Gertrude House

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Gertrude G. House, 99, passed away March 30, 2019 at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation. She was born March 10, 1920 in Garland, AR to William and Mary “Smith” George. Gertrude was a seamstress and owned Carthage Tailor Shop. She attended Free Will Baptist Church west of Carthage, and loved sewing and fishing.

Gertrude was united in marriage to Frank House, Jr. on July 19, 2002 in Miami, OK; he survives. She was also married to Dewey Rogers from 1935 to 1971, Raymond Brewer from 1976 to 1990, and C.C. “Bud” Sloniker from 1992 to 2002.

Gertrude is survived by many nieces, nephews and stepchildren.

Gertrude was preceded in death by Dewey, Raymond and “Bud”; three brothers, Clyde, Ocie and Herbert George; four sisters, Myrtle George, Stella Moore, Adalea Masterson and Mamie Maynard.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Wild Rose Cemetery (also known as Webb City Cemetery).

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Lawrence Cripps

(From Ferry Funeral Home)

Lawrence Milton Cripps, 79 of Nevada passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Nevada Regional Medical Center following a life dedicated to the faithful service of mankind.

Lawrence was born January 3, 1940 in Milford, MO the son of Herman Ellsworth and Audrey Lavina (Cramer) Cripps. He graduated from Bronaugh High School in 1957 and Lawrence joined the United States Navy after High School and served for four years. He later joined the Air Force Reserves and retired, Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Reserves. Lawrence worked for the Nevada Police Department in 1963 before working for the Missouri State Highway Patrol as a license examiner (retiring after thirty years of service). Lawrence also pastored the Methodist Churches at Horton and Metz.

Lawrence married Mary Martha Duncan on May 28, 1962 and she preceded him in death on January 31, 1993. He later married Regina Ann Burnham February 19, 1994 and she survives of the home.

Lawrence was a fifty year member and Past Master of Masonic Osage Lodge #303, Past 45th District Deputy Grand Master, member of the Mirza Shrine in Pittsburg, KS, Scottish Rite 33rd Degree, York Rite, the Eastern Star, and Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star. Lawrence was the Nevada Representative for the Masonic Retirement Home of Missouri. Lawrence has for many years conducted Masonic Services for fellow Masons at their funeral services.

Lawrence received an associate degree from Wentworth Academy in electrical and hydraulics, held a private pilot license, and played the piano at community functions and Eastern Star meetings, He volunteered at the Vernon County Election Board, drove cancer patients and veterans to their out of town doctor’s appointments, and could always be identified driving a two tone brown Ford truck in Nevada, always on the go, always on the way to help someone with need.

Lawrence will be remembered as being family orientated and was always involved with projects with his wife, son, John and sister, Vera. At an early age Lawrence learned the importance of serving others because of the help he had received from others.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Martha, and son, Wayne Milton Cripps. He is survived by his wife Gina of the home; son, John Ellsworth Cripps and wife Melinda of Kearney, MO; step-son, Donovan Bankhead and wife Belinda of Springfield and step-daughter, Shannon Close and husband Charles of Houston, TX, brother, Ray Cripps and wife Karen of Ponca City, OK; sister, Vera Ellison and husband Floyd of Joplin, MO; niece, Kathy Gossen; nephews, Lonnie Cripps, and Rodney Cripps; extended family and special friends which include, George Leemasters, David Grubb, Vic Hines, and Paul Daniels just to name a few.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019 in the United Methodist Church in Nevada with Bob Beaver officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Moore Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 with a Masonic Service and Eastern Star Service to follow at 6:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Masonic Home of Missouri, Disabled American Veterans, or Vernon County Cancer Relief in care of the Ferry Funeral Home.

James Etter

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

James Loren Etter, 79, of Sarcoxie, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019 at his daughter’s home after a brief hospital visit.

James was born on September 3, 1939, in Monett, Missouri to the late Oscar and Martha (Douthitt) Etter. He proudly served in the United States Army, returning home in 1963. On January 13, 1968 he was united in marriage to Judy Ann VanAmber. Together they shared fifty-one years. After more than thirty one years of dedicated service he retired from BNSF Railroad. He was a member of the VFW post of Monett. He enjoyed working on the farm and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Martha Etter; first wife, Nora (Mayes) Etter; and one sister, Millie (Etter) Dawson.

James is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Janie Wormington (Randy), Margaret Chappell (Tim), Theresa Ross (Darren), James Etter (Julie) and Doug Etter (Eija); thirteen grandchildren and their spouses; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Meadows and Lena Garrett; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2019 at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, with Pastor John Williams officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at VanBuren Cemetery in Wentworth. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are David Wormington, Mason Ross, Jared Ross, Aleksi Etter, Logan Chappell, Jacob Chappell and Seth Etter. Honorary pallbearers are Jarod Hohensee, Matt Walters, Alex Baldwin and Justin Chappell. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Children’s Miracle Network in care of the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.

Raymond Thompson

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Raymond Lee Thompson, age 78, of Freistatt, MO, passed from this life to his eternal home on Sunday, March 31, 2019, while at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, MO. Raymond was born on September 4, 1940 in Nowata County, OK to David "Bill" and Audrey (Miller) Thompson.

On November 20, 1960, Raymond was united with his soulmate Florence Beatrice "Bea" Harkins in Alluwe, OK and from this union had two sons. For many years he managed local Consumers Grocery Stores and later in life owned an Amusement Service business. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling with friends and family.

Raymond is survived by his two sons: Rick and wife Taynea Thompson of Freistatt, MO and Tony and wife Kristen Thompson of Freistatt, MO; two brothers: Howard and wife Shirley Thompson of McCallister, OK, Marvin and wife Dorothy Thompson of Tulsa, OK; two sisters: Margie Heady of Coffeyville, OK, Terry and husband Greg Pence of Joplin, MO; two sisters-in-law: Mary and husband Neil Malone of Coffeyville, KS, Janie and husband Joe Tieaskie of Dewey, AR; four grandchildren: Ashley and husband Jake Ridings of Springfield, MO, Damon Thompson of Aurora, MO, Katelyn and husband Trenton Pierce of Pierce City, MO, and Ross Thompson of Freistatt, MO; as well as a great grandchild Chloe Thompson. 

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brother-in-law Warren Heady, and granddaughter-in-law Christine Thompson.

Per Raymond's wishes, he has asked to be cremated and the family plans to have a Celebration of Life at a later date. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.

Carl Tate

(From Parker Mortuary)

Carl Junior Tate, age 79, Commerce, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Integris Hospital in Miami, Oklahoma

Carl was born June 24, 1939 in Jasper County, Missouri, son of the late William Elmer "Bill" Tate and Mabel Mary Byrd Tate. He worked in construction, and retired from Empire Electric Company in the Tree Service Department. He moved to Oklahoma from the Joplin area in 2000.

In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Jones, brothers, Vernon and Thurman Tate, daughter, Linda Richardson, son, Mark Alan Tate; grandchildren, Journey Tate, Rocky Walker, and Joshua Tramell.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judy Clark Tate of the home, children, Kevin Tate, Sr. and wife Melissa of Miami, Oklahoma, Curtis Lee Tate of Sedalia, Missouri, Jackie Lynn Tate of Independence, Brenda Wardy and husband Alfred, Carla Tramell and husband Rocky, Carl J. Tate, Jr., Jeff Tate and wife Tenise, Carl Garen Tate, Shanea Tate, Shauna Tate, Shania Nicole Tate, Skylar Tate, and Kevin Jacob Tate, all of Miami, Oklahoma; brothers, James Tate and Billy Tate both of Joplin; sister, Janie Cole of Vinita, Oklahoma; numerous grandchildren, great, and great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be at a later date in Fidelity Cemetery.

Francis Velten

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Francis Charles Velten, age 39, of Neosho, MO died on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Freeman Neosho Hospital in Neosho, MO after a short illness. Mr. Velten was born in Springfield, MO on Monday, April 09, 1979. He was the son of Mike Velten-Heeter and Gail (Hood) Velten. Mr. Velten was very active with the "15th MEV ARMA REALISM UNIT".

Surviving are the following: his dad, Mike Velten-Heeter of Neosho, MO; his mother, Gail Velten of Dover, TN; two sisters, Maria Theresa Reed of Dover, TN and Elizabeth Raphael Sillasen of Keystone, NE; two grandmothers, Teresa Heeter of Pierce City, MO and Frances Hood of Whiting, IN; several aunts and uncles; and many friends.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date by Lakin Funeral Home In Pierce City, MO. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City, MO.

Ceciilia Felton

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Cecilia Felton, age 57, of Pierce City, MO died on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at her home in Pierce City, MO. Ms. Felton was born in Purdy, MO on Tuesday, October 24, 1961. She was the daughter of Cecil and Connie (Day) Clayton. Mrs. Felton was a well-known beauty operator and a homemaker.

Surviving are the following: one daughter, Sarah Felton of Pierce City, MO; one son, Kenny Fenton of Joplin, MO; one sister, Jena Clayton of Pierce City, MO, and two brothers, Darren Clayton of Pierce City, MO and Steven Clayton of Purdy, MO.

Cecilia has been cremated at her request under the care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City, MO.