Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of April 22, 2010 Cleo Ann Banks Cleo Ann Banks of Cuba, Missouri was born June 27, 1932 in Bergland, Michigan to William and Margurite (Marsh) Martin and passed away April 13, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 77 years. Cleo was united in marriage to Leland Banks on June 6, 1951 they celebrated 54 years together before Leland’s death ion August 1, 2005. Cleo was a member of the Eastern Star, a “dedicated, dignified, big red hat wearing” member the Red Hats Club, and a member of the Quilt and Sew Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Margurite Martin; husband, Leland Banks; daughter, Lyann Mantler; sisters, June Grothe and Elizabeth Saubert. She is survived by her son, Bill Banks and wife Cindy, of Manchester, Missouri; son-in-law, Martin Mantler, of Ballwin, Missouri; grandchildren, Jenna and Cory Banks, Michael and Melinda Mantler; sisters, Bonnie Hiller and husband, Kenneth, of Burney, California, Bea Holst and husband Gene, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Margurite Niemi and husband Don, of Harrison, MI; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 a.m. until service time. Funeral service was Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James, Missouri, with Pastor Gary Mace officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James, Missouri. Sharon I. Dickens Sharon I. Dickens of Cuba, Missouri was born to William G. and Violet B. (Dobbs) Faulkner on November 2, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at her home at the age of 64 years, 5 months and 11 days. Sharon was united in marriage to James D. Dickens on August 16, 1975 in Cuba, Missouri. Sharon was a homemaker and enjoyed taking care of her home and family, feeding her hummingbirds and cooking. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Violet Faulkner; one son, James D. Dickens, Jr.; other relatives and friends. She is survived by her husband, James D. Dickens of the home; one daughter, Christie and husband Steve McKenna of Hillsboro, Missouri; three grand- children, Danny and wife Lizz Williams of St. Clair, Missouri, Lance Williams of Cuba, Missouri and Jenna McKenna of Hillsboro, Missouri; one great grandchild, Kye Williams of St. Clair, Missouri; one brother, William Guy Faulkner of St. Louis, Missouri; eight brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carl Dickens of St. Joseph, Missouri, Ruby and husband Floyd Williams, Helen Brown, Paul and wife Geraldine Dickens, Mabel Kitchen, Leon and wife Donna Dickens, Lucille and husband Gary Campbell and Ruth Ann Dickens, all of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Sharon gifted her body to Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. A memorial service was held on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Covenant Praise Church of God, Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Mark Smith, officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Gary Keith Dillingham Gary Keith Dillingham of St. Clair, Missouri was born on Thursday, July 22, 1948 in Dawson Springs, Kentucky to Leslie Arnold Dillingham and Annie Lou Cole Dillingham and passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2010 in St. Clair, Missouri at the age of 61 years, 8 months and 20 days. Gary served his country honorably in the United States Army. He married Jane Carr on March, 1, 1975 in Cuba, Missouri. He had been employed as a Corrections Officer at the MECC in Pacific, Missouri. He was a member of the Christian Assembly of God Church in Millstadt, Illinois where he was active in witnessing and church work. His hobbies were locksmithing, junking and spending time at the Louis Cafe coffee shop with friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Dillingham; brothers-in-law, Gene Hogue, Harry H. Missey and Tom Carr. He is survived by his wife, Jane Dillingham of St. Clair, Missouri; mother, Annie Lou Dillingham of Arnold, Missouri; children, Angela Campbell of St. James, Missouri, Scot Sellers of St. Clair, Missouri and Stefanie (Kyle) Kitcher of Union, Missouri; grandchildren, Danielle (Danny) Mueller, Joshua Kitcher, Alex Kitcher and Ian Kitcher, all of Union, Missouri Mara Sellers, Cierra Sellers, Brittany Sellers and Tiffany Sellers, all of St. Clair, Missouri, Beau Campbell and Austin Campbell of St James, Missouri; great grandchildren, Matthew Pherigo and Maya Pherigo of St. Clair, Missouri; brother, Ronnie Dillingham; sister, Sharon Ann Henson of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Jean) Carr of Sullivan, Missouri, Christene (Earl) Grubaugh, and Nadine Hogue of Steelville, Missouri, Lois Ann Missey of Cuba, Missouri, Judy (Tom) Worley of Cherryville, Missouri, Sharon Carr and significant other Greg Noble of Seattle, Washington; best friend, Ron Henson; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. and funeral service on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Steve Coy officiating. Burial was at the Carr Cemetery, Cook Station, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Larry Eugene Garms Larry Eugene Garms of Steelville, Missouri was born March 23, 1941 in Cherryville, Missouri to William Henry Garms and Essie Gates Garms and passed away Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 69 years. On November 10, 1962 in Steelville, Missouri he was united in marriage to Joyce Carr. Larry had retired in 2001 from the Missouri Department of Transportation after 23 years and had worked part-time for several years at the Huzzah Valley Resort. Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Steelville and a member of the Lebanon Masonic Lodge of Steelville. He served 31 years in the Army and National Guard and was a firearms trainer the last few years. He was a recipient of the “President’s 100” award which was a distinctive presentation given to the best Pistol and Rifle Marksmen in a special competition at the National Rife/Pistol Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. This coveted award was authorized to be worn on the Arm Class A uniform by Army regulation. Larry was the recipient of the distinguished Pistol Badge in 1982, which is also a very coveted award. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and an avid gun collector. He also enjoyed reading books on the Civil War and WWII. Larry will always be remembered as Santa as he played the part many times. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Essie Garms; two brothers, Fred Arthur Garms and wife Hattie and Raymond Adolph Garms; brothers-in-law, William Glenn Carr and wife Wanda, Kermit Carr and wife Eleanor, Calvin “Chink” Carr; sisters-in-law, Virginia Norris and husband Ted and Leota Land and husband Robert. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce, of Steelville, Missouri; one son, Larry Eugene “Gene” Garms II of Cook Station, Missouri; one daughter, Delores Mae Pedge; two brothers, Jay Garms and wife Betty and Earl Garms and wife Georgia, all of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth Garms, Edward Carr and wife Carol and James Carr and wife Elizabeth, all of Steelville, Missouri and Myrna Luke and husband Ralph of Anderson, Indiana; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2010 with Masonic Service held at 7 p.m. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating and Kent Howald reading the obituary. Prelude and Postlude were played by organist, Wanda Ransom. Other music of “Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone” and “Temporary Home” was played during the service. Rev. Jerry Beers concluded the service by singing and playing “Go Rest “High.” Committal prayer and burial were in the Carr Cemetery at Cook Station, Missouri. Full military honors were conducted by the U.S. Army. Casket bearers were Alan Grayson, Larry Branson, Jerry Bryan, Cleo Chandler, Bill Cape and Colin Vandergriffe. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Alexander Christian Richards Alexander Christian Richards of Cuba, Missouri, was born December 24, 2009 in Sullivan, Missouri and passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at the age of three months and 20 days. He is survived by his parents, James B. Richards and Crystal D. (Danford) Richards; grandparents, James and Madeline Richards, Sr. of St. Clair, Missouri, Anita Marie Harsh of Richwoods and Charles Edward and Jennifer Danford, Sr. of Cedar Hill, Missouri; two brothers, James B. Richards III and Skyler Ash Pendleton; three sisters, Hailie Marie, Jamie Bryanna and Chrissie Dawn Richards; other relatives and friends. Graveside services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cuba, Missouri with Michael Delashmit officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home. Carl F. Roark Sr. Carl F. Roark Sr. of St. James, Missouri was born September 28, 1925, the son of the late Charles and Minnie (Hicks) Roark and passed away Friday April 16, 2010, at his home, with his family at his side. He was 84 years 6 months and 19 days of age. On December 20, 1944 he was united in marriage to Avenell Groves. On December 4, 1984 Carl was united to Reta Falkenrath. Carl Roark Sr. is survived by his wife, Reta Roark of St. James, Missouri; five children, Carl Roark, Jr. and wife Norma of St. James, Missouri, Patricia Skyles and husband Frank of Rolla, Missouri, Billie Day and husband Louie of St. Clair, Missouri, Pamela Branstetter and husband Richard of St. James, Missouri and Anita Plemmons and husband Donald of St. James, Missouri; two step-daughters, Brenda Martin and husband Orville of St. James, Missouri and Glenda Knueven and husband Jay of Salem, Missouri; 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and two special canine friends, Blue and Princess. Carl Roark Sr. is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorthy and one brother, Sherman. Carl Roark Sr. loved his family, enjoyed the outdoors and being with his dogs and horses. He was a sign maker for many years. Visitation was Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral Services were at 11 a.m. on Wednesday April 21, 2010 at the First Assembly of God in St. James, Missouri with Mick Thrasher officiating. Burial in the St. James Cemetery. All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Elaine Amanda Taylor Elaine Amanda Taylor of Steelville, Missouri was born May 19, 1933 in Steelville, Missouri to Bryan and Amanda (Heiss) Showalter and passed away Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 76 years. On June 2, 1955 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, she was united in marriage to James “Jim” Taylor. Elaine was a member of the First Baptist Church in Steelville for many years and served on the beautification committee, was a GA Leader and Camp Counselor. She was active in city government and served on the Steelville City Council from May 2002 until April 2008. She was also a member of the Aim High Club, Garden Club, and Rainbow Girls and was a volunteer in raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For 25 years, Elaine was the owner of Elaine’s Flowers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Amanda Showalter; her adoptive mother, Artie Showalter; her husband, Jim; sister, Sue Howald; brother-in-law, Jesse Carroll: and niece, Katherine Howald Kenagy. She is survived by her three daughters, Cynthia Ann Gladden and husband John of Marthasville, Missouri, Deborah Sue Walls and husband Rick of Steelville, Missouri and Jennifer Elaine Shaw and husband John of Fenton, Missouri; one son, Bryan Allen Taylor and wife Lanette of Liberty, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Beth Houf and husband Todd, Emily Gladden, Stephanie House and husband Jason, Matt Gladden and wife Meaghan, John Shaw, Jerry Walls and fiancée Summer Young, Anna Rose Gladden, Lauren Taylor, Renee Taylor and Caleb Taylor; one great grandchild, Paul Houf; one sister, Barbara Carroll of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Art Howald, John Taylor and wife Carolyn, Wanda Halbert and husband Carman all of Steelville, Missouri, Bill Taylor and wife Pauline of Austin, Texas, Mildred Farmer and husband Lee of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Georgia Helderman and husband Wayne of White Water and Patsy Havens and husband John of St. James, Missouri; nephew, Kent Howald and wife Betty Ann of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Britton- Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Special music of “How Great Thou Art” and “To Where You Are” was sung by son, Bryan Taylor and accompanied on piano by Jan Weisel. Other music of “Blessed Assurance” was sung by the congregation. Memories were shared by Bryan Taylor, Dr. Cardis Bryan, Kent Howald and Cindy Gladden. Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery. A special ceremony of a balloon release was done by Elaine’s children, grandchildren and great-grandson with everyone singing “I’ll Fly Away.” Casket bearers were Bryan Taylor, John Shaw, Matt Gladden, Jerry Walls, Todd Houf, Jason House, Caleb Taylor and Rick Walls. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Shirley C. Witt Shirley C. Witt of Cuba, Missouri formerly of Sullivan, Missouri, was born on April 20, 1946 at Clovis, New Mexico to John and Elwanda Thompson and passed away at her home on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the age of 63 years. She was raised by her grandparents in Portales, New Mexico and at the age of 16 was married to Jerry D. Witt. They made their home in Sullivan, Missouri for a time where Shirley worked for Wal-Mart. Jerry and Shirley later moved to Texas and then a year ago moved back to the Cuba area to live. Shirley enjoyed her home and surroundings and had a way to make those around her laugh. She was always friendly and would help anyone in need. Shirley loved to chat with friends and family on the internet and her updates and emails will be missed. She is survived by her husband, Jerry of the family home; one daughter, Felicia “Lisa” Koepke and husband Kerry of Steelville, Missouri; three grandsons, Alex James of Cuba, Missouri, Kerry E. Koepke and wife Wendy of Troy, Missouri, and Ronald M. Koepke of Sullivan, Missouri; one brother, Steve Thompson of Lovington, New Mexico; three half-brothers, Dwayne and Mark Eldridge, both of Duncan, Oklahoma and Dwight Thompson of Clovis, New Mexico; three great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan. Cremation followed in lieu of funeral services. All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, 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