Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of February 5, 2014 Loraine A. Bookout Loraine A. Bookout of Rolla, Missouri was born February 18, 1932 to Floyd and Clara Erikson Shelton and passed away on Saturday February 1, 2013 at the age of 81 years 11 months and 14 days. She was united in marriage to Marvin Bookout at the First Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri on August 15, 1954. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Clara Shelton; one son, Daniel T. Bookout on September 1, 1988; and three brothers, Arvin, Warren and Kenneth Shelton. She is survived by her husband, Marvin of the home; three sons, Barry D. Bookout (Wendy) of Powell River, Canada, Russell J. Bookout (Melanie) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Mark E. Bookout (Catherine) of Rolla, Missouri; one brother, Louise Flynn of San Diego, California; four grandchildren, Milo, Zoe, Nathan and Aurin; other relatives and friends. Graveside funeral and burial was conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday February 2, 2014 at the Bookout Farm (Shady Valley Farm).   Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Robert “Bob” M. Earney Jr. Robert “Bob” M. Earney, Jr. of St. James, Missouri was born on May 30, 1946 in Phelps County, Missouri to Robert M. Earney, Sr. and Nora (Brewer) Earney and passed away Monday, January 20, 2014 at the age of 67 years. On March 7, 1965 he married Eva (Gann) Earney in St. James, Missouri. Bob enjoyed being at the river fishing, camping and trotline fishing. Robert worked for Daniel’s Construction for many years. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sr. and Nora Earney; and a granddaughter, Ciara. He is survived by his wife, Eva Earney of St. James, Missouri; two sons, Mark Earney and wife Presha of Steelville, Missouri and Michael Earney and wife Breyenne of St. James, Missouri; three brothers, Bill Earney and wife Bobbie of Doolittle, Missouri, Tim Earney and friend Veda of Edgar Springs, Missouri, and Daniel Earney of Rolla, Missouri; one sister, Dorcas Lewis and husband Artney of Sugar Tree, Missouri; six grandchildren, Caleb Earney, Joshua Earney, Gabriel Earney, Justin Earney, Austin Earney and Kypton Earney; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 from 11 a.m. until time of service at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Funeral service was conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Interment followed in the Rolla City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Leslie W. “Les” Forester Leslie W. “Les” Forester of Leasburg, Missouri was born to Charles and Virginia (Birdsong) Forester on June 12, 1932 in Newburg, Missouri and passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the age of 81. Les was united in marriage to Leona “Lee” Belle Durbin on September 15, 1964 in Cuba, Missouri. Les was a retired press operator for Keystone Container Company in Valley Park, Missouri. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting and being an avid Cardinals, Rams and Blues fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Vingina Forester; wife, Leona “Lee” Belle (Durbin) Forester; one daughter, Kathy Durbin; one granddaughter, Jamie Durbin; five brothers, Charles, Homer, Alfred, Johnny and Frank Forester; six sisters, Betty Warnhoff, Dorothy Decker, Ellen Bieber, Rose Schultz, Lucille Davis and Bertha Russell. He is survived by his three children, Lesa Forester of Sullivan, Missouri, Dennis and wife Virginia Forester of Sullivan, Missouri and Rusty Forester of Leasburg, Missouri; two grandchildren, Samuel Minchue IV of Leasburg, Missouri and Meriah Minchue of Sullivan, Missouri; one brother, Gene and wife Helen Forester of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 11 a.m. until time of service at Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Roger Taber officiating. Interment with military honors followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Verna “Vernie” Esther Hartmann Verna “Vernie” Esther Hartmann of St. James, Missouri was born on October 8, 1915 in Woollam, Missouri to LT and Stella (Owens) Micke and passed away on Monday, January 27, 2014 at the age of 98 years. She married Henry Hartmann on November 2, 1932 in Owensville, Missouri. During Verna’s early years, she worked as a floor-lady (supervising seamstress), at the Rice-Stix Garment Factory in St. James, Missouri. Verna was a member of St. James Christian Church for many years, until she became a founding member of Solid Rock Christian Church in the early 90s. Although Vernie had no children of her own, she was a nurturing woman. She always had mini Bugle ice cream cones and Tang ready for any kids that dropped by to visit. She was a talented seamstress, trusted to make Halloween costumes, children’s clothes, gowns for dances and even wedding dresses. Vernie also loved to cook and bake, and was best known for her pies, pickles and potato salad. In the summers, she canned tomatoes, beans, and made delicious apple butter. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers, especially her roses. She was preceded in death by her parents, LT and Stella Micke; husband, Henry Hartmann in 1976; five brothers, Alfred, Clarence, Lawrence, Virgil and Elmer Micke. She is survived by three sisters, Mamie Kueffer of Mount Dora, Florida, Sophia Havelka of Owensville, Missouri and Jane Sbabo (Mike) of St. James, Missouri; two nephews, Terry Sbabo (Sharon) and Kent Sbabo (Michele), both of St. James, Missouri; two nieces, Jana Wassilak (Jim) of Rolla, Missouri and Jill Michaels of Orlando, Florida; nine great nieces and nephews, Aaron Wassilak (Kacie) of Rolla, Missouri, Jenn Bormann of Springfield, Illinois, Heather Winters of Kissimmee, Florida, Jake Sbabo (Lacey) of Rolla, Missouri, Daniel Wassilak of Rolla, Missouri, Jessica Roy (David) of St. James, Missouri, Andrew Young of Orlando, Florida, Bethany Sbabo (Aaron Stratman) of Rolla, Missouri and Alec Sbabo (Kelsey Nott) of Rolla, Missouri; 12 great great nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at James and Gahr Mortuary, in St. James, Missouri. Funeral ceremony was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri with Craig Rippy officiating. Graveside immediately followed at the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens in Rolla, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Rev. Donald Eugene Massey Rev. Donald Eugene Massey of Rocky Mount, Missouri was born May 31, 1937 in Steelville, MO to John Eugene Massey and Sarah Kathryn Nichols Massey and passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 76 years. On December 5, 1958, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Byerly. Rev. Massey graduated from Steelville High School in 1955; and was ordained into the Assemblies of God in 1964. He pioneered a home mission’s church in St. Louis, also pastoring in O’Fallon, Kansas City and Trenton. He was an active community member in the cities in which he pastored and was President of the Ministerial Alliance, a member of the Rotary Club, Chaplain of the Police Force in O’Fallon, MO and an Assemblies of God Sectional Representative. He will be sadly missed by his wife of fifty-five years, Patricia Byerly Massey of Rocky Mount, Missouri; four daughters, Susan Canupp and husband Trent of Platte City, Missouri, Diane Crenshaw of Kansas City, Missouri, Laura Gooch and husband Marti of Liberty, Missouri and Karen Jensen and husband Casey of McKinney, Texas; one son, Donald S. Massey and wife Shella of Rocky Mount, Missouri; two brothers, Paul Massey and wife Carol of Wentzville, Missouri and David Massey and wife Nancy of Lake Ozark, Missouri; 11 grand- children, Megan Canupp, Molly Royse, Caitlin Canupp, Heather Spain, Garrett Crenshaw, Austen Gooch, Jordan Gooch, Jack Jensen, Kate Jensen, Logan Massey and Kayla Massey; one great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Patricia Spain; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Kathryn Massey. Visitation was from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the First Assembly of God Church in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Manuel Shoults and Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. His daughter, Karen Jensen, shared memories and scripture readings. Special music of “Sinner Saved by Grace” was sung by his brother, Paul Massey, and accompanied on piano by Sharon Hardecke. Committal prayer and internment were in the Steelville Cemetery. Casket bearers were Garrett Crenshaw, Austen Gooch, Jordan Gooch, Jack Jensen, Chad Spain, Clint Royse and Logan Massey as honorary bearer. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Dolores Loretta Sorth Dolores Loretta Sorth of Owensville, Missouri was born December 11, 1924 at Pacific, Missouri to Elmer and Esther (nee Gudermuth) Koch and passed away Friday, January 31, 2014 at the age of 89 years. Dolores was united in marriage to Virgil Sorth on May 11, 1945 at Affton, Missouri and to this union one son was born. She worked a few years as the secretary for Jim King Motors in Webster Groves, Missouri but she spent the majority of her life taking care of her home and family. Dolores had a great love for animals, especially cats and dogs. She spent hours working on puzzles and up until a few years ago she baked cakes and pies from scratch for every family gathering. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Esther Koch; son, Gary Sorth; sister, Mildred Holler; one nephew, Terry Skinner; and brother-in-law, Emmett Skinner. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Virgil Sorth of the home; one sister, Shirley Skinner of Cuba, Missouri; nephew, Donald and wife Ileta Ferrell of Cuba, Missouri; niece, Sandy and husband Tommy Brooks of Pacific, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014 at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Noval Cleveland “Cleve” Whittaker Noval Cleveland “Cleve” Whittaker of Cuba, Missouri was born Thursday, January 11, 1940 at Davisville, Missouri Elmer and Mae Rose (nee Eaton) Whittaker and passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the age of 74 years. Cleve married Leoma Massey on February 18, 1961 at Steelville, Missouri and to this union three children were born. He proudly served in the United States Army from May 7, 1958 until April 27, 1960 and was then part of the United States Army Reserves until May 6, 1964. Cleve worked for 20 years as a bricklayer and then he worked for nearly 20 years for West Asphalt Company before retiring in 1996. Cleve spent hours talking on his CB at home and in his car, his handle was Brickman. After retirement Cleve and Leoma traveled to many places. Cleve enjoyed reading and read his Bible from cover to cover several times. He attended the Coffee Community Church in Steelville on Sunday mornings, the Trinity Church in Leasburg, Missouri on Sunday evenings and the Evangelical Holiness Church in Cuba, Missouri on Wednesday evenings. He spent hours working in his rose garden and planting Dogwoods. In his younger years he enjoyed fast cars and motorcycles.He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mae Rose Whittaker; in-laws, James Massey and Irene Massey Bryant; two brothers, Calvin Whittaker and Garry Williams; sister, Kathy Jordan; brother-in-law, Alvin Massey; and sister-in-law, Julia Whittaker. He is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Leoma Whittaker of the home; three children, Joe Whitaker of Cuba, Missouri, Ruthie and husband Daryl Shelton of West Palm Beach, Florida and Steve Whittaker of Cuba, Missouri; two granddaughters, Morgan and Shelby Whitaker of Cuba, Missouri; four brothers, Gene and wife Judy Whittaker of Steelville, Missouri, Leamon Whittaker of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ronnie and wife Janet Williams of Leasburg, Missouri and David Wayne Williams of Mississippi; three sisters, Shirley and husband Bill Mackenzie of Michigan, Judy Head of Cuba, Missouri and Joyce Hart of Florida; brothers-in-law, Robert Jordan of Texas and Ed and wife Edith Massey of Washington, Missouri; sister-in-law, Nadine Obal of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation held Wednesday, February 5, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba with Bro. Don Mitchell and Bro. Gene Whittaker officiating. Special music will be by David Callahan. Interment and prayers will follow at the Kinder Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. 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