Richard Denefrio

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Richard Wayne Denefrio, 73, Neosho, entered into rest on April 30, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born Sept. 4, 1946 in Neosho, the son of Patsy Michael and Leona DeWayne (Hopkins) Denefrio.

He graduated from Neosho High School in 1964 and enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1963, serving until 1969. Following his honorary discharge, he returned to Neosho and worked in construction with Lee Cantrell and then as an electrician for Dean Staib and Everet Lyons and completing his working years as an electrician for Crowder College, retiring in 2008. Richard was a member of the Church of Christ and he enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and working around his farm. 

Richard and Edith Caleen (Pollick) were married on June 4, 1966 at Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho and she survives. 

Additional survivors include four sons, Tim (Sheila) Denefrio of Carthage, Terry Denefrio of Neosho, Todd (Jill) Denefrio of Neosho and Matt Denefrio and fiancé, Amanda Raines of Neosho. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Jordan Denefrio, Emilee Peine, Bridger Denefrio, Justin Denefrio, Brandi Denefrio, Charlee Denefrio, Trent Degonia, Hope Degonia, Brendan Raines, Kinsley Burton and Jaxon Denefrio; two great grandchildren, Logan Spencer and Jamison Peine; one brother, David Denefrio of Overland Park, Kansas; one sister, Patricia Evans of Gloucester, VA; and sister in law, Euleda Denefrio. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Carole Scribner and brother, Michael Denefrio. 

Graveside services and military honors will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 2 pm at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home, Monday from 9 am until 6 pm. Contributions in memory of Richard may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.

Sheila Albrecht

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Sheila Dawn Albrecht, 46, Granby, Missouri, entered into rest on April 30, 2020 in Joplin, following a sudden illness. Sheila was born October 23, 1973 the daughter of Randolph and Anita (Holman) Spiva.

She worked as a home healthcare worker and enjoyed sewing, reading and doing arts and crafts.

Sheila is survived by two sons, Zachary Albrecht, Dakota Albrecht; one daughter, Austin Parker and wife, Samantha; her mother and stepfather, Anita and Don Holman and her father, Randolf Spiva; one brother, Trevor Spiva and two sisters, Rebecca Spiva and Elizabeth Spiva. 

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Dollie and Ronald Payne.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

David Blakely

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

David C. Blakely Sr., age 63, Joplin, MO, passed away on Friday May1, 2020, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, AR, following an illness.

David was born on December 22, 1956 in Smithville, MO, the son of the late Donald and Janet (Finnefrock) Blakely. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He worked for twenty-five years as a lineman and was an independent contractor, he took great pride in his work.

He was an avid motorcyclist and he loved his Harley Davidson. David’s joy in life was his family. He loved watching his grandchildren grow.

David was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David Blakely Jr. in 2005.

He is survived by his girlfriend, DeAnn (Cole) Jones, Joplin; his daughter, Megan Eileen Tregle and her husband Dustin and their children, AnnaBelle, Desiree`, and Bethonie, all of Des Allemands, LA; a step-daughter, Morgan Hartje and husband Elijah and their children, Maddie, Logan, Brookie, and Tristan, all of Joplin; a step-son, Chase Jones and wife Shelby and their children, Bentley, Kolton and Peyton, all of Joplin; and one sister, Boni-Beth Bever and husband Ernie, Lawrence, KS. and a granddaughter, Lillyanna Burris (Blakely).

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Shane Munn will officiate. 

The family will receive friends at a time of visitation at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mason-Woodard prior to the service. Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Osborne Evergreen Cemetery in Osborne, MO.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Bobby Brown

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Bobby Lee Brown, age 70, of Joplin, MO passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2020.

Bobby was born on June 21, 1949 in Neosho, MO to Orville and Joan (Ness) Brown. Bobby was a lifetime Joplin resident.

On May 23, 1998 Bobby was united in Marriage to Cheryl Thomas Fager in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Prior to this union, he was married to Debbie Hamm and had two daughters. He later married Barbara Reed and had another daughter.

Bobby was a loving husband and father. He never met a person that he could not get along with. He was always laughing, had a smile on his face, and had a story to tell. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, RC planes and ham radio. He loved his kids, grandkids, family and friends with all his heart. He completed his bachelor’s degree at MSSU and Master’s and EDS degree at Pittsburg State University. 

Bobby was a school psychologist employed by SEK Interlocal-Pittsburg, KS and retired after 39 years of service. In addition, Bobby was retired from the Kansas National Guard combat engineer unit after 23 years of service.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents. 

He is survived by his loving wife Cheryl of twenty one years. Three daughters, Sarah Moore and husband Brett, Tressi Brown and partner Brian, and Emily Lowe and husband Brennan. Two stepdaughters, Charisse Holt and husband Mark and Erin Boyd and husband James. Ten grandchildren; Alyx, Lakin, Maddy, Abby, Jaxson, Bennett, Reagan, Carter, Keith, and Owen. He is survived by sister, Marsha Kroymann and husband Kraig, brother Don Brown and proceeded in death by his brother Jack Brown. He also leaves behind countless family and friends, which he loved dearly. In addition, he leaves behind his two fur babies Jazzy and Bella, which he enjoyed spoiling rotten. Bobby will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory in Joplin, Missouri.

Art Beaver

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Art L. Beaver, 80, Joplin, MO passed away April 29, 2020 at his home in Joplin.

Art LaRue Beaver was born September 27, 1939 in Granby, MO the son of Ray and Essie Beaver. Art was a 1957 graduate of Granby High School. He went to work for the former Shewmake Funeral Home in Granby.

Art served his country in the United States Air Force. He completed two tours of duty during the Viet Nam War. After returning home from the service he began his 39-year career of overland trucking. Art drove for several companies including Yellow Freight. He loved his dog and spoiled him often by feeding him sirloin steak.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Essie Beaver; two brothers, Noel Beaver and Forrest Beaver.

Survivors include one sister Eddie R. Richardson; three nephews, Neil Beaver, Jerry Beaver and Dennis Beaver; two sister-n-laws, Peggy Roork and Virginia Beaver and his dog Scooter Beaver.

Private burial under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca will be held at the Granby Memorial Cemetery in Granby, MO.

JoAnn Mallette

(From Miller Funeral Home)

JoAnn Mallette, Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Yankton, SD, died April 29, 2020 at Dow Rummel Village. She was 89.

JoAnn was born May 29, 1930, to Herman and Ruth (Morgan) Storjohann, at Spencer, NE. Following her graduation from high school in 1947, at Scribner, NE, JoAnn attended college classes at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE and Carroll College in Waukeshaw, WI.

On February 18, 1951, she was united in marriage to Daniel Mallette in Scribner, NE. The couple farmed at Craig, NE for nine years, becoming loving parents to four children before moving to Yankton, SD in 1960. JoAnn dedicated her talent and skills to raising the children and maintaining a busy household as they moved to Bloomfield, NE in 1963, returning to Yankton in 1976. Dan and JoAnn moved to Sioux Falls in 2006, to be closer to family members.

Grateful for having shared her life are her relatives: daughters, Jan Bovee (Gordy), Andover, MN, Cheryl Schwarten (Steve), Webb City, MO; sons Dan Mallette (Zena), Orlando, FL, Stan Mallette (Vickie), Sioux Falls, SD; 8 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and a brother, Robert Storjohann.

Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD, on Monday, May 4.

Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD is honored to assist with arrangements. For online obituary and guest register go to the website at www.millerfh.com.

Geraldine Helman

(From Parker Mortuary)

Geraldine R. Helman, age 100, Carl Junction, passed away at 3:36 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2020 at her home.

Geraldine was born, in her parents’ home, March 5, 1920 in Comanche County, Kansas to the late Chester Harden and Rayben Hughs Harden and had lived in the Joplin area since 2005.

Geraldine graduated from Emporia State University and was a school teacher until 1957.

 Later as a homemaker, Geraldine enjoyed sewing, ceramic painting and gardening. She made many clothes and was known to dress very well. She and her late husband Robert traveled often and were fortunate to see many places throughout the world. She loved her family and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

She married Robert Helman on December 20, 1941 in Wichita, Kansas. He preceded her in death on November 29, 2011.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. Stephen W. Helman and wife, Barbara, Carl Junction, Philip A. Helman, Pleasanton, California; grandchild, Kassandra Cunningham and husband, Ben, Denver, Colorado; and two great grandchildren, Kailey and Carter Cunningham.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.