Zella Lee (Manes) Prouty

Zella Lee (Manes) Prouty passed away at Good Shepherd Care Center on December 22, 2025.  She was born on February 4, 1929, to Daniel Callaway and Eula (Lane) Manes on the family farm near Stoutland.  After high school Lee followed her older sister Geraldine to nursing school in Springfield.  Lee married Robert (Bob) Prouty in 1951 who preceded her in death in 2000.  She worked at hospitals in Kansas City and Jefferson City, including Memorial Hospital and Charles E. Still Osteopathic Hospital.  After retiring to Eldon, Bob and Lee joined the Eldon United Methodist Church and with other dedicated volunteers worked to establish Gateway Industries, a sheltered workshop for Miller County.

Surviving are sons David Prouty of Boise, Idaho, and Dale Prouty of Irvine, California and daughter Cindy Hart of Eldon.  Also surviving are ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Along with her husband Bob, her son Phillip, her stepdaughter Dr. Joan Moore, and her son-in-law Norman Hart, Jr. preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Gateway Industries or the Eldon United Methodist Church.

A Memorial Service for Zella Lee (Manes) Prouty and Phillip Prouty will be on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Eldon United Methodist Church of Eldon, MO with Pastor Jacob Lewellen officiating.  Burial will follow at the Eldon City Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zella Lee (Manes) Prouty, please visit our floral store.