Claude Evrette "Sonny" Wells
Claude Evrette “Sonny” Wells, was born April 29, 1931, in a sharecroppers shack in a cotton field south of Neelyville, Missouri, to Iva Mae Penrod Wells and Claude Evrette Wells, S.R. He departed this life January 13, 2026, at the age of 94 years.
His sister, Bessie Wells O’Neal and brother William Walter Wells were constant companions as he grew up. Some of his childhood memories include his father making tamales with rabbit meat to sell in town. After World War II began his father served in the Philippines and Sonny lived with his Grandmother Penrod. He was able to complete high school, graduating in 1949 as class president.
After high school he worked for Koss Construction paving I-44. This took him through Marshfield and Strafford. He stayed at the old hotel near the square in Marshfield and then moved to Strafford, where he met a lovely young lady named Mary Deckard. They married before he moved on to St. James on the construction job.
Claude served with the Army in Orleans, France during the Korean War. He returned to St. Louis, working in Purex and other factories. He and family returned to Fair Deeling where he worked for Foremost and Midwest Dairy.
Later they moved to Marshfield, living on his father’s farm before buying a house on Washington Street. Claude and Mary were baptized at Calvary Baptist not long after his father died. He and his brother, Bill were deacons at Calvary Baptist Church. Claude worked for Hutchens Industries for 25 years.
Mary developed cancer and passed to her reward in September 1990.
While working at York Metals, he met Martha Gulley, they married in July 1991.
He was a thoughtful and caring husband and a doting grandfather. After his retirement he and Martha traveled to her work sites in Pennsylvania, as well as National Parks. He loved family get-togethers on holidays and other occasions; he was a thoughtful husband who sent flowers on special occasions. Claude was a member of Son-Rise Christian Church, serving as an elder.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen; daughter, Deborah Ellen Davis; sons, Charles Van and Jay Anthony Wells; granddaughters, Shanna Davis, Brandi Ann Wells; brother William Walter Wells; and sister, Bessie Ellen O’Neal.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Wells; his children, C.E. Wells (Debi), Richard Wells, Dennis Wells (Debbie), Randy Wells, Brenda Farrell (Rick), Diamond Wells (Lori), Lisa Oaks (William), Steven Wells, Amanda Larsen (Jeff), Jeremy Morelan; step-sons, Rick Gulley (Rhonda), Dan Gulley (Francela); grandchildren, Rod Wells (Dena), Greg Wells (Kim), Wayne Wells, Tim Wells, Andrew Wells (Emilie), Dennis Wells, II (Jena), Jennifer Crawford (Steve), James Wells (Kim), Ryan Wells, Nikki Scott (Mike), Michelle Kritch, Melissa Kritch, Travis Wells, Joseph Scott Wells, Jay Wells, Kandace Rhodes (Will), Kim Raby (Jason), Savannah Wells (Stephen Biston), Jordan Wells, Cody Cheek, Chris Leader, Mikaylah Oaks, Mary Wells (Anthony Kalman), Allyson Wells (Jesse Young), Ben Larsen, Ian Larsen, Evan Larsen, Patrick Morelan, Sean Morelan, Alexis Morelan, Hailey Smith (Sam), Morgan Gulley, Jonathan Gulley, Addie Gulley, Jackson Gulley; numerous great grandchildren; sister, Mary Alice Mays; brothers-in-law, John Race (Lisa), Gene Race (Teresa), Galen Race; sisters-in-law, Laurie Barello (Pete), Michelle Defoe; numerous Penrod and Wells cousins; lifetime friend, Ernie Kautz.
Funeral services for Claude will be Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the chapel of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield.
Visitation will be before funeral services Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., in the funeral home.
Interment will be in Marshfield Cemetery under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital and may be left in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.