Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of February 13, 2008


Stella Leona Clay

Leona (Pitts) Clay of Lowell, Indiana, formerly of Cook Station, Missouri, was
born February 8, 1914 at Wesco, Missouri to Frank and Ruth May (Earney) Pitts.
She passed away Sunday, February 3, 2008 at the age of 93 years.
On March 22, 1936, Stella was united in marriage to Floyd E. Clay who preceded
her in death on July 4, 1972.
Stella was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Hammond, Indiana. She
was a former member of the Steelville Country Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers, James,
Cecil, Afton, and Glen Pitts; two sisters-in-law, Delores Pitts and Kate Pitts
and two brothers-in-law, Tom Hicks and Lucian Moore.
She is survived by one daughter, June McWilliams and husband Chester of
Rensselaer, Indiana; four brothers, Bob Pitts and wife Bertie and Monroe Pitts
and wife Sherry, all of Cook Station, Missouri, Walter “Peeham” Pitts and wife
Dolores of Rolla, Missouri, Pershing Pitts of Kentucky; three sisters, Florence
Hicks of Steelville, Missouri, Shirley Cothran and husband Larry of Cook
Station, Missouri and Kordean “Sis” Moore of Hammond, Indiana; grandmother of
three, Scott McWilliams and wife Nancy of Lowell, Indiana, Daniel McWilliams of
Rensselaer, Indiana and Nancy Williams and husband Garry of Hammond, Indiana;
six great grandchildren, Kim Wedding and husband Casey of Lake Village, Indiana,
Missy Taylor and husband Steve of Cook Station, Missouri, Rusty McWilliams and
wife Vicki of Schneider, Indiana, Dan McWilliams and wife Tara of Rensselaer,
Indiana and Kevin and A.J. Williams of Hammond, Indiana; eight great great
grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Doretta Pitts and Helen Pitts; other
relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Casey Reed
officiating. Special music of “Beyond The Sunset” was sang by Joyce Vaughn and
accompanied on piano by Wanda Ransom. Other special music of “We’ll Never Grow
Old” was sang by Rev. Casey Reed. Granddaughter Nancy Williams gave the eulogy
Casketbearers were Dan McWilliams, Steve Taylor, Allen Pitts, Billy Pitts,
Casey Wedding and Rusty McWilliams.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Steelville,
Missouri.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.



Swithen E. Edgar

Swithen E. Edgar of Cuba, Missouri was born on Thursday, July 11, 1912 in
Davisville, Missouri to Espie Edgar and Eura Yawberry Edgar. He passed away on
Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the age of 95 years, 6 months and 22 days.
Swithen married Velma Frieda Findley on May 4, 1933 in St. James, Missouri
and to this union four children were born.
He retired from Ameren Union Electric after working 34 years as an estimator. 
He was always wanting to help the less fortunate. His hobbies were fishing and
hunting.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughters, Janet Louise and June
Lee; five brothers, Isaac (Ella) Edgar, Ural (Lena) Edgar, William (Sadie)
Edgar, Joseph Edgar, Bobby Edgar; three sisters, Icealine (Gus and Dooley) Monda
Garrison, Esther (Everett) Holt and Betty McGhee and brother-in-law, Bill Bay.
He is survived by his wife of the home; son, Gene Raphel Edgar and wife Yvonne
of Titusville, Florida; daughter, Velma Marie Bryan of Hillsboro, Missouri;
sister, Pauline “Polly” Bay of St. James, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Glenus
Cramer of LeMay, Missouri and Joyce Edgar of  Rockville, Indiana; brother-in-
law, Andy McGhee of Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren; 12 great
grandchildren; one great great grandchild; nieces, nephews, other relatives
and friends.
Visitation was Tuesday, February 5, 2008 from 6-7 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral
Home, Cuba, Missouri.  Funeral service was Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at
11 a.m. with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating.  Burial at Kinder Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Gene Allen, David and Greg Bryan, Bill Jim Holt, Gary Monda
and Rex Pingleton. Honorary pallbearers were Howard and David Monda, Bill Bay
III, Bob Payne, David and George Edgar.
All arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba,
Missouri.



Mary Elizabeth Fischer

Mary Elizabeth Fischer of Steelville, Missouri was born Sunday, May 11, 1947
to the union of Fritz and Agnes (nee Seals) Fischer and passed away Monday,
February 4, 2008 at Steelville, Missouri at the age of 60 years, 8 months
and 24 days.
Mary was a homemaker but what she enjoyed best was being mom to Steven.
Her hobbies included watching the Hallmark Channel, TV Land and wrestling,
going to Wal-Mart, collecting M&M figurines and being with her best friend
“Teddy Bear” her dog.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ted Schuttenburg,
other relatives and friends.
She is survived by her companion of many years, Jeff West of Steelville,
Missouri; one son, Steven and wife Nicole Hammock of Steelville, Missouri;
one granddaughter, Elizabeth Hammock; one brother, Butch and wife Louise
Fischer of Union, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2008 at Kinder
Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.



Jerry Dan Mason

Jerry Dan Mason of Cherryville, Missouri was born on Tuesday,
December 20, 1949 in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to Gerald D. Mason and
Nancy Lou Gunter Mason. He passed away in his home on Tuesday,
February 5, 2008 at the age of 58 years, 1 month and 16 days.
Jerry served his country honorably in the United States Army including a 
four-year tour of Vietnam.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beverly Obermark.
He is survived by his children, Jerry Mason of the U.S. Military and Melissa
Mason of St. Charles, Missouri; brothers, Casey Lair and wife Carol of
Bowling Green, Kentucky and John Davis of St. Louis, Missouri; sisters,
Barbara Granados and husband John of Ballwin, Missouri and Donna Fuse of
Pacific, Missouri; niece, Kimberly Kalz and nephew, Christopher Guffey,
all of Ballwin, Missouri; one grandchild; other relatives and friends.
A private family burial service will take place at Jefferson Barracks
National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri with full military honors.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri.



Jacqueline Theresa Murphy

Jacqueline “Jackie” Theresa Murphy of Cuba, Missouri was born Monday,
August 29, 1927 to the union of Allen and Josephine (nee Muldoon) Bratcher
and passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at Sullivan, Missouri at the
age of 80 years, 5 months and 8 days.
Jackie was united in marriage to John Henry Murphy, Jr. on November 6, 1953
at Webster Groves, Missouri and to this union four children were born.
She retired after 25 years as a bookkeeper for Crest Business Forms in Pond,
Missouri. She enjoyed hummingbirds, reading, Irish music and was an excellent
cook.
She even had special place in her heart for animals, especially the turtle
that came back every year and ate the dog food.
She always had a smile. She was always optimistic, the heart of her family
and lived for her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Allen
Bratcher; one grandson, Ryan Murphy; one brother-in-law, Eugene Murphy;
other relatives and friends.
She is survived by three sons, Kenneth and wife Mary Murphy of Winchester,
Missouri, Patrick and Daniel and wife Nina Murphy all of Eureka, Missouri;
one daughter Katherine and husband John Ames of Cuba, Missouri; 10
grandchildren, Michele Murphy, Nicole and husband Jeff Hoffman, Sean, Corinne,
Erin, Kevin, Daniel II and William Murphy, John Jr. and Shannon Ames; six
great grandchildren, Kayla Sajol, Jessica and Jacob Hoffman, Kyrah Harvey,
Kyla and Emily Shields; three brothers, Jim and wife Mabel Bratcher of Ballwin,
Missouri, Norman and wife Faye Bratcher of O’Fallon, Missouri and Joe and wife
Shirley Bratcher of Brentwood, Missouri; one sister, Joan Small of Winchester,
Missouri; one sister-in-law, Joan Groenda of Jefferson City, Missouri; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Friday, February 8, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Holy Cross Catholic
Church of Cuba, Missouri with Father James Finder as celebrant. Serving as
pallbearers were Kevin, Sean, Daniel and William Murphy, Greg Small and Kurt
Groenda.
Interment followed at Hamilton Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.



Roy Ray Pointer

Roy Ray Pointer of Jerome, Missouri, was born January 28, 1927 in Belle,
Missouri to Henry B. and Emma (Hathaway) Pointer. He passed away Sunday,
February 3, 2008 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
at the age of 81 years.
Roy married Opal May Lottmann on December 21, 1947.
After finishing school in 1945 he diligently served his country in Okinawa.
He retired from Evens Tank Line in 1982 and moved from California to Missouri
and co-owned the Thrifty General Store, between Cuba and Owensville, Missouri
for seven years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Debra Kay
Pointer; five brothers, Silver, Lloyd, Troy, Anton (Bud) and Medford Pointer;
three sisters, Belvia, Rose and Dorothy; one grandson, Kenneth Paul Kleinberg;
one great grandson, Casey L. Sherman and one daughter-in-law, Sandra Sue
Pointer.
He is survived by one son, Arthur R. Pointer of Des Moines, Iowa; two
daughters, Beverly J. Oaker and husband Jack B. of Vienna, Missouri and
Marilyn K. Englehart and husband James P. of St. James, Missouri; 11
grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren;
brother, Earl Odell Pointer of San Jacinto, California; four sisters-in-law,
Dori Parson-Pointer of San Jacinto, California, Lana Pointer of Fruitland,
Idaho, Velma Hohenstreet of Beaufort, Missouri and Arlene Mincemeyer of
Sullivan, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, February 6, 2008 beginning at 4 p.m. at the
Sassmann’s Chapel in Bland, Missouri.
Services were Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Sassmann’s 
Funeral Home in Bland, Missouri. Interment in the Bland Union Cemetery,
Bland, Missouri.
Arrangements under the Sassmann’s Funeral Home, Bland, Missouri.



Will Rogers

Will Rogers, Jr. of St. James, Missouri formerly of Cuba, Missouri was born
Saturday, September 29, 1973 to the union of Rev. Herman Will Rogers, Sr. and
Etta Mae (nee Bridgeman) Rogers at Sullivan, Missouri and left from this life
on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Rolla, Missouri at the age of 34 years
4 months and 10 days.
He was united in marriage to Steffanie Gruver on March 25, 2000 at the First
Assembly of God Church in St. James, Missouri and to this union two children
were born. 
Will worked nearly 15 years as a safety coordinator for Versa Tags Incorporated
of Cuba, Missouri. He was a devoted member of the First Assembly of God Church
of St. James where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, bus driver on
Wednesday evenings, worked with the Royal Ranchers (boys program on Wednesday
evenings), camera man for the TV Ministries, helped in nursery and was part
of the Jail Ministries for the church.
In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, martial arts, painting and
drawing, but what was most important to him was spending time with his family.
Will was preceded in death by his grandparents and other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his wife; two children, Jeremiah Will and Tabitha Dawn Rogers,
all of St. James, Missouri; his parents, Rev. Herman and Etta Rogers of Cuba,
Missouri; one brother, Tom Rogers and friend Anita of Richland, Missouri;
four nephews, T.J., Jesse and Danny Rogers and Peyton Gruver; one niece,
Missy Rogers; father-in-law, Don Gruver of Steelville, Missouri; mother-in-law,
Kim Giesler of St. James, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Justin and wife Tanna
Gruver of St. James, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, February 12, 2008 from 3-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at First Assembly
of God Church, St. James, Missouri with Pastor Mick Thrasher officiating.
Serving as pallbearers were Dave Spurgeon, Josh Coleman, Josh Dotson, Joey
Griffith, Scott Bartle and Jerry Laster.
Interment followed at Barnicle Chapel Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.



Curtis Dale Simmerly

Curtis Dale Simmerly of Bourbon, Missouri was born December 30, 1935 to the
union of Jesse Walter and Della Edith (nee Wymer) Simmerly and passed away
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at Rolla, Missouri at the age of 72 years, 1 month
and 4 days.
Curtis was a timber worker, farmer and just plain “Uncle Curtis.” He attended
school at the Old Coon Ridge School located six miles out on Hwy N and was
born on the old Lakem Place near Bourbon.
Curtis served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four brothers, Junior and wife Evelyn Simmerly of Bourbon,
Missouri, Robert and Richard Simmerly of Sullivan, Missouri and James
Simmerly of St. James, Missouri; four nephews, Earl, Mike, James Jr. and
William “Bill” Simmerly; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri with Reid Stephens, officiating.
Interment in Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri with full military honors.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.



Ronald F. Smith

Ronald F. Smith was born on March 1, 1940 to Albert and Augusta (Cochran)
Smith and passed away at his home in St. James, Missouri on Monday,
February 4, 2008 at the age of 67 years, 11 months, and 3 days of age.
On July 4, 1967 Ron was united in marriage to Mary Ann Reynolds and to this
union one son was born. Then on August 15, 1979, Ron was united in marriage
to Lillian Doris Craig.
He worked for the City of Rolla landfill, was the assistant Fire Chief of
St. James, Missouri and Auxiliary Police of St. James. He also worked at
Cardetti’s Furniture in St. James, Missouri. He worked for many years for
Auto of Yester Years restoring cars with the Carney family. He also did
carpenter work. He was a lifetime member of NRA, a member of the fire
department and the St. James Christian Church of St. James, Missouri. He
loved pigeon shows and was a life member of the Lake of the Ozarks Pigeon
Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Gertrude Ray; one half
brother, Edward William Gray and one half sister, Sarah Gertie Gray.
He is survived by his wife of the home, Lillian Doris Smith of St. James,
Missouri; one son, Randy Smith and his wife Kristina of St. James, Missouri;
two daughters, Janet Douglas and husband David of Springfield, Missouri and
Susie Swezey and husband John of Arcadia, Kansas; one sister, Ann Johnson
and husband Larry of Owensville, Missouri; six grandchildren, Steven,
Brandon and Lucas Smith; Sean and Jared Douglas and Melanie Jeffres and
one great grandson, Gage Jeffers.
Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the
Jones Funeral Home Chapel of St. James, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2008
at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Ed McDonald officiating.
Music was provided by Don Davis.
Pallbearers were Richard Tucker, Steve Rivers, Jimmy Craft, Shawn Douglas,
Max Moreland, and Kevin McCabe.
Honoring Ron’s love for antique cars, his body was taken to the St. James
Cemetery in the Jones Funeral Home 1951 Cadillac Hearse.
All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home of
St. James, Missouri.



Ivan Joseph Umberger

Ivan Joseph Umberger was born May 19, 1931 at Burke, South Dakota to Charles
and Della (Allred) Umberger. He passed away January 9, 2008 at the Gregory
Community Hospital in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 76 years.
Ivan was raised in the Burke area. He attended school through the eighth grade
and entered the Army in 1949, during the Korean War.
He was united in marriage to Leona “Katie” Cummings on July 15, 1951 at
Steelville, Missouri while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. They
returned to South Dakota in 1951 and farmed for a few years on the family farm.
Through the years his life work was construction and running a blade for Tripp
and Gregory Counties. He also worked for several contractors through the years.
Ivan loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, David, Ralph, Earl and
Charles; sisters, Ethel Andresen and Edith Bellville; one great grandchild,
Bobbie Jo Umberger; father-in-law, Otto Cummings; two sisters-in-law, Lee
Cummings and Beverly Guthrie and two brothers-in-law, Phil Guthrie and Victor
Hawkins.
He is survived by his wife of Fairfax, South Dakota; one daughter, Leana (Vic)
Schmitz of Gregory, South Dakota; four sons, Ivan Jr. (Gene and Rita) of
Fairfax, South Dakota, Gary (Cindi) of Randolph, Nebraska, Mark (Lorri) of
Norton, Massachusetts and Larry (Denise) of Ogallala, Nebraska;
19 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Baker of
Ironton, Missouri; mother-in-law, Lena Cummings of Cuba, Missouri; brothers
and sisters-in-law, Helen Umberger of Topeka, Kansas and Mildred Umberger of
Burke, South Dakota, Robert Cummings of Steelville,  Missouri, Albert Cummings
of Houstonia, Missouri, Charles Cassidy of Steelville, Missouri, Betta Cassidy
of Steelville, Nora Hawkins of Chandler, Oklahoma, Joy (Ron) Crocker of
Viburnum, Missouri, Lura (John) Reeves of Cuba, Missouri and Eileen (Danny)
Reeves of Heyworth, Illinois; other relatives and friends.
Services were January 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home, Burke,
South Dakota with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.
Music was by his grandchildren and Joel Jons with Sara Umberger on piano.
Casket bearers were Don Umberger, Vick Schmitz, Ivan Umberger Jr., Gary
Umberger, Mark Umberger and Larry Umberger. Honorary casket bearers were
all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Interment was at Graceland Cemetery, Burke, South Dakota.



Larry Allen Whittaker

Larry Whittaker of Cuba, Missouri was born on July 17, 1947 in Benton,
Missouri to Homer Whittaker and Doris nee Patterson Whittaker and passed
away Friday, January 25, 2008 in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 60 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ricky Whittaker and
Alvin Whittaker; and one sister, Doris Irene Whittaker.
He is survived by two sons, Larry Whittaker of Cuba, Missouri and Tracy
Killian and wife Sandra of Kansas; one daughter, Tonya Cunningham and husband
Brian of Sullivan, Missouri; five brothers, Jim Whittaker of Cahokia, Illinois,
Tom Whittaker and wife Ellen of Hannibal, Missouri, Eddie Whittaker and wife
Pam of Columbia, Illinois, Pat Whittaker of Hannibal, Missouri and Jerry
Whittaker; two sisters, Virginia Givens and husband Ronnie of E. Carondelet,
Illinois and Molly Sanders and husband Steve of St. Augustine, Florida; nine
grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and
many friends.
Memorial mass will be held Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Holy Cross Catholic
Church in Cuba, Missouri at 11 a.m.



Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the 
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
<http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/>

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