Ken Carpenter

(From Johnson-Schuller Chapel)

A gathering of family and friends celebrating the life of Ken Carpenter of Wadena, Minnesota, will be held on Saturday, December 14, starting at 4:40p.m. at the Elmer Goche Post 3922, VFW in Wadena.

Kenneth Ray Carpenter, 80, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, at Astera Hospital in Wadena, MN, with his loving wife by his side.

Ken was born on June 22, 1944, in the upstairs of a railroad depot in Carl Junction, Missouri, to William and Ethel (Smith) Carpenter. He was one of nine children, all of whom preceded him in death.

At the age of 17, Ken joined the United States Army and served as a medic in Germany for three years, earning an honorable discharge in 1964. After his military service, Ken worked in a variety of trades, including tree trimming, car mechanics, and highway bridge construction. 

His work in construction took him to many locations, including Chamberlain, South Dakota, where he met Karen. After only three months of dating, Ken and Karen were married, beginning a loving partnership that would last over 55 years.

In 1979, Ken and Karen moved their family to Minnesota, settling near Verndale, where they built a life and raised their children. Ken found joy in socializing with friends over card or dice games and was known for his talent in taking on various handyman projects around the home.

Ken is survived by his devoted wife, Karen; their three children, Timothy and his wife Michelle, Wayne and his wife Olga, and Kari; three grandchildren, Jesse and his wife Elena, Chance, and Megan and her husband Garrett; and five great-grandchildren, Owen, Leo, Bennett, Max, and Lorelei.

Ken's warmth, humor, and strong work ethic will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Julie Goodwin

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Julie Marie Goodwin, age 53, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Mount Vernon, MO. 

She was born in Webb City, MO on Thursday, March 4, 1971; daughter of Lonard and Violet (Nelson) Goodwin.

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Julie has been cremated and services will be at a later time.4

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.

Carrie Hibbs

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Carrie Alice (Arning) Hibbs gently passed into the arms of Jesus on November 28th, 2024 at the age of 94 years and 8 months. She was born on March 28,1930 to Charles Godfrey Louis Arning and Mamie Delcie Johnson (Joplin) Arning in Carthage, Missouri. She graduated from Carthage Senior High School in 1948. 

Carrie married Edward Franklin Hibbs on March 18,1950 in Neosho, Missouri. To that union there were three daughters born, Cynthia Diane (Rex) Warren, Bolivar, Missouri, Pamela Sue (George) Stines, Carthage Missouri, and Brenda Kay (Rob) Wilkinson, Carthage, Missouri.

She was a stay-at-home wife and mother. She enjoyed being at home when the girls got home from school and all the daily chit chat, sewing dresses for her daughters, and fixing awesome meals for her family. During her growing up years Carrie's parents took her to the Nazarene Church at the corner of Chestnut and Grant. Upon receiving Jesus as her Savior, she was baptized in Spring River off of north Main Street at the approximate age of 10. She and Ed were faithful members of the Carthage First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School to young children, participated in Vacation Bible School, and various other activities of the church. Carrie was very involved for over 40 years with Carthage Crosslines where she made a lifelong friend with Belle and served the Carthage community. She also enjoyed being a part of the Missouri Extension Club where she loved to do craft projects while visiting with her lady friends.

Nothing brought her more joy than visits from all her family from daughters to great-great grandchildren. She always enjoyed having meals with them and holding all the new little ones in her arms. And as mother would say, "I want everyone to know and see Jesus, and one day hear him say take my hand, 'Let's go home.' "

Carrie was preceded in death by her husband, Ed of 64 years, her parents Louis and Mamie Arning; her three half-sisters Alice (Charlie) McManis, Parris, California; Margie (Calvin) Cook, Perris, California; Babe (Chris) Sherman, Carthage, Missouri; her in-laws Frank and Helen Hibbs, Carthage, Missouri; and her sister and brother-in-law Larry and Ruth (Hibbs) Rossillon, Wichita, Kansas. 

She is survived by her three daughters; seven grandchildren Justin (Jolene) Warren, Bolivar Missouri; Melissa (Josh) Beck, Carthage, Missouri; Emily (Chris) McGlone, Bolivar Missouri; George E. (Jenni) Stines, Carthage, Missouri; Jerid (Lizzi) Wilkinson, Neosho, Missouri; Abbey (Scott) Long, Joplin, Missouri; and Taylor (Julia) Wilkinson, Neosho, Missouri; twenty great-grandchildren; twelve great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and extended relatives. In addition, she loved and treasured her lifelong friends some whom she graduated with, those who she attended church with, and 64 years of various surrounding neighborhood friends.

Funeral services will be held at Ulmer Funeral Home on Tuesday December 3rd 2024 at 10 am. Visitation will proceed the funeral at 9am on December 3rd 2024 at Ulmer Funeral Home, 1208 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage Missouri, 64836. A brief graveside service will follow at Park Cemetery, 801 S. Baker Blvd, Carthage Missouri, 64836. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Carthage Crosslines.

Aspen Lewis

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Aspen Nicole Lewis, age 24, of Exeter, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 26. 2024.

She was born August 1, 2000 in Springfield, Missouri the daughter of Johnny Lewis and Kelli Schmidt. Surviving are her mother, Kelli Schmidt of Cassville, Missouri; father, Johnny Lewis and his wife Rhonda of Midlothian, Texas; stepfather, Gary Cartwright of Wheaton, Missouri; son, Remington Lewis Hobbie of Exeter, Missouri; brothers, Skyler Lewis of Springfield, Missouri and Cameron Cartwright of Wheaton, Missouri; sister, Brittley Terry and her husband Justin of Cassville, Missouri; paternal grandparents, Nancy Harris and her husband Gene of Shelby, Alabama; paternal grandmother, Sue Lewis of Osage Beach, Missouri; maternal grandparents, Pard and Lois Lowe of Cassville, Missouri and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Preceding her in death was her paternal grandfather, James B. Lewis.

Aspen grew up and attended school in Wheaton, Missouri graduating from Wheaton High School in 2019. She was employed by Serco as a general clerk. Aspen was a very spiritual person, she loved animals, going to the creek, camping, hiking and just being outdoors, but most of all she loved spending time with her son.

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A celebration of life will be held from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 3, 2014 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Contributions may be made to Freedom Bank Memorial Fund for Remington Hobbie in memory of Aspen.

Jon Jay

(From Parker Mortuary)

Jon Robert Jay, 87, passed away on November 26, 2024, in Joplin, Missouri. He was born on November 12, 1937, in Joplin, to the late David and Roberta (Morris) Jay.

On April 4, 1974, Jon married the love of his life, Betty Lou Jay. Together, they shared 47 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2021. 

Throughout his career, Jon worked as a store manager and district manager for local grocery stores. Later in life, he found joy as a driver for Junge Bakery, where he delighted in sharing stories and smiles with everyone he met.

Jon had many passions. He was an avid fisherman, often finding peace and solace in the quiet moments by the water. Lake weekends and long boat rides were his favorites. His love for music was also a central part of his life. For ten years, he brought joy to others as a gospel singer with the group Faithful Heart. Above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his beloved Betty Lou. The holiday season was always their favorite time of year, and we find comfort in knowing that Jon will be home for Christmas this year, spending the holidays once again with Betty Lou.

Jon had a special way of making each of his grandchildren feel as though they were his favorite. His unique ability to make everyone feel loved and cherished will remain a lasting memory for all who knew him. Whether through his warm words or his ever-present smile, Jon’s love for his family was unwavering.







Jon is survived by his children: Bruce Layman, Stephen Jay (Sandy), Brenda Mitchell (Curtis), Randy Jay (Robin), Beth Gorman, and Karen Jones; his grandchildren: Bryan Layman, Brandy Lichardello, Stephen Jay, Jr., Amy Ewers, Jonna Hye, Anna Kinkead, Nicholas Gorman, and Ashlie Ingram and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition to his family, Jon deeply cherished his lifelong friend, Fred Ferguson, as well as all of his friends and caregivers at Collegeview Manor, who provided him with care and companionship in his later years. His memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The family will receive friends during a visitation on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will then be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO, with burial to follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Joplin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Pediatric Cancer Society.




Arrangements are under the care of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO.

Lodi Vernon

(From Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home)

Lorraine (Lodi) Lee Vernon was born on June 3, 1931, in Sapulpa, OK, the daughter of Barney and Finnetti (Walker) Weaver. Lorraine, or Lodi, as her family and friends called her, was the fourth of five children in her family. Her brothers and sister were Barney Jr, June, Jack, and Roger.

Lodi graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1949, and attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO for a short time. But in that short time she met a young man, B.J. Vernon from Lebanon, MO who squashed a big bug at her request. Their friendship bloomed into love and they were married on May 29, 1950. Their union was blessed with four children. Their early years were somewhat nomadic, living in Cherryvale, KS, Joplin, MO, Orange, CA, Springfield, MO, Dewey, OK, and back to Springfield, MO before finally building their final home in Willard, MO.

Lodi was a very talented cook as well as an accomplished pianist. Raising her children was her primary focus. Once her children were grown, Lodi served as a Chaplain’s Assistant at Cox Hospital in Springfield, MO for 10 years. Lodi was raised in the Christian faith by her mother and loved the Lord all her life. 

 As a minister’s wife, she also sang with her husband and three of his brothers and their wives. Serving the Lord was an important part of her life. The Vernon Brothers and their wives and families traveled across the United States and internationally. They had a national television ministry while the brothers served as preachers in local churches. Lodi also had a passion for animals, whether it be for family dogs or cats, or for feeding wild animals (raccoons, opossums, stray cats, etc.) as well.

Lodi passed from this life into eternal life in Jesus on November 27, 2024.

Lodi was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her beloved husband of 69 ½ years, BJ, in 2019. She was also preceded in death by one grandson, Weston White.

Lodi is survived by her children, Linda White and her husband, Jim, Michael Vernon and his wife, Linda, James Vernon and his wife, Lana, Lisa Gonzalez and her husband, Gerardo. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Derek, Lindsay, Christopher, Melina, Alec, Matthew, Nicolas, Evan, Bree, and Kayla; and 4 great grandchildren: Serena, Abigael, Elliana and Ari. Lodi will be missed by many other family members and a great number of friends.

No services are planned at this time.

Russ Johnson

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Russell Dale “Russ” Johnson, age 44, of Monett, Missouri passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

He was born April 24, 1980 in Springfield, Missouri the son of Penelope Brown and Ricky Strong.

Surviving are his mother, Penelope (Johnson) Brown of Exeter, Missouri; the love of his life, LaRita Chambers of Purdy, Missouri; four sons, Payton Campbell of Monett, Missouri, Parker Campbell of San Antonio, Texas, Paxton Campbell of Monett, Missouri, and Presley Campbell of Milton, Florida; four brothers, Steve Johnson of Exeter, Missouri, Israel Brown of Exeter, Missouri, Emanuel Brown of Dillard, Nebraska, and Anthony Brown, of Exeter, Missouri; one sister, Krissa Strong of Rocky Comfort, Missouri and six grandchildren, Corbin, Thea, Edwin, Adaline, Temprence, and Axel.

Preceding him in death was his father, Ricky Strong.

Russ attended school in Monett, Missouri graduating from Monett High School in 1998. He was employed by Seven Valleys Construction in Cassville, Missouri as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, canoeing, riding bicycles, and woodworking. Russ loved his mom, his family, and his dogs.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Minister Carl Carlson will conduct the services.

Contributions may be made to Haven of the Ozarks in memory of Russ.