Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of March 23, 2011



Curtis W. Davis

Curtis “Curt” W. Davis passed away March 18, 2011 at the age of 74 years 
3 months and 3 days of age.
He was a 1955 graduate of John F. Hodge High School in St. James, Missouri.
Curt married Norma Lee on December 13, 1958. and to this union two children 
were born.
Curt joined the U.S. Air Force in May 1959 and served over 27 years 
achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), the highest enlisted 
grade. He retired on July 1, 1986. His assignments include Japan, San Antonio, 
Texas, Italy, Alaska, South East Asia (SAE), West Plains, Missouri, St Louis, 
Missouri, West Point, New York and Scott AFB, Illinois. While in Southeast 
Asia he flew 101 combat missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and three Air Medals. 
Other Decorations included two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force 
Commendation Medals, and Air Force Achievement Medal along with numerous 
other lesser decorations. He was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of 
Gallentry while assigned to Southeast Asia.
As an Air Force recruiter in West Plains, Missouri he was recognized as the 
top recruiter in the nation - no small feat for a rural recruiter.
After retirement from the Air Force, Curt pursued his interest in the 
horticulture, designing and landscaping his numerous gardens. His gardens 
were on the Phelps County Garden Tour several times. He worked in the 
Wal-Mart Garden Center for five years. He was a Master gardener and served 
as president of that organization.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Pansy (Moreland) Davis.
He is survived by son, Curtis “Wayne” Davis Jr. and wife Donna of Marthas-
ville, Missouri and son Curtis W. Davis III; his daughter, “Tina” Luenemann 
and husband Tom of Springfield, Illinois and their two sons, Evan and Tommy; 
his brother, 
Fred E. “Butch” Davis and his wife Janet of St. James, Missouri.
Visitation was Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Jones Funeral Home in 
St. James, Missouri, from 10 a.m. from time of the funeral at 11 a.m. with 
Phil Cox officiating.
Burial with full military honors was held at the St. James Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, 
Missouri.



Robert Eugene Downing

Robert Eugene Downing of Cuba, Missouri was born in St. Louis, Missouri on 
Saturday, March 11, 1961 to Robert P. and Helen Farrar Downing and passed 
away on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the age of 50 years and 6 days.
He served his country honorably in the United States Army.
Bob moved to Cuba after living several years in Texas. He previously worked 
in landscaping. His hobbies were fishing and traveling. He especially 
enjoyed spending time and being with family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Troy and Elizabeth Farrar 
and Paris and Edna Downing; parents, Robert P. Downing and Helen McBenge; 
brothers, Gary, Jerry and Terry Downing.
He is survived by his half brothers, Loren McBenge of Moorehead, North 
Dakota and Jimmy McBenge of Fargo, North Dakota; half sister, Cindy 
(Churchill) Hensley of Mapleton, North Dakota; aunts and uncles, Janet 
(Harold) Pitts of Bridgeton, Missouri, Faye Downing of Cuba, Missouri, 
Katherine (Len) Minkie of Mayhard, Minnesota, Mary Poverud of Duluth, 
Minnesota, Larry (Janet) Farrar of High Ridge, Missouri and Austin Downing 
of Salina, Kansas; other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Service is at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Hutson 
Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Bro. Chad Wisdom officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, 
Missouri.


Richard Carl Dunn

A sharing of memories of Richard C. Dunn was held Saturday, March 19, 2011 
at the O’Reilly Family Event Center, Drury University, Springfield, 
Missouri.
Richard C. Dunn was born in 1936 and passed away Friday, March 11, 2011 
at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 74 years.
He is survived by his wife, Jane; two sons, Michael and David; their 
wives, Libby and Amy; grandchildren, Jillian, Ricky and Tori, all of 
Springfield; brother Gerald Dunn and wife Mary of Carlinville, Illinois; 
nephews, Richard, Aaron, Noel and Jarred and their families; brother-in-law, 
Ed Thomas and wife Caroline and their family.
Dick spent his lifetime championing the cause of underprivileged, at-risk 
children and seniors.  He was executive director of Boys & Girls Town of 
Missouri (BGTM) for 29 years.
At BGTM, he developed stress challenges as successful treatment programs, 
which took children, staff and volunteers into the wilderness for camping, 
hiking, canoeing, rock climbing and trail riding from St. Louis to Spring-
field. Radio contact was vital and Dick’s handle was “Wagon Wheel”.
Dick also initiated comprehensive residential treatment programs for young 
people suffering from debilitating emotional and social issues; grew BGTM 
from the original campus in St. James, to facilities in St. Louis and 
Springfield, and was widely recognized as the go-to-person when questions 
arose about the care and treatment of children who had been abused and/or 
neglected.
Retirement was too slow for Dick, so after BGTM, then Gov. Mel Carnahan 
asked him to be Division Director for the Division of Aging in the Department 
of Social Services. He was on the front lines of care when the Division of 
Aging transferred to the Department of Health and Senior Services in July 2001.
Gov. Bob Holden appointed him director of the Department of Health and 
Senior Services for Missouri in January 2003, where he served until January 
2006.
Dunn was chairman of the Board of Directors of The Arc of the Ozarks, in 
Springfield. He has served as chair of the Children’s Trust fund board and 
also was president of The Foundation, Council of Churches of the Ozarks, Inc.
He was a licensed clinical social worker, having earned the bachelor’s 
degree from Drury University in 1958 where he worked his way through college 
as a waiter for the student cafeteria. Drury later granted him the honorary 
doctorate and also the Distinguished Alumni Award.  He earned the masters 
from University of Missouri, Columbia.


Patricia A. Happel

Patricia A. Happel was born in Macon, Missouri on March 16, 1939 to Charles 
and Beulah (Smith) McKinney and passed away March 12, 2011 at Cottage Grove, 
Oregon at the age of 71 years.
She graduated from Cuba High School in Cuba, Missouri.
She married Charles M. Happel on January 12, 1963 in Cuba, Missouri.
Patricia was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove, 
Oregon, She also volunteered as bookkeeper at the church. She loved 
gardening, quilting and sewing, baking and horses.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Beulah McKinney; 
her husband, Charles Happel on November 25, 2007.
She is survived by daughters, Jeanie and husband Bob Herget of St. Peters, 
Missouri, Kelly and husband Bill Hein of Irondale, Missouri, Charlene Happel
of Portland, Oregon and Kathlene Happel of Portland, Oregon; son and 
daughter-in-law, Edward Happel and Karin Margosian of Bend, Oregon; sister, 
Donna Laney of Cottage Grove, Oregon; six grandchildren; other relatives 
and friends.
There were no services.
Arrangements under the direction of the Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel 
of Cottage Grove, Oregon.



Robert L. Henry

Robert “Bob” L. Henry was born in 1935 in Cuba, Missouri to William and 
Mamie Henry and passed away February 15, 2011.
He went to Cuba schools all of his student life, and enjoyed many 
friendships there. After graduating from high school, Bob joined the Air 
Force and served his country in Japan and California.
Following his service, Bob married Amanda Estrada. Bob and Amanda had 
two daughters and resided in California.
Several years later, Bob and Amanda divorced and Bob married Elsa Ryan 
who had one daughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mamie Henry; 
ex-wife, Amanda Estrada Henry; siblings, William, James and Arthur Henry 
and step-daughter, Pamela Arant-Fairweather.
He is survived by his wife, Elsa of Sun City West, Arizona; children, 
Lori Whitson (John) and Robyn Wilson (Kelce); grandchildren, Kalyn Wilson, 
Chasen Whitson and Kristine Wilson; step-grandchildren, Matthew, Bryan and 
Katie Arant; siblings, Irene Ackerman of Sullivan, Missouri, Cathilene 
Thompson of Sun City West, Arizona, Alene McFarren of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, and Paulene Wagner of Monument, Colorado; other relatives and 
friends.
Bob will always be remembered as a loving, thoughtful, kind and gentle 
person who made friends wherever he went.  He leaves behind family and 
many lifelong friends who will miss his warm smile and joyful spirit.
As was Bob’s wish, he will be interred in the V.A. Cemetary in Arizona
Memorial services will take place on March 25, 2011.


Melba Lois Hill

Melba Lois Hill of Cuba, Missouri, formerly of Rolla, Missouri, was born 
on February 7, 1924 in Rolla, Missouri to John and Elizabeth (Herberger) 
Munzert and passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the age of 87 years.
On November 8, 1958 she married Richard W. Hill at the Immanuel Lutheran 
Church in Rolla, Missouri where she has been a member for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Munzert; four 
sisters, Christine Watkins, Olga Frueh, Helen Curtis and Pauline Parkinson; 
four brothers, Herman Munzert, Johnny Munzert, Fred Munzert and William 
Munzert.
She is survived by her husband, Richard W. Hill of Cuba, Missouri; 
daughter, Lisa Oliver and husband David of Collierville, Tennessee; two 
grandchildren, Nathan and Matthew Oliver; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Null and 
Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri.
Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Null and 
Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri with Pastor Stephen Kamprath 
officiating.
Interment followed in the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in 
Rolla, Missouri.


John “Jack” M. Jolley

Captain John M. “Jack” Jolley, USNR, retired of Cuba, Missouri was born 
to Charles Raymond and Agnes (Patton) Jolley on April 26, 1925 in 
St. Louis, Missouri and passed away Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Phelps 
County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 85 years.
John was united in marriage to Helen Downing on August 13, 1949 in 
Kirkwood, Missouri and to this union seven children were born.
John retired from Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, Missouri in 1980 
after 31 years of dedicated service. He proudly and honorably served his 
country in U.S. Navy during WWII and retired as a Captain U.S. Navy Reserves. 
He was member and former Treasurer of Cuba Chamber of Commerce, a Chairman 
of Cuba/Rolla SCORE Chapter and an exhibitor for Old Iron Days. In his spare 
time he was interested in scales, tools, telegraphy equipment and enjoyed 
traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Agnes Jolley; three 
children, John, Robert and Mary Jolley; one brother, William Jolley and 
other relatives.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Jolley; four children, Matthew and wife 
Elizabeth Jolley, Nancy and husband James Marik, Joseph “Jake” and wife Laura 
Jolley, Thomas and wife Anne Jolley; 11 grandchildren, Benjamin, Caroline, 
Helen and William Jolley, Julie Marik, Kathryn and husband Allen Williams, 
James J. and Nicholas Marik, Sarah Jolley, Michael and John Jolley; two 
great grandchildren, Devon and Evie Williams; one sister, Joan Jolley; 
son-in-law, Randy Dietz, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marie Jolley, 
Sally and husband Glenn Haley, Mike Downing and Fred C. Jones, Jr.; other 
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from a.m. until time of 
Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church in St. Louis, 
Missouri with Msgr. Dennis Doerhoff as the Celebrant.
Interment with full military honors followed at the Calvary Cemetery, 
St. Louis, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, 
Missouri.



Diane Lowline Knight

Diane Lowline Knight of Rolla, Missouri was born on October 11, 1935 in 
McPherson, Kansas to Lowell and Pauline (Johnson) Hawley and passed away 
on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the age of 75 years.
Diane attended the University of Kansas where she met her first husband 
Kent Sanborn.
Twenty-five years ago she was the founder of Arts Rolla. Diana had 
previously owned Countryside Realtors. She was an active member and had 
served as president of many Rolla women’s clubs, PEO, TEAC, Coterie and 
state art organizations.
She was recognized as State Realtor of the Year and Missouri Arts Advocate 
of the Year. She was internationally noted as a prizewinning painter and 
photographer with training at KU and the Royal School of Art in London. She 
also had served on the Boards of O.A.T. and Senior Companions. She actively 
supported the new Rolla Art District.
Diane was a longtime active member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Rolla, 
Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kent  Sanborn.
She is survived by her children, Dirk Sanborn and wife Jeanne of Mobile, 
Alabama and their children, Brittany and Brandon, Blake Sanborn and wife 
Donna of Bourbon, Missouri and their twins Kaylen and Lauren and her husband 
Warren, Blake’s son, Adam Jones and daughter Dana D’arcy of Rolla, Missouri; 
brother, Don Hawley and wife Barbara of Tucson, Arizona; husband, Prof. W. 
Nicholas Knight and his children, Polly Lynn and husband John and daughters of 
Edwardsville, Illinois, Nate Knight and wife Kris and their three children, 
Jessica Knight and Portia Calouro and husband Moses and their three children 
of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; other family and friends.
A memorial service celebrating her life was held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 
at 11 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church in Rolla, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, 
Missouri.


Tracey Scott Medows, Sr.

Tracey Scott Medows, Sr. of Lonedell, Missouri, was born in Rolla, Missouri 
on August 7, 1961 to Harding “Gus” Augustus and Nova Velven Medows nee 
Bishop and passed away in Town and Country, Missouri on March 17, 2011 at 
the age of 49 years, 7 months and 10 days. As a young man, he was united in 
marriage and blessed to have two 
children.
On August 1, 1998, he was united in marriage to Crystal Lyn Hutchison nee 
Stearns and their families were joined as one and one daughter was born of 
this union.
Tracey was self-employed and owned and operated Medows Closet and Bath in 
Lonedell, Missouri. He was currently a member and past president of the 
Lonedell R-14 School Board and a member of the Lonedell R-14 PTA.
He was very active in the lives of his children and his favorite pastime 
was watching the kids play sports or in the school band. He enjoyed hunting 
and fishing. Hunting for shed antlers with Skyler was a favorite of his 
hobbies, as was woodcarving. Tracey was always willing to lend a helping hand 
to others and was rarely without a smile on his face.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Nova Medows; two siblings, 
Buddy Franklin Medows and infant Bobbie Clarice Medows.
He is survived by his wife, Crystal Medows of Lonedell, Missouri; four 
children, Jenny Medows of Ellisville, Missouri, Tracey S. Medows, Jr. of 
Wildwood, Missouri, Skyler Hutchison of Lonedell, Missouri and Allie Medows 
of Lonedell, Missouri; his parents-in-law, Richard and Brenda Stearns of 
Fredericktown, Missouri; nine siblings, Charles Medows and wife Pat of Cuba, 
Missouri, LeiLanni Hafley (known to all as Skip) of Wildwood, Missouri, 
Kitty Tucker and husband Edd of Fair Play, Missouri, Junior Medows and wife 
Louise of St. James, Missouri, Pat Spurgeon of Barnhart, Missouri, Joe 
Medows and wife Steffanie of DeSoto, Missouri, Donnie Medows of Wildwood, 
Missouri, Mike Medows and wife Karen of Lonedell, Missouri and Annie 
Pallardy of Cave City, Arkansas; other relatives and friends.
A celebration of his life was held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2011 
at the R-14 School Gym in Lonedell, Missouri with the Rev. John Pursley 
officiating. Private committal will take place at a later date.
Arrangements under the direction of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home, 
St. Clair, Missouri.


John “Leroy” Mincher

John “Leroy” Mincher of Steelville, Missouri, was born December 31, 1930 
at Huzzah, Missouri to Otis Ray and Gulenia (Bays) Mincher and passed away 
Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri 
at the age of 80 years.
On March 6, 1954 at Shoal Creek, he was united in marriage to Opal Gilliam.
He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Leroy 
was a member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting and was 
long time caretaker for Skaggs Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Gulenia Mincher and one 
sister, Pauline Hughes.
He is survived by his wife Opal Mincher of Steelville, Missouri; two sons, 
Anthony Lee Mincher of Winfield, Missouri and David Michael Mincher and 
friend Kathy Tubb of Florissant, Missouri; one daughter, Regenia Sue “Gina” 
Godden and husband Ed of St. Peter’s, Missouri; one brother, Elmer Mincher 
and wife Betty of Steelville, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Paul Hughes of 
Cuba, Missouri and Floyd Gilliam and wife Iline of Steelville, Missouri; one 
sister-in-law Elizabeth Woods and husband Haskell of Ferguson, Missouri; five 
grandchildren, Crystal (Smith) Klaas and husband Quentin, Christopher Mincher 
and wife Karah, David Matthew Mincher and friend Felina Higby, Danielle Godden 
and Phillip Bush; five great grandchildren, Mikayla Klaas, Austin Mincher, 
Aiden Mincher, Destiny Bush and Jace Bush; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from noon until service time on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 
the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Rick Dement 
officiating.
Special music of “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace” and “Will you Walk 
Across Heaven with Me” was sung by Larry Sherrill and accompanied on piano 
by Geraldine Sherrill.
Committal prayer and burial with full military honors were at the Skaggs 
Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Casket bearers were Chris Mincher, David Mincher, Phillip Bush, Quinton 
Klaas, Clarence Boulch, Paul Boulch, Tony Mincher and David Mincher.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home 
of Steelville, Missouri.



Everett “Bill” William Setzer

Everett “Bill” William Setzer of Cuba, Missouri was born April 11, 1958 
in St. Louis, Missouri to Everett and Darlene Quinton Setzer and passed 
away Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the age of 52 years.
He was united in marriage to Gail Reinhardt in 1978 and three children 
were born. He later married Debbie Santoya on April 26, 2008 in Waterloo, 
Illinois.
Bill was a member of the Moose Lodge 423 in Cahokia, Illinois and Spirit 
of St. Louis Good Fellows. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and loved 
to play his guitar, but most of all he loved being with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Setzer; three brothers, 
Wesley, Kenneth and James Setzer and one brother-in-law, Darrell Halbert.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Setzer of Cuba, Missouri; his mother, 
Darlene Setzer of Steelville, Missouri; three children, Tami Setzer of 
St. Louis, Missouri, Ernie and Andy Setzer and wife Minette, all of 
Waterloo, Illinois; step children, Sonny Ashlock and wife Jacqueline of 
Hampton, Virginia and Shelly Hosler and husband Jason of Newport News, 
Virginia; mother-in-law, Glenda Miller of St. Louis, Missouri; two brothers, 
Joe Setzer and wife Danielle and Sam Setzer and wife Lisa, all of Steelville, 
Missouri; seven sisters, Shirley Halbert, Shelly Callahan and husband Jim, 
all of Steelville, Missouri; Bonnie Bell and husband Mike of Cuba, Missouri, 
Pam Martin and husband John of Cherryville, Missouri, Debbie Whitman and 
husband Tim of Indianapolis, Indiana, Peggy Hicks and husband Raymond and 
Barbara Maib and husband Jeff, all of Gary, Oklahoma; five sisters-in-law, 
Donna Setzer and Crystal Hollenback of Steelville, Missouri, April, Sharon 
and Anna Santoya, all of St. Louis, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Rick Adams 
and wife Kathy of St. Louis, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Alyssa Setzer, 
Sky Hosler, Sam Moss, Brayden Setzer, Taylor Ashlock, Noah Baerman and 
Kayla McDaniel; special aunt, Pam Anderson of Cuba, Missouri; other 
relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Bro. John Breese 
officiating.
Memories from Debbie were read by step daughter, Shelly Hosler. Special 
music of “Seven Spanish Angels,” “Silver Wings” and “Angel” was played.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Martin-Trask cemetery at 
Cherryville, Missouri.
Casket bearers were Tim Murphy, Joe Setzer, Lance Evans, Sam Setzer, 
Kurt Grahlherr, Mike Bell and Adam Day.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home 
of Steelville, Missouri.



Gertrude Marie Wassilak

Gertrude Marie Wassilak of Rolla, Missouri was born on November 8, 1927 
in Jarvis, Missouri to Ernst and Frieda (Meyr) Huber and passed away on 
Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the age of 83 years.
On August 29, 1948 she married Raymond F. Wassilak.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church for 62 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernst and Frieda Huber; husband, 
Raymond; one brother, Werner Huber; and one sister, Alida Nellesen.
She is survived by three sons, John and Janis Wassilak of Cuba, Missouri, 
Jim and Jana Wassilak of Rolla, Missouri and Tom and Teresa Wassilak of 
Rolla, Missouri; two sisters, Adele Borchers of St. Louis, Missouri and 
Cecelia Buntrock of Oviedo, Florida; seven grandchildren, Erin (Chris) 
Townsend, Robin (Michael) Flynn, Ashley Durick, Aaron (Kacie) Wassilak, 
Daniel (Hayley) Wassilak, Amanda (Ryan) Wright and Steven Wassilak; four 
great grandchildren, Riley, Ray, Reese and Macy Wassilak; one soon expected 
great granddaughter, Emma Wassilak; other relatives and friends.
 Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Null 
and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the 
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rolla, Missouri with Rev. Stephen Kamprath 
officiating. Interment followed in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in 
Rolla, Missouri.



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

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