JUNE, 2000 OBITUARIES
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Ezenith Ann Dodd, 94, Morrisville, died at 3:09 a.m. Sunday, June 11, 2000, in Cox Walnut Lawn Hospital, Springfield, following a short illness. She was born to Alexander and Ora Sell White in Morrisville on Jan. 12, 1906. She taught school in the Marion C. Early district, retiring after 30 years of service. She was a past matron and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Bolivar, Garden Club of Morrisville, the Veterans of WWI and a member of the United Methodist Church in Morrisville. She was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University and a member of the Royal Neighbors of America at Fair Play for more than 75 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Denver Dodd; a brother, Benjamin White; four sisters, Gertrude Blakley, Sallie Roman, Flora Fender and Maxine Johnston; and three nephews, Benny, Bill White and Bob Fender. She is survived by her two sons, Tom Dodd and Jerry Dodd, both of Morrisville; two nephews, Bill Lemmon, Springfield, and Revis White, San Francisco, Calif.; two nieces, Barbara Hulme, Falls Church, Va., and Willa Dixon, Springfield. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Morrisville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakville Cemetery west of Morrisville. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. A00008B2000JN14
Anna A. Gill, 92, Granbury, Texas, died at 7:16 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2000, in Granbury Villa after a lingering illness. She was born Nov. 2, 1907, in Chestnut Ridge, the daughter of Samuel S. and Rosetta Stewart Grotz. She was a longtime resident of Polk County before moving to Granbury, Texas, to be with her daughter and son-in-law. She was a member of the Fair Play Assembly of God Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lonnie J. Gill, in 1981; and an infant son, Dennis Gill, in 1950. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Leon Townsend of Granbury, Texas; a sister, Leona Cline of Cheyenne, Wyo.; a brother, Carl Grotz of Yuma, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Frost Townsend of Irving, Texas, Jeff Townsend of Springfield, Marsha Horn of Rockwall, Texas, and Arleeta Greany of Marble Falls, Texas; seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lyle Shaulis officiating. Musical selections will be by Randy and Connie Matheny, singing "Because He Lives" and "Serenaded by Angels." Burial will be in the Crestview Memorial Gardens Cemetery east of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Frost Townsend, Jeff Townsend, Dennis Grotz, Terry Horn, Don Jenkins, Fred Greany, Roy McNeely and Chester Hale. The family will have visitation from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. This notice has been posted at www.legacy.com. A00008B2000JN28
Morris Lane Holder, 88, Dunnegan, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, at his home. The son of Charlie and Ella Haley Holder, he was born March 2, 1912, at Barnard, Kan. He had lived on a farm north of Dunnegan since 1974. HIs wife, Leta, preceded him in death May 23, 1985. Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Sherman and Nora Holder of Mound City. Graveside services were Friday, June 16, in Dunnegan Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. A00008B2000JN21
James "Jim" Howell, 81, Bolivar, died at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Howell, of the home; a stepson, Charles Cross, state of Arkansas; two stepdaughters, Felicia Ellis of Shell City and Robin Sawyer of Fair Play; a brother, Gene Howell of Springfield; a sister, Essie Black of Morrisville; a granddaughter, Rhonda Mann, and a great-granddaughter, Tabitha Mann, both of the state of Texas; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, James Alan Howell, in 1994; a brother, a sister and a grandson. The body will be cremated, and private interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel. A00008B2000JN07
Fern Jarman, 71, Bolivar, died at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a lingering illness. She was born Feb. 14, 1929, in Fair Play, the daughter of Henry Stephenson and Lillie Mae Bell Manning. She attended Fox School in Fair Play and worked at Mac's Cafe as a teen. She was united in marriage to Lester T. Jarman on Feb. 19, 1949, and they were married for 51 years. They moved to Garden Plains, Kan., in 1950, where she worked for Star Boat in Goddard, Kan. They lived for a while in San Diego, Calif., later retiring to the farm near Bolivar in 1987. Surviving are her husband, Lester T. Jarman, of the home; her four children, Terry Kelsall of Bolivar, Beverly Staple of Sacramento, Calif., Connie VanNice of Half Way and Larry Jarman of Humansville; two sisters, Lea Tirey of Half Way and Lois Atkins of Independence; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, July 3, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Musical selections were "Go Rest HIgh on That Mountain" and "Wind Beneath My Wings." Burial was in the Goff Cemetery northwest of Half Way. Casketbearers were Bill Kahler, Jeff Kahler, Gary Atkins, Rick Atkins, David Allen and Jeremiah Jarman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar MO 65613. A00008B2000JL05
Martha May Kennard Kramer, 101, Flemington, died Friday, June 9, 2000, at her daughter's home. She was born Oct. 14, 1898, at Cross Timbers, the daughter of Richard Burrus and Emma Mae Miller Kennard. The family moved to Kansas City and later to the Garnett, Kan., area. She lived in Kansas for several years before moving to Elkton in 1969. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, four sisters, a son, Richard Kramer, and her husband, Charlie Kramer, on Dec. 9, 1956. Survivors include one daughter, Clara Green, and her husband, Cecil, of Elkton; seven sons, Floyd Kramer and his wife, Dorothy, of Neosho Rapids, Kan., Eugene Kramer and his wife, Lorraine, of Osawatomie, Kan., Willis Kramer and his wife, Ethel, of Quenemo, Kan., Charles Kramer and his wife, Betty, of Olathe, Kan., Perry Kramer of Olathe, Kan., John Kramer and his wife, Cherrie, of Paola, Kan., and Glenn Kramer and his wife, Berthaa of Lawson; a daughter-in-law, Marian Kramer of Foster City, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Alta Kennard of Garnett, Kan., and Ethel Kennard of Wanatchee, Wash.; 31 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and 18 great great-grandchildren. Services were Tuesday, June 13, at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel, Garnett, Kan., with burial following in Melvern Cemetery, Melvern, Kan. A00008B2000JN14
Orvil Moffitt, 97, Lowry City, formerly of Clinton, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City. He was born Aug. 19, 1902, in Bolivar, the son of Francis and Nannie Brooks Moffitt. He married Bertie Ragsdale in 1929; she preceded him in death in 1991. They moved from Bolivar to Clinton in 1942. He was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. Also preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Maggie Nelson and Lela Pritchard; and two brothers, Kenneth Moffitt and Earl Moffitt. Survivors include three daughters, Jeanne Fantz and her husband, Ross, of Warrensburg, Berna Dene Smith and Janice I. Entrop and her husband, Harold, all of Clinton; a brother, Carl Moffitt of Hinton, Okla.; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services were Friday, June 23, at the Consalus Funeral Chapel, Clinton. Burial was in Englewood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Baptist Church in care of the funeral home. A00008B2000JN28
Gertrud Murk, 86, Franklin Park, Ill., died Monday, June 19, 2000, in St. John's Regional Health Center from smoke inhalation as the result of a house fire. She was born June 3, 1914, in the country of Estonia. She lived in Franklin Park, Ill., but made the Brighton area her summer home for several years. She is survived by one daughter, Helen Cornio of Brighton; one son, Mati Murk of Springfield; and four grandchildren. Services were Saturday, June 24, in Butler Chapel. Inurnment will be at a later date in Illinois. A00008B2000JN28
Ray Neill, 81, Springfield, formerly of Cedar County, died at 1:31 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2000, in his home. He was born Dec. 21, 1918, in Cedar County, the son of Robert E. and Ella Galyan Neill. He lived in the Cedar County area for most of his life. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Neill of Springfield; one son and his wife, Joe and Janet Neill of Bolivar; one grandson, Jon Neill of Bolivar; one brother and his wife, Elden and Mary Catherine Neill of Stockton; one nephew, Garry Robinson of Springfield; and one niece and her husband and children, Ramona, Tom, Ian and Brenna Goth of Scottsdale, Ariz. Services were Thursday, June 8, in the Dunnegan Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Dunnegan, with the Rev. Robert Bornert officiating. Music was provided by Bette McClelland and Gay Lynn Mick. Casketbearers were Larry Nottingham, Ralph Stauffacher, Bueford Curl, Danny Curl, Wiliam J. Stewart and Joe Frieze. Burial was in Lindley Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Highland's Child Placement Services, 5506 Cambridge, PO Box 300198, Kansas City MO 64129. A00008B2000JN14
Julian Henry Pace, 93, Bolivar, died Friday, June 9, 2000. He was born in Mt. Calm, Texas, in 1907, the son of a Baptist minister. He was a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and was associated with Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Texas, for 13 years before moving to Waco, Texas, in 1943 to assume the role of administrator of Hillcrest Hospital, a role he held for the next 30 years. He was a member of numerous state and national hospital organizations and wrote several articles for professional hospital publications. He was Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators. He participated in many civic affairs, including Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross and the Masonic Lodge. He served for decades as a deacon of First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas, and was an avid supporter of Baylor University. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Ruby Hughes Pace, and his wife of seven years, Kathleen Stiteler Pace. He is survived by a sister, Sara Pace Mystrom of Amarillo, Texas; a brother, Ray S. Pace of Beaumont, Texas; two sons, Julian H. Pace of Bolivar and Ray H. Pace of Fairview, Texas; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mr. Pace was truly a kind, homespun, laid-back gentleman of quiet dignity, a steady manner, a tolerant, caring spirit and great compassion who dedicated his life to Christian service. Services were Tuesday, June 13, in Wilkerson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, Waco, Texas, with Chaplain Curtis Holland officiating. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, Texas. Local arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Foundation, 3000 Herring, Waco TX 76708. A00008B2000JN14
Jonathan Michael Pettibone, son of Jamie Stevens and Shane Pettibone, Bolivar, was stillborn Thursday, June 22, 2000, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. Graveside services were Monday, June 26, at Greenwood Cemetery with Todd Walker officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. A00008B2000JN28
Helen Louise Pierce, 61, Brighton, died Thursday, June 15, 2000, in Cox Medical Center South following a short illness. She was born Oct. 6, 1937, in Lawrenceville, Ill., to Ernest and Helen Shoulders Barrett. She had been a cashier and clerk for Southwest Electric Co-op. Survivors include her husband, Jerry, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Samuel Scroggins of Battlefield; a brother, Paul David Barrett of Selma, Calif.; four sisters, Deloris Knepper of Genoa, Ill., Shirley Kromer of Mt. Carroll, Ill., Margaret McClintock of Apopka, Fla., and Judith Schoffstall of Lawrenceville, Ill.; and one grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister. Services were Monday, June 19, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Slagle Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Ratcliff, Vernon Smith, George Koch, Ken Smith, Bud Norton and Art Buschmann. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. A00008B2000JN21
Irma Ann Roberts, 97, Bolivar, died Monday, June 12, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility. She was born Oct. 18, 1902, in Polk to Charles Burl and Elizabeth Higginbotham Jones. She was united in marriage to William Lovell Roberts, and to this union four sons were born. After her first husband preceded her in death, she was married to William Jennings Bryan "Bill" Roberts, and he also preceded her in death. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar and had been a cook at Southwest Baptist College for many years. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Virginia "Jenny" Roberts of Springfield; a daughter-in-law, Frances Roberts of Bolivar; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, Ben Lusk; an infant son; her first husband, William Lovell Roberts, on May 16, 1968; a son, Scott M. Roberts, on Sept. 16, 1974; her second husband, William Jennings Bryan "Bill" Roberts, on Feb. 2, 1993; a son, Kenneth B. Roberts, on June 11, 1999, and his wife, Gloria Maxine Roberts, on Nov. 25, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A00008B2000JN14
Clyde Elliott Ross, 74, Aldrich, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital from an apparent heart attack. He was born at Morrisville and was a lifelong resident of the area. He retired from Kraft Foods in May 1985 after 32 years of service as a forklift driver and leadman of the pasta department. He was a member of the Eudora Baptist Church and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was married to Ruth Staas on May 21, 1948, and together they shared 52 years. To this union three children were born. He was preceded in death by his father, George Woodward Ross, in July 1979 and his brother, George Wilbur Ross, in January 1970. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Kathy Ross of Springfield; two daughters, Phyllis Taylor of Springfield and Cheryl Gomes and her husband, Louis, of Honolulu, Hawaii; four grandchildren, Brian Keith Taylor and his wife, Sonja, of Aldrich, Betsy Clayton of Warrensburg, Natalie Gilmore and her husband, Paul, of Aldrich and T.J. Ross of Springfield; five great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Elliott, Micheal and Bryant Taylor and Shelby Paul Gilmore; his mother, Myrtle Ross of Springfield; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe L. and Blanche Ross of Springfield and Daniel Lee and Aneta Ross of St. Louis; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Faye and Earl Janes of Byron, Calif., and Dorothy and George MacDougall of Fairfield, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Services were Saturday, July 1, in Eudora Baptist Church with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Interment was in Morrisville Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home, Walnut Grove. Full military rites were conducted at graveside under the auspices of the Missouri Veterans Bravo Team of Springfield. A00008B2000JL05
Richard Sylvester "Dick" Smith, 84, Bolivar, died Tuesday evening, June 27, 2000, at the Christian Health Care Center in Lebanon after a lingering illness. He was born June 28, 1915, in Bates, Okla., to John F. and Hattie Smith. He was retired from the construction business and had operated a welding shop for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Alta G. Smith, in 1978 and his second wife, Pearl Smith, in 1997. Services were Friday, June 30, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery. A00008B2000JL05
Dale Eugene Squibb, 76, Humansville, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, in the Veterans Hospital, Fayetteville, Ark. The son of Glen and Gladys McCracken Squibb, he was born near Flemington Jan. 8, 1924. He had been a resident of Humansville since 1974, coming from Springdale, Ark. He attended school at Flemington and graduated from Humansville High School. He joined the U.S. Army in July 1944 and served until June 1946. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during World War II. He attended college for a year at Oxford University in England and at Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield. He worked as a salesman of office equipment and supplies, retiring in 1969. He grew up attending the Rondo Baptist Church, and he was a life member of Amvets Post No. 114. His parents and three sisters, Pauline Warren, Billy Jean Bumps and Glendena Butler, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of the home; two children and their spouses, Deonn and Mike Swearingin, Humansville, and Steve and Kathryn Squibb, Summerdale, Ala.; and three grandsons, Travis Guess, Michael Dale Swearingin and Hunter Swearingin. Services were Friday, June 9, in Rondo Cemetery east of Humansville with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard conducted military rites. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rondo Cemetery in care of Carroll McCracken, 3219 Highway 83, Flemington MO 65650. A00008B2000JN14
Kathleen M. Vaughn, 55, Bolivar, formerly of Festus, died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at Barnes-Jewish Medical Center, St. Louis. She was born Sept. 11, 1944, at Bonne Terre. She was a retired claims adjuster with Galleger-Bassett Insurance Co. in St. Louis County. She was a member of the Bolivar Sewing Guild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Aaron Horton and Blanche Son Cole. She is survived by her husband, Michael J. Vaughn, Bolivar; her stepmother, Antoinette Schulte Vaughn of Crystal City; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael P. and Stephanie Vaughn, Hillsboro; a brother, Stephen Cole, Belleville, Ill.; and a sister and brother-in-law, Susan and James Lambert of Bonne Terre. Services were Friday, June 9, at Vinyard Funeral Home, Festus, with Elder Dan Morse of Hillsboro Christian Church officiating. Interment was in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, Crystal City. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society. A00008B2000JN14
Wilma Lucile Willhite, 74, Independence, died at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2000, at the Monterey Park Nursing Center in Blue Springs after a brief illness. She was born June 30, 1925, near Pleasant Hope, the daughter of Charles Alanthus and Mary Jane Calvin Patterson. She was a retired bookkeeper in the banking industry and had been a former resident of Springfield, where she worked for the Farmers and Merchants Bank, moving to the Independence area in 1960. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Sylvia Case; and her first husband, Willie "Bill" Boatright. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Ray Eggers of Independence; two brothers, Cloyce Patterson of Springfield and Wayne Patterson of Linn; three granddaughters, Kimberly, Traci and Cassandra Eggers of Independence; three nieces and three nephews. Graveside services were Friday, June 16, in the Brighton Cemetery with Pastor Craig Fields officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. A00008B2000JN21