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Lewis Earl Childers

Lewis Earl Childers, age 75, of Thayer, Missouri passed away October 12, 2023, at his home on the farm. He was born February 28, 1948, to Newman Childers and Goldina Hansen in Thayer, Missouri. Lewis married the love of his life Betty Howell, May of 1990 in Thayer, Missouri.

Lewis enjoyed fishing, hunting and collecting antique cars. He was a member of the American Legion and Honor Guard. After retiring from the railroad he spent his time working on the farm and taking care of his cows. He dearly loved his family and friends, but his pride and joy was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lewis was a very compassionate person and loved by all who knew him. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Thayer, Missouri. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife; daughter Heather; one stepson Les, wife Tammy; one stepdaughter Tressa; two sisters Beth and Barbara; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; stepdad Jim Hansen; and one sister Evelyn Dustin.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m.

Interment will be on Sunday, October 15, 2023, in Walker Cemetery, Thayer Missouri, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

M. Wayne Howell

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Wayne Howell, age 85 of Koshkonong, Missouri, passed away October 11, 2023, at Shepherd’s View in Alton, Missouri. Wayne was born September 6, 1938, to Fred and Ada (Standley) Howell.

Wayne married the love of his life Penney J. Peters on June 3, 1972, in Kansas City, Kansas. They were married 51 years. During this union one child was born, Kathy.

Wayne worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad company for forty-four years. Wayne enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball, raising sheep and he liked his animals. He loved to travel and explore new places, especially trying restaurants and building relationships with people. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Wayne attended Faith Tabernacle Church in Rover, Missouri. He was a good Christian man and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife; two children Tony Howell and daughter Karen Stevenson; one brother Paul Howell; one special grandson Matthew Watters; one special great-grandson Luke Watters; additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many more relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two daughters Rita Watters and Kathy Myers; four brothers Vernon Howell, Virgil Howell, Jack Howell and Van Howell; two sisters Violet Reed and Fern Adams; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Koshkonong Cemetery in Koshkonong, Missouri. Visitation will be Saturday 12:00 – 1:00p.m. at Koshkonong Cemetery.

Interment will be on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Koshkonong Cemetery, Koshkonong, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Chester Duhme

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Chester Arnold Duhme came into this world on July 14th, 1930, in Maquoketa, Iowa and peacefully left it on October 10, 2023, at his home in West Plains, Missouri. His parents Fred and Mary (Campbell) Duhme had ten children, Chester being the youngest.

As a young man, Chester left the family farm and joined the Marines, where he served his country during the Korean War. Shortly after leaving the service, he met and married the love of his life, Jewel Yvonne (Bell) Duhme on December 26th, 1954, in Hemet, California. They eventually moved to and bought the family farm in eastern Iowa, where they lived and worked in the dairy business for over twenty years. Moving to Hardy, Arkansas for health reasons, Chester built a successful landscaping business that he continued to run until moving to West Plains three years ago to be closer to family. His daughter, Deanna and her husband Matt provided him with a caring and loving home for which we are all thankful.

During their almost sixty-nine years of marriage, Chester and Jewel witnessed the birth of their four children, the adoption of one and selflessly provided a home for numerous foster children. He loved his family, gardening, his pets and Cardinal baseball. He was the definition of hard work and integrity. We will miss you, Dad.

Chester is survived by his wife, Jewel, son Garry Duhme and partner Ellen, daughter Sharon Ostermeier and husband Dean, daughter Deanna Reihm and husband Matt, ten grandchildren, Garry, Jerod, Derrick, Austin, Joshua, Joshua (Curtis), Kyle, Kevin, Breanna and Michael and fifteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, three sisters, son Max and daughter Penny.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Memorial arrangements will be made at a later date.

Carlie Joe Lenington

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Carlie Joe Lenington, age 82, of Thayer, Missouri, passed away October 10, 2023, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Arkansas. Carlie was born August 8, 1941, to Arlie and Sadie (Helmas) Lenington.

Carlie married Charlotte in Oklahoma. During this union they had one son Stony Joe Lenington. They were married for twenty-five years.

Carlie loved camping, fishing, cooking-out and building bird houses. He was a farmer, raised some cattle but mainly raised soybeans, hay wheat and oats. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Carlie used to go to church but in his later years watched church on the t.v.

He is survived by his ex-wife Charlotte; son Stony Lenington; and one brother Roy Lenington

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri. Under the directions of Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Hebert David Bowers

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Herbert David Bowers, 89, of Sedalia, Missouri, passed away on October 9, 2023, at his residence. Herbert was born on September 7, 1934, in Thayer, Missouri to Dave Jacob Bowers and Jettie Gregory Bowers. During his life he married Melba Jean Tharp on October 29, 1951, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. They were married for 67 wonderful years. From this union two children were born; Phyllis and Regena Bowers. He was a dedicated farmer, avid fisherman, gardener and yard keeper. Herbert was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Thayer, Missouri and later became a member and attended Broadway Baptist Church of Sedalia, Missouri. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Herbert is survived by his daughter, Phyllis Golden, a granddaughter, four grandsons, great – grandchildren and many friends.

Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Dave Jacob Bowers and Jettie Gregory, his wife, Melba Jean Tharp, a daughter, Regina Bowers, a brother, Howard Bowers and a granddaughter, Jennifer Collins.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for all donations and memorials be made to:

Celebrate Recovery at the First Baptist Church of Thayer, Missouri. Donations can be left at the funeral home.

Or you may send donations and memorials to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Memorial Processing, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-0059

Graveside Services will be on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri.

Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc.,- Thayer, Missouri

Jane Scaggs

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Jane Scaggs, 87, daughter of the late Henry Thomas and Vera Idel (Hawkins) Montgomery was born December 7, 1935 in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Jane was married January 6, 1951 in Bernallo, New Mexico to Johnie Scaggs, who preceded her in death January 20, 2002.

Jane is survived by four children, Johnie James Scaggs and wife Nancy, Dublin, Georgia; Guy Henry Scaggs and wife Betsy, Paint Rock, Texas; Vera Cordelia Alsup and husband Bill, Peace Valley, Missouri, and Lee Robert Scaggs, Peace Valley, Missouri; two daughters-in-law, Pam Scaggs-Seaton, Rogers, Arkansas and Leslie Scaggs, West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Emily Russell, San Bernardino, California; thirty-one grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren, and one on the way, and one great great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two children, Paul Douglas Scaggs and George Allen Scaggs; three sisters, twin sister, June Majors, Juanita Scott and Idel Smith, and one grandson, Joseph Scaggs.

Jane worked at DRS in West Plains until the age of 75, when she retired. She enjoyed painting and hanging wallpaper. She loved sitting with the older people, “her being older than they were”. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ, West Plains, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barnett Cemetery, Curry Street Church of Christ, or the Memphis School of Preaching, and can be left at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Curry Street Church of Christ, West Plains, Missouri, with Evangelist Hank Lawrence officiating.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.

Burial will be held in Barnett Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Cecil Ray Rutledge Sr.

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Funeral services for Cecil Ray Rutledge Sr., age 73, of Myrtle, Missouri, will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Center Point Church in Myrtle, Missouri. Visitation will be 12:00 until time of funeral service.

Interment will be on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Myrtle Cemetery (Freewill Baptist Church), Myrtle, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Alita Griggs Brown

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Alita Griggs Brown, 86, of West Plains, Missouri passed away on September 29, 2023 at Cedar Hurst Nursing of West Plains, Missouri. She was born September 6, 1937, in Clare, Michigan to Richard and Florence Greenfield. She married Donald V. Griggs and from that union had two children,; Kelly Warden and Scott Griggs. Alita loved sports, square dancing, traveling and volunteering, at the Ozarks Healthcare. She was of the Methodist faith and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Alita is survived by her children; Brian Scott Griggs of Alton, Missouri and Kelly Ann Warden of Thayer, Missouri, siblings; Jerry Greenfield, Don Greenfield, and Carol Trow, grandchildren : Guz Brazeal, Jesse Ortiz, Molly Warden, Caitlyn Griggs, Alyssa Stark and Joshua Ruddock.

Alita is proceeded in death by her parents, Richard and Florence Greenfield and her husband, Donald Griggs.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Oregon County Food Pantry, Chestnut Street, Thayer, Missouri or call 417-778-7450

Interment will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri and officiated by Pastor Andy of the United Methodist Church. Services are in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri.

Rhonda Kay Martin

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Rhonda Kay Martin of Mountain Home, Arkansas, was born on April 27, 1955, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to loving parents Jessie and Clara (Pressley) Martin. Throughout her life, she cherished her roles as a devoted daughter, caring sister, a nurturing mother, and a beloved aunt. On September 27, 2023, Rhonda departed this world in Springfield, MO. Rhonda’s educational journey took her from Mammoth Spring High School, where she graduated in 1973, to the Bank of Thayer in Missouri where she worked two years. She pursued her passion for learning, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1979. Rhonda dedicated her career to the Mountain Home Public School System as a Special Education Teacher from 1979 to 1983 and later as a fourth-grade teacher until her well deserved retirement in 2007.

On September 15, 1986, Rhonda welcomed Anisha into her life, adopting her from India. Anisha became the heart and soul of Rhonda’s existence. Rhonda had a deep interest in American Sign Language and held a strong Baptist faith. She selflessly volunteered her time, spending four years at the Baxter Medical Center in the Physical Therapy Department and contributing to the Mountain Home Humane Society for a brief period. Throughout her adult life, Rhonda shared her home with four cherished dogs: Lambsey, Bomber, Scamper, and Toby. Her passion for collecting watermelon memorabilia spanned over three decades. Rhonda was an avid reader and found joy in writing poetry. She had a diverse taste in music, with a special fondness for the Beatles, Cher, and Elton John. Her favorite movie was Rainman. In 2014, Rhonda faced her first battle with cancer, showing remarkable bravery in each subsequent year. Despite losing the use of her left arm and hand to cancer in 2019, she never uttered a complaint. Rhonda drew strength and inspiration from her loving family, who provided unwavering support and care throughout her courageous fight. From 2019 to 2023, Rhonda lived with Leah Ann and Tony, who were instrumental in her journey.

Rhonda is survived by her mother, Clara Martin of Mammoth Spring, AR., daughter, Anisha Martin of Oakland, CA., sister, Leah Ann Iaguessa (Tony) of Springfield, MO., nephew, Joey Iaguessa and friend Timber White of Denver, CO., and many other extended family members and friends. Friends who held a special place in her heart include : Terry Berry of Bono, AR., Marvon Browning of Springfield, MO., cousin, Kathy French of Portland, TN., Norenda James of Jonesboro, AR., Rhonda Neal of Springdale, AR., Jim Rainey of Mountain Home, AR., Judy St Clair of Mountain Home, AR, and Mary Jane Taylor of Mammoth Spring, AR..

Rhonda’s legacy will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her father, Jessie Martin, brother, Roger Martin, all her grandparents, several aunt and uncles, special friend, Susan Manes and her treasured neighbor, Don Freeman.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to either the America Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. at 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX, 75380.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.

Services will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Pallbearers include: Troy Ayers, Pete Cooper, Danny French, Garreth James, Mark Schutt, and Larry Taylor.

Interment will be on October 6, 2023, at the Riverside Cemetery of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri.

Patricia Jean Pruitt

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Patricia Jean Pruitt, age 77, of Thayer, Missouri, passed away on September 29, 2023, at her home in Thayer, Missouri. Patricia was born December 28, 1945, in Hastings, Nebraska to Roy L. and Sibyl Leverne (Earls) Richards.

Patricia married Herman Wittenberg in 1962, at the age of seventeen. Within this union two beautiful children was born Ronda and Daniel.

She enjoyed fishing, listening to music and she sang in a band in her younger years. She took pleasure in helping others and was a very kind person. She worked as a cosmetology instructor for a while living in Kansas and later worked for Boice Raid- Rhea Architects in Antioch Plaza, Merriam, Kansas, which she retired from.

Patricia loved living in Kansas but eventually moved back to Thayer to be close to her mother. She accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized at an early age. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

She was survived by one daughter Ronda Wittenberg; one son Daniel Wittenberg; three grandchildren Bailee Wittenberg, Kameron Wittenberg and Seth Bohanon; one sister Netty Pearl Greve, husband George; one sister-in-law Gabriele Richards; two half-sisters Sherry Hopkins and Christine Kirkwood; cousin Linda Sue Carter; nieces and nephews Shawn Richards, Karen Bowers, Stephanie Richards, Chris Richards, Keeley Jones, Kyndle Richards, Richie Pruitt, Gracelynn, Arya, Jacob and Blakely; and many more relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother Royal (Duke) Richards; and her grandparents Floyd and Maggie Earls.

Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.