Howard Turner

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Howard Lee Turner of Quapaw, OK passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, MO. He was 76.

Howard was born September 27, 1940 in Picher, OK to Fred and Ethel (Lincoln) Turner. He had lived in the Picher and Quapaw area most of his life. He had worked for US Metal and B.F. Goodrich in Miami and was a self-employed auto mechanic.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 brothers and 1 sister.

Howard married Betty (Mahurin) Turner June 16, 1962 and she survives of the home in Quapaw. Additional survivors include 4 sons, Terry Lee Turner and wife Brenda of Quapaw, OK, Richard Dale Turner and wife Rhonda of Riverton, KS, Howard Wayne Turner and wife Kristy of Joplin, MO and Steven Ray Turner and wife Tammie of Miami, OK, his daughter, Lorrie Ann Turner of the home, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be Monday, April 3, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami

Bill King

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

William Mack "Bill" King, 80 years, of Neosho, Missouri departed this life on Monday, March 27, 2017 at his residence in Neosho.

Bill was born on December 20, 1936 in Springfield, Missouri, to the late Alvah and Ruth (Martin) King. He moved to Neosho, Missouri in 1970, where he was the Executive Vice President of Sunbeam Outdoor Products in Neosho, retiring in 1994; he co-founded K&S Wire in 1995. Bill married the love of his life, Pam Cox on May 15, 1986 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting and golfing. Bill lived a very successful and wonderful life. He loved spending time with friends and he would sometimes enjoy a gin martini and fix a stiff drink for others to enjoy or "suffer" though it.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Travis King.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Pam King of the home; children, Tyler King, Jana Leighton, Brian King, Steven King all of Springfield, Missouri; Scott King of Summerville, South Carolina, Chris Mitchell and Aaron Mitchell both of Neosho, Missouri; two sisters, Emily Carter of Florida, Sydney Ann of Texas; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; along with a host of other relatives and friends who will dearly miss Bill.

Graveside funeral service for Bill will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 31, 2017 in the Union Cemetery in Stella, Missouri. Reverend Billy Joe Gentry will officiate. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Home on Thursday, march 30, 2017.

Virginia Mullin

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mrs. Virginia Perkins Mullin, 84, of Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Goodman, Missouri, departed this life on Tuesday evening, March 28, 2017, at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin, Missouri, after a recent decline in health.

Virginia entered this life on December 24, 1932, in Montpelier, Idaho, daughter of the late Ira Ervan and Florence May (Crumpton) Perkins. She lived in Cokeville, Wyoming until her senior year when she moved to John Day, Oregon, graduating in 1952, from Grant Union High School. On March 31, 1953, she was united in marriage to Tommy Troy Mullin, Sr. and to this union five children were born. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she served in various teaching and leadership callings, including serving a mission in Stockton, CA in 1997. She received her Bachelors in Secondary Education in 1985 and taught English at Crowder College and McDonald County High School. She enjoyed painting and sculpture, genealogy, puzzles, gardening, and reading. She could usually be found with a book in hand. Her greatest joy was her family and friends, and was always happy to visit with anyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tommy Mullin, Sr. on February 23, 1983; a daughter, Shannon Mullin Keating; and seven siblings, Richard, Elaine, Melvin, Gilbert, Ruth, Reid, and Gerald.

Virginia is survived by her four children, Patricia Mullin of Kansas City, Missouri, Tommy Troy Mullin, Jr., of Noel, Missouri, Nina May Gibson and husband, Randy, of Kansas City, Missouri and Ruth Emily Atkinson and husband, Eric, of Joplin, Missouri; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two brothers, Glenn Perkins of Pocatello, Idaho and George Perkins of Keller, Washington; a sister, Marie Paddock of Sequim, Washington; several nieces and nephews; as well a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mullin are 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 3, 2017, in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes with Bishop Duersch officiating. Burial will follow in the Peace Valley Cemetery in Anderson. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Derek Wieberg, Randy Gibson, Eric Atkinson, John Mullin, Paul Gardner, and Jason Hackett. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 2-4:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. 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.

Jim Hall

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mr. James Allen “Jim” Hall, 69, of Rocky Comfort, Missouri, departed this life on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, from complications during surgery.

Jim entered this life on December 1, 1947, in Jefferson, Iowa, born to the late Harold Merlin and Eva Ruth (Knowles) Hall. He was raised on the family farm in Redfield, Iowa and was a 1966 graduate of Dexfield High School in Redfield. He has been a resident of McDonald County Missouri, since 1987.

A perfect day for Jim was talking to his best friend, Paul Merical in Iowa, about trapping and fishing or a conversation with his nephew, Homer, about hunting Bear in Jasper, Arkansas. He also loved teasing Paul Merical about the weather here and bragging to him if he found Morels before him. He’d listen to all the country legends like Merle Haggard and Charlie Pride loud and proud in his pimpin ride which was a 2001 Chrysler van. He always had a story to tell and he didn’t care if he’d told you already. He loved Jesus, fishing, telling jokes and being right. Most of all, he loved his daughters and granddaughter deeply.

His parents and a sister, Donna Poehling preceded him in death.

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Jennie Crites of Neosho, Missouri and Jill Hall of Centerton, Arkansas; a granddaughter, Savanah Crites of Neosho, Missouri; a brother, Steven Harold Hall of Redfield, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes from 5-7:00 p.m. 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.

Betty Macumber

(From Parker Mortuary)

Betty Lucile Macumber, age 91, Joplin, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Freeman Hospital.

Betty was born December 19, 1935 in Winterset, to the late Arthur Ruben Strong and Hattie Rhodes Strong.

She married Theodore Guile Macumber on October 22, 1944 in Winterset, Iowa. He preceded her in death on May 3, 1994.

Betty was also preceded in death by one brother, Steve Strong and two sisters, Ethelee Dixon and Bonnie Beattie.

Betty worked in the Madison Iowa County Auditor's Office. She also worked at Look Magazine as a proofreader and at the Winterset School District.

Survivors include two daughters, Patty Leutzinger and husband Jack, of Joplin, Peggy Adam and husband Jim, Seguin, Texas; two granddaughters, Cassie Leutzinger, Braden, Florida, Sarah Westerhouse and husband Bill, Kansas City, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at later date in Winterset, Iowa.

Cremation arrangements are under the of Parker Mortuary.

Billy Peppers

(From Parker Mortuary)

Billy Gene Peppers, age 85, Joplin, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017 at his home following an extended illness.

Bill was born July 2, 1931 in Oronogo, Missouri to the late Harry B. Peppers and Thelma Breeden Peppers Hubbard. He was a 1949 graduate of Joplin Senior High and then served in the United States Army. Bill was a machinist, working for Mid-Western Machinery for many years prior to owning and operating his own business, Pepper's Welding of Alba, Missouri and expanded and moved into Pepper's Truck Body and Equipment in Joplin prior to retirement. Bill also owned Prosperity Skeet and Trap Range. Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, he had many friends and loved by all who knew him.

On March 23, 1951, Bill married Joan Shipman in Joplin, she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include daughters, Debra Haynes and husband, Jay, Denise Cline, both of Joplin; grandchildren, Michael Cline, Melynn Cline and Sabre Haynes; great grandchildren, Aubrey and Bailey Niess and Paizli Moore.

Other than his parents, Bill is preceded in death by a step-father, Rollyn Hubbard; brother, Bob Peppers and one granddaughter, Pepper Haynes.

Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, April 4, at 11:00 a.m. at First Community Church, Joplin. Family will receive friends on Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joplin Rifle and Pistol Club's Youth Program or to the donor's choice, both in care of the mortuary.

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

Arthur Welch

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Arthur F. Welch, age 94, passed away Saturday, April 01, 2017 at 3:15 AM at Wildwood Ranch in Joplin. 

Arthur was born October 20, 1922 to David Welch and Edna Unhru Welch in Purcell, MO and was the youngest of six children. He had worked at Eagle Picher in Joplin. 

Arthur married Bonnie Clark November 16, 1996 in Duenweg, MO, and she survives. Additional survivors include nephews, Gene Welch, Wayne Welch, Roy Lee Welch, and Cecil Welch; niece, Treva Gibson and other numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers James, Charles, Lloyd and George; and sister Lenora. 

Graveside Services for Arthur will be 11:00 AM Monday at Friends Cemetery in Purcell with his nephew, Gene Welch officiating. Please visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City.