Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of January 18, 2017 Ethel L. Bowen Ethel L. Bowen of Sullivan, Missouri was born on March 2, 1933 to John A. and Mae (Cates) Ratliff at Bourbon, Missouri and passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2017 at the age of 83 years. She was united in marriage to Omer Bowen and one son was born to their union. Ethel was employed by Paramount Cap in Bourbon and retired from there after many years of service. Ethel was a hard worker, outspoken and firm in her beliefs. She enjoyed sewing and loved her little dogs. Shewas preceded in death by her parents, John and Mae Ratliff; her husband, Omer Bowen; one son, Sam Bowen; one brother, John E. Ratliff; and one sister, Nellie Alexander. She is survived by nephews and nieces, Larry (Kelly) Alexander of Sullivan, Missouri, John (Cindy) Ratliff of Catawissa, Missouri, Robin Floyd of Minnesota, and Shelly Francis of Washington, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Services were held at noon on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Glen Carter officiating. Burial followed in the Gerth Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Ronald James Branson Ronald James Branson of Vichy, Missouri was born on May 3, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to Jesse and Melia Branson and passed away January 1, 2017 at the age of 72 years. On June 2, 1962 he was united in marriage to Mary Mertz. Ronald was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran church in Belle and the United Steel Workers. Ronald enjoyed nature and being outdoors, cutting grass and brush hogging. He enjoyed going on float trips with his father and hearing stories about the old timers in his family, but most of all he loved being with his family and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Melia Branson; and two sisters, Marceline Spencer and Delores Diesel. He is survived by his wife, Mary; one son, Pat Branson with wife Krista of St. James, Missouri; one daughter, Kathy Branson-McKee and husband Chopper of Pacific, Missouri; five grandchildren, Sarah McKinley and husband Bill of Union, Missouri, Niki Cash of Piedmont, Missouri, Richard Hulsey of Pacific, Missouri, Preston Kelly of St. James, Missouri and Eric Branson of Licking, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Madison, Cami, Colin, Mason, Riley and Ethan. There will be no service held at this time. Arrangements under the direction of Rolla Cremation and Memorial in Rolla, Missouri. Alfred H. Forster Jr. Alfred H. Forster Jr. of Sullivan, Missouri passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the age of 51 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred H. Forster Sr.; and two brothers, Adam and Allen Forster. He is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Gudde of Cuba, Missouri; three brothers, Richard (Jennie) Forster of Steelville, Missouri, Daniel Page of Sullivan, Missouri and Chuck Forster of Mountainview, Missouri; one sister, Tammy Durbin of Mountainview, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Elder Bob Lindsey officiating. Cremation followed the services. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Johnny Benjamin Iannace Johnny Benjamin Iannace of St. James, Missouri was born on September 13, 1991 and passed away on December 28, 2016 at the age of 25 years, 3 months and 15 days. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Connie Southard and husband Craig of St. James, Missouri; one step-sister, Ashley Southard of St. James, Missouri; one step-brother, Skyler Southard of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Forest City Christian Church in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Amanda Lee Miller Amanda Lee Miller of Rolla, Missouri was born on February 7, 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri to Mary Emma Kitchens and passed away Friday December 30, 2016 at the age of 45 years. Amanda attended school at Bourbon High School. On June 23, 1990, she was united in marriage to Lyle Miller in Bourbon, Missouri. Amanda was a member of Landmark Baptist church in Rolla, Missouri. Amanda worked as an EMT for several years and enjoyed reading, traveling, spending time with family and helping others. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Daisy Cash. She is survived by her husband, Lyle Miller; two daughters, Taylor Rice and husband Matt of Kansas City, Missouri and Victoria Miller of Rolla, Missouri; one son, Treyson Miller of Rolla, Missouri; three grandchildren, Trinity, Shilo and Atticus Rice; mother, Mary Cameron of St. James, Missouri; one brother, Robbie Cameron of Bourbon, Missouri; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Roger and Shirley Miller of Bourbon, Missouri. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on January 14, 2017, at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Ed Carter officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Rolla Cremation and Memorial in Rolla, Missouri. Suprena Diane Pierce Suprena Diane Pierce of St. James, Missouri was born in Rolla, Missouri on May 13, 1968 to Nathaniel Mack and Virginia Ortiz and passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the age of 48 years. Suprena was a talented cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Jackson. She is survived by her longtime companion, Jimmy Baxter of their home in St. James, Missouri; father, Nathaniel Mack of Atlanta, Georgia; grandmother, Lena Ortiz, of St. James, Missouri; three daughters, Shuria Davis of St. Louis, Missouri, Jasmine Rosa-Cruz and husband Enmanuel of Atlanta, Georgia and Shuriya Pierce of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother, Josh Henson of Rolla, Missouri; sister, Jackie Beard of St. James, Missouri; three grandchildren, Anastasia Pierce, Paolo Rosa-Cruz, and Travis Rosa-Cruz; great nephew, Phillip; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Funeral service was held at noon on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Interment followed in the Pilot Knob Cemetery in rural Rolla, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Vicky Lynn Skidmore Vicky Lynn Skidmore of Cuba, Missouri was born Sunday, May 2, 1971 at Rolla, Missouri to James Henry "Jim" and Verna Faye (nee Dotson) Gruver and passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the age of 45 years. Vicky graduated in 1989 from Cuba High School. She was the mother of Ryan and Brandon. Vicky worked for a while at Hardee's, then the Cuba Senior Center and ended her working career at Versa Tag as a home picker. Vicky loved going to the Evangelical Holiness Church of Cuba and was a member there for many years. Vicky enjoyed going fishing, hunting, traveling and playing the piano. She would spend hours putting together 1000 piece puzzles, talking on the phone and looking at Facebook. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Gruver; and sister, Verna Christine "Chris" Smith. She is survived by her two sons, Ryan Limberg and girlfriend Amber Bone of Potosi, Missouri and Brandon Limberg of Bourbon, Missouri; one grandson, Carson; mother, Verna F. Gruver of Cuba, Missouri; three brothers, James Leon and wife Kathy Gruver, William A. "Billy" and wife Eutonna Gruver and Herman Wayne and wife Amy Gruver, all of Cuba, Missouri; brother-in-law, Jay Smith of Cuba, Missouri; aunts and uncles, Jack and wife Sharon Gruver of Cuba, Missouri, Betty and husband Leroy Hoskins of Cuba, Missouri, Shirley Gruver of De Soto, Missouri, Louise Lause of Cuba, Missouri, Arlene Rayle of De Soto, Missouri, Nellie Studdard of Pea Ridge, Missouri, Peggy Names of California, Connie and husband Alex Combs of Bourbon, Missouri, Lula and husband Richard Doyle of Cuba, Missouri, Rosalie and husband Allen Littrell of Owensville, Missouri, Pam Simpson of St. James, Missouri, Daniel and wife Kathy Dotson, Marcus and wife Shirley Dotson, Linda Dotson and Geri and husband Harry Schuster all of Cuba, Missouri; special friend, David Bailey; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Sunday, January 8, 2017 from 2-5 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba with Bro. Don Mitchell officiating. Special music was "Further Along" by Herman Gruver, "I'll Meet You on the Other Side of Jordan" by Bro. Don Turnbough and Bro. Don Mitchell and "It Will Be Worth It After All" by CD. Interment and prayers by Bro. John Ripley followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Pallbearers were Brad Gruver, Dylan Gruver, Caleb Loucks, Drew Weems, Herman Gruver, Ryan Limberg, Kevin Skidmore and Wesley Adair. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Harold Dana Wright Harold Dana Wright of St. James, Missouri was born on January 23, 1929 to Louis Russell and Kathryne Leslie Wright in White River Junction, Vermont and passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2017 at the age of 87 years 11 months and 9 days. Harold was united in marriage to Shirley Edwards on July 18, 1953 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy. He received a medal while in service which was World War II Victory Medal. He loved his family and to spend time with them. Harold was very active in the community. He was a long time active member of the St. James Kiwanis, having served as Past President, the chairman of many events and committees along with receiving the Life Time Achievement Award from the Kiwanis Club. Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Pastor Mike Summers, from St. James United Methodist Church officiating. Music was provided by the church. Full military honors provided following the service. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Lowell Wynn Lowell Wynn of St. James, Missouri was born at Asher Holler in Crawford County (near Cook Station, Missouri) on June 29, 1932 to George H. and Eddyth M. Mash Wynn and passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017. On December 11, 1954 at the St James Christian Church, Lowell was united in marriage to Jacquelyn J. Wilson. Lowell was a lifelong resident of the St James, Missouri community. He loved to hunt and fish and work on their farm and was happiest when he was with this family and helping those in need. Lowell was a graduate of John F. Hodge High School in 1950 and was active in sports. He served his country in the Army in Korea, where he received the Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and in 2001 he was issued the Korean War Service Medal. Upon returning home he went to work at International Shoe Factory in St. James until he went to work at Missouri S&T, where he worked for 32 years. Lowell retired from Missouri S&T in 1991 after which he worked at several jobs around St. James, Missouri. Lowell served the community being on the St. James City Council, Board of Directors at the St. James Christian Church, Board of Trustee at the Church, Sunday School teacher at the church. He volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home, was a board member of the Christian Campus House in Rolla, past member of the St. James Kiwanis Club, St. James School Booster Club and Chairman of the Senior Housing Corporation of St. James. He helped to establish the recycling program for St. James and was a member of the Korean Veterans Association. Lowell obeyed the Gospel of Christ and served his Lord and his community and now awaits the beckoning call of: enter in thy good and faithful servant. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jacquelyn Wynn of St. James, Missouri; one son and daughter-in-law, Kerry and Charlotte Wynn of Jefferson City, Missouri; one granddaughter Kaitlyn and husband Dan Conlee of Republic, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday January 11, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday January 12, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Rick Mosher officiating. Stephen Brubaker was vocalist and Jeanette Ashley was organist. Pallbearers were Dan Conlee, Alan Wynn, J.W. Copeland, Dave Spurgeon, Vernon Miller and Marty Bunton. Burial with full military honors was at the St. James Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks