FEBRUARY, 1999 OBITUARIES
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Lucile E. Danielson, 86, Bolivar, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. The daughter of John and Mattie Kirksey, she was born Aug. 17, 1912, and grew up at Jerico Springs. After college she lived in Kansas City while employed by Sears Roebuck & Co. She married Kenneth Danielson of Lander, Wyo., and they lived there until their retirement, when they moved to Sun City, Ariz., in 1963. She was a retired music teacher. When her health failed in 1995, she moved to Bolivar, where she lived in the home of her nephew and his wife, Jerry and Barbara Kirksey. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; and her brother and sister, Bernard Kirksey and Beulah Wooldridge. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Sandra Walker, of Lander, Wyo.; two grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-grandson. Also surviving are five nephews, two nieces, three cousins and many other relatives and friends. Graveside services were Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Stockton Cemetery with Elder Don Mick officiating. Burial was under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Honorary casketbearers were nephews and nieces Jerry Kirksey, Floyd Wooldridge, Bernie Wooldridge, J.A. Wooldridge, Jimmy Wooldridge, Ellen Dean Ewing and Judy Turner.
Audrey V. Hutchison, 95, Bolivar, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a brief illness. She was born Feb. 14, 1903, near Bona, the daughter of Thomas and Jan Birch Akins. She was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Polk County. She was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church at the time of her death. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Betty Hutchison, Springfield; one granddaughter and her husband, Connie and Mike Henderson, Marchall, Ill.; two great-granddaughters, Rebecca Henderson, Marshall, Ill., and Michelle Mull and her husband, Steven, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; a sister, Cloa Hopkins, state of Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Hutchison, in Aug. 1985; a great-granddaughter, Jodi Henderson-Suber; two brothers and four sisters. Services were Friday, Feb. 5, in Pitts Chapel with Elder Keith Frieze officiating. Music was provided by Freda Payne and Betty Lee; pianist was Mary Childress. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Robert Waits Johnson, 70, Bolivar, died at 2:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, in the Cox Walnut Lawn Recovery Center, Springfield, the result of a stroke. He was born Sept. 15, 1928, five miles southeast of Bolivar in the Mt. Gilead community. He was the fourth child of Luther J. and Annalee Graham Johnson, a pioneer Polk County family. Robert attended Leith Rural School and Bolivar High School. He was inducted into the U.S. ARmy in March 1951 during the Korean Conflict. He spent nine months near the front lines in Korea taking supplies to the fron lines, earning the rank of staff seargent. Upon release from the army, he was employed at Erwin & Blue Funeral Home in Bolivar, later working at Borden's Dairy in Kansas City. On Feb. 12, 1955, he was married to Harlene Stewart. One daughter was born to this union. In 1956, he purchased a local dry cleaners and also introduced the community to the first coin-operated laundry, which he operated until his retirement. Robert loved to fish, and the day before he became ill, he had been trying his luck at the lake. He also enjoyed restoring antique tractors. He grew up attending the Bolivar First Christian Church and received several pins for yearly attendance. Robert had been a member of the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post No. 138 since release from the service. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and her husband, Dorothy Lee and Lloyd Nease; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Johnson. Surviving are his daughter and her husband, Roberta and Jim Doke, and their children, Jamie, Jennifer and Jay Robert Doke, all of Brighton; two brothers, Farrel Johnson and his wife, Elizabeth, and Charles E. Johnson, all of Bolivar; two nieces, Sharon Nease Black of Portland, Ore., and Cynthia Nease Goefft of San Francisco, Calif.; two great-nieces and two great-nephews; an aunt, Helen Phillips of Bolivar; and a close firend, Ann Gamble of Dunnegan. Robert was loved by his family, and he delighted in his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Services were Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Musical soloist was Cheryl Bowers with Wanda Short as pianist. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Jerry Divin, Buck Armstrong, J.W. Ball, Johnny Gifford, Charles Robert Johnson and Bud Glendenning. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund.
Russell Madison Murdock Jr. , 64, Weaubleau, died Feb. 10, 1999, at his home. He was born July 15, 1934, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Russell Murdock Sr. and Olivia Welch Murdock. He was married July 13, 1952, to Gladys Pauline Trowbridge. He was a career soldier in the U.S. Army. He entered the service in 1954 and retired in 1979 as a Sergeant First Class. He received many medals, and he was the most decorated soldier in the state of Kansas after the Vietnam War. After retirement from the Army, he worked as a prison guard at Lansing State Prison, Lansing, Kan. He was preceded in death by his praents and a brother, Robert Geffs Murdock, in 1937. Survivors include his wife, Gladys, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Cheree Murdock of Humansville; twin daughters and their husbands, Jeannie and Wesley Jeter of Collins and Jannie and John Thompson of Leavenworth, Kan.; 11 grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Conrad of Weaubleau; a niece and two nephews, Kelly Conrad, Dan and Larry Randall, all of Weaubleau; and several nieces and nephews living out of state. Services were Saturday, Feb. 13, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with David McQuown officiating. Cremation was under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Winona Mae Kilpatrick, 95, went to be with the Lord at 1:10 a.m. on Feb. 3, 1999, at Maranatha Manor. She had made her home in Springfield since 1958 and before that lived in Bolivar. Nona was born on May 19, 1903, near Spencer, Ind., to James and Caroline Davis. The family moved to western Oklahoma, where she grew up. She attended Goodwell Normal School and then taught in a country school for three years before she married Barney Kilpatrick on June 24, 1924. Survivors include a daughter, Venita Bridger, Springfield, and her four children and spouses, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; daughter Norma Lou Allen and her husband, Arthur, of Belton, their three children and spouses, and eight grandchildren; daughter Carolyn Roberts and her husband, Bill, of Bolivar, their six children, five spouses, and 10 grandchildren; and daughter Shirley Borgstadt and her husband, Gareld, of Springfield, their six children, five spouses, and 10 grandchildren. Also surviving are sister, Marjorie Williams, of Tulsa, Okla., and a brother, Lawrence Davis, 101 years of age, Beaver, Okla. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney; a son, Kenneth Allen, who died as a child; three sisters, Bura Shepherd, Myra Kilpatrick, and Esther Jenkins; a brother, Jess Davis; and her parents, James and Caroline Davis. Being raised in a Christian home, Nona was a faithful member of the Church of Christ all of her life. Many benefited from her loving, giving nature and saw the love of God expressed through her life. Services were Saturday, Feb. 6, in Murray Chapel with Dennis Smith and Gary Brock officiating. Music was by Von and Barbara Morgan. Pallbearers were her 10 grandsons, Patrick, Michael and Gregory Bridger, Kent Allen, Bill, Matt and Mark Roberts, Dan, Ted and Josh Borgstadt. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children's Home, 3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford M0 65757.(2c)
Shelly May Lightfoot, 30, Columbus, Ga., formerly of Polk, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999, in Columbus Medical Center following a sudden illness. She was born Aug. 9, 1968, in Springfield to O.E. "Gene" and Carolyn Kimberling Lightfoot. She had served in the U.S. Army and was employed by Wal-Mart. She was a member of Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include her parents, Gene and Carolyn Lightfoot, Polk; her fiance, Carl Boyd, Columbus, Ga.; a son, Carl J. Boyd; two daughters, Candace N. Lightfoot and Colleen Boyd, all of Columbus, Ga.; two brothers, Carl A. Wilken, Urbana, and Oral E. Lightfoot Jr., Polk; a sister, Sheila Shaff, Harker Heights, Texas; a grandmother, Stella Lightfoot, Polk; and several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Donnie Lightfoot and Bro. Jerry Crain officiating. Burial will be in Payne Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
John Monroe Mead, 86, went to be with the Lord at 1:50 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. John was born Dec. 28, 1912, near Fair Play, the oldest child of James Conway Mead and Bertie Susan Manuel Mead. He was educated in the schools of Polk County, and after the death of his father on Oct. 25, 1936, he took over the duties of the farm with his mother and younger sister. He was inducted into the armed services Nov. 2, 1942, and joined the 96th infantry division at Camp Adair, Ore. He saw service in the South Pacific and was decorated three times. He was wounded in the fierce battle for Chocolate Drop Hill on the island of Okinawa. He returned from the service to a position with the Bear Creek Lime Quarry, where he served as plant superintendent for five years. He moved to Stockton, where he worked for Hammons Products Co. in the industrial electronics department as chief sorting machine operator for 15 years. Then, due to his mother's ill health, he retired and bought a home and dedicated his time to caring for his aging mother. It was then that he met his bride-to-be and on June 5, 1982, he and Etha Marie Sayre were married. This was a very close relationship, and her death was felt very deeply. John was a lover of nature and the outdoors. One of his favorite pastimes was hunting for Indian artifacts, and much of his spare time was given to this hobby. He was an avid coon hunter and was known throughout the area as a trainer and handler of fine coonhounds. At the time of his death he was a member of the Bismont Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Mead, his parents and one sister, Fern Pickering of Tulare, Calif. Survivors include four stepdaughters and their husbands, Beverly Sellers of Fair Play, Linda Furwalt of Lee's Summit, Jeanie and Gene Lovewell of Osceola and Elaine and Ed Cler of Gifford, Ill.; and one sister, Helen Copeland of Lindsay, Calif. Also surviving are 12 stepgrandchildren, 18 step-great-grandchildren, a host of nephews and nieces and many friends. Services were Sunday, Feb. 28, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Joe Rouse officiating. Music was provided by Erin Mashburn and Laverne Mashburn, accompanied by Lucinda Crouch. Burial followed in Humansville Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gary Sellers, Mike Murphy, Scott Dobson, Jody Garretson, Kevin Lovewell and Trent Lovewell.
Octavian Molin, 57, Bolivar, died Monday, Feb. 15, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The son of Molin and Ghizela Petru, he was born Oct. 18, 1941, in Cacova, Romania. A retired machinist for General Eelctric Co., he had been a resident of the Bolivar area for the past three months, coming here from Dallas, Texas. He was a member of Eben-Ezer Romanian Pentecostal Church in Springfield. Surviving is his wife, Lidia, of the home. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Murray Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joseph Frinck officiating. Interment will be in Slagle Cemetery. Prayer service and visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Zelma Murray, 93, Bolivar, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. She was a lifelong resident of Polk County, being born in Wishart on Oct. 5, 1905, to William Henry Harrison Euliss and Nora Hensley . She was saved July 21, 1920, and joined Enon Baptist Church. She later moved her membership to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. On August 20, 1922, she was united in marriage to Tom Oliver Murray, and to this union two children were born, a daughter, Wilma, and a son, Floyd. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Floyd and Connie Murray of Springfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Jim Howell of Bolivar; three sisters, Pauline Hensley and her husband, Wilbur, and twins Ina Ahart and Inez Wilson, all of Bolivar; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Nov. 15, 1976; a grandson; three brothers and three sisters. Services were Sunday, Feb. 14, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Doug Skinner officiating. Burial followed in Enon Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jeff Murray, Jerry Wells, Mike Sawyer, Charles Cross, Charles (Bub) Cross and Scott Nelson.
Mabel Grace Peterson, 93, Kansas City, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at the Parklane Medical Center in Raytown after a brief illness. She was born in Polk County near Pleasant Hope on Oct. 20, 1905, the daughter of Jerome and Annie Fowler Alley, and had lived in Polk County for many years. She was also a longtime resident of Springfield, moving to Kansas City about five years ago to live with her daughter. She was a retired schoolteacher and a member of the Schofield Missionary Baptist Church southeast of Half Way. Surviving are her daughter, Ina Jarman, and her husband, George, Kansas City; one brother, C.C. Alley, and his wife, Thelma, Pleasant Hope; and two grandchildren. Services were Friday, Feb. 26, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carroll "Red" Ankrom and the Rev. Michael R. Ankrom officiating. Burial was in the Schofield Cemetery. Casketbearers were Jeffrey Jarman, Wesley Jarman, Kenneth Fisher, Gary Drake, Randy Ankrom and Michael Ankrom.
Regis J. Phillips, 67, Dunnegan, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital of an apparent heart attack. He was born May 1, 1931, at Seneca, Kan., the son of Joseph and Clara C. Vondemkamp Phillips. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School in Seneca. At age 17 he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served more than 20 years. After his discharge, he lived in the Kansas City area where he owned and operated auto parts stores in Kansas City, Gladstone and Platte City. In 1984 he moved to Springfield, where he owned and operated auto parts stores there and in Rogersville. He also had an electrical company in Springfield. He had recently moved to a new home in Dunnegan. He was married to Mary Theresa Nadeau in 1952 at Caribou, Maine. They were later divorced. Survivors include a daughter, Sahron Rhynerson, Ballwin; four brothers, Fr. Walter Phillips of Ogallala, Neb., Leonard Phillips of Bankston, Iowa, Arthur Phillips of New Vienna, Iowa, and Lyle Phillips of Leawood, Kan.; three sisters, Vera Knudson and Zita Bergman, both of Seneca, Kan., and Elda Mae Haverkamp of Wetmore, Kan.; and two grandchildren. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca, Kan. Burial was in the church cemetery with full military honors. The rosary was said Monday evening at the Lauer Funeral Home, Seneca, Kan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sts. Peter and Paul School, Seneca, KS 66538.
Mildred Fay Reynolds, 87, Humansville, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The daughter of Curtis and Lavern Pearl Blackwell, she was born March 28, 1911, at Benton, Ill. She married William E. Reynolds March 16, 1929. He preceded her in death in May 1988. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Delores DeFoer, two granddaughters, her parents, four sisters and one brother. She had moved to Humansville from Redding, Calif., seven years ago to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Billie and Gene Willcutt. She was a homemaker and a member of the Humansville Full Gospel Church. Surviving are three daughters, Ruby Almond of Anderson, Calif., Billie Willcutt of Humansville and Jean Millican of Westville, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, Feb. 8, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Graveside services and burial will be today (Wednesday) in Anderson District Cemetery, Anderson, Calif.
Lingle Arnold Rife, 68, Bolivar, formerly of Marshall, died at 4:48 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, following a year-long illness. He was born Dec. 18, 1930, in Cross Timbers to Ulus and Hazel Arnold Rife. He was retired from Marshall Shoe Factory and had served in the U.S Air Force. He was of the Assembly of God faith. On April 30, 1954, he was united in marriage with Janice Lindell. Survivors include his wife, Janice, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Beth Rife, Marshall; two daughters and a son-in-law, Karen and James Bays and Linda Nease, all of Bolivar; three sisters, Treva Miller of Bakersfield, Calif., Marie Foote of Kansas City, Kan., and Erma Philbert of Preston; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Timothy Rife and Lingle A. Rife Jr.; and a daughter, Hazel Rife. Services will be at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Bolivar First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Mark Summers officiating. Burial will follow in Hermitage City Cemetery, Hermitage. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
The Rev. Merlin Francis Shively was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Queen City. He was the son of George Shively and Edna Epperson Shively, both of whom preceded him in death. He departed this life Feb. 13, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a short illness at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 21 days. On May 1, 1976, he was married to Bonnie Hulston of Pittsburg. She survives at their home. He is also survived by two children, Beckie Conard, Monett, and Dan Shively and his wife, Shelly, Chillicothe; five grandchildren, Jessica Conard, Kelsy Conard, Brooklynn Shively, Caleb Shively and Phillip J. Stanley; three brothers, Richard Shively and his wife, Helen, Toledo, Ohio, Rex Shively and his wife, Faye, Ottumwa, Iowa, and Max Shively and his wife, Neva, Lancaster; and two sisters, Deloris Carpenter, Lancaster, and Mary Jackson, Ottumwa, Iowa. A sister, Neva Summerville, preceded him in death. Merlin served his country during World War II on the USS Holland in the Pacific war zone. Some 40 plus years ago he surrendered to the gospel ministry. After pastoring a few small churches in north Missouri, he moved to Osceola, where he pastored the First Baptist Church for eight years. He later pastored the Highview Baptist Church in Chillicothe for 21 years. In October 1993 he and Bonnie moved to their home on Lake Pomme de Terre. He was called as pastor of the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church in October 1994, where he served faithfully until his passing. Merlin spent many hours raising a large garden and sharing the vegetables with others. He was known for his generous heart and love for children. Most of all he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Services were Feb. 16 in the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church with the Rev. Alan Thompson and Dr. G.H. Surrette officiating. Music was provided by Jim Suiter and Marti Buckner, vocalists, and Mary Gatewood, pianist, and included "The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" and "Till the Storm Passes By." Burial was in the Pittsburg Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Casketbearers were L.D. Dunavin, Charles Orndorff, Ronnie Brannon, Blackie Bonenbaugh, Art Smith and Ora McVey. Honorary casketbearers were the Rev. Don Hogan, the Rev. Dan Good, the Rev. Robert Sisney, the Rev. Donald Hart, Dr. Bill Hooper and the Rev. Norman Noble. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church.
John Clifton Johnson Sr., 82, Bolivar, died Monday, Feb. 15, 1999, in his home. He was born in Laclede County near Orla on Oct. 26, 1916, to Van Doren and Rebecca Vermillion Johnson. He was united in marriage to Louise L. Scarborough on Nov. 26, 1938, in Lufkin, Texas. To this union three daughters and a son were born. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and had been a heavy equipment operator for the highway department. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Barbara and Jack Vest of Bolivar, Susan James of Independence and Carol and Clint Ellingsworth of HIghlandville; a son and daughter-in-law, John C. Jr. and Patsy Johnson of Bolivar; three sisters, Loucille DiStasio, state of Illinois, Madeline Bannon, state of Kansas, and Verna Stake, state of Arkansas; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, on Dec. 11, 1998, after 60 years of marriage. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in Pitts Chapel with J.D. Stake officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Citizens Memorial Hospital Hospice Program in care of the funeral home.
Thelma Marie Steinke, 77, Bolivar, died Monday, Feb. 1, 1999 at the Parkview Health Care Facility after a lingering illness. SHe was born July 30, 1921, in Polk County, the daughter of Albert and Ethel Irene Hook Wilson. She moved to Milwaukee, Wis., in her early years where she met and married her husband, Albert Steinke. They returned to Bolivar several years ago. She was saved in her early childhood and attended First Baptist Church as long as her health permitted. Survivors include her husband, Albert C. Steinke, of the home; a stepson, Tom Steinke and his wife, Lynn, of San Diego, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Mary Insco and her husband, Billy Ray, of Melbourne, Fla.; one sister, Ruth Coffey, Morrisville; two sisters-in-law, Lois Wilson and Deloris Wilson, both of Bolivar; six stepgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Homer Wilson and Glen Wilson; and one stepdaughter, Sandy Johnson. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Burial will be in the Enon Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery southwest of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Daniel Leith, Danny Trantham, Jerry Coleman, Tom Leith, Joe Leith and Deral Vincent. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home until service time.
Uvon F. "Tommy" Thompson, 81, Bolivar, died at 9:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, after a sudden illness. He was born May 16, 1917, in Garden City, Kan., and was raised in Rice County, Kan., the son of John and Nettie Thompson. He was a longtime resident of Great Bend, Kan.; and moved to the Fair Play area in 1985. He and his wife moved to Bolivar about two years ago. He was a heavy equipment operator in the oil fields and in construction. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a grandson, Terry Lee Thompson. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice A. Thompson, of the home; three daughters and their husbands, Sharon and Roger Vote, Bolivar, Sonja and George Conner, Rogersville, and Claudia and Robert Dietz, Eugene, Ore.; three sons and their wives, Kenneth and Connie Thompson, Great Bend, Kan., Dwayne and Irene Thompson, Folsom, Calif., and Mike and Jane Thompson, Morrisville; one sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Madison Cathey, Alburquerque, N.M.; a brother and sister-in-law, Hubert and Anita Hutches, Pasadena, Calif.; 17 grandchildren, Andy Conner, Columbus, Ga.; David Conner and wife, Deysi, Villahermosa, Mexico; Ginger Conner, Midwest City, Okla; Allen Thompson, State Line, Nev.; Terri Fritz and husband, Ken, Great Bend, Kan.; Sharon Ferguson and husband, Daryl, Great Bend, Kan.; Steve Thompson and wife, Sheila, Radium, Kan.; Carl Thompson and wife, Julie, Sacramento, Calif.; Donna Avila and husband, Euglio, Santa Ana, Calif.; Natalie Thompson, Davis, Calif.; Roger Vote and wife, Glenda, Bolivar; Rex Vote and wife, Jeannine, Wichita, Kan.; Greg Vote and wife, Wendy, Metamora, Ill.; Tom Vote, Bolivar; Pam Forbes and husband, Jay, Goddard, Kan.; Lee Thompson, Morrisville; and Annette Dietz, St. Rose, La.; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Borther Ernie Presley officiating. Musical soloist will be Bill Shook with Paula Shook as pianist. Burial will follow in the Morrisville Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Allen Thompson, Andy Conner, Steve Thompson, David Conner, Carl Thompson, Roger Vote, Lee Thompson, Rex Vote, Greg Vote and Tom Vote. Honorary casketbearers will be Ken Fritz, Daryl Ferguson, Jay Forbes and Euglio Avila.
Mary Theresa Benedetto Jacopetti Vignola, 97, Dunnegan, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, in Parkview Health Care Facility. The daughter of Joseph and Theresa Cipriano Benedetto, she was born March 2, 1901, in Torino, Italy. She came to the U.S. with her family at the age of 5 1/2 on the ship LaGosgne and remembered seeing the Statue of Liberty as they entered the harbor. On April 10, 1961, she became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Most of her life was lived in Jackson and Sutter Creek, Calif., until she moved to Dunnegan 20 years ago to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Elinor and Roy Smith. She was of the Roman Catholic faith. She was preceded in death by a son, Gy Jacopetti; three brothers, Tony Benedetto, Joseph Benedetto and Frank Benedetto; and two sisters, Theresa Del Bono and Doris Paganuci. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Elinor and Roy Smith, Dunnegan; three nephews, Ed Benedetto, Clayton, Calif., Alton Benedetto, Northridge, Calif., and Joseph Benedetto, Jackson, Calif.; and a god-daughter, Annie Ghisue, Oakland, Calif. Graveside services were Tuesday, March 2, at Plum Grove Cemetery south of Humansville with the Rev. Charles Costello Sr. officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Carl Thomas Warson, 63, Humansville, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at his home. The son of Jesse and Mary Groves Warson, he was born Aug. 14, 1935, at Kansas City, Kan. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1963. On May 16, 1964, he was married to Margaret Ellen Tye at Harrisonville. They were the parents of three children, William Joseph, Bacil Eugene and Tamela Elaine. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Strasburg Baptist Church. He moved to Humansville in 1996 from Lee's Summit. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Herbert Warson and Basil Warson. Surviving are his wife, Margaret, of the home; three children, William Warson of League City, Texas, Bacil Warson of Humansville and Tamela Martinez of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Laura, William and Christopher Warson of League City, Texas, Samuel and Jessica Warson of Humansville; three brothers, Eugene Warson and Donald Warson, both of Collins, and Charles Warson of Kansas City. Services were Sunday, Feb. 7, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Cremation followed the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society.
Orlena Mabel Woodruff, 85, Bakersfield, Calif., died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999. She was born Oct. 30, 1913, in Buffalo and resided in Kern County, Calif., for 53 years. She was a teacher for 40 years with the Bakersfield, Calif., city school district. She was a member of Delta Phi chapter of Delta Kappa Lamma, Kern City and Sundale Golf Club and Kern City Community Church. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Foster, Riverside, Calif.; a granddaughter, Lorraine Bagwell; a grandson, Dan Foster; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth Breshears, and his wife, Faye, DeSoto, Texas; a sister-in-law, Helen Breshears, Bolivar; a niece, Janet Sue Thomas, and her husband Darwin, DeSoto, Texas; a nephew, Bill Breshears, and his wife, Pearlene, Bolivar; a sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Howard Miller, Yuba City, Calif.; and other relatives. Services were Monday, March 1, in Greenlawn Mortuary, Bakersfield, Calif., with the Rev. James Patterson officiating.
David Randy Wynkoop, 47, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999, in his home following an extended illness. The son of Vernon Dale and Alice Thornburg Wynkoop, he was born April 27, 1951, in Springfield. He was a lifelong resident of the Aldrich and Walnut Grove areas. He was a truck driver with Associated Grocers for 23 years, with a 20-year, more than 2 million miles safe driving record with AG. He was a member of the Teamsters Local Union No. 245, a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Aldrich, and attended Calvary Assembly of God Church, Walnut Grove. He belonged to the Walnut Grove Boosters and was a 1969 graduate of Morrisville High School. On Oct. 21, 1987, he was united in marriage to Diane Daniel, and they shared 11 years together. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon "Bill" Wynkoop, and a brother, Gary Wynkoop. Survivors include his wife, Diane, three sons, David Dale Wynkoop and his fiancee, Lacey Hughes, Ash Grove, Bruce Wynkoop and his wife, Lavonne, Springfield, and Jason Carter and his fiancee, Kim Nagel, Ash Grove; two daughters, Kiley Carter and Sunny Wynkoop, both of the home; his mother, Alice Wynkoop, Aldrich; one niece, Cindy Abel and her husband, Guy, Springfield; and an aunt and uncle, Barbara and James Stine, Eudora. Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, in Wilson Brim-Daniel Funeral Chapel, Walnut Grove, with the Rev. Rollan Tedder and the Rev. Dennis Spears officiating. Interment was in Ash Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a trust established in the Bank of Ash Grove for his daughters.