Billy Owens

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Billy Joe Owens, age 77 of Joplin, Mo passed away Monday February 15, 2016 at his home. 

He was born on August 18, 1938 in Vernon County, Mo the son Margaret “Brown” Owens. He graduated from Bronaugh R-7 High School, and then the National Association Joint Trading for Electrical IBEW. He married Joan Hastings on October 29, 1956 in Miami, Ok. He was initiated to the Local Union #124 Kansas City, Mo. on February 11, 1959 where he worked as an electrician until his retirement in August of 2000. He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church and loved working on cars. 

Billy was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Joan of the home, a son Phillip Owens and wife Lorisa of Sarcoxie, Mo., a daughter Linda Diane Wilson and husband Woody of Bronaugh, Mo., five grandchildren: Jody Misko, Billie Yokley, Noah Wilson, Britany Owens and Landon Owens; and eight great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday February 20, 2016 at the Southside Baptist Church with Pastor Paul Mooney officiating. Visitation will immediately follow the service. The family suggests contributions to the Southside Baptist Church in care of the mortuary. Arrangements entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.

Leona Cherry

(From Knell Mortuary)

Leona Belle Cherry, 94, Carthage, MO, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at her home. Leona Belle Rice was born March 25, 1921 in Jasper, MO to the late Joseph E. Rice and Lucy Jane (Lowe) Rice. She graduated from Jasper High School, Class of 1939. Leona married Edwin H. Cherry in May of 1944 in Columbus, KS; he preceded her in death on November 12, 1990. She was a homemaker, and was a gift shop volunteer at McCune Brooks Hospital for 35 years.

Survivors include one son; Charles W. (wife Rita) Cherry, Round Rock, TX, two granddaughters; Jessica Suzanne Beeler, Austin, TX, and Kelley Kay Elliott, Weatherford, TX, and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers; Harold, Arthur, Floyd, and Myron, and three sisters; Helen, Blanche, and Iva.

A graveside funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Friday, February 19, 2016 at Park Cemetery, Carthage, MO. Rev. James Lee will officiate. Interment will follow the service. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Alan Barbari

(From Parker Mortuary)

Alan Raymond Barbari, age 58 of Joplin, passed away suddenly at his home, Tuesday, February, 16, 2016.

Alan was born February 25, 1957 to Richard Barbari and Jacqueline Shropshire in Long Beach, California. He was a retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

Alan married Ann E. Spangler on June 25, 1977 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives of their home.

Also surviving Alan are a son, Cory Barbari of Joplin and his mother, Jackie Green of Neosho.

Preceding Alan in death are his father, Richard and a sister, Tracy Coleman.

No services are planned at this time and cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Virginia Whitson

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Virginia Whitson, 91, Joplin, passed away February 17, 2016 in Granby, following a short illness. 

She was born July 11, 1924 in Barton County, Missouri, the daughter of William Cleveland and Estel (Fenimore) Smith. Virginia was a lifelong area resident and had worked for the U.S. Post Office in Diamond for 17 years, retiring in 1965. Following retirement she was a volunteer for St. John’s Hospital. Virginia was an avid painter and loved to show her work at Knotts Berry Farm in California once a year. She was a member of Diamond First Baptist Church, the Buena Park Art Guild, the American Business Women’s Association and the American Legion Auxiliary and she had been a 4-H leader. 

Virginia married Noel Whitson on January 17, 1942 in Diamond, and he survives. Also surviving are two children, Bill Whitson and wife, Leyla of Diamond and Donna Faye Thompson and husband, Randy of Fountain, Colorado; a sister, Cleva Moore of Diamond; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Martella Watts.

Services are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, MO.

Visitation

Sunday February 21, 2016, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Clark Chapel of Memories

Funeral Service

Monday February 22, 2016, 10:00 AM at Diamond Christian Church

Troy Gage

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Troy Edward Gage, 88, Goodman, MO, passed into eternal rest at 2:42 pm, February 16, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin after a sudden illness.

Troy Edward Gage was born November 4, 1927 in Chandler, OK the son of Elbert and Pearl Mae (Martin) Gage. Troy served his country in the US Army. He worked for Burr Motor Company as auto detailer. Troy was known around the area as “The Hub Cap Man”. He loved to joke and have fun with his family and friends. His favorite song to sing his children was “Hey Good Look-in What Ya Got Cooking”. Troy Edward Gage married Martha Wethey March 11, 1954 in Pineville, MO and she survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, John Paul Gage, Cameron, MO, Troy Dale Gage, McAlister, OK and Jeff Ray Gage, Tulsa, OK; four daughters, Dena Ballard, Marionville, MO, Rosa Lee Edwards and husband David, Seneca, Mary Welch-Sheridan, Haskell, OK and Mitz Gage, Joplin; 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Troy was preceded in death by one daughter, Ruth Stanton; five brothers, Dan Gage, Bill Gage, Jim Gage, Monroe Gage and Junior Gage; one sister, Virginia Gage.

Funeral services under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 19, 2016 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home Chapel with brother-in-law James Wethey officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery with Josiah Dale Welch, Jeremiah Ryan Welch, Jeff Gage, Jesse Bowden, Jacob Jarmin, Keith Blair and Eric Bowden serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm Thursday, February 18, 2016 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca.

Paul Feagan

(From Parker Mortuary)

Paul George Feagan went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 15, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.

Paul was born October 14, 1934 to the late Paul Jones Feagan and Virginia Pauline Hughes Feagan in Picher, Oklahoma.

After graduating from West Memphis Arkansas High School, the family moved back to the four state area where he worked as a projectionist at the former Lux and Glen Theater in Joplin. He met and fell in love with Loga May Huthison and they were married on July 23, 1954 at her parents' home.

Paul spent the early years of marriage as a manager of multi grocery stores in the four state area. Then, in 1971, he moved his family to Grove, Oklahoma where he and his brother-in-law started Glass Tex, Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Paul and his wife owned and operated the company until their retirement in 1996 and moved to Joplin.

Paul was a longtime and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held several callings within the church.

He is survived by his loving wife, Loga; daughter, Debi Feagan-James and her friend, Sheryl; and a sister, Janice McGlasson, St. Charles, Missouri.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a son, Kerry W. Feagan in 2007.

Services are planned for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bishop Russell Kemp will preside. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dan Moffet, Dave Richins, Robert Clark, Justin Gibson, Derick Tillman and Olin Loges. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Hinds, Carl Maples, Mike Bridges, Hubert Wooldridge and Bob Moffet.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Imogene Junkins

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Imogene R. Junkins, age 79, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 2:24 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Imo was born August 24, 1936 in Anderson, Mo. and had lived in the Joplin area all her life. She was a 1954 graduate of Joplin High School. Imo was a Licensed Missouri Funeral Director and had served with Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin for the last 38 years. She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Imo married Merrell Junkins on March 18, 1954 in Tulsa, Ok. and he survives. Additional survivors include two daughters, Gail Sweet and husband Greg, Joplin, and Julie Walker and husband Jerry, Webb City, Mo., two sons, Steve Junkins and wife Sally, and Tommy Junkins and wife Cindy, all of Joplin, one sister, Pauline Guppy, Joplin, two sisters- in- law, Betty Harrall, Joplin, and Jan Payne and husband Larry, Amarillo, Tx., three grandsons, Jeff Sweet and wife Betsy, Logan Walker, and Dillon Walker, two great grandchildren, Clare and Andrew Sweet, and numerous nieces and nephews. Imo was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Inez Harrall, a sister, Leota Greenslade, and a brother, Ivan Harrall.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Vicki Hager and Randy L. Wilson officiating. Private burial will follow in the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel. Memorial contributions are requested to the First Church of Christ, Scientist in care of the Mortuary. The family will be at the home of the daughter, Gail Sweet. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.