Zelda Benson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Zelda Lynn Benson, age 63, Granby, Missouri, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Mercy of Joplin.

Zelda was born October 30, 1953 in Plainville, Kansas, daughter of the late Glenn Wilson and Viva Jardott Wilson. She worked as a waitress for years, but was mostly a stay-at-home mom who loved taking care of her family.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Benson; children, Angie, Danny, Christy, Amanda, Brian, Darren, Amy, Jerry, Robby, Cody, and Jamie; grandchildren, Alicia, Eric, Nate, Michael, Caleb, Johnathon, Wyatt, Hayden, Eli, Allison, Tristen, Shelby, Cole, Constance, and Angel; great-grandchild, Lillyan; brothers, David, Glen, Ivan; sister, Maudie.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Community Center in Granby. Family and friends are invited to come share stories, and celebrate Zelda's life.

The family would like to thank everyone for all the support and love given during this difficult time of loss.

Charlotte Turner

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Charlotte Louise Turner, age 64, passed away at 1:57 am, Sunday, July 2, 2017 at her home following an illness.

Mrs Turner was born January 31, 1953 in Galena, KS. Her parents were Charles and Vera Mae (Matthews) Brand. She had lived in Galena most of her life.

She was an LPN. For 5 years, she worked as a nurse in a hospital in Kansas City. She then worked several years at Galena Manor, Galena, KS. She last worked as a clerk at Joseph’s Quik Stop, Galena, a position she held for 15 years until her retirement in 2010. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and martial arts. She loved animals and treated her pet dogs as part of her family.

Charlotte was married to Melvin Turner on June 22, 1981 in Miami, OK. He survives.

Additional survivors include one daughter, Mandy Coy, Little Rock , AR, 4 grandchildren; one nephew, James Cruse, Galena; two nieces, Cynthia Albers, Galena, and Melissa Forsythe, Alba, MO; great nephews, Brady Cruse, Chris Cruse, Cory Cruse, J. R. Shoemaker; one great-niece, Stephanie Shoemaker; and 4 great-great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Jerry Brand, and one sister, Beth Cruse.

Funeral services will be at 2:00pm, Friday, July 7, 2017 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Wally Lankford will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Derfelt Funeral home, Galena.

Kalei Gregg

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Kalei Lena Gregg 17, Neosho, passed away June 30, 2017 in a car accident. 

Kalei was born January 7, 2000 in Joplin, MO, the daughter of Allen Gregg and Lisa (Outt) Gregg. She was going to be a senior at East Newton High School. She enjoyed swimming, mudding, softball, music, and was in the Diesel Tech Program at Crowder College. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. 

Kalei is survived by her parents, Allen Gregg and Lisa Gregg and boyfriend, William Pittman; three brothers, Travis Gregg, Levi (Sarina) Gregg and Jacob Gregg of Neosho; two sisters, Jennifer Gregg and Kaci Conness of Neosho, MO; maternal grandfather, James Abney, maternal grandmother, Jeri Abney, Neosho; paternal grandmother, Shirley Crowder; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Richard Outt and a nephew, Brayden Morris. 

Services will Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Clark Funeral Home, Granby, MO. Steve Moser will officiate. Interment will follow in the Hazel Green Cemetery, in Boulder City, MO. Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Outt, Levi Gregg, Jacob Gregg, Travis Gregg, Michael Puckett and Josh Suba. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm Wednesday, July 5 at the Granby Chapel. Contributions in memory of Kalei may be made to Kalei Lena Gregg Memorial Fund in care of Hometown Bank.

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

Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.

Dorothy Willoughby

(From Knell Mortuary)

Dorothy M. Willoughby, 89, Carthage, MO, passed away Friday evening, June 30, 2017 at her home. Dorothy May Stroop was born September 29, 1927 in Carlton, CO to Elmer L. Stroop and Nellie E. (Helphingstine) Stroop. She was a graduate of Sarcoxie High School, Class of 1945. Dorothy married John F. Willoughby on September 28, 1947 at Bethany Baptist Church in Carthage, MO, he preceded her in death on February 17, 1991. Dorothy was a homemaker and also enjoyed keeping up with the family genealogy, beading, quilting, scrapbooking, and most importantly her children and grandchildren. Dorothy was very proud of her Native American Ancestry. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Carthage.

Survivors include, three daughters, Cheryl Willoughby, Carthage, MO; Judy (husband Lloyd “Sonny”) Jenkins, Goodman, MO; Robyn (husband Andy) McWilliams, Reeds, MO; two sons, Marlin Willoughby, Carthage, MO; Mike (wife Karen) Willoughby, Jasper, MO; two sister in laws, Velda Carr, Lorraine Stebler; eleven grandchildren, Shelly (husband Bill) Enyeart, Daniel ( wife Angie) Hopper, Allen Ogle, Carla Willoughby, Jeff Willoughby, Rebecca (husband Floyd) Clayton, Melissa (husband Wes) Anderson, Mark (wife Nicole) Willoughby, Ambyr (husband Travis) Frost, Sierra McWilliams, Shannon McWilliams, 27 Great Grandchildren, and 7 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister, Anna Louise, and one brother, Bruce Stroop.

Visitation will be held 6-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Knell Mortuary. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Victory Baptist Church, 9871 County Lane 117, Carthage, MO. Pastor Ed Hamilton will officiate. Interment will follow in Jasper Cemetery, Carthage, MO. Memorial gifts are suggested to Life Choices or Gideon’s International in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Twyla Vetter

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Twyla Ann Yetter, 73, Neosho, passed away June 30, 2017 following an unexpected sudden illness. 

Twyla was born June 20, 1944 in Neosho, MO, the daughter of Clyde and Thelma (Kerr) Wilson. She was a resident of Neosho until she was 18 years old when she left the area and returned in 1990. Twyla was a homemaker who loved the St. Louis Cardinals. She also loved to crochet and go to the casinos. 

 Twyla married Carl Yetter and he preceded her in death in 1990. She is survived by one son, Kevin (Gayle) Yetter, Neosho, MO; one daughter, Carla Yetter, Neosho, MO; one sister, Peggy Crosby, Ottawa, KS; one granddaughter, Shelbie Yetter. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by one brother, Bill Wilson; and two sisters, Betty Crouse and Bobbie Wilson. 

Memorial services will Friday, July 7, 2017 at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Rev. Wayne Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow in the Gibson Cemetery, north of Neosho, MO.

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

Betty Howard

(From Parker Mortuary)

Betty R. Howard, age 65 of Joplin, passed away at her home on June 28, 2017 following an extended illness.

Betty was born on January 9, 1952 in Webb City, Missouri to the late John Stinson and Gertrude Allen Stinson. Betty was an L.P.N. and worked for St. John's Hospital and later for Freeman Hospital for over 20 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Joplin.

Surviving Betty are sisters, Johna McAfee and husband, Tom of Joplin, Sarah McAfee and husband, Don of Carl Junction; brother, Robert Stinson of Joplin; three nieces and one nephew.

Other than her parents, Betty was preceded in death by an infant sister, Julie Ann Stinson; brother, Frank Deal and a sister in-law, Mary Stinson.

A memorial visitation will be Sunday, July 2, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Wildwood Baptist Church of Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wildwood Baptist Building Fund, in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Charlene Westerkamp

(From Parker Mortuary)

Charlene Marie Westerkamp, age 61, Joplin, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Mercy of Joplin.

Charlene was born May 16, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, daughter of the late Art Westerkamp, and Nancy Davison Liberatore of Brighton, Colorado. She graduated from high school in Brighton, Colorado, and was a stay at home mom and grandmother. She was always devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a son, Scottie Heath. Charlene was proud of the fact that she was always trying to help others in need, even after her death she did this by being an organ donor.

Survivors include her mother, Nancy Libertore; children, Jesse Heath of Joplin, Henry Heath and Miranda of Joplin, Kimberly Heath and Gale Smith of Deweyville, Texas, Jennifer Heath and Connie Harris of Joplin; brother, Darrell Westerkamp and Kelly of Conroe, Texas; sisters, Brenda Joslin and Billy of Fort Lupton, Colorado, Janis Moore of Greely, Colorado; grandchildren, Scott, Seth, William, Justin, Haleigh, Victoria, Nathan, Bailey, Nikki, Jacob, Casey, Lenna, and one on the way.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.