Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of March 16, 2011



John “Chuck” Bouse

John “Chuck” Bouse of Cuba, Missouri was born on Monday, November 21, 1921 
in Steelville, Missouri to John James Sr. and Maggie Belle Sites Bouse and 
passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Cuba Manor at the age of 89 years,
3 months and 17 days.
Chuck served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII.
He married Jerry Davis on December 30, 1951 and to this union three 
children were born.
He worked and retired after 32 years from Holsum Bread Company. His hobbies 
were hunting, fishing, watching Cardinal baseball, reading Louis L’Amour
books and taking care of his dog ‘Lady.’
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Maggie Bouse; son,
James Lynn Bouse; sisters, Verna (Armin) Ayers, Eilleen ‘Pug’ (Jerry) Winer, 
Vera (Buster) Hewkin and Betty Jo Bouse; brothers, Wm. H. (JoAnna) Bouse,
Luther Bouse, Dick Bouse, Ron Bouse and Pete Bouse.
He is survived by his companion, Connie Midyett of Cuba, Missouri; children, 
Joni (Jimmey) Rodgers and Jeffrey (Dona) Bouse, all of Cuba, Missouri and 
Sheila (Bill Taber) Midyett of Cherryville, Missouri; brothers, Tom (Ruby) 
Bouse of Cuba, Missouri and Jack (Julie) Bouse of St. James, Missouri; 
sisters-in-law, Jane Bouse and Joyce Bouse of Steelville, Missouri and 
Hallie Bouse of Tipton, Missouri; grandchildren, Stephanie Bouse (Cory) 
Herrell, Nick Bouse, Lindsay Rodgers, Dylan Rodgers, all of Cuba, Missouri, 
Monicka (Kyle) Eaton of Linn, Missouri, Scott Radford and Josh Radford, all of 
Bourbon, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral 
Home, Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral 
Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Rev. Delmar Hutson, Rev. Bob Knight and
Rev. Gary Mace officiating.
The Bouse family sang “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged 
Cross” accompanied by Joyce Bouse.
Burial was at the Fairview Cemetery, Butts, Missouri.
Pallbearers were Nick, Rick, Brock, Tommy, Rodney, Randy, Mike and Kirk Bouse.
Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, 
Missouri.



Velma M. Brandt

Velma M. Brandt of St. James, Missouri, was born in Rolla, Missouri on 
February 21, 1928 to William and Jessie (Walls) Miers and passed away 
March 9, 2011 at the Rolla Manor Care Center at the age of 83.
Velma was united in marriage to David Brandt on February 21, 1948, and to 
this union three children were born.
Velma was a member of the St. James Christian Church; she worked for the 
Rolla School District as a Cafeteria Supervisor where she enjoyed her position 
and the children. Velma had a passion for cooking and loved to spend time with 
family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jessie Miers; 
She is survived by her children, David Brandt III and wife Mary of Pekin,
husband, David Brandt and two brothers. Illinois, Gwena Beezley and husband 
Tom of St. James, Missouri and Danny Brandt of Rolla, Missouri; brothers, 
Robert Laney and wife Paula of St. James, Missouri and Bill Laney and wife 
Connie of St. James, Missouri; sisters, Virginia Ballard of Rolla, Missouri 
and Sue Malone and husband Eddie of Rolla, Missouri; five grandchildren; 
13 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at the 
St. James Chapel of the James and Gahr Mortuary.
Funeral service was held Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 1 p.m. in the St. James 
Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Aaron Jeffers officiating.
Interment was in the St. James Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary.



Charles O. Hillyer

Charles O. “Charlie” Hillyer of Cuba, Missouri was born to Charles R. and 
Angeline (Macaione) Hillyer on July 2, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 
passed away Monday, March 7, 2011 in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 62 
years.
Charlie was employed by Johnson Controls as a Plant Manager. He traveled 
for a number of years for Johnson Controls Racing Division, one of his 
passions in life. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the 
Vietnam War. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, riding his British Norton 
Motorcycle, Hot Rods and spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Harry Nelson Hutchins; 
other family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Hillyer of Cuba, Missouri; two children, 
Maurine Angeline Mitchell of Springfield, Missouri and Miles David Hillyer 
of Cuba, Missouri; two grandchildren, Shannon L. Mitchell and Mykael Nichols, 
both of Springfield, Missouri; parents, Charles R. and Angeline (Macaione) 
Hillyer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; six brothers and sisters, James and wife 
Kathy Hillyer of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Theresa and husband George Boehmer of 
Delafield, Wisconsin, Mary and husband Blayne Heckel of Seattle, Washington, 
Geraldine Gallant of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sharon and husband Rudy 
Schreiterer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Carol and husband Keith Raddatz of 
Watertown, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Suzanne Hutchins of Edmonds, Washington; 
brother-in-law, David Preston and wife Cecile Lampton of Jefferson, Maine; 
other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton 
Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Holy 
Cross Catholic Church with Rev. James Finder as the Celebrant.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, 
Missouri.


Elsie Fern Lewis

Elsie Fern (Maxwell) Lewis of St. James, Missouri was born on 
October 16, 1925 and passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
She was united in marriage Clyde E. Lewis on August 29, 1942.
Fern was a homemaker who enjoyed preparing and canning the bounty from her 
husband’s garden and was well known among family and friends as a good 
cook.  She also received great pleasure both from her hobby of quilting and 
from making gifts of those quilts to her beloved family.  Besides active 
membership in quilting clubs, she faithfully served many individuals and 
families through her church.
She was a devout believer who touched the hearts of many with innumerable 
kindnesses and generosities.  She was preceded in death by her parents, 
Elsie (Tennyson) and John Maxwell; one sister, Marianna (Maxwell) Honse; 
one son-in-law, Donald Sorrell; and other relatives.
She is survived by her husband, Clyde Lewis of St. James, Missouri; two 
daughters, Theresa Sorrell of Rolla, Missouri and Patricia Herring and her 
husband Bruce of Orange Park, Florida; two sons, Bruce Lewis of St. Louis, 
Missouri and Michael Lewis of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren; two 
great grandchildren; one sister, Lorean (Maxwell) Davis; other relatives and 
friends.
A memorial service will be planned and announced at a future date.
Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, 
Missouri.



Mary Imajean McBenge

Mary Imajean McBenge (nee Pyatt) of Steelville, Missouri, was born 
April 3, 1942 in Cherryville, Missouri to Otto and Martha Harris Pyatt and 
passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011 at her home at the age of 68 years.
On March 19, 1985 in Steelville, Missouri, she was united in marriage to 
Lester McBenge.
Mary had attended the Center Ridge Pentecostal Church at Davisville, 
Missouri and in later years was a member of the Steelville First Baptist 
Church.
She worked at Brown Shoe for a few years and later worked as a housekeeper 
at Gibbs Care for 11 years.
In her spare time she had enjoyed sewing and would make her own clothing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Martha Pyatt; one 
brother, Troy Pyatt; sister-in-law, Geneva Pyatt and two brothers-in-law, 
Harold Cooper and Ray Anderson.
She is survived by her husband, Lester of Steelville, Missouri; four 
brothers, Leo Pyatt of Bourbon, Missouri, Claude Pyatt and wife Mary and Ken 
Pyatt and wife Helen, all of Cuba, Missouri and Garland Pyatt and wife Linda 
of St. James, Missouri; two sisters, Marie Cooper of South Roxanna, Illinois 
and Erma Anderson of Chandler, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Leora Hewkin of 
Davisville, Missouri; two step-daughters, Leslie McBenge of West Plains, 
Missouri and Brigette Unger of Freeport, Florida; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from noon until service time on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 
the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Kevin Farr 
officiating.
Special music of “I Want to Stroll over Heaven with You” and “Go Rest High” 
was sung by Bob and Carol Coleman. Other music of “What a Day that will be” 
was sung by Hal Rhea accompanied on piano by Connie Rhea. Memories were 
shared by niece, Zena Warren.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Jim Barksdale, Art Cook, Russ Pickup, Kent Howald, 
Floyd Reed and Ike Lovan.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in 
Steelville, Missouri.



Edmund John Nolte

Edmund John Nolte of Cuba, Missouri formerly of Chamois, Missouri, was born 
August 30, 1923 in Chamois, Missouri to Henry J. and Emma R. (Boss) Nolte and 
passed away Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Phelps County Regional Medical Center, 
Rolla, Missouri at the age of 87 years.
He attended Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Chamois.
He was married to Irene Brashear and Darlene Helton, both who preceded him 
in death.
Edmund worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, starting at age 18 and 
working until his retirement as a channel inspector. He lived in Chamois for 
many years before moving to Nevada, Missouri, and then to Cuba, Missouri, 
where he resided until his death. Edmund was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was preceded in death by eight siblings, Lawrence John Nolte, Clarence 
George Nolte, John Edward Nolte, Viola Regina Nolte, Teresa McMillan, Leona 
Smith, Anthony Nolte and a stillborn infant.
He is survived by one sister, Agnes Faron of St. Louis, Missouri; two 
brothers, Henry Nolte of Chamois, Missouri and Joseph Nolte of Greensburg, 
Indiana; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Most Pure 
Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Chamois, Missouri, where Mass of Christian 
Burial followed at 11 a.m. with Fr. David Means officiating.
Interment followed in the Most Pure Heart of Mary Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Meyer-Hilke-Millard Funeral Home, 
Chamois, Missouri.



Earnest L. Schroeder

Earnest L. Schroeder of Cook Station, Missouri was born February 10, 1960 in
Lawton, Oklahoma to Otto and Edith (Henry) Schroeder and passed away March 10, 
2011 in St. James, Missouri at the age of 51 years.
Earnest served his country in the United States Army. He was a very talented 
cabinetmaker and always took pride in the cabinets he built. He was also an 
outstanding cook. He loved to cook for family and friends. He also enjoyed 
the outdoors, fishing, hunting and collecting arrowheads.
He was preceded in death by his father, Otto Schroeder; brother, Andrew 
Webb Schroeder and step-father, Henry Chandler.
He is survived by his mother, Edith Schroeder of Cook Station, Missouri; 
daughters, Jennifer Schroeder and friend Patrick of St. James, Missouri and 
Kimberly Schroeder of St. James, Missouri; brother, Edward Schroeder of 
St. James, Missouri; sisters, Edith Mabe and husband Joe of Steelville, 
Missouri and Julie Brand and husband Joe of Vichy, Missouri; grandchildren, 
Lillee and Anthony Ferguson; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Sunday, March 13, 2011 from 5-7 p.m.
Funeral service was held Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the 
St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Dennis Gray officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James, 
Missouri.



Mary Arlene Shrout

Mary Arlene Shrout, nee Skaggs of House Springs, Missouri, formerly of 
Steelville, Missouri, was born May 15, 1954 in Steelville, Missouri to 
Herman and Hildred (Caringer) Skaggs and passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 
in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 56 years.
Mary enjoyed reading, watching TV and especially watching wrestling. She 
owned her own business, S&S Finishing in St. Louis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Hildred Skaggs and 
two brothers, Marvin and Don Skaggs.
She is survived by two children, Jon Skaggs of Fairview, Illinois and 
Bradley Shrout of St. Louis, Missouri; three brothers, Gary Skaggs of 
Steelville, Missouri, Bill Skaggs and wife Mary of Cuba, Missouri and 
Leon Skaggs and wife Margie of Virginia; two sisters, Gerry Sellers and 
husband Gilbert of Davisville, Missouri and Kathy Reeves and husband Mike 
of House Springs, Missouri; one grand-daughter; one sister-in-law, Barb 
Skaggs of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Graveside service with a memorial gathering of family and friends was held 
at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Shoal Creek Cemetery in rural 
Crawford County with Pastor Harrison Brown officiating. Special music of 
“Far Side Banks of Jordan,” “I Want to Stroll over Heaven with You” and 
“I’ll See You in the Rapture” was sung by Bob and Carol Coleman.
Inurnment was in the Shoal Creek Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home 
of Steelville, Missouri.



Belinda J. Smith

Belinda J. Smith of Sullivan, Missouri was born on October 14, 1958 at 
Washington, Missouri to Harvey and Gloria R. Kline Smith and passed away at 
her home on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the age of 52 years, 4 months and 20 
days. She was a life-long resident of the Sullivan area and for a time 
worked at Meramec Shoe Company. She loved her grandchildren and was known 
as being spunky and enjoyed knitting.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Belinda and a brother, Daniel 
Smith.
She is survived by her son, Jacob L. Smith, Sr. and wife Candice of 
Sullivan, Missouri; her father, Harvey Smith of St. James, Missouri; 
sister, Denise Smith and husband Dennis Lee of Ohio; brother, Harvey L. 
Smith, Jr. of Cardwell, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jacob L. Smith, Jr., 
Devin G. Smith and Aaron Crosser; special friend, Darlene Davis; other 
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 4:30 p.m. until time of service, Thursday, 
March 10, 2011 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Memorial funeral services were conducted at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 
March 10, 2011 from the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, 
Missouri.



John Robert Warner
John Robert Warner of Cuba, Missouri was born to Ralph R. and Elizabeth
(nee Emch) Warner on July 16, 1926 in Elk, Washington and passed away 
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Gibbs Care Center, Steelville, Missouri at the 
age of 84 years.
John was united in marriage to Vivian Morrison (nee Young) on June 12, 1981 
in Thousand Oaks, California.
John was the founder of Wilshire Plumbing Company in Culver City, 
California from 1953 until his retirement in 1993. He proudly served his 
country in U.S. Army during WW II and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in 
Santa Monica, California. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, deep sea 
fishing, and hunting especially big game. He was an avid sports fan that 
could adamantly discuss football with anyone.
John enjoyed his stay and making friends at Victorian Manor of Owensville, 
Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth Warner wife, 
Vivian Morrison Warner step son-in-law, Danny Gruver; two step-grandchildren, 
Jon William and Daniel Neil Gruver, Jr.; three brothers-in-law, Roy and wife 
Earline Young, Harold Clay Young and Danny Richard Whalen.
He is survived by two step children, Claudette Gruver-Smith and husband 
Kendall Smith of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Raymond Morrison and 
companion Catherine Irwin of Hot Springs, Arkansas; four step grandchildren, 
Cheryl Gruver of Cuba, Missouri, Stephanie Morrison and Diana Morrison both 
of Tuscan, Arizona, Kate Smith of Ava, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Vera 
Whalen, Lois and husband Orville Bridgeman, all of Newbury Park, 
California; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Friday, March 11, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral 
Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Britton 
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Paul Lathum, officiating. 
Special music of “Build My Mansion” and “How Great Thou Art” was sung by 
Brenda Bridgeman accompanied by Kendall Smith.
Interment followed in the Steelville Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers were Raymond Morrison, Rodger Bridgeman, Larry Bridgeman, 
Lawrence Bridgeman, Clifford Bridgeman, Dallas Britton and David Doyle.
Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Bridgeman and Lester Bridgeman.
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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