Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of April 12, 2017 Lola Mae Bartle Lola Mae Bartle of St. James, Missouri was born July 22, 1944 in Granite City, Illinois to Frank Marion and Mary Hatcher Happle and passed away Friday, April 7, 2017 at the age of 72 years. She was united in marriage to Jack Bartle on August 12, 1960 at the St. James Christian Church and to this union two sons were born. Lola enjoyed life and loved the Lord and she always greeted everyone with a big smile. She put others needs before her own, caring for her family and then herself. She loved her grandsons with all her heart and loved to watch them play sports. She enjoyed quilting and crafts. Each spring she anticipated planting a big garden; then, looked forward to sharing its abundance with family and neighbors. She loved to grow flowers and was know to have beautiful clematis and flower beds. She enjoyed feeding and watching the hummingbirds. She had a special fondness for butterflies and believed seeing one was a message from heaven. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Happle; one brother, Charles Happle; and four sisters, Erma Eaton Thurman, Cathy Gushwa, Pearl Norris, and Mary Lou Martin. She is survived by her husband, Jack of 56 years of St. James, Missouri; two sons, Marvin and wife Debbie of St. James, Missouri and Scott and wife Kimberly St. James, Missouri; brothers, James Louis Happle of Cuba, Missouri and Kenneth Happle of St. James, Missouri; sisters, Norma Russow of St. James, Missouri and Pauline Adams of Joplin, Missouri; four grandsons, Noah, Luke, Micah, and Jonah; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday April 9, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday April 10, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Pastors Allen Smith and Douglas Lane officiating. Judy Bartle sang "It Is Well With My Soul." Pallbearers were Lola's grandsons, Noah, Luke, Micah and Jonah, along with Lavern Parrish and David Bartle. Burial was in the Miles Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Claudine Marcella Becker Claudine Marcella Becker (nee Delaney) of Steelville, Missouri was born April 25, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri to Thomas and Bertha Furrer Delaney and passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 5 days. On November 26, 1949 she married Paul Becker and to this union eight children were born. Claudine was a past member of the Holy Infant Parish in Ballwin, Missouri and in later years was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Steelville. She enjoyed quilting and being involved with Gibbs Care Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Bertha Delaney; husband, Paul A. Becker; two brothers, John Delaney and wife Grace and Tom Delaney and wife Mary; and two sisters, Bert Ernstman and husband John and Henri Koebbe and husband Al. She is survived by three sons, Tim Becker of Marietta, Georgia, Bob Becker and wife Mona and Mark Becker of St. Louis, Missouri; four daughters, Christine Payne and husband Tim, Susan Sayers and Kathy Niemeyer and husband David, all of St. Louis, Missouri, Sally Becker of Steelville, Missouri and Pat Scott and husband Eric of Ashland, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, Amie Jones, Molly Page, Daniel Becker, Tim Becker, Jr., Kim Rolfe, Lindsay Horan, Nichole Sayers, Andy Becker, Ryan Becker, Sam Sayers, Matt Becker, Ben Payne, Sarah Becker, Taylor Payne and Emily Becker; nine great grandchildren, Bradley Jones, Lainie Jones, Tristan Jones, Noah Becker, Jacob Becker, Eli Becker, Owen Rolfe, Ryder Payne and Olivia Payne; other relatives and friends. Funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Steelville, Missouri with Father Rich Boever, Father James Finder and Father Tom Robertson officiating. Memories were shared by family members. Music of "Ave Maria" was sung by Rev. Jerry Beers accompanied on the organ by Deloris Bell. The closing song was "On the Road Again" sung by the congregation. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Ethel Irene Belmar Ethel Irene Belmar (nee Meade) of Leasburg, Missouri, formerly of Cuba, Missouri was born on Thursday, March 21, 1940 in Bussey, Iowa to Earl Leland and Dollie Irene McGee Meade and passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the age of 77 years and 13 days. Ethel married Willard Belmar on December 23, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri and to this union three daughters were born. Ethel and Willard lived several years in Arnold, Missouri before moving to Cuba, Missouri in 1984. Ethel was a wonderful homemaker working in her garden, doing crafts, and taking care of her family. She was a faithful member of the Faith Chapel of Cuba, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Dollie Meade; husband, Willard; son-in-law, Roger Vass; sister, Doris Meade; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Essmueller, Dorothy Meade, and Caren Meade; and brothers-in-law, Robert Belmar and Richard Turnbough. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Jeff) Theros of Leasburg, Missouri, Deanna (Jeff) Bailey of Huntingdon, Tennessee and Karen Vass of Austin, Texas; brothers, Orvil (Fern) Meade, Bill Meade and Frank (Beverly) Meade; sister, Alice (Bob) Mendoza, all of Cuba, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Lois Belmar of Wildwood, Missouri, LaDonna Turnbough of Imperial, Missouri and Saundra (Bill) Penovich of Arnold, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Ronald (Laura) Belmar of Des Arc, Missouri, Gerald Belmar of Mokane, Missouri and Richard Essmueller of Kimmswick, Missouri; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A memorial service was at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Larry Buettner officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Harold Joseph Combs Jr. Harold Joseph Combs Jr. of Columbia, Missouri was born October 2, 1949 in San Francisco, California to Harold Combs Sr. and Nellie Grace Combs and passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the age of 67 years, 4 months and 24 days. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. Harold was employed at Briggs and Stratton for several years. He attended the First Apostolic Church of Cuba, Missouri. Harold spent many hours making and tying flies for his fishing enjoyment. He loved his family and reading the Bible. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Sr. and Nellie Combs; and brother, Larry Combs. He is survived by his son, Shawn Combs and wife Veda of Cuba, Missouri; two daughters, Kim Hector and husband Buddy of St. James, Missouri and Brittany Combs of Cuba, Missouri; one sister, Susan Combs of St. James, Missouri; five grandchildren; other relatives and friends. The family chose cremation as the final disposition. There will be no services at this time. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Edna Marie Copeland Edna Marie Copeland was born June 9, 1931 in Black, Missouri to Ira and Goldie Pearl (Woolf) Hedgcoth and passed away March 30, 2017 at the age of 85 years. Marie enjoyed crocheting, quilting, reading, playing dice and puzzle books. She was a member of Viburnum Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Goldie Hedgcoth; husband, Collin; children, Michael, Terry, Larry, Donna and Timothy Copeland and Karilyn Henson; brothers, Earl, James and Marvin Hedgcoth; and sister, Jessie Crocker. She is survived by her children, Glenwood Turnbough and wife Judy of Steelville, Missouri; Angela Cain and husband Golden of Blue Springs, Missouri, Marilyn Kennedy and husband Randy of Viburnum, Missouri, Christine Degonia and husband Jeff of Cadet, Missouri, Thomas Ray Copeland of Bixby, Missouri and Bruce Copeland of Bixby, Missouri; brothers, Donald Hedgcoth and wife Glenda of Farmington, Missouri, Hershel Hedgcoth and wife Brenda of East End, Missouri and Calvin Hedgcoth of Fredericktown, Missouri; sisters, Verla Brown and husband Dave of Cherryville, Missouri and Verna Holtz of Cuba, Missouri; son-in-law, Roger Henson of Bixby, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Challa Copeland of Bixby, Missouri; 22 grand- children; a host of great grandchildren, four great great grand- children; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was held Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel with Bro. Jay Hedrick and Bro. George Civey officiating. Music was provided by Tara Erp and a special CD selection. Pallbearers were Shannon Cain, Jason Cain, Matthew Cain, Hagen Barton, Nick Degonia, Jamie Wilkerson, Tommy Copeland and Shane Degonia. Honorary pallbearers were Nathan Copeland and Lucas Henson. Interment was in the Crocker-Stricklin Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary in Viburnum, Missouri. Joy Marie Dingley Joy Marie Dingley of Steelville, Missouri was born February 11, 1931 in Belle, Missouri to Paul Obed and Minnie M. Mitchell Dingley and passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the age of 86 years, 1 month and 25 days. Joy worked for 20 years at the Sheltered Workshop in Marble Hill and attended the Marble Hill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Minnie Dingley; and brother-in-law, Glen Grayson. She is survived by her sister, Shirley Grayson of Steelville, Missouri; nieces and nephews, Lena Halbert and husband Rod, Roger Grayson and wife Kim, Alan Grayson and wife Wanda, all of Steelville, Missouri and Missy Stubblefield and husband Drew of Cuba, Missouri; 13 great nieces and nephews, Nicole Smith and husband Tony, Heather Halbert, Sarah Dunn, Schoen Grayson, Adam Grayson and wife Amber, Samantha Heckemeyer and husband Brian, Jessica Mabe and husband Josh, Andrew Stubblefield and wife Lisa, Erin Sexauer and husband Brad, Matt Stubblefield and wife Rockael, Kyle Grayson and wife Hailey, Kara Gearhart and husband Kyle and Dillon Grayson; 25 great great nieces and nephews, Jackson, Sophie and Mia Case, Elisabeth, John and Grayson Dunn, Cameron, Karleigh, and Juliet Grayson, Gaven, Jonah, Silas and Freya Grayson, Benton and Lucy Heckemeyer, Lane, Carter, Ada and Danny Mabe, Anslee, Leightin and Sila Stubblefield, Chace and Callie Grayson and Kole Gearhart; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Adam Grayson officiating and Schoen Grayson reading the obituary. Special music of "I Come to the Garden Alone" and "Precious Memories" was sung and played by Rev. Jerry Beers. Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery. Casket bearers were Schoen Grayson, Andy Stubblefield, Matt Stubblefield, Kyle Grayson, Dillon Grayson and Tony Smith. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Richard C. Johnson Richard C. Johnson of Cuba, Missouri was born on August 31, 1919 in rural St. Clair, Missouri to R. Charles and Mary E. (Bruns) Johnson and passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 at the age of 97 years. He was raised in St. Clair and attended school there graduating in 1937. Richard served is country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. While in the military he married Alma McDaniel and two daughters were born. Richard and Alma made their home in St. Clair, Missouri where Richard, along with his brothers, Dinger and Kenny started St. Clair Steel, which eventually became Belmont Furniture and Trailer Sales. Richard retired in 2008. He was a member of Rotary and the Masonic Lodge in St. Clair. He loved cars however his greatest passion was for flying his airplane. He was preceded in death by his parents, R. Charles and Mary Johnson; his wife, Alma G. (McDaniel) Johnson in 2006; three brothers, Belmont "Dinger" Johnson, Robert and Kenny Johnson; and one sister, Edna Junge. He is survived by two daughters, Jo Ellen Peterson of Sacramento, California and Mindy (Steve) Cowsert of Cuba, Missouri; nine grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two great great grand- children; other relatives and friends. It was Richard's wish to be cremated. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Gerald w. Kirk Gerald W. Kirk of Union, Missouri, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, was born March 25, 1930 in Crystal City, Missouri to Esley Kirk and wife Lora (nee Radford) passed away Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the age of 87 years. On July 18, 1952, he married Mable Thompson in Piggott, Arkansas. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 21 years until his retirement in 1968. He served time in the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. He was of the Christian Faith and active in the Primitive Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esley and Lora Kirk; his wife, Mable Kirk; three brothers, Jethro Kirk, Norman Kirk and Melvin Kirk and two sisters, Pauline Lambert and Delores Lunsford. He is survived by one brother, Leon Kirk of Villa Ridge, Missouri; three sisters, Janette Daves of Bourbon, Missouri, Evelyn Stewart and husband Mike of Sycamore, Illinois and Fern Ray of Norman, Oklahoma; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Midlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Union, Missouri. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Midlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Union, Missouri. Internment was at the Midlawn Memorial Gardens in Union, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Midlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Union, Missouri. Janet Sue Pitts Janet Sue Pitts (nee Farrar) of Cedar Key, Florida, formerly of Bridgeton, Missouri was born on Monday, May 26, 1947 in Steelville, Missouri to Troy William and Sarah Elizabeth Stotler Farrar and passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the age of 69 years, 10 months and 6 days. Janet married Harold Pitts on February 19, 1966 in Sullivan, Missouri and to this union one daughter was born. Janet worked several years installing electrical heating units at Watlow Electric Manufacturing in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a member of the Rosewood Baptist Church of Cedar Key, Florida. She enjoyed listening to music, watching old family movies, attending and cheering on grandsons at their sporting events. She was preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Sarah Farrar; parents-in-law, George and Pearl Pitts; husband, Harold; sisters, Helen McBenge and Paulann Mowery; brother, Larry Farrar; brothers-in-law, Mack Pitts and George Pitts; sisters-in-law, Lili Beaudin and Imogene Pitts; nephews, Terry, Jerry, Gary, and Bobby Downing, Rick Mowery and Travis Mercer. She is survived by her daughter, Terri (Chad) Wisdom of Cedar Key, Florida; sisters-in-law, Janet Farrar of High Ridge, Missouri; Sally Hoyer of St. James, Missouri, Delores (Richard) Wilkinson of Rolla, Missouri and Faye (Jess) Hussey of Doolittle, Missouri; brothers-in-law, James (Barbara) Pitts of Arizona and David (Vickie) Pitts of St. James, Missouri; grandchildren, Thomas Wisdom of St. Louis, Missouri and Tanner Wisdom of Cedar Key, Florida; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and funeral service was at 1 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Chad Wisdom officiating. Burial was at the Earney Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Juanita Mae Radford Juanita Mae Radford (nee Hinch) of Steelville, Missouri was born in Steelville, Missouri on Sunday, December 15, 1929 to Clyde Hinch Sr. and Helen Lulu (Halbert) Hinch and passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 20 days. Juanita accepted the Lord at a young age and was a member of Center Point Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri. She married Furman "Bob" Radford on January 14, 1950 and to this union one son was born and a son and daughter were gained through adoption. She worked as a cook in the Steelville R-3 School District. She loved cooking, gardening and yardwork. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Helen Hinch Sr.; parents-in-law, Elijah and Bessie Radford; husband Furman "Bob" Radford; brothers, Lindell (Marie) Hinch and Bill Hinch; sister, Maggie Hinch; brothers-in-law, Jim Radford, Thurman "Gene" Radford and Everett Radford; sisters-in-law, Carol Counts and Jeanette Fleming; and grandchildren, Nancy Radford, Penny Radford and Robert Wayne Radford. She is survived by her sons, Furman Eugene Radford and Phillip (Rita) Radford, all of Steelville, Missouri; daughter, Linda (Ernie) Green of Clarksville, Tennessee; brothers, Ed (Margaret) Hinch of Ellisville, Missouri and Clyde (Louise) Hinch Jr. of Owensville, Missouri; sisters, Fay (Alfred) Harris of Mt. Vernon, Missouri and Carolyn (Larry) Jaycox of Florissant, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Garnett Hinch of Manchester, Missouri, Viola Self of Bunker, Missouri, Shirley Radford of Farmington, Missouri and Betty Radford of Centerville, Missouri; grandchildren, Josh (Jeanie) Radford of Sullivan, Missouri, Scott Radford of Cuba, Missouri, Kyle Radford of Kansas City, Missouri and Jason (Lucinda) Radford of Queen City, Texas, Shedrika (LaBoris) Frinks of Phoenix City, Alabama and LaTasha (Jeffrey) Taylor and Andy Mansell Jr. (Kristal Montague) all of Clarksville, Tennessee; step grand- children, Shane (April) Bunton and Justin (fianceŽ Amanda) Bunton, all of Steelville, Missouri. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Len Young officiating. Burial was at the Radford Family Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Rosemary Schwartz Rosemary Schwartz of Sullivan, Missouri was born March 14, 1946 in St. Louis County, Missouri to Leo Franklin Fritz and Opal Ilene Johnson and passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the age of 71 years. Rosemary was a registered nurse for 41 years. She created and was head of the swing bed unit in Arkansas. Rosemary also worked in the cardiac intensive care unit at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Her favorite place was the float pool at Deaconess that sent her to the cardiac ICU. Rosemary also had her pilots license and loved to travel. She enjoyed cruising to the Bahamas, Mexico and Canada; as well as taking bus tours. She is survived by one daughter, Penny Adams of Sullivan, Missouri; one stepson, Ronnie Schwartz and wife Jennifer of Paduka, Kentucky; two brothers, Fayron Fritz of Washington, Missouri and Leo Fritz of Owensville, Missouri; four sisters, Frances Northcutt and husband Oliver "Buddy" of St. Clair, Missouri, Peggy Crabtree and husband John of Crestwood, Missouri, Ruth Wille of Labadie, Missouri and Helen Mullinex of Cuba, Missouri; four grandchildren, Victoria Adams, Casey Adams, Seth Schwartz and Nate Schwartz; good friends, Sandy and Pat Jones of Bourbon, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were held at noon on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with interment in the Chapel Hill Cemetery, Oak Grove, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Kenneth Ralph Taylor Kenneth Ralph Taylor, known to many as Ken of St. Clair, Missouri, was born in St. Clair, Missouri, on February 15, 1930 to Stephen Jeremiah and Belle Taylor (nee Brown) and passed away on March 31, 2017 at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 16 days. On September 12, 1953 he married Mary Ethel Frossard. Ken was a Christian, believing in the Lord as his Savior. He had lived in Cuba, Missouri, for about 25 years and during that time was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cuba, Missouri. Since moving to St. Clair, Missouri, about five years ago, he had attended Canaan Land Ministries in St. Clair, Missouri. He was proud to have served his country during the Korean War as a Corporal in the United States Army, entering September 8, 1951 and receiving his honorable discharge on May 20, 1953. After his discharge from the military, he began his career with McDonnel Douglas, now known as Boeing, remaining with the company until he retired. He was an active man with many hobbies and interests and seemed to always have a project. He enjoyed working on motors and was able to fix anything. He enjoyed raising cattle and caring for his home and property. Fishing and spending time on the river were favorite pastimes. Over the years, he and Mary cared for children in their home and have remained close with several of them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Belle Taylor; three brothers, Stephen, Harold and William Taylor; and eight sisters, Olive Collins, Sylvia Duncan, Marie Ann Miller (known to all as Ann), Myrna Gudermuth, Audrey Rose Sutterfield, known to all as Rose, Lenora Taylor, Delma Taylor and Beulah Hawkins. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Taylor of St. Clair, Missouri; his god-daughter, Sandy Belew and husband, Bruce of St. Clair, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri with the Rev. Fern Nye officiating. Interment with full military honors was held in the United Methodist Cemetery, St. Clair, Missouri. John M. Wheeler John M. Wheeler of Vichy, Missouri was born on October 13, 1948 in Moline, Illinois to John and Gertrude (Gray) Wheeler and passed away March 5, 2017 at the age of 68 years. On January 8, 2009 he married Sharon Kaye Payne in San Antonio, Texas. John proudly served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was employed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in Emergency Services and traveled the world for 32 years. John was a member of the St. James Golf Club and enjoyed working on the family farm, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertrude Wheeler; brother and sister. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; step children; grandchildren; two sisters; other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family farm on May 6, 2017 at 5 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of the Rolla Cremation and Memorial. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ 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