Mary Lee Schoenhals, 82, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Sunday evening, May 3, 2020 at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, Missouri.
She was born November 25, 1937, in El Dorado Springs, Missouri to the late Rev. J. Paul Kinnison and Helen (Green) Kinnison. Mary Lee was a 1956 graduate from Marionville High School, Marionville, Missouri and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Southwest Missouri State in Home Economics. She also took graduate courses in communications from the University of Missouri.
Mary Lee married Rev. Lawrence Schoenhals on June 6, 1971, in Carthage. She worked at the University of Missouri Extension Office, specializing in housing and interior design; she also demonstrated food preparation on channel 7 KOAM. She was a member of the Church of God Holiness of Silver Moon, where she taught adult Sunday School and served the congregation as the pastor’s wife.
Survivors include her husband, Lawrence Schoenhals; two daughters, Kayleen Smith and husband Charles “Chuck”, Neosho, Missouri, and Marleen Galloway, Carthage, Missouri; three grandchildren, Marshal Paul Smith, Monika Smith, and Myles Smith; one sister, Betty Kinnison, Carthage; and many extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held 3-6 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Knell Mortuary. Due to the social distancing requirements, we encourage those who do not work to try to come before the 5 o’clock hour. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 8, 2020, at 10 a.m. at The Church of the Nazarene in Carthage. Social distancing will be observed. Interment will follow at Fullerton Cemetery, Carthage. Memorial gifts are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in care of Knell Mortuary.
Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
