As of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2021

OBITUARY

Cloyd Boyer

Sept. 1, 1927 – Sept. 20, 2021

Mr. Cloyd Victor Boyer, 94, of Alba, departed this life on Monday evening at St. Luke’s Care Center in Carthage.

Cloyd entered this life on Sept. 1, 1927, in rural Jasper County in the community of Cossville, one of 14 children born to the late Chester Vern and Mable Agnus (Means) Boyer. He was raised near Alba and was a 1945 graduate of Alba High School. His professional baseball career started in the summer of 1945 when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher. In the fall of 1945, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and rejoined the Cardinals. Cloyd’s baseball career endured nearly five decades. On Nov. 17, 1948, Cloyd was united in marriage to Nadine Witherspoon and to this union five children were born. His club affiliations included the Cardinals, Kansas City Athletics, Yankees, Braves, Toronto and the Kansas City Royals. He retired at age 65 in 1992 from the Braves organization. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, cutting wood and refereeing high school basketball. He was a member of the Alba Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Teresa Boyer and Mike Boyer; five brothers, Wayne, Kenton, Clete, Lynn and Lennie; and two sisters, Lela Boyer and Juanita Woodmansee.

Cloyd is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nadine Boyer, of the home; three children, Ken Boyer and wife Brenda, Webb City, Cheryl Boyer, Alba, and Jim Boyer and wife Teresa, Webb City; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; a brother, Ronnie Boyer, Webb City; five sisters, Deloris Webb, Broken Arrow, Okla., Pansy Schell, Alba, Shirley Lockhart, Fayetteville, Ark., Bobbi McNary, Joplin, and Marcy Layton, Oronogo; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at Alba Christian Church, with Pastor Roger Hasselquist officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Purcell. Pallbearers will be Galen Miksell, Jerrod Miksell, Corey Miksell, Justin Miksell, Brett Boyer and Jay Boyer. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Alba Christian Church, in care of the funeral home.

OBITUARY

Jerald Crum

May 29, 1937 – Sept. 21, 2021

Jerald W. Crum, age 84, of Joplin, passed away on Tuesday at Freeman West Hospital. He was born on May 29, 1937 in Bryson, Texas, to Preston Crum and Lois (Weir) Crum.

Jerald was a salesman for many years and loved his job. 

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Cochran) Crum, of the home; his children, Sharla Shafer and husband Son, and Wayne Crum and wife Andrea; granddaughter, Christa Russell Franks and husband Todd; grandsons, David Russell, and Cody Crum and wife Skye. 

Jerald was a man of great faith, and now he rests in the arms of Jesus. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

Jewell Holland

Date birth – Date death

Jewell Irene Holland, 95, previously of Joplin, passed away Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Autumn Place, Columbus, Kan.

Jewell was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Oronogo to the late Otto and Rhoda (Morgan) White. She a lifelong resident of the Joplin area. On Dec. 1, 1951, she was united in marriage to Raymond John Holland in Webb City, Missouri. Together they had four children, and shared 58 precious years together before his passing on March 10, 2010.

Jewell was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Webb City. She had a very giving heart and spent many hours volunteering. Some of the organizations that were very important to her were Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cerebral Palsy Center, the Health Department in Webb City and St. Mary’s Catholic School. Jewell also worked alongside her husband at Ray’s Service Station in Webb City. Jewell cherished the time spent and memories created with family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jewell was also preceded in death by her son, Andy Holland; grandson, David Holland; and brother, Leo White.

Jewell is lovingly survived by her children, Rana Holland and husband Michael Houchins; Liz Millard and husband Mark, and James Holland; grandchildren, Dustin Holland and wife Mary, Amber Stone and partner Danial Messer, Erica Hubbard and husband Danny, Jo-z Ruark and husband Brandon, Hollie Duckett and husband Brent, and Kali Bridges and husband Chris; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, with the Rev. Francisco “Paco” Gordillo officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. A arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

OBITUARY

Austin Kerney

Oct. 17, 1990 – Sept. 17, 2021

Austin Christopher Richard Kerney passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, Sept. 17.  He was born Oct. 17, 1990, at Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria, Ill., son to Leslie Kerney and Barry Thurlo.

Austin graduated from Webb City High School in May 2009. He enjoyed camping, bonfires, swimming, spending time with his family and friends, and always ready to have a good time. Austin is survived by his mother and stepfather, Leslie and Sander Barnett, of Webb City; father, Barry Thurlo, Webb City; stepmother, Charity Downey Brown, Stella; his partner Jake Johnson; sisters, Samantha Lucas, Joplin, Sarah Draper, Webb City, Brittany Thurlo, Stella; brothers, Derek Thurlo, Webb City, Jaxen Thurlo, Webb City, Brad Jones, Sarcoxie, Eric Jones, Sarcoxie; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Doris, and grandfather, Wallace Thurlo, grandmother, Sheryl Thurlo, and grandfather, Tommy Hosp.

The family will have private services at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

George Mead

Feb. 15, 1944 – Sept. 21, 2021

George R. Mead, age 77, of Joplin, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Mercy Hospital Joplin. He was born on Feb. 15, 1944, in Lamar to Charles Lee Mead and Flossie (Swafford) Mead. 

George was a farmer for most of his life and a United States Army veteran, having served in Vietnam.   He was a member of Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, loved working in his yard, collecting antiques and was an avid sports watcher.

George married Dianna (Elliott) Mead on May 7, 1966, in Webb City and she survives him.  He is also survived by his sons, Richard Mead and wife Rachelle, Woodinville, Wash., and James Mead and wife April, Joplin; grandchildren, Cole Mead, Raymond Mead and wife Jazmine; great-grandchildren, Ryder Mead, Roman Mead, Raiden Mead; a sister, Lilly Ann Green, Pittsburg, Kan.; and a brother, Charles Mead, Thayer, Mo.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, in Carl Junction Cemetery, with full military honors. The family will be present for a visitation from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday at Simpson Funeral Home.

OBITUARY

James Steele

Jan. 11, 1944 – Sept. 15, 2021

Mr. James Dean Steele, 77, formerly of Webb City, departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at his residence in Lee’s Summit.

James entered this life on Jan. 11, 1944, in Providence, R.I., son of the late Richard William and Lena Nora (Carr) Steele. He was raised in Webb City and was the valedictorian of his 1962 graduating class. He furthered his education at the University of Missouri-Rolla, graduating in 1966 with his degree in civil engineering. On June 27, 1968, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on Fe. 29, 1972, earning the rank of captain. After his military service, he enrolled and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania with dual master’s degrees in civil engineering and public works. In 1976, he moved to Lee’s Summit and began employment with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company in Kansas City. He retied in January of 2008 as corporate administrator of specifications. Over his career, James received many awards for his work and involvement in the field of civil engineering. In 2017, he was inducted into the Webb City R-7 School District Hall of Fame. He was a longtime member of the Central United Methodist Church. He was a Master Mason, a Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rite.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a nephew, Chad Wilson.

James is survived by his two sisters, Diana Spencer and husband Richard, Golden, Mo., and Mary Hensley and husband Harold, Webb City; three nieces, Symonne Porras and husband Joe, Heather Wilson, and Holly Barnes and husband Jason; two nephews, Dax Wilson and wife Michelle and Travis Spencer and wife Christy; and seven great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, with Pastor Clint Lambeth officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Pallbearers were Richard Spencer, Travis Spencer, Wyatt Spencer, Joe Porras, Harold Hensley, Dax Wilson and Jordan Barnes. Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.