Jim McCormick

(From Clark Funeral Home)

James ‘Jim’ McCormick, 82, of Neosho, entered into rest on October 3, 2017 at Medicalodge in Neosho, following a lengthy illness. 

 Jim was born Aug. 2, 1935 in Blair, NE, the son of Clarence and Leota McCormick. He graduated from Blair High School in 1952 and attended college at Dana College for one year. He was a member of the Blair United Methodist Church. He worked for Safeway in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Kelly Ryan in Blair, NE. 

 He married Lodena Wrich in 1954 at Blair and later divorced. In 1956, Jim moved to Denver, CO, where he worked as a tile layer before going to the Air Force in 1957, serving until 1959. He was stationed at Cheyenne, WY and Offit Air Force Base in Omaha, NE in communications. He returned to Denver in 1961 and began working for Pepsi Cola as a route salesman and at Kroger Grocers as a service driver. In 1991, Jim relocated to Neosho, Missouri. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and all sports, especially football and the Denver Broncos as a season ticket holder for over 50 years.  

Jim married Charleen Sawyer in 1972 at Denver, Colorado and she survives. Additional survivors include two daughters, LaNae Frew and husband, Tom of White Hills, AZ and Lonna Kelly of Boise, Idaho; stepson, Douglas Sawyer and wife, Sandy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; stepdaughter, Cathy Sawyer of Neosho; two sisters, Patricia Rand and husband, Bob of Missouri Valley, Iowa and Sara Jo McCormick of Denver, Colorado; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren, with one great grandchild due to arrive in November and special family friends, Grant an Shelley Krummel and Bob and Nancy King. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Michael McCormick and son in law, Tim Kelly.

Jim requested to be cremated and a memorial service will be held on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Chaplain Danny Mullins and Bud Reed will officiate. The family will receive friends following the memorial service until 11:30 am. Family graveside services will be held at a later date at the Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska. Memorial contributions in honor of Jim may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of the donors’ choice, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850. The family would like to express a special ‘Thank You’ to Dr. Edgar Conrad and Cheri; Dr. David Zuehlke and Kyra and the caregivers of Hospice Compassas and Medicalodge of Neosho for all of their tender loving care.

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

Patricia Forbes

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Patricia Ann Forbes, 82, Neosho, passed away October 4, 2017 after a brief illness. 

 Patricia was born May 30, 1935 in Denver, CO to Ernest and Vlasta (Kohler) McDaniel. She moved to the area 12 years ago from Sacramento, CA. Patricia was a retired elementary school teacher, a member of the Red Hat Society, and avid in her hobbies of sewing and photography. Patricia was a member of the First Christian Church in Neosho. 

She is survived by her sons, Scott Forbes and wife, Susan and Dan Forbes and wife, Susan, all of Neosho; four grandchildren, Sarah Pomato, Hannah Sellers, Michelle Goff, and Christopher Forbes; and four great grandchildren.

Services will be held 1:00 pm Friday, October 6 at Clark Funeral Home Chapel in Neosho, with Rev. Al Gritten officiating. Interment will follow at Owsley Union Cemetery in Stella, MO. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, Oct. 5 between 6 and 7 pm. Contributions in memory of Patricia may be made to Owsley Union Cemetery, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

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

Linda Felker

(From Parker Mortuary)

Linda Sue Felker, age 67, Joplin, passed away at 11:52 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2017 at her home.

Linda was born August 28, 1950 in Joplin to the late Jerry Brock and Betty Gilliam Brock and was a lifetime Joplin resident.

She owned and operated 66 Truck and Foreign Salvage in Joplin for over 30 years. Linda was a free spirit and enjoyed shopping, anything with bling, crafts, swimming, amusement parks, visiting casinos, watching reality television shows, reading Stephen King novels and listening to Willie and Elvis.

Her first priority was family. She spent countless hours supporting her husband's, sons' and grandsons' racing careers. Linda loved spending time with all of her grandchildren and always looked forward to family gatherings. Christmas was a special time at the Felker house. She expected lists from everyone and made sure that everyone was spoiled rotten. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She married Raymond 'John' Felker on June 4, 1966 in Duenweg. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2005.

Linda was also preceded in death by a brother, Tom Brock.

Survivors include two sons, Danny Felker and his wife, Sandra, Carl Junction, Denny Felker and his fiance, Tina Nelson, Joplin; a brother, Carl Brock and his wife, Kay, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Sharon Brock, Joplin; grandchildren, Ashlea Belcher and husband, Shaun, Hailey, Andrew, Denny, Jr., Erin; seven great grandchildren and her fur baby, Cootie.

Graveside services are planned for Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Bill Hobson will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the services at Linda's home, 1386 S. Black Cat Road, Joplin.

The family would like to give special thank to Jaye and staff at Hospice Compassus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus, in care of Parker Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Bill Kilgore

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dr. William "Bill" Paul Kilgore, age 78 of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born August 10, 1939 in Atchison, Kansas to the late William P. Kilgore, Sr. and Connie Mae Vanover. William served in the National Guard and was a life-long student and a Pittsburg State University graduate. His degrees include teaching, microbiology, pharmacology and a Ph.D. from Cleveland Chiropractic School. He practiced mostly in the state of Arizona but prior to retirement, Bill was practicing in Miami, Oklahoma. Bill worked in a chemistry lab in St. Louis.

Bill loved to travel, and at one period of time, living in South and Central America. He was a member of the Baha'i Faith. Bill enjoyed playing tennis, watching sports, horses and his poodles.

On June 16, 1962, Bill married Jeanne Sue Moore and she preceded him in death on January 2, 2017. Additionally, a son, Bryan Kilgore, sister, Dolores Foster, brother, Roger Ellis and his step father, Kenneth Ellis, also precede Bill in passing.

Survivors include a son, W. Brent Kilgore of Joplin; daughter, Hanna Kilgore of Joplin; sister Carolina Blevins and husband, Johnny of Pineville, Missouri.

Graveside services are planned for Friday, October 6, at 2:00 P.M. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin.

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

Lena Jones

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Lena Mae Jones, 90, passed away September 29, 2017 in Sarcoxie, Missouri. Lena was born October 4, 1926 in Seymour, MO to Floyd Brown and Dorothy Van Meter Brown. Lena was a homemaker and attended the Freewill Baptist Church of Carthage.

Lena was united in marriage to LeRoy Vernon Jones March 25, 1944; he preceded her in death in 2000.

Lena was survived by one daughter, Marie Bailey of Carthage, and three sons, David Allen Jones (Stephanie) of Belle Vista, AR, Kenneth LeRoy Jones (Kay) of Warsaw, MO and Walter Floyd Jones (Freddie) of Avilla, MO, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Curtis Cemetery, southwest of Carthage. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Ulmer Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Colton Wilks

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Robert Colton Wilks, 26, of Carthage passed away September 30, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri after succumbing to a sudden illness. His final hours were spent surrounded by loved ones. Colton was born August 1, 1991 to David and Sandra Wilks in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Colton moved to Carthage as a child, where he spent much of his adolescence years attending Carthage Public Schools; he established many lifelong friendships. He moved to Marion, Iowa in 2005, where he attended grades eight through ten, during which time he found his love of football, playing lineman for the Marion Indians. Colton moved to Dodge City, Kansas in 2007 where he attended Dodge City High School and continued his high school football career as #66 as a lineman for the Dodge City Red Demons, graduating with the Class of 2010. He then went on to attend the Tulsa Welding School and graduated in 2011.

Colton was a loving son, brother, and devoted uncle to his niece, Kenzy Spurgeon. He was a quiet mannered man, with his gentle smile and respectful ways. He will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.

Colton is survived by his mother, Sandra Wilks of Carthage; his father and step-mother, David and Venancia Wilks of Rogers, Arkansas; his beloved sister, Delana Larrabee, and niece, Kenzy Spurgeon of Carthage. He also leaves behind his maternal grandmother, Jane Larrabee of Leach, Oklahoma; his paternal grandparents, Brenda Stark of Carthage and Bob and Carolyn Wilks of Decatur, Arkansas; his paternal great grandmother, Nadine King of Gentry, Arkansas, eight uncles: Tim Tucker, Scott Larrabee, Charles Leach, Jr., Brian Larrabee, Daniel Wilks, and Daryl Cude,Jerry Beck, and Joe Beck; four aunts: Teresa Stark, Traci Willis, Trudi Loy, and Tammy Beck along with many cousins and a host of friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Fasken Cemetery, northeast of Carthage .Pallbearers are Trevor Otterstein, Anthony Bayless, Trey Leach III, Devron Moore, Tommy Stark, Dalton Cossey, Caleb Fierro, and Jimmy Slates. Honorary pallbearers are James Qualls, Chad Qualls, Tim Tucker, Teddy Stark and Scott Larrabee.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Kathleen Paxson

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Kathleen A. Paxson, 77, Neosho, entered into rest on Sept. 29, 2017 at Medicalodge in Neosho, following an extended illness. 

 Kathleen was born June 24, 1940 in Lucien, OK, the daughter of Floyd and Lavina (Fipps) Maxwell. She worked as a mental health aide at the Eastern Oklahoma State Hospital, retiring in 1996 and following retirement, moved to Neosho. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting. 

 Kathleen married James W. Paxson on Sept. 1, 1979 in White Oak, Oklahoma and he survives. Additional survivors include four children, Carri Klawitter of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kelli Whitehead and husband, Doug of Neosho; Ronda Friend of Joplin and Matthew Bond and wife, Sandra of Goodman; two sisters, Sandra Egnor of Big Cabin, Oklahoma and Carolyn Campbell of Coeta, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amanda Whitehead in 1983; her parents, one brother, Dean Maxfield and two sisters, Barbara Mulkey and Darlene Steele.

Memorial services and visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 at 5 pm, at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories; visitation will follow until 6:30 pm. Contributions in memory of Kathleen may be made to 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.