Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

West Plains, MO Location (417) 256-4141

Thayer, MO Location (417) 264-7242

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Brian Leon Killion

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Brian Leon Killion was born on August 28, 1964 in Mountain Home, Arkansas and departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior on June 8, 2025 in Springfield, Missouri at 60 years old.  

Brian grew up in Douglas and Ozark Counties, Missouri attending schools in Elijah, Bakersfield, Dora, and graduated from West Plains High School. Brian worked in various construction and cabinetry for the majority of his years. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. 
 
Brian is proceeded in death by his father Lonnie E Killion, his brothers Edwin and Leroy Killion, paternal grandparents Roy and Thelma Killion, maternal grandparents Charles Irwin Bratcher and Celia “Bonnelle” Ford-Bratcher.
 
He is survived by his mother Mary Bratcher-Leigh of Mountain View, MO, wife Amanda Killion, children Audrey Kelso (Brad Kelso), Coldan Killion, and Janna Walter (Jon Walter), stepchildren Kennedy Gordon, (SGT. Jeffrey Gordon) Reagan Hall, and McKinley Hall, his grandchildren Bailey Westbrook, Kylie Killion, Brooklyn Kelso, Silas Killion, Davin Hayes and Ethan Hayes, step grandchildren Novaleigh and Jackson Gordon, and many beloved, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 
 
Brian was passionate about hunting, fishing, foraging for mushrooms and medicinal plants. He enjoyed kayaking, taking road trip adventures, the rivers, springs, creeks, and hills of the Ozarks. But his greatest joy was his family. 
 
A celebration of life will be held at Carter’s Funeral Home in West Plains, Missouri on June 13, 2025. Visitation will begin at 11am, service at 1pm, with burial to follow at Elijah Cemetery.
MaxineMerrick

Maxine Merrick

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Maxine Merrick, 90, West Plains, Missouri was born January 13, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of the late Robert Coble and Jessie “Miller” Coble, and passed away June 1, 2025 in West Plains, Missouri.

She was married to Rodney A. Merrick, Sr. in Joliet, Illinois on December 6, 1986.

She is survived by four children, J.D York and wife Jeannette, of Abilene, Texas; David J. York and wife Leigh, Raymore, Missouri; Brian Alan York and wife Kate, Peculiar, Missouri, and Jennifer Ward and husband Ernie, West Plains, six grandchildern, and seven great grandchildrenand.

Stepchildren Scott Merrick, wife Christina, state of Illinois; Michael Shane Merrick and wife Lisa, state of Iowa; Rodney “RJ” Merrick and wife Monica, state of Illinois; Rhonda Renee Waltzen and husband Richard, state of Iowa, and Carla Guyer and husband Trent, state of Iowa; and numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and four sisters.

She was a devout Christian. She and Rodney attended First Baptist Church in West Plains.

She was an avid painter, loved music, antique collecting, and enjoyed reading. For nineteen years,   together her and Rodney did a 60 mile float on the Maquoketa River in Jackson County, Iowa. She and Rod loved to travel where she was the navigator. Maxine was an active AL-NON Member. She had a lifelong love with Daschshund dogs.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A Memorial Service will be 10:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of West Plains, Missouri. Services will be officiated by David Ball. 

Services are in the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – West Plains, Missouri

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Joy Kathleen Young

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Joy Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Young, 86, passed away on May 28th, 2025 in West Plains, Missouri at Ozark Medical Hospital with loved ones by her side.

She was the daughter of Leonard and Georgia McKenzie Coldwater, Kansas.

Joy is survived by her son, Eddie Young; her daughter, Patty (Smith) Young, grandchildren; Cameron Smith (Cassidi) Makenzie Smith (Austin Row), Greg Osenbaugh (Serena), Amanda (Jaime) Garcia and her sister; Susie Burd.

A celebration of life will be held at Smith Chapel, Zanoni, MO on July 5t; further details at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send condolences and blessings to the family at 1503-1 Stewart Street, West Plains, MO 65775.

Lidiya Styadnikova

Lidiya Stadnikova

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Lidiya Stadnikova was born in Tajikistan on September 2, 1938 to the late Gabriel and Yevdokia Mordvinova, and passed away May 25, 2025 at her home in Willow Springs, Missouri.

She was married to Grigoriy Stadnikov at Tajikistan for forty-two years. They have eight children, thirty-five grandchildren, and seventy-four great grandchildren.

She attended the Home of God Church with her daughter Tatyana and son-in-law, Vasiliy and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, and two sons.

She loved gardening and bee keeping as her hobbies.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri at noon, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri

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Greta Pruett

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Greta Pruett, 88, West Plains, Missouri, went home to be with her Saviour May 1, 2025.

She was born August 28, 1936 at Grimmet, Missouri to the late Burk Hopkins and Ilene “Bridges” Hopkins.

She was married October 8, 1955 at the New Liberty Baptist Church in Howell County, Missouri, to Bill Pruett, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sons, Keith Pruett and wife Pam, West Plains, Missouri, and Paul Pruett and wife Rhonda, Lexington, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Annette Fine and husband Enos, West Plains, Missouri, Paige Wichern and husband Jared, Tecumseh, Missouri, and Tyler Pruett, Sidney, Australia; two great granddaughters, Sunshine Jones, West Plains, Missouri and Autum Jones, Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Julia Hopkins, West Plains, Missouri; three nephews, Royce Hopkins, Jr. and wife Priscilla, John Hopkins and wife Elvie, and Will Hopkins; one niece, Vickie Bell and husband, Derrick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one baby sister, Judy Kay Hopkins; one granddaughter, Renee Pruett, and one brother, Royce Hopkins

She was a member of the New Liberty Baptist Church, and was always active in all the programs and activities that were being held. She was a fifth grade school teacher for over thirty years. She was also given the award for Teacher of the Year in the state of Missouri.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Liberty Baptist Cemetery, and can be left at the funeral home.

Church services for Greta Pruett will be held Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Liberty Baptist Church, Howell County, Missouri.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, also at the New Liberty Baptist Church.

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

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Alvin Ray Hambelton, Sr.

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Alvin Ray Hambelton, Sr. was born January 22, 1939 in Ozark County, Missouri to the late Alva Hambelton and Ruth Strong Hambelton, and went to his heavenly home April 24, 2025.

He is survived by one son, Alvin Hambelton, Jr.; one brother, John Hambelton; one grandchild, Emma Hannaford; sister-in-law, Elma Jean Hambelton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alvin graduated from Gainesville High School in 1957 and joined the United States Air Force May 23, 1958. He joined to serve his country and learn a trade. He served as a communications specialist. Some of his favorite service memories were from the time he spent in Spain. He was honorably discharged April 23, 1962.

He met the love of his life, Vonda Gregory, when he returned home from the service. They were married March 2, 1963 in West Plains, Missouri. They had a son, Alvin Jr. in January 1964 and daughter Melany was born May of 1968. Of the numerous jobs he had, one he enjoyed was being a chef on a ship, feeding the rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting in the Ozark Hills.

He was proud he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at age thirteen, and loved sharing the word of the Lord and testifying to everyone he met. He was a loving husband, father, and greatest poppy to Emma.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Ruth Hambelton; wife, Vonda Hambelton; daughter Melany Hannaford; son-in-law Bradley Hannaford; brothers, Owen, Onard, Joe and Jim, and sister Ruby Stover.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Graveside services will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

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Curtis Barton

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Curtis Elgan Barton was born in Alton, Missouri on February 19, 1948, then changed his address from earth to glory on March 29, 2025.

 Curtis was the seventh child born to Elgan and Bonnie Barton. In Curtis’ words, “they saved the best for last”. He attended Alton School and graduated in 1966. His senior yearbook held many comments stating how funny or mischievous he was, how he was a good singer, and had the nicknames Monk and Barton Carton.

 Curtis married Linda Bassham on June 1, 1968. During their 55 years together, he was a milk delivery man, car salesman, insurance agent, and business owner, he tinkered in everything and moved eight times. They had two kids, Andrea and Adam, who they raised singing and learning to do God’s work.

Curtis spent his down time doing things he loved. In his thirties and forties, he loved playing softball and would put together a church team yearly. Then it turned into sitting on his porch waving to any honking car, fishing from a boat or on land, or tinkering in the garage.

Overall, Curits loved people. When a customer would enter their Sears store, he would yell “hello” from anywhere in the store. You might also hear him say, “If I was doing any better…” or “never felt better and had less”. He also loved being in the presence of his grandchildren – Andrew, Hannah, Harmony and Cadence.

 He volunteered to cook or help at every fundraiser, reunion, fish fry, ice cream social, but was also volun-told to participate in parades, plays, and concerts, which he then brought jokes and laughter.

 As he approached death, he told the doctor, “God has given me a few more days to witness. Doc, do you believe?” He faced death with peace, promises he held onto, and with positivity that heaven would be better.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda, his parents Elgan and Bonnie Barton, his parents-in-law Talmage and Eunice Bassham, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, and many other family members and great friends.

 Curtis was a proud Gideon member.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons and can be left at the funeral home.

 

 

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Verlin Wayne Howard

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Verlin Wayne Howard, 64, Mtn. Grove, Missouri, son of late Verlin H. Howard and Lena (Collins) Howard was born December 3rd, 1960, in West Plains, MO and left us March 9, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri.

He grew up and went to school in Dora, Missouri.

He was with Darlene Howard for 17 years.

He is survived by his mother Lena Howard of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; one child is Dustin Howard and wife Kyla of Kansas; two stepchildren, Michelle Wheat and husband David of Willow Springs, Missouri, and Mick Essary and wife Tina of Willow Springs, Missouri; two sisters Deloris Tooley and husband Alvin of Henderson, AR. And Marsha Tooley and husband Ricky of Vanzant, Missouri. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Ashlyn, Ally, Dayton and Denton Howard of Kansas, and step grandchildren Tyler Wheat, Rhea Cook of Willow Springs, Missouri, Kimberly and Emily Essary of Puerto Rico, and five step great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father Verlin H. Howard.

His life passion was driving a truck. His hobbies were playing in his boat, fishing and hunting.
And the light of his life was his dogs.

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