Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of March 19, 2008 Leora Rose Collier Leora Rose Collier, 93, of Steelville, Missouri was born June 18, 1914 in Cherryville, Missouri to Jessie and Bessie (Harris) Wilkinson. She passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri. On August 23, 1929, she was united in marriage to Esco Ray Collier who preceded her in death on February 2, 1993. Leora was a faithful member of the Davisville Assembly of God Church when her health allowed her to attend. She enjoyed gardening, attending her flowers, cooking and sewing for her family. But most of all enjoying her family and taking care of them. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Garland Gene Collier and an infant son; a brother, Chester Wilkinson; two son-in-laws, Oren Ray Martin and Jim Warren, and one brother-in-law, Herman Skaggs. She is survived by one son, Esco Collier Jr. and wife Mary of Glasgow, Missouri; four daughters, Melba Martin and Geraldine Turnbough and husband Paul, all of Davisville, Missouri, Mary Lee Hull and husband John of Sullivan, Missouri and Frances Warren of St. Louis, Missouri; one brother, Fred Wilkinson and wife Wilma of St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters, Effie Neff and husband Ocie of Cuba, Missouri and Nina Skaggs of High Ridge, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Mary Ruth Haffer of Cuba, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Doris Wilkinson of House Springs, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Tom Snavely and Rev. Gene Thrasher officiating. Special music of “I Want Us To Be Together in Heaven” and “Across the Bridge” were sung by Carol Coleman with Shirley Brown accompanying on piano. Casket bearers were Ernie Richardson, John Collier, Russell Collier, Dennis Collier, Henry Martin and Harold Slade. Committal prayer and burial were in the Davisville Cemetery in Davisville, Missouri. Lester G. Conrad Lester Gilbert Conrad of Bourbon, Missouri was born on Wednesday, June 15, 1927 in Wellston, Missouri to Cledith Conrad and Linda Hemsath Conrad. He passed away Friday, March 14, 2008 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 27 days. He married Maxine Foster on July 9, 1950 in Osceola, Arkansas and to this union two children were born. Lester taught Ministries of Yahweh. He retired from the maintenance department of a Target Retail Store. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elvira Cole and brother, Earl Conrad. He is survived by his wife of the home; children, Jean Baumann of Imperial,Missouri and Mark Conrad of House Springs, Missouri; sister, Carol Stringer and husband William of O’Fallon, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Helen Hammers of Piedmont, Missouri and Mary Medlock and husband Chuck of Washington state; three grandchildren; six great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Graveside service was 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008 at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating. Pallbearers were Mark Conrad, Matt Conrad, Patrick Baumann and Jacob Snodgrass. All arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Paul C. Downing Paul C. Downing of Cuba, Missouri was born Saturday, February 11, 1939 at Steelville, Missouri to the union of William Paris and Edna Irene (nee Ennis) Downing and passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008 in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 4 days. Paul was united in marriage to Alice Faye McElfresh on August 7, 1959 at Cuba, Missouri and to this union four children were born. He worked for many years as a service tech of Fleming Manufacturing Company of Cuba. Paul was an Oak Hill Township Committeeman and a former Crawford County Commissioner of District 2. In his spare time he enjoyed rabbit hunting, coon hunting, fishing and drinking coffee at the local coffee shop with his friends. But what he enjoyed most in this life was spending time with family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Paris and William Earl “Bill” Downing; one sister, Juanita Downing and one sister-in-law, Laura Oaker. He is survived by his wife, of the home; one daughter, Paula Faye and husband Doug Bell; three sons, Bruce Charles Downing, Mark Allen and wife Tami Downing, all of Cuba, Missouri and Luke Justin and wife Melissa Downing of Sullivan, Missouri; two brothers, George Austin Downing of Salina, Kansas and Lawrence Winfred Downing; two sisters, Mary Pavorad of Duluth, Minnesota and Katherine Minke of Maynard, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren, Clarissa, Amber, Tori, Lonnie, Cory, Lindsey, Danniel, Chad and wife Erica, Mandy, Makayla and Chase; seven great grandchildren, Alyssa, Dillon, Dakota, Destiny, Nathan, Leigh and Brooke; two sisters-in-law, Mary Price of Arkansas and Doris Barlet of Cuba, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Garison McElfresh of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Monday, March 17, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Rev Mark Smith officiating. “Take My Hand Precious Lord” and “Amazing Grace” were sung by Patti Campbell and accompaniment by Darlene Cape. Interment at Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Laverne Gregory Laverne Gregory was born June 25 1920 in Sligo, Missouri to Charles Everett Cotner and Eula Ethel (Butts) Cotner and passed away in Salem, Missouri on March 14, 2008 at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 18 days. She was united in marriage to James Corbett Gregory. To this union two children were born. She was a member of Sligo United Methodist Church. She served as treasurer for the Cemetery Association on behalf of the Sligo Cemetery Board. She taught school for 35 years in the surrounding area. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on December 27, 1991 and one sister, Fern Hutson Hanson. She is survived by two children, Carol Ann Swyers and husband Julius of St. Peters, Missouri and Donald L. Gregory of Salem, Missouri; five grandchildren, Greig Swyers and wife Susan of O’Fallon, Michael Swyers and wife Tammy of Definance, Kimberly Gloriod and husband Terry of Chesterfield, Missouri, Carilee Ball and husband S.N. of Salem, Missouri and James Gregory; 15 great grandchildren, Jennifer, Deborah, David, Marlene, Amanda, Ryan, Meagan, Andrew, Branden, David Orin, Logan, Sam Adrianna, Kiley and Corbett; four great great grandchildren; one brother, Delmar Cotner and wife Violet of Salem, Missouri; one sister, Ruth Haley of Arnold, Missouri; brother-in-law, Cordell Gregory and wife Janelle of Paris, Tennessee and sister-in-law, Marie Sease and husband Ralph of Centralia, Missouri. Funeral service was 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008 at Dent County Memorial Chapel with Jeanette Bragg and J.J. Tune officiating. Music was provided by Karen Brown as pianist and organist with Earl Brown and Jared Brown vocalists. Pallbearers were S.N. Ball, Terry Gloriod, Greg Swyers, James Gregory, Mike Swyers and David Dillon. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Andrew Swyers, Branden Swyers, David O. Gray and Logan Swyers. Interment in Sligo Cemetery. All arrangements under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Dorothy “Dottie” Olive McCoy Dorothy “Dottie” Olive McCoy of Cherryville, Missouri was born June 16, 1928 to William and Alma (Maynard) Burgess and passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in Hillsboro, Missouri. On July 7, 1971 she was united in marriage to Andrew McCoy Sr. who preceded her in death on May 30, 2006. Dottie was an active member of the United Baptist Church outside Steelville for a number of years. She worked in St. Louis as a secretary for McDonald Douglas for several years. She also had a candle shop, taught basket weaving for many years and loved to garden whether it was flowers or vegetables. Also, in her spare time, she was a volunteer for the Golden Echoes Shop and the Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the Widows Support Group in Cuba. She will be remembered as one of the most positive and inspiring persons in the community because of her faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her former husband and father of her children, Val Litton and one sister, Anita Baker. She is survived by three sons, Randy Litton and wife Donna of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Litton and wife Kathleen of Lenexa, Kansas and Robert Litton and wife Linda of Eureka, Missouri; one daughter, Jan Green and husband Michael of Clinton, Iowa; two sisters, Maureen Burton of St. Louis, Missouri and Shirley Elting and husband Stuart of Olympia, Washington; one brother in-law Hobart Baker; 10 grandchildren, Zac and wife Lessa, Amy, Casey, Dustin, Julia, Nathan, Kevin, Andrew, Samantha and Tyler; two great grandchildren, Jordan and Noah; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rob Litton and Pastor David Lange officiating. Special music of “Amazing Grace,” “Press On,” “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Softy and Tenderly” and “One Small Star” was played for the service. Other special music of “Thank You For Giving To the Lord” was played on guitar and sang by Johnny Eye. The grandchildren served as casketbearers. Committal prayer and burial were in the Martin Cemetery at Cherryville, Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Ernestine M. Murray Ernestine “Ernie” M. Murray nee Burgarin passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the age of 90 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Murray. She is survived by children, Pam Rose of St. Louis, Missouri and Charles (LaJuana) Murray; three grandchildren, Brian Rose of Chicago, Illinois, Mike (Nancy) Rose of Davis, California and Amanda Murray of Houston, Texas. There will be a memorial service in the month of June in the chapel at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Affton, Missouri. Inez “Pat” P. Palazzolo Inez “Pat” Palazzolo of Cuba, Missouri was born to the union of John and Matilda J. (Hoover) Shuck in Taylor Springs, Illinois and passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008 in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 97 years, 1 month and 20 days. She was united in marriage to James A. Palazzolo on April 29, 1937 in Gary, Indiana. Pat was a beautician for many years in Gary, Indiana. She and James retired in 1973 and moved to Indian Hills, Cuba, Missouri, where she enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She was very athletic and enjoyed swimming, golfing and tennis. Over the years she was awarded many trophies and medals. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Stuart Shuck; two sisters, Iva Shuck and Minnie Collins; one step grandson, Jim Lindeman. She is survived by her husband of Cuba, Missouri; one daughter, Patricia Cookson and friend Bob Brown of Cuba, Missouri; one step daughter, Patricia Lindeman of Cuba, Missouri; two grandchildren, Greg and wife Mary Ann Kalmar, Dana and husband Jim Rothberg; five great grandchildren, Justin, Ashley, Sara, Leah and Jess; seven step grandchildren, Mark, Steve, Jeff, Karen, Kit, Craig and Eddie; 10 step great grandchildren and six step great great grandchildren. Private family services held with burial at Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Betty Irene Loane Watson Betty Irene (Williams) Loane Watson, of Rolla, Missouri, was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on January 5, 1931, to Thomas and Cleo (Harrington) Williams. She passed away at her home Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the age of 77. She was married to Kenneth Watson who preceded her in death on February 18, 1994. She worked as a cook at the Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity and was named an honorary member, the only female with that distinction. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers and one sister. She is survived by her children, Betty Garland, of Rolla, Missouri, Ruth Lilly, of Salem, Missouri, William Loane and wife Janet, of Rolla, Missouri, James Loane, of Rolla, Missouri and Gerald Loane, of Rolla, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; four sisters, Wanda Helm and husband Larry, of Paducah, Kentucky, Doris Wheeler, of Bland, Missouri, Marlean Miles and husband Robert, of Salem, Missouri, Merldean Ball and husband Tom, of Cuba, Missouri; two brothers, Homer Williams and wife Nola, of Vichy, Missouri, and Allen Williams, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; other relatives and friends. Funeral services at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Null & Son Funeral Home, Rolla, Missouri, with Rev. Rodney Blake officiating. Interment in Ozark Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla. Myrtle Adelee Willhite Myrtle Adelee Willhite, of St. Louis, Missouri formerly of Dillard, Missouri, was born August 16, 1924 to Corbett and Hessie Elizabeth (Turnbough) Willhite in Dillard. She passed away Friday, March 7, 2008 at Delmar Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 83 years. Myrtle Adelee was beautician in St. Louis for over 50 years with her own beauty shop. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter in St. Louis. In her spare time, she loved to cook and bake for her family and was well known to be so generous, especially with her family. The last few years she enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Mickey. She was preceded in death by a brother, Radis Willhite; two sisters, Dorothy Elizabeth Nunn and Muriel Turnbough; two sisters-in-law, Christy Willhite and Geneva Willhite and three brothers-in-law, Burrel Dunn, Dulaney Nunn and Delmar Turnbough. She is survived by her sister, Lorene Dunn of St. Louis, Missouri; five nephews, Larry Dunn and wife Becky, Randy Dunn, Richard Dunn and wife Connie, Dan Dunn and wife Elaine and Berlie Turnbough and wife Elsie; four nieces, Robyn Dunn, Kimberlee Dunn, Betty Anderson and husband Tom and Beverly Hadley. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Britton- Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Berlie Turnbough, Rev. Mike Hill and Ken Fiebelman officiating. Special music of “God Should Wipe Away All Tears,” “In the Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace” were sung by Chris, Felicia, and Dawn Girard with Dawn Girard accompanying on piano. Casketbearers were Brian Dunn, Craig Dunn, Nathan Dunn, Larry Dunn, Rick Dunn and Chris Girard. Committal prayer and burial were in the Sellers Cemetery at Dillard Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks