Elizabeth Larkin
PIERCE CITY, Mo. - Elizabeth Carol Larkin, 85, Pierce City route 2, died at 1:58 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield.
Mrs. Larkin was born Nov. 14, 1911, at Kansas City. She received a bachelor's degree from University of Kansas. She was a librarian for 40 years at Harold Bell Wright Library, Pierce City. She wrote a column for the Monett Times, covering the Pierce City area. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pierce City Garden Club, Pierce City Literary Club, Pierce City Supper Club, and had been a Lawrence County Democratic committeewoman.
She married Edward Patrick Larkin in January 1936 at Kansas City. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include three sons, Terry Larkin, Dillon, Colo., James Larkin, Fenton, and Kevin Larkin, Springfield; three daughters, Maura Sparks, Irving, Texas, Sheila Scott, Jefferson City, and Bridget Cromer, Chesterfield; a sister, Eleanor Carter, Phoenix, Ariz.; and five grandchildren.
Mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Pastor Dan Hertz will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery under the direction of Wessell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Louis Fenske, Edward Fenske, Harold Gripka, Bill Frey, Gary and Edwin Flehmer.
The body may be viewed after 9 a.m. today at the church.
Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.
Velma Rose
WASHBURN, Mo. - Services for Velma I. Rose, 84, Washburn, who died Thursday, will be 10:30 a.m. today at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. The Rev. Lenear Rose, John Rose and Lemoin Rose will officiate. Burial will be in King Cemetery, Seligman.
Mrs. Rose was a member of Church of God Seventh Day, Joplin.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruby Evylee Coyner, Washburn.
Pallbearers include Steve Rose.
Clifford Benfield
Clifford Claude Benfield, 67, Joplin, died at 2 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 1997, at Freeman Hospital West after an illness of several years.
Mr. Benfield was born Feb. 21, 1930, at Webb City and was a lifetime area resident. He was a fireman/paramedic with the Webb City Fire Department for many years. He retired in 1992 as Fire Chief of Carterville Fire Department after 12 years of service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of Central Christian Center.
He married Mary Lee Wheeler on August 21, 1950, at Bentonville, Ark. She died Sept. 28, 1996.
He also was preceded in death by a son.
Survivors include four sons, Darrell Benfield, Carl Benfield, and Dennis Benfield, all of Joplin, and Dale Benfield, Webb City; two daughters, Linda Fritts, Joplin, and Debbie Kent, Carterville; three sisters, Jackalene Kennedy, Joplin, Norma Davis, Wichita, Kan., and Evadean Hatcher, Houston, Texas; a brother, David Benfield, Palestine, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Doug Wilkerson officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Clarence Harmon
Clarence Harmon, 75, 2206 McConnell Ave., died at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 1997, at a local nursing home after a seven-week illness.
Mr. Harmon was born July 25, 1921, at Neosho. He had lived most of his life in the Joplin and Neosho areas. He was a clerk telegrapher for more than 30 years with Kansas City Southern Railroad, Joplin, retiring in 1982. He was a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and Elks Lodge No. 501, both of Joplin.
He married Anne Hawk on Jan. 11, 1947, at Columbus, Kan. She survives.
Additional survivors include a son, Richard Harmon, St. Louis; a daughter, Kandice Harmon, Joplin; and two brothers, James Harmon, Neosho, and Bill Harmon, Carthage.
The body has been cremated.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. The Rev. William Henderson will officiate. The cremains will be buried at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.
Contributions may be made to Joplin Elks Lodge No. 501, for charity work.
Wanda Queen
Wanda R. Queen, 201 N. Byers Ave., died at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, 1997, at a Joplin nursing home after a three-year illness. family didn't want to give her birthdate.
Mrs. Queen was born at Delaware, Ark. She had lived in Joplin since 1943. She was a longtime secretary at the former Triangle Oldsmobile automobile dealership at Joplin. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Joplin, and a former member of Joplin Woman's Club.
Her husband, Harry E. Queen, died June 26, 1958.
A son also preceded her in death.
Survivors include two brothers, Ora E. Rollans, Fayetteville, Ark., and Leo Rollans, Burbank, Calif.; a sister, Mae Hunter, state of California; three grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. Duane Trimble will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Dewayne Combs, Ben Moore, Russell Moore, Fred Godfrey, Charles Findley and J.P. Pim.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
Frank Shimp
Frank Harel Shimp, 73, Joplin, died at 11:25 p.m. Saturday, May 24, 1997, at St. John's Regional Medical Center after a long illness.
Mr. Shimp was born Aug. 31, 1923, at Portland, Ore. He attended school at Diamond. He attended the former Joplin Junior College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he graduated in 1952 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. After one year of internship, he began work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat Inspection Division in Kansas City, Kan. He transferred to Smithfield, Va.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Oklahoma City; Kansas City, Mo.; and Carthage. He retired in 1994, when he moved to Joplin.
He was a veteran of World War II. He retired from the Army Reserve Aug. 31, 1983 as a lieutenant colonel.
He was a member of Diamond Wesleyan Holiness Alliance Church.
He married Betty McMichael on June 5, 1954, at Grayson.. She survives.
Additional survivors include a son, Phillip H. Shimp, Diamond; two daughters, Susan Shimp Davolt, Independence, Kan., and Mary Shimp Townley, Duenweg; two sisters, Jeanne Shimp Stailey, Vinita, Okla., and Elma Jo Bradley, Joplin; a brother, Fred Myron Shimp, Morganville, Kan.; and three grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Housh Funeral Home, Sarcoxie.
Benton Whitaker
Benton F. Whitaker, 77, Joplin, died at 8:35 p.m. Saturday, May 24, 1997, at Freeman Hospital West after a short illness.
Mr. Whitaker was born Oct. 9, 1919, at Joplin and was a lifetime resident. He was a 1936 graduate of Joplin High School and attended Westminster College, Fulton, for two years. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in accounting. After graduation he was auditor of the western region of Trans World Airlines at Kansas City, Mo. He was president of the former Whitaker Printing Co. and became president of Joplin Printing Co. in 1977.
He had served as president of the Joplin YMCA, Joplin Rotary Club, Joplin Jaycees and the Big 4 Advertising Club. He was a past director of the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, Joplin Salvation Army, MO-KAN area Boy Scout Council and Joplin Health and Welfare. He was a member of the Joplin Rotary Club: Marketing Device Association International: Joplin Area Ad Club: Fellowship Lodge #345 AF&AM;, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Joplin; Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple, Springfield; and the Joplin Shrine Club.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with clusters.
He was a charter member, deacon, elder, and past president of the official board of First Community Church, Joplin.
He married Ruth Spratt on Nov. 21, 1943, at Tulsa, Okla. She survives.
Additional survivors include a son, Kim S. Whitaker, St. Augustine, Fla.; a daughter, Joy W. Barnett, Joplin; and two grandchildren.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Community Church, with the Rev. Wayne VanGundy and the Rev. E. Weldon Keckley, officiating. Private burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Members of the Joplin Rotary Club will be seated as a group.
The family will receive friends from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Parker Mortuary Chapel.
Contributions may be made to First Community Church.
