Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of March 3, 2004

Olive Gregory Bright

Olive Gregory Bright, 94, passed from death to live, February 8, 2004, in 
the home of her son in House Springs, Mo. She was born November 29, 1909 
in Steelville, Mo., the daughter of John and Myrtle Gregory.
She worked at Safeco Insurance Co. in St. Louis until her retirement. Soon 
after that, she moved to House Springs to be near her children. Because of 
her advanced age, she had been living with a son for the past three years.
She was a member of Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church n St. Louis.
She is survived by two sons, Ronald (JoAnn), Wayne (Lee), and her 
daughter, Janice (Al) York; four grandchildren and four great 
grandchildren; her brother, Carroll (Bea) Gregory of Cuba, and her sister, 
Jackie (Don) Richardson of Wildwood, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her parents; two 
brothers, Albert "Bus" Gregory and Raymond "Crick" Gregory; and two 
sisters, Mary Gregory, and Lela (Bill) Dortch.
Funeral services were February 10 from Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill, 
Mo., with interment in Steelville Cemetery.


Thomas Edwin Carr

Thomas Edwin Carr of Cherryville, Missouri passed away at his home Sunday, 
February 15, 2004 at the age of 65 years, 10 months and 22 days.
Tom attended school in Cook Station, Missouri and served his country from 
September 27, 1956 to September 10, 1960 in the United States Air Force 
and was honorably discharged.
Tom worked at Pea Ridge Mines near Sullivan, Missouri from 1962 to 1969 
then worked for Wallace Murray Corp. Schwitzer division in Rolla, Missouri 
from March 1970 to 1980; and most recently owned his own sign painting 
business.
Tom accepted the Lord many years ago and was baptized by Rev. Virgil 
Parker. Tom enjoyed the outdoors, riding motorcycles, hunting, playing his 
guitar and was an accomplished artist.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Alvah Homer Carr and Millie 
Madeline Litty Carr and brothers-in-law Joe Huff and Gene Hogue.
Those who remain to mourn his passing are his loving daughter Linda Mae 
Welch and husband Darryl of Gulfport, Mississippi; grandson Cody A. Ragan 
of Cuba, Missouri and one step granddaughter Sonja Mae Welch of Gulfport, 
Mississippi. One brother Bill Carr and wife Jeanne of Sullivan, Missouri; 
six sisters Christene Grubaugh and husband Earl of Steelville, Missouri, 
Judy Worley and husband Tom of Steelville, Missouri, Lois Ann Missey and 
husband Harry of Leasburg, Missouri, Nadene Hogue of St. Clair, Missouri, 
Jane Dillingham and husband Gary of St. Clair, Missouri and Sharon Carr of 
Federal Way, Washington. Two aunts Fleda Litty of St. Clair, Missouri and 
Mary Hatcher of Elsberry, Missouri; nieces, nephews, cousins, other 
relatives and many friends, all who will fondly remember and sadly miss 
Thomas Edwin Carr.
Visitation was held Wednesday, February 18, 2004 from 3-8 p.m. at the 
Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral service was held 
Thursday, February 19, 2004 at the Hutson Funeral Chapel in Steelville, 
Missouri with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Jerry Beers played the 
piano and sang "Go Rest High On That Mountain," "Suppertime," and "Just a 
Closer Walk With Thee." Burial was in the Carr Cemetery, Cook Station, 
Missouri. All arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in 
Steelville, Missouri.


Herman Dwayne Eaton

Herman Dwayne Eaton was born Wednesday, March 3, 1926 at Cherryville, 
Missouri, a son of the late Mamie Lorrain (Morrison) Eaton Land and 
Clarence Rexie Eaton.
He entered eternal rest Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at the St. Peters 
Manor, St. Peters, Missouri, at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 21 
days.
On December 28, 1968, Herman was united in marriage to Mona M. Rapert. 
They have enjoyed over 35 years together.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, 
Dwight Eaton and one sister, Marie Peetz.
Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his devoted wife Mona 
Eaton of St. Peters, Missouri; two sons, Larry (Dee) Eaton of St. Peters, 
Missouri and Dwayne (Donna) Eaton of St. Johns, Missouri; a stepson, Allen 
Rapert of Lake St. Louis, Missouri. Five grandchildren, Jeff Eaton, Kelly 
Eaton, Shannon (Ellie) Eaton, Brian (Stephanie) Eaton and Blake Allen 
Rapert. Also remaining are two great grandsons, Jake and Luke Eaton; 
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
He served his country in the United States Marine Corp from June 13, 1944 
until August 4, 1946. During this time he saw combat in the Asiatic, 
Pacific area. He was present with the Marines when they raised the 
historic flag on Iwo Jima. He was awarded a purple heart during his 
service.
Herman Dwayne Eaton lay in state after 10 a.m. until time of service 
Thursday, February 26, 2004 at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, 
Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, 
February 26, 2004, in the Britton Chapel with Rev. Clarence Morrison 
officiating. Committal prayers and interment were in Steelville Cemetery, 
Steelville, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were Wayne Eaton, Albert 
Halbert, Jim Ives, James Peetz, Roger Tucker and Junior Williams.
Arrangements were entrusted to Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.


Charlie Raymond Holler

Charlie Raymond Holler of Cuba, Missouri was born on May 18, 1919 in 
Albany, Texas and passed away on February 27, 2004 at the Phelps County 
Regional Medical Center of Rolla, Missouri at the age of 84 years, 9 
months and 9 days.
On December 3, 1941 Charlie was inducted into the Army of the United 
States of America and was honorably discharged on October 25, 1945. He 
served in the Aleutian Islands Campaign and received the American Defense 
Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon and one Bronze Star.
On May 2, 1971 he was united in marriage to Mildred Koch. They have been 
happily married for 32 years.
He was a lifetime member of the Cuba VFW Post No. 7147.
Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his loving wife 
Mildred Holler; son Donald Ferrell and wife Ileta; daughter Sandra Brooks 
and husband Tommy; sisters-in-law Shirley Skinner and husband Emmitt and 
Delores Sorth and husband Virgil; five grandchildren; six great 
grandchildren; his extended family, the Pilkentons and their staff; other 
relatives and friends.
Charlie was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great 
grandfather, brother-in-law, good friend to all who knew him and will be 
sadly missed.
Charlie Raymond Holler was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, 
Missouri. Graveside services and interment were held at the Jefferson 
Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, March 1, 2004 
at 9:45 a.m. with full military honors. All arrangements under the direction 
of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. 


Billy Gene Leasor

Billy Gene Leasor, of Ava, Ill passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 
at Rehab & Care Center, Murphysboro, Ill at the age of 78 years, 11 months 
and 28 days.
He was born in West Frankfort, Ill on Thursday, February 26, 1925 to 
Santford and Maude Wagner Leasor. 
He was married to MaryAnn Crosse, December 24, 1946 at St. Louis, Mo. He 
was a retiree from Brown Shoe Company in Steelville, MO. A Navy veteran of 
World War II, a lifetime member of VFW and Masonic Lodge both of St. 
Louis. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers George Leasor 
and Charles Leasor.
He is survived by, children Billy and Katherine Leasor of Green River, Wy; 
Donna and Lawrence Graff of Murphysboro, Ill; Robert and Pamela Leasor of 
Cherryville, Mo. Grandchildren, Christopher Leasor, Kimberly Keeney, Lisa 
Gill, Michelle Graff, Rick Leasor, Robert Leasor, and Ron Leasor. Great 
granchildren Tori and Malorie Gill, Deanna Leasor. Step grandchildren Dustin 
Bogle and Tinya McClure and step great grandchildren Dyllan and Taylor 
McClure and Bryor Bogle. One sister, Audrey Stroud of Kingman, AZ and 
several neices and nephews.
Visitation was from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, February 26 and Friday, February 27 
from 7:30 a.m. until the service which was held at 10 a.m. at Wilson's 
Funeral Home in Ava, Ill, with Chaplain Mary Wyatt officiating. Burial was 
in Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale, Ill. 


Joan Marie Malott

Joan Marie Malott nee Green was born Saturday, October 14, 1944, at 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, a daughter of Marie Green nee Sokolski and the 
late Delmar O. Green.
She entered eternal rest Friday, February 20, 2004, at Christian Hospital 
Northeast, St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 59 years, 4 months and 6 
days.
On November 23, 1968, at St. Roberts, Missouri, Joan was united in 
marriage to Ulysses Loyd Malott. Three daughters and one son were born to 
this union. They have enjoyed 36 years together, living the past 10 years 
in East Alton, Illinois.
Joan was preceded in death by one daughter, Ursula Lee Malott, June 4, 
1969 and her father, Delmar O. Green, April 19, 1981.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her devoted husband, 
Ulysses Loyd Malott of East Alton, Illinois; one son, Loyd Malott and wife 
Suzanne of East Alton, Illinois; two daugthers, Cynthia "Cindy" Malott 
also of East Alton, Illinois and Catherine "Cathy" and husband Joshua 
Hamilton of St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Marie Green of St. Louis, 
Missouri; one brother, John Green and wife Karen of St. Louis, Missouri; 
two sisters, Janice Blagg and husband Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri and 
Deborah Armer and husband Dale of Louisiana; four grandchildren Leah, 
Holly, Lucas and Sophia; special companions, her beloved cats, Baby and 
Catnip; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Joan Marie Malott lay in state 6-8 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2004, at the 
Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were 
held 11 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2004, in the Britton Chapel, with 
Rev. Harrison Brown officiating. The eulogy was given by Joan's sister, 
Deborah Armer. Musical selections were provided by Deliah Cecil, a niece, 
with Shirley Brown accompanist. Committal prayers and interment were in
 Davisville Cemetery, Davisville, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were 
Dale Armer, Thomas D. Blagg, Thomas S. Blagg, John Green, Edward Green, 
Joshua Hamilton and Travis Malott. Arrangements were entrusted to Britton 
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. 


Norman Walter Witzke

Norman Walter Witzke of St. James, Missouri passed away February 24, 2004 
at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla at the age of 79.
Norman Walter Witzke was born on January 29, 1925 in Ireton, lowa to 
Rudolf and Hedwig Witzke.
He was united in marriage to Mary Marie Souders on November 27, 1948 and 
to this union two sons were born. Norman served his country proudly in the 
Navy during World War II. He worked for 20 years with International Shoes 
and 17 years at Schweitzer Manufacturing.
Norman Walter Witzke was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Elmer 
and Luther Witzke and one sister, Linda Vogt.
Norman Walter Witzke will be sadly missed by his wife of 55 years, Mary 
Marie Souders of St. James. Children, Charles and wife Kathleen Witzke of 
Edwardsville, Illinois, and David Lee Witzke of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Grandchildren, Lark Ellen, Barbara Madonna, Angela Marie, Miranda Lynn, 
Serena Suzette, Amber Marie, Morgan Olympia and Charles Ryan. Great 
grandchildren Mason K., Andrew J., Britney M., and Tyler T. Many nieces, 
nephews, extended family members and friends.
Visitation was held on Thursday, February 26, 2004 from 6-8 p.m. at the 
James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Services for Norman Walter Witzke were 
held on Friday, February 27, 2004 at 10:30 am at the James & Gahr Chapel 
in St. James, with Reverend Jerry Baumann of officiating. Music was 
provided by Connie and Hal Rhea. Interment will be in the Ozark Memorial 
Gardens with a Full Military Service. All arrangements are under the 
direction of Jones & Gahr Mortuary in St. James. 


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

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