As of Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Cities without a state are in Missouri 

OBITUARY

Nancy Grissom

April 4, 1948 – Oct. 24, 2022

Mrs. Nancy Marie Grissom, 74, a lifelong resident of Webb City, departed this life on Monday, Oct. 24, at Mercy Hospital in Carthage, after months of declining health.

Nancy entered this life on April 4, 1948, in Webb City, born to the union of Harold and Mary (Reitz) Powell. She was raised in Webb City and was a 1966 graduate of Webb City High School. She furthered her education by attending Missouri Southern State University.

On June 10, 1971, she was united in marriage to Michael “Mike” Grissom, and to this union one daughter, Kim, was born. 

Nancy retired in 2015, from School Messenger, a trusted platform for school and community engagement. She enjoyed Webb City football, making all the home and away games for many years. She followed the Kansas City Chiefs and loved spending countless hours with her family. Nancy was a member of the Webb City Church of the Nazarene.

Her father, Harold Powell, preceded her in death.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mike Grissom, of the home; a daughter, Kim Evans and husband Mike, Webb City; a grandson, Tyler Evans and wife, Laura, Carterville; two great-grandchildren, Monroe and Lucie Evans; her mother, Mary Powell, Webb City; a sister, Mary Ann Crissman, Joplin; two brothers, Richard and Mike Powell, both of Webb City; and a host of other family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Webb City Church of the Nazarene. Private burial will take place at Oronogo Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Janet Hollon

Jan. 2, 1946 – Oct. 14, 2022

Janet Hollon, age 76, of Webb City, passed away on Friday, Oct. 14. She was born on Jan. 2, 1946, to Willard Howard and Katherine (Shepard) Petitt in Smithville. Janet married her late husband, Oren Earl Hollon, on June 9, 1966, in Smithville.

Janet had attended Smithville High School through the 11th grade. She worked at Freeman Hospital for over 15 years as a sterilization tech. Janet loved puzzles, crosswords, Peggle, and Mystery PI. She loved listening to music – anything 50s and 60s. If the music was blaring, that meant she was cleaning and you better leave her alone.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Oren Hollon; her sister, Roberta Jean Shaw; and her brothers, Willard Lee “Jack” and Jerald Dean “Jerry.”

Janet is survived by her sister, Judy Kay and husband, Rick Smith; three children, Oren Earl Hollon and wife Amy, Whiteboro, Texas; Michael Christopher Hollon and wife Angie, Oronogo; Tanya Sue Greenlee and husband Jerry, Sarcoxie; seven grandchildren, Natasha James, Webb City, Anthony Hollon, Indiana, Miranda Rogers, Parsons, Kan., Michael Rogers, Iola, Kan., Justin Hollon, Ind., Lindsay Enochs and husband DJ, Webb City, and Michelle Hollon, Smithville; and more than 12 great-grandchildren, including, Savannah, Teagan, Faithlynn, Tayte, Aydyn, Deesyl, Kaiser, Jerrikah, Izzy, Kaislee, Dustee, and Wiott.

A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, October 28, at Simpson Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow with Chaplain Kyle Beverlin officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Sandy Huddleston

Oct. 21, 1945 – Oct. 20, 2022

Sandra Lee (Jewell) Huddleston 76, Carl Junction, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Oct. 20. She was born on Oct. 21, 1945, in Alameda, Calif., to Leslie Orr Jewell and Frances Elizabeth Meredith. After her parent’s sudden death, she was raised by her grandparents, Eva and Ira Jewell.

Sandy graduated from Webb City High School, where she met the love of her life, Jerry. Jerry left to serve a year stationed in Vietnam. Upon his return, they were married on July 24, 1964, in Webb City. They resided in Waco, Texas, until December 1965. After returning to Missouri, they were blessed with three children: Tonia, Mitch and Amber. Sandy retired in 2011 from the quality assurance department of LaBarge Inc., after many years of dedicated service. Prior to that she worked at O&F Machine Shop and Mid-Con Cables, both in Joplin. After retirement, Sandy enjoyed doing word search puzzles, playing MahJong, watching Wheel of Fortune, spending time with family, going to church, and fishing, but only if Jerry put the bait on and removed the fish from the line. She and Jerry have attended Fir Road Christian Church for 12 years, where they have been blessed to be spiritually nurtured and lovingly supported. Sandy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all. Her passing leaves a huge void for all who knew and loved her.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Jerry, of the home; children Tonia Diaz, Mitch Huddleston, and Amber Huddleston; brother, Robert Jewell and wife Judy; grandchildren, Zakkary Huddleston, Hunter Huddleston, Tyler Luckey, and Trae Diaz; great-grandchildren, Axle, Remington, and Rynleigh; nieces Michelle Green and husband Skip, Lisa McCombs, and Kim Freiburg and husband Scott. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; and many others that she loved dearly.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 24, at Fir Road Christian Church, in Carl Junction, with their long-time pastor and friend, Dan Toney, officiating. Sandy’s cremains will be placed in a niche at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

OBITUARY

Reed Kneeland

Jan. 19, 1945 – March 24, 2001

Kenneth “Reed” Kneeland, age 77, passed away on Monday, Oct. 17. He was born on Jan. 19, 1945, in Compton, Calif., to Kenneth Roger and Helen (Jeffries) Kneeland. Reed married Shelley K Hoyt on March 24, 2001, in Webb City.

Reed worked at First Baptist Church of Webb City for 20 years and worked at Missouri Southern State University for 10 years before retirement in 2021. Reed was very involved in his church, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City. He sang in the choir as a bass and was known as one of the “back row boys.”

Reed was involved in the church bus ministry and enjoyed volunteering with the church at Crosslines in Joplin. He was a former member of the Webb City Lions Club. Reed repaired and built clocks and was a model train enthusiast. He enjoyed tinkering with classic toys, amassing quite the collection over time.

Reed was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Roger and Helen (Jeffries) Kneeland.

Reed is survived by his wife, Shelley K (Hoyt) Kneeland; brothers, Roger and wife Joan Kneeland, of California, and Jeffrey and wife Vicky Kneeland, Webb City; a son, Donnie Smith, of Oregon; daughters, Tina Marie Stauffer and husband Dave, Nixa, Amy Maples and husband Jeff, Lakeland, Fla., and Amber Lewis and husband Harold, Webb City; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 24, at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Burial will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jack Dawson, Pete Dixon, James McClintock, George Thulleson, Jack Trombley, and Bruce Waggoner. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Fisher, Jeff Kneeland, Steve Patterson, and Hal Simpson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church building fund, in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements were under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Rudy Sanchez

Dec. 27, 1941 – Oct. 22, 2022

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

Rudy Sanchez, 80, of Joplin, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Oct. 22. Rudy was born to Mauricio Sanchez and Sara Monjes on Dec. 27, 1941 in Tracy, Calif. After graduating from Tracy High, Rudy joined the Air Force. On Dec. 7, 1963 Rudy was married to Louise Berry in Kansas City.

Rudy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Louise, as well as his children, Kelly (Steve) Phillips, Cathy (Ken) Cox, Eddie (Missy) Sanchez and Kim (Rudy) Sanchez; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. 

Rudy worked for many years around Webb City as a Frito Lay salesman, and you would often see him at local sporting events as he was a coach for little, junior and senior league baseball, football and basketball and was a licensed basketball official.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, Mauricio and Sara; his sisters Angie and Maria; and his son Rudy Paul.

There will be a graveside service celebrating his life at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.