Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of updated May 5, 2005
Mildred Anna Brandon
Mildred Anna Brandon, nee Browning, was born Friday,
March 1, 1966, at Rolla, Missouri, a daughter of Mildred A. Browning
Richardson (nee Mounce) and the late Arthur Browning.
Anna (as she was known) was killed in a car accident near
Newburg, Missouri, Thursday, April 21, 2005, at the age of 39 years,
1 month and 20 days.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her husband,
Michael Brandon of Devils Elbow, Missouri; her mother and
step-father, Mildred and Alvin Richardson of West Plains, Missouri.
Two sons, Sam Blue and fiancee Sara Timmons of Cuba, Missouri,
Billy Rutz and fiancee Abby Barnicle of Steelville, Missouri. One
daughter, Crystal Ellerman of Salem, Missouri; one sister, Wanda
Ransom of Cuba, Missouri.
Father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Johanna Brandon and
brother-in-law Mark Brandon and friend Rohna all of Hawaii, other
relatives and many friends.
Mildred Anna Brandon lay in state after 8 a.m. Thursday, April
28, 2005 at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services with internment was held 11 a.m. Thursday, April
28, 2005, at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri, with
John Britton officiating.
Serving as pallbearers were Michael Brandon, Sam Blue, Billy
Rutz, Ryan Blue, Kyle Eaton and Noah Hayes.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri.
Winnie Mae Cape
Winnie (McMillan) Cape, nee Boothe, of Steelville was born
June 23, 1913, in Halltown, Missouri, to Spencer A. And Ida M. Boothe,
nee Keltner. After 91 years of productive life, she died in Rolla,
Missouri, at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, April 25,
2005.
Mrs. Cape spent her professional career as an elementary teacher,
touching the lives of many young people in Crawford and St. Louis
counties. Her first teaching position in 1936 was at Smyrna, a rural
single room school near her home in Lawrence County, Missouri. At
that time, she began her collegiate work at Southwest Missouri State
University, known then as Springfield Teachers College. There she
met her first husband, George G. McMillan, and they were married on
December 12, 1936. She and her first husband, who was also a
teacher, moved to Grandin and Kearney, Missouri, and then to
Livingston, Illinois, for teaching positions held by Mr. McMillan.
It was during these years that Mrs. Cape stayed at home to raise a
son who was born a year after their marriage.
During the early 1940's, Winnie and her family moved to St. Louis
where she worked for Curtis Wright, the predecessor of
McDonald-Douglas, assembling the C-47, which became the workhorse of
the Army Air Force during World War II. She served as one of the
thousands of legendary women on the American home front who became
known collectively as "Rosie the Riveter." During that period, she
had the privilege of utilizing skills she had developed in high
school when she joined and became a key member of the Curtis-Wright
Flyerettes women's basketball team, where she played two seasons
with the 1936 Olympic Gold Medalist Helen Stephens in the St. Louis
Industrial League.
Following World War II, she and her husband, George McMillan,
moved to Crawford County and made Steelville their home. During the
late 1940s and 1950s, she taught at the one-room rural school at
Cherry Valley, and at Cherryville and later at Bourbon Elementary.
In the early 1960s, she moved to the Hazelwood School District in
north St. Louis County where she taught until her retirement in
1973. Over the years she influenced hundreds of students, many still
residing in Crawford County, motivating them in the basic skills
necessary for learning. She especially took pride in her ability to
teach reading, and during her last three years at Brown School in
the Hazelwood School District she served as a special reading
teacher.
The year she retired she was selected as an "Outstanding
Elementary Teacher of America for 1973," an award given by a
Washington-based, national, not-for-profit educational consortium.
She lost her first husband, George McMillan, who died in 1986.
The following year Winnie married Maurice Cape, who had also lost
his wife the preceding year. This second marriage for both was a
perfect union, and Maurice and Winnie were able to enjoy 18 active
years of farming, community involvement, and travel. It was only
recently that they had left their home and moved into Gibbs Manor in
Steelville.
One of Winnie's favorite activities in recent years was to take
long drives through the countryside and through their various farms
along the Meramec River to observe the cattle that have been
Maurice's lifetime imprimatu.
Winnie developed a close bond with her grandchildren who spent
portions of their summers in Steelville during their formative
years. She followed their activities and was proud of their
accomplishments, witnessing when possible their successes in the
classroom and on the athletic field. A staunch Cardinal baseball
fan, she seldom missed a game during recent years of cable coverage.
After retirement, she became deeply involved with her community.
She was a member and active in the Presbyterian Church, served on
the Boards of Golden Echoes and the Crawford County Farm Bureau, was
a volunteer at Golden Echoes and Gibbs Care Center, and a member of
the Crawford County Teachers Association, among others.
Winnie was preceded in death by her father and mother; first
husband, George G. McMillan; one sister Bessie, and four brothers,
Oral, Charley, Loyd, and Clarence Boothe.
She is survived by her husband, Maurice Cape, of Steelville, a
son Bruce McMillan and his wife Virginia, Springfield, Illinois, and
two step daughters, Donna Eaker and her husband Tom, Brookfield,
Connecticut and Kay Marik and her husband Jaromir, New Hope,
Pennsylvania.
Survivors also include three grandchildren, Gregory McMillan and
wife Dorothy of Southlake, Texas, Michael McMillan of Springfield,
Illinois, and Lynn Chadwick and husband Jack of Tampa, Florida, and
four great grandchildren. Also mourning her loss are five step
grandchildren, their children, and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends called between 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 28,
2005 for visitation at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 29, 2005, 11 a.m. at the
Britton Chapel in Steelville, Missouri, with Rev. Michael Srbljan
officiating. Musical selections were provided by Debris Bell.
Internment and committal prayers were in the Kinder Cemetery,
Cuba, Missouri.
Serving as pallbearers were William Cape, Dan Cape, Wayne Cape,
Harold Cape, Jack Chadwick and Ronald Boothe.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Brothers
Funeral Home, of Steelville, Missouri.
John Earl Capehart
John Earl Capehart of Leasburg, Missouri was born on December 3,
1929 at Cuba, Missouri to the union of Lawrence Capehart and Ruth
Thoma Capehart and passed away on April 23, 2005 at his home in
Leasburg, Missouri at the age of 75 years 4 months 20 days.
John was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Nellie
Mehrhoff.
John was involved in community activities around Cuba for the
last 30 years. He was a member of the Leasburg Fire Department, an
avid horseback rider and had a great love for horses. He did
beautiful woodworking and was a Civil War enthusiast and always took
part in the Leasburg Civil War Re-enactment.
Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life was his two
sons, John E. Capehart II and wife Jane of Cahokia, Illinois and
Patrick William Capehart and wife Barb of Hillsboro, Ohio. Three
daughters, Nancy Ann Capehart Cotter of Belleville, Illinois, Penny
Lou Covill and husband Ed of Water Town, Connecticut and Kelly
Capehart of Franklin, Ohio.
Special friend of many years Lillie Ray; step children, Richard
Ray, Carl Ray and friend Jean Ann and Linda Bucher. Two brothers
George Capehart and wife Violet and William Capehart and wife Joyce.
Nine grandchildren, six great grand children, eight step
grandchildren, five step great grandchildren, other relatives and
many friends.
John was a loving father, stepfather, brother, friend and will be
sadly missed.
John Earl Capehart was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of
Cuba, Missouri on Monday, April 25, 2005 from 5-8 p.m. Graveside
services and interment was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 11
a.m. with Gary Mace officiating.
All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Flora Marie Coffman
Flora Marie Coffman, nee Wilkinson, was born Wednesday, December
7, 1921, at Sligo, Missouri, a daughter of the late James "Jim"
David Wilkinson and Jeanette Ethel Wilkinson (nee Cole).
She entered eternal life Friday, April 29, 2005, at the Cuba
Manor, Cuba, Missouri, at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 22 days.
On July 19, 1941, at the Courthouse in Union, Missouri, Flora was
united in marriage to George Monroe Coffman. To this union six
children were born, five girls and one son. George preceded her in
death, March 8, 1991.
Preceding her in death were two daughters, Wilma Juanita Zachritz
and Delores Marie Coffman; her father, James Wilkinson, mother,
Jeanette Edith (Cole) Wilkinson; father-in-law and mother-in-law,
George Andrew and Mickey Mae (Nee Clonts) Coffman.
Four brothers and sisters-in-law, Laben and Gladine Wilkinson,
Clemoth and Bessie Wilkinson, Lawrence "Larry" Wilkinson; an infant
brother, named Jimmy.
Also preceded her in death were seven sisters and
brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Joe Schrock, Ruth Snow, Ruby Snow,
Claire Wilkinson, Reba Wilkinson, Rubel Wilkinson, Zelema Wilkinson,
Lester Coffman, Pete Amyetta and Clark Sappington. Three
son-in-laws, Gary Snodgrass, Paul Jones and Jim Wolfmeyer.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are three daughters,
Wanda Swyers of Steelville, Missouri, Georgia and husband Tom Dalen
of Cuba, Missouri, Ellen Jones and friend Howard Buskirk of St.
Louis, Missouri. One son, William "Bill" Coffman and wife Marsha of
Sullivan, Missouri and son-in-law, Henry Sheldon Zachritz of St.
Peters, Missouri.
Twelve grandchildren and spouses. David Zachritz and Davine,
Shelly and Bob Tash, Scott Jones and Lisa, Shawn and Annie Jones,
Tony and Kathy Snodgrass, Billy Jr. and Loretta Coffman, Wade
Coffman, Stacy and Stanley Wallen, Thomas "Kent" and Michelle
Swyers, Patrick Sr and Myra Swyers, Lynn Green and James Brooks;
step-grandson, Gary Ulsh and Donna.
Fourteen great grandchildren, Brett, Brock, Bethany and Brendan
Snodgrass, Devon Coffman, Stanette and Stanton Wallen, Tommy,
Nathaniel, Jeremy and Roxie Swyers, Patrick Swyers Jr., Ian Boyet,
RaeLynn Brooks.
Nine step great grandchildren, Jimmy, Andreanne, Ali, Amber,
Tyler, Paul, Christy, Brad, and Kyle; and a great great
granddaughter, Brooklynn Snodgrass.
Sisters-in-laws and brother-in-law, Virginia Wilkinson of
Steelville, Missouri, Pat Coffman of Robertsville, Missouri, Hattie
Lacy of Sullivan, Missouri, Woodrow and Polly Coffman of Abba,
Wisconsin, Alice Amyetta and Anna Maas of St. Helen, Oregon, Allie
Sappington of St. Louis, Missouri; nieces, nephews, cousins, other
relatives and many friends.
Flora was a faithful member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
until her health started failing. She loved making quilts for her
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed
her friendship with Hazel Gruver who was like a sister to her and
how they got together and made lap robes and books for different
senior citizens homes and veterans homes.
Visitation was 1-8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2005, at the Britton
Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2005, in the Britton
Chapel with Rev. Leslie "Butch" Koerber officiating and Josh
Anderson assisting.
Eulogy was given by Lynn Green. Musical selections were Long
Black Train, For Me It's Hello, Beulah Land, Serenaded by Angels and
Heaven Will Never Welcome a Sweeter Mother.
Burial was at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Honoring their grandmother as pallbearers were Kent Swyers, Patrick
Swyers Sr., Shawn Jones, Scott Jones, Tony Snodgrass, David
Zachritz, Billy Coffman Jr. and Wade Coffman.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri.
Noel C. Johnson
Noel C. Johnson passed away at his residence on Sunday, April 17,
2005 at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 16 days.
Rev. Noel C. Johnson was born January 1, 1911 in Huzzah, Missouri
to Henry Clark Johnson and Ruth Staples Johnson.
Preceding him in death were: his wife of 70 years, Esther Ida
(Slowensky) Johnson, April 6, 2004; three sisters, Virginia Bayles,
Veneta Baker and Edna Sanders and one brother, Rodney Johnson.
Johnson was a bivocational pastor for many years at New Offenburg
First Baptist Church, Washita Baptist Church and Blackwell Baptist
Church, He loved cattle farming and gardening.
Survivors include three daughters, Anna (Glen) Branson of
Farmington, Margaret (Clifford) Heil of Cobden, Illinois, Nancy
(David) Stroud, Farmington and one son, Larry (Jane) Johnson of
Farmington.
One sister, Mildred Gahr of Steelville, Missouri; one brother,
John Henry (Marilyn) Johnson of St. Louis, Missouri. Two
sisters-in-law, Audrey Gibbs of Catawissa, Missouri and Mavis
Slowensky of Huzzah, Missouri.
Grandchildren: Glenda and Steve Paulley, Alan and Dana Branson,
Marva and Dennis Watson, Malina and Kevin Bonifeld, Tom and Nancy
Heil, Todd and Kimberly Johnson, Susan and Johnny Davis, Matt
Stroud.
Great grandchildren: Amanda and Lauren Pulley, A.J. and Noah
Branson, Daniel Maribeth, Melissa and Rachel Watson, Jessica and
Jennifer Bonifeld, Taylor and Seth Heil, Audrey Noelle and Savanna
Johnson.
Visitation was Tuesday, April 19, 2005 from 4-9 p.m. and
Wednesday, April 20 from 7-11 a.m.
Funeral services were Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 11 a.m. in
Farmington, Missouri at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel with Rev.
Darrell Jauch and Rev. Larry Johnson officiating.
Interment was in the Hillview Memorial Gardens Cemetery,
Farmington, Missouri.
Lionel E. Morice
Lionel E. Morice, born August 11, 1928, passed away Wednesday,
April 27, 2005, after a long battle with cancer; beloved husband of
57 years of Dorothy Morice (nee McKenney); dear father and
father-in-law of Michael and Sandy Morice, Lionel and Ruth Morice,
Stephen and Heidi Morice, David and JoLynn Morice, Andre and Carman
Morice, Robin and Michael Fogg and Bart Morice.
Dear grandfather of Greg and Gena Morice, Stacy and Patrick
Cooper, Kindra Bender, Keith and Jenny Morice, Bethany and Daniel
Morice, Heidi and David Youtsler, George and Amy Nemeth, Amy, Samuel
and Brianne Morice, Jennifer Holtman, Kimberly Morice, Ryan Fogg and
Jeffrey Morice; dear great grandfather of Blake and Lane Bender,
Cortney Morice, Robert Engle, Ashley and Amanda Cooper, Courtney and
Colton Nemeth, Hannah, Cross and Brady Youtsler.
Lionel was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred an Emma; his
brother, Donald; sister-in-law, Hazel Morice; brother-in-law, Robert
Sikorski; dear brother and brother-in-law of Norman and Shirley
Morice, Larry and Helen Morice and Paul Morice, Joyce Sikorski, Bill
and Ellen Morice, Roland and Diana Morice; dear uncle, great-uncle,
cousin and friend to all he met.
Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, Saturday, April
30, 10 a.m. Interment St. Matthew Cemetery.
The family expresses their appreciation for the excellent care
provided by Dr. Mark Stutz and his staff over the years.
Lionel was proud to have been once an IAM member, past
Vice-President and President of Tool & Die Makers Lodge 688, also,
over 40 years as a Mold & Die Maker. Visitation Friday, 2-9 p.m.
James Walter Wiseman, Jr.
James Walter Wiseman, Jr of Leasburg, Missouri was born on
November 24, 1929 at Rogersville, Alabama to the union of James
Walter Wiseman and Angiline Brown Wiseman and passed away on April
27, 2005 at the Gibbs Care Center, Steelville, Missouri at the age
of 75 years 5 months and 3 days.
James was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Gale
Wiseman.
Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his two
sons, Walter Wiseman and wife Kim of Leasburg, Missouri and Stephen
Wiseman and wife Shirley of Centerville, Missouri; four daughters,
Deborah Calvird and husband Gary of High Point, Missouri, Kathy
Vernon and husband Fred of Jefferson City, Missouri, Madonna
Schrimpf and husband Derek of Russellville, Missouri and Victoria
Wiseman of Wisconsin.
Two sisters, Sue Smith and husband Wesley of St. Charles,
Missouri and Betty Henley of Independence, Missouri. Fifteen
grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, other relatives and many
friends.
James was a devoted father, loving grandfather,
great-grandfather, and brother, good friend to all who knew him and
will be sadly missed.
Visitation for James Walter Wiseman, Jr. was held on Friday,
April 29, 2005 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri. He was cremated after visitation.
All arrangements were 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.
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