As of Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Sept. 9, 1950 – Jan. 29, 2025
Sharon Lou “Mambo” Hamlin, 74, of Webb City, passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS. Sharon was born Sept. 9, 1950, in Macon. She grew up in the beautiful countryside of Ten Mile, Mo., where she loved helping her parents in their historic Hays Ten Mile Country Store and in their backyard garden full of delicious tomatoes, corn, green beans, onions and turnips. After marrying the love of her life, she resided in the Joplin area.
Throughout the years Sharon helped her husband, Dr. Gary Hamlin, in his medical practice in various capacities, but her favorite “job” was being a homemaker and caring for her husband, kids, and grandkids. Mambo loved her grandkids dearly; in particular, her skill of infant caretaking was unmatched. She may have reached world-record status with the number of books read and songs sung to her grandchildren. Loving on the babies was guaranteed to bring a smile to her face. Sharon also enjoyed going to movies, walking in God’s creation, making “Mamboroni” for family gatherings, watching her kids and grandkids in any activity they were involved with (while most definitely cheering the loudest), spoiling her family, and sitting beside her husband while he fished and hunted. She also served alongside Gary in their ministries, including Teen Challenge, leading Bible studies at Christ’s Church of Oronogo, and missions work for and in Haiti.
Her love for the Lord was contagious! She had a beautiful faith, and if she told you she was praying for you, she meant it. I’m sure all of us have felt her “Love and Prayers!” Her smile brought sunshine to a room, and she made sure everyone she encountered felt seen and loved. Jesus was her all in all!
Sharon was a current member of Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, but also loved her time worshipping at Webb City Christian Church, Christ’s Church of Oronogo, Hope City, and College Heights Christian Church, where she rocked many, many babies in the church nursery.
On July 8, 1973, with birds singing and a slight breeze through open windows, Sharon and Gary were married at Plainview Christian Church outside of Tenmile, Missouri; Gary survives.
Other survivors include; three sons, Brian C. Hamlin, Central Point, Ore., Jason C. (Rebecca) Hamlin, Joplin, and Beau G. (Michelle) Hamlin, Joplin; three daughters, Jenny (Allen) Conard, Denton, Texas, Jill (Brad) Bishop, Joplin, and Sarah (Austin) Eidson, Webb City; 19 grandchildren plus four grandchildren-in-law; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sandra Ford (the late Richard) Pappendick, Clayton, Annie Hays (partner Bill Romjue), Hartsburg; and many beloved nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry Roy and Martha Evonne Baker Hays; and her father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Novella Hamlin.
A service to celebrate Sharon’s life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in the east worship center at College Heights Christian Church in Joplin. Ministers Mark Scott and Jay St. Clair will officiate. There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to All Ages Medical Care, a medical ministry that Sharon loved serving with her husband.
June 19, 1946 – Feb. 4, 2025
Wally Shields, age 78, of Webb City, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin following two and a half years of failing health. Wally was born June 19, 1946, in Joplin, the son of Dan and Vetras “Jo” Shields.
Wally was a graduate of Joplin High School and attended the former Joplin Junior College. Wally devoted his working career to banking, beginning with the Webb City Bank and working for 40 years with Southwest Missouri Bank in Joplin, Jasper, and Miami, Okla., retiring in 2012. He was a former area softball player and played for a semipro softball team in Tulsa. He was also involved in Legend Car racing and was a former state champion. Wally was a member of the Joplin Full Gospel Church and directed their Missions Program. Wally proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. He was a past president of the Webb City Chamber of Commerce, and a past member of the Webb City-Carl Junction Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris fellow. He served on the building committee of Crowder College’s Webb City Campus. He was also a member of the Webb City Liars Club. Wally and Debbie enjoyed traveling, going to NASCAR races, going 4-wheeling, and visiting 48 of the 50 states.
Wally married Debbie Rohde on July 17, 1993, in Carthage, and she survives. Additional survivors include a son-in-law, Rob Williams, of Iowa; a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Sawyer, Independence, Mo.; a brother, Bobby Shields and his wife Joyce, Cushing, Okla.; four grandchildren, Trevor Shields and wife Lindsey, Ivy Cameron, Brady Shields, and Logan Shields; and one great-grandson, Maddox Shields. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kristie Williams; his son, Chad Shields; two sisters, Betty Chandler and Joyce Myers and her husband John.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Joplin Full Gospel Church, 2601 Indiana Avenue, with Pastors Josh and Amy Patrick officiating. Pallbearers will be Jerome Myers, Clayton Patrick, Wyatt Patrick, Logan Myers, Luther Streight and Gary Jones. Burial will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery, with military honors provided. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Full Gospel Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Nov. 5, 1939 – Feb. 3, 2025
Lovingly written by the family
Lorena Ruth Sweeney was born on Nov. 5, 1939, at her parents’ home in Jasper County and was the fourth of five sisters and one brother born to Rollin and Mary Jantz. She leaves behind Charles, her husband of 55 years, along with two daughters, Lori Bowman (Doug), of Springfield, and Cari Sweeney, of Webb City; one grandson, Joseph Albrecht, Springfield; one sister, Willadean Wuellner, Joplin; and one brother, Norman Jantz (Charlotte), Oronogo. Her sisters Rose Marie, Wanda and Gladys preceded her in death.
Lorena had the musical gift of “playing by ear” and played the piano and organ at her church for most of her life. She attended Waco and Carl Junction schools and graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1957 as the valedictorian of her class. She married Charles Sweeney on March 16, 1969, at the Oronogo United Methodist Church, now known as the Oronogo Church on the Hill, where she was also a Sunday school teacher telling others about the goodness of God and Jesus until the day she left us. She loved being a grandma to Joey, spending time with her family, and putting together puzzles. But most importantly, she loved the Lord with everything that she was and knew where she was headed. Today, we are rejoicing that Heaven has gained a piano player who can accompany the angels.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oronogo Church on the Hill.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at the funeral home, with pastor Terri Haywood officiating. Interment to follow at Weaver Cemetery.
Dec. 2, 1969 – Feb. 2, 2025
Terry Gene Witt, of Webb City, passed away on Feb. 2, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. He was born on Dec. 2, 1969, in Webb City, to the late Gary and Betty (Riddle) Witt.
Terry was the respected manager of Spectrum Paint in Joplin, where his leadership and expertise were valued by both colleagues and customers.
Terry’s passions extended far beyond his professional life. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and his love for country music often found him at the center of Karaoke nights, where he shared his talent and enthusiasm with others. His creative soul found expression in painting and woodworking, hobbies that showcased his attention to detail and his imaginative vision.
He is survived by his aunts and uncles, Laura Ringler, Sharon Longley, Bill Witt, Jack Witt; nieces and nephews, Robert Castro, Alisha Witt, Matt Witt, Jack Daniels, Brandon Witt, and Blake Witt; sister-in-law, Dezirai Witt; and several cousins.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Billy Witt.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Parker Mortuary in Joplin.
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