InRemembrance
This page is an ongoing tribute to the lives of friends and family lost on May 22, 2011, in the tragic tornado that struck Joplin at 5:41 pm.
These beloved fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, children and friends are special individuals who are part of the close-knit Joplin community. They will be forever remembered for their courage, love, and dedication to their families, their friends, and the City of Joplin.
While great care has been taken to be accurate, this information was taken from sources available at the time. Should you find errors please email to info@joplinmo.org
To view our citizens lost, please click on a letter to display their information.
Click on the name to expand.
Alvarez, José O.
José O. Alvarez received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Colombia National University, master’s degree in Hispanic Studies, and Ph.D. in Latin American Literature, from Florida International University.
He is a former editor of one of the first literary online magazine of University of Miami, and a pioneer in the application of educational online platforms like Blackboard, WebCT, and Moodle. He has a genuine enthusiasm and commitment on finding solutions to the digital divide problem.
He was a Professor with the Department of Modern Languages in Miami-Dade College, University of Miami, and Florida International University. Dr. Alvarez published five volumes of his students short stories. Dr. Alvarez was the author of the books “Cuentos de vida, muerte y resurrección,” “Vivir del cuento”, “Poética de la brevedad en Borges.” He also created the first online Anthology of Latin American Literature, the first online Short Stories Anthology, movie reviews, literary reviews, and has participated in several short stories anthologies, International Book Fairs, and lectures in several countries. He was nominated “Faculty of the Year 1999? by the Federation of Black Greeks, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Association, and Excellence in Teaching Award Instructional Advancement Center 2000? of the University of Miami. José Alvarez was an assistant professor at Missouri Southern State University. He was teaching Spanish.
José O. Alvarez received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Colombia National University, master’s degree in Hispanic Studies, and Ph.D. in Latin American Literature, from Florida International University.He is a former editor of one of the first literary online magazine of University of Miami, and a pioneer in the application of educational online platforms like Blackboard, WebCT, and Moodle. He has a genuine enthusiasm and commitment on finding solutions to the digital divide problem.
He was a Professor with the Department of Modern Languages in Miami-Dade College, University of Miami, and Florida International University. Dr. Alvarez published five volumes of his students short stories. Dr. Alvarez was the author of the books “Cuentos de vida, muerte y resurrección,” “Vivir del cuento”, “Poética de la brevedad en Borges.” He also created the first online Anthology of Latin American Literature, the first online Short Stories Anthology, movie reviews, literary reviews, and has participated in several short stories anthologies, International Book Fairs, and lectures in several countries. He was nominated “Faculty of the Year 1999? by the Federation of Black Greeks, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Association, and Excellence in Teaching Award Instructional Advancement Center 2000? of the University of Miami. José Alvarez was an assistant professor at Missouri Southern State University. He was teaching Spanish.
Alverez-Torres, Ma De Lourdes
Age: 43
Hometown: Joplin
Anderson, Barbara A.
Age: 76
Hometown: Joplin
Anderson, Sarah Lee
Sarah entered this life on April 20, 1965 in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Todd Dean and Lois (Faux) Sherfy. At age thirteen she moved with her family to Branson, Missouri. She graduated from Branson High School in 1983 and has resided in Joplin, Missouri since 1985. She was employed by the Joplin School District as a secretary at South Middle School for the last ten years.
On August 25, 1985 in Branson, Missouri, Bill and Sarah were united in marriage and to this union two children were born. They both enjoyed reading and were members of the 26th and Connecticut Church of Christ in Joplin, Missouri.
They are survived by their two children, Grace and Quinton Anderson both of the home. Bill is also survived by four siblings, Stuart Anderson of Neosho, Missouri, David Anderson of Tipton, Iowa, Marti Crawford of Granby, Missouri and Kay Anderson of Neosho, Missouri. Additional survivors for Sarah include her three siblings, John Sherfy of the state of Iowa, Sharon Sherfy of Branson, Missouri and Ellen Wiebelhaus of Waddell, Arizona. They are also survived by several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. & Mrs. Anderson are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Missouri. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery west of Neosho, Missouri. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.
Source: Ozark Funeral Home
Age: 46
William Austin “Bill” Anderson, 53, and Sarah Lee Anderson, 46, of Joplin, Missouri departed this life suddenly on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 at their home from injuries sustained in the devastating Joplin tornado.Sarah entered this life on April 20, 1965 in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Todd Dean and Lois (Faux) Sherfy. At age thirteen she moved with her family to Branson, Missouri. She graduated from Branson High School in 1983 and has resided in Joplin, Missouri since 1985. She was employed by the Joplin School District as a secretary at South Middle School for the last ten years.
On August 25, 1985 in Branson, Missouri, Bill and Sarah were united in marriage and to this union two children were born. They both enjoyed reading and were members of the 26th and Connecticut Church of Christ in Joplin, Missouri.
They are survived by their two children, Grace and Quinton Anderson both of the home. Bill is also survived by four siblings, Stuart Anderson of Neosho, Missouri, David Anderson of Tipton, Iowa, Marti Crawford of Granby, Missouri and Kay Anderson of Neosho, Missouri. Additional survivors for Sarah include her three siblings, John Sherfy of the state of Iowa, Sharon Sherfy of Branson, Missouri and Ellen Wiebelhaus of Waddell, Arizona. They are also survived by several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. & Mrs. Anderson are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Missouri. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery west of Neosho, Missouri. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.
Source: Ozark Funeral Home
Anderson, William Austin
Bill entered this life on April 19, 1958 in Neosho, Missouri to the late Homer Ray and Carolyn Sue (Stuart) Anderson. He was raised in Neosho, Missouri and was a 1976 graduate of Neosho High School. He moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1980 and for the last thirty years was employed by Office Concepts.
On August 25, 1985 in Branson, Missouri, Bill and Sarah were united in marriage and to this union two children were born. They both enjoyed reading and were members of the 26th and Connecticut Church of Christ in Joplin, Missouri.
They are survived by their two children, Grace and Quinton Anderson both of the home. Bill is also survived by four siblings, Stuart Anderson of Neosho, Missouri, David Anderson of Tipton, Iowa, Marti Crawford of Granby, Missouri and Kay Anderson of Neosho, Missouri. Additional survivors for Sarah include her three siblings, John Sherfy of the state of Iowa, Sharon Sherfy of Branson, Missouri and Ellen Wiebelhaus of Waddell, Arizona. They are also survived by several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. & Mrs. Anderson are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Missouri. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery west of Neosho, Missouri. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.
Source: Ozark Funeral Home
Age: 53
William Austin “Bill” Anderson, 53, and Sarah Lee Anderson, 46, of Joplin, Missouri departed this life suddenly on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 at their home from injuries sustained in the devastating Joplin tornado.Bill entered this life on April 19, 1958 in Neosho, Missouri to the late Homer Ray and Carolyn Sue (Stuart) Anderson. He was raised in Neosho, Missouri and was a 1976 graduate of Neosho High School. He moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1980 and for the last thirty years was employed by Office Concepts.
On August 25, 1985 in Branson, Missouri, Bill and Sarah were united in marriage and to this union two children were born. They both enjoyed reading and were members of the 26th and Connecticut Church of Christ in Joplin, Missouri.
They are survived by their two children, Grace and Quinton Anderson both of the home. Bill is also survived by four siblings, Stuart Anderson of Neosho, Missouri, David Anderson of Tipton, Iowa, Marti Crawford of Granby, Missouri and Kay Anderson of Neosho, Missouri. Additional survivors for Sarah include her three siblings, John Sherfy of the state of Iowa, Sharon Sherfy of Branson, Missouri and Ellen Wiebelhaus of Waddell, Arizona. They are also survived by several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. & Mrs. Anderson are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Missouri. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery west of Neosho, Missouri. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.
Source: Ozark Funeral Home
Aquino, Grace Layug
Grace was born on October 6, 1964 in Florida Blanca, Philippines, the daughter of Armando Layug and the late Elena Punzalan. She has been a resident of Joplin for the past nine years. She received a bachelor’s degree in business. She was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church. She worked as a hostess for the China Pantry. Grace unselfishly covered and protected her twelve year old son during the tornado, and as a result his life was spared. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
She married Rizaldy Aquino on March 19, 1986 in the Philippines, and he survives. Additional survivors include her son, Malachi Jacob Aquino, of the home; two daughters, Divine Aquino, Overland Park, Ks., and Eunice Aquino, Manhattan, Ks.; three brothers, Cezar Layug, of Germany, Noel Layug, and Eugene Layug, both of the Phillipines.; her twin sister, Divina Villaruel, of the Philippines; sister-in-law Liberty Nicholas and husband Bernard and family, Seattle, Wa.; great-aunts, Corazon Mangio and Ofelia Oakley; cousins, Leni and Robert Welch, Joplin, Lerma and Orlando Castaneda, Sacramento, Ca., Jerwin and Eden Signa, Joplin, Miranda and Perry Taylor, Joplin, Noreen Jean Smith, Ann & Robert Mathews, Joplin; many nieces and nephews; and her grand puppies, Orly and Klassy.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary with cremation to follow Reverend Charlie Burnett will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Grace Aquino Memorial fund in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
Source: Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory
Age: 46
Grace Layug Aquino, age 46, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on May 22, 2011, at Harmony Heights Baptist Church, from injuries sustained in the catastrophic tornado.Grace was born on October 6, 1964 in Florida Blanca, Philippines, the daughter of Armando Layug and the late Elena Punzalan. She has been a resident of Joplin for the past nine years. She received a bachelor’s degree in business. She was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church. She worked as a hostess for the China Pantry. Grace unselfishly covered and protected her twelve year old son during the tornado, and as a result his life was spared. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
She married Rizaldy Aquino on March 19, 1986 in the Philippines, and he survives. Additional survivors include her son, Malachi Jacob Aquino, of the home; two daughters, Divine Aquino, Overland Park, Ks., and Eunice Aquino, Manhattan, Ks.; three brothers, Cezar Layug, of Germany, Noel Layug, and Eugene Layug, both of the Phillipines.; her twin sister, Divina Villaruel, of the Philippines; sister-in-law Liberty Nicholas and husband Bernard and family, Seattle, Wa.; great-aunts, Corazon Mangio and Ofelia Oakley; cousins, Leni and Robert Welch, Joplin, Lerma and Orlando Castaneda, Sacramento, Ca., Jerwin and Eden Signa, Joplin, Miranda and Perry Taylor, Joplin, Noreen Jean Smith, Ann & Robert Mathews, Joplin; many nieces and nephews; and her grand puppies, Orly and Klassy.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary with cremation to follow Reverend Charlie Burnett will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Grace Aquino Memorial fund in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
Source: Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory
Arsenault, Dale
Age: 52
Ash, Jr., Cyrus (Edward)
Born September 21, 1923 in Monett, Mo., he was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He worked in the receiving department of Lozier, from the first day the company located in Joplin and remained over 20 years, before retiring. He was an avid Joplin Flea Market dealer, and remained active there until the age of 83. He was a member of College Heights Christian Church. He was an expert billiards player and went fishing at Shoal Creek every evening to “unwind”.
On December 28, 1941, he married Emma Landreth in Joplin. She survives.
Additional survivors include two daughters, Brenda Nichols and husband Danny of Carl Junction, Shirley Elliott and husband Norman of New Hampshire; four grandchildren, Chad, Matt, Lisa and J.W.; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Latimer and Evelyn Leedy, both of Wichita, Kan.
Ed was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Judith Ash in 1973, and Patricia Sue Miller in 2010; and three brothers, all of Kansas.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Ozark Memorial Park with Jay St. Clair, minister officiating. Pallbearers will be Matt and J.W. Miller, Chad Nichols, Jimmy Fontillo and Jimmy Cox. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory
Age: 87
Cyrus Edward (Edward) Ash, age 87 of Joplin, passed away on May 22, 2011 from injuries sustained in a tornado.Born September 21, 1923 in Monett, Mo., he was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He worked in the receiving department of Lozier, from the first day the company located in Joplin and remained over 20 years, before retiring. He was an avid Joplin Flea Market dealer, and remained active there until the age of 83. He was a member of College Heights Christian Church. He was an expert billiards player and went fishing at Shoal Creek every evening to “unwind”.
On December 28, 1941, he married Emma Landreth in Joplin. She survives.
Additional survivors include two daughters, Brenda Nichols and husband Danny of Carl Junction, Shirley Elliott and husband Norman of New Hampshire; four grandchildren, Chad, Matt, Lisa and J.W.; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Latimer and Evelyn Leedy, both of Wichita, Kan.
Ed was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Judith Ash in 1973, and Patricia Sue Miller in 2010; and three brothers, all of Kansas.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Ozark Memorial Park with Jay St. Clair, minister officiating. Pallbearers will be Matt and J.W. Miller, Chad Nichols, Jimmy Fontillo and Jimmy Cox. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory