Emerald J. Wonderly, age 88, of Centerview, died Saturday, October 12, 2013, at the Warrensburg Manor.

He was born May 31, 1925, in rural Johnson County, Mo., the son of Robert E. and Beulah (Fox) Wonderly.
On December 6, 1964, he married Roberta Van Wey in Warrensburg.
Emerald served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 during World War II in Italy.  After the war, he worked in the body shop of the General Motors Leeds Plant for 30 years, retiring in 1987 and continued farming.  Emerald was a member of Local 93 Auto Workers and a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Fayetteville, where he served as deacon for 35 years.  He had a love for horses that he shared with his granddaughter.
Emerald is survived by his wife Roberta; one son, Don Wonderly, and wife Michelle of Centerview, Mo.; three step-children, Sharon Himes of Independence, Mo., Randy Van Wey and wife Llewellyn of Centerview, and Kevin Van Wey of Granby, Mo.; two granddaughters, Breanna and Brittany Wonderly of Centerview; nine step-grandchildren including Christiane Odle of Holden, and Caitlin Hale of Warrensburg; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Emery Wonderly, one step-son Jimmie Van Wey, and one great-granddaughter Madison Van Wey.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, October 14, 2013, Liberty Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Mo., with Brother Chris Johnson officiating.  Pallbearers were Jeremy Van Wey, Adam Odle, Bob Strate, Wayne Mieser, Gary Zink, and Jared Van Wey.  Honorary pallbearers were Delbert Bodenhamer, Calvin Harms, J.C. Carter, Leland Fox, and Owen Fox.
Interment followed at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the Warrensburg American Legion Post #131 and VFW Post #2513.
The family received friends Sunday evening at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.
Memorial contributions were suggested to the Liberty Baptist Church Building Fund and can be left in care of the funeral home.