday school class, affectionately known by Cash as 'The Ladies". Thanks goes also to friends and family for the many visits, cards and prayers.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning at Wildwood Baptist Church with visitation immediately following. Pastor Joe Morris and nephew Lew Poe will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wildwood Baptist Church, 4827 East 20th Street, Joplin, Missouri, 64801.

David Bass

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

David O. Bass, age 67 of Webb City, Mo., passed away late Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. following a long illness.

David was born on May 31, 1949 in Medford, Or., the son of Warren and Genevieve (Johnson) Bass. He proudly served his country as part of the U.S. Army during three tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He has been a long-time area resident. David worked as a truck driver for Sitton Motor Lines before retiring in 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents. David is survived by his companion of over twenty-five years, Velma Oliver, a son; Bill Bass and wife Michelle of Athens, Tx., a daughter; Julia Rogers of Harker Heights, Tx., a brother; Richard Bass of Clancy, Mt., a sister; Karen Green of Lompoc, Ca., and four grandchildren; Heston, William, Parker and Ellis.

Graveside services have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2017, at the Webb City Cemetery. The family has chosen an Open Visitation during operating hours at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Loretta Johnson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Loretta Jean Johnson, age 87, of Joplin, passed away on Tuesday February 28, 2017, at National Healthcare, following an illness.

Loretta was born on September 27, 1929 in Joplin, the daughter of the late Nathum W. England and Blanche (Munger) England. She has been a lifetime area resident. She was a homemaker and dedicated her life to raising her two children. She was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church. She was also a former Eastern Star of the Joplin Masonic Lodge and a member of the Joplin Shrine Club.

She is survived by one daughter, Brenda Green and husband David, Carl Jct., Mo.; one son, Brian Johnson and wife Christina, Kansas City, Mo.; three grandchildren, Sean Green, Andrew Green, and Donovan Johnson; and one great-grandchild, Kristopher Green.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Reverend Jerry Seigel will officiate. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. Friday prior to the service at Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Martha Hensley

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Martha Jane Hensley was born May 19, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of William and Doris (Willis) Rooney. 

 She entered into rest on February 28, 2017 in Joplin, Missouri at the age of 86, following a short illness. Martha moved to Neosho in October, 1961 from Nevada. She had worked at Wal-Mart in Neosho for many years as a door greeter and as phone operator, retiring in 2008. She enjoyed square dancing, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and spending time with her dog Spike. She was a member of Sweetwater Baptist Church. 

 Martha and Robert ‘Bud’ Hensley were married on Nov. 26, 1949 in Nevada and he preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 2016. Martha is survived by three daughters, Roberta Brown, Rhonda Slayden and husband, Maurice and Rebecca Hensley and Beth Frank; a special friend, Mary Patton; one sister, Pat Holmes; six grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a grandson, Todd Slayden and son in law, Mike Brown. 

Services for Martha will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Pastor James Keezer will officiate. Interment will follow in the Neosho IOOF Cemetery and serving as pallbearers will be David Slayden, Chris Slayden, Greg Brown, Steve Werries, Maurice Slayden, Bob Bradbury, Clay Brown and Gary Hill. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Faithful Friends Animal Advocates, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

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

Alfred Virden

(From Parker Mortuary)

Alfred Emmery Virden, age 83, passed away Monday, February 27, at his home in Joplin.

Alfred was born September 6, 1933 in Prescott, AR and was the son of the late Thomas Fredrick Virden and Eula Mae Palmer Virden.

He married Patricia Ann Arnold on May 19, 1955 in Austin, TX. She survives at the home.

Additional Survivors include a daughter Vickie Sill and husband Rick, Webb City; one grandson Adam Fast and wife Rebecca, Lawrence, KS.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers.

Alfred served in the United States Air Force for 22 years as a flight engineer, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. He also served the state of Arkansas as an employment placement counselor for 16 years.

Graveside services will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. in Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Jim Distefano

(From Knell Mortuary)

Distefano, James “Jim King” 90, peacefully passed away Friday, February 24, 2017, surrounded by his children. Jim resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, MO at the time of his death. Prior to his move to St. James in 2015, Macomb, IL was home to Jim and his family for nearly 55 years.

Jim was born in Kansas City, MO in 1926 to Carmelo and Marguerite Distefano. He met Charlene Irwin in Carthage, MO, they wed in 1948 and they were married for nearly 60 years until Charlene’s passing in 2007. Jim is survived by five of his children: Linda (Jim) Clarkson, David (Sue) Distefano, John (Kim) Distefano, Beth Distefano and Jim (Stefka) Distefano and his grandchildren: Logan Distefano, Andrew Clarkson, Jamie (Russell) Parker and Tom Distefano. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Charlene and their first-born daughter, Susan Marie.

Jim proudly served our country in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. Jim’s first career calling was radio broadcasting, which he pursued for many years under the media name Jim King. His passion for broadcasting included a 40-year run volunteering on public radio stations. Throughout his career, Jim delighted countless listeners with his crystal clear voice. All who knew Jim will quickly agree his faith and family always came first, but a life-long love of virtually all sports played a central part of his life as well. And while Jim’s amazing eye-hand coordination served him well on the pool table, at the free throw line, on the bowling lanes and on the baseball field, regrettably he infrequently found the center of the fairway.

Jim’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to all the caring health service personnel who brought meaning and purpose to Jim’s last years, particularly those at Grand Prairie Assisted Living Center in Macomb and the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James.

Jim will be buried beside Charlene and Susie during a family service in Carthage, MO. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com.