As of Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021
Steve Hunter
Oct. 17, 1947 – Aug. 13, 2021
Stephen James Hunter passed from this world into his heavenly home on Friday. He died from complications of a perforated pectin ulcer and not from the COVID virus.
Steve was born to Claude and Edna “Shaunce” Hunter on Oct. 17, 1947, in Carterville. He is survived by his wife Barbara Dintaman Hunter of 37 years, at the home; his brother and wife Gary and Ann Hunter, Manteo, N.C.; daughters and husbands, Stephanie and Kelly Lattin, and Stacie and Roger Carnahan; four grandchildren; brothers in law and sisters in law; and many nieces and nephews.
He graduated from Carterville High School in 1965 and lettered in all sports. After high school he started his farming career. His mother would push his stroller to a hayfield east of Carterville to watch the farmer make hay using a sulkey rack. One day the farmer asked Steve if he wanted the job operating the sulkey rake and his agriculture career took off. His next farming career was running irrigation and raising hogs on the Marvin Riley Farm at Asbury.
Then Steve entered a career with Bill Rose Pump Service And Water Treatment in 1977. Steve received several recognitions for his outstanding sales and service in the water treatment business. He was president of the Missouri Water Quality Association of the he State of Missouri. In 1996 Steve received the outstanding achievement award from the Jasper County Soil And Water District for grassland management. From 1994 to 2000, he received awards from D & M Liquid and PM AG for selling liquid livestock supplement.
In 1989 Steve was elected to the Tri-Cities Fire Protection District which he served up until the time of his death. Under his leadership, a fire barn was built near Asbury, and one just west of Alba, and two full-time employees hired.
Steve’s most personal achievement was when he was baptized by his best friend, Ron Hoyer, of Olive Branch, Miss., in Spring River Near Hardy, Ark. This change in his life gave him eternal life and he waits for his wife Barbara to join him on the other side of Heaven.
The family requires masks be worn at the service. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Alba Christian Church, in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.
A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Alba Christian Church. Masks will be required. Contributions may be made to Alba Christian Church in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.
Billie Hutchcraft
July 13, 1928 – Aug. 12, 2021
Mr. Billie Gene Hutchcraft, 93, of Webb City, departed this life Thursday at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center, after a recent decline in health.
Billie entered this life on July 13, 1928, in King City, Mo., one of 16 children born to the late Earnest and Bertha (McMillan) Hutchcraft. He was raised in Union Star, Mo., and was a 1946, graduate of Union Star High School.
On Dec. 31, 1954, in Union Star, he was united in marriage to Carol Wray, and to this union three sons were born, Gene, Steve and Randy. Billie was a hardworking farmer throughout his life, managing large farms in the Lockwood area for several years. For the last 20 years he has resided in the Joplin/Webb City area. Billie was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of First Christian Church in Webb City. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Carol Hutchcraft on Jan. 25, 2013; and 14 siblings.
Billie is survived by his three sons, Gene Hutchcraft and wife Debbie, Carterville, Steve Hutchcraft and wife Donna, Duenweg, and Randy Hutchcraft and wife Sandra, Enid, Okla.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Ethel Smith, Savannah, Mo.; several dozen nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday at First Christian Church, with his son, Gene, officiating. Burial, with full military honors, was in Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. Pallbearers were Kara Hutchcraft, Amanda Hutchcraft, Ashley Hutchcraft, Judah Hutchcraft, Silas Hutchcraft and Justice Harmon. Arrangements were under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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