Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week updated March 15, 2007



Barbara Frances Rhea Baker

Barbara Frances Rhea was born in Purdy, Missouri, March 29, 1912 
to James and Lela Rhea.  She lived in Purdy with her 
parents and her younger brothers, Hal and Manford, most of her early 
days and graduated from Purdy High School and Monett Junior College. 

She was a bright and eager student, both then and for 
her whole life, encouraged by her father, Jim, who bought her books 
and discussed politics and history with her.  A story she liked to 
tell on herself from her early days goes as follows:  she went to 
tell a favorite college teacher goodbye after graduation.  
“Barbara,” he said to her, “You will be alright if you ever learn 
that every day is not the Fourth of July.”
Barbara liked to tell that she and Loren Baker were 
married on the bank holiday during the Depression, on March 11, 
1933.  Theirs was a long and happy marriage and their home offered 
warmth and support to their family, their neighbors and their 
friends.
Barbara loved her church, which she called the hub of 
her life.  She was a Bible student all her life and enjoyed working 
with the young people in Training Union.  She taught a Sunday School 
class up into her eighties and especially loved “her girls,” the 
group of young women she taught for many years.  She was faithful 
always to pray for and support her pastor and her pastor’s wife and 
they became some of her dearest friends.  Her church friends have 
returned her love, writing to her, visiting her, and sending her 
cards after she left Steelville.
Barbara was a homemaker until her daughter, Ann, was a 
junior in high school when she went to work at the Department of 
Social Services in order to make money to send her girls to college. 
 She enjoyed the work and discovered a real vocation as she worked 
with old people, the needy and foster children.  She became County 
Director and worked as a tireless advocate, or as she called it, “a 
pest,” bringing the needs of the poor to the attention of the 
community.  She also enjoyed training young social workers and 
followed their careers with pride after she retired.
Barbara was an avid reader and loved to write.  She 
loved nature and taught her children and grandchildren to identify 
birds and wildflowers.  She liked to walk.  People finally stopped 
offering her rides as she walked around town, enjoying the hills and 
the woods.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; one 
brother Hal Rhea and one sister-in-law, Nancy Rhea.
Those left to mourn her passing are her two daughters, 
Ann Nelms and husband, Gary of Springfield, Missouri and Jane Bishop 
and husband, Jerry of Roswell, Georgia; five grandchildren, Rhea Ann 
Bishop and Brian Bishop of Atlanta, GA, Andrew, Leslie and Emily 
Nelms of Springfield, Missouri; five great grandchildren, Andrew, 
Deidre, August, Henry and Sophie; brother, Manford Rhea of 
Steelville, Missouri and one sister-in-law, Adine Rhea of Cooter, 
Missouri.
Funeral services for Barbara Baker were held Monday, 
March 19, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, Missouri 
with Rev. Jesse Parrott and Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Music was 
provided by nephew, Hal Rhea, singing “Great is Our Faithfulness,” 
accompanied by Connie Rhea; grandson, Brian Bishop, playing “Amazing 
Grace” on the violin and the First Baptist Church Choir singing 
“Because He Lives,” accompanied by Wanda Ransom. 
Serving as casket bearers were Art Cook, Rob 
Housewright, Jim Vaughn, Ken Halbert, Floyd Reed, and Jim Barksdale 
with burial and committal prayers in the Steelville Cemetery, 
Steelville, Missouri.  Arrangements were under the direction of the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.


Zella M. Bowen

Zella May Bowen nee Wright of Cuba, Missouri was born on 
Thursday, January 15, 1948 in Ava, Missouri to Louie Wright and 
Audrey Rippey Wright. She passed away Monday, March 12, 2007 at the 
Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age 
of 59 years, 1 month and 25 days.
Zella married Bobby Lee Bowen, Sr. in Salem, Missouri on 
January 17, 1963 and to this union four children were born.
She was proud to be a bus driver for Crawford County 
R-II Schools for 32 years. She supported the Band Boosters and 
faithfully attended activities her children participated in. She was 
a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). Her 
hobbies were interior decorating, raising flowers and shopping.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three 
brothers, Charles, Lloyd and Jerry Wright; infant brother, Ebert 
Wright and infant sister, Ruthie Wright.
Those who remain to mourn her passing are her husband, 
Bob, of the home; children, Jackie Volner (Roger), Bobby Bowen, Jr, 
(Tonya), Rhonda Koppelmann (K.J.), all of Cuba, Missouri and Anna 
Beckett (Kendall) of Jefferson City, Missouri; brother-in-law, David 
Bowen (Fern) of St. James, Missouri; eight grandchildren; one great 
grandchild; nieces; nephews; cousins and many friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, March 14, 2007 from 5-9 p.m. 
at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was 
Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, 
Missouri with Rev. Gary Mace officiating. Burial at Kinder Cemetery 
with pallbearers Bobby Bowen III, Edward Bowen, Jr., K.J. 
Koppelmann, Roger Volner, Gary Britton and Jim Hampton.
All arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson 
Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.


Minnie Ellen Ferguson

Minnie Ellen Ferguson nee Raney of St. James, Missouri 
was born on Thursday, November 30, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri to 
John C. Raney and Helen Schiesl Raney. She passed away at St. 
Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday, March 14, 
2007 at the age of 73 years, 3 months and 14 days.
Minnie was an excellent seamstress and even made most of 
her children’s clothing when they were young. As a homemaker, she 
enjoyed gardening and canning. Her hobbies were upholstering, 
singing, writing poetry, painting and drawing, especially of 
wildlife, portraits and cartoons.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, 
Ervin Kourik and Howard Kourik; sisters, Martha Norris and Myrtle 
Dunsing.
Those who remain to mourn her passing are her children, 
Jeffery Ferguson (Susan) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Dinah Ferguson of 
Dyersburg, Tennessee, Diana Lyons (Steve) of Memphis, Tennessee and 
Leonard Ferguson (Sandra) of St. James, Missouri; sisters, Kathleen 
Campbell of Springfield, Illinois, Pearlie Calvin (Harold) of Alton, 
Illinois, Mary Zavertnik of Cuba, Missouri and Shirley Lindsey 
(George) of Cuba, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mariam Kourik of San 
Diego, California; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and 
many friends.
Visitation was held Friday, March 16, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. 
at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was 
Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 10 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, 
Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating. Burial was at the 
Kinder Cemetery with pallbearers Dana Lindsey, James Ferguson, 
Jeffrey Ferguson, George Lindsey, Steve Lyons and J.D. Ferguson.
All arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson 
Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.


Janice M. Gahr

Janice M. Gahr, 64, of Steelville, Missouri, was born 
Monday, September 7, 1942 in Malvern, Arkansas, the daughter of Olan 
and Bess, nee Rickman, Rosewell, and passed away Monday, March 12, 
2007 at the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri.
She was united in marriage to Ronald Gahr on April 10, 
1945 in Steelville, Missouri and to this union two daughters were 
born.
She graduated from Malvern High School in 1960 and upon 
graduation from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas 
in 1964, she moved to Steelville, Missouri. Later she received her 
Master’s in education from Henderson State University. She taught 
both in Cherryville and Steelville School systems for 31 years, 
retiring in May 1997. She was a member of the Retired School 
Teachers Association and the First Baptist Church where she was a 
church hostess, taught in the Sunday School Department and had 
served on the bereavement committee.
She enjoyed planting flowers, scrapbooking, sewing and 
quilting. She loved being with her daughters and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron in 1972; 
her father and one brother, Donald Rosewell.           
She is survived by her mother, Bess of Steelville, 
Missouri; two daughters, Angela Crain and husband Carl of Rolla, 
Missouri and Amy Whittaker and husband Mike of Steelville, Missouri; 
four grandchildren, Kylie, Kayla, Emily and Drew; one sister, 
Jacqueline Witt and husband Charles of Steelville, Missouri; one 
brother, James Rosewell and wife Lucy of St. Louis, Missouri; 
sister-in-law, Ferne Gahr of Steelville, Missouri.
Services were conducted Friday, March 16, 2007 in the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Kevin 
Farr officiating. Special remembrances and obituary was given by 
Rev. Jerry Beers. Special music of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was 
sung by Paula Stice with Wanda Ransom accompanying. Closing music of 
“Go Rest High on the Mountain” was sung by Jerry Beers.
Burial committal prayers were held at the Steelville 
Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements were under the direction of the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.


Melba V. Hanson

Melba V. Hanson, nee Gahr, of Fenton, Missouri, passed 
away Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at the age of 88.
She was born to Charles and Wilma (Clonts) Gahr. She was 
married to Jason D. Hanson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
She is survived by children, Martha W. (Hanson) Graf and 
Gene (Martha) Hanson; grandchildren, Vicki (Steve) Feltz, Melodi 
(Jim) McCraine and Missy and Scott; great grandchildren, Brandy, 
Shelley, Robby, Courtney and Craig; great great grandchild, Gracey.
Visitation was Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 11 a.m. at 
the Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis, Missouri with the funeral service 
at 1 p.m.
A private service was held at Kutis Affton Chapel with 
burial in the Sunset Memorial Park, St. Louis, Missouri.


Betty Jane King

Betty Jane King of Cuba, Missouri was born on Tuesday, 
August 8, 1822 in Toledo, Illinois to Floyd Virgil King, Sr. and 
Josephine Baber King. She passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2007 in 
her home at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 3 days.
Betty was a registered nurse for 53 years and had been 
employed at Missouri Baptist and St. Luke’s Hospitals in St. Louis, 
Missouri. She later was a member of the Cuba United Methodist Church 
where she was active in the Women’s Group, Missionettes, and Golden 
Mariners. Her hobbies were bowling, crocheting, quilting and raising 
flowers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Billie 
Hill; brother, Floyd King, Jr. and brother-in-law, Delbert Hill.
Those who remain to mourn her passing are her life mate, 
Betty Jo Price of Cuba, Missouri; brother, Leonard E. King and wife 
Gerry of Mahomet, Illinois; sister-in-law, Mary King of San Antonio, 
Texas; brothers, Jerry and Donna Fox of DeKalb, Mississippi, Chester 
and Dee Fox of St. James, Missouri; cousins Don and Jean Mullen and 
Gloria and Charles Schroder, all of Cuba, Missouri, Donna and Joe 
Hoener of Columbia, Missouri.
Nieces and nephews, Debbie and Wayne Farenbacher of 
Montrose, Illinois, Michael and Nora Hill of Cleveland, Ohio, 
Stephen and Debbie Hill of King George, Virginia, Ashley Fox and 
fiancé Michael Wells, Jamie Fox, Jerry Jr. and Kristi Fox and son 
Joshua, all of St. James, Missouri, Kevin King of St. Louis, 
Missouri and Jeffery King of Champaign, Illinois; great nieces and 
great nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, March 14, 2007 from 4-8 p.m. 
at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 11 a.m. 
at Cuba United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Latham officiating.
All arrangements were under the direction of Hutson 
Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.


JoAnn Flora Mullinex 

JoAnn Flora Mullinex of Cuba, Missouri was born to the 
union of Ralph Mallett and Dorothy Mallett (nee Bates) on November 
23, 1936 in Zanesville, Ohio and passed away Saturday, March 10, 
2007 at the age of 70 years, 3 months and 17 days.
JoAnn was united in marriage to Jimmie Jackson Mullinex 
on June 17, 1971 in Phoenix, Arizona. Together they enjoyed 36 years 
of marriage.
Prior to JoAnn’s retirement she managed a Convenience 
Store and also worked as a Dispatcher for Bluebird Taxi Company in 
Guthrie, Oklahoma. She enjoyed cooking, baking, computer games and 
her dogs Taz, Troubles and Little Bit. She was a very kind and 
caring person and she never met a stranger.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Danny 
Stevens and Ward T. Mullinex.
Those who left to mourn her passing are her husband, 
Jimmie of Cuba, Missouri; two sons, Michael Dale and wife Jewell 
Mallett of Guthrie, Oklahoma and Jeffrey Mallett of Zanesville, 
Ohio; two daughters, Ida Marie Mullinex-Vaughan and companion 
Heather of Cuba, Missouri and Robin and husband Richard Green of 
Cherryville, Missouri; one brother, David and wife Nancy Mallett of 
Hebon, Ohio; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; nieces, 
nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Wednesday, March 14, 2007 from 5-8 
p.m. at Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral was Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 11 a.m. at 
Britton Funeral Home with Rev. Jeffrey Schanbacher, officiating.


Cleveland Shoemake

Cleveland Earn Shoemake, 82, was born Sunday, February 
15, 1925 in Jasper, Tennessee, the son of Horace and Gertrude 
(Housbur) Shoemake, and passed away Friday, March 9, 2007 at Gibbs 
Care Center in Steelville, Missouri.
Cleveland was united in marriage to Alberta Glore on 
August 23, 1947 and to this union 13 children were born.
He was an owner of salvage auto parts business in 
Steelville, Missouri. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Tommy 
Shoemake; three daughters, Ruth Ann, Stella Louise and Mary Jane; 
one grandson, Joseph Shoemake.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years; sons, Lee 
Shoemake and wife Lillian of Cuba, Missouri, Jacob Shoemake and wife 
Loretta of Steelville, Missouri, Monroe Shoemake and wife Carol of 
Steelville, Missouri, Bobby Shoemake of Victorville, California and 
Eddie Shoemake of Steelville, Missouri.
Daughters, Sherry Blaser and husband Denny of Potosi, 
Missouri, LaDonna Fulliam of Steelville, Missouri, Sue Barton and 
husband Grover of Steelville, Missouri, Judy Neeley and husband 
Charlie of Park Hills, Missouri; 26 grandchildren and 45 great 
grandchildren.
Brothers, Richard Shoemake, Jimmy Shoemake and Virgil 
Shoemake; sisters, Phillis Jesse Wymer, Mableen Smith, Jackie 
Burleson, Melba Jane Boxsteader, Linda Anderson, Joyce Ann Beebe and 
Carol Shoemake.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 12, 2007 at 2 
p.m. at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with 
Rev. Bob Lavy officiating.
Special music of “Grandpa Tell Me About the Good Ole 
Days”, “What a Friend We have in Jesus” and “Amazing Grace” were 
played.
Serving as casket bearers were Jake Shoemake, Eddie 
Shoemake, Monroe Shoemake, Lee Shoemake, Charles Neeley and Robert 
Shoemake with burial in the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, 
Missouri.
Full military honors were by the Missouri Honors Team.
Arrangements were under the direction of the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.


Frazer Roy Staats

Frazer Staats, was born Friday, November 20, 1959, the 
son of Roy E. and Gene Ann, nee Gore, Staats, and passed away March 
15, 2007 at the age of 47 years, 3 months and 25 days at St. John’s 
Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
At an early age, Frazer moved to Steelville, Missouri 
where he began working for Robert Bass at Bass Canoe Rental, working 
for the next 20 years. He also worked for R-M Feed and continued 
working at the feed store until the present, working for Shannon 
Cottrell Harmon at Steelville Feed and Tack. The customers knew if 
seed, feed or anything pertaining to animals or planting, Frazer 
would always have their best needs in mind when referring them to 
what would be best for them.
He loved the outdoors, especially floating the rivers 
around Crawford County. He truly loved life and lived it to the 
fullest, to put it mildly.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his mother, Gene Ann Smith of St. 
Louis, Missouri; loving companion, Sally Luhring and special 
friends, Roy Stokes and Shannon Cottrell Harmon.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 17,  2007 at 
the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Martin officiating. 
The obituary and prayer were given by Todd Martin.
Special music of “I’ll Fly Away,” “Precious Memories,” 
and “The Old Rugged Cross” were sung by Steps of Faith and Sonny 
Martin sang “The Carpenter.”
Serving as casket bearers were Lance Harmon, Keith 
Hatridge, Marty Brockman, Homer Howell, Stephen Bass and Bear Bass. 
Honorary casket bearers were Rod Halbert, Roger, Alan, Adam, Kyle 
and Glenn Grayson.
Committal song of “I will meet in the Morning” was sung 
by Steps of Faith.
Closing thoughts were given by Rev. Larry Martin with 
closing prayer by Todd Martin.
Arrangements were under the direction of the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.

Doris T. Smith-Thorpe 

Doris T. Smith-Thorpe of Cuba, Missouri was born on 
Saturday, June 26, 1915 to the union of Frank and Thelma Mudge and 
passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Gasconade Manor of 
Owensville, Missouri at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 19 days.
Doris was united in marriage to James E. Smith in 1933 
at St. Louis, Missouri and to this union two sons were born. Her 
husband James E. Smith passed away on June 13, 1968.
She was united in marriage to Leslie W. Thorpe on June 
3, 1989.
She worked from 1955 until 1978 in the catering business 
with her son James. They had the coffee service in many of the 
factories in Cuba. After the catering business Doris worked for 
nearly 20 years for Dr. Leezy as an assistant. She was a member of 
the First Presbyterian Church of Cuba since 1967.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first 
husband; one son, Ronald James Smith and other relatives and 
friends.
Those who are left to mourn her passing are her loving 
husband, Leslie W. Thorpe; son, James E. and wife Elvena Smith of 
Cuba, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Smith of Cuba, 
Missouri; one step daughter, Diane Whitaker of the state of 
California; six grandchildren, Dennis Smith, Pamela Darmody, James 
Smith, Jr., David Smith, Sherri Ziegler and Desiree Northrup; seven 
great grandchildren, Adria, Matthew, Allison, Sarah, Kristen, Katlyn 
and Robert and a host of friends.
Visitation was held Saturday, March 17, 2007 from 4-8 
p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba. Funeral Service was at 11 a.m. 
Sunday, March 18, 2007 with Pastor Jerry Douglas officiating. 
Special music for the service was “Sentimental Journey.”
Serving as pallbearers were Jim Smith, David Smith, 
Dennis Smith, Trevor Smith, Troy Smith and Patrick Darmody. Burial 
was in the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton 
Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.



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

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