Jack A. Kennell
Jack A. Kennell, 64, Aldrich, died Friday, July 16, 1999, at his home. A former longtime resident of the Strafford area, he was a retired auto mechanic. He worked for many years at Bill Beach Auto Service in Springfield and later owned J & J Auto Service. Survivors include his wife, Vicky Jo; two daughters, Cynthia Thompson of Springfield and Vicky Thompson of Pleasant Hope; two sons, Terry Kennel of the home and Travis Kennel of Springfield; his mother, Emma Kennel, a sister, Deanna Smith, and a brother, Everett Kennell, all of Springfield; his first wife, Carolyn Sue Kennell of Springfield; two grandchildren, Archie and Linda Thompson of Pleasant Hope; and a longtime friend and companion, JoAnne Ward of Aldrich. Graveside services were Tuesday, July 20, at Turners Cemetery under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.
Dr. Ben Koon
Dr. Ben Koon, 69, Bolivar, family physician, died at 1:12 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 1999, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born Aug. 18, 1929, in Bolivar to Carl and Nell Hargis Koon. He was a member of Schweitzer United Methodist Church, Springfield, until his death. Ben was a family physician in Bolivar, the community where he grew up and which he dearly loved. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; six daughters, Debbie and her husband, Filip Garrett, Mason City, Iowa, Cynthia and her husband, Kevin Burington, Strafford, Kirsten and her husband Glenn Hatz, Liesl and her husband Steven King, Julie and her husband Tommy Brach, all of Springfield, and Mary Nell Koon of Bolivar; and one son, Carl Koon, Nixa; two stepdaughters and four stepsons, Tresa and her husband Steven Snider and Tanda Poterbin of Bolivar, Brent Sharp and his wife, Sandy, of Buffalo, Jody Sharp and his wife, Alisha, Jamie Sharp and his wife, Amy, all of Half Way, and Jonathan Sharp of the home. Also surviving are his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Lisa and Filip Glenn Garrett, Erik Burington, Shelby, Katlyn and Hanna Hatz, Evan, Karleen and McKenzie King, Shannon and Courtney Koon, Marissa and Makayla Snider, Alissa Poterbin and Brittany, Hannah and Bethany Sharp. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Carl and Nell Koon; one brother, Carl; one sister, Carlene; and one granddaughter, Kristy Garrett. Ben's faith in God, his family and patients always came first in his life, even before his own wants or needs. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis in October 1994. He never gave up his battle to beat the cancer within his body. He did everything he could to live each moment to the fullest. He never complained about his illness; he was always concerned about what he could be doing for someone else. His light that shone like a beacon will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 3, at Schweitzer United Methodist Church in Springfield. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Research Foundations in care of Pitts Chapel.
Ruby E. Lockhart
Ruby Ellen Lockhart, 87, Bolivar, died Friday, July 9, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. She had been a resident of Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility for four years and was a charter member of the Bolivar First Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Lockhart, and six children. Survivors include a daughter, Berdena McKinley, and two sons, Clifford E. (Joe) Lockhart and Wayne Lockhart and daughter-in-law Kay, all of Bolivar; 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, July 12, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Gary Parsons and the Rev. Earl Rodgers officiating. Music was by Judy Tinsley, Wanda Ingles and Shirley Wright. Pallbearers were Carl McKinley, Rex Carter, Leallen Lockhart, Kenny Lockhart, Derryl Lockhart and Cliff Clements. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Erskine, E.J. Lockhart, Terry Lockhart and Adam Clements. Interment was in Mount Olive Cemetery.
Christopher Malley
Christopher Michael Malley, 18, Louisburg, died Saturday, July 31, 1999, as the result of an auto accident. He graduated from Hickory County R-1 School (Skyline) in May 1999. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Mike and Christine Malley of rural Louisburg; two brothers, Phillip Joseph Malley and his family and Jeremiah Malley; a stepsister, Shiloh Webster of Louisburg; and a stepbrother and stepsister, Aaron and Amanda Bricker of Ava. Also surviving are his grandmothers, Hedwig Malley of Nixa and Maxine A. Carbin of rural Urbana, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service and gathering will be from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Skyline High School with the service taking place at 10 a.m.
Dwight I. Matthews
Dwight Irwin Matthews, 43, Dallas, Texas, died Sunday, July 4, 1999, at Legacy Founders Cottage in Dallas following a lingering illness. He was born Aug. 31, 1955, in Bolivar and was a 1973 graduate of Bolivar High School. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Bolivar. He had been a resident of Dallas for 14 years. Dwight was a lover of the outdoors and photography. He spent a lot of time taking pictures of flowers and waterfalls, his favorite parts of nature. He enjoyed traveling and had traveled to 49 states and all the provinces in Canada. He never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He touched the lives of many people and was an inspiration to those afflicted with AIDS. Dwight was active in organizing fundraisers for AIDS patients in the Dallas, Texas, area. He was preceded in death by his father and is survived by his mother, Edna Matthews, Bolivar; two brothers, Glenn Matthews of Kansas City and Keith Matthews of Springfield; one sister and her husband, Leta and Charles Gass, Bolivar; four nieces, Amanda, Staci, Valary and Christie, and one nephew, Jackson; an aunt, Daisy Lane of Fair Play; an uncle, Gene Mann, state of Arizona; several cousins and many friends. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Bolivar. The body was cremated under the direction of Oak Cliff Funeral Chapel, Dallas, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to AIDS Project of the Ozarks, 1901 Bennett, Springfield MO 65804 or Legacy Founders Cottage, 828 S. Tyler, Dallas TX 75208.
Karan Mewbourne
Karan Rhea Mewbourne, 60, Springfield, died at 2:54 p.m. Monday, July 12, 1999, in Cox Medical Center North. The daughter of James Jefferson and Melba Rhea Stratton, she was born in Nevada. She and her family were former residents of Kansas City, Buffalo and Bolivar. She was a purchasing agent for a clothing manufacturer. Survivors include her husband, Dennis Wayne Mewbourne, and one son, Randy Mewbourne, both of Springfield, and one sister, Patricia Ann McCarty, Independence. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 16, in Danforth Cemetery under the direction of Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreid-Wood Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home after 1 p.m. Thursday. The casket will be closed.
Wallace D. Miller
Dr. Wallace D. Miller, 72, Ozark, died at 1:25 a.m. Sunday, July 18, 1999, in the Lester E. Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. Dr. Miller was a professor for many years at Southwest Baptist University. He was an Air Force and Marine veteran of World War II and received a Bronze Star. He was also a member of the Glenstone Baptist Church, Springfield. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers. Survivors include two daughters, Frances Lorraine Miller, Hattiesburg, Miss., and Letitia Kay Cook, Marshfield; two sons, Wally D. Miller, Strafford, and David E. Miller, Springfield; his mother, Dorothy Miller, Oklahoma City, Okla.; his children's mother, Frances Miller, Marshfield; 12 brothers and sisters, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Fraker Funeral Home, Marshfield, with burial following in Marshfield Cemetery.
Samuel D. Minks
Samuel Darwin "Pood" Minks, 83, Collins, died at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 1999, at Big Spring Care Center, Humansville. He was born July 10, 1916, near Collins, the son of Richard G. and Mary Estella Nance Minks. He grew up in Collins and graduated from Collins High School in 1935. When World War II began, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As a Navy Seabee, he saw service in Africa and the Pacific. On Okinawa, he was chief petty officer responsible for the heavy equipment used to build Yonton Airfield. After World War II ended, he returned to Collins and married Virginia Worthington on May 25, 1946. They had two children, Raymond Gary Minks and Dana Minks Beamish. For most of his life he was a farmer at Collins. He was a member of St. Clair Lodge No. 273 A.F. & A.M., Sac-Osage VFW Post No. 4197 and Coon Creek Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mildred Minks Disney, and his brother, Emery Minks, who died in infancy. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of Collins; his son, Ray Minks, Sterling, Va.; his daughter, Dana Beamish, Ozark; one granddaughter, Virginia Kathleen Minks, Sterling, Va.; seven step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, Aug. 2, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with Bro. Marshall Henderson officiating. Pallbearers were Ronnie Nance, Melvin Nance, Roger Culbertson, Raymond Powell, Burleigh Wheeler and Gerald Keller. Masonic rites were conducted by St. Clair Lodge No. 273 A.F. & A.M. Interment was in Freeman-Holsapple Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Southwest Missouri, 1465 E Primrose, Suite A, Springfield MO 65704.
Cora Mitchell
Cora Mae Mitchell, 75, Bolivar, died Tuesday, July 6, 1999, in her home. She was born Sept. 3, 1923, at Wishart, the daughter of Bert Sylvester and Mandy May Spinks. She was married to Paul Mitchell on May 18, 1940. To this union three children were born, Dixie, Ella and Mack. She was a homemaker, living many years in Bolivar, then moving to Springfield and returning to Bolivar in 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents and two brothers, Raymond Spinks and Dewey Spinks. Survivors include her children and their spouses, Dixie and Bill Turner of Springfield, Ella and Lavon Pilkington of Long Lane and Mack and Sandra Mitchell of Bolivar; seven grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services were Friday, July 9, in Murray Chapel with Bro. Jim Bybee officiating. Pallbearers were Paul Mitchell, Rick Pilkington, Gary Holiday, Randy Reed, Dan Copeland and Craig Davis. Music was by Jackie Hitchcock and Greg Ankrom. Interment was in Slagle Cemetery.
Delbert W. Murray
Delbert Wilby Murray, 80, Bolivar, died Thursday, July 29, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born Jan. 24, 1919, near Pleasant Hope, the son of Elmer S. and Exonia Brockus Murray. A graduate of Bolivar High School, he attended Southwest Baptist College. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and he was the last surviving charter member of VFW Post No. 4085 in Bolivar. On July 5, 1945, he was married to Eva M. DeWitt, who preceded him in death Jan. 5, 1995. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Lotus Murray and Maynard Murray. A retired furniture salesman, he had been employed by Hutcheson Furniture Company, Titus Furniture and Appliance and Long's Furniture, all in Bolivar. He was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church. Survivors include three children, Kenneth Murray and his wife, Tanafra, of Humansville, Karolyn Degraffenreid, Kathy Drake and her husband, Larry, all of Bolivar; a brother, Loren Murray Sr., Bolivar; 13 grandchildren, David Murray and his wife, Michelle, Emily Harding and her husband, Brandon, Amy Bushey and her husband, Matt, Kendra and Krista Degraffenreid, Kasey Bradshaw and her husband, Kevin, Korey, Kody, Kandace and Kaleigh Degraffenreid, Trent, Sheila and Jennifer Drake; one great-grandson, Tanner Harding; three nieces and one nephew. Services were Sunday, Aug. 1, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson and the Rev. Roger Wreath officiating. Music was by Brad Wommack. Pallbearers were Jess Pursley, Ron Hale, Gary Cansler, Harold Holt, Charles Long and Loren Murray Jr. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polk County Senior Center, 205 N. Pike Ave., Bolivar MO 65613.
