WILMA LATHROP

SHELDON-Private graveside committal services and interment will be held at Sheldon Cemetery at a later date for Wilma Lathrop, 82, Sheldon, who died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at Truman Healthcare Center, following a brief illness.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vernon County Genealogical Society, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include a sister, Coetta Kropf, Stockton; her children, Glenna Reaves and husband Jerry, Sheldon, Carla Jett and husband Dennis, Sheldon and Roy Slates, Nevada, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Shanda Winslow and husband Dr. Charles Winslow, Lamar, Ticylee Browning and husband John, Joplin, Michael Reaves and wife Jenny, Lamar, Sean Jett and wife Danetta, Walker, Mandee Menago and husband Rick, Lexington, Lena Kleeman and husband Donnie, Sheldon, Reed Slates, Nevada, Mo. and Jill Spencer and husband Travis, Edna, Kan. and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Lathrop was born July 15, 1933, in Spruce, to Paul Vermillion and Lola (Evans) Dickerson. She attended school in Butler. After obtaining her cosmetology license, she owned and operated the Hair Palace Salon in Sheldon for a number of years.

She was a devoted historian and genealogist, having spent years researching, abstracting, indexing and compiling over 30 books on Vernon County history that have been published by the Tri-County Genealogical Society. She also published a monthly genealogy newsletter. She was a devoted member of the Worldwide Church of God.

She married Glen Gilbert Slates in 1950 and to this union her three children were born. She was widowed in 1956. On Feb. 12, 1958, she married Weldon Gene Lathrop and they made their home and reared their family in Sheldon. He died Oct. 9, 2005.