Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of January 30, 2013 John L. Forester John L. Forester of Sullivan, Missouri was born April 15, 1943 in Cuba, Missouri to Charles Cleveland and Virginia Iowa Birdsong Forester and passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013 at his home in Sullivan at the age of 69 years. John and Judith Kellett were married June 25, 1977 in Cuba Missouri. John proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1966. Upon leaving the Navy he went to work at the Chrysler Plant in Fenton. John took his 30-year retirement from Chrysler and then went to work for the Sullivan School District. Up until the time of his failing health John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved bowling, watching sports and singing karaoke. John was devoted to his kids and grandkids. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, once serving as the Judge Advocate for the post. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Virginia Forester; four brothers, Chi Forester, Frank Forester, Homer Forester and Al Forester; six sisters, Ellen, Rosie, Lucille, Dot, Virginia and Betty and one grandson, Mitchell Wade Forester He is survived by his wife, Judith of the family home; three sons, Johnny E. Forester and wife Tonya of Springfield, Missouri, Chip Forester and wife Angela of Cuba, Missouri and Aaron Forester of Sullivan, Missouri; two brothers, Eugene Forester and wife Helen of Cuba, Missouri and Lester Forester of Leasburg, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Michael, Michaela, Addyson, Jerri, Austin, Jasmine, Tanner and Dakota; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Southside Chapel of Eaton Funeral Home. Funeral services were Tuesday January 22, 2013 at the Southside Chapel. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home. Lawrence Louis “Larry” Grotha Lawrence Louis “Larry” Grotha Jr. was born December 6, 1951 at Waynesville, Missouri to Lawrence Louis Sr., and Betty Jane (Malone) Grotha and passed away Thursday January 24, 2013 at the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 61 years, 1 month and 18 days. Larry graduated from John F. Hodge High School and completed Vo Tech Training in Rolla, Missouri. He spent five years in Wyoming working the oil fields and as a plumber’s assistant. He then returned to St. James, Missouri and worked for MFA. He spent the last years of his life helping on the family farm and caring for his mother. He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. He was active in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri and also the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Grotha in 2008. He is survived by his mother, Jane Grotha of St. James, Missouri; sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Les Bennington of Glenrock, Wyoming; nephews, Buck (Jayme) Bennington and Jeremy and wife Nicole Bennington and their children; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with prayer service at 5:30 p.m. Funeral Mass was conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri with Father Charles Pardee officiating. Burial was in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Gloria Martin Gloria Louise Martin, formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born July 25, 1940 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Howard and Dalphna Rainbolt and passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013 in St. Peters, Missouri at the age of 72 years. Gloria loved gardening and spent many hours working in her yard. Her love for children was so immense that she opened Grandma’s House Daycare which she and her husband, Marty had for several years. She was preceded in death by one sister, DeeAnn Rainbolt; one brother, Jim Rainbolt and one granddaughter, Jessica Wick. She is survived by her husband, Gale E. “Marty” of St. Peters, Missouri; sons, Mark Rainbolt and wife Alvis of St. James, Missouri, Ray Lamburth and wife Tina of St. James, Missouri; sisters Patsy Rainbolt of Crane, Missouri and Billie Rainbolt of Arkansas; brother, Bob Rainbolt and wife Bri of Indiana; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Burial was in the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Rev. Robert E. Middleton Rev. Robert “Bob” E. Middleton of Sullivan, Missouri was born September 7, 1934 to Gilbert and Edna Talley Middleton at Vulcan, Missouri and passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the age of 78 years 4 months and 12 days. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 19. At age 21 Bob enlisted and honorably served his country with the United States Army. While stationed in Germany, he felt God was calling him into the ministry. He and a fellow soldier started a church off base and it is doing well today. After he was discharged from the military, Bob met and married Carolyn Boyet on April 10, 1959 at St. Louis, Missouri and to this union two children were born. Bob and Carolyn have spent their lives in service for the Lord, pastoring many Assembly of God Churches. He held many sectional positions within each district from 1961 working closely with other ministers until he retired. He was also very active with the Ministerial Alliances in several towns, serving 10 years as president of the Wright City Alliance. After retirement, Bob continued serving by filling in for other pastors, teaching Sunday school, visiting the sick, and nursing home ministry. He was a Godly man who loved the Lord and helping others and had a wonderful sense of humor. Bob was a member of First Assembly of God in Sullivan, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Edna Middleton; one brother, Rev. W. O. Middleton; four sisters, Lucille Shepherd, Dorothy “Pete” Freeman, Loretta Patterson and Nina Thompson; his father and mother-in-law, Rev. Otto and Eula Boyet; one brother-in-law, Clifford Boyet. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Middleton of Sullivan, Missouri; one son, Mark Middleton and wife Robin of Bourbon, Missouri; one daughter, Karen Harlan and husband Rick of Bourbon, Missouri; three granddaughters, Meghan Middleton and husband Rene Silva Viego of Madison, Alabama, Chelsey and Shelby Harlan of Bourbon, Missouri; four brothers, Hilbert “Bud” Middleton, George Middleton and wife Juanita, Delmar Middleton and wife Lynn, all of Vulcan, Missouri, Rev. Loyd Middleton and wife Rebecca of Halfway, Missouri, one sister, June Reed of Vulcan, Missouri; brother-in-law, Carroll Boyet and wife Nora of Warrenton, Missouri; sister-in-law, Donna Boyet of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at First Assembly of God. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from First Assembly of God in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Kyle Phillips and Rev. Loyd Middleton officiating. Interment was in the Bourbon Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Martha I. Miller Martha Ida Miller of Bourbon, Missouri was born August 23, 1923 in Liberty Township in Crawford County Missouri to Albert and Bertha Campbell Stroup and passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the age of 89 years, 4 months and 16 days. Martha and Elvin Eugene “Gene” Miller were married September 5, 1942 in Union, Missouri. She was member of Calvary Baptist Church for more than 56 years faithfully attending every Wednesday and Sunday until her failing health precluded her from going. After graduating from the eighth grade her first job was to cook lunch at the Baker School, which she did on a pot belly stove.  She loved to cook and baking, pies and breads were her specialty.  She and Gene were avid gardeners and they canned much of what they grew to share with family and friends. Martha enjoyed quilting and was the pre-school Sunday school teacher and took care of the nursery at church.  She babysat and cared for the elderly she was a giving, caring lady. She was preceded in death by her parents, albert and Bertha Stroup; her husband, Gene; son, Lloyd Miller; five brothers, Charles, William, Howard, Ernest and Woodrow Stroup and three sisters, Ruth Immelcus, Rachel Thatcher and Madge Turnbull. She is survived by three sons, Morris Miller and wife Betty of Marengo, Iowa, Albert Miller and wife Nancy of Cattawissa, Missouri and Andrew Miller and wife Donna of House Springs, Missouri; three daughters, Loretta “Sis” Burrow of Salem, Missouri, Sue F. Todd and husband Monty of Bourbon, Missouri and Virginia Crowder and husband Larry of Sullivan, Missouri; 16 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Eaton Bourbon Chapel. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from the Eaton Bourbon Chapel with interment in the Bourbon Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ 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