Mary Gage

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Mary J. Gage, age 81 of Joplin, Missouri passed away Sunday April 26, 2020.

She was born August 2, 1938 in Wellington, Texas to Jack and Minnie (Moran) Phipps.

Mary was a school teacher in Childress, Texas. After leaving the education field she became a full time homemaker and very involved with several church ministries in Conrow, Texas, including Bible curriculum, bus ministry and Rainbow Love ministries. After moving to Joplin, Missouri in 2006 she became involved with Mount Hope Church of Christ.

She married Kerry Gage on December 26, 1966 in Childress, Texas and he survives.

Mary is also survived by one son, Mark Gage, Joplin, Missouri; one daughter, Lana Jill Stadler and husband Albert, Joplin, Missouri; three grandchildren, Tara Kingrey, Kerry Stadler, Jeffrey Gage, and one great granddaughter, Sierra Midence.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Billy Jack Phipps.

Private family services will be held Tuesday April 28, 2020 at Mason-Woodard Mortuary with Victor Knowles officiating. Burial will be at Wildrose Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.

Audrey Halmrast

(From Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home)

Audrey Corrine Halmrast, 84 years, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.

She was born on December 2nd, 1935, in Joplin, Missouri to Herman and Mattie Sill. She was the eighth of nine children. She attended Carl Junction schools excelling in her studies and was a Bulldog cheerleader and drum majorette for the H.S band.

Audrey married Lester Dale Halmrast on August 6, 1952. Les and Aud fell in love when she was visiting her brother, Gerald Sill, in the Air Force boot camp. She brought home-made fudge and Les got a taste of that fudge and it was all over. Before Les left for his first Air Traffic Controller assignment in England, he headed straight to Missouri to marry that beautiful Audrey.

Mattie Sill, Audrey’s mother, drove them over the Missouri border to Arkansas with little brother Carroll Arthur in tow. They found a preacher to marry them in the middle of the night. The ceremony took place on the front porch, the preacher in his bathrobe and bare feet.

Within six months Audrey joined Les in England where they started their family, two standard poodles, a parakeet, and a few years later their first born, Rhonda Sue. What a whirlwind!
Leaving England behind, Audrey and Les moved on to Biloxi, MS, where Brenda was born as well as a litter of poodles, Mitzi and Jaja.

Julie was born while the family was living in Knobnoster, MO. This was a short stay before on to a vacation home on a canal in Michigan. Audrey fried lots of fish caught from our own little pier. Audrey was known for her desserts, home-made cinnamon rolls, wonderful pies, cream puffs, cakes, cookies, and don’t forget the fudge. Life was grand when Les was home, lots of good food and family fun.

Clark AFB Philippines was a beautiful base at the next stop and Audrey and Les enjoyed the swimming pool, horseback rides, playing golf and entertainment at the NCO club. Living off base with the Filipino people was an exciting unique experience.

Upstate NY was gorgeous with a full four seasons. Audrey loved the drives through the countryside on Sunday afternoons. Kevin was born on May 5, 1965, during this assignment in Plattsburgh. He was the first Halmrast boy and the apple of Audrey’s eye.

Audrey was a Girl Scout leader when Les was stationed at Itazuke AFB, Japan, and they took the girls, along with family, camping at Hakata Beach and visited many beautiful sites in Japan.
There were numerous other moves after Les retired from the USAF until they settled in Centralia Missouri.

Audrey is survived by her son, Kevin Dale Halmrast, daughters; Rhonda Sue (Halmrast) Lebron, Brenda Lea (Halmrast) Lee, Julie Dawn (Halmrast) Frane, five grandchildren, Tristan Keith Platner, Amanda Grae Platner, Erik Shane Platner, Benjamin Barrett Lebron, Robert Karsten Lee and one great grandchild, Gabriel Christopher Platner. She is also survived by one brother, Carroll Arthur Sill of Carl Junction, Mo.

Audrey loved her husband Les and her family and devoted her life to them. She especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchild and cherished their visits. They called her grandma. The life of a military wife with four children took strength, courage, and much family support. There were always family dogs, her last was her favorite, Heather, an English Cream Retriever. She enjoyed baking, sewing, knitting, reading, crossword puzzles, and stained glass and found ways to give to others through her hobbies. Her special gift of decorating was evident in how she was able to make any place warm and inviting….home.

In an uncertain and sometimes scary world, she was a safe space for her grandchildren. Always for them a smile on her face. Even through her truths and sass there was always a twinkle in her eye and a hug in her arms. To be loved in life is life’s greatest gift, she gave us all that gift.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at The Windsor House in Lawrence, Kansas, for spoiling her and taking the best care we could ever imagine during her stay.

There will be a Celebration of Life for the family with date to be determined in the future. Should you wish to send cards and condolences to the family please send to: Ms. Brenda Lee
1400 River Ridge Rd. Lawrence, KS 66044.

Harold Stites

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Harold Eugene Stites, 85, of Neosho, Missouri entered into rest on April 24 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Harold was born December 17, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Thomas and Bernice (Eppard) Stites. He relocated to the area as a young man and received his education in Goodman where he graduated high school in 1953.

Harold served in the United States Military and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1963. After the military, he became a truck driver for many years and retired from Graves Truckline after 30 years of service.

 Harold married Patty Sue Johnson in 1957 and he preceded her in death in 2001. He then married Patsy Caywood on August 31, 2004; she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include two sons, Steve Stites and wife, Ellen and Scott Stites and wife, Lilia; four grandchildren, Seth Stites, Riley Stites, Ryan Stites and Alicia Stites. Harold is preceded in death by one brother, Roy Stites in 2019.

VIEWING

Clark Funeral Home - Neosho
Monday, April 27, 2020
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
312 S. Wood St.
Neosho, Missouri

Special Note: Mandates from CDC and the State of Missouri have strongly advised against organized gatherings in order to abide by social distancing protocols. Family and friends are welcome to come to the funeral home for viewing. However, only ten people are allowed in our facility at one time. We encourage you to leave a message for the family on our website.

Jerry Dotson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Jerry Paul Dotson, age 81, Joplin, Missouri, passed away at 10:35 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2020 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri.

Jerry was born March 22, 1939 in Joplin, Missouri to the late Lonnie Dotson and Eva Mae Wilhite Dotson.

Jerry lived in Joplin most of his life. He worked as a school teacher, raised hogs, and operated Dotson Greenhouse. His greatest accomplishment was owning and operating Dotson Trucking from 1975 until he retired in 2013. Jerry loved the outdoors, planting his flowers, and was known for being quite the character. Jerry was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him.

Survivors include a son, Lonnie D. Dotson and wife, Jami, Oronogo, Missouri; grandchildren, Megan Dotson, Webb City, Missouri, David Dotson, Oronogo, Missouri; sisters, Lonna Lewis and husband, John, Donna Hargis, Elizabeth Hunt; and several extended family members.

Visitation will be Sunday and Monday during normal working hours at Parker Mortuary.

Graveside services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Scott Hurshman

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Scott Whitton Hurshman, of Neosho, MO, fell asleep in death April 22, 2020 at the age of 59. He was born December 6, 1960 to Neil and Nancy Hurshman in Euclid, Ohio.

Although his parents would divorce and remarry, Scott came to love every member of his family. Along with his brothers and sister, he was raised by Neil and Grace Hurshman and Nancy and Jim Snyder.

He married Candace Kavon in 1979 and moved to Kansas where, after a personal bible study, he was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at a convention in Wichita, Kansas in the summer of 1981. They had four children Mark Anthony, Kevin Michael, Erika Robin and Philip Gene Hurshman. Scott and Candace divorced in 2000 but their children resulted in adding four grandchildren to the family.

In March of 2001 Scott married Nancy Redd and his family grew to include three stepdaughters, a stepson-in-law and two stepgrandchildren.

Throughout his life he enjoyed many joys and privileges. Watching his children and grandchildren grow. Helping others by using his mechanical abilities. And teaching others to come to learn more about the Bible and our Creator was one of his greatest ways of giving. He was his happiest sharing the Kingdom hope (Matthew 6:10).

Scott passed away in his home in Neosho, Missouri with his wife Nancy and his children by his bedside. He succumbed to Glioblastoma Multiform, a deadly brain cancer that he fought courageously for 11 months. He fell asleep in death peacefully, faithful to his God Jehovah.
He will be missed very much by us all. (Job 14:14, 15).

Fred Ridgway

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Fred J. Ridgway, 76, of Frontenac, KS, died April 22, 2020 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.

He was born May 24, 1943 in Crawford County, KS the son of Floyd J. and Alice C. McAffee Ridgeway.

He married Ruth Sherman and she preceded him in death.

Mr. Ridgway worked as a machinist for McNally Pittsburg Manufacturing Co. and later for Cash Grain both in Pittsburg, KS.

Survivors include three sons Fredrick J. Ridgeway of Boston, Mass, Ronnie Ridgeway of Pittsburg, Gary Ridgeway of Pittsburg, two brothers Merriel Ridgeway of Arma, KS, David Schrag of Goessel, KS, five sisters Roberta Rich of Pittsburg, Dorothy Moore of Bolivar, MO, Marcetta Stokes of Carthage, MO, Eldora Blessant of Pittsburg, Sherry Wise of Pittsburg and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one son Michael J. Ridgway, two sisters Rosemary Watts and Ellen Kroenke and one brother Leroy Schrag.

Arrangements are by the Midland Cremation Society of Joplin, MO.

Bill Cardwell

(From Knell Mortuary)

Bill Cardwell, age 87, went to be with the Lord on April 22, 2020 at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Carthage, Missouri.

Bill was born September 17, 1932 in Springfield, Missouri to Bill and Irene Cardwell. He was a 1950 graduate from Jasper High School in Jasper, Missouri. He was a farmer in his younger years and spent 30 years as a barber in Carthage. 

He met his wife, Martha Dunkle, at the Carthage Municipal Skating Rink in 1952 and they were married June 5, 1955. He was a veteran, proudly serving his country for two years in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He was a member of Carthage Nazarene Church. His family and friends will miss his smile, his quick wit, and his willingness to help others.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Martha Cardwell; his son, Brad Cardwell and wife Brenda of Carthage; his daughter, Brenda (Cardwell) Carpino and husband Marty; his grandchildren, Justin Carpino, Katy (Cardwell) Phelps, Casey (Carpino) Alumbaugh, and Clark Cardwell; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, Bob Cardwell of Carthage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Irene Cardwell; and one brother, Jack Cardwell.

Bill will lie in state from 8 am to 1 pm, Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Knell Mortuary. Private family services will be held, and interment will follow at Hackney Cemetery, Carthage. Dustin Ledford will officiate. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Carthage Nazarene Church youth group in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.