Randy Friend

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Randy Lee Friend 62 of Wyandotte Oklahoma passed away into eternal rest April 24, 2021 at Barnes Jewish hospital in St. Louis Missouri after a illness.

Randy was born August 1, 1958 in Miami Oklahoma he was the son of Fred and Betty Friend of Wyandotte Oklahoma both preceded him and death. He was the youngest of four. Randy’s eldest sister Carolyn Watkins along with his brother Steven Friend preceded him in death. Randy’s sister Suzie and husband Bob Hoag survive in Joplin Mo.

Randy married Susan (Jackson) Friend on June 14, 1976 in Seneca, Missouri she survives. Additional survivors include one daughter Jody and husband Thomas Griner of Wyandotte, Oklahoma and one son David Friend and wife Kristin of Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Grandchildren are Samantha Kiley and Peyton Griner of Wyandotte and Abygal Friend Bow and Kydn Bailey of Wyandotte.

Randy was an amazing husband, father and papa who loved his family more than word can say. “If there was a day on a tractor, he loved grading the roads using the tractor and brush hogging. If you could name it he could do it.” Randy loved the outdoors. Hunting with his son was one of his favorite things to do. He also loved family time at the lake camping and fishing. Randy was a dairy farmer for many years he also was logger and ran a sawmill and worked for the former Milnot Company in Seneca.

The body was taken for cremation under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 11:00am, May 8, 2021 at East Side Assembly of God, Wyandotte, OK.

Del Heaps

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Delmonia (Del) Heaps, 88 passed away at 10:34 a.m. Wednesday April 28, 2021 at her daughter's home in Gentry, Arkansas. Del was born December 19, 1932 in Macomb Oklahoma to Henry and Ethel (Brady) Cobb. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Carthage, MO. 

Del worked for Party Steak and the Little Folks Preschool at the First Baptist Church in Carthage. Del liked Country Music and watching westerns. 

Del was united in marriage to Albert Heaps on March 6, 1950 in Pierre, South Dakota. 

Preceding her in death was her husband Albert, her parents, one brother Dwayne, 2 sisters, Geneva Waldrep and Ola Mae Short. 

Del is survived by two daughters Linda Coker (Bud) of Gentry, AR. and Connie Pitman of Wyandotte, OK. one son David Heaps (Jovie) of Lawndale, CA, 4 sisters, Marie Gibbs, Barbara Clayton, Jo Scarberry and Susie McCaghaen, 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and numerous Nieces and Nephews. 

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday May 03, 2021 at Ulmer Funeral Home Chapel Carthage, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday May 03, 2021 at the Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery Purcell, MO. 

Contributions can be made to The St. Judes Foundation C/O Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Lane Blankenship

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Lane Virgil Blankenship passed away on April 26, 2021. He was born on December 10, 1961 in Carthage, Missouri to David and Joan Blankenship. They both preceded him in death.

Lane is survived by his children Jana (Cody) Smith, Chaunda (Scott) Sarley, Russell (Candice) Blankenship, Derek Blankenship, Alex Blankenship, JC Blankenship, JR Maggard, Tara (Austin) Chittim, and Brady Tymeson; as well as 14 grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers; Scott (Genie) Blankenship, Wyatt (Jennifer) Blankenship; and one sister, April (Curtis) Greathouse; and many nieces and nephews.

He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday April 30th 2021 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Carthage, MO.

Online Condolences can be made at www.ulmerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Loren Garrison

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Loren L. Garrison, 80, of Sarcoxie, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 23, 2021 in the comfort of his home. He was born on April 1, 1941 in Garrison, Missouri. 

No formal services will be held at this time. 

Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.

Linda Bailey

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Linda L. Bailey, 72, of Sarcoxie, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born on October 9, 1948 in Joplin, Missouri. 

No formal services will be held at this time. 

Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.

 

Gary Grissom

 (From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mr. Gary Kent Grissom, 79, a lifelong resident of Webb City, Missouri, departed the life on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, after a recent decline in health.

Gary entered this life on January 2, 1942, in Webb City, Missouri, son of the late Everett and Lela Marguerite (Kent) Grissom. He was raised in Webb City and was a 1960 graduate of Webb City High School. 

In 1962, he was united in marriage to Judith Hulsey and together they shared fifty-five years before her on June 3, 2017. Gary was a machinist throughout his life, working several years at Mid-West Machinery. In his spare time, he enjoyed building and flying RC airplanes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judith Grissom; four brothers and one sister.

Gary is survived by his son, Aaron Grissom and wife, Kimberly, of Webb City; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, Dee Grissom of Webb City and Gerald Grissom of Oronogo; a sister, Violet Thurston of Kansas City, Kansas; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Graveside services are 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin with Pastor Alan McCamey officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City.

Elaina Maurer

(From Hedge-Lewis Goodwin Funeral Home)

Elaina Renee Maurer, 42, of Webb City, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in the comfort of her home.

Elaina was born June 13, 1978 in Neosho to Greg and Deana (Colton) Maurer. She was the first child with Down Syndrome to attend Webb City public schools and was later homeschooled to complete her education. 

Elaina worked as a commercial cleaner, helping care for her family’s shop and her church.

Music was something Elaina loved. She played piano by ear after taking lessons for several years. Elaina enjoyed participating in Zumba and gymnastics and could be found performing her random cartwheels everywhere she went.

Elaina loved to connect with people and always wanted to learn their names. She was a faithful member of College Heights Christian Church, where she enjoyed participating in their Thru the Roof ministry – a ministry she had been a part of since its beginning. Elaina enjoyed all social events, including attending Camp Barnabas each summer or simply running errands around town.

Elaina was lively, vibrant, fun and so loved by her family, friends, and caring staff. She was truly a light in this world and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dean and Maxine Colton and Ken and Alice Maurer.

Elaina is lovingly survived by her parents, Greg and Deana Maurer; eight siblings, Cara Pagán (Eric), Curt Maurer, Derek Maurer (Blair), Erin Price (Craig), Jesse Maurer (Lyndsey), Josh Maurer, Blake Maurer, and Bryna Maurer; eight nieces and nephews, Eden, Judah, Shiloh, Rylie, Luke, Malia, Kira, and Bennett; three uncles, Ron Maurer (Nancy), Gail Maurer (Sherry), and Brad Maurer (Deb); her aunt, Cindy Lundquist (Doug); as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2021 at the College Heights Christian Church Worship Center with Jay St. Clair officiating. Burial will follow at Webb City Cemetery. The family requests that everyone attending wear bright and colorful clothing for services on Monday. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Elaina’s favorite ministry, Thru the Roof, in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.