Dorothy Brandenburg

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dorothy May Brandenburg, age 87, Joplin, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020.

Dorothy was born September 14, 1932 in Sparland, Illinois to the late Luther Allison and Ina Lillian Fleda Geiler Allison and had lived in the Joplin area for the last several years.

Dorothy was the youngest of nine children and began sewing and working as a seamstress at age 15. She worked several clerical jobs but was most proud of being a homemaker and raising five daughters. Dorothy was a proud Navy Seabee wife and loved to cook and write poetry. She will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Ronald Lee Brandenburg, on November 22, 1952 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They were married 59 years. He preceded her in death on August 4, 2012.

Dorothy was also preceded in death by three daughters; Audrey Bare, Anita Braaten, Kimberly Brandenburg and eight siblings.

Survivors include two daughters, Allison Robbins and husband, Wayne, Karen Hansmeyer and John; nine grandchildren including, Antony Brandenburg and husband Matt; and several other extended family members and friends.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Michael Fisher

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Michael Maurice Fisher, age 64, of Joplin, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 at his home. Mr. Fisher, son of the late Wilbert and Alberta Fisher, was born on July 13, 1955 in Joplin. He was a lifelong resident and self employed in lawn service around the area.

On August 30, 1974 he was united in marriage to Belva Allen. Michael enjoyed his family and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Belva Fisher, of Joplin; two sons, Michael Fisher, and his wife, Mindy, of Joplin, and Zakery Fisher, of Pittsburg; two daughters, Karen Fisher, and her husband, Gary Busse, of Joplin, and Nancy Fisher, and her partner, Justin Brewer, of Joplin; two step-daughters, Summer Davis, and her partner, Zack Russell, of Carl Junction and Heather Sams, of Joplin; two brothers, Bill Fisher, of Mississippi, and David Fisher, of Joplin; fifteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Nancy Cawthra, and one grandson, Matthew Fisher.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin. Burial will be held at a later date at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Memorial contributions may be made to the family and entrusted to the mortuary.

Charles Whitworth

(From Knell Mortuary)

Charles W. Whitworth, 87, Joplin, Missouri, passed away suddenly on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020 at his home.

Charles was born February 13, 1933 in Erie, Kansas; the son of the late Wesley Whitworth and Gladys (Pierce) Whitworth. He was a 1951 graduate of Erie High School. Charles was a veteran proudly serving his country in the US Army. 

He married Janice Fullerton on May 2, 1960 in Neosho, Missouri; she survives. Over the years, Charles worked as a truck driver for Steadley Company, until his retirement, he then worked for Bruner Fabrication and O’Reilly Automotive where he was still employed. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Carthage. Charles enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and visiting with everyone he met. He was committed to serving others.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Janice; son, Craig Andrews (Gina), Bixby, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Abbey Bombach (Roger), Edmond, Oklahoma; Wade Andrews (Sara), Edmond, Oklahoma; Kyle Andrews (Kelsey), Denver, Colorado; five great-grandchildren, Kirsten Bombach, Case Bombach, Kollins Bombach, Saige Andrews, Austen Andrews; a sister-in law, Marilyn Whitworth, Clifton, Texas; and many extended family and friends.

He was proceeded in death by a brother, Jake Whitworth, and a nephew, Doug Whitworth.

Funeral services will be held 10 am, Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Church of the Nazarene Carthage, Missouri. Burial will follow in the Dudman Springs Cemetery east of Carthage. Charles will lie in state from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday May 26, 2020 at the Knell Mortuary. 

Memorial gifts are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association 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.

Harry Hansen

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Harry Erwin Hansen, 76, Neosho, MO passed away May 21, 2020. He was born January 24, 1944 in Kansas City, MO to Gerald Lee and Loyal Lucille (Lyons) Hansen.

Harry served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was employed with the US Park Services as Chief of Maintenance for the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, MO. Harry enjoyed fishing and the outdoors. 

He married Wanda P. Raydon on March 1, 1996 in Miami, OK; she preceded him in death. 

Harry is survived by his son, Gary Hansen and wife, Annette of Neosho, MO; one brother, Mike Hansen and wife, Pat of Marietta, GA; one sister, Francis Willis and husband, Robert of Neosho, MO; one grandson, Cody Hansen; and one great grandson, Logan Hansen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda; one sister, Janet Oster; and one grandson, Michael Hansen.

Contributions in honor of Harry may be made to George Washington Carver National Monument, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.

Service times are pending and will be announced.

Dolores Reed

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Dolores Veronica Reed, 84 of Stark City, Missouri, after being long afflicted with medical problems that became more than she could overcome, died May 21st, passing on peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones at her home.

Born on October 1935 to Mariona Mandid and Beatrice Vera Mabqauiao of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She served as a Yeoman in the Navy during the Korean War where she met and married LeRoy Reed in 1956. 

After Leroy retired from the Navy in early 1970, they relocated to Stark City, Missouri where they built and improved Reed Ranch. Their family from across the country flocked in the summertime year after year and was known as 'Camp Reed' and Dolores was camp director, chief cook and bottle washer, counselor, game master, nurse and anything else needed. Generous to a fault, she was ready to give away anything she had to anyone and everyone. 

She is survived by her husband, Leroy Bygosh Reed, 88 of Stark City; brother, Raymond Mabaquiao of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; daughter, Vicky Lynn McMenemy of the Villages, Florida; son, Joel Alan Reed of Stark City, Missouri; son, Mark Russell Reed of Holly Springs, North Carolina and stepson, John Garland Reed of Arkansas; also surviving are 15 grandkids,17 great grandkids and a multitude of extended family.

A private family service will be held.

Bert Harper

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mrs. Bertha Lee “Bert” Harper, 92, of Webb City, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

Bert Harper, our dear, sweet loving Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and friend to so many, has gone to join the love of her life Frank Harper, and Mother Ruth Hall in heaven.

She worked for the Webb City Gas Company for 10 years before dedicating her life to raising her two daughters, Kathy Harper & Jeanna Bertholdi. She was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Webb City and was a 1945 graduate of Webb City High School.

She is survived by many family and friends, including her daughters Kathy & Jeanna; grandsons Adam, Alex, & Taylor Bertholdi; son In-law Jerry Bertholdi; step grandsons Jeff, Ryan & Bryan Bertholdi; nephew Arnold Baker; niece, Vivian McDonnel; cousins, Jack Boyd, Randy Norman, Todd Norman, and Jan Howard.

Bert was a lifetime resident of Webb City, Missouri, until recently when she was in the care of the caring and kind staff of Westgate Communities in Joplin.

All who knew her were blessed.

Graveside services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Webb City Cemetery with Wayne Baker and Danny Mullins officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City.

George Burns

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

George Edwin Burns, Sr., age 79 of Cherokee, passed away at his home at 8:43 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2020 with family present.

George was born in Girard, KS on September 10, 1940 to the union of George M. Burns and Ella L. (Crank) Burns. He attended Crawford County High School, and later enlisted in the US Army, serving from 1958-1962, at one time stationed in Germany.

He had lived in the Crawford County area all of his life. He worked in construction, and also worked as a truck driver and in maintenance at Medicalodge North Nursing Home in Pittsburg for 11 years. He was a member of the Chief Blackdog Trail Muzzle Loading Club, the Chetopa Creek Gun Club, and the Kansas Muzzleloader’s Association. He enjoyed time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.

He was united in marriage with Rose Marie (Hough) Burns in Beulah, KS on November 12, 1966. She survives.

Additional survivors include one son, George E. “Eddie” Burns, Jr. (wife, Jennifer) of Joplin, MO; one daughter, Kelly Marie Pulliam (husband, Douglas) of Cherokee, KS; one brother, Timothy Paul Burns of Pittsburg, KS; one sister, Linda Sue Zaerr of Lamar, MO; four grandchildren; Kayla Pulliam (Ryan Miller), Jordan Pulliam (Kiera Keegan), Hunter Huffman, and Archer Huffman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William David Burns and John Raymond Burns; one sister, Joyce Elaine Bole (and husband, Randy); one sister-in-law, Deb Burns; and one brother-in-law, Wayne Zaerr.

Mr. Burns has been entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus for cremation. The family will host a private memorial service at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home. Donations may be mailed to Derfelt Funeral Home, PO Box 227, Columbus, KS 66725.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.