Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of April 22, 2009 William Robert Achurch William Robert Achurch of Steelville, Missouri, was born September 20, 1929 in Steelville, Missouri to Alfred Felix Achurch and Connie Verle (Cole) Achurch and passed away April 14, 2009 at his home at the age of 79 years. On April 10, 1955, he was married to Jane Alice Graham. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his wife of Steelville, Missouri; two sons, Roger Achurch and wife Lavada of Steelville, Missouri and Dale Achurch and wife Mary Lee of Wilmington, California; one daughter, Brenda Kay McDonald of Sullivan, Missouri; two grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A private family burial was held at the Meramac Hills Cemetery in Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Juanita Anderson Juanita Anderson of Cuba, Missouri was born on August 5, 1946 at Doniphan, Missouri to Ed and Dorothy (Deckard) Meadors and passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the age of 62 years. She was a devoted Christian who had a beautiful personality and was always giving. She enjoyed cooking and participating in the lives of her family. She could be the life of the party and would see to the needs of those around her. She attended the Freedom Mission in Sullivan, Missouri where her son, Ronnie, is pastor. On June 12, 1981 she was united in marriage to David Anderson at Miami, Oklahoma. Juanita is survived by her husband; two sons, Kenneth Evans and wife Connie of Doniphan, Missouri and Pastor Ronnie Evans and wife Daisy of Stanton, Missouri; three stepsons, David Anderson and wife Carolyn of St. Clair, Missouri, Mark Anderson of St. Clair, Missouri and Adam Anderson of Union, Missouri; one stepdaughter, Bonnie King of Springfield, Missouri; six brothers, Lawrence, Guy and Carel Meadors, all of Doniphan, Missouri, Bill Meadors of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Darrel and Eddie Meadors of Doniphan, Missouri; five sisters, Marie Tucker of Doniphan, Missouri, Ariva Vaughn of Springdale, Arkansas, Mearell Henson of Pueblo, Colorado, Doris Tucker of Staunton, Illinois and Peggy Norton of St. Charles, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastors Edward Anglin, Greg Tucker and Ronnie Evans officiating. Interment in the Bourbon Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan, Missouri. Glen Lavern Bays Glen Lavern Bays of Viburnum, Missouri, was born November 22, 1938 at Goodland, Missouri and passed away April 14, 2009 at Festus, Missouri at the age of 70 years. On September 26, 1958 he and Joyce Lawson were united in marriage and to this union two children were born. He attended church faithfully as long as his health permitted. He was an avid deer and turkey hunter, fisherman and just enjoyed the outdoors. He loved watching Cardinal baseball games. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Leona (Yount) Bays; one brother, Lovel Bays; one sister, Erma Medley and his parents-in-law, Vernal and Leta Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bays of Viburnum, Missouri; two children, Dennis Bays, and wife Cheryl of Viburnum, Missouri and Debra Cole and husband David of Labadie, Missouri; brother, Homer Bays of Viburnum, Missouri; sister, Erna Mae Stulce and husband, Donald of Steelville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Erin Bays Wisdom of Cuba, Missouri, Ryan Cole of Labadie, Missouri and Tyler Bays of Viburnum, Missouri; brothers-in-law, David Lawson and wife Suzanne of Viburnum, Missouri, Jack Lawson of Bonne Terre, Missouri, Donald Lawson and wife Vicki of Salem, Missouri, Ronnie Lawson and wife Chris of Viburnum, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. in the Wilson Mortuary Chapel, Viburnum, Missouri. Funeral service was Friday, April 17, 2009 at 2 p.m. in the Wilson Mortuary Chapel, Viburnum, Missouri with Bro. Paul Davis officiating. Music was by Johnny Setzer, Sharon Hedrick and Stanley Chandler. Serving as pallbearers were David, Donald, Ronnie and Jack Lawson, Ryan Cole and Tyler Bays. Honorary pallbearers were Winfred and Wayne Medley. Interment in the Upper Indian Creek Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary, Viburnum, Missouri. Opal C. Burnett Opal C. Burnett of Bourbon, Missouri was born at Bourbon, Missouri on March 25, 1906 to Jacob and Madge (Davidson) Erni and passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the age of 103 and 21 days. She was a life-long resident of Bourbon and in 1927 was married to Orville L. Burnett. She was a dedicated homemaker and helped Orville on the family farm milking cows and raising chickens. She was a charter member of the Bourbon Garden Club and won many ribbons and awards for the numerous beautiful floral arrangements she created, using her flowers in her garden. She was also a member of the Order of the Easter Star Chapter 105 of Sullivan. She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle as well as crocheting and knitting. She was preceded in death by her husband; son-in-law, Gary Cunningham and two brothers, Lute and Odes Erni. She is survived by a son, Melvin Burnett and wife Edith of Bourbon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Gay Cunningham, Deborah Sampson and husband Dennis, Tom Burnett and wife Jenit, Richard Burnett and wife Dana; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. at the Southside Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri, with the Order of the Eastern Star memorial services conducted at 7 p.m. under the auspices of Sullivan Chapter 105. Funeral service was at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2009 from the Southside Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home with Rev. Leo Shumaker. Interment was in the Oddfellows Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Clyde R. Farmer Clyde R. “Duck” Farmer of Bourbon, Missouri, born to William and Grace Farmer on March 7, 1931 in Hurryville, Missouri and passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the age of 78 years. A graduate of Flat River High and a member of the “49-ers” Duck excelled at basketball. He joined the service in 1948 with his friend Casey Hovis. Stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, his career as the Poet Lauriat of the Farmer Family began with the writing of “Desert Soldiers.” As a member of the reserves he was called back into active duty and sent almost immediately to Korea. Blown from a cliff by friendly fire, Duck was captured by the Red Army. After spending 27 months in the desperate and hope- less conditions of a communist prisoner of war camp, he was released when a treaty was signed. Duck returned to Flat River and a received a well-deserved hero’s welcome. A parade was given in his honor and September 19, 1953 was declared “Duck Farmer Day.” He married his high school sweetheart Myrtle “Tiny” McGeorge on September 20, 1953 and to this union seven children were born. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Debra Louise Farmer and Nancy Elaine Dougherty. He is survived by his wife of the family home; four daughters, Vickie Marie Bates and husband David of Rolla, Missouri, Anna Ruth Biggins and husband Mike of Sullivan, Missouri, Myra Kay Ruff of Greenforest, Arkansas and Sarah Farmer of Bourbon, Missouri; one son, Clyde “Magoo” Farmer, Jr., and wife Peggy of Bourbon, Missouri; two brothers, Melvin R. Farmer of Desloge, Missouri and Randell M. Farmer and wife Shermadene of DeSoto, Missouri; 14 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Bourbon, Missouri. All arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Mandy E. Halbert Mandy E. Halbert was born on May 18, 1928 in Cherryville, Missouri and passed away April 14, 2009 in Festus, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Halbert; her parents, Newton and Angie Setzer; brothers, Ray, Floyd, Dellian, Howard and sisters, Mabel, Mildred and Margaret. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Conaway of High Ridge, Missouri and Martha Wright of Steelville, Missouri; her daughter, Wanda (Tim) Woods of Pevely, Missouri; her sons, Carl Ellis (Sherry) Halbert of Cincinnati, Missouri, Paul Dwight (Vicki) Halbert of Jefferson City, Missouri, Doug (Karen) Halbert of Festus, Missouri, Bob and Betsy Wilson of Hillsboro, Missouri; grandchildren, Christopher (Laura) Woods, Chad (Stacey) Woods, Seth (Jayne) Woods, Jeffry (Kelly) Halbert, Jessica (Everett) Olson, Don Frein, Stacy (Eric) Halbert, Ryan Halbert, Eric (April) Halbert, Erin (Dave) Rekosh, Rebecca Wilson and Marybeth Wilson; great grandchildren, Sydney, Abigail, Luke, Gavin, Jillian, Tessa, Sadie, Brynn, Ben, Lauren, Jackson, Amelia and Sora. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2009. Interment at Hillsboro Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, Hillsboro, Missouri. June G. Dean King June G. Dean King of Sullivan, Missouri, passed away Sunday at the age of 84 years. She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Bittner and husband Mike of Sullivan, Missouri; one sister, Corene Ruble and husband Marshall of Annapolis, Missouri; one brother, Rev. Calvin Fowler and wife Norma of Bourbon, Missouri; one grandson; two great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 from the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2009 from the First Baptist Church in Stanton, Missouri with interment in Stanton Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Earl Lough Earl (Treat) Lough, was born July 29, 1916 in Kirkwood, Missouri to William S. and Marietta (Edwards) Lough and passed away April 13, 2009 in St. James, Missouri at the age of 92 years, 8 months and 15 days. Earl was a member at First Baptist Church, Salem, Missouri. He was Mayor of Salem, Missouri for several years. He was a painting contractor in St. Louis, Missouri from 1960 to 1973. He and his wife Geraldine moved to St. James, Missouri in 1973 where they operated their farm. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Burel and Bernard Lough; three sisters, Gladys Lough, Jessie Fleenor and Jewell McClure Margason. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine (Davis) Lough of St. James, Missouri; one son, Rodney Lough and wife Donna of St. James, Missouri; one daughter, Dr. Melinda Rush and husband, Phillip, of Madison, Mississippi; grandchildren, Andrew Lough and wife Dr. Katie Lough of Rolla, Missouri, Daniel Lough of Kansas City, Missouri, Robert N. Mills of Starkville, Mississippi, Julia Bennett and husband Andre of Brandon, Mississippi, Rebecca Mills of Ridgeland, Mississippi and Kayleigh Lough of St. James, Missouri; three step grandchildren, Rhonda Green of Rolla, Missouri, Janelle Lambert of St. James, Missouri and Dr. John Mills of San Francisco, California; four great grandchildren; special family friend, Robert N. Mills of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri. Graveside services was Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Missouri Veteran’s Home Cemetery in St. James, Missouri with Rod Farthing officiating. Family served as pallbearers. All arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Luewida Strong Luewida Strong of Cuba, Missouri was born Saturday, September 21, 1918 at Shiloh, Kentucky to the union of Robert and Ila (nee Green) Bugg and passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009 at Rolla, Missouri at the age of 90 years, 6 months and 28 days. Luewida rode a horse to school and at the age of 13 in 1932 she moved to Wood River, Illinois and starting working as a car hop. She was united in marriage to Harold Tant in 1936 and to this union one daughter was born. She worked for the International Shoe Company making boots for the war. Luewida worked for over 20 years in the banking business before retiring as the Head of New Accounts for First National Bank in Wood River, Illinois. She was united in marriage in 1971 to Chester Strong. She worked in Alton, Illinois as an In-Home-Care facilitator. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wood River, Illinois and attended the Cuba United Methodist Church after moving to Indian Hills in 1988. She was part of “Gods Little Lambs” program, which was started for pre school children at the Cuba United Methodist Church. She was a Wal-Mart greeter, volunteered in the office at the Cuba Senior Center and was a member of the Indian Lake Ladies Auxiliary. She always had a love for music, friends, food and especially spending time with family. She was preceded in death by her first husband; parents; three brothers, Dennis, Alton and Ferguson Bugg; one sister, Christine Jewell; other relatives and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Marlene and husband Jerry Dupy of Cuba, Missouri; special friend, Chester Strong of Illinois; sister, Elene Morgan of Westfield, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Jeff and wife Jill Dupy and Jay and wife Christine Dupy; four great grandchildren, Jolie, Jada, Jordan and Andrew Dupy; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Chapel, Bethalto, Illinois. A “Celebration of Life Service” will be held in Cuba, Missouri at a later date. 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. ************************************************ 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