OBITUARIES
Kenneth Floyd Blackburn
Kenneth Floyd Blackburn, 92, died Nov. 23, 2018, in Reeds Spring, Mo.
He graduated from Gravette High School in 1944 and joined the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was recalled to service during the Korean War. He joined the Henry Crown Co. of Chicago in 1948, and worked 41 years in the inland waterway transportation sector. He became a vice president of the barge lines and terminal operations division and the president of the shipyard division. He retired near Branson West, Mo., in 1989. He and Erma, and Violet before her, always enjoyed sharing their home with those who came to visit. He was a member of Ozark Mountain Assembly of God Church, Gideons International and the American Legion at Kimberling City, Mo.
He was preceded in death by Violet, his wife of 55 years; a daughter, Shirley; a sister and brotherin-law, Mary “Betty” and Harold Carroll; brother and sister-in-law, Luther and Florence Blackburn; and brothers-in-law, Vernon Wright and Clare Reeves.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Erma Ruth (nee Smith) Hayre Blackburn; sister, Bonnetta “Bonnie” Reeves; his children, David, Janice Musson, Kenneth (Eileen) and Stephen (Diane); his stepchildren, Lynda (Mike) Kittle, Patricia (Leonard “Bud”) Walker and Mark (Karel) Hayre; his grandchildren, Craig (Heather), Michael (Jen), Heather (Bill), Jeremy (Cheryl), Kaitlyn, Adrienne, Brady (Kaitlyn), Bethany, Bret (May), Beth (Cody), Joe Dan (Alyssa), Rachel, Krystal ( Jared), Kevin (Ashley); and 10 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Kenneth’s life was held Nov. 29 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, in Branson, Mo. Interment was at the Springfield Missouri Veterans Cemetery on Nov. 30. Arrangements were by Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson.
Darla Sue Buttry
Darla Sue Buttry, age 60, of Carl Junction, Missouri, went to Heaven December 2, 2018, at 2:24 am. Darla was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, and is the fourth born of seven children to parents Marjorie Lou Dawson Buttry and Charles Leroy Buttry. Darla lived with her parents in Decatur, AR until their death then moved to live with her sister, Terry Wasson.
Darla started school at the age of 5 at Sunshine School in Vaughn, Arkansas.
When the family moved to Joplin, Missouri, Darla transferred to Eagle Pritcher School, then finished her schooling at age 21 in Springfield, Missouri, at a school for Down Syndrome and disabled students.
Darla was loved by everyone that met her and especially loved by her siblings and family. Darla had two friends in Springfield that for more than 20 years celebrated Darla’s birthday with her and her family.
Darla was preceded in death by her father, Charles L. Buttry, mother, Majorie L. Buttry and brother, Billy Joe Buttry.
Services will be held at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, AR at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 7, 2018, with Pastor John Wilkins of Oronogo, Missouri. Burial will be in the Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.
The family would ask instead of flowers to donate to Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 1598, Springfield, Missouri 65801 417-885-9905.
PAID OBITUARY