Al Graber

(From Parker Mortuary)

Alfred 'Al' Joseph Graber, 76, Grove, Oklahoma, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Mercy Hospital following an extended illness.

Al, or "Sonny" to some, was born July 8, 1939 to the late David J. Graber and Clara Engraff Graber in Sterling, Colorado. While in Colorado, Al worked for both UPS and FedEx for a total of 24 years. Al was a family man to everyone who knew him. His favorite times were spent in his boat on the lake with his family or doing anything outdoors. Al was a great storyteller. Some of them a bit far-fetched but others were the complete truth. He had a passion for cars, especially ‘50’s Oldsmobiles.

On April 25, 1959, Al married his sweetheart, Irene Trout in Sterling. After nearly 57 years together, she survives in the home in Grove.

Additional survivors include sons, David Graber and wife, Lesa of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Mark Graber and wife, Lisa of Sarcoxie, Missouri; daughters, Christine Dickinson and husband, Kenneth of Davie, Florida and Lori Graber of Ft. Collins, Colorado; four grandchildren; brother, Harold Graber of Sterling and sister Betty Stark of California.

Other than his parents, Al was preceded in death by brothers; Tom, Leo and Ray and sisters, Kathleen, Molly and Helen.

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grove Community Center. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Sterling, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grove Humane Society in care of the mortuary.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

Ivan Craig

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ivan C. 'Skip' Craig, age 93, Joplin, passed away at 3:50 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2016 at Spring River Christian Village after a long illness.

Ivan was born June 3, 1922 in Lorraine, Kansas to the late Roscoe Craig, Sr. and Nellie Henry Craig and had lived in Joplin the past 16 years, moving from Lorraine.

He worked as a mechanic for the Federal Housing Administration for five years and worked as a sheet metal mechanic for United Airlines in San Francisco for three years. He returned to Lorraine in 1955 and worked as a self employed painter for the next nine years. Ivan then took a custodian position at Lorraine Baptist Church, worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, and drove a school bus for the local school district.

Ivan enjoyed rodeos, races, home remodeling, and woodworking. He was a faithful member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin.

He married Betty A. Myers on June 8, 1957 in McPherson, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 8, 1999.

He then married Betty J. West on March 1, 2003 in Joplin. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include a son, Paul Craig and his wife, Cindy, Olathe, Kansas; a daughter, Carol Watts and her husband, Morgan, Joplin; two stepsons, Douglas West and his wife, Barbara, Columbus, Kansas, Richard West and his wife, Vivian, Richmond, Kansas; two grandchildren, Tessa Watts and Drew Watts; eight step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Ivan was preceded in death by siblings, Marian Janssen, Lois Swafford, Janette Gallion, Roscoe 'Red' Craig, J.R., infants Warren and Naomi; and granddaughter, Hannah Watts.

Graveside services are planned for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Baptist Cemetery, Lorraine, Kansas. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5-7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park Baptist Church-Missions, First Baptist Church of Lorraine or to Honor Flight of Kansas City, all in care of Parker Mortuary.

Gloria Mitchell

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Gloria Ann Mitchell, age 88 of Joplin, Mo. passed away early Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Webb City Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Gloria was born on July 27, 1927 in Joplin. The daughter of John and Louise (Montgomery) Carpenter. She has been a lifetime area resident. Gloria was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She also was a home health aide for Oxford Healthcare, retiring in 1988.

She married, Ben Mitchell in 1943, he preceded her in death on December 4, 1988. Gloria was also preceded by a daughter, Claudette Lamb. Survivors include 3 sons; Ben Mitchell II and wife Pat of Webb City, Mo., Mike Mitchell and wife Anita of Newman, Ca., Steven Mitchell and wife Carrie of Carl Junction, Mo., 1 daughter; Michele Burtrum and husband Joe of Joplin, 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. We were so blessed to have our lives brightened by such an ornery, hilarious and loving woman.

Memorial services have been scheduled 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation immediately following the service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Garry Goodloe

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Garry Lee Goodloe, age 68, passed away Wednesday April 6, 2016, at The Truman Healthcare center in Lamar, MO. Garry was born in Pratt, KS, March 29, 1948 to Harold “Wirt” and Betty Jo (Hurt) Goodloe. He grew up in Nowata, OK helping his dad farm and attended the Nowata public schools. He was in the U.S. Army serving 3 tours with a Special Services unit in Viet Nam. For many years he lived near Overland Park, KS, and worked in the greater Kansas City area. He was a skilled welder and a certified mechanical engineer. In the fall of 2000 he married Donna D.Young and in 2001, they moved to Barton County settling near Milford, MO. He worked for O’Sullivan’s and later for Epoch. Garry and Donna are members at the Milford Christian Church. In his free time he enjoyed time spent with his family and farming

Garry is survived by his wife Donna of the home,a daughter Amy Lee Goodloe and companion Tony Hubbard of Austin, TX; a son Garry Lee Goodloe Jr and wife Becky of Ottawa, KS and a step son Bernie Ray McDowell and wife Judy of Gardner, KS. Also surviving are two brothers; Bobby Joe Goodloe of Skiatook, OK, and David Paul Goodloe of Cummings, GA. He was a grand father to 5 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday April 9th at the Milford Christian Church. Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar is in charge of arrangements. There will be a visitation Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Milford Christian Church youth group. Condolences may be made at konantzwarden.com.

Lillie Walser

(From Parker Mortuary)

Lillie D. Walser, age 89, Joplin, passed away at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2016 at Freeman Hospital after an illness.

Lillie was born April 16, 1926 in Bado, Missouri to the late Henry Clay Noel and Amy Harrel Noel and had lived in the Joplin area most of her life.

She worked in the banking industry most of her adult working life, retiring in the mid 1990's. Lillie then worked in accounting at Watt's Paint Store and for a short time at Wal-Mart. Lillie was a faithful member of Villa Heights Christian Church.

She married Marvin Douglas Walser on April 14, 1952 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2004.

Lillie was also preceded in death by a son, Mike Walser; two brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include two sons, Joe Walser and his wife, Betty, Kirby Walser and his wife, Donna, all of Joplin; four grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Memorial services are planned for Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Villa Heights Christian Church. Truman Brady, Minister, will officiate. The family will receive friends following the services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Souls Harbor or to the Salvation Army, both in care of Parker Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Floyd Schad

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Floyd Arthur Schad, 86, of Monett, MO, passed away on April 6, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Floyd was born on January 12, 1930 at Stone’s Prairie, west of Purdy, MO, son of the late William Frederick Schad and Bertha Louise (Enke) Schad.

As a young boy, Floyd understood hard work equaled success. He began his adult years by serving his country honorably in the United States Air Force. Following his service, he began hauling milk for M.F.A. in Monett. During those fifteen years, Floyd gained the experience that led him to managing the M.F.A. Oil Co. in Purdy. Its grand opening was in November of 1962, and began with one tank delivery truck. Floyd was able to see it grow to one of the largest M.F.A. plants in the state. In 1986, a new propane plant was added, bringing the number of tank trucks to four and four more employees. Floyd retired after thirty years on January 31, 1992. At that time, he expressed his gratitude to his customers and said he would devote his time to golfing and raising beef cattle. During those years, he also had a farm west of Purdy that he operated from 1948-1995. Floyd was also a Christian man, serving the Lord at the East Side Church of Christ from 1958 until recent, when his health prevented him from attending.

Floyd married Dorris Castor in 1948 and they were together for over forty-nine years until her passing in 1998. This union blessed Floyd and Dorris with two daughters. He later married Goldena Sears on April 1, 2000. They have been blessed with many wonderful memories made together.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Goldena, of the home; his daughters, Sheri Yost, of Sulphur Springs, AR and Sharon Brown, of Carthage, MO; two step-daughters, Gwen Crouch, of Madison, AL and Jana Anderson, of Rocky Comfort, MO; two sisters, Viola Autry, of Monett and Verneice Lincoln, of San Louis Obispo, CA; eleven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Louise Erickson.

Funeral services for Mr. Schad will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Buchanan Funeral Home. Josh Coberley, Minister, will officiate. Interment and military honors will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Monett. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Neosho Christian School, 903 W. South St., Neosho, MO 64850. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.

Hugh Trent

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Hugh Trent, 95, died April 7, 2016 while in residence at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon. 

He has been a resident of Carthage since 1957. Mr. Trent was born on July 28, 1920 in Granby, Missouri. He graduated from Webb City High School in 1938. 

Mr. Trent married Phyllis Hope Hatcher on June 10, 1940. They were married for 54 years, and she preceded him in death in 1994. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Carterville. Mr. Trent was also a member of the Carterville and Carthage Masonic chapters for over 50 years as well as the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple in Springfield. He became a master machinist in 1940. Mr. Trent worked at various defense plants in southern California during the early part of WWII. During WWII he served with distinction in the U.S. Army stationed in the Pacific and, after the war, in Japan. After his military service he worked at Lawn Boy, Inc. in Lamar and then at Flex-O-Lators, Inc. of Carthage where, in 1986, he retired after 30 years as a shop foreman. A life-long outdoorsman, he was a dedicated fisherman and hunter and an ardent RVer and a member of the Good Sam camping club. He was also an active bowler, participating in many bowling leagues over the years including the Flex-O-Lators team for most of his employment with that organization. 

Mr. Trent is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Charles and Carol Genrich, Clever, Missouri and Barbara and Gary Hobson, Lake St. Louis, Missouri, five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM in Mount Hope Cemetery at the Open Air Pavilion with Pastor Robert Wynne officiating and full military rites. The family will be present for a visitation on Thursday, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Contributions in his name may be made to the Central United Methodist Church in Carterville. 

Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.