Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Bobby Dean (in memoriam) and Ruth Wood are the founders of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. - DeGraffenreid-Wood-Crematory. In 2014, Bobby Wood celebrated his 50th anniversary in the funeral profession as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He began working in the funeral business as a young teenager for the local funeral home owner in Hartville, MO. This experience led to his life-long calling of ministering to families in the funeral profession. He attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, and while attending college and driving ambulance for a local ambulance company, he met his wife, Ruth, who was attending St. John's School of Nursing. Ruth is a registered nurse graduate of St. John's School of Nursing and a licensed funeral director who has worked diligently beside Bobby to manage the funeral home business affairs and care for grieving families. In 2011, Ruth received her 50 Year nursing certificate. The newlyweds moved to Dallas, Texas, for Bobby to attend and graduate from the Dallas Gupton-Jones Institute of Mortuary Science. The couple returned to Missouri to eventually open their own funeral home in Hartville, MO, Wood Funeral Home. They raised their three children in the family funeral home in Hartville; all three of their children, Herb, Ruth Ann, and Malinda, are also licensed funeral directors who have careers in air conditioning/refrigeration maintenance and education, respectively. Their daughter, Ruth Ann, officially became the owner of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in 2018 to allow her parents to enjoy retirement, continuing to carry on the servanthood mission of "our family serving your family" with exceptional customer service during "tender moments" while working in the funeral home with the honor of serving grieving families on a daily basis.
Bobby and Ruth are members of the Battlefield First Baptist Church, Battlefield, MO. Bobby and Ruth have been active in their community through different organizations including Bobby as a Abou Ben Adhem Shriner, Rotarian, and member of the Masonic Lodge. Both have been active with Lion's Club and Eastern Star. Bobby is a past president of Missouri Funeral Trust.
Even though the funeral profession has been Bobby and Ruth's life work, they enjoy spending time with their family, cheering on their four grandsons in their various sporting and horse events, fishing, and raising and showing horses with a few world champions to their credit that they have bred and raised.
Both Bobby and Ruth have been well-respected servants in the funeral industry for over 60 years where families have entrusted them to take care of generations of loved ones with "Tender Moments- Tender Care" with their "Family Serving Your Family."
Ruth Ann Wood-Humiston, daughter of Bobby and Ruth Wood, is a second generation funeral director/pre-need counselor/insurance producer and owner of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. She brings a wealth of experience in her background as an educator, business owner, and as a licensed funeral director of over 30 years to her position as second generation owner of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. She is a Certified Crematory Operator through the National Funeral Directors Association. Ruth Ann is an expert with arranging and services in all parts of the United States and internationally.
Ruth Ann has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in special education from the University of Missouri-Columbia; Specialist and Master’s degrees in educational administration from Missouri State University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury University with a double major in psychology and elementary education, and a minor in music. Ruth Ann began working alongside her parents in the family-owned funeral home at a very young age. Along with her experience in the funeral profession, Ruth Ann has extensive experience as a teacher,college professor, school administrator, and as a business owner, founding and owning Little Angels Learning Academy, an accredited and award-winning early childhood program that was located in southwest Springfield, Missouri, for over 19 years.
Ruth Ann makes her home in the Springfield area with her two sons, and husband, Richard Turner. She attends Sac River Cowboy Church. Her family enjoys all types of sports especially watching a good basketball game and the Kansas City Chiefs, raising and showing horses, fishing, and traveling. She also enjoys cooking a great homemade meal, singing and playing the piano, gardening, and theater.
Gabriel "Gabe" Humiston is a licensed preneed agent, funeral director apprentice, licensed insurance producer/agent, notary, and third generation family member with Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. He is currently working towards completion of his funeral director's license.
Gabe attended Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College prior to joining the team full-time at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. He is a graduate of Republic High School, Republic, MO.
Having been raised around the funeral business all of his life with his Nana and Papa Bobby and Ruth Wood as the founders of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, as well as his mother Ruth Ann, second generation owner of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Gabe brings valuable skills and expertise in many supportive ways to better serve those who have passed away and their grieving families.
In his spare time, Gabe is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys training and showing horses, with a few World Championships and Reserve World Grand Championship to his name, fishing and competing in fishing tournaments, and hunting. He attends Sac River Cowboy Church in Springfield, MO.
Gabe has been very active in the FFA program, receiving several awards and degrees throughout his career. He received his National FFA American Degree in October of 2022, the highest degree of the FFA program.
He would be honored to discuss preplanning options for those who wish to lessen the burden of funeral plans and costs for their loved ones. You may book an appointment below, or by calling him directly at: #417-886-6127.
Richard Turner is the business development manager at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and manager and certified pet funeral director and pet bereavement counselor for Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. His role includes staff management, budget and marketing consulting, facility oversight and improvements, business development, and security.
He brings to Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory a very strong and varied background that includes: Administration, entertainment marketing and management, construction, loss prevention and law enforcement.
Richard is a professional and very talented musician, playing multiple instruments. He is a published song writer.
He is married to the CEO of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ruth Ann. In his spare time, Richard enjoys traveling with Ruth Ann, hiking and camping, weight lifting, music, and likes to make friends with all dogs.
Sheila Barcomb is a licensed funeral director and pre-need counselor with Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. She also manages day-to-day operations at the funeral home as the general manager. Sheila is an expert with arranging services in all parts of the United States and internationally.
Sheila has worked several years in SW MO in the funeral business. Sheila has a BS in Communication from Drury University, Springfield, MO. Sheila also worked several years as a legal assistant/paralegal. Her community involvement includes serving as Commissioner for Planning and Zoning for the City of Nixa, Missouri; and has been a volunteer and served on the planning committee for Day at the Range, SCIL Outdoor Adventure Fair for individuals with disabilities.
Jessica Turner is valuable kind and compassionate member and experienced ambassador of the Walnut Lawn Funeral Home team, serving families as a preneed counselor, funeral director, certified crematory operator, and apprentice embalmer. She also is an assistant manager, overseeing training of new employees.
Jessica is also working as assistant manager and pet specialist for Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory as a certified pet funeral director and certified pet bereavement specialist.
Jessica grew up in the Springfield area and has been in the funeral business for over 20 plus years. Jessica graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in December of 2024.
Garrett W. Hurd
Third Generation Funeral Director and Embalmer, Licensed Insurance Producer & Preneed Agent, and NFDA Certified Crematory Operator
Garrett Hurd is a third generation funeral director, embalmer, life insurance producer, and preneed agent. Originally from central Illinois, Garrett grew up in funeral homes owned by his family. From a young age, the values of compassion and service were impressed upon him.
Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts for American Political Studies from Drury University in Springfield, and earned his Mortuary Science degree from Arkansas State University - Mountain Home.
He currently lives in Springfield with his wife, Sammy, and three children, Ophelia, Cassian, and Josephine. You can find him every Sunday singing in the choir at St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church in Springfield, where he currently serves as Parish Council President.
Ben Lokovich is a funeral assistant at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. He compassionately works with families especially during visitations, when assisting with funerals, and as a removal specialist.
He is a graduate of Spokane High School and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Ozarks. Ben has specialized in several areas throughout his professional career including customer serivce, graphic design especially helping families with memorial folder and program design, and organization.
Ben is married and helps his family at their stained glass and art studio in Ozark: Lokovich Art Studio.
He joined Walnut Lawn Funeral Home to serve his community and find purpose in making a difference and helping others.
Shannon Lawson is our friendly funeral home receptionist and administrative assistant. She is many times the first person to greet families either in person at our front reception desk or when answering the phone.
She brings a wealth of experience to her position at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home that includes: Customer service, management, pharmacy tech, server on the Showboat Branson Belle, and a career as a flight attendance for Republic Airlines, a career that she loved. Shannon has plans to further her career in the funeral industry in becoming a funeral director.
Shannon has resided and traveled to many places, but now calls Springfield, MO, her home. She is engaged to Charles (Doug) and has three children, three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, one great granddaughters, and a four year old fur baby named Gunner.
She enjoys reading, photography, hunting arrowheads, taking Gunner to the creek, spending time with family and friends, and meeting new people.
Shannon always tries to find something positive every day to be thankful for. She understands life is too short to waste.
Michael Humiston is the 3rd-generation of the Wood-Humiston family to join the team at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. He is the son of Dr. Ruth Ann, being around the funeral business all of his life. Michael is very compassionate and caring with grieving families.
He is the onsite IT specialist and removal tech at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home.
Michael is a graduate of Republic High School where he was very active in the band and FFA. Michael went on to attend Missouri State University and OTC.
Drew Arnold is a funeral assistant at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and pet specialist at Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. He is a well-rounded specialist in many different areas at Cherished Pets from bringing pets respectfully into our care, being the lead person in the crematory and special services areas, as well as working with pet families and assisting with administrative support details.
He was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, and upon his teenage years, his family traveled and relocated frequently, seeing much of the United States. Drew moved to Springfield recently to be closer to his family. He has a twin sister, Deven, who he enjoys pranking.
Drew played sports when younger including martial arts, wrestling, and baseball. He continues today as a true sports fan with his favorite sports of football and baseball, which may have been due to growing up a mile outside of Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadiums.
One of his favorite childhood memories was going to the Kansas City Plaza during the holiday season to see the Christmas lights with his family.
Drew brings a vast amount of experience in various fields to Cherished Pets including customer service and security in the health care field. He works part-time at Cherished Pets’ sister location, Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and Crematory, as a support technician.
He has had family pets throughout his lifetime. Drew recently experienced a pet passing away, so that he understands the associated grief and life changes with that. His favorite family pets are large-breed dogs.
Angela Lance is a funeral assistant at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and pet specialist at Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory, welcoming pet families and working with them directly to plan a personalized service for their pet family member.
Angela brings a wealth of career experience to Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. She spent 10 years in the United States Air Force before being honorably discharged. Afterwards, Angela went to CCAF and studied administration and criminal law. She has been a business owner, studied under a dog trainer and gained valuable experience and knowledge, worked for a funeral home here in Springfield, as well as took an amazing opportunity with Google from 2016 – 2023 and traveled the United States, going to 26 states in 3 months.
She is a native of Springfield. Angela is a mother of two human children, Katelynn and Christopher, grandson, Ryker, and one fur baby.
The family’s fur baby Nala is a 1-year old Great Dane Pitbull mix. Angela shares that Nala is the sweetest baby, without a doubt a mama’s girl. In the past two years the family has, unfortunately, lost two dogs, which has been very difficult and a big adjustment.
Angela feels very honored to be a part of such a wonderful much needed concept as Cherished Pets. She looks forward to meeting the pet parents and doing everything she can to help with the loss of their furry children and making sure they are treated with the respect they so deserve.
Jeanie Kendrick joined Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in 2013 as a funeral attendant and hostess, and administrative assistant. She is a retired elementary school teacher, teaching in the Republic School District for 37 years. She is also a real estate agent alongside her daughter with Laney Homes. Jeanie is often the person greeting families when they come into the funeral home for arrangements or services.
Jeanie is married to Steve. They are active members at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. She has 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Jeanie diligently assists our families with a friendly confidence. Our families are so appreciative of her caring service.
John and Cathy Veach joined Walnut Lawn Funeral Home part-time in July of 2018 to assist with visitations, funerals, and other needs to help our funeral home better serve our families.
John and Cathy retired and moved to Springfield, MO, to enjoy being closer to family, after owning and operating Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes in Bowling Green, MO, beginning in January of 1987. John attended Central Missouri State University and graduated from Forest Park Mortuary College in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been a licensed embalmer and funeral director for over thirty years. Cathy attended MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. She has been a licensed funeral director since 1976. John and Cathy are involved in serving their community through their church and various civic organizations. They are members of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association. They have two sons, Jason and wife Regan, and Josh and wife Rashele. They are the grandparents of Carter Veach and Anna Veach, the children of Jason and Regan.
Ken and Linda Elliott are funeral assistants at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. They are wonderful caring hosts for friends and family members of those we serve through their work assisting with funerals and visitations.
Ken and Linda are active members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.Ken sings bass with the Hosea Bilyeu family. Linda is a retired LPN.
Greg Brewer joined Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in July 2018 as a part-time funeral assistant. He often serves as a host during visitations, an assistant at funerals, or personally escorts those who have passed on long-distance trips. He has many years of assisting in a funeral home setting dating back to 1968.
Greg is active in his church. He loves helping people through their trying time and works to give them the best service.
Stephen M. Whisler joined Walnut Lawn Funeral Home as a funeral attendant to help support families during their times of loss. He brings a wealth of experience to his duties as a funeral attendant as an ordained minister and deacon, serving as the Minister of Senior Adults for Second Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, Director of Estate Planning for Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, and Development Officer for Missouri Baptist Children's Home, Springfield, MO. Additionally, Stephen has an extensive background in community involvement as a volunteer for Cox Hospital, Ozarks Trails Council with the Boy Scouts of America, and city councilman. He also has a background in music, and enjoys singing with a local group on a weekly basis. Stephen is married and enjoys spending time with his family.
