Mark Garrison

(From Knell Mortuary)

Mark Stephen Garrison, 54, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Thursday evening, August 31, 2023, at Freeman Hospital West, Joplin, Missouri. Mark was born April 26, 1969, in Carthage, Missouri, the son of Larry Allen Garrison, Sr. and Robin (Spain) Garrison. He was a 1987 graduate of Carthage High School. 

Mark worked as a meat cutter for Cloud’s Meat Processing. Mark was a Christian by faith. He loved guns, fishing, hunting, bowling, and drag racing.








Survivors include a daughter, Kayla Hole (Mike), Carthage; two sons, Clint Garrison (Casey), Carthage, and Zach Garrison, Carthage; five grandchildren, Wyatt Hole, Kayden Hole, Lennox Hole, Magnolia Hole, and Cambrie Garrison; his mother, Robin Vongonten (stepfather Dale); two brothers, Allen Garrison (Cheryl), and Tom Garrison (Cindy); two sisters, Jane Davis (Jack), and Jeane Holzwarth (Justin); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Allen Garrison, Sr.

Memorial services will be held at 3 pm Saturday, September 16, 2023 at The Bridge A Christian Church, Carthage. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Jim Darby

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

James L. “Jim” Darby, 74, of Butterfield, MO, formerly of Purdy, MO, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023 while at his home in Butterfield, MO following a recent decline in health.

Jim was born on July 21, 1949 in Palatine, IL, son of the late Matthew Thomas Darby and Inez Marie (Pickenpaugh) Darby. Jim worked for Kent Feeds in Iowa, Cutler & Hammer in Chicago, IL and finally Tyson Foods in Monett. Jim enjoyed working with tools fixing things, spending time out in his garage, riding motorcycles and watching old western T.V. shows as well as NASCAR.

Jim married Rose Ellen Horton on March 14, 2002 in Eureka Springs, AR. They have been blessed with over twenty-one years of wonderful memories made together.

James is survived by his wife Rose, of the home; son, James Darby, Jr. (Sanya), of Elizabethtown, KY; his daughter, Jennifer Darby (Terri), of Chanute, KS; one step-son, James C. Mace, Jr., of Joplin, MO; his step-daughters, Priscilla Mace (Tyrone Jones) of Joplin, MO and Becky Young (David) of Neosho, MO; his brother, Richard Darby (Sandy) of Dunnellon, FL; fourteen grandchildren, Kristen Darby, Sonnie Rey Jaramillo, Devin Darby-Clower, Haley Darby-Clower, Gilbert Mejia, Teagan Darby, Isaiah Darby, David Darby, Laurah Mace, KaeAnn Mace, Kameron Mace, Madison Mace, Jaxxon Mace and Abigale Young; his great-grandchildren, Nova Darby and Sonnie Rey Jaramillo, Jr, as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Dominic Darby-Clower; three brothers, Donald, Bobby and Dean Darby; three sisters, Doris Paulson, Betty Shields and Shirley Darby; and one sister-in-law, Polly Darby.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Buchanan Funeral Home. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Duane Garren officiating. Interment will be at Newtonia I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Rose Strick

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Rose M. Strick, 90 years old, passed away on August 24, 1923, while residing in O’Fallon, MO. She was born on May 23, 1933, in Wentworth, MO; the daughter of William and Marie (Knoetzel) Dacy. 

She graduated from Pierce City High School in 1951. Upon graduation, she entered the workforce in Kansas City, MO and later returned to the Pierce City area and then settled in Springfield, MO in 1959. 

She worked for the Lily Tulip and later Sweetheart manufacturing company for over 35 years. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church until moving to the St. Louis area to be closer to her two sons, Mark Jr., and Don.

After retiring from work in the mid-1990s, she pursued her hobbies of tending to her beautiful flowers and rose bushes. She was an outstanding square dancer and master seamstress making many clothing items for herself and family members. Rose enjoyed spending time with her family members who were scattered from VA to CA and hosting many while they visited Southwest Missouri.

She was united in marriage to Mark J. Strick and supported his commercial flying career after he retired from the US Army.

Those left to honor her memory include two sons, Mark Jr. (Cindy) and Donald (Becky); one step-daughter, Michelle (Dirk) Berry; one daughter-in-law, Yvette Strick; one sister and brother, Jean Wagner and Roy Dacy; nine grandchildren, Eric, Travis, Anthony, Julie, Laura, Kyle, Lauren, Dirk, Jr., and Madeline; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Those preceding her in death include her parents, William and Marie; her son, Tom; and her brothers and sisters, William (Wilma), Louise (Dick) Henry, Virgina (John) Kimber, Robert (Norma), Donald (Viola), Francis Wagner, Rita (Jim) Goff, Betty, John (Betty Jo), James (Kay), and Clarence.

Visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO on September 12, 2023, from 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM. Rosary Service will begin at 10:15 AM followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:30 AM with Father Matthew Rehrauer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pierce City, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.

Richard Jaynes

(From Parker Mortuary)

Richard Jaynes, 77, passed away August 30, 2023, in the comfort of his home following a short illness.

Born to Eugene Jaynes and Jane Pierce on May, 28, 1946 in Joplin, Missouri. As a young man, Richard accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of Connor Baptist Church. 

In July of 1990, he began dating Debbie Fare. They married April 7, 2001 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1964 and went on to MSSC, graduating in the first Bachelor degree class of the college. 

Richard owned and operated Benchmark Appraisal until time of his death. In earlier years, he operated his family business, Dairy Jane. Hobbies include: working, going to the casino, watching Cardinals baseball, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He enjoyed many wonderful years attending baseball lessons and games of grandson Blake. As well as Blake’s karate lessons at Goo’s Dojo where Richard was awarded Honorary Black Belt.

Richard would tell you that his greatest accomplishment in life was becoming a “Papa.” First to Baby Blake in 2000, then Kyler and Kinlee in 2006. He will be remembered for his top of the head kisses for his girls and fist pumps for his boys. He always made sure the grandchildren had a “little walk around money.”

Survivors include his wife, Debbie; sister, Carole (Ralph) Waggoner; daughters, Chrisanna Jaynes (Shaun Brunner) and Tiffanie (Travis) Holman; grandchildren, Blake Brunner, Kyler and Kinlee Holman; nieces, Christy Waggoner, Kelly Weaver, Amanda Skelton; nephew, Dustin Sisney; daughter-in-law, Darla Jaynes; bonus family, Ron and Glenda Phillips; as well as many extended friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn Jaynes; son, Jeff Jaynes; and sister-in-law, Diane Fare.

No services will be held per Richard’s request. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Richard’s name.

Go rest high on that mountain, Richard. You are forever loved and missed.

Judi Smith

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Judi K. Smith entered into rest on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Ascension St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 75.

Judi was born October 31, 1947, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the second youngest of five children born to Warner B. and Aileen (Hungate) Pollock. Her elementary and middle school years were in Ottumwa and Washington, Iowa. 

In her early high school year, 1962, the family moved to Neosho, Missouri. It was there that she met Dennis Smith. Even this early in life, Judi was a seeker, and when she met Dennis, he was a keeper. They married on July 20, 1968, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Neosho. 

 When Dennis was stationed with the U.S. Marines in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, their first son, Raymond, was born on Christmas Day, 1970. Their son, Howard, was born six and half years later in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In reflecting over the years of raising their two boys, their priorities together were to instill values in them through their faith practices, church community, and strong school educational programs for successful life careers. 

 As Dennis said, ‘Judi was very proud of what their sons have achieved and continue to make of themselves through their professions and for their families’. Judi’s interests and activities were varied and many. She worked hard in the local school system and then chose to work with special needs students. She also chose to work with foster kids in their home. 

 At one point, Judi and Dennis purchased ‘Capelli,’ a hair and nail salon. That endeavor brought many challenges and even frustrations, and when they closed Capelli, Judi wrote: ‘July 1, 1997 –Closed Capelli. Praise God!!’. Then, she worked for ten years for Paychex®, from which she retired. Whatever Judy chose to do, she gave it her all! 

Judi is survived by her husband, of fifty-five years, Dennis; her two sons, Raymond Smith and wife, Keri of Olathe, Kansas, and their two children, Ben and Becky; Howard Smith and wife, Meghan of Jenks, Oklahoma, and their daughter, Sunny; her siblings, Thomas Warner Pollock and wife, Judy and their family of Iowa City, Iowa; Howard Joe Pollock and wife, Dana and their family of Sanford, Florida; Kathy Sidney and husband, Mike and their family of Springdale, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Joan Martin of Neosho, Missouri. 

Judi is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Robert Bishop Pollock, who died on July 27, 1999, at the age of 57, a deputy of Adams County Sheriff’s office in Denver, Colorado, his wife Louanne, and their family.

Contributions in memory of Judi may be given to the American Diabetes Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

Shirley Robertson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Shirley Ann Robertson ended her journey on this earth August 30th, 2023.

Shirley was born in Sheldon, Missouri on January 24th, 1935, to the late Earl L Dickson and Lula Mae (Devenney) Dickson. She was the second of four children - sister Martha (Whitacre) and brother Earl Dickson, and Carolyn (Baker), who preceded her in death in 2021. Early in Shirley’s life, the family moved from Sheldon to the outskirts of Webb City, Missouri. There, on 15 acres, they built a home and a life of gardening, tending to chickens and livestock along with everyday chores.

Shirley and her siblings attended Prairie Flower School; a one-room schoolhouse a mile or so north of their home. Later, she attended and graduated from Webb City High School.

The family also attended Prairie Flower Church in the same location as the school. This was a unique church with no specific denominational ties. Rather, they employed pastors from various denominations throughout the years. It was there that she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized.

After graduation, and before each were married, Shirley and her younger sister Carolyn took several vacations together, traveling across the United States by bus. Those adventures stuck with her, as she loved to retell the stories of their travels to New York City and other landmarks far from home.

Shirley went to work for Campbell’s 66 Express, a trucking company with a terminal in Joplin. Starting in accounting, she later moved to shipping and receiving, then finally to the reception desk, also serving as telephone operator. It was at the reception desk where she met her future husband, Joe.

Shirley and Joe were married on June 3rd, 1962 at Forest Park Baptist Church. In those days, believers coming from outside the Baptist faith were expected to be baptized into the church. This didn’t sit well with Shirley and, while agreeing to the process, she told the pastor, “You can dunk me, but I’ve already been baptized”. Shirley and Joe spent the rest of their lives at Forest Park serving in various areas. Over those 60 years, Shirley spent time serving in the nursery, as a Sunday School teacher for 3-year-olds, and helped prepare and serve family meals following funerals. She was Forest Park Famous for her pies and always brought home empty plates from church fellowship dinners and Joy Club gatherings.

Shirley and Joe welcomed two children, son Joseph (Hal) Robertson II and daughter Melanie Ann (Robertson) Patenaude. Once the kids came along, Shirley decided to dedicate her full attention to the family. She spent her days walking the kids to school, being a room mother and attending school concerts. She also became a fairly accomplished home cook, even impressing Joe's uncle, local restaurateur, Vern Wilder. To help with family finances, she took on seamstress work from home, doing alterations and constructing everything from women’s business wear to wedding gowns. As an extension of her sewing, she often created Hal and Melanie’s Halloween costumes.

As the kids got older, married and had their own families, Shirley maintained an open invitation to Sunday lunch. Often this meant hosting a dozen or more at their table. Her rolls, mashed potatoes, pies and special occasion cakes were all family favorites.

In addition to Hal and his wife Stacey, Melanie and her husband Tony, Shirley leaves behind 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with her sister Martha and husband John, brother Earl, a niece and five nephews.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Shirley was loving, caring and always unselfish. To all she encountered, she was patient, forgiving and a servant at heart. While seldom being one to verbalize her emotions, she was the true example of actions speaking louder than words. She is already missed, but the years we had with her will be cherished.

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Interment will be private at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Forest Park Baptist Church Chapel on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Forest Park Baptist Church Mission Fund.  

James Grunst

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)


James E. Grunst Sr. was born on Nov. 12, 1938, in Fairmont, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, Minnesota. He was employed by Steadley Mfg. for 33 years. James proudly served our country in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1961. He enjoyed gardening and watching NASCAR and the NFL.

James passed away at his home in Carthage, Missouri, on Aug. 25, 2023, he was 84 years of age.

He is survived by his son, Thomas Grunst of Carthage, Missouri, and brother, Tom Grunst of Minnesota. James was preceded in death by his lifelong partner, Helen Maureen Dilworth, his parents, Ernest Grunst and Clara (Hassing) Grunst, son James and daughter Clara.

Service for James will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery/ Crematory.