Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of February 9, 2011 Ellis Gene Ahart Ellis Gene Ahart born January 26, 1931 in Miller County, Missouri to James and Susan (Dake) Ahart and passed away February 3, 2011 at his home in St. James, Missouri. On June 9, 1956 he was united in marriage to Faye L. Lawson and to this union two children were born. He served our country in the U.S. Navy from December 1951 to December 1955, aboard the DE 220 Francis M. Robinson on which he attained 2nd class. After returning home he worked at Krogers store for a while in Peoria, Illinois.  Then for Cupples Products in Maplewood, Missouri.  After that he became a truck driver for 30 years retiring from McDonnell Douglas in 1993. He moved to St. James, Missouri in 1994. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and camping. Ellis was a member of First Assembly of God Church in St. James, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Ahart on July 30, 1976; his father, James Ahart on January 31, 1985; brother, Wayne; sister, Ila Fay (Ahart) Rowden; brother-in-law, Junior C. Rowden and a sister-in-law, Marie (Rowden) Ahart. He is survived by his wife, Faye of the home in St. James, Missouri; daughter, Pamela (Ahart) Day and husband Lonnie of Grubville, Missouri; son, Kevin Ahart and wife Robin of St. James, Missouri; six grandchildren, Tammie, Kristy, Alisha, Mark, Heather and Kevin Jr.; six great grandchildren, Cody, Keighlee, Colton, Trenton, Jacob and Braxton; two step great grandchildren, Logen and Marissa; one brother, Dallas Ahart and wife Lelia of St. Clair, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held prior to the service on Saturday and began at 9 a.m. at the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri with Rev. Mick Thrasher officiating. Interment was at the Dake Cemetery near Iberia, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Virginia Nova Brewer Virginia Nova Brewer nee Dorson was the daughter of Nova Audrice Bell and Marvin Cornelius Dorson and passed away at home on Monday, January 31, 2011, at the age of 84 years. Virginia was a life long resident of Sullivan, Missouri. In addition to being a wife and mother she was also “the best pie maker in the area;” no one could say no to a piece of her homemade pie.  Virginia worked at the International Shoe Company then at Pacco until she retired at the age of 60. From an early age she loved nature and outdoors.  She would dig in the dirt for worms and go fishing with them just like her mother Nova, and plant seeds to grow her beautiful flowers.  She loved animals, her favorite being a Siamese cat named Mittens. More recently she enjoyed the war-like antics of “her” hummingbirds and the upside down woodpecker. As a teenager, Virginia was a member of the Rainbow Girls then in later years she joined the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed the sisterhood and charity of these organizations. For many years she was a member of First Baptist Church in Sullivan, Missouri and with the quilting group, she made many beautiful quilts. Recently, she was an active member of First Baptist Church in Bourbon, Missouri. She enjoyed the Road Runner trips, local and foreign. She liked cruising to far away places or just down the Mississippi. She liked history, she collected it.  She loved antiques and the hunt for them.  Be it an auction, flea market, yard sale or antique shop, she always found treasures. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nova and Marvin Dorson and a brother, Marvin Persy Dorson; She is survived by husband, Leo Brewer for 65 years; children, Nova Jean Grande and husband Gerard of Cumming, Georgia and Leo Floyd Brewer and wife Shirley of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Nova Ann Grande, Leo Eric, Carl David, and Joshua Brewer; five great grandchildren, Nova Anna, Adrianna, Madison, Hunter and Gerard;step grandchildren, Kristy Cornell, Lisa Sommer, Kevin Parker; great grandchildren include, Jackie, Keaton and Cooper Cornell; Gage Parker, Macie and Andrew Sommer, all of Warrenton, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Jean Brewer Chandler and Janie Merkel Dorson; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Ted Hurley officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Dorothy A. Davis Dorothy A. Davis of St. Peters, Missouri formerly of St. James, Missouri was born in St. James, Missouri to Ralph and Sylvia (Skouby) Davis and passed away on Monday, January 31, 2011 at the age of 77 years. Dorothy loved her work at Boone Center Workshop for the Disabled. Dorothy was a member of the High Gate Baptist Church of St. James, Missouri. She loved her home at Lakeside House with her many friends and the staff that provided care. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Sylvia Davis; one brother, Henry Davis and two sisters-in-law, Anita and Lois Davis. She is survived by two brothers, Wayne Davis of St. Peters, Missouri and Ralph Davis; sister-in-law, Lucille Davis; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Friday, February 4, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at the High Gate Baptist Church in rural St. James, Missouri at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Tony DiPardo Tony DiPardo “Mr. Music” of Kansas City, Missouri was born August 15, 1912 and passed away January 27, 2011 at the age of 98 years. Tony’s life spanned 11 decades. He was charismatic and charming. He was kind, loving and gentle. He was the first generation son born in the USA to Italian immigrants. He was a perfectionist, a masterful musician and a very successful businessman. He loved to eat, smile, wink and he loved to give an “Italian Hug.” He loved to pray and everyday he gave thanks to the Lord for his most richly blessed life. He was small in statue, yet he was bigger than life. Tony loved the Kansas City Chiefs and the Hunt family. Being a #1 Chief’s fan and band leader for over 40 years, much of Tony’s prized music moments were on the field at Municipal Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium playing music and leading the “Charge” for the Kansas City Chiefs football team. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Anna Marie DiPardo; brother, Al DiPardo; sister, Lee Randoni; other relatives; friends and musicians he knew along his life’s journey. He is survived by his wife Doddie of 68 years; children, Anthony R. Dipardo (Susan), James M. DiPardo, Patti DiPardo Livergood and husband Robert; grandsons, Anthony R. DiPardo Jr and wife Marcie and Michael A. DiPardo; great grandsons, Zachary and Gavin DiPardo; sisters, Josephine Imperial and Mary Petrella; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel ballroom in Kansas City, Missouri. Private funeral services were held with entombment at Mt. Moriah Cemetery South. Elizabeth M. Jones Elizabeth M. Jones of Jefferson City, Missouri, was born on September 12, 1914 in Goodwater, Missouri to James and Elvira Anderson Crocker and passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at the Jefferson City Manor Care Center at the age of 96 years. She was married on April 12, 1932 in Goodwater, Missouri to Wilber N. Jones.Elizabeth has been a resident of Jefferson City since 1947 and a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She was a devoted homemaker who loved flowers and grew the most beautiful flowers around her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilber in 1978; one daughter, Myrtle Dillon; granddaughter, Diana Hale; great-grandson, Ricky Hunger; three sisters and six brothers. She is survived by two sons, Leo Jones and his wife Maizie of Jefferson City, Missouri and Walter Jones and his wife Alice of Indio, California; one daughter, Wilma Mueller of Jefferson City, Missouri; one sister, Isabel Fenton of Stratford, Missouri; 14 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 21 great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011 in the Freeman Chapel with Brent Newton officiating. Interment was at the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements under the direction of Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City, Missouri. James O. Manion James O. Manion of Sullivan, Missouri was born at Sullivan, Missouri on January 21, 1920 to Edmund and Phoebe (Thurmond) Manion and passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at the age of 91 years. He was a life-long resident of Sullivan and was self-employed as an electrician. On April 26, 1941 he was married to Elsie Northcutt and to this marriage five children were born. Jim was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Sullivan and a 50-year member of Sullivan Masonic Lodge #69, 55-year member of Sullivan Odd Fellows Lodge #156 and 50-year member of the I.B.E.W. On June 29, 1996 he was married to Elneda Cain Steen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Phoebe Manion; his first wife, Elsie on July of 1995; a son, James E. Manion; one daughter, Cora Sue Miller; two brothers, Raymond Manion in infancy and Tracy Manion and three sisters, Maude Conway, Thelma Waldom and Eva Dinsdale. He is survived by his wife, Elneda of the family home; three daughters, Sharon Barber of Springfield, Missouri, Shirley DeBaux of St. Louis, Missouri and Sheila Zelch and husband Vernon of Bourbon, Missouri; two step-sons, Nick Steen and wife Teri of the state of Florida and Bob Steen and wife Vickie of the state of Texas; one step-daughter, Sue Lewis and husband Bob of St. James, Missouri; 20 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church on Friday, February 7, 2011.  Odd Fellows memorial services were held at 7 p.m. on Friday evening at Temple Baptist Church followed by Masonic memorial services at 7:30. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2011 from Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment was in the Oddfellows Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Donald H. Mullen Donald “Don” H. Mullen of Leasburg, Missouri, was born in Leasburg, Missouri on July 18, 1925 to Dennis and Della (nee Walls) Mullen and passed away, Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at the age of 85 years. He drove trucks for most of his life and retired from N.B. West Contracting where he drove an asphalt truck. He married Janie E. West-Ransom on December 5, 1977 in Bourbon, Missouri and they made their home in Leasburg. He is survived by his wife, Janie, of the family home; four daughters, Carol Stevens and husband Jerry of Hawaii, Judy Doyen and husband Patrick of Jefferson City, Missouri, Patricia Timmons and husband Truman of Sullivan, Missouri and Cathy Mullen also of Hawaii; three stepdaughters, Shirley Dace and husband Tim of Sullivan, Missouri, Sheila King and husband Dan of Bourbon, Missouri and Sharon McNelly and husband Gary of Vichy, Missouri; one sister, Naomi Lytle and husband Moe of Nashville, Tennessee; six grandchildren and eight step grandchildren; one great grandchild; four step great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were private. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Edna L. Payne Edna L. Payne (nee Clonts) of High Ridge, Missouri, was born November 6, 1924, in Granite City, Illinois to Carl and Eura (nee Harper) Clonts, and passed away Monday, January 24, 2011, at her residence in High Ridge, Missouri, at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 18 days. Edna was on a bowling league and loved making quilts, camping and cooking. Her most precious time was spent with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Payne; parents, Carl and Eura Clonts; five siblings and three grandchildren, Joey, David, and Michael. She is survived by four children, Ernest E. (Mary) Payne of Mountain Home, Arkansas, James D. (Charlotte) Payne of House Springs, Missouri, Diane (Howard) Fields of High Ridge, Missouri and Darlene (Lester) Weatherby of Cuba, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, Peggy, Karen, Scott, Jeffery, Kevin, Lorrie, Robert, James, Michael, Cindy and Daniel; 13 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Wednesday, January 26, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Mortuary, Cedar Hill, Missouri Services were Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 2 p.m., at the Chapel Hill Mortuary, Cedar Hill, Missouri. Interment was at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Cedar Hill, Missouri. David Lee Poncet David Lee Poncet of Hazelwood, Missouri was born September 4, 1939 in Desoto, Missouri to Marcel and Evelyn (Burke) Poncet and passed away Sunday, January 30, 2011 at his home at the age of 71 years. David served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked at General Motors in St. Louis for 32 years and retired in 1996. He was a member of the St. Martin de Porres Parish Church in Hazelwood, Missouri. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Desoto Elks and Am Vets. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcel and Evelyn Poncet. He is survived by his brothers, Ron Poncet and wife Judith of Steelville, Missouri and Jerry Poncet of St. James, Missouri; one sister, Ruth Ann Baldetta and husband Pasquale of Collinsville, California; nieces and nephews, Barb Fisher, Sue Jones, John Gertiser and wife Liza, Greg Poncet and wife Julie, Claudia Montgomery and husband Jim, Laura Whitley and husband Wes and Jonathan Weber; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 9-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Steelville, Missouri with Father James Finder officiating. Music was provided by Deloris Bell as organist. Committal prayer and interment were in the Cherryville Baptist Cemetery. Full military honors were given by the U.S. Army, St. James VFW and Patriot Guard. Casket bearers were Greg Poncet, Jonathan Weber, Laura Whitley, Jim Montgomery, Julie Poncet, Jamie Montgomery, Charlie Kitson and Mike Lowes. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Jerald R. “Jake” Rodgers Jerald R. “Jake” Rodgers of St. James, Missouri was born on December 23, 1933 in St. James, Missouri to Albert and Elva (Cowan) Rodgers Glenn and passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at the age of 77 years. Jake loved to fish and play football. He was very active in church and enjoyed and loved his grandsons and family. He is survived by his wife, Betty Foust Rodgers of St. James, Missouri; son, John Dale Claus of St. Louis, Missouri; daughters, Betty Renai Rodgers of St. James, Missouri, Sandra D. Claus of Arnold, Missouri and Debra Lynn Hairer and husband Brian of New Bloomsdale, Missouri; sister, Doris Burch and husband Charles of Texas; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Services were conducted at noon on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James with William Horton officiating. Pallbearers were Joeseph A. Bladdick II, Jake Harlan, Kevin L. Harris II, Jeremy M. Moore, Ethan J. Rodgers and Benjamin J. Wilson. Burial was in family plot in 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. ************************************************ Copyright. 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