Jethro “Carol” Hutchens, age 91, passed away on January 3, 2026.
Jethro “Carol” Hutchens, age 91, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at his home.
Born on August 24, 1934 in Cassville to Jethro and Bess (Fogg) Hutchens, Carol was a graduate from Cassville High School in 1952, and on June 14th of that same year, was united in marriage to Lois Rowena Wiley. Together they shared over 73 years of marriage.
Carol’s early career was marked by a spirit of hard work and adventure. From 1953 to 1957, he traveled through six states installing underground telephone lines, a journey followed by service in the United States Army in Germany from 1957 to 1959. Upon returning to Cassville, he became a businessman, owning and operating the Surge Dairy Equipment company from 1960 to 1975. His work supported dairies across Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. In 1975, he became a full-time farmer, working as a dairy, poultry, and cattle farmer until his retirement in 2015.
Horses were always a part of his life as he was a member of the Barry County Sheriff’s Posse and he had fun on trail rides with family and friends. In their retirement years, he and Rowena enjoyed life on the road traveling throughout the United States and foreign countries. He always had an interest in the people and history of Barry County. Carol was a lifetime member of Cassville First Baptist Church.
Carol is survived by his wife, Rowena; his daughter, Anne Hutchens of Cassville; two granddaughters, Staci Day and her husband JR of Washburn, Missouri, and Debi Arnold and her husband Colby of Green Forest, Arkansas; four great grandchildren, Andrew and Evan Day, and Bristol and Bennett Arnold. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rebecca Kane and her husband Paul of Sterling, Illinois.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Leatrice and Jim Cox. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 12, 2026 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor James Weaver will conduct the services. Contributions may be made to Oak Hill Cemetery in memory of Carol.
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FOHN FUNERAL HOME
Cassville, Missouri
417-847-2141
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