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As of Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Aug. 5, 1927 – Jan. 24, 2024
Wanda Marie (Dunaway) Austin, 96, of Webb City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 after a brief stay at Joplin Gardens.
She was born on Aug. 5, 1927, in Neosho, to the late George Willie and Olga (Nutt) Stout. Wanda was a graduate of Neosho High School and a lifelong resident of the area. Growing up on a small farm in Neosho, Wanda always spoke of her “wonderful childhood.” They grew or raised most everything they needed. Even during the depression, she “never knew we were poor by the world’s standards.” God had provided all this tight knit family of seven needed. One of her favorite memories was “Daddy coming home from town, knowing he might have penny candy hidden on him and we had to find it!”
During the war years they would help their mother set up a picnic table of fried chicken, tomatoes as “big as a dinner plate,” watermelon from the garden, and home canned fruit from the cellar, a generous offering to soldiers coming to and from nearby Camp Crowder. As a teen, she loved going to the skating rink. Once, she bragged that she and her partners could “clear a floor to jitterbug on roller skates”!
She married John Dunaway and raised three children. Wanda was a homemaker in the truest sense. In later years, she put her sewing talent to work, making custom draperies for Bruce Benson at the Contemporary Shop in Webb City, and Fenton L. Huff Interiors in Joplin. John and Wanda enjoyed vacationing with her sister and brother-in-law, working on John’s “bucket list.” They also enjoyed weekends at their Grand Lake property.
After John’s passing in 1987, she married W. Dale Austin in 1990. HE proclaimed she was the prettiest one at the Senior Center. SHE, after doing a little “background check” on Dale, often heard the words, “he is a true gentleman.” She often joked, “He’s a keeper!” They enjoyed 23 years together, making their home in Webb City before Dale’s passing in 2012. Having never had children of his own, Dale embraced her kids, grands, and great-grands, as his own.
Being fiercely independent, Wanda remained in the house “Grandpa Dale ‘’ built in the early 60’s until one week before her passing. Being homebound for several years, she was especially grateful for the abundance of care and shrimp scampi her granddaughter, Kristen provided. She had been in declining health since a stroke three years prior. Her family (and dear friend, Evelyn) banded together to serve her changing needs. Her “Local Boys” became Property Managers, she joked. Grandpa Dale would have approved. Everyone doing everything to keep her safely in the home she loved. Her daughter and granddaughter became her personal “meals on wheels,” which they often announced when delivering. Wanda was only one week shy of remaining in her home until the address changed to Heaven, Wednesday evening.
She was preceded in death by both John Dunaway and Dale Austin, as well as her father and mother. Wanda was the baby of the family and was preceded in death by her sisters, Loubelle Bogle, Eloise Frizzell, Clariece Griffith and Ortena Howard.
She is survived by her children, Mike Dunaway and wife Stephanie, Leawood, Kan., Susan Peterson and husband Dale, Webb City, Steve Dunaway and wife Janice, Joplin; five grandchildren, Angela Thomas, Lees Summit, Kristen Phillips, Webb City, Eric Peterson, Crestwood, Ky., Clay Dunaway, Bentonville, Ark., and Aaron Dunaway, Bismarck, N.D.; six great-grandchildren, Xavier Thomas, Lees Summit, Cayden Phillips and Addison Phillips, Webb City, Alexa Peterson, Carl Junction, Kiera Peterson and Avery Peterson, Crestwood, Ky.
Wanda gifted a great legacy of faith, strength, and resilience, all of which finds its way to each generation that honors her now. Her funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 24, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Interment was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sept. 20, 1931 – Jan. 21, 2024
Roger Bruner, formerly of Webb City, passed away at the age of 92 on Jan. 21, 2024. He was born and raised on a family farm in Daviess County, Mo. He attended the University of Kansas City, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. After college, he served in the U.S. 7th Army in Germany before beginning what would become a 50+ year career as a pharmacist.
Roger excelled in basketball, a sport he loved. He was a star player on his high school team and played for the University of Kansas City, where he was once named athlete of the year. While serving in the Army, he played on the 7th Army Championship team in Europe.
Roger married his wife, Brenda, in Kansas City in 1958. He moved to Webb City in 1961 after purchasing the Jackson drugstore. He owned and operated Bruner Pharmacy in Webb City and Carl Junction for many years. He and Brenda were residents of Webb City for 49 years and members of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish.
Roger was a civic-minded individual and active in his parish church. He served the Webb City community as a member of the School Board, Water Board, Waste Management Board, and Special Road District Board. He also served on the Jasper County Mental Health Board and the parish council at Sacred Heart Church. He was a member of the board of directors of Merchants and Miners Bank of Webb City, continuing with the bank through acquisitions and mergers up to the present U.S. Bank.
Roger was preceded in death by his wife Brenda, his daughter Angie, his granddaughter Emily, his parents Homer and Fannie, and 12 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his sons, Stephen (Linda), David (Amber), and Duane; his son-in-law James; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, John and Lee Roy.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart Church, 909 N. Madison St. A funeral Mass will be held at the church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Parish of Webb City or the Webb City Schools Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.
June 28, 1949 – Jan. 23, 2024
Nancy Darlene (Galardo) Dodson passed away in her loving daughter’s arms on Jan. 23, 2024, in Overland Park, Kan., from complications due to nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. She was born on June 28, 1949, to Sherman and Iva Galardo, both of whom preceded her in death.
Nancy grew up in Carterville and was a graduate of Carterville High School class of 1968.
On Nov. 6, 1972, she married the love of her life, Charles (Charlie) Dodson, and later adopted his daughter Julie. Charlie and Nancy had three children during their marriage, all of whom she loved dearly.
Nancy owned and operated Dodson’s Greenhouse in Purcell. Customers would travel from miles away to tiny Purcell to purchase Nancy’s well-known tomato plants and beautiful flowers.
On Jan. 2, 1994, Nancy’s world changed when Charlie tragically passed away. Nancy became a single mother and did not skip a beat caring for and providing for her children.
Nancy is survived by her loving children, Julie Riemer (Larry), Duneweg, Flint Dodson, Ozark, Clinton Dodson (Heather), Jasper, and Keri Jackson (Ken), Overland Park; grandchildren Mercadies Dodson, Zach Dixon, Chase Dixon and Kathryn Finley; and great-grandchildren Nalla, Livy, Lola, and Diem.
Nancy was a 52-year resident of Purcell. She was a member of New Beginnings Outreach Church.
Nancy is remembered by many for her kindness, smile, and feistiness. She was the second mother to many of her children’s friends, all of whom have wonderful memories with her. She was fiercely independent and there was not anything she could not tackle on her own. She had a great love for all animals and received great joy from her dogs. She loved attending Webb City football games with her best friend, Bobbie. Nancy also loved to attend estate sales, research old currency and collect antique marbles. Her children were everything to her and she did not hesitate to gleam with pride talking about them. Her greatest joy was being a mom and a Nan Nan.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Simpson Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at the funeral home. Nancy will be laid to rest at Weaver Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Charlie, immediately following the services.
Nancy would have wanted everyone to wear pink or a bright color.
Aug. 31, 1958 – Nov. 26, 2023
Virginia Ann “Ginny” Greek, formerly of Webb City, passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, 2023, in Nixa, due to complications from liver and kidney failure. Born on Aug. 31, 1958, in Great Lakes, Ill., Ginny was the cherished daughter of the late Alfred Bodamer and Elizabeth Bodamer.
Ginny was a loving wife to her husband Tom, children Kim, Kris, Eric, Brent, Ricky and Chey “Billie”, sister to her brothers Mike, Bob, the late David, and Jimmy, as well as to her sisters Tina and Debbie.
She was a bank manager at Nations Bank/Bank of America.
Ginny was a woman of many interests, with a special love for cooking, baking, and scrapbooking.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 at Countryside Christian Church, Nixa. Services were under the direction of Holden Funeral Service, Sparta
Oct. 5, 1956 – Jan. 28, 2024
Sharon Newman, age 67, of Webb City, passed away on Jan. 28, 2024, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. The horses from heaven came to give her a final ride home in the sunshine.
Sharon was born on Oct. 5, 1956, in Webb City, to Don Newman and Betty Harnden. She graduated from Webb City High School in 1975. Sharon retired from the Webb City postal service after 27 years. The addresses on her delivery route became like family over the years.
Other than her father, Don Newman, Sharon is preceded in passing by her paternal grandparents, along with aunts and uncles.
Sharon’s family was the core of her world. She was a beloved mother to Carly Webster and her spouse Conrad of Joplin. Her love multiplied through her grandchildren, Ayden Taylor, Bodhi and Beck Webster as well as Avery, Logan, and Cambry (Taylor), and great-grandchild Sutton; her sisters Karen Newman Childs and her spouse David, Anderson, Debbie Capps and her spouse Paige, Carthage, Nicki Lopez and her spouse Francisco, Oronogo; and her mother Betty Harnden, Webb City. Sharon further blossomed with the joy of many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
To know Sharon was to love her free spirit! She was a strong, independent woman who was an inspiration to all the females in her life. She was an example of living life the way you want to live it without boundaries. Sharon’s love for all living creatures and the land was what made her unique. She lived the principles of Indian culture, and her peace was found in nature. She was an advocate for preserving and taking care of the land. Her love for horses blessed her with many friendships over the years through trail rides. When she spent time with her beloved horses, you could feel the peace around you. Sharon was also known for her continued support of those she loved. She adored cheering on Carly while she played softball and later cheering on her grandchildren in their passions. She would make sure to attend any event she could to support all her nieces and nephews. Sharon’s favorite song was “Wasted Time” by the Eagles. She would want us to remember her and live our lives with the principle of the final line of this song, “that it wasn’t really wasted time.”
Sharon will be cremated, and her ashes spread at her beloved pond so that her spirit will be free to continue living on the land she was so proud of and be ever-present with those she loved most. A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at St Philips Episcopal Church, 706 Byers Ave. Joplin. To honor Sharon, take time sitting outside, letting the sun hit your face, listen to your favorite song at a high volume, take a car ride on a back road, and hug the people you love tight! Remember her in the summer when you have your car windows down, and your hair is blowing wildly! That will be her letting you know she is still present with us.
Services are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Dec. 17, 1957 – Jan. 25, 2024
Lloyd Walker, age 66, of Webb City, passed away Thursday Jan. 25, 2024, following a sudden illness.
He was born Dec. 17, 1957, in Webb City.
Lloyd graduated from Webb City High School, where he played football and basketball. He then attended Missouri Southern State University, where he played football. Lloyd also played softball for the Webb City Bombers. He enjoyed watching, coaching and umpiring Webb City Little League and watching his son participate in the 2002 Little League World Series. He was a very talented concrete worker and retired from the City of Webb City in 2022. He loved to hunt, especially with his son, and enjoyed being outdoors and traveling. He loved his family very much and was very involved with their extracurricular activities.
Lloyd married Sharon Saldutti on Nov. 23, 1979, and she survives. He is also survived by his mother, Bobby Walker; one son, Preston Walker and wife Courtney; one daughter, Jodi Sparlin; two grandchildren, Raylan Sparlin and Wilder Walker; one sister, Jayma Burrow and husband Steve; one nephew, Brandon Burrow; one niece, Whitney Stockdale; and numerous extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Goss and Josie Blanchard; and an uncle, Darrel Blanchard.
A memorial visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
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