Melvern Robertson

(From Weng Funeral Chapel)

Melvern L. Robertson age 78 of Jasper, MO. passed away June 14, 2014 at Mercy Hospital Joplin.

 He was born December 11, 1935 in Squires, Missouri to Omer and Reba (Hailey) Robertson. Mel was a retired truck Driver. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jasper and graduated with the class of 1954 at Lamar High School. Mel was united in marriage to Harriet Fitchpatrick on April 13, 1968 in Jasper, MO. . She preceded him in death on September 5, 2004.

 Survivors include two daughters, Becky Thomas and husband Mark of Garden City, MO. and Nancy Dockery and husband Aaron of Carthage, Mo.. Two brothers, Neil Robertson and Larry Robertson both of Lamar, MO.. One sister, Mable Connors of Lamar, Mo.. Five granddaughters, Cassy VanGilder, Crissy VanGilder, Shelby Dockery, Katelyn Dockery and Kelly Dockery.

 Funeral services will be held at 10:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Weng Funeral Chapel, Jasper, MO.. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Weng Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery, east of Jasper, MO..

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Weng Funeral Chapel, Jasper, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at wengfuneralchapel.com.

Junior Avey

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Herman “Junior” Avey, age 83, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at his home in Joplin, Mo., after a long-term illness.

 Junior was born on April 20, 1931 in Picher, Ok., the son of Herman Avey, Sr. and Laura (Tolson) Avey. He graduated from Picher High School and drove a cab for his mother’s business until he entered the US Army. Junior married Madeline Heffnieder February 28, 1965, she survives. 

Additional survivors include one son, Phillip Avey and his wife Brenda, Joplin, Mo., and five daughters; Laurie Richie and husband Terry, Webb City, Mo., Paulette Eby and husband Mike, Joplin, Mo., Diana Coe and husband Cletis, Talala, Ok., Pam Tackett and husband Richard, Joplin, Mo., and Debbie Routledge and husband Jerry, Joplin, Mo.; seventeen grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one step-son, Randy Reynolds in 1993. Junior was a member of Christpoint Church and he was a member of the Wild Bunch C.B. Club. He was a driver for C.F.I. for 15 years, prior to that he drove for Yellow Freight and Tri State.

 Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Christpoint Church, Joplin, Josh Pennington, Minister, officiating. Visitation is Tuesday, 7 – 8 p.m. at the Mason-Woodard Chapel.

Roger Pruitt

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Roger W. Pruitt, age 67, of Carthage, MO died on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at his home in Carthage, MO. Mr. Pruitt was born in Miami, OK on Saturday, June 22, 1946. He was the son of Laura Hanna Pruitt. Mr. Pruitt married Ruth Filbeck on Saturday, December 28,1999, in Miami OK. Mr. Pruitt served his country in the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger in Vietnam. He was head of maintenance at St Luke's Hospital in Carthage before retiring.

Surviving are the following: his wife, Ruth, of the home; one son, Joshua Pruitt, of Joplin, MO; and five grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. After visitation, Mr. Pruitt, at his request, will be cremated.

Ellen Dunn

(From Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home)

Ellen K. Dunn, age 70, of Webb City, Mo. passed away at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at her home following a four month illness. Ellen was born May 26, 1944 in Carthage, Mo. and had lived in Webb City the last 20 years. She was a Homemaker. Ellen married Alvin Dunn December 16, 1964 in Carthage, Mo. He preceded her in death on September 5, 2007.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Buening and husband David, Neosho, Mo., and Fay Davidson and husband John, Leavenworth, Ks., two sons, Alvin Dunn Jr. and wife Jeannie, El Dorado Springs, MO and Robert Dunn, Webb City, two brothers, Landon Ward, Webb City, and Jimmy Ward, Joplin, Mo. one sister, Patty, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Memorial graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin with Rev. Jarel Burnside officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home of Webb City, Mo.

Camille Niel

(From Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home)

Camille L. Niel, 86, of Carterville, passed away the morning of June 12, at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle. She is survived by her five daughters, Diane Vann and her husband Ron, Kathy Vann and her husband Raymond, Teresa Ihm and her husband, John, Julie Fleming and her husband Mike, Anita Daniel and her husband Kelly. Camille was the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren and great-grandmother of 15.

Camille was born March 22, 1928 in San Antonio, Texas to Emmett and Victoria Griffin. Soon after her birth, the family returned to Carterville. After graduating from Carterville High School she worked for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator, where she met the love of her life, Lyle. They were married November 13, 1948 and spent many years fishing and hunting together. Camille loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening and farming on their property north of Carterville.

In her later years, she enjoyed golfing and golfed up until the last few months of her life. She loved and enjoyed dancing, traveling and playing with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for always having a song in her heart and was always singing or humming. The family will be hosting visitation at the Hedge Lewis Funeral home in Webb City Monday, June 16, at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. followed by graveside services at Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Carterville Cemetery Association, c/o Julie Riley, 3610 College View Dr., Joplin, MO 64801.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home & Crematory.

Linglong Li

(From Parker Mortuary)

Linglong Li, age 25 of Carthage, MO, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Table Rock Lake as a result of an accidental drowning.

Born September 6, 1988 in China, she received her Bachelor Degree there and received her Master Degree from Oklahoma City University enabling her to teach English to students of other primary languages. She was an Adjunct Teacher at M.S.S.U. in Joplin. She was a Christian.

On September 18, 2013, she married Travis Shane Domanski in Joplin. He survives.

Additional survivors include her parents, Fuyuan Li and Baolan Zhang of China; two brothers, Haobong Li and Haofeng Li, both of China; and a sister, Lingjie Li of China.

Memorial services will be held 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the Conference Room of Hilton Garden Inn, Joplin. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Parker Mortuary. Cremation will follow and the cremated remains will be interred in China.

Linglong Li was a very intelligent woman with a big heart, always smiling and happy. Everything she tried to do, she would master and she would excel in everything. She was very adventurous and enjoyed the outdoors, kayaking and hiking. She was constantly studying to improve herself in every area. She will be greatly missed.

Bettie Richardson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Bettie L. Wetherell Richardson, age 87 of Joplin, passed away at 7:48 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Freeman West Hospital.

Born May 18, 1927 in Joplin, she was the daughter of the late Albert R. Wetherell and Edith Mae Hervey Wetherell and was a lifelong Joplin resident. A homemaker most of her life, she also worked seven years for Southwestern Bell Telephone long distance operator and as a clerk in the Plant Department.

On July 1, 1951 she married E.F. (Bud) Richardson in Joplin. He preceded her in death August 17, 2004. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Bill Wetherell, Wade Wetherell and Paul Wetherell; and a sister, Lyla McVicors.

Survivors include a son, Craig E. Richardson and wife Phyllis of Joplin; a sister, Shirley A. Patton of Independence, MO; three granddaughters, Alisha Edwards and husband Brian of Joplin, Andrea Davidson and husband C.B. of Austin, TX, Chandy Brown and husband Chris of Joplin; four great-grandchildren, Taelar , Tannar and Addison Davidson and Jack Brown; many nieces, nephews, in-laws and out-laws.

Bettie was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother. The light of her life was her son Craig and his three daughters. She loved the outdoors and was an avid poker player.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Richard S. Williams officiating. Family members will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.