OBITUARIES

As of Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Cities without a state are in Missouri

OBITUARY

Judy Ellwanger

April 21, 1940 – July 3, 2024

Judy Ann Ellwanger, known to all as Judy “Memaw”, passed away peacefully on the 3rd of July, 2024. Born on the 21st of April, 1940, to Marie and Tilford Tolbertson in Storden, Minn., Judy lived a life full of love, strength, and a unique quirkiness that made her uniquely herself.

Judy spent much of her life working in the Tuscaloosa County Schools District. She lived a majority of her life in Webb City, after moving from Carl Junction.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Tilford Tolbertson; her sons, Johnny and Jeffrey Ellwanger; her daughters, Jacqueline Brown, Julie Alford and Jamie Ellwanger; sons, Jerry Ellwanger and Jason Ellwanger; 10 grandkids; and nine great-grandkids.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Judy Hayes

June 6, 1938 – July 5, 2024

Judith Ann Hayes, lovingly known as Judy, was born on June 6, 1938, in Joplin, and she passed away on July 5, 2024.

Judy always wore a welcoming smile, and was a true people person. She worked at Elder’s Shirt Factory in Webb City for most of her career and retired from Labarge in 2000. She was a committed and supportive colleague who brought joy to the workspace. Her passion for cooking was well known among her loved ones. She used to say that she expressed her love through the dishes she prepared, and everyone who tasted her cooking could vouch for that.

Judy was deeply devoted to her family, and her faith in God. She was married to her husband, John Hayes, since Jan. 1, 1960. She was blessed with a son, Kevin Hayes and a daughter, Sandy Baker. She was a member of The New Beginnings club and had a deep relationship with the congregation at the Forest Park Church. Judith also had a special place in her heart for her cats, which she treated with the same love and affection she showed to everyone she knew.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Mary Webb; husband John Hayes; and sister Margaret Woods. She is survived by her brothers, Allan (Faith) Webb and Henry Webb; son Kevin (Linda) Hayes; daughter Sandy (Jeff) Baker; grandson Chris Baker; and nieces Debbie Fitzgerald and Teresa Rogers.

A visitation will be held Saturday July 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Simpson Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow at 11 a.m.

OBITUARY

John Lawhorn

June 8, 1940 – July 3, 2024

John Hampton Lawhorn, age 84, of Carterville, entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

John was born on June 8, 1940, in Joplin, to the late union of Lewis “Stub” Benjamin and Roxie Jane (Chaney) Lawhorn. He was a lifetime resident of the Carterville area, graduating in 1958 as a Carterville Comet. He attended Joplin Junior College and later Pittsburg University obtaining his machinist certification.

In 1962 he married Patricia Irene Dorsey at the Atlas Christian Church in Atlas. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage. In his younger years, he enjoyed going to Mo-Kan Dragway with Pat and his Hot Rod Club, the Cam Twisters.

John was one of the last married men in Jasper County to be drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a military policeman in Korea. He worked as a machinist for Webb Corp for 49 years before retiring at the age of 70.

John was a man of great character, always taking care of his family and was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives. John wore many hats and you could always find him working on multiple projects. He was extremely ornery and loved to play jokes on people. It wasn’t uncommon to find a random plant growing in your back yard that he had sneaked in or a piglet fenced into your front yard. He enjoyed working as a craftsman on home projects and even built the back half of his house. John had many interests, including auctions, gardening, genealogy, photography, tractor restoration, and was a master gift giver.

He was a member of the Carterville Masonic Lodge for many years and was also active in many historical organizations in the area. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia; two daughters, Marla Tournear and Susan Covert (Jerry); seven grandchildren, Kelsey Reynolds (Nick), Autumn Basye, Kourtney Myers (Dallas), Morgan Rainey, Karlee Talent (Travis), John Covert (Tori), Cameron Tournear (Alyssa); and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions be made to Carterville United Methodist Church, Webb City Area Genealogical Society, or Carterville Cemetery Association, in care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 8, 2024, at at Carterville United Methodist Church, with pastor Bob Wynn officiating. Interment was in Carterville Cemetery, with Cameron Tournear, John Covert, Travis Talent, Nick Reynolds, Dallas Myers and Isaiah Basye serving as pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Jimmie Thomas

June 24, 1945 – July 8, 2024

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Jimmie Thomas, a loving and dedicated husband, a loyal friend, and a man of thoughtfulness and respect. Born on June 24, 1945, in Miami, Okla., Jimmie’s journey of life concluded on July 8, 2024, while residing in Webb City.

Jimmie was a banker with Southwest Missouri Bank, Joplin, from where he retired in 2010 after a successful and fulfilling career. He was known for being an entrepreneur after he stated two businesses, LeMasters Realty and Four Seasons Realty. His hobbies were woodworking, antiquing and furniture rehab, as well as being a car enthusiast. Jimmie served as president of Kiwanis and the Jaycees. As Jimmie always said, “Life is like a merry-go-round, find comfort in the ride.”

Jimmie leaves behind his wife, Martha Thomas, who was his steadfast companion in life since their marriage on March 29, 2002; sister Tonya Thorpe; sons Joseph “Jody” (Monique) Thomas and Nathan (Bridget) Thomas; grandkids Allison (Michael) LeDuc, Zachary Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, Sam Thomas and Mekhi Garrard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin (Lefty) and Naomi Thomas; brothers Larry Thomas and Danny Thomas.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2024 at Simpson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Webb City Schools Foundation.