Cecil Clevenger

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Cecil Charles Clevenger, 87, Joplin, passed away Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. After a recent decline in health, he was called home to the Lord and passed peacefully at Mercy Hospital in Joplin with his beloved wife, Betty and many other loved ones by his side.

Cecil was born April 1, 1931 in Ritchey, MO to Judge and Leona (Rice) Clevenger. On March 6, 1950, he married the love of his life, Betty Mahurin. They lived together, almost inseparable, for 68 wonderful years. They lived in Joplin for 61 years and together raised their two sons, Dwight and Gregory.

He worked for Eagle Picher in Joplin for 34 years, retiring in 1990. He was a veteran of the US Army National Guard. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, square dancing with his wife, and performing his infamous “finger tricks”.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Betty Clevenger, of the home; two sons, Dwight Clevenger (Pam) and Gregory Clevenger (Cindy); six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge and Leona; two brothers, John and James; three sisters, Hazel, Pearl, and Lorraine; and two great grandchildren, Matthew Stevens and Lilianna Clevenger.

Cecil was a strong patriarch of his family and will be greatly missed. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Neosho, with Richard Simmons officiating. Interment will follow at Newtonia IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 am Saturday, prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Hit and Run Project of Fayetteville, AR. Contributions may be made directly online to www.hitandrunproject.orgor c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850. The Hit and Run Project was created in honor of Cecil’s great grandson, Matthew Stevens.

Charles Emmert

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Charles R. Emmert, Jr. (Charlie), 75, a lifelong resident of Joplin, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 1, 2019.

Charles was born Feb. 15, 1943 in Joplin to Charles and Kathryn (Hailey) Emmert. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church of Joplin. Charles was a wrecker driver for R&S Chevrolet and a truck driver for over 45 years for Thomas Fruit Co. and WCA/Sunray. He was a member of the Joplin Teamsters Local 823. He was a classic car enthusiast and collector, restoring many classic cars over the years. Charles was a member of the Heartbeat Chevy Club since 1993.

Charles married Linda (Putnam) on March 28, 1969; she survives. He is also survived by two sons, Randy Emmert (Shelly) of Neosho and Bryan Emmert of Joplin; three grandchildren, Emily Emmert of Neosho and Jackson and Grant Emmert of Webb City; two sisters, Jeanette Emmert and Kathy Smith (David, Sr.); one brother, Bryon Emmert, all of Joplin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon Hoagland (Forrest) of Grove, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, Jan. 4 at Fellowship Baptist Church, Joplin, with Pastor Rob Signs officiating. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. A time of visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 pm on Thursday, Jan. 3 at Fellowship Baptist Church, Joplin.

Jaxon Buerge

(From Parker Mortuary)

Jaxon Blair Buerge, age 16, Joplin, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Oakley, Kansas.

Jaxon was born September 28, 2002 in Joplin, son of Justin and Trisha Buerge. He developed a love for running, and completed several 5K races. He enjoyed playing tennis, and loved being outdoors with his family, especially spending time on the farm, swimming, hiking, or going on vacations, and skiing trips to Colorado.

Jaxon will be remembered as a joyful, gentle, and sweet-natured soul, a boy with a pure, kind, and happy heart, and an infectious smile and giggle. He loved people generously, and changed the lives of all who had the privilege to know him.

Jaxon was preceded in death by a grandfather, Harold Maxwell Orendorf.

Survivors include his devoted parents, Trisha and Justin Buerge; brother, Maxwell Buerge all of Joplin; grandparents, Alden and Kathy Buerge of Joplin, Anne Eby and Len of Lakeland, Florida, Jackie Orendorf of Maitland, Florida; great-grandmother, Barbara Jean Blair of Olathe, Kansas; uncles, Aaron Buerge and Angye of Springfield, Missouri, and Brandon Buerge and Elizabeth of Newton, Kansas; several cousins, and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Pastor Aaron Brown officiating. Private family interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Miracles for Autism, in care of Shawn Creger, 7301 Mission Road, Suite 250, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Charley Vandergrift

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Charley Will Vandergrift, 76, of Alba, MO, entered his Heavenly home on December 29, 2018 surrounded by his family. Charley was born on October 15, 1942 at home to Claude and Ruby Vandergrift. His mother asked his father to fill out the birth certificate with the name of Charles William Vandergrift. When the birth certificate came, it was in the name of Charley Will Vandergrift.

Charley was one of eight children. He is survived by four sisters, Alice Reese and Shirley (Melvin) Owens of Mt. Vernon, Rosie Hoffman of Brazelton, GA and Daisy Garner of Miller; one brother, Ralph (Jake) Vandergrift of Miller; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Charley was united in marriage to Delores Ann Hastings on August 21, 1964 in Mt. Vernon, MO at the home of his sister, Shirley. They celebrated 54 years of marriage this year. Through good times and not so good times Charley has always been there for his family. Charley always knew he was in trouble when he heard Delores call “Charley Will".

Charley is survived by his wife, Delores of the home; four daughters, Vicki Arner (Danny) of Sarcoxie, Mary Beauchamp (Mike) of Alba, Susan Thorn (Morgan) of LaRussell, Missy Pietz (Ryan) of Webb City; one son, Andrew Vandergrift (Rebecca) Alba; six grandsons, six granddaughters and fourteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved pups, Annie and Ginger.

Charley was proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers, Dewey and Willis.

Charley worked as a machinist for Steadley’s in Carthage until January of 1998, retiring after 33 years. He would have been retired 21 years the 5th of January of 2019. Charley truly never retired until he became ill this year. He said he “loved his job but it didn’t pay much”. He always kept the home and farm well groomed. He would have two or three gardens going every summer and would share the abundance with family and friends. There was always time for a break when his best friend, Gary Jarmin, would come by and pick him and Annie up for a coffee break at Quaker Mill. He kept the campfires burning (even in the rain) when the family would gather to camp at Ride For Life, Ride For Kids and weekends at the lake. His passing will leave a large hole in our lives but we know that he is in Heaven watching over each and every one of us.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at First Christian Church in Carthage. Burial will be at Goss Cemetery near Phelps, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carthage or Joplin Humane Society in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Lynda Hardman

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Lynda Gayle Hardman, age 71, of Lamar, Missouri passed away December 30, 2018, at Freeman Hospital West.

Lynda was born November 27, 1947 in Carthage, MO to George Edson Brinkerhoff and Dorothy Ellen (Divine) Brinkerhoff. Lynda graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1965. On March 20, 1966, Lynda married Larry James Hardman at First Christian Church in Lamar and together they had three children. Lynda was a homemaker, a member of Lamar First Christian Church and the Stone Farm Club.

Survivors include her husband Larry Hardman; one son, Lance (Michelle) Hardman, Lamar, Missouri; two daughters, Lisa (Pat) Devore, Carl Junction, Missouri and Lizabeth "Eby" (Tom) Mooney, Lamar, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, Jake Devore, Lexis Conway, Ryan Devore, Abbie Devore, Taylor O'Sullivan, Lakin Hardman, Luke Hardman, Landon Hardman, Trenton Mooney, Trey Mooney, Katelyn Mooney; and one great grandchild, Thomas James O'Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her parents and twin boys in 1966.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, January 3, 2018 at First Christian Church, Lamar. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, First Christian Church.

Contributions are suggested to the Milford Christian Church Mission Fund, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com

Bonnie VanKirk

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Bonnie Irene VanKirk, age 74, of Liberal, Missouri died Friday, December 28, 2018, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, Kansas.

Bonnie was born January 23, 1944, in Liberal, Missouri to Arthur McClellan VanKirk and Marjorie Maxine (Coffey) VanKirk. She attended school in Liberal and was a member of Liberal Christian Church. Bonnie enjoyed helping raise and spoiling her nieces and nephews.

Survivors include two brothers: David VanKirk of Liberal, MO and Jimmy (Julia) VanKirk of Mulberry, KS; five sisters: Beverly Fleharty of Fort Scott, KS, Jean Taylor of Pittsburg, KS, Judy (Bill) McManis of Pittsburg, KS, Donna Cobler of Liberal, MO and Dixie Hayes of Owasso, OK as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Robert and Jack VanKirk and two infant sisters: Rebecca and Dorothy VanKirk.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2018, at the Christian Church of Liberal with burial to follow in Shiloh Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday at the Christian Church of Liberal.

Richard Redshaw

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Richard Redshaw, age 69, of Purdy, MO died on Monday, December 31, 2018, at his home in Purdy, MO. Mr. Redshaw was born in Storm Lake,
IA on Thursday, November 10, 1949; the son of Lawrence and Donna (Sauter) Redshaw. In 1962, he moved to Purdy, MO with his parents. Mr. Redshaw was part of the 1968 graduating class of Purdy High School (PHS). Richard married Margie Bobski on January 19,1974, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pulaskifield, MO.

Mr. Redshaw joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation and went to school to be an airplane mechanic. He served in Las Vegas, NV and Udorn, Thailand during the Vietnam Era. He was honorably discharged in 1972. Mr. Redshaw worked as a machinist at ADI in Monett, MO for a short time and then opened his own Body Shop & Auto Supply store in Purdy, MO. He spent many hours on his farm as well. He was a member of both the Tom Wolf Post #4207 and the Hobbs Anderson Post 91 of the American Legion in Monett, MO.

Surviving are the following: his wife, Margie of the home; one son, Scott Redshaw of Purdy, MO; one daughter, Kim (Sam) Hegwer of Carthage, MO; one sister, Dianna (Marc) Brandhorst of Springfield, MO; one brother, David (Debbie) Redshaw of Purdy, MO; and three grandchildren, Dalton Redshaw of Purdy, MO and Shelby and Kallie Hegwer of Carthage, MO.

The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO on Friday, January 04, 2019, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Graveside services will be at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Pulaskifield, MO on Saturday, January 05, 2019, beginning at 2:00 PM with Rev. Lee Neill officiating. Burial will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Pulaskifield, MO with Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to either Shoeboxes for Soldiers or the Salvation Army in care of the funeral home.