As of Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Cities without a state are in Missouri
April 15, 1989 – July 26, 2022
Emmanuel “Manny” Alfaro Hernandez, age 33, of Webb City, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, at Freeman Hospital West, surrounded by his family.
Manny was born on April 15, 1989, to Miguel Alfaro-Perez and Maria Alfaro-Hernandez in Chicoloapan, Mexico. He was a 2008 Webb City High School graduate and was known to be a great break dancer back then. In his spare time, he enjoyed soccer, skateboarding, hiking and bicycling. He had a big heart, especially for his family and those he treasured most. He most recently worked at Ghetto Tacos, working with friends he valued as well. Manny was always compassionate and brought a genuine smile to everyone he met. He thought the world of his little niece, Aria Bella Alfaro.
Emmanuel was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Sixto Alfaro Paez, and Augustin Hernandez-Solares. He is survived by his parents, Miguel Alfaro-Perez and Maria Alfaro-Hernandez, of Webb City; brothers Jonathan and Leonard, of Webb City; a niece Aria Bella Alfaro; grandmothers Manuela Alfaro-Perez and Aurelia Hernandez-Solares; and many family and close friends.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary service, led by the Rev. Francisco “Paco” Gordillo, will follow at 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Webb City Cemetery.
Feb. 1, 1941 – July 20, 2022
Mrs. Charlotte McGrew, 81, of Oronogo, departed this life on Wednesday, July 20, while at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.
Charlotte Wickstrom McGrew was born in Carthage on Feb. 1, 1941. Charlotte was raised on a 360 acre dairy farm in Avilla without electricity or running water until she reached the age of 12. She grew into an appreciation for hard work and a deep love for animals; like her blue ribbon Jersey Cow and her white collie named Jack. Charlotte grew up singing in the choir at Dudman Springs Church which she attended with her parents and siblings. She was a leading member of her debate team in High School, something that no doubt helped her become one of the Joplin area’s most influential Realtors later in life. Charlotte bore three sons at the time of her first marriage to Jim French. She raised her boys with Dan McGrew following their wedding, which was held on her birthday in 1975.
Charlotte was a dedicated member of Christ’s Church of Oronogo. She volunteered consistently in Sunday school, Youth Group, VBS, Bible Bowl and other capacities for decades. Charlotte was a hospitable host and loved gathering family, friends and members of her community under her roof. She had closets dedicated to decorations for each annual event she hosted and entire sections of the garage reserved for Christmas trees and ornaments.
Charlotte loved Webb City sports and hosted the football team’s pre-season party every season for 15+ years. She always had an extra pair of binoculars for her grandkids at games. Charlotte’s handmade Cardinal blankets and art were used to raise funds for Webb City Schools and her flags will continue to wave above the Webb City High School football stadium on Friday nights.
Charlotte was a passionate and talented cook. Her food (though frequently filled with “surprise” raisins) was delightful and plentiful at all gatherings. She often used produce from her own well-kept garden. In addition to cooking, Charlotte was highly skilled at quilting, crocheting, and sewing. She loved to warm up her monogram sewing machine for anyone in need of some custom finery. She made beautiful blankets, intricate placemats and comfortable clothing for family and friends.
“Granny” loved visits from her grandchildren and made sure all children knew they were welcome at her pool. She kept her fridge stocked with the preferred sodas, her jars filled with fun-size chocolates and Pull-n’-Peel Twizzlers and her freezer packed with ice pops and snacks “from the Schwann Man.” She loved watching Battle Bots, Cinderella and the birds outside her window while lying in bed with her grandkids. She always took her grandkids school shopping and she may or may not have snuck them spending money whenever Popsi went to the garage.
Charlotte is survived by: her husband, Dan McGrew; her sons, David, Mark and Jayson and their families; her brother Wayne and sisters Bonnie and Sandy; and a surplus of friends and community members impacted by the generosity of her resources, her time, and her love.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 23, at Christ’s Church of Oronogo, with Pastors Mark Christian and Jayson French officiating. Burial was in Weaver Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ’s Church of Oronogo’s Student Ministry Program. Arrangements were under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.
Jan. 13, 1949 – July 21, 2022
Bobby G. “Bob” Miller, age 73, of Carterville, passed away on Thursday, July 21, in Cullman, Ala., after a sudden illness.
Bob was born Jan. 13, 1949, in Miami, Okla., son of the late Bobby Leroy Miller and Roma Louise (Brown) Miller. He grew up in Joplin and graduated from Joplin High School before receiving his degree in drafting from Oklahoma State Technical School in Okmulgee, Okla. He worked as a draftsman for Dresser Engineering for many years and later ran Eagle Tarp Repair and Upholstery before teaching auto mechanics for several years at Franklin Tech in Joplin. He was a faithful member of the Life Changers Church in Pittsburg, Kan. He loved being outdoors, especially fishing, whether from a boat on one of the area lakes or on the bank at a local river or farm pond. He loved his family, and spending time with them fishing and camping, or just hanging out. He will be greatly missed.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Ellis; grandson, Cody Miller, granddaughter, Whitney Miller; and three brothers, Randy Miller, Daryl Miller, and Kevin Miller.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Judy L. (Divine) Miller; son, Bobby Joe Miller, St. Joseph; son-in-law, Jerry Ellis, Carterville; grandchildren, Shane Ellis, Carterville, Cory Miller and Chance Miller, both of Branson, Addie DeFries, Krissy DeFries, and Julianne Miller, all of Huntsville, Ala.; four great-grandchildren, Camdyn, Kason, Hudson, and Bellamy.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at Three Point Church, 17811 Old 66, Carthage, with Pastor J.R. Mootrey officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Dec. 3, 1953 – July 25, 2022
Kenneth E. Myers, age 68, of Alba, passed away on Monday, July 25, at Mercy Hospital Joplin.
He was born on Dec. 3, 1953, in Carthage to Paul Myers Sr. and Mildred Myers. He was retired and had worked in the oil fields and did many other jobs most of his life.
Kenneth is survived by his brother, Don Myers, and several other extended family members.
No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.
Sept. 12, 1928 – July 22, 2022
The Rev. Wayne R. Porter, 93, of Webb City, passed away on Friday morning, July 22, at The Arbors at Foxberry Terrace in Webb City.
Wayne was born on the family farm on Sept. 12, 1928, in Nelson, Neb., to the union of the late O.P. and Leona (Fortman) Porter. He was raised in Nelson and graduated from Nelson High School in 1946. He attended Hastings College, where he received his bachelor’s segree in 1950. He then attended McCormick Seminary in Chicago and received his master’s degree in 1953. After college, Wayne started his preaching career at the First Presbyterian Church in Gresham, Neb. The ministry later moved him to Hutchinson, Kan., as the associate pastor of the First Presbyterian Church there. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Joyce, and they were united in marriage on Feb. 4, 1958.
The ministry continued to move Wayne and Joyce around the country; they resided in Geneseo, Kan., before moving to Webb City, where they would spend the rest of their lifetime. In 1964, Wayne became the lead pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Webb City, retiring in 1993 after 40 years of service in the ministry.
Wayne was a staple in this small community, helping it to grow as he graciously extended his service outside of the church. His involvement included the starting of Crosslines Ministries and swinging a hammer to build homes while serving on the board of Habitat for Humanity. He was also an involved member of the Cerebral Palsy Center and the Rotary Club. One of Wayne’s most accomplished memberships was his involvement with the Ministerial Alliance. He started Meals on Wheels and the Senior Citizens Center in Webb City and was instrumental in starting the Webb City Housing Authority. As a member of the Arbor Day Foundation in Nebraska, Wayne made the motion to have all the trees planted along Broadway Street in Webb City, and those are the trees we see today.
With a heart for serving others, Wayne traveled to various countries to help those less fortunate. His travels included visiting all of Europe with his wife, Joyce, working in Puerto Rico, and one of his greatest accomplishments was traveling to Nicaragua at the age of 72 to build housing.
Outside of the ministry and volunteering his time to better his community, Wayne had a love for fishing and hunting. For nearly 30 years, he and a group of men from his church enjoyed their yearly trip to Nebraska to hunt pheasants and quail.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce; and two brothers-in-law, Don Weddle and Ray Shaw; as well as a brother and sister-in-law, John and Nada Fetrow.
Survivors include his four children, Jon Porter and wife Marcy, Kansas City, Mary Duff, Joplin, Tammy Graves and husband Ross, Joplin and Janice Altland and husband Steve, Yorktown, Ind.; five grandchildren, Aaron Kiser and wife Marta, Krista Altland, Rhiannon Medley, Wes Porter and London Porter; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Darlene Shaw, Edger, Neb., and Phyllis O’Dey and husband Don, Hastings, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Johnelle Weddle, state of California; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Webb City, with the Rev. Dennis Pirkle officiating. A private family graveside will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, with Aaron Kiser, Marta Kiser, Wesley R. Porter, London Porter, Brenton Moser and Krista Altland serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity or Crosslines in care of the funeral home.
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