Gene Cobble

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Huber Eugene “Gene” Cobble, 87, Seneca, MO, passed into eternal rest at 11:26pm, May 19, 2017 at Communities of Wildwood Ranch in Joplin, MO after an illness.

Huber Eugene Cobble was born March 22, 1930 in Lake City, KS the son of Huber Harold and Pauline Marie (Belt) Cobble. He was a 1948 graduate of Seneca High School and served his county in the US Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Gene was a 32nd degree Mason of the Blue Lodge 247 in Neosho, MO. He retired 1986 after 31 years working at the former BF Goodrich Plant in Miami, OK. Gene was a member of the Swars Prairie Baptist Church, Seneca, MO and loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

Huber Eugene Cobble married Marcia Rae Plummer, May 27, 1951 in Ft. Walton Beach, FL and she survives.

Additional survivors include one daughter, Rena Arrington and husband Melvin, Vinita, OK; one son, Greg Cobble and wife Tina, Loma Linda, MO; one sister, Marie Green and husband Gary, Seneca; three grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Orville Cobble.

Funeral services under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Swars Prairie Baptist Church with Todd Decker and Paul Case officiating. Burial will be in the Swars Prairie Baptist Cemetery with Ken Middick, Stephen Middick, Brandon Middick, Mike Green, Steve Crowley, Morris Ehrhart and Clay Cobble serving as pallbearers. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Swars Prairie Baptist Church building fund.

Beverly Martin

(From Knell Mortuary)

Beverly L. Martin, 69, Carthage, MO, passed away Wednesday evening, May 17, 2017 at her home. Beverly Louise Martin was born January 31, 1948 in Jasper County, MO to the late Homer C. Goodnight and Thelma (Crow) Goodnight. She graduated from Jasper High School, Class of 1966. She was a homemaker. Beverly married Leroy Martin on December 31st, 1968 in Carthage, MO; he survives.

Survivors include her husband, two sons, Jeff W. Martin (wife Jazan), Jasper, MO, and James L. Martin (wife Mary), Joplin, MO; three sisters, Patricia Bedell (husband Gayle), Goodman, MO, Kathy Frye (husband Jim), Quapaw, OK, and Vicki McClean (husband Frank), Joplin, MO; and five grandchildren, Jenilee Martin, Jacob Martin, Elizabeth Martin, McKenzie Martin, and Felicia Martin.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff of Oxford Health Care, and to Mike & Pat Cloud and to all the employees of Cloud’s Meats.

Visitation will be held 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Knell Mortuary. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Knell Mortuary. The body will be taken for cremation, and inurnment will take place at a later date at Park Cemetery, Carthage. Memorial gifts are suggested to Kellogg Lake Kid’s Fishing Day in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Leon Stepp

(From Parker Mortuary)

Russell Leon Stepp, age 93, Joplin, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Mercy Hospital of Joplin

Leon was born December 3, 1923 in Stepp Ford, Oklahoma, son of the late Joseph and Lennah Stepp. He worked for Eagle Picher for 42 years, and was also owner and operator of Stepp and Sons Surveying in Miami, Oklahoma.

He was an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years. He enjoyed playing golf, and was currently a member of the Grandpa and Grandma Popcorn Committee at McKinley Elementary School.

In addition to his parents, Leon was preceded in death by sons, Mark Stepp, Kent Stepp, and a daughter, Diana Stubblefield; brothers, Bill Stepp, Ed "Bark" Stepp; sisters, Mary Warren, Claudine Stepp, and Ann Gillig.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Stepp whom he married February 15, 1980; sons, Rick Stepp, Roger Stepp and wife Beverly, Rodney Stepp, and Gary Stubblefield; daughter, Joyce Stepp; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Jack Stepp, Lyle Stepp, Melvin Stepp, Phillip Stepp; sister, Betty Mathews; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 22, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with Pastor Rob Signs, Rex Wakefield, and Rev. Jack Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are requested to the LaFayette House or Fellowship Baptist Church Youth/Children Summer Camp.

Lavina Martin

Lavina May Martin, age 80, passed away at 1:40 am, Friday, May 19, 2017 at Galena Nursing Center, following an illness.

Lavina was born January 19, 1937 on Shaw Hill in Galena. Her parents were George and Nellie (Shira) Lake. She had lived in Galena all of her life.

She worked at King Louie, Baxter Springs and later at Vogel’s Shirt Factory, Galena, KS. In 1992, she was employed in housekeeping at Barker’s Rest Home, Galena, a job she held for several years. She was a member of Empire Mission Church, Galena. She loved the Lord and her family. She had a heart of gold and without a doubt she is in heaven.

Lavina was married to Richard Martin July 3, 1958 in Miami, OK. He passed away March 25, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Leona Brown; and one brother, Leroy Lake.

Surviving are three sons, Rick Martin, Neosho, MO, George Martin (wife, Joyce) Galena, and Leon Martin (wife, Marla) Tahlequah, OK; one daughter, Deb Webb (husband, Joe) Carl Junction, MO; one brother, George Lake, Galena; three sisters, Weda Donham, Lois Kelley, and Lorraine Gillming, all of Galena; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will conduct a service in memory of Lavina at 2:00 pm, Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Empire Mission Church, Galena. Richard Nichols will officiate. Private burial will be at Lowell Cemetery, Lowell KS at a later date.

Charles Hoff

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Charles William Hoff, 73, lifelong resident of Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest at 7:05 am, May 17, 2017 at his home after an illness.

Charles William Hoff was born September 24, 1943 in Seneca, MO the son of Charles Joesph and Lena Opal ( Harrison ) Hoff. Charles worked for MoDot for 35 years before retiring. He loved to hunt and fish.

Charles William Hoff married Joann Burr May 27, 1967 in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seneca, Mo and she preceded him in death.

Survivors include two children; Carole McDaniel, Neosho, MO and Charles Hoff Nixa, MO; two sisters, Mary Webb, Springfield, MO and Martha Graham, Seneca, MO.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one grandson Will McDaniel.
The family will be holding a memorial service Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seneca, MO with Rev. Patrick Teeter officiating.

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

Vernon Rinehart

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Vernon H. Rinehart, 95, Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest at 1:00 am, May 17,2017 at the Seneca House Nursing after an illness. 

 
Vernon H. Rinehart was born November 29, 1921 south of Seneca, MO to Sadie Rinehart and was raised by his grandparents Doc and Ethel Rinehart and had lived in the Seneca all of his life. He joined the Missouri National Guard in 1937 at Camp Crowder in Neosho, MO. He continued in the Army through WWII serving in California, Aleutian Islands and Germany. After returning home from WWII in 1945 he came home to the farm where he became a dairy farmer with his dad. Rinehart Farms INC was started. Vernon was a member of New-Mac Electric Board of Directors, a member of AMPI ( American Milk Producers Inc) and ASCS (Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service ). He attended Hottel Springs Church of Christ.

Vernon H. Rinehart married Marceline Lankford December 22, 1940 in Carthage, MO and she survives.

Additional survivors include one son; Leon Rinehart and wife Geni, Seneca; two daughters, Connie Johnston and husband Everett, Welch and Karen Duncan, Kansas City, MO; siblings, Kenneth Chester,Wyandotte, Max Chester, Neosho, Virginia Tice, Marvin Chester, Donald Chester, Jerry Chester and Darrell Chester all of Seneca; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Vernon was preceded in death by siblings Betty East, Gerald Rinehart, Mildred Mailes, Eula Rinehart, Maxine Ehrhart and Glada Chase.

The family will receive friends from 10 am to 11 am, Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Seneca Church of Christ with funeral services following at 11 am with Jake King and Bob Hampton officiating. Burial will be in the Swars Prairie Baptist Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

Millie Miner

(From Parker Mortuary)

Mildred E. "Millie" Miner, age 87, Carl Junction, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at her home with family at her side.

Millie was born July 6, 1929 in Bardstown, Kentucky, daughter of the late George Cheatham and Martha Stinnett Cheatham. She moved to southern Indiana where she attended and graduated from Scottsburg High School and later attended college and studied music. In high school, she met her husband, Elvin Miner who she married on December 23, 1948 in Scottsburg, Indiana. Millie then worked for Farm Bureau Insurance for 10 years in Indiana. Elvin passed away on October 18, 1975.

Millie and Elvin moved to Joplin in 1958. She attended Joplin Business College and Missouri Southern, studying music and worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She was very active in her church, Forest Park Baptist Church, active with Christian Women's Club, and was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Her hobbies were music, eating out and traveling.

In addition to her parents and husband, Millie was preceded in death by four brothers, Earl Cheatham, Jay Cheatham, George Cheatham, and Rollin Cheatham.

Survivors include her daughter, Jana Miller and her husband, Luke of Carl Junction; grandchildren, Katie and Matthew; a sister, Iva Garriott of Lowell, Indiana; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are requested to Forest Park Baptist Church.