Our Staff R. Neel Baucom - Missouri Licensed Preneed Seller Neel graduated from Carthage Sr. High. He graduated from Missouri Southern State College with a B.S. in Biology. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Neel is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director for the State of Missouri. He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. Neel is married with a son and daughter-in-law Jim & Jean who live in Lenexa, KS. and one son Justin who is attending Southwest Missouri State University. Springfield, MO. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, Carthage Rotary Club, and President of the Carthage R-9 Board Of Education. He has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for the past 27 years and co-owner of the Knell Mortuary. Email: neel@knellmortuary.com Robert E. Freitas, Jr. Bob has been a resident of Carthage since 1970, where he attended St. Ann's Catholic Grade School. He attended McAuley Regional Catholic High School in Joplin,MO. graduating in 1981. He also attended Missouri Southern College with an AA in Applied Science in Mortuary Science. He is a licensed Funeral Director and embalmer. Bob is a Veteran of the United States Army having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He is a member of the St. Ann's Catholic Church, the Knight's of Columbus, the MFDA, the NFDA, and a lifetime member of the 35th Infantry Division "Cacti" Association. Janice Baucom - Secretary Janice was born in Carthage, MO. A graduate of Carthage Senior High. Attended Missouri Southern College. Married Richard Neel Baucom in 1969. I am the proud mother of one son and daughter in law, James and Jean who live in Lenexa, KS and another son Justin a student at SMSU in Springfield, MO. Janice is a member of the First Baptist Church Carthage, MO. A member of the Rhoda Fairchild Chapter of the DAR. A member of the Missouri State Teacher Association. She has worked for the Carthage R-9 School district for 18 years. She joined the Knell Mortuary staff, June 1, 2002. Steward Shinn Steward graduated from Ft. Smith Arkansas High School. Received his B.S. degree from Evangel University, Springfield, Mo.He has a Masters degree from Southwest Missouri State University. He has been an elementary and secondary teacher for the past31 years. Steward has been with the Knell Mortuary for the past 13 years. John Gremling John is a graduate of Verona, MO. High School. He is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in education. He received his Masters degree from Drury University, Springfield, MO. John was a Jr. High School Counselor for the Carthage Jr. High School for the past 34 years. He is married with one son Matt and daughter in law Kelli and one grandaughter, Madisyn. John has been with the Knell Mortuary for one year.