Obituaries
Obituaries
Zuniga, Lopez, Martinez, Padron, Avila, Orellana
From Bismark, ND Tribune:
Highway patrol identifies victims of crash near Jamestown
December 27, 2012 4:25 pm By Jenny Michael
The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the six men killed in a crash west of
Jamestown on Wednesday were from Missouri.
Martin Zuniga, 47, was the driver of the pickup that left the westbound
lane of Interstate 94, went through the median and was struck on the
passenger side by an eastbound semitrailer.
Zuniga and his five passengers were killed in the crash. The other men
were identified as Mayolo Lopez, 51, Albino Galicia Martinez, 43, Epitacio
Acosta Padron, 50, Jose Isabel Avila, 54, and Herson Orellana, 34. Lopez,
Galicia Martinez, Acosta Padron and Avila were from Springfield, Mo.,
Zuniga was from Republic, Mo. and Orellana was from Nixa, Mo.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol said none of the men were wearing a seat
belt.
The patrol reported Thursday that the interstate was extremely icy in the
Jamestown area Wednesday morning when the crash occurred.
The driver of the semitrailer was Stuart Hauge, 23 of Glen Ullin. He was
taken to Jamestown Medical Center for injuries. Hauge was wearing a seat
belt.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, 167 people had died on North
Dakota roads this year prior to Thursday. That far surpasses the totals
from recent years. Last year, 148 people died on roads in the state, 105
died in 2010, 140 in 2009, 104 in 2008 and 111 in 2007.
From Yahoo News:
Six Southwest Missouri Men Killed in One Car Wreck in North Dakota
Men Sought Work in Area
Yahoo Contributor Network By William Browning
December 28, 2012 12:47 PM
An icy interstate highway near Jamestown, N.D., caused the deaths of six
men from southwest Missouri traveling in the same vehicle Wednesday
morning. A white Chevrolet pickup truck carrying the men went through the
median of Interstate 94 and struck an eastbound Freightliner semi truck.
The Springfield News-Leader reveals several of the deceased attended the
same Catholic church in Springfield, Mo.
* Dead are Martin Zuniga, 47, of Republic, Mo., and his brother, Jose
Isabel Avila, 54. Zuniga was driving. Three Springfield residents were
also killed: Mayolo Lopez, 51, Albino Galicia Martinez, 43, and Epitacio
Acosta Padron, 50. The youngest of those killed was Herson Orellana, 34,
of Nixa, Mo. Names of the dead were released a day after the crash.
* The men were in North Dakota going to a construction site for work.
Zuniga owned a small construction company. Yolanda Lorge of Grupo Latino
Americano in Springfield told the News-Leader, "They found a job there ...
You have to find work wherever you can."
* None of the occupants of the truck were wearing seat belts, according to
a North Dakota Highway Patrol news release given to the media outlet. The
driver of the semi, 23-year-old Stuart Hauge, had minor injuries and was
released from a nearby hospital.
* Forum Communications of North Dakota reports the crash happened around
10:25 a.m. near mile marker 258. Patrol investigators told the media
outlet the pickup truck driver lost control on an icy road, went through
the median and then the semi struck the pickup on the passenger side at a
right angle.
* Alcohol was not involved in the crash. It is not known yet how fast the
pickup was going.
* Forum Communications also quoted Capt. Brian Niewind of the North Dakota
Highway Patrol who said, "There is nothing (the semi driver) could do.
There's no evasive action he could have taken."
* Lorge told the News-Leader the Zuniga family lost two other relatives in
a car crash earlier in 2012. Zuniga himself came to Springfield around 25
years ago as one of the first Hispanic families to make a living in the
city.
* Several of the deceased were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in
Springfield. The church offers a liturgy in Spanish on Sunday afternoons
and evenings. Funeral plans have yet to be made public.
* Jamestown is about 100 miles due west of Fargo on Interstate 94 in
eastern North Dakota. The city's population is nearly 15,500 people. The
urban area is known as "The Buffalo City" for its huge statue of an
American bison.
From the United Kingdom's Daily Mail:
His last words were 'I love you': Son's anguish after his construction
worker dad and five co-workers killed in horror collision with semitrailer
on their way to work in North Dakota
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 14:34 EST, 29 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:14 EST, 30 December 2012
Life cut short: Martin Zuniga, the owner of a small construction company
who was killed in a tragic crash, was described by his 23-year-old as a
hardworking man who was devoted to his work
Life cut short: Martin Zuniga, the owner of a small construction company
who was killed in a tragic crash, was described by his 23-year-old as a
hardworking man who was devoted to his work
Six Missouri men killed in a crash on an icy North Dakota interstate were
looking for work in the area, a family friend said.
Yolanda Lorge, president of the Hispanic advocacy organization Grupo
Latino Americano in Springfield, Mo., said the driver, Martin Zuniga,
owned a small construction company. He and the five men with him were
headed to a work site, she said.
‘That's what they were doing there,’ Lorge said. 'They found a job there
or something. You have to find work wherever you can.'
The men were killed at around 10.25am Wednesday when Zuniga lost control
of his 2002 Chevrolet pickup on the icy road, crossed the median on
westbound Interstate 94 near Jamestown and was struck by an eastbound
semitrailer, according to a North Dakota Highway Patrol news release.
The 2006 Freightliner semi pulling a trailer hit the pickup’s
passenger-side door at a right angle, sending it into a ditch, The
Jamestown Sun reported.
Also killed were Zuniga's brother, Jose Isabel Avila, 54; Mayolo Lopez,
51; Albino Galicia Martinez, 43; Epitacio Acosta Padron, 50; and Herson
Orellana, 34.
All of the men were from Springfield except Zuniga from Republic and
Orellana from Nixa. None was wearing seat belts, police said.
From the Ozark County Times, 15 Feb 2008:
Graveside services for Jerry Eugene Hannaford, 70, of Gainesville, were
held Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Brushy Knob Cemetery with Dale Roberts and
Van Williams officiating.
Mr. Hannaford died Feb. 5, 2008, at the Gainesville Health Care Center. He
was born May 31, 1937, the son of Elvis and Loma (Shanks) Hannaford. He
and Janet Sanford Jan. 21, 1959.
He loved his family. He also enjoyed talking and visiting. He and his
brother Robert owned the Gainesville Tire Shop for almost 20 years. He
recently also worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Mr. Hannaford is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Kent Hannaford of
Pontiac and Chris Hannaford and his wife, Robin, of Lebanon; one
daughter-in-law, Rhonda Hannaford of Gainesville; two grandsons, Kenny
Hannaford and Kyle Hannaford, both of Gainesville; two exchange
granddaughters, Lena and Larisa of Lebanon; three brothers, Robert
Hannaford and his wife, Carol, of Mountain Home, Ark., Kenneth Hannaford
and his wife, Pat, of Pontiac, and Dwain and his wife, Lisa, of
Gainesville; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Hannaford of Mansfield and Coneta
Hubbard of Rockaway Beach; two brothers-in-law, Jerry Hubbard of Marble
Rock, Iowa, and Eddie Sanford of Mountain Home, Ark.; and many nephews and
nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bill; and one
brother-in-law, Larry Sanford.
Pallbearers were Donnie Miller, Norman Hannaford, Gerald Hannaford, Eddie
Woodward, Fallis Frazier and Ronnie Hambelton.
Honorary pallbearers were Kenny Hannaford, Kyle Hannaford, Wally Goode and
Bill Cockrum.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 15 Feb 2008:
Funeral Service for Luther E. “Pete” White, 86, of Howard’s Ridge were
held Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Kirby and Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mountain
Home, Ark., with Pastors Gail Wooten and Joe Gaddy officiating. Burial was
in the Howards Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. White died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice
House in Mountain Home, Ark. He was born May 22, 1921, in Hardenville, the
son of William Ray and Bertha (Beard) White. He and Lorene Trivitt were
married Nov. 3, 1945, at Mountain Home, Ark.
He worked as a retail businessman and farmer He also was a concrete worker
and superintendent on the Norfork, Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, Canyon Ferry
(Mont.) and Sam Rayburn (Texas) dams. He was a member of the Concrete
Finishers Union in Springfield and a lifetime resident of Howard's Ridge.
Mr. White is survived by his wife, Lorene; one son, Lester White and his
wife, Roberta, of Mountain Home, Ark.; four daughters, Edna Uchtman and
her husband, Wilbern, Linda Watson and her husband, Bob, and Barbara
White, all of Howard’s Ridge and Beverly Uchtman and her husband, Lonnie,
of Tecumseh; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren; one brother;
and one sister.
Pallbearers were Jason Watson, Lyle Uchtman, Wes Uchtman, Barry Adams, Joe
Staney and Daniel Sawyer.
Memorials may be made to the Mountain Home American Legion Baseball
program or the Howard’s Ridge Cemetery Association.
Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Mountain Home, Ark.,
directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 15 Feb 2008:
Funeral services for Mollie Dean Taylor, 79, were held Saturday, Feb. 9 at
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville with David Shipley officiating.
Burial was in Smith Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Taylor died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Baxter Regional Medical Center
in Mountain Home, Ark. She was born Feb. 25, 1928, in Sycamore, the
daughter of Fred and Nora (Hutchison) Sanders. She and Chester Taylor were
married Sept. 4, 1949, in Mountain Home, Ark.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Taylor is survived by her husband, Chester; three sons, Lane Taylor
of Willow Springs, Shaun Taylor of Ozark and Darvin Taylor of Sycamore;
seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Max Sanders
of Springfield; and one sister, Delores Thornton of Dora.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; and four sisters.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 15 Feb 2008:
Mildred A. Shipla, 93, of Gainesville died Feb. 10, 2008
Mrs. Shipla was a homemaker. She had lived in the area for 30 years,
having moved from Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Shipla is survived by one daughter, Janet Evans of Gainesville.
Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Mountain Home, Ark.,
directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 15 Feb 2008:
Funeral services for Elmer Buel Bartlett, 88, of Maysville, were held
Thursday, Feb. 7 at Bram Funeral Home in Maysville. A graveside service
was held Friday, Feb. 8 at Thornfield Cemetery.
Mr. Bartlett died Feb. 5, 2008, at the Sunset Home in Maysville. He was
born Oct. 29, 1919, in Ozark County, the son of Luther and Elizabeth
“Lizzie” (Shipley) Bartlett. He and his wife Gladys were married in May
1941 in Ava.
He and his wife of 67 years spent most of their early married life in the
Springfield area, moving to Kansas City in the early 1960s and to
Maysville in 1970. They owned an upholstery business in Maysville.
Mr. Bartlett was a self-taught fiddler and was known as “the smiling
fiddler.” In his early years, he played in honky-tonks to help support his
family. After moving to Maysville, he played weekends at various functions
and won many fiddling contests. For eight years, he performed weekly at
the Wagon Wheel in Pattonsburg. His performances were broadcast from the
KMRN radio station in Cameron.
Mr. Bartlett is survived by his wife, Gladys; one daughter, Audrey
Willoughby of Kansas City; two sons, Gale Bartlett and Curtis Bartlett and
his wife, Jackie, all of Kansas City; five grandchildren, Josh Willoughby,
Brooke Jameson, Rachel Cauthon, Kristen Wright and Caroline Storey, all of
Kansas City; four sisters, Gladys Keller of Davenport, Iowa, Leota McClary
of West Plains, Edith Warrick of Branson and Maxine McMillan of
Springfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or DeKalb County
Nutrition Center.
Bram Funeral Home, Maysville, directors.
Canyun Camaro Smith, infant son of Mark and Angie Smith, Bolivar, Mo.,
passed away February 14, 2008, at his home at one month of age. Among
survivors are his parents, a sister, Shae, and a brother, Easton, all of
the home; his paternal grandparents, C.A. and Peggy Smith of Collins, Mo.;
maternal grandmother, Mrs. Brenda Price; and maternal great-grandparents,
Roland and Mary Lean of Humansville, Mo. Funeral services will be
Saturday, February 16, at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Bolivar.
Burial will be in the Freeman-Holsapple Cemetery, rural Collins, under
direction of Sheldon Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs. The family
suggests contributions to the Canyun C. Smith Scholarship Fund in care of
the Sheldon Funeral Home or the Smith's Restaurants in Bolivar or Collins,
Mo.
From the Ozark County Times, 8 Feb 2008:
Linnie Elizabeth (Shaw) Evans, 91, died Jan. 21, 2008. She was born Sept.
24, 1916, in Pontiac, the daughter of David and Nancy (Mahan) Shaw.
Mrs. Evans lived in Tulsa and worked for Douglas Aircraft and was a ‘Rosie
the Riverter’ during World War II. In 1953, she moved to San Jose, Calif.,
and worked for JC Penney until she retired at 78.
Mrs. Evans is survived by one son, Jack Evans of California; one daughter,
Sue Robinson of San Martin, Calif.; five grandchildren, all of California;
12 great-grandchildren, all of California; and one great-great-grandchild,
all of California; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Bryon Evans.
From the Ozark County Times, 8 Feb 2008:
Funeral services for Leon Kelley, 73, of Tahlequah, Okla., were held
Wednesday, Feb. 6 in Tahlequah, Okla. Burial was in Floral Haven Cemetery
in Tulsa, Okla.
Mr. Kelley died Feb. 1, 2008, in Tulsa, Okla. He was born Jan. 16, 1935,
in Theodosia, to Luie and Etta Mae (Pellham) Kelley.
Hart Funeral Home, Tahlequah, Okla., directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 8 Feb 2008:
Funeral services for Jerry DeVaul, 65, of Gulfport, Miss., formerly of
West Plains, were held Thursday, Jan. 31 in the Rose Chapel of the
Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Burial was in Sims Cemetery.
Mr. DeVaul died Jan. 27, 2008, in Cannon Hospice in Gulport, Miss. He was
born May 8, 1942, in Kansas City, the son of Richard E. and Beulah
(Landers) DeVaul. He and Linda Cook were married Oct. 4, 1964. He and Joni
Fallo were married Dec. 31, 1995, in Gulport, Miss.
He was a truck driver with A-1 Trucking in Gulfport, Miss.
Mr. DeVaul is survived by his wife, Joni; one daughter, Debbie Lee of West
Plains; one step-daughter, Dene Mitzel and her husband, Fritz, of Biloxi,
Miss.; one granddaughter, Jami Pitti and her husband, Matt, of West
Plains; three step-children, Jonae, Cabel and Kolby, all of Biloxi, Miss.;
one brother, Myron DeVaul; and many aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Roy and
Louisa Landers.
Memorials may be made to Akula Foundation or Sims Cemetery and can be left
at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains.
Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.
Melva (Swearengin) Hailey
Melva Hailey, age 97, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2008, in Webco
Manor in Marshfield, Mo. Melva was born in Christian County near Union
Chapel, and has lived in Marshfield since 1938. In her younger days, Melva
was an active volunteer in the Marshfield First Baptist Church, Webster
County Democrat Women's Club, American Red Cross, Cub Scouts, Little
League Baseball, PTA, and the Older American Center. For years she was
Democrat Committee Woman for East Ozark Township and the Vice Chairman of
the Webster County Democrat Central Committee. She was preceded in death
by her husband J.H. "Hat" Hailey; parents, Henry and Sarrah Ellen
(Bookout) Swearengin; brothers, Everett, Earl, and Arnold Swearengin; and
sisters, Edna Clevenger, Bertha Pirtle, and Neva Cantrell. Melva is
survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Jim Bouldin of
Pensacola, Fla.; son Joe Hailey of Marshfield, Mo.; son and
daughter-in-law James and Pam Hailey of Springfield; two grandchildren,
two great-grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. A
visitation will be held in Day Funeral Home in Marshfield on Wednesday,
February 6, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday,
February 7, 2008, at 2 p.m., in the funeral home. Interment will be in
Marshfield City Cemetery.
From the Ozark County Times, 25 Jan 2008:
Memorial services for Denise Darlene Young-Rulo, 38, of Theodosia, will be
Friday,Jan. 25, at First Baptist Church in Gainesville with Mike Dillon
officiating. Burial will be in Sims Cemetery in Gainesville.
Ms. Young-Rulo died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, at her residence. She was
born Aug. 11, 1969, in Coffeyville, Kan., the daughter of David and Alta
Young.
She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1988 and spent her whole
life in Ozark County.
Ms. Young-Rulo is survived by her fiance, Lonnie “Pete” Rulo; two
children, Randy Lee McCullough-Wages and Ayla Lynn McCullough; her mother,
Alta Young of Gainesville; three sisters, Donna Young-Hall of Norfork,
Ark., Dorene Wages of Caulfield and Debora Myers; three brothers, Douglas
Young and Daniel Young, both of Tennessee, and David Young Jr. of
Virginia; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, David Young Sr.; and one sister,
Deanna Young.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 25 Jan 2008:
Funeral services for Faye I. Phillips Clark, 86, of Centertown, were held
Monday, Jan. 14 at Weber Funeral Home Chapel in California, Mo., with
Pastor Tom Mustain officiating. Burial was in Centertown Cemetery.
Mrs. Clark died Jan. 11, 2008, at her home. She was born May 15, 1921, in
Gainesville, the daughter of Arthur and Celeste (McGuinnes) Holmes. She
and William E. Phillips were married Jan. 19, 1945, in Jefferson City.
After his death, she married Victor Clark.
She was a member of the Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in California. She
was a cook for several years at the Centertown school. She was a homemaker
and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Clark is survived by two sons, Wayne Phillips and his wife, Janelle,
of East Peoria, Ill., and Kevin Phillips of Centertown; one daughter,
Janet Gilles and her husband, Jerry, of Mannford, Okla.; 25 grandchildren
and step-grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; three brothers, Boyd
Holmes and James Holmes, both of Gainesville, and Glen Holmes and his
wife, Deloris, of Grandview; and two sisters, Reba Moreau and her husband,
Junior, of Fulton and Madge Early of Eugene.
She was preceded in death by both husbands, William Phillips and Victor
Clark; her parents; one son, Delbert Phillips; two sisters, Wilma Jean
Holmes and June Holmes; and one brother, Merle Holmes.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Foundation of America.
Weber Funeral Home, California, directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 25 Jan 2008:
Funeral services for Pat Long, 69, of Springfield, formerly of Ozark
County, were held Friday,Jan. 18, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in
Gainesville with Doug Irwin officiating. Burial was in Hart Cemetery.
Mrs. Long died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, at her daughter’s residence in
Springfield. She was born Feb. 19, 1938, in Riverside, Calif., the
daughter of Bert and Barbara (Eslick) Stewart. She and Hurble Long were
married Jan. 23, 1957, in Mountain Home, Ark.
After her husband died in 2001, Mrs. Long moved from Ozark County to
Springfield to live with her daughter, Shana.
Mrs. Long is survived by three sons, Jim Long and his wife, Sissy, of
Midway, Ark., David Long and Stephen Long and his wife, Wanda, all of
Gainesville; one daughter, Shana Zahn and her husband, Eric, of
Springfield; nine grandchildren, Jodi Price and her husband, Jeff, Joshua
Long and his wife, Brandi, and Michelle Williams and her husband, Jess,
all of Mountain Home, Ark., Stephen Port Long, Krista Miller and her
husband, Ben, Karl Zahn and Kendra Zahn, all of Springfield, Juanita
McClure and her husband, Rob of Gainesville and Mandy Zahn and her fiance,
Zach Miller, of Fair Grove; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Sandy
Schofield and her husband, Kermit, of Theodosia; and two brothers, Carl
Stewart and his wife, Margaret, of Applegate, Ore., and Dale Stewart and
his wife, Sharon, of Utah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hurble, in 2001; her parents;
one brother, Paul Stewart; and one grandson, James Daniel Long.
Pallbearers were Joshua Long, Jeff Price, Stephen Port Long, Rob McClure,
Karl Zahn, Zach Miller and Ben Miller.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.
From the Ozark County Times, 25 Jan 2008:
Billy Wayne Call, 32, of Isabella, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, at
Theodosia.
Mr. Call was born Dec. 8, 1975, in Mountain Home, Ark., the son of
Lawrence David Call and Virginia Dianne (Hogue) Sewell.
He was a construction laborer.
Mr. Call is survived by his mother, Virginia Sewell of Isabella; one
daughter, Cassidy Ann Call of Branson; and one sister, Amy Miller of
Isabella.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Clifford L. Bilyeu, 70, Bolivar, died Thursday, May 3, 2001, in Citizens
Memorial Hospital. He was born July 20, 1930, in Republic to William Homer
and Lillie Pearl Bangs Bilyeu. He was united in marriage to Gloria K.
Williams on Sept. 10, 1951, and to this union four children were born. He
served in the United States Navy for four years and was a member and
pastor of Cardwell Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife,
Gloria of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Phillip K. Bilyeu of
Strafford, and Mark L. and Carol Bilyeu of Republic; two daughters and
sons-in-law, Cynthia R. and Mark Anderson, and Natalee D. and Frank Smith,
all of Springfield; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty L. Morgan of
Richland, and Doris Lene and Charles Ramsey of Republic; a brother-in-law,
Milburn Williams of the home; eight grandchildren, Johnny Copeland, Shawn
Davis, Dusty Anderson, Cody Anderson, Dustin Smith, Jordan Booher, Travis
Booher and Samantha Smith; two great-grandchildren, Shondra Davis and
Clayton Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was
preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, three
brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. Services were Sunday, May 6, in
Pitts Chapel with burial with military honors following in Rock Prairie
Cemetery. Pallbearers were Phillip K. Bilyeu, Mark L. Bilyeu, Mark
Anderson, Frank Smith, Dusty Anderson, Cody Anderson, Jordan Booher and
Travis Booher. Honorary pallbearers were his nephews and Milburn Williams.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral
home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Tamara Leann Cochran Tiana Lorena Cochran Karla Jeane Cochran, 30, Tamara
Leann Cochran, 8, and Tiana Lorena Cochran, 8, Fordland, died Saturday,
May 12, 2001, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident at the
intersection of Mo. 83 and Mo. 13 one mile south of Bolivar. Karla Cochran
was born Feb. 22, 1971, in Kansas City, Kan. A former resident of Kansas
City, Kan., she was a clerk at Underwood Texaco in Rogersville. She was a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her mother,
Jacqueline Cochran Rhodes, preceded her in death. She is survived by a
daughter, Tara Lynn Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; her father and stepmother,
James and Karen Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; one brother and his wife,
Stephen and Tina Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; one sister and her husband,
Kellie and Jay Hildebrand, Fordland; two stepbrothers and their wives,
Kenny and Becky Collins, Kansas City, Kan., and Kevin and Bianca Collins,
Fort Drum, N.Y. Tiana and Tamara Cochran were born May 18, 1992, in Kansas
City, Kan. They were third grade students at Rogersville Elementary
School. In addition, Tiana and Tamara Cochran are also survived by their
father, Michael Tod Hurtado, Kansas City, Kan.; their paternal
grandparents, Tom and Judy Hurtado and Carolyn and Bob Barkley; their
great-grandmother, Ofelita Richards; and two aunts, Tina Fields and Tammie
Ybarra and her husband, Tony, all of Kansas City, Kan. Services will be at
2 p.m. Thursday, May 17, in Murray Chapel, Bolivar, with Bishop Dale
Sergent officiating. Cremation will follow services. Interment will be at
1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, in Dooley Bend Cemetery near Hermitage under the
direction of Murray Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Floycie Sarah Louise Eidson Crain, age 91 years, 8 months and 9 days,
passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2001, in Springfield Health Care Center. She
was born at the family home located in northeast Polk County, four miles
from Goodson, on Aug. 30, 1909, to John and Ida Jump Eidson. On Dec. 22,
1935, she was united in marriage to Audie Crain, and to this union five
children were born. Floycie was saved in a revival meeting helped by
Sherman Bybee and later joined the Lindley Creek Missionary Baptist
Church. She is survived by her five children, her dedicated caregiver
daughter, Audra Crain of the home, Claudui and Jamie Erven of Goodson,
Jerry and Diana Crain of Lebanon, Ben and LeAnne Crain of Springfield, and
Paulene and Mike Midles of Flemington; grandchildren and
great-grandchildren Michele and John Thiesfeld and their children, Lauren,
Lindsey and Megan; Bob and Maria Midles and their children, Hannah, Hailey
and Alex; Aaron and Teresa Erven and their children, Spencer and Tiara;
Karla and John Spear and their children, Jake and Ashley; Gina and Ray
Burroughs; Beth and Kirk Reynolds and their child, Brooke; Brian Crain and
his fiancee, Robbi Hutson; Vance and Julie Crain; Amy and Jon Menges;
nephews Willard, Wilbur, John and Wayne and nieces Ida, Mary, Erma Lee,
Maxine and Marjie; a sister-in-law, Earlie Eidson of Bolivar; and many
other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her
husband of 61 years, Audie Crain; brothers Lloyd Eidson, Bert Eidson and
Ray Eidson; a sister, Jewel Schooley; and a niece, Wanda Jean. Services
were Saturday, May 12, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Doyle Mayfield and Bro.
Doug Skinner officiating. Burial followed in Lindley Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were her grandsons Bob Midles, Aaron Erven, Vance Crain, Brian
Crain, John Thiesfeld, John Spear, Kirk Reynolds, Ray Burroughs and Jon
Menges. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews Wayne Schooley and John
Eidson.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
John William Dennis, 84, Pittsburg, died at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, May 8,
2001, at the Christian Health Care West in Springfield after a lengthy
illness. He was born Nov. 7, 1916, in Pittsburg, the son of John Price
Dennis and Helma Louise Johnson. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker for
many years and had served for two terms as the presiding judge in Hickory
County. He was a member of the Pomme de Terre Southern Baptist Church at
Pittsburg. Surviving is one son, Gary L. Dennis of Springfield; a sister,
Lillian Bell Jackson of Independence; three grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday, May 11, in the Pomme de Terre
Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Keelsey officiating. Burial was
in the Pittsburg Baptist Cemetery north of Pittsburg under the direction
of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Pomme de Terre Southern Baptist Church.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Armand F. Desgagnes, 79, Bolivar, died at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 23,
2001, in Citizen's Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, after a short illness. He
was born on Nov. 17, 1921, in Hatton, N.D., the son of Vincent and Alma
Champeux, during childbirth his mother died and Armand was adopted and
raised by his stepparents Herman and Anna Desgagnes. Armand spent his
childhood in North Dakota, and shortly after high school he enlisted in
the U.S. Army during World War II. Armand spent time in the European
Theater assigned to an infantry unit. He was wounded and sent home to the
states. During his time in the Army he met and was united in marriage to
Virginia Boyd, in Ventura, Calif., on Feb. 4, 1943, and to this union two
children were born, Gary and Sherry. After the war he worked for the U.S.
Postal Service and Northwest Airlines for a short period of time, but
later moved to the milder climate of California in 1950, settling in Ojai
and remaining there until his retirement. During his time in Ojai, he
worked as a baker and with the Ojai School District for several years. He
later took employment with the Ventura River Municipal Water District as a
construction foreman, and ultimately finishing his career with the City of
Ventura as a foreman for the Parks and Recreations Department. He retired
in 1979 and moved to the Bolivar area to be near his wife's parents. He is
survived by his wife, Virginia Desgagnes of Bolivar; one son, Gary
Desgagnes of Camarillo, Calif.; one daughter, Sherry Dusinski of Parker,
Colo.; a half-sister, Adeline Erickson of the state of Minnesota; three
grandchildren, David, Derek and Arin; and three great grandchildren,
Devin, Anthony and Zachery. Services for Mr. Desgagnes were Tuesday, May
29, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson
officiating. Burial was in Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Bolivar. Memorial
donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, C/O Butler Funeral
Home, Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Herbert Hadley Dixon of Bolivar was born Nov. 25, 1908, in Eudora, the
second child of Lloyd and Jerema Sell Dixon, and enjoyed living his entire
life in Polk County. He passed away on Wednesday May 30, 2001, at 12:10
p.m. in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility, Bolivar, at the age of 92
years, 6 months, and 5 days. Hadley graduated from Scaritt-Morrisville
Academy in 1925 and Marion C. Early High School in 1927. He attended Drury
College in Springfield during the 1927-1928 school term. His grandson,
Jack, would graduate from Drury 60 years later. Hadley was united in
marriage to Esther M. Alexander on Feb. 12, 1929, and to this union two
sons were born, Jackie Alex and John Lloyd. Hadley owned and operated a
milk route for nine years serving the Aldrich, Karlin, Pleasant Hope and
Morrisville communities. He also drove a school bus for a few years.
Together, Esther and Hadley owned and operated a dairy and then stock farm
in the Morrisville community for 38 years. Hadley served as Polk County
Assessor from 1958 until his retirement in 1973. He was president of the
State Assessor's Association during part of his public tenure. In 1960 and
1961 Hadley was chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Committee in
Jefferson City. Over his long lifetime, Hadley enjoyed quail hunting,
fishing, interacting with nature, and playing cards and checkers. He was
the Polk County Checker champion and district runner-up in the early
1950s. Hadley accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age, and at the
time of his death was a member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church. He
was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Esther M. Dixon. Hadley
is survived by his two sons, Jack Dixon of Rogersville and John Dixon of
Springfield; nine grandchildren, Jack Dixon II, Sherry Jorgensen, Gail
Upp, Cindy Thomas, Chris Lill, and Sharon Davis all of Springfield, David
and Mike Dixon of Bolivar and Jerri Whitecar of Seaside, Calif.; 15
great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services
were held Friday, June 1, 2001, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the
Rev. Harold Hendrickson and Rev. Dan Adkison officiating. Music was
provided by Arvil and Carol Krueger. Burial was in the Hickory Grove
Cemetery south of Morrisville. Casketbearers were Mike Dixon, Jack Dixon
II, David Dixon, Chris Upp, Jay Upp, Jeromy Thomas and Todd Elder.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hickory Grove Cemetery in care
of Butler Funeral Home, PO Box 11, Bolivar MO 65613.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Madelyn Rachelle Duby, age four months, died at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, May
12, 2001, in her home. She was born Jan. 7, 2001, in Springfield, the
daughter of Shawna Duby. In addition to her mother, she is survived by a
sister, Katelyn Marie Duby; her maternal grandmother, Shirley Jones and
Jerel Brittain of Hollister; her maternal grandfather, Michael Duby and
his wife, Kay, Hastings, Okla.; two aunts, Mieka Duby of Hastings, Okla.,
and Shelly Bassham and her husband, Jay, of Pleasant Hope; and many other
relatives and friends. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in
Morrisville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert McGinnis
officiating. Burial will follow in Morrisville Cemetery. Arrangements are
under the direction of Ayre-Goodwin-Lee Funeral Home at Rivermonte,
Springfield.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
William H. Evans, 71, Springfield, formerly of Hermitage, died Wednesday,
May 2, 2001, at Manor Care, Springfield. He was a retired insurance
broker. He had lived at Kansas City and Hermitage several years prior to
moving to Springfield four and a half years ago. He was a member of the
Redeemer Lutheran Church of Springfield and a former member of the Pomme
de Terre Golf Club. He was born April 19, 1930, at Little Rock, Ark., the
son of Edward Sidney and Marguerite Linziner Evans. He was preceded in
death by his parents and a son, Stephen E. Evans. Survivors include his
wife, Roberta "Bobbie" Evans of Springfield; one grandson, Brent A. Evans
of Warrensburg; and one sister, Georgia A. Klein of Port Huron, Mich.
Services were Saturday, May 5, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel,
Wheatland, with Pastor William Marler officiating. Burial was in Dooly
Bend Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Richard Lee Fillman, 58, Wheatland, died Saturday, May 26, 2001, in his
home, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Monmouth, Ill., on March
18, 1943, to Lawrence Paul and Esther Marie Fillman. He was a manager for
a lumber company and baptized member of the First Christian Church of
Monmouth, Ill. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of the home; his
father, Lawrence Fillman of Illinois; his mother, Esther Hays of Illinois;
two daughters of Illinois; and two brothers of Illinois. Also surviving
are two stepsons; four stepgrandchildren, Tyler Steele, Amber Steele,
Britney Steele and Bailey Waddell; and many special friends. Private
family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the
direction of Pitts Chapel in Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Edith Lucille Graves, 84, Half Way, died Sunday, May 20, 2001, in Citizens
memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was born in Polk County
on Nov. 24, 1916, to Archie Julen and Addie Golden Waggoner Childress. On
April 28, 1935, she was united in marriage to Loren Silas Graves and to
this union two children were born. She was a homemaker and a member of
Providence Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, Jerrell
Graves of the home; a brother and sister-in-law, Clifford and Carolyn
Childress of Springfield; a sister, Velma Tummons of Elsworth, Kan.; three
stepsisters, Thelma Graves of Flemington, Helen Shanahan of West Palm
Beach, Fla., and Sylvia Wilson of Half Way; as well as many other
relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her
husband, Bro. Loren S. Graves; an infant daughter, Zelda Graves; three
brothers, Arthur Childress, Ralph Childress and Richard Childress; three
sisters, Crystall Bell Childress, Fern Childress and Geneva Childress; a
stepmother, Macy Fulk; and a stepbrother Cecil Fulk. Services will be
Thursday, May 24, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Red Ankrom officiating. Burial
will follow in New Bethel Cemetery. Music will be provided by the
Providence and Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church choirs with mary
Childress as accompanist. Pallbearers will be Randy Childress, Doug
Childress, Glenn Childress, Kenneth Childress, Bob Tummons and Terry
Childress. Honorary pallbearers will be Clifford Childress, Donald Lee
Tummons, Sam Tummons and Greg Childress.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
William Ronald "Ron" Griffin, age 52, Bolivar, passed away on Sunday, May
27, 2001, at 3:30 p.m. in Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, after a
short illness. He was born on Dec. 4, 1948, in Springfield, the son of
Billy Harding and Daisy Marie Akins Griffin. Ron worked as a carpenter and
was in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam Era. Ron spent many happy hours
drinking coffee with his friends at Hannahs Store. He loved to fish,
tinker with cars and trucks and took great pains with his carpentry. Ron
was a hard worker at any job he did. Ron took great joy in his family. He
was always quiet, kind and loving, and he always put others first. He was
a wonderful husband, loyal and patient son, loving father, grandfather,
brother, and helpful friend. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Griffin
of Fair Play; one son, Bryan Griffin of Fair Play; one daughter, Bethany
McGuire of Overland Park, Kan.; his mother, Daisy Marie Griffin of
Bolivar; one brother, Terry Griffin of Fair play; his mother-in-law, Marie
Brakebill of Bolivar; and one grandson, Luke McGuire of Overland Park,
Kan. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) May 30, 2001, in
Butler Chapel with Bro. Jack G. Brakebill and Bro. Harlan L. Graham
officiating. Burial will be in New Bethel Cemetery. Casketbearers are
Donald Sterling, Jeff Shover, Terry Vines, Rodney Fleeman, James Robert
Fleeman and Jerry Sukovaty. Honorary Casketbearers are Dusty Garzee, Joe
Freeze, Ron Drake, Lonnie Dorth, Kyle Fleeman, Jack McGuire and Clyde
Gibson. Services are under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home,
Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Frank D. Grisham, 64, Pleasant Hope, died at 2:39 p.m. Thursday, May 31,
2001, in Springfield. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He had worked for Dayco
for 10 years. He loved auctions. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Clyde and Tessie Grisham, and two brothers, Milford and Willard. Survivors
include his wife, Patty; two children and their spouses, Allen and Amy
Grisham of Springfield, and Glenda and Phil Hamilton of Kenosha, Wis.; a
stepson and his wife, Larry and Connie Robertson of Fair Grove; six
grandchildren, Kayla and Calley Roberston, Justin and Kevin Grisham, and
Gregory and Jordan Hamilton; and many friends. Graveside services will be
at 11 a.m. Friday, June 8, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will
be from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Ruby Louise Hyder, 81, Fair Grove, died at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, May 17,
2001, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. She was born June 12, 1919, at
Coldwater, Kan. The first born of Robert and Calla Guyer Keesee. She was
the retired manager of the Fair Grove High School Cafeteria. During her
life she had been a member of the Fair Grove United Methodist Church and
the Marshfield Eastern Star, a homemaker and a professional seamstress and
quilt maker. She married Joseph Lorenza Hyder Jr. on Nov. 27, 1937. He
preceded her in death April 15, 1988. She is survived by one son, Donald
D. Hyder and his wife, Nancy, of Bolivar; one daughter, Polly Ann
Williamson and her husband, Jim, of Springfield; three granddaughters,
Dawn Shive and her husband, Allen, of Mt. Hope, Kan., Mary Ellis and her
husband, Doug Terry, of Fair Grove, and Sheila Swihart and her husband,
Kurt, of Bolivar; a grandson, Jody Wilson and his wife, Lisa of
Springfield; six great-grandchildren, Ruby Grace Shive, Sydnee Ruth Shive,
Joey Wilson, Rachel Swihart, Ashley Swihart and Seth Swihart; two sisters
Opal Hoffman and Dorothy Kyser, both of Wichita, Kan.; and 19 nieces and
nephews and a host of other family and friends. Services were Saturday at
the Fair Grove United Methodist Church. Burial followed at the Pleasant
Ridge Cemetary, Fair Grove.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Gilbert O. Warnick Jr., 40, Half Way, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in
Springfield as the result of a homicide. He is survived by three sisters,
Enid Taylor of Arcadia, Kan., Debra Tennon of Kansas City and Julie
Warnick of Half Way; and one brother, Robert Keener of Livingston, Texas.
He was a member of First Baptist Church, Mulberry, Kan., and had served in
the U.S. Army. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Greenlawn
Funeral Home North, Springfield. Burial will be at a later date in
Springfield Veterans' Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Ella Lona McShane, 97, Humansville, died Sunday, May 20, 2001, in Big
Spring Care Center, Humansville. The daughter of Alonzo and Laura Wilson
Kearney, she was born Sept. 5, 1903, at Collins. She married Neil McShane
Sept. 15, 1923. He preceded her in death Sept. 21, 1982. She was preceded
in death by a son, Wendell McShane; a great-grandson, Brian Eppinger;
three sisters, Elsie Simrell and two who died in infancy; and four
brothers, Vora Kearney, Fred Kearney, Dewey Kearney and Wilson Kearney. A
homemaker, she and her husband lived on a farm south of Flemington. She
was a long-time member of the Flemington United Methodist Church, later
joining the Humansville United Methodist Church. Survivors include her
daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Jim Peters, Indian Wells, Calif.; five
grandchildren and their spouses, Sandra and Ed Eppinger, Patsy and Mike
Sprowls, Wendy and Billy Garver, Kenny and Deb McShane and Kathy Hill; 11
great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Services will be
at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev.
Dan Good officiating. Music will be by Jon Neill accompanied by Arlene
Lear. Pallbearers will be Troy McShane, Tyler McShane, Jeff Sprowls, Tyler
Lear, Barry McCoy, Nathan Garver and Cody Garver. Interment will be in
Flemington Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Visitation
will be today (Wednesday) from 7 to 8 p.m.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Glen Dwight Lee Orrell, 57, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001, at the Veterans
Administration Medical Center in Kansas City after a lengthy illness. He
was born February 23, 1944, to William Lee and Amanda Elizabeth Robertson
Orrell. Dwight served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1960 to
1963. He then went to Kansas City where he worked as a drywall finisher
for over 30 years. He was a member of Howard S. Keeling American Legion
Post. His parents and three brothers, Lloyd Junior Orrell, Delmer Gene
Orrell and William Ralph Orrell, preceded him in death. Survivors include
a son, John Allen, Hemet, Calif.; two daughters, Monica Gail, state of
Arizona, and Yvonna Faye, state of Arkansas; two brothers, Kenneth Dean
Orrell, Bolivar, and Charles Arthur Orrell, Collins; four sisters, Ruth
Rowan, Springfield, Vonda Truelove, Holland, Texas, Norma Smith, Van
Buren, and Velma Gilmore, Half Way; four grandchildren and several nieces
and nephews. Graveside services were Saturday, May 5, at New Bethel
Cemetery, south of Half Way, with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating.
Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard conducted military rites. Services were
under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Patricia Mae Petersen, 76, Humansville, died at 10:10 p.m. Monday, May 7,
2001, in her home. The daughter of Walter and Charlotte Lasater Babbitt,
she was born at St. Louis May 1, 1925. She married Wallace D. Petersen
Sept. 24, 1948, in Kansas City. A homemaker, she had lived in Humansville
since 1978, previously living in Colorado for 15 years. Survivors include
her husband, Wallace of the home; three daughters, Patricia A. Hudgens and
Nancy L. Webster, both of Humansville, and Lynn M. Fisher, Denver, Colo.;
nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. No services are planned.
Her remains will be scattered in Colorado at a later date. Cremation was
under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Phillip E. "Phil" Pursley, Bolivar passed away on Friday, May 18, 2001, at
6:35 a.m. in his home after a short illness, at the age of 80 years, 7
months and 20 days. Phil was born Sept. 28, 1920, in Bolivar the son of
Harry H. and Vera Johnson Pursley. He was united in marriage to Marie
Davidson in March of 1942 and to this union three daughters were born;
Phyllis, Dixie and Freddie. He was a member of the First Assembly of God
Church in Bolivar, where he attended until the time of his illness. Phil
served his country in World War II, being stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. He
was Honorably Discharged from service in 1943. He had worked as an
electrician for more than 50 years. Phil was a loving husband, father,
grandpa, and great papa. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Marie
Pursley, three daughters and their husbands; Phyllis and David Davis, and
Dixie and Danny Hitchcock, of Bolivar, and Freddie and Larry Moore of
Polk. Also a sister, Avonell Strader of Springfield, and a brother, Lano
Pursley and his wife Pauline of Walnut Grove. Nine grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law and her husband, Vinnie and Bud
Bridges. Funeral services were Sunday, May 20, 2001, in the Butler Funeral
Home Chapel with Pastor Finis R. Roberts and Pastor Mark Summers
officiating. Music was provided by the Parsons Sisters, with Donna Cole as
the pianist. Phil's request for musical selections were: "The Everlasting
Arms," "The Last Mile Of The Way" and "In The Garden." Burial was in the
Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Gary Parsons officiating. Full Military
Honors were conducted by the Galmey V.F.W. Post No. 9638. Casketbearers
were Frank Kepes, L. D. Silvey, Jerry Carson, Robert Breshears, Dudley
Huckaby and Jerald Hofstetter. Honorary Casketbearers were Lavern Moore,
Allen Capehart, Danny Breshears, Rusty Lashinske and Gerald Wistance.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Joe B. Richards, 70, Kansas City, Kan., died Friday, May 11, 2001, at his
home. He was born in Sentinel and had lived in kansas City, Kan., for the
past 48 years, moving from Bolivar. He was a self-employed barber in the
Kansas City stockyards for 44 years after graduating from barber college
in California. He was a corporal in the Marine Corps serving in the Korean
War and was a member of the American Legion and the Last Man's Club. He
was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Richards, in 1998 and his
father Joe Richards, in 1930. He is survived by his wife, Sue of the home;
a son and daughter-in-law, John Joseph and Karen of Linwood, Kan.; a
daughter and son-in-law, JoBeth and Steve Roper of Kansas City, Kan.; a
sister, Mari Frances Andrews of Ojai, Calif.; an aunt, Alice Hicks of
Bolivar; his brothers and sisters-in-law; six granddaughters and numerous
cousins, nieces and nephews. Services were Wednesday, May 16, at the
Highland Park Funeral Home with burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Camerino Rivera Crescencio Rivera, 23, and Camerino Rivera, 21, both of
Kansas City, Kan., died Saturday, May 12, 2001, from injuries sustained in
an automobile accident one mile south of Bolivar at the intersection of
Mo. 83 and Mo. 13. The sons of Crescencio Rivera Montero and Modesta
Suriano Mauricio, they were born in Acayucan, Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Crescencio was a printing company machine operator and Camerino was a farm
laborer. They were Roman Catholic. Survivors include their parents,
Crescencio Rivera and Modesta Suriano, Acayucan, Vera Cruz, Mexico; two
brothers, Beato Rivera and Fabian Rivera, both of Kansas City, Kan.; and
one sister, Ana Luz Rivera, Acayucan, Vera Cruz Mexico. Services and
burial will be in Acayucan, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Local arrangements were
under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
James F. Rogers, 55, Pleasant Hope, died at 8:10 p.m. Monday, May 14,
2001, at his home. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corp.
Graveside services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are
under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Lena Scott, 53, Flemington, died Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at St. John's
Regional Health Center, Springfield. She was a homemaker and had moved to
the Flemington area in 1983. Survivors include her husband of 25 years,
John E. Scott of the home; two sons, John Scott Jr. of Ozark and
Christopher Scott of the home; a daughter, Reva Spencer of Osceola; a
sister, Mona Harrison of Carl's Junction; and three grandchildren.
Services were Saturday, May 26, 2001, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home
Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Larry Sherman officiating. Burial was in
Lehman Cemetery, north of Elkton.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Venna Lavon Seamster, age 67 of Polk, died at Noon, Sunday, May 6, 2001,
at Citizen's Memorial Hospital in Bolivar after a sudden illness. She was
born in Jamesport to Robert D. Barnes and Jewell Simpson Barnes on April
15, 1934. She lived most of her childhood in Polk. She was saved and
baptized into Sentinal Missionary Baptist Church at a young age where she
remained a member. She was united in marriage to Alvie K. Seamster on Nov.
11, 1950, and they spent most of their lives together in Wichita, Kan.,
where Venna made a career as a merchandiser and Alvie as a carpenter. They
returned to Polk in 1998. Surviving is her husband, Alvie K. Seamster of
the home; a daughter, Sandra Schmidt and her husband, Mick, of
Rogersville; and two sons, Alan Seamster and his wife, Karla, of Yates
Center, Kan., and Leslie Seamster of Polk; two brothers, Grimes Barnes of
Polk, and Ronald Barnes of Aiken, S.C.; her eight grandchildren, James
Seamster of Oklahoma, Jeremy Dale Seamster, Tracy Anderson, Sheri Resser,
and Shane Skelley all of Wichita, Kan., Samatha Seamster of Yates Center,
Kan., and Stasha Schmidt and Angela Schmidt of Rogersville; and five
great-grandchildren, Cody Resser, Jacob Seamster, Christian Seamster,
Keisha Anderson and Angela Anderson, all of Wichita, Kan. Venna was
preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Darrel Barnes; and a
grandson, Chad Seamster. Venna knew no stranger. She was a wonderful wife,
mother, grandmother and a friend to all. She had many young people who
also called her grandma. She loved and accepted each of them as if they
truly were her grandchildren. She loved the new house Alvie so lovingly
built for them. Her family was very special to her. She had a precious
gift of knowing just the right things to do and say that made each family
member feel the love she had for each of them. Venna loved working outside
with her flowers, watching the birds, and also spent many hours crocheting
or embrodering gifts for others. She will be missed tremendousley by all
who knew her, but knowing she is with the Lord and reunited with her
parents, brings some comfort to her loved ones. Funeral services will be
at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel in Bolivar
with Bro. Donnie Lightfoot officiating. Musical selections will be
"Amazing Grace," "Precious Memories," and "I'll Fly Away." Burial will be
in the Payne Cemetery north of Polk. Casketbearers will be James Seamster,
Jeremy Seamster, Shane Skelley, Dave Anderson, Leroy Seamster, Randy
Barnes, Gary Seamster and Bobby Monier.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Glenn Eldon Sell was born may 12, 1935, in Claremore, Okla., the son of
Oscar Eldon and Elsie Inez Blackwell Sell. He grew up and attended school
in Piper, Kan., where he excelled in basketball, football and track. He
graduated from high school in 1954. Glenn served his country in the U.S.
Navy from 1954 to 1958. After his honorable discharge, he traveled around.
He made his home in Kansas City during the 1950s and '60s where he founded
Edcore Safety and served in the Kansas City Police and Fire Department.
From Kansas City, he moved to Detroit where he worked in sales. He moved
to Bellville, Texas, in 1976 and had made his home in Sealy, Texas, since
the early 1980s where he owned and operated Town and County Real Estate
until his death. He enjoyed coin collecting and computers. Although he
enjoyed rodeoing and saddle bronc riding, Glenn used to say, "There's got
to be a better way to make a living than this." He passed away suddenly
Saturday, May 26, 2001, in Houston, having celebrated his 66th birthday.
He is survived by his aunt Elva Blackwell of Bolivar; nieces and nephews,
Mildred Frances Sell of Kansas City, Rebecca Martens of Chicago, Ill.,
Carolyn Sell Zinn of Elkland, David A. Sell of Peculiar, John F. Sell of
Poteau, Okla., Donald Wayne Sell II of Kearney, jeffrey F. Sell of
Lancaster, Kan., Tracy Keeling of Overland, Kan., Tammy Sell of Cummins,
Kan., Deborah Sell Kordes of Osage, Okla., and Sissy Bass of Bellville,
Texas; great-niece, Shawn M. Hunt of Springfield; and numerous other
great-nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his
parents, five brothers and one nephew. Funeral services for Glenn E. Sell
were held Thursday, May 31, 2001, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel in
Bellville, Texas, with the Rev. Tom Knight officiating. Graveside funeral
services were Saturday, June 2, in the Flemington Cemetery in Flemington
under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Memorial gifts to the Glenn Sell
Memorial Fund may be made in care of The National Bank of Bellville, 100
E. Main, Bellville TX 77418.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Arlington Ernest "Arlie" Sherrard, Bolivar, was born on Feb. 24, 1922, in
Lohrville, Iowa, the son of Robert Marshall and Blanche McCready Sherrard.
He passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2001, at 10:08 p.m. in Citizens
Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, after a brief illness, at the age of 79 years,
3 months and 7 days. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
Arlie spent his working career in Federal Aviation, most of it at
LaCrosse, Wis. He had enjoyed retirement for about 20 years. Arlie was
happiest out in his shop working on small motors. Once in a while he would
take time out to go fishing, but he couldn't wait to get home and work on
those motors. Arlie had a couple of hobbies that he really enjoyed and
they were weather watching and trap shooting. On July 2, 1950, he was
united in marriage to Avis and they had two lovely children (twins),
Connie and Ronnie. They met because his mother had Avis picked out for him
before he got out of the service, so when he came home, she introduced him
to a special girl, and mom did a good job. He was preceded in death by his
parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Lavern and Claude West, and his
brother, Robert Sherrard. He is survived by his wife, Avis Sherrard; one
son, Ronald Lee Sherrard; one daughter, Constance Lynn; four grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Margaret Eskee of
Buffalo, Dolores Heizelman of Columbia and Dorothy Sherrard of Northwood,
Iowa; a brother-in-law and his wife, Roger E. and Clarice Miller of
Bellevue, Neb.; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral
Services were held on Sunday, June 3, 2001 in the Butler Funeral Home
Chapel with the Rev. Dan Adkison officiating. Burial will be today
(Wednesday) at 1:30 p.m. in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Gerald "Jerry" David Smith of Dunnegan, formerly of Lockwood, eparted this
life on Monday, May 21, 2001, in St. John's Regional Health Center,
Springfield. Gerald was born on Aug. 28, 1921, in Golden City to Herbert
and Maude Greely Smith. He was married to Billie Georgia Kelly on May 4,
1941, in Greenfield. Billie preceded Gerald in death on Aug. 30, 2000. Mr.
Smith served his country in the Navy in World War II. He was a member of
the Carpenters Local 61 and had received his 50 years Gold card. He had
been a dstrict chairman. Preceding him in death are his father and mother;
his wife, Billie Smith; five brothers, Loren, Max, Al, Bob, and Milton
"Mip" Smith; and one sister, Denzel. Survivors include one daughter, Becky
Sue Smith of Dunnegan; one sister, Clarice Selvey of Webb City; a host of
nieces and nephews and other family. He will be greatly missed by all.
Services were Thursday, May 24, in Lockwood Funeral Chapel with the Rev.
Danny Decker officiating, with military rites by Lockwood American Legion
Post No. 372. Burial followed in Lockwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Lockwood Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Dennis Edward Spear, was born February 10, 1924, in his family's home near
Louisburg, MO. He was the son of Joe and Nora (Harris) Spear. He departed
this life at 5:55 AM, Friday, May 4, 2001 at the age of 77 years, 2
months, and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and one
brother. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy, his five
children; Denise Jessen and her husband Don, Neosho, MO; Diane Clark and
her husband Norm, Alamosa, CO; Donna Gaynor and her husband Gaylord,
Pleasant Hope, MO; Doyle Spear and his wife Ronda, Halfway, MO; and
Denelle Spear, Halfway, MO. Eight Grandchildren, Jeff Jessen, Christine
Regan, and her husband Tony, Sarah Rovenstine and her husband Chuck, Holly
Jessen, Steven Gaynor, Melinda Jones and her husband Casey, Michael Spear
and Morgan Spear. Also three great grandchildren, Justin and Jarrett
Rovenstine, and Cassidy Opal Regan. Other survivors include his two
brothers, Marion and Joe, and two sisters, Merlee Parker and Wanda Fastle,
and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Dennis graduated from Emma
D. High School at Goodson, and later joined the United States Navy during
World War II and served in the South Pacific. Dennis was saved at Lindley
Creek Church when he was a boy between the age of 12 and 13. He was a
member of the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church at the time of his
death. He was ordained by Lindley Creek in 1957 and pastored churches in
Polk, Dallas, Jasper and Hickory counties for over 40 years. He held
numerous revivals and drove many, many miles preaching the gospel and
serving God. Dennis and Dorothy were married September 21, 1947, at their
home near Louisburg. They made their home there until 1956 when they moved
north of Halfway, where he resided until his death. Dennis loved farming
and always worked hard at whatever he did, whether it was farming or
serving God. He was always willing to help a neighbor or anyone else in
need, and he made friends everywhere he went. He loved his family very
much, and truly enjoyed the time they spent together. He will be sadly
missed and often remembered by his family and friends. Funeral services
for Dennis E. Spear were held on Sunday, May 6, 2001 at 2:00 PM in the
Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Doyle Mayfield and Bro. Joe Sprague
officiating. Musical soloist was David Barham, with Janice Barham as the
Pianist. Gene Agee was the Songleader. Burial was in the Ragsdale Cemetery
northeast of Halfway under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of
Bolivar. Casketbearers were: Jeff Jessen, Tony Regan, Chuck Rovenstine,
Steven Gaynor, Casey Jones, and Michael Spear. Memorial contributions may
be give to the American Cancer Society or the Community Hospices of
America-Southwest Missouri. Donations may be sent to Butler Funeral Home,
P.O. Box 11-Bolivar, MO 65613
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Tessley "Red" D. Swearengin, 57, Collins, died Thursday, May 17, 2001, at
St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. He was an automobile mechanic, working
several years for Bill Roberts Chevrolet in Bolivar, and was a long-time
area resident of Collins. He was born Nov. 18, 1943, at Theodosia, the son
of Roy L. and Alaska Herd Swearengin. Survivors include two sons, Keeton
Swearengin of Wheatland and Billy Swearengin of Collins; three daughters,
Karmin Giroua of Wichita, Kan., Chris Swearengin of Cross Timbers and
Kelle Huntsman of Wheatland; his parents, Roy and Alaska Swearengin of
Collins; two brothers, Lesley Swearengin of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and
Darrell Swearengin of Stockton; two sisters, Wanda Cassell and Thelma
Underwood of Stockton; and eight grandchildren. Services were Saturday,
May 19, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev.
Kent Parson officiating. Burial was in Holsapple-Freeman Cemetery in
Collins.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Amanda Marie Walden, 88 of Bolivar died on at 5 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2001,
in Parkview Health Care Facility in Bolivar after a short illness. She was
born on Sept. 16, 1912, in Dallas County, the daughter of Walter David and
Rebecca Jane Gann Wilkerson. In 1956 she was united in marriage to Price
Baker Walden, and had been a Polk County resident for the past 44 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. Marie is
survived by her husband of 44 years, Price Baker Walden; two daughters,
Doris and her husband, William L. Hooper, of Bolivar and Helen Marie Gill
of Ozark; one brother, Fred Otis Wilkerson of Springfield; three sisters,
Violetta Craig of Springfield, Edna Ewing of Roaoke, Va., and Hazel Broad
of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and seven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren,
and one great-great-grandchild. Services were Tuesday, May 29, in the
Butler Funeral Home Chapel, Bolivar, with the Rev. William L. Hooper
officiating and a reading by Donna Nelson. Music will be provided by
George and Susan Baker. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield.
Casketbearers were Bill Hooper Jr., Rick Hughlett, Steve Hughlett, Kelly
Wester, Mark Duree and Gene Nelson.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Donald Clay Whitlock, 53, Pleasant Hope, passed away Thursday, May 8,
2001, in his home after an extended battle with cancer. He was born Jan.
2, 1948, in Springfield to Scotty Clay and Mildred Elene Freeman Whitlock.
Both preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Laurie Marie
Albright on Feb. 6, 1971, and to this union two sons were born, Justin
Clay and Jim Ellis. Don grew up on his family's farm and was active in
FFA. After graduating from Pleasant Hope High School in 1966, he served
four years in the U.S. Air Force. He retired as a rural mail carrier for
the Pleasant Hope Post Office on Feb. 2, 2001, after 22 years of service.
He was a member of the Methodist Church and served his community as a
school board member, member of the rural fire department board and city
council. He earned his private pilot's license in 1983 and enjoyed flying,
building and restoring airplanes. He also enjoyed spending time in the
outdoors hunting, fishing and playing golf. He is survived by his wife,
Laurie; two sons, Justin and hsi wife, D'Nette, of Amarillo, Texas, and
Jim of Springfield; two grandsons, Austin and Coltin; three brothers, Dave
and his wife, Janet, and Darrell, all of Pleasant Hope, and Dale and his
wife, Sheila, of Amarillo, Texas; and a host of other relatives and
friends. Services were Friday, May 11, in Klingner Mortuary Chapel,
Springfield, with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson and the Rev. Keith Lee
officiating. Burial was in Mount Comfort Cemetery. Pallbearers were Wes
Campbell, Bob Harralson, Mickey Hillenburg, DonKimble, Larry Skidmore and
Mike Stokes. "In the Garden," "Amazing Grace," "It is Well With My Soul"
and "Open My Eyes" were sung by Theresa Hillenbuug and Connie Robertson
with Gail Devore as pianist. Memorial contributions may be made to the
American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Southwest Missouri.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
William P. "Pete" Wright went to meet the Lord on Friday, May 18, 2001. He
walked on this earth for 90 years. He was a former teamster construction
worker in Kansas City and retired to Bolivar in 1973 with his family. He
is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruby L. Wright of the home; six
children, Joyce Wright, Diane Floyd of Bolivar, Linda Browning of El
Dorado Springs, Buddy Wright of Grandview, Gregory Wright of Bolivar and
Jana Wright of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Brenda Spruance and Kenny
Floyd, both of Springfield, Shane Floyd of Bolivar, Debbie Peres of
Overland Park, Kan., Sharri Hacker of Independence, and Amber Clark and
Tracy Wright, both of Grandview; four great-grandchildren, Dylan Spruance
and Brady Spruance, both of Springfield, and Melinda Hacker and Jessica
Hacker, both of Independence. In honoring Mr. Wright's request, his body
has been cremated and a private family burial will take place at a later
date in Greenwood Cemetery. The family requests that anyone reading this
take a moment to tell someone you love them and are grateful for their
presence in your life. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts
Chapel.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, May 2001:
Jackie Howard Wrinkle, 65, Rolla, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001, at his home
after a lingering illness. He was born in Bolivar on Feb. 13, 1936, to
Willard Thomas and Augusta Alberta Ammerman Wrinkle who preceded him in
death. He attended Bolivar public schools until 1953 when his family moved
to California. After completing his high school education, he joined the
U.S. Navy and retired after 20 years as a Chief Naval Officer. After
retiring, he served as a Naval Recruiter in the Rolla and Springfield area
for some time. Survivors include his wife, Jean of the home; one son,
Richard of Redding, Calif.; two daughters, Sandra Kurts or Eureka and
Tracy Beavers of Dow, Ill.; one stepdaughter, Shanna Deardorf; two
stepsons, Darin and Tom Deardorf; five grandsons, three granddaughters and
one stepgranddaughter; one aunt, Eunice Payne of Springfield; two
brothers, Baryl Gene Wrinkle of Stockton and Willard Thomas Wrinkle of
Redding, Calif.; and four sisters, Dixie Loui Payne of Goodson, Shirley
Ann Church and Sharron Kay Bradley of Shasta Lake City, Calif., and Norma
Lee Culbertson of Weed, Calif. Also surviving are a host of nieces,
nephews and cousins. Services were held in Kordes Funeral Home in Rolla on
Friday, May 11, with burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St.
Louis with full military honors.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Luella Anderson, 86, Bolivar, died Monday, March 5, 2001, in Citizens
Memorial Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. She was born
March 15, 1914, to Frank and Golden Beason Reynolds near Bolivar. She was
a graduate of Bolivar High School. She was united in marriage to Marvin R.
Anderson. She had been a homemaker and a medical secretary as well as a
member of the Woodlawn Willing Workers Club and Barren Creek Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a sister, Anna Carson of Bolivar;
a brother-in-law, Aubrey Anderson of the state of Missouri and two
sisters-in-law, Mildred Schlap and Margaret Gregory, both of St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Marvin, in April
1995. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with
the Rev. Virgil Kearney officiating. Muisc will be provided by Dr. David
Hacker. Burial will follow in Barren Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be
from 1:30 p.m. until service time this afternoon in the funeral home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Bertha Bays, 50, Half Way, died early Thursday morning, March 8, 2001, at
Cox Medical Center South in Springfield after a brief battle with cancer.
Bertha was born and raised in Polk County on her father's farm. On April
4, 1968, she was united in marriage to Clarence Larry Bays, and to this
union five children were born; Leonard Clarence, Larry Dale, Matthew
Jacob, Mark Lee and Timothy John Bays. Bertha was saved in 1972 at Mt.
Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in a revival meeting. She then joined
and was baptized into the Goodson Missionary Baptist Church on April 23,
1972, where she remained a faithful member until her death. Bertha worked
at Southwest Baptist University for 18 years, and upon leaving the
University she joined the local Wal-Mart team in November of 1992. She
continued working at Wal-Mart until her death. Bertha enjoyed practicing
her quilting skills which she had learned from her mother before her
death. Bertha enjoyed walking with her friends and coworkers at Southwest
Baptist University. You could catch her walking everyday with someone on
campus. She participated in the MS walk, as well as the Cancer walk each
year. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and all
other family members and friends. She was a very loving mother. Bertha had
many friends that she made during her years at the university and
Wal-Mart. She enjoyed spending time with them and helping them in any way
that she could. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorene Mincks;
two infant sons, Larry Dale and Mark Lee Bays; two brothers, Earl and Gene
Mincks; and both sets of grandparents. Bertha is survived by three sons
and their wives, Leonard and Megan Bays of Half Way, Matthew and Donna
Bays of Fair Play and Timothy and Bonnie Bays of Pleasant Hope, and their
father, Clarence Larry Bays; five grandsons, Dylan, Andrew, Adam, and
Austin Bays and Bailey Jacobs; her father, Leonard Mincks; four brothers
and their wives, Garley and Edna Mincks of Shallotte, N.C., Lloyd and
Ginger Mincks of Pleasant Hope, Jeff and Angel Mincks of Bolivar and Scott
Mincks of Bolivar; five sisters and their husbands, Joyce and Bill Ingram
of Bolivar, Charlot Thompson of Springfield, Lenna and Charles Wilson of
Half Way, Lena and Charles Pierpont of Ellsworth, Maine, and Linda and
Billy Tosh of Muleshoe, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Bertha enjoyed
every precious day of her life. Services were Sunday, March 11, at the
Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Donnie Lightfoot, Bro. Donald Bybee
and Bro. Mike McCurry officiating. Music was provided by the Goodson
Missionary Baptist Church Choir, with Linda Jarman as pianist and Lucinda
Crouch as soloist. Casketbearers were Earl Mincks Jr., Todd Hamilton,
Lloyd Mincks, Jeff Mincks, Scott Mincks, Bill Ingram and Charlie Wilson.
Burial was in the Payne Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to
the Goodson Missionary Baptist Church.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Morris Blanton, 74, Bolivar, died Friday, March 23, 2001, in Citizens
Memorial Hospital following a lingering illness. He was born Dec. 4, 1926,
in Hickory County. He was united in marriage to Wilma L. Harris on July 2,
1945. He was a self-employed hay and wood deliverer. He was preceded in
death by his parents, an infant daughter, a daughter, Christina Blanton,
and a brother, Albert Blanton. He is survived by his wife, Wilma, of the
home; five sons, Morris Blanton Jr. of Oak Grove, Robert Blanton and Bobby
Blanton, both of Springfield, and James Blanton and Ronald Blanton, both
of Bolivar; a daughter, Ruby Clark of Strafford; a half brother, Bill
Blanton of Independence; and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services were Sunday, March 25, in Pitts Chapel. Burial followed in the
Mt. View Cemetery, Polk, with Bro. Leon Meadows officiating. Pallbearers
were Glenn Lemmon, Lyle Barber, Bill Ethridge, Curtis Lockhart, Rick
Lemmon and Gary Lockhart.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Dalton J. "Tony" Brown, 84, Walnut Grove, died at 11:19 p.m. Saturday,
March 3, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South following a short illness. He
was born near Walnut Grove and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was
a retired farmer and stockman and was active with the National Farmers
Organization, Greene County Farmers Association, Greene County Planning
and Zoning Board and Greene County Soil and Water Distribution. He
graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1935 and from the Springfield
College of Commerce. He was a longtime member of the Walnut Grove United
Methodist Church. He was a 50-year member of the O'Sullivan No. 7 Masonic
Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Walnut Grove, the Walnut Grove Chapter No. 72 of
Order of the Eastern Star and a longtime member of the Billie McMehen
V.F.W. Post No. 5333. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the
U.S. Army for 39 months and receiving five Bronze Stars. He was active in
Democratic party politics, being a member of the Greene County Democratic
Committee and former Committeeman of Walnut Grove. He was preceded in
death by his parents, Earl and Mattie Bridges Brown; four sisters, Marina
Rummel Steeley, Minnie Murray, Nora Brown and an infant sister; and five
brothers, Ralph, Willard, Dillard "Scotty," John Howard and Leonard E.
Brown. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Edna E. Brown of Springfield;
two nieces, Kay Ann Sherill and Ann Glenn; three nephews, John Rummel,
James Murray and Kevin Brown; and several great nieces and nephews and
great-great-nieces and nephews. Services will be at 2 p.m. today
(Wednesday) in Walnut Grove United Methodist Church. Interment will follow
in Greene Lawn Cemetery, Walnut Grove, with military honors under the
auspices of the Missouri Military Honors "Bravo" Team of Springfield.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson-Brim-Daniel Funeral Home,
Walnut Grove. The body will lie in state in the family home this morning
from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Bonnah Avis Burton, 86, Pleasant Hope, died at 10:10 a.m. Saturday, March
3, 2001, in Greene Haven Nursing Home. Graveside services were Tuesday,
March 6, in Reed Cemetery, Half Way. Arrangements were under the direction
of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Allona Fae Case, 60, Collins, died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, from injuries
sustained in an automobile accident. She was born Sept. 10, 1940, in
Arcadia, Neb., the daughter of Charles Orville and Fern Holmes Gregg. A
resident of Collins since 1983, she was a homemaker and member of the
Humansville Congregation of Jehovah's Witness. Her parents, two brothers,
Charles Gregg and David Gregg, and a sister, Audrey Bodenhamer, preceded
her in death. Survivors include her childern, Margo Richards, Myron Case,
Loren Case and Jesse Case, all of Collins; 10 grandchildren, Janet Case,
Amanda Caudill, Jessica Case, Ryan Boyles, Mercedes Richards, Justin
Richards, Brittany Beaushaw, Brianna Beaushaw, Christopher Case and
Brandon Smith; three brothers, Thomas Gregg, North Loup, Neb., and Frank
Gregg and James A. Gregg, both of Collins; six sisters, Colleen Johnson
and Charlene Johnson, both of Warsaw, Marilyn Richey, Sedalia, LaDawn
Burson, Calhoun, Ramona Bredthauer, Hastings, Neb., and LoQueeta Stultz,
Mora; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Services were Friday, March
23, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with Wilton Jeter officiating. Honorary
pallbearer was Raymond Johnson. Pallbearers were Nick Johnson, Charlie
Martin, David Burson, Robin Kimber, Bob Burson and Bart Godfrey. Interment
was in Freeman Holsapple Cemetery west of Collins.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
On March 10, 2001, at 3:25 a.m., Lowell Churchman left this world for
eternal rest. He had been a resident of Citizens Memorial Healthcare
Facility in Bolivar for the past year. Lowell was born Sept. 13, 1915, at
Aldrich, the son of Thomas Alexander and Nancy Elizabeth Vincent
Churchman. He and Frances Williams were married Jan. 21, 1940. They were
the parents of four daughters who survive him, Elizabeth Weaver and her
husband, Roger, of Springfield, Mary Cullers and her husband, Don, of
Springfield, Rebecca Churchman of Houston, Texas, and Marcie Vance of
Springfield. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Michael Gibson and his
wife, Debbie, of Topeka, Kan., Rachel Weaver of Houston, Texas, Rodney
Weaver and his wife, Joy, of Springfield and Addison Vance of Springfield.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents; a half-brother, Loren
Churchman; and two half-sisters, Adrian Nichols and Maymie Pfeiffer. A
member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Lowell graduated from Bolivar High
School in 1933. He was active in FFA; a highlight was for him was to
attend the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City. He did not have a
high degree of formal education, but was very intelligent and could
"figger" in his head when others had to rely on a calculator. Lowell
served on the Polk County ASCS committee for several years. His lifework
was that of a farmer. He can be remembered tilling the bottomland with a
team of mules or draft horses. The cornrows were straight, and the short
rows were hoed by hand. A lover of and good judge of horses, he later
raised Missouri Fox Trotters and Tennessee Walking Horses. Another
favorite pastime with numerous memories was coon hunting with long-eared
black and tan hounds. He also raised Hereford cattle, all of which he knew
by name or an identifying mark. Lowell will be remembered as a man of
integrity and compassion; a man who had a strong work ethic, and a man
with pretty brown eyes about which people often commented. We thank him
for all he taught us. We will carry on and see him at the supper table
after the sun goes down. A special thank you is extended to the staff of
the nursing home who not only cared for him but also ministered to his
needs. Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 16, at
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery south of Aldrich with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth
officiating. Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 15,
in Murray Funeral Home, Bolivar. Memorial contributions may be made to the
organization of the donor's choice.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Elwin Burr Crumrine, 75, Willard, died at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2001, in
his home. He was born Dec. 30, 1925, in Jewell County, Kan. He was an auto
body man and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the
V.F.W. Post No. 11 in Willard and the D.A.V. of Springfield. He was a
lifetime resident of the Willard and Miller area and a member of the
Parkview Christian Church. He married Mary Francis Barker on Sept. 14,
1946, at Pittsburg, Kan. She died Jan. 9, 2000. Survivors include four
daughters and their husbands, Mary and Don Sterling of Uniontown, Ark.,
Deidra and Jerry Fields of Morrisville, Debra and Joe Ryker of Bois D'Arc
and Cristie and Greg Cain of Willard; three sons and their wives, Elwin
and Fern Crumrine of Springfield, Mike and Ruth Crumrine of Broken Arrow,
Okla., and Allen and Kecia Crumrine of Brighton; his father, Fred Crumrine
of Willard; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his constant
companion, Buttons. Graveside services were Thursday, March 8, in Goss
Cemetery southwest of Miller with the Rev. Tharell J. Boulware
officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Morris Leiman Mosher
Funeral Home, Miller. Memorial contributions may be made to the National
Cancer Society or American Diabetes in care of the funeral home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Marjorie Jane Davison, 81, Greenfield, died Friday, March 16, 2001, in the
Dade County Nursing Home in Greenfield after a brief illness. She was born
Jan. 17, 1920, in Los Angeles, Calif., the daughter of John and Isabella
Anderson, and she had attended and graduated school in California. In 1937
she was united in marriage to Clifford C. Davison and to this union two
children were born, John and Jeanne Davison. Clifford and Marjorie had
moved back to Missouri in 1973. Marjorie had attended First Assembly of
God in Bolivar, and most recently, Lighthouse Christian Center in
Stockton. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford,
sister Audrey Smith, and great-granddaughter Lindsey Dawn Knoll. She is
survived by one son, John and his wife, Anne, Davison of Sanford, Fla.;
one daughter and her husband, Darell and Jeanne Jagdfeld-Heaton of
Greenfield; two brothers, Wallace S. Anderson of Agoura Hills, Calif., and
Frank E. Anderson of Costa Mesa, Calif.; one granddaughter, Jeannene
Elizabeth Knoll and her husband, Mark, of Stockton; three grandsons,
Gregory Stuart Jagdfelt of Columbia, Blair Courtney Davison and his wife,
Robin, of Gainsville, Fla., and Brent Vincent Davison and his wife, Linda,
of Eustis, Fla.; four great-grandsons, Michale Allen, Malachi Austin and
Madison Andrew Knoll, and Patrick Morgan Langston. Services were Tuesday,
March 20, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Knoll
officiating. Music was provided by Jeanette York and Judy Rinker.
Casketbearers were Carl Blomenkamp, Brad Wommack, James Fleeman, Chad
Knoll, Gary Rice and Benny York. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Bessie Kay Dennis, 80, Pittsburg, died at 7:25 a.m. Friday, March 16,
2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was a
member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Hermitage, Chapter No. 99, and
the Pomme de Terre Southern Baptist Church, Pittsburg. Survivors include
her husband, John W. Dennis of Pittsburg; one son, Gary L. Dennis of
Springfield; one brother, Virgil Phillips of Crosstimbers; three
granddaughters, Robin Vaughn of Pleasant Hope, Renee Asby of Springfield,
and Julie Dennis of Half Way; five great-grandchildren, Dustin Asby,
Danielle Vaughn, Jan Vaughn, Cazy Vaughn and Chance English. Services were
Sunday, March 18, 2001, in the Pomme de Terre Southern Baptist Church in
Pittsburg with Rev. Don Keesler and Rev. Kent Parson officiating. An
Eastern Star service was held by the Hermitage Chapter No. 99 Order of the
Eastern Star. Casketbearers were Lewis Retherford, Kenneth Phillips,
Gerald Phillips, Victor Phillips, Darren Vaughn, Estel Suiter, Dough Loehr
and Dustin Asby. Burial was in the Pittsburg Baptist Cemetery, under the
direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Hickory County Fire and Rescue.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Russell Dean Euliss, 37, Springfield, died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at
his home. He was born June 27, 1963, in Springfield. He was a graduate of
Marion C. Early High School in Morrisville. A welder and carpenter, he had
a great love for the outdoors. He was saved at a revival service at Eudora
Baptist Church in June 1974, and recently joined Evergreen Church at
Springfield. On February 14, 1992, he was united in marriage to Nancy
Heath and they were married nine years. His grandpa, Paul Hensley,
preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, and her two
children and their spouses, Angela and Chris Garrett, Clever, and David
and Amy Dickenson, Republic; two grandchildren, Caleb and Austin Garrett;
his parents, Jerry and Sue Euliss, Morrisville; one brother, Brad Euliss
and his wife, Diana, and their children Stephanie and Jared, Morrisville;
one sister, Annette Turner and her husband, John, and their children,
Devin, Justin and Josh, Morrisville; and his grandparents, Cecil and Helen
Euliss, Morrisville, and Martha Hensley, Bolivar. Funeral services were
Saturday, March 24, 2001, in Evergreen Church, Springfield, with Rev.
Scott Killingsworth officiating. Music was by Amy Dickenson, and Lon and
Maxine Killingsworth. Honorary pallbearers were Nick Maas, Steve Cribbs
and Gerald Sergent. Pallbearers were Chris Garrett, David Dickenson, Jerry
Bruegman, Kevin McKinzie, Mike Chaney and Junior Hickman. Interment was in
Enon Cemetery, southwest of Bolivar, under the direction of Murray Funeral
Home, Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Robert Stewart Gilliam, 82, Bolivar, died at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 27,
2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Robert was born
Oct. 25, 1918, in Rocky, Okla., the son of William Barton Gilliam and
Vasser Davis. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and a retired
floor foreman with General Dynamics Corp., Fort Worth, Texas. He is
survived by his wife, Gladys J. Gilliam, of Bolivar; one son, Robert L.
Gilliam, of Bolivar; and a sister, Betty Blake, of Olathe, Kan. Services
were Friday, March 30, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel, Bolivar, with
graveside services Saturday in Barbee Cemetery, Dublin, Texas. Memorial
contributions can be made to Citizens Memorial Helath Care Facility
Aquarium Fund.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Grace Marie Hall, 83, Willard, died at 8:12 a.m. Wednesday March 28, 2001,
in Willard Care Center following an extended illness. Grace Shelton was
born in Polk County, near Morrisville, and was a life-long resident of the
Willard and morrisville areas. She was a homemaker and had been a sales
clerk with the Sacville Store. She was a member of the Rose Hill Baptist
Church north of Willard. She was united in marrage to Adron L. Hall on
Feb. 25, 1938. To this union three children were born. She was preceded in
death by a daughter, Freda kay Hall, on Aug. 5, 1996, and a son, Kenneth
Hall, on Aug. 7, 1998; a great-grandson, Andrew Joseph Fuller, in Sept.
1997; her parents; two brothers, Ray and Ralph Shelton; and two sisters,
Ruth Cox and Wilma Emmert. She is survived by her husband, Adron, of the
home; one son and two daughters-in-law, Ron and Shirley Hall of Aldrich
and Jean Ann Hall of Willard; six grandchildren and 11
great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe Ben Shelton, and one sister, Wanda
Smith, both of Bolivar; and several nieces and nephews. Services were
Saturday, March 31, in Rose Hill Baptist Church, Willard, with the Revs.
Ed Long and Lon Killingsworth officiating. Interment followed in Rose Hill
Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home of Walnut
Grove. Memorial contributions can be made to Rose Hill Baptist Church,
Willard.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Jewel Bernard Hammond, 94, Weaubleau, died at 4:30 a.m. Friday, March 30,
2001, at Parkview Health Care Facility, Bolivar. She was a long-time area
resident of Weaubleau before moving to Bolivar a few years ago. She was a
homemaker and worked as a cook for several years. Survivors include one
son, Keet Hammond and his wife, June, of Carthage; one daughter-in-law,
Freda Hammond, of Weaubleau; and four grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, April 2, at Hathaway-Peterman
Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Kent Parson officiating.
Burial was in Bernard Chapel Cemetery, north of Quincy.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Howard P. Hembree, 84, Greenfield, died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, in St.
John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. He was born Feb. 2, 1917, in
Dadeville to Willis and Louella (Dolly) Sweet Hembree. He married Vernice
Opal Marshall Dec. 28, 1940, and to this union three children were born.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Yokohama, Japan. He
retired from the Missouri State Highway Department in 1980 after 39 years.
He enjoyed working outside in his yard and garden. He loved his family and
being with them. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Dolly
Hembree; one brother, Herbert, and his wife, Martha; and one nephew, Don.
He is survived by his wife Vernice; one daughter, Sue Divine of Bolivar;
two sons, Johnny Hembree and Joe Hembree and his wife Patsy of Greenfield;
nine grandchildren, Magen, Jerad, Jordan and Jade Montana, Wayne and
Christine Hembree, Danny Divine, Russell Divine and his wife, LaDon, and
Kim Williams and her husband, Jeff; five great-grandchildren, Jonathon and
Jimmy Olsen, McKenzi and Skylor Divine and Cassidy Williams; two sisters,
Martha Kitchen of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Frances Hudspeth and her
husband, Bill, of South Greenfield; one brother, Hugh Hembree and his
wife, Carolyn, of Lincoln, Neb.; and a host of nieces, nephews and other
relatives and friends. Services were Friday, March 23, at the Greenfield
Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gene Clack officiating. Burial was in the
Greenfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian
Church of Greenfield.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Patrick M. Hyer, 60, Humansville, died Friday, March 2, 2001, at his home.
The son of James O. and Bernice Cernas Hyer, he was born Feb. 21, 1941, in
Jackson County. A resident of Humansville the past 30 years, he was a
brick mason and U. S. Army Vietnam War veteran. A member of Amvets Post
No. 114, he served with the Amvets Honor Guard. Preceding him in death
were his father, James, and his wife, Rebecca, on Nov. 23, 1999. Survivors
include two sons and their wives, Troy and Marie Hyer of Humansville and
Matt and Robin Matthews of Collins; his mother, Bernice Hyer, Chicago,
Ill.; two grandchildren, Rebecca Marie Hyer and Cody James Hyer; and two
brothers, Jim Hyer and Jerry Hyer, both of Chicago, Ill. Services were
Tuesday, March 6, at the Amvets Post No. 114 in Flemington. Inurnment was
in Souders Cemetery north of Humansville under the direction of Murray
Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Salvatore Mario LaTorre II, 66, Flemington, died Wednesday, March 28,
2001, in Cox Medical Center South. The son of Salvatore M. and Marie
DeCole LaTorre, he was born March 2, 1935, in New York City, New York. He
moved to Flemington nine years ago from Pine Bush, New York. A retired
electronic switching technician for Ninex Telephone Company, he was a
member of Communication Workers of America Local No. 1101. He was
Catholic. His parents and two brothers, Dominik and Iggy LaTorre, preceded
him in death. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, of the home; six
children, Dorothy Marie LaTorre of the home, Maria J. Huebner of Stockton,
Marisa Goldfarb of Peekskill, N.Y., Susan Zabowski of Dover Plains, N.Y.,
Joseph E. LaTorre of Wimama, Fla., and Salvatore M. LaTorre III of Pine
Bush, N.Y.; a brother, Joseph LaTorre, Boca Raton, Fla.; 12 grandchildren;
and two great-grandchildren. Services were Sunday, April 1, 2001, in
Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Bill Levergood officiating.
Cremation followed the service under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Walter H. Kates, 59, of Bolivar was born Nov. 29, 1941, in Bolivar and
died March 26, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South after a long illness. He
was born affected with Downs Syndrome and was able to live his entire
angelic life at home. He was a special little guy who touched all who
opened their hearts to him. He will be sadly missed. He is survived by one
sister of the home,Treva Orrell and her husband, Kenneth, and one brother,
Danny Kates and his wife, Cherie, all of Bolivar, as well as a host of
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father,
Walter A. and Altha Kates. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at
Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Doyle Mayfield
officiating. Music will be provided by the church choir and will include
"We Shall Meet," "Gathering Home" and "I'll Fly Away." Pallbearers will be
Doug Roberts, Lee Kates, Gene Kates, Arnold Wilson, Charlie Wilson, Terry
Fox and Kenneth Orrell. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Marilyn B. Kunkel, 77, Bolivar, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10,
2001, at the Parkview Health Care Facility after a lingering illness. She
was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Wheaton, Ill., the daughter of Harry Joseph and
Lucille Adeline Leverenz Barnard. She was a retired clerical office worker
in county government and was a U.S. Army Wave veteran of World War II. She
had been a resident of Wheaton, Ill., for many years, moving to Bolivar
more than two years ago. Surviving are two daughters, Barbara J. Essex of
Bolivar and Cathy Lynn Schmieding of Woodstock, Ill., and a son, Roy C.
Kunkel of Lovelock, Nev. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, nine
great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. At her request, the body
is being cremated and her remains will be placed in the St. Peter's
Evangelical Lutheran Church Columbarium in Miami, Fla., at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Thelma Lynn, 89, Bolivar, died Wednesday, March 7, 2001. She was born on a
farm near Pleasant Hope on Jan. 14, 1912, to Edgar and Alice Smith. She
was the youngest of three children; her brother, Elmer Smith, and her
sister, Ada Purlsey, both preceded her in death. Thelma was raised on the
farm and attended a one-room school close to the farm. After consolidation
she attended Pleasant Hope schools, often rooming in Pleasant Hope during
bad weather. During the Depression of the 1920s, Edgar temporarily moved
the family to California. This was one of the most exciting times in
Thelma's life. She often told stories of the trip and her experiences
living there. While in California she learned to ride a motorcycle, which
was quite scandalous at the time. Upon returning to Missouri she married
R.L. "Roy" Lynn on Sept. 13, 1930, and moved to his farm, which remains in
the family to this day. To this marriage came two sons, James and Keith.
As she followed Roy in his career as a school superintendent, she lived in
Dadeville and Richards. Even with these moves, they always maintained and
worked their family farm. When Roy became the superintendent at Half Way
and later Pleasant Hope, they lived on the farm full time until his death
in 1969. She remained on the farm following his death. Thelma was a
faithful wife and mother, often having to do the farmwork of milking,
putting up crops and feeding animals by herself as Roy's work often kept
him away from home until late at night. She greatly enjoyed her sons'
participation in sports and followed them closely. Thelma was a 58-year
member of the First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hope. Following a period of
declining health which included a broken pelvis and cancer surgery, she
moved to Butterfield Retirement Center in Bolivar where she remained until
her death. Surviving are her son Jim and his wife, Carolyn, of McAllen,
Texas; her son Keith and his wife, Laura, of Norman, Okla.; five
grandchildren, Shannon Lynn and his wife, Anita, and Charese Cozad and her
husband, Terry, all of Pleasant Hope, and Jordan Lynn, Cory Lynn and
Larissa Lynn, all of Norman, Okla.; one great-grandson, Skyler Cozad; plus
numerous nieces and nephews living in California. Services were Saturday,
March 10, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Neil Graham
officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Casketbearers were
Mark Bilyeu, Mickey Hillenburg, Shannon Lynn, Jordan Lynn, Terry Cozad and
Jerry Francka. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist
Church in Pleasant Hope.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
John C. Martin, 80, Buffalo, died Thursday, March 29, 2001, in Citizens
Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 10, 1920,
in Flomit, Texas, to Claude and Florence Freyer Martin. He was united in
marriage to helen Kwet on Feb. 2, 1943, in Casper, Wyo., and to this union
three children were born. He served his country in the Air Force during
World War II. He was a retired rancher. Survivors include his wife, Helen,
of the home; one son, John C. Martin Jr. of Gainesville, Texas; two
daughters, Jeannette Ray of Lancaster, Calif., and Celeste Burdette of
Pleasant Hope; one sister, Kathryn Russell of Matador, Texas; and eight
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his parents, a sister, Mae Dell Woods, and Four brothers, Louis Martin,
Quinn Martin, Norman Martin and Glenn Martin. Services were Saturday,
March 31, in Pitts Chappel with Fr. Patrick Wissman officiating. Burial
was in Greenwood Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Gerald "Lee" Montgomery, 78, Aldrich, formerly of Springfield, died at
7:42 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar.
He was born Sept. 27, 1922, in Aldrich to Forrest and Tina Tygart
Montgomery. He worked for Frisco Railroad for more than 30 years. He was a
member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Humansville, American Legion
in Bolivar and the Elks Lodge in Springfield. He was preceded in death by
his father and mother and his wife, Ellen. He is survived by two sons, a
granddaughter, two great-granddaughters and many cousins. Services were
Tuesday, March 13, in Gorman-Schaprf University Chapel with the Rev. Frank
Childers officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial
contributions may be made to Ozark Food Harvest, 615 N. Glenstone,
Springfield MO 65802.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Arnold Gaston Oldaker, 62, Humansville, died at 12:10 a.m. Sunday, March
18, 2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born
on Jan. 23, 1939. He lived at Lake Shores Residential Care Center in
Humansville. He is survived by his mother, Onia Sybil Oldaker, of
Stockton; three sisters, Georgia McBurks of Urich, Jeanie Dudley of
Harrisonville and Stella Shook of Stockton; and one brother, Emory Oldaker
of Kansas City. No services are planned at this time. Cremation was under
the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Helen Ruth Pruitt Parker died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, in Oklahoma City,
Okla. She was born on Oct. 14, 1926, in Decatur, Ala., and was the
daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Pruitt. After graduation from
Riverside High School in 1944, she attended Bob Jones College in
Cleveland, Tenn., from 1944-46. She was married to her husband, Charles G.
Parker of Decatur, Ala., for 54 years. She was a member of the Central
Baptist Church in Decatur, Ala., for 68 years. During her years of
ministry in Decatur she sang with her trio in radio and evangelistic
services, served at Central Baptist as a member of the adult choir, and
assisted for over twenty years in the special education department of the
Sunday School. She served the legal profession as an executive secretary
for more than 25 years. After moving to Oklahoma City in 1995, Helen Ruth
and Charles became members of the Surrey Hills Baptist Church where they
sang in the adult choir. She also joined the Surrey Hills Garden Club, and
enjoyed playing games with her neighborhood game club as well as
substituting for her daughter's Bunco group. Her parents, four brothers
and two sisters, and one son-in-law preceded her in death. Survivors
include her husband, Charles; three children, Cheryl (Parker) Scroggins of
Oklahoma City, Okla.; the Rev. Richard G. Parker and wife Cindy of Perry,
Ga.; and Dr. Gregory B. Parker and wife Lori of Bolivar; grandchildren
Brad and Scott Scroggins of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Andrew and Hannah Parker
of Perry, Ga.; and Alex and Brianna Parker of Bolivar. Additional
survivors include one brother, Robert H. Pruitt of Topeka, Kan.; one
sister, Catherine Marie (Pruitt) Watkins of Decatur, Ala.; one
brother-in-law, J. Pat Brock of Decatur, Ala.; and numerous nieces and
nephews. Funeral services were Saturday, March 24, at the Central Baptist
Church in Decatur, Ala., with Roselawn Memorial Funeral Home officiating.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2,9 at Surrey Hills
Baptist Church, 12421 North Mustang Road, in Yukon, Okla. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Helen Ruth Parker Memorial Scholarship
Fund at Southwest Baptist University, Development Office, 1600 University
Avenue, Bolivar MO 65613-2597.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Arthur H. Proehl, 89, Bolivar, died Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at Parkview
Health Care Facility. He was born April 1, 1911, in Parker's Prairie to
Henry and Ida Johnson Proehl. On Sept. 12, 1941, he was united in marriage
to Mary Zeithhamer and to this union two sons were born. Together they
dairy farmed in Minnesota until 1962 when they moved to Bolivar and farmed
until retirement in 1972. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was
preceded in death by his parents, a son, Karl Proehl in November of 1996,
and an infant great-granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of
the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Linda Proehl of St. Cloud,
Minn., and two grandchildren. Services were Saturday, March 31, in Pitts
Chapel with the Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Burial was in Greenwood
Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Paul Edward Rains, 71, Humansville, died March 9, 2001, at Citizens
Memorial Hospital, Bolivar. He was born March 17, 1929, in Humansville to
George and Stella Henry Rains. He was united in marriage to Geraldine
Fisher on March 18, 1961, in Humansville. They lived in the Independence
area before moving to the Humansville area in 1974. They engaged in dairy
farming for 15 years after returning to Humansville. He was preceded in
death by his parents; three brothers, Clifford Rains, Gaylord Rains and
Alfred Rains; three sisters, Marie Routh, Lois Meredith and Neva Kenny;
and his stepmother, Ida Rains. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, of
the home; four daughters, Debbie Klein and her husband, Greg, of Sibley,
Paula Zachary of Twin Falls, Idaho, Patty Chaney and Bill Fogler of
Humansville, and Pamela Sellers and her husband, Todd, of Humansville; one
sister, Marge Goodwin and her husband, Doug, of Humansville; one
stepsister, Pauline Price of Bolivar; 18 grandchildren, seven
great-grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews, other relatives and a
host of friends. Services were Monday, March 12, 2001, at Humansville
First Baptist Church. Interment was in Tinker Cemetery, Humansville.
Arrangements were under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home,
Osceola.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
M. Imogene Cunningham Young Reed, 82, Webb City, died at 6:35 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis after a
short illness. She was born July 8, 1918, in Carthage. She had lived in
Jasper County her entire life and was a 1935 graduate of Carthage High
School. In 1982 she retired as a case worker from the Division of Family
Services. As a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Webb City, she
spent many years as church pianist, organist and Bible teacher. For many
years she and her husband served as volunteers for youth and adult camp
activities at Baptist Hill Assembly near Mt. Vernon. They were also
members of Campers On Mission For Christ, a group involved in building and
renovating small churches. For many years she was a member of the American
Business Women's Association in Carthage. She formerly served as a project
leader for the 4-H Club near LaRussell and was active in Extension Club
work. She married Charley Young Jan. 22, 1938. He preceded her in death on
June 2, 1968. On May 28, 1981, she married I. Lee Reed, who preceded her
in death on Sept. 18, 1992. Also preceding her in death were her parents,
J.O. and Lela Tilton Cunningham; a daughter, Helen Young; a son, Pat
Young; two grandchildren; a brother, Clem Cunningham; and a sister, Helen
Kelley. Survivors include three sons, Andy Young of Sedro Wooley, Wash.,
Ed Young of Clinton, and George Young of Florence, Ala.; two stepsons, Jim
Jacobs of Coweta, Okla., and Tim Reed of Tulsa, Okla.; four daughters,
Jean Campbell of LaRussell, Sue Howard of Alba, Judy Brown of Columbia,
and Mary Allen Miller of Bolivar; two stepdaughters, Bettye Warden of
Carthage, and Karen Champeau of Little Chute, Wis.; one brother, Alvin
Cunningham of Carthage; 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and nine
great-great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday at the Hedge-Lewis
Chapel with the Rev. Gene Needham and the Rev. Ron Woody officiating.
Burial was in the Harvey Cemetery near LaRussell. Pallbearers were her
grandshons, Jeff Howard, Greg Howard, Brad Howard, David Howard, Brandon
Collins, Michael Allen and Chuck Young. Memorial contributions may be made
to the Liberty Baptist Church of Webb City.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Gordon Hunter Robinson, 86, Bolivar, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2001,
at 7:24 p.m. in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a brief
illness. He was born Nov. 13, 1914, in Owensboro, Ky., the son of John
William and Hazel McCloud Robinson. After living in Owensboro for two
years, Gordon's parents moved to Bolivar. To them a second child was born,
Mary Jean, on April 13, 1917. Gordon was a long time resident of Polk
County and retired owner of Robinson Neon. In Bolivar, his parents
purchased a variety store, "The Fair Store," located on the Bolivar
square. They lived in many houses throughout Bolivar including ahome on
Walnut Street, one that faced Pike Street just south of the North Ward
School, and then a home on Chestnut where Gordon grew up. He graduated
from Bolivar High School in 1932 and from Southwest Baptist College in
1934. Gordon had also attended Drury College, taking engineering and
drafting classes. While in college, he sang in the Men's Quartet, and
during vacation, he traveled with Dr. Counts Redford and the other members
of the quartet to many cities and churches in Missouri and surrounding
states raising funds for Southwest Baptist College. Gordon had also been
called many times to sing at funerals and fund-raisers. He entered the
U.S. Army in September, 1942, and spent three years in North Africa,
Sicily and Italy working in the map department. After being honorably
discharged, he entered a neon engineering school in Louisville, Ky. In
June, 1947, he was united im marriage to Ruth Harper of Springfield and to
this union three sons were born, Keith, Gary and Dale. Gordon joined the
Bolivar Rotary Club in 1946, in which he served as president in 1959-60.
He was recently honored by the Rotary Governor as the oldest member still
active in Rotary in Bolivar. He was also a member fo the local V.F.W and
the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post no. 138. As members of the
Bolivar United Methodist Church, both Gordon and Ruth have served many
offices within the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School when
the Builders Class was organized, and was an active member of that class
until his death. The church was one of his favorite organizations. Besides
contantly visiting on behalf of the church, he donated the sign on the
front lawn of the church. His contributions were not limited to the United
Methodist Church, but included donations of signs to many other churches.
While engaged in the work of the church, he was also serving his community
in many other ways, including visiting nursing homes, holding public
office, such as city alderman, and taking care of peop's needs throughout
his life. He was also active in Boy Scout Leadership, Bolivar Area Chamber
of Commerce and several other community projects. He will be greatly
missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Ruth L. Robinson, of the home;
three sons, Dale Robinson and his wife, Deborah, of Bolivar, Gary Robinson
and his wife, Margaret, of Bellaire, Texas, and Keith Robinson and his
wife, Mary, of Sedalia; one sister, Mary J. Neely of Denver, Colo.; two
grandchildren and one stepgranddaughter. Services were Friday, March 30,
in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Adkison and Rev. Bill
Maggi officiating. Music was provided by David Hacker, soloist, and
Louisiana Mastin, pianist. Casketbearers were Charlie Miller, Milton
Dickensheet, Carl Huser, J.V. Wommack, Scott Gallivan and Jeff McClelland.
Honorary Casketbearers were Karen Tweed, John Playter, Gordon Mastin,
Keith Parminter, Don Jump, Cameron Seiner, Charles Neuhart and Jack
Hacker. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Mary Lee Shook, 92, Des Moines, Iowa, died at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March
27, 2001, in Mercy Hospital, Des Moines. The daughter of Ernest and Jenny
Miller, she was born April 12, 1908, at Fair Play. She lived at Fair Play
and Aldrich for many years, living in Des Moines the past 19 years. A
retired teacher, she taught in several area schools including Aldrich,
Fair Play and Dunnegan. She was a member of the Aldrich United Methodist
Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and pianist. Her parents; her
husband, Rev. Brooks Shook; her daughter, Betty Sue Bolton; and three
brothers, Harmon, Charles and Kelton Miller, preceded her in death. She is
survived by one daughter, Jenny Shook, Des Moines, Iowa; two sons and
their wives, Bill and Shirley Shook, Fair Play, and Joe and Dora Shook,
Fenton; six grandchildren and their spouses, David and Karen Bolton,
Mundelein, Ill., Ann and Bob Filip, Columbus, Ohio, Paula and Bobby Evans,
Fair Play, Darin and Christi Shook, Urbana, Sarah and Kevin Brown,
Wichita, Kan., and Jared and Retta Shook, Fort Scott, Kan.; and 17
great-grandchildren. Services were Sunday, April 1, in the Aldrich United
Methodist Church with David Stunkel officiating. Interment was in Pleasant
Ridge Cemetery, south of Aldrich, under the direction of Murray Funeral
Home.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Mary Alice Dexheimer Snyder, 79, Sedalia, passed away in her home at 5:10
p.m. Monday, March 12, 2001, after a short illness. She was a lifelong
resident of Pettis County, having been born March 22, 1921, about seven
miles southwest of Sedalia, the oldest daughter of Harry and Hazel Gorrell
Dexheimer. She attended the one-room Glover School, where she completed
grades one through eight in eight years, which was very difficult due to
the amount of time she spent helping on the family farm. In 1939, she
graduated from Green Ridge High School and later attended Central Business
College until beginning work at Inter-State Studio at 601 W. 16th St. in
Sedalia on July 7, 1941. On Dec. 31, 1952, she married Guy M. Snyder, whom
she loved and worked with side by side until his death on Aug. 14, 1988.
To this union were born a daughter, Giana Marie Snyder Andrews of Bolivar,
and a son, Aric Nelson Snyder of Sedalia. Also surviving are a
stepdaughter, Aileen Elizabeth Snyder Yuille; a son-in-law, Jerald
Andrews; and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Linhardt Snyder; seven
grandchildren, two stepgranddaughters, six step-great-grandchildren, six
step-great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Melvin "Bud" Dexheimer; one
sister, Ruth Hazel Hamby; and a nephew, Harry Hamby. Mary Alice was saved
Friday night, Sept. 13, 1935, at Camp Branch Baptist Church and was a
member there until joining New Hope Baptist Church in Sedalia in 1956,
where she taught Sunday school and was Sunday school secretary until 1989.
At New Hope she established a scholarship fund that enabled many young
people to attend college. She also loved to attend Calvary Missionary
Baptist Church in Bolivar when she visited her four granddaughters there.
Mary Alice was very supportive of her children and grandchildren and their
friends and was very active in Sedalia PTA, serving in various positions
of the PTA, including several terms as president. She devoted her entire
career to Inter-State Studio, where she started in the bookkeeping
department and later worked in virtually all manufacturing areas before
holding the position of CEO. Mary Alice was the ultimate "people" person.
She could remember maiden names, relationships, marriages and deaths often
times better than the people she interviewed for positions at Inter-State
while serving as human resources administrator. She gave credit to the
lifelong friends she made at Inter-State for "keeping her going" through
difficult times and for keeping her active and motivated through almost 60
years at Inter-State. Mary Alice continued to work at Inter-State every
day until early December 2000, when her health prohibited her active
involvement with the company. Her guidance, support and love are
irreplaceable, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate
to have been blessed to know her. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday,
March 15, at Heckart Gillespie Funeral Home, Sedalia. Pallbearers will be
Ed Sanders, Rick Pettit, George Bain, Herb Houston, Jim Rissler, John
Schmidt, Warren Preuitt and Ken Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers will be
Terry Don Anderson, Bonnie Utt, Wynona O'Neill, Ethel Wallen Ruth Edwards,
Wanneta Smith, Mary Nye, Colleen Mazzella, Nancy Curtiss, Marion Scott,
Donna Linhardt, Connie Bjur, Neil Dodge, Bob Burke and Sharon Hollaway.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia. Visitation will begin
at 6:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Childrens' Therapy Center, Sedalia; New Hope Baptist
Church Scholarship Fund, Sedalia; or Hospice of Sedalia.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Gwendolyn L. Sokolik, 59, Polk, died Friday, March 9, 2001, in her home
following a sudden illness. She was born Sept. 18, 1941, in Nebraska City,
Neb., to Harold O. "Tobe" and Lorene Herman. On Jan. 5, 1966, she was
united in marraige to Marvin J. Sokolik. She was a production worker for
Teters Floral Products and a member of the Church of the Nazarene in
Bolivar. She is survived by her husband, Marvin, of the home; four sons
and their wives, Douglas and Kathy Rakes of Blue Springs, Neb., Marvin Jr.
and Dawn Sokolik of Rolla, Dale and Paula Sokolik of Buffalo and Ton and
Nikki Sokolik of Polk; as well as 13 grandchildren. She was preceded in
death by her parents; a brother, Roger Herman; and a grandson. Services
were Monday, March 12, in Pitts Chapel with Pastor Rod Campbell
officiating. Burial followed in Rondo Cemetery. Pallbearers were Don Jump,
Charles Bailey, Gary Lowe, Lawrence Knickerbocker, Joe Sokolik and John
Seippel.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Opal Ann Thompson, 89, Elkhart, Ind., died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, March 5,
2001, in the Valley View Health Cehter in Elkhart, Ind., after a long
illness. She was a longtime resident of the Polk County community of Van
and a member of the Walnut Ridge Missionary Baptist Church. She was the
widow of the late Lyman Thompson. Surviving are a daughter, Peggy Delaney
of Elkhart, Ind., four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services were Friday, March 9, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the
Rev. Gary Ankrom and Bro. Carroll "Red" Ankrom officiating. Burial was in
the Pleasant Hope Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Opal Ann Hensley Thompson, 89, Elkhart, Ind., died at 11:15 a.m. Monday,
March 5, 2001, at the Valley View Health Center in Elkhart after a long
illness. Opal was born July 4, 1911, in Brighton, the daughter of William
Mose and Artie Hensley. She was saved at an early age in Wishart and later
joined the Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Van, where she was still a
member. On Sept. 16, 1933, Opal was united in marriage to Lyman "Fat"
Thompson, and to this union one daughter was born, Peggy Marlene. Opal and
Fat spent most of their married life together on their dairy farm east of
Bolivar before retiring and moving to the Van community. They enjoyed
fishing and running trotlines together. They could usually be found on
Pomme de Terre Lake. After the death of her husband in 1980, she moved to
Elkhart, Ind., where she was cared for by her daughter and wonderful
son-in-law who helped care for her for the past 20 years. She made many
longtime friends there, but she always considered Polk County her home.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fat; two sisters,
Grace Ankrom Trader and Edna Utley; and two brothers, Lonnie Hensley and
Calvin Eugene Hensley. Opal leaves behind a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy
and Bob Delaney; one grandson and his wife, Rick and Helen Brown; three
granddaughters and their husbands, Debra and Ken Pearcy, Tami and Rick
Dorman, and Anita and Ricky Dickson; nine great-grandchildren, four
step-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services were Friday, March 9, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the
Rev. Gary Ankrom and Bro. Carroll "Red" Ankrom officiating. Music was
provided by Gary, Greg and Charles Ankrom, and a special song by her
great-granddaughter Amanda Waterman. Casketbearers were Shannon Hancock,
Nathaniel Brown, Todd Waterman, Ricky Dickson, Rick Dorman, Cody Dorman,
Rick Brown, and Ken Pearcy. Burial was in the Pleasant Hope Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Garsa Elizabeth Edwards Vest, 78, Brighton, died at 3:30 a.m. Monday,
March 5, 2001, in Parkview Health Care Facility after a five-year battle
with cancer. Garsa Elizabeth Demott was married to Leonard N. Edwards in
June 1941. Following the death of Leonard, Garsa Edwards was united in
marriage to Leslie R. Vest Sr. on Sept. 27, 1986. She was a retired
cashier for Woods Super Market, and she and Leslie managed campgrounds in
Branson. She was saved at an early age, and was a member of the First
Baptist Church of Morrisville. She is survived by her husband, Leslie R.
Vest of the home; one son, Avery Edwards, and his wife, Linda, of Grand
Junction, Colo.; three daughters, Phylis Mathis and her husband, Karl, of
Morrisville, Lois Reed of Fordland and Dixie King and her husband, Gary,
of Bolivar; four stepsons and their wives, Bob and Nina Vest of Shallotte,
N.C., Charles and Sharon Vest of Tonganoxie, Kan., Ray and RuthVest of
Ozark, Ark., and Leslie R. Jr. and Patty Vest of Bolivar; five
stepdaughters, Sue Stauch and her husband, Jerry, of McCloud, Kan., Pat
Kitr of Pittsburg, Edna Mincks and her husband, Garley, of Shallotte,
N.C., Carol Ripley and her husband, Jack, of Springfield and Sharon K.
Hill and her husband, John, of Chanute, Kan.; 45 grandchildren and 56
great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in
the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Shuler officiating.
Burial will be in Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Robert
McGinnis, Bill Mathis, Kenny Reed, Jim Redman, James Reed and Tony Stauch.
Honorary casketbearers will be Roger Williamson, Danny Coffey, Calvin
Milam, Roma Morris, Lloyd Cates and Ron Hale. Memorial contributions may
be made to the American Cancer Society or the CMH Hospice of Bolivar.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Ernest C. "Junior" Watt, 66, Humansville, died at 9:33 p.m. Tuesday, March
27, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South. He was the owner and operator of
Watt Service Station in Humansville. The son of Ernest C. and Gertie
Bishop Watt, he was born April 17, 1934, in Cedar County. He married Freda
Webster March 27, 1959. His father and a sister, Wilma Watt, preceded him
in death. Survivors include his wife, Freda, of the home; his daughter,
Marty Watt, Springfield; his mother, Gertie Watt, Humansville; and two
sisters, Blanche Good and Betty Degraffenreid, both of Humansville.
Services were Saturday, March 31, in Murray Funeral Home, Humansville,
with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Interment was in Humansville
Cemetery.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Ruth Welshhon, 82, Richland, formerly of Dunnegan, died Friday, March 9,
2001, at her home in Richland. She is survived by two sons, Joe and his
wife, Mary Ellen, of Hoxie, Kan., and Stephen and his wife, Trisha, of
Joplin; two daughters, Jan Welshhon of Stoutland and Joyce Welshhon of the
home; three brothers, John, Ephriam and Marvin Hess, all of the home; two
sisters, Edith Davenport of Butler and Louise Buschmann of Sigourney,
Iowa; one granson, Ryan Welshhon of Lawrence, Kan., and one granddaughter,
Kim Welshhon of Colby, Kan. Services were Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at
First Baptist Church in Hume, with burial in Independence Cemetery at
Hume, under the direction of Colonial Funeral Chapel of Richland.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
John Michael West, son of the Reverends John and Ruth West, died at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20, 2001, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He is survived in
addition to his parents by one son, Shawn Michael, a daughter-in-law, Tina
West, and grandchildren Grace Leigh and John Mason of Humansville; a
sister, Theresa King of Sulphur, Okla.; two brothers Christopher West of
Kansas City, and Stephen West of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and several aunts,
uncles and cousins. He was a member of St. Alban's in the Ozarks Episcopal
Church in Bolivar. A Mass of Thanksgiving for the life of Michael will be
celebrated at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at St. Alban's, 201 S.
Killingsworth, Bolivar. The Right Rev. Barry Howe, Bishop of the Diocese
of West Missouri, will be the celebrant. The Rev. Lawrence Lewis will give
the homily. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Alban's.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Ewing Kay Williams, 81, Aldrich, died at 11:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 13,
2001, in Parkview Health Care Center following a short illness. He was
born in Franklin, Ark., in Izard County, and was a longtime resident of
the Aldrich area. He was a retired prominent farmer and stockman and
belonged to the Baptist church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War
II. He was united in marriage to Frances Holman on Sept. 19, 1947. To this
union one son was born. They shared more than 31 years together until
Frances preceded him in death Feb. 4, 1979. He was also preceded in death
by his parents, Ewing and Grace Kaye Williams, and two brothers, Gorman
and Dudley Williams. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kay
and Lorelei Williams, and two grandchildren, Alexander and Alicia
Williams, all of Aldrich. Services were Friday, March 16, in Wilson Brim
Daniel Chapel, Walnut Grove, with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating.
Interment followed in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldrich.
From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, March 2001:
Logan Andrew Zahn, 94, Bolivar, died at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15,
2001, at the Parkview Health Care Facility in Bolivar after a lingering
illness. He was a retired music teacher and supervisor of music and a
member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church. Survivors include a
daughter, Shirley Krongard, of Sunnyvale, Calif., a daughter-in-law, Mary
Zahn, of Juneau, Alaska, and three granddaughters. Services were Monday,
March 19, 2001, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar with the Rev. Dan
Adkison officiating. burial was under the Direction of Butler Funeral
Home.