As of Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Oct. 26, 1930 – Jan. 19, 2025
Nadine Elnore Boyer, 94, of Webb City, formerly of Alba, passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 19, 2025. She entered this life on Oct. 26, 1930, in Wallace, Idaho, the middle of three children born to the late Dick Leroy and Lela (Purcell) Witherspoon.
Raised in Alba, Nadine was a graduate of Alba High School, class of 1948. Shortly thereafter, she married the love of her life, Cloyd Victor Boyer, on Nov. 17, 1948. Their marriage was a testament to enduring love, lasting 72 years until Cloyd’s passing in 2021. Together, they welcomed five children into the world, creating a family legacy that would be Nadine’s greatest pride and joy.
Nadine’s life was characterized by her role as a devoted homemaker, a vocation she embraced with grace and dedication. While her husband, Cloyd, pursued a professional baseball career that spanned nearly five decades, Nadine was the cornerstone of the home, ensuring that no matter where Cloyd’s career took him, Alba, remained their family’s homestead. She was an avid reader and a talented seamstress. Nadine was a longtime member of Alba Christian Church.
She is survived by her three children, Ken Boyer and his wife, Brenda, Webb City, Cheryl Boyer, Alba, and Jim Boyer and his wife Teresa, Webb City; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of a host of other family members and friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and generosity.
Nadine was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Cloyd; her children Teresa and Mike Boyer; and her siblings Margie Seaton and Don Witherspoon.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Alba Christian Church, with Pastor Roger Hasselquist officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Purcell. Pallbearers will be Galen Miksell, Jerrod Miksell, Justin Miksell, Tre Miksell, Hunter Miksell and Brett Boyer. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends Cemetery, in care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.
Sept. 19, 1934 – Jan. 15, 2025
Leonard “Wayne” Burgess, 90, of Carthage, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 15, 2025. Wayne was born on Sept. 19, 1934, in Grand Pass, Mo., to Leonard and Jo Helen Burgess. On May 5, 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann (McKnight), and together they shared 60 years of love, devotion, and support. Their union was blessed with four children and later 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren that he was immensely proud of.
His faith in Jesus Christ was evident in his life and in his eagerness to share a gospel song, scripture, or moment of prayer. He attended and served at Glendale Christian Church for many years. Wayne and Barbara co-owned and operated Burgess & Associates, a business they ran with a deep commitment to serving others. Wayne had an innate passion for people and was known for never meeting a stranger, especially at a ballgame or event supporting those he loved.
He is survived by three daughters, Lori Marsh, Springfield, Pam Rugeley and her husband John, Austin, Texas, and Amy Whisman and her husband Kevin, Carl Junction; one son, Todd Burgess and his wife Katie, Lincolnton, N.C.; and one sister, Susie Sanders, Odessa. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara; his parents, Leonard and Jo Helen Burgess; two sisters, Donna Lefholz and Linda Burgess; and his son-in-law, Jeff Marsh.
Wayne was a loving grandfather to Christopher Knight and his wife Jennifer, Chelsea Evans and her husband Kyle, Ashlee Ifland and her husband Taylor, Amee Meredith and her husband Blake, Tyler Burgess and his wife Kortlynn, Mikaela Burgess, Tate Whisman, Jake Rugeley, Jess Rugeley, Toby Whisman, and Adelyn Whisman. His legacy also lives on through his great-grandchildren, Savannah Knight, Memphis Knight, Gage Knight, Carter Harrell, Josie Meredith, Nora Meredith, Graham Ifland, Poppy Ifland, Posey Ifland, Ivey Burgess, Nash Burgess, and Jude Burgess.
A man who valued family above all else, Wayne’s greatest legacy is the family he and Barbie built. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the countless lives he touched. Arrangements were under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Jan. 22, 1954 – Jan. 13, 2025
Janet K. Myers passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on Monday at Freeman Hospital. Born to James and Lavonne Altendorf in Pittsburg, Kan., hers was a life well lived.
Her parents nurtured her education and Janet was always grateful for the love and support they gave her. From a young age, Janet knew that she wanted to be a teacher. She obtained her teaching degree from Missouri Southern and later earned her master of education from William Woods. She spent the first 12 years of her career teaching in Columbus, Kan. She later began working for Joplin Public Schools, where she spent the rest of her high school teaching career. After the 2011 Joplin tornado, she went on to teach at the temporary high school that was located at Northpark Mall. She could have retired at the time, but she continued teaching at the mall so that she could be there for the school and her students as the community continued to recover.
After retiring, she found a new teaching love. She began teaching ESL classes at Missouri Southern State University. She taught classes filled with students from all over the world and cared deeply about all of her students. She continued to keep her connection to Joplin schools by participating in REPA, the Retired Educators Association, and she loved going to lunches with her fellow retirees.
Janet loved music and had a knack for knowing songs and artists. Her love of music led her to the Teacher Institute at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, where she had the time of her life learning about rock ‘n roll music. She utilized her newfound knowledge to make sure that her students could connect with the lessons through music.
Janet’s family moved several times throughout her childhood, but Janet’s favorite place to live was unquestionably Webb City. She felt at home there, making many friends and meeting Doug, the love of her life. Together since high school, Janet and Doug have always had a dialogue going, often enjoying talks on the back porch, talks in the living room, and talks in the family room. Their connection is long, deep and treasured.
Janet and Doug had three children, and they wanted to give their children unique opportunities. They took the family on a vacation every year, and trips to places like Washington D.C., the Grand Canyon, New York City, and the Alamo have become cherished memories for the family. Janet and Doug also treasured education. Perhaps their belief in education is what led to the family’s shared love of trivia games. Janet, in particular, delighted in giving a correct answer.
Janet and Doug were ultimately blessed with two grandsons. She loved talking to them, hearing about them, and putting their pictures around the house.
Janet is survived by her husband, Douglas Myers; her children Rebecca Klinginsmith (Gregg Klinginsmith), Peggy Myers (Amy Renato), and Philip Myers (Racritia Hobson); two grandsons Miles and Will Klinginsmith; brother Stanley Altendorf (Michelle); niece Karen Altendorf (Alan Cheville); and nephew Donnie Baine.
A celebration of Janet’s life was held Jan. 18 at the First Presbyterian Church of Webb City, preceded on Jan. 17 by a visitation at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Southern Foundation.
Oct. 14, 1931 – Jan. 21, 2025
Nancy May Smith, age 93, of Carl Junction, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin surrounded by her family. Nancy was born Oct. 14, 1931, in Webb City to the late, Luther and Henrietta (Gray) Motley.
Nancy graduated from Webb City High School with the class of 1949. It was a few years later that she met and married Russell E. Smith on May 1, 1960, in Miami, Okla. They nearly celebrated 65 years together in marriage before her passing.
Nancy worked for Ramsey Department Store in Carthage before eventually becoming a housewife, raising her girls and taking care of the home. For a period of time, she lived on Beaver Lake, where she thoroughly loved fishing and spending time on the water. Russell and Nancy moved for a few years to St. George, Utah, before returning back to the area in 2007. She spent free time playing BINGO and watching football.
To the union of Russell and Nancy are two daughters, Melissa Thompson (Ron), Joplin, and Lisa Henry, Oronogo; grandchildren, Sarah Hostetter (Coty) and Bryce Henry; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Georgianna; nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Other than her parents, Nancy is preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Ken Motley.
Burial of ashes will take place at a later date at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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