Abby Bixler

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Abby Lee Bixler, 32, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Monday, July 30, 2018.

Abby was born October 9, 1985 in Miami, Oklahoma, one of three children born to the union of Howard and Jane (Church) Bixler. She attended grade school in Wheaton, Missouri, and later attended school in Emmett and Ola, Idaho.

Abby enjoyed many activities, including bowling and going camping with her family on the weekends. She was an avid participant in the Special Olympics program and won silver and gold medals in bowling and track. Abby was a true animal lover and was especially fond of horses. She had a great singing voice and knew the words to nearly every song. Abby loved attending the dances put on by her Community Support Services group.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents.

Survivors include her parents, Howard and Jane Bixler, of Joplin; her twin sister, Alice Haverly, and husband, Branden, and her younger sister, Joy Bixler, all of the home; nieces and nephew, Alice Paige, Rilee and Landen; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the home of Branden and Alice. All are welcome to attend. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Barry Sidney

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Barry Douglas Sidney, 87, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Joplin, Missouri. He was born in The Bronx, New York, and was the son of the late Duane and Ruth (White) Sidney. During the Korean War he served in the U.S. Navy. Barry was very active with Gloucester Rescue Squad from 1981 to 1990. He retired from NASA after 30 years as a physicist. He was also a member of the Harcum Hunt Club of Gloucester and the VFW and American Legion in Joplin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen Sidney; and daughter, Elaine Marie Sidney.

He is survived by his children, Christopher Sidney, Melora Cemelo, Valeri Tompkins, Duane Sidney, Morgan Sidney and his wife, Lisa, and Audrey Hermoso Sanchez; his sister, Lee Purcell, and fifteen grandchildren.

The family will receive friend at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with funeral services on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in Olive Branch United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, VA 23061. Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, VA, is in charge of arrangements.

Huberta Bench

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Huberta June Bench, of Lockwood, MO, departed this life on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO at the age of 88 years.

She was born on September 27, 1929 in Everton, MO to Guy and Mina (Mallory) Manka. June was united in marriage to Melvin Bench on September 3, 1947 in Modesto, CA.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Guy and Mina Manka; her husband, Melvin Bench; two brothers, Bill Manka and Ronnie Manka; and two sisters, Amy Bates and Patricia Manka.

Survivors include one son, Dennis Bench; two daughters, Gail Riggans and Linda Smith; one brother, Donnie Manka; one sister, Berta Manka; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2018, in Antioch Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.

Jerry Lawson

(From Knell Mortuary)

Jerry D. Lawson, 72, Carthage, MO, passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Freeman Hospital West, Joplin, MO. Jerry D Lawson was born March 22, 1946 in Lamar, MO to the late George Lawson and Irene (Ferguson) Lawson. Jerry married Frances Elaine Young on February 13, 1966 in Liberal, MO; she preceded him in death on September 20, 2006. Jerry loved music, dancing, going to the coffee shop, jukeboxes, model airplanes, playing the harmonica. He was a member of the hootenanny of Saginaw and A.T.A of Carthage. He was so full of life and loved the Lord.

Survivors include one daughter, Tina Dudley (husband Paul), Diamond, MO; and one son Jerry Lawson (wife Christa), Carthage, MO. He had 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, his twin Gary and Franky Lawson, two sisters, Dottie Farmer and Carolyn Silvers, and one great grandchild, Carter Patton. He was the last Living member of his immediate family.

Visitation will be held 1-2 pm, Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Knell Mortuary. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2 pm. Interment will take place at Memory Gardens, Lamar, MO. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Marvin Page

(From Knell Mortuary)

Marvin R. Page, 66, Houston, TX, originally from Carthage, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Marvin Ray Page was born March 5, 1952 in Carthage, MO to Bryan D. Page and Betty (Poulson) Page. Marvin graduated from Carthage High School, Class of 1970. He then received his associates degree from Missouri Southern State University. He was employed by GAVS for 7 years, Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.

Survivors include his mother, Betty, three sons, Brian L. Page (Amanda), Webb City, MO, Nathan B. Page, Harrisonville, MO, and Robert S. Wolf, Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren, Dawson Hodges, Drake Hodges, Nicholas L. Page, Brylee N. Page, Alicia J. Matheson, and Joshua D. Matheson; four brothers, Allen Page, Joplin, MO, Bryan Page (Bunny), Wichita, KS, Greg Page, Joplin, MO, and Steven Page (Kathy), Joplin, MO; two sisters, Sue Rahmaniasl (Javad), Hoffman Estates, IL, and Vickie Rennick (Larry), Springfield, MO; and close family friend, Niki Page, Peculiar, MO. He was also survived by many additional family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bryan.

Visitation will be held 6-8 pm, Friday, August 3, 2018 at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Funeral services will be held 11 am, Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Carthage. Interment will follow the service at Carterville Cemetery, Carterville, MO. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Ronald Pierce

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald Dean Pierce, age 65, Joplin, passed away at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018 at his home after a sudden illness.

Ronald was born June 23, 1953 in French Camp, California to the late Leroy Virgil Pierce and Alice Wilson Pierce.

He worked as a remodeling contractor for most of his working life.

Survivors include a son, Ronald Pierce, Jr.; a daughter, Corinne Pierce; two brothers, James and Robert Pierce; an aunt, Jeninne Railey; and his caregiver, Patricia Smith.

No formal services are planned.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Janet Purdy

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

Janet Louise Purdy, age 73, of Miller, Missouri, passed away at 1:10 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018, at her home. She was born January 29, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of James and Sara Ellen (Berky) Williams.

Janet was a graduate of Montour High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was a truck driver for R & R Trucking in Webb City, Missouri.

On July 1, 2000, she married Merland Purdy in Stotts City, Missouri. He preceded her in death on October 9, 2010.

Janet is survived by her two daughters, Donna Golob and her husband, Robert, of Valparaiso, Indiana and Cathy Zelina and her husband, Paul, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; three sons, Reese Ploof, Jr. and his partner, Scott Mehalik, of Miller, Missouri, Glenn Ploof and his wife, Becky, of Wintersville, Ohio and James Ploof and his fiancé, Terri Holman, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one brother, James Williams and his wife, Roxana, of Mentor, Ohio; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Her parents, James and Sara, and her husband, Merland, preceded her in death.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Burial will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

Memorial donations may be made payable to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.