Michael DeBoard

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Michael Allen DeBoard, age 33, of Temple, Texas passed away at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at his residence in Temple. Michael was born June 7, 1984 in Joplin, Mo. and had just recently moved to Temple. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Michael was employed as a Welder and Inspector with the Union Pacific Railroad, recently becoming disabled.

Survivors include a daughter, Marie DeBoard, and a step daughter, Emma Tabone, both of Oklahoma City, OK, his parents, Johnny and Yvonna DeBoard, Joplin, one brother, Johnathan DeBoard, Joplin, four sisters, Leann DeBoard, Joplin, Kristy Tunnell and husband John, Joplin, Susan Grigsby and husband Micah, Webb City, MO and Ivy-Lynn Belt, Joplin, his Paternal Grandmother, Waunita Rivers, Neosho, MO, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Michael will be cremated with a Celebration of Life Service at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, MO.

Peggy Littlefield

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Peggy Ann Littlefield, age 65, of Oronogo, Missouri slipped from our sight into the arms of her loving Savior on July 19, 2017 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. She was born on July 27, 1951 in Joplin, Missouri to Troy Henry and Imogene Louise (McCoy) Poe.

When her children were small, her full-time employment was the care and upbringing of her children. This was the work she most enjoyed in her life. She understood the most important thing to teach children was the Word of God. As such, she served as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader in Free Will Baptist Churches. She was currently attending Carthage Free Will Baptist Church. She had retired from public work after working in banking after nearly 30 years. This allowed her more time to spend with her grandchildren whom she adored.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother Donald Earl Poe, one son Russell Paul Littlefield, and a daughter-in-love Angela Lora (McConnell) Littlefield.

She married Rogers Dale Littlefield on June 5, 1970 in Carterville, Missouri, he survives. Other survivors include; her children Reverend Duane Littlefield of Malone, Florida and Cherie and Shawn Riley of Carl Junction, Missouri; her grandchildren, Ahnika Littlefield of Boulder, Colorado, Michael Riley of Carl Junction, Missouri and Julie Anne Littlefield of Malone, Florida; one sister, Dorothy and David Ford of Tulsa, Oklahoma and one brother, Troy Eugene Poe of Osage Beach, Missouri.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Reverend Brian Brinkhoff and Reverend Duane Littlefield will officiate. Burial will be in Carl Junction Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be given to The Carthage Free Will Baptist Church in care of the mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Donnie Balestrin

(From Parker Mortuary)

Donnie Lee Balestrin, Sr., age 71, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017 at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Missouri.

Donnie was born September 29, 1945 in Miami, Oklahoma to the late Eli Balestrin and Betty Jean Wall. He served our country during the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine. Donnie owned several businesses in heavy construction, including Midco Redi Mix that eventually became Associated Redi Mix and Balestrin Construction which is still going today. He also developed Hickory Hills Estates.

Donnie loved racing, owning two different modified race cars. He was a Ford man, loving his Ford pickup truck. He enjoyed taking care of his cattle and going to the casino with Connie and friends. He was just a great guy, very talented and driven to influence a lot of people.

On October 14, 1967, Donnie married Connie Jo Palmer in Joplin. After nearly 50 years together, she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include sons, Donnie Balestrin, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Joplin, Gregg Balestrin and wife, Debbie of Joplin; brother, Sid Clark and wife, Connie of Joplin; grandchildren, Colten Balestrin and wife, Kendra, Amber Balestrin, Cole Howe, Allyson Tyree, Kylee Sikes and Robert Sanchez; great granddaughter, Addisyon.

Other than his parents, Donnie was also preceded in death by a step father, Clarence Clark and a brother, Charles Clark.

A visitation is planned for Friday, July 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary, Joplin. Donnie's wishes are to be cremated following the services and burial will take place at a later date in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin.

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

Vivian Lewis

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Vivian T. Lewis, Monett, entered into rest on July 18, 2017 at Lacoba Homes in Monett at the age of 96.

 Vivian was born June 18, 1921 at Barnsdall, OK, the daughter of Bart and Ludie (Soward) Swanson. She and Russell Stephenson were married in 1938. She resided in Neosho from 1946-1965, moved to Cassville in 1965 and in 1998, returned to Neosho and then moved to Monett six weeks ago. Vivian was co-owner of Hal’s Automotive with her husband, Hal Lewis in Cassville until, October 1987. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting and traveling. 

 Vivian and Harold ‘Hal’ Lewis in September 1946 and he preceded her in death on July 21, 2004. She is survived by three children, Beverly Lewis and husband, Bill of Neosho; Gaylene Farwell and husband, Stona and Jim Stephenson and wife, Maurcine of Cassville; two brothers, Loyal Swanson of Barnsdall, OK and Everett Swanson and wife, Martha of Copan, OK; one sister, Earnestine Montgomery of Barnsdall, OK; six grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. 

 Graveside services will be Friday, July 21, 2017 at 2 pm at the Monett IOOF Cemetery, Dr. Jerry Seigel will officiate. Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho on Thursday from 9 am until 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Vivian may be made to Lacoba Homes, Inc. or America Diabetic Association, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850. 

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

Veralene Bates

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Veralene Marie Bates, age 94, of Webb City, Mo. went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at Webb City Health and Rehab Center. Veralene was born March 12, 1923 in Broken Bow, OK. She was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Broken Bow Nursing Home for 26 years, beginning in 1965. She came to the Joplin area in 2007.

Veralene married Samuel E. Bates December 24, 1941 in Broken Bow. He preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 2007. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Gwen Wood, and an infant son, Samuel Joseph Bates. Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Stephens, Webb City, and Sue Ann Rankin and husband Jack, Sapulpa, OK, one sister, Billie Mulkey, Columbia, MO, 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 18 great great grandchildren.

Veralene’s wishes were to be cremated. Private family graveside services at the Broken Bow Cemetery are pending. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory of Joplin, Mo.

Ron Baker

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald ‘Ron’ L. Baker, went to his home in heaven on July 19, 2017 at the age of 75 years, 11 months and 28 days at Medicalodge in Neosho, following declining health and an extended illness. 

Ron was born on July 21, 1941 in Ft. Worth, Texas, the son of George William and Ida Lee (Taylor) Baker and they precede him in death. He was saved and baptized in Fort Worth, Texas and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Neosho. Ron worked at Ozark Terminal when he first moved to Neosho and then worked at Don’s Honda for over twenty years. He then became a process server and bail bondsman for many years. Ron and his wife, Pam, owned and operated a payday loan office, ‘Cash Connection’ in Neosho for twelve years. 

 Ron married Pamela (Blinzler) on March 1, 1975 in Granby and she survives. Ron and Pam have one daughter, Deborah Chandler and her husband, Michael of Lawrenceville, Georgia; two grandchildren, Brandon Smith and his wife, Loran and Bryan Smith all of Lawrenceville, Georgia and a great grandson, Riley Smith. Additional survivors are a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his parents, Ron is preceded in death by two sisters, Imogene Baker and Billie Garrett and husband, Walter of Granby and a brother, James Byron Baker. 

 The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Medicalodge and Avalon Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Ron, we appreciate your kindness. 

 Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, Dr. Jerry Seigel will officiate. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a time of visitation until 11:30 at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Ron may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.

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

Clinton Myers

(From Weng Funeral Chapel)

Clinton John Myers Jr., 79 of Jasper, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at his home. 

He was born October 8, 1937 in Burley, Idaho to Clinton and Alma (Hall) Myers. Clinton was a farmer. He had also worked for Locarni Marble Co. and also worked in construction. Clinton was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. 

Clinton was united in marriage to Sharon Jones on August 2, 1959. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Matthew (Shelly) Myers of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and Clint Myers of Jasper, Missouri. Three daughters, Katrina (Roben) Muller, Wendy (Allen) Deitz both of Carthage, Missouri. and Peggy (Larry) Harper of Neosho, Missouri. Three brothers, Ralph Myers of Carthage, Missouri, Gordon (Connie) Myers of Carterville, Missouri, and Alvie (Jan) Myers of Marcel, France. Four sisters, Thelma Doolen of Alpharetta, Georgis, Christine (Garry) Greek of Carterville, Missouri, Beatrice (Grant) Tyron of Carthage, Missouri, and Claudia (Stan ) Walker of Joplin, Missouri. Sister in-law, Evelyn Myers of Webb City, Missouri. Fifteen grandchildren and Seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Roy Myers, a brother, Erman Myers, and a sister, Lila Mrotek. 

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. in Fullerton Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Program.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Weng Funeral Chapel. Online condolences can be made at Weng Funeral Chapel.com.