Norman Johnson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Norman Dale Johnson, age 85, Carthage, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Freeman West.

Norman was born October 1, 1933 in Ravanna, Missouri, son of the late Lowell William Johnson and Eula Pearl Gannon Johnson. He moved to Joplin as a child, and graduated from Joplin High School in 1951. He then served in the United States Army in Korea, being discharged with the rank of Corporal. He returned to the Joplin area and attended Pittsburg State University working on a degree in Psychology. He began his career with the Joplin Fire Department where he worked for many years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1996. He then worked for several years with A.B.A. as a Security Officer. Throughout the years he also owned and operated the Merry Christmas Tree Farm in Carthage.

He was a very active member of the Abou Ben Adhem Scottish Rite, Masonic Lodge #345 F.M. & A.M. where he received his 33 rd Degree in 1985, he later received his Red Hat in 1993. He attended Frisco Church of Webb City for years.

In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by a daughter, Leslie Ann Fuller.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Pat Johnson; children, Randy Dale Franks and wife Sandy of Trek Henrico, Virginia, Melody Renee' Short of Rogers, Arkansas, Kelli Lynn Cragin of Joplin, and Mark Smith and wife Joyce also of Joplin; grandchildren, Rose Franks, Jacob Franks, Joshua Franks, Claire Franks, Brady Short, Grant Short, Joshua Bogard, Camille Cragin Antolock, Mallory Hill, and Jared Fuller, Matt Smith, Michael Smith; great-grandchildren, Kensli, Chloe, Wyatt, Jackson, Julia; brother, Ernie Johnson and wife Pat of Pasadena, Maryland; sister, Kristie Grimes and husband Winfred of Kansas City, Kansas.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Trey Laveroni officiating, and Masonic Rites by Local #345, and Military Honors.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis, or the Joplin Humane Society.

The family will be at the home of his daughter, Kelli Cragin.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Tom Sweeney

(From Stockdale-Moody Funeral Home)

Thomas “Tom” Sweeney 77, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Circle of Life, Legacy Village in Bentonville, AR. He was born February 24, 1942 in Nevada, Missouri to John Lawrence Sweeney and Ada L. Loving Sweeney.

He proudly served in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 100 in Rogers.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jackie Sweeney.

Tom is survived by his wife, Rheba Sweeney; one daughter, Tammie Kay Oliver and husband, Aaron of Pea Ridge, AR; five grandchildren; and one brother, Charles Sweeney and wife, Lorena of Webb City, MO.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers with Pastor Jody Hingle officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Bentonville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:00pm until service time.

Memorials may be made in memory of Tom Sweeney to the American Legion Post 100, 711 West Persimmon, Rogers, AR 72756 or to Circle of Life, Legacy Village, 1201 NE Legacy Village, Bentonville, AR 72712.

Frank Banister

(From White Funeral Home)

Frank Allen Banister, age 88, of Holiday Island, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. Frank Banister, son of George and Robbie (Grinnell) Banister, was born on May 3, 1931, in Asheville, North Carolina.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1949 -1953, as an aviation ordinance man, assigned to 3 different aircraft carriers during the Korean Conflict. On May 2, 2001, a flag was flown over the U.S. Capital in honor of Frank at the request of the Honorable Ike Skelton, U.S. Congressman and was later presented to Frank. 

He was united in marriage to Nola Redden in Lexington, Missouri, on June 22, 1979. Frank worked many years for Paccar Corp. until his retirement in 1988. He and Nola moved to Holiday Island in 2001 where they enjoyed retirement life together. Frank loved to golf, enjoyed traveling, spending time in his workshop, and being with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Nola Banister, of Holiday Island, Arkansas; one son, Keith Banister, of Blaine, Washington; five daughters, Kerri Holferty and her husband Kirk, of Bellingham, Washington; Janet Fedorchuk and her husband Dave Anderson, of White Rock, B.C., Canada; Barbara Warwick and her husband Frank, of Surrey, B.C., Canada; Tonya Collins and her husband Brad, of Spickard, Missouri; Shawn Peterson and her late husband Shane, of Joplin Missouri; eleven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three sisters, one brother, several nieces and nephews; and the mother of his four children, Mary Banister, of White Rock, B.C., Canada.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at the Holiday Island Community Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holiday Island Community Church and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.

June Morris

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Mrs. June Marilyn Morris (aka Granny), 82, of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Thursday, June 27, 2019, surrounded in love by family and friends.

June began her earthly journey on June 4, 1937, in Altamont, Kansas, born to the late Orville and Dorothy Utterback. She was raised there and attended school in Labette County, Kansas, along with her late sister Sandra Sue Utterback.

After high school while working at her family’s Blue Lounge she met a handsome sailor, home on leave, who became the love of her life.

On June 23, 1956, at St. Patrick’s in Parsons, Kansas, she was united in marriage to her true love, Henry Paul Morris, who preceded her in death on July 15, 2015. They were a dynamic duo, indeed. They hurdled barriers, crossed oceans, and decades to create an adventure together, a beautiful legacy! To this union three sons and one daughter were born.

She is survived by her children; Martin Morris and wife, Karen, of San Antonio, Texas, Marvin Morris of Kirkland, Washington, Mark Morris and wife, Teresa, of Joplin, and a daughter, Marci Morris-Stoebel, also of Joplin; six beautiful grandchildren; Tori Morris, Chloe Morris, Jack Morris, Sophie Morris-Stoebel, Oliver and Maxwell Morris; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other family and friends.

June served her family well as the matriarch; she loved fiercely and wholeheartedly, and was incredibly proud of everyone, in their big achievements and their daily challenges... she was always there to lend support. She truly believed in her family and enjoyed spending time together with them and being involved with their journeys.

She was a Mom above all else, and so happy to love the next generation in her story as their Granny!

June was beautiful, inside and out! She was considerate, compassionate and so very kind, always. She was incredibly generous and truly had a servants heart, a faithful and faith-filled lady who lived each day in gratitude.

June was genuine, abundantly wise and witty, with smile and laugh that could brighten any situation. Holy TaMoly—she enjoyed her life, both the big adventures and small with the same zest and zeal. She was a friend to all she encountered, and she lived every day as a blessing received.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday morning, July 2, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Joplin, Missouri, with Fr. Chaz Dunn officiating. Rosary will be recited on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Chloe Morris and Sophie Morris-Stoebel, Martin Morris, Marvin Morris, Mark Morris, Jerry Walker, Shannon Beckham and Tom Payne. Memorials are being directed to the Wounded Warrior Project and St. Peter’s Outreach House c/o the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.thornhilldillon.com. 

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.

Lela Cook

(From McQueen Funeral Home)

Lela M. Cook, age 94, of Fairview, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Medicalodges Neosho in Neosho, Missouri.

She was born February 10, 1925 in McDonald County, the daughter of Roy and Maude (Long) Edmonds. On May 11, 1946 she was united in marriage to Marvin Eugene Cook, who preceded her in death in February, 2008. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Roy and Maude; one son, Kenneth Cook; two brothers, Norman Edmonds and Billy Edmonds; two sisters, Mary Dupree and Ava Daniels and one granddaughter, Jera Lynn Prewitt.

Surviving are one son, Kervyn Cook and his wife Joyce of Fairview, Missouri; one daughter, Glenda Bross and her husband Tom of Monett, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Allan, Randal, Kevin, Scott, Steven, Leesa, Betsy and Sam; twenty-two great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Lela grew up and received her education in Rocky Comfort. For many years she helped on the farm, milking cows. She also worked at the Garment Factory in Granby and Fasco Industries in Cassville, where she retired in 1990. In the early 1970’s she was saved and baptized while attending Union Chapel Church. She was a member of Union Chapel Church in Stella and later attended Prosperity Baptist Church in Rocky Comfort.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Reverend Frank Smith will conduct the services. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Stella.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton.

Contributions may be made to Union Cemetery in memory of Lela.

Darrell Sills

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Otto “Darrell” Wilburn Sills, age 80 of Joplin, passed away unexpectedly at Mercy Hospital at 2:15 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2019.

Otto was born in Quapaw, OK on January 16, 1939 to the union of Leonard B. “Bud” Sill and Lola Alice (Seavers) Sill. He attended school in Seneca before enlisting in the US Air Force at the age of 17. His time in the Air Force spanned over a 20-year career, and included assignments from coast-to-coast in the US, many countries overseas, and a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1976 as a Master Sergeant.

Upon his return to civilian life, he worked at Ozark Engineering, owned his own sewer maintenance business, drove a truck, and served as the head of maintenance for the city of McCune, KS. He previously attended Freedom Fellowship Church in Goodman, MO where he served as a Deacon, and recently attended Riverton House of Prayer Church in Riverton, KS where he served on the worship team by playing guitar and singing. He was also part of a band called “The Good Ole Boys” that traveled to 3 area nursing homes each week to share the joy of music with the residents. He never liked dogs, until he got his Yorkie, “Charlie”, and from that point on they were inseparable. Otto was always building, fixing, and improving things around the house and his garage, and he never liked to sit still, other than the hours he spent each morning reading his bible and praying for his family, friends, and public leaders.

Otto was united in marriage with Joyce E. (Fransisco) Sills on July 8, 1975 in Miami, OK. She survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, Danny Sills of Norman, OK, Mike Scribner (wife, Michelle) of Joplin, MO, and Eddie Scott (wife, Lori) of Neosho, MO; three daughters, Kimberly Michael of Joplin, Mecheal “Shelly” Hopkins (husband, Mike) of Baxter Springs, KS, and Vickie Locke (husband, Tim) of Norman, OK; one brother, Ted Sill of Wichita, KS; six sisters, Phyllis Willdermood (husband, Bill) of Climax Springs, MO, June Thompson (husband, Paul) of Riverton, Beverly Dunn (husband, Steve) of Baxter Springs, Doris Taber of Pittsburg, KS, and Gayle Ludlum (husband, Rick) of Navarre, FL; as well as 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud, Sr. and Lola Sill; one daughter, Glenda Sills; three brothers, Ralph, Leonard “Bud”, Jr., and Billy Sill; and three sisters, Sharon Williams, Judy Slimp, and Glenda Sill.

A funeral service will be held at the Riverton House of Prayer at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery of Galena. Arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Dora Bozung

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

On June 30, 2019 our dear Mother went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dora Ellen U’Ren was united in marriage to Allen Leo Bozung on February 15th 1947. Dora was a strong and devoted mother, dedicated to raising their children after the sudden death of Allen, at age 48. She excelled as a business woman with her Christian Book Store, ministered to those that walked through her doors, attended and hosted Bible studies throughout her Christian walk. 

Those left to cherish her memory are sons David Allen Bozung (Susan), Dennis Arthur Bozung (Cindy), Raymond Robert Bozung (Ruth), Allen Thomas Bozung (Chris); and daughters Rita Marie Brymer (Frank) and Ann Marie Osborn (Vernon), her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews will never forget their Grandma’s sense of humor and competitive game-playing. Oh how she loved cards and games! They will not soon forget the Grandma with spunk and fun on her agenda! 

Dora was preceded in death by husband, Allen, parents Kenneth and Viola U’Ren, brother Gary, and Sister-in-Law Ruth U’Ren. Looking forward to reuniting in Heaven are siblings Bill U’Ren and Sharon (Danny) Roberts. She will be dearly missed by her family, relatives and many special Gal-Pals; but Dora will never be forgotten. We love you Mom! 

Funeral Services for Dora will be 1:00 PM Tuesday at the Simpson Funeral Home of Carl Junction, Boyce Mouton officiating. Burial will follow at Carl Junction Cemetery. 

 Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home of Carl Junction. Please visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.