Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of March 30, 2011 Bessie Lee Alexander Bessie Lee Alexander of Sullivan, Missouri, was born on October 24, 1928 in Turrell, Arkansas to Joe Wright Barber and Mary (nee Harmon) Barber and passed away, Monday, March 21, 2011, at the age of 82 years. She worked for many years at the Brown Shoe Factory in Union. Bessie enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and spent time in her flower garden, crocheting, and loved to paint. She was preceded in death by two children, Ralph E. Alexander and Peggy L. Wiser; six brothers, Bill, Dellard, Pallard, Jessie, Eugene and Joe Barber; two sisters, Iona Mae Lacey and Georgia Lavin. She is survived four children, Donald Alexander and wife Betty of Sullivan, Missouri, Billy Alexander of Lake Ozark, Missouri, Georgina McEuen of Leasburg, Missouri, Patricia Madison and husband James of Bourbon, Missouri; brother, Charles Barber; sister, Peggy Stufflebean; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with interment following in Oddfellows Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Lillian Marie Barker Lillian Marie Barker of Potosi, Missouri was born on July 17, 1937 at Granite City, Illinois to Thomas and Goldie (Glenn) Chambers and passed away March 14, 2011 at Potosi Manor Nursing Home at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 25 days. She was united in marriage to Robert Lynn Barker on March 13, 1964 in Witt, Illinois and they shared 47 years together. Lillian gave much to this world that will always be treasured. The love and compassion she shared with those fortunate enough to have known her will never again be matched by another. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Gerald Reynolds; three daughters, Janet Reynolds, Barbara Reynolds, Jane Barker; two sons, James (Buddy) Reynolds, Robert (Bobby) Barker; two grandchildren, Carissa (C.J.) Barker and Zachary (Zachman) Barker; two sisters, Estella Chambers and Pearl Gardiner; three brothers, Richard Chambers, Charlie Chambers and Thomas Chambers. She is survived by her husband, Robert Barker of Steelville, Missouri; eight daughters, Carla (Terr) Suttles of O’Fallon, Missouri, Diane (Alan) Farris of Springbluff, Missouri, Rhonda (Brian) Heeter of Mineral Point, Missouri, Carol (Kenny) Cooke of New Haven, Missouri, Lisa Kennedy of New Haven, Missouri, Bonnie Gardiner and husband of Viburnum, Missouri, Sandy (Kitty) Barker of Greenville, Illinois, Becky Gallagher and husband of Coral Cove, Florida; two sons, Michael Reynolds of Higginsville, Missouri and Glenn Barker of Potosi, Missouri; two sisters, Mary (Steve) Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado and Martha (Marti) Rufus of Farmington, Missouri; 45 grandchildren; 56 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the DeClue Family Chapel with Pastor Mary Avizenis officiating. Pallbearers were Jerry Heeter, Colt Farris, Jerry (Dub) Pendleton, Michael Farris, Shawn Barker, Koty Barker, Tim Gilliam, Brian Smith, Jason Heeter, Matt Hudson and Bobby Heeter. Interment and final prayers were held at Redbud Memorial Gardens. Arrangements under the direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home. Thomas R. Breeden Thomas R. Breeden of Lebanon, Missouri was born February 6, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to John William and Eileen Myrtle Robinson Breeden and passed away Friday, March 11, 2011 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 67 years. On August 15, 1986 he married Kay Marie Carpenter. He had worked as a custodian for Carter Carburetor Company in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Kay made their home in the Edgar Springs, Missouri area before moving to Lebanon about eight years ago. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eileen Breeden. He is survived by his wife, Kay of the home; daughter, Nicole Breeden of Lebanon, Missouri; three brothers, John Breeden of Steelville, Missouri, Don Breeden and Jerry Breeden, both of St. Louis, Missouri; a sister, Janet Milton of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Arrangements under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Payton Lynn Dotson Payton Lynn Dotson of Leasburg, Missouri was born December 9, 2010 in Sullivan, Missouri and passed away Monday, March 21, 2011 at St. Louis Children’s Hospital at the age of 3 months. In her short time on this earth Payton touched many lives and will forever be remembered as a fighter. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, William Eugene McVay. She is survived by her parents, Damon Dotson and Connie Thomeczek of Leasburg, Missouri; one brother and three sisters, T.J. Richardson, II, Candice Lynn Richardson, Amber Lynn Dotson and Courtney Ann Dotson, all of Leasburg, Missouri; grandparents, Ronald Gregory Thomeczek of Bourbon, Missouri, Martha Louise McCallum of Cuba, Missouri and Carol Ann Stringer of Leasburg, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Friday, March 25, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri followed by a graveside service at Holy Cross Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Winfred Bosco Eudaly Winfred Bosco Eudaly of Rolla, Missouri was born in 1925 in Cardwell, Missouri to Donald and Ruth Harrison Eudaly and passed away at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri on March 18, 2011 at the age of 85 years. Bosco served during WWII with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He participated in the largest Naval Battle in history (Leyte Gulf), which saw the first use of Kamikaza attacks. Upon return to the states, Bosco graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, married Tina Mae Chorice and started a career with the U.S. Government. He worked with civilian personnel at Fort Leonard Wood and then transferred to the newly established personnel office at the U.S. Geological Survey in Rolla, Missouri where he spent the remainder of his career. He was the personnel director of the 14-state Mid-Continent Region at the time of his retirement. Bosco was active in civic and social organizations, serving on the Rolla School Board, Utilities Board, City Personnel Board and Red Cross Board and was active in Boy Scouting with his three sons. A long-time member and past elder of the Hwy. E. Church of Christ, he and Tina served as missionaries to Nelson, New Zealand after retirement. He was preceded in death by three grandsons, Eric Myers and Michael and Gabriel Eudaly. He is survived by his wife, Tina; six children, Mark Eudaly and wife Sue, Phil Eudaly and wife Kathy, Joyce Williams and husband Rick of Rolla, Missouri, Carol Myers and husband Fred of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Don Eudaly and wife Suzanne of Searcy, Arkansas and Mary Burkett and husband Mike of Fort Smith, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Hwy. E Church of Christ in Rolla, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Missouri. Buford F. “Boots” Hammack Buford F. “Boots” Hammack of Cuba, Missouri was born on March 16, 1921 at Bonne Terre, Missouri to Jake and Francis (nee Cash) Hammack and passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Cuba, Missouri at the age of 90 years and 4 days. Boots was united in marriage to Fern Bates on August 3, 1941 at Desloge, Missouri and to this union two children were born. Boots retired from Con Agra Foods in St. Louis after 25 years of dedicated service as a warehouse forklift operator. He enjoyed fishing, mowing his yard and his neighbors yard, working outside and tending to his flowers. In his younger years Boots and Fern would always go on vacation and they would drive many miles each trip. But what he loved most was spending time with his children and especially his wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Francis Hammack; wife, Fern Hammack; two brothers, Thedford and wife Betty Hammack and Howard Hammack; two sisters, Adelphia and husband Bud Elders and Jane and husband Ansel Boyer; other relatives and friends. He is survived by two children, Douglas and wife Karen Hammack of Marshall, Missouri and Ruth Ann and husband Gary Williams of Cuba, Missouri; four grandchildren, Kelly Williams, Travis Williams, both of Cuba, Missouri, Kenny Cornine of Marshall, Missouri and Stacey and husband Rob Dorf of St. Louis, Missouri; five great grandchildren, Cody, Cameron, Sam, Morgan and Nathan; one brother, George and wife Imogene Hammack of Arnold, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mona Hammack of Irondale, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial visitation was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Memorial service was held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Steven Wick officiating. Special music was “It is Well with My Soul,” “In the Garden,” “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Where Have You Been.” Inurnment will follow at a later date at the Sunset Cemetery in Marshall, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Everal Hancock Everal Hancock was born March 11, 1927 in Richland, Missouri to Roy and Virginia (Jack) Hancock and passed away March 19, 2011 in St. James, Missouri at the age of 84 years and 8 days. Everal served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  After returning from the service he spent most of his life selling real estate and insurance. He loved antiques, and going to flea markets.  Boating and fishing were also favorite pastimes, but the time spent with his family was what he enjoyed the most. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Virginia Hancock. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Hancock, of the home in Salem, Missouri; step-son Carl Delmar Plank and fiancée, Donna Davis of St. James, Missouri; step grandson, Chessley Plank; special niece, Kim Guill, other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 10 a.m.  until time of service at 11 a.m. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Ken Fiebelman officiating. Interment was in the Adams Cemetery, Phelps County, Missouri with full military honors by the Salem American Legion Post #99. Lester Oran Maize, Jr. Lester Oran Maize, Jr. was born March 19, 1932 at Winona, Missouri and passed away March 17, 2011 at Viburnum, Missouri at the age of 78 years. He was married to his wife Mary Ethel on June 28, 1958 and after her death was married to Mary Elizabeth Jordan on April 28, 2007. He was a member of the Victory Baptist Church at Cherryville, Missouri. He was a member of the Local 513 Union in St. Louis, Missouri. He started the Hopewell Lodge #239 and was a member of the Lebanon Masonic Lodge #77. He served three years in the U. S. Army. Blackie as he was fondly known was a hard worker, liked mechanics, driving mud trucks, loved his Harley, traveling and visiting with family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Flossie Maize; his wife, Mary Ethel and one brother, Arlie “Jake” Maize. He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Maize of Cherryville, Missouri; four children,  Rick Maize and wife, Tammy of Kansas City, Kansas, Anita Maize and friend, Kim Clark of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Vicky Meier and husband, Gary of Kansas City, Missouri and Marty Maize and wife, Kim of Viburnum, Missouri; four step children,  Danny Huffman and wife, Tammy of Stephensville, Texas, J.R. Woodall and wife, Cindy of Davisville, Missouri, Troy Woodall and wife, Laura of Steelville, Missouri and Beth Griner and husband, Michael of Toccoa, Georgia; five brothers,  Dick Maize and wife, Bert of Lesterville, Missouri, Lloyd Maize and wife, Marge of Bonne Terre, Missouri, Ernie Maize and wife, Jenny of Lesterville, Missouri, Jack Maize and wife, Panzy of Park Hills, Missouri and James Maize and wife, Theresa of Farmingtion, Missouri; three sisters,  Ethel Lay of Ellington, Missouri, Pat Fann and husband, Richard of Ellsinore, Missouri and Jerry Martin and friend, Hobie of Lesterville, Missouri; six grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren; six great grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was March 20, 2011 in the Wilson Mortuary (Viburnum) Chapel with Bro. Roger Silvey officiating. Special recorded music was played. Masonic service was by the Hopewell #239 and Lebanon #77 Masonic Lodges. Military rites was by the Missouri Military Honors and American Legion Post # 99. Arrangements under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary. Thomas Jere Poteat Thomas Jere Poteat of Leslie, Missouri, was born on May 14, 1933 in Washington D.C. to William and Agnes (nee Davis) Poteat and passed away, Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the age of 77 years. Jere grew up in Springfield, Missouri where his father had taken a job with the Federal Prison. Jere was known for many years as being the youngest pilot in the US and received his pilot’s license at 16 years of age. He honorably served his country during the Korean War as a paratrooper in the US Army. When he came back to the states, and went to college in Kansas at Wichita State University. There, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering and worked for Beech Aircraft. When McDonnell-Douglas hired him, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri and worked Ground Support Systems for the Mercury and Gemini Spacecrafts. In 1968, Jere went to work for Ryan Industries in Louisville, Kentucky where he designed liquefied gas vessels for both storage and transportation. In 1973, Bechtel Industries hired him to go to Indonesia to design and install LNG storage facilities. After a lengthy illness, he went back to work at McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing and retired from there. Jere was a member of the Sports Car Club of America and enjoyed SCCA road racing; he loved to work on, race and build sports cars. He enjoyed fishing and bowling with his wife, Mary. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lofting-Bennett Poteat of the family home; five children, Cappie Blackwell and husband Steve of Owensville, Missouri, Laura Poteat of Texas, Jon Bennett and wife Dawn of Leasburg, Missouri, Andrea Sumpter and husband David of Sullivan, Missouri and Katie Bennett and friend Devin Olds of Rolla, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Abbey, Sam, Ben, Austin, Cierra, Morgan, Korbin, Kendall and Drake; other relatives and friends. A Memorial funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Lois J. “Poppy” Seal Lois J. “Poppy” Seal of Leasburg, Missouri, was born on June 6, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri to Louis M. and Della A. (Smith) Schlothauer  passed away, Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the age of 81 years. She joined the Girl Scouts at age eight and was a member in some capacity for the next 45 years. She married William Seal on November 4, 1950, and to this union four children were born. Poppy taught school for a time after graduating from Paris Teacher’s College.  She and her husband were both members of the Sullivan Amateur Radio her call sign, “KA3BHO.”  She was also a member of the Leasburg American Legion Post 456 Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Della Schlothauer and brother Lee Schlothauer. She is survived by her husband, William Seal of the family home; two sons, Robert Seal and special friend Linda Markley and Martin Seal, all of Cuba, Missouri; two daughters, Linda Wright and husband Monty of Cuba, Missouri and Suzanne Lesage and husband Robert of Spring Valley, California; three grandchildren; one great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Patrick Runk officiating. American Legion Post 456 Auxiliary service was also conducted. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Mary Marie Sides Mary Marie Sides of Owensville, Missouri was born in Oak Hill on November 7, 1914 to Mary Ann (Lockhart) and Charles S. Nelson and passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville at the age of 96 years. On January 14, 1950 she was united in marriage to Joe W. Sides. She retired at the age of 91 from her position of 19 years as a greeter for Wal-Mart.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Owensville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe:  son, Stanley Ringeisen; granddaughter, Sandra Ringeisen McCormick; brothers, John, Bransford and Raymond Nelson and sister, Della Fuchs. She is survived by her sisters, Esther Clara Homeyer of Owensville, Missouri and Iva Merkel of Sullivan, Missouri; sister-in-law, Ruth Bacon Nelson of Owensville, Missouri; grandson, Steven Ringeisen and wife Joann of Owensville, Missouri; three great granddaughters, Mindy Boettcher of Las Vegas, Nevada, Amber and Rachel Ringeisen and their mother Linn of Belle, Missouri; great grandson, Christopher Boettcher of Jackson, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri with Pastor Kevin Koester officiating. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Oak Hill, Missouri. Arrangements under the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Lavern Elizabeth Wevers Lavern Elizabeth Wevers, (nee Saenger) of St. James, Missouri, formerly of Steelville, Missouri, was born July 17, 1925 in St. Louis to Fred and Josephine Bruno Saenger and passed away Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri. On April 5, 1944 Lavern was united in marriage to Frank Joseph Wevers Jr. She served her country in the U.S. Navy. Lavern worked for several years as a baker at National Food in Rolla and retired from there. Lavern and her husband Frank loved to travel and would live in Arizona during the winter months. She was a great cook and loved being around all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Frank Wevers Jr. of St. James, Missouri; seven children, Frank “Butch” Wevers III and wife JoEllen of Kimberling City, Missouri, Diane Andrews and husband Tom of Lyons, Colorado, Janis Taylor and husband Gary of Salem, Missouri, Cathy Sexton and husband Richard of Valley Park, Missouri, Debbie Champion and husband Ken of Chamois, Missouri, Dotty Burke and husband Jim of St. James, Missouri and Cindy Pratt and husband Gary of Steelville, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Steelville, Missouri with Father James Finder as Celebrant. Reading the scriptures was Diane Kroupa and serving at the altar was Joe Howdeshell. Music selections were played by Deloris Bell. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks