As of Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022
Cities without a state are in Missouri
As of Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022
Cities without a state are in Missouri
– Aug. 15, 2022
Rachel Bridgman, 71, of Oronogo, passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.
She was a pharmaceutical sales representative.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory.
April 17, 1945 – Aug. 17, 2022
The Honorable Richard Dennis Copeland, 77, of Webb City, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at his home with his wife and daughter by his side, after battling cancer for five years.
He was born in St. Louis, and raised in Granite City, Ill., to the late Dorothy Francis (Campbell) and Richard William Copeland. Following his graduation from Granite City High School in 1963, he attended the University of Missouri at Columbia where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in zoology. While in law school at the University of Missouri, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1969 and sent to Vietnam on Thanksgiving Day 1969. He was stationed at Tay Ninh, on the Cambodia border, with the 23rd Artillery Group, later transferred to Cu Chi and then to Phu Loi. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 2 Overseas bars and the Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 25, 1971, and returned to Columbia to complete his law degree.
After graduation he moved to Webb City and was in private practice and served as city attorney from 1972 to 1977. In 1981, he was appointed associate circuit judge and served for 34 years until his retirement in January 2015, then served as a senior judge for the State of Missouri.
Rick had a deep commitment to community service. He served as past-president of the National Kidney Foundation, Joplin chapter, and The Joplin Little Theatre and was a past member of the Webb City Housing Authority. More recently, he was president of the Webb City Park Board. He dedicated most of his time in retirement to the Webb City VFW Post 7630 and Webb City American Legion Post 322 as adjutant general and served as president of the Joplin Humane Society (since 1997). He was committed to building a new shelter for the animals at the Joplin Humane Society, a mission that he accomplished in 2010. And he was able to see completion of the new American Legion building, being finished only weeks before his passing. He sat on the Board of Trustees for Legal Aid of Western Missouri and volunteered time to Legal Aid of Jasper County. He was a member of the Missouri Bar Association and Jasper County Bar Association.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lucinda; his daughter, Erica (Jefferson), Nyack, N.Y.; three stepsons, Joe Hensley (Dina), Joplin, Justin Hensley, Rockford, Minn., and Joshua (Maggie) Hensley, rural route Carthage; four grandchildren, Harper and Beckett Hayman and Ella and Joseph Hensley; his sister Mary Robinson (Wayne); his brother-in-law Paul Bogosian and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Janet Bogosian.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Central United Methodist Church. Burial, with graveside military honors, will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society.
Sept. 15, 1940 – Aug. 11, 2022
Mary Ann Burkholder Hunter, 81, of Webb City, died peacefully at home in Manteo, N.C.Thursday, Aug. 11, where she and her husband, Gary, have resided with their son and daughter-in-law since 2014.
Born in Hayward, Wisc., on Sept. 15, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Maude Mae Scott and Eldon Burkholder.
Mary Ann was an active member of First Community Church in Joplin, since January 1970. She taught Sunday School for over 30 years, served on the board of directors, served on the pastor search committee and was past president of the Women’s Alliance. She enjoyed cross stitching, needle work, and baking bread for fundraisers.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gary Claude Hunter; daughter, Cynthia Ann Barton (Dennis), Leadington, Mo.; son, Dr. Gary J. Hunter (Audra), Manteo, N.C.; grandchildren, Barry Willis (Brandy), Carmen White (Andrew), Courtney Dulworth (Jason), and Preston Willis; seven great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and sister, Carol Ritter, Catoosa, Okla.
Burial will take place in Mt. Hope Cemetery at a future date. Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, N.C., is assisting the family with arrangements.
March 5, 1995 – Aug. 8, 2022
Teven Sha Johnson, age 27, of Webb City, passed away Monday, Aug. 8, in Branson. He was born March 5, 1995, in Joplin, the son of Robin McCann. His mother survives him.
Teven was a 2013 graduate of Webb City High School. Having huge heart and protector, Teven loved helping others and his work as a caregiver for homebound children with special needs. He enjoyed making and listening to music and watching sports with his buddies. Teven was a gifted athlete who wrestled and played baseball, football and soccer. Those who knew and loved him will cherish the memories and his wonderful smile.
No services are planned at this time. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks.
Feb. 21, 1952 – Aug. 15, 2022
Betsy Thompson, age 70, of Webb City, passed away on Monday, August 15, at her home. She was born in Renton, Wash., to Don Robertson and Bobbie Robertson on Feb. 21, 1952. She worked as a caregiver most of her life.
Betsy is survived by her daughter, Shannon Lynch and husband Shannon, Topeka, Kan.; sons, Paul Mennillo and wife Amber, Seattle, Wash., Eric Lynch and wife Heidi, Topeka; daughter, Kimmie Thompson, Joplin; nine grandchildren; and several siblings. Betsy was a great mom who was loved more then she would ever know. She loved all her children and grandchildren very much.
The family will have services at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.
July 27, 1956 – Aug. 10, 2022
Celia Ann Throop, age 66, Webb City, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at her daughter’s home in Shawnee, Kan. after a lengthy illness.
Celia was born July 27, 1956, in Snyder, Texas, daughter of the late Gordon McMeen and Carol (Sphor) McMeen. She graduated from Webb City High School and worked for over 20 years with Sam’s Club of Joplin in the marketing department. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially in her pool, and loved entertaining her family. She was very involved for the last 20 years taking care of her husband, David, through all of his health issues. The couple are now enjoying being together again.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, David Throop, who passed away on Feb. 25, 2021, she was preceded in death by her in-laws, Doris and Earl Bay.
Survivors include her children, Michael Throop (Erin Bottom), Pineville, and Amy Page (Jeramy), Shawnee, Kan.; grandson, Warren Page; brother, Michael McMeen (Judy), Tulsa, Okla.; sister, Sheri Garrison, Broken Bow, Okla.; several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Friday, Aug. 12, at Mount Hope Cemetery, with Rev. Gene Bebee officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Phoenix Hospice for all their help the last few weeks.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
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