Rethel Marie vonGonten, age 83, of Joplin, passed away on Sunday July 30, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family.
Rethel was born on August 23, 1933, in Joplin, the daughter of the late Ansel and Lora (Gourley) Walker. She has been a lifetime area resident. She married Gerald vonGonten on April 14, 1952, together they raised three children. She has been a longtime member of Villa Heights Christian Church.
She began her career working as an assistant for Dr. Post. She also worked as church secretary for Villa Heights Christian Church. She retired as the librarian for Memorial Middle School. After retirement, she would babysit her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing Bunko.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald vonGonten, Joplin; one son, Dale vonGonten and wife Robin, Carthage, Mo.; two daughters, Diana Allison, Joplin and Dana Guleserian and husband Jeff, McKinney, Tx.; twelve grandchildren, Adam Greathouse, Angela Greathouse, Gretchen Frazier, Allen Garrison, Mark Garrison, Tommy Garrison, Jane Davis, Jeane Holzworth, Trent Guleserian, Emily Guleserian, Trevor Guleserian, and Kelsi Guleserian; twenty great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Villa Heights Christian Church. Reverend Truman Brady will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The pallbearers will be her grandsons.
The visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Thursday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be given to Villa Heights Christian Church or the Shriner’s Cripple Children’s Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.