Ozark Mountain Stamp Club

Passing of Carlene’s sister, Glenda Irvin.

Following is an update from our fellow OMSC member, Carlene:

“Several have shown interest in my sister's pancreatic journey. Glenda passed away yesterday [May 21, 2026] in Oklahoma City from a palliative care unit there. Many of you in our group have listened to me as I've shared some of that journey of her bout with this horrific disease. My loss is great but her immediate family's loss is greater. I covet the prayers of anyone who cares to pray for us. Carlene "

An obituary is online at

https://www.matthewsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/glenda-irvin?fbclid=IwVERDUASC8KJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeLFl7Lmgqgl_2GGAkFsVzARi0tPK1TU1tWxAfDHcBMHnuUDvsT39kRPPVMdQ_aem_Y9RX4ds8GV1BX_3DWdtjPQ

Yours in prayer for Carlene and her family,
Larry Donze
President - Ozark Mountain Stamp Club

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Great attendance at our April meeting! The postal history of O’Reilly General Hospital (1941-1946) by Don Chenevert, Jr. elicited numerous questions and comments from the audience. Carlene Withers shared some postcards related to the O’Reilly General Hospital during show and tell.

Great minds think (and dress) alike. President Larry Donze and Publicity Committee member Michael Clarke turned up at our February meeting wearing matching shirts and endured a bit of trading from members of the club.

Ashley Morrill, a member of the Local History department at The Library Center, shared historical postcards from the collection of the Springfield-Greene County Library. Both digital and physicalpostcards are included in the library’s collection and are accessible to the general public.

Members of the Ozark Mountain Stamp Club enjoyed an evening of fellowship at our annual potluck holiday party. Dr. Michael Clarke’s stamp presentation focused on notable doctors and scientists who revolutionized medicine. Don Chenevert, Jr. curated our annual philatelic gift exchange. The questions for Dr. Clarke’s annual trivia contest were inspired by his First Day Cover collection. We all enjoyed the delicious food and good conversations as we made wonderful memories together.

Tonight, over two dozen members of the Ozark Mountain Stamp Club were treated to an evening of local philatelic history and lore.

Carlene Withers shared Missouri philatelic history from a personal perspective. Two of her ancestors served the U.S. Post Office Department in central Missouri at the turn of the 20th century - one as a Postmaster, the other as a mail carrier.

George Edgar Gray served as the Postmaster of Vancleve, Missouri from 1906 to 1930.

Albert Lee Barnhart delivered mail by horseback between Meta and the train depot at Vienna, Missouri.

Carlene’s presentation featured postcards, family photos, letters and stamps used in Vancleve, Meta and the surrounding area during the late 1800s and early 1900s when her great, great grandparents handled the U.S. Mail for their communities.

Historical views of the Springfield Square. Note the trolleys traveling through the roundabout.

In 1899, the Frisco Railroad built and paid for a hospital for its employees.

Dr. Gordon Freidman shared early Springfield, Missouri postcards and local history with our club. Good program!

Several stamp dealers will have stamps and covers for sale at Relics on October 24th and 25th.