H. LYLE MANSFIELD, Obituary

JOPLIN H. Lyle Mansfield, 76, died Monday, Aug. 5, 2002, at a Chester rest home due to cancer.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin. Burial will follow at the Joplin Cemetery.

Lyle was born April 10, 1926, on the family homestead 30 miles north of Joplin to Herbert and Effie (Branner) Mansfield. He received his education at Havre and graduated from high school in 1944.

While working as a lineman for a power company near Wolf Point, he met Rosemary Sorensen. They were married at her home near McCabe in 1948. They returned to the Mansfield farm at Joplin, where they worked and raised a family of five. The Mansfields moved into Joplin in 1964 and continued to farm until their retirement in 1988.

In addition to farming, Lyle ran Mansfield Upholstery in Joplin for several years. Lyle could fix almost anything, whether it was mechanical, electrical or plumbing.

He enjoyed fishing and camping and in his later years he liked to watch television. His favorite shows were the Price is Right and Johnny Carson. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and the Discovery Channel. He enjoyed the solitude while smoking his pipe and giving hugs to his grandchildren.

The Mansfields made several trips to Hawaii, San Diego and Washington, D.C., during their marriage.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Evelyn Fouarge.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary of Joplin; daughter, Cheri (Scott) Swank of Chester; sons, Lyle "Lanny" (Mary) Mansfield of Shelby, Mike (Shirley) Mansfield of Billings, Bruce (Trudy) Mansfield of Joplin, and Dean Mansfield of San Diego; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.