Dixie Peck

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Dixie Pauline Peck, 83, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Dixie was born August 23, 1941, in Diamond, Missouri to Glen Oliver Johnson, Sr. and Edna Mae Ruth Dalton.

Dixie was united in marriage to Dennis Peck January 2, 1965, in Joplin, Missouri. They were married for over 50 years, until his passing in 2016.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dixie served as the Family History Center Director in Springfield, Missouri. She also served as a Girls Camp Director and in the Young Women’s Program, and Dixie’s love and service to the youth extended to her home, where she took in many teens in need, making them part of her family. From her childhood pets on the farm, to riding in rodeos, to the orphaned animals she raised, Dixie had a lifelong love of animals.

Dixie also loved to travel, whether a day trip to Branson, Missouri, or a trek across the country with her whole family in tow. She would proudly tell anyone she met that she had been to Disney World 26 times. Dixie also loved cooking large family meals and spending holidays with her large extended family. But her favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, sharing her amazing stories about her younger days spent on the farm.

Dixie is survived by one son, Dennis Peck; three daughters, Darice Kimball, Danielle Horton, and Dara Peck; one brother, Paul Johnson; nine grandchildren, Spencer, Joseph, Madison, Victoria, Gabriel, Gwendolyn, Steven, Danny, and Dawson; and five great grandchildren, Zach, Maddie, Kai, Kelsey, and Laila.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carthage, Missouri, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Diamond Cemetery in Diamond, Missouri.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Natalie Myers

(From Countryside Funeral Home)

Natalie Gale Myers, 88, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024. Natalie was born to Della Mae (Cannon) Petty and Charles Vernon Petty on January 18, 1936, in Chanute, Kansas. She was raised in Chanute, the oldest of 4 children, including 2 younger brothers, Darold and Tony, and the youngest, a sister Marcille.

In 1952, Natalie went skating with her girlfriends on a Friday night in Chanute. There she met Dale, the man many years later she would still say thrilled her when he walked into the room. If you asked Natalie, she would recount that Dale’s freshly ironed shirt, polite manners, and graceful skating drew her to him. 

According to Dale, Natalie’s beautiful smile was pure magic… along with how those skates and short shorts showed off her pretty legs. Either way, true love was sparked, and hand in hand they faced the challenges and joys of life together for over 67 years.

Shortly after their marriage in February of 1953, Dale and Natalie moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where Dale served in the Army. From there they moved back to Kansas and started both a family and a quest for Dale to get a college education. Their first son, Larry Dale, was born in March, 1955. His time on Earth was short and Natalie has been anticipating their heavenly reunion since January, 1956. This great sadness in the lives of Natalie and Dale was eventually accompanied by joy with the birth of three more children in the coming years: Duane Eugene, Terri Gale, and Lynette Kay. With Natalie’s great support, Dale received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, and a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa. Dale would always recount that his achievements were a team effort. 

Natalie managed their household with love and patience, living in cramped married student housing, operating on a shoestring budget, and keeping their growing family well cared for (and occasionally quiet) so Dale could focus on his studies. Their efforts paid off, and Dale and Natalie experienced adventure and success with Dale’s involvement in the Apollo spacecraft mission and then a career in electrical engineering with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma until Dale’s retirement in 1990.

Natalie was a wonderful mother and homemaker, devoting herself to her family and tending to their needs and encouraging them in all their activities. Once her children left the household, Natalie satisfied a lifelong desire to obtain a college degree of her own. She achieved that goal in 1984, earning an early education degree from Northeastern State University, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 4

Not long after receiving her degree, Natalie became a grandma and again dedicated herself to her family. She loved her grandkids and would put aside whatever she was doing if the opportunity came to spend time, tell stories, and make a happy memory with a grandchild, or eventually a great grandchild.

Natalie’s other interests included traveling with Dale, reading, and artistic pursuits like ceramics and painting. She had an eye for unique and beautiful things and collected many bells over the years. Natalie took great pleasure in her pets, including dogs, cats, and canaries. Her gentle, quiet, sweet spirit attracted animals, and she found a home for many a stray, and provided many a hurt creature a chance to recover. She loved children and babies, and they responded and loved her right back. Audrey Hepburn once said, “elegance is the only beauty that never fades,” and Natalie’s family will always remember her as both elegant and beautiful.

Natalie is survived by her siblings, Tony Petty and Marcille Callarman, son, Duane Myers of Carthage, MO; daughter, Terri (Tom) Prusator of Afton, OK; daughter Lynette (Dan) Brown of Henryetta, OK; grandchildren Danielle Myers, Paige (Kyler) Bybee, Ashley (Justin) Henson, Michael (Dawn) Prusator, Brenden (Valerie) Brown, Weston Brown, Jeremy Brown, and Tyler Schmidt; and great-grandchildren, Thomas, Natalie Mae, Viviann, Bear, and Lily Gale.

Natalie was preceded in death by her parents, Della and Charles Petty, her husband, Dale, their son, Larry Dale, and her brother, Darold.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 29, 2024, at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel in Grove, OK. Graveside services will be held at a later date, at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Chanute, Kansas under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to Dale. Details will be provided later.

If you are compelled to make an offering in memory of Natalie, the family would suggest helping to support your local pet shelter during these upcoming winter months when their needs are especially great.

Rose Millard

(From Parker Mortuary)

Rose Mary Millard, age 73, Joplin, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Mercy of Joplin.

Rose was born January 30, 1951 in Excelsior Springs, MO, daughter of the late Cecil Harvey Millard and Martha Roberta (Beasley) Millard. She grew up in Excelsior Springs, then California, and Arizona, before moving to Joplin where she graduated from Joplin High School. 

She was a devoted member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church of Joplin where she helped with many jobs over the years. She was very involved with the funerals, weddings, and receptions that were held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She was known for her remaking and repairing Rosary’s. She was a member of St. Francis DeSales, and actively recited the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. She will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her brother, Cecil H. Millard, Jr., and a sister, Roberta M. Millard.

Survivors include a brother, Kurt E. Millard of Joplin; several nieces and nephews; and a special companion and best friend, Gene Foley of Joplin.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Brian Straus and Father J. Friedel officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Park Cemetery with church friends serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary on Monday, December 2, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.




The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.

Oran McMillen

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Oran Ford McMillen, 84, of Granby, MO, entered into rest on November 27, 2024 at Joplin Gardens after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 4, 1939 in Nevada, MO, the son of Oran W. and Ina “Pearl” Ford McMillen. Oran grew up in the Pioneer, MO area and was a graduate of Wheaton High School, Class of 1957.

Oran worked for Deffenbaugh Trash Company for many years before his retirement. After retirement, he enjoyed being outdoors especially deer hunting. He also enjoyed bluegrass music and spending time with his “million dollar cats." Oran and Dorothy Lay were united in marriage on July 2, 1980 in Miami, OK; she preceded him in death on March 14, 2024.

Oran is survived by two stepsons: Larry Thomas of Diamond, MO and David Thomas of Granby, MO. Additional survivors include a half-sister, Darlene Shelley, Nixa, MO; Three grandchildren: Casey Thomas, Kari Collins and Aaron Thomas; Two great-grandchildren: Kiana Thomas and Ava Thomas. He is preceded in death by a half-brother: Jim Pryor; Steve Thomas, stepson, Donna Samore, stepdaughter, and Kathy Jones, stepdaughter.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:00 AM at the Mt. Olive Cemetery near Pioneer, MO. Doug Gripka will officiate. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM at Clark Funeral Home in Granby, MO on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Deloris Stacy

(From Benton County Funeral Home)

Helen Deloris Warren Stacy “Granny” 83 of Rogers passed away November 27, 2024, at Mercy Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. She was born January 24, 1941, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the daughter of Willis F. and Stella Scott Warren. She is preceded in death by her husband Dan Stacy, sons Roger Stacy, Dannie Stacy and wife Susan, her parents Willis and Stella Warren; brothers James, Kenneth, Bill Warren, sisters Rene Scott and Mary Ann Guyll.

She is survived by two daughters Debbie Hosier and husband Keith of Rogers, Kim Spink and husband Greg, of Webb City, Missouri. Granddaughters Christy Talburt and Julie, Courtney Spink, Stacy Spink, Grandsons Heith Hosier and Laura, Austin Spink and Kaylee, three great grandsons Brayden, Logan, and Hudson Hosier.

If you knew Granny, she loved BIG, she was full of life, wasn't scared of anything, and never backed down from a challenge. She loved to have a good time and always brought the fun to any occasion. She was always surprising us with her daredevil ways such as drag racing at Mokan, taking helicopter rides, riding scooters, jumping off diving boards in her 70s.

She became "Granny" to everyone she met and spoiled them with love. She was a huge Razorback fan and a loyal supporter of all her kids and grandkids activities.

She coached and played softball, was an excellent bowler, and touched countless lives. She retired from the Rogers Police Department and previously worked in factories where she was everyone's favorite and their Granny.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2024, at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the funeral home. Her final resting place will be in Scott Cemetery, Garfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com

Joan Housman

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Joan (Burr) Housman, 91, Neosho, MO, passed into eternal rest November 27, 2024 at the Granby House Nursing Home after an illness.

Joan Burr was born July 29, 1933 in Stella, MO the daughter of Raymond A. and Agnes P. (Wyatt) Burr. She was a lifelong area resident. Joan loved dogs, cats and being outdoors. Her hobbies were sewing, crocheting and embroidery. Joan formerly worked for the Medicalodges of Neosho as an office clerk.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Agnes Burr and one son Steven Ray Helvy.







Survivors include one daughter, Tammie Moore and husband Duane, Neosho, MO; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The body has been taken for cremation under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

A family private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Andra Adrian

(From Parker Mortuary)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Andra Lou (Kaulaity) Adrian went to be with the Lord with her family at her side, on November 22, 2024 in Joplin, MO, at the age of 71. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, whose kindness and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Born on May 17, 1953, in Carnegie, Oklahoma and raised by her grandmother and grandfather, Julia (Blanche Dau To Bi) Kaulaity and Louis Kaulaity, Jr, she grew up in the Zolton, OK area where all her friends and sisters would call her “Lou Lou." She graduated from Lawton High School in 1972. She married Luis T Adrian on February 1, 1969, and dedicated her life to being a military wife and a mother of two boys. 

She loved to travel and had visited many countries and lived in many states during her time as a military wife. She loved to read the Bible daily and share the word of the Lord with everyone by sharing her most favorite verses. She was ready to be welcomed to her heavenly home.

Andra Lou is survived by her husband, Luis T Adrian, her sons Luis H Adrian and Andres Adrian, two sisters, Ramona Jane Pratt and Sarita Woodruff, as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends who will miss her laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support. She was preceded in death by Ramona Kaulaity Cortez (Mother) and Felix Cortez (Brother). Her legacy will live on through the lives of her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved more than anything.

Andra Lou, your presence will forever be in our hearts, and your light will continue to shine through the love and memories you’ve left behind.