MAY, 1999 OBITUARIES
(Return to Directory)
Lillian Ihrig Baker, 92, Bolivar, died Friday, May 7, 1999, at Parkview Health Care Facility. She was born March 13, 1907, in Withers' Mill near Hannibal. She was a graduate of Palmyra High School and Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville. She taught school in the states of Nevada, Wyoming and Missouri. At the time of her death she was a member of First Baptist Church, Bolivar, but was formerly a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal as well as GFWC Study Club of Hannibal and Marion/Ralls County Retired Teachers. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Elizabeth Ihrig, and four brothers, Arthur Ihrig, Roy Ihrig, Elmer Ihrig and Wilbur Ihrig, all of Hannibal. Surviving are one sister and her husband, Clara and Ivor Bell of Taft, Calif.; one son and his wife, George and Susan Baker of Bolivar; two daughters and their husbands, Ruth and Robert Meyer of Ozark and Clara and David Stovall of Abilene, Texas. Also surviving are four grandchildren, including Beth Dixon of Bolivar; six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 14, at Grand View Funeral Home, Hannibal, with burial following. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at Butterfield Residential Care Facility. She had been a resident at Butterfield from July 1995 to November 1998, when she moved to Parkview Health Care Facility.
Claud William Barber was born April 7, 1905, at Goodson to Charles Lonas Barber and Pearl Annie Carroll Barber. He died Friday, May 14, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility at the age of 94 years, one month and seven days after a long illness. He was saved in 1925 during a revival at Lindley Creek Missionary Baptist Church. He later united with Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church at Polk, where he remained a faithful member as long as his health permitted. He was ordained as a deacon of the church at Mt. View in October 1928. God called him to preach the gospel on Sept. 21, 1938. He was ordained to the ministry on July 6, 1941. He served on the mission field and pastored many Missionary Baptist churches in Polk and surrounding counties through the years as long as health permitted. Even though his ministry took him to many churches, he was blessed to see all six of his children saved at his home church, Mt. View. Claus was united in marriage on July 23, 1927, to Alma Pearl Orringderff-Hattersley. There were 10 children born to Claud and Pearl, four of whom died in infancy. Preceding him in death were his wife, Pearl, on Oct. 3, 1980, and one son, Forrest, on June 30, 1994. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Bertha and Bonnie, and four brothers, Frank, Lonnie, John and Ralph; one son-in-law, Albert E. "Tom" Robertson; and two great-grandchildren. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Lou Robertson of Polk and Martha Ann Rader and her husband, Erven, of Bolivar; three sons, Benny Barber and his wife, Dixie, of Bolivar, David Barber and his wife, Marilyn, of Pineville, La., and Richard Barber and his wife, Christena, of Polk; one daughter-in-law, Betty Barber of Willard; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Virgil Barber and his wife, Norma, of Richfield, Utah, and Clifford Barber and his wife, Vera, of Kansas City; and one sister, Bethel-Diane Rodgers of Pilot Grove, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Services were Tuesday, May 18, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Doyle Mayfield and the Rev. Donald Lane officiating. Music was provided by the Mt. View, Lindley Creek and Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church choirs as well as other church choir members, accompanied by Dixie Barber. Burial followed in the Mt. View Cemetery, Polk. Pallbearers were the Rev. Brent Sharp, the Rev. DeWayne Burdette, the Rev. Joe Sprague, the Rev. Bobby Budd, the Rev. Gary Campbell, the Rev. Donnie Lightfoot, the Rev. Curtis Howard and the Rev. Jerry Crain. Honorary pallbearers were the Rev. Everett Smith, the Rev. Garland Pool, the Rev. Dennis Spear, the Rev. Leon Meadows, the Rev. John Brown, the Rev. Jackie Brakebill, the Rev. Marshall Henderson, the Rev. Junior Ingram, the Rev. Gayland Lightfoot, the Rev. Harlan Graham, the Rev. Jerry Grant, the Rev. Gene Skinner and the Rev. Chester Viles.
E. Gerald "Jerry" Copeland, 80, died at his home on Thursday, May 20, 1999, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Gravity, Iowa, and had served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II. He was a member of the Northgate Baptist Church in North Kansas City. He owned and operated the Copeland Tailor Shop in Kansas City for 35 years. Survivors include his wife, Winnie, of the home; a daughter, Carol Holamon of Bowie, Texas; a stepson, Paul Linville of Kansas City; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Raymond Davolt of Independence; a brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Bonnie Tindle of Fair Play; five grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-grandson. Graveside services were Sunday, May 23, in Shady Grove Cemetery, Fair Play, with Dr. Russell A. Adams officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Kala Sue Christian Dotson, 49, Walnut Grove, died at 6:55 p.m. Friday, May 28, 1999, in St. John's Regional Medical Center, Springfield, following an extended illness. She was born near Walnut Grove and was a lifelong resident of the Walnut Grove and Willard areas. She was a 1968 graduate of Willard High School, and she was a homemaker. She and her husband, Arthur Dotson, were married for more than 30 years. Survivors include her husband, Arthur, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Mary Ann Dotson of Ash Grove; one granddaughter, Mikala Dotson; her parents, Fred and Leta Mae Christian of Willard; four brothers, Roger Christian of Ozark, Ronald Christian of Walnut Grove, and Rodany Christian and Randy Christian, both of Willard; and two sisters, Verna Wilson of Willard and Barbara Blevins of Springfield. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Wilson Brim Daniel Chapel, Walnut Grove, with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Interment will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Springfield.
Basil M. Eastburn, 86, Kansas City, died Monday, May 3, 1999, at Woodbine Care Center, Gladstone. He was born March 29, 1913, in Polk County. He retired from TWA after 43 years and was a member of local Union 1650. He was treasurer for the Northland Cathedral Assembly of God Church for 25 years. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Opal Eastburn, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Leland and Christa M. Eastburn, Kansas City; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jerry McCarthy, New Port Richey, Fla.; a brother, Wayne Eastburn, Half Way; three sisters, Dorothy Fausett of Half Way, Ruth Gott of Springfield and Naomi Cockrell of Belton; four grandchildren, Daphne Eastburn of Springfield, April Obey of Huntington Beach, Calif., Jenny Eastburn of Gladstone and Meghann McCarthy of New Port Richey, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Services were Thursday, May 6, at Northland Cathedral Assembly of God with burial following in East Slope Cemetery, Riverside. Arrangements were under the direction of D.W. Newcomer's White Chapel, Gladstone. Memorial contributions may be made to Northland Cathedral Assembly of God.
Rose K. Edwards, 84, Jefferson City, formerly of Bolivar, died Sunday, May 16, 1999, at Jefferson City Manor. She was born June 11, 1914, in Jefferson City, a daughter of August and Mary Schaefer Kramer. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and St. Peter's High School. She was married to Steve H. Edwards Dec. 16, 1954, and he preceded her in death Feb. 21, 1979. She was employed with Emerson Electric, Small Arms Division, in St. Louis, owned and operated a cleaning shop in Kansas City and was a bookkeeper for the Nurses' Assistants at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, until her retirement in 1978. She moved from Bolivar to Jefferson City in 1986. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Western Catholic Union. Survivors include one brother, Cletus Kramer, and one sister, Margaret Schenewerk, both of Jefferson City, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. Donald W. Lammers officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery, Bolivar. Arrangements are under the direction of Houser-Millard Funeral Directors, Jefferson City. Memorial contributions may be made to the hospice of the donor's choice.
Ruby Moore Flint, 81, Pleasant Hill, formerly of the Cliquot area, died at 11:05 a.m. Sunday, May 23, 1999, in Jefferson Health Care, Lee's Summit, after a long illness. She was born Nov. 27, 1917, in Cliquot to John and Inez Summers Ashlock. She was baptized into the Baptist faith at an early age and had helped her husband farm. Survivors include a son, Harold Moore of Kansas City, and a daughter, Helen Lea of Pleasant Hill; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two grandchildren, and her two husbands, Floyd Moore and Hobert Flint. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 27, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time on Thursday.
Odessa Mae "Tommie" Graves Foster, 83, Bolivar, died Sunday, May 9, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. The 12th of 17 children, she was born Feb. 27, 1916, near Van to James Monroe and Florence Albert Graves. She was a lifelong resident of Polk County and had lived in Bolivar since 1939. A longtime member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, she was saved in 1933 at Concord Baptist Church near Morrisville in a revival held by Bro. Fletch Davis. In 1939, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Wilburn C. "Wib" Foster. To this union was born one daughter. Wib preceded her in death in 1990. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father, one infant grandson, eleven brothers, Leonard, John, Delbert, Almon, Loren, Willard, Hershel, Claude, Albert, Curtis and Myrl, and four sisters,Virgie Kates, Roberta Case, Lula Brooks and Kay Hussman. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Dan Cox of Republic; one grandson and his wife, Steven and Sharon Cox of Bountiful, Utah; one granddaughter, Victoria Cox of Nixa; one sister and brother-in-law, Maude "Jo" and Glen Williams of Springfield; one brother-in-law and his wife, Jay and Jean Foster of Aldrich; seven sisters-in-law, Katherine Foster Routt of Waterloo, Iowa, Edith Graves of Halfway, Mary Lou Graves of Bolivar, Ruth Graves of Fair Play, Lillie Graves and Lela Graves, both of Ventura, Calif., and Lucille Graves of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and 44 nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Dennis Spear officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Music will be provided by the church choir. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association.
Mary Ann "Mayme" Francka, 93, Bolivar, died Friday, May 21, 1999, in Mercy Villa, Springfield. The daughter of Joseph and Mary Ruzicka Stanek, she was born Sept. 22, 1905, in Polk County near Bolivar. She married Benjamin J. Francka in November 1922. He preceded her in death June 12, 1961. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph B. Stanek and Charles Stanek, and two sisters, Lillian Lane and Rose Francka. A homemaker, she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Survivors include four children and their spouses, Benjamin and Ruth Francka and Sophia and Edward Griesbaum, all of Springfield; Bernard and Barbara Francka, Bolivar; and Elizabeth and Robert Kressig, Springfield; four sisters, Sophia Westenberger of Springfield, Emma Tribble of Mexico, Dorothy Alberts of Chicago, Ill., and Angeline Stanek, Bolivar; two brothers, Emil Stanek, Bolivar, and Frank Stanek, Brooklyn, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral mass was Monday, May 24, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. David Hulshof officiating. Lector was Benjamin Francka III. Servers were Ben J. Francka IV and James C. Thoele. Music was by Carol Francka and Max Baer. Pall presenters were her granddaughters, Jane Hadfield, Mary Thoele, Martha Phillips, Cathy Hull, Amy Perkins, Deborah Kressig and Marcia Davis. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Ben Francka III, Chris Griesbaum, Ted Griesbaum, Bernard Francka Jr., Daniel Francka, Raymond Francka and Robert Kressig. Interment was in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery south of Bolivar under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to McKenna Hall in care of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1405 W. Fair Play St., Bolivar MO 65613 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Nellie May Barker Franklin, 86, Bolivar, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility after a lingering illness. She was born Oct. 9, 1912, at Goodson to Arthur Wesley and Ora Brooks Barker. As a teenager she moved with her family to California, where she met and married John Robert "Bob" Franklin. To this union were born three daughters, one of whom, Marcilene, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and one great-grandson. She moved to Bolivar in 1948 and lived here the rest of her life. She was saved at an early age and was a member of the First Assembly of God church. Survivors include two daughters, Elaine Thomas and her husband, Roy, and Darlene Seiner and her husband, Robert, all of Bolivar; one brother, Joseph "Guy" Barker, Aransas Pass, Texas; one sister, Nancy Stephens, Bolivar; seven grandchildren, Rick Seiner, Brent Seiner and Teresa Parson, all of Bolivar; Rocky Seiner, Houston, Mo.; Kevin Thomas, Raytown; Steven Thomas, Grain Vally; and Randy Thomas, Lee's Summit; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Odessa Mae "Tommie" Graves, 83, Bolivar, died Sunday, May 9, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. The 12th of 17 children, she was born Feb. 27, 1916, near Van to James Monroe and Florence Albert Graves. She was a lifelong resident of Polk County and had lived in Bolivar since 1939. A longtime member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, she was saved in 1933 at Concord Baptist Church near Morrisville in a revival held by Bro. Fletch Davis. In 1939, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Wilburn C. "Wib" Foster. To this union was born one daughter. Wib preceded her in death in 1990. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father, one infant grandson, eleven brothers, Leonard, John, Delbert, Almon, Loren, Willard, Hershel, Claude, Albert, Curtis and Myrl, and four sisters,Virgie Kates, Roberta Case, Lula Brooks and Kay Hussman. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Dan Cox of Republic; one grandson and his wife, Steven and Sharon Cox of Bountiful, Utah; one granddaughter, Victoria Cox of Nixa; one sister and brother-in-law, Maude "Jo" and Glen Williams of Springfield; one brother-in-law and his wife, Jay and Jean Foster of Aldrich; seven sisters-in-law, Katherine Foster Routt of Waterloo, Iowa, Edith Graves of Halfway, Mary Lou Graves of Bolivar, Ruth Graves of Fair Play, Lillie Graves and Lela Graves, both of Ventura, Calif., and Lucille Graves of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and 44 nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Dennis Spear officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Music will be provided by the church choir. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association.
Louise Garrett Hagerman, 75, Walnut Grove, died Wednesday, May 26, 1999, at Cox Medical Center North, Springfield, following a short illness. She was born in Springfield and was a longtime resident of the Willard and Walnut Grove areas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Valley View Baptist Church. She was married to Rollo Afton Hagerman on Nov. 22, 1942, and they shared 49 years together. He preceded her in death on March 30, 1994. Survivors include two brothers and a sister-in-law, Charley Garret of Ash Grove and Wayne and Margaret Garret of Walnut Grove; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Rosie Hayes of Brighton and Nadine and Marvin Johnson. Also surviving are nieces and nephews Debbie Parnell, Chuck Johnson, Charlotte Garrett and Karolisa Garret, as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews. Services were Saturday, May 29, in Calvary Assembly of God Church, Walnut Grove, with the Rev. J. Dan Woodall officiating. Interment was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldrich. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home, Walnut Grove.
Robert Ira Hall, 76, Dunnegan, died Sunday, May 9, 1999, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born Dec. 8, 1922, in Springfield to Ira H. and Mary Esther Callaway Hall. He is survived by his wife, Marcelette, of Dunnegan. Graveside services were Tuesday, May 11, at the Chadwick Cemetery, Chadwick, under the direction of Harris, a Heritage Funeral Home, Ozark.
May Margaret Harshman, 90, Hermitage, died at 12:41 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998, in Country Villa Nursing Home, Humansville. She was born Nov. 16, 1907, in Pittsfield, Ill., to Charles D. and Elizabeth Ryan Tucker. On Nov. 6, 1930, she was united in marriage to H. Wilson "Bill" Harshman. She was a retired postal clerk from Rockport, Ill. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Rae Bergthold, Hermitage; two grandchildren, David N. Bergthold, Ft. Madison, Iowa, and Lori D. Bergthold, Hermitage; three great-grandchildren, Marissa and Dylan Bergthold, Ft. Madison, Iowa, and Elexeus Bergthold, Hermitage; one step-great-grandchild, Matt Stepp, Ft. Madison, Iowa; one brother, Charles D. Tucker Jr., Pittsfield, Ill.; and four sisters, Virginia Hoos of Englewood, Colo., Alice Hayes of Marengo, Iowa, Gertrude Waag of Madera, Calif., and Beth Caughlan of Pittsfield, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Mack Tucker, Joe Tucker and Don Tucker; one stepbrother, Rex Tucker; one sister, Deanaa Hancock; and one stepsister, Nelle Vroman. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in West Cemetery, Pittsfield, Ill., with the Rev. John K. McIntosh officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Jessie Ray Higginbotham, 95, Bolivar, died Monday, May 31, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital following a lingering illness. He was born July 20, 1903, at Burns to Frank and Eve Higginbotham. He was united in marriage to Verble Hale on May 19, 1927, in Bolivar. He had been a farmer. Survivors include two sons, Charles Troy Higginbotham of Wathena, Kan., and Coy Higginbotham of Elwood, Kan.; five daughters, Marsia Dee Jones of Lebanon, Joyce Johnson of Stockton, Sylvia Fread of Criag, Colo., Peggy Rumble of Humansville and Judy Currie of St. Joseph; 27 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Raymond Hale of Redland, Calif.; four sisters-in-law, Pearl West and Dot Cox, both of Bolivar, Ann Steward, state of California, and Ugenia Hale of Polk; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Verble; an infant daughter, Freda; a son, Roy; two brothers, one sister, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 3, in Pitts Chapel. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home to All Childrens Hospital of St. Louis.
Jordan Luke Horn, son of Leslie and Pam Horn, Polk, was stillborn at Citizens Memorial Hospital on Thursday, May 13, 1999. In addition to his parents, survivors include two sisters, Jessica and Jennifer, and a brother, Jacob, all of the home; his maternal grandparents, Richard and Mary Lemke, Morrisville; his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Nadine Horn, Urbana; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services were Saturday, May 15, 1999, at Bolivar City Cemetery with the Rev. Bobby Holland officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Helen Howser, 90, Bolivar, died at 4:10 a.m. Monday, May 17, at the Presbyterian Manor in Rolla. Survivors include three sisters, Eliza May McClelland of Thayer, Mary Marie Heikkola of Bolise, Idaho, and Wilma Alice Kessinger of Neosho; three brothers, Claude H. Butler of St. Louis, Fenton J. Butler and Herschel A. Butler, both of Joplin; and a number of neices and nephews. Arrangements are incomplete but will be announced by the Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo.
Helen Butler Howser, 90, Bolivar, died Monday, May 17, 1999, in Rolla. She was born Jan. 13, 1909, on the Butler farm southwest of Buffalo, the daughter of Jess H. and Maud (Tucker) Butler. She attended Buffalo High School, graduating in 1928, and was employed by Buffalo Bank. She married Vernon O. Howser on Sept. 28, 1930. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Buffalo. She transferred to the bank of Lebanon and later moved to California in 1943, where she worked at Security First National Bank in Ventura. She retired and returned to Buffalo in 1971, where she and her husband bought five acres adjoining the Butler farm. They moved to Bolivar in 1990. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include three brothers and three sisters, Claud H. Butler of St. Louis, Fenton J. Butler of Joplin, Herschel A. Butler of Joplin, Wilma Alice Kessinger of Neosho, Eliza Maye McClelland of Thayer and Marie Heikkola of Boise, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews. Services were Friday, May 21, in the Buffalo First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Cox officiating. Recorded music selections included "Easter Gate" and "What A Friend." Escorts were Arlow Bennett, Don Butler, Gene Heikkola, Dr. Jay Kessinger, Dr. Jack Kessinger and Dr. Jess Kessinger. Interment was in Maple Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo.
Betty June Hutchison, 72, Springfield, died at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, May 23, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South following a brief illness. She was born July 6, 1926, near Burns to William Paul and Julia O'Conner Martin. She was united in marriage to Norman Hutchison on Oct. 27, 1946, in Bolivar. She had been a member of True Hope Missionary Baptist Church for the past 19 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Paul Edgar, and a granddaughter, Jodi. Survivors include her husband, Norman; a daughter and son-in-law, Connie an dMike Henderson of Marshall, Ill.; two granddaughters, Rebecca Henderson of Marshall, Ill., and Michelle Mull and her husband, Steven, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; and a great-grandson, Scott Mull, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Keith Friezel and Bro. DeWayne Burdette officiating. Music will be provided by Freda Payne and Betty Lee, accompanied by Dixie Barber. Pallbearers will be J.C. Lee, Gene Grant, Kenneth Holt, Harry Nicodemus, Hertha McMillin and Paul Lane.
Peggy June Jarman, 60, Raytown, died at 8:58 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 1999, in Research Medical Center, Kansas City, following a short illness. The daughter of Kenneth and Pauline Wells, she attended Forest Grove Elementary and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1956, where she was crowned Athletic Queen and her future husband, Allen Jarman,was King. During her high school years she was a twirler, a cheerleader and a member of Royal Rooters and the Glee Club. After graduating from high school she attended Draughn's Business College and then worked for the Southwest Missouri State College dean. She married Allen Ray Jarman on Feb. 2, 1963, at the First Baptist Church, Bolivar, with the Rev. Virgil Wells officiating. Their first date, a hayride, was on Peggy's 16th birthday. Her husband, children and grandchildren were the center of her life. Peggy was saved at the age of 12 at Slagle Creek Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained a member until her death. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Wells; her father, Kenneth "Grubby" Wells; and one sister, Joan Turpin. She is survived by her husband, Allen, of the home; two sons and their wives, Greg and Christina Jarman of Independence and Jason and Terri Jarman of Liberty; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Bruce of Independence, and three step-grandchildren, Heather, Maegan and Kristopher of Liberty; a sister, Gayla Painter of Bolivar; a brother and sister-in-law, Kenny and Claudia Wells of Topeka, Kan.; and a host of other relatives and friends. Services were Monday, May 30, in Slagle Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Gene Skinner officiating. Music by Slagle Missionary Baptist Church included "Precious Memories," "Meet You by the River" and "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" Burial was in Slagle Creek Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Casketbearers were her two sons, Greg and Jason Jarman, and four nephews, Kris Turpin, Roy Painter and Kevin and Kurtis Wells. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. (15c)
Paul Newton "Little Newt" Willis Jr., 18, Bolivar, formerly of Marshfield, died at 4:52 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 1999, in his home after a five-year illness from complications of lupus. He had almost completed his junior year at Bolivar High School and was a member of the Highway Assembly of God Church at Brighton. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Willis, and grandparents James Carrier, Wilma Gauss and Henry and Bea Willis. Survivors include his mother, Carita; a sister, Carrie Floyd, and her husband, Frank; and two nieces, Shyan and Sheslay Floyd, all of Bolivar; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Fraker Funeral Home, Marshfield, with the Rev. C.J. Greer officiating. Burial will be in the Marshfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newt Willis Memorial Fund, c/o Metropolitan National Bank, Marshfield.
Mary Belle Keller, 82, Flemington, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. The daughter of Lewis D. and Cora Gibson Grant, she was born at Deerfield June 3, 1916. A longtime resident of Flemington, she was a homemaker and member of the Flemington Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, Alva Grant, and a brother and sister who died in infancy. Surviving are her two sons and daughters-in-law, Arnold and Evelyn Keller of Joliet, Ill., and Mike and Sandy Keller of Mission, Kan.; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as many other relatives and friends. Services were Tuesday, May 4, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with Bro. Stan Stringer officiating. Pallbearers were her grandsons, James Keller, Mike Keller, Bob Keller, Kevin Keller, Chris Miller and William Miller. Interment was in Flemington Cemetery.
Nina Agnes Kenworthy, 85, Humansville, died Monday, May 31, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. She was born Feb. 24, 1914, in Dunnegan, the seventh child of Joe and Ola Bowles. The family moved to Humansville when she was a young girl. She married Kelly Kenworthy on Feb. 26, 1931. They had one son who died at birth. She and her husband left Humansville in the early 1930s but returned frequently. Upon retirement in 1975 after many years in California, they returned and settled once again in Humansville. Since her return she had been active in the First Baptist Church and the Half-Century Club. She and her husband celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1981. He preceded her in death in 1983. Survivors include three brothers, Montie Bowles and his wife, Betty, of Port Orchard, Wash., Dale Bowles and his wife, Ginger, of Huntington Beach, Calif., and James (Mann) Bowles of Fallbrook, Calif. She is also survived by her adopted family, Sue and Bruce Herriott, granddaughters Tracy Bozanich and her husband, Tim, and Christy Raway and her husband, Steve, and great-grandchildren Zachary and Tori Bozanich and Jacob Raway, all of Hemet, Calif. Many nieces, nephews and friends also survive. Services were Friday, June 4, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Pallbearers were Earl Ball, Bysor Shelenhamer, Bob Brown, Ronnie Burrow, Bob Payne and Roy Austin. Interment was in Humansville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles in care of Murray Funeral Home, P.O. Box 93, Humansville MO 65674.
Lois Arlett Larcom, 57, Garden City, died Wednesday, May 26, 1999, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City. The daughter of Harold Raymond and Gladys Mae Mitchell Brown, she was born Feb. 8, 1942, in Fair Play. On Aug. 13, 1960, she was united in marriage to James LeRoy Larcom in Humansville. She was a 1960 graduate of Stockton High School and had lived in Stockton and Grandview before moving to Garden City in 1971. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church, Garden City, where she was baptized in September 1972. She had attended the Grace Tabernacle Church in Harrisonville for the past 14 years, where she served as Sunday school teacher, superintendent, secretary, mid-week Bible teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher for third and fourth grades. She had been a Cub Scout den mother and was active in working against abortion. She was preceded in death by her sister, JoAnn Boone. Survivors include her husband, James L. Larcom, and a daughter, Connie S. Larcom, both of the home; two sons, Ed D. Larcom and his wife, Robin, of Harrisonville and David L. Larcom and his wife, Jamie, of Garden City; six grandchildren, Amber, Stephanie, Kaitlyn, Melissa, Heather and Alison; her parents, Raymond and Gladys Mae Brown, Fair Play; a brother, Raymond L. Brown and his wife, Kay, Raytown; two sisters, Linda Taylor and her husband, Jerry, Stockton, and Carol Poppe, Nixa; four nieces, seven nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Preston Newton Mackey, 91, Chatsworth, Calif., died at 7:20 p.m. May 19, 1999, at his residence after a lingering illness. He was a former longtime resident of the Bolivar and Polk County area. He was born Sept. 1, 1907, in Polk County, the son of Hardie Sylvester and Lucy Scroggins Mackey. He was the youngest of five children and the last one of his immediate family. He had retired from the Lockheed Corporation as a drop hammer operator. Surviving are his wife, Stella, of the home; his stepdaughter and her husband, Geri and Don Grabb; his stepson, Lawrence Whiteborn; two step-grandchildren, Don. W. Grabb and Donilee Salazar; and one step-great-granddaughter, Jennifer Salazar. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and many friends. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial will follow in the Morrisville Cemetery. A00008B1999SP15
Preston Mackey, 92, Chatsworth, Calif., formerly of Bolivar, died Wednesday, May 19, 1999, in his home. Survivors include his wife, Stella; two children, Jeri Grabb and Larry Whitehouse; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Boyd Mackey, and a sister, Cora Perryman; and his first wife, Iola. The body was cremated. Memorial services will be at a later date.
Wayne Matthews, 48, High Ridge, died Monday, May 3, 1999, in St. Joseph Hospital, Kirkwood, following a sudden illness. He was born April 23, 1951, in Bolivar to Henry F. and Gladys L. Mathis Matthews. He was of the Assembly of God faith. He was employed by Chrysler Corporation, building Dodge trucks. Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Wayne and Christy Matthews of Fort Leonard Wood; two stepsons and daughters-in-law, Stacey Allen and Jennifer Sikes of Climax Springs and Jason Eugene and Robyn Sikes of Bolivar; three daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie Marie Cotter-Falcon and her husband, Randy, of Springfield, Malinda Sue and Dr. Brian Hackelman of Pleasant Hill and Jessica Matthews of Pleasant Hope; three brothers, Ray Hooper, state of Texas, Kenny Hooper of St. Louis and Jerry Matthews, state of Florida; three sisters, Ardena Stokes and Mary Coursey, both of Springfield, and Dixie Moucheron of Pittsburg; three grandchildren, Chante Falcon of Springfield, Brianna Sikes of Bolivar and Casey Sikes of Forest, Ark.; parents-in-law Lige and Joyce Williams of Bolivar and Jim and Betty Hall of Morrisville; brothers- and sisters-in-law Hollis and Denise Hall and Danny and Trish Hall, all of Bolivar; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Lyle Shullis officiating. Burial will follow in Rondo Cemetery. Visitation hours will be announced by Pitts Chapel.
Olen W. Mundy, 78, Brighton, died Monday morning, May 10, 1999, after a short illness. He was born in Burford, Ga., on March 30, 1921, the son of William A. and Jodelia Magness Mundy. He was reared and attended school in the Burford, Ga., area. On March 22, 1944, he was united in marriage to Ella Marie Cross, who preceded him in death in 1995. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 101st Airborne Division during WWII as a paratrooper and medical corpsman. Following his discharge in 1945, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a medical technician and hospital administrator, both in Europe and the U.S., until his retirement in 1961 as a chief master sergeant. Upon retirement from military service, he began farming at Brighton. He was employed with Coffey and Rhodes Plumbing at Morrisville and the Bolivar Lumber Company. In later years he was a carpenter and did custom mowing and hay baling in Polk County. He was a member of the Grand Lodge No. 467, A.F. & A.M., in Pleasant Hope, Joplin Valley Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and American Legion Post No. 138. Survivors include a son, James W. Mundy, Pleasant Hope; two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara and Sam Stephens of Bolivar and Dorothy Pace of Jefferson City; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Christine Ridgeway, Lorene and Lennie Roebuck, Willie and Herbert Hosch and Audrey Dalton, all of the state of Georgia; five grandchildren and their spouses, Kathryn and Capt. Mark Brady of Fort Riley, Kan., Sam and Barbara Stephens of Brighton, Angelique and Brian Foster of Seminole, Fla., William A. Mundy of Pleasant Hope and Bobby Stephens of Springfield; and three great-grandchildren, Derrik and Gabrielle Stephens and Shelby Mundy. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 13, in Brighton Cemetery. Military honor guard will be the 509th Bomb Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home.
Jason Lei Murphey II and Robert Dale Murphey died Saturday, May 22, 1999, in their home as a result of an accidental fire. Jason was 3 years, 8 months and 10 days old and Robert was 1 year, 2 months and 14 days old. Jason was born Sept. 12, 1995, and Robert was born March 8, 1998. They were the sons of Jason and Billie Murphey. They are survived by their parents, Jason and Billie Murphey of Bolivar; grandparents Ronnie and Karen Murphey of Bolivar and Bob Altic and Tammy Burks of Brighton; a great-grandmother, Hazel Walker of Urbana, and a great-grandfather, Robert Altic of Brighton. A host of other relatives and friends also mourn their passing. Graveside services were Tuesday, May 25, in Slagle Cemetery with Pastor Terry Caldwell officiating. Casketbearers were Michael Murphey, Patrick Murphey, Andy Altic and James Dilday. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
Anna Marie Pierce, 90, Brighton, formerly of Bolivar, died Wednesday, May 12, 1999, at her daughter's home following a long illness. She was born Oct. 12, 1908, in Thayer to Edward and Anna Marie Varone Bauer. She was united in marriage to James O. (J.O.) Pierce, who preceded her in death. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, John Robert Pierce of Houston, Texas, and Joseph Glen Pierce of Strousberg, Ill.; four daughters, Betty DeArman of Brighton, Jacqueline Watson of Overland Park, Kan., Adele Tallman of Kansas City, Kan., and Patsy Beatty of Springfield; a brother, Alex Bauer, and a sister, Emma Woolridge, both of Tulsa, Okla.; 26 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Virginia; a granddaughter, Linda; two brothers and one sister. Graveside services were Saturday, May 15, in Thayer City Cemetery, Thayer, with the Rev. Paul Coltharp officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
William E. Rader, 80, Hemet, Calif., formerly of Bolivar, died Tuesday, May 5, in Hemet, Calif. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Pitts Chapel.
Helen M. Reed, 87, Bolivar, died at 1:23 p.m. Sunday, May 30, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South following a sudden illness. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 14, 1912. She married Darrel Reed in 1934 and they lived in Des Moines until 1974, at which time they moved to Bolivar. Darrel passed away in 1977. She had lived alone in their Bolivar home, enjoying good health and being active and alert until her sudden death. Helen graduated from East High in Des Moines and worked for many years in accounting and secretarial jobs. Her last position was with the Des Moines school district, from which she retired in 1974. She loved to travel and took many trips over the years in the West, especially through the Rocky Mountains. She was also active in her church and was a regular bowler in the Seniors League up until her death. Most of all, Helen loved spending time with her family. Her two sons, their wives and her four grandchildren were the delight of her life. She enjoyed a special relationship with Oral and Francis Yancy of Stockton and Jim and Glenda Yancy of Wichita, Kan. Helen will be greatly missed. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Darrel Jr. and wife Patty of Ketchum, Idaho, and Jim and wife Terri of Des Moines, Iowa; and four grandchildren, David, Heather, Greg and Jennifer. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 3, at the Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Rod Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Mountain Grove. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. Visitation will be open all day today (Wednesday) in the funeral home with formal visitation this evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Nazarene or the American Heart Association.
Anita Marcine Davison Reed, 77, Bolivar, died at 9:25 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital's Parkview Health Care Facility, of complications from pneumonia. Marcine was born March 1, 1922, in Half Way, the daughter of Melvin McGurman and Eunice May Standley Davison. Her parents and elder sister, Karleen Richner of Bolivar, preceded her in death. As a child she attended Half Way Baptist Church and Mt. Olive, living in Polk County until her marriage in Bolivar on Aug. 21, 1940, to David Wooderson Reed. David was a member of the Christian Church and the youngest son of Arthur Clyde and Dixie Wooderson Reed of Bolivar and San Antonio, Texas. Marcine and David have three children: Bettyann, Susan and David Alan ("D.A.") Reed. Marcine was intensely interested in every person whose life touched hers. She had an enormous zest for and an insatiable curiosity about life. She loved the outdoors and vividly remembered climbing trees as a girl, looking at the horizon and longing to know what was "out there." She was able to fulfill these dreams by traveling to all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries with David during their nearly-59-year marriage. Marcine was elected president of her senior class at Bolivar High School, was the founding editor of BHS's first newspaper, Tiger Tracks, and was a soloist in the BHS Glee Club and Chorus. When David earned his doctoral degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1948, he accepted a position with the English department of the University of California, Berkeley. During the family's cross-country move, they were visiting in Bolivar at the time of the first Simón Bolívar celebration on July 5, 1948, an especially meaningful festival for Marcine, since they had previously lived in Latin America for nearly two years. Marcine and David chose St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Albany, Calif., as the family's place of worship. Marcine was contralto soloist in the Senior Choir, directed the Junior Choir and sang on the church's monthly radio program. In 1951, after three years of formal training, she gave a public concert. She was invited to audition for the San Francisco Opera chorus, but felt she must decline this honor because of family responsibilities. As a homemaker she was an unusually inventive and adventurous cook and a highly accomplished seamstress and tailor. Her family honors Marcine's special personal symbols, the red rose and the cardinal, or redbird. Marcine developed exceptional volunteer skills, organizing several successful fund-raising events for her church. For many years she was the volunteer librarian at her children's elementary school. Later, she accepted the paid position of assistant manager of the children's department at Sather Gate Book Shop in Berkeley, Calif., where she worked for five happy and enriching years. In 1970, Marcine and David moved to Evanston, Ill., where David had accepted the chairmanship of Northwestern University's Linguistics Department. There they joined St. Mark's Episcopal Church; Marcine joined the University Women and the Episcopal Church Women groups. Marcine became a trained volunteer for Evanston Hospital's "Care Corps" and for years was on 24-hour call to calm, soothe and listen to frightened, often terminally ill, patients. She voluntarily extended her role to that of patient advocate, a pioneering concept then, and provided loving intercession between patients and the medical community, helping to create a more humane quality in her patients' care plans. She joined the Evanston Mental Health Association and the Nursing Home Association to help follow her Care Corps patients' progress after they left the hospital. Soon Marcine became Director of the Care Corps and trained other volunteers. She delivered a paper entitled "Maintaining the Patient's Human Dignity" at the Human Rights Workshop of the Illinois Nurses' Association's annual meeting in May 1975. In 1976 she was named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Evanston Mental Health Association, and she received a service commendation from the Nursing Home Association. On her retirement from Care Corps in 1986, Evanston Hospital honored Marcine with a going-away tea, the first time the hospital had ever extended such an honor to a volunteer. Marcine was an avid reader, and she attended classes at the University of Missouri (Columbia), University of California (Berkeley) and DePaul University's School for New Learning (Chicago). She wrote several papers on the topic of volunteerism, one notably titled, "Them As Gives, Gets!" (December 1977). In Bolivar, she became the second president of the Polk County Library chapter of Friends of the Library and coordinated bringing a Chautauqua to the Bolivar community in 1991, under the sponsorship of the Missouri Humanities Council. In 1997, Marcine organized the return visit to Bolivar of two outstanding authors (also through the MHC), to lecture on The Role of Women in the Westward Movement. Marcine and David helped found St. Alban's in the Ozarks Episcopal Church in Bolivar. In the February 1998 church newsletter, Marcine said, "My...affiliaffon with St. Alban's in the Ozarks has been one of immense wonder and gratification, watching it grow...and it has been an honor to serve it in any way I can. Such a diversity of people-there is great strength in that! I give thanks daily for our good fortune, and I will continue to try to be worthy of God's many blessings in the very full and happy life I've had....I have said, since childhood, 'I want to live to be 100 and turn to whetrock!' Now, God hasn't told me yet whether or not He agrees with my game plan, but since He's in charge, He'll make the call. And I accept that. Meanwhile, I will continue to give thanks for every day that is mine, and to live as joyously as I know how. And by the way, I'm still a kid at heart, too: I climbed a tree last June 10th! I like to think God smiled when, at age 75, I proved I could still do that!" Marcine is survived by her husband, David W. Reed of Bolivar, and by their children, Bettyann Reed of Bolivar, Susan Reed of Portland, Maine, and D.A. Reed of Oakland, Calif. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Rachel Reed Dushoff Hess of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Anita Marcine Reed of Bolivar; David Charles Bird of Euless, Texas; Jennifer Diane Reed of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Michael Wise Reed and Alexander David Reed of Oakland, Calif.; two great-granddaughters, Sarah Marcine Reed and Mariah Nicole Reed of Bolivar; one sister, Mary Vevelle D. Lodge of Muskogee, Okla.; one brother, Jack Davison of New York, N.Y.; one brother-in-law, Ralph Richner of Bolivar; and numerous other relatives and friends. Marcine Reed never met a stranger. A Celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Burial of the Dead was conducted by Father John West of St. Alban's in the Ozarks on Monday, May 24, at Butler Funeral Home. Sage, Jennie, Anita and D.A. Reed did lay readings of scriptural passages; Bettyann, Susan and D.A. Reed read poetry selections. Music was provided by Jack Davison's early recording of The Lord's Prayer; and by Kathy Brown, St. Alban's organist, including the final hymn, "The Strife is O'er." Marcine's white burial robe with appliqued red roses was handmade by Bettyann Reed. Pallbearers were D.A. Reed, David Bird, Rod Hooper, Robert Richner, John McGaughey and Raymond Robertson. Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Richner, Charles Neuhart, Howard Bassett and Dennis Watkins. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery, where Brahms' Lullabye was played to close the brief graveside ceremony. Donations to the Polk County Library Building Campaign, earmarked for the Marcine D. Reed Memorial Children's Book Fund, would be gratefully appreciated as an ongoing honor to Marcine's lifelong devotion to children, books and reading.
George Raymond Samek, 43, Bolivar, died Monday, May 10, 1999, in his home. He was born Aug. 30, 1955, to Frank C. and Vera Pauline Jones Samek. He graduated from Bolivar High School with the class of 1973. He was a farmer and of the Catholic faith. Survivors include a daughter, Jayme Samek of Bolivar; a son, Eric Samek of San Diego, Calif.; a granddaughter, Taylor Samek of Bolivar; four brothers, Charles Samek of New York, N.Y., Frank J. Samek and his wife, Sandra, of Bolivar, James E. Samek and his wife, Patsy, of Springfield, and Michael Samek and his wife, Tamara, of Bolivar; five sisters, Frances Mowles and her husband, Dan, of Springfield, Martha Wolf and her husband, Danny, of Bolivar, Mary Wakefield and her husband, Bruce, of Aldrich, Barbara Miller and her husband, Jim, of Springfield, and Jeanne Furgerson and her husband, Dave, of Springfield; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Samek, and a sister, Joan Hall. Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, May 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father David Hulshof presiding. Burial was in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Cantors were members of the parish. Lector was Jeff Wolf. Altar server was Jim Otradovec. Organist was Helen Stander. Pallbearers were Eric Samek, Johnny Hall, Andy Hall, Chris Zanatta, Charles Samek and Jim Miller. Honorary pallbearers were Danny Wolf, Mark Jones, Roger Brown, Jeff Meador, Matthew Wakefield and Dennis Hancock. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Ruth M. Taylor, 77, Aldrich, died at 2:49 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 1999, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. She was born July 23, 1921, near Aldrich to Elmer and Carrie Boyd Rowan. She was married to Keith N. Taylor on April 19, 1940, in Greenfield. She was a member of the Aldrich Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Thea and Leslie. Survivors include her husband, Keith, of Aldrich; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and R.J. Serls of Bolivar; a son, Gene Taylor of Aldrich; a daughter, Cindy Taylor of Clarksville, Tenn.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Beth and Tim Francka of Bolivar, Brian and Sonya Taylor of Aldrich, Amy and Brian Thompson of Bolivar and Natalie and Paul Gilmore of Aldrich; six great-grandchildren, Samantha and Tabitha Francka of Bolivar and Tiffany, Keith Elliott, Michael and Bryant Taylor of Aldrich. Services were Saturday, May 8, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Music was provided by Doris Neely, who sang "Roses Will Bloom Again." Additional music included recorded versions of some of Ruth's favorite songs, including "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Casketbearers were Brian Thompson, Paul Gilmore, Brian Taylor, Tim Francka, Randy Hall and David Phillips.
Joe Willis Tinsley, 78, Humansville, died Tuesday morning, May 11, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 22, 1920, in Wheatland to Asa Roy and Edna Francis Pitts Tinsley. At the age of 10, he moved with his family to southeast of Flemington, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Rondo Baptist Church. During World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served through combat duty in the Philippines, New Guinea and the East Indies, receiving three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. In 1948 he purchased the farm adjoining his parents, and on March 17, 1951, he was married to Irene Anderson. To this union were born three daughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Russell Duncan and Roy Bishop; a sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Tinsley; and a nephew, Donald Joe Duncan. Survivors include his wife, Irene, of the home; three daughters and their husbands, Ella Jean and John Nelson of Dunnegan, Vonna and Don Bauer of Bolivar and Kathy and Joe DuBose of Fort Knox, Ky.; one brother, Eugene Tinsley, and two sisters, Lucille Bishop and Mary Duncan, all of Humansville. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Kevin Nelson, Courtney and Corey Bauer, Alicia, LeAnn and Nathan DuBose; five step-grandchildren, Johnny, Rhonda, Melissa and Daniel Nelson and Stephanie Bauer; 14 step-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Services were Friday, May 14, in the Murray Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Johnson and the Rev. Joe Coppedge officiating. Music was provided by Bob and Sandy Lovett. Pallbearers were John Nelson, Don Bauer, Joe DuBose, Joe Steffens, Jim Chaney, Bob Chaney and Randy Garretson. Interment was in the Humansville Cemetery.
Robert Andrew Vassar, 81, Flemington, died Monday, May 10, 1999, in Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City. The son of Grover S. and Pearl Violet Christner Vassar, he was born April 28, 1918, at Arcadia, Kan. He married Dorothy E. Jessee April 18, 1952. She preceded him in death March 31, 1990. In 1980, he moved to the Lake Pomme de Terre area near Flemington. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for the Jackson County Highway Department. Survivors include two children, Richard Vassar, Flemington, and Rhonda Scranton, Independence; three stepchildren, Evelyn Tittle, Independence, Kenneth Irvine, Raytown, and Norman Irvine, Lone Jack; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Kroger Cemetery near Lone Jack. Arrangements are under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville.
Paul Newton "Little Newt" Willis, 18, Bolivar, formerly of Marshfield, died at 4:52 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 1999, in his home after a five-year illness from complications of lupus. He had almost completed his junior year at Bolivar High School and was a member of the Highway Assembly of God Church at Brighton. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Willis, and grandparents James Carrier, Wilma Gauss and Henry and Bea Willis. Survivors include his mother, Carita; a sister, Carrie Floyd, and her husband, Frank; and two nieces, Shyan and Sheslay Floyd, all of Bolivar; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Fraker Funeral Home, Marshfield, with the Rev. C.J. Greer officiating. Burial will be in the Marshfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newt Willis Memorial Fund, c/o Metropolitan National Bank, Marshfield.