As of Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Dec. 25, 1959 – March 23, 2025
David Eugene Bass, 65, of Webb City, passed away in Joplin on March 23, 2025. He was born in San Diego, Calif. on Dec. 25, 1959. He graduated from Santa Theresa High School in San Jose, Calif.
After high school, he joined the Navy, where he spent 21 years, earning the rank of chief petty officer before his retirement. He had a passion for watching movies with characters demonstrating what he did as a chief petty officer. During his career, he earned several awards and medals for the achievements of his group. After retirement, he worked as a contract project manager for companies that built telecommunications towers.
David is survived by his parents, Harold Eugene and Virginia Lea Bass; two daughters, Malia Christina Harvey and her husband Shavor, and Shannon Erin Howell; a son, David Brandon Ryan Bass; four granddaughters, Alissa and Saniyah Harvey, Zoey Sophia Ann Bass, and Shela Bass; a sister, Carolyn Sue Ferguson and her husband Timothy; two brothers, Robert Lee Bass and his wife Lisa, and Ronald Dean Bass; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. April 7, 2025, in Ozark Memorial Cemetery. Donations in David’s honor may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.
July 22, 1973 – March 28, 2025
Jeff (Jeffrey W. Coffey) took his love of landscaping to a higher level on March 28, 2025.
Taylor junipers, boxwoods and limelight hydrangeas will now fill the heavens.
His Dad, Kenneth and his brother Frank met Jeff at the Gate where he mischievously eyed where he would put the “not too big” flower beds.
He is survived by his daughter, Jayme Rae; his mom, Joyce; his brother, Brad (Becka), and sister, Marty (Chuck); along with his extended family and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeff started his work journey by earning $5 a week at the flea market. He worked at The Botany Shop as a landscape foreman and owned Comer’s Wrecker. He took a big leap of faith and started Jeff Coffey’s All Seasons Landscaping and bought The Rock Yard with his partner Martha (aka Nina) Bailey. His goal was to “ReGrow Joplin” after the tornado; and he did just that.
There will be a memorial visitation from 10 –11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Oct. 23, 1951 – March 29, 2025
Ellen Sue Conway, age 73, of Alba, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, after suffering a massive heart attack. She entered this life on Oct. 23, 1951, in Webb City, the eldest of two daughters born to the late Bennie and Doloris June (Spencer) Reed.
Raised in Purcell, Ellen was a graduate of Webb City High School, class of 1969. She furthered her education at Vatterott College in Joplin, where she earned an associate’s degree in accounting.
On March 26, 1976, Ellen married, Clifford Conway, in Miami, Okla. Together, they built a home filled with love and laughter in Alba, where they resided since 1981. Ellen embraced her role as a devoted homemaker, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all who entered her home. Her husband, Clifford, sadly preceded her in death on June 11, 2011.
Ellen’s legacy is carried on by her loving family. She is survived by her five children: Tina Cook and her husband, Jeff; Doloris Gladden and her husband, Scott; Dawn Conway Yoger; Cliff Conway; and Jeremy Conway; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and the joyous anticipation of great-grandchild number 24.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Conway; a granddaughter, Kimberly Johnson; and a sister, Rayma Reed.
Ellen was a member of Purcell Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing on her computer and had a talent for crocheting. Her love for her beloved dogs was evident to all who knew her, as she cared for them with the same compassion and dedication she showed to her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, with Pastor Lew Poe officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, east of Alba. Pallbearers will be Cliff Conway, Jeremy Conway, Anthony Keller, Skyelar Long, Christian Espitia, Jack Rose and Davey Maynard.
March 8, 1950 – March 24, 2025
-Lovingly written by the family-
Mary Frances Siegfried, of Webb City, passed away March 24, 2025, shortly after turning 75.
Mary was born March 8, 1950, in Long Island, N.Y. She was the third of four children between Theodore Raymond Siegfried (d. 1958) and Wilma Farrell Siegfried (d.1991). After her father’s passing, Mary and her family moved to Webb City to be closer to Wilma’s family. Mary quickly made many lifelong friends. Mary was voted Most Humorous in the 1968 King Jack yearbook, and it is the smiles she left that will remain with us most. After high school she attended Missouri Southern State College.
Mary lived a full and adventurous life, from seeing concerts such as The Beatles in St. Louis, Sonny and Cher in Tulsa, Ike and Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and even Michael Jackson, to standing where Bobby Kennedy was shot, all while living in Los Angeles, Calif., in the 70s and 80s. In 1985 she decided to move back to Webb City to have her first and only child, William Christopher Siegfried, in 1986.
Mary’s love and devotion to her son is one of the single most defining traits mentioned by those who have learned of her passing. And of the many jobs she had over all her years, it was the one into which she put her soul. Mary was gifted two grandchildren, Zachary William (b. 2008), and Thea Mary Michelle (b. 2018). Mary was the third born, and sadly, the third to pass as she lost her younger sister Irene in 2024, and her older brother Theodore “Teddy” in 2006. She is survived by her eldest sister Wilma Anne.
Mary would not want flowers to be cut, but rather she would wish some planted. She loved the color yellow, lily of the valley, autumn crocus, and naked ladies (A. Belladonna). Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.
July 22, 1948 – March 23, 2025
Donnie Ray Tilton Sr., 76, passed away peacefully at home at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 22, 1948, to Ernest and Merle (White) Tilton, Donnie was a lifelong resident of Joplin. He spent much of his career working in drywall before joining Joplin Cement as a batch man and truck driver, where he dedicated many years of service.
A true car enthusiast, Donnie had a passion for restoring and working on old cars and hot rods. He attended numerous car shows throughout his life, earning many trophies for his beloved vehicles.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Merle Tilton, and his brothers, Roger Tilton and Ronnie Tilton.
He married the love of his life, Linda, on March 3, 1966, and she survives at their home. He is also survived by his children, Tina Candelaria and husband Dave, Joplin, Donnie Tilton Jr. and wife Rebecca, Webb City, and Shannon Tilton and wife Nicole, Oronogo; cherished grandchildren, Nathan Busick, Torrey Nigro, Brittney Atilano, Jake Tilton, Trenton Tilton and Ceanna Tilton; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dannie Tilton, Carl Junction, and Lonnie Tilton, Joplin; and his faithful dog, Sammy.
Donnie’s kindness, wisdom, and love will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
A celebration of Donnie’s life will be held at 2 p.m. April 5, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Oronogo. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
© All Rights Reserved 2025
DIY website design by Bob Foos
