May 1, 2025
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The 1976 Eagles hit, “New Kid In Town”
pretty much describes how we all felt when
Sherry Neeley and Jim Carson stepped
down from the board last year. Even
though some of us had already served
eight, nine and ten years, we still felt like
the new kid in town — anxious and
awkward, but still hopeful and excited
about the future. We knew we could handle
things, but . . . just in case . . . we bestowed
the title of “Honorary Lifetime Board
Member” on both Sherry and Jim giving us
the right to bug them whenever we wanted.
Pretty smart, huh?
So, who are these smart people? Just look
at the photo . . . have you ever seen a
smarter-looking bunch of people? You’re
probably thinking, “Nope, looks like an
old, washed-up, 60s rock band came to
Halltown — the Grateful Dead? Fleetwood
Mac? Ok. Forget the photo. Let me
introduce you to your current Rock Prairie
‘Rock Star’ Board of Directors, in the
order of their appearance in the photo.
Back Row, Left to Right:
REECE DRAKE
The youngest member ever
to be elected (and quite
possibly the cutest), Reece
Drake joined the board in
2023 at just 24 years old.
He hit the ground running
proving that he is more than
just a pretty face AND he is Sherry’s
grandnephew! You might see him flying
around the cemetery on the Saturday
before Memorial Day with flags in one
hand and Wet ’n Forget in the other
making sure every veteran’s grave has a flag
and illegible headstones get sprayed. He is
learning to mark plots and even volunteers
to clean the bathrooms and sweep the
chapel. Reece has the qualities that could
see him break his grandaunt’s record and
serve longer than her 27 years. Go, Reece,
Go! Reece’s RPC family includes: Neeley,
Floyd, Owens, and Porter.
JERRY TUTTLE
Jerry Tuttle was hired to
mow the cemetery in
2005 and in 2014 he
was asked to join the
board. He currently
serves as President/
Maintenance Supervisor.
He and his wife, Tami, own a farm in
Halltown where they recently hosted their
youngest daughter’s wedding. In addition
to farming, Jerry also mows several lawns in
and around Halltown. Jerry has been our
plot marking guru for many years doing so
with diligence, precision and accuracy. He
is training other board members in his
meticulous ways to ensure future graves
and stones will properly align. Jerry’s RPC
family includes: Sartin, Owens and Porter.
JOSH NOGGLE
Josh Noggle, true to his
nature, came to the
board by being a nice
guy. He filled in for his
a i l i n g a u n t , P a m
Sutherland, at the start
of her second term in
2014. When her term ended in 2017, Josh
was eagerly scarfed-up and elected to the
board. He currently serves as Vice-
President/Buildings Supervisor. Josh and
his wife, Chris, own a farm in Everton. His
skills and craftsmanship with chapel repairs
and updates have been a godsend. Always
happy, amenable, and dependable to a
fault, Josh never hesitates when asked to
help. He's the reason our chapel stays
beautiful and functional. He keeps things
light and easy when things get stressful
with his quick wit and jovial disposition.
Thank god for Josh! Josh’s RPC family is
large and includes: Noggle, Nicholson,
Lee, Baker, Whinrey, and Stockton.
MIKE PYEATT
Mike Pyeatt was asked to
join the board in 2019.
Mike and his wife, Denise,
own a successful business a
half mile from the cemetery
and live a half mile in the
opposite direction. Lucky for
us, that setup automatically provides free
security detail for the cemetery as Mike
passes by four times a day going to and
from work and lunch. If the cemetery needs
it and he has it at the shop, he’ll make sure
we get it. He provides the cedar sawdust for
the bathrooms and hauls off our trash to the
bin behind his shop. Mike’s comments and
suggestions in meetings reflect his keen
business acumen and logic. Mike has been
serving as Treasurer since 2023. Mike’s
great grandfather, John Fowler Pyeatt, was
president on the board from 1927-1929.
See New Kids In Town, Page 4
Chapel Hours
Memorial Week:
Mon 5/19 - Mon 5/26
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
ROCK PRAIRIE CEMETERY
HALLTOWN, MISSOURI
126th Annual Association
Board Meeting
May 24, 2025
2:00 P.M.
Rock Prairie Cemetery Halltown, Missouri
May 1, 2025
RockPrairieCemetery.com
417-234-4077
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BUSINESS: Your seven-member, volunteer board of directors
each serve three-year terms that expire in yearly rotations of two/
three seats. This year Roxie Sharpe (2016) and Mike Pyeatt
(2019) are up for re-election. Floor nominations must be
submitted in writing at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
Please join us to cast your vote. Thank you.
BUSINESS: We have gone from “desperate times” and “desperate
measures” when we couldn’t pay someone to serve on the board to
having a “waitlist” in the form of Alternates. At last year’s meeting
we introduced our 1st Alternate, “Dawnnell Hughes.” The
meeting then surprisingly produced a 2nd Alternate, “Clay
Wilkerson.” Clay left before the group photo of the board was
taken, but Dawnnell is there next to Roxie. Alternates have a
unique opportunity to grow and learn about the cemetery and the
board’s work so when the time comes they can hit the ground
running! Thank you, Dawnnell and Clay, for your support and
interest in the work of Rock Prairie!
CHAPEL UPDATES: Floor: The chapel floor is safe and strong
sitting on beams and jacks placed by Mike and Kyle in 2023. Due
to the age of the building, it is a slow and tedious process, but a
few more cranks on the jacks will soon see the chapel all squared
up again. Some of the windows (which are original) have cracked
with each “crank” and some will have to be replaced.
Usage: Since 2019, chapel funerals have generated $2,305! The
simple, intimate nature of our historic chapel makes for a most
beautiful and poignant funeral service and I believe its usage will
continue to increase as more folks discover its magic and value.
We just booked our first family reunion for this June!
Display Cases: The old, dark display cases on the wall at the back
of the chapel were taken down, repaired, painted and updated with
bright new fabric. Thanks to Josh, Stephanie and Roxie for their
work on this project.
UPDATE: Veterans Memorial Fund & Photo Wall: Until a
committee is established to more actively solicit donations and
photos, our Veterans Memorial Fund and Photo Wall projects will
sit idly by for now. Our goal is to get all 104 RPC veterans on the
wall and raise $5,200 in the process. With the “adopt-a-vet”
method, anyone can participate. Please consider making a small,
recurring donation, which would not only help steadily grow the
Fund, but give it some life. Rock Prairie is proud of its veterans
and honoring them is always the right thing to do. Help turn that
belief into a real commitment. We could use your help . . . contact
any board member, we’d love to talk to you. Thank you!
NEW PROJECT: Old Part Restoration Project: The board
hopes to begin repairs to the Old Part this summer. The process
will include taking before and after photos as well as notifying
descendants. We welcome any descendant family support through
work and/or donations. Thank you!
RECYCLED FLOWERS: The fences are still in “full bloom” and
everyone is welcome to “pick” from them! Use them however you
like . . . here, there or anywhere! It
is our tiny way of helping save the
planet and raise funds for the
cemetery — PLUS it just might help
instill the joys of grave decorating
in your children and grandchildren
as they handpick flowers to put on
grandma and grandpa’s graves.
Thank you!
Straight from the Board
2024-2025 Rock Prairie Cemetery Board of Directors
Reach us by email (just fill in the name): firstname@RockPrairieCemetery.com
Reece Drake (2023)
Kyle Pyeatt (2024)
Stephanie Colley (2024)
Jerry Tuttle, President (2014)
Josh Noggle, Vice-President (2014)
Roxie Sharpe, Secretary / Sexton (2016)
Mike Pyeatt, Treasurer (2019)
EXAMPLES OF THE BOARD’S HANDIWORK
REMINDER:
Effective June 1, 2025, full burial plots will sell for $500 each
Rock Prairie Cemetery Halltown, Missouri
May 1, 2025
RockPrairieCemetery.com
417-234-4077
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TREASURER’S STATEMENT: After yearly budgets and forecasts are met, the board’s main focus is on growing the Endowment Fund.
Thanks to two very generous $5,000 donations, four plot sales and funds from a matured Endowment CD, another MFA bond was
purchased in December 2024 increasing the Endowment Fund by $16,000.00! The operating account will keep just enough funds in
checking to pay the bills with an appropriate “cushion” held in CDs for emergencies. Unless specifically designated to a particular fund,
your donations will be carefully allocated to earn the highest rate of return. Our goal remains to not only steadily grow our accounts, but
your trust in us as well. A complete year-to-date financial report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year will be given at the annual meeting on
May 24th. You can reach me via email: Mike@RockPrairieCemetery.com
DONATIONS
/ GIFTS
INTEREST
PLOTS
SOLD
SUBTOTAL
(EXPENSES)
/DISBURSEMENTS
BALANCE
$14,839.36
$6,503.52
$1,200.00
$21,342.88
-$17,021.88
$4,321.00
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
JUNE 1, 2024 — MAY 1, 2025
For your convenience, there are 4 easy ways to donate:
By mail at: P.O. Box 45 Halltown, MO 65664
By Credit Card using the ‘PayPal Donate’ button on our website: RockPrairieCemetery.com
By dropping your check in the mail slot at the chapel
By choosing something from our Wish List below
“THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED” . . .
1. The days and weeks leading up to Memorial Day see a lot of activity by decorators and visitors to the cemetery. Courtesy and
caution are advised when using the cemetery roads. Be mindful of others needing to get around you and remember that some
graves are closer to the road than they seem.
2. Our cemetery has an ever-changing topography where holes, headstones and the potential for sunken graves exist. Upon entering,
you agree to hold Rock Prairie Cemetery Association, its members, operators, and officers harmless from any and all claims,
damages, or injuries arising from your presence on these grounds. Please exercise caution at all times. Thank you!
3. Wind and storms often wreak havoc blowing our beautiful flowers all over the cemetery and, with no way of knowing where they
belong, they end up on the wrong headstone or in the chapel. Please attach a tag to your flowers or saddle indicating the name and
dates on the headstone and the section (if you know it) so we can put them back in the right place. Thank you!
4. As always, flags for veterans are free and available to you daily on the front porch of the chapel the entire week before and including
Memorial Day. We ran out last year because Reece singlehandedly made sure every veteran’s grave had a flag. Thank you, Reece!
5. For a small donation or an obituary solicitation, the chapel is available for funerals, memorial services, family gatherings, etc. Let us
know your needs and we will try to accommodate. If you don’t have one, or in addition to your favorite charity, you can simply add a
statement like, “In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Rock Prairie Cemetery.”
6. When planning your estate please don’t forget Rock Prairie — “A gift to Rock Prairie Cemetery will have a lasting legacy, benefiting
others for generations.”
If you move or change your phone number or email, please contact Roxie Sharpe. We don’t want to lose touch!
Roxie@RockPrairieCemetery.com or RockPrairieCemetery@yahoo.com or 417-234-4077.
WISHLIST:
This is a partial list of items or services the cemetery could use (Jerry Tuttle donated a guest book podium last year, so . . . one
down . . . ): (1) Easels for picture boards, (2) portable heaters, (3) security cameras, (4) permanent section signage, (5) topsoil (from
your farm?), (6) trees to replace storm-damaged ones or to plant along the north border to lessen the noise from I-44, (7) your
expertise in webpage design, (8) your time and energy for projects (just ask), (9) something you have and don’t need, but think we
could use, etc. Email or call a board member with your gift idea. Thank you!
Donations are allocated to these Funds: (1) Endowment (2) Maintenance (3) Mausoleum (4) Veterans Memorial
If you have a Fund preference, please so indicate on your check. Thank you.
Rock Prairie Cemetery Halltown, Missouri
May 1, 2025
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417-234-4077
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Mike’s RPC family includes: Pyeatt,
Carter, Gilliland, Neil, and Hall (founder
of Halltown).
STEPHANIE COLLEY
One of our two newest
members, Stephanie Colley
joined the board in 2024.
She lives and works in Mt.
Vernon. Her passion for the
cemetery was first noticed
when she brought her grandchildren to the
cemetery and had them pick flowers from
the fences in the chapel to put on
grandma’s grave. With tears in her heart
and eyes, she said, “it’s become our special
little “family tradition.” If that sounds
familiar, it should because I stole her idea
and used it for the newsletter. She was
clearly a perfect fit for the board. With a
full-time job and seven grandchildren to
keep her busy, her energy level and
eagerness to help at the cemetery is
impressive. She has been itching to learn
and wants to get started yesterday.
Welcome Stephanie and thank you for
your unwavering support! Stephanie’s
RPC family is large and includes: Emerson,
Wood, Johnson, Bullard, Wallis and
McCray.
ROXIE SHARPE
Sherry Neeley recruited a
total stranger in 2016 when
she overheard her rattling off
genealogical info to her
mother at the cemetery.
Knowing that “desperate
times call for desperate measures” Sherry,
ever so coyly, said to this stranger, “If you
like genealogy, I think you’d enjoy being
on the board. We don’t do much . . .” HA!
But Roxie fell for it and a few days later
found herself sitting in the chapel
wondering what happened. She was told
she would serve as secretary and very soon
learned that it was the secretary’s job to
sweep out the chapel! Sherry spouts off a
lot of stuff, but she was right about one
thing . . . Roxie truly enjoys all things Rock
Prairie. She has analyzed and digitized all
of the records from 1899 forward and now
has over 6,600 names compiled from her
Rock Prairie genealogical research — she
can tell you who, how and if you are related
to anyone in Rock Prairie. She and her
husband, Don, live in Republic. Both can
be seen crawling the grounds looking for
corner markers and he couldn’t be more
supportive of her cemetery work. Roxie’s
R P C f a m i l y i n c l u d e s : S u m n e r ,
Hendrickson, Breidenstein, Hendrix, and
Cantrell.
KYLE PYEATT
Kyle Pyeatt, our other newest member,
joined the board in 2024. He, like Reece,
is 26 years old. Kyle expressed a desire to
serve on the board after attending a couple
of meetings and helping his dad, our own
Mike Pyeatt, at the cemetery. Kyle crawled
under the chapel in the winter of 2023 to
help assess and begin repairs to the fallen
chapel floor. Repeated “crawls” have been
and are still necessary before the nearly
150-year-old structure can finally be
squared up again. Kyle is very interested in
restoring old headstones and is excited
about the “Old Part Restoration” project.
A chip off the old block, Kyle’s heart and
talents are exactly what we need on the
board. Welcome, Kyle!
2024 APPRECIATION PARTY
Rock Prairie’s first
official “Changing
o f t h e G u a r d ”
celebration created
to honor Sherry and
Jim took place last
year immediately
f o l l ow i n g t h e
annual meeting in
the chapel. A cake was decorated to look
like the cemetery and posters with “We’ll
Never Forget The Difference You’ve
Made” decorated the walls. Roxie Sharpe
gave a 30-minute speech entitled, “The
Changing of the Old Guard Dogs,” a
lighthearted yet thorough detailing of
Sherry’s & Jim’s work and achievements.
Throughout the speech, Sherry and Jim sat
humbly quiet, though visibly anxious to be
done with all the hoopla. In their minds,
they simply did what needed to be done
and saw no need to make such a fuss! Ah,
but much to their chagrin, a fuss was
indeed made.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD CEREMONY IN PROGRESS
In an unrehearsed yet touching and
respectful ceremony, two board members
at a time played their parts: Mike & Reece
presented them with a gift, shook their
hand, thanked them for their service and
stood at attention removing the trash after
the gifts were opened. Jerry and Josh then
stepped up to request the honor of
assisting them in slipping on their jackets.
They, too, gave the official handshake of
gratitude and stood at attention. Then
everyone stood as Roxie led a toast
proclaiming Sherry and Jim as Rock
Prairie’s first Honorary Lifetime board
members stating, “. . . words cannot
express the difference you’ve made. May
the warmth of these jackets remind you of
the warmth and appreciation we’re feeling
toward you today every time you put them
on.” Then “What A Difference You’ve
Made In My Life,” by Ronnie Milsap came
on and suddenly everyone was singing, and
dancing in the aisles grinning ear to ear.
There were even a few tears — I know
because I welled up, too.
If you didn’t attend, you really messed up.
The party was a huge success and everyone
kept saying how glad they were that they
came. Maybe you’ll listen to me next time.
Have a great year and see you at the Rock!
New Kids In Town . . . continued from Page 1