Clarence Mendenhall

(From Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home)

Clarence E. Mendenhall, age 73, entered into rest on February 2, 2019 at the Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. He was born on October 9, 1945 in Concordia, Kansas to Francis M. and Dorothy (Yoder) Mendenhall.

He married Marilyn Halferty on November 10, 1962 in Beloit, Kansas.

Clarence worked as a Tree Trimmer for Schenk Tree Service and later began farming, ran a dairy cattle operation, Rancher and then running his own business Mendenhall Tree Service.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, his horses, and most of all spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Marilyn Mendenhall, Concordia, KS.; 3 daughters, Sheila Crough, Concordia, KS.; Cathy Volk (JD), Battle Creek, NE.; Lisa Sorell (Randy), Concordia, KS.; a son, Randy Mendenhall (Tisha), Concordia, KS.; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, a brother, Francis Reuben Mendenhall (Loretta), Concordia, KS.; 3 sisters, Lelah Kroulik, Wichita, KS.; Ella Maggard (Joe), Lamar, MO.; Charlotte Courtney (Earl), Lamar, MO.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Mendenhall, parents, Francis and Dorothy Mendenhall, son-in-law, Greg Collette, a brother, Marion Mendenhall, 5 sisters, Dorothy Glisson, Almeda Clingman, JoAnn McCartney, Isabel Oliver, infant sister, Carolyn L. Mendenhall.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia with Rev. Bob Burns officiating.

Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia, Kansas

Memorial Contributions may be given to N.C.K. Saddle Club, Concordia, Kansas c/o Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home.

For online condolences may be sent to www.chaputbuoy.

Richard Thurman

Richard Eugene Thurman, 59, passed from this life on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.

Richard was born on February 21, 1959 to Roy and Martha Thurman. Martha passed away when Richard was a little boy. Richard grew up in and around Neosho, MO and was a graduate of Neosho High School. He served in the United States Air Force and was a retired long-haul truck driver. Richard was a jack of all trades, and he could do just about anything if he had the time and the resources.

Richard loved history, especially military history. He had a wicked sense of humor, and he was a great storyteller. He was a great friend to have, and he would help anyone in need in any way he possibly could. Richard loved the outdoors. In better times, he loved to take his family hiking, biking, swimming, camping, canoeing, fishing, and target shooting. His kids will be forever thankful for those experiences.

In addition to his mother, Richard is preceded in death by his father, Roy Thurman; his much-loved adoptive mother, Sonya Gibson Leonard Thurman; grandparents, Richard and Pauline Thurman; a son, Brandon Thurman; and a grandson, Cohner Rey Marler.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, his soul mate, Kimberly Thurman. They were united in holy matrimony on March 17, 1990. In addition to Kimberly, Richard is survived by two daughters, Tamsen Thurman (Jeremy) and Christa Thurman (John); a son, Nicholas Thurman (Joan); an honorary son, Chris Marler; three grandchildren, Damiana, Trisity, and David; four brothers and sisters, Dan Leonard, Rhonda Thurman, Cindy Leonard-Middaugh, and Roy Thurman; many nieces and nephews; and a cat, Binx.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO, and a Celebration of Life service will be held for Richard's friends and family at a later date.

In memory of Richard, his family asks that you consider signing up to become an organ donor. Please visit www.organdonor.gov for more information.

Darlene Rhea

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Darlene (Roark) Rhea, 95, Seneca, MO, passed away January 27, 2019 at the Seneca House Nursing Home after a long illness.

Darlene Roark was born January 22,1924 in Vian, OK the daughter of Cap and Beatrice (Thompson) Roark. She was a retired office manager for a telephone company. 

Darlene Roark married William (Bill) Rhea, July 8, 1961 in Carson City, NV and he preceded her in death in 1994. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Richard Roark, Cecel Roark, Bennie Ferner and Pauline Mack.

The body has been taken for cremation under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca. No services are planned at this time.

Sally Hunter

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Sally Anne Hunter, 73, passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Sally was born June 30, 1945 in Carthage to James Irving Hunter II and Mildred LuVerne “Elliott” Hunter. She was a lifetime area resident and an artist, specializing in acrylics, water colors and creating jewelry

Sally is survived by one son, Scott Sawyer (Jana) of Carthage; one daughter, Amy Parish (Rusty Heisten) of Carthage; one brother, Elliott Hunter of Carthage; four grandchildren; Paul Irving Jamerson (Michal), Brenna Jo Jamerson, Benjamin Yoo-Bin Sawyer and Owen Jeong-Hoon Sawyer.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Irving Hunter III.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2019 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Carthage. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home.

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

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home. 

Miles Elliott

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

Miles Nelson Elliott, age 71, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 8:53 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born January 28, 1948, in Flint, Michigan, the son of Johnnie and Lueda (Rinker) Elliott.

Miles was a 1966 graduate of Marionville High School, in Marionville, Missouri. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam Era and was a truck driver. He was an awesome papa and loved to spend time with his grandkids and was a member of the Chesapeake Baptist Church.

On March 3, 1995, he married Violett Harlow in Chesapeake, Missouri.

Miles is survived by his wife of 23 years, Violet; one daughter, Amber Cox and her husband, Todd, of Hurley, Missouri; one son, Miles Elliott of Monett, Missouri; one step-daughter, Katherine Brooks and her husband, Chris, of Sarcoxie, Missouri; two step-sons, John Guenther, of Verona, Missouri and Todd Guenther and his wife, Michelle, of Verona; eleven grandchildren, Coby, Dylan, Keiana, Justin, Kelson, Shane, Katie, Lauren, Paxton, Kryn and Phoenix; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Connie Harmon and her husband, Lee, of Greenfield, Missouri; one brother, Everett Elliott and his wife, Becky, of Marionville, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, Johnnie and Lueda, and his first wife, Cathy Elliott, preceded him in death.

A funeral service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2019, at the Chesapeake Baptist Church with burial to follow at the Campground Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2019, at the church.

Memorial donations may be made payable to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com

Barbara Russell

(From Parker Mortuary)

Barbara Ann Russell, age 79, Webb City, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at The Communities of Wildwood after a short illness.

Barbara was born November 9, 1939 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, daughter of the late Jack Holt and Irene Schaeffer Holt. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1957 where she was a standout volleyball player. She worked as a youth as a lifeguard, and later worked for the Joplin Globe for sometime before working with J.C. Penney as they opened the store in the Joplin Mall. Barbara retired from J.C. Penney after several years. She was a member of Forest Park Baptist Church, and enjoyed music. She was a talented violinist, and could play several instruments by hear.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David C. Russell, who died on June 19, 1996, and a daughter, Cristy Lynn.

Survivors include her daughter, Terri Lynn Russell of Webb City; and her brother, Larry Holt and wife Cheryl of West Hills, California.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. No services are planned at this time.

Arbury Cochran

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Arbury (Arby) Dean Cochran, age 83, of Joplin, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin following a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. Cochran, son of the late Norman and Oleva (Cantrell) Cochran, was born on September 13, 1935 in Miller, Mo.

While attending Sarcoxie High School, Arby worked as a cook for Boots Drive-Inn, Carthage, Mo. With his earnings, in 1950, he purchased his first car before being old enough to drive. It was a 1936 Ford, decked out with mud-flaps, a multi-colored squirrel's tail, a steering wheel knob, and wide white walls. After graduation Arbury was employed at Leggett & Platt and Eagle Picher. He found his niche when he was hired as a salesman for new cars at the Ford Dealership in Columbus, Kansas. He continued in car sales at McDonough Volkswagen/Mazda, in Joplin until his retirement.

In 1953 Arbury joined the Army National Guard and served in the 135th tank battalion until 1961. "Back in the day" as he would say, Arby did enjoy riding motorcycles and drag racing cars with his friends in Asbury. He loved playing fast-pitch softball and was the pitcher for the Carl Junction Christian Church ball team. As a member of the Bethel Assembly Church of God, he loved participating in their special music, singing solos and duets with Ken and others also playing the trumpet and several different harmonicas.

Arbury is survived by his four sons, Terry Cochran (Mary) of Springfield, MO., Brian Cochran (Pam) of Arlington, IN., Jeff Cochran (Tracy) of Gardner, KS., and Corey Cochran of Lantana, TX; Arbury is also survived by former wife and forever friend, Rosie York of Lenexa, KS; one brother, Gordon Cochran (Becky) of Joplin, two sisters, Beverley Cochran, of Ozark, MO., Norma Hilberg (Lance) of Michigan City, IN; twenty grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, with another on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin with burial to follow at Harvey Cemetery, LaRussell, MO. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 5th. starting at 1:00 p.m. until service time at the mortuary. Memorial donations may be made to the Christian Church of Carl Junction and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

We, Arbury's family, would like to say that Arby was an example of kindness and so very generous with his time in helping family and friends in whatever their needs might be. Believing that "prayer is a powerful weapon" he was a prayer warrior for all. He was a blessing to us and in turn he was very blessed by the kind and wonderful care that he received from the nurses and aids at Spring River Christian Village and the special loving care that Arby received from Avalon Hospice. Thank you all. A special "Thank You" to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Masterson. Thank you Margaret for being the pianist and to Ken for being a coffee buddy and friend to the very end.