Muriel Marie Hallam, 98, Carthage, Mo., passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, in St. Luke’s Nursing Center, Carthage.
Muriel (Schmollinger) Hallam was born July 25, 1911, in Edwardsville, Ill., the daughter of John and Nell Schmollinger. She attended Edwardsville public schools and was a graduate of Edwardsville High School. She attended Illinois State University for two years where she majored in art. She married Byron C. Hallam on Sept. 9, 1931, in Alton, Ill., and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2006. From 1957 to 1962, Mrs. Hallam was caseworker for the Jasper County Division of Family Services, Joplin. Mrs. Hallam was actively involved in her church and community, serving as past president of the United Methodist Women’s Association and the Janette Williams Circle. She was a member of the Carthage Business and Professional Women’s Association, the Mary Makers Choral Group and the Better Homemakers Chapter with the Missouri Extension Services. Muriel was also known for her creative work in ceramics, quilting, sewing and crocheting which she shared with her family and the church. Mrs. Hallam was an American Red Cross volunteer for over 30 years and also served on the McCune-Brooks Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Hallam was instrumental in forming Ozark Mental Health Clinic, which later became the Ozark Center, Joplin. She served as president of the original Board of Directors and served for many years. She was also the past president of the Jasper County Mental Health Trustees’ Board and the Southwest Missouri Regional Advisory Council for Psychiatric Services.
Survivors include a son, David (wife Benita) Hallam, Clearwater, Fla.; two daughters, Barbara McPheeters, Carthage and Deborah (Robert) Buffington, Sun City, Ariz.; nine grandchildren: Scott (Anne) Ralston, Mark (Melissa) Ralston, Lori (Matthew) Perez, Matthew (Tara) Hallam, Jill (Bill) Payne, Jonathan (Melisa) McPheeters, Lisa (Perry) Chiles, Jim (Stephanie) McPheeters, Bill (Ann) Mitchell and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Byron, and one sister, Bernice Ladd.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, in the Knell Mortuary Chapel, Carthage. Rev. James Lee, First United Methodist Church, and Rev. Steve Wilson, Grace Episcopal Church, will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Grace Episcopal Church Columbarium, 820 Howard St., Carthage, Mo.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the Carthage R-9 Foundation in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, Mo., 64836.
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary, Carthage, Mo.
