OCTOBER, 1998 OBITUARIES
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Doris Irene Baker, 82, Dunnegan, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998, at her home. The daughter of John William and Rhoda May Watts Gannaway, she was born May 20, 1916, in Cedar County. She was married to Athel Baker in August 1931. Three children, Helen, Bill and Buzz, were born to this marriage. She was a homemaker and housewife, and she worked alongside her husband in the fields. She was preceded in death by her husband, Athel; her parents; four brothers, Lonnie, Floyd, John and Oris Gannaway; and four sisters, Rose Stoll, Delphia Sheeks, Ethel Hammons and Dolly Whitner. Surviving are her three children, Helen Banker of Harrisonville, Bill Baker of Lincoln and Buzz Baker of Dunnegan; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were Saturday, Oct. 10, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Don Covington officiating. Interment was in Alder Cemetery, west of Humansville.
Bernice Lucille Baumgardner, 83, Dunnegan, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 1998, in Parkview Health Care Facility. The daughter of Elijah Floyd and Lula Belle Rumans Summers, she was born Sept. 18, 1915, near Dunnegan. On Dec. 27, 1937, she was married to Earl Baumgardner, who preceded her in death Nov. 24, 1986. She was also preceded in death by two children, Sharon Sue Baumgardner and Royer Dale Baumgardner, and a sister, Dorles Carter. A lifelong resident of Polk and Cedar counties, she was a member of Ross Memorial Presbyterian Church in Stockton. She taught for many years in the rural schools of this area and in the Stockton School. She is survived by two granddaughters, Teresa Winchell, Lamar, and Sharon Dickey, Maize, Kan.; one brother, Carl Summers, Bolivar; and five great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday, Oct. 17, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Robert E. McGinnis officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Butcher, Kevin Butcher, Adam West, Jerry West, Mike Summers and Harl Johnson. Interment was in Humansville Cemetery.
Ruel Eugene Bruce, 92, formerly of Bolivar, died at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 1998, in the Colonial Springs Health Care Facility, Buffalo. He was born Feb. 14, 1906, in Dade County. On Aug. 18, 1928, he was united in marriage to Irene Degraffenreid, and to this union three sons and two daughters were born. He was a longtime farmer and carpenter in the Bolivar area. He was saved at an early age and united with Campbell Grove Missionary Baptist Church. In later years he was a member of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers. Survivors include his wife, Irene, of Colonial Springs Health Care Facility, Buffalo; three sons, Charles Eugene and his wife, Minnie, Des Moines, Iowa; Kenneth, Brighton; and George and his wife, Marie, Urbana; two daughters, Mary Bruce, Bolivar, and Evelyn Camp, Fullerton, Calif.; a brother, J.C. Bruce, Fair Play; eleven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. Services were Monday, Nov. 2, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Austin McGinnis officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Robert Kifer, Jim Kirby, John Polk Campbell, Don Roberts, Cliff Bruce and Carrie Bruce.
Sarah Elizabeth Brumfield, 55, Flemington, died at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 1998, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. The daughter of John and Dorothy Dew Keller, she was born May 30, 1943, at Urich. She was a homemaker and a Flemington resident since 1990. On June 11, 1994, she was married to Dean Brumfield. She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Virginia Keller, Charlene Keller and Annie Morrison. Survivors include her husband, Dean, of the home; two children, Rob Gillispie, Osage City, Kan., and Terry Allen, Independence; three stepchildren, Mike Brumfield of Elkland, Cheryle Straw and Donna Straw, both of Sarcoxie; four brothers, Bill Keller of Browning, Charles Keller of Holden, Jim Keller of Chilhowee and Don Keller of Clinton; four grandchildren and seven stepgrandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Pallbearers will be Jim Yates, Mark Straw, Mike Brumfield, Bill Spears, Ray Brumfield and Zack Straw. Interment will be in Rondo Cemetery, east of Humansville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Irene M. Ditton, 81, Humansville, formerly of Bolivar, died at 3:39 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 1998, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a long illness. She was born Jan. 6, 1917, in Greeley, Colo., to Leslie and Betty McGrahahan Waller. She was united in marriage to Marion W. Ditton on April 28, 1935. She had been a nurse and had attended Mt. Gilead Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Leroy and Jane Ditton, Oak Harbor, Wash., and Charles and Artie Ditton, Kansas City; and a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Paul Price, Tunas. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Mt. Gilead Cemetery with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Lloyd Kenneth Ervin, 90, formerly of Lincoln, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, at the Parkview Health Care Center. He was born near Red Willow, Neb., on May 11, 1908, the son of Elmer E. and Clara Bell Ervin. He grew up on a farm in Red Willow County, Neb., and attended the University of Nebraska. In 1941 he was united in marriage to Mary A Piper. On June 18, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, and he served overseas in the Pacific during World War II. Following his discharge he returned to the Nebraska farm where he raised corn and wheat. In 1953 he moved his family to Lincoln, where he owned and operated a dairy farm until 1965. He then attended Sedalia Business College and sold federal crop insurance to farmers. He has been a nursing home resident since 1987. His wife, Mary, died in January 1989. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest Ervin of McCook, Neb., and Carl Ervin of Omaha, Neb., and one grandson. He is survived by two sons, John E. Ervin, Indonesia, and Tom Ervin, Dunnegan; one daughter, Alice Marie Schawo, Columbia; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one brother, John Willis Ervin, Evergreen, Colo.; two sisters, Verda Ervin and Lois Boson, Rocklin, Calif.; several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Services were Saturday, Oct. 17, at the First Baptist Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Wayne Isgriggs and the Rev. David Schawo officiating. Burial was in the Lincoln Cemetery.
Milford L. Fisher, 40, Bolivar, died at 1:48 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 1998, in St. John's Regional Health Care Center, Springfield, following a short illness. He was born Oct. 23, 1958, in Sedalia to Milford and Wanda McNeal Fisher. On July 18, 1998, he was united in marriage to Lori Blair. He was employed as a printing pressman, and he was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Lori, two sons, Richard Fisher and Caleb Fisher, and one daughter, Rachael Fisher, all of the home; two brothers, Daniel Fisher, Sedalia, and Tim Aldrich, Lawrence, Kan.; five sisters, Tammie Peters of Lawrence, Kan., Vickie Bradshaw of Jefferson City, Kathy Roobel and Latrisha Jennings, both of the state of Alaska, and Connie Fisher, Sedalia. Services with Masonic rites were Sunday, Nov. 1, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. James Lawley officiating. Graveside services and burial were Monday, Nov. 2, in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Syracuse. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Joe David Goldsberry, 20, Bolivar, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998, in his home. The son of David and Janice Goldsberry, he was born Nov. 30, 1977, in Cox Medical Center North, Springfield. He was a graduate of Marion C. Early High School, Morrisville, class of 1996. Survivors include two sisters and brothers-in-law, Tina and Doug Morgan, Bolivar, and Cheryl and Larry McCarthy, Buffalo; one brother, Mike Goldsberry, Bolivar; a grandmother, Juanita Butler, Bolivar; two nieces and four nephews. Services were Sunday, Oct. 25, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ronald D. Day officiating. Burial was in New Bethel Cemetery, Half Way. Casketbearers were Chris and Rick Love, Peter Edwards, Patrick Sikes, Steve Simmons, Kraig Jones, Warren Burr and Travis Ash.
John Russie Greer, 91, Bolivar, died at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998, in Parkview Health Care Facility. Russie was born July 13, 1907, in Greene County, the son of John R. Greer and Ora A. Moore Greer. He was a longtime resident of the Goodson community, where he was a farmer. He also owned and operated school busses for the Half Way school district and owned and operated a Surge dealership in Bolivar with his son John. On June 27, 1926, Russie married Ressie Corlus Jones. To this union six children wer born. The marriage lasted 58 years before Ressie preceded him in death in December 1983. Russie was remarried in 1985 to Mary Bybee, who also preceded him in death. Russie was a very spiritual man. He loved his God and lived his life as close to the teaching of the scriptures as any human could have. He was a longtime member and deacon of his church, Lindley Creek Missionary Baptist Church northeast of Goodson. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Hershal, and a grandson, Frank Foster Vincent. He is survived by his children, Betty Parker and her husband, Alden, Golden City; Joyce Crowl and her husband, Dean, Buffalo; JoAn Vincent and her husband, Bill, Goodson; Linda Bacon and her husband, Jim, Bolivar; John Greer and his wife, Shirley, and Jim Greer and his wife, Judy, all of Goodson. He is also survived by one brother, Arthur "Buck" Greer of Goodson, and 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were Saturday, Oct. 31, in Butler Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Bybee officiating. Burial was in Lindley Creek Cemetery northeast of Goodson. Casketbearers were John Robert Greer, Jay Greer, Jimmy Greer, Dean Crowl, Gus Acreback and Sia Hemmat.
Leda Belle Grisham, 95, Pittsburg, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998. She was born April 4, 1903, the daughter of John Christopher and Etta Jane Snow Richards. She had one brother, Christopher, who was nine years younger. At the age of 14, she joined the Pomme de Terre Southern Baptist Church. She was united in marriage with Garrett Lee Grisham on Sept. 14, 1933. To this union was born one son, James Lee Grisham. She was the oldest living member of the Pittsburg Southern Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Garrett Lee Grisham; and her brother, Clifford Richards. Survivors include her son, James Lee Grisham, and his wife, Ramadean; one granddaughter, Shirley Evans, and her husband, Melvin; one grandson, James Michael Grisham, and his wife, Shawna; five great-grandchildren, Airanna Lee Kinslow, Billy Joe Evans, Patricia Sue Evans, Dalton Michael Girsham and Samantha Dale Grisham; and one great-great-grandson, Austin Lee Kinslow. Services were Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Cantlon Funeral Chapel, Urbana, with the Rev. Doug Earls officiating. Teresa Mabary accompanied herself and sang "I'll Fly Away" and "Amazing Grace." Escorts were Ivan Breshears, Gene Truner, Dale Pitts, Ron Wallace, Joe Huber and Jessie Eidson. Interment was in the Pomme de Terre Missionary Cemetery.
Pearl Mae Hendrickson, 80, Bolivar, died at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998, in Maranatha Manor, Springfield, following a long illness. She was born March 31, 1918, in Sedalia to W.M. and Clara A. Allen Hines. On Dec. 12, 1936, she was united in marriage to Forrest Hendrickson, who preceded her in death in March 1989. She had worked in a clothing store as a clerk and had been a member of Mt. Gilead Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Tim Scroggins, Springfield; a brother, Bill Hines, Mountain Home, Ark.; two grandchildren and their spouses, Dan and Alice Scroggins and Cindy and Kelly McCormack; three great-grandchildren, Jessica and Katie McCormack and Nick Scroggins. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Elmer Hines, Dale "Curly" Hines and Richard Hines; and a sister, Eveleen Hines. Services were Saturday, Oct. 24, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial followed in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Music was provided by Allen Hines and Charlie Long. Pallbearers were Lucky Jenkins, Calvin Sisco, Keith Hines, Allen Hines, Charlie Long and Don Hendrickson.
Robert Eugene Hoskins, 48, Humansville, died Monday, Oct. 12, 1998, in Cox Medican Center South. He was born Feb. 1, 1950, at Springfield. He served in the U.S. Army for five years, and he was employed for many years at the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant near Kansas City. He moved to Humansville in 1985 from Independence and was a member of the Fair Play Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, B.J., of the home; his parents, Robert and Aileen Hoskins, Humansville; three children, Katrina L. Koskins of Independence and Robert E. Hoskins II and Eric L. Hoskins, both of Fort Campbell, Ky.; a sister, Patricia Lee, Kansas City; a brother, Mark Hoskins, Humansville; and two granddaughters. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Obie Harrup and the Reb. Joe Campbell officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Cameron Melton and Les Melton. Pallbearers will be Aubry Maples, Bobby Hoskins, Eric Hoskins, Dennis Schrock, Chucky Mingus and Donald Allen Keithley. Military rites will be conducted at graveside by Amvets Post No. 114. Interment will be in Humansville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. this evening (Wednesday) in the funeral home.
Henry Merle McKinney Jr., 73, Humansville, died Friday, Oct. 16, 1998, at his home west of Humansville. The son of Henry M. and Anna Rhodd McKinney, he was born in Mayetta, Kan., on July 6, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. He was a retired employee of the Lake City Munitions Plant near Kansas City. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lowell and Sandy McKinney; and a sister, Bam McKinney. Survivors include his wife, Mary Anne, of the home; two stepsons, Randy Hartley, Humansville, and Donald Hartley, U.S. Army, stationed along the DMZ in South Korea; four brothers, Lucian McKinney, Mayetta, Kan.; Dwight McKinney, Horton, Kan.; Oran McKinney, state of Arkansas; and Donald McKinney, Leavenworth, Kan.; four sisters, Adelia Gutierrez, Jeanette Fowsher and Itis Milton, all of Horton, Kan., and Gwen Burns, Kansas City, Kan.; and five grandchildren. Services were Monday, Oct. 19, in the McKinney family home with the Rev. Gregory E.J. Zatina officiating. Military rites were conducted at graveside by Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard. Interment was in Tinker Cemetery, west of Humansville, under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Leo Jacob Liecht, 77, Fair Play, died at 7:42 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 1998, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born May 26, 1921, in Dickinson, N.D., the son of John Leicht and Barbara Meier Leicht. He was a retired steam fitter and had lived in the Fair Play area for the past 20 years. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include two sisters, Barbara Bush of Springhill, Fla., and Kathryn Heilich of St. Louis; two brothers, Andy Leicht of Los Angeles, Calif., and John Leicht of Las Vegas, Nev.; and one sister-in-law, Anna Lyon of Fair Play. Services were Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Private family interment will be at a later date.
Helen V. McGinnis, 79, Bolivar, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, in her home following a short illness. She was born June 3, 1919, in Cane Hill to Tom and Pearl Yost Hayward. She moved to Bolivar in 1965 from the state of California and had been a seamstress. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Gelnda McGinnis, Macks Creek; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Ernest Hayward, Fair Play, and Herbert and Betty Hayward, Darlington; a sister, Melissa Dean, state of California; and one granddaughter. Burial will be in Lindley Prairie Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Patricia C. Morgan, 60, formerly of Polk, died Oct. 23, 1998. She had resided in Lowell, Ind., with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons for the past five years. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie A. James Vinson; three grandsons, Wesley, Lee and Kent Vinson; one sister, Peggy Kiegert and her husband, Mike, of Loathe, Kan.; one foster sister, Patty Hurd and her husband, Ed. of Alsip, Ill; two brothers, Edward French and his wife, Carol, and Fred French and his wife, Jackie, all of Varna, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur E. Morgan; her mother and father, Evelyn and George French; and her foster father, Lloyd Niggle. A small memorial service will be held at Springfield National Cemetery, Springfield, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, with the Rev. Donnie Lightfoot officiating.
Juanita McDowell Neill, 68, Independence, formerly of Bolivar, died Monday, Oct. 12, 1998, in Independence Regional Hospital. She was born Sept. 21, 1930, in Osage Beach, the daughter of Clyde and Frances Keeran McDowell. She was a member of the Bolivar First Christian Church. Survivors include a son, Blane Neill and his wife, Terry, Bolivar; two daughters, Gloria Neill, Kansas City, and Brenda Hadlock and her husband Merle, Grandview; a brother, Clyde Eli McDowell and his wife, Juanita, Shawnee Mission, Kan.; a sister, Betty Holt, Independence; and three grandchildren, Jacob, Jesse and Amanda. She was preceded in death by her parents. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in Buckner Hill Cemetery under the direction of Brown Funeral Home, Buckner. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Orlen William "Bill" Neuhart, 79, Houston, Texas, died at 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, 1998, in Columbia Spring Branch Hospital, Houston. Bill was born Dec. 8, 1918, in Taft, Calif., the son of E.D. Neuhart and Pearl Standley Neuhart. The family returned to Bolivar soon after his birth. He attended North Ward and South Ward Elementary Schools and Bolivar High School. He graduated from Southwest Baptist College and then attended Southwest Missouri State University and graduated summa cum laude, receiving a bachelor of education degree in mathematics and science. Bill joined the military service July 1942, and served in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres of Operation. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. After discharge from active duty in May of 1946, he remained in the Army Reserve until April of 1967 when he retired as a Major. Upon Bill's return to civilian life, he pursued an accounting career in Los Angeles, becoming a licensed public accountant, retiring at age 62 from Monolith Portland Cement Company as head accountant. Wile in the military service, Bill met Dorothy Darrock in Los Angeles, they were married in Santa Barbara on June 23, 1943, and were together for 55 years. They lived in the Los Angeles area until moving to Houston in September of 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Orlen Neuhart Jr; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Neuhart. Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Houston, Texas; one sone, George Neuhart and wife Phyllis of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; two daughters, Donna Neuhart Jamison and husband Jerry of Houston, Texas, and Gracia Neuhart Madrigal and husband Victor of Aspen, Colo.; two brothers, Don Neuhart and wife Beula of Springfield, and Charles Neuhart of Bolivar; and a sister, Eleanor Larvie and husband Douglas of Rialto, Calif. Also surviving are threee grandchildren, Brian Neuhart and wife Lisa of state of New Jersey; Shonna Neuhart of Coral Springs, Fla. and Kristen Neuhart Ford and husband Richard of San Francisco, state of California; two great-grandchildren, Eric Deal, son of Shonna Neuhart and Tyler Neuhart, son of Brian and Lisa Neuhart. Funeral servcies were held Saturday, Nov. 7 in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the REv. Danny Neuhart with Betty Warren, pianist. Burial was in Mt. Olive Cemetry, northeast of Bolivar. Military honors were conducted by Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post No. 138 of Bolivar and AMVETS Post No. 114 Honor Guard of Galmey. Casketbearers were Brian Neuhart, Jerry Jameson, Ralph Richner, Eddie Neuhart and Victor Madrigal. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
James R. Phillips, 84, Bolivar, died at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 1998, in his home following a long illness. He was born July 23, 1914, in Centerville, Iowa to Daniel B. and Fanney Klum Phillips. He was retired from the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, John R. and Mary Phillips of White, Penn.; a brother, Daniel B. Phillips of Temple, Texas; a sister, Mary Charles, state of Missouri; as well as one grandchild and one great-grandchild. Graveside services were Sunday, Oct. 18, in Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Eleanor Schultz, 84, Bolivar, died at 11:33 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. She was born June 13, 1914, in Baltimore, Md., the daughter of Frank B. and Mary Winiecka Schultz. She was a retired nurse and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Survivors include two sisters, Josephine Barczak and Agnes Hennel, both of Baltimore, Md.; dear friends John and Betty Vandeveer, Bolivar; and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Oct. 23, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory E.J. Zatina, Celebrant. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
John William Singer, 84, Billings, Mont., died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998. He was born Aug. 30, 1914, in Steeleville. He was raised in that area and with his brothers and father owned and operated flour mills, including the mill in Aldrich. In 1942 he married Dimple Stroud Hodge in Little Rock, Ark. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed on Guadalcanal during the last years of World War II. After the war he returned to his career as a flour miller in Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. He retired in 1990 at the age of 77 from the Gilt Edge Mill in Richmond, Utah, and returned to Aldrich, where he resided until 1997, when he moved to Billings, Mont. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dimple, in 1971 and his son, Tom, in 1988. He is survived by his children, John Hodge and his wife, Pat, of Melba, Idaho; Jim and his wife, Lurline, of Mozambique, Africa; Janet of Billings, Mont.; his daughter-in-law Gloria of Spokane; his brothers, Harry of Kansas City and David of Deland, Fla.; his six grandchildren, Lance, Bret, Bruce, Sherry, Cody and Kristina; and two great-grandchildren, Lias and Taigon. Graveside services were Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Terrace Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Vincent Foundation, P.O. Box 35200, Billings, Mont. 59107.
John F. McGarity Sr., 68, Bolivar, died Friday, Oct. 23, 1998, in Citizens Memorial Hospital emergency room following a short illness. He was born Nov. 21, 1929, in Meadow Grove, Neb., to Ben and Florence Schinck McGarity. He had been an over-the-road dairy truck driver. A member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Disbled American Veterans, he was a longtime resident of Bolivar and Polk County, moving here from Texas. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette, of the home; six sons, John F. McGarity Jr. of Bolivar, J. Michael McGarity of Springfield, Jeffrey McGarity and Phillip McGarity of the state of Texas, Pat Hennager of Aldrich and Randy Hennager of Bolivar; four daughters, JoAnn Schaffer and her husband, Bill, Theresa Melton and her husband, Randy, and Susan Burns and her husband, Danny, all of the state of Texas, and Teresa Hennager, Bolivar; his mother, Florence McGarity, Bolivar; two brothers-in-law, Paul Hennager and Kenneth Lamb; a sister-in-law, Joyce Kelberer; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services were Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Lawrence Ahart, Ronnie Cook, Danny Hubbard, Keith Smith, Harold Hobbs and Junior Davis. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church to provide hearing-impaired sound systems.
Freida M. Stark, 87, Carrollton, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998, at the Carrollton Nursing Center. She was born in Carroll County on Feb. 1, 1911, the daughter of Boyd and Estella Taggart Weicher. She attended rural schools and worked as a companion to elderly ladies in their homes. She was first married to James Edgar Crockett. To this union two daughters were born. He preceded her in death. She later married George Stark, who also preceded her in death. She attended the Baptist and Assembly of God churches. Survivors include two daughters, Dixie Bradshaw and her husband, Everett, of Mexico, Mo., and Donna Hensley and her husband, Harry, of Bolivar; four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Besides her husbands, she was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. Serivces were Friday, Oct. 30, at the Gibson Funeral Home in Carrollton. Burial was in Wharton Cemetery, Bosworth. Memorial contributions may be made to the Assembly of God Church in care of the funeral home.
Frances Stiles, 81, Fair Play, died Monday, Oct. 12, 1998, in Everett, Wash. She was born Aug. 10, 1917. She was a homemaker and the widow of Leonard P. Stiles Sr. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, L.P. Stiles Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Drumwright, Okla., and John J. Stiles and his wife, Lavon, Everett, Wash.; a daughter and son-in-law, Retta Turley and her husband, Joseph, Everett, Wash.; two sisters, Lois Box, Bashor, Kan., and Alta Mosier, Aldrich; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons, Sammy Clark Stiles and Delbert Lee Stiles; and a brother, Leonard Davis. Graveside services were Monday, Oct. 19, in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Pallbearers were John Stiles, L.P Stiles Jr., Joseph Turley, Perry A. Krootzko, Fred Box and Charles Box. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Irene Stull, 75, Bolivar, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 1998, in Cox Medical Center South following a short illness. She was born Dec. 21, 1922, in Aldrich, the daughter of Eli F. and Lillie McGinnis Cornell. She had lived in Bolivar since 1985. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, James W. and Wilma Stull, Brighton, and Larry and Donna Godfrey, Moses Lake, Wash.; five daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Michael Dodd of Walnut Grove, Annette and David Gray of Morrisville, Becky and Ralph "Bud" Savard of North Little Rock, Ark., Carolyn and Jimmy Cossins of Brighton and Alice and Ernie Baugh of Reeds; a brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Marjorie Cornell, Bolivar; 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, Joe Godfrey (father of Alice and Larry) and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J.W. Stull; a grandson, Larry Wayne Godfrey, and his mother, Rosemary; four sisters and four brothers. Services will be at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth and the Rev. Jim Tolliver officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Aldrich. Pallbearers will be Timmy Cossins, Shawn Cossins, Troy Stull, Toby Stull, Mark Swinson and Kerry Dunn. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathaniel Dodd, Darren Gray, Levi Godfrey, Quade Godfrey, Dave Smith and Matt Baugh.
Edith Louise Syphert, 79, Bolivar, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998, in her home. She was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Graham County, Kan., to Fred and Millie Morris Ambrosier. On Dec. 20, 1941, she was married to Sherman Syphert. One daughter and four sons were born to this union. She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons and her husband. Survivors include a daughter, Evelyn Cossins, Bolivar; two sons, Vern Syphert, Bolivar, and Johnny Syphert, Louisburg; a brother, Lee Ambrosier, Hanston, Kan.; two sisters, Inez Hawk, Nampa, Idaho, and Elsie Cotton, Ellis, Kan.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services were Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Mission Ridge Cemetery, Urbana, with the Rev. Dave Barger officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
Helen Lucille Tilghmon, 85, Humansville, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, in Parkview Health Care Facility. She was born July 19, 1913, at Sedalia, the daughter of Abe and Minnie Rogers Siard. A longtime resident of Kansas City, Kan., she was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. She had resided in Humansville since 1976. Survivors include a daughter, Earlene Nash, Humansville; two grandchildren and their spouses, Helen and Bert Gallardo, Independence, and Bill and Alice Bailey, Buckner; three great-grandchildren, Paul Stumph and her husband, Randy, Kansas City, Patrick Beldsoe and his wife, Robin, Fort Hood, Texas, and Jim Bailey, Buckner; and three great-great-grandchildren, Nikki, Randy and Miranda Stumph, Kansas City. Graveside services were Monday, Oct. 5, in Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan., with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Services were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville.
Dorothy E. Wilkinson, 74, Kansas City, died Friday, Oct. 9, 1998, in her home following a long illness. She was born January 18, 1924, in Aldrich to Willis A. and Estella E. Stiles Mann. On Dec. 23, 1943, she married Eugene Wilkinson and moved to the Kansas City area. She was of the Baptist faith and a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Eugene, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Jerry Jones of Deepwater and Sharon and Ken Miller of Brownington; a brother, Willis E. Mann, Concord, N.C.; a sister, Grace Mustain, Springfield; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sister. Services were Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Guy Lawyer officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Aldrich. Pallbearers were Kris Miller, Mike Day Jr., Ed Jones, Phillip Betterton, Bryan Bagley and Steve Hawkins.
Darlene Wooten, 51, Bolivar, died at 12:19 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 1998. She was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Bolivar to Everett and Pearl West. She was united in marriage to Terry Wooten and moved with him to Kansas City. This union ended in divorce, but her marriage was blessed with the birth of three children. She returned to Bolivar and became an active member of Berean Baptist Church, where she had been saved at an early age. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffrey Wooten, and a brother, Evan West. She is survived by a daughter, Tonetta Beard, and her husband, James, Bolivar; a son, Carl Wooten and his wife, Melissa, Seymour; her parents, Everett and Pearl West, Bolivar; two sisters, Anna Marie West of San Jose, Costa Rica, and Christine Brich, her husband, Garland, and their son, Aaron; as well as four grandchildren, Cody and Samantha Phillips and Jessica and Kayla Wooten. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Butler Funeral Home Chapel wil Bro. Ernie Presley officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Music will be provided by Bill Yeargain, soloist, and Josh Yeargain, accompanist. Additional music will be by the Slagle Church choir. Casketbearers will be Eugene Ervin, John Meese, Kenneth Winfrey, James Lewis, Jeff Shelenhamer and Paul McKnight.