Re: Joplin

Age: 52

Nancy Ann Martin, 52, Neosho, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, in Miami, OK from injuries sustained in the Joplin tornado. She was born June 19, 1958, in Lebanon, MO to Marion Kyle Grinage and Betty M. (Paulson) Grinage.

Nancy was a lifelong resident of Neosho and graduate of Neosho High School. She worked at the New Vision Group home as a caregiver.

She is survived by her two sons, Anthony Kyle Owen and Brandon Shane Martin, both of Neosho; one granddaughter Khristeena Ann Marie Owen, Goodman; a brother Michael Grinage, Kansas City, MO; a sister Linda Dettmer and husband Jim of Joplin and 4 nephews, David Dewitt and wife Rinatta of Mesa, Arizona; Tyler Dewitt, Neosho; Daniel Dewitt, Neosho and Christopher Dettmer of Colorado.

The body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Source: Clark Funeral Homes

Age: 44

Jesse Len McKee, 44, Neosho, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, from injuries sustained in the Joplin tornado.

He was born May 17, 1967 in St. Louis, Missouri to Lee Roy McKee and Irma (Rayfield) McKee.Jesse and Susan Johnston were married on June 15, 1991 in Ellington, Missouri. They moved to Neosho in 1998. He served in the United States Air Force.

Jesse was a self-employed master electrician and a member of the Set Free Ministries in Wyandotte, OK. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and loved playing music.

He is survived by his wife Susan McKee; his mother Irma Hampton, Seneca; his children, Jessica McKee, Justin McKee and Zachary McKee, all of the home; two sisters, Judith Peters, Summerland Key, FL and Janet McKee, Webb City, MO; two step brothers, Robert Hampton, St. Louis, MO and David Hampton, St. Louis, MO; step sister Tina Klosterman, St. Charles, MO.

Jesse was preceded in death by his father, Lee Roy McKee and step-father Wilburn Hampton.

Source: Clark Funeral Homes

Age: 69

James Edward McKeel, age 69, Joplin, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at his home as a result of injuries sustained in the tornado.

Jim was born October 22, 1941 in Warsaw, Illinois, son of the late Marvin and Ollie McKeel. He was a baker for over 30 years for several companies in the Joplin area. He enjoyed life, and was always trying to make people smile. He loved to entertain and cook for his family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna Marie McKeel in 1999. Jim was with his current wife, Mary McKeel, during the tornado, she also passed away.

Survivors include sons, Jimmy McKeel of Asbury, Missouri, and Kenny McKeel of Lebanon, Missouri; daughters, Jamey McKeel of Duenweg, Missouri and Regina McNamara of Webb City, Missouri; grandchildren, Darin Keen, Ashley Hoskins, Dylan Ward, Amber Ward, Brandi Whitehead, Jesseca McNamara, Samantha McNamara; great-grandchildren, James Micheal Keen, Brandon Hoskins, Bailyn Mercer, Zachary Whitehead, and Austin Whitehead.

Memorial service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park Baptist Church with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory

Age: 68

LaDonna S. (Journot) McPurdy, 68, of Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Parsons, Kansas, went home to be with her Lord at 4:57 p.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin from injuries sustained in the tornado.

She was born October 6, 1942, in Parsons, Kansas, to Frank and Myrtle (Johnston) Journot. She grew up in Parsons where she attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and was a graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. Following high school graduation, she attended Ft. Scott Community College where she earned a degree in cosmetology. Later in life, she attended Independence Community College where she earned a cosmetology teaching certificate and had taught classes at Vatterott College in Joplin. She was a lifelong hair stylist in Parsons before moving to Carl Junction in 2005.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin. She enjoyed painting, ceramics, gardening, fishing, camping and traveling. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She and Richard McPurdy were married in 1983 in Miami, Oklahoma. He survives of the home.

Additional survivors include: One Son – Dale Gough Parsons, KS Four Daughters – Karla March Weir, KS Lisa Dhooghe Diamond, MO Debra Shields Parsons, KS Julie Ramsey Carl Junction, MO Stepson – John McPurdy Kings Mountain, NC Twenty-Seven Grandchildren Twenty-Eight Great-Grandchildren One Sister – Christine Jones Valley View, TX Aunt – Ann Pontious Parsons, KS

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Eugene Quirin.

Following cremation, graveside committal services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

Source: Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Homes

Age: 49

Randall Elvin Mell, age 49 of Webb City, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011 as a result of the tornado.

Randy was born November 15, 1961 in Joplin to Elvin E. and Peggy (Musgrave) Mell.

He was a longtime custodian and helped in maintaining Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage.

Randy was a former member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City for many years and currently attended Open Door Baptist Church in Carthage.

When he wasn’t working, Randy enjoyed going to watch productions at the Stained Glass Theatre, Webb City High School, Ozark Christian College and MSSU, where he was also a lion backer season ticket holder. He loved to attend Webb City High School sporting events at every chance and enjoyed their music and drama programs.

Randy was courteous and kind and a wholesome man who will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

He is survived by his parents, Elvin and Peggy Mell of the home; his sister, Carole D. White of Mission, KS and several cousins.

Funeral Services for Randy Mell will be 1:00 PM Wednesday at the Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Stained Glass Theatre in care of Simpson Funeral Home.

Age: 52

Angelina Ann Menapace was born on September 18, 1958 to Leo Louis and Julia Ann Menapace in Joplin, Missouri. She passed on from this earthly life to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at the age of 52 from a devastating tornado that hit Joplin, MO.

Angelina worked as office manager of Behavior Management and Associates for 12 years. She truly enjoyed her job there and felt as if she were part of each of their families. Angelina raised two children, Kebra Renee and Kevin Erik Menapace. Her pride and joy were her two grand-daughters, Jazmine Reann and Alexis Darlene Menapace.

Some of Angelina’s favorite things were cooking, shopping at consignment stores, spending time with her grand-daughters and playing with her boston terrier, Frank Duke. One of Angelina’s favorite times was the holidays. She would always prepare plenty of extra food while teasing each of her nieces and nephews, and often playing practical jokes on them. We never got through a Thanksgiving or Christmas season without her famous turkey dressing.

Angelina is survived by one sister, June V. Boyer of Joplin, Mo; two brothers, Frank L. Armstrong of Huntsville, Al and Leo L. Menapace Jr. of Joplin, Mo; two children, Kebra R. Menapace and Kevin E. Menapace; two grand-daughters Jazmine R. Menapace and Alexis D. Menapace as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Leo L. and Julia A. Menapace; sister, Katherine M. Pence and brother Steven A. Menapace.

A memorial service will be held to honor her life on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 6:00 pm, First United Methodist Church, Joplin, Mo. Visitation to follow. Cremation arrangements will be under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory

Age: 64

Ronald D. Meyer, age 64, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on May 22, 2011, at his home, from injuries sustained in the catastrophic tornado.

Ronald was born on August 5, 1946 in Metropolis, Illinois, the son of the late Nelville Meyer and Adele Elizabeth Bourm. He moved to Joplin in 2008 from Murfreesboro, TN. He worked as a night auditor for hotels until he became the full-time caregiver of his brother George. Ronald was an Air Force Veteran serving in the Viet Nam War.

He is survived by his three brothers, Roger Meyer of Joplin, George Meyer of Joplin and Billy Meyer, Maryland; one sister, Brenda Meyer of Metropolis, Illinois.

Ronald will be cremated with a Memorial Service On Saturday June 18, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Age: 72

Lorna Kay Miller, 72, of Joplin, MO passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011 at his home. Services will be at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Midland Cremation Society.

Source: Midland Cremation Society

Ray Donald “Tripp” Miller III passed away early Monday morning, May 23, 2011, after sustaining severe injuries from the tornado that hit Joplin on Sunday afternoon. Tripp was the son of Patricia Gray Miller and Ray Donald Miller, Jr. of Joplin and was born at St. John’s Hospital in Joplin on July 20, 1961.

He graduated from Collegeview State School in 1982. After graduating, Tripp began working at the Sheltered Workshop in Carthage for two years and then joined the work force at Joplin Workshop, Inc. and worked there for the last 27 years.

He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Joplin and attended regularly his God’s Fellowship Sunday School class.

Some of Tripp’s many loves in his full life were living with his childhood friends, Rick Fox and Mark Farmer, at their home at 2302 Iowa; his special friends, Penny Morehouse, at Joplin Regional Center and James Newman, case worker of connections case management and Tripp’s support staff of Community Support Services; bowling weekly with friends at 4th Street Bowl; meeting with friends at 1st Presbyterian Church; his title of “Number 1 Uncle” to his five nieces and four nephews; traveling to see his brother and sisters; going to Mizzou football games with his family where he was a very proud member of the University of Missouri Alumni Association; and rooting, as a life-long fan, for his St. Louis Cardinals and then calling his Dad to let him know the results of the game. Tripp loved sports. He was an enthusiastic fan of local high school sports teams, particularly the Parkwood Bears and Joplin Eagles.

He was a participant in the Special Olympics since his school days. He excelled at bowling and in his early years, swimming. He won his last of many gold medals at the State Special Olympics in the fall of 2010 at 4th Street Bowl in Joplin by bowling the best game of his life.

Tripp was a happy, gentle, kind, and loving man. He didn’t know a stranger. He was your friend for life even if he just met you and was always so glad to see you. He touched the lives of so many people, and we were all better people having him in our life. His family will miss him terribly every moment of every day.

Tripp is survived by his sisters, Melinda Miller Crowe and her husband, Lawrence Kerdolff Crowe, of Overland Park, Kan.; Rebecca Miller Gurley and her husband, Curtis Raymond Gurley, of Farmington, N.M., and Mary Elizabeth Williams of Galena, Kan.; brother, Thomas Gray Miller and his wife Patti O¹Sullivan Miller of St. Louis, Mo.; nephews, Lawrence Kerdolff (Kert) Crowe, Jr., Nathan Miller Crowe, Jackson Miller Gurley, Davis Cummins Gurley; nieces Laura Elizabeth Crowe, Elizabeth Leigh Williams, Riley Grace Miller, Molly Ann Miller and Madison Rose Miller; uncles William R. Gray and family of New Berlin, Wis., Thomas R. Gray and family of Columbia, Mo.; aunt Patricia Miller Righthouse, of Broken Arrow, Okla. and many additional cousins and relatives.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the 1st Presbyterian Church located at 509 South Pearl, Joplin, at 2 p.m. Friday, May 27, with a visitation following in John Knox Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the 1st Presbyterian Church or the Joplin Sheltered Workshop.

Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory

Age: 83

Doris Marie Menhusen Montgomery, age 83 of Joplin, passed away at her residence from injuries sustained in the tornado on Sunday, May 22, 2011.

Born April 22, 1928 in Glen Elder, Kan., she was the daughter of the late Harold Finley and Doris Mae Shane Finley and graduated from high school in Glen Elder. She attended Kansas State University, from which she received her teaching certification. Marie was a teacher in Kansas for several years. She lived in Joplin for 20 years, before moving to be near her children in Tonganoxie for 13 years. She returned to live in Joplin with her local children two years ago. She attended Christ’s Community United Methodist Church. Her first husband, Gordon Menhusen, to whom she was married for 48 years, preceded her in death.

Her second husband, Richard Montgomery, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include three daughters, Jeanie Morris and Cathy Menhusen, both of Joplin, Debbie Gravatt and husband Bob of Tonganoxie, Kan.; one son, Gary Menhusen and wife Patricia of Tonganoxie; step-children, Dick and Pat Montgomery of Kansas City, Missouri, Bill and Pat Montgomery of Tonganoxie, Kansas, and Judy Forbach of Lawrence, Kansas; one brother, Vernon Finley and wife Mary of Hiawatha, Kan.; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. Memorial services are pending.

Memorial contributions are requested to help re-establish Jeanie and Cathy’s life, care of Doris Marie Menhusen Montgomery, P.O. Box 219, Tonganoxie, Kansas 66086-0219.

Source: Parker Mortuary & Crematory

Age: 48

Edith “Edie” L. Moore, 48, passed away on May 22, 2011 due to injuries sustained in the Joplin Tornado.

She was born in Columbus, KS. On July 18, 1962 to Herman William Froelich and Edith Emma (Henderson) Froelich who preceded her in death. Edie was raised in Columbus, KS and then moved to Joplin where she had lived for the last several years.

She is survived by her son, Bowen Daniel Greninger of Joplin; daughter, Emily Diane DeGraff of Joplin; and a brother, Herman Wayne Froelich of Parsons, Kansas.

Edie was a dedicated mother to both her children, and loved her cats that she had adopted.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the Thornhill-Dillon Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation held one hour prior to the service time. Interment will follow the service at Columbus City Cemetery in Columbus, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations be made to a memorial fund set up for her children in care of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. \

Services are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin.

Source: Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary

Age: 64

Estrellita M. Moore age 64 of Joplin, Mo. passed away May 22, 2011 from injuries sustained in the catastrophic tornado.

She was born December 4, 1946 in Angeles City, Philippines, the daughter of the late Faustino and Felisa (Mercado) Manansala.She was a hair dresser for J.C. Penney’s. She was a Catholic and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Estrellita loved going to the casino.

She will be cremated with services to be in the Philippines at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Age: 58

Sally Moulton, 58, of Joplin, MO passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011. Services will be at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Midland Cremation Society.

Source: Midland Cremation Society

Age: 91

Georgia ‘Nadine’ Mulkey, 91, Joplin, died June 1, 2011 at Spring River Christian Village from injuries sustained in the May 22nd tornado.

Nadine was born April 9, 1920 in Pierce City, MO, the daughter of George Morris and Myra Burton Morris. She was a lifelong area resident and had worked in the food service of the schools and Sale Memorial Hospital, now Freeman Neosho Hospital. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Neosho.

Nadine married John Mulkey on April 9, 1939 at Cassville, MO and he preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 1997.

She is survived by four children, Myra Koeneke, Joplin; William ‘Bill’ Mulkey, Joplin; Barbara Krambeck, Denver, CO and John W. Mulkey, Carthage; 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two sisters, Claudia Kuklenski and Goldie Miller.

Viewing is available at the Chapel of Memories on Tuesday June 2 from noon to 7:00pm. Visitation is Thursday June 2 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Graveside services are scheduled for Friday June 3 at 3:30pm at Neosho Memorial Park.

Memorial donations can be made to: Nadine Mulkey Memorial Fund, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO. 64850

Source: Clark Funeral Homes