Robert Shaw

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Robert W. Shaw, age 64 of Joplin, Mo. passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at his home following an illness.

Robert was born on June 21, 1955 in Ceres, Ca. the son of Vance and Bonnie (Brandon) Shaw. He has been a long-time area resident. Before moving to the area, Robert resided in California where he worked as an HVAC mechanic for Thorson's in Turlock, Ca.

He married Sheila Holloway on November 24, 1979, she survives.

Additional survivors include three sons; Joshua Shaw and wife Gloria of Seneca, Mo., Kyle Shaw and wife Amber of Stark City, Mo., Caleb Shaw of Joplin, two brothers; Vance Shaw and Tim Shaw, both of California, three sisters; Sherry Shaw, Carol James and Karen Duree, all of California, and three grandchildren, Mahalia, Vance and Grace.

Robert is to be taken for cremation with the family holding a Memorial Service at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Bonnie Fanning

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Bonnie Mae Fanning, 88, Grove, OK, passed into eternal rest April 25, 2020 at the Grove Nursing Center in Grove, OK after a sudden illness.

Bonnie Mae York was born July 1, 1931 in Jasper, MO the daughter of Robert Hugh and Alma Faye (Byrd) York. Bonnie loved riding horses and being in the outdoors. She and her husband Joseph worked for the Forestry Service as guides for 15 plus years. Bonnie was a member of the Warrens Branch Baptist Church, Seneca for 15 years. She was a faithful member until she was unable to attend church due to her health issues.

Bonnie Mae York married Joseph Clyde Fanning Jr. May 4, 1946 in Girard, KS and he preceded her in death June 30, 2002.

Bonnie was also preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Louis Dirksien, one son, Ronald Fanning and two brothers Dean York and Wayne York.

Survivors include three children; Donald Fanning and wife Glenda, Joplin, MO, Terri Schneider and husband Tommy, Seneca and daughter-in-law Karen Fanning, Adair, OK; siblings, Harold York, Corpus Christi, TX and Glen York and wife Mary Lou, Carl Junction, MO; 5 grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

The body has been taken for cremation under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO. The family will hold a Memorial Services at a later date.

Jack Lacy

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Jack C. Lacy Sr., 76, Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest, April 27, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin after an illness.

Jack C. Lacy was born February 5, 1944 in Little Rock, AR the son of John Lacy Sr and Ruby (Haye) Lacy. Jack served his country in the Army National Guard. He worked as a Correctional Officer in Alaska until he retired in early 2000. He was a member of the Hottel Springs Church of Christ in Seneca, MO.

Jack C. Lacy married Sammie Lynn Crowley June 4, 1965 in Quartz Hill, CA and she preceded him in death January 25, 2005.

Jack C. Lacy married Carolyn Louise McCollum-Berkey in Wasilla, AK and she preceded his in death August 21, 2016.

Jack was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother John P. Lacy Jr.

Survivors include his children, Lori Lacy, Palmer, AK, Jaqi Keith, Seneca, MO and Jack C. Lacy Jr., Palmer, AK; Stepchildren, Margaret Tilson, Hesperia, CA and Patricia Fulgaro, Spokane, WA; 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

The body has been taken for cremation under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at the Hottel Springs Church of Christ at a later date.

Jimmie Houk

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Born in Carthage, Missouri on June 27, 1937 to his parents John Franklin Houk, Sr. and Georgia Ida Greninger Houk, Jimmie Houk became a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grand-father, great-grandfather, and good community friend to many persons.

Jimmie attended Duenweg schools, enlisted in the Navy and traveled around the world. After returning from his sea service, the veteran continued to serve in the Naval Reserves and began working at Hardy sheet metal.

He entered in the HVAC business with this brother John in 1972. Later, Jimmie started his own installation and seamless gutter manufacturing business which he expanded into multiple states and was the source of many business relationships over the years.

Jimmie’s signature lifelong passions were hunting, fishing, and his love of nature. Without a doubt, he knew the best locations to enjoy all these activities. His pursuit of those took him many other places, which in turn brought him even more lifelong friendships. He created retreats in Alaska on the famous Kenai Peninsula and Larson Bay, Kodiak Island, as well as at the St. John’s River in Florida.

Always gregarious, with a great sense of humor and big heart, Jimmie will be missed by family members and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Marina Astoria Houk; four daughters: Dr. Mickie Shank (Michael), Cathryn Marie Allan (John), Barbara Sue McDowell (Claude), and Sandy Kay Houk; one son, Eelon Houk; two brothers: John Franklin Houk Jr., and Stephen Douglas Houk; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents; son Jimmie M. Houk Jr.; brother Ned Houk and sister Norma Sue Winnett; and grandson Matthew Charles Harris.

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, a celebration of life service is planned for some time in the future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, Chicago, and may be entrusted to the funeral home.

Grover Akehurst

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Grover F. Akehurst, 93, from Granby, Missouri, entered into rest on April 25, 2020 at Granby House, Granby, Missouri. Grover was born on October 6, 1926 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, to Albert E and Edith (Shira) Akehurst and lived in Granby for over 65 years.

He attended White Rock School in Jane, Missouri. Grover was one of twelve children and was the last surviving child of Albert and Edith. 

Grover and Virginia Davison were married on April 17. 1949 at the First Church of God, Granby Missouri, and just celebrated 71 years of marriage; she survives of the home. 

Grover was a member of the First Church of God, Granby, Missouri. In 1947, he started working at Pet Milk Company in Neosho, Missouri at the age of 21 and retired after thirty-eight years. He worked eight years at Treasure Lake in Branson, Missouri and also worked for Neosho Nurseries. 

Grover served as a Granby Volunteer Firefighter for over twenty-five years and served as Fire Chief for six years before retiring in 1991. He was instrumental in purchasing Granby’s very first “new” fire truck. He was Granby Honored Citizen in 2020 and volunteered his time at the fire department and with the renovation of the Granby Miner Museum. He helped bring the museum to life with the installation of the old saloon bar and crating many exhibits. He loved working outside, gardening, taking trips with Virginia and loved the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Grover was a loving husband, dad and grandpa. He was always a generous and giving person who helped anyone he could. Grover shared a birthday with a special brother-in-law, Gene Davison and great-granddaughter Olivia. 

Grover is also survived by three children, David and Leslie Akehurst of Olathe, Kansas, Sharon Woodruff, Granby, and Steven and Donna Akehurst of Joplin, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Heather and Aaron Kixmueller, Joshua and Annie Akehurst, Jacob and Cindy Akehurst, Christina Woodruff, Jennifer and Shawn Talbert, Kimberly and Mikey Slates and Caleb Elder; Ten great-grandchildren, Brenden and Marissa Akehurst, Mason and Kendall Akehurst, Kayla, Kendra and Olivia Talbert, Maycy and Kaydyn Slates and Jonathan Elder. 

Graveside services for Grover will be at 1:00 pm Friday, May 1, 2020 at Granby Memorial. Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home, Granby on Thursday from 9 am until 5 pm. 

Pallbearers will be Joshua Akehurst, Jacob Akehurst, Caleb Elder, Danny Woodcock, Aaron Kixmueller, Shawn Talbert, Mikey Slates, and Gene Davison. Honorary Pallbearers will be Heather Kixmueller, Christina Woodruff, Jennifer Talbert, Annie Akehurst, Cindy Akehurst, and Kimberly Slates. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Grover may be made to Granby Miner Museum, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, Missouri 64850.

SPECIAL NOTE: Mandates from CDC and the State of Missouri have strongly advised against organized gatherings in order to abide by social distancing protocols. Family and friends are welcome to the funeral home for viewing. However, only ten people are allowed in our facility at one time. We would like to encourage you to leave a message for the family on our website, www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.

Carrie Griffith

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Carrie Lynn Rydberg-Griffith of Carl Junction, MO passed away April 19, 2020 at her home.

Carrie was born on December 30, 1971 in Joplin, MO to Bernard Rydberg and Dona Stevens.

Carrie was a faithful catholic who attended St. Peter Apostle Church, Joplin, MO with her family. She was a life-long feminist, an artist, and a wonderful friend to many people who she met through eating disorder support groups after the death of her oldest daughter.

Carrie was married to Andrew Griffith on February 24, 2006 in Eureka Springs, AR. He survives.

Additional survivors include one daughter, Isabella Griffith of the home; her mother, Dona Stevens of Baxter Springs, KS; sister, Danika Strong of Columbus, KS; uncle, Woody Stevens of Louisiana; many nieces and nephews and a number of friends all of whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audrey Hughes and her father, Bernard Rydberg.

Service will be held for immediate family at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Joplin, MO on Saturday, April 25, 2020. A virtual link to view the service can be found on St. Peter’s Facebook page. She has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Derfelt Funeral Home or to the Gofundme that was set up to help offset expenses. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

Walter Myers

(From Parker Mortuary)

Walter Teasdale Myers, Jr., age 78, Joplin, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin with family at his side.

Walter was born January 2, 1942 in Port Jefferson, New York, son of the late Walter T. Myers and Margaret (Hall) Myers. He grew up in New York and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict, where he was a sharp shooter. He moved to Joplin and worked as a pressman for Bagcraft and later Stouse in Gardner, Kansas. Most recently he worked for Downstream Casino in their Security Department.

He was known for being artistic, and he loved to tinker with metal, both large projects or smaller craft items. He taught himself to be an accomplished welder, and enjoyed everything from working on his cars, to creating small stick figurines with nuts and bolts. He was known for "fixing" anything he could work on in his shop. He will be greatly missed by his family, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Walt was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sherri Cosgrove Myers, who passed away on July 21, 2019; a grandson, Joshua Shapiro in 2018; and a brother, Harry Myers.

Survivors include his daughter, Sheryl Pauls (Cary) of Grandview, Missouri; grandson, Jeremy Shapiro (Christian Hill) of Grandview; great-grandchildren, Amarae and Cambria Shapiro.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.