Roxanne Blatz

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Roxanne Bebee Blatz, age 62, of Placitas, NM passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in the presence of her loving family and husband.

Mrs. Blatz, daughter of the late John and Carol (Henson) Bebee, was born on September 19, 1957 in Albuquerque, NM. Roxanne also lived in Kansas City, Tulsa, Carthage and Joplin attending St Mary’s and McAuley. She earned her degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri in December 1978. 

On December 30, 1978 in Columbia, MO she was united in marriage to Roger Blatz. After marrying Roger, she lived in Kansas City for two years. They moved to New York City for 21 years where she became the head of the structures department at Goodkind & Odea, now Dewberry, Inc. In 2002 she moved to Albuquerque where she worked for Bernalillo County, Paikai and AECOM. She is well known in the engineering community in New Mexico and a member of the Rio Rancho Astronomical Society. 

Roxanne loved to read, play cards and crossword puzzles, do photography and travel. She trained at the World Seido Karate Organization for 17 years reaching 4th degree black belt. She taught an adult white belt class, kids’ classes and a class for blind students. Roxanne has traveled many places including Canada, Europe, South Africa, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as well as many places in the US. She was proud of and loved her many nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her husband, Roger Blatz, of Placitas, NM; one brother, Dale Bebee, and his wife, Amy, of Carl Junction; three sisters, Dianna Riner, and her husband, Jim, of Springdale, AR, Marianne Clark, and her husband, John, of Powhatan Point, OH, and Frances Boyd, and her husband, Danny, of Purdy; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin, 3701 E. 7th Street Joplin, MO 64801. 

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Gateway Chapter and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Debra Salami

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Debra Sue Salami, age 64, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019, in Joplin, Missouri. She was born June 16, 1955, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Will Henry Sharp and Alta Marie DeMoss Sharp.

Debra graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and later received an Associates Degree in nursing from Crowder College. Debra worked in various area nursing homes; most recently facilities located in Springfield and Joplin. She enjoyed working and in spare time liked to go to garage sales.

Survivors include four sons, Maurice Davis (Veronica), of Frontenac, Kansas, Mohammed Salami, Jr. and Gary Davis, Jr, both of Joplin, Missouri and Gabe Sharp II, of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Madison, Harper, Meghan, MeKenna, Jwaun, and Alexus and three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Denise and Jordan. 

Also surviving are her mother, Alta Sharp Cummings, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; a brother, Kirk Sharp, of Ft. Scott and two sisters, Margaret Holt, of Joplin and Zsa Zsa Williams, of Springfield. 

She was preceded in death by her long-time companion, Walter Adams as well as her father, Will Sharp and her sister, Karen Young.

Following cremation, a graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 9th at the Oak Grove Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to the Debra Salami Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

Joyce Testerman

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Joyce Ann Testerman, 73, Joplin, MO passed away October 31, 2019 at her home in Joplin after a lengthy illness.

Joyce Ann Sparks was born April 28, 1946 in Newton County, MO the daughter of Kenneth and Opal (Thompson) Sparks. Joyce was a member of the Sheep Shed in Neosho, MO and the Neutral Lands Cherokees. She loved birds, quilting, knitting, cross word puzzles and loved visiting with family and friends.

Joyce Ann Sparks married Charles Testerman in 1961 and he survives.

Additional survivors include one son, James Testerman, Joplin; siblings Marilyn Convirs, Beverly Waldeck, Darrell Armstrong, Rick Armstrong and Kathryn Schaefer all of Wyandotte; one granddaughter, Jami Testerman and two great-grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Sparks and mother Opal Armstrong and step-father Enos Armstrong, one daughter Tracy (Testerman) Lovell and two sisters Janet Beetem and Wanda Armstrong.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm, Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca.

Graveside services will be held at 2 pm, Monday, November 4, 2019 at the Seneca Cemetery with Michael Steele officiating.

Claude Reber

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Claude Edward Reber, 64, of Granby, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2019 in the comfort of his home.

Claude entered this life on April 9, 1955 in Granby, to the union of the late James and Emma Elizabeth (Harris) Reber. He was a 1973 graduate of Diamond High School. He retired from La-Z-Boy of Neosho, after many years as a dedicated employee. Claude was a lifelong area resident. He enjoyed farming and visiting with family. He will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Jimmie Dale Reber.

Claude is survived by his sister, Linda Reber, of Granby; nephews, Jim Reber (Heither) and Joe Reber (Alyssa) all of Wentworth; sister-in-law, Judy Reber, of Sarcoxie; seven great nieces and nephews, Becky, Karleigh, Braidan, Brantley, Emmerson, Maverick and Tucker; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Claude are 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2019 at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie with Pastor Aaron Weibel officiating. Interment will follow in VanBuren Union Cemetery, Wentworth. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 2-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Those honoring his life as pallbearers are Jim Reber, Joe Reber, Braidan Reber, Jimmy Don Reber, Tommy Jack and Bill Reber. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Gripka and Norman Penn. The family has directed memorial contributions to the funeral home for funeral expenses.

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, MO.

Leman Washington

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Leman Tiberius Washington, 4 months of age, passed away Friday, October 25, 2019.

He was born June 15, 2019, at Joplin, MO, the son of Kristopher G. and Lonnie J. (Tighe) Washington of Pittsburg.

In addition to his parents Leman is survived by maternal grandmother, Brenda Lacy of Carl Junction, MO, paternal grandparents, George and Karla Washington of Pittsburg, KS, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Chester Lewis Lacy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg, with Father Jerome Spexarth as Celebrant. Burial will follow in the Beulah Cemetery.

A parish rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 11:00 a.m. The family suggests memorials be given to be used for something of their choice. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

Joyce Carathers

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Joyce E. Carathers, 82, Granby, MO passed away November 1, 2019. She was born August 8, 1937 in Newton County, MO to Melvin and Mamie (Gibbens) Ward.

Mrs. Carathers has been taken for cremation and no services are planned at this time.

Patricia Juzeler

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Patricia E. Juzeler was born March 29, 1935 in Jackson, Wyoming the daughter of Theodore and Muriel (Loveridge) Baker. She entered into rest on October 31, 2019 in Seneca, Missouri at the age of 84.

Patricia worked as a word processor for Wal-Mart. She loved her pets. 

Patricia and Ronald Juzeler were married on May 26, 1954 in Silver Star, Montana and he preceded her in death on June 22, 2017. 

She is survived by her four children, Troy Juzeler of Bentonville, Arkansas; Rhonda Wheelan and husband, Joseph Van Slyke of Sylmar, California; Philip S. Juzeler and wife, Helen of Rocky Comfort, Missouri and Thayne Edward Juzeler of Silver Star, Montana; one brother, James Baker of Medford, Oregon; eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a brother, Forrest Baker and grandson, Dominic. 

Services will be held in Jackson, Wyoming.