Kelli Buzzard

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Kelli M. Buzzard, 54, Joplin, MO, passed away March 25, 2020 at her home in Joplin, MO.

Kelli Marie Buzzard was born September 18, 1965 Joplin, MO the daughter of Ernest B. and Colleen B. (Caroll) Buzzard. Kelli was a 1984 graduate of Parkwood High School. She worked for the former St. John’s Hospital in Joplin and also Mercy Hospital.

Kelli loved to first to tell you a story. Her favorite way to start that story was to say, “Did You Know." Kelli was very special to anyone who met her and was loved. She loved everyone.

Survivors include, her siblings, Debbie Lawson and husband Russ, Carl Junction, Tim Buzzard and wife Kris, Pleasant Hope, MO, Pat Buzzard, Springfield, MO and Cindi Hopkins and husband Brian, Joplin, MO; her Fiancée Mike Perry, Joplin, MO; 1 niece, 2 nephews, 2 great-nieces and 1 great Nephew and a host of friends.

Kelli was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Colleen Buzzard.

The body has been cremated under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO. A private immediate family graveside service is being held.

Marty Forest

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Marty Lee Forest, 51, Neosho, MO passed away March 24, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

Marty Lee Forest was born October 30, 1968 in Miami, OK the son of Charles and Linda (Skaggs) Forrest. Marty was a 1987 graduate of Neosho High School. He formerly worked for La-Z-Boy Midwest in Neosho and for Eagle Picher in Seneca. Marty loved fishing and wood burning. Marty’s woodburning works of art are on display at Grove Municipal Airport, Neosho Fish Hatchery, El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant in Joplin and Harley Davidson in Joplin.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather; Linda and Paul Sprenkle, Goodman; one brother, David Forrest and wife Lisa, Neosho; one step brother, Gerrod and Meghan Sprenkle, Anderson; two step-sisters, Stacey and Oren Barnes, Neosho and Tracey Musgrave and Todd Meinhardt, Joplin; one nephew, David Allen and Jamie Forrest, Neosho and a host of extended family and friends.

Viewing time will be from 10am to 7pm, Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home. There will not be an organized visitation.

The family will hold a private graveside service.

Reta Tracy

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

Reta Louise Tracy, age 76, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at her home. She was born December 9, 1943, in Lockwood, Missouri, the daughter of Eldor Wilbert and Vera Lucille (Cummings) Piepenbrink.

Reta was a 1961 graduate of Golden City High School in Golden City, Missouri. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Missouri Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon and then was a seamstress for 40 plus years. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freistatt, Missouri.

On November 25, 1966, she married Larry Joe Tracy in Meinert, Missouri. He preceded her in death on September 25, 2009.

Reta is survived by her daughter, Lori Evatt and her husband, Ed, of Mt. Vernon; one son, Michael Tracy of Springfield, Missouri; three grandchildren, Asher McRoberts and Katherin McRoberts, of Springfield, Missouri and Vera McRoberts of Mt. Vernon; one brother, James Piepenbrink and his wife, Emma, of Golden City and several nieces and nephews.

Reta was preceded in death by her parents, Eldor and Vera, husband, Larry, daughter, Nancy McRoberts and brother, Gerald Piepenbrink.

A private family graveside under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Meinert, Missouri.

Memorial donations may be made payable to the First Christian Church or the Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuenralHome.com.

Shirley Soper

(From Parker Mortuary)

Shirley Ann Soper, age 85, Lamar, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin.

Shirley was born August 5, 1934 in Aurora, Missouri, daughter of the late John L. Murray and Ruth Ann Brewer Murray. She attended Aurora High School, and Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University to earn a business degree. She worked at several locations throughout her career, retiring from International Dehydrated Food in Monett, Missouri working in the Human Resources Department. She was a longtime volunteer with the Good Samaritans, and a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lamar.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two former husbands, C.R. West and Robert Soper; a son, Michael Dean West; a great-grandson, Shawn Allen Wood; a brother, John Raymond Murray; and a nephew, Raymond Murray.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Wood and husband James of Golden City, Missouri; grandchildren, Matthew Wood, Mark Wood and wife Kristle of Nixa, Missouri, Adam Wood of Springfield, and Kaci Hayden of Golden City; great-grandson, Wesley Wood of Nixa; brother, Gary Murray and wife Mary of Chesterfield, Missouri; nephew, Doug Murray and wife Jeannie of Butterfield, Missouri.

A celebration of life for Shirley will be held at a later date.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Dennis Wilson

(From Alden-Harrington Funeral Home)

Dennis Wray Wilson, 74, of Lenexa, KS passed away on Sat., March 21, 2020 at the Advent Health Medical Center in Merriam, KS from COVID-19 virus. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the funeral services have been delayed. 

Dennis was born Nov. 18, 1945 in Fort Scott, KS. Dennis grew up in Fort Scott and graduated from Fort Scott High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pittsburg State College in 1968, a Master’s degree in Biology at U.M.K.C. in 1973 and a Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas in School Administration in 1982.

He was a biology teacher for a time in Bonner Springs and later a principal and superintendent of La Crosse USD 395 in west-central Kansas and in Labette County USD 506 in southeast Kansas and Lamar R-1 School District in southwest Missouri. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Wray Olin Wilson in Sept. 1999 and Dorothy Ellen Wilson in Aug. 2007, his stepmother June Wilson in May of 2008 and an infant sister who was stillborn. 

He is survived by his wife Joanna Wilson of the home. Three children Luke Anthony Wilson, MD and his wife Sarah of Leawood, KS; Derek Edward Wilson and Angela Andrew of Pittsburg, KS and Gina Marie McCabe and her husband Tim of Lenexa, KS. Six grandchildren Lauren, Luke Harris, Grace, Cecilia, Henry and Oliver.

Jo Thompson

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Royce Jo Thompson, 82, Neosho, MO entered into rest March 24, 2020. She was born August 15, 1937 in Fayetteville, AR to Roy Lee and Ollevia (Williams) Thompson.

Jo was a 1956 graduate of Neosho High School; she then received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree from the University of Arkansas. She taught for a time in Texas and Arkansas. 

 Jo worked for several years as a sales associate for McGinty’s Department Store, then at J.C. Penney. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Neosho. Jo loved traveling to Branson, going to craft shows, antique hunting, and gardening. 

Jo is survived by her longtime companion, Calvin “Pete” Percy of Neosho and his children, Debbie Bauder, Rod and Loretta Percy, Jeanne Parks and Tony Ornelas, Randy and Susan Percy, and Anita and Craig Koons. She is also survived by longtime friends, Alma Block and Karen Hulsey. Jo will be missed by her beloved dog, Khakee. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Per Jo’s wishes, she was able to remain in her home with the compassionate care she received from Home Instead Senior Care, Avalon Hospice, and family support.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, March 27, 2020 at Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery, Rogers, AR. Reverend Terry Swagerty will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Jo may be made to Neosho Meals on Wheels, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.

Nick McElyea

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Nicholas Anthony McElyea age 27 of Webb City, Missouri passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at his home. He was born in Joplin, Missouri to Frederick McElyea and Sherene (Harrison) McElyea on April 20, 1992.

Nicholas was a cook at the Legends in Downstream Casino. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, loved his family and also loved his Downstream family, along with his dog Polo. 

Nicholas is survived by his parents, and two sisters, Angelique McElyea of Webb City and Ambrosha Nunes of Webb City, along with many extended family members and friends. 

Nicholas has been taken for cremation and no services have been planned at this time. 

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