Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of February 17, 2010



Edna Rachel Brown

Edna Rachel Brown of St. Clair, Missouri, was born on September 29, 1929,
in Richwoods, Missouri to Robert Lee and Maggie Blanche (nee Ridenour)
Johnson and passed away on Friday, February 5, 2010 at the age of 80 years.
She went to work for Brown Shoe Factory on November 11, 1974, and retired
from there. Edna was a quiet person and loved quilting and her family. She
was a member of St. Clair Southern Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Ann Brown.
She is survived by a son, Douglas Lee Brown of Richwoods, Missouri; two
daughters, Vuanita Ryan and husband Kevin of St. Clair, Missouri and Kathy
Finder and husband Dennis of Union, Missouri; brother, Hadley Johnson and
wife Earline of Lonedell, Missouri; two sisters, Alice Lewis of St. Clair
and Mary Miller of New York; 10 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren;
other relatives and friends.
Services were at noon Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at the St. Clair Southern
Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan,
Missouri.



Russell John Carney

Russell John Carney of Steelville, Missouri, was born September 21, 1927 to
Thomas and Lena (Sieve) Carney in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away Monday,
February 8, 2010 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the
age of 82 years.
On September 21, 1957, Russell was united in marriage to Virginia Frazee.
Russell served our country in the U.S. Army during January 1946 until July
1947.
He retired in 1982 from the Federal Records Center for the Civil Service in
St. Louis.
He was a member of the St. Michael’s Church in Steelville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lean Carney; his wife,
Virginia; one son, Patrick Carney and one daughter, Deborah Sacco; three
sisters-in-law, Marguerite Conway and husband Bill, Helen Lane and husband
Albert and Genevieve Wright and husband James; and brother-in-law, Warren
Frazee.
He is survived by his two daughters, Kathleen Sweet and husband Charles of
Pevely, Missouri and Christine Carney of Summerfield, Forida; two grand-
children, Karen Michele Sweet and Rachael Marie Sweet; one brother, Gene
Carney and wife Flo of St. Louis, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Betty Frazee
of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 2-7 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. A prayer service was held at
4 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2010.
A funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 15, 2010 at
St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Steelville, Missouri with Father James
Finder officiating. Altar boys were Jacob and Joseph Howdeshell. Music was
provided by organist, Deloris Bell.
Committal prayer, burial and full military honors were in the Steelville
Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Tommy Carney, Wayne Becker, Charlie Sweet, Mark Perkins,
Ed Smith and Patrick Smith.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in
Steelville, Missouri.



James “Jim” W. Ives

Jim W. Ives passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
Jim was a tree trimmer for over 54 years.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. Ives (nee Peetz); children, Mike
(Jennifer), David, John, Jennifer and the late Thomas Ives; sisters, Pauline
Rains of Steelville, Missouri, Connie Prewitt of St. Louis, Missouri and
Rosalie Salono of Auburn, California; grandchild, Sydney Hutter.
Funeral services were held on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Shepard
Funeral Chapel in St. Louis, Missouri with burial following in Steelville,
Missouri.



Frieda Olive Keeney

Frieda Olive (Dollar) Keeney of Sullivan, Missouri, was born on
August 3, 1912 in Bourbon, Missouri to Ehud and Ollie Lea (Pennock) Dollar
and passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the age of 97 years.
She married Jennings “Jake” Keeney in 1931 at Steelville, Missouri.
Frieda was a teacher, parent, foster parent, Sunday school teacher, and
37-year member of Temple Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ehud and Ollie Dollar; her
husband, Jake; sister, Virgie Keeney and a grandson, David Short.
She is survived by a daughter, Gail Short and husband Charles of Sullivan,
Missouri; granddaughter, Deana Schultz and husband Scott; three great
grandchildren, Jake, Nathan, and Brendan; grand daughter-in-law, Tonya
Wicker; other relatives and friends.
Services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at
Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Scott Perry
officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan,
Missouri.



Lynnette Lee LaPlant

Lynnette Lee LaPlant was born on July 30, 1964 to Lynn LaPlant of Leasburg,
Missouri and Sondra J Mooney (Sapp) of Columbia, Missouri and passed away
on February 8, 2010 at the age of 45 years.
She is survived by four children, Randy Carroll and wife Vicki of New York,
Anna Kindred and fiancé Dory of Maryland, Daniel Gumpenberger and Levi
Trainum of Columbia, Missouri; one grandchild, Maria of New York; three
sisters, April Blue of Columbia, Missouri, Misty Cowee and husband Josh of
Bourbon, Missouri, Mindy Lane and husband Brad of Bourbon, Missouri; two
brothers, Rusty LaPlant of Leasburg, Missouri and Rick LaPlant and wife Emily
of Florida; nieces and nephews, Samantha, Benjamin, Tj, Faith, Gary, Alyssa
and Tori; best friend, Linda Crow of Phoenix, Arizona; other relatives and
friends.
A pot luck celebration will be held at the Leasburg Eagles Lodge on
February 20, 2010 beginning at 2 p.m.



Neil “Chub” Nordeck

Neil Dennis Nordeck was born October 15, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri and
passed away in Huntsville Alabama on January 30, 2010 at the age of 56
years.
He was a computer expert and enjoyed tinkering with all things electronic.
He is survived by his children, Christiana Lincoln of Missouri, Glenda
Peckinpaugh of Missouri, Marsha Williams of Arkansas, Waninita “Nita” Frazer
of California, Shaun Nordeck of Texas and Shannon Nordeck of Washington;
brother, James Nordeck Jr. of Missouri; sisters, Cheryl Martel of California
and Kathleen Hartzler of Missouri; father, James Nordeck of West Virginia;
other relatives and friends.
Interment was February 9, 2010 in St. Louis Missouri at the Jefferson
Barracks National Cemetery under full military honors for his service with
the United States Marine Corps.



Betty Joyce Ritchey

Betty Joyce Ritchey nee Tate, of Bourbon, Missouri, formerly of Cuba and
St. Clair, Missouri, was born on April 2, 1924 in Dallas, Wisconsin to
Archie and Marvel (Gaylord) Tate and passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010,
at the age of 85 years, 10 months and 2 days.
Betty had a great sense of humor and an even greater love for life. She 
always had a smile on her face and never knew a stranger.
She was united in marriage on October 24, 1940 in Wentzville, Missouri to
Roy Welch Ritchey, Sr. and eight children were born.
Betty loved to travel, ride roller coasters, dance and taking trips with her
daughters. She was a TOPS member in Cuba, Missouri for many years. She was
the oldest active member in the Water Aerobics class at Taurus Gym in Bourbon
taught by her granddaughter. She also enjoyed her many grandchildren and had
plenty of popsicles on hand for when they visited her. Betty was a member of
the First Baptist Church in St. Clair for many years until she moved to Cuba,
Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; two daughters, Barbara
Hanneken and Patricia Ritchey; three grandchildren; three great grand-
children and one sister, Yvonne Kalb.
She is survived by one son, Roy Welch (Buz), Jr. and wife Barbara of Foley,
Missouri; five daughters, Nancy Cooper of Kansas City, Missouri, Joyce
Ritchey of St. Clair, Missouri, Betty Ritchey of St. Clair, Missouri,
Donna Holdmeier and special friend Owen Smith of Bourbon, Missouri and
Bonnie Cebulak and husband Dennis of Perryville, Missouri; one sister,
Carol McNew and husband Roy of Winona, Missouri; over 100 grandchildren,
great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; other relatives and
many friends. Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, February 8, 2010
at Midlawn Funeral Home, Union.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Monday, February 8, 2010 at Midlawn
Funeral Home, Union, Missouri, with Reverend Dennis Cebulak officiating.
Interment at Midlawn Memorial Gardens, Union, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Midlawn Funeral Home, Union,
Missouri.


James “Jim” Herman Schmitt

James “Jim” Herman Schmitt of St. James, Missouri, formerly of Steelville,
Missouri, was born December 6, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri to Herman and
Edna (Susanka) Schmitt and passed away Monday, February 8, 2010 at the
Missouri Veteran’s Home in St. James, Missouri.
On March 17, 1951, he was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Riley.
Jim served our country as a Seaman 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to
1946. He was aboard the USS Bushnell in the Asiatic-Pacific areas.
During his lifetime, Jim was top agent for Guardian Life Insurance for 10
years, owned and managed Trails End Riding Stables in Chesterfield,
Missouri, owned Mississippi Mortgage Co. and owned Red Wheel Restaurant
in Warrenton, Missouri, which was fitting because he loved to cook. In 1979,
Jim and his wife retired to Steelville, where they owned and operated Nancy’s
Dolls and Antique Shop. Jim also enjoyed various community involvements and
was a member of the Steelville Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded “Citizen
of the Year” during that time period. After the death of his wife, Jim moved
to Kansas to be near one of his daughters.
He always had a love for law and took several classes to learn more. He was
a lifetime member of the NRA and for many years enjoyed participating in
reenactments of the Pre-1840 Mountain Men Rendezvous. In later years, he
took some time in traveling to other countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Edna Schmitt and his 
wife, Nancy Schmitt.
He is survived by his nine children; Michael Schmitt of Austin, Texas,
Barbara Hatch and husband Ray of Houston, Texas, Mary Lane and husband Dennis
of Granite City, Illinois, Catherine Boyer and husband Bruce of Mineral
Point, Missouri, Richard Schmitt from the state of Alaska, Edward Schmitt
and wife Brenda of Eureka, Missouri, Suzanne Hatcher and husband Mark of
North Augusta, South Carolina, Theresa Schmitt of Cuba, Missouri and
Elizabeth Smith of Overland Park, Kansas; 24 grandchildren; four great
grandchildren; one brother, Robert Schmitt; other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Memorial graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2010
at the Steelville Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.



Donn Edwin Searle

Donn Edwin Searle of Cook Station, Missouri, was born September 25, 1935
in Mesa, Arizona to Rector and Pattie (Miller) Searle and passed away Friday,
February 5, 2010 at his home at the age of 74 years.
In 1988 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Louise.
Donn was a horse trainer and raised Arabian horses for many years in
Nebraska. He moved to Cook Station, Missouri in 1990 where he owned and
managed a convenience store, The Pit Stop, until 2000. He later was employed
at Wal-Mart in Salem, Missouri from 2000 until 2006.
Among his hobbies were hunting, fishing and raising horses.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rector and Pattie Searle and a
daughter, Rhonda Searle.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Searle of Cook Station, Missouri; one son,
Randy Searle of Big Springs, Nebraska and one daughter, Donna Shafer and
husband David of Roscoe, Nebraska; 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren;
other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.


Jesse Elroy Thompson

Jesse Elroy Thompson of Wesco, Missouri was born May 20, 1938 at Mill
Spring, Missouri to Spirel Edmundson and Cleo Edna (Frye) Thompson and
passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 at his home in Wesco Missouri at
the age of 71 years, 8 months and 15 days.
He was united in marriage to Wanda Helton in 1959 and to this union four
children were raised.
In 1990, he was united in marriage to Donna Richards and to this union two
children were raised.
From childhood Jess did farm work, cut logs and other odd jobs to help
support his family. After graduation, he worked for the Brown Shoe Co. in
Piedmont, Missouri. He then moved to Kirkwood, Missouri where he worked at
Injection Molding Company as supervisor. From there he went to work for
Chrysler in 1965. He took early retirement in 1990 and moved to Wesco,
Missouri. In 1991 he went to work for Brown Shoe Co. in Steelville until
the plant closed in 1995 the he went to work for the Bell family on their
farm. After this, he worked for Walter Korte. Then, he went to work for
Ozark Technologies where he drove their truck for 12 years. He was a member
of the Ozark Trail Blazers, Dent County Saddle Club and the UAW Local 136.
He loved to hunt, fish and show and ride horses.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Spirel and Cleo Thompson; sister,
Shirley Dietz, parents-in-law, Everett and Juanita Layton; brother, Vernon
Eugene Thompson, and two brothers-in-law, Clarence Hassell, and Gary Layton.
He is survived by his wife Donna, two sons, Randall (DeDe) Thompson of
Oblong, Illinois and Douglas (Joan) Thompson of High Ridge, Missouri; two
daughters, Lisa (Rick) Wallace of Knoxville, Tennessee and Christine Thompson
of Wesco, Missouri; two step children, Sherry (Dean) Blair of High Ridge,
Missouri and Cale Richards of Fenton, Missouri; four grandchildren, Bradley
(Ashley) Thompson of Illinois, Erin (Kosta) Savic of South Carolina, Crystal
Pattersonof Texas and Corey Larkoski of Missouri; two step grandchildren,
Amy and Angela Blair of Missouri; three great grandchildren, Braden and
Macy Thompson and Sofia Savic; two step great grandchildren, Abbie and
Emily Shirrell; two sisters, Dorris Hassell of Bridgeton, Missouri and
Lavetta (Ralph) Garrett of Desoto, Missouri; three brothers, Edwin (Cecile)
Thompson of Piedmont, Missouri, Elvin Thompson of Patterson, Missouri and
Dale (Monica) Thompson of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 5-9 p.m. at Hutson
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Hutson
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.
Burial was in the Wesco Cemetery, Wesco, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville,
Missouri.



Frank David Wagner

Frank David Wagner of Cuba, Missouri, was born on March 9, 1942 in
St. Louis, Missouri to Ira Wagner and Ruby Abernathy Wagner and passed
away Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the age of 67 years, 10 months and
27 days.
He married Emily Hayes on August 7, 1965 in Steelville, Missouri and to
this union seven children were born.
Frank worked as a laborer in the Paint Industry for many years. His hobbies 
were fishing, drawing and spending time outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Ruby Wagner; sisters,
Dorothy Stevens, Jane Donty and Glenda Dalton
He is survived by his wife, Emily of the home; children Frank Douglas 
(Melinda) Wagner, Emily Smith, Ruby Wagner (George Phillips) and Linda
Pierce, all of Cuba, Missouri, Jeffrey (Maxine) Wagner of LaVerne,
California, Brian Wagner and Laurena “Lola” Wagner, all of Rolla, Missouri;
sister, Lorraine (Leroy) Coddy of St. Clarita, California; 19 grandchildren;
four great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A private graveside service was held at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.



Tracy Louise Weber

Tracy Louise Weber formerly of Cuba, Missouri was born Tuesday,
December 16, 1969 at St. Louis, Missouri to Perle “Butch” Jr. and Carol
(nee Wells) Avery and passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at Springfield,
Missouri at the age of 40 years, 1 month and 27 days.
Tracy worked at Studio K in St. James, Missouri as a hairstylist and before
that was employed at Zimmerman Radio. She enjoyed riding motorcycles, racing
go-carts, fishing and anything that let her be outdoors.
She is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Perle Avery, Sr. and Harry
Wells; other relatives and friends.
She is survived by her sons, Nick and wife Tara Weber of Cuba, Missouri and
Ben Weber and girlfriend Chelsey Piersall of Steelville, Missouri; parents,
Butch and Carol Avery of Union, Missouri; granddaughter, Jadelyn Nichole
Weber and two grandchildren on the way, Hunter and Chandler Nicole Anette
Weber; brother, Mark and wife JoAnn Avery of Cuba, Missouri; sister, Billie
and husband John Schuler of Houston, Texas; grandmothers, Betty Wells of Bear,
Delaware and Virginia Hogan of Bourbon, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Monday, February 15, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at the Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Alan Miles officiating. Special
music was “Father God” by Joe and Shirley Weber and “You Raise Me Up” and
“Go Rest High on that Mountain.”
Pallbearers were Nick, Ben, Mark, Brad, Adam and Brian.
Interment followed at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.



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

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