Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of January 31, 2018 Jennifer Ann Courtney Jennifer Ann Courtney Allen was born in Waukegan, Illinois on September 1, 1973 to Robert G. and Phyllis A. (Roubal) Courtney and passed away on December 15, 2017 at the age of 44 years. She loved being with her family and friends. She was always smiling and trying to make everyone around her laugh. She was always the life of the party. Jennifer had the most beautiful smile and spirit. She loved to travel to Chicago, Illinois to visit her brother. She made lots of good memories fishing on her trip to Florida with her brother Bob and his wife Patty. Jennifer also loved all the random road trips she got to take with her sister Kim and her husband David. Her favorite sayings were "Whoo Hoo Mt. Dew," "Your Mom" and "I'm Practically a Doctor." She was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis Courtney; her grandparents, Glen Courtney, Clara Courtney and Lillian Roubal. She is survived by her father, Robert and wife Bonnie of Highland Park, Illinois; one brother, Bob Courtney and wife Patty of Winthrop Harbor, llinois; one sister and best friend, Kim Johnson and husband David of Wagoner, Oklahoma; nephews, Bobby Courtney and wife Lori, David LaVannis Johnson Jr. and wife Jennifer, Jeff Courtney and wife Danielle; nieces, Dayla Johnson, Bethany Phelps and husband Blake and Lucy Courtney; great nieces and nephews, Landon Hamlin, Paxton Roberts, Hunter Johnson, Brycen Johnson, Haylie Johnson, Parker Phelps, Anakin Courtney and Jaycie Phelps. Service was held at 2 p.m on December 22, 2017 at the Shipman Funeral Home Chapel with Life Celebrant Anita Shipman officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Shipman Funeral Home & Crematory in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Vera Grace Bobbitt Vera Grace Bobbitt (nee Ray) of Salem, Missouri was born on Thursday, March 30, 1933 in Leasburg, Missouri Posey and Nellie Opal (McManus) Ray and passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 22 days. Vera accepted the Lord at a young age. She married Jack Kenneth Bobbitt on August 31, 1956 in Bourbon, Missouri. She was a member of the Ferguson Order of the Eastern Star and received a 50 year pin. She enjoyed reading and cooking. She was an avid talker and loved socializing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Posey and Nellie Ray; husband, Jack Bobbitt; son, Michael Bobbitt; siblings, Frank (Hazel) Ray, Charlie (Rose) Ray, Clyde (Margaret) Ray, Clint (Edna) Ray, George (Joanna) Ray, Lucy (Lloyd) Rutledge, Pearl Albright, Beulah (Bill) Ashby, Opal (Wilson) Cole, Lennie (George) Smith, Earl Ray and infant sister, Gladys Ray; brothers-in-law, Louie (Carolyn) Bobbitt, Joe Bobbitt, James Haskell Pinnell, Jerry Langley and Everett Taber; sisters-in-law, Marie (Ralph) Vaughn, Betty Bryant and Margie Bobbitt. She is survived by her son, Kevin (Kitty) Bobbitt of Belleville, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Donna Bobbitt of St. Peters, Missouri; grandchildren, Michael (Stephanie) Bobbitt of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Sara (Richard) Schuessler of St. Louis, Missouri; great grand- daughter, Sophia Schuessler of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers- in-law, James "Jim" (Gina) Bobbitt of Salem, Missouri, Herschel Albright of Sullivan, Missouri and Chester Bryant of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Lorraine "Rainey" Pinnell of Villa Ridge, Missouri, Darlene Taber of Cuba, Missouri, Bonnie Langley of Cuba, Missouri, Pat Ray of Sullivan, Missouri and Dixie Bobbitt of Salem, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with funeral service at 1 p.m. with Rev. Spencer Hutson officiating. Burial was at the Davisville Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Charles Daniel Dotson Charles Daniel Dotson of Owensville, Missouri was born in Owensville on March 6, 1930 to Bluford and Dora Mae (Paasch) Dotson and passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the age of 87 years. On June 16, 1951 in Pocahontas, Arkansas he was united in marriage to Leatha Schmiedeskamp. He was a former member of the Presbyterian Church in Owensville, Missouri. He served nearly 15 years as Superintendent of Owensville Parks. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and with family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bluford and Dora Mae Dotson; wife, Leatha Dotson; brothers, Jackie, Rufus, Reuben and Tony Dotson; and sisters, Goldie Spurgeon, Courtney Jost and Marie Dotson. He is survived by daughter, Charlotte Pinnell and husband Donald of Cuba, Missouri; grandchildren, Daniel Pinnell and wife Michelle, Roger Pinnell and Anna Pinnell, all of Cuba, Missouri; greatgrandchildren, Olivia and Wyatt Pinnell; bother, Robert Dotson of Peveley, Missouri; sister, Shirley Schalk of Owensville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Monday, January 29, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Funeral services were on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Gottenstroeter Chapel in Owensville, Missouri with Rev. Terry Knight officiating. Burial was in the Countryside Memorial Gardens. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Martha June Franklin Martha June Franklin of St. James, Missouri was born June 29, 1936 in St. James, Missouri to Edward Rector and Corcordia Hoehne Brown and passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the age of 81 years, 7 months and 20 days. She was a homemaker and took pride in caring for her family. Martha was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, Missouri. She married Kenneth Franklin on June 29, 1957 in St. James, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Rector and Corcordia Hoehne Brown; husband, Kenneth on June 7, 1999; and one son, Edward Neal Franklin. She is survived by one daughter, Rebecca Ann "Becky" Tohtz and husband Jay of St. Louis, Missouri; two grandchildren; three great grandchildren; four sisters, Thelma Magnin, Betty Ruth Beezley and Mary Sue Langendoerfer, all of St. James, Missouri and Joan Kiczenski of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 21 at the Lone Hill Cemetery in Popular Bluff, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of Cotrell Funeral Services in Popular Bluff, Missouri. Ralph Greenstreet Ralph Greenstreet of Leasburg, Missouri was born on July 13, 1944 in Engelwood, Kansas to Thomas Clayton Greenstreet and wife Mable (nee Walker) and passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the age of 73 years. On April 14, 1963 he was united in marriage to Sue Peterson in Waynesville, Missouri. Ralph was a Master Carpenter and Welder retiring from Local #2298 in Rolla, Missouri. He was of the Christian Faith and member of Living Word Ministries in Leasburg, Missouri. In his spare time, he enjoyed Reining Horse Training and traveling to horse shows. As an avid fisherman he caught the Missouri State Record, a 68 lb. blue catfish. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mable Greenstreet; and one sister, June Carmack. He is survived by his wife, Sue Greenstreet of Leasburg, Missouri; one daughter, Barbara Susan Mincemeyer and husband David of Leasburg, Missouri; one brother, Thomas Clayton Greenstreet and wife Glenda of Melbourne, Arkansas; two sisters, Virginia Decker of Melbourne, Arkansas and Helen Slovick of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Emily Mincemeyer and Clayton Mincemeyer; other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Living Word Ministries in Leasburg, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Midlawn Funeral Home in Union, Missouri. Clara Lucille Gruver Clara Lucille Gruver (nee Jaycox) of Steelville, Missouri was born April 10, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri to Noel and Mildred Sutton Jaycox and passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 72 years, 9 months and 11 days. Clara married David Gruver on June 11, 1965 in Steelville, Missouri. Clara attended Rivers of Life Fellowship for many years. Clara spent many hours sewing and making quilts and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies. She enjoyed her time at the St. James Elevator Feed Store working with her husband David. She was preceded in death by her parents, Noel and Mildred Jaycox; her husband, David Gruver; one brother, Ronald Jaycox; brother-in-law, Larry Coleman; and sister-in-law, Debbie Jaycox. She is survived by her children, James Gruver and wife Janet of Steelville, Missouri and Kathleen Carver and husband Bob of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Amy Parrott and husband David, Josh Gruver and wife Melissa and Emily Moreland and husband Shannon, all of St. James, Missouri, Elizabeth Gillam and husband Richy of Davisville, Missouri, Jessica Carver and Amanda Carver both of Springfield, Missouri; four great grandchildren, Ashlyn Parrott, Paris Gruver, Ethan Parrott and Savannah Moreland; brothers and sisters, Larry Jaycox and wife Carolyn of St. Louis, Missouri, Gene Jaycox and wife Genie of Berryman, Missouri, Johnny Jaycox of Venice Florida, David Jaycox and wife Linda of Steelville, Missouri, Patty Coleman of Potosi, Missouri, Kaye Banta and husband Ted of Berryman, Missouri, Russell Jaycox of Cuba, Missouri, Woodrow "Woody" Jaycox of Bismarck, Missouri and Helen Bone and husband Mike of Potosi, Missouri; sister-in-law, Pam Jaycox of St. Louis, Missouri; special friends, Darlene Setzer, David and Janet Adams and Bev and Richard Conaway; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Rivers of Life Fellowship Church in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Rivers of Life Fellowship Church in Steelville, Missouri with Pastor John Brice officiating. Special music of "Where We'll Never Grow Old" and "It is Well with My Soul" was sung and played by Rev. Jerry Beers. Memories were shared by granddaughter, Jessica Carver. Other music of "One Day Closer Home" and "Victory in Jesus" was sung by Claudette Barton and congregation with Johnny Eye on guitar. Committal prayer and interment were in the Barnicle Chapel Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Casket bearers were Josh Gruver, Richy Gillam, Shannon Moreland, Jeremy Jaycox, Dennis Jaycox and Mikey Bone. Honorary casket bearers were Doug Coleman, Teddy Banta, Woody Jaycox Jr., Seth Jaycox, Shamus Jaycox, Ethan Parrott, David Parrott, Blake Jaycox, Ashlyn Parrott, Paris Gruver and Savannah Moreland. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Bonnie Lee Pennock Bonnie Lee Pennock of Bourbon, Missouri was born on April 11, 1928 to Rolla W. and Noble N. (Peek) Beckett in Hinch Creek, Missouri and passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 89 years. She grew up attended school near Hinch Creek. Bonnie married Cecil Pennock on May 24, 1947 in Shirley, Missouri. Bonnie and Cecil moved to East Peoria, Illinois and raised their family there. Upon Cecil's retirement in 1977, they returned to the Bourbon, Missouri area. Bonnie enjoyed camping, fishing and taking road trips. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Pennock; parents, Rolla and Noble Beckett; one brother, Royce Beckett; and two sisters, Vera Hulsey and Norma Brook. She is survived by her three children, Cecil Pennock of Shreveport, Louisiana, Gary Pennock of East Peoria, Illinois and Elaine Keith (Glen) of Union, Missouri; two brothers, Dale Beckett of Bourbon, Missouri and Lindy Beckett of Kansas City, Missouri; four grand- children, Sherry (Mark) Fisher of Franklin, Tennessee, Sonny (Jodi) Lyles of Sanford, Maine, Toby Kammer (Marsha) of Indian Mound, Tennessee and Zack Kammer of Union, Missouri; eight great grand- children, Derek, Amber, Bella, Jackson, Dale, Zackery, Dylan and Zaylen; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Bourbon Cemetery in Bourbon, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan & Bourbon, Missouri. Austin Muriel Pitts Austin Muriel Pitts of St. James, Missouri was born in Phelps County, Missouri on April 4, 1946 to Clifford and Mabel (Lawson) Pitts and passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the age of 71 years. Austin married Sharon Wilson on December 31, 1966. Austin spent 21 years at the Switzer plant in Rolla, Missouri making fans for the Ford Motor Company, he was also a member of the United Autoworkers Union. He enjoyed the outdoors playing golf and fishing. Austin taught his children his love of fishing. One day after a rainstorm had passed he loaded up Chris and Jeff for a little fishing trip, well they got across the river fine, fished for a little longer than they should have, because now the water was up so far they didn't know how they were going to get back to the other side. Chris was able to wade the river and go for help. He soon came back with the fire department, and they brought everyone to safety, but not without he fear for Austin that this was going to on the front page of the newspaper. Austin and Sharon enjoyed bowling, they were on several leagues over the years and at the time of his death they still bowled together on the Dog House League, and also the Senior League at Coachlight Lanes in Rolla, Missouri. Austin loved his cats, didn't matter his or a stray, they knew where to come where they would get fed and loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Mabel Pitts; and brothers, Stanley and Richard Pitts. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharon Pitts, of the home; children, Vonda Preston, of Florida, Timothy James Pitts and wife Leticia of San Diego, California, Michael Dale Pitts of Columbia, Missouri, Kenneth Earl Pitts of St. James, Missouri, Chris Edward Pitts and wife Amber of Wappapello, Missouri and Jeffery Scott Pitts of Rolla, Missouri; 14 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2017 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Reverend Mick Thrasher officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Doris Dair Smolinsky Doris Dair Smolinsky of St. James, Missouri was born on August 12, 1937 in Amorel, Arkansas to Theron and Minnie Mae Harris Cox and passed away on January 19, 2018 at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 11 days. She was united in marriage to Stanley Smolinsky. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jackie Youngs. She is survived by one son, Mark Olson and wife Marisa of Orange, California; three daughters, Kelly Parks and husband Gerald of St. James, Missouri, Monica Sellars of Visalia, California, and Jennifer Grant and husband Jimmy of St. James, Missouri; two brothers, Rudy Cox and wife Mary of Bakersfield, California and Kenneth Cox of Kingsburg, California; 12 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. There is no service planned at this time. Arrangments under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Paul Leon Sohn Paul Leon Sohn of Cuba, Missouri was born on June 3, 1939 in St. Clair, Missouri to Clarence William and Frances Sarah Sohn (nee Landing) and passed away on January 22, 2018 at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 19 days. On March 24, 1962 he married Ida Mae Nevills. Paul was a Christian of the Baptist faith believing in the Lord as his Savior. As a young man he was proud to have served his country for six years in the Army National Guard, entering July 23, 1956. During his working career he was employed by Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Fenton, Missouri, as both an assembly line worker and then supervisor, retiring after 30 years of service. He was a lso a retiree of the United Auto Workers, Local 110 of Fenton, Missouri. Paul was an outdoorsman at heart and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He also loved to care for his yard, whether mowing the grass or tending his garden. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Frances Sohn; brothers, Bobby Ray and Claude Sohn; and infant sister, Joyce Sohn. He is survived by his wife, Ida Sohn of Cuba, Missouri; daughters, Paula Griffith and husband Dale of Cuba, Missouri and Kathy Jackson and companion Tanner of Gaffney, South Carolina; two sisters, Doris Dierker and Deanne Sohn, both of St. Clair, Missouri; six grandchildren, Sarah Griffith and boyfriend, David Fields of Cuba, Missouri, Ashley Evie Mae Griffith, known to all as Evie, of Cuba, Missouri, Paul Jackson and fiancˇe Victoria of Greenwood, South Carolina, Nicholas Jackson and wife Ashley of Gaffney, South Carolina, Sarah Mercer and husband Jake of Hillsboro, Missouri and Heather Cooper of Montgomery City, Missouri; one great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri with the Rev. Jim Muir officiating. Interment was in the New Chapel Hill Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri. Lena Minnie Williams Lena Minnie (nee Orso) Williams was born on February 12, 1923 in Rosati, Missouri to Giovanni "John" and Maria "Mary" Trettenero Orso and passed on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 9 days. Lena attended Friendship School and began caring for her grandmother and other elderly relatives at ages 10-13. She later shared a rented apartment on E. Eldon with other girls, where she could walk to work at Rice Stix garment factory. As a young adult, Lena worked on an assembly line at a radio parts factory in Illinois, during World War II. She married Hershel Harold "Pete" Williams on September 7, 1943. Lena worked in the business of housekeeping for several people and businesses. Lena loved to read her Bible and write letters to out-of-town family members. She enjoyed gardening, canning, bird-feeding, her beautiful roses and flower beds, quilt-making, cooking, baking and sharing her food. Lena accepted Christ as her personal Savior and Lord and was immersed into Christ in 1975 at the Church of God in St. James, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Orso; brother, James John Orso (KIA 1944); sister, Mary Orso Mars; brother-in-law, Dick Mars of Wisconsin; three infant siblings; son, James P. Williams; and niece-in-law, Miki Mars. She is survived by her children, Kenneth H. Williams (Jerri) of St. James, Missouri, Rose Mary Spencer (Lonnie) of Rolla, Missouri and Ruth Ann Ness (Larry) of Cook Station, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Karen Williams; seven grandchildren, Michael Williams (Lorna) of Kimberling City, Missouri, Dawn M. Williams Kennedy of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jeffrey Spencer of Rolla, Missouri, John D. Williams (Kymberly) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Christina Spencer Cresswell of Rolla, Missouri, Bryan Ness of San Diego, California and Andy Ness (Erin) of O'Fallon, Missouri; 12 great grandchildren, Corbin Williams, Grace Kennedy, Malachi Kennedy, Rachel Kennedy, Josiah Kennedy, Audrey Spencer, Levi, Zane and Aria Williams, Dylan Siehr and Tucker and Zachary Ness; one niece, Sandy MacLaughlin (John); nephew, Kevin Mars of Rochester, Minnesota; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Dan Phillips officiating. Songs were "Amazing Grace", "Precious Memories" and "How Great Thou Art" sung by Alan Wynn with Marge Lynch at the organ. Burial was in the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Donna Louise Zacharias Donna Louise Zacharias of High Ridge, Missouri was born in Joplin, Missouri on March 7, 1954 to Dale Lee Myers Sr. and Mary Jean Myers (nee Bartley) and passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the a ge of 63 years, 10 months and 12 days. On July 23, 1983 she married Roy Allan Zacharias. In 2002 she began sharing her life with Glen Pierce. Donna had recently given her life to Christ believing in Him as her Savior. She was a graduate of the Rolla High School Class of 1972. During her working career she started out as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company and had more recently been working at Schnucks in High Ridge, Missouri. She loved talking to her customers and co-workers and truly enjoyed her time spent there. During holidays you could always find Donna taking pictures and using them to make those moments extra special. She liked playing games on her computer and tablet, as well as feeding her chickens and the birds. She especially enjoyed seeing the Cardinals come to her feeders. Donna also had a sweet tooth and it wasn't out of the ordinary to find candy stashed all around her home. She was preceded in death by her father, Dale Lee Myers Sr.; husband, Roy Zacharias; and nephew, Nathan Ryan Frost. She is survived by her boyfriend, Glen Pierce of High Ridge, Missouri; daughter, Rebecca Zacharias of Cleveland, Ohio; mother, Mary Jean Myers-Hopkins of Rolla, Missouri; one brother, Dale Lee Myers Jr. and fiancˇe Debbie Murphy of Rolla, Missouri; two sisters, Patricia Watkins and husband Butch of Rolla, Missouri and Lena Schoenborn and husband Ron of St. James, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2018 with funeral service at 7 p.m. at the Faith Community Church in House Springs, Missouri. Private interment will be at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, 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