Larry Shelton

(From Parker Mortuary)

Larry Douglas Shelton, age 75, of Joplin, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

Larry, son of the late Harry and Margaret (Tyus) Shelton, was born on June 24, 1947, in Miami, FL. He grew up and attended school in Miami. 

During his school years, Larry was an accomplished football player, earning a scholarship to play football in Missouri. Soon after, he moved to Joplin and attended Joplin Jr. College. Larry attained his bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

He was the owner and operator of Shelton Construction in Joplin for many years until his retirement and remained a Miami Dolphins fan his entire life. 

He was united in marriage to June (Johnson) Shelton on September 3, 1981, in Miami, Oklahoma. Together they enjoyed camping, fishing on Stockton Lake for Walleye, and volunteering at the Joplin Elks Lodge. He was also a NASCAR fan. He and June hosted the best Halloween and riverbank parties including roasting a pig in the ground. They often traveled back to Florida for vacations. June preceded him in death on September 11, 2013. Larry was a member of the Joplin Elk’s Lodge #501 and enjoyed his many years of assisting others and enjoying good fellowship with his many friends.

Survivors include his stepchildren, Brent Corwin, and his wife, MaDenia, of Oronogo; Pam Dudley, and her husband, Sean, of Mt. Vernon; and Scott Johnson (deceased) and spouse Susan Pagel, Deer Park, TX; bonus grandchildren, Jesse Adams, Nick Adams, Hailee Thompson, and her husband, Jason, Dacoma Corwin, and Samantha Corwin; and one bonus great granddaughter, Emma Thompson.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life at Joplin Elk’s Lodge, 1802 W 26th St, 3pm-5pm Friday, April 28th. Memorial contributions in memory of Larry can be made to the Joplin Elk’s Lodge Christmas Basket Program or may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.

Charlie Houk

(From Clark Funeral Home)

January 19, 1961 - April 24, 2023

Charlie Leimomi Houk passed away this Monday morning April 24, 2023.

“Nay Nay” was an angel on earth. A selfless and patient woman with a healthy laugh, gorgeous hair, a timeless and youthful beauty and the kind of quiet patience and acceptance that can only come from a mother of 6.










Charlie’s strength of faith and love of the God was rivaled only by her ability to raid the pantry in any of her unsuspecting children’s homes and cook up remarkable dishes from whatever ingredients happened to be laying around. Her laugh and delight, ringing from the kitchen, warmed any home. Charlie loved everyone with her whole heart and was masterful in her ability to seize even the most passing of moments with her artful prayers and make them meaningful.

Aside from cooking and prayer, Nay Nay relished in the chance to sneak away for some antiquing or a walk. She was a master at the art of picnicking and had somehow (enviably) managed her life with complete disregard for time; unless it was time to go to church or pull cookies out of the oven! Among her most cherished times was the annual return of her purple martins in the spring. Charlie taught us all that the simple things are among the greatest of treasures. And chocolate too.

Charlie made life’s challenges seem easy; trading worry for prayer, or laughter, or a kind word. She glided through life with grace, humility, acceptance, patience and an extreme reluctance to learning how to use anything other than the phone part of her smart phone. Which is all she really needed anyway.

 

Her last great challenge was to show us all what tough really looks like. She faced death as she lived her life, with quiet courage, politeness, understanding and resilience. Charlie made fighting cancer look like a walk in the park (one of her areas of expertise). She defied doctors with a steady toughness and resolve that time and again showed she had more to offer this life. She showed us how to fight gracefully, and with her passing leaves us all with a lasting example of how to live, struggle, and love with grace and acceptance. She will be missed, but we are happy to think of her, cooking, laughing and celebrating life in the best of heaven’s kitchen’s.

Charlie is survived by her husband, Shaun Houk, and her 6 kids; Charles, Jennifer, Ashley, Brittney, Shelby and Chris. Her siblings; Linda, Diane, Jimmie, Melanie and Kimberly and her 8 step children. Her delight in life were her 7 grandchildren; Brin, Oshen, Kylee, Katelynn, Nevaeh, Sora and Sage and her 15 step grandchildren.

Visitation 

Thursday, April 27, 2023
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories 312 S Wood
Neosho, Missouri 64850

Linda McGaugh

(From Parker Mortuary)

Linda Lou McGaugh, age 79, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation.

Linda was born on January 11th, 1944 in Miami, Oklahoma to the late Rutherford and Mary (Kerns) Guinn. She grew up most of her life in Bluejacket, Oklahoma. 

Linda married her best friend, Truman McGaugh, on August 6th, 1961 in Chetopa, KS. Together they were blessed with 44 years before his passing on June 6th, 2006. Linda was the owner and operator of Joplin Insurance Pool for many years before retiring. She loved quilting, sewing, cooking, gardening, canning, and camping.

Survivors include her son, Dwayne McGaugh (Rita), of Joplin, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jamie (Thomas) Hunt, Raleigh McGaugh, Evan (Emily) Brockway; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 29th from 1:00 pm until service time at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary at 2:00 p.m. Burial to take place at Bluejacket Cemetery at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the special care and direction of Parker Mortuary.

Julia Fritz

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Julia Katherine Fritz, 94, of Monett was called home to Heaven on Tuesday April 25, 2023 while at her home in Monett. She was born on February 10, 1929 in Wentworth, Missouri; the daughter of the late William and Katherine (Golden) Gasser. 

She was united in marriage in Pierce City, Missouri on April 15, 1952 to her first husband Chester Cendroski; he preceded her in death on February 8, 1983. She later married Everet Fritz on November 2, 1991 in Pulaskifield, Missouri; he survives.

She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, Missouri.

Julia is survived by husband Everet of the home; one son: Michael Cendroski of Joplin, Missouri; one daughter: Julie Stapp of Pierce City, Missouri; two brothers: Larry Gasser and Edward Gasser both of Pierce City, Missouri; two sisters: Margaret Gilmore of Shell Knob, Missouri and Kathleen Fritts of Van Buren, Arkansas; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by parents William and Katherine; first husband Chester; one son Dennis Cendroski; three brothers: Gene, Bill, and Joe Gasser and one sister Ann Diem.

Rosary for Julia is being held on Thursday April 27, 2023 at 5:00p.m. at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, Missouri with visitation to follow until 7:30p.m. Funeral Mass is being held on Friday April 28, 2023 at 11:00a.m. at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, Missouri.

Memorial donations for Julia may be made to the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, Missouri.

 

Kevin Smith

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Kevin Ray Smith, 60, of Mindenmines, Missouri passed away at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2023 at his home.

He was born December 17, 1962 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Wallace and Margie N. (Stevens) Smith. He graduated from Liberal High School in 1981. He graduated from Missouri Southern State College in 1988 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education

On August 12, 1988, he was united in marriage to Nancy Willis at Joplin, Missouri. She survives him at the family home.

Mr. Smith taught music for thirty years in the Elementary and High School, teaching at East Newton, Hume and Lamar R-1 School District.

He attended Wellspring Church in Webb City, Missouri and previously attended College Heights Christian Church in Joplin. Kevin loved to play golf. He enjoyed trapping as a kid. He and Nancy played in the band “RUKAS”.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by a son, Thomas Smith (Jamie Robinson) of Joplin, Missouri; two daughters, Amanda Janssen (Samuel) of Friendswood, Texas and Callista Smith of the home; a brother, Gary Smith (Sondra) of Mindenmines, MO; a sister Joan Cantrell (Clint) of Mindenmines, MO; a sister-in-law, Sally Smith of Carl Junction, Missouri; and his five fur babies, Teddy, Lola, Chimmy, Lyra, Echo and a grandpuppy, Joules.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jerry Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday (April 29) at the Thiebaud Auditorum (105 E. 11th St, Lamar, MO) with Rev. Dan Moss officiating. Private family interment will take place at a later date in the Nashville Cemetery, Nashville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests expressions of sympathy be given to the Kevin Smith Scholarship Fund and or the Joplin Humane Society. These may be given the day of the service or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, l14 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

Joseph Young

(From Parker Mortuary)

Joseph Wilburn Young, age 87, of Diamond, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Mercy of Joplin.

Joseph was born December 10, 1935 in Valley Head, Alabama, son of the late Acie Arnold Young and Lillie Inus (Kenimer) Young. Bill was one of eleven children that grew up and went to school in Alabama before serving in the United States Army. After his service in the Army he moved to Winfield, Kansas where he became a truck driver driving for several companies over the years. He retired from Fleming Foods, but went back to driving and continued until 1976 driving for several trucking companies including R & R.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a son, Michael Young who passed in 2004, and nine siblings.

Survivors include his son, Danny Young of Diamond; daughter, Belinda Bakos (Jim) of Katy, TX; step-son. Charles Goodbear of Wichita, KS, step-daughter, Felecia Goodbear of Flower Mound, TX; sister, Betty Irene DeWitt (Leonard) of Wichita; sister-in-law, Bessie Young also of Wichita; grandchildren, Kristina Guillen (Jose) of Katy, TX, Michael Guillen (April) of Spring, TX; great-granddaughter, Isabella Rodriguez of Katy.

Graveside service will be Monday, May 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, Springfield, MO with full Military Honors, and Keith Baze officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Guillen, James Bakos, Leonard DeWitt, Keith Baze, Jarrod Young, Trux Young, and Clinton Young.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Bob Ball

(From Konantz-Warden Funeral Home)

On April 24th, 2023, Robert (Bob) Allen Ball, loved husband, father, grandfather and brother gained his wings surrounded by his family in Dallas, Texas. He was 83 years old and just 6 days shy of his birthday. Bob was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on April 30, 1939, to Robert Clayton Ball and Maxine Davidson Ball.

He grew up in Liberal, Missouri where he played baseball and basketball in school. He attended the Christian Church with his Grandmother Dora Davidson. He loved playing sports, hunting, and fishing which did not end when he graduated from Liberal High School. He attended Pittsburg State University and then enlisted in United States Army serving in the 25th Infantry.

Bob married Anna Mae Coon in 1964 and was a devoted husband until her passing in 2010. They raised their two daughters Julie and Paula in Duncanville, Texas.

Bob worked in the world of finance and sales living in Pittsburg and Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Tulsa, Oklahoma and finally settling in Duncanville, Texas in 1974.

Bob reconnected with Lorena Suschnick, his high school sweetheart, and married in 2011. They resided in Liberal, Missouri where he served his community on several committees.

Bob never knew a stranger; he always had a joke, a story or a pride and joy card for those he came in contact with.

Bob volunteered on many committees in many organizations over the years including the Lions Club, Elks Lodge, American Legion, Duncanville Chamber of Commerce, Kawana's, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association, Sons of American Revolution, High School Reunion for Liberal, Sunshine Senior Friends, Good Ole Boys Reunion and was known as the town historian for Liberal, Missouri.

Bob left behind daughters Julie Soto and fiancé Brian Watson and Paula Wingo and husband Richard; grandchildren Chris Melton and wife Jessica, Bostyn Brashears, Britysh Brashears, and Robert Clayton Cooper ; and great grandchildren Ruby Melton, Jaxdyn Wilson, Rocky Melton, Harley Shaffer, Lucky Melton, and Madilyn Scheets. He is also survived by siblings Janice McMenamy and husband Coy, Max Hooper and wife Mindy, and Terri Allen; sisters and brothers in-law Stan and Nancy Stewart and Bob and Sally Suschnick; and by many nieces and nephews.

If you would prefer to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests DOGS or the American Legion, in care of the funeral home.

The family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM on Monday May 1, 2023 at Liberal Christian Church.