Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of February 5, 2020 George Elmer Adams George Elmer Adams of Columbia, Missouri was born on October 21, 1931 to Phillip Marion and Millie Neleta (nee Kimberlin) Adams and passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the age of 88 years. George attended Long Ridge rural school through eighth grade and graduated from Steelville High School in 1949. He then earned his B.S. in Vocational Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri and taught at Galt, Missouri. George began work in October 1956 for the Missouri Highway Department (now MoDOT) in Columbia, Missouri on one of the first sections of I-70 to be built. He retired in February 1993. George married Sharon Thomas in 1963 and built a home near Columbia, Missouri. George and Sharon returned to the farm in 2006 to care for his brother, Henry and sister, Pauline. Skills he developed in working with engines, equipment, appliances and construction were shared with family, neighbors, co-workers and friends. His interest in family and community history plus a challenge from his college English teacher led him to begin 30 years later to write a book about the Adams family and Long Ridge Community. George and Sharon enjoyed camping vacations and visited many parks and historic sites in 49 states. He was a scout leader for several years. When he retired from MoDOT, the only item on his bucket list was to drive the Alcan Highway (1,523 miles through Canada and Alaska) and he did that in 1993. He was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. One of his volunteer activities when he was a member of the Community United Methodist Church in Columbia was welding parts for building the P.E.T. (the Personal Energy Transportation hand cranked mobility device for leg handicapped persons throughout the world). He was preceded in death by one brother, Henry; eight sisters and seven brothers-in-law, Neola McKay and husband Mac, Pauline Adams, Ava Comfort and husband Glen, Betty Ferrell and husband Lewis, Opal Comfort and husband Louis, Anna Marie Horn and husband Robert, Dorothy Weber and husband Bob, Neleta Maloney and husband Bryce; and one niece, Janet (Ferrell) Parrett. He is survived by wife, Sharon of Columbia, Missouri; sons, Phillip Marion Adams of O'Fallon, Missouri and Michael Thomas Adams of Kansas City, Missouri; grandson, Dustin Michael Adams of Lees Summit, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Leon and Lynn Thomas; nieces and nephews, Marian (John) Roberts, Ray Comfort, Phyllis (Wally) Burr, Charles (Wands) Ferrell, Eddie (Val) Ferrell, Linda (Ray) Kendrick, Shirley Comfort, Gale (Ralph) Teasley, Kim (Keith) Busche, Todd Horn, Lisa (Carey) Hollander, Rebecca (Bruce) Fleahmann, Leslie Trossett, Cindy (Steve) Jackson, Julie (Chuck) Murray, Debbie (Joe) Juntti, Diane (Mike) O'Rourke, Becky (John) Imes; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 with Rev. Mike Reno officiating. Special music of "Precious Memories," "He'll Understand" and "On the Other Side" was played. Memories were shared by his son, Mike. Committal prayer and interment were in the Pleasant Point Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Casket bearers were Ralph Teasley, Nick Lukefahr, Keith Busche, Mike O'Rourke, Rodney Weaver and Jared Parrett. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Leroy Julian Armstrong Leroy Julian Armstrong of Bourbon, Missouri was born on December 27, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri to Julian Samuel and Edith Viola (Sohn) Armstrong and passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at the age of 83 years. He grew up in Sappington, Missouri, and later, he and his family moved to the Anaconda, Missouri area, where he attended school. Leroy graduated from Sullivan High School, Class of 1954. He served his county in the National Guard for nine years. On August 24, 1984 Leroy married Rhonda Pennock. Leroy taught shop class at Bourbon schools for a couple of years, then went into business with his twin brother, Leonard. Together, they owned and operated A and M Construction, which built new homes for families in their community. He enjoyed watching sports on the television, especially football and was a member of the Bourbon Coon Hunters Club. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie Marmon; parents, Julian and Edith Armstrong; one sister, Marie Rogers and husband Dennis; and one brother-in-law, Albert "Buddy" Rodgers. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Rhonda Armstrong of Bourbon, Missouri; six children, Allen Armstrong and wife Tammy of Boise, Idaho, Bryan Flynn Armstrong of Pacific, Missouri, Leroy "Moe" Armstrong and wife Sandy of Urich, Missouri, Shelly Wise and husband Matt of Wildwood, Missouri, Lisa Nigh and husband Kent of Boonville, Missouri and Dana Johnson and husband Chuck of Rolla, Missouri; twin brother, Leonard Armstrong and wife Brenda of Bourbon, Missouri; one sister, Betty Rodgers of Sullivan, Missouri; 16 grandchildren, Robbie, Aaliyah, Isaih, Logan, Tyler, Eric, Garrett, Shana, Owen, Mitchell, Elaina, Ian, Levi, Kendra, Antoine and Hashan; a host of great grandchildren; son-in-law, Ernie Marmon of Kansas City, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Interment followed in the Anaconda Cemetery, Anaconda, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri. Eileen Patricia Dittrich Eileen Patricia Dittrich of Dittmer, Missouri was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 30, 1950 to Thomas and Genevieve Mary (nee Wobbe) Culleton and passed away January 24, 2020 at the age of 69 years, 5 months and 25 days. On May 26, 1984 she married Peter John Dittrich, known to most as Sonny. Eileen was a Christian of the Catholic faith and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Luebbering, Missouri. She was a member of the parish council and was also a long time PSR teacher at the church. She was a 1968 graduate of St. Alphonsus Liquori Rock Catholic High School in St. Louis, Missouri. During her working years, she was a supervisor at Western Union in St. Louis, Missouri, retiring after 18 years of service to the company. Doing embroidery and crochet were some of her hobbies. She also liked collecting clocks and watching Hallmark movies on television. Eileen was especially fond of her pet pig named Sassy and her pet dog named Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Genevieve Culleton; and two brothers, Leo Jones and Vincent Culleton. She is survived by her husband, Sonny Dittrich of Dittmer, Missouri; sons, Matthew Dittrich of St. Clair, Missouri and Steven Dittrich and wife Hannah of Cedar Hill, Missouri; daughters, Colleen Dean and husband Justin of Potosi, Missouri and Kathleen Dittrich of Dittmer, Missouri; four brothers, James Culleton of St. Louis, Missouri, Michael Culleton and wife June of Cuba, Missouri, John Culleton of St. Louis, Missouri and Thomas Culleton and wife Shari of St. Louis, Missouri; sisters, Mary Ann McKechnie of Hyannis, Nebraska and Catherine Askew of St. Louis, Missouri; brother-in-law, Tom Dittrich and wife Debbie of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, rinity, Hailey, Junior, Chase and Parker Dittrich of Cedar Hill, Missouri and Brooklyn Dean of Potosi, Missouri; best friends, Bridget Gabel of St. Louis, Missouri and Sandy Franklin of Zalma, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 3-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri with rosary services at 5 p.m. Funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Luebbering, Missouri with Father Bob Knight officiating. Interment was in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri. Joyce Ann Duckworth Joyce Ann Duckworth of Belle, Missouri was born on September 18, 1956 in Rolla, Missouri to Burkey and Marie Bailey Chambers and passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at the age of 63 years. Joyce loved playing the piano and she was an excellent cook. Joyce would give the shirt off her back to help anyone in need. She was a big hearted lady and a very good caretaker. She had a wonderful, outgoing personality and was never afraid to speak her mind. She was preceded in death by her parents, Burkey and Marie Bailey Chambers; one brother, Chesley Chambers; one sister, Wanda Thornhill; and one brother-in-law, Paul Daniels. She is survived by her sons, Nathaniel Drennan and wife Rhonda of St. James, Missouri and Jonah Duckworth and wife Kathy of St. James, Missouri; daughters, Hannah Pflantz and husband Thanuel of St. Louis, Missouri and Sarah Duckworth of St. James, Missouri; brothers, Burkey Chambers and wife Julie of Taos, Missouri and John Chambers and wife Liz of Vichy, Missouri; sister, Wilma Daniels of Vichy, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Austin, Layne, Gavin, Kirrah, Camden, Vance, Bailey and Casen; one great grandchild, Jaydin; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Gary Lane officiating. Pallbearers were Austin Drennan, Gavin Hays, Thanuel Pflantz Jonah Duckworth, Nathaniel Drennan and Chesley Daniels. Burial was in the Macedonia Cemetery in rural Rolla, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Essie Vera Bushie Hale Essie Vera (nee Keasling) Bushie Hale of Sandpoint, Idaho, formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born on June 25, 1927 in St. James, Missouri to Sherman and Essie (Jones) Keasling and passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at the age of 92 years. She married Leonard Taylor Bushie. Essie worked as a seamstress for California Manufacturing in St. James, Missouri where she later retired. She was a longtime member of the St. James First Christian Church. She moved to Sandpoint, Idaho to be with her daughter in 2012. Essie loved life and had a sharp mind with a keen sense of humor. She loved being around her fur babies, watching the hummingbirds feed and listening to her favorite tunes on her cuckoo clock even if it didn't tell the correct time. She loved kicking up her heels and spending time with good friends line dancing and playing cards. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard on April 27, 1988; four sisters, Gladys Howard, Mildred Bartle, Margaret Keasling and Nadine Wools; and two brothers George and James Keasling. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Clawson of Sandpoint, Idaho; son, Steven Bruce Bushie of Eldon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Brenden Clawson of Portland, Oregon and Cameron (Flora) Clawson of San Francisco, California; other relatives and friends. Services will be held at a later date. As per her wishes she will be cremated and laid to rest with her husband in the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho. Troy Clint Kennedy Troy Clint Kennedy of Steelville, Missouri was born Tuesday, November 26, 1991 to Bruce and Rhonda (nee Christ) Kennedy and passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020, from an automobile accident, at the age of 28 years. Troy graduated from Steelville High School in 2011. He was working for CCR Construction for the last year and a half, as a carpenter. Troy loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his BMW motorcycle and going to the river. He was always working, but when he had a day off work, he treasured being dad and spending time with his son, Charles. He is survived by his son, Charles Lee Jean Kennedy of Steelville, Missouri; parents, Bruce and Rhonda Kennedy of Steelville, Missouri; twin brother, Chase Kennedy of Steelville, Missouri; brother, Aaron Kennedy of Steelville, Missouri; grandparents, George and wife Amy Christ of Cabool, Missouri; girlfriend, Katie Laycock of Gerald, Missouri; aunts and uncles, Janet and Dan Murphy of Troy, Illinois, Stephanie and David Kastner of Belleville, Illinois and Shawn and Charlotte Christ of Long Lane, Missouri; special cousin and roommate, Henry Burch of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial visitation held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Memorial service held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Lloyd Myers officiating with special recorded music of "Devil Went Down to Georgia," "Drink A Beer" and "Even Though I'm Leaving." Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Cynthia Pauline LeClair Cynthia Pauline LeClair of St. James, Missouri was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 30, 1959 to Stanley Dean and Lola Jewell Cranfield Johnson and passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020 at the age of 60 years, 6 months and 1 day. She married Ronald Anthony LeClair on June 29, 1996 at Clear Lake, California. Cynthia loved to sew, fish and to read the bible. She loved music and to dance. Her husband called her Boobie and her daughter called her Toots. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley Dean and Lola Jewell Cranfield Johnson; husband, Ronald on January 2, 2019; brothers, Louie Dean Johnson, John Anthony Johnson and Stanley Ellis Johnson; and sister, Wilma Louise Lewis. She is survived by son, David Brian Cochran and Ashley Bettorf of Granite City, Illinois; daughters, Chrystal Lynn Jewell Walter and husband George Walter Jr. and Patricia Marie Andrews of Jefferson City, Missouri; brothers, Huey Lee Johnson of St. James, James Johnson of St. James, Robert Yul Johnson of Boston, Massachusetts and William Cleveland Johnson of St. James, Missouri; four grandchildren, Andre, Brian, Jacob and Gage; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Pallbearers will be James Johnson, Crystal Walter, David Cochran, William Johnson, George Walter Jr., Daniel Karnes and Crowley Wright. Honorary pallbearer will be Ricky Lewis. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Robert Lee "Bob" Roach Robert Lee "Bob" Roach of St. James, Missouri was born November 5, 1930 in Cuba, Missouri to Lee M. and Leona Francis Sohn Roach and passed away Friday January 24, 2020 at the age of 89 years. Bob, as he was known by his family and friends, grew up in Newburg, Missouri when the town was booming. On June 2 1960 he married Ethel Irene Johnson. He then married Gloria Elliott on May 20, 1995. He loved the railroad and worked as an agent for the Frisco/ Burlington Railroad in Newburg, Missouri for many years and worked at the Rolla Depot for 21 years before it closed. He retired after 44 years of service. He was very active in the community of Newburg and served in the municipal court and was appointed a Judge in the Traffic Court. Bob served his country in the Korean Conflict in the United States Air Force. He was a decorated soldier with the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He left the Air Force at the Randolph Air Force Base in Texas in 1955. He continued active after retirement and volunteered at the St. James Caring Center for 10 years managing the Food Pantry. He also volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home. Bob and Gloria were active members at the First Assembly of God in Rolla, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Leona Roach; first wife, Ethel Irene Johnson Roach; brothers-in-law, Joe Dees and George Baxter; sister, Vickie Aldridge; and one grandson, Allyn Roach. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Roach of St. James, Missouri; sons, Allan Roach of Springfield, Missouri, Mark Elliott and wife Lisa of St. James, Missouri and Bill Elliott Jr. of Lawrence, Kansas; daughters, Sharon Edwards and husband Dale of Cuba, Missouri, Holly Bushman of Cuba, Missouri and Susan and Richard Smith of Bativia, Illinois; sisters, Janet Dees of Louisville, Kentucky and Ann Baxter of Mesa Arizona; 10 grandchildren, Shane, Allison, Natalie, Madison, Courtney, Hallie, Olivia, Lauren, William and Jonathan; 10 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday January 28, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday January 28, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Pastor Chuck Whitmire officiating. Hymns "In The Garden" and "Blessed Assurance" were sung by David Robinson with Sherry Hathaway at the piano. Pallbearers were Dale Edwards, Richard Smith, William Smith, Johathan Smith, Scott Hayes and Ben Fadler. Honorary pallbearers were Shane Edwards, Mark Elliott, Carl Wilkinson, Ray Turner, Don Gillespie, David Bullock and Marlon Malone. Burial was in the Rolla Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Gary Lee Watt Gary Lee Watt of Cuba, Missouri was born to Ralph Herman and Miriam Frances (Field) Watt on July 16, 1943 in Reading, Pennsylvania and passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020 at age 76 years. He graduated from Pottstown Senior High School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania in June 1961 and attended Penn State University in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Gary served his country for 20 years in the US Air Force from 1962 to 1982. He was assigned to many bases in the US and around the world. He served in the combat zone in Vietnam during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged (retired) from active service in 1982. Following his military service, Gary continued supporting the Air Force in civilian corporation defense contract efforts in Goleta, California and St. Louis, Missouri until his retirement. He enjoyed music, roller skating, dancing and he danced on the American Band Stand. In his later years, he could be found putting together model airplanes and cars. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Miriam Watt; wife, Pamela (Chumley) Watt; and two daughters, Gayle Lynn Young and Dawn (Watt) Nichols. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Keogh-Watt of Cuba, Missouri; daughter, Ashley Watt Fletcher of St. Charles, Missouri; son, John Anthony Young of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; step daughter, Mackenzie Keogh Pfeiffer and husband Jason of Cuba, Missouri; step son Stephen Keogh and wife Jessica of Cuba, Missouri; brother, Richard and wife Lynda Watt of Santa Paula, California; sister, Gail (Watt) and husband Richard Plank of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania; aunt, Fern Kennedy of New Jersey; 14 grandchildren, Lyra, Hendrix, Mason, Dylan, Paxton, Maxwell, Ryan, Addison, Angel, Raven, Diamond, Jackara, Jayvon and Tamara; brothers-in-law, Steve Kamler of Springfield, Missouri, Mat Kamler of Rolla, Missouri; sister-in-law, Cristy Kruse and husband Ed of Cuba, Missouri; five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the First Baptist Church of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Jim Moore officiating. Interment will follow at the Kinder Cemetery in Cuba, Missouri with full military honors. A luncheon will be provided for all at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. William Bernarad "Bernie" Wehmeyer William Bernard "Bernie" Wehmeyer of St. James, Missouri, formerly of Sullivan, Missouri, was born June 17, 1940, in Thebes, Illinois to William Charles "Bill" and Elsie (Workman) Wehmeyer and passed away on January 29, 2020 at the age of 79 years. His family moved to Sullivan, Missouri when Bernie was 12 years old. He attended school in Sullivan and worked at his family's business, Brown Supermarket. He was a basketball player at Sullivan High School, then attended the University of Missouri - Columbia, Missouri and joined the Missouri National Guard shortly thereafter. In 1961 he married Linda Nelson of Sullivan, Missouri. He worked for local supermarkets, Thrifty and Kroger as well as various supermarkets in the St. Louis, Missouri region through his membership with the UFCW Local 88 union. At 29 years of age, Bernie was one of the youngest to become a "Worshipful Master," the highest officer status, at the Masonic Lodge #69 of Sullivan, Missouri. As many know, Bernie was a good golfer and longtime club member at the Sullivan Country Club. He played on the men's league and won the club championship several times. He continued to enjoy playing golf with friends and family throughout his life. In 1986 Bernie married Jenny Hancock Iten. They lived on a farm at St. James, Missouri where he enjoyed raising cattle. After National Supermarket closed at Rolla, Missouri in 1997, Bernie drove a tour coach for Mid-American Coaches throughout the US and Canada until retiring in 2016. He was preceded in death by his father, Wm. Charles "Bill" Wehmeyer; mother, Elsie Wehmeyer; and sister, Beverly Wehmeyer. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jenny Wehmeyer; daughters, Margaret Wehmeyer and Gwen Scaman; son, Wm. Kurt Wehmeyer; Jenny's children, Toby Iten, Timothy Iten and Tommi Iton; grandchildren, Cole and Cale Iten; great grandchildren, Avery and Amelia Iten; other relatives friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Jerry Baumann officiating. Internment followed at the Hancock Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary 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