As of Wednesday, June 16, 2021

OBITUARY

Jim Damer

Sept. 26, 1939 – June 5, 2021

James Leroy Damer passed into eternal peace on Saturday, June 5. Jim was born on Sept. 26, 1939, in Webb City to Leroy and Dorothy (Lofton) Damer. He was the oldest of five children. Jim attended Waco and Oronogo schools and graduated in 1957 from Webb City High School. He was a proud Marine and served with several squadrons of the air wing for four years achieving the rank of corporal.

In February of 1961, Jim was united in marriage to Nancy Smith in Duenweg, and they had two children, Delisa and Steve. After the Marines, Jim was employed in Joplin by Eagle Picher, Rocketdyne, DuPont. He retired from FAG Bearings in Joplin after 29 years as maintenance electrician.

Jim was baptized by his father in Center Creek. Jim and Nancy were active members of Webb City First Baptist Church, Duenweg Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and Fellowship Baptist Church of Joplin. Jim loved family getogethers, especially if they involved crappie fishing or golf. Jim built two homes for his family (a real labor of love). Jim and Nancy enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states plus several international destinations.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John; and a sister Karen (Coss). He is survived by his wife Nancy; a daughter, Delisa Gardner and husband Stan, Broken Arrow, Okla.; a son, Steve and wife Julie, Rogers, Ark; two grandchildren who were precious to him, Chelsea Dodge (Adrienne), Joplin, and Chase Damer, Bentonville, Ark; a brother, Jerry Damer, Webb City; and a sister, Kay Masters and husband Jerry, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Joplin. Pastor Rex Wakefield and Pastor Rob Signs will officiate. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Joplin Golf Foundation or the Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund or Music Ministry, in care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

OBITUARY

Darlene Farchilds

Nov. 9, 1931 – June 11, 2021

Darlene Dolores Fairchilds, 89, of Webb City, passed away Friday.

Darlene was born Nov. 9, 1931, in Rapid City, S.D., to the late Walter and Mary (Raymond) Cline. Darlene was raised in Rapid City and worked at Black Hills Packing Company as a young girl, even fibbing about her age by a few years to get the job.

Darlene married Harold “Cliff” Schultz on Dec. 16, 1947. To this union three children were born, Sharon, Daren, and Carole. They shared 20 years together before his passing on Nov. 18, 1967.

Darlene met William “Bill” Fairchilds in Rapid City, and on May 28, 1968, they were united in marriage. Shortly after getting married, the couple moved to Webb City. Bill preceded her in death on March 8, 2002.

Darlene worked in real estate for over 20 years. She and Bill owned and operated Fairchilds Package Liquor Store and Fairchilds Trucking for many years, where she took care of the daily operations. Darlene also worked in housekeeping at St. John’s Hospital, at her daughter’s dental practice, Carole Lee Schultz, D.D.S., as an election clerk for Jasper County, and as a caregiver at Alternative Opportunities. While at Alternative Opportunities, Darlene was very dedicated to the individuals in her care and considered each of them family. Darlene was a hard worker and never really truly retired, always caring for others.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and word scrambles, and loved to travel. Darlene never met a stranger. She lived life to the fullest and cherished the time spent and memories created with her husbands, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. To know Darlene was to love her, and she will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to her husbands and parents, Darlene was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Cline; grandchildren, Kevin and Mary Cline; and her brother, Arthur Cline.

Darlene is lovingly survived by her children, David Schultz (Louise), Sharon Coe, Carole Meador (Jim), and Daren Schultz; grandchildren, Donna, Walter, Maria, Troy, Corrine, and Colleen; thirteen great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Bob Cline; her sister, Marlene Vaughn; together with many extended family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at First Presbyterian Church in Webb City, with the Rev. Charles Spencer officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Webb City, for the development of handicap accessibility.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

OBITUARY

Duane Gilbert

May 27, 1944 – June 9, 2021

Duane Paul Gilbert, 77, of Webb City, passed away the morning of Wednesday, June 9.

Duane was born May 27, 1944, in Joplin to the late Homer Gray and Deana Ruth (Dillon) Gilbert. Duane lived in the Joplin area all of his life, graduating from Joplin High School in 1962. After high school Duane proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was a longtime member of Fairview Baptist Church.

On Aug. 17, 1968, Duane was united in marriage to Betty J. Brand. Together they shared 52 precious years before his passing.

Duane retired from the Joplin School District after 21 years of service in the maintenance department. Over the years he also worked as a reserve officer for several local police departments and was currently working as a security guard for Allied Universal Security Services at the Joplin VA Clinic since its opening in 2019.

Duane enjoyed working and was not one to ever sit still. He loved getting to visit with people and share stories of his Navy days. He never saw taking care of his lawn as a chore; it was something he truly enjoyed. But most of all he cherished the time spent and memories created with his wife, family and friends. Duane will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Duane was preceded in death by his brothers, Tim Gilbert, Charles Gilbert and Robert Gilbert.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Betty; children, Tracy Turner (Kevin) and Darrin Gilbert (Gaileen Harmon); grandchildren, Shawn Valentine, Adrian Valentine, Alex Gilbert and Noah Abdelhamid; great-grandchildren, Alysann Valentine, Isaiah Turner and Isabell Turner; sisters- in-law, Sue Gilbert and Connie Gilbert; and a host of extended family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Fairview Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

OBITUARY

Frankie Winters

Dec. 21, 1955 – June 8, 2021

After a hard fought battle with cancer, Frankie Louise Winters, of Webb City, was called home to be with our Lord and savior on Tuesday, June 8, at the age of 65. She was surrounded by family.

She leaves behind her husband, John Winters; her sisters, Ivaleen Bullis and Karen (Emmitt) Southard; her brother, Jack (Connie) Taft; her daughter, Nora Walker; her sons, Jaystin Smith, Tyler and JT (Anna) Winters; her grand children Justina (Chavez) Kimbrough; her grandsons, Jordan Walker and Dayton Greek; her great grandchildren, Royce, CJ, Max, Mia, Kyleah, and Chavon Kimbrough, Maddox Walker, and Maliyah Jane.

Frankie was born Dec. 21, 1955, in Webb City, to Frank and Iva Greek, of Carterville. She worked as a beautician for four years prior to working in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. She was an avid Webb City Football fan, and boy did she love her Chiefs.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Iva Greek; her sisters Harriett Witt and Jerrye Thomas; and her son, Darrin Greek.

She was carried to her final resting place by pallbearers Tyler Winters, JT Winters, Jordan Walker, Dayton Greek, Chavez Kimbrough, and Max Golden.

Visitation and the funeral service were held Friday and Saturday at Simpson Funeral Home, followed by graveside services at Carterville Cemetery.