Fern Cantwell, 77

A memorial service for Fern Agnes Friend Cantwell, 77, of Ava, was held March 6, 2020, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville with Davin Friend officiating. Mrs. Cantwell died Feb. 29 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains. 

She was born Aug. 29, 1942, in Thornfield into the large family of Benjamin Harrison and Iva Ethel Lawson Friend.

She was a homemaker and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by five children: her three daughters, Tammy Terrazas and husband Hosea, Deborah Gregory and Rose Burns; two sons, Ralph Gregory and wife Stephanie, and Christopher Berger and wife Amanda; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Polly Ousley and Peggy Robbins and husband Bob; one brother, Edd Friend and wife Ina; sister-in-law Jaunita Friend; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Cindy Lynn Gregory; one son, Glenn Jay Berger; one granddaughter, Victoria Clardy; one great-grandson, Dominic Wingo; five sisters, Maxine DeBord, Geneva Friend, Mamie Strong, Freda Loftis, Modie Evans; four brothers, John, Trellis, Joe and Lee Friend; six half-sisters, Jaunita Friend, Elma Lawson, Erma Cooper, Vonnie Barnett, Verdie Trent and Retha Pippin; two half-brothers, Efton and Elza Friend; and many nieces and nephews.  

A private burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thornfield Cemetery. 

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423